JP2023080460A - Printing system and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing system and a printing method that can restart printing by a printing apparatus without causing a user to perform complicated work even when a medium is broken on a rewinder side.SOLUTION: In a printing system, a second control unit of a rewinder transmits a tension signal to a printing apparatus to notify the printing apparatus that a long medium is broken on a rewinder side when determining that a magnitude of a back tension is a lower limit value. When receiving the tension signal, a first control unit of the printing apparatus performs printing delivery processing. The first control unit delivers, in the printing delivery processing, the long medium in a forward direction by driving an original winding transportation drive unit and a transportation drive unit until printing of an image on one printing medium which is being printed by a printing unit. When the printing of the image on the printing medium which is being printed is completed, the printing apparatus controls the original winding transportation drive unit and the transportation drive unit to stop transporting of the long medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a printing system and printing method.

The printing paper winding device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is connected to a printer and winds printing paper discharged by the printer. The printing paper take-up device has a tension roller. The tension roller can reciprocate up and down in an arc according to the winding state of the printing paper. The tension roller changes the length of the winding path by reciprocating up and down to apply tension to the printing paper. A sensor detects the tension area where the tension roller is located. The tension roller is at the lowest point (tension area R1) of the tension area when the entire printing paper is slack. When the printing paper take-up device is in operation, the tension roller is located above the tension region R1 in the tension region, and the printing paper is taken up. When the paper runs out while the printing paper is being wound, the tension roller shifts to the tension area R1 by its own weight or by the biasing force of the tension spring that biases the tension roller toward the lowest point. . The print take-up device determines that the print paper has run out when a predetermined set time is exceeded while the tension roller is in the tension region R1.

JP 2006-176223 A

In the conventional printer as described above, it was impossible to cope with the shortage of printing paper when the paper winding device ran out of printing paper. If the transportation of the printing paper by the printer is stopped urgently, the transportation of the printing paper by the printer will be stopped in the middle of printing. After the emergency stop of the printer, the user re-stretches the printing paper between the printer and the printing paper take-up device in order to resume printing by the printer. In this case, the user needs to remove the part of the paper that is in the middle of printing so that the part of the paper that is in the middle of printing does not remain on the re-pasted printing paper, which is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system and a printing method that can restart printing by a printing device without requiring a user to perform complicated operations even when a medium is broken on the rewinder side.

A printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printing system that includes a printing device that prints on a medium and a rewinder that winds up the medium printed by the printing device, wherein the printing device includes the medium a feeding section for feeding the medium fed from the feeding section; a position detecting section for detecting the position of the medium fed by the feeding section; A printing unit that prints on the medium conveyed by the conveying unit based on the position of the medium, a discharge unit that discharges the medium printed by the printing unit, and a first communication unit that communicates with the rewinder. and a first control unit, wherein the rewinder includes a winding unit that winds the medium discharged from the discharge unit of the printing device, and applies tension to the medium wound by the winding unit. A winding tension applying unit, a winding tension detecting unit that detects the tension applied to the medium by the winding tension applying unit, a second communication unit that communicates with the printing device, and a second control unit. The second control unit of the rewinder outputs a tension signal via the second communication unit when the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. section, and when the tension detected by the winding tension detection section is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the winding section is controlled to wind the medium by a predetermined winding amount. When the first control unit of the printing device receives the tension signal via the first communication unit, the printing unit performs printing on the medium while the controlling the supply unit and the transport unit based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit, and executing a delivery process of transporting the medium from the supply unit to the discharge unit in a delivery direction; The medium is conveyed until the image is completely printed on the medium by the printing unit of the apparatus.

According to the first aspect, in the printing system, the printing device receives a tension signal from the rewinder to recognize that the medium has broken on the rewinder side. The printing device conveys the medium in the delivery direction while printing on the medium until the printing of the image on the medium is completed. As a result, the printing apparatus can prevent the transportation of the medium from being stopped in the middle of printing the image. Therefore, even if the medium is broken on the rewinder side, the printing system can resume printing by the printing device without making the user perform complicated work.

In the printing system, the printing apparatus includes a transport tension applying section that applies tension to the medium transported by the transport section, and a transport tension detecting section that detects the tension applied to the medium by the transport tension applying section. wherein the first control unit controls the supply unit and the transport unit based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit after the medium is transported by the feeding process, and controls the supply unit and the transport unit in a direction opposite to the feeding direction. a pull-back process for conveying the medium in the pull-back direction by a predetermined pull-back amount; is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold. In a printing system, the printing device pulls back the media by a pullback amount. While executing the pullback process, the printing apparatus determines whether the tension is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and monitors whether the pullback process is performed normally. If the pullback process is successful, there is no serious problem with the printing system and the printing system can resume printing with the printing device.

In the printing system, when it is determined in the determination process that the tension detected by the conveying tension detection section is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the first control section removes the medium by the pullback process. After the medium is transported in the retraction direction, a second delivery process is executed to transport the medium in the delivery direction by controlling the supply section and the transport section based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection section. good too. In the printing system, the printing device executes the second feeding process to feed the medium pulled back in the pulling-back direction in the pulling-back process in the feeding direction. Thereby, the user can easily connect the end portion of the torn medium on the printing device side and the end portion of the torn medium on the rewinder side.

In the printing system, the position detection section detects the position of the leading edge of the medium, and the first control section controls the supply section based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection section in the second feeding process. and the transport unit may be controlled to transport the leading edge of the medium to a position outside the printing apparatus via the discharge unit. In the printing system, the printing apparatus can grasp the position of the leading edge of the medium by means of the leading edge detection section. Thereby, when the medium is broken on the rewinder side, the printing apparatus conveys the leading edge of the broken medium to the outside of the printing apparatus after it is discharged from the discharge section. Therefore, the user can easily connect the end of the torn medium on the printing device side and the end of the torn medium on the rewinder side.

