JP2017159636A - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continue generation of printed matters without interrupting a job at voltage dip.SOLUTION: A printing label creation device 3 includes a DC-DC converter 56 which can switch between a voltage boosting state of boosting terminal voltage Vb from a battery B and a non-voltage boosting state of not boosting the terminal voltage Vb, and starts generation of a printing label L in an AC mode by using the supplied power from a DC jack 18 in the non-voltage boosting state. When detecting that a terminal voltage Va is reduced to a prescribed reduction voltage value during the started generation operation of the printing label L, a CPU 52 outputs a control signal s3 so that the terminal voltage Vb is boosted by switching the DC-DC converter 56 from the non-voltage boosting state to the voltage boosting state and supplied to a constant voltage circuit 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that forms a print on a print medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This printing apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) can be operated by either power supply from an external power supply apparatus or power supply from a battery (battery).

  That is, the power supply to the load circuit provided in the operation mechanism such as the conveying unit, the printing unit (recording head), etc. is controlled by the control circuit (MPU). The control circuit is supplied with power from the external power supply device when the external power supply device is used, and is supplied with power from the battery when the battery is used. Using this supplied power, the conveying means conveys the printing medium (paper), and the printing means forms a print on the conveyed printing medium, thereby generating a printed matter.

JP 2001-42707 A

  By the way, when the printed matter generation operation is performed using the external power supply device as described above, the power supplied from the power receiving terminal is not enough for some reason (for example, a large-capacity electric motor is activated at the time of use in a factory). There may be a case where the power supplied from the power receiving terminal decreases at a stretch due to a temporary decrease or a power failure. In the above-described prior art, in such a case, the job for generating the printed matter is interrupted halfway, and the remaining part of the job is backed up and stored in the storage medium by the battery, and the job is resumed when the power supply is resumed. Control is performed. However, although the printed material is finally created by being backed up, the generation of the printed material stops until the power supply is resumed after the job is interrupted, which is inconvenient for the operator. . In particular, when a new job is executed from the beginning after restarting (not from the point after the interruption), the previously generated part of the printed matter will be generated again, which is economical in terms of time. Is also useless.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of continuously generating printed matter without interrupting a job even when the voltage drops.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention forms a print on the transported medium to be transported in cooperation with the transporting means, and generates at least one printed matter in cooperation with the transporting means. A plurality of operation mechanisms including a printing unit; a load circuit provided in at least one of the plurality of operation mechanisms; and an input unit to which a power supply voltage is supplied to control power supply to the load circuit. The control circuit and a power supply terminal of an external power supply device capable of supplying power are connected, a power receiving terminal connected to be able to supply power to the load circuit and the input unit, and a battery are housed, and A battery storage unit connected to be able to supply power to the input unit, and is connected between the battery storage unit and the input unit, and according to a switching signal input, Battery storage A boosting circuit capable of switching between a boosting state in which the terminal voltage from the battery housed in the battery is boosted and a non-boosting state in which the terminal voltage is not boosted; and in the non-boosting state of the boosting circuit, Control means for controlling the conveying means and the printing means in cooperation with each other using the power supplied from the connected power receiving terminal, and starting the production of the at least one printed matter at a predetermined first printing speed; First voltage drop detection means for detecting that the voltage value of the power supplied from the power receiving terminal has dropped to a predetermined first drop state during the operation of generating the one printed matter started by the control of the means; When the first voltage drop detecting unit detects the first voltage drop state, the booster circuit is switched from the non-boosted state to the boosted state to boost the terminal voltage and the input As supplied, and having a switching signal output means for outputting the switching signal to the booster circuit.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention can be operated by either power supply from an external power supply device or power supply from a battery.

  That is, the control circuit controls power supply to a load circuit provided in an operation mechanism such as a conveyance unit or a printing unit. When the external power supply device is used, power is supplied to the input unit provided in the control circuit from the power receiving terminal to which the power supply terminal of the external power supply device is connected. On the other hand, when the battery is used, the battery in the battery storage unit is supplied. Is supplied with power. Using this supplied power, the conveying means conveys the print medium, and the printing means forms a print on the conveyed print medium, thereby generating a printed matter.

  In the present invention, a control means, a first voltage drop detection means, a booster circuit, and a switching signal output means are provided. First, the transport unit and the printing unit are controlled in cooperation by the control unit, and generation of a printed matter is started using the power supplied from the power receiving terminal. Thereafter, when the voltage drop of the supplied power occurs as described above during the print generation operation, the state (first drop state) is detected by the first voltage drop detection means.

  Then, the switching signal output means outputs the switching signal to the boosting circuit, so that the boosting circuit is switched from the normal non-boosting state to the boosting state, whereby the terminal voltage from the battery is boosted and then the input Supplied to the department.

  As a result, thereafter, it is possible to continue the generation of the printed matter using the power supplied from the battery via the booster circuit (that is, the supply source is switched to the battery side). As a result, as in the above-described method, the printed matter is continuously generated without being interrupted once when the voltage drops, so that the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  According to the present invention, even when the voltage drops, the job is not interrupted, and the printed matter can be continuously generated.

