JP2010030183A - Paper width detection method of label printer, print control method of label printer, and label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect paper width of a recording sheet such as a die cut label sheet obtained by sticking a label to a transparent mount by using a paper width detector of an optical system. <P>SOLUTION: When the paper width of a label printer 1 is detected, the range from a first position P1 located on the farther left side than the left end of a recording sheet of paper 12a to a second position P2 located on the farther right side than the right end of a recording sheet of paper 12a is scanned, the change point of reflectivity or transmissivity in the scanning range is detected, and out of the detected change points, a change point closest to the leftmost side, i.e., the first position P1, is determined as the left end position of the recording paper 12a, and a change point closest to the rightmost side, i.e., the second position P2, is determined as the right end position of the recording paper 12a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a paper width detection method of a label printer for accurately detecting the paper width of a recording paper having a label attached on a long mount, and detects the paper width by the paper width detection method and prints on the recording paper. The present invention relates to a label printer printing control method and a label printer.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers are known that perform printing by setting a recording sheet such as a label sheet having labels attached to a long mount at regular intervals. In this type of printer, a paper width detector performs a detection operation on the conveyance path for conveying the recording paper and the label to detect the paper width of the mount portion or the label portion of the recording paper, and controls each part of the printer based on the detection result. Printing. An optical sensor or the like is used for the paper width detector. By irradiating the inspection light toward the mount part or the label part of the recording paper and detecting the light reflected and returned by these parts, The width of the mount part and the label part is detected.

Patent Document 1 describes a printing apparatus in which an image sensor head in which optical elements are arranged at a density of 300 dpi and a reflecting member are formed wider than a label width and arranged above and below the label. In this printing apparatus, various labels having different widths are detected by irradiating inspection light from the image sensor head and detecting the reflected light that has been reflected back to the reflecting member or the label with each optical element of the image sensor head. Can be detected.
JP 2007-216515 A

Here, the paper width detector scans the top of the recording paper to detect changes in the reflectance and transmittance at the edge of the recording paper, and records the portion where the reflectance and transmittance changes above a predetermined threshold. In the detection method for the edge of the paper, changes in reflectance and transmittance due to dirt, scratches, punch holes, etc. on the recording paper cannot be distinguished from changes in the reflectance and transmittance at the edge of the recording paper. There was a problem that it occurred.

In the case of recording paper using a low-reflectance mount such as a transparent mount or a black mount,
In the first place, since the reflectance of the mount portion is low, the level of reflected light returning from the mount portion is low, and there is a possibility that the end portion of the mount cannot be detected.

In addition, in the case of die-cut label paper in which a die-cut label is pasted on a low-reflectance mount such as a transparent mount or a black mount, a die cutter ( A slit-like cut, which is a processing mark of the cutting die), is formed at the time of die cutting. For this reason, the reflectivity changes abruptly at the cut portion, and the cut may be erroneously recognized as the end portion of the mount. Therefore, the width of only the left and right mounts of the label (so-called scrap removal part) is determined to be the width of the recording paper,
Accurate detection of the width of the recording paper may occur due to the possibility of misdetection such as judging that the width of the right or left side of the label or the part excluding only the mount on both sides is the width of the recording paper. There was a problem that it was not possible.

Such a problem also occurs when a material having a high transmittance such as a transparent mount is used as a mount and a sensor that detects transmitted light instead of reflected light is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the problem of the present invention is to provide a label to be printed on a recording paper such as a die-cut label paper in which a label is detachably pasted on a base board having a low reflectance and a high transmittance such as a transparent base board. It is an object of the present invention to propose a paper width detection method for a label printer, a printing control method for a label printer, and a label printer that can accurately detect the paper width of a recording paper using a paper width detector.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is a paper width detection method for a label printer that detects a recording paper in which a label is detachably attached to the surface of a long mount by a paper width detector.
The paper width detector is moved in the paper width direction on the recording paper conveyance path, from a first position further to the left than the left end of the recording paper to a second position to the right of the right end of the recording paper. By scanning, the change point of the detected value in the scanning range is detected,
Of the detected change points, the change point closest to the first position is determined as the left end position of the recording paper, and the change point closest to the second position is determined as the right end position of the recording paper. It is a feature.
Of the detected change points, the first change point in the scanning direction is determined as one end position of the recording sheet, and the last change point in the scanning direction is determined as the other end position of the recording sheet. It is characterized by that.