In the printing system, the first receiving process receives a first restart command for restarting printing on the medium by the printing unit after the medium is conveyed in the feeding direction by the second feeding process. and a printing return process of controlling the supply unit, the transport unit, and the printing unit to perform printing while transporting the medium when the first restart command is received in the first reception process. and the second control unit performs a second reception process for receiving a second restart command for restarting winding of the medium by the winding unit; A winding return process may be executed for controlling the winding unit and winding the medium discharged from the discharging unit. When the printing system is restored, the printing device receives the first restart command in the first reception process and restarts printing on the medium. The rewinder receives the second restart command in the second reception process and restarts winding of the medium. Therefore, the printing system can easily resume printing by the printing device and winding by the rewinder.

In the printing system, the printing device includes a display unit, and the first control unit can resume printing on the medium by the printing unit after conveying the medium in the feeding direction by the second feeding process. A display process may be executed to display on the display unit that is. When the printing system is restored, the printing device displays on the display section that printing by the printing section can be resumed. This allows the user to easily understand that printing by the printing unit can be resumed.

In the printing system, when the tension signal is received, the first control unit executes a winding command process of transmitting a winding command to the second control unit via the first communication unit. The second control unit may wind up the medium by the winding process when receiving the winding command via the second communication unit. In this case, since the printing apparatus centrally controls the entire printing system, the printing unit can resume printing without the need for the printing apparatus to perform complicated control over the entire printing system.

In the printing system, the take-up amount may be a distance from the discharge section of the printing device to the take-up section of the rewinder, or a time based on the distance and the transport speed of the medium. In a printing system, a rewinder winds media at a distance from the discharge to the take-up, or a time based on that distance and transport speed. As a result, when the medium breaks on the rewinder side, the broken medium can be prevented from scattering around the rewinder. Therefore, the printing system can resume printing by the printing device without requiring the user to do complicated work.

In the printing system, the second control unit determines whether the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined third threshold value while the medium is being wound by the winding process. You may perform the 2nd judgment process to judge. In the printing system, the rewinder determines whether the tension is equal to or less than a predetermined third threshold value while performing the winding process, and monitors whether the winding process is performed normally. . If the winding process is performed normally, there is no serious abnormality in the printing system, and the printing system can resume winding by the rewinder.

A printing method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a supply unit that supplies a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium supplied from the supply unit, and a position of the medium transported by the transport unit. a position detection unit, a printing unit that prints on the medium conveyed by the conveying unit based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit, and an ejection unit that ejects the medium printed by the printing unit. a first communication unit that communicates with a rewinder that winds the medium printed by the printing unit; a winding unit that winds the medium discharged from the discharge unit; A winding tension applying section that applies tension to the medium wound by the take-up section, a winding tension detecting section that detects the tension applied to the medium by the winding tension applying section, and communicates with the printing apparatus. In the printing method by the rewinder using the second communication unit, the rewinder detects the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, a tension signal step of transmitting a tension signal to the printing device via the medium; and a winding step of winding by a winding amount, and when the printing device receives the tension signal via the first communication unit, the printing unit performs printing on the medium while the controlling the feeding unit and the conveying unit based on the position of the medium detected by the position detecting unit, and executing a feeding step of conveying the medium from the feeding unit to the discharging unit in a feeding direction; The medium is conveyed until the image is completely printed on the medium by the printing unit of the apparatus. In this case, the printing method according to the second aspect has the same effect as the first aspect.

1 is a perspective view of a printer 1; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 100; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system 100; FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating control related to recovery of the printing system 100 when the long medium M is broken on the rewinder 29 side; 9 is a flowchart of first return processing; FIG. 6 is a flowchart of first return processing continued from FIG. 5; FIG. 9 is a flowchart of second return processing;

A printing system 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings referred to are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the configuration of the device described is not intended to be limited to them, but merely illustrative examples. In the following description, left and right, front and back, and up and down indicated by arrows in the drawings are used.

A printing system 100 includes a printing device 1 and a rewinder 29 . The printing device 1 is an inkjet printer that prints on a long medium M. As shown in FIG. The long medium M is, for example, a long backing paper wound around a cylindrical paper tube K in a roll shape. A plurality of print media are sequentially arranged on the long medium M along the longitudinal direction. Each of the print media is a rectangular label sheet. The rewinder 29 winds up the long medium M printed by the printing device 1 into a roll.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 2, a display section 3, an operation section 4, a winding device connection section 241, and an external device connection section 242. As shown in FIG. The housing 2 has a front wall 24 , a right wall 25 , a rear wall 26 , a left wall 25L, a lower wall 27 and an upper wall 28 . The housing 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is large enough to be placed on a table. A discharge port 21 is formed in the housing 2 . The discharge port 21 is formed in the front wall 24 of the housing 2 in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The display unit 3 is provided on the front upper right portion of the front wall 24 of the housing 2 and displays an image. The operation unit 4 is provided below the display unit 3 in the front upper right portion of the front wall 24 of the housing 2, and has a plurality of buttons for inputting various instructions. The display unit 3 and the operation unit 4 are provided above the discharge port 21 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes a holding unit 5, a main roll conveying unit 10, a back tension applying unit 8, a first conveying unit 7, a medium detecting unit 53, and a second conveying unit inside the housing 2. 15, the printing section 6, the fixing unit 40, the third transport section 19, and the fourth transport section 48 are accommodated.

The holding portion 5 is provided at the rear portion inside the housing 2 . The holding unit 5 holds a roll R around which the long medium M is wound. The roll R winds the long medium M so that a plurality of print media faces outward. The holding portion 5 includes a shaft portion 51 and a magazine 52 . The shaft portion 51 extends in the left-right direction and is inserted through the paper tube K of the roll R. As shown in FIG. The magazine 52 is a U-shaped support base when viewed from the front. The magazine 52 supports both left and right ends of the shaft portion 51 so that the shaft portion 51 can rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The shaft portion 51 is detachably supported by the magazine 52 . The roll R may not have the paper tube K and may be wound in a roll shape so as to be attachable to the holding portion 5 .

