JP2013203045A - Printer, and device and method of controlling printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer, and a device and method of controlling the printer, capable of preventing printing mottle and capable of performing printing from a head of printing paper.SOLUTION: A printer includes a control section controlling attachment and detachment of print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 with respect to rollers 17, 18, 19, 20 catching printing paper A between them and the plurality of print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 which are arranged in series in a movement direction of the printing paper A moved by a moving device 12, and movement of the printing paper A in a conveyance direction or in an opposite direction by the moving device 12. The control section, in a range of a predetermined length from a printing paper end, executes printing once or more while attaching only one of the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16, and after the predetermined length from the printing paper end, executes printing without changing attachment and detachment of all print heads.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, a printer control apparatus, and a printer control method that perform printing with a plurality of print heads while feeding printing paper from a supply source.

In general, a print head of a thermal transfer printer is configured to be attached and detached in a direction in which the print head is pressed from the receiving roller and in the opposite direction. That is, during printing, the print head is pressed against the receiving roller via the printing paper.
For example, in the case of a printer that prints a photograph by superimposing three colors of Yellow, Magenta, and Cyan (hereinafter simply referred to as Y, M, and C), one print head for each of Y, M, and C, and the last A print head that is coated with a coating for the purpose of adjusting gloss and texture and protecting the surface (hereinafter referred to simply as OP) on the printing surface is Y → M from the upstream side along the conveyance direction of the printing paper. Arranged in the order of C → OP.

In such a printer having a plurality of print heads, when a print instruction is received from the control PC, conveyance of the print paper is started, and the Y print head is lowered when the front end of the print paper reaches the Y print head. Then, the Y print head is pressed against the printing paper at a position slightly upstream from the leading edge of the printing paper.
Thereafter, the Y component is printed by driving the heating element of the Y print head in accordance with the Y component information of the image and the conveyance speed of the printing paper.
Next, when the leading edge of the printing paper reaches the M print head on the downstream side of the Y print head, the M print head is lowered and received so as to print the M component on the already printed Y component image. Press against the roller.
Similarly, when the leading edge of the printing paper reaches the downstream C print head, the C print head is further pressed against the receiving roller, and further, the OP print head is pressed against the receiving roller to print and coat the C component.
As described above, when printing is performed with the print head attached (lowered) every time the print paper reaches the position corresponding to each of the plurality of print heads, the newly arrived print head is loaded with the print paper being conveyed. Thus, every time the print head is lowered, it is inevitable that color unevenness occurs due to the influence of the print of the print head that is already printing. For example, if this phenomenon occurs in an image taken of a blue sky, unevenness of shading occurs in the position corresponding to the landing movement of the print head in the printing of the blue sky, which should have a uniform gradation. The print quality may deteriorate as the damage is lost.

An example of a printer, a printer control apparatus, and a printer control method in consideration of the problem of color unevenness is described in Patent Document 1.
In the printer, the printer control apparatus, and the printer control method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the printing paper is conveyed to the bottom of the most downstream print head at the start of printing, and printing is started after all the print heads are lowered. Accordingly, the printer, the printer control apparatus, and the printer control method disclosed in Patent Document 1 do not perform an operation in which the upstream print head presses the downstream print head during printing.
In consideration of the same problem, another example of a printer, a printer control device, and a printer control method is described in Patent Document 2.
The printer, the printer control apparatus, and the printer control method disclosed in Patent Document 2 are provided with a margin portion between a plurality of printings, and the arrangement of print heads (interval between each other) between the margin and the margin. The same interval is left.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-174476 Japanese Patent No. 3369340

In order to eliminate this color unevenness, in Patent Document 1, at the start of printing, all the print heads are worn while feeding printing paper from the most upstream print head, and from the most upstream print head to the most downstream print head. The printing paper having a length corresponding to the distance is discharged as white paper.
However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a print sheet having a length corresponding to the interval between the print heads is always wasted at the start of printing, and the print sheet discharged in this way is used by the user. There is a secondary problem of making a bad impression on the people.

