JP2019043562A - Printer and control method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a label printer appropriately adjusting timing when the printer performs operation for preparing printing.SOLUTION: A label printer comprises: a photo-sensor 19 detecting whether or not label paper P is stored in a roll paper storage part 29; and a control part, and is constituted so as to be able to use a peeling part 4. The control part brings the label printer into a printable state where printing onto the label paper is possible when it is detected that the label paper is stored in the roll paper storage part by the photo-sensor in a normal printing mode in which the peeling part is not used, shifts the label printer to an instruction waiting state before bringing it into the printable state when it is detected that the label paper is stored in the roll paper storage part by the photo-sensor in a peeling mode in which the peeling part is used, and shifts the label printer to the printable state when prescribed input is performed in the instruction waiting state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a control method of the printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a printing apparatus, a label printer is known which conveys a label sheet having a label attached to a long backing sheet and performs printing on each label (for example, see Patent Document 1). The printer described in Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to use a peeling device for peeling and supplying a label after printing from a mount.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-101624

In many printing apparatuses, when a paper runs out, a paper out is notified, and in response to this, when the user refills the paper, the preparation operation for printing on the refilled paper is executed. For example, as in the printer described in Patent Document 1, an operation such as aligning the printing position with the position of a label of a predetermined size arranged on a mount is executed. If the printing apparatus is configured to automatically execute this kind of preparation operation, the burden on the user's work can be reduced. On the other hand, it is necessary to match the timing at which the printing apparatus performs the preparation operation with the timing at which the user refills the paper. In particular, in a printing apparatus using a peeling apparatus as described in Patent Document 1, it is desired that the timing at which the user sets the paper in the peeling apparatus be matched with the timing at which the printing apparatus performs the preparation operation. . However, in the past, there was no example that realized such control.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable the printing apparatus to appropriately adjust the timing at which the printing preparation operation is performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing on a label sheet with a label attached to a backing sheet, wherein the label sheet detection detects whether or not the label sheet is stored in the storage unit A control unit configured to control the printing apparatus based on a detection result of the label paper detection unit, and a release unit configured to release the label from the mount is usable, the control unit In the normal printing mode in which the peeling section is not used, it is possible to print on the label sheet when the label sheet detection section detects that the label sheet is stored in the storage section. In the peeling mode in which the peeling section is used in the state, the label sheet detection unit detects that the label sheet is stored in the storage unit, and before the printable state is set. Moves to 示待 machine state, when a predetermined input is made by the instruction waiting state, the process proceeds to the printable state.
According to the present invention, when the peeling section is used and not used, different operations are performed to detect that the label sheet is stored in the storage section and shift to the printable state, and peeling is performed. When using a copy unit, it is in the instruction standby state until a predetermined input is performed. For this reason, the timing to shift to the printable state can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the input, and the operation to shift to the printable state can be optimized according to the use of the peeling unit.

Further, the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a setting state of an operation mode executed by the control unit, and the control unit performs the normal printing mode and the peeling based on the setting state stored in the storage unit. It may be configured to switch between modes.
According to this configuration, the printing apparatus can be operated in any operation mode by storing the setting state of the operation mode in the storage unit.

Further, according to the present invention, the peeling unit includes a peeling unit detection unit configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the printing apparatus, and detecting whether the peeling unit is attached to the main body, The unit may be configured to switch between the normal print mode and the peeling mode based on the detection result of the peeling unit detection unit.
According to this configuration, it is possible to operate the printing apparatus in an appropriate operation mode corresponding to the attachment / detachment state of the peeling unit.

Further, according to the present invention, the control unit shifts to a sheet standby state for waiting for the replenishment of the label sheet when the label sheet detection unit detects that the label sheet is not accommodated in the storage section. A print preparation operation for shifting to the printable state when the label sheet detection unit detects that the label sheet is stored in the storage unit in the sheet standby state in the normal print mode; In the peeling mode, when the label sheet detection unit detects that the label sheet is stored in the storage unit in the separation mode, the process transitions to the instruction standby state, and the instruction standby state The print preparation operation may be performed when a predetermined input is performed in a state.
According to this configuration, the timing of transition to the printable state can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the input, and the operation at the transition to the printable state can be optimized according to the use of the peeling unit.

The present invention further includes a print head for printing on the label paper, and a first conveyance unit for conveying the label paper, wherein the control unit is accommodated in the accommodation unit in the printing preparation operation. The label sheet may be conveyed by the first conveyance unit, and control may be performed to align the position of the label sheet with the printing position of the print head.
According to this configuration, the label paper can be aligned at an appropriate timing adjusted in accordance with the use / non-use of the peeling portion.

Further, in the present invention, the peeling unit includes a second conveyance unit that conveys the mount of the label paper printed by the print head, and the control unit performs the print preparation operation in the peeling mode. The second conveyance unit may be operated, and in the normal printing mode, the second conveyance unit may not be operated in the print preparation operation.
According to this configuration, when using the peeling unit, the label paper can be stably conveyed by the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit. In addition, since the second conveyance unit is not operated when the peeling unit is not used, power saving can be achieved.

Further, in the present invention, the first transport unit transports the label paper upstream of the print head in the transport path of the label paper, and the control unit prints the label paper by the print head. The conveyance speed of the first conveyance unit may be controlled, and the conveyance speed of the normal printing mode may be lower than the conveyance speed of the peeling mode.
According to this configuration, when the peeling unit is not used, the label paper can be stably conveyed by the first conveyance unit on the upstream side of the print head without using the second conveyance unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a print head for printing on a label sheet having a label affixed to a backing, and a printing unit configured to be able to use a peeling unit for peeling the label from the backing. It is a control method of the apparatus, and it is detected whether or not the label sheet is stored in the storage section, and the label sheet is stored in the storage section in the normal printing mode in which the peeling section is not used. When it is detected, the printing is enabled for printing on the label paper, and in the peeling mode using the peeling section, the printing is detected when it is detected that the label paper is stored in the storage section. A transition to the instruction standby state is made prior to the enabling state, and the transition to the printable state is made when a predetermined input is made in the instruction standby state.
According to the present invention, when the peeling section is used and not used, different operations are performed to detect that the label sheet is stored in the storage section and shift to the printable state, and peeling is performed. When using a copy unit, it is in the instruction standby state until a predetermined input is performed. For this reason, the timing to shift to the printable state can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the input, and the operation to shift to the printable state can be optimized according to the use of the peeling unit.

  The present invention can also be realized in various forms other than the printing apparatus described above and the control method of the printing apparatus. For example, the present invention may be implemented as a program executed by a computer (or processor) to execute the above-described method. Further, the present invention can be realized in the form of a recording medium recording the above program, a server device distributing the program, a transmission medium transmitting the above program, a data signal etc. in which the above program is embodied in a carrier wave.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The external appearance perspective view of the label printer of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a label printer of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a label printer in a state in which a cover is opened. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the label printer of the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the label printer. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the label printer. The external appearance perspective view of the label printer of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system of the label printer of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, a label printer 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a label printer 1 of a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the label printer 1 and shows a schematic configuration inside the label printer 1.
In the following, for convenience of explanation, the directions relating to the label printer 1 are indicated using “Top”, “Bottom”, “Front”, and “Rear” shown in the figure. explain.

  A label printer 1 as a printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a printer that prints characters, images, drawings and the like by an inkjet method using label paper P as a printing medium. The label printer 1 is connected to a host computer (not shown) and performs printing on the label paper P based on control of the host computer.