The long medium M fed from the holding unit 5 is transported along the transport path Q inside the housing 2 . In the printing apparatus 1, the transport path Q is provided with the original roll transport unit 10, the first transport unit 7, the second transport unit 15, the third transport unit 19, the fourth transport unit 48, and the discharge port 21 from the upstream. . Hereinafter, the direction in which the printing apparatus 1 feeds out the long medium M from the roll R along the transport path Q and transports the long medium M toward the outside of the printing apparatus 1 through the discharge port 21 is referred to as the forward direction F. . The direction opposite to the forward direction F, which is the direction in which the printing apparatus 1 winds the long medium M on the roll R along the transport path Q, is called the reverse direction B. As shown in FIG.

The original winding conveying portion 10 is provided in detachable engagement with the shaft portion 51 of the holding portion 5 . The original winding conveying unit 10 conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F or the reverse direction B by feeding out or winding up the long medium M from the roll R. The master winding conveying section 10 rotates the shaft section 51 by transmitting the driving force of the master winding conveying driving section 11 described later with reference to FIG. 3 to the shaft section 51 . The original roll conveying unit 10 conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F by rotating the roll R held by the holding unit 5 during normal rotation. The long medium M is fed out from the roll R toward the discharge port 21 . The original roll conveying unit 10 conveys the long medium M in the reverse direction B by rotating the roll R held by the holding unit 5 when reversed. A long medium M is wound on a roll R. As shown in FIG.

The first conveying section 7 is provided downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the main winding conveying section 10 in the conveying path Q. As shown in FIG. The first conveying section 7 is provided above the holding section 5 . The first transport unit 7 transports the long medium M in the forward direction F or the reverse direction B. As shown in FIG. The first transport section 7 has transport rollers 71 and pinch rollers 72 . The conveying roller 71 and the pinch roller 72 rotate about axes extending in the left-right direction. The conveying roller 71 is provided above the pinch roller 72 so as to face it. The first conveying unit 7 vertically sandwiches the long medium M between a conveying roller 71 and a pinch roller 72 to perform nip conveying.

The back tension applying section 8 is provided downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the main winding conveying section 10 and upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first conveying section 7 in the conveying path Q. The back tension applying section 8 is provided above the holding section 5 and behind the first conveying section 7 . The back tension applying section 8 abuts on the long medium M between the original winding conveying section 10 and the first conveying section 7 to apply back tension. The long medium M is urged in a direction intersecting the forward direction F and the reverse direction B by back tension. The back tension applying unit 8 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing 2 . The magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M changes depending on the position of the back tension applying section 8 in the front-rear direction. The back tension applied to the long medium M when the back tension applying unit 8 is positioned on the front side of the movement range is applied to the long medium M when the back tension applying part 8 is positioned on the rear side of the movement range. greater than the back tension

The medium detection unit 53 is provided downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first transport unit 7 in the transport path Q. As shown in FIG. The medium detection unit 53 is provided in front of the first transport unit 7 and above the long medium M. As shown in FIG. It is a known optical sensor capable of detecting the leading edge of a print medium. The medium detection section 53 includes a light emitting section and a light receiving section. The light emitting section emits light, and the light receiving section receives the light emitted by the light emitting section. The medium detection unit 53 detects whether or not the leading edge of the print medium being conveyed has passed, based on whether or not the light receiving unit has received the light emitted by the light emitting unit.

The second conveying unit 15 is provided downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the medium detecting unit 53 in the conveying path Q. As shown in FIG. The second transport section 15 is provided in front of the medium detection section 53 and below the long medium M. As shown in FIG. The second transport unit 15 supports the long medium M from below and transports it in the forward direction F or the reverse direction B. As shown in FIG. The second transport unit 15 transports the long medium M so that a plurality of print media are positioned above the long medium M. As shown in FIG. The second conveying section 15 includes a driving roller 13 , a driven roller 14 and an endless belt 16 . The driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction. The drive roller 13 rotates around a shaft extending in the left-right direction. The driven roller 14 is provided rotatably about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The endless belt 16 is stretched over the drive roller 13 and the driven roller 14 . The driving roller 13 rotates to rotate the endless belt 16 . As the endless belt 16 rotates, the driven roller 14 rotates. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 16 is substantially the same as the upper and lower positions of the portion where the long medium M is nipped by the first conveying section 7 .

The printing unit 6 is provided above the long medium M conveyed by the second conveying unit 15 . The printing unit 6 prints an image on the print medium fed out from the holding unit 5 and conveyed. The printing unit 6 is an inkjet head. The printing unit 6 includes a plurality of nozzles 6a for ejecting the liquid G in the ejection direction. The printing unit 6 prints an image on a printing medium by ejecting the liquid G from a plurality of nozzles 6a. A plurality of nozzles 6a face downward. The ejection direction of the liquid G from the printing unit 6 is downward. By ejecting the liquid G from the nozzles 6a onto the print medium transported along the transport path Q, an image is formed on the print medium. The liquid G is supplied from the tank 20 to the printing section 6 through a tube. The tank 20 is provided at the front inside the housing 2 .

The fixing unit 40 is provided downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing section 6 . The fixing unit 40 is a halogen heater. The fixing unit 40 has a halogen lamp 41 , a reflector 42 and a housing 43 . An opening 44 is formed in the bottom wall of the housing 43 along the left-right direction. The fixing unit 40 radiates infrared light through the opening 44 to heat the elongated medium M passing directly below the opening 44 . As a result, the liquid G ejected onto the print medium by the printing unit 6 is fixed on the print medium.

