JP2012101461A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably notify the state, where the remaining amount of a recording medium runs low, by a simple structure when the remaining amount of the recording medium runs low, in a recording apparatus for performing recording to the recording medium.SOLUTION: A printer for performing recording on rolled paper, includes: a rolled paper storage unit 17 for storing the rolled paper; a top cover provided openably and closably in an opening for taking the rolled paper in and out the rolled paper storage unit 17; a driving wheels row 40 and a conveyance motor for opening the top cover; and a control device for controlling the driving wheels row 40 and the conveyance motor to open the top cover when the remaining amount of the rolled paper stored in the rolled paper storage unit runs lower than a predetermined amount.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus that records on a recording medium such as roll paper is known in which a recording medium is accommodated in a main body. In general, this type of recording apparatus includes a cover that exposes the storage portion of the recording medium so that the recording medium accommodated therein can be easily replenished or replaced (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium is also known that includes a unit that detects the remaining amount of the recording medium (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-106096 JP-A-5-338335

When the remaining amount of the recording medium is reduced due to the operation of the recording device or when the remaining amount is exhausted, it is necessary to stop the recording device and replenish or replace it. By the way, when a device such as a computer that instructs the recording device to perform recording is located away from the recording device, it is necessary to notify the operator who operates the device that the recording medium has run out. However, for this purpose, for example, a large-scale mechanism such as strengthening a communication function between a device such as a computer and a recording device is required.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and when the remaining amount of the recording medium is reduced in the recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium, the remaining amount of the recording medium is small with a simple configuration. The purpose of this is to make it possible to reliably report.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium, comprising: a recording medium accommodating portion that accommodates the recording medium; and an opening that allows the recording medium to be taken in and out of the recording medium accommodating portion. A cover provided so as to be openable and closable, a cover automatic opening mechanism for opening the cover, and the automatic opening mechanism for the cover when the remaining amount of the recording medium accommodated in the recording medium accommodating portion is less than a predetermined amount. And a control means for opening the cover.
According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of the recording medium accommodated in the recording medium accommodating portion is reduced, the cover of the recording medium accommodating portion is opened to reliably notify the operator, Can be replenished. In addition, the operation of replenishing the recording medium can be facilitated by opening the cover of the recording medium container, and the operator's workload can be reduced.

The recording apparatus may further include a remaining amount detecting unit configured to detect that the remaining amount of the recording medium is less than a predetermined amount, and the control unit is executing a recording operation on the recording medium. When the remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of the recording medium is less than a predetermined amount, the cover is opened by the automatic cover opening mechanism after the recording operation being executed is completed. And
According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of the recording medium is less than the predetermined amount, the cover is opened after the recording operation is finished, so that the remaining amount of the recording medium can be saved without wasting the recording medium being recorded. Can be reliably notified.

In the recording apparatus, the recording apparatus may further include a medium-out detection unit that detects that the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit has run out, and the control unit stores the recording medium on the recording medium. When the recording medium detection unit detects that the remaining amount of the recording medium is exhausted during the recording operation, the recording operation being performed is stopped and the cover is opened by the automatic cover opening mechanism. And
According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of the recording medium runs out during execution of the recording operation, the recording operation being executed is stopped and the cover is opened. it can. Further, when there is no remaining amount of the recording medium, there is little chance that the recording operation can be continued, so there is no fear that the recording medium will be wasted. Therefore, it is possible to operate efficiently by opening the cover quickly.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the recording apparatus further comprises a transport motor for transporting the recording medium, and the automatic cover opening mechanism opens the cover by the power of the transport motor.
According to the present invention, since the cover is opened using the power of the transport motor that transports the recording medium, there is no need for a dedicated power source for opening the cover. It is possible to realize a configuration that automatically opens the cover without inviting. This transport motor transports the recording medium when recording, and the cover opening operation and the recording operation are not performed at the same time. Therefore, there is no problem in using the transport motor in common, and a common power source is used. You can improve efficiency by using.

In the recording apparatus, the cover is positioned on a surface that becomes an upper surface when the recording medium is installed, and is opened upward.
According to the present invention, since the cover is opened upward, the operator can be surely notified by opening the cover.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the recording apparatus, the automatic cover opening mechanism is capable of closing the cover without manually operating the cover.
According to the present invention, since the cover can be automatically closed without being directly operated by hand, the convenience can be further improved.

In the recording apparatus, the control unit opens the cover by the automatic cover opening mechanism according to a command transmitted from an external apparatus.
According to the present invention, the operator can operate the external device to send a command so that the cover of the recording device can be opened automatically, thereby reducing the workload on the operator and improving convenience. Can be planned.