  Also, in Patent Document 2, touch unevenness is prevented by adjusting the mutual spacing of the print heads so that the margin passes through the position corresponding to the upstream print head when wearing the downstream print head. (In reality, touch unevenness occurs in the margin area.) However, it is troublesome to adjust the mutual distance between the print heads according to the print length, and the adjustable range of the mutual distance between the print heads is narrower than the length of the image (mutual distance) that needs to be changed. Therefore, there is a problem that the selection range of the image length (size) is narrow. For example, in the printer of Patent Document 2, if printing is performed at a length of, for example, a maximum of 36 inches, it is inevitable that the printer becomes large.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printer, a printer control apparatus, and a printer control method capable of preventing uneven printing and performing printing from the leading edge of printing paper. There is to do.

  A printer according to the present invention includes a moving device that moves a printing sheet along a conveying direction from a supply source to a discharge port, and a plurality of printing heads arranged in series in the moving direction of the printing sheet that is moved by the moving device. And a receiving roller for sandwiching the printing paper between these printing heads, attachment / detachment of the printing head to / from the receiving roller, and movement of the printing paper in the transport direction or in the opposite direction by the moving device. A controller having a control unit, wherein the control unit executes one or more times to print only one of the print heads within a predetermined length range from the end of the printing paper, and printing. After the predetermined length from the end of the paper, the step of executing printing without changing the attachment / detachment of all the print heads is included.

According to such a configuration, only one print head can be printed in a period longer than the distance between all the print heads from the front end of the print paper until printing is possible by pressing all the print heads. Press and print, and then press a plurality of print heads to enable continuous printing.
Therefore, since the operation of pressing the print head during the conveyance of the printing paper is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented and printing can be performed from the leading edge of the printing paper.

  A printer control apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of print heads arranged in series along a print paper transport direction from a print paper supply source to a discharge port, and a receiver that sandwiches the print paper between these print heads. A control device for a printer, comprising: a roller; and a control unit that controls attachment / detachment of the print head to / from the receiving roller and movement of the printing paper in the printing paper conveyance direction or in a direction opposite thereto. The control unit executes a step of performing printing once or more only for any one print head within a predetermined length range from the print paper edge, and detaching all print heads after the predetermined length from the print paper edge. Printing without changing the process.

According to such a configuration, only one print head can be printed in a period longer than the distance between all the print heads from the front end of the print paper until printing is possible by pressing all the print heads. Press and print, and then press a plurality of print heads to enable continuous printing.
Therefore, since the operation of pressing the print head during the conveyance of the printing paper is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented and printing can be performed from the leading edge of the printing paper.

  A printer control method according to the present invention includes a plurality of print heads arranged in series along a print paper transport direction from a print paper supply source to a discharge port, and a receiver that sandwiches the print paper between these print heads. A printer control method comprising: a roller; and a control unit that controls attachment / detachment of the print head to / from the receiving roller and movement of the printing paper in the conveyance direction of the printing paper or in a direction opposite thereto. The unit executes a step of performing printing once or more for only one print head within a predetermined length range from the print paper edge, and detaching all print heads after the predetermined length from the print paper edge. Performing printing without change.

According to such a configuration, only one print head can be printed in a period longer than the distance between all the print heads from the front end of the print paper until printing is possible by pressing all the print heads. Press and print, and then press a plurality of print heads to enable continuous printing.
Therefore, since the operation of pressing the print head during the conveyance of the printing paper is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented and printing can be performed from the leading edge of the printing paper.

  According to the printer, the printer control apparatus, and the printer control method according to the present invention, printing unevenness can be prevented and printing can be performed from the leading edge of the printing paper.

