JP2017087605A - Printing device and conveyance method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device and conveyance method which can suppress the time required for issuance of a label in high-speed printing.SOLUTION: A printing device includes a printing part, a sensor and a conveyance control part. The printing part performs printing to the label. The sensor detects the label peeled by a peeling bar for peeling the label from a mount attached with the label to which printing is performed by the printing part. The conveyance control part accelerates the conveyance speed of the mount when the sensor detects the peeled label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a printing apparatus and a conveyance method.

Conventionally, when high-speed printing is performed in a printing apparatus that issues a label, the label may be issued while being attached to the mount without being peeled off from the mount. In order to solve this problem, the following method is used. First, the printing apparatus performs a peeling operation (pre-peeling) in which only the leading end of the label is separated from the mount at a low speed immediately before issuance. Next, the printing apparatus returns the mount to the home position. Then, the printing apparatus performs an issuing operation.
However, in the above method, there are cases where it takes time to issue a label for the pre-peeling operation.

JP 2006-232499 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a conveying method capable of reducing the time required for issuing a label in high-speed printing.

  The printing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a printing unit, a sensor, and a conveyance control unit. The printing unit prints on the label. The sensor detects a label peeled off by a peeling bar that peels off the label from a mount to which the label printed by the printing unit is attached. When the label peeled by the sensor is detected, the transport control unit accelerates the transport speed of the mount.

1 is an external view illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device 400. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for controlling the conveyance speed of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for controlling the conveyance speed of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the printing apparatus 100.

Hereinafter, a printing apparatus and a conveyance method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.
The printing apparatus 100 prints a predetermined image on a label and issues a label on which the image is printed. The printing apparatus 100 has a high-speed printing function. The high-speed printing function is a function that can perform printing at a printing speed (second printing speed) that is higher than the printing speed (first printing speed) of normal printing. That is, in the high-speed printing function, the label conveyance speed at a low speed is faster than the conveyance speed at a low speed of normal printing. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 includes a display unit 200, an operation unit 300, and a discharge port 350.

The display unit 200 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 200 operates as an output interface and displays characters and images. Further, the display unit 200 may operate as an input interface and receive an instruction input from the user.
The operation unit 300 is configured using an existing input device such as a button. The operation unit 300 is operated by the user when inputting a user instruction to the printing apparatus 100. For example, the operation unit 300 receives an input of a print start instruction. For example, the operation unit 300 receives an input of a normal printing instruction or a high-speed printing instruction from the user.
The discharge port 350 discharges the label on which the image is printed.

  2 and 3 are side views illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 show views of the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100 viewed from different sides. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printing apparatus 100 includes a first chamber S1 and a second chamber S2 in the housing. The first chamber S1 and the second chamber S2 are separated by a vertical wall a1. First, the configuration in the first chamber S1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the first chamber S1, the label roll paper 1, the pinch roller P1, the transport roller R1, the paper detection sensor 5a, the paper detection sensor 5b, the ink ribbon 6, the ink ribbon supply shaft 7, the ink ribbon take-up shaft 8, A platen roller PR, a print head 9, a thermal head 10, and a peeling unit 11 are provided.
The label roll paper 1 is a label paper configured by attaching a plurality of labels on a strip-shaped mount. The label roll paper 1 constitutes a roll unit 2 by being wound in a roll shape. The label roll paper 1 is transported to the transport path 3 by being pulled out from the roll unit 2.

Further, the label roll paper 1 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 is a label roll paper in a state where the diameter of the roll portion 2 is relatively large. On the other hand, an alternate long and short dash line L1 shown in FIG. 2 indicates the position of the label roll paper in a state where the diameter of the roll portion 2 is relatively small. An arrow 1A shown in FIG. 2 indicates the feeding direction of the label roll paper 1.
The pinch roller P1 is disposed to face the conveyance roller R1.
The transport roller R1 is driven by a motor (not shown). The pinch roller P1 and the conveyance roller R1 convey the label roll paper 1 which is a mount with a label.
The paper detection sensor 5 a is an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the conveyance path 3.
The paper detection sensor 5b is a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the paper detection sensor 5a. The paper detection sensor 5b detects a voltage level corresponding to the amount of received light. The paper detection sensor 5b detects a label according to the detected voltage level. If the detected voltage level is less than the threshold value, the paper detection sensor 5b detects the label. On the other hand, when the detected voltage level is equal to or higher than the threshold, the paper detection sensor 5b does not detect the label. The paper detection sensor 5b outputs the detection result to the control device 400. The detection result includes the presence or absence of label detection. The paper detection sensor 5b outputs a detection result periodically or at a preset timing. The paper detection sensor 5a and the paper detection sensor 5b are, for example, transmission sensors. In the following description, the paper detection sensor 5a and the paper detection sensor 5b are referred to as the paper detection sensor 5 unless otherwise distinguished.