  According to the present invention, by opening the cover of the recording medium accommodating portion, it is possible to reliably notify the operator that the remaining amount of the recording medium accommodated in the recording medium accommodating portion has decreased, and the recording medium is replenished. Work becomes easy.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a printer body. It is a figure which shows the structure of the drive wheel train of a printer. It is a top view of a driving wheel train. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the command which instruct | indicates cover opening / closing operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a memory switch. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a thermal printer according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The printer 1 as a recording apparatus uses a thermal roll paper (hereinafter referred to as roll paper) 20 (see FIG. 2) obtained by winding a long thermal paper in a roll shape as a recording medium, and a thermal head 35 (see FIG. 2). A direct thermal printer that thermally records (prints) characters (including symbols), images (including graphics), and the like.

In the following description, the left side in FIG. 1 is the front (front) side of the printer 1, and the right side in the figure is the rear (rear) side.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 has an exterior composed of an upper case 2, a lower case 3, and a front cover 4, and the printer body 11 (see FIG. 2) is covered by the exterior.
A discharge port 5 extending in the width direction of the upper case 2 is formed in the upper case 2, and the printed roll paper 20 is discharged from the discharge port 5. The upper case 2 has an upper cover 6 (cover) communicating with the discharge port 5 on the upper surface, and the upper cover 6 is attached so as to be openable and closable in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. In addition, an open button 7 is provided on the upper part of the upper case 2 as a manual operation part for opening and closing the cover. The open button 7 is operated when the upper cover 6 is opened. When the open button 7 is pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, an upward force is applied to the upper cover 6 via a link (not shown). The cover 6 is configured to open.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the printer body 11. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of main parts showing a state in which the cover frame 13 is opened in the printer main body 11.
The printer main body 11 includes a substantially box-shaped main body frame 12 that is open at the top, and a cover frame 13 that can be opened and closed via a hinge 14 at the rear end of the main body frame 12. Installed.
The main body frame 12 has a space in which a concave bottom wall 15 that is recessed substantially on an arc is disposed, and this space is a roll paper storage unit 17 (recording medium storage unit) that stores a roll 21 around which the roll paper 20 is wound. ). An upper portion of the roll paper accommodating portion 17 is open, and the cover frame 13 is disposed across the opening. The cover frame 13 has a lid portion 16 positioned above the roll paper storage portion 17, and the lid portion 16 is curved along the outer shape of the roll 21 and accommodates the cylindrical roll paper storage portion 17. The shape is suitable for. An upper cover 6 (see FIG. 1) is configured by mounting a synthetic resin exterior on the cover frame 13. That is, the cover frame 13 is located on the back side of the upper cover 6 and opens and closes integrally with the upper cover 6.

A space for the roll paper drawing unit 18 is secured in front of the roll paper storage unit 17, and the roll paper 20 is drawn from the roll 21 stored in the roll paper storage unit 17 to the roll paper drawing unit 18. Further, a platen roller 34 that conveys the roll paper 20 and a thermal head 35 that performs thermal recording on the roll paper 20 are disposed in front of the roll paper drawing unit 18, and the roll paper 20 includes the platen roller 34 and the thermal head 35. And is conveyed upward. The discharge port 5 is located above the thermal head 35, and the roll 21 is discharged upward from the discharge port 5 as indicated by an arrow in FIG.
An auto cutter 36 is provided at the discharge port 5. The auto cutter 36 has a fixed blade 37 and a movable blade 38 facing each other across the roll paper 20 passing through the discharge port 5, and the movable blade 38 is moved toward the fixed blade 37 by the driving force of the cutter drive motor 132. By doing so, the roll paper 20 is cut. For safety, the fixed blade 37 is covered with a fixed blade cover 32, and the movable blade 38 is covered with a movable blade cover 33 together with a cutter drive motor 132.

In the printer main body 11, the cover frame 13 is configured to be rotatable upward in the drawing around the hinge 14 as shown in FIG. 3. By rotating and opening the cover frame 13, the roll 21 can be loaded into, removed from, or replaced with the roll paper storage unit 17 from the outside of the printer 1.
The platen roller 34 extends in the width direction of the printer body 11 and is supported by the cover frame 13. For this reason, when the cover frame 13 is opened, the platen roller 34 moves upward together with the cover frame 13, so that the platen roller 34 does not get in the way when the roll 21 is loaded / unloaded, and the loading / unloading work can be easily performed. Can do.