1 is a schematic side view of a printer having a printer control apparatus that executes a printer control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a printer control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a printer control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a first stage for explaining an operation procedure of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the printing paper printed by the printer of one Embodiment concerning this invention. It is a schematic side view of the 2nd step explaining the operation | movement procedure of the printer of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a third stage for explaining the operation procedure of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic side view of the 4th step explaining the operation | movement procedure of the printer of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic side view of the 5th step explaining the operation | movement procedure of the printer of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic side view of the 6th step explaining the operation | movement procedure of the printer of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic side view of the modification of the printer of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Hereinafter, a printer, a printer control apparatus, and a printer control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an upstream side or a downstream type along the conveying direction to the discharge port by unwinding or winding the wound printing paper A. And a plurality of Y (for Yellow) print heads 13, M (for Magenta) print heads 14, and C (Cyan) arranged in series in the movement direction of the printing paper A moved by the movement device 12. Print head 15, OP (for overprint) print head 16 and the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 disposed opposite the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16. Receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20 that sandwich the paper A, attachment / detachment of the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 to the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20, And it includes control unit for controlling the movement of the print paper transport direction A through the moving device 12 (downstream direction) or its opposite direction (upstream direction) (see FIG. 2) 21.

The printer 10 includes a Y print ribbon supply roller 22 that supplies a Y ribbon 13a to the Y print head 13, and a Y print ribbon take-up roller 23 that winds the Y ribbon 13a that has passed through the Y print head 13. 13 near.
The printer 10 performs M printing on the M printing ribbon supply roller 24 that supplies the M ribbon 14 a to the M printing head 14 and the M printing ribbon winding roller 25 that winds the M ribbon 14 a that has passed through the M printing head 14. It is provided in the vicinity of the head 14.

Further, the printer 10 performs C printing on a C printing ribbon supply roller 26 that supplies the C ribbon 15 a to the C printing head 15 and a C printing ribbon take-up roller 27 that winds the C ribbon 15 a that has passed the C printing head 15. It is provided in the vicinity of the head 15.
Further, the printer 10 performs OP printing on an OP printing ribbon supply roller 28 that supplies the OP ribbon 16 a to the OP printing head 16 and an OP printing ribbon winding roller 29 that winds the OP ribbon 16 a that has passed through the OP printing head 16. It is provided in the vicinity of the head 16.
The print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 are arranged in series on the cylindrical surfaces of the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20 along the rotational direction of the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20, respectively. ing.

  The printer 10 includes position sensors 30, 31, 32, 33 for detecting the leading end of the printing paper A in the vicinity of the upstream side of the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20, and the conveyance direction of the printing paper A. A cutter 34 is provided for cutting the front and rear of the photograph printed on the most downstream side to separate the photograph for each image.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 21 includes a moving device (paper supply driving unit) 12, a lifting drive unit 34 for driving the printing heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 to move up and down, and a position sensor (position detection). Part) 30, 31, 32, 33, and a print drive unit 36 for driving the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 to generate heat.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the moving device 12 uses a step motor (not shown) as a drive source, and rotates in a rotation direction R <b> 1 for feeding the printing paper A and a rotation direction R <b> 2 for rewinding the printing paper A.

Each print head 13, 14, 15, 16 can move up and down with respect to each receiving roller 17, 18, 19, 20, and each receiving roller 17, 18, 19, 20 is pressed. At this time, the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 are pressed against the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20 on condition that the printing paper A exists under the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16. Driven in the direction.
In the meantime, the printing paper A continues to move in the transport direction, which is the arrow direction H in the drawing, and when it reaches a predetermined printing position, the print drive unit 36 generates heat from the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16. By driving the body according to the pattern of the pixels, the ink is transferred to the printing paper A from the ribbons 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a supplied from the printing ribbon supply rollers 22, 24, 26, 28.

Each of the position sensors 30, 31, 32, and 33 is a reflection type or transmission type photosensor, and supplies a signal that detects the leading edge of the printing paper A to the control unit 21. The leading end position of the printing paper A is calculated from the rotation direction of each of the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, and 20 and the number of pulses of the stepping motor that moves the printing paper A.
Note that each of the position sensors 30, 31, 32, and 33 may be a sensor having an imaging device or the like instead of the reflective or transmissive photosensor, or position detection and feedback of detected position data are performed. The position of the printing paper A may be feedforward controlled only by the number of rotations (rotation angle) of the motor that drives the moving device 12 by omitting it.

