JP2021049715A - Printer head and controller of printer head - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a controller of a printer head, which can flexibly control the printer head in transmission of a plurality of kinds of commands concerning printing from the controller through a common signal line to the printer head.SOLUTION: A printer head according to an embodiment comprises a receiving part and an analyzing part. The receiving part receives a composite command packet which stores two or more commands concerning printing, through a signal line that is used in receiving a single command packet that stores one command concerning printing. The analyzing part analyzes the commands stored in the composite command packet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer head and a control device for the printer head.

In an inkjet printer, there are several methods in which the control device transmits print data and setting data to the inkjet head. In one method, the control device transmits print data and setting data to the inkjet head via a common serial input terminal. In this method, the control device transmits the set data to the inkjet head in advance, and then sequentially transmits the print data to the inkjet head in accordance with the synchronization signal. In another method, the control device transmits print data and setting data to the inkjet head via independent serial input terminals.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-30577

However, in the former method, the transmission interval of a plurality of print data intermittently transmitted is extremely short. One of the reasons is that the transmission interval is mainly determined by the printing frequency, the transmission speed, and the like. Considering the data length of the setting data, the control device cannot transmit the setting data to the inkjet head while intermittently transmitting the print data to the inkjet head. Therefore, the control device has no choice but to transmit the setting data to the inkjet head during non-printing. The control device cannot change the settings of the inkjet head such as the drive waveform in response to the temperature change in the middle of long continuous printing. Therefore, in the former method, the print quality may deteriorate.

In the latter method, the control device can transmit the setting data to the inkjet head even while the print data is intermittently transmitted to the inkjet head. The control device can change the settings of the inkjet head such as the drive waveform in real time in response to the temperature change in the middle of long continuous printing. Further, the inkjet head receives the setting data at the terminal for the setting data, and receives the print data at the terminal for the print data which is physically separated from the terminal for the setting data. Therefore, the inkjet head does not need to distinguish the type of data transmitted from the control device. However, the latter method requires a plurality of signal lines between the control device and the printer head.

In order to solve the above problems, a technique is provided that enables flexible control of the printer head when transmitting a plurality of types of commands related to printing from a control device to the printer head via a common signal line.

According to the embodiment, the printer head includes a receiving unit and an analysis unit. The receiving unit receives a composite command packet that stores two or more commands related to printing via a signal line used for receiving a single command packet that stores one command related to printing. The analysis unit analyzes the command stored in the compound command packet.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of the setting data buffer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control signal according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of receiving a control signal according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a screen view showing an example of reflecting the setting data in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of receiving the control signal according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a screen view showing an example of reflecting the setting data in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of receiving the control signal according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a screen view showing an example of reflecting the setting data in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of analysis operation of the control signal by the inkjet head according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the inkjet printer 1.
The inkjet printer 1 includes a control device 10, an inkjet head 20, and a transfer device 30.

The control device 10 is a device that controls the operation of the inkjet head 20 by transmitting a control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The signal line 40 may have a common path configured so as to be transmitted by a common serial input terminal regardless of the data stored in the control signal. The signal line 40 may be one line of a single-ended signal or one set of two lines of a differential signal.

The control signal transmitted from the control device 10 to the inkjet head 20 will be described. The control signal is a packet that stores a command related to printing between a start byte (or start bit) and a NOP (No Operation). The start byte indicates the start of the control signal. NOP corresponds to an end command indicating the end of the control signal. The command related to printing will be described by taking three types of commands, a print command, a setting command, and an execution command, as an example, but may be four or more types of commands.

The print command is a command that defines the attributes of the print data that accompanies it. It is assumed that the print data stored in the control signal is data for one line. When the control signal stores a print command, the control signal also stores the print data associated with the print command.

The setting command is a command that defines the attributes of the setting data that accompanies it. The setting system command includes the specification of the buffer position and the size of the storage destination of the setting data associated with the setting system command. When the control signal stores the setting system command, the control signal also stores the setting data accompanying the setting system command.