  The thermal head 35 is a line thermal head in which heating elements are arranged in a straight line and extend in the width direction, and is rotatably supported by the main body frame 12 via a support shaft 35A. A pressing plate 39 fixed to the main body frame 12 is located on the back side of the thermal head 35, and a coil spring 40 is inserted between the pressing plate 39 and the thermal head 35. The thermal head 35 is urged toward the platen roller 34 by a coil spring 40 and is configured to contact the roll paper 20. The head surface of the thermal head 35 is made of a glass-based member in order to protect the heat generating element, and to satisfy heat transfer and wear resistance for transferring heat from the heat generating element. The thermal head 35 is connected to a substrate 35B on which a head driver 108 (see FIG. 6) for controlling energization of the heat generating elements of the thermal head 35 is mounted.

  While the platen roller 34 is supported by the cover frame 13, the thermal head 35 facing the platen roller 34 is attached to the main body frame 12. Therefore, when the cover frame 13 is opened as shown in FIG. The thermal heads 35 are separated from each other. For this reason, when the roll 21 is put into the roll paper storage unit 17 with the cover frame 13 open, the roll paper 20 is pulled out from the roll 21 and the cover frame 13 is closed, the roll 21 naturally becomes a platen roller 34 and a thermal head. 35. For this reason, when the roll 21 is replenished, the roll paper 20 loaded in the roll paper storage unit 17 is simply pulled out and the cover frame 13 is closed, so that printing can be performed immediately.

In the roll paper storage unit 17, two sensors for detecting the remaining amount of the roll 21 are arranged. One is a near-end sensor 123 (remaining amount detection means) disposed at the front of the concave bottom wall 15. The near-end sensor 123 is a switch-type sensor embedded in the concave bottom wall 15 and is turned off by being pressed by the roll 21 accommodated in the roll paper accommodating portion 17, and is turned on when the roll 21 is exhausted. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the concave bottom wall 15 has a plurality of steps, and the deepest portion 15A is formed slightly rearward from the center. As the printing is performed, the roll paper 20 is pulled out from the roll 21 as needed, and when the remaining amount of the roll 21 decreases, the outer diameter of the roll 21 gradually decreases. Along with this, the roll 21 moves stepwise on the concave bottom wall 15 toward the deepest portion 15A. As shown in FIG. 2, since the roll paper 20 is pulled out from under the roll 21, the roll 21 always rolls when the roll paper 20 is pulled out. For this reason, the roll 21 easily moves on the concave bottom wall 15.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the near-end sensor 123 is disposed on the slope of the front portion of the concave bottom wall 15, so that when the remaining amount of the roll 21 falls below a predetermined amount, the roll 21 is moved to the near-end sensor 123. The detection state of the near-end sensor 123 is switched from OFF to ON. At this time, the remaining amount of the roll 21 is not completely zero. For this reason, based on the detection state of the near-end sensor 123, it can be known whether the remaining amount of the roll 21 is less than a predetermined amount.

  On the other hand, a real end sensor 122 (medium outage detection means), which is another sensor, is arranged in front of the near end sensor 123 and detects the presence or absence of the roll paper 20 below the platen roller 34. The real end sensor 122 is configured by a switch type sensor similar to the near end sensor 123 or a reflection type or transmission type optical sensor. The real end sensor 122 is turned off when there is the roll paper 20 drawn from the roll 21 and staying on the platen roller 34, and turned on when there is no roll paper 20. For this reason, when the roll paper 20 in the roll paper accommodating part 17 runs out, it turns on. When the real end sensor 122 is turned on, the rear end of the roll paper 20 is between the platen roller 34 and the thermal head 35. That is, the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 (roll 21) is almost zero. Thus, based on the detection state of the real end sensor 122, it can be detected that the remaining amount of the roll 21 has become zero.