Here, L _Y-M is a distance dimension between the Y print head 13 and the M print head 14, L _M-C is a distance dimension between the M print head 14 and the C print head 15, and L _C-OP is The distance between the C print head 15 and the OP print head 16 is set to have a relationship of L = L _Y−M + L _M−C + L _C−OP .

Next, a printer control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described together with a printing operation by the printer having the above configuration. In the following description, the Yellow component is expressed as Y component, the Magenta component is expressed as M component, the Cyan component is expressed as C component, and the overprint component is expressed as OP component.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the printer 10 has not received image data from the control PC, all the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 are raised, and the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A is printed first. The Y print head 13 stops at the upstream side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when receiving the image data G1 to be printed for the first time from the printer control PC, the control unit 21 obtains the printing length P1. The length P1 includes the front and rear margins necessary for printing the image data G1. Here, L is P1 + P2 <L and P1 + P2 + P3> L. That is, by printing three images, it is possible to print in a range longer than L. After receiving the image data G1, the print information of the image data G2, G3, G4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, after the printer 10 starts a printing operation and rotates the moving device 12 in the R1 direction to feed the printing paper A, and the position sensor 30 detects the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A, the position sensor The moving device 12 is further rotated in the rotation direction R1 as much as the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A reaches from the position 30 below the Y print head 13. At this time, the Y print head 13 is lowered in the direction in which it is pressed against the receiving roller 17, and the printing paper A continues to be fed at a constant speed during that time, so a margin of several mm is formed from the leading edge A 1 of the printing paper A to the printing start position. . Thereby, in order to start printing the Y component of the image data G1, printing is completed up to the rear end of the Y component of the image data G1.

As shown in FIG. 7, after the image data G1 is printed, the Y component of the image data G2 is printed. At this time, even if the printing of the Y component of the image data G2 is completed, the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A has not yet reached the OP print head 16.
Subsequently, the Y component of the image data G3 is printed. After the printing of the Y component of the image data G3 is completed, the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A protrudes to the tip of the OP print head 16 by the length of P1 + P2 + P3-L.

  As shown in FIG. 8, thereafter, the Y print head 13 is lifted, and the moving device 12 is rotated back to the rotation direction R2 to the position for starting the printing with the M print head 14, thereby rotating the leading end A1 of the printing paper A. return.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the transport device 12 is next rotated and rotated in the R1 rotation direction to feed the printing paper A, thereby starting the conveyance of the printing paper A. The leading edge A1 of the printing paper A is below the M print head 14. When M is reached, the M print head 14 is pressed against the receiving roller 18 to print the M component of the image data G1. At this time, printing is performed after accurately aligning the M component of the image data G1 with the Y component of the image data G1 that has been previously printed. Thereby, the printing up to the M component of the image data G1 is completed by the M print head 14. Subsequently, the M component of the image data G2 and G3 is printed only by the M print head 14.

Hereinafter, similarly, the M print head 14 is raised, the moving device 12 is returned to the rotation direction R2 to the position for starting printing with the C print head 15, the front end A1 of the printing paper A is returned, and only the C print head 15 is used. C components from image data G1 to G3 are printed.
When the printing of the C component is completed, the C print head 15 is raised, and the moving device 12 is rotated in the R2 direction to the position for starting the printing with the OP print head 16 to rewind the printing paper A and print the printing paper A. , The OP print head 16 is lowered and printing is performed on the image data G1 to G3.

As shown in FIG. 10, next, the printing paper A is returned to the Y component printing start position of the image data G4 by rotating the moving device 12 back in the R2 direction.
Then, all the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 are lowered to print the image data G4 and the subsequent image data G5, G6,.
If image data G5, G6, G7,... Are received after image data G4, printing is continued with all print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 lowered.