The label paper P has a mount Pa and a plurality of labels Pb. The mount Pa is a strip-like continuous sheet. Peelability is imparted to the surface of the mount Pa, and a label Pb cut into a predetermined size is attached at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the mount Pa. The materials of the mount Pa and the label Pb are not particularly limited.
On the back surface of the mount Pa, black marks (not shown) are provided at equal intervals corresponding to the intervals between the adjacent labels Pb and Pb. The black mark is used as an index of the leading end position of the label Pb in the longitudinal direction of the mount Pa. For example, the label printer 1 controls the printing position for printing on the label Pb by optically reading the black mark. The label paper P is set in the label printer 1 as roll paper R wound in a roll.

The label printer 1 includes a printing unit 3 as a main body of the label printer 1 and a peeling unit 4. The label printer 1 of the first embodiment has a configuration in which the peeling unit 4 is integrally fixed to the printing unit 3.
On the front surface of the peeling unit 4, a sheet discharge port 4a from which the label sheet P after printing or the label Pb peeled off from the label sheet P is discharged is opened.

  The printing unit 3 is configured by housing a functional unit including a print head 8 described later in a substantially box-shaped case 3 a. A power switch 14, a plurality of operation buttons 15, a display 16, and a plurality of lamps 17 are provided on the front surface of the case 3a. An openable cover 3b is provided on the front of the case 3a.

  The power switch 14 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the label printer 1. The operation button 15 is a button for receiving various operations on the label printer 1 by the user. By the operation of the operation button 15, settings relating to the operation of the label printer 1, such as switching of the operation mode of the label printer 1 described later, are performed. The display 16 is configured of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various information such as the operation state of the label printer 1. The display 16 may have a function as a touch panel that receives a user's operation. The lamp 17 has a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED), and is turned on, off, or blinked according to the operation state of the label printer 1 and the like, and functions as an indicator.

  Each printing unit 3 uses the print head 8 (FIG. 2) accommodated in the case 3a based on the command and print data transmitted from the host computer (not shown) to print each label Pb of the label paper P. Print against The printing unit 3 conveys the label sheet P after printing forward.

  The peeling unit 4 is attached to the top of the cover 3 b of the printing unit 3. The peeling unit 4 is a so-called peeler that performs a process of peeling the label Pb from the backing paper Pa on the label paper P printed by the printing unit 3.

  The label printer 1 can be switched between the operation of using the peeling unit 4 and the operation of not using the peeling unit 4. That is, after printing on the label Pb by the printing unit 3, an operation of peeling the label Pb from the backing sheet Pa by the peeling unit 4 and an operation of discharging the label sheet P from the sheet discharge outlet 4 a without peeling the label Pb And can be switched and executed.

More specifically, the label printer 1 has two operation modes, a normal print mode and a peeling mode, and these two operation modes can be switched.
The normal printing mode is an operation mode in which peeling by the peeling unit 4 is not performed. In the normal printing mode, the label printer 1 prints continuously on the plurality of labels Pb by the printing unit 3, and the label paper P is discharged from the paper outlet 4a in a state where the printed labels Pb are attached to the mount Pa. Exhaust from

The peeling mode is an operation mode in which peeling is performed in the peeling unit 4. In the peeling mode, the label printer 1 peels the label Pb printed by the printing unit 3 from the mount Pa by the peeling unit 4 and discharges the label Pb from the sheet discharge outlet 4 a.
The label printer 1 stops transporting the label paper P in a state where the leading end of the label Pb protrudes from the paper discharge outlet 4a, and transports the label paper P when the user removes the protruding label Pb at the paper discharge outlet 4a. The next label Pb is made to project from the sheet discharge outlet 4a.

  As described above, in the peeling mode, the printing unit 3 and the peeling unit 4 intermittently convey the label paper P in order to intermittently protrude the label Pb from the sheet discharge outlet 4 a. The printing unit 3 intermittently executes printing on the label Pb in accordance with the timing of transporting the label sheet P. In the normal printing mode, the label paper P is conveyed continuously and printing is performed, so the normal printing mode can also be called a continuous mode.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 3 includes a roll paper storage unit 29 as a storage unit, a delivery roller 10, a conveyance roller 11, a suction platen 12, a guide 13, and a print head 8. The printing unit 3 further includes a cover sensor 28, a reflection type photosensor 18, a transmission type photosensor 19 as a label sheet detection unit, and a conveyance roller rotation detection unit 20 (FIG. 4). The conveyance roller 11 may constitute a first conveyance unit, and the delivery roller 10 and the conveyance roller 11 may be included in the first conveyance unit.

  The lower end of the cover 3b of the printing unit 3 is held by the hinge 3c. The hinge 3c rotatably supports the cover 3b on the printing unit 3, and the cover 3b is opened by rotating the cover 3b in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. FIG. 2 illustrates the cover 3 b in a closed state.

  The roll paper storage unit 29 is a space for storing the roll paper R, and the label paper P is fed out from the roll paper R set in the roll paper storage unit 29. When the cover 3 b is opened, the roll paper R can be loaded from the front of the label printer 1.

The delivery roller 10 includes a pair of rollers 10a and 10b disposed opposite to each other. The delivery roller 10 draws the label paper P delivered from the roll paper R and conveys the label paper P upward.
The transport roller 11 includes a pair of rollers 11 a and 11 b disposed opposite to each other, and nips the label paper P transported by the delivery roller 10 between the rollers 11 a and 11 b and transports the label paper P toward the print head 8.

  One of the rollers 11a and 11b is a drive roller connected directly to a transport motor 21 (FIG. 4) described later or via a drive gear (not shown) or the like, and is rotated by the power of the transport motor 21. The other of the rollers 11a and 11b is a driven roller. The label printer 1 performs a forward feeding operation of transporting the label paper P in the forward direction by the transport roller 11 and a reverse feeding operation of transporting in the reverse direction by rotating the transport motor 21 forward and backward. One of the rollers 10 a and 10 b is a drive roller connected to the transport motor 21 together with the transport roller 11 and driven by the power of the transport motor 21, and the other is a driven roller. The delivery roller 10 may be configured to be driven by a motor (not shown) different from the transport motor 21.

  The suction platen 12 is disposed downstream of the conveyance roller 11 in the conveyance path of the label sheet P. A plurality of suction holes (not shown) are formed in the upper surface (hereinafter referred to as "platen surface") 12a in contact with the label paper P in the suction platen 12. Each intake hole communicates with the suction fan 22 (FIG. 4). As the suction fan 22 operates, air is sucked from the suction holes, and the label paper P is adsorbed on the platen surface 12 a.

  The print head 8 is disposed to face the platen surface 12 a. The print head 8 has a nozzle row corresponding to ink of one or a plurality of colors, and discharges the ink from nozzles (not shown) constituting each nozzle row.

  The print head 8 prints characters, images and the like on the printing surface of the label Pb located on the platen surface 12 a by discharging ink based on print data received from a host computer (not shown). The print head 8 performs full color printing by discharging four colors of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), or multicolor ink obtained by adding a special color ink to the four colors. It is also good. Alternatively, the print head 8 may perform monochrome printing or two-color printing. The label paper P printed by the print head 8 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 11 to the peeling section 4.

  The guide 13 is disposed downstream of the print head 8. The guide 13 supports the label sheet P printed by the print head 8 from below, between the suction platen 12 and the front surface of the printing unit 3. The label paper P is conveyed toward the peeling section 4 through the top of the guide 13.

  The cover sensor 28 is a sensor that detects the open / close state of the cover 3 b. The cover sensor 28 is, for example, a switch type sensor whose output changes in a state in which the cover 3 b is open and a state in which the cover 3 b is closed, and is disposed inside an opening that opens in a state in which the cover 3 b is open. Ru.

