JP2007144841A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable it to easily and visually check a head for blowing and various adjustment values. <P>SOLUTION: A bar-like figure showing each heating element which composes a thermal head is arranged in the shape of a line. For example, the normal heating element without the running-out of head and the abnormal heating element with the running-out of head are displayed in the predetermined domain of the screen of the display section with black- and white color, respectively. The adjustment values of a pitch volume, an offset volume and a volume for adjusting a printing density are displayed, respectively, in the predetermined domain of the screen of the display section. Each adjustment value displayed in the display section is updated by a new adjustment value on real time whenever the adjustment value is changed by a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a printer that performs printing using a thermal head.

Conventionally, by applying a voltage to all the heating elements constituting the thermal head to cause printing, whether or not each heating element is operating normally (so-called head cut (predetermined heating element is disconnected) The presence or absence of) was confirmed visually.
In addition, for example, by performing a disconnection check of each heating element with a head breakage determination value corresponding to an initial resistance value that is different for each thermal head, it is possible to determine that a thermal head that is still printable has run out of print, or that printing is already impossible. There is a technique in which it is possible to perform an accurate disconnection check by reducing the possibility of detecting a head break of a thermal head in a state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-310493 A

  However, in the background art, if the width from one end of all the heating elements arranged in a line constituting the thermal head to the other end is larger than the width of the label, the head is checked for breakage. For this reason, it has not been possible to perform printing using all the heating elements constituting the thermal head. Therefore, when checking for head breakage, it is necessary to reload a label having a width larger than the width from one end to the other end of all the heating elements constituting the thermal head, which is complicated. There was a problem of becoming.

  Further, in the invention of Patent Document 1, it is possible to automatically check whether or not the head has run out, and display that fact on the display. There is a problem that it is impossible to easily confirm the position of the generated heating element.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to quickly and easily confirm the presence or absence of head breakage in each heating element constituting a thermal head.

The printer according to claim 1 is a printer having a thermal head composed of a plurality of heating elements arranged in a line, and includes a detection means for detecting the state of each heating element, and a display representing a detection result by the detection means. A generation means for generating data and a display control means for displaying the display data on a predetermined display device are provided.
In addition, the display data generated by the generation unit includes the first graphic corresponding to the heating element operating normally and the first corresponding to the heating element not operating normally, according to the detection result of the detection unit. Bitmap image data corresponding to at least one of the two figures can be included.
Further, the detection means can detect whether or not each heating element constituting the thermal head is out of head and output a detection result.
In addition, setting means for setting various adjustment values can be further provided, the generation means can generate display data representing each adjustment value, and the display control means can display the display data on a display device.

  According to the printer of the present invention, since the state of each heating element constituting the thermal head is detected and the detection result is graphically displayed on a predetermined display device, the state of each heating element is quickly and easily confirmed visually. be able to.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a label printer 100 as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment includes a label continuous body 3 in which a plurality of labels 1 are temporarily attached to a strip-shaped mount 2 at equal intervals, and a plurality of heating elements arranged in a line, A thermal head 4 that prints predetermined print data on the label 1 by causing each heating element to generate heat corresponding to the print data while being pressed against the label 1 via an ink ribbon 12 described later, and a control unit 20 described later. The stepping motor 6 driven by the above control and the rotational driving force of the stepping motor 6 are transmitted by gears and the like to rotate, and the label 1 and the mount 2 constituting the label continuous body 3 are sandwiched between the thermal head 4. The platen roller 5 that is conveyed while the rotational driving force of the stepping motor 6 is transmitted by a gear or the like and rotates, and the pulling roller 14 pulls the mount 2 that is turned by the peeling plate 8. The guide plate 15 that guides and discharges the mount 2 pulled by the pulling roller 14 to the discharge port 16, the light emitting portion that emits light, and the light receiving portion that receives the light, and the light emitting portion irradiates the back surface of the mount 2. The light receiving unit receives the reflected light of the received light, outputs a detection signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light (the amount of light received per unit time), a ribbon supply unit 11 for supplying the ink ribbon 12, and a ribbon A roller 9 for guiding the ink ribbon 12 supplied from the supply unit 11 between the thermal head 4 and the label 1, a roller 10 for guiding the ink ribbon 12 to the ribbon winding unit 13, and a ribbon winding for winding the ink ribbon 12 It is comprised from the taking part 13, the control part 20 which controls each part, the operation panel 40 etc. which were connected to the control part 20. Under the control of the control unit 20, each heating element constituting the thermal head 4 generates heat according to the print data, so that the ink on the ink ribbon 12 is melted and printing on the label 1 is performed. Yes.

