JP2010058292A - Printing method for thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing method for a thermal printer which enhances print quality. <P>SOLUTION: A printing method for a thermal printer which is provided with a thermistor for measuring the temperature of a thermal head includes the step for measuring the temperature for a plurality of times at every predetermine time by means of the thermistor, the step for storing a plurality of temperature values as an ambient temperature if a plurality of temperature ranges measured at the measurement step are in a predetermined temperature range or below, the step for setting print conditions according to the ambient temperature, and the step for printing based on the print conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing method for a thermal printer having a thermal head.

  In a thermal printer, an image is printed by driving a thermal head to generate heat. In this thermal head, a thermistor for detecting the head temperature is usually built in the thermal head. However, this thermistor is used for detecting the head temperature of the thermal head, and the head temperature rises by performing printing, so that printing is performed reflecting the temperature state of the head.

  On the other hand, when printing with a thermal printer, the ambient temperature other than the thermal head temperature is also important, and the power consumption of the thermal head, the quality of printing, and the like vary depending on the ambient temperature.

  When the thermal head continues printing, the head temperature of the thermal head increases, and when printing is stopped, the head temperature of the thermal head decreases. Therefore, the head temperature constantly changes depending on the printing state. For this reason, the temperature measured by the thermistor provided in the thermal head does not necessarily match the ambient temperature. Therefore, it is generally difficult to accurately measure the ambient temperature with a thermistor provided in a thermal head.

For this reason, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a thermistor for measuring the ambient temperature other than the temperature of the thermal head is provided, and data of both the temperature of the thermal head and the ambient temperature which is the ambient temperature is provided. A thermal printer that controls printing based on the above is disclosed.
JP-A-6-198886 JP 2002-154258 A

  However, if a thermistor for measuring the ambient temperature as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is provided, the cost of the thermal printer increases accordingly.

  By the way, when trying to measure the temperature with the thermistor built in the thermal head, especially when the thermal head is heated by printing and the printer is turned off and turned on again, It is difficult to detect the temperature immediately. That is, in such a state, the temperature of the thermistor built in the thermal head is high, and a large temperature difference from the ambient temperature has occurred, so the ambient temperature must be accurately measured. I can't. Therefore, when measuring the ambient temperature using the thermistor built in the thermal head, sufficient time is required until the thermal head temperature becomes the same as the ambient temperature, which is extremely inefficient and practical. is not.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and without providing a thermistor for measuring the ambient temperature, by measuring the ambient temperature and performing printing based on this state, in a wide temperature range. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing method using a thermal printer with improved printing quality.

  The present invention relates to a printing method of a thermal printer provided with a thermistor for measuring the temperature of a thermal head, a measurement step of measuring the temperature a plurality of times at a predetermined time by the thermistor, and a measurement in the measurement step. When the temperature range of the plurality of temperatures is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature range, a storage step of storing the plurality of temperature values as an ambient temperature, a setting step of setting printing conditions according to the ambient temperature, And a printing process for performing printing based on the printing conditions.

  According to the present invention, the thermal printer is provided with a nonvolatile memory, and the ambient temperature is stored in the nonvolatile memory when the thermal printer is turned off.

  Further, the present invention provides a printing condition in the setting step based on the ambient temperature stored in the nonvolatile memory when the temperature range of the plurality of temperatures measured in the measurement step exceeds a predetermined temperature range. Is set.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined temperature range is 0.2 ° C.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined time is 0.2 to 5 seconds.

  The present invention is characterized in that the plurality of times is five or more times.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the measurement step is performed immediately after the thermal printer is turned on.

  In the setting step, when it is determined that the ambient temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the printing speed is set to be low.

  According to the present invention, in the setting step, when it is determined that the ambient temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the setting for performing printing by increasing the number of divisions of the thermal head of the thermal printer is performed. Features.

  In the setting step, when it is determined that the ambient temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the rotation speed of the platen roller in the thermal printer is increased.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the first predetermined temperature is 0 ° C.