In this way, the present invention detects the changing point of the detection value (for example, reflectance) by setting the scanning range of the paper width detector so as to exceed the left and right edges of the recording paper, and the left end (first) of the scanning range. Position) and right edge (
The change points of the detected values closest to the second position) are the left and right edges of the recording paper. In other words, the change point of the first detection value and the change point of the last detection value during scanning from the first position to the second position are the left end and the right end of the recording paper. In this way, even if it is easy to detect the change point of reflectivity due to dirt or scratches on the recording paper, cutting with a die cutter, etc. because the mount part has low reflectivity, such a change point Since there is always a point of change in reflectivity due to the edge of the recording paper on the left or right side of the recording paper, the position of dirt, scratches, cuts by a die cutter, etc. is mistaken as the left edge or right edge of the recording paper. The possibility of recognition is low. This also applies to the case where a transmittance change point is detected. Therefore, as long as the edge of the recording paper is detected as a change point of the detection value such as reflectance, the paper width can be detected accurately, and the detection accuracy of the paper width is improved.

In the present invention, the paper width detector is an optical reflection type detector, and is mounted on a carriage on which a print head is mounted and scans. Thereby, the detection operation can be performed with a simple configuration.

In the present invention, the recording paper is a die-cut label paper in which a label cut by die-cut processing is attached to a transparent mount, and the transparent mount is subjected to die-cut processing along an outer peripheral edge of the label. A processing mark having a predetermined depth may be formed. In this way, if there is a processing mark due to die cutting, the detection value of the paper width detector changes greatly at that part, and this position is detected as a change point of the detection value. Since the change point of the detection value at the end of the mount is detected near the end of the scanning range, there is a low possibility that a processing mark due to die cutting will be erroneously recognized as the left end or the right end of the recording paper. Therefore,
It is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the paper width due to die cutting.

Next, a printing control method for a label printer according to the present invention includes:
By detecting the left end position and the right end position of the recording paper by the paper width detection method of the label printer, the distance from the left end position to the right end position is the paper width of the recording paper,
The determined paper width is compared with the paper width of the recording paper to be printed received from the external device, and when the received paper width is different from the determined paper width, it is determined that a paper size error has occurred. Yes.

In addition, the printing control method for the label printer of the present invention includes:
By detecting the left end position and the right end position of the recording paper by the paper width detection method of the label printer, the distance from the left end position to the right end position is the paper width of the recording paper,
The determined paper width is compared with the print width of the print data received from the external device. When the print width is larger than the determined paper width, at least a portion of the print data mask that protrudes from the determined paper width It is characterized by performing processing.

According to the above-described paper width detection method, since the paper width of the recording paper at the paper width detection position can be detected with high accuracy, by comparing the detected paper width with the paper width of the recording paper to be printed received from the external device, A paper size error can be detected with high accuracy. Further, in the case of a paper size error, it is possible to process so as not to print the print data of the portion that protrudes from the paper width. This can prevent printing failure and smearing of the platen ink.

Next, a label printer according to the present invention is characterized in that paper width detection is performed by the paper width detection method of the label printer described above. With such a configuration, the paper width can be detected with high accuracy.

In the label printer of the present invention, it is preferable to perform print control by the above-described print control method of the label printer. With such a configuration, a paper size error can be detected more accurately than in the past, and contamination of the platen with ink can be prevented.

According to the present invention, since the change points of the detected values closest to the left end (first position) and the right end (second position) of the scanning range of the paper width detector are the left end and the right end of the recording paper, the reflection of the mount portion. Even if it is easy to detect the change point of the detection value such as reflectance or transmittance due to dirt or scratches on the recording paper, processing marks by the die cutter, etc. because the rate is low or the transmittance is high There is always a change point of the detection value of the paper width detector by the end of the recording paper on the left or right side of such a change point. Therefore, there is a low possibility that the positions of dirt, scratches, processing marks by the die cutter, etc. are erroneously recognized as the left end or right end positions of the recording paper. Therefore, as long as the edge of the recording paper is detected as the change point of the detection value, the paper width can be accurately detected,
The detection accuracy of the paper width can be improved.

