JP2007237616A - Printer, method for controlling printer, and printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer, a method for controlling the printer, and a printer system in which even if residual quantity of a rolled, long-length print medium varies, it is possible to always provide a high-quality printing result and perform printing processing at a high speed. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 240 comprises a paper-conveying mechanism 246 which conveys rolled paper along a conveying path while sending it out, a printing mechanism 247 which performs printing of an image on the rolled paper according to a printing job, a residual quantity value calculation section 306 which calculates a residual quantity value of the rolled paper based on the overall length and conveyance quantity of the rolled paper, and a conveying control part 243 which indicates the paper-conveying mechanism so that it conveys the rolled paper at a conveyance speed according to the residual quantity value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, a printer control method, and a printer system, which conveys a wound long print medium along a conveyance path while feeding it, and prints an image on the print medium according to a print job.

  2. Description of the Related Art A roll paper printer that prints an image while feeding a long print medium along a conveyance path such as a receipt printer or a coupon ticket issuing machine is known. In these printers, the rolled paper is first cued to the print start position by a transport mechanism such as a paper feed roller, and further, an image corresponding to the print data is printed while being transported at a predetermined transport speed. It is configured.

  In such a receipt printer or coupon ticketing machine, if roll paper runs out during work, the print data to be printed cannot be printed correctly, or receipt issuance or coupon ticketing work is delayed and the work can be performed quickly. It may become impossible. In addition, the roll paper becomes stronger as it approaches the inner circumference, so if the remaining amount is small, the discharge process cannot be smoothly performed in a largely curved state, and curved receipts and coupons are very difficult to see. Sometimes.

  In order to avoid such a situation, in Patent Document 1, a strain gauge is provided at the bottom of the roll paper folder, and the remaining amount of roll paper is divided into three levels according to the degree of distortion of the strain gauge corresponding to the remaining amount of roll paper. There has been disclosed a printer that allows a user to recognize the remaining amount of roll paper by being configured to display separately. Patent Document 2 discloses a printer configured to correct the curl by applying a tension having a magnitude corresponding to the remaining amount of roll paper in a direction opposite to the curving direction of the roll paper. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  By the way, in such a type of printer that prints on roll paper, the print quality may vary depending on the remaining amount of roll paper. In general, in order to realize high-speed processing, a printer is desired to set the conveyance speed by the conveyance mechanism as high as possible and the printing speed by the printing mechanism as high as possible. However, if the conveyance control is always performed at a high speed regardless of the remaining amount of roll paper, if the remaining amount of roll paper is large, a slip occurs between the roll paper and the conveyance mechanism, and a desired torque is not transmitted to the roll paper. Sometimes. That is, since the roll paper is idle, the expected roll paper cannot be transported.

  For example, printing for the height of the print head (the length from the lower end to the upper end in the transport direction among the nozzles provided in the print head) is performed by a single drive of the carriage that is driven in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. In an ink jet printer that performs so-called Band printing, if the roll paper conveyance amount cannot be maintained constant, gaps and overlapping portions are formed as shown in FIG. In some cases, the expected print result cannot be obtained.

  In order to avoid such a situation, in general, the conveyance speed is set so that the remaining amount of the roll paper is equal so that the torque can be sufficiently transmitted to the roll paper in consideration of the slip of the roll paper in advance (so that the roll paper does not run idle). It is set to a speed that can maintain the print quality when the number is high.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-115787 JP 2004-223715 A

