JP2014137664A - Printing system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control method of a printing system capable of determining, when external equipment is connected to its interface, whether or not printing is possible with power source capacity of a power source connected to the printing system.SOLUTION: A printing system 1 comprises: CPU substrates 2, 3 on which interfaces 14, 25 including power supply lines are mounted; and a printer 4, and is operated by a detachably connected power source 5. While storing power predicted to be consumed by external equipment connected to the CPU substrates 2, 3 via the interfaces 14, 25, the printing system 1 causes the power source 5 to consume power corresponding to the predicted consumption power by applying artificial load on the power source 5 when the power supply 5 of the printing system 5 is on. The printing system 1 detects a power source voltage of the power source 5 and evaluates the current supply capability of the power source 5 on the basis of the power source voltage by applying plural evaluation loads different in consumption power on the power source 5 while the artificial load is applied on the power source 5. Accordingly, whether the printing operation is possible or not can be evaluated by the assumption of expanding the printing system 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a control device and a printing device having an interface including a power supply line capable of supplying power to an external device, and operating with a detachably connected power source, and a method for controlling the printing system About.

  In general, an A / C adapter is used as a power source of the printer. Each printer is provided with a dedicated A / C adapter from the printer manufacturer. When the printer is installed, the dedicated A / C adapter is detachably connected.

  When installing the printer, a low-capacity A / C adapter owned by the user may be connected by mistake. If the printer performs a printing operation in such a case, the drive of the print head or the paper feed motor becomes unstable due to a decrease in the power supply voltage, and the printing operation becomes unstable. In Patent Document 1, the current supply capability of the A / C adapter is evaluated by operating the print head and the paper feed motor when the power is turned on. If the current supply capability is low, the printing speed during the printing operation is decreased. A printer is described that reduces power consumption and thereby stabilizes printing operations.

JP 2006-102961 A

  Some printers have a CPU board (control device) equipped with an interface having a power supply line capable of supplying power to an external device such as a USB, and a printer main body (printing device). There is something. If a low-capacity power supply is accidentally used as the power supply for such a printer, even if the power supply voltage necessary for the printing operation of the printing mechanism section is secured at the time of installation of the printer, the CPU board is then connected via the interface When an external device is connected to the printer, a voltage drop may occur and the printing operation by the printer body may become impossible.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention is capable of performing a printing operation with a power supply capacity of a power supply connected to a printing system when an external device is connected to an interface including a power supply line. It is to propose a printing system and a control method of the printing system that can determine whether or not.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a control device including an interface including a power supply line capable of supplying power to an external device, and a printing device including a print head and a paper feed motor. In a printing system that operates with a detachably connected power source, a power consumption storage holding unit that stores and holds expected power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected to the control device via the interface And a power supply controller that applies a pseudo load to the power supply and consumes power corresponding to the expected power consumption.

  According to the present invention, regardless of whether or not an external device is connected via an interface, it is possible to apply a pseudo load similar to the state in which the external device is connected to the power source. Accordingly, assuming that an external device is connected to the interface, it is possible to determine whether or not the printing apparatus can perform the printing operation with the power supply capacity of the power source such as the A / C adapter connected to the printing system. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, in order to determine whether or not a printing operation can be performed with the power supply capacity of the power supply connected to the printing system, the power supply of the power supply is applied while the pseudo load is applied to the power supply. A voltage detection unit that detects a voltage; and a plurality of evaluation loads having different current consumptions are sequentially applied to the power supply while the pseudo load is applied to the power supply, and the current supply capability of the power supply based on the power supply voltage It is desirable to have a power supply evaluation unit that evaluates

  In the present invention, the predicted power consumption may be the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the printing operation by the printing apparatus is possible on the assumption that the printing system is expanded to the maximum by an external device connected via the interface.

  In the present invention, the power consumption storage holding unit includes, as the predicted power consumption, a first predicted power consumption that is a maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface, and the first power consumption. A second predicted power consumption that is a power consumption that is different from the one predicted power consumption and is expected to be consumed by a specific external device connected via the interface; The control unit, as the pseudo load, a first pseudo load that causes the power source to consume power corresponding to the first expected power consumption, and a second pseudo load that causes the power source to consume power corresponding to the second expected power consumption. A configuration in which the load is applied separately can be employed. In this way, is it possible for the printing device to perform printing operations when the printing system is expanded to the maximum by external devices connected via the interface and when specific external devices are connected to the interface? You can determine whether or not.

  Here, some printing systems are equipped with a plurality of control devices as control devices equipped with an interface having a power supply line. In such a configuration, in order to determine whether or not a printing operation by the printing device is possible even when an external device is connected to the interface of each control device, the control device includes a first control device and a second control device. And the power consumption storage holding unit predicts a first control device side expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface mounted on the first control device as the predicted power consumption. Each of power consumption and expected power consumption on the second control device side expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface mounted on the second control device, or expected power consumption on the first control device side It is desirable to store and hold the sum of the power and the predicted power consumption on the second control device side.

