JP2017226484A - Printer and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of suppressing an imbalance between characters or an image printed in a left portion and characters or an image printed in a right portion out of a printing medium, and the like.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a transportation section being disposed with rollers 34a and 34b at both ends in a width direction of a printing medium and transporting the printing medium; detection sections 44a and 44b detecting inclination of the printing medium; a printing section 30 performing printing onto the printing medium; and a control section 20 controlling a rotational speed of at least one of the rollers 34a and 34b, and executing correction processing for correcting the inclination of the printing medium based on detection results of the detection sections 44a and 44b. The control section 20 does not execute the correction processing while characters or an image is being printed on the printing medium by the printing section 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer and a control method, and in particular, a character or image printed on a left portion (a left portion of a print medium in a print medium conveyance direction) and a right portion (printing) of a print medium. The present invention relates to a printer and a control method that can prevent the balance with characters or images printed on the right side of the medium in the print medium conveyance direction from being lost.

  Conventionally, a paper feed roller arranged on each of the left and right sides, a drive motor for rotating the paper feed roller, a sensor for detecting the tilt of the print medium fed by each paper feed roller, etc. Is detected, it is proposed to correct the inclination of the print medium by making the rotation speed of one paper feed roller (drive motor) faster than the rotation speed of the other paper feed roller (drive motor). (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-103090

  However, in Patent Document 1, for example, when it is detected that the print medium is tilted to the left side and the correction is performed by relatively increasing the rotation speed of the left paper feed roller (drive motor), Of these, the left part (the left part of the print medium in the print medium transport direction) is fed at a higher speed than the right part (the right part of the print medium in the print medium transport direction). Will be. As a result, when the correction is performed during printing of characters or images, there is a problem in that the balance between the characters or images printed on the left portion and the characters or images printed on the right portion of the print medium is lost. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and suppresses the balance between the characters printed on the left part or the characters printed on the right part and the image or the balance of the print medium. An object is to provide a printer or the like that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, rollers are disposed at both ends in the width direction of a print medium, a transport unit that transports the print medium, a detection unit that detects an inclination of the print medium, A printing unit that prints on the printing medium; and a control unit that executes a correction process for correcting the inclination of the printing medium by controlling the rotation speed of at least one of the rollers based on the detection result of the detection unit. The control unit does not execute the correction process while characters or images are printed on the print medium by the printing unit.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a printer capable of suppressing the balance between the characters printed on the left portion or the characters printed on the right portion and the images or the image of the print medium. it can.

  This is because correction processing for correcting the inclination of the print medium is not executed while characters or images are printed on the print medium.

Further, in the above invention, a preferred aspect is further provided with a cutting unit that is connectable to a host computer, cuts the print medium, and a receiving unit that receives print data including a command transmitted from the host computer. The controller is configured to control the cutting unit to cut the print medium and execute the correction process when a cut command for instructing cutting of the print medium is received by the receiving unit. And

  According to this aspect, the correction process for correcting the inclination of the print medium is executed while characters or images are not printed on the print medium, that is, after the print medium is cut and before the next printing is started. it can.

  In the above invention, a preferable aspect is characterized in that the control unit performs the correction process while blank lines or blanks are blank printed by the printing unit.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to execute the correction process for correcting the inclination of the print medium while characters or images are not printed on the print medium, that is, while blank lines or blanks are blank printed.

  In the above-mentioned invention, a preferred aspect is a connection unit that can be connected to a host computer, and that receives print data including a command transmitted from the host computer, and stores the print data received by the reception unit. And when the control unit determines that the print data stored in the reception buffer has a predetermined number or more of blank lines or a margin of a predetermined length or more, the control unit The correction process is performed during printing.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to execute the correction process for correcting the inclination of the print medium while characters or images are not printed on the print medium, that is, while blank lines or blanks are blank printed.

  In the above invention, a preferable aspect is that the control unit is configured to print the print medium when the detection unit detects an inclination of the print medium while characters or an image are printed on the print medium. Printing by the printing unit is interrupted, the correction process is executed, and after the execution of the correction process is completed, the roller is controlled so that the printing medium returns to the position before the correction process is executed. It is characterized by restarting.

  According to this aspect, while characters or images are not printed on the print medium, that is, while the characters or images are printed on the print medium, the inclination of the print medium is detected, and after printing is interrupted, the remaining characters Alternatively, a correction process for correcting the inclination of the print medium can be executed before the printing of the image is resumed.