  Embodiments of a label printer of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet type label printer to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the label printer with the open / close lid fully opened. The label printer 1 includes a printer body 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and an opening / closing lid 3 attached to the front surface of the printer body 2. A discharge port 4 having a predetermined width is formed on the front surface of the outer case 2 a of the printer body 2. A paper discharge guide 5 protrudes forward below the discharge port 4, and a lid opening / closing lever 6 is disposed on the side of the paper discharge guide 5. A rectangular opening 2b for inserting and removing roll paper is formed below the paper discharge guide 5 and the lid opening / closing lever 6 in the outer case 2a. The opening 2b is sealed by the opening / closing lid 3.

When the lid opening / closing lever 6 is operated, the opening / closing lid 3 is unlocked. When the paper discharge guide 5 is pulled forward after unlocking, the opening / closing lid 3 pivots forward about its lower end and opens until it is almost horizontal. When the opening / closing lid 3 is opened, as shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper storage unit 11 formed inside the printer is opened, and at the same time, the transport path A (see FIG. 2) from the roll paper storage unit 11 to the discharge port 4. 3) becomes an open state. In FIG. 2, the cover case of the opening / closing lid 3 and the lid opening / closing lever 6 are omitted.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the label printer 1. A roll paper 12 is stored in the roll paper storage unit 11 so as to be able to roll in a horizontal state facing the printer width direction.
The roll paper 12 is obtained by winding a long recording paper 12a having a constant width in a roll shape.

A head unit frame 13 attached horizontally to the upper end of the printer main body frame 10 is disposed above the roll paper storage unit 11. The head unit frame 13 includes
An inkjet head 14, a carriage 15 on which the inkjet head 14 is mounted,
A carriage guide shaft 16 that guides the movement of the carriage 15 in the printer width direction is disposed. The carriage guide shaft 16 is stretched horizontally in the printer width direction. The inkjet head 14 is mounted on the carriage 15 so that the ink nozzle surface 14a faces downward. The head unit frame 13 is provided with a carriage conveyance mechanism including a carriage motor 17 and a timing belt 18 for reciprocating the carriage 15 along the carriage guide shaft 16.

A platen 19 that extends horizontally in the width direction of the printer is disposed below the inkjet head 14 so as to face the ink nozzle surface 14a with a certain gap therebetween, and the printing position by the inkjet head 14 is defined by the platen 19. . A tension guide 20 that is curved downward is attached to the rear end of the platen 19. The tension guide 20 is biased upward by a spring force, and the recording paper 12 a drawn from the roll paper 12 stored in the roll paper storage unit 11 is in a state where a predetermined tension is applied by the tension guide 20. It is pulled out along the transport path A passing through the printing position.

On the rear side of the platen 19 (upstream side in the transport direction), a rear paper feed roller 21 and a rear paper press roller 22 are stretched horizontally in the printer width direction. The rear paper feed roller 21 has
A rear paper pressing roller 22 is pressed from above with a predetermined pressing force through the recording paper 12a. A front paper feed roller 23 and a front paper press roller 24 are disposed on the front end side (downstream side in the transport direction) of the platen 19. A front paper pressing roller 24 is pressed against the front paper feeding roller 23 from above via the recording paper 12a. The rear paper feed roller 21 and the front paper feed roller 23 are a paper feed motor 2 mounted on the printer main body frame 10.
5 is synchronously driven by rotation.

The recording paper 12a fed out from the roll paper 12 in the roll paper storage unit 11 is given a predetermined tension by the tension guide 20, and the conveyance path A (shown in FIG. 3) passing through the printing position on the platen 19. It is conveyed along the alternate long and short dash line) and set in a state of being pulled out from the discharge port 4. When the paper feed motor 25 is driven and controlled in this state, the rear paper feed roller 2
1 and the front paper feed roller 23 are rotated, and the recording paper 12a is fed by a certain transport amount. Then, the inkjet head 14 is driven in synchronization with the paper feed of the recording paper 12a, and printing is performed on the surface of the recording paper 12a passing through the printing position. Thereafter, the printed recording paper 12a
Is discharged from the discharge port 4, the conveyance is stopped, the print portion of the recording paper 12 a is cut by the auto cutter 28 disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 4, and a printed recording paper piece is issued.