  The reflective photosensor 18 is a photosensor that detects a black mark provided on the back surface of the mount Pa. In the label printer 1, the black mark disposed on the back surface of the mount Pa is a reflection type photo sensor 18 based on the detection value of the reflection type photo sensor 18 or a change in the detection value by the control unit 40 (FIG. 4) described later. It detects that it reached the position of. The reflective photo sensor 18 is disposed downstream of the roll paper storage unit 29 and upstream of the transport roller 11 in the transport path of the label sheet P.

  The transmission type photo sensor 19 is a light sensor having a light emitting unit 19 a and a light receiving unit 19 b disposed opposite to each other across the transport path of the label sheet P, and detects the presence or absence of the label sheet P.

  The transmission type photosensor 19 is disposed on the downstream side of the roll paper accommodation unit 29 and on the upstream side of the conveyance roller 11 along with the reflection type photosensor 18 in the conveyance path of the label paper P. More specifically, the transmissive photosensor 19 is located upstream of the reflective photosensor 18.

  In the label printer 1, the leading end or the trailing end (end) of the label paper P is a transmission type photo sensor based on the detection value of the transmission type photo sensor 19 or a change in the detection value by the control unit 40 (FIG. 4) described later. It detects that it has passed 19 positions.

  The conveyance roller rotation detection unit 20 is a sensor that detects the rotation of the conveyance roller 11, and is configured using, for example, a rotary encoder or a resolver. The conveyance roller rotation detection unit 20 is attached to, for example, the conveyance roller 11, and detects the rotation of the conveyance roller 11. Further, the conveyance roller rotation detection unit 20 may be configured to detect the rotation of the conveyance motor 21 (FIG. 4).

  The peeling part 4 is provided with the peeling member 30, the peeling roller 31 as a 2nd conveyance part, the label sensor 32, and the peeling roller rotation detection part 33 (FIG. 4).

  The peeling member 30 is located downstream of the printing head 8 of the printing unit 3 and has a guiding surface 30a for supporting the label paper P from below and an acute peeling edge 30b formed at the tip of the guiding surface 30a. The peeling member 30 is disposed close to the front surface of the printing unit 3, and the label paper P guided by the guide 13 is conveyed onto the guide surface 30 a of the peeling member 30.

  The peeling roller 31 is configured by a pair of rollers disposed opposite to each other, and holds and transports the mounting sheet Pa. The peeling roller 31 is connected to a peeling feed motor 34 described later directly or via a drive gear (not shown) or the like, and is rotated by the power of the peeling feed motor 34.

  When the label printer 1 is operated in the peeling mode, the user performs an operation of holding the mounting sheet Pa of the label sheet P by the peeling roller 31 before the start of printing. The peeling roller 31 is disposed below the peeling member 30, and sandwiches the sheet Pa and conveys it downward.

The mount Pa of the label paper P transported on the guide surface 30 a is bent at the peeling edge 30 b and pulled downward by the peeling roller 31. Due to the tensile force of the peeling roller 31, the label Pb is lifted from the mount Pa at the peeling edge 30b and peeled.
The peeled label Pb protrudes out of the sheet discharge outlet 4a as described above. In addition, the mount Pa is discharged below the peeling roller 31 by the peeling roller 31.

  On the other hand, when the label printer 1 is operated in the normal printing mode, the peeling roller 31 is not used. In this case, the label Pb printed by the printing unit 3 is transported along the guide surface 30a together with the mount Pa, and is discharged from the sheet discharge port 4a in a state of being stuck to the mount Pa.

  In the vicinity of the peeling edge 30 b of the peeling member 30, the label sensor 32 is disposed. The label sensor 32 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the label Pb at a detection position between the peeling edge 30 b and the sheet discharge outlet 4 a, and is configured of, for example, a transmissive photosensor. The control unit 40 to be described later determines the presence or absence of the label Pb which is peeled off by the peeling member 30 and protrudes from the sheet discharge outlet 4 a based on the detection value of the label sensor 32 or the change in the detection value.

  The peeling roller rotation detection unit 33 is a sensor that detects the rotation of the peeling roller 31, and is configured of, for example, a rotary encoder or a resolver. The peeling roller rotation detection unit 33 is attached to the peeling roller 31, for example, and detects the rotation of the peeling roller 31. Further, the peeling roller rotation detection unit 33 may be configured to detect the rotation of the peeling feed motor 34 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the label printer 1 in a state in which the cover 3 b is opened.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 3 b is opened, each part in the printing unit 3 is located on the front side and the lower side as compared with the state shown in FIG. 2 together with the cover 3 b. Specifically, portions of the guide 13, the suction platen 12, the roller 10b, the roller 11b, the reflective photosensor 18, and the light emitting portion 19a of the transmissive photosensor 19 are displaced. These parts move together with the cover 3b in the process of opening the cover 3b from the state shown in FIG. Although the printing unit 3 includes a moving mechanism that moves the above-described units in accordance with the rotation of the cover 3b, it is not illustrated here.

  In the state shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 3 b is rotated, an opening is formed in the front portion of the printing unit 3, and the roll paper accommodation unit 29 is exposed in this opening. Therefore, the roll paper R can be loaded into the roll paper storage unit 29 from the front of the printing unit 3.

  Further, in the state shown in FIG. 3, the rollers 10 b and 11 b located below the conveyance path of the label sheet P, the suction platen 12, the guide 13, the reflective photosensor 18, and the light emitting portion 19 a are below the opening together with the cover 3 b. Located in Therefore, in a state where the label paper P is pulled out from the roll paper R loaded into the roll paper storage unit 29 as shown in FIG. 3, the cover 3b is rotated in the arrow direction in the drawing to close it. Are set in the conveyance path inside the printing unit 3.

  Therefore, the work of setting the roll paper R in the label printer 1 is performed by the user opening the cover 3 b and inserting the roll paper R into the roll paper storage unit 29 and closing the cover 3 b in a state where the label paper P is pulled out. It can be completed easily.

  When the peeling section 4 is used, it is necessary to set the label paper P in the peeling section 4 in the operation of setting the roll paper R. Specifically, after the cover 3 b is closed, it is necessary to hold the label paper P protruding from the paper discharge port 4 a by the peeling roller 31. In this operation, the label paper P pulled out from the paper discharge port 4 a is bent at the peeling edge 30 b of the peeling member 30 and passed through the peeling roller 31.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the label printer 1.
The label printer 1 includes a control unit 40 that controls each of the printing unit 3 and the peeling unit 4. The control unit 40 includes a processor (not shown) such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microcomputer, and controls each unit of the label printer 1 by executing a program using this processor. The control unit 40 includes, in addition to the processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like. The control unit 40 realizes various functions to be described later by cooperation of hardware and software by executing a program by the processor. In addition, the control unit 40 may be hardware programmed to execute functions to be described later. The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing a program executed by the processor, data to be processed, and the like. The ROM non-volatilely stores data including a basic control program executed by the processor and various setting values.

The label printer 1 includes an input unit 41, a display unit 42, an interface unit 43, and a storage unit 44, and these units are connected to the control unit 40.
Further, to the control unit 40, a cover sensor 28, a reflective photosensor 18, a transmissive photosensor 19, a conveyance roller rotation detection unit 20, a label sensor 32, and a peeling roller rotation detection unit 33 are connected. These sensors may be connected to the control unit 40 via sensor drive elements such as a gate array (not shown). The control unit 40 acquires the detection results of each of these sensors.