  In the above invention, a preferable aspect is that, when the printing unit executes printing based on the second print job following printing based on the first print job, the printing based on the first print job is being performed. When the inclination of the print medium is detected by the detection unit, the control unit executes the correction process before the printing unit executes printing based on the second print job.

  According to this aspect, while the character or image is not printed on the print medium, that is, while the printing based on the first print job is being executed, the second print job is detected after the inclination of the print medium is detected. A correction process for correcting the inclination of the print medium can be executed before executing the printing based on the print medium.

Another aspect of the present invention is a transport process for transporting the print medium by rollers arranged at both ends in the width direction of the print medium, a detection process for detecting the inclination of the print medium, and a printing process for printing on the print medium. And a correction processing step for executing correction processing for correcting the inclination of the printing medium by controlling the rotational speed of at least one of the rollers based on the detection result of the detection step, and the correction processing step The correction process is not executed while a character or an image is printed on the print medium by the printing process.

  According to this aspect, there is provided a control method capable of suppressing the balance between the characters printed on the left portion or the characters printed on the right portion and the images or images on the right portion of the print medium. Can do.

  This is because correction processing for correcting the inclination of the print medium is not executed while characters or images are printed on the print medium.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer and a printer 10 to which a control method of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process which performs the correction process which correct | amends the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa, before cutting the thermal roll paper Pa and before starting the next printing. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa while a blank line is blank printed. The inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected while characters or images are being printed on the thermal roll paper Pa. After the printing is interrupted, the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is resumed before the printing of the remaining characters or images is resumed. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process which performs the correction process which correct | amends.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer 10 according to the present invention and a printer 10 to which a control method is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer 10 viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. In FIG. 2, the thermal head 30 and the cutter unit 38 are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the printer 10 rotates each platen roller 34a, 34b with a thermal roll paper Pa (printing medium) sandwiched between the thermal head 30 and each platen roller 34a, 34b. By driving the thermal head 30 while transporting in the print medium transport direction, the print surface of the thermal roll paper Pa is heated to form dots on the print surface of the thermal roll paper Pa. Is a receipt printer for printing.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes a control unit 20, a thermal head 30, a head driving circuit 32 connected to the thermal head 30, a left platen roller 34 a, a left paper feed motor 36 a, and a right platen roller 34 b as hardware configurations. , Right paper feed motor 36b, cutter unit 38, cutter drive motor 40, motor drive circuit 42 connected to each paper feed motor 36a, 36b and cutter drive motor 40, left sensor 44a, right sensor 44b, communication I / F 48, etc. Prepare.

  The head drive circuit 32, the motor drive circuit 42, the left sensor 44 a, the right sensor 44 b, and the communication I / F 48 are connected to the control unit 20.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU 22, a RAM 24, a ROM 26, and the like. The RAM 24 includes a reception buffer 24a. The ROM 26 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM, for example, and stores firmware such as a control program.

  The thermal head 30 is a printing unit that prints characters or images on the thermal roll paper Pa, and is driven by a head drive circuit 32 connected thereto. When the control unit 20 controls the head driving circuit 32 to drive the thermal head 30, the thermal head 30 applies heat to the printing surface of the thermal roll paper Pa to form dots on the printing surface of the thermal roll paper Pa. Thereby, a character or an image is printed on the printing surface of the thermal roll paper Pa.

  Each platen roller 34a, 34b is connected to each paper feed motor 36a, 36b via a transmission mechanism (for example, a reduction gear train) (not shown). Each platen roller 34a, 34b is disposed, for example, at both ends in the width direction of the thermal roll paper Pa (see FIG. 2), and conveys the thermal roll paper Pa. Each of the paper feed motors 36a and 36b is constituted by a stepping motor, for example. Each paper feed motor 36a, 36b is individually driven by a motor drive circuit 42 connected thereto. When the control unit 20 controls the motor drive circuit 42 to drive the paper feed motors 36a and 36b, the rotations of the paper feed motors 36a and 36b are transmitted to the platen rollers 34a and 34b via the transmission mechanism, and the platen rollers 34a. , 34b rotate. As a result, the thermal roll paper Pa sandwiched between the thermal head 30 and the platen rollers 34a and 34b is conveyed in the print medium conveyance direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Each of the platen rollers 34a and 34b and each of the paper feed motors 36a and 36b mainly constitutes a transport unit of the present invention.

