JP2011068076A - Printing position control device, label printer, and printing position control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing position control device for performing printing position control which needs no preparation, a label printer, and a printing position control method. <P>SOLUTION: The printing position control device includes: a detection sensor for detecting a detection mark on a sheet traveling in a predetermined direction; a detection means for determining detection of the detection mark when the output of the detection sensor exceeds a detection threshold and the traveling distance of the sheet is equal to or more than a first predetermined distance; and a determination means for determining, when the detection means determines detection of the detection mark, detection of only the detection mark if the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold and the traveling distance of the sheet is smaller than a second predetermined distance, and determining detection of the detection mark and the perforation of the sheet if the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold and the traveling distance of the sheet is equal to or larger than the second predetermined distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing position control device, a label printer, and a printing position control method for controlling a printing position.

  In a label printer, a sheet wound in a roll shape is pulled out by being conveyed by a conveyance roller, and printing is performed on the sheet by a thermal head. When printing on a roll-wrapped paper, the paper is continuous, so it is important to control which position on the paper is printed, that is, the printing position. Therefore, some label printers use a sheet with a detection mark on the back side as shown in FIG. 4 and control the position by detecting the detection mark with a detection sensor.

  When the portion of the detection mark passes through the detection sensor, an output of the detection sensor as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. At this time, in order to distinguish the output from dust on the paper, a detection threshold is provided for the output of the detection sensor as shown in FIG. 10, and the output exceeding the detection threshold continues for a predetermined distance or more. Only when the detection mark is detected. Then, the printing position is controlled based on the detected position.

  Further, in a label printer, as shown in FIG. 6, a sheet with perforations may be used. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the output due to the perforation passing through the detection sensor and the output due to the detection mark overlap. In order to distinguish the output from the perforation from the output from the detection mark, as shown in FIG. 11, a process of making the detection threshold larger than the output value of the output from the perforation is performed.

  However, depending on the darkness of the detection mark, the output of the detection sensor may be small, and the output exceeding the detection threshold may not continue for a predetermined length or more, and detection of the detection mark may fail. In order to detect the detection mark even when the output by the detection mark is small, the detection threshold must be lowered as shown in FIG. However, if the detection threshold is lowered, the output from the perforation will also exceed the threshold.

  Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of obtaining a distance that a sheet is conveyed from the maximum output value until the output value becomes equal to or less than a threshold value, and correcting the printing position using the obtained distance. Has been. This is a method that utilizes the fact that the output from when the output value of the detection sensor reaches the maximum value until the output value becomes equal to or less than the threshold value is an output related only to the detection mark.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-076547

  However, according to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, as a preparation before printing, the distance that the sheet is transported from when the output value of the detection sensor exceeds the threshold value until the output value reaches the maximum value, and the output value are determined. It is necessary to obtain a ratio with respect to the distance that the sheet is transported from when the maximum value is obtained until the output value becomes equal to or less than the threshold value.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing position control device, a label printer, and a program that perform printing position control that does not require preparation in advance.

  In order to solve the above problem, a detection sensor for detecting a detection mark on the paper traveling in a predetermined direction, and a distance traveled by the paper when the output of the detection sensor exceeds a detection threshold is equal to or greater than a first predetermined distance. A detection unit that determines that the detection mark has been detected, and a distance that the output of the detection sensor has exceeded the detection threshold and the paper has traveled when it is determined that the detection unit has detected the detection mark. If the distance is smaller than the second predetermined distance, it is determined that only the detection mark has been detected, and if the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold and the distance that the paper has advanced is equal to or greater than the second predetermined distance. Determining means for determining that the detection mark and the perforation of the paper have been detected.

  The label printer according to the present invention includes the printing position control device according to the present invention.

  According to the printing position control method of the present invention, the detection step of detecting a detection mark on the paper traveling in a predetermined direction by the detection sensor, and the distance that the paper travels when the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold is the first. A detection step of determining that the detection mark has been detected when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, and an output of the detection sensor exceeds a detection threshold when it is determined that the detection mark has been detected by the detection step. If the distance traveled by the paper is smaller than the second predetermined distance, it is determined that only the detection mark has been detected, and the distance traveled by the paper exceeding the detection threshold is the second predetermined distance. If it is above, it has the determination step which determines with having detected the said detection mark and the perforation of a paper, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform printing position control that does not require advance preparation.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the label printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a printing position control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing position control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the paper to which the detection mark was given. It is a figure explaining the position control by the output of the detection sensor by a detection mark. It is a figure explaining the paper to which the detection mark and the perforation were given. It is a figure explaining the position control by the output of the detection sensor by a detection mark and a perforation. It is a figure explaining the position control by the output of the detection sensor by the detection mark and perforation in the printing control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing operation in the printing position control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the output of the detection sensor by a detection mark. It is a figure which shows the output of the detection sensor by a detection mark and a perforation. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the detection mark by a detection mark and a perforation, and a detection threshold value.

  Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a normal printing position control apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing position control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the label printer 1 stores paper 2 and includes a conveyance roller 3, a thermal head 4, a detection sensor 5, and an ink ribbon 6. The label printer 1 includes a printing position control unit 7 and a driving unit 8 (not shown). The detection sensor 5 may be a reflective sensor or a transmissive sensor.

  The sheets 2 are continuous, and are rolled and stored in the label printer 1 as shown in FIG. In the label printer 1, the thermal head 4 performs printing by heating the ink ribbon 6 and transferring the ink onto the paper 2 transported by the transport roller 3. In addition to such thermal transfer printing, some label printers 1 perform thermal printing in which the thermal head 4 performs printing by heating the thermal paper. The label printer according to the present embodiment may be a label printer that performs this thermal printing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the normal printing position control device includes a detection sensor 5 and a printing position control unit 7. The printing position controller 7 controls the driving of the conveying roller 3 by the driving unit 8 and controls the printing position by this driving control.

  The print position control unit 7 includes a detection unit 71 that detects a detection mark, a front end position determination unit 72 that determines a print front end position when the detection unit 71 detects the detection mark, and detection by the detection unit 71. And a storage unit 73 for storing a predetermined value used when the front end position determination unit 72 determines the print front end position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when a detection mark is provided on the back of the paper 2, the output of the detection sensor 5 based on this detection mark is as shown in FIG. When the detection sensor 5 starts to detect the detection mark, the output value increases, and when the detection mark is removed from the detection sensor 5, the output value decreases.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the detection mark is detected by providing a detection threshold. The printing position control apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 determines that the detection means 71 has detected a detection mark when the output exceeding the detection threshold continues for a predetermined distance L1 or more. Then, the printing control apparatus uses the leading edge position determination unit 72 to set the position advanced by the correction distance X1 from the position where the output exceeds the threshold as the printing leading edge position.

  The predetermined distance L1 and the correction distance X1 depend on the detection threshold. Therefore, the predetermined distance L1 and the correction distance X1 with respect to the detection threshold are adjusted in the initial stage, values are determined, and are stored in the storage unit 73 of the print control apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the paper 2 has a perforation in addition to the detection mark, the output of the detection sensor 5 by the detection mark and the perforation is as shown in FIG. The output value increases when the detection sensor 5 starts to detect the perforation, the output value further increases when the detection sensor 5 starts detecting the detection mark, and the output value decreases when the detection mark is removed from the detection sensor 5.

  At this time, if the printing leading edge position is determined by the above-described printing position control apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the position shifted from the original printing leading edge position is determined as the printing leading edge position as shown in FIG. Will be.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the output when the output value exceeds the threshold is not a detection mark output, but a perforation output. For this reason, when the correction distance X1 set when the output when the output value exceeds the threshold is the output by the detection mark is used, the position shifted from the original print leading edge position is determined as the printing leading edge position. .

  Therefore, in the printing position control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 73 further stores the predetermined distance L2 and the correction distance X2. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing position control unit 7 of the printing position control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention also includes a determination unit 74.

  When it is determined by the detection means 71 that the detection mark has been detected, the printing control apparatus determines whether the output exceeding the detection threshold has continued for more than the predetermined distance L2 by the determination means 74. Whether the output is a detection mark and a perforation.

  The print control apparatus determines that the detected output is output by only the detection mark when the determination means 74 does not continue the predetermined distance L2 or more. Further, when the output exceeding the detection threshold continues for a predetermined distance L2 or more, the print control apparatus determines that the detected output is an output from the detection mark and the perforation.

  Since the distance between the perforation and the detection mark is not always constant, a constant value cannot be obtained as the correction distance from the position where the output value exceeds the detection threshold to the front end position of printing. Therefore, the correction distance X2 stored in the storage unit 73 of the print control unit 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention is from the position where the output value is smaller than the detection threshold to the position of the leading edge of printing, as shown in FIG. Distance. Since the output when the output value is smaller than the detection threshold is output only by the detection mark, the distance from the position where the output value is smaller than the detection threshold to the position of the leading edge of printing is the distance between the perforation and the detection mark. Is not dependent.

  For this reason, this correction distance X2 can determine a value using only a detection mark similarly to said correction distance X1. Therefore, similarly to the correction distance X1, the correction distance X2 with respect to the detection threshold value can be adjusted initially, determined, and stored in the storage unit 73 of the print control apparatus.

