JP2011253223A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer to be controlled by a plurality of controllers and preventing reduction in productivity.SOLUTION: The printer 10 is controlled by a control device 50 configured of controllers 60, 70 and 80 for controlling different objects. The controllers 60, 70 and 80 are connected by communication lines 91, 92 and 97 that use a communication protocol for communication between the controllers and dedicated lines 93-96, 98 and 99 provided for outputting an interrupt signal that indicates a control end in one controller using a voltage level to the other controller. The other controller includes an input port that receives the interrupt signal through the dedicated line, and preferentially executes processing according to state change when the interrupt signal is input to the input port.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printing apparatus that prints on a printing medium, an ink jet printing apparatus that includes an ejection head that ejects ink into fine ink droplets is known. As a printing method of the ink jet printing apparatus, for example, a serial method in which the ejection of ink droplets and the paper feeding of the printing medium are alternately performed while the ejection head is moved after the printing medium is transported to the printing start position. Is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition to the function of printing on the printing medium described above, the printing apparatus has a function of cutting the printed printing medium and a function of sorting and outputting the printed printing medium to a predetermined discharge tray. There are things that do.

  By the way, in the printing apparatus described above, if all functions are operated using a single controller, the load on the controller becomes excessive and the processing speed of the controller is greatly reduced. As a result, all functions cannot be operated smoothly, and the production capacity of the printing apparatus is greatly reduced. Therefore, in order to operate each function of the printing apparatus smoothly, a method of comprehensively controlling the printing apparatus by dividing each function into a plurality of groups and operating the functions of each group with one controller is adopted. .

JP 2007-229953 A

  However, if the printing apparatus is controlled using a plurality of controllers, communication of commands between the controllers becomes essential. Command communication between the controllers is performed according to a predetermined communication protocol using, for example, a UART that converts serial transfer data and parallel transfer data. The controller that receives the command interprets the command and then executes the next process. At this time, there is a time delay between the reception of the command and the start of processing by the time necessary for interpreting the command. Such a delay is negligible, for example, 1/1000 to 5/1000 seconds for communication of commands between controllers, but is never negligible when the printing apparatus performs large-scale printing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus controlled by a plurality of controllers, in which a decrease in production capacity is suppressed.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of controllers, and the first controller and the second controller have different control targets, and the first controller uses a communication protocol with the second controller. And a dedicated line provided separately from the communication line for outputting, as an interrupt signal, a signal indicating the completion of control in the first controller to the second controller. The second controller is connected to a second controller, and the second controller has an input port to which the interrupt signal is input through the dedicated line, and the first controller receives the input of the interrupt signal to the input port as a cue. The process according to the completion of the control is preferentially executed.

  According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the second controller grasps that the predetermined control in the first controller is completed based on the voltage level input through the dedicated line, and executes a process according to the completion of the control. . This eliminates the need for the second controller to interpret the command that was input in response to the completion of control by the first controller, so processing corresponding to the completion of control earlier by the amount of time spent on the interpretation. Can be executed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in production capacity in a printing apparatus controlled by a plurality of controllers.

In the printing apparatus, the first controller outputs the interrupt signal to the second controller when the control in the first controller is completed.
Here, as processing in the second controller in response to the completion of control by the first controller, there are processing to be executed immediately after the completion of the control and processing to be executed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of the control. According to the printing apparatus having the above-described configuration, it is possible to start processing in the second controller at a timing suitable for completion of control in the first controller. Thereby, the freedom degree regarding the process start time in the other controller can be expanded.

  In this printing apparatus, the plurality of controllers drive and control the ejection head based on print data, and a main controller that outputs a command to the second controller through the communication line, and printing that conveys the print medium A printing mechanism controller that drives and controls the medium conveyance unit, and the main controller sends a command for conveying the printing medium by a predetermined amount to the printing mechanism controller before the ejection control for the ejection head is completed. Immediately after the ejection control for the ejection head is completed, the interrupt signal is output, and the printing mechanism controller controls the drive of the print medium transport unit with the input of the interrupt signal as a signal. Execute.

  Here, when printing on the print medium by alternately repeating scanning of the print medium by the ejection head and transport of the print medium by the print medium transport unit, if a time delay occurs during transport of the print medium, This greatly affects the production capacity of the printing apparatus. In this regard, according to the above-described configuration, the conveyance of the print medium that is repeated at the time of printing the print medium can be executed immediately upon completion of driving of the ejection head. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suppress a decrease in the production capacity of the printing apparatus.

  In the printing apparatus, the main controller is connected to a position detection unit that detects the position of the ejection head, and the main controller includes a completion position where the ejection head completes ejection and the position detection unit. When the detected position of the ejection head coincides, the interrupt signal is output to the printing mechanism controller.

  In the printing apparatus, since the print area in which the ink droplets are ejected is defined by the input print data, it is possible to grasp the ejection start and ejection completion of the ink droplets by the ejection head at the position of the ejection head. is there. That is, in the printing apparatus configured as described above, the main controller grasps the completion of driving of the ejection head based on the actual position of the ejection head, and then outputs a signal to the printing mechanism controller. Thereby, the ejection of ink droplets and the conveyance of the printing medium can be performed simultaneously, that is, it is possible to reliably prevent printing defects on the printing medium.

  In this printing apparatus, the plurality of controllers further includes a post-processing mechanical controller that drives and controls a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the printed medium after printing, and the post-processing mechanical controller includes the post-processing mechanical controller, A command input from the main controller is executed with the input of the interrupt signal from the printing mechanism controller as a cue.