The ink ribbon 6 is a tape-shaped ink cartridge. The ink ribbon 6 is sandwiched between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller PR together with the label roll paper 1. The ink on the ink ribbon 6 is transferred to the label roll paper 1 by heat applied from the thermal head 10.
The ink ribbon supply shaft 7 is a shaft for feeding out the ink ribbon 6. The supply shaft 7 is provided on the delivery side of the ink ribbon 6. A roll portion 7 a of the ink ribbon 6 is set on the supply shaft 7. Hereinafter, the roll portion 7a of the ink ribbon 6 is referred to as a ribbon roll. The supply shaft 7 is rotationally driven by a rotational drive mechanism including a DC motor, a gear, a belt, and the like.

The ink ribbon winding shaft 8 is a shaft for winding the ink ribbon 6. The take-up shaft 8 is provided on the take-up side of the ink ribbon 6. The winding shaft 8 is rotationally driven by a rotational drive mechanism including a DC motor, a gear, a belt, and the like. As the take-up shaft 8 rotates, the ink ribbon 6 is taken up by the take-up shaft 8 and pulled out from the ribbon roll.
The platen roller PR is rotationally driven by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown) including a motor (not shown) such as a stepping motor, a gear, and a belt. The platen roller PR is disposed to face the thermal head 10 provided in the print head 9.

The print head 9 includes a thermal head 10. The print head 9 presses the label roll paper 1 conveyed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller PR against the platen roller PR.
The thermal head 10 is disposed above the platen roller PR so as to face the platen roller PR. The thermal head 10 uses the ink ribbon 6 to print on the label attached on the mount of the conveyed label roll paper 1. The thermal head 10 has a plurality of heating elements arranged in a row. The heating element generates heat when power is applied. The thermal head 10 heats the heating elements by selectively applying power to the plurality of heating elements. The thermal head 10 performs printing by transferring the ink to the label by melting or sublimating the ink on the ink ribbon 6 by the heat generated by the heating element.

The peeling unit 11 is a device that peels the label from the label roll paper 1 transported through the transport path 3. The peeling unit 11 includes a peeling bar 12, a peeling sensor 13a, a peeling sensor 13b, a discharge port 14, a discharge port 15, a pinch roller P2, and a transport roller R2.
The peeling bar 12 has a flat plate shape and is provided at a right angle to the front of the thermal head 10, that is, to the front of the label roll paper 1 in the feeding direction.
The peeling sensor 13 a is an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the conveyance path 3.
The peeling sensor 13b is a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the peeling sensor 13a. The peeling sensor 13b detects a voltage level corresponding to the amount of received light. The peeling sensor 13b detects the label according to the detected voltage level. When the detected voltage level is less than the threshold value, the peeling sensor 13b detects the label. On the other hand, when the detected voltage level is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the peeling sensor 13b does not detect the label. The peeling sensor 13b outputs the detection result to the control device 400. The detection result includes the presence or absence of label detection. The peeling sensor 13b outputs a detection result periodically or at a preset timing. The peeling sensor 13a and the peeling sensor 13b are, for example, transmission sensors. In the following description, the separation sensor 13a and the separation sensor 13b will be referred to as the separation sensor 13 unless otherwise distinguished.

The discharge port 14 is a discharge port through which the mount 16 from which the label 15 has been peeled off by the peeling bar 12 is discharged.
The pinch roller P2 is disposed to face the conveyance roller R2.
The transport roller R2 is driven by a motor (not shown). The transport roller R2 is driven by a motor (not shown). The pinch roller P2 and the transport roller R2 transport the mount 16 from which the label 15 has been peeled off.

Next, the configuration in the second chamber S2 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the second chamber S2 includes a control device 400 and a power supply unit 500.
The control device 400 controls the operation of the printing apparatus 100 as a whole. For example, the control device 400 controls the conveyance of the label roll paper 1 by controlling the motors of the conveyance roller R1, the conveyance roller R2, and the platen roller PR. More specifically, the control device 400 controls the conveyance speed of the label roll paper 1 by controlling the motors of the conveyance roller R1, the conveyance roller R2, and the platen roller PR. The control device 400 controls the thermal head 10 to print data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as “print data”) on a label on the mount of the label roll paper 1.
The power supply unit 500 supplies power to the printing apparatus 100. A broken line 23 represents a path through which data passes between the display unit 200 and the control device 400 provided in the printing apparatus 100. A broken line 24 represents a path through which data passes between the control device 400 and the operation unit 300.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control device 400.
The control device 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an auxiliary storage device, and the like connected by a bus, and executes a control program. By executing the control program, the control device 400 functions as a device including the acquisition unit 41, the determination unit 42, the print data storage unit 43, and the control unit 44. All or some of the functions of the control device 400 may be realized by using hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Further, the control program may be transmitted / received via a telecommunication line.