An execution command is a command that instructs the execution of setting data. For example, an execution command is a command that instructs the reflection of setting data. The reflection of the setting data is the reflection of the setting data in the drive signal for the actuators # 1 to # m included in the actuator unit 202, which will be described later. Since the setting data is reflected in the drive signal according to the holding in the setting data buffer 2014, the reflection of the setting data is related to the storage of the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014. When the control signal stores the execution system command, the control signal does not store the data associated with the execution system command.

The control signal includes a single command control signal and a combined command control signal. The single command control signal is a control signal that stores one command related to printing. In the following, a single command control signal for storing print commands is also referred to as a print control signal. A single command control signal that stores setting commands is also called a setting control signal. A single command control signal that stores an execution system command is also called an execution system control signal. A typical configuration example of a single command control signal will be described later.

A compound command control signal is a control signal that stores two or more different types of commands related to printing. In the following, the compound command control signal that stores two commands, a print command and a setting command, is also referred to as a print / setting control signal. A compound command control signal that stores two commands, a setting command and an execution command, is also called a setting / execution control signal. A compound command control signal that stores two commands, a print command and an execution command, is also called a print / execution control signal. A compound command control signal that stores three commands, a print command, a setting command, and an execution command, is also called a print / setting / execution control signal. A typical configuration example of the composite command control signal will be described later.

The control device 10 includes a processor 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a communication I / F (interface) 104, a transfer control circuit 105, an image memory 106, a setting data memory 107, and a command memory 108. , A control signal generation circuit 109 and a transmission circuit 110. Each part is connected so that data communication is possible.

The processor 101 controls the operation of the entire control device 10. For example, the processor 101 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 101 realizes various processes by executing a program stored in advance in an internal memory, a ROM 102, or the like.

The ROM 102 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program, control data, and the like in advance. The ROM 102 is incorporated in the control device 10 in a state where the control program, control data, and the like are stored in the manufacturing stage.

The RAM 103 is a volatile memory. The RAM 103 temporarily stores data and the like being processed by the processor 101. The RAM 103 stores various application programs based on instructions from the processor 101. Further, the RAM 103 may store data necessary for executing the application program, an execution result of the application program, and the like.

The communication I / F 104 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices via a network (not shown). For example, the communication I / F 104 is an interface that supports a LAN (Local Area Network) connection. For example, the communication I / F 104 receives image data for forming an image on a recording paper from another device.

The transfer control circuit 105 controls the operation of the transfer device 30 according to the instructions of the processor 101.

The image memory 106 is a memory for storing print data for forming an image on recording paper by the inkjet head 20. For example, the image memory 106 is a dual port memory in which print data is written by the processor 101 and print data is acquired by the control signal generation circuit 109. The print data is gradation data. Here, it is assumed that the print data is 16 gradation data, but the number of gradations is not limited to this. The print data is generated by the processor 101 based on the image data.

The setting data memory 107 is a memory for storing the setting data. For example, the setting data memory 106 is a dual port memory in which the setting data is written by the processor 101 and the setting data is acquired by the control signal generation circuit 109. The setting data is data related to the setting of the operation of the plurality of actuators # 1 to # m included in the actuator unit 202 described later. For example, the setting data includes data relating to the setting of the length of time for expanding or contracting the ink chamber corresponding to each of the actuators # 1 to # m.

The command memory 108 stores the configuration information of the control signal for each control signal transmitted from the control device 10 to the inkjet head 20. The configuration information indicates the configuration of the control signal and includes one or more commands related to printing. For example, the command memory 106 is a dual port memory in which configuration information is written by the processor 101 and configuration information is acquired by the control signal generation circuit 109.

The control signal generation circuit 109 is a circuit that generates a control signal that stores one or more commands related to printing. For example, the control signal generation circuit 109 is composed of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like. In that case, the internal memory of the FPGA may be used for the setting data memory 197 and the command memory 108. The control signal generation circuit 109 sequentially reads the configuration information from the command memory 108. The control signal generation circuit 109 acquires a command included in the configuration information from the command memory 108. When the configuration information includes a print-related command, the control signal generation circuit 109 acquires print data for one line related to the print-related command from the image memory 106. When the configuration information includes the setting system command, the control signal generation circuit 109 acquires the setting data related to the setting system command from the setting data memory 107. The control signal generation circuit 109 generates a single command control signal for storing one type of command related to printing. The control signal generation circuit 109 generates a composite command control signal that stores two or more different types of commands related to printing in a predetermined order. In a typical example, the control signal generation circuit 109 stores a first set of print commands and print data, a second set of setting commands and setting data, and two or more of execution commands. Generate a control signal.