  In the setting step, when it is determined that the ambient temperature is higher than the second predetermined temperature, the rotation speed of the platen roller in the thermal printer is lowered.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the second predetermined temperature is 40 ° C.

  According to the present invention, in a thermal printer, the ambient temperature can be measured without providing a thermistor for measuring the ambient temperature, and printing based on this state can be performed. The quality can be improved.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below.

  In this embodiment, a thermistor built in the thermal head is used to measure the ambient temperature when the thermal head is not driven for a long time immediately after the thermal printer is turned on, and based on the ambient temperature. By controlling the drive of the thermal head, high-quality printing is performed.

(Configuration of thermal printer)
Based on FIG. 1, the structure of the thermal printer used for this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  The thermal printer used in the present embodiment includes an operation panel 10, a mechanical unit 20, a control circuit unit 30, and a battery 60. In the control circuit unit 30, a power control circuit 40 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50 are provided.

  The power supply control circuit 40 is connected to the CPU 50 and controls the power supplied from the battery 60 to the control circuit unit 30.

  The CPU 50 performs overall control of the thermal printer used in this embodiment.

  The battery 60 is a power supply source for the thermal printer used in the present embodiment.

  The operation panel 10 includes a feed switch 11, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 12, a buzzer 13, a power switch 14, and the like.

  The feed switch 11 is a switch for a paper feeding operation by the user.

  The LED 12 emits light in response to an instruction from the CPU 50.

  The buzzer 13 emits an alarm sound in response to an instruction from the CPU 50.

  The power switch 14 is operated by the user to transmit a control signal for turning on / off the power to the power control circuit 40 in the control circuit unit, thereby controlling the power on / off. As the power switch 14, a push button switch or the like is used.

  The mechanical unit 20 includes a paper feed motor 21, a thermal head 22, a head temperature detection thermistor 23, a no-paper detection sensor 24, a cover open detection switch 25, and the like.

  The paper feed motor 21 is composed of a stepping motor and is used for transporting paper.

  The thermal head 22 is for applying a potential selectively to the heating resistors arranged in a straight line to generate heat, and printing characters and image data on paper such as thermal paper that reacts with this heat.

The head temperature detection thermistor 23 detects the temperature of the thermal head 22 in order to feedback control the temperature of the thermal head 22. In this embodiment, the head temperature detection thermistor 23 is built in the thermal head 22, and the ambient temperature is measured using the head temperature posting thermistor 23. (The “head temperature detection thermistor 23” may be simply referred to as “thermistor 23” in this specification.)
The out-of-paper sensor 24 detects out of paper.

  The cover open switch 25 detects the open / closed state of the cover that covers the mechanical unit 20.

  In addition to the power supply control circuit 40 and the CPU 50, the control circuit unit 30 includes a stepping motor drive circuit 31, a thermal head drive circuit 32, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a sensor detection circuit 34, an operation panel control circuit 35, an oscillator 41, and a reset. The circuit 42, the flash memory 43, the BT communication module control circuit 44, the ROM 45, the frame memory 46, and the like.

  The stepping motor drive circuit 31 supplies a drive current to the paper feed motor 21 in response to an instruction from the CPU 50.

  The thermal head drive circuit 32 drives the thermal head 22 in response to an instruction from the CPU 50.

  The A / D conversion circuit 33 converts the analog signals detected by the head temperature detection thermistor 23, the paper absence detection sensor 24, etc. into digital signals and outputs them to the CPU 50.

  The sensor detection circuit 34 outputs a signal detected by the cover open detection switch 25 to the CPU 50.

  The operation panel control circuit 35 controls the LED 12 and the like in response to an instruction from the CPU 50 and receives a control signal from the feed switch 11 and outputs it to the CPU 50.

  The oscillator 41 supplies a clock signal having a predetermined frequency to the CPU 50.