At this time, when the Y print head 13 completes printing the last image, if the M print head 14, the C print head 15, and the OP print head 16 raise the Y print head 13 during printing, this is a load fluctuation. As a result, there is a risk of causing uneven printing in the M print head 14, the C print head 15, and the OP print head 16.
In order to avoid this, it is desirable to keep all print heads 13, 14, 15 down until OP printing of the last image is completed. If the Y print head 13 can be lifted as slowly as possible without causing a load fluctuation so as not to give a sudden load fluctuation when the Y print head 13 is raised, color unevenness does not occur and printing is completed. It is not necessary to perform downstream printing while keeping the head (for example, the head of the most upstream Y) down.

  Also, after printing of the image data G4 is started, when the head of the image data G1 passes the cutter 34, the leading margin is cut, and then the trailing edge of the image of the image data G1 is cut. It is preferable to separate only one photo. Which part of the printing paper A passes through the cutter 34 depends on the detection result of the position of the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A by the position sensors 30, 31, 32, 34 or the feeding of the printing paper A supplied from the moving device 12. The cut can be performed at an appropriate timing based on the data regarding the amount.

As described above, the printer 10 prints only the Y print head 13 until the total print length of the received image data exceeds L (P) at the start of printing from the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A → Printing only the M printing head 14 → printing only the C printing head 15 → printing only the OP printing head 16 and then receiving all the printing heads 13, 14, 15, 16 on the rollers 17, 18, 19, 20 Press to continue printing.
If only an image whose total print length is less than L is received, only the Y print head 13 → the M print head 14 only → the C print head 15 only → the printing of only the OP print head 16 is sequentially performed. And cut to a predetermined length to complete the discharge.
For this reason, since the downstream print head is not pressed against the receiving roller while the upstream print head is printing, no load fluctuation occurs and printing unevenness does not occur.

As described above, according to the printer 10 of one embodiment of the present invention, all the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 are pressed against the print paper A until all the print heads A1, all the print heads A1 are capable of printing. During a printing period longer than the distance between the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16, printing is performed by pressing only one print head 13, 14, 15, 16, and then a plurality of print heads 13, 14. , 15, 16 are pressed to enable continuous printing.
Therefore, according to the printer 10, since the operation of pressing the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 during the conveyance of the printing paper A is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented.

Further, according to the printer 10, any one of the print heads has a range in which only one of the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 is printed once or more from the front end A <b> 1 of the print paper A. It is set to a range corresponding to the print paper path length from 13, 14, 15, 16 (the most upstream 13 in one embodiment) to the most downstream print head 16.
Therefore, according to the printer 10, it is possible to perform printing without generating a useless margin from the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A.

According to the printer 10, the control unit 21 uses the image data input to drive the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 in the transport direction of the printing paper A of one image to be printed first. The sum ΣPi (i = 1 to n) of the lengths or the lengths of a plurality of (n−1) images following one image in the transport direction of the printing paper A is increased from n = 1 by n one by one. It is calculated every time, and this ΣPi is compared with the distance L between the most upstream print head 13 and the most downstream print head 16 to determine whether or not it is greater than L, and from the first image to be printed , .SIGMA.Pi prints up to the image of the order N corresponding to the minimum n = N where L is greater than or equal to L by printing heads 13, 14, 15, and 16. Lower and print the N + 1st and subsequent images.
Therefore, according to the printer 10, since the operation of pressing the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 during the conveyance of the printing paper A is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented.

Further, according to the printer 10, when printing from the first image to be printed to the image in the order corresponding to the minimum i in which ΣPi is L or more, the plurality of print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 are used. Only one of them is received with respect to the rollers 17, 18, 19 and 20, and the printing paper A is moved in one direction while printing the first to i-th images. 14, 15, 16 are removed, and the printing paper A is moved in the opposite direction and arranged in the vicinity of any other print head 13, 14, 15, 16, and any other print head 13, When the print paper A is moved in one direction with the 14, 15, 16 in the worn state, the first to i-th images are printed, and when the i + 1-th and subsequent images are printed, the plurality of print heads 13, 14, Wear 15 and 16 The i + 1th and subsequent images are printed while moving the printing paper A in one direction.
Therefore, according to the printer 10, since the operation of pressing the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 during the conveyance of the printing paper A is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to the printer 10, the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16 are arranged on the cylindrical surfaces of the same receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20 along the rotation direction of the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, 20. Are arranged in series.
Therefore, according to the printer 10, the print heads 13, 14, 16, and 17 can be brought into line contact with the receiving rollers 17, 18, 19, and 20 with the printing paper A interposed therebetween, so that the printing accuracy can be improved. .