  In the present invention, the power consumption storage holding unit and the power supply control unit may be mounted on the control device, and the voltage detection unit and the power supply evaluation unit may be mounted on the printing device. it can. In this way, since a pseudo load is applied to the power supply on the control device side, the configuration on the printing device side can be simplified.

  In the present invention, the power consumption storage / holding unit, the power supply control unit, the voltage detection unit, and the power supply evaluation unit can be configured to be mounted on the printing apparatus. In this way, the configuration of the control device can be simplified.

  In the present invention, a print control mode selection unit that selects one print control mode from a plurality of print control modes with different power consumption during a printing operation based on an evaluation result by the power supply evaluation unit, and the selected print control It is desirable to have a drive control unit that drives and controls the print head and the paper feed motor according to the mode. In this way, even when the power supply capacity of the connected power supply is smaller than the originally required power supply capacity, it is possible to perform the printing operation in the print control mode corresponding to the power supply capacity of the power supply. .

  Next, the present invention includes a control device including an interface including a power supply line capable of supplying power to an external device, and a printing device including a print head and a paper feed motor, which are detachably connected. In a control method of a printing system that operates with a power source, an expected power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected to the control device via the interface is stored in advance, and a pseudo load is stored in the power source. A plurality of evaluation loads with different power consumptions are detected in the power supply while detecting the power supply voltage of the power supply while a pseudo load is applied to the power supply. And the current supply capability of the power supply is evaluated based on the power supply voltage.

  According to the present invention, regardless of whether or not an external device is connected to an interface having a power supply line, a pseudo load similar to that when an external device is connected to a power source such as an A / C adapter is applied. The current supply capability of the power source connected to the printing system can be evaluated. That is, assuming that the printing system is expanded, the power supply capability of the power source connected to the printing system can be evaluated.

  In the present invention, the predicted power consumption may be the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface. In this way, it is possible to evaluate whether or not the power supply connected to the printing system is appropriate, assuming that the printing system is expanded to the maximum by an external device connected via the interface.

  In the present invention, based on the evaluation result of the current supply capability, one print control mode is selected from a plurality of print control modes with different power consumption during a printing operation, and the print head and the print head are selected according to the selected print control mode. It is desirable to drive and control the paper feed motor. In this way, even when the power supply capacity of the connected power supply is smaller than the power supply capacity originally required, the printing operation can be performed in the print control mode with the power consumption corresponding to the power supply capacity of the power supply. It becomes possible.

  According to the present invention, regardless of whether or not an external device is connected to an interface including a power supply line, it is possible to apply a pseudo load similar to the state in which the external device is connected to the power source. Accordingly, assuming that the printing system is expanded, it is possible to evaluate whether the printing operation by the printing apparatus is possible with the power supply capacity of the power source connected to the printing system.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the current supply performance of the power supply evaluated by a power supply evaluation part. 3 is a flowchart of a power supply evaluation operation in the printing system according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the printing system of Example 2 to which the present invention is applied. 10 is a flowchart of a power supply evaluation operation in the printing system according to the second embodiment.

  A printing system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing system 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The printing system 1 of this example includes a first CPU board (first control device) 2, a second CPU board (second control device) 3, and a printing device 4 in a housing. An A / C adapter is detachably connected to the printing system 1 as a power source 5. Electric power is supplied from a common power supply 5 to the first CPU board 2, the second CPU board 3, and the printing apparatus 4. The first CPU board 2 and the printing apparatus 4 are communicably connected via a board-side interface 11 and a printing apparatus-side interface 12 in the housing.

  The first CPU board 2 functions as a host computer that supplies print data and control commands to the printing apparatus 4. On the first CPU board 2, a power control unit 13, a first interface 14, a first DC / DC converter 15 and a first CPU 16 are mounted. The first interface 14 includes a power supply line that can supply power to an external device. The first interface 14 having a power supply line is, for example, a USB interface or an IEEE1394 interface, and has a plurality of connection ports each having a power supply line. Power is supplied from the power source 5 to the power supply line of each connection port via the power control unit 13 and the first DC / DC converter 15. In this example, the first CPU board 2 is connected to a local area network (LAN) via the first interface 14. In addition, a display device 20, a speaker 21, and an input device 22 are connected to the first CPU board 2 via the first interface 14. Electric power is supplied to the display device 20, the speaker 21, and the input device 22 via the first interface 14. The first CPU 16 drives and controls the display device 20 and the speaker 21.

  The second CPU substrate 3 performs arithmetic processing independent of the printing device 4. A second interface 25, a second DC / DC converter 26 and a second CPU 27 are mounted on the second CPU board 3. The second interface 25 is the same interface as the first interface 14 and has a plurality of connection ports including a power supply line. Power is supplied from the power source 5 to the power supply line of each connection port via the power control unit 13 of the first CPU board 2 and the second DC / DC converter 26. In this example, the second CPU board 3 is connected to a local area network (LAN) via the second interface 25. The second interface 25 has a plurality of connection ports to which no external device is connected.