  According to this printing apparatus, when a command input from the main controller is executed based on the completion of control of the printing mechanism controller, a signal indicating the completion of control of the printing mechanism controller is transmitted to the post-processing mechanism controller via the main controller. Without being input directly from the printing mechanism controller. As a result, the post-processing controller can immediately execute the command in response to the completion of control of the print controller.

  In the printing apparatus, in the plurality of controllers, when the interrupt signal is input to the printing mechanism controller and the post-processing mechanism controller at the same time, the execution of the command in the post-processing mechanism controller has priority.

  According to this printing apparatus, when processing corresponding to the completion of control is performed by both the print controller and the post-processing controller, the processing in the post-processing controller has priority. That is, post-processing on the print medium after printing has priority over printing on the print medium. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the printing medium being printed from catching up with the printing medium being post-processed, so that continuous printing of the printing medium can be performed smoothly.

1 is a side view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment embodying the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration in the printing apparatus. The flowchart which shows the flow to an interruption process. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for paper feeding processing. 6 is a time chart showing from the start of ejection head movement processing to completion of paper feed processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a sheet pressing process. Time chart from paper feed start to cutting completion.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus, and shows a state in which the recording paper 12 a constituting the roll paper 19 is supplied to the printing unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 10 as a printing apparatus has a main body case 11. In the main body case 11, a supply unit 13 that supplies a recording sheet 12 as a print medium, a printing unit 15 that performs printing on the recording sheet supplied from the supply unit 13, and a recording sheet printed by the printing unit 15 12 is provided with a post-processing unit 17 that performs post-processing on 12.

The supply unit 13 includes roll papers 19 and 20 on which the recording papers 12a and 12b are wound as continuous paper. Each of the roll papers 19 and 20 is supported so as to be rotatable about shaft members 19a and 20a. The recording papers 12 a and 12 b wound around the roll papers 19 and 20 are supplied to the roll paper switching mechanism 21. The roll paper switching mechanism 21 switches the recording paper 12 supplied to the printing unit 15 to the recording paper 12 a constituting the roll paper 19 or the recording paper 12 b constituting the roll paper 20. The recording paper 12 selected by the roll paper switching mechanism 21 is supplied to the printing unit 15 by the intermediate shaft roller 23 and the PF roller 25 constituting the printing medium transport unit. The intermediate shaft roller 23 and the PF roller 25 are respectively connected to the intermediate shaft motor 1.
04 (see FIG. 2) and PF motor 105 (see FIG. 2). Then, the intermediate shaft roller 23 and the PF roller 25 cooperate to transport the recording paper 12 along the transport path, or to transport the recording paper 12 by a predetermined paper feed amount toward the downstream side of the transport path. Execute feed processing.

  The printing unit 15 includes a plurality of ejection heads 31 that eject ink stored therein into a minute ink droplet from a plurality of nozzles (not shown). Each ejection head 31 is disposed so as to face the platen 33 that supports the recording paper 12 from the side opposite to the ejection head 31. The ejection head 31 is mounted on a carriage 37 that can reciprocate along a guide shaft 35 that extends in a scanning direction that is a direction from the back side to the near side of the drawing. The carriage 37 moves forward or backward along the guide shaft 35 when a carriage motor 103 (see FIG. 2) attached to the guide shaft 35 is driven forward or reverse. The ejection head 31 ejects ink droplets toward the recording paper 12 while moving along the guide shaft 35. The ejected ink droplets fly between the ejection head 31 and the recording paper 12 and land on the recording paper 12. That is, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment alternately repeats the ink droplet ejection process and the paper feed process of the recording sheet 12 that are performed while moving the ejection head 31 along the guide shaft 35. This is a serial printer that prints on the printer. The printing unit 15 includes a cutter 39 that cuts the recording paper 12 and a support base 41 that supports the recording paper 12 from the opposite side of the cutter 39. The cutter 39 is driven by a cutter motor 106 (see FIG. 2). The cutter 39 cuts the recording paper 12 by moving along the scanning direction with respect to the recording paper 12 conveyed by a predetermined amount downstream of the conveyance path after the printing is completed. That is, the cutter 39 divides the recording paper 12 before printing and the recording paper 12 after printing. The recording sheet 12 after printing divided in this way is carried into the post-processing unit 17.

  The post-processing unit 17 includes a paper presser 43 that presses the recording paper 12 against the support base 41 when the recording paper 12 is cut, a post-conveying roller 45 that transports the cut recording paper 12, and ink jetted onto the recording paper 12. A heater 47 for drying and a sorter 49 for outputting the recording paper 12 to a predetermined paper discharge tray are provided.

  The paper presser 43 holds the recording paper 12 so that the cut recording paper 12 is not dragged by the cutter 39 by the cutter 39 moving in the scanning direction. The paper presser 43 is driven by a paper presser motor 111 (see FIG. 2). The paper presser 43 moves forward and backward with respect to the support base 41 when the paper presser motor 111 is driven forward or backward. The rear conveying roller 45 conveys the recording paper 12 cut by the cutter 39 toward the sorter 49. The rear transport roller 45 is driven by a rear transport motor 112 (see FIG. 2). The rear transport roller 45 transports the cut recording paper 12 to the sorter 49 by driving the rear transport motor 112. A heater 47 is provided above the rear conveyance roller 45. The heater 47 promotes drying of ink droplets that have landed on the recording paper 12 by maintaining the ambient temperature of the recording paper 12 conveyed by the post-conveying roller 45 at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature of the printer 10. The sorter 49 sorts the printed recording sheets 12 and outputs the recording sheets 12 to any one of a plurality of paper discharge trays of the printer 10.

  The printer 10 having such a configuration includes a control device 50 that performs overall control of the printer 10. The control device 50 executes printing on the recording paper 12 based on print data input from the computer 51.