(Composition of recording paper)
The recording paper 12a is an elongated release paper 12b (see FIG. 5) and an opaque label 12c (see FIG. 5) that is attached to the surface in a peelable state and is opaque to inspection light. It has. The release paper 12b is a mount having a low reflectance of inspection light of each detector, which will be described later. In this embodiment, a material such as a resin film or synthetic paper that transmits visible light is made of a continuous paper having a constant width. A transparent mount processed into a shape is used. The label 12c is a label seal made of an opaque material such as white, and the surface of the label 12c is subjected to surface processing suitable for inkjet printing. Each label 12c is formed such that the label length La (see FIG. 5), which is the length in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) of the recording paper 12a, is constant, and the length of the gap G between labels in the conveying direction. The gap length Lb (see FIG. 5) is constant.

The recording paper 12a is die-cut label paper, and the label 12c is die-cut by die-cut processing in a state of being attached to the release paper 12b. Therefore, the release paper 12b includes
A processing mark cut into a slit shape by a die cutter (cutting die) is formed along the edge of the label 12c. The label 12c is affixed to the center of the release paper 12b which is a mount, and the width of the label 12c is slightly shorter than the width of the release paper 12b. Therefore, left and right portions of the label 12c are left only with a thin width release paper 12b (so-called scrap removing portions).

(Configuration of detector)
At the recording paper detection position upstream of the inkjet head 14 in the transport path A, the paper detector 2
6 is arranged. The paper detector 26 is constituted by a reflection type photosensor or a transmission type photosensor, and the presence or absence of the recording paper 12a is detected by using reflected light or transmitted light from the recording paper 12a drawn on the conveyance path A. Alternatively, the paper type of the recording paper 12a is detected.

An encoder sensor 27 mounted on the carriage 15 is disposed above the transport path A. The encoder sensor 27 functions as a linear encoder in combination with a linear scale extending along the reciprocation range of the carriage 15, and functions as a position detector for detecting the position of the carriage 15 and the inkjet head 14 in the printer width direction. .
Instead of directly detecting the movement amount of the carriage 15 and the inkjet head 14 by the encoder sensor 27 and the linear scale, the movement amount in the printer width direction of the carriage 15 and the inkjet head 14 is determined based on the detected value of the rotation amount of the carriage motor 17. It is also possible to calculate and grasp the positions of the carriage 15 and the inkjet head 14 in the printer width direction.

A paper width detector 29 is mounted on the carriage 15 at a position facing the recording surface of the recording paper 12a. The paper width detector 29 is constituted by a reflection type photosensor, and performs a detection operation in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 15 in the printer width direction (paper width direction). The paper width detector 29 irradiates inspection light such as infrared rays and visible light toward the paper width detection position 29, and uses the reflected light from the platen 19 or the recording paper 12a to be at the paper width detection position B on the platen 19. The left and right edges of the release paper 12b on the recording paper 12a and the label 1 on the recording paper 12a
The left end and the right end of 2c are detected.

(Control system)
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the label printer 1. The control system of the label printer 1 is mainly configured by a control unit 30 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Print data, commands, and the like are supplied to the control unit 30 from a host device such as the host device 32 via a transmission / reception unit (not shown). Based on a print command from the host device 32 or the like, the control unit 30 controls the drive of each unit such as a paper feed mechanism that feeds roll paper and a carriage transport mechanism, and executes a paper feed operation and a print operation.

The inkjet head 14 is connected to the output side of the control unit 30 via a head driver 14b. The control unit 30 is connected to the inkjet head 1 via the head driver 14b.
4 is driven and controlled. The output side of the control unit 30 is connected to the carriage motor 17 and the paper feed motor 25 via the motor driver 17a and the motor driver 25a. The control unit 30 feeds the paper via the motor drivers 25a and 17a. The motor 25 and the carriage motor 17 are driven and controlled. The control unit 30 calculates a predetermined transport amount of the recording paper 12a by accumulating the number of steps or the rotation amount for driving and controlling the paper feed motor 25 in the feed direction.