  Here, the first CPU 16 of the first CPU board 2 includes a system configuration storage unit (power consumption storage holding unit) 31. The system configuration storage unit 31 is a first CPU board side expected power consumption (a first controller side expected power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the first interface 14 mounted on the first CPU board 2. ) And the second CPU board side expected power consumption (second controller side expected power consumption) expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the second interface 25 mounted on the second CPU board 3 The expected power consumption is stored in advance. The expected power consumption on the first CPU board side is the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the first interface 14, and the expected power consumption on the second CPU board side is determined via the second interface 25. This is the maximum power consumption that is expected to be consumed by external devices connected in this way. The maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by external devices connected through each interface is the number of connection ports (number of power supply lines) of each interface and the number of external devices that are assumed to be connected through these interfaces. This is a value set based on the maximum power consumption.

  Further, the power supply control unit 13 of the first CPU board 2 applies a pseudo load to the power supply 5 to consume power corresponding to the expected power consumption stored and held in the system configuration storage unit 31. As the power supply control unit 13, for example, a unit equipped with a circuit that changes a resistance value with a ladder can be used. The power supply control unit 13 can control the supply of power to the printing apparatus 4. That is, the power control unit 13 can turn on and off the printing apparatus 4.

  Next, the printing apparatus 4 includes a printing mechanism unit 35, a printing control unit 36, and a DC / DC converter 37.

  The printing mechanism unit 35 includes a print head 38 and a paper feed motor 39 for transporting recording paper (thermal paper) along a paper transport path passing through the print head 38. The print head 38 is a line thermal head, and includes a printing dod (heating element dots) arranged along the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction of the recording paper. The paper feed motor 39 is a stepping motor or a DC motor, and is a drive source that rotationally drives a platen roller disposed to face the print head 38. The printing mechanism unit 35 is supplied with electric power from the power source 5 via the power source control unit 13 of the first CPU board 2.

  The print control unit 36 is a control circuit equipped with a CPU and controls the printing operation by the printing apparatus 4. The print controller 36 is supplied with power from the power supply 5 via the power controller 13 and the DC / DC converter 37 of the first CPU board 2.

  When the print control unit 36 receives supply of print data from the first CPU board 2, the print control unit 36 develops the print data as print image data in a print buffer (not shown). Further, while driving the paper feed motor 39, the print image data developed in the print buffer is sequentially output to the print head 38 for each predetermined data unit to perform printing. The print control unit 36 includes a high-speed print mode, a medium-speed print mode, and a low-speed print mode as print control modes for driving and controlling the print head 38 and the paper feed motor 39 during a print operation. Printing is performed in one of the print control modes.

  In the high-speed printing mode, when one dot line is printed on the recording paper by the print head 38, all the printing dots arranged in the paper width direction are driven simultaneously. That is, in the high speed printing mode, energization of the printing dots is performed at a time. In the high speed printing mode, the paper feed motor 39 is driven at the first speed to feed the paper.

  In the medium speed printing mode, when printing is performed for one dot line on the recording paper by the print head 38, the printing dots arranged in the paper width direction are divided into two and sequentially driven for each divided portion. Further, the paper feed motor 39 is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed to perform paper feed. In the medium speed printing mode, the printing dots are energized in two steps, and all the printing dots are not energized at the same time. Therefore, the consumption current in the print head 38 is smaller than that in the high speed printing mode. Low. Further, since the driving speed of the paper feed motor 39 is slower than that in the high speed printing mode, the power consumption in the paper feed motor 39 is lower than that in the high speed printing mode. Therefore, when the printing operation is performed in the medium speed printing mode, the power consumption during the printing operation is suppressed to be lower than that in the high speed printing mode.

  In the low-speed printing mode, when printing is performed for one dot line on the recording paper by the print head 38, the printing dots arranged in the paper width direction are divided into four and sequentially driven for each divided portion. Further, the paper feed motor 39 is driven at a third speed slower than the second speed to feed the paper. In the low-speed printing mode, energization of the printing dots is performed four times, so that the current consumption in the print head 38 is lower than in the high-speed printing mode and the medium-speed printing mode. Further, since the driving speed of the paper feed motor 39 is slower than the high speed printing mode and the medium speed printing mode, the power consumption in the paper feeding motor 39 is lower than that of the high speed printing mode and the medium speed printing mode. Therefore, when the printing operation is performed in the low-speed printing mode, the power consumption during the printing operation can be suppressed lower than that in the high-speed printing mode and the medium-high speed printing mode.

  In addition, the printing apparatus 4 includes a voltage detection unit 41, a power supply evaluation unit 42, a determination unit (print control mode selection unit) 43, and a drive control unit 44. The power supply evaluation unit 42, the determination unit 43, and the drive control unit 44 are mounted on the print control unit 36.