  Next, the control device 50 that performs overall control of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow up to the interrupt processing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 50 includes a main controller 60, a printing mechanism controller 70, and a post-processing mechanism controller 80 that are controlled differently. Each controller 60, 70, 80 has CPUs 61, 71, 81 and memories 62, 72, 82 constituted by a ROM storing various control programs and a RAM storing various data temporarily. ing. Each controller 60, 70, 80 executes various processes based on control programs and various data stored in the memories 62, 72, 82.

  Print data is input from the computer 51 to the main controller 60. The print data is data generated by the computer 51 in order to print the image on the recording paper 12 using the printer 10 based on the image input to the computer 51.

  The main controller 60 stores the input print data in the memory 62. The main controller 60 executes an ejection process for ejecting ink droplets from the ejection head 31 toward the recording paper 12 based on the stored print data and various control programs. This ejection process is executed each time the carriage 37 (ejection head 31) moves forward and backward along the guide shaft 35.

  More specifically, the head controller HDC is electrically connected to the main controller 60. The main controller 60 generates ejection data for each ejection head 31 based on the print data stored in the memory 62. The main controller 60 outputs the generated ejection data to the head control unit HDC. The head control unit HDC drives and controls each ejection head 31 based on the inputted ejection data, and ejects ink droplets from each nozzle (not shown). Here, the printer 10 includes a linear encoder 101 as a position detection unit that detects the position of the carriage 37 (ejection head 31) on the guide shaft 35 as a position detection unit that detects the position of the ejection head 31. The linear encoder 101 outputs a pulse signal in accordance with the movement of the carriage 37 to the main controller 60. The main controller 60 grasps the position of the ejection head 31 based on the pulse signal input from the linear encoder 101. The main controller 60 generates a predetermined ejection timing signal based on the pulse signal input from the linear encoder 101 and outputs the ejection timing signal to the head control unit HDC during the ejection process by the ejection head 31. The head control unit HDC ejects ink droplets from each nozzle (not shown) at a timing based on the generated ejection timing signal. That is, the main controller 60 performs the ejection process by ejecting ink droplets from each ejection head 31 based on the ejection data of each ejection head 31 and the position of the ejection head 31 in the scanning direction. Note that the linear encoder 101 related to the injection processing has a large influence on the image quality, and therefore, a high-resolution one is employed.

  The main controller 60 and the printing mechanism controller 70 are connected by a communication line 91 connected to the connector 60a of the main controller 60 and the connector 70a of the printing mechanism controller 70 in order to communicate with each other using a communication protocol. . Similarly, the main controller 60 and the post-processing mechanism controller 80 are connected by a communication line 92 connected to the connector 60d of the main controller 60 and the connector 80a of the post-processing mechanism controller 80 in order to communicate with each other using a communication protocol. Yes. The main controller 60 transmits commands to the controllers 70 and 80 through command ports 61 a and 61 d provided in the CPU 61 and the communication lines 91 and 92. Commands received by the controllers 70 and 80 are input to command ports 71a and 81a provided in the CPUs 71 and 81, respectively. Each controller 70, 80 executes the command after interpreting the input command according to the communication protocol.

  Here, commands input from the main controller 60 to the printing mechanism controller 70 include a carriage movement command indicating a movement process for moving the carriage 37 forward or backward, and a sheet conveyance command indicating a conveyance process for conveying the recording paper 12. is there. Further, there are a paper feed command indicating a paper feed process for transporting the recording paper 12 by a predetermined transport amount to the downstream side of the transport path, and a paper cutting command indicating a cutting process for cutting the recording paper 12. The commands input from the main controller 60 to the post-processing mechanism controller 80 include a paper pressing command indicating a paper pressing process for pressing the recording paper 12, a post-transport command indicating a post-transport processing of the recording paper 12 by the post-transport roller 45, There is a paper discharge command indicating a paper output process for outputting the recording paper 12 to a predetermined paper discharge tray.

  In addition, the main controller 60 and the printing mechanism controller 70 are connected by dedicated lines 93 and 94 for notifying the other using an interrupt signal indicating by voltage level that predetermined control has been completed on one side. The dedicated lines 93 and 94 are connected to the connectors 60 b and 60 c of the main controller 60 and the connectors 70 b and 70 c of the printing mechanism controller 70. Note that “control completion” in the present embodiment includes forcibly terminating a process being executed due to some error.

  When the predetermined control in the main controller 60 is completed, the main controller 60 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 93 from “L level” to “H level” through the output port 61 b provided in the CPU 61. On the other hand, in the printing mechanism controller 70, the voltage level of the dedicated line 93 is input to the input port 71 b provided in the CPU 71. The CPU 71 monitors the voltage level of the input port 71b. When the voltage level of the input port 71b changes from “L level” to “H level”, the CPU 71 executes processing for changing the interrupt processing flag whose source of the interrupt signal is the main controller 60 from “0” to “1”. To do. When the interrupt processing flag becomes “1”, the CPU 71 preferentially executes predetermined processing according to the control program stored in the memory 72 as interrupt processing.

  Similarly, when the printing mechanism controller 70 completes predetermined control in the printing mechanism controller 70, the voltage level of the dedicated line 94 is temporarily changed from “L level” to “H level” through the output port 71 c provided in the CPU 71. Change to On the other hand, in the main controller 60, the voltage level of the dedicated line 94 is input to the input port 61 c provided in the CPU 61. The CPU 61 monitors the voltage level of the input port 61c. When the voltage level of the input port 61c changes from “L level” to “H level”, the CPU 61 performs processing for changing the interrupt processing flag whose source of the interrupt signal is the printing mechanism controller 70 from “0” to “1”. Execute. When the interrupt processing flag becomes “1”, the CPU 61 preferentially executes predetermined processing according to the control program stored in the memory 62 as interrupt processing.