A paper detector 26 is connected to the input side of the control unit 30. The control unit 30 is connected to the paper detector 2
6 is performed at the recording paper detection position where the paper detector 26 on the conveyance path A is installed, based on the detection output of No. 6. Alternatively, a paper discrimination operation for discriminating the type of paper loaded in the roll paper storage unit 11 is performed at the recording paper detection position.
For example, the recording paper 12a pulled out from the roll paper 12 and set on the conveyance path A is conveyed by a predetermined amount, and the type of the recording paper 12a is determined based on the detection output of the paper detector 26 being conveyed. . The control unit 30 can perform an optimal printing operation on each sheet by controlling each unit of the label printer 1 based on the determined sheet type.

An encoder sensor 27 and a paper width detector 29 are connected to the input side of the control unit 30. The control unit 30 drives and controls the carriage conveyance mechanism to detect the operation by the paper width detector 29 while moving the inkjet head 14 and the carriage 15 in the paper width direction on the recording paper 12a set on the conveyance path A. I do. The control unit 30 compares the detection output of the paper width detector 29 with a predetermined threshold value to detect a reflectance change point that is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value. Then, by detecting the position of the detected reflectance change point based on the output of the encoder sensor 27, the paper width of the recording paper 12a is detected. Alternatively, the carriage 15
The distance from the home position to the left end or the right end of the recording paper 12a is detected.

(Paper width detection process)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the paper width detection method in the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the paper width detection process. The control unit 30 of the label printer 1 performs a cueing operation for aligning the leading end portion of the recording paper 12a with the printing position by the inkjet head 14 in order to prepare for the next printing operation when the power is turned on or the paper is replaced. . The paper width of the recording paper 12a is detected in conjunction with the cueing operation, and each part of the label printer 1 is controlled according to the detected paper width.

FIG. 5A shows a label 12c arranged at the leading end of the recording paper 12a by the cueing operation.
Is shown in a state in which the front end is aligned with the printing start position C on the platen 19. When the front end portion of the label 12c is used as a margin, the label 12c is aligned so that the margin portion protrudes downstream from the printing start position C.

In the label printer 1, the paper width detection position B by the paper width detector 29 is set upstream of the print start position C in the transport path A. Here, whether or not it is the part of the label 12c or the part of the inter-label gap G that has reached the paper width detection position B in the cueing completion state shown in FIG. It is determined according to the label length La of the label 12c and the gap length Lb of the inter-label gap G. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the gap G between labels has reached the paper width detection position B when the cueing is completed.

The controller 30 starts the paper width detection process after stopping the recording paper 12a in the state shown in FIG. First, in step S1 of FIG. 6, the first paper width detection operation is performed. In the first paper width detection operation, the carriage 15 starts moving at a constant speed from the home position at the left end of the movable range toward the right side, and the surface of the platen 19 at the paper width detection position B along the paper width direction or The surface of the recording paper 12a is scanned by the paper width detector 29, and the reflectance at each position in the paper width direction is detected. Then, it is determined whether or not the reflectance has changed more than a predetermined threshold at each position. When the carriage 15 reaches the right end of the movable range, the first detection operation is finished. Here, the control unit 30 determines the position of the leftmost change point among the change points of the reflectance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as the position of the left end of the recording paper 12a, and determines the position of the change point on the rightmost side. It is determined that the position is the right end of the recording paper 12a.

By this detection operation, the paper width detector 29 mounted on the carriage 15 moves from the first position P1 on the left end side of the platen 19 to the second position P2 on the right end side of the platen 19. Here, the first position P1 is located further to the left than the left end of the recording paper 12a having the maximum paper width, and the second position P1 is the second position P1.
The position P2 is set so as to be located further to the right than the right end of the recording paper 12a having the maximum paper width.

Next, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S <b> 2 in FIG. 6, and transports the recording paper 12 a in the reverse direction by the transport amount L by rotating the paper feed motor 25 reverse by a predetermined amount. Here, the carry amount L is
The dimension is determined by the relationship between the label length La and the gap length Lb, and is determined so that La>L> Lb. In general, since the gap G between labels is shorter than the label length, the carry amount L may be determined as described above. However, if La ≦ Lb, L> Lb + L
What is necessary is just to determine so that it may be set to c (Lc <La).

FIG. 5B shows a state when the transport process in step S2 is completed. Thus, L
By feeding the recording paper 12a in the reverse direction by the transport amount L such that a>L> Lb, FIG.
In the state of a), a predetermined portion of the label 12c that is on the downstream side of the paper width detection position B has reached the paper width detection position B.