  In addition, according to the printer control apparatus 11, since the operation of pressing the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 while the printing paper A is being conveyed is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented.

  Further, according to the printer control method, since the operation of pressing the print heads 13, 14, 15, and 16 while the printing paper A is being conveyed is not performed, uneven printing can be prevented.

Next, a control program executed by the control unit 21 of the printer control apparatus according to the embodiment will be described in correspondence with the operation of the printer.
As shown in FIG. 3, first, in order to print image data G (1), G (2),... From input image data (for example, a plurality of image data read from one recording medium). The minimum number of images (N... 1) counted from G (1) where the required length P1 + P2 + of the printing paper A is L (distance between the most upstream print head and the most downstream print head) or more. In the case of the embodiment, 3) is obtained (S101, S102, S103, S104).
Next, the printing paper A is fed, the position sensor 30 detects the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A, and the moving device 12 is further moved in the rotational direction R1 by the amount that the leading edge A1 of the printing paper A reaches below the Y printing head 13. The feed is rotated (S105).

Subsequently, the Y print head 13 is lowered in the direction of pressing the receiving roller 17, and during that time, the printing paper A is continuously fed at a constant speed to print the trailing edge of the Y component of the image data G (1) to G (N). (S106, S107).
Next, the Y print head 13 is raised, and the leading end A1 of the printing paper A is returned by rotating the moving device 12 back to the rotation direction R2 to the position for starting the printing with the M printing head 14. The printing paper A is sent until A1 reaches below the M print head 14, and the M print head 14 is pressed against the receiving roller 18 to print the M component of the image data G (1) to G (N) (S108, S109). , S110, S111, S112).

  Subsequently, the M print head 14 is raised, and the moving device 12 is rotated back in the rotation direction R2 to the position for starting printing with the C print head 15 to return the leading end A1 of the printing paper A. The C components from image data G (1) to G (N) are printed (S113, S114, S115, S116, S117).

When the printing of the C component is completed, the C print head 15 is raised, and the moving device 12 is rotated back in the R2 direction to the position for starting the printing with the OP print head 16 to rewind the print paper A and rewind the print paper A. The front end A1 is returned, and printing is performed on the image data G (1) to G (N) with only the OP print head 16 (S118, S119, S120, S121, S122).
Thereafter, the printing paper A is rewound, the position where the G (N + 1) image is to be printed (the end position of the G (N) image) is aligned with the Y print head 13, and all the print heads 13 to 16 are lowered. To print an image after G (N + 1).

Next, a modification of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 11, the printer 40 of the present modification is a supply source around which the printing paper A is wound, and downstream of the moving device 41 that moves the printing paper A along the conveyance direction to the discharge port. A receiving roller 42 having an arcuate conveying direction is provided.
For this reason, the printer 40 includes the print heads 13, 14, 15, 16, the print ribbon supply rollers 22, 24, 26, 28 and the print ribbon take-up rollers 23, 25, 27, 29. They are arranged side by side.

  According to the printer 40 of the present modified example, since the print heads 13 to 16 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the receiving roller 42, the receiving roller is compared with a case where a receiving roller is provided for each print head 13 to 16. Can be simplified, and the outer distance of the apparatus can be made compact by reducing the linear distance from the printing paper supply source to the discharge port.

Further, the feeding of the printing paper A is not limited to the rotation control of the roll around which the printing paper A is wound, and the printing paper A is sandwiched between the printing paper A roll and the most upstream print head. The printing paper A may be fed by driving a pair of pulling rollers provided or by driving a receiving roller that sandwiches the printing paper A between the printing heads. Of course, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment.
It should be noted that the printer, printer control apparatus, and printer control method of the present invention may be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the claims for configurations other than the moving device.