  However, even when the remaining amount of roll paper is low and sufficient torque can be obtained even when conveyed at high speed, the conveyance speed by the conveyance mechanism remains constant at the speed when the remaining amount of roll paper is the largest. Also, since the printing speed by the printing mechanism is constant, as a result, the printing process cannot be executed at a high speed, and the original capabilities of each mechanism of the printer cannot be exhibited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is a printer capable of executing high-quality and high-speed printing processing according to the remaining amount of a long print medium, a printer control method, and a printer The purpose is to provide a system.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
(1) a print medium transport mechanism that transports a long print medium along a transport path;
A printer having a printing mechanism for printing an image on the print medium according to a print job,
A remaining amount calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount value of the print medium based on a total length of the print medium and a conveyance amount of the print medium;
And a conveyance control unit that instructs the print medium conveyance mechanism to convey the print medium at a conveyance speed according to the remaining amount value.
(2) A plurality of conveyance speeds corresponding to the remaining amount value are set in the printer,
The printer according to (1), wherein the conveyance control unit discontinuously changes a plurality of conveyance speeds according to the remaining amount value.
(3) a print medium transport mechanism that transports a long print medium along a transport path;
A printer control method comprising: a printing mechanism that prints an image on the print medium according to a print job,
Calculate the remaining amount of the print medium based on the total length of the print medium and the transport amount of the print medium,
A method for controlling a printer, comprising: instructing the print medium transport mechanism to transport the print medium at a transport speed according to the remaining amount value.
(4) A plurality of conveyance speeds corresponding to the remaining amount value are set in the printer,
The printer control method according to (3), wherein a plurality of conveyance speeds corresponding to the remaining amount value are discontinuously changed.
(5) a host computer;
A printer system that includes a printer that is communicably connected to the host computer and that prints on a long print medium in accordance with an instruction from the host computer,
The printer includes a remaining amount value calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount value of the print medium based on a total length of the print medium and a conveyance amount of the print medium, a transmission unit that transmits the remaining amount value to the host computer, Have
The host computer obtains a transport speed of the print medium according to the remaining amount value based on the remaining amount value transmitted by the transmission unit, and sends the print medium to the printer according to the transport speed. Instruct the transport,
The printer system according to claim 1, wherein the printer transports the print medium in response to the transport instruction from the host computer.
(6) A plurality of conveyance speeds corresponding to the remaining amount value are set in the host computer,
The printer system according to (5), wherein the printer discontinuously changes the plurality of transport speeds according to the transport instruction.

  According to the printer and the control method thereof of the present invention, the remaining amount value of the print medium is calculated, and the print medium is transported at a transport speed corresponding to the remaining amount value. Accordingly, since the remaining speed value can be changed and the transport speed can be changed, the original ability of the print medium transport mechanism according to the remaining capacity value can be exhibited. Further, since printing is performed by the printing mechanism in a state where the original ability of the printing medium transport mechanism is exhibited, it is possible to improve the original printing performance by the printer. That is, it is possible to perform high-speed printing processing while maintaining high print quality.

  In addition, according to the printer and the control method thereof of the present invention, the conveyance control unit can discontinuously change a plurality of preset conveyance speeds. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-speed printing processing while maintaining print quality with simple conveyance control, compared to a case where the conveyance speed is continuously changed.

  According to the printer system of the present invention, the host computer is configured to obtain the conveyance speed based on the remaining amount value of the print medium transmitted from the printer. The printer may perform printing while transporting the print medium in accordance with a transport speed instruction from the host computer. Therefore, the printer can perform high-speed printing processing while maintaining print quality even when using a conveyance control unit that is not high in processing capability and performs simple conveyance control without complicated determination. That is, by employing a relatively inexpensive member, it is possible to provide a printer with a low manufacturing cost.

  Further, according to the printer system of the present invention, in the case where a plurality of printers of the type that print on a long print medium are connected to the host computer, the remaining amount value of the print medium transmitted from each printer is represented by the host computer. If it is managed on the side, it is possible to grasp the replacement time of the print medium, and it is possible to cope with the preparation of the print medium in advance.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an inkjet printer of a type that performs band printing (hereinafter referred to as a printer). The printer 240 according to the present embodiment is connected to the host computer 220 via a network so as to be communicable, and performs ink jet printing in accordance with a print job including a control command or print data transmitted from the host computer 220. Printer.

<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of a printer and a printer system according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the inside by opening two front covers of the printer 240 of the present embodiment.

(Configuration of Printer 240)
First, the printer 240 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 240 according to the present embodiment is a printer that uses a plurality of types of color inks, performs image recording (multi-color printing) on a roll paper 11 as a printing medium, and issues a coupon ticket. is there.

  In the printer 240, a power switch 3, a roll paper cover 5, and a mounting portion opening / closing cover 7 are arranged in order from the left side on the front surface of the printer case 2 including the front upper panel 2 a and the case cover 2 b. A display unit (hereinafter referred to as LED lamp 6) for notifying the user of the status of the printer 240 and the host computer 220 is provided above the power switch 3. The roll paper cover 5 and the mounting portion opening / closing cover 7 can both be opened and closed forward via a hinge (not shown) provided at the bottom.