  The voltage detection unit 41 detects the power supply voltage (output voltage) of the power supply 5 while the power supply control unit 13 of the first CPU board 2 is applying a pseudo load to the power supply 5.

  When there is a power supply evaluation request while a pseudo load is applied to the power supply 5, the power supply evaluation unit 42 sequentially applies a plurality of evaluation loads with different current consumption to the power supply 5, and each evaluation load is applied. The current supply capability of the power supply 5 is evaluated based on the power supply voltage detected during the operation. Further, the power supply evaluation unit 42 determines whether a printing operation can be performed based on the evaluation result. The power supply evaluation request is generated by the first CPU 16 and supplied to the printing device 4 when the power supply 5 is connected and used for the first time.

  More specifically, the power supply evaluation unit 42 stores and holds a plurality of evaluation loads (current values) with different consumption currents, and each evaluation is performed on the printing apparatus 4 while the power supply 5 is being simulated. The current corresponding to the load is consumed. When the power supply evaluation unit 42 causes the printing apparatus 4 to consume a current corresponding to each evaluation load, the print head 38 and the paper feed motor 39 are energized. For example, when a current corresponding to the evaluation load is consumed by energizing the print head 38, all or a part of the printing dod is driven corresponding to the evaluation load. Further, when a current corresponding to the evaluation load is consumed by energizing the paper feed motor 39, a current having a magnitude corresponding to the evaluation load is supplied to the paper feed motor 39.

  Here, when a current exceeding the current supply capability of the power supply 5 flows by applying each evaluation load, a voltage drop occurs in the power supply voltage. Therefore, the power supply evaluation unit 42 monitors the voltage drop for each evaluation load, and acquires the load application time until the power supply voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold voltage. That is, the power supply evaluation unit 42 acquires the acquired load application time as an evaluation result of the current supply capability of the power supply 5 for each evaluation load. Note that the threshold voltage is set to a minimum allowable voltage at which the printing operation by the printing apparatus 4 can be performed, or a voltage slightly higher than the minimum allowable voltage.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the current supply performance of the power source 5 evaluated by the power source evaluation unit 42, and shows the power source evaluation in a graph. The vertical axis represents the power supply voltage V, and the horizontal axis represents the load application time T. 2A is an explanatory diagram of power supply evaluation when an A / C adapter having a high power supply capacity is connected as the power supply 5, and FIG. 2B shows the A / C of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of power supply evaluation in case the A / C adapter of power supply capacity lower than C adapter is connected. The A / C adapter used in the case shown in FIG. 2A has a power supply capacity of 100 W with an output of 24V. In this example, the expected power consumption on the first CPU board side and the expected power consumption on the second CPU board side are each 24 W, and 48 W is stored and held in the system configuration storage unit 31 as the expected power consumption. In this example, the threshold voltage is 21 V, and if the threshold voltage is lower than 21 V, it is difficult for the printing apparatus 4 to stably perform the printing operation.

  In FIG. 2, the first graph L1 shows a state in which the first CPU board side expected power consumption is consumed. In this case, the current consumption is about 1A. The second graph L2 shows a state in which a pseudo load is applied to the power supply 5. That is, the second graph L2 shows a state in which the predicted power consumption that is the sum of the predicted power consumption on the first CPU board side and the predicted power consumption on the second CPU board side is consumed. In this case, the current consumption is about 2A.

  The third graph L3 shows a state in which a pseudo load and a first evaluation load are applied to the power source 5. The first evaluation load is assumed to be a load when printing data with a low print duty, and its current consumption is about 5A. The fourth graph L4 shows a state in which a pseudo load and a second evaluation load are applied to the power source 5. The second evaluation load is assumed to be a load for printing print data with the maximum print duty, and its current consumption is about 15A. The print duty is a print ratio, and is a value that can be grasped by counting when the print data received from the first CPU board 2 is developed in the print buffer in the printing operation.

  When a high-capacity A / C adapter is connected as the power supply 5, as shown in the third graph L3 in FIG. 2A, the power supply voltage is assumed when printing of print data with a low print duty is assumed. Never falls below the threshold voltage. Accordingly, the power supply evaluation unit 42 acquires, as an evaluation result, that the load application time is unlimited in the case of the first evaluation load. On the other hand, as shown in the fourth graph L4 in FIG. 2A, when print data with a high print duty is assumed, the power supply voltage falls below the threshold voltage when the load application time exceeds T1. Therefore, the power supply evaluation unit 42 acquires, as the evaluation result, that the load application time is T1 when the second evaluation addition is applied.