The transmission circuit 110 is a circuit that transmits the control signal generated by the control signal generation circuit 109 to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The word "send" shall include forwarding. For example, the transmission circuit 110 sequentially transmits control signals to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40 so that the transmission interval (cycle) of the start bytes is a predetermined constant interval. The transmission circuit 110 transmits the control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the common signal line 40 regardless of the type of command stored in the control signal. The transmission circuit 110 transmits a control signal to the inkjet head 20 via a common signal line 40 regardless of whether it is a single command control signal or a combined command control signal. Therefore, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the composite command control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40 used for transmitting the single command control signal to the inkjet head 20.

The inkjet head 20 is a device that forms an image on recording paper based on a control signal from the control device 10.
The inkjet head 20 includes a head drive circuit 201 and an actuator unit 202.

The head drive circuit 201 is a circuit that controls the actuator unit 202 based on a control signal.
The head drive circuit 201 includes a reception circuit 2011, an analysis circuit 2012, a print data buffer 2013, a setting data buffer 2014, and a drive signal generation circuit 2015.

The receiving circuit 2011 is a circuit that receives a control signal via the signal line 40. For example, the receiving circuit 2011 receives a single command control signal via the signal line 40. For example, the receiving circuit 2011 receives the combined command control signal via the same signal line 40 used for receiving the single command control signal. In a typical example, the receiving circuit 2011 receives a composite command control signal that stores two or more of the first set, the second set, and the executing command.

The analysis circuit 2012 is a circuit that analyzes commands stored in the control signal received by the reception circuit 2011. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 is composed of FPGA or the like. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 analyzes one command related to printing stored in a single command control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command stored in the print system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the setting command stored in the setting command packet. The analysis circuit 2012 can refer to the specification of the buffer position and size specified by the setting system command, and save the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014. The analysis circuit 2012 may also store the setting data in a setting data temporary buffer (not shown) included in the head drive circuit 201. The analysis circuit 2012 can refer to the specification of the buffer position and size specified by the setting system command, and save the setting data in the setting data temporary buffer. The setting data temporary buffer is mainly a buffer used for temporarily holding the setting data to be changed, which will be described later, before being saved in the setting data buffer 2014. The setting data temporary buffer is configured in the same manner as the setting data buffer 2014. The analysis circuit 2012 processes according to the execution system command based on the detection of the setting system command stored in the execution system control signal.

The analysis circuit 2012 analyzes two or more different types of commands related to printing stored in the composite command control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 processes the print data based on the detection of the print-related command stored in the composite command control signal. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 stores the print data in the print data buffer 2013. The analysis circuit 2012 processes the setting data based on the detection of the setting system command stored in the composite command control signal. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data in the setting data temporary buffer. The analysis circuit 2012 processes the execution system command based on the detection of the execution system command stored in the composite system command control signal. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014.

The print data buffer 2013 temporarily holds the print data. For example, the print data buffer 2013 holds the print data while changing it by storing the print data by the analysis circuit 2012 and taking it out by the drive signal generation circuit 2015. For example, the buffer size of the print data buffer 2013 corresponds to the data length of the print data for one line.

The setting data buffer 2014 temporarily holds the setting data. The setting data buffer 2014 includes a storage area corresponding to each gradation of 0 to 15. The setting data buffer 2014 holds setting data corresponding to each gradation of 0 to 15 in each storage area. All or part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014 can be changed. A configuration example of the setting data buffer 2014 will be described later.

The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal for driving the actuator unit 202 based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 takes out the print data held in the print data buffer 2013. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates drive waveforms of each gradation of 0 to 15 based on the setting data corresponding to each gradation of 0 to 15 held in the setting data buffer 2014. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates drive signals for driving a plurality of actuators # 1 to # m constituting the actuator unit 202 based on the drive waveform and print data. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 supplies the drive signal to the actuator unit 202.