It is a top view showing the external appearance of the printed label production apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which represents typically the inside of a printed label production apparatus. It is a circuit block diagram of a printed label production apparatus. It is a circuit block diagram of a printed label production apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the flow of preparation of the printed label by the method of a 1st comparative example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the flow of preparation of the printed label by the method of the 2nd comparative example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the flow of preparation of the printed label by the method of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of the change behavior of the terminal voltage from DC jack, and the output voltage from a DC-DC converter. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which CPU of a printed label production apparatus performs.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Appearance structure of printing label production device>
First, the external configuration of the print label producing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a character input key 5 for creating text composed of document data and text printing are provided on an upper surface portion 4 of a thin, substantially box-shaped print label producing device 3 (corresponding to a printing device). On the liquid crystal display 10 that displays a character such as a print key 6 for commanding, a space key 7 for inputting Kanji conversion and space, a return key 8 for commanding execution / selection of line feeds and various processes, and characters over a plurality of lines. A function key group including cursor keys 11 for moving the cursor up / down / left / right is arranged. Further, a tape discharge port 14 through which a printed label tape 109 (see FIG. 2 described later) is discharged is formed on the left side surface portion 13 of the print label producing apparatus 3. A DC jack 18 to which a DC plug 34E (see FIG. 3 described later) of an AC adapter 34 (see FIG. 3 described later) is attached is attached to the right side surface portion 17 of the print label producing apparatus 3; A connector 19 or the like to which a USB cable for connection is attached is provided.

  A battery pack BP (described later) including at least one (six in this example) batteries B (for example, nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries; see FIG. 3 and the like described later) is provided at an appropriate location of the printed label producing apparatus 3. A battery pack housing portion 12 (corresponding to a battery housing portion, see FIG. 3 and the like to be described later) is provided.

  The print label producing apparatus 3 can be operated by either power feeding from the AC adapter 34 or power feeding from the battery pack BP (details will be described later).

<Internal configuration of printing label production device>
Next, the internal configuration of the print label producing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a cartridge holder 159 to which a cartridge 158 can be attached and detached is provided at the lower rear side of the print label producing apparatus 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 158A of the cartridge 158 has a first roll 102 wound with a belt-like base tape 101 (actually a spiral shape but simply shown concentrically), and a base material. A second roll 104 (actually a spiral shape, but simply shown as a concentric circle) wound with a transparent cover film 103 (corresponding to a printing medium) having substantially the same width as the tape 101, and an ink ribbon 105 ( However, it is provided with a ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out a print medium, a ribbon take-up roller 106 for taking up a used ink ribbon 105, and a tape feed roller 127.

  The tape feed roller 127 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the tape discharge portion of the cartridge 158, and presses and adheres the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 on which the print is formed to the label tape 109 with print. Then, it is conveyed in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG.

  The first roll 102 has the base tape 101 wound around a reel member 102a. The base tape 101 has a four-layer structure in this example, and detailed illustration is omitted, but from the side wound inside to the opposite side, an adhesive layer for bonding composed of an appropriate adhesive, A colored base film made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like, a sticking adhesive layer made of an appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a release paper are laminated in this order.

  The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a. The ink ribbon 105 is pressed against and brought into contact with the thermal head 123 described later on the back surface of the cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104.

  At this time, corresponding to the configuration of the cartridge 158, the cartridge holder 159 has a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 for rotating the ribbon take-up roller 106 and a tape feed roller 127 for rotating the tape take-up roller 127. And a tape feed roller drive shaft 108. Further, a thermal head 123 (corresponding to a printing unit) is formed in the cartridge holder 159 to form a print corresponding to the print data in cooperation with the platen roller 126 and the like on the cover film 103 conveyed by a platen roller 126 and the like which will be described later. Is provided at the opening when the cartridge 158 is mounted.

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 127 are configured so that the driving force of a drive motor 53 (see FIG. 3 to be described later) provided outside the cartridge 158, for example, is a ribbon motor. By being transmitted to the take roller drive shaft 107 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, they rotate in conjunction with each other.

  In the above configuration, when the cartridge 158 is mounted on the cartridge holder 159 and a roll holder (not shown) is moved from the release position to the print position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are attached to the thermal head 123 and the thermal head 123. It is sandwiched between the platen roller 126 and the opposed platen roller 126. At the same time, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between a tape feed roller 127 and a pressure roller 128 provided to face the tape feed roller 127. The platen roller 126, the tape feed roller driving shaft 108, and the pressure roller 128 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “platen roller 126 etc.” as appropriate) constitute conveying means described in each claim. A drive motor drive circuit 54 (see FIG. 3 and the like described later) energizes a coil (not shown) of the drive motor 53 (corresponding to a load circuit), whereby the drive force of the drive motor 53 is applied to the tape feed roller drive shaft 108. By being transmitted, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 127 rotate in synchronization with directions indicated by arrows B and C in FIG. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the pressure roller 128, and the platen roller 126 are connected by a gear mechanism (not shown), and the tape feed roller 127, pressure roller 128, Then, the platen roller 126 rotates and the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 127 as described above.

  On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements (corresponding to a load circuit) (not shown) of the thermal head 123 are energized by the thermal head driving circuit 217 (see FIG. 3 and the like described later) to generate heat. To do. At this time, the ink ribbon 105 fed from the ribbon supply side roll 111 is pressed against the thermal head 123 by the rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106 on the back surface side (the side to be bonded to the base tape 101) of the cover film 103. It is made to contact. As a result, a print corresponding to the print data is formed on the back surface of the cover film 103. Then, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 on which printing is formed are bonded and integrated by the adhesive layer for bonding by pressing of the tape feeding roller 127 and the pressure roller 128 to form a label tape 109 with print. The cartridge 158 is discharged outside. The used ink ribbon 105 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 as the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 rotates.