  Further, the print head 8, the conveyance motor 21, the suction fan 22, and the peeling feed motor 34 are connected to the control unit 40 as the operation units to be controlled. The conveyance motor 21, the suction fan 22, the print head 8, and the separation feed motor 34 may be connected to the control unit 40 via a drive circuit that outputs driving power. The control unit 40 controls these operation units to carry the label paper P and print.

The input unit 41 detects an operation on the operation button 15 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the content of the detected operation to the control unit 40.
The display unit 42 drives the display 16 and the lamp 17 according to the control of the control unit 40, displays characters and images on the display 16, and lights or blinks the lamp 17.

The interface unit 43 is connected to a host computer (not shown), and executes communication with the host computer according to the control of the control unit 40. The interface unit 43 receives a command and print data transmitted by the host computer, and outputs the command and the print data to the control unit 40. The interface unit 43 may include a wired communication interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark), or a wireless communication interface such as wireless LAN (including WiFi (registered trademark)) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The interface unit 43 may be connected to the host computer by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like.
The control unit 40 causes the interface unit 43 to temporarily store commands and data received from the host computer in a reception buffer (not shown). The control unit 40 sequentially reads and executes commands and data stored in the reception buffer.

The storage unit 44 is configured of a semiconductor memory element or a magnetic storage device, and stores various data processed by the control unit 40.
The storage unit 44 stores, for example, the setting value 44a. The setting value 44a is a value indicating a setting state regarding the operation of the label printer 1, and more specifically, indicates an operation mode executed by the label printer 1. The storage unit 44 may have a storage area corresponding to the setting value 44a, and may function as a memory switch capable of changing the value stored in the storage area. The setting value 44a can be set or changed by an operation with the operation button 15 or a command transmitted by the host computer.
The control unit 40 refers to the setting value 44 a stored in the storage unit 44 and executes the operation mode indicated by the setting value 44 a.

  The control unit 40 controls the transport motor 21, the suction fan 22, the print head 8, and the separation feed motor 34 based on the command and print data received from the host computer to execute printing on the label paper P.

When printing is performed by the print head 8, the control unit 40 drives the conveyance motor 21 to rotate the delivery roller 10 and the conveyance roller 11.
The transport speed at which the delivery roller 10 and the transport roller 11 transport the label paper P is set to a predetermined speed suitable for printing on the print head 8. This speed is taken as the target transport speed. The control unit 40 determines the actual rotation speed of the conveyance roller 11 based on the detection value of the conveyance roller rotation detection unit 20, and controls the conveyance motor 21 so that the calculated actual rotation speed becomes the rotation speed corresponding to the target conveyance speed. Do.

The control unit 40 drives the suction fan 22 to cause the suction platen 12 to adsorb the label paper P.
The control unit 40 sequentially reads the print data from the reception buffer, drives the print head 8 based on the read print data, and executes the print job. The print job refers to the unit of printing operation instructed by the command received from the host computer. Specifically, characters and images based on print data received with the command are printed on the label Pb of the number of sheets specified by the command Refers to a series of actions.

  When the printing operation included in the print job is completed, the control unit 40 stops each of the conveyance motor 21, the suction fan 22, and the print head 8, and ends the printing.

  In the normal printing mode, as described above, the control unit 40 continuously conveys the label sheet P by the conveyance roller 11, and continuously executes printing on the number of labels Pb designated by the command.

  In the peeling mode, the control unit 40 drives the conveyance motor 21 and the peeling feed motor 34 to carry out printing by the print head 8 while conveying the label paper P. The control unit 40 detects that the label Pb printed by the print head 8 protrudes from the peeling member 30 based on the detection value of the label sensor 32. When the label Pb detects the label Pb, the control unit 40 stops the conveyance by the conveyance motor 21 and the peeling feed motor 34, and temporarily stops the print head 8. The control unit 40 stands by until the user removes the label Pb from the sheet discharge outlet 4a. When the control unit 40 detects that the detection value of the label sensor 32 has changed as the user removes the label Pb, the control unit 40 resumes the operation of the transport motor 21, the peeling feed motor 34, and the print head 8.

The control unit 40 may set the conveyance speed of the label paper P to be different between the peeling mode and the normal printing mode. For example, in the normal printing mode, the transport speed of the label sheet P may be controlled in accordance with the above target transport speed, and in the separation mode, the transport speed of the label sheet P may be controlled to be higher than the target transport speed. When such control is performed, the throughput can be improved by conveying the label sheet P at high speed in the peeling mode, and the effect that the conveyance of the label sheet P can be further stabilized can be expected in the normal printing mode.
While the label paper P is conveyed by the feeding roller 10, the conveyance roller 11, and the peeling roller 31 in the peeling mode, in the normal printing mode, the label is provided only by the feeding roller 10 and the conveying roller 11 located upstream of the print head 8. Paper P is transported. For this reason, since the peeling mode is advantageous in the stability of conveyance of the label paper P, the conveyance speed can be increased by giving priority to the throughput. Further, in the normal printing mode, it is preferable to convey at a lower speed than the peeling mode, giving priority to the stability of conveyance of the label sheet P.

  The control unit 40 detects the out-of-paper of the label sheet P while the print job is being executed. That is, the control unit 40 determines whether the rear end of the label sheet P being conveyed is detected by the transmission type photo sensor 19 based on the detection value of the transmission type photo sensor 19 or a change in the detection value. If it is determined that the trailing edge of the label sheet P has been detected, the control unit 40 detects that the label sheet P has disappeared, that is, the sheet has run out.

  When the sheet out of the label sheet P is detected, the control unit 40 stops the transport motor 21, the suction fan 22, and the print head 8 to stop the printing operation. In the peeling mode, the control unit 40 also stops the peeling feed motor 34.

  After stopping the printing operation, the control unit 40 outputs a paper out error. For example, the control unit 40 causes the display unit 42 to execute a display indicating a paper out error and notifies the user of the paper out. Also, for example, the control unit 40 may output control data indicating occurrence of an error from the interface unit 43 to the host computer.

  After outputting the out-of-paper error, the control unit 40 shifts to the paper standby state. In the paper standby state, the replenishment of the label sheet P is in a standby state.

In the paper standby state, the control unit 40 acquires the detection value of the cover sensor 28 every predetermined time, and monitors the opening and closing of the cover 3 b.
When detecting that the cover 3 b is opened, the control unit 40 stands by until the cover 3 b is closed. When it is detected that the cover 3 b is closed, the control unit 40 determines the presence or absence of the label sheet P based on the detection value of the transmission type photo sensor 19. When the transmission type photo sensor 19 detects the label paper P after the cover 3 b is opened and closed, it means that the roll paper R has been replenished.

  If the roll paper R is set after the output of the paper out error, the control unit 40 ends the notification of the paper out error, and executes the print preparation operation of the newly set roll paper R. The print preparation operation is an operation of the label printer 1 for shifting to a state where printing on the label Pb is possible (printable state). The print preparation operation includes, for example, a print registration operation.

  The print alignment operation is an operation of aligning the position of the print area of the label Pb with the print position of the print head 8. After the roll paper R is replenished, the control unit 40 causes the label paper P to be transported by the delivery roller 10 and the transport roller 11, and the black of the mount Pa is obtained based on the detection value or the change of the detection value of the reflective photosensor 18. Detect the mark. Since the black mark is an index indicating the position of the label Pb, the control unit 40 detects the black mark and then conveys the label paper P by a preset conveyance amount to set the position of the label Pb at the position of the printing head 8. Transfer is stopped according to the print position. During the execution of the printing alignment operation, the control unit 40 operates the suction fan 22 to suction the label paper P by the suction platen 12. Thus, the label printer 1 can start the print job for the label Pb according to the print command input from the host computer (not shown).