  Here, in the printing system 1 of this example, the minimum load application time required to obtain a printing speed that satisfies the product specifications in the printing operation is T1. Therefore, the power supply evaluation unit 42 determines that the printing operation can be performed in any drive control mode when printing print data with a low printing duty. Further, since the current supply capability of the power supply 5 becomes a limit value when printing data with a high print duty, the power supply evaluation unit 42 selects the drive control mode with low power consumption as the drive control mode, and the threshold value It is determined that the printing operation can be performed while maintaining the power supply voltage higher than the voltage.

  When a low-capacity A / C adapter is connected as the power source 5, as shown in the third graph L3 in FIG. 2B, a load is applied when printing of print data with a low print duty is assumed. When the time has passed T2, the power supply voltage falls below the threshold voltage. Therefore, the power supply evaluation unit 42 acquires, as an evaluation result, that the load application time is T2 when the first evaluation addition is applied. Here, the acquired load application time T2 is shorter than the load application time T1. Therefore, the power supply evaluation unit 42 determines that the connected power supply 5 cannot obtain a printing speed that satisfies the product specifications in the printing operation and cannot perform printing.

  As shown in the fourth graph L4 in FIG. 2B, when print data with a high print duty is assumed, the power supply voltage falls below the threshold voltage when the load application time T3 has elapsed. Therefore, the power supply evaluation unit 42 acquires, as an evaluation result, that the load application time is T3 when the second evaluation addition is applied. Here, the acquired load application time T3 is shorter than the load application time T1. Therefore, the power supply evaluation unit 42 evaluates that the connected power supply 5 cannot obtain a printing speed that satisfies the product specifications in the printing operation and cannot print. When the power supply evaluation unit 42 evaluates that printing is impossible, the power supply evaluation unit 42 outputs a low voltage error status. The low voltage error status is transmitted to the first CPU 16 of the first CPU board 2.

  Next, the determination unit 43 performs printing from the high-speed printing mode, the medium-speed printing mode, and the low-speed printing mode based on the evaluation result (the load application time associated with the evaluation load) of the power supply evaluation unit 42. One print control mode capable of performing the operation is selected. Further, the determination unit 43 outputs the selected print drive mode as a print control mode status. The print control mode status is transmitted to the first CPU 16 of the first CPU board 2.

  Here, when the print dots are driven without being divided, when the print dots are driven while being divided into two, and when the print dots are driven while being divided into four, the drive current of the print head 38 required, and The drive current of the carry motor according to the paper feed speed is a value unique to the printing apparatus 4 and can be grasped in advance. Therefore, the determination unit 43 can select a print control mode that does not exceed the current supply capability of the power supply 5 based on the evaluation result by the power supply evaluation unit 42. When printing the print data, the print duty can be grasped when the print data is developed in the print buffer. Therefore, when the determination unit 43 selects the print control mode, the print control mode does not exceed the current supply capability of the power supply 5 based on both the print duty of the print data and the evaluation result by the power supply evaluation unit 42. It can also be configured to select the print control mode with the fastest printing speed.

  When the drive control unit 44 receives the supply of print data from the first CPU board 2, the drive control unit 44 drives and controls the print head 38 and the paper feed motor 39 based on the print control mode selected by the determination unit 43.

(Power supply evaluation operation)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the power supply evaluation operation by the printing system 1. When the power supply 5 of the printing system 1 is turned on, the power supply control unit 13 of the first CPU board 2 first obtains predicted power consumption from the system configuration storage unit 31 (step ST11). Then, the power supply control unit 13 applies a pseudo load to the power supply 5 and consumes power corresponding to the expected power consumption (step ST12). Moreover, the power supply control part 13 starts supply of the electric power to the printing apparatus 4 (step ST13). Thereafter, the first CPU board 2 enters a standby state waiting for a status from the printing apparatus 4 (step ST14).

  When power is supplied, the printing apparatus 4 confirms a power supply evaluation request (step ST31). The power supply evaluation request is generated by the first CPU 16 and supplied to the printing apparatus 4 when the power supply 5 is connected and used for the first time. When the power supply evaluation request is confirmed, the power supply evaluation unit 42 applies each evaluation load to the power supply 5 (step ST32). That is, the power supply evaluation unit 42 energizes the print head 38 and the paper feed motor 39 to cause the printing apparatus 4 to consume a current corresponding to each evaluation load. And the power supply evaluation part 42 acquires the load application time T until a power supply voltage becomes below a threshold voltage as an evaluation result of the current supply capability of the power supply 5 (step ST33). Moreover, the power supply evaluation part 42 judges whether printing operation is possible based on an evaluation result (step ST34).

  When the power supply evaluation unit 42 determines that printing is impossible, the power supply evaluation unit 42 outputs a low voltage error status to the first CPU board 2 (step ST35).

  On the other hand, when the power supply evaluation unit 42 determines that the printing operation can be performed, the determination unit 43 selects a print drive mode in which the printing operation can be performed based on the evaluation result (Step S43). ST36). Further, the determination unit 43 outputs the selected print drive mode to the first CPU board 2 as the print control mode status (step ST37). Thereafter, the printing apparatus 4 enters a standby state waiting for the supply of print data from the first CPU board 2 (step ST38).