  Further, on the back surface of the mount 2 (the surface on which the sensor 7 is arranged), an identification mark such as a black rectangle is formed by printing or the like at a position corresponding to the front end of each label 1. The intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit when the identification mark is irradiated with light is reflected by the light receiving unit when the portion of the back surface of the mount 2 where the identification mark is not formed is irradiated with light. Since it is smaller than the light intensity, the control unit 20 recognizes that the identification mark has been detected by the sensor 7 based on the detection data corresponding to the detection signal output from the sensor 7, and the label 1 and the thermal head 4. It is possible to adjust the printing timing and the like by grasping the relative positional relationship.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the operation panel 40. As shown in the figure, the operation panel 40 is in a communicable state with a display section 60 that displays a mode selection screen, an operation screen in each setting mode, various setting values to be described later, etc., an LED 71 that is lit when the power is turned on LED 72 that lights when there is a certain time (online) and blinks when there is a communication error, LED 73 that lights when an error occurs, blinks when data is sent and received and indicates the status, and when the label continuum 3 ends (when a paper error occurs) LED 74 to be lit, LED 75 to be lit when the ink ribbon 12 is finished (at the time of a ribbon error), and a line key ("LINE" key) that is operated when starting / stopping printing and switching on / off of data transmission / reception ) 51 and a feed key (“FEED” key) operated when instructing delivery of the label continuous body 3. ) 52, a function key ("FUNCTION" key) 53 operated when returning to the mode selection screen in each setting mode, and when inputting a numerical value or moving the cursor up / down / left / right in each setting mode The up key 54, the down key 55, the left key 56, and the right key 57 that are operated, the enter key ("ENTER" key) 58 that is operated when determining the set contents in each setting mode, and print data Cancel key ("CANCEL" key) 59 operated when returning to the previous setting item in each setting mode, and a buzzer operated when adjusting the volume when the buzzer 33 sounds Volume adjustment volume 81, pitch volume 82 operated when adjusting the printing position (pitch), and peeling The offset volume 83 is operated to adjust the stop position and the like, and a print density adjusting volume 84 to be operated to adjust the print density.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the control unit 20 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, the control unit 20 includes a ROM 22 that executes various processes and stores a control program for controlling each part, and a CPU that executes the various processes according to the control program stored in the ROM 22 and controls each part. (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 for storing various data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes and control each unit, and a stepping motor 6 under the control of the CPU 21. A motor control unit 24 that supplies a control signal for rotational driving, a sensor control unit 25 that supplies detection data corresponding to a detection signal supplied from the sensor 7 to the CPU 21 via the bus 32, and printing under the control of the CPU 21 A control signal corresponding to data or the like is supplied to the thermal head 4 to perform a printing operation, and will be described later. Between the print control unit 26 for checking the head breakage, the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 27 that retains the stored data even when the power is turned off, and an external device such as a personal computer. The external interface 28 for transmitting and receiving data and commands and the key code input from the input unit 50 are supplied to the CPU 21 via the bus 32, and the display data supplied from the CPU 21 via the bus 32 to the display unit 60. An interface (I / F) 29 to be supplied, an LED control unit 30 that individually controls and turns on or off the LEDs 71 to 75 under the control of the CPU 21, a buzzer volume adjustment volume 81, a pitch volume 82, an offset volume 83, And adjustment values indicating the adjustment values of the print density adjustment volume 84. It comprises an interface (I / F) 31 that supplies integer data to the CPU 21 via the bus 32, a buzzer 33 that sounds under the control of the CPU 21 and emits a sound of a predetermined volume, a bus 32 that connects each part, and the like. ing.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the user has operated a power switch (not shown) to turn on the power. As a result, when it is determined that the power is not turned on, the processes after step S1 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power is turned on, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S <b> 2, the online mode is set as the operation mode of the label printer 100 under the control of the CPU 21. Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the line key 51 has been pressed by the user. As a result, when it is determined that the line key 51 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S2 and the processes after step S2 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the line key 51 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 4, the offline mode is set as the operation mode of the label printer 100 under the control of the CPU 21. Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the enter key 58 has been pressed by the user. As a result, when it is determined that the enter key 58 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S4, and the processes after step S4 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the enter key 58 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the user mode is set as the operation mode of the label printer 100 under the control of the CPU 21. Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the enter key 58 has been pressed by the user. As a result, if it is determined that the enter key 58 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if it is determined that the enter key 58 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S <b> 8, under the control of the CPU 21, the print control unit 26 checks whether or not there is a so-called head out (a predetermined heating element is disconnected). That is, the CPU 21 instructs the print control unit 26 to inspect whether or not each heating element constituting the thermal head 4 is normal.