The third conveying section 19 is provided downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the fixing unit 40 in the conveying path Q. As shown in FIG. The third transport unit 19 transports the long medium M in the forward direction F or the reverse direction B. As shown in FIG. The third transport section 19 has transport rollers 17 and pinch rollers 18 . The conveying roller 17 and the pinch roller 18 rotate around axes extending in the left-right direction. The conveying roller 17 is provided above the pinch roller 18 so as to face it. The third conveying unit 19 vertically sandwiches the long medium M between the conveying roller 17 and the pinch roller 18 to perform nip conveying.

The fourth conveying section 48 is provided downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the third conveying section 19 and upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the discharge port 21 in the conveying path Q. As shown in FIG. The fourth transport unit 48 transports the long medium M in the forward direction F or the reverse direction B. As shown in FIG. The fourth transport section 48 has transport rollers 46 and pinch rollers 47 . The conveying roller 46 and the pinch roller 47 rotate around axes extending in the left-right direction. The conveying roller 46 is provided above the pinch roller 47 so as to face it. The fourth conveying unit 48 vertically sandwiches the long medium M between the conveying roller 46 and the pinch roller 47 to perform nip conveying.

The winding device connection portion 241 is provided at the lower right portion of the front wall 24 of the housing 2 . The winding device connection portion 241 is a connector for electrically connecting to the rewinder 29 . The external device connection portion 242 is provided above the winding device connection portion 241 on the front wall 24 . The external device connection section 242 is a connector for electrically connecting to an external information device such as a PC.

The rewinder 29 conveys the long medium M printed by the printing apparatus 1 and discharged from the discharge port 21 . A path along which the rewinder 29 transports the long medium M outside the printing apparatus 1 is referred to as a transport path Q'. The rewinder 29 includes a support portion 291 , a shaft portion 91 , a magazine 92 , a base 292 , a back tension imparting portion 22 and a rewinder conveying portion 90 . The support portion 291 is cylindrical with an axis extending in the left-right direction. The support part 291 has openings in the upper and lower sides thereof. The shaft portion 91 is provided inside the support portion 291 . The shaft portion 91 extends in the left-right direction and is inserted through the cylindrical paper tube K'. A long medium M ejected from the ejection port 21 of the printing apparatus 1 is wound around the paper tube K' to form a roll R'. The roll R' may be wound in a roll shape so as to be attachable to the rewinder 29 without the paper tube K'. The magazine 92 is a U-shaped support base when viewed from the front. The magazine 92 supports both left and right ends of the shaft portion 91 so that the shaft portion 91 can rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The shaft portion 91 is detachably supported by the magazine 92 . The base 292 is a support that supports the magazine 92 from below.

The back tension applying section 22 includes a shaft section 221, a roller 222 and a spring (not shown). One end of the shaft portion 221 is provided on the left side of the support portion 291 and extends rearward and upward. One end of the shaft portion 221 is positioned at the center of the bottom surface of the support portion 291 when viewed from the front. The other end of the shaft portion 221 is positioned above and behind the support portion 291 . The shaft portion 221 is supported so that the other end of the shaft portion 221 can swing around the axis C. As shown in FIG. The axis C passes through one end of the shaft portion 221 and extends in the left-right direction. The roller 222 extends rightward from the other end of the shaft portion 221 . The roller 222 rotates around an axis extending in the left-right direction. The roller 222 oscillates in an arc shape around the axis C as the shaft portion 221 oscillates. The roller 222 is positioned in front and above the discharge port 21 of the printing apparatus 1 in the swing range. The spring always biases the shaft portion 221 so that the roller 222 is positioned at the top dead center. The top dead center of the roller 222 is above the axis C.

A long medium M wound around the roll R′ extends toward the roller 222 . The long medium M contacts the roller 222 and bends. The long medium M extends from the roller 222 toward the exit 21 of the printing device 1 .

The rewinder transport unit 90 transports the long medium M wound around the roll R' along the transport path Q'. The rewinder conveying portion 90 is detachably engaged with the shaft portion 91 , and transmits the driving force of the winding drive portion 66 to the shaft portion 91 to rotate the shaft portion 91 . The rewinder transport unit 90 is driven by the winding driving unit 66 to feed the long medium M from the roll R′ or wind the long medium M onto the roll R′. A direction in which the rewinder conveying unit 90 of the rewinder 29 feeds out the long medium M from the roll R' along the conveying path Q' is referred to as a forward direction F'. A direction opposite to the forward direction F' is referred to as a reverse direction B'.

When the shaft portion 91 rotates forward, the rewinder transport portion 90 rotates the roll R′ to transport the long medium M in the forward direction F′. The long medium M is fed from the roll R' toward the discharge port 21 of the printing apparatus 1 along the transport path Q'. When the shaft portion 91 is reversed, the rewinder conveying portion 90 rotates the roll R' to convey the long medium M in the reverse direction B'. The long medium M is taken up by the roll R' from the discharge port 21 of the printer 1 along the transport path Q'. That is, in the printing system 100, when the printing apparatus 1 transports the long medium M in the forward direction F and feeds it from the roll R, the rewinder 29 transports the long medium M in the reverse direction B' and winds it around the roll R'. take. When the printing apparatus 1 conveys the long medium M in the reverse direction B and winds it onto the roll R, the rewinder 29 conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F' and feeds it from the roll R'.