  The main controller 60 and the post-processing mechanical controller 80 are also connected by dedicated lines 95 and 96. Since the configurations related to the dedicated lines 95 and 96 are the same as the configurations of the main controller 60 and the printing mechanism controller 70 described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted by attaching the same reference numerals. The printing mechanism controller 70 and the post-processing mechanism controller 80 are also connected by a communication line 97 and dedicated lines 98 and 99. Since the configuration related to the communication line 97 and the dedicated lines 98 and 99 is the same as the configuration of the main controller 60 and the printing mechanism controller 70, detailed description thereof will be omitted by giving the same reference numerals.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU of each controller monitors the voltage level of each input port provided in the CPU (step S11), and the voltage level of the input port is changed from “L level” to “H level”. When it reaches “level” (step S11: YES), it is recognized that an interrupt process has occurred. Then, the CPU executes a process of changing the interrupt processing flag corresponding to the transmission source of the interrupt signal from “0” to “1” (step S12). The CPU monitors each interrupt processing flag, and when the interrupt processing flag becomes “1”, the CPU preferentially executes predetermined processing according to the control program stored in the memory as interrupt processing.

  A roll paper switching mechanism 21 is electrically connected to the printing mechanism controller 70. The printing mechanism controller 70 switches the recording paper 12 supplied to the printing unit 15 to the recording paper constituting the roll paper 19 or the roll paper 20 based on a command input from the main controller 60.

  A carriage motor 103 is electrically connected to the printing mechanism controller 70 via a motor drive circuit 102. The printing mechanism controller 70 drives and controls the carriage motor 103 based on a carriage movement command input from the main controller 60, and performs a moving process for moving the carriage 37 (ejection head 31) forward or backward along the guide shaft 35. Execute. During this movement process, the printing mechanism controller 70 drives and controls the carriage motor 103 according to the control program and various data stored in the memory 72 so that the movement mode of the carriage 37 has a predetermined speed distribution. Then, the movement process by the printing mechanism controller 70 and the ejection process by the main controller 60 are executed in parallel, whereby the carriage 37 is printed on the recording paper 12 every forward or backward movement. Further, the linear encoder 101 described above also outputs a pulse signal in accordance with the movement of the carriage 37 to the printing mechanism controller 70.

  An intermediate shaft motor 104 is electrically connected to the printing mechanism controller 70 via a motor drive circuit 102. The printing mechanism controller 70 drives and controls the intermediate shaft motor 104 based on a command input from the main controller 60. A PF motor 105 is electrically connected to the printing mechanism controller 70 via a motor drive circuit 102. The printing mechanism controller 70 controls driving of the PF motor 105 based on a command input from the main controller 60. The printing mechanism controller 70 drives and controls the intermediate shaft motor 104 and the PF motor 105 so that the transport amount of the recording paper 12 by the intermediate shaft roller 23 and the transport amount of the recording paper 12 by the PF roller 25 are equal.

  Then, the printing mechanism controller 70 cooperates the intermediate shaft motor 104 and the PF motor 105 to perform the transport process and the paper transport process of the recording paper 12 based on the paper transport command and the paper transport command input from the main controller 60. Execute. In this paper feeding process, the printing mechanism controller 70 drives and controls the intermediate shaft motor 104 and the PF motor 105 according to the control program and various data stored in the memory 72 so that the movement mode of the recording paper 12 has a predetermined speed distribution. To do.

  A cutter motor 106 is electrically connected to the printing mechanism controller 70 via a motor drive circuit 102. The printing mechanism controller 70 drives and controls the cutter motor 106 based on a paper cutting command input from the main controller 60, and cuts the recording paper 12 in the scanning direction by moving the cutter 39 along the scanning direction. Execute.

A paper pressing motor 111 is electrically connected to the post-processing mechanical controller 80 via a motor driving circuit 110. The post-processing mechanical controller 80 drives and controls the sheet pressing motor 111 based on the sheet pressing command input from the main controller 60 and executes a sheet pressing process for pressing the recording sheet 12 when the recording sheet 12 is cut.

  A post-transport motor 112 is electrically connected to the post-processing mechanical controller 80 via a motor drive circuit 110. The rear transport motor 112 is configured to drive each rear transport roller 45. The post-processing mechanical controller 80 controls the driving of the post-conveying motor 112 based on the post-conveying command input from the main controller 60 and executes post-conveying processing for conveying the recording paper 12.

  A heater 47 is electrically connected to the post-processing mechanical controller 80 via a heater drive circuit 113. The post-processing mechanical controller 80 drives and controls the heater 47 to maintain the ambient temperature of the recording paper 12 conveyed by the post-conveying roller 45 at a predetermined temperature.

  A sorter 49 is electrically connected to the post-processing mechanical controller 80 via a sorter driving circuit 114. The post-processing mechanical controller 80 drives and controls the sorter 49 based on the paper discharge command input from the main controller 60, and puts the printed recording paper 12 on the paper discharge tray selected from a plurality of paper discharge trays. Execute paper output processing to output.

  In the printer 10 having such a configuration, printing is performed on the recording paper 12 by repeating the ejection process of the ejection head 31 by the main controller 60 and the paper feed process by the printing mechanism controller 70 many times. Here, when a paper feed command is transmitted after the ejection processing of the ejection head 31 is completed, the command reception and the start of the paper feed processing are performed for the time necessary for the printing mechanical controller 70 to interpret the command. There is a time delay in between. Therefore, although the time delay is very small, if the time delay occurs in the paper feeding process that is repeated many times, the production capacity of the printer 10 is reduced.