  In the present embodiment, as a printing mode by the thermal head 123, an “AC mode” that is executed during a normal operation and performs printing at a relatively high printing speed (corresponding to the first printing speed); “Battery mode” which is executed at the time of a complete power failure (details will be described later), and printing is performed at a relatively slow printing speed (corresponding to the second printing speed) slower than the above in order to lengthen the operation time by the battery pack BP And are prepared in advance.

  A cutting mechanism 420 including a cutter 140 is provided on the downstream side of the transport path of the printed label tape 109 discharged out of the cartridge 158. Then, when the solenoid 222 (corresponding to a load circuit; see FIG. 3 described later) of the cutting mechanism 420 is energized by the solenoid drive circuit 221 (see FIG. 3 described later), the cutter 140 operates, and the printed label is used. The tape 109 is cut, and a print label L (corresponding to a printed product, see FIG. 7 and the like described later) is generated. Although a case where one print label L is created will be described below as an example, a plurality of print labels L may be created sequentially.

<Circuit configuration of printed label production device>
In the print label producing apparatus 3, when power necessary for a load circuit such as the heating element of the thermal head 123, the coil of the drive motor 53, the solenoid 222 is supplied from the DC jack 18, the DC plug 34 </ b> E of the AC adapter 34 is used. The print label L is generated using the power supplied from the DC jack 18 connected to the. On the other hand, when power required for the load circuit is not supplied from the DC jack 18 (power supply from the DC jack 18 is cut off), power supplied from the battery pack BP stored in the battery pack storage unit 12 is used. Thus, the generation operation of the print label L is performed. Hereinafter, the circuit configuration of the print label producing apparatus 3 that performs such a function will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 corresponds to a state in which the DC plug 34E of the AC adapter 34 is not connected to the DC jack 18. 4 corresponds to a state where the DC plug 34E of the AC adapter 34 is connected to the DC jack 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the AC adapter 34 (corresponding to an external power supply device) includes an AC plug 34C connected to an AC outlet connected to an AC primary power supply, and a voltage conversion unit connected to the AC plug 34C. 34D and the DC plug 34E (corresponding to a power supply terminal) connected to the voltage converter 34D. The DC plug 34E can be connected to the DC jack 18 (corresponding to a power receiving terminal) of the print label producing apparatus 3 as described above, and has a first terminal 34A on the positive electrode side and a second terminal 34B on the negative electrode side. . In this example, the output voltage of the AC adapter 34 is 24 [V].

  The printed label producing apparatus 3 includes the DC jack 18, the battery pack storage unit 12, backflow prevention diodes D1, D2, and D3, voltage dividing circuits 57 and 58, and a DC-DC converter 56 (corresponding to a boosting circuit). A constant voltage circuit 51, a CPU 52 configured by a microcomputer or the like to perform a predetermined calculation, a switching circuit G 5, the liquid crystal display 10, an EEPROM 55 capable of storing data, the drive motor 53, and the drive motor The drive circuit 54, the thermal head 123, the thermal head drive circuit 217, the solenoid 222, and the solenoid drive circuit 221 are included. The constant voltage circuit 51 and the CPU 52 constitute a control circuit described in each claim, and the constant voltage circuit 51 corresponds to an input unit described in each claim.

  The DC jack 18 can be connected to the DC plug 34E of the AC adapter 34 as described above. The DC jack 18 includes a first terminal 18A on the positive electrode side to which the first terminal 34A of the DC plug 34E is connected, and a second terminal 18B on the negative electrode side to which the second terminal 34B of the DC plug 34E is connected. Have. The first terminal 18A is connected to the constant voltage circuit 51, the coil of the drive motor 53, the heat generating element of the thermal head 123, the solenoid 222, etc. so as to be able to supply power to the power supply side line VH, and the voltage is divided. The circuit 57 is connected. The second terminal 18B is connected to the cathode side of the backflow prevention diode D1 whose anode side is grounded.

  The voltage dividing circuit 57 divides and outputs the terminal voltage Va from the DC jack 18 to a predetermined ratio (1/5 in this example). The voltage dividing circuit 57 is connected to the AD conversion input port of the CPU 52, and the detection voltage VA corresponding to the output voltage of the voltage dividing circuit 57 is input to the CPU 52. The voltage dividing circuit 57 is connected to a part on the power supply line VH side (for example, a part near the thermal head 123) from the backflow prevention diodes D2 and D3, and the detected voltage at the part is used as the detected voltage VA. May be entered.

  The positive electrode side of the battery pack storage unit 12 is connected to the power supply side line VH via the DC-DC converter 56 so as to be able to supply power, and is connected to a voltage dividing circuit 58. The negative electrode side of the battery pack storage unit 12 is grounded. In this example, the nominal voltage of the battery pack BP stored in the battery pack storage unit 12 is 12 [V].

  The DC-DC converter 56 is connected between the battery pack storage unit 12 and the power supply side line VH, and the terminal voltage Vb from the battery pack BP stored in the battery pack storage unit 12 is a voltage having a predetermined height. The voltage is boosted to (24 [V] in this example) and output to the power supply side line VH. The enable terminal of the DC-DC converter 56 is connected to the output port of the CPU 52, and the DC-DC converter 56 is switched on / off by a control signal s3 (corresponding to a switching signal) from the CPU 52 (details). Will be described later). When the DC-DC converter 56 is in an on state (step-up state), the voltage after boosting by the DC-DC converter 56 (24 [V]) becomes the output voltage Vc of the DC-DC converter 56. On the other hand, when the DC-DC converter 56 is in an off state (non-boosted state), the terminal voltage Vb (12 [V]) passes through the DC-DC converter 56 as it is and becomes the output voltage Vc of the DC-DC converter 56. .