  Part or all of the above embodiment is described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited to the following.

(Supplementary note 1) A moving device that moves the printing paper along the conveyance direction from the supply source to the discharge port, a plurality of printing heads arranged in series in the moving direction of the printing paper moved by the moving device, A receiving roller that sandwiches the printing paper with the printing head, and a control for controlling attachment / detachment of the printing head to / from the receiving roller and movement of the printing paper in the transport direction or in the opposite direction by the moving device. The control unit is configured to execute printing at least once in a range of a predetermined length from the end of the print paper, and only from one end of the print paper, and from the end of the print paper And a step of performing printing without changing attachment / detachment of all the print heads after a predetermined length.

(Supplementary note 2) The range of the predetermined length from the end of the printing paper is the range of the predetermined length in the step of executing printing once only one of the print heads at least once. 2. The printer according to appendix 1, wherein the printer is in a range corresponding to a print paper path length to the print head.

(Appendix 3)
The printer according to claim 2, wherein any one of the print heads is a most upstream print head.

(Supplementary note 4) A plurality of print heads arranged in series along the printing paper conveyance direction from the printing paper supply source to the discharge port, a receiving roller for sandwiching the printing paper between these printing heads, A controller that controls attachment and detachment of the print head to and from the roller and movement of the print paper in the print paper transport direction or in the opposite direction, and the control unit drives the print head. From the input image data, the length of the first image to be printed in the printing paper conveyance direction, or the length of a plurality of (i-1) images following the one image in the printing paper conveyance direction Detecting the sum ΣPi (i = 1 to n), comparing the ΣPi with the distance L between the most upstream print head and the most downstream print head, and the first image to be printed Therefore, ΣPi becomes L or more Printer, characterized in that it comprises the steps of printing up image of order (N) corresponding to the small of i, and printing an image of the (N + 1) th and subsequent, the.

(Supplementary Note 5) In the step of printing from the first image to be printed to the image in the order (N) corresponding to the smallest i in which ΣP i is L or more, any one of the plurality of print heads Only the first (N) image is printed while moving the printing paper in one direction with only the receiving roller attached to the receiving roller, and the attached print head is removed. Moving the printing paper in the opposite direction and placing it in the vicinity of any other printing head, and moving the printing paper in one direction with the other printing head in a worn state from the beginning. And (N) the step of printing up to the image, and in the step of printing the (N + 1) th and subsequent images, the printing paper is moved in one direction with a plurality of print heads in a worn state. (N The printer according to appendix 4, wherein the process of printing the (+1) th and subsequent images is executed.

(Appendix 6) The printer according to appendix 3 or appendix 5, wherein the print heads are arranged in series on a cylindrical surface of the same receiving roller along a rotation direction of the roller.

(Supplementary note 7) A plurality of print heads arranged in series along the printing paper conveyance direction from the printing paper supply source to the discharge port, a receiving roller for sandwiching the printing paper between these printing heads, and this receiving head A printer control apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls attachment / detachment of the print head to / from a roller and movement of the printing paper in the printing paper conveyance direction or in a direction opposite thereto; In the range of the predetermined length from the end, the step of executing printing at least once for only one print head is executed once or more, and after the predetermined length from the end of the printing paper, printing is performed without changing the attachment / detachment of all the print heads. And a step of executing the printer control device.

(Supplementary Note 8) The range of the predetermined length in the step of executing at least one printing operation for only one print head is equal to or greater than the print paper path length from any one print head to the most downstream print head. The printer control device according to appendix 7, wherein the printer control device is in a length range.

(Supplementary note 9) A plurality of print heads arranged in series along the printing paper conveyance direction from the printing paper supply source to the discharge port, a receiving roller for sandwiching the printing paper between these printing heads, A printer control method comprising: attaching and detaching the print head to and from a roller; and a control unit that controls movement of the print paper in the print paper transport direction or in the opposite direction. Includes a step of performing printing at least once for only one of the print heads, and a step of performing printing without changing attachment / detachment of all the print heads after a predetermined length from the end of the printing paper. And a printer control method.