  Under the control of the control unit 40, the label printer 1 can automatically execute the print preparation operation when the label sheet P is detected by the transmission type photosensor 19 after the cover 3b is opened and closed. As a result, when the user sets the roll paper R, the label printer 1 can be promptly shifted to the printable state.

  By the way, in the peeling mode, as described with reference to FIG. 3, it is necessary to set the label paper P in the peeling section 4 after setting the roll paper R in the roll paper container 29 and closing the cover 3b. It is. It is desirable that the label printer 1 does not carry the label paper P while performing this operation. That is, the label printer 1 should not execute the print preparation operation.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the label printer 1 shifts from the paper standby state to the instruction standby state after the roll paper R is set in the separation mode. The instruction standby state is one of the operation states of the label printer 1 generated in the process of replenishing the label sheet P, and is a state of waiting for an external instruction. Examples of the instruction from the outside include a control command input from a host computer (not shown) and an operation of the operation button 15. The operation button 15 may be configured to include, for example, a PF (Paper Feed) switch. In this case, the control unit 40 operates the button assigned to the PF switch among the operation buttons 15 in the instruction standby state. Wait for control command input.

  In the instruction standby state, the control unit 40 stands by without performing the print preparation operation until an external instruction is detected. Therefore, even if the user sets the roll sheet R in the label printer 1 in the sheet standby state, printing is performed until the user performs the operation of the PF switch or the operation of outputting the control command to the label printer 1 by the host computer. The preparation operation is not performed. In addition, the user can cancel the instruction standby state of the label printer 1 and execute the print preparation operation by the operation of the user. For this reason, in the peeling mode, after the user sets the label paper P in the peeling section 4, the print preparation operation can be performed, and the timing for executing the print preparation operation is appropriately made in accordance with the progress of the user's work. It can be adjusted.

5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the label printer 1.
When starting the print job based on the command and print data received from the host computer, the control unit 40 determines whether to use the peeling unit 4 at the time of printing (step S11). The case where the peeling unit 4 is used refers to the case where the peeling unit 4 performs a process of peeling the label Pb from the mounting sheet Pa.

The label printer 1 according to the first embodiment determines whether or not to use the peeling unit 4 by referring to the state of the memory switch, that is, the setting value 44 a stored in the storage unit 44.
When it is determined that the peeling unit 4 is not used (step S11; NO), the control unit 40 starts a print job in the normal print mode (step S12).

  The control unit 40 drives the conveyance motor 21 to start conveyance of the label sheet P (step S13). Further, in step S13, the control unit 40 starts driving of the suction fan 22. Further, in step S13, the control unit 40 starts acquiring the detection values of the reflective photosensor 18 and the transmissive photosensor 19.

  The control unit 40 starts a print job, and drives the print head 8 based on print data in accordance with the detection timing of the black mark detected by the reflective photosensor 18 (step S14). The control unit 40 continuously executes printing on the number of labels Pb designated by the command, and the label Pb after printing is discharged from the sheet discharge outlet 4 a.

  The control unit 40 determines whether the trailing edge of the label sheet P is detected based on the detection value of the transmission type photo sensor 19 during the execution of the print job (step S15).

  When it is determined that the rear end of the label sheet P is not detected (step S15; NO), the control unit 40 determines whether the print job has ended (step S16). If it is determined that the print job has not ended (step S16; NO), the control unit 40 continues the print job, returns to step S15, and makes the determination again. The cycle for performing the determination of step S15 is set in advance.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the print job has ended (step S16; YES), the control unit 40 stops driving of all of the conveyance motor 21, the suction fan 22, and the print head 8, and ends this processing.

  When it is determined that the rear end of the label sheet P is detected by the transmission type photo sensor 19 (step S15; YES), the control unit 40 stops the driving of the conveyance motor 21 and stops the conveyance roller 11 (step S17) . In step S17, the control unit 40 stops the driving of the print head 8 and the suction fan 22.

  The control unit 40 outputs an error indicating that the label sheet P is out of paper and gives a notification (step S18), and shifts to a sheet standby state (step S19).

  After shifting to the paper standby state, the control unit 40 stands by until the cover 3b is opened (step S20). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether the cover 3b is in the open state based on the detection value of the cover sensor 28, and when it is determined that the cover 3b is not in the open state (step S20; NO), Returning to step S20, the determination is performed again. The cycle of performing the determination of step S20 is set in advance.

  When it is determined that the cover 3b is in the open state (Step S20; YES), the control unit 40 stands by until the cover 3b is closed (Step S21). That is, control unit 40 determines whether or not cover 3b is in the closed state based on the detection value of cover sensor 28, and when it is determined that cover 3b is not in the closed state (step S21; NO), step S21 is performed. Go back and make a decision again. The cycle of performing the determination of step S21 is set in advance.

  While the control unit 40 is waiting at step S21, the user has opened the cover 3b to replenish the roll paper R. During this time, the user performs an operation of inserting the roll paper R into the roll paper storage unit 29 and an operation of pulling out the label paper P as described above.

  When the cover 3 b is closed by the user and the control unit 40 determines that the cover 3 b is in the closed state (step S 21; YES), the control unit 40 determines the label paper P based on the detection value of the transmissive photosensor 19. It is determined whether or not there is (step S22). When it is determined that the label sheet P is not present (step S22; NO), the control unit 40 continues the sheet standby state, returns to step S20, and performs the determination again. The cycle of performing the determination of step S20 is set in advance. When it is determined that the label sheet P is not present (step S22; NO), the control unit 40 may notify that the label sheet P (roll sheet R) is not set.

  When it is determined that the label sheet P is present (step S22; YES), the control unit 40 executes the print preparation operation (step S23). In the print preparation operation, the control unit 40 drives the conveyance motor 21 to start conveyance of the label sheet P, and starts driving of the suction fan 22. Furthermore, in step S23, the control unit 40 aligns the position of the label Pb attached to the label sheet P with the printing position by the printing head 8 in accordance with the detection timing of the black mark detected by the reflective photosensor 18 Perform print registration operation.

  When the print preparation operation is completed, the control unit 40 ends the output of the error and shifts to the printable state (step S24). The control unit 40 resumes the print job (step S25), and returns to step S15.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the peeling unit 4 is to be used (step S11; YES), the control unit 40 starts a print job in the peeling mode (step S31).

  The control unit 40 drives the conveyance motor 21 and the separation feed motor 34 to start conveyance of the label sheet P (step S32). Further, in step S32, the control unit 40 starts driving of the suction fan 22, and starts acquisition of detection values of the reflective photosensor 18, the transmissive photosensor 19 and the label sensor 32.

  The control unit 40 drives the print head 8 in response to the detection timing of the black mark detected by the reflective photosensor 18 and executes printing on one label Pb (step S33). The printed label Pb is conveyed to the peeling section 4 and is peeled from the mount Pa as the label paper P is conveyed.

  The control unit 40 determines whether the trailing edge of the label sheet P is detected based on the detection value of the transmission type photo sensor 19 during the execution of the print job (step S34).

  When it is determined that the rear end of the label sheet P is not detected (step S34; NO), the control unit 40 determines whether the printed label Pb is detected by the label sensor 32 based on the detection value of the label sensor 32. It is determined (step S35). When the printed label Pb is not detected by the label sensor 32 (step S35; NO), the control unit 40 continues the conveyance of the label sheet P and stands by. When the label Pb is detected by the label sensor 32 (Step S35; YES), the control unit 40 stops the transport motor 21 and the peeling feed motor 34, and stops the transport of the label paper P (Step S36).