  The voltage dividing circuit 58 divides the terminal voltage Vb into a predetermined ratio (in this example, 1/5) and outputs it. The voltage dividing circuit 58 is connected to the AD conversion input port of the CPU 52, and the detection voltage VB corresponding to the output voltage of the voltage dividing circuit 58 is input to the CPU 52.

  The backflow prevention diode D2 is connected between the first terminal 18A of the DC jack 18 and the load of the power supply side line VH. That is, the backflow prevention diode D2 has an anode side connected to the first terminal 18A of the DC jack 18 and a cathode side connected to the load of the power supply side line VH. The backflow prevention diode D3 is connected between the output terminal of the DC-DC converter 56 and the load of the power supply side line VH. That is, the backflow prevention diode D3 has an anode connected to the output terminal of the DC-DC converter 56 and a cathode connected to the load of the power supply line VH. As a result, the power supply side line VH becomes a wired OR connection using the backflow prevention diodes D2 and D3, and the power supply side line VH has the terminal voltage Va from the DC jack 18 and the output voltage Vc of the DC-DC converter 56. The higher voltage value is supplied as the power supply voltage.

  The constant voltage circuit 51 stabilizes the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply side line VH to a voltage of a predetermined height (3.3 [V] in this example), and outputs it to the CPU 52.

  The switching circuit G5, the liquid crystal display 10, the EEPROM 55, the drive motor drive circuit 54, the thermal head drive circuit 217, and the solenoid drive circuit 221 are connected to the CPU 52.

  The switching circuit G5 is a circuit for switching the on / off state of the liquid crystal display 10 (LCD) and the EEPROM 55, and includes transistors Tr4, Tr5 and resistors R11, R12, R13, R14. The base side of the transistor Tr4 is connected to the CPU 52 via the resistor R14, and a resistor R13 is provided so as to connect the base side of the transistor Tr4 and the emitter side (ground side). The collector side of the transistor Tr4 is connected to the base side of the transistor Tr5 via the resistor R12, and the emitter side of the transistor Tr5 is connected to the Vdd terminal of the CPU 52. The emitter side and the base side of the transistor Tr5 are connected via a resistor R11. The collector side of the transistor Tr5 serves as an output terminal for a voltage (3.3 Vcc) at a predetermined height, and is connected to the liquid crystal display 10 and the EEPROM 55. Yes. The CPU 52 outputs a control signal to the transistors Tr4 and Tr5 of the switching circuit G5 and controls voltage supply to the liquid crystal display 10 and the EEPROM 55.

  The drive motor 53 is connected to the drive motor drive circuit 54. The CPU 52 outputs a control signal to the drive motor drive circuit 54 and controls voltage supply to the coil of the drive motor 53.

  The thermal head 123 is connected to the thermal head drive circuit 217. The CPU 52 outputs a control signal to the thermal head driving circuit 217 to control voltage supply to the heating elements of the thermal head 123.

  The solenoid 222 is connected to the solenoid drive circuit 221. The CPU 52 outputs a control signal to the solenoid drive circuit 221 and controls voltage supply to the solenoid 222.

  The thermal head 123, the drive motor 53, the platen roller 126, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, and the pressure roller 128 correspond to an example of the operation mechanism described in each claim. This is referred to as an “operation mechanism”.

<Features of this embodiment>
In the present embodiment, as described above, the voltage supply to the load circuit such as the coil of the drive motor 53, the heat generating element of the thermal head 123, the solenoid 222, and the like is controlled by the CPU 52. When the AC adapter 34 is used with respect to the constant voltage circuit 51 provided in the CPU 52, power is supplied from the DC jack 18 to which the DC plug 34E of the AC adapter 34 is connected to the power supply side line VH, while the battery When the pack BP is used, power is supplied from the battery pack BP stored in the battery pack storage unit 12 to the power supply side line VH. That is, in the present embodiment, the operation can be performed by either the power supply from the AC adapter 34 or the power supply from the battery pack BP. When the load circuit is energized using the power supplied to the power supply line VH, the platen roller 126 and the like convey the base tape 101, the cover film 103, and the printed label tape 109 (hereinafter referred to as “ The thermal head 123 forms a print on the transported cover film 103, and the cutter 140 cuts the printed label tape 109, whereby the print label L is generated.

  By the way, when the print label L is generated by the power supply from the AC adapter 34, the power supplied from the DC jack 18 for some reason (for example, a large-capacity electric motor is activated when used in a factory). May temporarily decrease (instantaneous power failure), or the power supplied from the DC jack 18 may suddenly decrease (complete power failure) due to the occurrence of a power failure. In such a case, the present embodiment is characterized in that the print label L is generated (without interrupting the job) by automatically switching to the power supply from the battery pack BP. Details will be described below.

<Flow of printed label production by the method of the first comparative example>
Before describing the method of this embodiment, the flow of creating the print label L by the method of the first comparative example for this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The first comparative example corresponds to the above-described conventional method. The print job is interrupted in the event of a power failure, and the backed up print job is resumed after recovery.

  FIG. 5A corresponds to the state before the generation of the print label L is started in the first comparative example. In this state, the DC plug 34 </ b> E of the AC adapter 34 is connected to the DC jack 18, and the battery pack BP is stored in the battery pack storage unit 12.