  Upon receiving this command, the print control unit 26 sequentially applies a predetermined voltage to each heating element constituting the thermal head 4 and measures the voltage value applied to the heating element. Then, the measured value of the voltage value of each heating element is supplied to the CPU 21 as inspection data via the bus 32. Based on the inspection data supplied from the print control unit 26, the CPU 21 determines whether or not each heating element is normal, that is, whether or not the head has run out.

  Next, in step S <b> 9, the CPU 21 generates display data for displaying the head-out information indicating the presence / absence of the head-out and the position of the abnormal heating element that has become out of the head based on the determination result. Is supplied to the display unit 60 via the interface 29. Depending on the determination result, the display data includes, for example, a black bar-shaped figure corresponding to a normally operating heating element, and a white bar-shaped corresponding to an abnormally operating heating element that has run out of heads. Bit map image data corresponding to a graphic representing a state in which at least one of the figures is arranged in a line. The display unit 60 displays the display data supplied from the CPU 21.

  Next, in step S <b> 10, the CPU 21 acquires adjustment value data indicating the set values of the buzzer volume adjustment volume 81, the pitch volume 82, the offset volume 83, and the print density adjustment volume 84 via the interface 31. . Next, the CPU 21 generates display data for displaying each adjustment value based on each adjustment value data, and supplies the display data to the display unit 60 via the interface 29 via the bus 32. The display unit 60 displays the display data supplied from the CPU 21.

  Next, in step S11, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the adjustment value of the pitch volume 82 has changed based on the adjustment value data supplied via the interface 31 via the bus 32. As a result, when it is determined that the adjustment value of the pitch volume 82 has changed, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the CPU 21 generates display data in which the adjustment value of the pitch volume 82 is updated with the latest adjustment value based on the latest adjustment value data supplied via the bus 31 via the interface 31. To the unit 60. The display unit 60 displays display data in which the adjustment value of the pitch volume 82 supplied from the CPU 21 is updated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the adjustment value of the pitch volume 82 has not changed, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S <b> 13, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the adjustment value of the offset volume 83 has changed based on the adjustment value data supplied via the interface 31 via the bus 32. As a result, when it is determined that the adjustment value of the offset volume 83 has changed, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S <b> 14, the CPU 21 generates display data in which the adjustment value of the offset volume 83 is updated with the latest adjustment value based on the latest adjustment value data supplied via the bus 32 via the interface 31. To the unit 60. The display unit 60 displays the display data in which the adjustment value of the offset volume 83 supplied from the CPU 21 is updated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the adjustment value of the offset volume 83 has not changed, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the adjustment value of the print density adjustment volume 84 has changed based on the adjustment value data supplied via the interface 31 via the bus 32. As a result, if it is determined that the adjustment value of the print density adjustment volume 84 has changed, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S <b> 16, the CPU 21 generates display data in which the adjustment value of the print density adjustment volume 84 is updated with the latest adjustment value based on the latest adjustment value data supplied via the bus 32 via the interface 31. And supplied to the display unit 60. The display unit 60 displays display data in which the adjustment value of the print density adjustment volume 84 supplied from the CPU 21 is updated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S17.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the adjustment value of the print density adjustment volume 84 has not changed, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the line key 51 has been pressed by the user.