  The reset circuit 42 is a circuit for outputting a reset request signal to the CPU 50 to be in an initial state when the printer is turned off.

  The flash memory 43 is a nonvolatile memory for backing up various data necessary for controlling the thermal printer.

  The BT communication module control circuit 44 receives printing data and the like with an external portable information device using a wireless communication technology for portable information devices called Bluetooth.

  The ROM 45 incorporates software and the like for execution by the CPU 50 and is read according to a request from the CPU 50.

  The frame memory 46 is a memory for temporarily storing image data for printing input from the outside.

(Printing method)
Next, a printing process in the thermal printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the main routine, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a subroutine in the initialization process, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a subroutine in the printer state transition determination process, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the interrupt process. It is a flowchart.

  First, in step 102 (S102), the thermal printer in the present embodiment is turned on (turned on). Specifically, the power switch 14 is turned on.

  Next, in step 104 (S104), an initialization process is performed. This initialization process will be described later in the flowchart of the initialization process subroutine shown in FIG.

  Next, in step 106 (S106), it is determined whether or not there is a reset request from the reset circuit. If there is a reset request, the process proceeds to step 104. On the other hand, if there is no reset request, the process proceeds to step 108.

  Next, in step 108 (S108), printer state transition determination processing is performed. This printer state transition determination processing will be described in the flowchart of the printer state transition determination processing subroutine shown in FIG.

  Next, in step 110 (S110), it is determined whether or not a power-off request has been made. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not a power-off request flag provided in the CPU 50 or the like is in an on state. If the power-off request flag is on, it is determined that a power-off request has been made, and the process proceeds to step 120.If the power-off request flag is off, it is determined that there has been no power-off request, Control goes to step 112.

  Next, in step 112 (S112), it is determined whether or not the thermal printer used in the present embodiment is in an error state. If it is determined that the thermal printer is in an error state, the process proceeds to step 106. On the other hand, if it is determined that the thermal printer is not in an error state, the routine proceeds to step 114.

  Next, in step 114 (S114), command analysis processing is performed. Specifically, when data related to printing is received, command analysis processing is performed to extract and execute each command related to printing from these data.

  Next, in step 116 (S116), it is determined whether there is print data in the received print data. If it is determined that there is print data, the process proceeds to step 118. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no print data, the process proceeds to step 106.

  Next, in step 118 (S118), print activation processing is executed. Specifically, the print data is transmitted to the thermal head 22, the number of print steps is set, and printing is executed by rotating the platen roller 26 in synchronization with the number of steps of the paper feed motor 21 by timer interruption processing. After this print activation process is completed, the routine proceeds to step 106.

  On the other hand, in step 120 (S120), ambient temperature registration processing is performed. Specifically, in the initialization process in step 104, the temperature measured by the thermistor 23 built in the thermal head 22 is stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as the flash memory 43 as the ambient temperature.

  Next, in step 122 (S122), a power-off process is performed. Specifically, a process of turning off the power of the thermal printer used in the present embodiment (a process of turning off the power) is performed.

(Initialization subroutine)
Next, the flowchart of the initialization process subroutine shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

  First, in step 202 (S202), the thermistor 23 measures the temperature. As described above, the thermistor 23 is built in the thermal head 22. Immediately after the power switch 14 is turned on, the temperature of the thermistor 23 in the thermal head 22 often coincides with the ambient temperature. Therefore, by measuring the temperature with the thermistor 23 built in the thermal head 22, Indirect measurement of ambient temperature.

  Next, in step 204 (S204), the measured temperature is stored. That is, the temperature value measured by the thermistor 23 in the thermal head 22 is stored in a memory or the like in the CPU 50.