Subsequently, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S3 in FIG. 6 and performs a second paper width detection operation. That is, after the carriage 15 that has been moved to the right end of the movable range in the first paper width detection operation is returned to the home position at the left end, the detection operation similar to the first paper width detection operation is performed. As a result, the change point of the reflectance above the predetermined threshold within the scanning range of the paper width detector 29 is detected again. Then, the position of the reflectance change point on the leftmost side is determined as the left end position of the recording paper 12a, and the position of the reflectance change point on the rightmost side is determined as the right end position of the recording paper 12a.

After completion of the second paper width detection operation, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S4 in FIG. 6, and performs a transport operation for returning the recording paper 12a transported in the reverse direction in step S2 to the cueing position again. That is, the recording paper 12a is transported in the forward direction by the transport amount L by rotating the paper feed motor 25 forward by a predetermined amount.

Finally, in step S5 of FIG. 6, the control unit 30 determines the paper width of the recording paper 12a based on the detection results obtained by the first and second paper width detection operations. Specifically, the positions determined to be the leftmost position of the recording paper 12a in each of the first and second paper width detection operations are compared, and the one on the left side, that is, closer to the first position P1. Adopt one. Similarly, the position determined to be the rightmost position in each of the first and second paper width detection operations is compared, and the position on the right side, that is, the position closer to the second position P2 is adopted.

As described above, in the paper width detection method of the present embodiment, the paper width detection operation for scanning the conveyance path A in the paper width direction by the paper width detector 29 is performed twice instead of once, and the first and second times. During the paper width detection operation, the recording paper 12a is transported by a transport amount L that is longer than the gap length Lb of the inter-label gap G and shorter than the label length La of each label 12c.
In this case, the paper width detection result when the portion of the label 12c is at the paper width detection position B is obtained. As a result, at least the width of the label 12c portion is detected even in the case of die-cut label paper using the transparent release paper 12b which is difficult to be detected by the paper width detector 29 made of a reflective photosensor due to low reflectance. It is highly possible. This makes it difficult for paper width detection failures to occur. Further, if the accurate paper width can be detected at any one of the two times, the value can be adopted, so that the detection accuracy of the paper width of the recording paper 12a can be improved. Therefore, the paper width of the recording paper 12a can be detected more accurately than in the past.

In the paper width detection method of the present embodiment, the recording paper 1 is detected in each paper width detection operation performed twice.
The range from the first position P1 located further to the left than the left end of 2a to the second position P2 located further to the right of the right end of the recording paper 12a is scanned to detect the change point of the reflectance in the scanning range. Among the detected change points, the change point closest to the left side, that is, the first position P1, is determined as the left end position of the recording paper 12a, and the change point closest to the right side, that is, the second position P2, is determined. The paper width of the recording paper is determined as the right end position. Therefore, as long as the end of the recording paper 12a is detected as the change point of the reflectance, the end of the recording paper 12a is detected even if the change point of the reflectance due to dirt or scratches on the recording paper 12a is detected during that time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection. In particular, the recording paper 12a, which is a die-cut label paper, has slit-like processing marks formed by a die cutter along the outer periphery of the label 12c, so that the edge of the label 12c is detected as a reflectance change point. Even in such a case, the paper width can be accurately detected as long as the end of the release paper 12b is detected on the left or right side.

In the above method, the recording paper 12a is first transported to the cueing completion position, and then the first paper width detection operation is performed. Thereafter, the recording paper 12a is back-fed and the second paper width detection operation is performed. The conveyance of the recording paper 12a may be stopped just before the dimension L from the completion position, and the first paper width detection operation may be performed, and then the second detection operation may be performed after the recording paper 12a is conveyed to the cue completion position. . In this way, there is no need to back feed the recording paper 12a.

(Print control)
After the paper width detection process is completed, the label printer 1 enters a print standby state. When the print data is received, a paper feeding operation and a print operation for printing the received print data are performed. At that time, the control unit 30 controls each unit of the label printer 1 using the paper width information detected by the paper width detection process. Hereinafter, printing control based on the detected paper width information will be described.