  Here, when the first CPU board 2 acquires the status from the printing device 4 (step ST14: Yes), when the status is a low voltage error status (step ST15: Yes), the first CPU 16 supplies power to the display device 20. A message indicating that the capacity is insufficient is displayed and a notification sound is output from the speaker 21 (step ST16). Further, the power supply control unit 13 stops the supply of power to the printing apparatus 4. That is, the printing apparatus 4 is turned off (step ST17).

  On the other hand, if the status acquired by the first CPU board 2 is the print control mode status, if the print control mode status indicates the high-speed print mode (step ST18: Yes), the power supply evaluation operation is thereby terminated. . When the print control mode status indicates the medium speed print mode (step ST19: Yes), the first CPU 16 displays a message indicating that the print speed is set to the medium speed on the display device 20 and also outputs a notification sound from the speaker 21. In step ST20, the power supply evaluation operation is terminated. When the print control mode status indicates the low-speed print mode (step ST19: No), the first CPU 16 displays a message indicating that the print speed is low on the display device 20 and generates a notification sound from the speaker 21. In step ST21, the power supply evaluation operation is terminated.

  Thereafter, when print data is supplied from the first CPU board 2 to the printing apparatus 4 (step ST38: Yes), the printing apparatus 4 prints the print data. At this time, the drive control unit 44 drives and controls the print head 38 and the paper feed motor 39 in the print control mode selected by the determination unit 43 (step ST39).

(Function and effect)
According to this example, regardless of whether or not an external device is connected to the first and second interfaces 14 and 25 including the power supply line, the same pseudo state as that in the state where the external device is connected to the power source 5 is used. A current supply capability of the power source 5 connected to the printing system 1 can be evaluated by applying a load. That is, assuming that the printing system 1 is expanded, it can be evaluated whether or not the power source 5 connected to the printing system 1 is appropriate.

  The predicted power consumption stored and held in the system configuration storage unit 31 is the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the first and second interfaces 14 and 25. Assuming that the printing system 1 is expanded to the maximum by an external device connected via the second interfaces 14 and 25, it is determined whether or not the power source 5 connected to the printing system 1 is appropriate. Can be evaluated.

  Furthermore, in this example, one print control mode is selected from a plurality of print control modes with different power consumption during the printing operation based on the evaluation result of the current supply capability, and the print head 38 and the paper are selected according to the selected print control mode. Since the feed motor 39 is driven and controlled for printing, even when the power supply capacity of the connected power supply 5 is smaller than the power supply capacity originally required, the print control mode corresponding to the power supply capacity of the power supply 5 is used. A printing operation can be performed.

  Further, in this example, the system configuration storage unit 31 and the power supply control unit 13 are mounted on the first CPU board 2, and a pseudo load is applied to the power supply 5 on the control device side, so that the configuration on the printing device 4 side is simplified. Can be.

[Example 2]
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a printing system 1A according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The printing system 1A of the present example does not include the second CPU board 3, the power control unit 13 and the system configuration storage unit (power consumption storage holding unit) 31A are mounted on the printing device 4 side, the printing device 4 is different from the printing system 1 of the first embodiment in that it includes a display 61 and a speaker 62 connected to the printing control unit 36.

  In this example, the system configuration storage unit 31A uses the first CPU board side expected power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the first interface 14 mounted on the first CPU board 2 as the predicted power consumption. (First controller side expected power consumption) is stored and held. The expected power consumption on the first CPU board side is the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the first interface 14. In this example, since the power supply control unit 13 is mounted on the printing apparatus 4, power is supplied to the printing apparatus 4 simultaneously with the power supply 5 of the printing system 1 </ b> A being turned on. Since the configuration other than the above is the same as that of the printing system 1 of the first embodiment, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Power supply evaluation operation)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the power supply evaluation operation by the printing system 1A. When the power supply 5 of the printing system 1A is turned on, the first CPU board 2 enters a standby state waiting for a status from the printing apparatus 4 (step ST41). In parallel with this, the printing apparatus 4 checks whether or not there is a power supply evaluation request (step ST51). In this example, the power supply evaluation request is generated by the print control unit 36 of the printing apparatus 4 when the power supply 5 is connected and used for the first time.

  When the power supply evaluation request is confirmed (step ST51: Yes), the power supply control unit 13 acquires the predicted power consumption from the system configuration storage unit 31A (step ST52), and applies a pseudo load to the power supply 5 to correspond to the predicted power consumption. Is consumed (step ST53). Moreover, the power supply evaluation part 42 applies each evaluation load to the power supply 5 (step ST54). That is, the power supply evaluation unit 42 supplies current corresponding to each evaluation load by energizing the print head 38 and the paper feed motor 39. And the power supply evaluation part 42 acquires the load application time T until a power supply voltage becomes below a threshold voltage as an evaluation result of the current supply capability of the power supply 5 (step ST55). Moreover, the power supply evaluation part 42 judges whether printing operation is possible based on an evaluation result (step ST56).