  When the roll paper cover 5 is opened, the paper storage unit 13 that stores the roll paper 11 that is printing paper is opened, and the roll paper 11 can be replaced in this state. On the other hand, when the mounting portion opening / closing cover 7 is opened, the cartridge mounting portion 15 is opened, and the ink cartridge 20 can be attached and detached.

  The ink cartridge 20 is a cartridge case in which three color ink packs of yellow, cyan, and magenta are packaged together. In the case of the printer 240 of this embodiment, in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the mounting portion opening / closing cover 7, the ink cartridge 20 in the cartridge mounting portion 15 is moved from the cartridge replacement position to the cartridge usage position, or from the cartridge usage position to the cartridge replacement position. Move to slide.

(Relationship between printer and host computer)
Next, the relationship between the printer 240 and the host computer 220 according to the present invention will be described. The host computer 220 mainly includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM as a nonvolatile memory, a RAM as a volatile memory, an HDD as a large-scale storage device, an input device, and a communication interface. The CPU of the host computer 220 controls the printer 240 by outputting various commands and print data to the printer 240 via the communication interface while executing the operating system and application programs stored in the HDD.

  The printer 240 mainly includes a CPU (not shown), a flash ROM that is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, a RAM that is a volatile memory, and a communication interface. Further, the printer 240 conveys the roll paper 11 while feeding it. A paper transport mechanism 246 (printing medium transport mechanism) that transports along the path and starts the top of the roll paper to the print start position, a print head that ejects ink onto the roll paper 11 and the like (printing mechanism) 247) (see FIG. 2).

  The CPU of the printer 240 receives print data by communicating with the host computer 220 via the communication interface while executing the firmware stored in the flash ROM. Then, while the transport control unit 243 transports the roll paper 11 via the paper transport mechanism 246 based on various commands, the print control unit 245 drives the print head based on the various commands and print data to supply the roll paper 11 to the roll paper 11. Execute printing and issue receipts and coupons. Further, the printer 240 notifies the user of the remaining amount of the roll paper 11 of the printer 240 and various information by turning on or blinking the LED lamp 6.

(Configuration of roll paper transport process)
The printer 240 according to the present embodiment is configured to change the conveyance speed according to the remaining amount value of the roll paper 11 and convey the roll paper 11, and print jobs including print commands and print data transmitted from the host computer 220. The printing is performed on the roll paper 11 based on the above.

  Hereinafter, how the printer 240 of the present embodiment obtains the remaining value of the roll paper 11 and how the paper transport mechanism 246 transports at the transport speed corresponding to the remaining value of the roll paper 11 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing internal processing of the printer 240.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer 240, a receiving unit 301 that receives various commands and print data transmitted from the host computer 220, and various commands and print data received by the receiving unit 301 are temporarily stored. A reception buffer 302 is provided. The data received by the reception buffer 302 is analyzed by the command analysis unit 303 and transferred to the control command buffer 304 in the case of a control command, and transferred to the print buffer 305 in the case of print data by DMA transfer or the like.

  The print data temporarily stored in the print buffer 305 is subjected to data expansion processing, converted into data, and finally dot pattern data corresponding to the nozzle array of the print head is generated and stored in the print buffer 305. On the other hand, the control command data temporarily stored in the control command buffer 304 is read by the main control unit 308, and processing corresponding to the control command such as roll paper cutting and roll paper conveyance speed change is executed.

  The transport control unit 243 drives the paper transport mechanism 246 based on a transport command transmitted from the host computer 220. The printer 240 of this embodiment is a type of printer that performs so-called Band printing, and the height of the print head (the print head is changed every time a carriage (not shown) is driven once in a direction perpendicular to the roll paper conveyance direction. Among the provided nozzles, the length from the lower end to the upper end in the transport direction (hereinafter referred to as “one band”) is configured to perform printing. That is, the transport control unit 243 drives the paper transport mechanism 246 every time one band is printed, and feeds the roll paper 11 having a transport amount corresponding to one band printed by one drive of the carriage.

  Further, the transport control unit 243 is configured to transport the roll paper 11 by changing the transport speed of the paper transport mechanism 246 in accordance with the remaining amount value of the roll paper calculated by a residual value calculation unit 306 described later. Yes. The transfer speed shifting process will be described later.

  The print control unit 245 drives a printing mechanism 247 such as a carriage and a print head based on a print command and print data transmitted from the host computer 220. Here, the print head is driven based on the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 305 in accordance with the print command, an image is formed on the roll paper 11, and a coupon is created.