  In this state, a print job for creating the print label L having the character string “123” is accepted. Then, the generation of the print label L is started using the power supplied from the DC jack 18. That is, tape conveyance is started by the platen roller 126 and the like, and the print formation of the character string “123” is started by the thermal head 123 (see FIG. 5B).

  Then, for example, when a power failure occurs for some reason and the supply power from the DC jack 18 is cut off, the generation operation of the print label L is stopped while the print label L is in an incomplete state and stopped (FIG. 5). (See (c)). In this example, the printing operation of the character string “123” (in other words, execution of the print job) is interrupted and stopped during the printing of “2”.

  The stop state continues until power is restored. After that, when the power is restored and the power supply from the DC jack 18 is resumed, a part Lp (in other words, a part of the print label L that has been cut off in an incomplete state as described above is used using the power supplied from the DC jack 18. For example, the generation of the same print label L (in other words, execution of the print job) is started so as to continue to the upstream side in the transport direction of the unfinished print label Lp). That is, the tape transport is resumed by the platen roller 126 and the like, and the thermal head 123 starts to newly print the same character string “123” so as to continue upstream in the transport direction of the unfinished print label Lp. (See FIG. 5 (d)).

  Then, after the generation operation of the print label L proceeds and the printing of the character string “123” is completed (the state shown in FIG. 5E), the preset cutting position of the printed label tape 109 is set. Reaches the position facing the cutter 140, the printed label tape 109 is cut by the cutter 140, and the cut portion is separated from the other label tape 109. As a result, a label is formed in which the unfinished print label Lp and the newly generated (finished) print label L are integrated (see FIG. 5F).

  As described above, in the method of the first comparative example, when the supply power from the DC jack 18 is interrupted in the middle of the generation operation of the print label L, the print job is not recovered until the power is restored. Since execution is interrupted, it is inconvenient for the operator. In addition, since the print job is newly executed from the beginning after the restart of the print job (not from the continuation after the interruption), the print label Lp that has already been generated before the interruption is generated again. Both economically and economically.

<Flow of print label creation by the method of the second comparative example>
Next, the flow of creating the print label L by the method of the second comparative example for this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second comparative example, similar to the first comparative example, the interrupted printing is resumed after the return in the event of a power failure, but the print job is not newly executed from the beginning. It is executed from the continuation.

  FIG. 6A corresponds to a state before the generation of the print label L is started in the second comparative example. As described above, in this state, the DC plug 34 </ b> E of the AC adapter 34 is connected to the DC jack 18, and the battery pack BP is stored in the battery pack storage unit 12.

  In this state, a print job for creating the print label L having the character string “123” is accepted as in the first comparative example. Then, similarly to the above, the print formation of the character string “123” is started by the thermal head 123 using the power supplied from the DC jack 18 (see FIG. 6B), and the print label L remains in an unfinished state due to a power failure. The generation is aborted and stopped (see FIG. 6C).

  The stop state continues until power is restored. Thereafter, when the power supply is restored and the power supply from the DC jack 18 is resumed, a part Lp (in other words, an unfinished print label Lp) of the print label L generated until the power supply is stopped is cut by the cutter 140. (See FIG. 6D), the cut unfinished print label Lp is separated from the other label tape 109 and discharged to the outside.

  When the incomplete print label Lp is discharged, generation of the same print label L (in other words, execution of the print job) is started. That is, the tape conveyance is resumed by the platen roller 126 and the like, and the print formation of the same character string “123” is newly started by the thermal head 123 (see FIG. 6E).

  Then, after the generation operation of the print label L has progressed and the printing of the character string “123” has been completed (the state shown in FIG. 6F), the preset cutting position of the printed label tape 109 is set. Reaches the position facing the cutter 140, the printed label tape 109 is cut by the cutter 140, and the cut portion is separated from the other label tape 109. Thus, a new print label L is formed separately from the unfinished print label Lp (see FIG. 6G).

  As described above, in the method of the second comparative example, the unfinished print label Lp is discharged before the creation of a new print label L thereafter. However, similar to the first comparative example, the execution of the print job is interrupted until the power is restored, which is inconvenient for the operator, and the print job is newly executed from the beginning after the restart. It is also wasteful economically.

<Flow of print label creation by the method of this embodiment>
Next, an example of the flow of creating the print label L by the method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7A corresponds to a state before the generation of the print label L is started. In this state, the DC plug 34E of the AC adapter 34 is connected to the DC jack 18 and the battery pack BP is stored in the battery pack storage unit 12 as described above.

  In this state, as described above, a print job for creating the print label L including the character string “123” is accepted. Then, generation of the print label L including the character string “123” is started using the power supplied from the DC jack 18. That is, tape conveyance is started by the platen roller 126 and the like, and the print formation of the character string “123” is started by the thermal head 123 (see FIG. 7B).

  When a power failure occurs for some reason during the generation operation of the print label L and the supply power from the DC jack 18 is interrupted, in this embodiment, the power supply is supplied from the DC-DC converter 56 side. By switching to output (details will be described later), the generation operation of the print label L (= execution of the print job) is continued without interruption (see FIGS. 7C and 7D). That is, in this example, the printing operation of the character string “123” is continued without being interrupted during the printing of “2” as described above.

  Thereafter, the power supply from the DC-DC converter 56 is used to proceed with the generation operation of the print label L, and the printing of the character string “123” is all completed. 109 is cut to complete the print label L (see FIG. 7E).