The actuator unit 202 includes a plurality of actuators # 1 to # m. The plurality of actuators # 1 to # m change the pressure in the ink chamber in response to the drive signal to eject ink droplets from the nozzles.

The transport device 30 is a device that transports the recording paper so that an image is formed by the inkjet head 20. For example, the transfer device 30 includes a plurality of guides and a plurality of transfer rollers arranged along a path through which the recording paper is conveyed.

A configuration example of the setting data buffer 2014 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of the setting data buffer 2014.
The setting data buffer 2014 includes storage areas Reg0 to Regn that temporarily hold setting data corresponding to each gradation of 0 to 15. For example, the configuration data buffer 2014 includes 212 or 1221 storage areas.

An example of a control signal configuration will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control signal.

The print system control signal is a single command control signal that stores a first set of print system commands and print data between the start byte and the NOP. The setting system control signal is a single command control signal that stores a second set of setting system commands and setting data between the start byte and the NOP. The execution system control signal is a single command control signal that stores the execution system command between the start byte and the NOP.

The print / setting system control signal is a composite command control signal that stores the first set and the second set between the start byte and the NOP. In FIG. 3, the first set is arranged in the order in which it is transmitted before the second set, but the order may be changed as appropriate. The setting / execution system control signal is a compound command control signal that stores a second set and an execution system command between the start byte and the NOP. In FIG. 3, the second set is arranged in the order in which it is transmitted before the execution system command, but the arrangement order may be changed as appropriate. The print / execution system control signal is a composite command control signal that stores the first set and the execution system command between the start byte and the NOP. In FIG. 3, the first set is arranged in the order in which it is transmitted before the execution system command, but the arrangement order may be changed as appropriate. The print / setting / execution system control signal is a compound command control signal that stores the first set, the second set, and the execution system command between the start byte and the NOP. In FIG. 3, the first set, the second set, and the execution system command are arranged in the order of transmission, but the order may be changed as appropriate. In the compound command control signal, two or more of the first set, the second set, and the execution system command can be combined by time division.

Some examples of changing at least a part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014 by using the compound command control signal will be described. In the following, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the control signal that stores at least the first set to the inkjet head 20 intermittently, and the transmission circuit 110 transmits the composite command control signal that stores at least the first set and the second set to the inkjet head. An example of transmitting to 20 will be described. Further, in the following, an example in which the receiving circuit 2011 receives the composite command control signal storing at least the first set and the second set in the intermittent reception of the control signal storing at least the first set will be described. To do.

The first example is an example of using a print / setting / execution system control signal.
In this example, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / setting / execution system control signal to the inkjet head 20 in the intermittent transmission of the control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20. The print / setting / execution system control signal stores the setting data to be changed. The setting data stored in the print / setting / execution system control signal is the setting data stored in a part of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. The data length of the setting data stored in the print / setting / execution system control signal is shorter than the total data length of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014. The reason is that the transmission interval of the control signal storing at least the first set is extremely short because it is mainly determined by the print frequency, the transfer speed, and the like. Therefore, the print / setting / execution system control signal can store the second set and the execution system command within a range that does not affect the transmission of the print control signal immediately after this.

In this example, the receiving circuit 2011 receives the print / setting / execution system control signal in the intermittent reception of the control signal storing at least the first set.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing reception of a print / setting / execution system control signal as a first example.
The transmission circuit 110 transmits the setting system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. It is assumed that the setting system control signal stores the setting data to be stored in each of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. The receiving circuit 2011 receives the setting system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data stored in the setting system control signal in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the setting system command in the setting system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 also saves the setting data stored in the setting system control signal in the setting data temporary buffer.

The transmission circuit 110 intermittently transmits a control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20 in order to form an image on the recording paper as follows. The transmission circuit 110 intermittently transmits the control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20 so that the transmission interval of the start bytes is a constant interval.

First, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

Next, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / setting / execution system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The print / setting / execution system control signal stores the setting data to be changed. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print / setting / execution system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the execution system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. As a result, a part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014 is changed to the setting data to be changed.

Next, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014. The setting data used by the drive signal generation circuit 2015 at this stage is partially changed to the setting data to be changed based on the print / setting / execution system command packet.