  When the power supply evaluation unit 42 determines that printing is impossible (step ST56: No), the power supply evaluation unit 42 outputs a low voltage error status to the first CPU board 2 (step ST57).

  On the other hand, when the power supply evaluation unit 42 determines that the printing operation can be performed (step ST56: Yes), the determination unit 43 can perform the printing drive that can perform the printing operation based on the evaluation result. A mode is selected (step ST58). Further, the determination unit 43 outputs the selected print drive mode as the print control mode status to the first CPU board 2 (step ST59). Thereafter, the printing apparatus 4 enters a standby state waiting for supply of print data from the first CPU board 2 (step ST61).

  Here, when the first CPU board 2 acquires the status from the printing device 4 (step ST41: Yes), when the status is a low voltage error status (step ST42: Yes), the first CPU 16 supplies power to the display device 20. A message indicating that the capacity is insufficient is displayed, and a notification sound is output from the speaker 21 (step ST43). In addition, the power supply control unit 13 stops the supply of power downstream of the power supply control unit 13 in the printing apparatus 4. That is, the printing mechanism unit 35 and the printing control unit 36 are turned off (step ST44).

  On the other hand, when the status acquired by the first CPU board 2 is the print control mode status, if the print control mode status indicates the high-speed print mode (step ST45: Yes), the power supply evaluation operation is thereby terminated. . When the print control mode status indicates the medium speed print mode (step ST46: Yes), the first CPU 16 displays a message indicating that the print speed is set to the medium speed on the display device 20, and also outputs a notification sound from the speaker 21. In step ST47, the power supply evaluation operation is terminated. When the print control mode status indicates the low speed print mode (step ST46: No), the first CPU 16 displays a message indicating that the print speed is set to low speed on the display device 20 and generates a notification sound from the speaker 21. In step ST48, the power supply evaluation operation is terminated.

  Thereafter, when print data is supplied from the first CPU board 2 to the printing apparatus 4 (step ST60: Yes), the printing apparatus 4 prints the print data. At this time, the drive control unit 44 drives and controls the print head 38 and the paper feed motor 39 in the print control mode selected by the determination unit 43 (step ST61).

(Function and effect)
According to this example, regardless of whether or not an external device is connected to the first interface 14 provided with the power supply line, the same state as when an external device is connected to the power source 5 such as an A / C adapter. By applying a pseudo load, the current supply capability of the power source 5 connected to the printing system 1A can be evaluated. That is, it is possible to evaluate whether or not the power supply 5 connected to the printing system 1A is appropriate, assuming that the printing system 1A is expanded.

  Further, the predicted power consumption stored and held in the system configuration storage unit 31A is the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the first interface 14, and therefore via the first interface 14. Assuming that the printing system 1A is expanded to the maximum by connected external devices, it is possible to evaluate whether or not the power supply 5 connected to the printing system 1A is appropriate.

  Furthermore, in this example, based on the evaluation result of the current supply capability, one print control mode is selected from a plurality of print control modes with different power consumption during the printing operation, and the print head 38 and the print head 38 and the selected print control mode are selected. Since printing is performed by controlling the paper feed motor 39, even if the power supply capacity of the connected power supply 5 is smaller than the power supply capacity originally required, a print control mode corresponding to the power supply capacity of the power supply 5 is concerned. A printing operation can be performed.

  Further, according to this example, since the power supply control unit 13 and the system configuration storage unit 31A are mounted on the printing apparatus 4, the configuration on the first CPU substrate 2 side can be simplified.

  In the printing system 1A, since the printing apparatus 4 includes the display 61 and the speaker 62, the power supply capacity of the display 61 is insufficient when the low voltage error status is output from the power evaluation unit 42. And a notification sound can be output from the speaker 62 of the printing apparatus 4. When the determination unit 43 outputs the medium speed printing mode and the print control mode status indicating the medium speed printing mode, the display unit 61 displays a message indicating that the printing speed is reduced and the speaker of the printing apparatus 4. A notification sound can be output from 62.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the system configuration storage unit 31 holds one predicted power consumption as the predicted power consumption. However, the system configuration storage unit 31 uses the interface including the power supply line as the predicted power consumption. The first predicted power consumption, which is the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by the connected external device, is connected via an interface having a power supply line that is different from the first predicted power consumption. The second predicted power consumption, which is the power consumption expected to be consumed by a specific external device, may be stored. In this case, the power supply control unit 13 causes the power supply 5 to consume power corresponding to the first predicted power consumption as the pseudo load, and the power supply 5 corresponds to power corresponding to the second predicted power consumption. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the second pseudo load that consumes the power is separately applied. In this case, when the printing system 1 is expanded to the maximum by an external device connected through an interface having a power supply line, and a specific external device is connected to the interface having a power supply line. In some cases, it can be determined whether a printing operation is possible.