  In the paper 2, the distance between the perforation and the detection mark is not always constant, but when the distance between the perforation and the detection mark is approximately α, the predetermined distance L2 is, for example, L2 = L1 + α. good.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing operation in the printing position control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The printing position control apparatus starts a processing operation, and the detection sensor 5 detects a detection mark (S101). While the output value of the detection sensor 5 does not exceed the detection threshold (No in S102), detection of the detection mark by the detection sensor 5 is continued (S101).

  When the output value of the detection sensor 5 exceeds the detection threshold (S102, Yes), but the output exceeding the detection threshold does not continue for a predetermined distance L1 (S103, No), this output is not output by the detection mark. Detection of the detection mark by the detection sensor 5 is continued (S101).

  When the output exceeding the detection threshold continues for the predetermined distance L1 or more (S103, Yes), but the output exceeding the detection threshold does not continue for the predetermined distance L2 or more (S104, No), the printing position control device uses the determination unit 74 to It is determined that an output based only on the detection mark has been detected. Then, the printing control apparatus uses the leading edge position determination unit 72 to set the position advanced by the correction distance X1 from the position where the output exceeds the threshold value as the printing leading edge position (S105). Then, the next detection mark is detected by the detection sensor 5 (S101).

  When the output exceeding the detection threshold continues for the predetermined distance L2 or more (S104, Yes), the printing position control device determines that the output by the detection mark and the perforation is detected by the determination unit 74. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the printing control apparatus uses the leading edge position determining unit 72 to set the position returned by the correction distance X2 from the position where the output is smaller than the threshold value as the printing leading edge position (S106). Then, the next detection mark is detected by the detection sensor 5 (S101).

  In this way, accurate printing position control can be performed even on perforated paper. It is also possible to automatically detect perforated paper and switch the printing position control method.

  In the above processing operation, the determination by the determination unit 74 is continued during printing. However, the determination by the determination unit 74 may be performed only once after the operation of the printing position control apparatus starts. That is, after steps S105 and S106 of the above processing operation, the determination by the determination unit 74 is not performed, and thereafter the detection by the detection sensor 5 is performed. When the detection mark is detected by the detection unit 71, the same correction is performed during printing. The print leading edge position may be determined based on the distance.

  That is, immediately after the start of printing, when the determination by the determination unit 74 determines that the output exceeding the detection threshold is output by only the detection mark, the determination by the determination unit 74 is not performed thereafter, and the output is always performed. A position advanced by a correction distance X1 from a position exceeding the threshold may be set as the front end position of printing.

  Further, immediately after the start of printing, when it is determined by the determination unit 74 that the output exceeding the detection threshold is output by the detection mark and the perforation, the detection mark is not detected and the detection mark is always detected. The position where the output has returned by the correction distance X2 from the position where the threshold value has decreased may be set as the front end position of printing.

  The print control apparatus may be provided with means capable of switching between a method of detecting the detection mark only at the beginning of this operation and a method of always detecting the detection mark during the operation.

  The predetermined distances L1 and L2 and the correction distances X1 and X2 vary depending on the width of the detection mark. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined distances L1 and L2 and the correction distances X1 and X2 can be set according to the width of the detection mark. Usually, since the width of the detection mark is 3 mm, the width of the detection mark is 3 mm as an initial setting, and the values of the predetermined distances L1 and L2 and the correction distances X1 and X2 corresponding to the width of the detection mark are initially set. You may make it memorize | store as a setting.

  The predetermined distance L2 also depends on the distance between the perforation and the detection mark. Therefore, the predetermined distance L2 may be adjusted by the distance between the perforation and the detection mark. Usually, since the distance between the perforation and the detection mark is 1.5 to 2 mm, the distance between the perforation and the detection mark is 1.5 mm, and the value of a predetermined distance L2 corresponding to this distance is initially set. May be stored.

  Further, without performing the determination by the determination unit 74, a position where the output is always returned from the position where the output is smaller than the threshold value from the beginning to the end during the operation by the correction distance X2 may be set as the front end position of printing. Further, a manual switching button or the like may be provided in the label printer so that the user can select the correction using the correction distance X1 and the correction using the correction distance X2.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. is there.

  For example, the processing operation in the above-described embodiment can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  When processing by software is executed, the program is loaded from a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program recording a processing sequence to a memory (RAM) in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. The program can be read and executed, or the program can be installed and executed on a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processes.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is stored on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a magneto-optical disk such as an MO (Magneto Optical) disk. It is possible to store (record) temporarily or permanently.

  Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program is installed on the computer from the above-described removable recording medium, transferred wirelessly from the download site to the computer, or transferred to the computer via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. On the other hand, the computer can receive the transferred program and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  In addition to being executed in time series in accordance with the processing operations described in the above embodiment, the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processing, or a configuration to execute in parallel or individually as necessary Is also possible.

  In addition, the system described in the above embodiment can be configured to have a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices or to mix the functions of each device.