As shown in FIG. 3, the platen roller 34 is rotatably supported on the front end of the cover frame 13 via a shaft 34A. One end of the shaft 34 </ b> A protrudes to the side of the printer main body 11, and a platen roller driving gear 45 is attached. By rotating the platen roller driving gear 45, the platen roller 34 rotates and transports the roll paper 20.
Further, on one side surface of the printer main body 11, a driving wheel train 40 is disposed that transmits the power of a conveyance motor 131 (see FIG. 6) described later to each part. The transport motor 131 and the drive wheel train 40 cooperate to function as a cover automatic opening mechanism. This automatic cover opening mechanism may include a switching actuator 133.
The drive wheel train 40 includes a motor gear 41 that is rotated by the power of the conveyance motor 131, a paper feed gear 42 that meshes with the platen roller drive gear 45 in a state where the cover frame 13 (upper cover 6) is closed, and the motor gear 41. A switching gear 46 that selectively transmits rotational force to the paper feed gear 42 or the transmission gear 43, a cover gear 44 that meshes with the transmission gear 43 and rotates together with the cover frame 13, and the platen roller drive gear 45 described above. Consists of including.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the main part of the printer main body 11, and FIG. 5 is a top view of the drive wheel train 40. 4 and 5 both show in detail the main configuration of the drive wheel train 40.
The motor gear 41 is connected to a rotor shaft (not shown) of the transport motor 131 directly or via a gear or the like, and rotates forward and reverse in accordance with the operation of the transport motor 131. The paper feed gear 42 is rotatably supported by the main body frame 12 and is in a position where the paper feed gear 42 meshes with the platen roller drive gear 45 in a state where the cover frame 13 is closed.
The cover gear 44 is provided on the hinge 14 that supports the cover frame 13 on the main body frame 12, and rotates integrally with the cover frame 13. The transmission gear 43 is rotatably supported by the main body frame 12 at a position where it engages with the cover gear 44.
The transmission gear 43 is always meshed with the motor gear 41, and further moves between a position meshed with the paper feed gear 42 and a position meshed with the transmission gear 43 by the power of a switching actuator 133 (see FIG. 6) described later.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the paper feed gear 42 and the transmission gear 43 are in positions shifted in the depth direction (the arrow in the figure, the roll paper 20 width direction). In the side view of FIG. 4, the switching gear 46 is in a position where it can mesh with the paper feed gear 42 and the transmission gear 43. In the top view shown in FIG. 5, the position of meshing with the transmission gear 43 as indicated by the solid line; As indicated by the broken line, the position can be moved between the position where the paper feed gear 42 meshes. A slide mechanism 47 that moves the switching gear 46 in the direction of the arrow along the shaft 46A is attached to the switching gear 46. By the operation of the sliding mechanism 47, the switching gear 46 is moved to the paper feed gear 42 or the transmission gear 43. Can be engaged.
When the switching gear 46 is engaged with the paper feed gear 42, the power of the motor gear 41 is transmitted to the platen roller driving gear 45 (see FIG. 3), and the platen roller 34 rotates. When the switching gear 46 is engaged with the transmission gear 43, the power of the motor gear 41 is transmitted to the cover gear 44, and the cover frame 13 is opened and closed. Here, whether to open the cover frame 13 or close the cover frame 13 can be switched depending on the rotation direction of the motor gear 41.
As described above, the printer 1 uses the power of the transport motor 131 (see FIG. 6) that rotates the motor gear 41 by the drive wheel train 40 to transport the roll paper 20, and opens and closes the cover frame 13. Can also be used for

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control system 100 of the printer 1.
The control system 100 of the printer 1 forms a work area that temporarily stores a CPU 101 (control means) that executes a predetermined program to control the entire printer 1, a program executed by the CPU 101, data to be processed, and the like. The RAM 102, the basic control program executed by the CPU 101, the non-volatile memory 103 that stores various setting values, the input unit 104 that detects an operation on the operation panel of the printer 1, and the lighting state of each LED of the LED display unit are controlled. A display unit 105 for performing various displays, a gate array (G / A) 106 for converting the analog output voltage output from each sensor into digital data, and a motor driver 107 for driving each motor according to the control of the CPU 101. Each of the thermal heads 35 according to the control Head driver 108 for driving the thermal elements and, and an interface (I / F) 109 for transmitting and receiving various data to and from the host computer 200 as an external device that is externally connected to the printer 1.

The nonvolatile memory 103 is constituted by a semiconductor storage element such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, in particular, a rewritable nonvolatile storage element, and a memory switch to be described later is configured based on data stored in the nonvolatile memory 103.
A cover sensor 121 that detects the open / closed state of the upper cover 6 is connected to the gate array 106. The cover sensor 121 is a switch type sensor that is turned off when the upper cover 6 is completely closed and is turned on when the upper cover 6 is opened by a predetermined amount or more. For example, the cover sensor 121 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 5. It is done. The gate array 106 is connected to a real end sensor 122 and a near end sensor 123 provided on the concave bottom wall 15 (see FIG. 3). The gate array 106 acquires voltage values indicating on / off states output from the cover sensor 121, the real end sensor 122, and the near end sensor 123, respectively, and outputs digital data indicating on / off of each sensor to the CPU 101.
A conveyance motor 131, a cutter driving motor 132, and a switching actuator 133 are connected to the motor driver 107. The motor driver 107 supplies drive power to the transport motor 131 and the cutter drive motor 132 configured by, for example, a stepping motor and outputs a necessary number of drive pulses to transport the roll paper 20 and roll by the auto cutter 36. The paper 20 is cut and the upper cover 6 is opened and closed. The motor driver 107 controls the rotation direction of the transport motor 131 by inverting the voltage of the drive power supply supplied to the transport motor 131. Further, the motor driver 107 energizes the switching actuator 133 under the control of the CPU 101, operates the slide mechanism 47, and moves the switching gear 46 as shown in FIG. The motor driver 107 can reverse the direction of operation of the slide mechanism 47 by reversing the voltage applied to the switching actuator 133, thereby moving the switching gear 46 back and forth.
The head driver 108 controls the drive current to each heating element of the thermal head 35 described above to print characters and images on the roll paper 20.