FIG. 5 is a screen view showing an example of reflecting the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014 in the example shown in FIG.

The storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014 store the setting data stored in the setting system control signal. Similarly, the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the temporary setting data buffer store the setting data stored in the setting system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. It is assumed that the setting data to be changed is the setting data to be saved in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data buffer 2014. The analysis circuit 2012 refers to the specification of the buffer position and the size specified by the setting system command. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data temporary buffer. The analysis circuit 2012 changes the setting data held in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 in the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data temporary buffer.

The analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the execution system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 overwrites the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data buffer 2014 with the setting data to be changed held in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data temporary buffer. In this way, the analysis circuit 2012 can change a part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

According to the first example, the control device 10 can transmit a control signal in the form of adding the setting data to be changed to the print data to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The inkjet head 20 can receive a control signal in the form of adding the setting data to be changed to the print data from the control device 10 via the signal line 40. As a result, the control device 10 and the inkjet head 20 can change the settings of the inkjet head 20 such as the drive waveform during printing. Further, the control device 10 can transmit a control signal storing the execution system command in addition to the setting data to be changed to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The inkjet head 20 can receive the control signal storing the execution system command in addition to the setting data to be changed via the signal line 40. As a result, the control device 10 and the inkjet head 20 can change the settings of the inkjet head 20 in real time during printing.

The second example is an example in which one or more print / setting system control signals and a print / execution system control signal are used.
In this example, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / setting system control signal to the inkjet head 20 one or more times in the intermittent transmission of the control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20. The transmission circuit 110 is a composite that stores at least the first set and execution commands after transmitting the print / setting command packet in the intermittent transmission of the control signal that stores at least the first set to the inkjet head 20. The command control signal is transmitted to the inkjet head 20. In this example, the composite command control signal that stores at least the first set and the execution system command is the print / execution system control signal.

One or more print / setting system control signals store the setting data to be changed. The setting data stored in one print / setting system control signal is the setting data stored in a part of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. When the control device 10 cannot store the setting data to be changed in one control signal due to the transmission interval of the control signal, the control device 10 divides the setting data to be changed. In the following, the divided setting data to be changed is also referred to as divided setting data. The control device 10 divides and stores the division setting data into two or more print / setting system control signals. The setting data obtained by summing the divided setting data stored in one or more print / setting system control signals is the setting data stored in a part or all of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014.

In this example, the receiving circuit 2011 receives the print / setting system control signal at least once in the intermittent transmission of the control signal storing the first set to the inkjet head 20. The receiving circuit 2011 is a composite that stores at least the first set and the execution system command after receiving the print / setting system control signal in the intermittent transmission of the control signal that stores at least the first set to the inkjet head 20. Receive command control signals.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing reception of one or more print / setting system control signals and print / execution system control signals, which is a second example. Note that FIG. 6 shows an example in which the transmission circuit 110 transmits one print / setting system control signal, but the present invention is not limited to this. The transmission circuit 110 may transmit two or more print / setting system control signals according to the amount of setting data to be changed.

The transmission circuit 110 transmits the setting system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. It is assumed that the setting system control signal stores the setting data to be stored in each of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. The receiving circuit 2011 receives the setting system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data stored in the setting system control signal in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the setting system command in the setting system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 also saves the setting data stored in the setting system control signal in the setting data temporary buffer.

The transmission circuit 110 intermittently transmits a control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20 in order to form an image on the recording paper as follows. The transmission circuit 110 intermittently transmits the control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20 so that the transmission interval of the start bytes is a constant interval.

First, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / setting system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print / setting system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print / setting system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command in the print / setting system control signal.

Next, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / execution system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print / execution system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print / execution system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

The analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the execution system command in the print / execution system control signal. As a result, part or all of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014 is changed to the setting data to be changed.

Next, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014. The setting data used by the drive signal generation circuit 2015 at this stage is partially or wholly changed to the setting data to be changed based on one or more print / setting system control signals.

FIG. 7 is a screen view showing an example of reflecting the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014 in the example shown in FIG.

The storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014 store the setting data stored in the setting system control signal. Similarly, the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the temporary setting data buffer store the setting data stored in the setting system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command in the print / setting system control signal. It is assumed that the setting data to be changed is the setting data to be saved in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data buffer 2014. The analysis circuit 2012 refers to the specification of the buffer position and the size specified by the setting system command. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data temporary buffer. The analysis circuit 2012 changes the setting data held in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 in the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data temporary buffer.

The analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the execution system command in the print / execution system control signal. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 overwrites the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data buffer 2014 with the setting data to be changed held in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data temporary buffer. In this way, the analysis circuit 2012 can change a part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

As described above, the transmission circuit 110 may transmit two or more print / setting system control signals storing the division setting data. In this case, the analysis circuit 2012 can change not only a part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014 but also all of the setting data.

According to the second example, the control device 10 can transmit the control signal in the form of adding the division setting data to the print data to the inkjet head 20 one or more times via the signal line 40. The inkjet head 20 can receive the control signal in the form of adding the division setting data to the print data from the control device 10 one or more times via the signal line 40. As a result, the control device 10 and the inkjet head 20 can transmit and receive a part or all of the setting data held by the inkjet head 20 during printing. Further, the control device 10 can transmit the control signal storing the execution system command to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40 separately from the control signal storing the division setting data. The inkjet head 20 can receive the control signal storing the execution system command separately from the control signal storing the division setting data via the signal line 40. As a result, the control device 10 and the inkjet head 20 can adjust the timing of changing the setting of the inkjet head 20 to an arbitrary timing.

The third example is an example in which one or more print / setting command packets and print / execution command packets are used.
The third example differs from the second example in that the compound command control signal that stores at least the first set and the execution system command is a print / setting / execution system control signal.

One or more print / setting system control signals and print / setting / execution system control signals store setting data to be changed. The setting data stored in one print / setting system control signal is the setting data stored in a part of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. The setting data stored in the print / setting / execution system control signal is the setting data stored in a part of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. When the control device 10 cannot store the setting data to be changed in one control signal due to the transmission interval of the control signal, the control device 10 divides the setting data to be changed. The control device 10 divides and stores the division setting data into one or more print / setting system control signals and print / setting / execution system control signals. The setting data, which is the sum of the divided setting data stored in one or more print / setting system control signals and the print / setting / execution system control signal, is stored in a part or all of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. It is the setting data to be performed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing reception of one or more print / setting system control signals and print / setting / execution system control signals, which is a third example. Note that FIG. 8 shows an example in which the transmission circuit 110 transmits two print / setting system control signals, but the present invention is not limited to this. The transmission circuit 110 may transmit one print / setting system control signal according to the amount of setting data to be changed, or may transmit three or more print / setting system control signals.

The transmission circuit 110 transmits the setting system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. It is assumed that the setting system control signal stores the setting data to be stored in each of the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014. The receiving circuit 2011 receives the setting system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data stored in the setting system control signal in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the setting system command in the setting system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 also saves the setting data stored in the setting system control signal in the setting data temporary buffer.

The transmission circuit 110 intermittently transmits a control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20 in order to form an image on the recording paper as follows. The transmission circuit 110 intermittently transmits the control signal storing at least the first set to the inkjet head 20 so that the transmission interval of the start bytes is a constant interval.

First, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / setting system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print / setting system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print / setting system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command in the print / setting system control signal.

Next, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / setting system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print / setting system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print / setting system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command in the print / setting system control signal.

Next, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print / setting / execution system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print / setting / execution system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the execution system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. As a result, part or all of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014 is changed to the setting data to be changed.

Next, the transmission circuit 110 transmits the print system control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The reception circuit 2011 receives the print system control signal via the signal line 40. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the print data in the print data buffer 2013 based on the detection of the print system command in the print system control signal. The drive signal generation circuit 2015 generates a drive signal based on the print data held in the print data buffer 2013 and the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014. The setting data used by the drive signal generation circuit 2015 at this stage is partially or entirely changed to the setting data to be changed based on one or more print / setting system control signals and print / setting / execution system control signals. Is.

FIG. 9 is a screen view showing an example of reflecting the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014 in the example shown in FIG.

The storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data buffer 2014 store the setting data stored in the setting system control signal. Similarly, the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the temporary setting data buffer store the setting data stored in the setting system control signal. In the first print / setting system control signal, the analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the setting data temporary buffer based on the detection of the setting system command. It is assumed that the setting data to be changed is the setting data to be saved in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data buffer 2014. The analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data to be changed in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 of the setting data temporary buffer. The analysis circuit 2012 changes the setting data held in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg3 in the storage areas Reg0 to Regn of the setting data temporary buffer. The analysis circuit 2012 similarly changes the setting data held in the storage areas Reg4 to Reg7 of the setting data temporary buffer based on the second printing / setting system control signal. The analysis circuit 2012 similarly changes the setting data held in the storage areas Reg8 to Reg11 of the setting data temporary buffer based on the print / setting / execution system control signal.

The analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014 based on the detection of the execution system command in the print / setting / execution system control signal. For example, the analysis circuit 2012 overwrites the storage areas Reg0 to Reg11 of the setting data buffer 2014 with the setting data to be changed held in the storage areas Reg0 to Reg11 of the setting data temporary buffer. In this way, the analysis circuit 2012 can change a part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014.

As described above, the transmission circuit 110 may transmit three or more print / setting system control signals and print / setting / execution system control signals in which the division setting data is stored. In this case, the analysis circuit 2012 can change not only a part of the setting data held in the setting data buffer 2014 but also all of the setting data.

According to the third example, the control device 10 can transmit the control signal in the form of adding the division setting data to the print data to the inkjet head 20 one or more times via the signal line 40. The inkjet head 20 can receive the control signal in the form of adding the division setting data to the print data from the control device 10 one or more times via the signal line 40. As a result, the control device 10 and the inkjet head 20 can transmit and receive a part or all of the setting data held by the inkjet head 20 during printing. Further, the control device 10 can transmit the control signal storing the execution system command in addition to the division setting data to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40. The inkjet head 20 can receive a control signal storing execution system commands in addition to the division setting data via the signal line 40. As a result, the control device 10 and the inkjet head 20 can change the settings of the inkjet head 20 in real time during printing.

The analysis operation of the control signal by the analysis circuit 2012 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of analysis operation of the control signal by the analysis circuit 2012.

The analysis circuit 2012 analyzes one control signal each time the control signal received by the reception circuit 2011 is received. The analysis circuit 2012 sequentially analyzes one or more command types stored between the start byte and the NOP, as illustrated below. When a command related to printing having one or more control signals is stored, the command next to (or after) the start byte is called the first command between the start byte and the NOP. When a command related to printing having two or more control signals is stored, the command following (or after) the first command is called the second command between the start byte and the NOP. When the control signal stores three print-related commands, the command following (or after) the second command between the start byte and the NOP is called the third command.

The analysis circuit 2012 detects the presence or absence of a start bite in the control signal (Act101). The analysis circuit 2012 waits until the start bite is detected according to the non-detection of the start bite (Act101, NO). The analysis circuit 2012 detects whether or not the first command next to the start byte is a print command according to the detection of the start byte (Act101, YES) (Act102). The analysis circuit 2012 processes the print data (Act103) in response to the detection that it is the first command or the print system command (Act102, YES). In Act103, the analysis circuit 2012 instructs the drive signal generation circuit 2015 to start generating the drive signal. The analysis circuit 2012 receives the print data associated with the print command. The analysis circuit 2012 determines that the reception of the print data has been completed in response to the reception of the print data having the data length corresponding to the buffer size of the print data buffer 2013. The analysis circuit 2012 stores the print data in the print data buffer 2013.

The analysis circuit 2012 detects whether or not the first command is a setting command (Act104) in response to the detection that it is not the first command or the printing command (Act102, NO). The analysis circuit 2012 processes the setting data (Act105) in response to the detection that it is the first command or the setting system command (Act104, YES). In Act 105, for example, when the control signal is a setting system control signal, the analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014. Further, the analysis circuit 2012 may also save the setting data in the setting data temporary buffer. When the control signal is a composite command control signal, the analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data in the setting data temporary buffer. The analysis circuit 2012 detects whether or not the first command is an execution command (Act106) in response to the detection that it is not the first command or the setting command (Act104, NO).