The remaining amount calculation unit 306 calculates the remaining amount of the roll paper 11 based on the total length of the roll paper 11 and the transport amount of the roll paper 11. Details will be described later.
The information storage unit 307 is an area for storing various information of the printer 240, and is formed in a predetermined area in the flash ROM, for example.

Next, a roll paper conveyance process (conveyance speed shift process) in the printer 240 will be described in detail.
The information storage unit 307 of the printer 240 according to the present embodiment stores the total length L of the roll paper 11 that is not used (new) and the remaining value X1 of the roll paper 11 when the power is turned off last time.

  The total length L of the unused roll paper 11 is stored in the information recording unit 307 by a roll paper setting operation performed when the roll paper is set in the paper storage unit 13. For example, when it is possible to handle a plurality of types of roll paper, the total length of the roll paper can be selected and set from a plurality of roll papers during the roll paper setting operation. Note that the roll paper setting operation may be executed by the user through a command instruction via the operation panel of the host computer 220, or may be executed directly by an instruction from an operation button or the like of the printer 240.

The remaining amount value X1 is set by storing the remaining amount value X when the power is turned off in the information storage unit 307. When the roll paper 11 is new, the remaining amount value X1 is set to the unused roll paper length L. The roll paper remaining amount value X is determined by applying the roll paper 11 by a conveyance amount (Z: a conveyance amount for 1 Band in the present embodiment) set in advance by the conveyance control unit 243 in accordance with a conveyance command transmitted from the host computer 220. It is calculated every time it is conveyed and stored in the information storage unit 307. That is, the remaining amount value X is expressed as follows.

X = X1-Z × (number of times of conveyance)

  The information storage unit 307 stores in advance a table that indicates the correspondence between the roll paper remaining value X and the roll paper conveyance speed Y. This table is for changing the roll paper conveyance speed Y in accordance with the roll paper remaining amount value X. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the roll paper remaining amount value X is plotted on the horizontal axis and the roll paper conveyance speed Y is plotted on the vertical axis, a specific remaining value (X = 20 [m], 40 [m]) is used as a threshold value, and the conveyance speed Y is discontinuously changed stepwise. Here, a correlation is stored in the table such that the conveyance speed Y increases stepwise as the remaining amount value X decreases. This is because the transport speed Y is set to be small in consideration of the fact that slippage is likely to occur when the remaining amount value X is large. The printing speed is increased by increasing the conveyance speed Y.

  Actually, the remaining amount value calculation unit 306 obtains the remaining amount value X at that time point each time the sheet transport mechanism 246 transports the roll paper 11 of the transport amount Z corresponding to 1 Band. In the next conveyance, the conveyance speed Y is set according to the obtained remaining amount value X while referring to this table. Note that such a correlation is an empirical relationship that takes into account the number of rotations of the motor connected to the roll paper transport roller, the length, weight, paper quality, and the like of the roll paper. It is not limited to the relationship shown in 3 (a).

  When the conveyance control unit 243 receives a print job from the host computer 220, the conveyance control unit 243 refers to the table stored in the information storage unit 307 to obtain the conveyance speed Y corresponding to the remaining amount value X at that time, and the sheet conveyance mechanism 246. Thus, the roll paper 11 is conveyed and printing is performed. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the conveyance control unit 243 monitors the remaining amount value X of the roll paper 11, sets the appropriate conveyance speed Y according to the remaining amount value X, and controls the conveyance. The rotational torque is sufficiently transmitted to the paper 11, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of slip. Furthermore, when the remaining amount value X decreases and torque is easily transmitted, the conveyance speed Y is changed to a high speed, so that the printing process can be speeded up.

  In addition, the remaining amount value calculation unit 306 of the printer 240 according to the present embodiment calculates a remaining amount value X every time the print job ends. Therefore, the transport control unit 243 can instruct the transport speed Y in the next print job to the paper transport mechanism 246 based on the remaining amount value X of the roll paper 11 at the end of the previous print job. In other words, in the present embodiment, the conveyance speed is not changed during one print job and is maintained at a constant speed. Instead of obtaining the remaining amount value X every time the print job is completed, the conveyance speed Y may be changed while always obtaining the remaining amount value X.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a specific flow of the roll paper conveyance process outlined above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining roll paper conveyance processing in the printer 240.