  The CPU 101 receives a print instruction command and print data transmitted from the host computer 200 by the interface unit 109, and executes printing according to the received print command. Here, the CPU 101 develops characters and images included in the print data in a print buffer provided in the RAM 102, controls the motor driver 107 and the head driver 108, and drives the transport motor 131 to transport the roll paper 20. However, characters and images are printed on the roll paper 20 by the thermal head 35.

  When the CPU 101 receives an opening / closing instruction command for instructing opening / closing of the upper cover 6 from the host computer 200, the CPU 101 executes an opening operation for opening the upper cover 6 or a closing operation for closing the upper cover 6 according to the parameters of the received opening / closing instruction command. .

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a configuration example of an opening / closing instruction command for instructing an opening / closing operation of the upper cover 6. FIG. 7A shows a configuration example of the command, and FIG. 7B shows an example of parameters.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the command for instructing opening / closing of the upper cover 6 is composed of a command name and a plurality of parameters following the command name. As shown in FIG. 7B, the parameters include a parameter (fn) for specifying whether the upper cover 6 is to be opened or closed, a parameter (m) for specifying the number of retries, and an operation amount to be half open or fully open. A parameter (n) for designating whether or not Since the parameter (n) for designating half-open full-open is effective only when the cover is opened, when the operation for closing the upper cover 6 is designated by the parameter (fn), the parameter (n) for designating half-open full-open Is omitted.
The number of retries indicates the number of times when the conveyance motor 131 is once stopped and retries are performed when the designated operation is not completed. Specifically, when the opening operation of the upper cover 6 is instructed, the cover sensor 121 remains in the closed state (off) and does not change or when the closing operation of the upper cover 6 is instructed. Retry is performed when remains open (on) and does not change. In this case, at the time of retry, the retry may be performed after the transport motor 131 is reversely operated by a predetermined amount.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the upper cover 6 of the printer 1 can be opened and closed by transmitting a command from the host computer 200 to the printer 1.

  When the CPU 101 receives a memory switch setting command transmitted from the host computer 200, the CPU 101 changes the value of the memory switch provided in the nonvolatile memory 103 according to the setting data received together with the memory switch setting command. Further, the CPU 101 detects an operation on the operation panel by the input unit 104, and when the memory switch is set by this operation, the value of the memory switch provided in the nonvolatile memory 103 is set according to the operated content. change.

  The CPU 101 performs an operation of opening the upper cover 6 when the output of the real end sensor 122 or the near end sensor 123 is switched on during the printing operation by the thermal head 35. During this operation, the CPU 101 controls the motor driver 107 to temporarily stop the transport motor 131, operate the switching actuator 133 to move the switching gear 46, and mesh the switching gear 46 with the transmission gear 43. Subsequently, the CPU 101 rotates the transport motor 131 by a predetermined amount by the motor driver 107 and opens the upper cover 6 upward. The CPU 101 can execute either an operation of opening the upper cover 6 to the fully opened position or a half-opening operation of opening the upper cover 6 halfway by adjusting the rotation amount of the transport motor 131. According to the value of the memory switch of the nonvolatile memory 103.

  The CPU 101 automatically closes the upper cover 6 automatically when the near end sensor 123 is switched from on to off after the real end sensor 122 or the near end sensor 123 is turned on and the upper cover 6 is automatically opened. It is also possible to perform the operation. That is, when the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 is reduced or the remaining amount becomes almost zero, when the upper cover 6 is opened and a new roll 21 is inserted, the near-end sensor 123 is pressed by the roll 21, The output switches off. Therefore, by detecting that the near-end sensor 123 has been switched off and closing the upper cover 6, when the replenishment of the roll 21 is completed, the upper cover 6 is automatically closed, and the replenishment work of the roll 21 becomes easier. .