  The control unit 40 determines whether the label Pb has been removed from the sheet discharge outlet 4a based on the detection value of the label sensor 32 (step S37), and waits until it is not removed (step S37; NO). If it is determined that the label Pb has been removed from the sheet discharge outlet 4a (step S37; YES), the control unit 40 determines whether the print job has ended (step S38). If it is determined that the print job has not ended (step S38; NO), the control unit 40 continues the print job, returns to step S32, and performs printing on the next label Pb.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the print job is completed (step S38; YES), the control unit 40 stops the drive of the transport motor 21, the peeling feed motor 34, the suction fan 22, and the print head 8 and performs this process. finish.

  When it is determined that the rear end of the label sheet P is detected by the transmission type photo sensor 19 (Step S34; YES), the control unit 40 stops the driving of the transport motor 21 and the separation feed motor 34, and the conveyance roller 11 and the separation The roller 31 is stopped (step S39). In step S39, the control unit 40 stops the driving of the print head 8 and the suction fan 22.

  The control unit 40 outputs an error indicating that the label sheet P is out of paper and gives a notification (step S40), and shifts to a sheet standby state (step S41).

  After shifting to the paper standby state, the control unit 40 stands by until the cover 3b is opened (step S20). That is, based on the detection value of the cover sensor 28, the control unit 40 determines whether the cover 3b is in the open state and determines that the cover 3b is not in the open state (step S42; NO). Returning to step S42, the determination is performed again. The cycle for performing the determination of step S42 is set in advance.

  When it is determined that the cover 3b is in the open state (Step S42; YES), the control unit 40 stands by until the cover 3b is closed (Step S43). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether the cover 3b is in the closed state based on the detection value of the cover sensor 28 (step S43), and determines that the cover 3b is not in the closed state (step S43). NO), the determination in step S43 is performed again. The cycle of performing the determination in step S43 is set in advance.

  While the control unit 40 is on standby in step S43, the user has opened the cover 3b to replenish the roll paper R. During this time, the user performs an operation of inserting the roll paper R into the roll paper storage unit 29 and an operation of pulling out the label paper P as described above.

  When the cover 3 b is closed by the user and the control unit 40 determines that the cover 3 b is in the closed state (step S 43; YES), the control unit 40 determines the label paper P based on the detection value of the transmissive photosensor 19. It is determined whether or not there is (step S44). When it is determined that the label sheet P is not present (step S44; NO), the control unit 40 continues the sheet standby state, returns to step S42, and performs the determination again. The cycle for performing the determination of step S42 is set in advance. When it is determined that the label sheet P is not present (step S44; NO), the control unit 40 may notify that the label sheet P (roll sheet R) is not set.

  When it is determined that the label sheet P is present (step S44; YES), the control unit 40 shifts to the instruction standby state (step S45). The control unit 40 stands by until there is an instruction from the outside, and when it is determined that there is no instruction (step S46; NO), the process returns to step S46 and the determination is performed again. The cycle for performing the determination of step S46 is set in advance. As described above, the instruction from the outside is, for example, the operation of the PF button, the input of a command from the host computer, or the like.

  The user pulls out the label paper P from the roll paper R set in the printing unit 3 and sets the pulled-out label paper P in the peeling unit 4, and performs the operation of the PF button and the like after this work. Therefore, when an instruction is input from the outside, it can be considered that the work of the user is completed.

  When an external instruction is detected (Step S46; YES), the control unit 40 executes a print preparation operation (Step S47). The label printer 1 may be configured to be provided with a sensor capable of detecting that the label paper P has been set in the peeling section 4 (for example, a photosensor is provided in the vicinity of the peeling roller 31 be able to). In this case, based on the detection result of the sensor, the control unit 40 can detect that the label paper has been set in the peeling unit 4 by the sensor in addition to or instead of the external instruction. . As described above, when the sensor detects that the label sheet has been set in the peeling unit 4, the control unit 40 may execute the print preparation operation. In the print preparation operation, the control unit 40 drives the transport motor 21 and the separation feed motor 34 to start transport of the label paper P. Further, the control unit 40 drives the suction fan 22. Further, in step S47, the control unit 40 aligns the position of the label Pb attached to the label paper P to the printing position by the printing head 8 in accordance with the detection timing of the black mark detected by the reflective photosensor 18 Perform print registration operation.

  When the print preparation operation is completed, the control unit 40 ends the output of the error and shifts to a printable state (step S48). The control unit 40 resumes the print job (step S49), and returns to step S32.

  As described above, the label printer 1 of the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied is a printing apparatus that prints on the label paper P on which the label Pb is attached to the mount Pa. The label printer 1 includes a transmissive photo sensor 19 that detects whether the label sheet P is stored in the roll sheet storage unit 29 by detecting the presence or absence of the label sheet P. The label printer 1 includes a control unit 40, and is configured to be able to use a peeling unit 4 for peeling the label Pb from the backing sheet Pa. In the normal printing mode in which the peeling section 4 is not used, the control section 40 prints on the label sheet P when the transmission type photo sensor 19 detects that the label sheet P is stored in the roll sheet storage section 29. Is ready for printing. When the control unit 40 detects that the label paper P is stored in the roll paper storage unit 29 by the transmission type photo sensor 19 in the separation mode using the separation unit 4, the control unit 40 sets the printable state before making the printable state. Move to the instruction waiting state. Then, when a predetermined input is performed in the instruction standby state, the printable state is entered.

  According to the printing apparatus of the present invention and the label printer 1 to which the control method of the printing apparatus is applied, the label paper P is stored in the roll paper storage unit 29 depending on whether the peeling unit 4 is used or not used. Perform different operations when detecting that there is a transition to the printable state. When the peeling unit 4 is used, there is also an operation of setting the label sheet P by the user to the conveyance path in the peeling unit 4, so the instruction standby state is set until there is an external instruction as a predetermined input. Therefore, the timing of transition to the printable state can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with an external instruction, and the operation of preparation for printing when transitioning to the printable state according to the use of the peeling unit 4 Can be optimized.

  The label printer 1 further includes a storage unit 44 that stores the setting state of the operation mode executed by the control unit 40. The control unit 40 switches between the normal print mode and the peeling mode based on the setting value 44 a stored in the storage unit 44. Thereby, by storing the setting state of the operation mode in the storage unit 44, the label printer 1 can be operated in any operation mode.

  Further, when the transmission type photo sensor 19 detects that the label sheet P is not stored in the roll sheet storage portion 29, the control unit 40 shifts to a sheet standby state in which the replenishment of the label sheet P is waited. In the normal printing mode, when the transmission type photo sensor 19 detects that the label paper P is stored in the roll paper storage unit 29 in the normal printing mode, the control unit 40 prepares for printing to shift to the printable state. Execute the action. In the separation mode, when the transmission type photo sensor 19 detects that the label paper P is stored in the roll paper storage unit 29 in the separation mode, the control unit 40 shifts to the instruction standby state and waits for the instruction The print preparation operation is performed when a predetermined input is performed in the state. Thereby, the timing to shift to the printable state can be appropriately adjusted according to the input, and the operation to shift to the printable state can be optimized corresponding to the use of the peeling unit 4.

  The label printer 1 further includes a print head 8 that prints on label paper P. The label printer 1 includes a transport roller 11 that transports the label paper P. In the print preparation operation, the control unit 40 causes the transport roller 11 to transport the label paper P stored in the roll paper storage unit 29 so that the position of the label paper P is aligned with the printing position by the print head 8 Operation). Thereby, the alignment of the label Pb of the label paper P can be performed at an appropriate timing adjusted in accordance with the use / non-use of the peeling portion 4.