The back tension applying unit 22 applies back tension to the long medium M between the printing device 1 and the roll R' on the transport path Q'. The back tension applying section 22 swings the shaft section 221 rearward and downward against the resistance of the spring by the driving force of the tension driving section 67 which will be described later with reference to FIG. As a result, back tension is applied to the long medium M according to the resistance of the spring that urges the shaft portion 221 . The long medium M is urged in a direction crossing the forward direction F' and the reverse direction B' by back tension. The magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M changes according to the position of the roller 222 swinging around the axis C in an arc. When the roller 222 is positioned at the top dead center, no back tension is applied to the long medium M, and the magnitude of the back tension is the lower limit (zero). As the roller 222 swings rearward and downward from the top dead center, the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M increases. When the roller 222 is positioned at the rear lower end of the swinging range, the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M is maximized.

A cable 29A electrically connects the printing apparatus 1 and the rewinder 29 . The cable 29A has a plug 29B connectable to the winding device connection portion 241 at one end. The cable 29A has a plug (not shown) connectable to the rewinder 29 at the other end. When using the rewinder 29 , the user places the rewinder 29 in front of the printer 1 . The user inserts the plug 29B into the winding device connection portion 241 . The user inserts the plug at the other end of the cable 29A into the rewinder 29. As shown in FIG. The cable 29A, in a state of being inserted into the winding device connection portion 241, transmits signals transmitted and received between the first control portion 30 and the second control portion 60, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

The electrical configuration of the printing system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 1 includes a first control unit 30, a first storage unit 31 electrically connected to the first control unit 30, an operation unit 4, a display unit 3, a master winding transport drive unit 11, and a first transport drive unit. 9, second transport drive unit 38, third transport drive unit 39, fourth transport drive unit 49, printing unit 6, medium detection unit 53, tension detection unit 54, tension drive unit 50, halogen lamp 41, encoders 33, 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 55 , a first communication section 240 , a winding device connection section 241 and an external device connection section 242 . The first control unit 30 includes a CPU that controls the entire printing apparatus 1 . The first control unit 30 controls the printing unit 6, the halogen lamp 41, the main winding transport driving unit 11, the first transport driving unit 9, the second transport driving unit 38, and the third transport driving unit 39 according to instructions from the CPU. and a predetermined electric circuit or the like for transmitting a drive signal (for example, a drive current) to the fourth transport drive section 49 . The first storage unit 31 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like that store various parameters required when the first control unit 30 executes various programs. The first storage unit 31 stores a program for causing the first control unit 30 to execute a process such as a first return process, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 . The first control unit 30 expands the program stored in the first storage unit 31 and functions as an example of a processor that executes processing such as the first return processing.

The master winding transport driving section 11 rotationally drives the master winding transport section 10 . The base winding transport drive unit 11 is, for example, a stepping motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The first transport drive unit 9 rotationally drives the first transport unit 7 . The first transport drive unit 9 is, for example, a stepping motor that can rotate forward and backward. The second transport driving section 38 rotationally drives the second transport section 15 . The second transport drive unit 38 is, for example, a stepping motor. The third transport driving section 39 rotationally drives the third transport section 19 . The third transport drive unit 39 is, for example, a stepping motor that can rotate forward and backward. The fourth transport drive unit 49 rotationally drives the fourth transport unit 48 . The fourth transport drive unit 49 is, for example, a stepping motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The encoder 33 inputs to the first control section 30 a value corresponding to the driving amount of the original winding transport driving section 11 . The encoder 34 inputs to the first controller 30 a value corresponding to the driving amount of the first transport driving section 9 . The encoder 35 inputs to the first control section 30 a value corresponding to the amount of driving of the second transport driving section 38 . The encoder 36 inputs to the first controller 30 a value corresponding to the driving amount of the third transport driving section 39 . The encoder 37 inputs to the first controller 30 a value corresponding to the driving amount of the fourth transport driving section 49 . Hereinafter, when the first transport driving section 9, the second transport driving section 38, the third transport driving section 39, and the fourth transport driving section 49 are collectively referred to, they are simply referred to as transport driving sections.

The medium detection unit 53 inputs to the first control unit 30 a detection result indicating whether or not the leading edge of the print medium has passed. The tension detection unit 54 sends the detection result corresponding to the back tension applied to the long medium M between the back tension application unit 8 and the first transport unit 7 by the back tension application unit 8 to the first control unit 30. input.

The tension driving section 50 drives the back tension applying section 8 . The tension drive unit 50 is, for example, a stepping motor that can rotate forward and backward. The encoder 55 inputs a value corresponding to the driving amount of the tension driving section 50 to the first control section 30 . The first communication unit 240 is a communication module for communicating with a second control unit 60 (described later) of the rewinder 29 . The first communication section 240 is electrically connected to the winding device connection section 241 . The winding device connection section 241 functions as an input/output interface with the rewinder 29 . The external device connection unit 242 functions as an input/output interface with an external information device such as a PC.

The rewinder 29 includes a second control unit 60, a second storage unit 61 electrically connected to the second control unit 60, a winding drive unit 66, a tension drive unit 67, encoders 68 and 69, and a second communication unit 64. Prepare. The second control unit 60 has a CPU that controls the entire rewinder 29 . The second control unit 60, in response to instructions from the CPU, a predetermined electric circuit or the like that transmits a drive signal (e.g., drive current) to the winding drive unit 66, the tension drive unit 67, and the second communication unit 64. Prepare. The second storage unit 61 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like, which store various parameters and the like required when the various programs are executed by the second control unit 60 . The second storage unit 61 stores a program for causing the second control unit 60 to execute a process such as a second return process, which will be described later with reference to FIG. The second control unit 60 expands the program stored in the second storage unit 61 and functions as an example of a processor that executes processes such as the second return process.

The winding driving section 66 drives the rewinder conveying section 90 to rotate. The winding drive unit 66 is, for example, a stepping motor that can rotate forward and backward. The encoder 68 inputs a value corresponding to the drive amount of the winding drive section 66 to the second control section 60 . The encoder 68 detects the amount of rotation of the roll R′ by detecting the amount of drive of the winding drive section 66 . The second control unit 60 controls the conveying distance of the long medium M based on the amount of rotation of the roll R' detected by the encoder 68 and the diameter of the roll R' estimated in the initial control described later.