  When the printer 240 receives a print job from the host computer 220 via the reception unit 301 (step S11: Yes), the conveyance control unit 243 is calculated by the remaining amount calculation unit 306 and stored in the information storage unit 307. The roll paper remaining value (X1) at the end of the last received print job and the correspondence table between the roll paper remaining value X and the roll paper transport speed Y are referred to, and the remaining value X of the roll paper 11 at that time The conveyance speed Y corresponding to is obtained. Here, a new roll paper length is set to 60 [m], 20 [m] and 40 [m] are set as threshold values, and a correspondence table that can be changed to three conveyance speeds is referred to. ] <X ≦ 60 [m] is determined (step S12).

  If the remaining amount value X is within the range of 40 [m] <X ≦ 60 [m], the transport speed of the roll paper 11 is set to the first transport speed (step S13). Then, the printing mechanism 247 executes printing via the printing control unit 245 while conveying the roll paper 11 at the first conveyance speed (step S14).

  If the remaining amount value X is not within the range of 40 [m] <X ≦ 60 [m] in step S12, it is determined whether or not it is within the range of 20 [m] <X ≦ 40 [m]. If so, the transport speed of the roll paper 11 is set to the second transport speed (step S15: Yes, step S16). Then, the printing mechanism 247 executes printing via the printing control unit 245 while conveying the roll paper 11 at the second conveyance speed that is higher than the first conveyance speed (step S14).

  If the remaining amount value X is not within the range of 20 [m] <X ≦ 40 [m] in step S15, it is determined whether or not it is within the range of 0 [m] <X ≦ 20 [m]. If so, the transport speed of the roll paper 11 is set to the third transport speed (step S17: Yes, step S18). Then, the printing mechanism 247 performs printing via the print control unit 245 while conveying the roll paper 11 at a third conveyance speed that is higher than the second conveyance speed (step S14).

  As described above, the printer 240 according to the present embodiment has a conveyance speed that does not cause a slip if the remaining value X of the roll paper 11 is within the range of 40 [m] <X ≦ 60 [m]. If it is within the range of 20 [m] <X ≦ 40 [m], it is transported at the second transport speed, and 0 [m] <X ≦ 20 [ m], it is set so that it is transported at the third transport speed and transported at three transport speeds step by step. Further, the printer 240 is configured to set the transport speed to a higher speed as the remaining amount value X decreases. For this reason, when the remaining amount of the roll paper 11 is sufficient, the paper transport mechanism 246 transports the roll paper at a relatively low speed, so that torque can be sufficiently transmitted to the roll paper and slipping can be prevented. It is. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the roll paper 11 decreases, the paper transport mechanism 246 performs printing while transporting the roll paper 11 at a high speed, so that each of the printers 240 such as the paper transport mechanism 246 and the print mechanism 247 is provided. It is possible to bring out the original performance of the mechanism. That is, the printer 240 according to the present embodiment can achieve high-speed printing processing while always maintaining high print quality regardless of the remaining amount of roll paper.

  In this embodiment, the transport speed Y is obtained based on the correspondence table between the remaining roll paper value X stored in the information storage unit 307 and the roll paper transport speed Y. For example, FIG. As shown in (b), the conveyance speed may be changed continuously. In this case, a predetermined function may be set in the program in the printer 240 in advance, and the conveyance control unit 246 may be configured to change the conveyance speed Y based on this function. In this case, since the conveyance speed is continuously changed and the conveyance control is performed more finely, a further high-speed printing process can be realized.

Second Embodiment
Next, a printer and printer system according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described.
In the printer system 100 according to the present embodiment, a host computer 220 is communicably connected to an inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer 240) that performs band printing, and in accordance with a control command or print data transmitted from the host computer 220. Print.

(Configuration of roll paper transport process)
In the printer system 100 according to the present embodiment, the host computer 220 obtains the roll paper conveyance speed Y according to the remaining amount value X based on the remaining roll paper amount value X calculated by the printer 240, and the printer 240 receives from the host computer 220. Printing is executed while the roll paper 11 is being conveyed at a conveyance speed set based on a conveyance speed setting instruction, a print command, print data, and the like transmitted.