  Therefore, in the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the paper feeding process is executed according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the paper feed processing, and shows the processing procedure in the printing mechanism controller 70.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main controller 60 transmits a paper feed command to the printing mechanism controller 70 before the completion of the ejection process, for example, when the ejection data is output to the head control unit HDC. The printing mechanism controller 70 interprets the received command to determine that it is a paper feed command, and temporarily waits for the paper feed process to start (step S21).

Eventually, when the main controller 60 detects that the position of the carriage 37 (jet head 31) has moved to the completion position of the ejection process based on the pulse signal input from the linear encoder 101, the voltage level of the dedicated line 93 is set to “L”. Temporarily change from “level” to “H level”. As shown in FIG. 3, when the voltage level of the input port 71b changes from “L level” to “H level”, the CPU 71 of the printing mechanism controller 70 is a head drive which is an interrupt processing flag whose source is the main controller 60. The completion flag is changed from “0” to “1”. The printing mechanism controller 70 monitors the head drive completion flag (step S22). When the head drive completion flag becomes “1” (step S22: YES), the paper feed process that has been waiting is executed (step S23). ). In other words, the printing mechanism controller 70 receives an interrupt signal in a voltage level indicating that the ejection process of the ejection head 31 is completed in the main controller 60 through the dedicated line 93 and the input port 7 of the CPU 71.
The paper feed process is executed with the input to 1b as a cue.

  When the paper feed process is completed, the CPU 71 of the printing mechanism controller 70 returns the head drive completion flag from “1” to “0” (step S24). In this way, a series of processes related to the paper feed process is completed.

  Next, the paper feed process executed by the above-described procedure will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing from the start of the carriage 37 movement process to the completion of the paper feed process.

  In FIG. 5, the ON state on the main controller 60 side indicates that the ejection process by the ejection head 31 is being executed. On the printing mechanism controller 70 side, the driving mode of the carriage motor 103 and PF motor 105 (intermediate shaft motor 104), in other words, the moving speed of the carriage 37 in the forward or backward movement, the recording paper 12 in the paper feed process, The conveyance speed is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the printing mechanism controller 70 receives a carriage movement command from the main controller 60, the printing mechanism controller 70 drives and controls the carriage motor 103 to move the carriage 37 (jet head 31) along the guide shaft 35. Start returning. When the carriage 37 moves to a position where the movement speed of the carriage 37 becomes constant, the main controller 60 performs the ejection process of the ejection head 31. That is, the movement process of the carriage 37 by the printing mechanism controller 70 and the ejection process by the main controller 60 are executed in parallel.

  Eventually, at time A when the position of the carriage 37 moves to a position indicating completion of driving of the ejection head 31, the CPU 61 of the main controller 60 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 93 from “L level” to “ Change to "H level". When the voltage level at the input port 71b of the CPU 71 changes from “L level” to “H level”, the printing mechanism controller 70 controls the driving of the PF motor 105 and the intermediate shaft motor 104 to interrupt the paper feeding process of the recording paper 12. Run as.

  With such a paper feed process, the main controller 60 can cause the printing mechanism controller 70 to execute the paper feed process immediately after the ejection head 31 has been driven. That is, the paper feed process can be executed by transmitting the voltage level interrupt signal through the dedicated line 93 without transmitting the paper feed command after the ejection head 31 is driven. This eliminates the need for the printing mechanism controller 70 to interpret the paper feed command after the ejection head 31 has been driven, so that the paper feed process can be executed earlier by the amount of time spent for the interpretation. In other words, the movement process of the carriage 37 and the paper feed process of the recording paper 12 can be temporarily executed in parallel immediately after the ejection head 31 is driven. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in production capacity in the printer 10 in which the ejection process of the ejection head 31 and the paper feed process of the recording paper 12 are controlled by separate controllers. In addition, by applying such a configuration to a process that is frequently performed during printing such as a paper feed process, it is possible to efficiently suppress a decrease in the production capacity of the printer 10.

Further, the main controller 60 detects the voltage level of the dedicated line 93 after detecting that the carriage 37 (ejection head 31) has moved to the ejection processing completion position based on the pulse signal input from the linear encoder 101. Change temporarily. That is, the main controller 60 detects the completion of the ejection process based on the actual position of the carriage 37 (ejection head 31). As a result, the ejection process of the ejection head 31 and the paper feed process of the recording paper 12 can be executed in parallel, that is, printing defects on the recording paper 12 can be reliably prevented.

  The recording paper 12 thus printed is conveyed by the printing mechanism controller 70 to the downstream side of the conveyance path by the printing mechanism controller 70, and then a cutting process for cutting the recording paper 12 is executed.

  Here, if the recording paper 12 is cut by the cutter 39 that moves in the scanning direction, the recording paper 12 may be dragged by the cutter 39 immediately after the cutting, so that the recording paper 12 may be shifted obliquely with respect to the conveyance path. There is. The sheet presser 43 is provided in order to suppress such a shift of the recording sheet 12. However, if the cutting process is started with the recording sheet 12 pressed, the sheet pressing process and the cutting process are executed in order. Therefore, the production capacity of the printer 10 is reduced. On the other hand, since the deviation of the recording paper 12 described above occurs immediately after the cutting of the recording paper 12, it is sufficient that the recording paper 12 is pressed by the paper presser 43 immediately before the cutting of the recording paper 12 by the cutter 39 is completed. Therefore, in the printer 10 of this embodiment, the sheet pressing process is executed according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the sheet pressing process, and is a diagram showing the processing procedure in the post-processing mechanical controller 80.