  Next, in step 206 (S206), a predetermined time is waited. In this embodiment, the temperature is measured every predetermined time to check the state of temperature change during this period. That is, even if the temperature is continuously measured at short intervals, the state of temperature change cannot be examined. Therefore, in order to measure the temperature by the thermistor 23 at regular time intervals, a predetermined time is waited. Here, the constant time interval for measuring the temperature by the thermistor 23 is preferably about 0.2 to 5 seconds. This is because if the interval is too long, it takes time to start up, and if the interval is too short, the state of temperature change cannot be grasped. In this embodiment, this interval is set to about 1 second.

  Next, in step 208 (S208), it is determined whether the temperature measurement by the thermistor 23 has been performed a predetermined number of times. Specifically, the number of measurements by the thermistor 23 is set in advance, and it is determined whether the measurement by the thermistor 23 has reached this number of measurements. The preset number of times of measurement is stored in the flash memory 43 or the like, and the number of times of measurement is measured by a counter (not shown) provided in the CPU 50. When this subroutine starts, the counter value is reset and the number of measurements by the thermistor 23 is counted. If it is determined in step 208 that the temperature measurement by the thermistor 23 has been performed a predetermined number of times, the process proceeds to step 210. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of times of temperature measurement by the thermistor 23 has not reached the predetermined number, the routine proceeds to step 202, where the ambient temperature is measured by the thermistor 23 until the predetermined number of times is reached.

  The temperature measurement by the thermistor 23 is performed a plurality of times because it is necessary to know the temperature change state. If the amount is too small, it is impossible to know the state of temperature change, and it is necessary to measure the temperature at least five times based on experience. For this reason, in this Embodiment, the frequency | count of the temperature measurement by the thermistor 23 is set to five times.

  Next, in step 210 (S210), it is determined whether or not power is first turned on. That is, it is determined whether or not the current power-on is performed first after the thermal printer is manufactured. If it is determined in step 210 that the power is turned on for the first time, the process proceeds to step 210. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power is not turned on for the first time, the routine proceeds to step 212.

  Next, in step 212 (S212), it is determined whether or not all the temperatures repeatedly measured in steps 202 to 208 are within a predetermined range. That is, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the measured temperature value range of 5 times is 0.2 ° C. or less. If the measured temperature range of 5 times is 0.2 ° C or less, there is almost no temperature change, so it has been a long time since the power was last turned off or before the power was turned off. In addition, it is considered that printing by the thermal head 22 is hardly or not performed, and the temperature measured by the thermistor 23 built in the thermal head 22 can be regarded as the ambient temperature. On the other hand, when the measured temperature value range of 5 times exceeds 0.2 ° C., there is a high possibility that printing by the thermal head 22 was performed immediately before the previous power was turned off. The temperature measured by the thermistor 23 built in the thermal head 22 cannot be regarded as the ambient temperature. Therefore, if it is determined that all the temperatures measured above are within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 216. On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature range of the temperature measured above exceeds the predetermined temperature range, the process proceeds to step 214. This temperature range can be arbitrarily set, but is set to 0.2 ° C. in the present embodiment. This is because the inventor has obtained empirical knowledge that the temperature is almost unchanged within 0.2 ° C. and the temperature of the thermistor 23 can be regarded as the ambient temperature.

  Next, in step 214 (S214), the ambient temperature value stored in the flash memory 43 or the like is read. As will be described later, since the ambient temperature used at the previous power-on time is stored in the non-volatile memory such as the flash memory 43 when the power is turned off, it is stored in the flash memory 43 or the like. The ambient temperature is read and the previous ambient temperature is regarded as the current ambient temperature. Since the ambient temperature is stored when the first power is turned off after the power is turned on, the flash memory 43, etc., as a general rule, once the power is turned on. The ambient temperature is stored.

  Next, in step 216 (S216), the temperature measured from step 202 to step 208 or the temperature read from the flash memory 43 or the like in step 214 is set as an ambient temperature in an ambient temperature register (not shown). . This ambient temperature register is provided in the CPU 50.