  Each of the sensors 44a and 44b is a detection unit that detects the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa, and is configured by a contact-type sensor such as a microswitch, for example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensors 44 a and 44 b are provided at both ends of the thermal roll paper Pa in the width direction and upstream of the thermal head 30 in the print medium conveyance direction. Not only this but each sensor 44a, 44b may be provided in the printing medium conveyance direction downstream side with respect to the thermal head 30. FIG.

  The control unit 20 corrects the tilt of the thermal roll paper Pa by controlling the rotational speed of at least one of the platen rollers 34a and 34b based on the detection results of the sensors 44a and 44b (hereinafter also simply referred to as a correction process). ). The control unit 20 does not perform the correction process while characters or images are printed on the thermal roll paper Pa by the thermal head 30. The operation of the control unit 20 will be described in detail later.

  The cutter unit 38 is a cutting unit that cuts the thermal roll paper Pa, and includes a cutter driving mechanism (not shown) that moves the movable blade 38a forward and backward (in the vertical direction in FIG. 1) relative to the fixed blade 38b. And provided downstream of the thermal head 30 in the print medium conveyance direction. The cutter driving mechanism includes a cutter driving motor 40. The cutter drive motor 40 is driven by a motor drive circuit 42 connected thereto. When the control unit 20 controls the motor drive circuit 42 to drive the cutter drive motor 40, the movable blade 38a is linearly moved in a direction approaching the fixed blade 38b. Thereby, the thermal roll paper Pa located at the position of the cutter unit 38 is cut.

A host computer 50 is connected to the communication I / F 48 via a communication cable or the like. The communication I / F 48 functions as a receiving unit that receives print data (print job) transmitted from the host computer 50. The print data received by the communication I / F 48 is stored in the reception buffer 24a. The print data is data for printing characters or images on the thermal roll paper Pa, and includes a print command for instructing printing of characters, a line feed command for instructing line feed, a cut command for instructing cutting of the thermal roll paper Pa, and the like. Including. Note that the print data may include a graphic command for instructing printing of an image based on the graphic data, and graphic data.

  Next, an example of the operation (control method) of the printer 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a process of executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa after cutting the thermal roll paper Pa and before starting the next printing.

  The following processing is realized mainly by executing the firmware read from the ROM 26 by the control unit 20.

  When receiving the print data (first print job) transmitted from the host computer 50 (step S10: Yes), the communication I / F 48 stores the received print data in the reception buffer 24a.

  Next, the control unit 20 sequentially analyzes the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a, and controls the thermal head 30 and the paper feed motors 36a and 36b on the basis of the analysis result to display characters or images on the thermal roll paper. Printing is performed on Pa (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 20 controls the motor drive circuit 42 to drive the paper feed motors 36a and 36b and rotate the platen rollers 34a and 34b at the same speed, so that the thermal roll paper Pa is printed on the printing medium. Transport in the transport direction. This corresponds to the conveying step of the present invention. At the same time, the control unit 20 drives the thermal head 30 by controlling the head drive circuit 32 to print characters or images on the thermal roll paper Pa. This corresponds to the printing process of the present invention.

  Next, when the analyzed command is a cutter command, the control unit 20 controls the cutter unit 38 to cut the thermal roll paper Pa (step S14).

  Next, the control unit 20 detects the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa based on the detection results of the sensors 44a and 44b (steps S16 and S20). This corresponds to the detection step of the present invention. When the controller 20 detects the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa (step S16: Yes, step S20: Yes), the controller 20 controls the rotational speed of the platen rollers 34a and 34b to correct the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa. Correction processing (steps S18 and S22) to be executed is executed. This corresponds to the correction processing step of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, this correction process will be described.

  First, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the detection result of the left sensor 44a is on (step S16).

When the detection result of the left sensor 44a is determined to be on (step S16: Yes), that is, when the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa to the left is detected, the control unit 20 controls the motor drive circuit 42. The output of the right paper feed motor 36b is set to “medium”, and the output of the left paper feed motor 36a is set to “strong” (step S18). That is, the rotation speeds of the paper feed motors 36a and 36b are controlled so that the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a is relatively higher than the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b. As a result, the thermal roll paper P
Among a, the left portion is fed at a higher speed than the right portion, and the leftward inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is corrected. As shown in FIG. 2, the left portion of the thermal roll paper Pa is the left portion PaL of the thermal roll paper Pa in the print medium conveyance direction. Similarly, the right portion of the thermal roll paper Pa is the right portion PaR of the thermal roll paper Pa in the print medium conveyance direction, as shown in FIG.