  Hereinafter, how the printer 240 in the printer system 100 of the present embodiment obtains the remaining amount value of the roll paper 11 and conveys it at the conveyance speed Y corresponding to the remaining amount value X of the roll paper 11 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing internal processes of the host computer 220 and the printer 240 in the printer system 100 of this embodiment. Note that the physical configuration and functional configuration of the printer 240 in the printer system 100 are the same as the basic configuration of the printer 240 described in the first embodiment, and thus description of the overlapping configuration is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the host computer 220 of the present embodiment mainly includes a remaining amount acquisition unit 221, a conveyance speed storage unit 222, a conveyance instruction unit 223, and a transmission / reception unit 224 from the viewpoint of roll paper conveyance processing. And have.

  The remaining amount acquisition unit 221 transmits a remaining amount transmission request command for requesting the printer 240 to transmit the remaining amount X of the roll paper 11. After the remaining amount value transmission request command is transmitted to the printer 240 via the transmission / reception unit 224, when the remaining amount value X is received from the printer 240, a reception confirmation is transmitted to the printer 240 and the received remaining amount value X is not shown. Store in the remaining amount storage unit.

  The transport speed storage unit 222 stores a table indicating the correspondence between the roll paper remaining amount value X of the printer 240 and the roll paper transport speed Y as shown in FIG. In the printer system 100, only one printer is connected to the host computer 220. However, the printer system 100 has a function of transmitting the remaining amount value X of the roll paper to the host computer 220 in response to the remaining amount value transmission request command. It is also possible to connect a plurality of equipped printers. In this case, the transport speed storage unit 222 can store a table of remaining roll paper values X and roll paper transport speed Y for each printer. If a table is stored for each printer, even if the correlation between the roll paper remaining amount value X and the roll paper conveyance speed Y in the printer 240 is different from the correlation in other printers, a single host computer 220 may be used. It is possible to control the roll paper conveyance process of the printer.

  The transport instruction unit 223 refers to the correspondence table stored in the transport speed storage unit 222 based on the roll paper remaining amount value X received from the printer 240, and determines the roll paper transport speed Y according to the remaining amount value X. Then, the printer 240 is instructed to convey the roll paper according to the conveyance speed Y.

  On the other hand, when the printer 240 receives the remaining amount value transmission request command from the host computer 220, the transmission unit 309 of the printer 240 reads the roll paper remaining amount value X stored in the information storage unit 307, Send to host computer 220.

  The information storage unit 307 stores a new roll paper length and a roll paper remaining value when the power is turned off last time. Each time the conveyance control unit 243 conveys the roll paper by the preset conveyance amount Z in accordance with the conveyance command in the print job received from the host computer 220, the remaining amount calculation unit 306 generates a new roll paper length. L or the conveyance amount Z is subtracted from the remaining roll paper value X1 when the power is turned off. At the end of the print job, the remaining amount value X of the roll paper at that time is held in the information storage unit 307.

  Next, a specific flow of the roll paper transport process in the printer system 100 schematically described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining roll paper conveyance processing in the printer system 100.

  Upon completion of processing of the previous print job, the remaining amount value of the host computer 220 is acquired at the start of processing of the next print job (here, at least a remaining amount value transmission request command, a conveyance speed setting command, and print data are included). The unit 221 transmits a remaining amount value transmission request command to the printer 240 via the transmission / reception unit 224 (step S21). When the command analysis unit 303 analyzes that the received command is a remaining amount value transmission request command, the printer 240 reads the latest remaining amount value stored in the information storage unit 307, and transmits the transmission unit. It transmits to the host computer 220 via 309 (step S32).

  When the host computer 220 receives the remaining amount value from the printer 240, the transport instruction unit 223 refers to the table shown in FIG. 3A stored in the transport speed storage unit 222 and responds to the received remaining amount value X. The transport speed Y of the rolled paper is obtained, and a transport speed setting command is transmitted to the printer 240 so as to transport the roll paper according to the transport speed Y (step S22). When the command analysis unit 303 of the printer 240 analyzes that the received command is a conveyance speed setting command, the main control unit 308 sets a conveyance speed for the conveyance control unit 243 (step S33).

  Thereafter, when print data is transmitted from the host computer 220 (step S23), the printer 240 temporarily stores the received print data in the print buffer 305 (step S34: Yes). Then, while the paper transport mechanism 246 transports the roll paper at the set transport speed via the transport control unit 243, the printing mechanism 247 performs printing via the print control unit 245 (step S35).

  When all the print data included in one print job has been received and printing has been completed (step S34: No), the processing of the current print job is terminated, and the process waits until the next print job is received.