  Thus, the initialization process subroutine ends. After the end of this subroutine, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

(Printer status transition determination processing subroutine)
Next, a flowchart of the subroutine of the printer state transition determination process shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  First, in step 302 (S302), it is determined whether or not the ambient temperature is lower than T1. If it is determined that the ambient temperature is lower than the set temperature T1, the routine proceeds to step 304. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ambient temperature is not lower than the set value T1, the routine proceeds to step 310. In the present embodiment, the set value T1 is set to −10 ° C. This set value T1 can be set to an arbitrary value. The thermal printer according to the present embodiment is set based on the guaranteed temperature of parts used in the thermal printer, and is preferably set to a value of 0 ° C. or less based on experience.

  Next, in step 304 (S304), a printing speed changing process is performed. Specifically, the printing speed is reduced to reduce sticking due to sticking of a paper that is a print medium that is likely to occur at low temperatures. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotational speed of the paper feed motor 21 for adjusting the paper feed speed is reduced to reduce the printing speed. This printing speed can be set to an arbitrary value. For example, it is possible to perform processing for changing from 70 mm / s to a printing speed such as 50 mm / s or 30 mm / s.

  6A is a perspective view of the printer in the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view. A sheet 70 as a printing medium is fed by a platen roller 26 that rotates about a rotation shaft 261, and a sheet feeding speed is controlled by a sheet feeding motor 21 that controls the rotation of the platen roller 26. The rotation of the sheet feed motor 21 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 261 of the platen roller 26 via the gear in the gear box 28, and the platen roller 26 rotates. Printing on the sheet 70 is performed by the thermal head 22, and a thermistor for temperature measurement is built in the thermal head 22. The thermal head 22 is pressed against the platen roller 26 by a spring 27 in order to improve the adhesion with the paper 70.

  Next, in step 306 (S306), a division number changing process is performed. Specifically, processing is performed to perform printing by reducing the number of dots of the thermal head 22 that is energized at the same time. Under normal conditions, if the number of dots of the thermal head 22 to be energized at the same time is set to 80 dot lines and the printing rate (the ratio of the black portion of the print data) is 80 or less, the width of the thermal head 22 during printing The strobes can be driven at the same time, but if they are 80 or more, the divided driving is performed. In the division number changing process, the number of dots at a low temperature is changed to, for example, 40 dot lines. By changing the number of divisions, the ratio of divided driving increases, the number of dots energized at the same time can be reduced, the power required to heat the thermal head 22 is reduced, and the load on the battery 60 is also reduced. The

  Next, in step 308 (S308), paper feed amount correction processing 1 is performed. Specifically, at a low temperature, the diameter of the platen roller 26 in the thermal printer becomes small, and accordingly, processing for increasing the rotation speed of the paper feed motor 21 is performed so that a constant paper feed amount is obtained.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the platen roller 26. 7A is a perspective view of the platen roller 21, FIG. 7B is a side view of the platen roller 26, and FIG. 7C is a broken line 7A-7B in FIG. 7B. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected.

  A rubber roller portion 262 is provided on the surface of the platen roller 26 so as to surround the periphery of the rotation shaft 261. Further, the rotation shaft 261 is provided with a gear portion 263 so that the rotation of the paper feed motor 21 is transmitted through the paper feed motor 21 and the gear in the gear box 28 shown in FIG. The rubber roller portion 262 is made of a material such as rubber, and its diameter changes with a temperature change. That is, the diameter of the rubber roller portion 262 increases at a high temperature and decreases at a low temperature. When the diameter of the rubber roller portion 262 increases, the paper feed amount per rotation increases, and when the diameter decreases, the paper feed amount per rotation decreases. For this reason, as the paper feed amount correction processing, at a high temperature, the paper feed amount is set to be the same as in a normal case by decreasing the number of rotations of the paper feed motor 21 by an amount corresponding to an increase in the diameter of the rubber roller portion 262. The amount of paper feed is made the same as in the normal case by increasing the number of revolutions of the paper feed motor 21 by the amount that the diameter of 262 is reduced. Since it is determined that the paper feed amount correction processing 1 in step 308 is at a low temperature, the paper feed amount becomes the same as that in the normal case by increasing the rotational speed of the paper feed motor 21 and increasing the rotational speed of the platen roller 28. Such correction processing is performed. After step 308 ends, this subroutine ends and returns to the main routine.