The acquisition unit 41 acquires the detection result from the paper detection sensor 5 and the peeling sensor 13.
The determination unit 42 determines whether or not a label is detected based on the acquired detection result. For example, if the detection result includes information indicating that a label is detected, the determination unit 42 determines that a label has been detected. On the other hand, when the detection result includes information indicating that no label is detected, the determination unit 42 determines that no label is detected.
The control unit 44 controls the printing apparatus 100. The control unit 44 includes a conveyance control unit 441 and a print control unit 442.
The print data storage unit 43 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The print data storage unit 43 stores print data.

The conveyance control unit 441 controls the conveyance of the label roll paper 1. Specifically, the conveyance control unit 441 controls the conveyance speed of the label roll paper 1 by controlling the conveyance roller R1, the conveyance roller R2, and the platen roller PR. When a high-speed printing instruction is given, the conveyance control unit 441 first conveys the label roll paper 1 at a low speed. And if it determines with the label being detected according to the detection result of the peeling sensor 13, the conveyance control part 441 will convey the label roll paper 1 at high speed. Here, the low speed is a speed equal to or lower than the transport speed set as the transport speed during normal printing of high-speed printing. The low speed is a speed at which the label can be peeled from the mount. For example, the low speed is 3 ips (inch per second) to 6 ips. More preferably, the low speed is the maximum speed at which the label can be peeled from the backing (6 ips in the above example). The high speed is a speed higher than the conveyance speed set as the conveyance speed during normal printing of high-speed printing. For example, the high speed is 10 ips.
The print control unit 442 controls the thermal head 10 to print the print data stored in the print data storage unit 43 on the label roll paper 1.

Next, a method for controlling the conveyance speed of the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining a method for controlling the conveyance speed of the printing apparatus 100. FIG.
First, when an instruction for high-speed printing is given from the user, the printing apparatus 100 determines whether or not a label 15 peeled by the peeling bar 12 (hereinafter referred to as “peeled label”) has been detected. When the peeled label is not detected, the printing apparatus 100 starts printing. On the other hand, when the peeled label is detected, the printing apparatus 100 does not start printing. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the printing apparatus 100 determines that a peeled label is not detected. In this case, the conveyance control unit 441 controls the conveyance roller R1, the conveyance roller R2, and the platen roller PR to back-feed the label 15 to the printing start position (FIG. 5B).

  When the label 15 is back-fed to the printing start position, the conveyance control unit 441 controls the conveyance rollers R1 and R2 and the platen roller PR to convey the label 15 in the feed direction. The feed direction is the direction of the discharge port 14. At this time, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing while conveying the label 15 at a low speed. When it is determined that the label 15 is detected according to the detection result of the peeling sensor 13 (FIG. 6A), the transport control unit 441 accelerates the transport speed of the label 15. Specifically, the conveyance control unit 441 accelerates the conveyance speed of the label 15 from a low speed to a high speed. The acceleration at this time is below a threshold value. Then, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing while accelerating, and transports and stops the label 15 to a preset peeling position (FIG. 6B). The peeling position is a position where the rear portion of the label 15 remains on the peeling bar 12.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the printing apparatus 100. The processing in FIG. 7 is executed when a high-speed printing instruction is given.
The determination unit 42 determines whether an issued label has been detected (ACT 101). Whether or not the issued label is detected is determined based on the detection result acquired from the peeling sensor 13. For example, when the detection result acquired from the peeling sensor 13 includes information indicating that no label is detected, the determination unit 42 determines that an issued label has not been detected. On the other hand, when the detection result acquired from the peeling sensor 13 includes information indicating the presence of label detection, the determination unit 42 determines that an issued label has been detected.
When the issued label is detected (ACT 101: YES), the printing apparatus 100 ends the process. On the other hand, when the issued label is not detected (ACT101: NO), the conveyance control unit 441 conveys the label to the printing start position (ACT102).

Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 441 conveys the label in the feed direction at a low speed (ACT 103). The print control unit 442 performs printing on the label based on the print data stored in the print data storage unit 43 (ACT 104). The determination unit 42 determines whether or not a label is detected at the position of the peeling sensor 13 based on the detection result output from the peeling sensor 13 (ACT 105). Whether or not the label is detected at the position of the peeling sensor 13 is determined based on the detection result acquired from the peeling sensor 13. For example, when the detection result acquired from the peeling sensor 13 includes information indicating that the label is detected, the determination unit 42 determines that the label is detected at the position of the peeling sensor 13. When the detection result acquired from the peeling sensor 13 includes information indicating that no label is detected, the determination unit 42 determines that no label is detected at the position of the peeling sensor 13. When the label is not detected at the position of the peeling sensor 13 (ACT 105: NO), the printing apparatus 100 executes the processes after ACT 103.
On the other hand, when a label is detected at the position of the peeling sensor 13 (ACT 105: YES), the transport control unit 441 accelerates the label transport speed from a low speed to a high speed (ACT 106). And the conveyance control part 441 stops conveyance, if a label is conveyed to a peeling position (ACT107).

According to the printing apparatus 100 configured as described above, it is possible to reduce the time required for issuing labels in high-speed printing. Hereinafter, this effect will be described in detail.
When an instruction for high-speed printing is issued, the printing apparatus 100 conveys a mount with a label attached. When it is determined that the label is detected by the peeling sensor 13, the printing apparatus 100 accelerates the carrying speed of the mount. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for label printing in high-speed printing. Further, the printing apparatus 100 accelerates the conveyance speed after the label is detected at the position of the peeling sensor 13. Therefore, the label can be peeled more reliably than when printing at high speed from the start of printing.

Further, when an instruction for high-speed printing is given, the printing apparatus 100 conveys the mount at a low speed from the start of the transport of the mount until the label is detected. Thereby, it is conveyed at low speed until a label peels from a base_sheet | mounting_paper. Therefore, the label can be peeled more reliably.
Further, when accelerating the conveyance speed, the printing apparatus 100 does not accelerate from low speed to high speed, but gradually accelerates it. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in printing quality due to a change in the conveyance speed.

Hereinafter, modified examples of the printing apparatus 100 will be described.
In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the sheet is conveyed at a low speed until it is detected by the peeling sensor 13 is not limited to this. For example, the conveyance control unit 441 may be configured to accelerate the conveyance speed from a low speed to a high speed when the label is conveyed by a predetermined distance after printing is started.
In the present embodiment, the transmissive sensor has been described as an example of the peeling sensor 13, but another sensor may be used. For example, the peeling sensor 13 may be a reflective sensor.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, a thermal head that prints on a label, a peeling sensor that detects a label peeled off by a peeling bar that peels the printed label from a mount, and the peeling sensor is a label. And a transport control unit for accelerating the transport speed of the mount. With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the time required for label issuance in high-speed peeling issuance.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label roll paper, 2 ... Roll part, 3 ... Conveyance path, 4 ... Roll holding shaft, 5 ... Paper detection sensor, 6 ... Ink ribbon, 7 ... Ink ribbon supply shaft, 8 ... Ink ribbon winding shaft, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Print head, 10 ... Thermal head, 11 ... Stripping unit, 12 ... Stripping bar, 13 ... Stripping sensor, 14 ... Discharge port, 15 ... Label, 16 ... Mount, 100 ... Printing device, 200 ... Display unit, 300 ... Operation unit 400 ... Control device 41 ... Acquisition unit 42 ... Determination unit 43 ... Print data storage unit 44 ... Control unit 441 ... Transport control unit 442 ... Print control unit 500 ... Power supply unit

Claims (5)

A printing section for printing on the label;
A sensor that detects a label peeled off by a peeling bar that peels off the label from a mount to which the label printed by the printing unit is attached;
When a label peeled off by the sensor is detected, a transport control unit that accelerates the transport speed of the mount,
A printing apparatus comprising:   The transport control unit, from the start of the transport of the mount to the detection of the label, when the printing instruction is made at the second print speed higher than the first print speed, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mount is transported at a transporting speed capable of separating the sheet.   The said conveyance control part conveys the said mount at the maximum speed of the conveyance speed which can peel the said label from the said mount from the conveyance start of the said mount until it detects the said label. Printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration at the time of acceleration is equal to or less than a threshold value. A printing step for printing on the label;
When a peeled label is detected by a sensor that detects a peeled label by a peeling bar that peels the label from the mount to which the label that has been printed in the printing step is attached, the conveyance speed of the mount is increased. An accelerating transport control step;
Conveying method.

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