  Note that the relationship between the remaining amount value X and the conveyance speed Y may be based on a function as shown in the graph of FIG. 3B in addition to the relationship based on FIG. That is, when the remaining amount value is received from the printer 240, the conveying instruction unit 246 is configured to set the conveying speed corresponding to the remaining amount value of the roll paper 11 to the printer 240 based on a preset function. Is also possible.

  As described above, the printer system 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the printer 240 returns the roll paper remaining amount value X at that time in response to the remaining amount value transmission request command from the host computer 220. Further, the conveyance speed Y corresponding to the roll paper remaining amount value X is obtained on the host computer 220 side, and the obtained conveyance speed Y is set in the printer 240 by a conveyance speed setting command. For this reason, the printer 240 performs printing at an appropriate conveyance speed corresponding to the remaining amount value regardless of the remaining amount value of the roll paper, so that the printing process can be performed at high speed while maintaining the print quality. Can be realized.

  In the printer system 1 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of printers that print on roll paper are connected to the host computer 220, the remaining amount value of the roll paper of each printer is managed on the host computer 220 side. Is also possible. In other words, a single host computer 220 can instruct a plurality of printers to transport roll paper at a transport speed corresponding to each roll paper remaining value. In addition, since the roll paper remaining value can be acquired from all the printers connected to the host computer 220 and the roll paper replacement time of each printer can be grasped, it is possible to prepare roll paper in advance. It is possible to take

It is the external appearance perspective view which opened the two front covers of the printer of this embodiment, and showed the inside. It is a functional block diagram showing internal processing of the printer of the present embodiment. (A) is the figure which showed the correlation of roll paper residual amount value and roll paper conveyance speed. (B) is a diagram showing another correlation between the remaining amount of roll paper and the roll paper conveyance speed. 6 is a flowchart for explaining roll paper conveyance processing in the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating internal processing of a host computer and a printer in the printer system of the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining roll paper conveyance processing in the printer system of the embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a printing result expected for a conventional Band printing printer. FIG. 4B shows a printing result obtained by a conventional Band printing printer.

Explanation of symbols

220 Host computer 221 Remaining value acquisition unit 222 Conveyance speed storage unit 223 Conveyance instruction unit 224 Transmission / reception unit 240 Printer 243 Conveyance control unit 245 Print control unit 246 Paper conveyance mechanism 247 Printing mechanism 306 Remaining value calculation unit 307 Information storage unit 309 Transmission Part

Claims (6)

A print medium transport mechanism for transporting along a transport path while sending out a long print medium;
A printer having a printing mechanism for printing an image on the print medium according to a print job,
A remaining amount calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount value of the print medium based on a total length of the print medium and a conveyance amount of the print medium;
And a conveyance control unit that instructs the print medium conveyance mechanism to convey the print medium at a conveyance speed according to the remaining amount value. The printer is set with a plurality of conveyance speeds according to the remaining amount value,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance control unit discontinuously changes a plurality of conveyance speeds according to the remaining amount value. A print medium transport mechanism for transporting along a transport path while sending out a long print medium;
A printer control method comprising: a printing mechanism that prints an image on the print medium according to a print job,
Calculate the remaining amount of the print medium based on the total length of the print medium and the transport amount of the print medium,
A method for controlling a printer, comprising: instructing the print medium transport mechanism to transport the print medium at a transport speed according to the remaining amount value. The printer is set with a plurality of conveyance speeds according to the remaining amount value,
4. The printer control method according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of conveyance speeds corresponding to the remaining amount value are discontinuously changed. A host computer;
A printer system that includes a printer that is communicably connected to the host computer and that prints on a long print medium in accordance with an instruction from the host computer,
The printer includes a remaining amount value calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount value of the print medium based on a total length of the print medium and a conveyance amount of the print medium, a transmission unit that transmits the remaining amount value to the host computer, Have
The host computer obtains a conveyance speed of the print medium according to the remaining amount value based on the remaining amount value transmitted by the transmission unit, and causes the printer to convey the print medium according to the conveyance speed. Instruct the transport,
The printer system according to claim 1, wherein the printer transports the print medium in response to the transport instruction from the host computer. The host computer is set with a plurality of conveyance speeds according to the remaining amount value,
The printer system according to claim 5, wherein the printer discontinuously changes the plurality of transport speeds according to the transport instruction.

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