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a memory switch for setting the opening / closing operation of the upper cover 6.
As shown in FIG. 8, the nonvolatile memory 103 can be provided with memory switches for a plurality of setting items. In the example of FIG. 8, the conditions for performing the cover opening operation, the availability of the cover closing operation, the number of retries Can be set by each memory switch. The condition for the cover opening operation is that the full end is opened when the real end sensor 122 is turned on, the half end is opened when the real end sensor 122 is turned on, and the full end is opened when the near end sensor 123 is turned on. It is possible to set such that the sensor 123 is half opened when the sensor 123 is turned on, the automatic opening operation based on the detection values of the real end sensor 122 and the near end sensor 123 is not performed, or the like.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 1, and particularly shows the operation of opening the upper cover 6 in accordance with a command from the host computer 200. In the figure, (A) shows the operation of the host computer 200, and (B) shows the operation of the printer 1.
When the host computer 200 transmits a command “XXXX 0 1 1” instructing the opening operation according to the operation of the operator (step S11), the CPU 101 receives and analyzes this command (step S21), and the parameter “0 1 1 The upper cover 6 is fully opened as designated by "" (step S22). Thereafter, the CPU 101 notifies the host computer 200 of a status indicating that the upper cover 6 has been opened (step S23). This status notification is an operation executed by an ASB (Auto Status Back) function that notifies when the status changes. If the ASB function is set to be turned off in advance, the CPU 101 displays the status. Do not notify. Thereafter, the CPU 101 shifts to an offline state (step S24). Since printing cannot be executed when the upper cover 6 is opened, the printer 1 shifts to an offline state. The same applies to the case where the upper cover 6 is opened by manually operating the open button 7 (see FIG. 1). The host computer 200 receives the status notification transmitted from the printer 1 (step S12) and confirms that the upper cover 6 has been opened.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 1, and particularly shows the operation of closing the upper cover 6 in accordance with a command from the host computer 200. In the figure, (A) shows the operation of the host computer 200, and (B) shows the operation of the printer 1.
When the host computer 200 transmits a command “XXXX 1 0” instructing the closing operation according to the operation of the operator (step S31), the CPU 101 receives and analyzes the command (step S41), and sets the parameter “1 0”. As specified, a closing operation is performed (step S42). Thereafter, the CPU 101 notifies the host computer 200 of a status indicating that the upper cover 6 has been closed (step S43). This status notification is also an operation executed by the ASB function. Thereafter, the CPU 101 returns from the offline state to the online state (step S44). On the other hand, the host computer 200 receives the status notification transmitted from the printer 1 (step S32) and confirms that the upper cover 6 is closed. Note that the CPU 101 may perform status notification indicating the return to the online state after returning to the online state. In this case, the host computer 200 can indirectly confirm that the upper cover 6 is closed based on the status notification indicating the return to the online state.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 1, and particularly shows the operation of opening the upper cover 6 during printing in accordance with the setting of the memory switch. In the figure, (A) shows the operation of the host computer 200, and (B) shows the operation of the printer 1.
The operation shown in FIG. 11 is executed when the host computer 200 and the printer 1 are turned on, the host computer 200 is in a normal operation state, and the printer 1 is online.
When the host computer 200 transmits print data according to the operation of the operator (step S51), the CPU 101 receives the print data by the interface unit 109 and analyzes it (step S61).
Subsequently, the CPU 101 develops an image of data to be printed in the print buffer and executes printing (step S62). After the printing starts, the CPU 101 obtains a detection value of the near-end sensor 123 and determines whether the sensor is turned on. (Step S63). If the detection value of the near-end sensor 123 is on (step S63; Yes), the CPU 101 waits until the printing being executed is completed (step S64). The term “until printing being executed is completed” refers to until printing of all the print data received in step S61 is completed or until the roll paper 20 is cut by the auto cutter 36. When printing is completed, the CPU 101 switches the position of the switching gear 46 by the switching actuator 133, drives the transport motor 131, and opens the upper cover 6 (step S65). Whether it is fully opened or half-opened depends on the setting value of the memory switch stored in the nonvolatile memory 103.