  Further, the printing position control apparatus according to the present invention determines the leading edge position of printing based on the position of the paper exceeding the detection threshold when the determination unit determines that only the detection mark is detected, and the determination When it is determined by the means that the detection mark and the perforation of the paper have been detected, a printing front edge position that determines a printing front edge position based on the paper position where the output of the detection sensor is smaller than the detection threshold You may make it have a determination means.

  In the printing position control apparatus according to the present invention, when it is determined that only the detection mark is detected by the determination unit, the first correction distance from the position of the paper whose output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold value. The position where the paper has advanced is determined as the front end position of printing, and when the determination means determines that the detection mark and the perforation of the paper are detected, the output of the detection sensor is smaller than the detection threshold value. You may make it have a printing front-end | tip position determination means which determines the position where the paper returned only the 2nd correction distance from the position of the sheet | seat that became the printing front-end | tip position.

  In the printing position control apparatus according to the present invention, the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold and the paper advances only when the determination unit determines that the first detection mark is detected by the detection unit. If the distance is smaller than the second predetermined distance, it is determined that only the detection mark has been detected, and the distance that the output of the detection sensor has exceeded the detection threshold and the paper has advanced is equal to or greater than the second predetermined distance. If so, it may be determined that the detection mark and the perforation of the paper are detected.

  In the printing position control method according to the present invention, when it is determined in the determination step that only the detection mark is detected, the front end position of printing is determined based on the position of the paper exceeding the detection threshold, and the determination When it is determined that the detection mark and the perforation of the paper are detected by the step, a printing front edge position that determines a printing front edge position based on a paper position where the output of the detection sensor is smaller than the detection threshold You may make it have a determination step.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Label printer 2 Paper 3 Conveyance roller 4 Thermal head 5 Detection sensor 6 Ink ribbon 7 Print position control part 71 Detection means 72 Tip position determination means 73 Storage means 74 Determination means 8 Drive means

Claims (7)

A detection sensor for detecting a detection mark on the paper traveling in a predetermined direction;
Detection means for determining that the detection mark has been detected when a distance that the output of the detection sensor exceeds a detection threshold and the paper has traveled is equal to or greater than a first predetermined distance;
If it is determined that the detection mark has been detected by the detection means, and if the distance that the paper travels is less than the second predetermined distance when the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold, only the detection mark is detected. It is determined that the detection mark and the perforation of the sheet have been detected if the distance traveled by the detection sensor output exceeding the detection threshold and the paper advance is equal to or greater than the second predetermined distance. A printing position control apparatus comprising: a determination unit;   When it is determined that only the detection mark is detected by the determination unit, the leading end position of printing is determined based on the position of the sheet that exceeds the detection threshold, and the detection unit and the perforation of the sheet are determined by the determination unit. The printing leading edge position determining means for determining the leading edge position of printing based on the position of the paper whose output from the detection sensor is smaller than the detection threshold. The printing position control apparatus according to 1.   When it is determined by the determination means that only the detection mark has been detected, the position where the sheet has advanced by the first correction distance from the position of the sheet where the output of the detection sensor has exceeded the detection threshold value And when the determination means determines that the detection mark and the perforation of the paper are detected, a second correction distance from the paper position where the output of the detection sensor is smaller than the detection threshold value. The printing position control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing leading edge position determining unit that determines a position where the sheet has returned only as a printing leading edge position.   Only when the determination means determines that the first detection mark has been detected by the detection means, the distance that the output of the detection sensor has exceeded the detection threshold and the paper has advanced is less than the second predetermined distance. For example, if it is determined that only the detection mark has been detected, and the distance traveled by the paper exceeding the detection threshold exceeds the second predetermined distance, the detection mark and the paper sewing machine are detected. The printing position control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that an eye is detected.   A label printer comprising the printing position control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A detection step of detecting a detection mark on the paper traveling in a predetermined direction by a detection sensor;
A detection step of determining that the detection mark has been detected when a distance traveled by the output of the detection sensor exceeding a detection threshold is equal to or greater than a first predetermined distance;
When it is determined that the detection mark has been detected in the detection step, if the distance that the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold and the paper has traveled is smaller than a second predetermined distance, only the detection mark is detected. A determination step of determining that the detection mark and the perforation of the paper have been detected if the distance that the output of the detection sensor exceeds the detection threshold and the paper travels is equal to or greater than a second predetermined distance; And a printing position control method.   When it is determined in the determination step that only the detection mark has been detected, the leading end position of printing is determined based on the position of the paper that exceeds the detection threshold, and the detection mark and the perforation of the paper are determined in the determination step. The printing leading edge position determining step of determining a printing leading edge position based on the position of the paper whose output from the detection sensor is smaller than the detection threshold. 7. The printing position control method according to 6.

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