  In addition, the peeling unit 4 includes a peeling roller 31 that conveys the mount Pa of the label sheet P printed by the print head 8. The control unit 40 operates the peeling roller 31 in the printing preparation operation in the peeling mode, and does not operate the peeling roller 31 in the printing preparation operation in the normal printing mode. Thereby, when using the peeling part 4, the label paper P can be stably conveyed by the conveyance roller 11 of the upstream of the printing head 8, and the peeling roller 31 of the downstream of the printing head 8. FIG. Moreover, since the peeling roller 31 is not operated by the peeling feed motor 34 when the peeling part 4 is not used, power saving can be achieved.

  Further, the transport roller 11 transports the label sheet P on the upstream side of the print head 8 in the transport path of the label sheet P. The control unit 40 controls the conveyance speed of the conveyance roller 11 when printing the label paper P by the print head 8 and sets the conveyance speed in the normal printing mode to be lower than the conveyance speed in the peeling mode. Thus, when the peeling section 4 is not used, the label paper P can be stably conveyed by the conveyance roller 11 on the upstream side of the print head 8 without using the peeling roller 31.

Second Embodiment
Subsequently, a label printer 2 according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the label printer 2 of the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
In the second embodiment, the same or corresponding parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  The label printer 2 includes a printing unit 5 corresponding to the printing unit 3 described in the first embodiment, and a peeling unit 6 corresponding to the peeling unit 4. The printing unit 5 is a main body of the label printer 2. The label printer 2 of the second embodiment is configured such that the peeling unit 6 can be attached to and detached from the printing unit 5. That is, the cover 5 b provided on the front surface of the case 5 a of the printing unit 5 is provided with an attachment mechanism (not shown) for detachably attaching the peeling unit 6. In the label printer 2, a state in which the peeling unit 6 is removed from the printing unit 5, that is, the printing unit 5 can execute printing alone. Therefore, the user mounts the peeling portion 6 on the printing portion 5 when peeling the label Pb from the mounting sheet Pa using the peeling portion 6 and prints the peeling portion 6 when it is not necessary to peel the label Pb. Use without attaching to part 5.

  The peeling part 6 is attached to the front upper part of the cover 5b. With the peeling unit 6 mounted on the printing unit 5, the printing unit 5 conveys the printed label paper P to the peeling unit 6, and the peeling unit 6 applies the label paper P conveyed from the printing unit 5. The label Pb is separated from the backing sheet Pa, and the label Pb is discharged from the sheet discharge outlet 6a.

The label printer 2 executes the normal printing mode in a state where the peeling unit 6 is not attached to the printing unit 5. The operation in the normal printing mode is the same as in the first embodiment, and the label printer 2 prints continuously on each label Pb arranged on the label paper P, and the label paper P with the label Pb attached to the mounting paper Pa is used. The sheet is discharged from a sheet discharge port 5c formed on the front surface of the printing unit 5.
On the other hand, in a state where the peeling unit 6 is attached to the printing unit 5, the label printer 2 executes the peeling mode. The operation in the peeling mode is the same as in the first embodiment, and the label printer 2 intermittently prints on each label Pb while temporarily stopping conveyance of the label paper P, and peels off the printed label Pb from the mounting paper Pa The sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge outlet 6a.

  The printing unit 5 includes a peeling unit attachment sensor 46 as a peeling unit detection unit. The peeling unit attachment sensor 46 is a sensor whose output changes depending on whether the peeling unit 6 is attached to the printing unit 5 or not. The peeling part attachment sensor 46 is disposed, for example, on the front side of the cover 5 b. The peeling part attachment sensor 46 is configured by, for example, a switch type sensor.

  The internal configuration of the printing unit 5 is the same as that of the printing unit 3 shown in FIG. 2, and the delivery roller 10 and the delivery roller 11 for delivering the label paper P accommodated in the roll paper accommodation part 29; And a print head 8 for printing on a label sheet P. The printing unit 5 also detects a black mark of the label sheet P, and a cover sensor 28 for detecting the open / close state of the cover 5 b, a transmission type photo sensor 19 for detecting the rear end of the label sheet P, and the like. And a reflection type photo sensor 18 of The configuration of the guide 13 and the like is the same as that of the printing unit 3.

  The internal configuration of the peeling unit 6 is the same as that of the peeling unit 4 shown in FIG. 2, and the peeling member 30 for peeling the label Pb from the mount Pa and the peeling roller 31 for conveying the mount Pa below the peeling member 30 Prepare.

  In the label printer 2, the operation of replenishing the roll paper R to the printing unit 5 is the same as that of the label printer 1 described in the above embodiment. That is, when the user opens the cover 5 b, the roll paper R can be loaded from the front into the roll paper storage unit 29 inside the printing unit 5. Then, after the roll paper R is set in the roll paper storage unit 29, the cover 5b is closed so as to sandwich the label paper P drawn from the roll paper R, and the setting of the label paper P is completed. The cover 5 b can be opened and closed in a state where the peeling portion 6 is attached. Therefore, when the peeling section 6 is used in the label printer 2, the cover 5 b is opened and closed while the peeling section 6 is attached, and the roll paper R is replenished. In this case, the operation of setting the label paper P in the peeling portion 6 is performed in the same manner as the operation described for the peeling portion 4.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system of the label printer 2.
The label printer 2 includes a control unit 50 that controls each of the printing unit 5 and the peeling unit 6.
The control unit 50 includes a processor (not shown) such as a CPU or a microcomputer, and controls each unit of the label printer 2 by executing a program using this processor. The control unit 50 includes, in addition to the processor, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The control unit 50 realizes various functions to be described later by cooperation of hardware and software by executing a program by the processor. In addition, the control unit 50 may be hardware programmed to execute a function described later. The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing a program executed by the processor, data to be processed, and the like. The ROM non-volatilely stores data including a basic control program executed by the processor and various setting values.

  The control unit 50 is connected to the input unit 41, the display unit 42, the interface unit 43, and the storage unit 44 in the same manner as the control unit 40. Further, the control unit 50 is connected to the cover sensor 28, the reflection type photosensor 18, the transmission type photosensor 19, the conveyance roller rotation detection unit 20, the conveyance motor 21, the suction fan 22, and the print head 8. . The configuration of each of these parts is the same as that of the first embodiment as described above.

  Further, the label sensor 32, the peeling roller rotation detection unit 33, and the peeling feed motor 34 are connected to the control unit 50. The configuration of each of these parts is the same as that of the first embodiment. The label sensor 32, the peeling roller rotation detection unit 33, and the peeling feed motor 34 are disposed in the peeling unit 6 separated from the printing unit 5.

  Further, the peeling unit attachment sensor 46 is connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 can determine whether the peeling unit 6 is attached to the printing unit 5 based on the detection value of the peeling unit attachment sensor 46.

The operation of the control unit 50 is the same as the operation of the control unit 40 described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6.
In step S11, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the peeling unit 6 is mounted on the printing unit 5 based on the detection value of the peeling unit mounting sensor 46, and if the peeling unit 6 is mounted, the peeling unit It is determined that the case 6 is used (step S11; YES). In this case, the control unit 50 executes the peeling mode in the same manner as the control unit 40. On the other hand, when the peeling part 6 is not mounted | worn, it determines with it being a case where the peeling part 6 is not used (step S11; NO). In this case, the control unit 50 executes the normal print mode as the control unit 40 does.