First, the control unit 30 analyzes the received print data and acquires paper width information of the recording paper 12a to be printed. Then, the received paper width is compared with the paper width of the set recording paper 12a detected by the above-described paper width detection process, and the paper width of the set recording paper 12a is a paper width capable of printing the received print data. It is determined whether or not there is. If it is determined that printing is possible, printing is performed. If it is determined that printing is not possible, it is determined that a paper size error has occurred and predetermined error processing is performed.

Whether or not printing is possible is determined based on, for example, the following determination criteria. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a paper size error determination method for die-cut label paper. As described above, since the recording paper 12a is a die-cut label paper using a transparent release paper 12b as a mount,
The end of the recording paper 12a may be detected at the end of the release paper 12b or the end of the label 12c. Accordingly, the paper width X detected by the above-described paper width detection processing is the width Xa of the release paper 12b, the width Xb from the left end of the label 12c to the right end of the release paper 12b, and the width from the left end of the release paper 12b to the right end of the label 12c. There are four patterns of Xc and a width Xd from the left end to the right end of the label 12c.

Here, assuming that the width of only the left and right mounts (removal portions) of the label 12c is Y, it is assumed that Xd which is the narrowest width among the four patterns is measured as the paper width detection value. The maximum value of the paper width assumed from this paper width detection value is Xd + 2Y + Z (Z: paper width detector 2
9 detection accuracy). Therefore, when the received paper width is larger than the maximum value, it is predicted that the print data will protrude from the recording paper 12a. Therefore, the control unit 30
The detected paper width X is subtracted from the received paper width, and it is determined whether or not the value after the subtraction is larger than 2Y + Z. If it is greater than 2Y + Z, it is determined that a paper size error has occurred, and 2
If it is Y + Z or less, it is determined that the received print data can be printed. Note that if the detected paper width and the received paper width do not match, it may be determined that all are paper size errors.

The contents of error processing when it is determined that a paper size error has occurred are, for example, that the label printer 1 is stopped, an error notification is sent to the host device 32 side, or an error lamp of the label printer 1 is turned on. Processing such as lighting is conceivable. If the operation is stopped when a paper size error occurs, it is possible to prevent a problem that the print data cannot be printed according to the layout, and it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of recording paper and ink.

Further, as an error process when it is determined that a paper size error has occurred, a mask process may be performed so as not to print the print data of the portion that protrudes from the width of the set recording paper 12a. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a mask area for print data. In the case of performing mask processing, it is assumed that the width Xa of the release paper 12b, which is the widest width, is detected among the detected values of the above four patterns. Then, the width of the print area on the label when the left and right margin dimensions of the label 12c are Lm is calculated by Xa-2Y-2Lm. Then, it is determined whether or not the print width of the received print data is wider than the width of the print area calculated by the above formula. If the print width is large, the portion that protrudes from the print area is determined as the mask area M. Specifically, the left and right end portions are defined as the mask region M, leaving only the central width Xa-2Y-2Lm portion of the print data.

By thus determining the mask area M and controlling the inkjet head 14 and the like so that ink is not ejected in the mask area M, the print data that protrudes from the print area of the label 12c can be processed so as not to be printed. it can. Therefore, ink is not directly ejected onto the platen 19, and contamination of the platen 19 due to ink can be prevented. When marginless printing is performed on the label 12c, it is not necessary to consider the margin dimension Lm. Further, if it is only necessary to prevent the ink from being ejected onto the platen 19, it is not necessary to consider the width Y of the scraping portion, and only the print data of the portion that protrudes from the detected paper width of the recording paper 12a. You may make it not print.

In the above embodiment, the prevention of the paper width detection error and the improvement of the detection accuracy have been described for the example using the transparent release paper 12b as the mount, but the label paper using the mount with low reflectivity such as a black mount is also used. Similar effects can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, a reflection type photosensor is used as the paper width detector 29. However, the paper width detector 29 detects the inspection light transmitted through the recording paper 12a and detects the transmittance of the recording paper 12a. A transmissive photosensor or other sensor may be used. In the case of using a transmissive photosensor, the light receiving portion may be formed by arranging the light receiving elements along the scanning range of the light emitting elements. For die-cut labels, since transparent release paper 12b is used for the mount, the transmittance of inspection light (visible light) of the transmissive photosensor in the mount is high, and the end of the mount is detected by the transmissive photosensor. Although it is difficult, according to the paper width detection method described above, there is a high possibility that at least the width of the portion of the label 12c can be detected as in the case of using the reflective photosensor. Therefore, the paper width detection failure is less likely to occur. The paper width of the recording paper 12a can be detected more accurately than before.