  In the above example, the present invention is applied to a printing system in which the CPU substrate (control device) and the printing device are housed in one housing. However, the CPU substrate (control device) and the printing device are integrated. As long as the printing system receives power supply from one power source, the present invention can be applied even when the CPU board (control device) and the printing device are separate. Furthermore, although the A / C adapter is used as the power source in the above example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a power supply device (system power source) is detachably connected as the power source. In the above example, the printing apparatus 4 is a line-type thermal printer, but the present invention can be applied even when the printing apparatus is a serial printer equipped with an inkjet print head. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the printing apparatus is a serial printer equipped with a serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) print head. When the printing apparatus is a serial printer, an evaluation load can be applied to the power supply using a carriage motor for moving the print head.

1 · 1A ·· Printing system 2 ·· First CPU board (first control device) 3 ·· Second CPU substrate (second control device) 4 ·· Printing device 5 ·· Power supply 11 ·· Board side Interface, 12 .... Printer side interface, 13 .... Power supply control unit, 14 .... First interface, 15 .... First DC / DC converter, 16 .... First CPU, 20 .... Display device, 21..Speaker, 22..Input device, 25..Second interface, 26..Second DC / DC converter, 27..Second CPU, 31.31A..System configuration storage unit (power consumption storage holding unit), 35..Print mechanism .., 36..Print control unit, 37..DC / DC converter, 38..Print head, 39..Paper feed motor, 41..Voltage detection unit, 42..Power supply evaluation unit, 43 .. Determination unit (print control mode selection section), 44 ... drive control unit, 61 ... display, 62 ... speaker

Claims (11)

A printing system having a control device equipped with an interface having a power supply line capable of supplying power to an external device and a printing device equipped with a print head and a paper feed motor, and operated by a detachably connected power source In
A power consumption memory holding unit that stores and holds an expected power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected to the control device via the interface;
And a power supply control unit configured to apply power corresponding to the predicted power consumption by applying a pseudo load to the power supply. In claim 1,
A voltage detection unit for detecting a power supply voltage of the power supply while the pseudo load is applied to the power supply;
A power supply evaluation unit that sequentially applies a plurality of evaluation loads with different current consumption to the power supply while the pseudo load is applied to the power supply, and evaluates the current supply capability of the power supply based on the power supply voltage. A printing system comprising: In claim 1 or 2,
The expected power consumption is a maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface. In claim 1 or 2,
The power consumption storage holding unit includes, as the predicted power consumption, a first predicted power consumption that is the maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface, and the first predicted power consumption. A second predicted power consumption that is a power consumption that is different from the power consumption and expected to be consumed by a specific external device connected via the interface,
The power control unit is configured to cause the pseudo load to consume a power corresponding to the first predicted power consumption, and to cause the power source to consume power corresponding to the second predicted power consumption. 2. A printing system characterized by applying two pseudo loads separately. In claim 1 or 2,
The control device includes a first control device and a second control device,
The power consumption storage holding unit includes, as the predicted power consumption, first control device side predicted power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface mounted on the first control device, and the predicted power consumption Each of the second control device side expected power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface mounted on the second control device, or the first control device side expected power consumption and the second A printing system that stores and holds the total of the estimated power consumption on the control device side. In claim 2,
The power consumption storage holding unit and the power supply control unit are mounted on the control device,
The printing system, wherein the voltage detection unit and the power supply evaluation unit are mounted on the printing apparatus. In claim 2,
The printing system, wherein the power consumption storage holding unit, the power supply control unit, the voltage detection unit, and the power supply evaluation unit are mounted on the printing apparatus. In claim 2,
A print control mode selection unit that selects one print control mode from a plurality of print control modes with different power consumption during a printing operation based on the evaluation result by the power supply evaluation unit;
A printing system comprising: a drive control unit that drives and controls the print head and the paper feed motor according to the selected print control mode. A printing system having a control device equipped with an interface having a power supply line capable of supplying power to an external device and a printing device equipped with a print head and a paper feed motor, and operated by a detachably connected power source In the control method of
Preliminary power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected to the control device via the interface is stored and retained in advance.
Apply a pseudo load to the power supply to consume power corresponding to the expected power consumption,
While a pseudo load is applied to the power supply, the power supply voltage of the power supply is detected, and a plurality of evaluation loads with different power consumption are applied to the power supply, and the current supply capability of the power supply based on the power supply voltage A method for controlling a printing system, characterized in that: In claim 9,
The printing system control method according to claim 1, wherein the expected power consumption is a maximum power consumption expected to be consumed by an external device connected via the interface. In claim 9 or 10,
Based on the evaluation result of the current supply capability, one print control mode is selected from a plurality of print control modes with different power consumption during the printing operation,
A control method for a printing system, wherein the print head and the paper feed motor are driven and controlled according to the selected print control mode.

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