The analysis circuit 2012 processes the execution system command according to the detection that it is the first command or the execution system command (Act106, YES) (Act107). In Act 107, for example, the analysis circuit 2012 reflects the setting data held in the setting data temporary buffer in the setting data buffer 2014. The analysis circuit 2012 processes Act101 according to the detection that it is not the first command or the execution system command (Act106, NO).

The analysis circuit 2012 detects the presence or absence of NOP (Act 108). The analysis circuit 2012 ends the analysis operation of the control signal in response to the detection of NOP (Act108, YES). The analysis circuit 2012 repeats the processes of Act102 to Act108 according to the non-detection of NOP (Act108, NO). That is, the analysis circuit 2012 also processes Act102 to Act108 for the second command following the first command. Similarly, the analysis circuit 2012 processes Act102 to Act108 for the third command following the second command in response to the non-detection of NOP in the processing of the second command.

According to the present embodiment, the control device 10 can transmit the composite command control signal to the inkjet head 20 via the signal line 40 used for transmitting the single command control signal. The inkjet head 20 can receive a composite command control signal via a signal line 40 used for receiving a single command control signal. As a result, the control device 10 and the inkjet head 20 can be flexibly controlled even during printing, such as changing the settings of the inkjet head 20.

In the present embodiment, the analysis circuit 2012 stores the setting data stored in the control signal in the setting data temporary buffer regardless of the type of the control signal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the setting command may include a specification of whether or not the setting data needs to be saved in the setting data buffer 2014 and a specification of whether or not the setting data needs to be saved in the setting data temporary buffer.
For example, in the setting system control signal, the setting system command may include a specification requiring storage in the setting data buffer 2014 and a specification not requiring storage in the setting data temporary buffer. For example, in the print / setting / execution system control signal as in the first example described above, the setting system command includes the specification of the necessity of saving in the setting data buffer 2014 and the specification of not needing to save in the setting data temporary buffer. You may be. In these examples, the analysis circuit 2012 saves the setting data in the setting data buffer 2014, but saving in the setting data temporary buffer can be omitted.

Although the present embodiment has been described by taking the inkjet printer 1 as an example, the present embodiment is not limited to this. This embodiment can also be applied to various printers such as a thermal printer that transmit a plurality of types of commands related to printing from a control device to a printer head via a common signal line.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Inkjet printer, 10 ... Control device, 20 ... Inkjet head, 30 ... Transfer device, 40 ... Signal line, 101 ... Processor, 102 ... ROM, 103 ... RAM, 104 ... Communication I / F, 105 ... Transfer control circuit, 106 ... image memory, 107 ... setting data memory, 108 ... command memory, 109 ... control signal generation circuit, 110 ... transmission circuit, 201 ... head drive circuit, 202 ... actuator unit, 2011 ... reception circuit, 2012 ... analysis circuit, 2013 ... print data buffer, 2014 ... setting data buffer, 2015 ... drive signal generation circuit.

Claims (5)

A receiver that receives a composite command packet that stores two or more commands related to printing via a signal line used to receive a single command packet that stores one command related to printing.
An analysis unit that analyzes the commands stored in the compound command packet, and
A printer head equipped with. The receiving unit receives at least the first set, setting data related to printing, and the setting in the intermittent reception of the packet storing the print data and the first set by the printing command that defines the attributes of the print data. Receives a composite command packet that stores a second set of configuration commands that define data attributes.
The printer head according to claim 1. The receiving unit receives a composite command packet that stores the first set, the second set, and the execution system command instructing the reflection of the setting data.
The printer head according to claim 2. The receiving unit receives the first set and the first composite command packet storing the second set one or more times, and after receiving the first composite command packet, at least the first set and the first set and the receiver Receives a second composite command packet that stores the execution command that instructs the reflection of the setting data.
The printer head according to claim 2. A generator that generates a packet that stores one or more commands related to printing,
A transmitter that transmits a composite command packet that stores two or more commands related to printing to the printer head via a signal line used for transmitting a single command packet that stores one command related to printing to the printer head.
Printer head control device.

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