<Power supply control by the method of this embodiment>
Next, the content of the power supply control at the time of creating the print label L by the method of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows an example of the change behavior of the terminal voltage Va from the DC jack 18 and the output voltage Vc from the DC-DC converter 56, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing voltage [V]. FIG.

  In FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the DC plug 34E of the AC adapter 34 is connected to the DC jack 18 and the terminal voltage Va becomes the rated voltage 24 [V] and the DC-DC converter 56 is turned off. The output voltage Vc is 10 [V]. As a result, the terminal voltage Va (= 24 [V]) from the DC jack 18 is supplied to the power supply side line VH. In this state, when a print job for creating the print label L is received, generation of the print label L is started using the power supplied from the DC jack 18.

<Instantaneous power outage>
Thereafter, during the operation of generating the print label L, for example, the power supplied from the DC jack 18 is temporarily reduced (so-called instantaneously for some reason (for example, a large-capacity electric motor is activated at the time of use in a factory). A power outage may occur. In this case, the terminal voltage Va of the DC jack 18 decreases, and this is detected by the CPU 52 via the voltage dividing circuit 57.

  The terminal voltage Va is not higher than 22 [V] (corresponding to a threshold) between the rated voltage 24 [V] and the drive limit voltage 20 [V] at which the operation of the plurality of operation mechanisms is ensured. When descending (corresponding to the first lowered state; see time t1), the DC-DC converter 56 is turned on by the control of the CPU 52. As a result, the output voltage Vc from the DC-DC converter 56 is abruptly boosted from 10 [V] and becomes equal to or higher than the terminal voltage Va at a certain timing (see time t2), instead of the terminal voltage Va. The voltage is supplied to the constant voltage circuit 51 and finally boosted to 24 [V] (see A1 → A2 in the figure).

  Thereafter, when the above-mentioned cause is solved and power is restored from the instantaneous power failure, the terminal voltage Va rises again and returns to 24 [V] (see time t3). It can be switched to the OFF state. As a result, the output voltage Vc drops from 24 [V] to 10 [V] (see B1 → B2 in the figure), and the constant voltage circuit replaces the terminal voltage Va that maintains 24 [V]. 51 is supplied.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the instantaneous power failure occurs, the constant voltage is replaced by the output voltage Vc after the boost during the time t2 to t3 when the terminal voltage Va is greatly reduced. The supply voltage to the circuit 51 is ensured to be equal to or higher than the drive limit voltage (= 20 [V]). As a result, the print label L that has been started as described above is completed without being interrupted (in other words, the print job is completed without being interrupted). At this time, as described above, of the two printing modes set according to the printing speed, the printing label is not changed without changing the mode in the AC mode (that is, at the high printing speed). L is created (see double-headed arrow of “AC mode printing” in the figure).

<Complete power outage>
For example, instead of the instantaneous power failure that recovers in a short time as described above, the power supplied from the DC jack 18 may drop at a stroke due to the occurrence of a power failure (so-called complete power failure). In this case, as described above, when the terminal voltage Va drops below 22 [V] (corresponding to the threshold value) (corresponding to the first lowered state, see time t4), the DC-DC converter 56 is turned on. Thus, the output voltage Vc is boosted from 10 [V] and becomes equal to or higher than the terminal voltage Va (see time t5), and is supplied to the constant voltage circuit 51 in place of the terminal voltage Va and 24 [V]. (See C1 → C2 in the figure).

  On the other hand, when the power supply is completely cut off as described above, the terminal voltage Va further decreases, but when the voltage drops to a predetermined power failure detection voltage (5 [V] in this example) or less (second). Corresponding to a lowered state (see time t6), the print mode is switched from the previous AC mode to the battery mode under the control of the CPU 52 (see double-headed arrows of “AC mode printing” and “battery mode printing” in the figure). After switching to the battery mode, the print label L is created at a printing speed slower than that in the AC mode as described above. When the creation of the print label L is completed (see time t7), the CPU 52 switches the DC-DC converter 56 to the OFF state again. As a result, the output voltage Vc drops from 24 [V] to 10 [V] (see E1 → E2 in the figure).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a complete power failure occurs, the supply voltage to the constant voltage circuit 51 is changed to the driving limit voltage (= 20 [ V]) and the print label L is completed without interrupting the generation operation (the print job is completed without interruption). At this time, until the time t6 until the terminal voltage Va drops to the power failure detection voltage 5 [V], the AC mode is selected from the two printing modes set according to the printing speed as described above. The print label L is generated at the time (that is, at the high printing speed), but during the subsequent times t6 to t7, the print label is switched to the battery mode (that is, at the low printing speed). Creation of L is executed.

  In FIG. 8, for convenience of illustration, the time t4 is shown to be the timing after the time t3 described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The power supply control at the time of complete power failure such as time t4 → t5 → t6 → t7 may be performed (without performing power supply control at the time of instantaneous power failure such as time t1 → t2 → t3).

<Control procedure>
Next, a control procedure executed by the CPU 52 in order to realize the above method will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 9, for example, the CPU 52 starts the processing shown in this flowchart when the power of the print label producing apparatus 3 is turned on and a print job including print data for producing the print label L is received.

  First, in step S 100, the CPU 52 uses the power supplied from the DC jack 18, the platen roller 126 and the like through the drive motor drive circuit 54, the drive motor 53, the thermal head drive circuit 217, and the solenoid drive circuit 22. The head 123 and the cutting mechanism 420 are controlled in cooperation, and the generation of the print label L using the print data relating to the received print job is started. At that time, the CPU 52 sets the above-described print mode to the AC mode and starts generation.