  Note that when executing the sheet pressing process, the main controller 60 instructs the printing mechanism controller 70 to cut the recording sheet 12, and includes a conveyance command and a recording indicating a conveyance process for conveying the recording sheet 12 after printing to the cutting position. A paper cutting command for cutting the paper 12 is output. The printing mechanism controller 70 to which the conveyance process command and the paper cutting command are input drives the intermediate shaft motor 104 and the PF motor 105 to start the conveyance process, and waits for the start of the cutting process. The printing mechanism controller 70 drives the cutter motor 106 after a predetermined time t1 has elapsed so that the cutting of the recording paper 12 is started at the timing when the conveyance process ends, that is, the timing when the recording paper 12 stops. To start the cutting process.

  In addition, since the driving mode of the cutter motor 106 in the cutting process is predetermined in the control program, the timing at which the cutting of the recording paper 12 is completed is defined based on the start of the conveying process. Similarly, since the driving mode of the sheet pressing motor 111 in the sheet pressing process is determined in advance in the control program, the timing for completing the sheet pressing is defined based on the start of the conveyance process. That is, the cutting process is started when a predetermined time t1 has elapsed from the start of the conveyance process of the recording paper 12, and the paper pressing process is performed when the predetermined time t2 has elapsed after the conveyance process of the recording paper 12 is started. Is started, the recording paper 12 can be pressed immediately before the cutting of the recording paper 12 is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main controller 60 transmits a sheet pressing command to the post-processing mechanical controller 80 when the final ejection processing based on the print data is completed, for example. The post-processing mechanical controller 80 interprets the received command to determine that it is a paper pressing command, and temporarily waits for the paper pressing process to start (step S31).

The printing mechanism controller 70 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 99 from “L level” to “H level” through the output port 71f when the predetermined time t2 has elapsed since the start of the above-described conveyance processing. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 81 of the post-processing mechanical controller 80 is an interrupt processing flag that sets the transmission source as the printing mechanical controller 70 when the voltage level of the input port 81 f changes from “L level” to “H level”. The paper holding flag is changed from “0” to “1”. The post-processing mechanical controller 80 monitors the paper pressing flag (step S32). When the paper pressing flag becomes “1” (step S32: YES), the post-processing mechanical controller 80 executes the standby paper pressing process (step S33). . That is, the post-processing mechanical controller 80 receives an interrupt signal indicating from the printing mechanical controller 70 that a predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the start of the conveyance process of the recording paper 12 in the printing mechanical controller 70. Then, the post-processing mechanical controller 80 executes a sheet pressing process with a signal indicating that an interrupt signal is input to the input port 81f of the CPU 81 through the dedicated line 99.

  When the sheet pressing process is completed, the CPU 81 of the post-processing mechanical controller 80 returns the sheet pressing flag from “1” to “0” (step S34). Thus, a series of processes relating to the sheet pressing process is completed.

  Next, the sheet pressing process executed by the above-described procedure will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing from the start of the conveyance process of the recording paper 12 to the completion of the cutting process.

  In FIG. 7, on the printing mechanism controller 70 side, the driving mode of the PF motor 105 (intermediate shaft motor 104) and the cutter motor 106, in other words, the conveyance speed of the recording paper 12 toward the downstream side of the conveyance path, The moving speed in the scanning direction is shown. On the post-processing mechanical controller 80 side, the driving mode of the sheet pressing motor 111, in other words, the moving speed of the sheet pressing 43 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the printing mechanism controller 70 receives the conveyance command from the main controller 60, the printing paper controller 12 drives and controls the PF motor 105 and the intermediate shaft motor 104 at time B to the downstream side of the conveyance path. Start transporting.

  At the time C when the predetermined time t2 has elapsed after the conveyance of the recording paper 12 is started, the CPU 71 of the printing mechanism controller 70 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 99 from “L level” to “H level” through the output port 71f. Change to "". When the voltage level at the input port 81f of the CPU 81 changes from “L level” to “H level”, the post-processing mechanical controller 80 controls the driving of the paper pressing motor 111 and executes the paper pressing process that has been waiting.

  On the other hand, the printing mechanism controller 70 executes the cutting process that has been waiting by driving the cutter motor 106 at time D when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed from the start of the conveyance process. These sheet pressing process and cutting process are executed in parallel, and cutting of the recording sheet 12 starts at time E. At time F, the timing at which the sheet presser 43 stops and the recording sheet 12 is pressed matches the timing at which the cutting of the recording sheet 12 is completed.

  With the sheet pressing process having such a configuration, the conveyance process and cutting process by the printing mechanism controller 70 and the sheet pressing process by the post-processing mechanism controller 80 can be executed in parallel. Therefore, a decrease in the production capacity of the printer 10 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the sheet pressing process and the cutting process are sequentially performed after the transport process.

Here, by providing an encoder that outputs a signal indicating the rotation speed of the cutter motor 106 to the printing mechanism controller 70, a signal indicating the start of the sheet pressing process is transmitted to the post-processing mechanism controller 80 based on the position of the cutter 39. It is also possible. However, since the encoder has a trade-off with cost, it is difficult to employ an encoder with a high resolution such as the linear encoder 101. If a signal indicating the start of the paper pressing process is transmitted based on the encoder signal having a low resolution, the timing for completing the paper pressing process will vary. Therefore, there is a possibility that the cutting of the recording paper 12 is completed before the recording paper 12 is pressed by the paper presser 43.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, an interrupt signal indicating the start of the sheet suppression process is transmitted from the printing mechanism controller 70 to the post-processing mechanism controller 80 through the dedicated line 99 after a predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the start of the conveyance process. It is configured. As a result, the sheet pressing process can be executed at a timing in accordance with the conveyance process and the cutting process performed by the printing mechanism controller 70. That is, since the sheet pressing can be completed at a timing in accordance with the conveyance process and the cutting process of the recording sheet 12, the sheet pressing is completed during the conveyance of the recording sheet 12, and the sheet pressing is completed after the recording sheet 12 is cut. It is also possible to prevent problems related to sheet pressing such as to do.