  As a result, when it is determined that the line key 51 has not been pressed by the user, the process returns to step S10, and the processes after step S10 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the line key 51 is pressed by the user, the process returns to step S2, and the processes after step S2 are repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 5 shows a display example of the head-out information displayed on the display unit 60 and the adjustment value of each volume. As shown in the figure, the head-out information is displayed as a graphic in which, for example, bar-shaped figures representing each heating element constituting the thermal head 4 are arranged in a horizontal row. That is, a normal heating element is displayed as, for example, a black stick figure, and an abnormal heating element is displayed as a white stick figure.

  In FIG. 5, the hatched portion indicates a portion where normal heating elements are arranged, and the white portion where no hatching is drawn displays a graphic corresponding to an abnormal heating element in which the head is cut off. It has been shown.

  Then, the adjustment value of each volume is displayed in a region (lower region) below the upper region where the head breakage information is displayed. In this example, the title “OFFSET VOLUME”, the display item name “PITCH”, the adjustment value “+0.00” of the pitch volume 82, the display item name “OFFSET”, and the adjustment value “+0.00” of the offset volume 83. ”, The display item name“ DARKNESS ”, and the adjustment value“ 00 ”of the print density adjustment volume 84 are displayed.

  The user can visually confirm the presence / absence of the head outage and the position of the heating element that has caused the head outage from the head outage information. Further, each adjustment value can be set while looking at the adjustment value of each volume displayed on the display unit 60.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the head-out information and the adjustment values of various volumes are displayed on the display unit 60. For example, the width of the loaded label constitutes the thermal head 4. Even if it is smaller than the width of the heating element group arranged in a row, all the heating element figures can be displayed on the display unit 60.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the figures corresponding to the respective heating elements are arranged and displayed in a horizontal row, but the figures representing the respective heating elements can be divided into a plurality of lines and displayed. In that case, even if the total number of the figures that can be displayed in a horizontal row on the screen of the display unit 60 is smaller than the total number of the heating elements arranged in a line constituting the thermal head 4, the figures corresponding to all the heating elements. Can be displayed.

  Further, since the adjustment value of each volume is displayed on the display unit 60 and is updated in real time, the adjustment value can be easily and quickly adjusted to a desired adjustment value while visually confirming each adjustment value.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the abnormal heat generating body was displayed in white, you may make it display in colors other than the ground color of the display part 60, or black.

  In addition, the configuration and operation of the above embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As an application example of the present invention, for example, the present invention can be applied not only to a label printer but also to various other printers.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the label printer as one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an operation panel. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a control part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of head cutting | disconnection information and various adjustment values which were displayed on the display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Label 2 Mount 3 Label continuous body 4 Thermal head 5 Platen roller 6 Stepping motor 7 Sensor 8 Separation plate 9, 10 Roller 11 Ribbon supply part 12 Ink ribbon 13 Ribbon take-up part 14 Towing roller 15 Guide plate 16 Discharge port 20 Control part 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 motor control unit 25 sensor control unit 26 print control unit 27 EEPROM
28 External interface 29, 31 Interface (I / F)
30 LED control unit 32 Bus 33 Buzzer 40 Operation panel 50 Input unit 51 Line key 52 Feed key 53 Function key 54 Up key 55 Down key 56 Left key 57 Right key 58 Enter key 59 Cancel key 60 Display unit 71 to 75 LED
81 Volume for adjusting buzzer volume 82 Pitch volume 83 Offset volume 84 Volume for adjusting print density 100 Label printer

Claims (4)

A printer having a thermal head composed of a plurality of heating elements arranged in a line,
Detection means for detecting the state of each heating element;
Generating means for generating display data representing a detection result by the detecting means;
And a display control means for displaying the display data on a predetermined display device. The display data generated by the generation unit corresponds to the first graphic corresponding to the heating element operating normally and the heating element not operating normally according to the detection result of the detection unit. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising bitmap image data corresponding to at least one of the second graphics. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects whether or not each of the heating elements constituting the thermal head is out of a head and outputs a detection result. It further comprises setting means for setting various adjustment values,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates display data representing each adjustment value, and the display control unit displays the display data on the display device.

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