  Thereafter, in step S105, the CPU 52 executes printing formation of one dot line in the print data while linking the platen roller 126 and the thermal head 123 as described above.

  In step S110, the CPU 52 determines whether the generation of the print label L started in step S100 is completed. If the generation of the print label L has been completed, the determination in step S110 is satisfied (S110: YES), and the processing shown in this flow is ended (see flow branch A in the figure). If the generation of the print label L has not been completed yet, the determination in step S110 is not satisfied (S110: NO), and the process proceeds to step S120.

  Thereafter, in step S120, the CPU 52 detects that the detected voltage VA (corresponding to the terminal voltage Va) input from the voltage dividing circuit 57 via the AD conversion input port is a predetermined voltage threshold value VAt (see FIG. 8). The voltage value corresponding to the terminal voltage Va = 22 [V] described above is determined to determine whether the terminal voltage Va is decreased due to an instantaneous power failure or a complete power failure. If VA ≧ VAt, the determination in step S120 is not satisfied (S120: NO), and the same procedure is repeated by returning to step S105. On the other hand, if VA <VAt, the determination in step S120 is satisfied (S120: YES), and the process proceeds to step S125.

  Thereafter, in step S125, the CPU 52 outputs the control signal s3 for switching to the ON state to the DC-DC converter 56 in the OFF state at this time, and switches the DC-DC converter 56 to the ON state.

  In step S130, the CPU 52 executes printing of one dot line in the print data in the same manner as in step S105.

  Thereafter, in step S135, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the generation of the print label L started in step S100 is completed, as in step S110. If the generation of the print label L is not completed, the determination in step S135 is not satisfied (S135: NO), and the process proceeds to step S145 described later. If the generation of the print label L has been completed, the determination at Step S135 is satisfied (S135: YES), and the routine goes to Step S140.

  In step S140, the CPU 52 outputs a control signal s3 for switching to the off state to the DC-DC converter 56 turned on in step S125, and switches the DC-DC converter 56 to the off state. Thereafter, the processing shown in this flow is terminated.

  On the other hand, in step S145, the CPU 52 receives the detected voltage VA (corresponding to the terminal voltage Va) input from the voltage dividing circuit 57 via the AD conversion input port and is lower than the voltage threshold value VAt. By determining whether or not the threshold value Vas is less than the threshold value Vas (the voltage value corresponding to the terminal voltage Va = 5 [V] described with reference to FIG. 8), the terminal voltage Va is reduced due to a complete power failure. judge. If VA ≧ VAs, the determination in step S145 is not satisfied (S145: NO), and the process proceeds to step S154 described later. If VA <VAs, the determination in step S145 is satisfied (S145: YES), and the process proceeds to step S148.

  In step S148, the CPU 52 starts generating the print label L by switching the print mode from the AC mode to the battery mode (in other words, generating the print label L using the print data related to the print job). Switch to battery mode and continue).

  Thereafter, in step S150, the CPU 52 executes printing of one dot line in the print data in the same manner as in steps S105 and S130.

  In step S152, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the generation of the print label L started in step S100 has been completed, similar to steps S110 and S135. If the generation of the print label L is not completed, the determination in step S152 is not satisfied (S152: NO), the process returns to step S150, and the same procedure is repeated. If the generation of the print label L has been completed, the determination in step S152 is satisfied (S152: YES), and the processing shown in this flow is terminated.

  On the other hand, in step S154 where the determination in step S145 is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S154, the CPU 52 receives the detection voltage VAt (corresponding to the terminal voltage Va) input from the voltage dividing circuit 57 via the AD conversion input port. By determining whether or not the voltage threshold value VAt is higher than the threshold voltage VAt, it is determined whether or not the instantaneous power failure has been resolved and the power supply has returned to the state before the decrease. If VA <VAt, the determination in step S154 is not satisfied (S154: NO), and the same procedure is repeated by returning to step S130. When VA ≧ VAt, the determination in step S154 is satisfied (S154: YES), and the process proceeds to step S156.

  In step S156, as in step S140, the CPU 52 outputs a control signal s3 for switching to the off state to the DC-DC converter 56 in the on state, and switches the DC-DC converter 56 to the off state. Then, it returns to said step S105 and repeats the same procedure (refer the flow branch B in the figure).

  In the above description, the CPU 52 that executes the steps S100, S105, S110, S148, S150, and S152 functions as the control means described in each claim. Further, the CPU 52 that executes step S120 functions as a first voltage drop detection unit described in each claim. Further, the CPU 52 that executes the steps S125 and S156 functions as a switching signal output means described in each claim. In addition, the CPU 52 that executes the step S145 functions as a second voltage drop detection unit described in each claim. Further, the CPU 52 that executes step S154 functions as a power recovery detection unit described in each claim.