  On the other hand, in the printer 10 of the present embodiment, dedicated lines 94, 95, 96, and 98 are provided in addition to the dedicated lines 93 and 99 described above. These dedicated lines 94, 95, 96, 98 are used when an error occurs in each controller 60, 70, 80. As an error in the main controller 60, for example, an ejection failure of the ejection head 31 can be cited. Examples of the error in the printing mechanism controller 70 include a connection failure between the motor drive circuit 102 and the carriage motor 103. Examples of the error in the post-processing mechanical controller 80 include a connection failure between the motor drive circuit 110 and the paper pressing motor 111.

  If an error occurs in the main controller 60, the main controller 60 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 96 from “L level” to “H level”, and then urgently stops all processing. When the voltage level of the input port 81b of the CPU 81 becomes "H level", the post-processing mechanical controller 80 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 98 from "L level" to "H level" and then performs all processing. Emergency stop. When the voltage level of the input port of the CPU 71 becomes “H level”, the printing mechanism controller 70 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 94 from “L level” to “H level” and then urgently performs all processing. Stop.

  If an error occurs in the printing mechanism controller 70, the printing mechanism controller 70 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 94 from “L level” to “H level”, and then urgently stops all processing. . When the voltage level of the input port 61c of the CPU 61 becomes "H level", the main controller 60 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 95 from "L level" to "H level" and then urgently performs all processing. Stop. When the voltage level of the input port 81b of the CPU 81 becomes "H level", the post-processing mechanical controller 80 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 98 from "L level" to "H level" and then performs all processing. Emergency stop.

  If an error occurs in the post-processing mechanical controller 80, the post-processing mechanical controller 80 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated lines 96 and 98 from “L level” to “H level”, and then performs all processing. Emergency stop. The main controller 60 urgently stops all processing when the voltage level of the input port 61f of the CPU 61 becomes "H level". When the voltage level of the input port 71e of the CPU 71 becomes "H level", the printing mechanism controller 70 temporarily changes the voltage level of the dedicated line 94 from "L level" to "H level" and then performs all processing. Emergency stop.

  In the control device 50, among the interrupt processes based on the interrupt signals through the dedicated lines 93, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, the interrupt process based on the error is processed with the highest priority. According to such a configuration, when an error occurs in one of the controllers 60, 70, 80, the processing in the other controller can be stopped immediately. Further, in the control device 50, processing is preferentially performed in the order of interruption processing from the printing mechanism controller 70 to the post-processing mechanism controller 80, and interruption processing from the main controller 60 to the printing mechanism controller 70. According to such a configuration, when an error occurs in one of the controllers 60, 70, 80, the processing in the other controller can be stopped immediately. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the recording paper 12 being printed from catching up with the recording paper 12 being post-processed, so that continuous printing of the recording paper 12 can be executed smoothly. .

As described above, according to the printer 10 described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the above embodiment, the paper feed process can be executed immediately after the main controller 60 causes the printing mechanism controller 70 to complete the driving of the ejection head 31. That is, the paper feed process can be executed by transmitting the voltage level interrupt signal through the dedicated line 93 without transmitting the paper feed command after the ejection head 31 is driven. This eliminates the need for the printing mechanism controller 70 to interpret the paper feed command after the ejection head 31 has been driven, so that the paper feed process can be executed earlier by the amount of time spent for the interpretation. In other words, the movement process of the carriage 37 and the paper feed process of the recording paper 12 can be executed in parallel immediately after the ejection head 31 has been driven. Therefore, the paper feed process by the printing mechanism controller 70 is immediately executed in response to the completion of driving of the ejection head 31 in the main controller 60, so that a reduction in production capacity in the printer 10 can be suppressed.

(2) According to the above-described embodiment, the processing time of the paper feeding process that is frequently performed at the time of printing is shortened, so that a reduction in the production capacity of the printer 10 can be efficiently suppressed.
(3) According to the above embodiment, the main controller 60 detects the actual position of the carriage 37 (jet head 31) based on the pulse signal input from the linear encoder 101. Based on the detected position, an interrupt signal indicating completion of control in the main controller 60 is transmitted to the printing mechanism controller 70. As a result, the ejection process of the ejection head 31 and the paper feed process of the recording paper 12 can be executed in parallel, that is, printing defects on the recording paper 12 can be reliably prevented.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the sheet suppression process is performed by using the interrupt signal input through the dedicated line 99 after the printing mechanism controller 70 has passed the predetermined time t2 from the start of the conveyance process to the post-processing mechanism controller 80 as a cue. Is started. As a result, the sheet pressing process can be executed at a timing in accordance with the conveyance process and the cutting process performed by the printing mechanism controller 70. In this way, by transmitting an interrupt signal through a dedicated line to the other controller after a predetermined time has elapsed from the state change in one controller, the degree of freedom related to the start timing of interrupt processing in the other controller is expanded. be able to.

  (5) Like the control device 50 of the above embodiment, by processing the interrupt processing based on the error in each controller 60, 70, 80 with the highest priority, other errors due to the error can be prevented. .

(6) As with the control device 50 of the above-described embodiment, the interrupt processing for the post-processing mechanism controller 80 is prioritized over the interrupt processing for the printing mechanism controller 70, so that continuous printing of the recording paper 12 is smoothly performed. can do.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, when an interrupt signal through the dedicated lines 93 and 99 is input to the printing mechanism controller 70 and the post-processing mechanism controller 80, the processing in the post-processing mechanism controller 80 is prioritized. However, the priority is not limited to this, and it may be changed as appropriate based on the specifications of the printer 10. For example, if the distance between the recording paper 12 being printed and the cut recording paper 12 is sufficiently secured, the processing in the printing mechanism controller 70 may be prioritized.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 10 controlled using the three controllers 60, 70, and 80 as the printing apparatus has been described. The printing apparatus is not limited as long as it is controlled by two or more controllers.