The tension driving section 67 drives the back tension applying section 22 . The tension drive unit 67 is, for example, a stepping motor that can rotate forward and backward. The encoder 69 inputs to the second control section 60 a value corresponding to the drive amount of the tension drive section 67 . The encoder 69 detects the position of the roller 222 swinging around the axis C by detecting the drive amount of the tension driving portion 67 . The magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M varies depending on the position of the swinging roller 222 . The encoder 69 detects the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by detecting the position of the swinging roller 222 . The second control section 60 controls the tension driving section 67 based on the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69 . The second communication section 64 is a communication module for communicating with the first communication section 240 of the printing apparatus 1 .

With reference to FIG. 4, control of the printing device 1 and the rewinder 29 when the long medium M breaks on the side of the rewinder 29 during printing by the printing device 1 will be described. In this embodiment, when the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69 of the rewinder 29 reaches the lower limit (zero), the second control unit 60 determines that the long medium M has broken on the rewinder 29 side. More specifically, when the long medium M is broken between the first conveying unit 7 and the discharge port 21 on the conveying path Q, or when the long medium M is broken on the conveying path Q′, the encoder 69 detects it. The lower limit is the magnitude of the back tension. In this case, in the printing system 100, it is assumed that "breakage of the long medium M occurred on the rewinder 29 side". Incidentally, when the long medium M breaks between the original roll conveying portion 10 and the first conveying portion 7 on the conveying path Q, the magnitude of the back tension detected by the tension detecting portion 54 of the printing apparatus 1 is the lower limit. becomes.

When the long medium M is broken on the rewinder 29 side, the back tension applying section 22 cannot apply back tension to the long medium M in the rewinder 29 that winds the long medium M. The roller 222 is positioned at the top dead center due to the drag force of the spring. The encoder 69 detects that the magnitude of the back tension is at the lower limit based on the roller 222 being positioned at the top dead center (B1). The rewinder 29 transmits the tension signal to the printing device 1 via the second communication section 64 (B2). The tension signal is a signal that notifies the printing apparatus 1 that the long medium M is broken on the rewinder 29 side.

After transmitting the tension signal to the printing apparatus 1, the rewinder 29 executes winding stop processing (B3). In the winding stop process, the rewinder 29 controls the winding drive unit 66 to reduce the winding speed of the long medium M and stop winding the long medium M onto the roll R'.

The printing device 1 prints on the printing medium by the printing unit 6 while feeding the long medium M in the forward direction F from the roll R until the tension signal is received. When the printer 1 receives the tension signal via the first communication unit 240 (A1), the printing device 1 executes print delivery processing (A2). In the print feeding process, the printing apparatus 1 drives the original roll transport drive unit 11 and the transport drive unit to move in the forward direction F until the print unit 6 completes printing of an image on one print medium being printed. A long medium M is fed out. The printing apparatus 1 detects the position of the leading edge of the print medium detected by the medium detection unit 53, the drive amount of the original roll transport drive unit 11 detected by the encoder 33, and the transport detected by the encoders 34, 35, 36, and 37. Based on the driving amount of the driving unit, it is determined whether or not the printing of the image on the printing medium is completed. When the printing unit 6 completes printing an image on one printing medium that is being printed, the original roll transport driving unit 11 and the transport driving unit are controlled to reduce the transport speed of the long medium M. stop transporting

When the printing feeding process is completed and the transport of the long medium M is stopped, the printing apparatus 1 executes the original winding feeding process (A3). The printing apparatus 1 controls the tension driving section 50 to move the back tension applying section 8 to the origin position in the original winding feeding process. The printing apparatus 1 drives the original roll transport drive unit 11 while the transport drive unit is stopped, and feeds out the long medium M from the roll R in the forward direction F by a predetermined amount. Due to the master winding feeding process, the long medium M between the master winding conveying portion 10 and the first conveying portion 7 on the conveying path Q is loosened. The long medium M is partially separated from the back tension applying section 8 and is in a floating state. The magnitude of the back tension detected by the tension detector 54 is the lower limit (zero).

When the original winding feeding process is completed, the printing device 1 transmits a winding command to the rewinder 29 via the first communication unit 240 (A4). The winding command is a signal for commanding additional winding of the long medium M by the rewinder 29, which will be described later.

The printing device 1 starts the confirmation winding process (A5). In the confirmation winding process, the printing apparatus 1 drives the original roll conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying drive unit, conveys the long medium M in the reverse direction B by a predetermined amount, and winds it onto the roll R. In the confirmation winding process, the conveying speed of the long medium M by the original winding conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying speed of the long medium M by the conveying drive unit are the same. The elongated medium M is conveyed in the reverse direction B in a state in which back tension is not applied by the back tension applying unit 8 . Therefore, in the confirmation winding process, the printing apparatus 1 can avoid the long medium M from being tilted and conveyed due to the back tension.

The printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the magnitude of the back tension detected by the tension detector 54 remains at the lower limit while executing the confirmation winding process (A6). When the amount of back tension applied to the long medium M increases while the confirmation winding process is being executed, or when a transport abnormality occurs, such as when a jam occurs in the transport path Q. There is In this case, the user needs to take action to resolve the transport abnormality in the printing apparatus 1 . The printing device 1 displays on the display unit 3 that the printing device 1 cannot immediately recover.

The printing apparatus 1 assumes that the printing apparatus 1 can normally convey the long medium M when a predetermined amount of the long medium M is taken up while the magnitude of the back tension detected by the tension detection unit 54 is the lower limit value. , the confirmation winding process ends (A7).