<Effect of this embodiment>
As described above, in the present embodiment, when an instantaneous power failure or a complete power failure occurs, the output voltage Vc after boosting is replaced with the terminal voltage Va to generate the print label L as in the conventional method. Is continued without interruption, and the print job is completed without interruption. As a result, convenience for the operator can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the voltage value of the power supplied from the DC jack 18 temporarily decreases due to the instantaneous power failure, and then returns in a short time, the DC-DC converter 56 is returned to the non-boosted state (step (See S156). Thereby, it can be set as the electric power supply from the normal AC adapter 34 before a voltage drop arises.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the CPU 52 detects a state where the terminal voltage Va drops to the threshold value (22 [V]) higher than the drive limit voltage (20 [V]). Thereby, the state in which the power supplied from the DC jack 18 is reduced can be reliably detected.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the CPU 52 detects that the terminal voltage Va has dropped to the power failure detection voltage (5 [V]) that is lower than the threshold value (22 [V]), the printing is performed. The mode is switched from the AC mode in which the printing speed is high to the battery mode in which the printing speed is low. As a result, when the power supplied from the DC jack 18 suddenly drops during a complete power failure, the printing label L can be reliably completed using the power supplied from the battery while reducing the printing speed and saving power. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the CPU 52 detects a state in which the terminal voltage Va drops to a predetermined power failure detection voltage (5 [V]) or less. As a result, it is possible to reliably detect a state in which the power supplied from the DC jack 18 is rapidly reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, in the above, printing was performed on the cover film 103 different from the base tape 101 and bonded together, but this is not a limitation, and printing is performed on the print-receiving tape layer provided on the base tape. You may apply this invention to the system (type which does not perform bonding) which performs.

  In addition, in the above description, when there are descriptions such as “vertical”, “parallel”, and “plane”, the descriptions are not strict. That is, the terms “vertical”, “parallel”, “plane”, etc., allow tolerances and errors in design and mean “substantially vertical”, “substantially parallel”, “substantially plane”, etc. It is.

  In addition, in the above description, when there are descriptions such as “same”, “equal”, “different”, etc., in terms of external dimensions and sizes, the descriptions are not strict. That is, the terms “same”, “equal”, “different”, etc. mean that “tolerance and error in design and manufacturing are allowed”, “substantially identical”, “substantially equal”, “substantially different”, etc. It is. However, if there is a description of a value that becomes a predetermined judgment criterion or a value that becomes a delimiter, such as a threshold value or a reference value, for example, “same”, “equal”, “different”, etc. It is different and has a strict meaning.

  The arrows shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example of signal flow, and do not limit the direction of signal flow.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 does not limit the present invention to the illustrated procedure, and the procedure may be added / deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. .

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

3. Print label production device (printing device)
12 Battery pack compartment (battery compartment)
18 DC jack (power receiving terminal)
34 AC adapter (external power supply)
34E DC plug (power supply terminal)
51 Constant voltage circuit (input unit, control circuit)
52 CPU (control circuit)
56 DC-DC converter (boost circuit)
103 Cover film (medium to be printed)
108 Tape feed roller drive shaft (conveying means: operating mechanism)
123 Thermal head (printing means)
126 Platen roller (conveying means: operating mechanism)
128 pressure roller (conveying means: operation mechanism)
222 Solenoid (load circuit)
B Battery L Print label (printed matter)

Claims (5)

A plurality of operation mechanisms, including a conveying unit that conveys the medium to be printed, and a printing unit that cooperates with the conveying unit to form a print on the conveyed medium to be printed and generate at least one printed matter;
A load circuit provided in at least one of the plurality of operating mechanisms;
A control circuit including an input unit to which a power supply voltage is supplied, and controlling power supply to the load circuit;
A power receiving terminal of an external power supply device capable of supplying power is connected, and a power receiving terminal connected to be able to supply power to the load circuit and the input unit,
A battery storage unit connected to be able to supply power to the input unit while storing a battery;
A printing device comprising:
A boosting state in which a terminal voltage from the battery stored in the battery storage unit is boosted according to a switching signal input between the battery storage unit and the input unit, and the terminal voltage A booster circuit capable of switching between a non-boosting state without boosting; and
In the non-boosting state of the booster circuit, the transporting unit and the printing unit are controlled in cooperation using power supplied from the power receiving terminal connected to the power feeding terminal, and at least at the predetermined first printing speed Control means for starting production of one printed matter;
First voltage drop detection means for detecting that the voltage value of the power supplied from the power receiving terminal has dropped to a predetermined first drop state during the operation of generating the one printed matter started by the control means. When,
When the first voltage drop detecting unit detects the first voltage drop state, the booster circuit is switched from the non-boosted state to the boosted state, and the terminal voltage is boosted and supplied to the input unit. Switching signal output means for outputting the switching signal to the booster circuit;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
Power for detecting that the voltage value of the supplied power from the power receiving terminal that has been reduced to the first reduced state during the generation operation of the one printed matter has returned from the first reduced state to the normal state before the reduction. It further has return detection means,
The switching signal output means includes
When the return to the normal state is detected by the power recovery detection means, the switching signal is output to the booster circuit so as to switch the booster circuit from the boosted state to the non-boosted state. Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The first lowered state is
The detection voltage corresponding to the power supplied from the power receiving terminal is in a state of being lowered to a predetermined threshold value that is higher than a drive limit voltage at which operation of the plurality of operation mechanisms is ensured. Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
During the generation operation of the one printed matter started by the control of the control means, the voltage value of the supplied power from the power receiving terminal has decreased to a predetermined second reduced state that is lower than the first reduced state. A second voltage drop detecting means for detecting,
The control means includes
When the second drop state is detected by the second voltage drop detection means, the printing speed by the transport means and the printing means is switched to a predetermined second printing speed lower than the first printing speed. A printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 4.
The second lowered state is
The printing apparatus, wherein a detection voltage corresponding to the supplied power from the power receiving terminal is lowered to a predetermined power failure detection voltage or less.

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