  When the left-side inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected, the rotation speeds of the paper feed motors 36a and 36b are set so that the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a is relatively higher than the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b. For example, the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a may be medium, the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b may be low, or the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a may be high. The rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b may be medium, the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a may be high, and the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b may be low.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection result of the left sensor 44a is off (step S16: No), the control unit 20 further determines whether the detection result of the right sensor 44b is on (step S20).

  When the detection result of the right sensor 44b is determined to be on (step S20: Yes), that is, when the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa to the right is detected, the control unit 20 controls the motor drive circuit 42. The output of the right paper feed motor 36b is set to “strong” and the output of the left paper feed motor 36a is set to “medium” (step S22). That is, the rotation speeds of the paper feed motors 36a and 36b are controlled so that the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b is relatively higher than the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a. Thus, the right part of the thermal roll paper Pa is fed at a higher speed than the left part, and the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa to the right is corrected.

  When the right-side inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected, the rotation speeds of the paper feed motors 36a and 36b are set so that the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b is relatively higher than the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a. For example, the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b may be medium and the rotation speed of the left platen roller may be low. Alternatively, the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b may be high and the left platen roller 34b. The rotation speed of the roller may be a medium speed, the rotation speed of the right platen roller 34b may be high, and the rotation speed of the left platen roller 34a may be low.

  The correction process is executed as described above.

  Next, when the execution of the correction process is completed and the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is no longer detected (step S16: No, step S20: No), the control unit 20 converts the thermal roll paper Pa to the correction process. It returns to the original position before execution (step S24). For example, the control unit 20 controls the motor drive circuit 42 to drive the paper feed motors 36a and 36b, reversely rotate the platen rollers 34a and 34b at the same speed, and transfer the thermal roll paper Pa to the printing medium. This is realized by transporting a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to the transport direction.

  Thereafter, whenever the communication I / F 48 receives print data transmitted from the host computer 50 (step S10: Yes), the control unit 20 repeatedly executes the above steps S12 to S24.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in the thermal roll paper Pa, the balance between the character or image printed on the left portion and the character or image printed on the right portion is prevented from being lost. It is possible to provide a printer 10 that can

  This is because, firstly, while the characters or images are printed on the thermal roll paper Pa, the correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is not executed. This is by executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa while the image is not printed, that is, after cutting the thermal roll paper Pa and before starting the next printing.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected after completion of printing (for example, after cutting the thermal roll paper Pa) is not limited to this, but the first print data (first print The inclination may be detected by the sensors 44a and 44b during printing based on the job. For example, when the thermal head 30 executes printing based on the second print data (second print job) subsequent to printing based on the first print data (first print job), printing based on the first print data is executed. While detecting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa by the sensors 44a and 44b, the control unit 20 corrects the inclination before the thermal head 30 executes printing based on the second print data. Processing may be executed.

  Next, as a modification of the operation (control method) of the printer 10, a process for executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa while a blank line is blank printed will be described with reference to the drawings. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a process of executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa while a blank line is blank printed. In the following, differences from the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 will be mainly described, and the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The following processing is realized mainly by executing the firmware read from the ROM 26 by the control unit 20.

  When the print data transmitted from the host computer 50 is received (step S10: Yes), the communication I / F 48 stores the received print data in the reception buffer 24a.

  Next, the control unit 20 sequentially analyzes the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a (step S32), and prints on the thermal roll paper Pa based on the analysis result (steps S36 and S40).

  For example, when the analyzed command is a print command (step S34: Yes), the control unit 20 controls the thermal head 30 and the paper feed motors 36a and 36b to print characters on the thermal roll paper Pa (step S36). On the other hand, when the analyzed command is a line feed command (step S34: No, step S38: Yes), the control unit 20 mainly controls the paper feed motors 36a and 36b to execute one line of paper feed ( Step S40). That is, blank printing of one blank line is executed.

Next, the control unit 20 detects the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa based on the detection results of the sensors 44a and 44b while blank lines are blank printed by the thermal head 30 (steps S16 and S20). And the control part 20 controls the rotational speed of each platen roller 34a, 34b similarly to the said embodiment, when the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected (step S16: Yes, step S20: Yes). Correction processing (steps S18 and S22) for correcting the inclination of the paper Pa is executed.

  Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the blank line paper feed has been completed (step S50). When it is determined that the blank line has not been completed (step S50: No), the above steps S40 to S50 are repeated. Run. On the other hand, when the control unit 20 determines that the paper feed of the blank line has been completed (step S50: Yes), the control unit 20 executes the steps after step S32, for example, printing the remaining characters or images following the blank line. continue.