  In step 310 (S310), it is determined whether the ambient temperature is higher than T2. If it is determined that the ambient temperature is higher than the set temperature T2, the process proceeds to step 312. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ambient temperature is not higher than the set value T2, this subroutine ends and the process returns to the main routine. In the present embodiment, this set value T2 is set to 50 ° C. This set value T2 can be set to an arbitrary value. The thermal printer in the present embodiment is set based on the guaranteed temperature of the parts used in the thermal printer, and is preferably set to a value of 40 ° C. or higher based on experience.

  Next, in step 312 (S312), paper feed amount correction processing 2 is performed. Specifically, at a high temperature, the diameter of the platen roller 26 in the mechanical part of the thermal printer becomes large, and accordingly, processing for increasing the rotation speed of the paper feed motor 21 so as to achieve the same paper feed amount as in a normal case. Do. After the process of step 312 is finished, this subroutine is finished and the process returns to the main routine.

  After the printer status transition determination process subroutine is completed, the routine proceeds to step 110 of the main routine shown in FIG.

(Interrupt processing subroutine)
Next, an interrupt process related to the power-off process will be described with reference to FIG. This interrupt process is periodically and forcibly executed during the execution of the main routine shown in FIG. 2, and has the highest priority among various interrupt processes.

  First, when this interrupt process is performed, a task counter (not shown) is updated in step 402 (S402). This task counter is provided in the CPU 50 or the like.

  Next, in step 404 (S404), it is determined whether or not the task corresponding to the task counter updated in step 402 is a temperature detection task. If this task is a temperature detection task, the process proceeds to step 406, and if it is not a temperature detection task, the process proceeds to step 414.

  Next, in step 406 (S406), the temperature is measured by a thermistor (not shown) built in the thermal head 22. This temperature measurement is performed by the same method as in step 202 in FIG.

  Next, in step 408 (S408), the temperature measured in step 406 is stored. That is, the temperature value measured by the thermistor 23 of the thermal head 22 is stored in a memory or the like in the CPU 50.

  Next, in step 410 (S410), the temperature stored in step 408 is compared and determined with respect to the previously measured ambient temperature. Specifically, the ambient temperature measured last time is stored in the flash memory 43 or the memory in the CPU 50, the ambient temperature stored in these is read, and stored in step 408 with respect to this ambient temperature. It is determined whether or not the temperature is within 0.2 ° C. If the measured temperature with respect to the stored ambient temperature is within 0.2 ° C., the process proceeds to step 412. On the other hand, if the temperature measured with respect to the stored ambient temperature exceeds 0.2 ° C., this subroutine ends and returns to the main routine. If the temperature measured with respect to the stored ambient temperature is within 0.2 ° C, it is considered that there is almost no heating by driving the thermal head 22, but if it exceeds 0.2 ° C, the thermal head 22 This is because it is necessary to avoid updating the value of the ambient temperature because the temperature is increased by driving the head 22.

  Next, in step 412 (S412), the ambient temperature is updated. Specifically, the temperature stored in step 408 is updated as the ambient temperature and stored in a nonvolatile memory such as the flash memory 43. Thereafter, the interrupt processing subroutine ends.

  On the other hand, in step 414 (S414), it is determined whether or not the task corresponding to the task counter updated in step 402 is a power switch monitoring task. If it is determined that this task is a power switch monitoring task, the process proceeds to step 416. If it is determined that this task is not a power switch monitoring task, the process proceeds to step 420.

  Next, in step 416 (S416), it is determined whether the power switch 14 has been pressed. Specifically, in step 414, it is determined whether the power switch 14 has been pressed. If it is determined that the power switch 14 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 418. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power switch 14 has not been pressed, the interrupt processing subroutine ends.