  The printer 10 according to the embodiment includes the linear encoder 101 as a position detection unit that detects the position of the ejection head 31. The main controller 60 grasps the completion of the ejection process of the ejection head 31 based on the signal from the linear encoder 101 and then transmits an interrupt signal indicating the start of the paper feed process to the printing mechanism controller 70 through the dedicated line 93. did. That is, the main controller 60 starts the paper feed process based on the actual position of the ejection head 31. For example, the main controller 60 transmits a movement command for the carriage 37 to the printing mechanism controller 70 and then the printing mechanism controller 70 receives the timing when the ejection processing of the ejection head 31 is completed. An interrupt signal may be transmitted through the dedicated line 93.

  In the printer 10 of the above embodiment, a high-resolution encoder is used to output a signal indicating the rotation speed of the cutter motor 106 to the printing mechanism controller 70. Then, based on the actual position of the cutter 39 detected by the encoder, the printing mechanism controller 70 may transmit an interrupt signal indicating the start of the sheet pressing process to the post-processing mechanism controller 80 through the dedicated line 99. .

  In the above embodiment, the dedicated line 93 starts the paper feed process, the dedicated line 99 starts the sheet pressing process, and the dedicated lines 94, 95, 96, 98 are stopped urgently when the controllers 60, 70, 80 are in error. Used for use. However, in each controller 60, 70, 80, the process executed by the voltage level of each input port becoming “H level” may be another process.

  The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is a serial printer 10. The printing apparatus is not limited to this, and may be applied to a lateral type printer that also has an ejection head that can be moved, and is fixed at a position so that ink droplets are ejected over the entire scanning direction of the recording paper 12. The present invention may be applied to a line head type printer having a jet head that has been made.

In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus is embodied in the ink jet printer 10, but a printing apparatus using another printing method or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink is employed. The present invention may be applied to various liquid ejecting apparatuses including an ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts Flow state,
Further, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a microdispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these injection devices.

  HDC: head control unit, 10: printer, 11: main body case, 12, 12a, 12b ... recording paper, 13 ... supply unit, 15 ... printing unit, 17 ... post-processing unit, 19 ... roll paper, 19a ... shaft member, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Roll paper, 20a ... Shaft member, 21 ... Roll paper switching mechanism, 23 ... Intermediate shaft roller, 25 ... PF roller, 31 ... Injection head, 33 ... Platen, 35 ... Guide shaft, 37 ... Carriage, 39 ... Cutter, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Support stand, 43 ... Paper presser, 45 ... Rear conveyance roller, 47 ... Heater, 49 ... Sorter, 50 ... Control device, 51 ... Computer, 60 ... Main controller, 60a-60f ... Connector, 61 ... CPU, 61a- 61f ... port, 62 ... memory, 70 ... printing mechanism controller, 70a-70f ... connector, 71 ... CPU, 71a-71f Port, 72 ... Memory, 80 ... Post-processing mechanical controller, 80a-80f ... Connector, 81 ... CPU, 81a-81f ... Port, 82 ... Memory, 91, 92, 97 ... Communication line, 93-96, 98, 99 ... Dedicated line 101 ... Linear encoder 102 ... Motor drive circuit 103 ... Carriage motor 104 ... Intermediate shaft motor 105 ... PF motor 106 ... Cutter motor 110 ... Motor drive circuit 111 ... Paper press motor 112 ... Rear Conveying roller, 112... Rear conveying motor, 113... Heater driving circuit, 114.

Claims (6)

A printing apparatus comprising a plurality of controllers, the control objects of the first controller and the second controller being different from each other,
The first controller is
A communication line for communicating with the second controller using a communication protocol, and the communication line for outputting a signal indicating completion of control in the first controller as a voltage level to the second controller as an interrupt signal. Connected to the second controller by a dedicated line provided separately;
The second controller is
An input port through which the interrupt signal is input through the dedicated line;
A printing apparatus that preferentially executes processing according to control completion in the first controller with the input of the interrupt signal to the input port as a cue. The first controller is
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the control in the first controller is completed, the interrupt signal is output to the second controller. The plurality of controllers are:
A main controller for driving and controlling the ejection head based on print data and outputting a command to the second controller through the communication line;
It consists of a printing mechanism controller that drives and controls the printing medium conveyance unit that conveys the printing medium,
The main controller is
A command for conveying the print medium by a predetermined amount to the printing mechanism controller is output before the ejection control for the ejection head is completed, and the interrupt signal is output immediately after the ejection control for the ejection head is completed. Output
The printing mechanism controller
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the command is executed by driving the print medium transport unit with the input of the interrupt signal as a cue. In the main controller,
A position detector for detecting the position of the ejection head is connected,
The main controller is
The interrupt signal is output to the printing mechanism controller when a completion position, which is a position at which the ejection head completes ejection, coincides with a position of the ejection head detected by the position detection unit. Item 4. The printing apparatus according to Item 3. The plurality of controllers are:
A post-processing mechanical controller that drives and controls a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the print medium after the printing is further included;
The post-processing mechanical controller is
5. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a command input from the main controller is executed with the input of the interrupt signal from the printing mechanism controller as a cue. 6. In the plurality of controllers,
6. The printing according to claim 5, wherein when the interrupt signal is input to the printing mechanism controller and the post-processing mechanism controller at the same time, execution of a command in the post-processing mechanism controller is prioritized. apparatus.

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