After the upper cover 6 is opened halfway or fully, the CPU 101 uses the ASB function to notify the host computer 200 that the cover has been opened (step S67), and shifts to an offline state (step S68). By receiving this status notification (step S52), the host computer 200 can detect that the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 has decreased in the printer 1.
Thereafter, the CPU 101 monitors the detection value of the near-end sensor 123 and waits until the detection value is switched off (step S69). When the CPU 101 detects that the near-end sensor 123 has been switched from on to off by exchanging and filling the roll paper 20 (step S69; Yes), the CPU 101 drives the transport motor 131 to close the upper cover 6. Then, the position of the switching gear 46 is switched to a transportable position by the switching actuator 133 (step S70). If the cover sensor 121 detects that the upper cover 6 has been manually closed, the CPU 101 only switches the position of the switching gear 46. Thereafter, the CPU 101 shifts (returns) to the online state (step S71), notifies the shift to the online state by the ASB function (step S72), ends this processing, and returns to the standby state.
By receiving this status notification (step S53), the host computer 200 can detect that the replenishment of the roll paper 20 has been detected in the printer 1 and printing has become possible.

On the other hand, the CPU 101 obtains the detection value of the near-end sensor 123 after the start of printing, and if the detection value is off (step S63; No), obtains the detection value of the real-end sensor 122 and turns on the sensor. It is determined whether or not (step S66). If the detection value of the real end sensor 122 is on (step S66; Yes), the CPU 101 immediately moves to step S65 and performs an operation of opening the upper cover 6. When the detection value of the real end sensor 122 is on, there is almost no remaining amount of the roll paper 20, so there is almost no possibility of completing printing. For this reason, rather than waiting until printing is completed, it is more efficient to open the upper cover 6 immediately because there is less waiting time. Thereafter, the CPU 101 executes the operations of steps S66 to S72 described above.
If the detection value of the real end sensor 122 is also off (step S66; No), the CPU 101 determines whether printing of the print data received in step S61 is completed (step S73), and printing is completed. Until this is done, the operations in steps S62 to S66 are repeated. If the real end sensor 122 and the near end sensor 123 remain off until the printing is completed (step S73; Yes), this process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the printer 1 according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the roll paper 20 is accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit 17 that accommodates the roll 21 around which the roll paper 20 is wound. The upper cover 6 provided to be opened and closed at the upper opening of the roll paper storage unit 17 to be taken in and out, the drive wheel train 40 and the transport motor 131 for opening the upper cover 6, and the roll paper 20 stored in the roll paper storage unit 17. And a CPU 101 that opens the upper cover 6 by the drive wheel train 40 and the transport motor 131 when the remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount. As a result, when the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 stored in the roll paper storage portion 17 is reduced, the upper cover 6 of the roll paper storage portion 17 is opened. The shortage can be reliably notified and the roll paper 20 can be replenished. Further, since the upper cover 6 of the roll paper storage unit 17 is opened, the work of replenishing and replacing the roll 21 can be facilitated, and the operator's work load can be reduced.

  In addition, the printer 1 includes a near-end sensor 123 that detects that the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 is less than a predetermined amount, and the CPU 101 uses the near-end sensor 123 to execute the printing operation on the roll paper 20. When it is detected that the remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount, the upper cover 6 is opened by the drive wheel train 40 and the conveyance motor 131 after the printing operation being executed is completed, so that the roll paper 20 being printed is wasted. Therefore, the decrease in the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 can be reliably notified.

  In addition, the printer 1 includes a real end sensor 122 that detects that the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 stored in the roll paper storage unit 17 is exhausted, and the CPU 101 performs a real operation during the printing operation on the roll paper 20. When the end sensor 122 detects that the remaining amount of the roll paper 20 is exhausted, the printing operation being executed is stopped and the upper cover 6 is opened by the drive wheel train 40. You can report that it is gone. In addition, when there is no remaining amount of roll paper 20, there is little possibility that the printing operation can be continued, so there is no fear that the roll paper 20 will be wasted. Therefore, it is possible to operate efficiently by opening the upper cover 6 promptly.

  Further, in the printer 1, the driving wheel train 40 opens the upper cover 6 by the power of the transport motor 131 that transports the roll paper 20 stored in the roll paper storage unit 17, so that the opening operation of the upper cover 6 and the roll paper 20 are performed. By using a common power source for the conveyance of the apparatus, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the apparatus and realize a configuration in which the upper cover 6 is automatically opened without causing an increase in cost. The transport motor 131 transports the roll paper 20 during printing, and the operation of opening the upper cover 6 and the printing operation are not performed at the same time, so there is no problem in using the transport motor 131 in common. By using a common power source, efficiency can be improved.