  As described above, the label printer 2 of the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied, like the label printer 1 of the first embodiment, corresponds to the normal print mode and the peeling according to whether or not the peeling portion 6 is used. Thus, the same effects as those of the label printer 1 can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the label printer 2 is configured such that the peeling unit 6 is detachably configured to the printing unit 5 and includes the peeling unit attachment sensor 46, and based on the detection result by the peeling unit attachment sensor 46, the normal printing mode and the peeling mode are selected. Switch.

  Thus, the label printer 2 can be operated in an appropriate operation mode in accordance with the attachment / detachment state of the peeling unit 6 to the printing unit 5. For example, the user does not have to set in advance whether to execute the peeling mode using the peeling portion 6 or to execute the normal printing mode without using the peeling portion 6. That is, the setting regarding the operation mode which the label printer 2 performs can be abbreviate | omitted by the operation | work which attaches or detaches the peeling part 6 as needed. Therefore, the operativity of the label printer 2 which can use the peeling part 6 can be improved further.

  When there is no label sheet P, the label printer 2 notifies that the sheet is out and shifts to a sheet standby state. In the normal print mode, when it is detected that the cover 5b is opened and closed in the sheet standby state and the sheet is set, the print preparation operation is executed. In the peeling mode, it is detected that the sheet is set in the sheet standby state. Then, it shifts to the instruction waiting state. Then, when the instruction is detected in the instruction standby state, the print preparation operation is performed. Therefore, the user appropriately determines the use / non-use of the peeling unit 6 based on the presence / absence of the peeling unit 6 and executes the normal printing mode and the peeling mode according to the judgment result, whereby the user can roll paper R. The timing of the setting operation and the print preparation operation can be properly adjusted.

  Each of the above embodiments shows one specific example to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the operation in the case where the covers 3 b and 5 b are opened and closed and the label paper P is replenished in the state where the label printers 1 and 2 are powered on has been described as an example. The present invention is not limited to this, and when the roll paper R is set in a state where the power of the label printer 1 is off, such as when the power of the label printer 1 is switched off after outputting a paper out error. It can be applied to the operation. In this case, when outputting the out-of-paper error of the label sheet P, the control unit 40 causes the storage unit 44 to store a record of the out-of-paper error in a non-volatile manner. The control unit 40 detects the open / close state of the cover 3b when the recording of the output of the paper out error is stored in the storage unit 44 when the label printer 1 is activated, and the transmission type when the cover 3b is closed. The label paper P is detected by the photo sensor 19. If there is no label sheet P, it shifts to the sheet standby state. When the label sheet P is present, the print preparation operation is executed in the normal print mode, and the instruction standby state is entered in the peeling mode. The subsequent operation is as described in the above embodiment. The same applies to the label printer 2.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the conveyance speed of the label paper P in the normal printing mode is set to be lower than the conveyance speed of the label paper P in the peeling mode has been described. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that the transport speed of the label paper P is not changed between the normal printing mode and the peeling mode.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the inkjet printer is exemplified as an example to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this, and printers of other types such as a thermal printer and a dot impact printer. It may be. The present invention is also applicable to various printers incorporated in other apparatuses.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the programs executed by the CPUs of the control units 40 and 50 are stored in the storage unit 44 included in the label printer 1 or 2. The present invention is not limited to this, and stores the above program in a storage device other than the storage unit 44, a storage medium, a storage device of a device different from the label printers 1 and 2, a storage medium, It is good also as composition read and performed by 40 and 50.

  1, 2 ... label printer (printer), 3, 5 ... printing unit, 3a, 5a ... case, 3b, 5b ... cover, 4, 6 ... peeling unit, 4a, 6a ... discharge port, 5c ... discharge port 8 Print head 10 Delivery roller 11 Transport roller (first transport portion) 12 Suction platen 12a Platen surface 13 Guide 14 Power switch 15 Operation button 16 Display Reference Signs List 17 lamp 18 reflective type photo sensor 19 transmission type photo sensor (label sheet detection unit) 20 transport roller rotation detection unit 21 transport motor 22 suction fan 28 cover sensor 29 roll Paper storage unit 30: Peeling member 30a: Guide surface 30b: Peeling edge 31: Peeling roller (second conveying portion) 32: Label sensor 33: Peeling roller rotation detection unit 3 ... Peeling feed motor, 40 ... Control part, 41 ... Input part, 42 ... Display part, 43 ... Interface part, 44 ... Storage part, 44a ... Setting value, 46 ... Peeling part attachment sensor (Peeling part detection part), 50 ... Control unit, P: Label paper, Pa: Mount, Pb: Label, R: Roll paper.

Claims (8)

A printing apparatus for printing on a label sheet on which a label is attached to a mount,
A label paper detection unit that detects whether the label paper is stored in the storage unit;
A control unit that controls the printing apparatus based on the detection result of the label paper detection unit;
It is configured to be able to use a peeling section for peeling the label from the backing sheet,
The control unit
In the normal printing mode in which the peeling unit is not used, when the label paper detection unit detects that the label paper is stored in the storage unit, printing is enabled on the label paper. ,
In the peeling mode using the peeling portion, when the label sheet detection portion detects that the label sheet is stored in the storage portion, the state shifts to the instruction standby state before the printable state is set. Transitioning to the printable state when a predetermined input is performed in the instruction standby state;
Printing device. A storage unit configured to store a setting state of an operation mode executed by the control unit;
The control unit switches between the normal print mode and the peeling mode based on the setting state stored in the storage unit.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The peeling unit is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the printing apparatus.
And a peeling unit detection unit that detects whether the peeling unit is attached to the main body,
The control unit switches between the normal print mode and the peeling mode based on the detection result of the peeling unit detection unit.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. When the label paper detection unit detects that the label paper is not stored in the storage unit, the control unit shifts to a paper standby state for waiting for replenishment of the label paper.
In the normal print mode, when the label sheet detection unit detects that the label sheet is stored in the storage unit in the sheet standby state, a print preparation operation is performed to shift to the printable state. ,
In the separation mode, when the label sheet detection unit detects that the label sheet is stored in the storage unit in the sheet standby state, the instruction standby state is entered, and the instruction standby state is set in a predetermined state. Execute the print preparation operation when the input of
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A print head for printing on the label paper;
A first transport unit for transporting the label paper;
The control unit controls the first conveyance unit to convey the label sheet stored in the storage unit and align the position of the label sheet with the print position of the print head in the print preparation operation.
The printing apparatus according to claim 4. The peeling unit includes a second conveyance unit that conveys the mount of the label paper printed by the print head,
The control unit operates the second conveyance unit in the print preparation operation in the peeling mode, and does not operate the second conveyance unit in the print preparation operation in the normal print mode.
The printing apparatus according to claim 5. The first transport unit transports the label paper upstream of the print head in the transport path of the label paper,
The control unit controls the conveyance speed of the first conveyance unit when printing the label sheet by the print head, and sets the conveyance speed of the normal printing mode to be lower than the conveyance speed of the peeling mode.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6. A control method of a printing apparatus, comprising: a print head for printing on a label sheet having a label affixed to a backing, wherein a peeling unit configured to peel the label from the backing is usable.
Detecting whether or not the label sheet is stored in the storage section;
In the normal printing mode in which the peeling unit is not used, when it is detected that the label sheet is stored in the storage unit, printing is enabled on the label sheet.
In the peeling mode using the peeling portion, when it is detected that the label sheet is stored in the storage portion, the instruction standby state is entered before setting the printable state, and the predetermined state is set in the instruction standby state. Transition to the printable state when an input of
Control method of printing apparatus.

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