(Supplementary Note 10) The range of the predetermined length in the step of executing printing at least once only for one of the print heads is greater than or equal to the print paper path length from any one print head to the most downstream print head. The printer control method according to appendix 9, wherein the printer control method is in a length range.

10, 40 Printer 11 Printer control device 12, 41 Moving device 13 Y print head (print head)
14 M print head (print head)
15 C print head (print head)
16 OP print head (print head)
17, 18, 19, 20, 42 Receiving roller 21 Control unit

Claims (10)

A moving device that moves the printing paper along the conveyance direction from the supply source to the discharge port;
A plurality of print heads arranged in series in the moving direction of the printing paper moved by the moving device;
A receiving roller for sandwiching the printing paper between these print heads;
A controller that controls the attachment and detachment of the print head to and from the receiving roller and the movement of the printing paper by the moving device in the transport direction or in the opposite direction;
A printer having:
The controller is
A range of a predetermined length from the end of the printing paper is a step of executing one or more times to print only one of the print heads;
After a predetermined length from the end of the printing paper, executing printing without changing the attachment and detachment of all the print heads;
A printer comprising:   The range of the predetermined length in the step of executing printing at least once for only one of the print heads is the range of the length of the print paper path length from any one print head to the most downstream print head. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:   The printer according to claim 2, wherein the one print head is a most upstream print head. The controller is
From the image data input to drive the print head, the length of one image to be printed first in the print sheet conveyance direction, or a plurality of (i-1) images following one image Detecting a sum ΣPi (i = 1 to n) of lengths in the printing paper conveyance direction;
Comparing this ΣPi with the distance L between the most upstream print head and the most downstream print head;
Printing from the first image to be printed to an image in the order (N) corresponding to the minimum i in which ΣP i is L or more;
Printing the (N + 1) th and subsequent images;
4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is executed. The controller is
In the step of printing from the first image to be printed to the image in the order (N) corresponding to the minimum i in which ΣPi is L or more, only one of the plurality of print heads is received. Printing the first (N) -th image while moving the printing paper in one direction as a wearing state with respect to the roller;
Moving the printing paper in the opposite direction with the attached print head removed, and placing it in the vicinity of any other print head;
Printing the first (N) th image while moving the printing paper in one direction with any of the other print heads in a worn state;
Run
In the step of printing the (N + 1) th and subsequent images, a step of printing the (N + 1) th and subsequent images while moving the printing paper in one direction with a plurality of print heads being worn;
The printer according to claim 4, wherein the printer is executed.   The printer according to claim 4, wherein the print heads are arranged in series on a cylindrical surface of the same receiving roller along a rotation direction of the roller. A plurality of print heads arranged in series along the printing paper conveyance direction from the printing paper supply source to the discharge port;
A receiving roller for sandwiching printing paper between these print heads;
A printer control device comprising: a control unit that controls attachment / detachment of the print head to / from the receiving roller and movement of the printing paper in the printing paper conveyance direction or in the opposite direction thereof;
The control unit executes a step of performing printing once or more when only one of the print heads is within a predetermined length range from the print paper edge; and after a predetermined length from the print paper edge, And a step of executing printing without changing attachment and detachment.   The range of the predetermined length in the step of executing printing at least once for only one of the print heads is the range of the length of the print paper path length from any one print head to the most downstream print head. The printer control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: A plurality of print heads arranged in series along the printing paper conveyance direction from the printing paper supply source to the discharge port;
A receiving roller for sandwiching printing paper between these print heads;
A printer control method comprising: a control unit that controls attachment / detachment of the print head to / from the receiving roller and movement of the print paper in the print paper transport direction or in the opposite direction thereof,
The range of the predetermined length from the end of the printing paper is the step of executing printing once or more only for one of the print heads, and after the predetermined length from the end of the printing paper without changing the attachment / detachment of all the print heads. And a step of executing printing.   The range of the predetermined length in the step of executing printing at least once for only one of the print heads is the range of the length of the print paper path length from any one print head to the most downstream print head. The printer control method according to claim 9, wherein:

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