When the rewinder 29 receives the winding command via the second communication unit 64 (B4), it starts additional winding processing (B5). In the additional winding process, the rewinder 29 controls the winding drive unit 66 based on the encoder 68, conveys the long medium M by a predetermined amount in the reverse direction B', and winds it onto the roll R'. The predetermined amount to be wound by the rewinder 29 in the additional winding process is the distance from the discharge port 21 of the printing apparatus 1 to the roll R', that is, the length based on the length of the transport path Q'.

The rewinder 29 determines whether or not the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69 remains at the lower limit while executing the additional winding process (B6). If the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M increases while the additional winding process is being performed, a winding abnormality such as a jam occurs in the conveying path Q'. There may be In this case, the user needs to take action to eliminate the transport abnormality in the rewinder 29 . The rewinder 29 transmits a rewinder abnormality signal to the printing apparatus 1 via the second communication unit 64 . The rewinder error signal is a signal that notifies the printer 1 that the rewinder 29 cannot take up normally. When the printer 1 receives the rewinder abnormality signal via the first communication unit 240, the display unit 3 displays that the rewinder 29 cannot immediately return.

The rewinder 29 assumes that the rewinder 29 can normally wind the long medium M when a predetermined amount of the long medium M is wound while the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69 remains the lower limit value. The additional winding process ends. The rewinder 29 waits until it receives a second restart command, which will be described later, from the printer 1 .

After the confirmation winding process is completed, the printing device 1 executes the discharge feeding process (A8). In the ejection feeding process, the printing apparatus 1 drives the original roll conveying driving section 11 and the conveying driving section so that the leading edge of the torn long medium M is positioned outside the printing apparatus 1 through the discharge port 21 . A long medium M is fed out in a direction F. The printing apparatus 1 detects the position of the leading edge of the print medium detected by the medium detection unit 53, the drive amount of the original roll transport drive unit 11 detected by the encoder 33, and the transport detected by the encoders 34, 35, 36, and 37. The long medium M is fed based on the drive amount of the drive unit. More specifically, the printing apparatus 1 stores in the first storage unit 31 the position of the leading edge of the print medium detected by the medium detection unit 53 immediately before the breakage. The printing apparatus 1 controls the original roll conveying driving section 11 and the conveying driving section based on the encoders 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 and 37 , and the print medium stored in the first storage section 31 is delivered to the printing apparatus through the discharge port 21 . The long medium M is fed out so as to be positioned outside 1. The position of the print medium stored in the first storage unit 31 is closer to the roll R than the position of the leading edge of the torn long medium M. Therefore, the leading edge of the torn long medium M is positioned outside the printing apparatus 1 when the ejection feeding process is completed.

When the printing apparatus 1 completes the discharge and feeding process and has not received a rewinder abnormality signal from the rewinder 29, it executes a return possible notification (A9). The printing device 1 displays on the display unit 3 that the printing system 100 can be restored without any problem. The printer 1 waits until the first restart command is input.

The user joins the end of the torn long medium M on the printer 1 side and the end of the rewinder 29 . The user inputs the first restart command by operating the operation unit 4 . The first restart command is a signal for commanding the restart of printing on the print medium by the printer 1 . Upon receiving the first restart command (A10), the printing device 1 transmits a second restart command to the rewinder 29 via the first communication unit 240 (A11). The second restart command is a signal for commanding restart of winding of the long medium M by the rewinder 29 .

After transmitting the second restart command to the rewinder 29, the printing apparatus 1 drives the original roll conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying drive unit to feed the long medium M in the forward direction F, and the printing unit 6 prints on the print medium. is resumed (A12).

When the rewinder 29 receives the second restart command via the second communication unit 64 (B7), the rewinder 29 drives the winding drive unit 66 to convey the long medium M in the reverse direction B'. The winding onto the roll R' is restarted (B8).

The first return processing executed by the first control unit 30 of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. The first recovery process is executed when the long medium M is broken on the rewinder 29 side and a tension signal is received from the rewinder 29 . Before the first return process is executed, the printing apparatus 1 drives the original roll conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying drive unit to feed the long medium M in the forward direction F, and the printing unit 6 prints on the print medium. It is carried out.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the first return process is started, the first control unit 30 executes the print delivery process (S1). In the print feeding process, the first control unit 30 drives the original roll conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying drive unit in the forward direction until the print unit 6 completes printing of an image on one print medium being printed. Feed the long medium M to F. When the printing unit 6 completes printing an image on one print medium being printed, it controls the original roll transport driving unit 11 and the transport driving unit to stop transporting the long medium M. FIG.

The first control unit 30 starts the original reel feeding process (S2). The first control unit 30 controls the tension driving unit 50 to move the back tension applying unit 8 to the origin position in the original winding and feeding process. The first control unit 30 drives the original roll transport drive unit 11 while the transport drive unit is stopped, and feeds the long medium M from the roll R in the forward direction F by a predetermined amount.

The first control unit 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 8 is the lower limit value (zero) during execution of the original winding feeding process (S3 ). The first control section 30 makes the determination of S3 based on the magnitude of the back tension detected by the tension detection section 54 .

When the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 8 is not the lower limit value (S3: NO), the first control unit determines that the printing apparatus 1 cannot normally convey the long medium M. 30 executes printing apparatus abnormality notification (S19). The first control unit 30 displays on the display unit 3 in the printing device abnormality notification that the operator needs to work to resolve the conveyance abnormality in the printing device 1 and that the printing device 1 cannot be immediately restored. The first control unit 30 ends the first return processing.

When it is determined that the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 8 remains at the lower limit value (S3: YES), the first control unit 30 controls the long medium in the original winding feeding process. A determination is made as to whether or not M has been extended in the forward direction F by a predetermined amount (S4). The first control section 30 makes the determination of S4 based on the drive amount of the main winding transport drive section 11 detected by the encoder 33 .