  Then, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the analysis of the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a has been completed (step S52). When it is determined that the analysis has not been completed (step S52: No), the control unit 20 and subsequent steps This step is repeatedly executed, for example, printing of the remaining characters or images is continued. On the other hand, when the control unit 20 determines that the analysis of the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a is finished (step S52: Yes), the process shown in FIG. 5 is finished.

  Thereafter, whenever the communication I / F 48 receives print data transmitted from the host computer 50 (step S10: Yes), the control unit 20 repeatedly executes the above steps S10 to S52.

  As described above, according to the present modified example, it is possible to prevent the balance between the character printed on the left part or the character printed on the right part and the image or the image of the thermal roll paper Pa from being lost. It is possible to provide a printer 10 that can be used.

  This is because, firstly, while the characters or images are printed on the thermal roll paper Pa, the correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is not executed. This is because the correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is executed while the image is not printed, that is, while the blank line is blank printed.

  In this modification, an example is described in which correction processing for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is performed while one blank line is blank printed. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa may be executed while a predetermined number or more of blank lines are blank printed. For example, when the control unit 20 refers to the reception buffer 24a and determines that the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a has a predetermined number or more of blank lines, the control unit 20 determines that the predetermined number or more of blank lines. This is realized by executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa while is being printed blank.

  Further, in the present modification, when the analyzed command is a line feed command, a blank line is blank printed, and the example in which the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is corrected while the blank line is blank printed has been described. Not limited to this.

  For example, when the analyzed command is a graphic command, the thermal head 30 and the paper feed motors 36a and 36b are controlled to print an image based on the graphic data on the thermal roll paper Pa, and a margin (for example, a predetermined length) in the image is printed. While the above margin) is blank printed, the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa may be corrected. For example, when the control unit 20 refers to the reception buffer 24a and print data (for example, graphic data) stored in the reception buffer 24a has a margin (for example, a margin of a predetermined length or more). When the determination is made, this is realized by executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa while the margin is blank printed.

  Further, in this modification, when the control unit 20 refers to the reception buffer 24a and determines that the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a has a predetermined number or more of blank lines or a margin of a predetermined length or more, Although it has been described that the correction process is executed during the blank printing, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the control unit 20 refers to a print buffer (not shown) and adds a blank line or a margin (for example, a predetermined number or more blank lines) to a print image (print image based on print data) stored in the print buffer. Alternatively, the correction process may be executed while the blank printing is performed.

  Next, as a modification of the operation (control method) of the printer 10, the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected while characters or images are being printed on the thermal roll paper Pa, and after printing is interrupted, the remaining characters, Alternatively, a process of executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa before restarting image printing will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected while characters or images are printed on the thermal roll paper Pa, and after the printing is interrupted, before the printing of the remaining characters or images is resumed, 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process of executing a correction process for correcting the inclination of paper Pa. In the following, differences from the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 will be mainly described, and the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The following processing is realized mainly by executing the firmware read from the ROM 26 by the control unit 20.

  When the print data transmitted from the host computer 50 is received (step S10: Yes), the communication I / F 48 stores the received print data in the reception buffer 24a.

  Next, the control unit 20 sequentially analyzes the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a (step S62), and prints on the thermal roll paper Pa based on the analysis result (step S66).

  For example, when the analyzed command is a print command (step S64: Yes), the control unit 20 controls the thermal head 30 and the paper feed motors 36a and 36b to print characters on the thermal roll paper Pa (step S66). In addition, when the analyzed command is a command other than the print command (step S64: No), the control unit 20 executes processing according to the command (step S84).

  Next, the control unit 20 detects the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa based on the detection results of the sensors 44a and 44b while characters are printed by the thermal head 30 (steps S16 and S20). And the control part 20 interrupts printing (step S70, S76), when the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected (step S16: Yes, step S20: Yes), and sets the rotational speed of each platen roller 34a, 34b. Correction processing (steps S18 and S22) for controlling and correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is executed.

Next, when the execution of the correction process is completed and the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is no longer detected (step S16: No, step S20: No), the control unit 20 converts the thermal roll paper Pa to the correction process. It returns to the original position before execution (step S24). This is because, for example, the controller 20 controls the motor drive circuit 42 to drive the paper feed motors 36a and 36b and reversely rotate the platen rollers 34a and 34b at the same speed, thereby printing the thermal roll paper Pa. This is realized by transporting a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to the medium transport direction.