  Next, in step 418 (S418), a power-off request setting process is executed. Specifically, the power-off request flag is turned on. Thus, when the main routine shown in FIG. 2 is operating normally, the on state of the power off request flag is detected in step 110 of the main routine, the ambient temperature registration process in step 120, and the power off in step 122 Processing is performed, and thereafter, the interrupt processing subroutine ends.

  On the other hand, in step 420 (S420), an error check corresponding to the task counter is executed. That is, the task corresponding to this task counter is neither a temperature detection task nor a power switch monitoring task, so an error check is performed according to other task counters. Therefore, when the thermal printer used in the present embodiment is in an error state, it is detected. Thereafter, the interrupt processing subroutine ends.

  As mentioned above, although the form which concerns on implementation of this invention was demonstrated, the said content does not limit the content of invention.

Configuration diagram of a thermal printer in an embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of the main routine for printing of the thermal printer in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of the main routine initialization process subroutine in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a subroutine of printer status transition determination processing of the main routine in FIG. Flowchart of thermal printer interrupt processing subroutine in an embodiment of the present invention The perspective view which shows a part of structure of the thermal printer in embodiment of this invention Structure of platen roller

Explanation of symbols

10 Operation panel 11 Feed switch 12 LED
13 Buzzer 14 Power switch 20 Mechanical unit 21 Paper feed motor 22 Thermal head 23 Temperature detection thermistor 24 Paper detection sensor 25 Cover open detection switch 30 Control circuit unit 31 Stepping motor drive circuit 32 Thermal head drive circuit 33 A / D conversion circuit 34 Sensor detection circuit 35 Operation panel control circuit 40 Power supply control circuit 41 Oscillator 42 Reset circuit 43 Flash memory 44 BT communication module control circuit 45 ROM
46 frame memory 50 CPU
60 battery

Claims (13)

In a printing method of a thermal printer provided with a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the thermal head,
A measurement step of measuring the temperature a plurality of times every predetermined time by the thermistor;
When the temperature range of the plurality of temperatures measured in the measurement step is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature range, a storage step of storing the plurality of temperature values as an ambient temperature;
A setting step for setting printing conditions according to the ambient temperature;
A printing process for performing printing based on the printing conditions;
A printing method for a thermal printer, comprising: The thermal printer is provided with a non-volatile memory,
The thermal printer printing method according to claim 1, wherein when the power of the thermal printer is turned off, the ambient temperature is stored in the nonvolatile memory.   When the temperature range of the plurality of temperatures measured in the measurement step exceeds a predetermined temperature range, the printing conditions in the setting step are set based on the ambient temperature stored in the nonvolatile memory. A printing method for a thermal printer according to claim 1 or 2.   The thermal printer printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined temperature range is 0.2 ° C.   5. The thermal printer printing method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is 0.2 to 5 seconds.   6. The thermal printer printing method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of times is five or more times.   7. The thermal printer printing method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring step is performed immediately after the thermal printer is turned on.   8. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein in the setting step, when it is determined that the ambient temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, a setting for decreasing the printing speed is performed. 9. Printing method.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the setting step, when it is determined that the ambient temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the setting is performed to increase the number of divisions of the thermal head of the thermal printer. The printing method of the thermal printer in any one of 8-8.   10. The rotation speed of a platen roller in the thermal printer is increased when it is determined in the setting step that the ambient temperature is lower than a first predetermined temperature. The printing method of the thermal printer as described.   The printing method of the thermal printer according to claim 8, wherein the first predetermined temperature is 0 ° C.   12. The rotation speed of a platen roller in the thermal printer is lowered when it is determined in the setting step that the ambient temperature is higher than a second predetermined temperature. The printing method of the thermal printer as described.   The printing method of the thermal printer according to claim 12, wherein the second predetermined temperature is 40 ° C.

Images