1 is an external perspective view of a label printer to which the present invention is applied. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the state which opened the opening-and-closing lid | cover of the label printer. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of a label printer. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control system of a label printer. It is explanatory drawing of the paper width detection method in a label printer. It is a flowchart of the paper width detection process in a label printer. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a paper size error determination method. It is explanatory drawing of the mask area | region of print data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label printer, 2 ... Printer main body, 2a ... Exterior case, 2b ... Opening part, 3 ... Opening / closing lid, 4 ... Discharge port, 5 ... Discharge guide, 6 ... Cover opening / closing lever, 10 ... Printer main body frame, 11
... Roll paper storage unit, 12 ... Roll paper, 12a ... Recording paper, 12b ... Release paper (mounting paper), 12c
, Label, 13 head unit frame, 14 inkjet head, 14a ink nozzle surface, 14b head driver, 15 carriage, 16 carriage guide shaft,
17 ... Carriage motor, 17a ... Motor driver, 18 ... Timing belt, 19 ... Platen, 20 ... Tension guide, 21 ... Rear paper feed roller, 22 ... Rear paper press roller,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 ... Front side paper feed roller, 24 ... Front side paper pressing roller, 25 ... Paper feed motor, 25a ... Motor driver, 26 ... Paper detector, 27 ... Encoder sensor, 28 ... Auto cutter, 29 ... Paper width detector, 30 ... Control 32, host device, A, transport path, B, paper width detection position, C, print start position, G, label gap, L, transport amount, La, label length, Lb, gap length, L
m: margin size, M: mask region, P1: first position, P2: second position, X, Xa to Xd, Y
... Width, Z ... Detection accuracy

Claims (8)

A paper width detection method for a label printer that detects a recording paper with a label peelably attached to the surface of a long mount by a paper width detector,
The paper width detector is moved in the paper width direction on the recording paper conveyance path, from a first position further to the left than the left end of the recording paper to a second position to the right of the right end of the recording paper. By scanning, the change point of the detected value in the scanning range is detected,
Of the detected change points, the change point closest to the first position is determined as the left end position of the recording paper, and the change point closest to the second position is determined as the right end position of the recording paper. A paper width detection method for a label printer. A paper width detection method for a label printer that detects a recording paper with a label peelably attached to the surface of a long mount by a paper width detector,
The paper width detector is moved in the paper width direction on the recording paper conveyance path, from a first position further to the left than the left end of the recording paper to a second position to the right of the right end of the recording paper. By scanning, the change point of the detected value in the scanning range is detected,
Of the detected change points, the first change point in the scanning direction is determined as one end position of the recording paper, and the last change point in the scanning direction is determined as the other end position of the recording paper. A paper width detection method for a label printer. The paper width detection method for a label printer according to claim 1 or 2,
A paper width detection method for a label printer, wherein the paper width detector is an optical reflection type detector and is mounted on a carriage for scanning. In the paper width detection method of the label printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The recording paper is a die-cut label paper in which a label cut by die-cut processing is attached to a transparent mount,
A paper width detection method for a label printer, wherein a processing mark having a predetermined depth is formed by die cutting along the outer peripheral edge of the label on the transparent mount. 5. The left end position and the right end position of the recording paper are detected by the paper width detection method for a label printer according to claim 1, and the distance from the left end position to the right end position is determined as the paper width of the recording paper. age,
The paper width determined is compared with the paper width of the recording paper to be printed received from an external device, and if the received paper width is different from the determined paper width, it is determined that a paper size error has occurred. Print control method for a label printer. 5. The left end position and the right end position of the recording paper are detected by the paper width detection method for a label printer according to claim 1, and the distance from the left end position to the right end position is determined as the paper width of the recording paper. age,
The determined paper width is compared with the print width of the print data received from the external device. When the print width is larger than the determined paper width, at least a portion of the print data mask that protrudes from the determined paper width A printing control method for a label printer, characterized by performing processing. 5. A label printer which performs paper width detection by the paper width detection method of a label printer according to claim 1. The label printer according to claim 7,
7. A label printer that performs printing control according to the printing control method for a label printer according to claim 5 or 6.

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