  Then, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the analysis of the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a has been completed (step S82). If it is determined that the analysis has not ended (step S82: No), the control unit 20 and subsequent steps This step is repeatedly executed, for example, printing of the remaining characters or images is continued. On the other hand, when the control unit 20 determines that the analysis of the print data stored in the reception buffer 24a has been completed (step S82: Yes), the process illustrated in FIG.

  Thereafter, whenever the communication I / F 48 receives print data transmitted from the host computer 50 (step S10: Yes), the control unit 20 repeatedly executes the above steps S10 to S82.

  As described above, according to the present modified example, it is possible to prevent the balance between the character printed on the left part or the character printed on the right part and the image or the image of the thermal roll paper Pa from being lost. It is possible to provide a printer 10 that can be used.

  This is because, firstly, while the characters or images are printed on the thermal roll paper Pa, the correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is not executed. While the image is not printed, that is, while the character or image is printed on the thermal roll paper Pa, the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected, and after printing is interrupted, printing of the remaining characters or image is resumed. This is because a correction process for correcting the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is performed before the process.

  In this modification, if the analyzed command is a print command and the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected while the character based on the print command is being printed, the printing is interrupted, and then the remaining characters Although an example in which the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is corrected before the printing of the image is resumed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, if the analyzed command is a graphic command and the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa is detected while an image based on graphic data is being printed, the printing is interrupted, and then the remaining characters or images are printed. You may make it correct | amend the inclination of the thermal roll paper Pa before restarting.

  In the above embodiment and each modified example, the example in which the present invention is applied to a receipt printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applied to other printers such as a journal printer other than a receipt printer. Of course, it is possible.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the example in which the thermal roll paper Pa is used as the printing medium has been described. Of course.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, an example in which a contact type sensor such as a microswitch is used as each sensor 44a and 44b has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an optical sensor other than the contact type sensor may be used. Of course, the non-contact type sensor may be used.

  All the numerical values shown in the above embodiment are exemplifications, and it is needless to say that appropriate numerical values different from these can be used.

The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited by the description of the above embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 20 ... Control part, 22 ... CPU, 24 ... RAM, 24a ... Reception buffer, 26 ... ROM, 30 ... Thermal head, 32 ... Head drive circuit, 34a ... Left platen roller, 34b ... Right platen roller, 36a ... left paper feed motor, 36b ... right paper feed motor, 38 ... cutter unit, 38a ... movable blade, 38b ... fixed blade, 40 ... cutter drive motor, 42 ... motor drive circuit, 44a ... left sensor, 44b ... right sensor, 48 ... Communication I / F, 50 ... Host computer, Pa ... Thermal roll paper.

Claims (7)

Two rollers are arranged in the width direction of the print medium, and a transport unit that transports the print medium;
A detection unit for detecting the inclination of the print medium;
A printing unit for printing on the print medium;
A control unit that executes a correction process for correcting the inclination of the print medium by controlling the rotation speed of at least one of the rollers based on the detection result of the detection unit;
The control unit is a printer that does not execute the correction process while printing characters or images on the print medium by controlling the printing unit. It can be connected to the host computer and
A cutting section for cutting the print medium;
A receiving unit that receives print data including a command transmitted from the host computer,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the cut command instructing cutting of the print medium is received by the receiving unit, the control unit executes the correction process after controlling the cutting unit to cut the print medium. The printer described.   The printer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the correction process while the blanking line or a blank is blank printed by controlling the printing unit. It can be connected to the host computer and
A reception buffer for storing print data including a command transmitted from the host computer;
When the control unit determines that the print data stored in the reception buffer has a predetermined number or more of blank lines or a margin of a predetermined length or more, the control unit controls the printing unit to perform blank printing. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the correction process is executed. The controller is
When the inclination of the printing medium is detected by the detection unit while characters or images are being printed on the printing medium by the printing unit, printing by the printing unit is interrupted and the correction process is executed. Item 5. The printer according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   When the printing unit executes printing based on the second print job following printing based on the first print job, the detection unit tilts the printing medium while printing based on the first print job is being performed. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit executes the correction process before the printing unit executes printing based on the second print job when the printing unit is detected. A transport step of transporting the print medium by two rollers arranged in the width direction of the print medium;
A detection step of detecting the inclination of the print medium;
A printing process for printing on the printing medium;
A correction processing step of executing a correction processing for correcting the inclination of the print medium by controlling the rotational speed of at least one of the rollers based on the detection result of the detection step,
The printer control method, wherein the correction processing step does not execute the correction processing while characters or images are printed on the print medium in the printing step.

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