Further, since the upper cover 6 of the printer 1 is positioned on the upper surface when the roll paper 20 is installed and is opened upward, opening the upper cover 6 allows the operator who operates the host computer 200 to roll. The shortage of the remaining amount of the paper 20 can be notified with certainty.
In addition, since the upper cover 6 can be automatically closed by the drive wheel train 40 and the transport motor 131 without being directly operated by hand, the convenience can be further improved.
Further, the CPU 101 operates the drive wheel train 40 and the transport motor 131 in accordance with a command transmitted from the host computer 200 to open the upper cover 6, thereby reducing the operator's work load and improving convenience. it can.

In addition, the said embodiment shows one specific example to which this invention is applied, and this invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer 1 includes a lock mechanism (not shown) that holds the upper cover 6 in a closed state, and is unlocked by the open button 7 so that the upper cover 6 is opened by a biasing force of a biasing member (not shown). It is good. In this case, the lock mechanism is released by the power of the switching actuator 133 that moves the switching gear 46. Thereby, even in the configuration having the lock mechanism, the upper cover 6 can be opened via the drive wheel train 40 by the power of the transport motor 131.
Further, for example, when the host computer 200 receives a status notification indicating that the printer 1 has shifted to the offline state, returned to the online state, opened the upper cover 6, closed the upper cover 6, or the like. The contents of the status notification or the status of the printer 1 may be output on a display screen or the like. In this case, the operation of the printer 1 opening the upper cover 6 can not only notify the operator of the shortage of the roll paper 20, but also can notify the state of the printer 1 in detail.

Further, for example, the printer 1 of the above embodiment is configured to expand all commands and data received from the host computer 200 in the buffer memory of the RAM 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The reception buffer for receiving the print data and the print buffer for expanding the print data may be provided separately. Similarly, it is not necessary to configure each functional unit shown in FIG. 6 with independent hardware, and the functions of a plurality of functional units are integrated into one hardware by cooperation of software and hardware. Of course it is also possible.
The recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited as long as it is a printer that stores a recording medium in the apparatus and transports and records the recording medium, and is not limited to a thermal line printer. Dot impact printers, laser printers, thermal sublimation printers, printers that form characters and images using other methods, and various printers built into other devices The present invention is applicable. Further, the program executed by the CPU 101 that performs the above-described operation is not limited to the nonvolatile memory 103 included in the printer 1, but is stored in another storage device, a storage medium, or a storage medium of an external device, and is read and executed by the CPU 101. It is also good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (recording apparatus), 5 ... Discharge port, 6 ... Top cover (cover), 11 ... Printer main body, 15 ... Concave bottom wall, 15A ... Deepest part, 16 ... Cover part, 17 ... Roll paper accommodating part (Recording) (Medium container), 20 ... roll paper (recording medium), 21 ... roll (recording medium), 34 ... platen roller, 35 ... thermal head, 40 ... drive wheel train (cover automatic opening mechanism), 41 ... motor gear, 42 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Gear, 43 ... Transmission gear, 44 ... Cover gear, 45 ... Platen roller drive gear, 46 ... Switching gear, 46A ... Shaft, 47 ... Slide mechanism, 100 ... Control system, 101 ... CPU (control means), 122 ... Real End sensor (medium outage detection means), 123 ... Near end sensor (remaining quantity detection means), 131 ... Conveyance motor (cover automatic opening mechanism), 133 ... Switching actuator, 2 0 ... The host computer (external device).

Claims (7)

A recording device for recording on a recording medium,
A recording medium accommodating portion for accommodating the recording medium;
A cover provided to be openable and closable at an opening through which the recording medium is inserted into and removed from the recording medium storage unit
A cover automatic opening mechanism for opening the cover;
Control means for opening the cover by the cover automatic opening mechanism when the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit is less than a predetermined amount;
A recording apparatus comprising: A remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the recording medium is less than a predetermined amount;
When the control unit detects that the remaining amount of the recording medium is less than a predetermined amount by the remaining amount detecting unit during execution of the recording operation on the recording medium, the recording operation being executed is completed. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is opened by the cover automatic opening mechanism. A medium running out detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit is exhausted,
If the control unit detects that the remaining amount of the recording medium is exhausted by the medium out detection unit during execution of the recording operation on the recording medium, the control unit stops the recording operation being performed and The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cover is opened by an opening mechanism.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transport motor that transports the recording medium, wherein the cover automatic opening mechanism opens the cover by power of the transport motor.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is positioned on a surface that is an upper surface when the recording medium is installed, and is opened upward.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic cover opening mechanism is capable of closing the cover without manually operating the cover.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit opens the cover by the automatic cover opening mechanism in accordance with a command transmitted from an external apparatus.

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