If the predetermined amount of feeding of the long medium M has not been completed in the original winding feeding process (S4: NO), the first control unit 30 returns the process to the judgment of S3. The first control unit 30 repeats the determinations of S3 and S4 until the predetermined amount of feeding of the long medium M is completed in the original winding feeding process. When it is determined that the predetermined amount of the long medium M has been fed out in the master winding feeding process (S4: YES), the first control unit 30 stops driving the master winding transport driving section 11, and starts the master winding feeding process. End (S5). The first control unit 30 transmits a winding command to the rewinder 29 via the first communication unit 240 (S6).

The first control unit 30 starts the confirmation winding process (S7). In the confirmation winding process, the first control unit 30 drives the original winding transport driving unit 11 and the transport driving unit, transports the long medium M in the reverse direction B by a predetermined amount, and winds it onto the roll R.

The first control unit 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 8 remains at the lower limit value (zero) during execution of the confirmation winding process. (S8). The first control section 30 makes the determination of S8 based on the magnitude of the back tension detected by the tension detection section 54 .

If the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 8 is not the lower limit value (S8: NO), the first control unit determines that the printing apparatus 1 cannot normally convey the long medium M. 30 executes printing apparatus abnormality notification (S19). The first control unit 30 ends the first return processing.

When it is determined that the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 8 remains at the lower limit value (S8: YES), the first control unit 30 determines the length of the long medium in the confirmation winding process. It is determined whether or not the M has been wound in the reverse direction B by a predetermined amount (S9). The first control unit 30 makes a determination in S9 based on the drive amount of the main winding transport drive unit 11 detected by the encoder 33 and the drive amount of the transport drive units detected by the encoders 34, 35, 36, and 37. .

If the winding of the predetermined amount of the long medium M has not been completed in the confirmation winding process (S9: NO), the first control unit 30 returns the process to the judgment of S8. The first control unit 30 repeats the determinations of S8 and S9 until the winding of the predetermined amount of the long medium M is completed in the confirmation winding process. When it is determined in the confirmation winding process that winding of the predetermined amount of the long medium M is completed (S9: YES), the first control unit 30 stops driving the base winding transport driving unit 11 and the transport driving unit, The confirmation winding process is ended (S10).

As shown in FIG. 6, the ejection delivery process is started (S11). The first control unit 30 drives the master roll conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying drive unit to feed the long medium M in the forward direction F in the discharge feeding process.

The first control unit 30 determines whether or not the front end of the torn long medium M has reached the discharge port 21 by the discharge feeding process (S12). The first control unit 30 controls the position of the leading edge of the print medium detected by the medium detection unit 53, the drive amount of the original roll transport drive unit 11 detected by the encoder 33, and the drive amount detected by the encoders 34, 35, 36, 37. S12 is determined based on the drive amount of the transport drive unit. The first control unit 30 repeats the process of S12 until it determines that the front end of the long medium M broken by the discharge feeding process has reached the discharge port 21 (S12: NO). When the first control unit 30 determines that the leading edge of the long medium M that has been broken by the discharge feeding process has reached the discharge port 21 (S12: YES), the first control unit 30 controls the base roll transport drive unit 11 and the transport drive unit 11. The driving of the drive unit is stopped, and the ejection and feeding process is terminated (S13).

The first control unit 30 determines whether or not a rewinder abnormality signal has been received via the first communication unit 240 before the ejection and feeding process is completed (S14). The second control unit 60 transmits a rewinder abnormality signal to the first control unit 30 when an abnormality occurs in the transport of the long medium M in the rewinder 29 in the second recovery process described later with reference to FIG. 7 .

When the rewinder abnormality signal is received before the discharge feeding process is completed (S14: NO), the first control unit 30 executes the rewinder abnormality notification (S20). In the rewinder abnormality notification, the first control unit 30 displays on the display unit 3 that the operator needs to work to eliminate the transport abnormality in the rewinder 29 and that the printing apparatus 1 cannot be immediately restored. The first control unit 30 ends the first return processing.

If the rewinder abnormality signal has not been received by the time the discharge feeding process is completed (S13: YES), the first control unit 30 executes a return possible notification (S15). The first control unit 30 displays on the display unit 3 that the printing system 100 can be restored without any problem. The user confirms the notification that the recovery is possible displayed on the display unit 3, and joins the end of the torn long medium M on the printing apparatus 1 side and the end of the rewinder 29 together.

The first control unit 30 determines whether or not the first restart command has been received (S16). After connecting the end of the torn long medium M on the printer 1 side and the end of the rewinder 29 , the user operates the operation unit 4 to input the first restart command. The first control unit 30 waits until receiving the first restart command (S16: NO).

When determining that the first restart command has been received (S16: YES), the first control unit 30 transmits the second restart command to the rewinder 29 via the first communication unit 240 (S17). The first control unit 30 drives the original roll conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying drive unit to feed the long medium M in the forward direction F, and restarts printing on the print medium by the printing unit 6 (S18).

The second return processing executed by the second control unit 60 of the rewinder 29 will be described with reference to FIG. The second return process is executed when the long medium M is broken on the rewinder 29 side and the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69 is the lower limit value. Before the second return process is executed, the rewinder 29 drives the take-up drive unit 66 to transport the long medium M in the reverse direction B', and rolls the long medium M printed by the printing apparatus 1 onto the roll R. ´.

When the second return processing is started, the second control section 60 transmits a tension signal to the printing device 1 via the second communication section 64 (S21). The second control unit 60 executes winding stop processing (S22). In the winding stop process, the second control unit 60 controls the winding driving unit 66 to stop winding the long medium M onto the roll R'.

The second control unit 60 determines whether or not a winding command has been received from the printing apparatus 1 via the second communication unit 64 (S23). The second control unit 60 waits until receiving the winding command (S23: NO). When determining that the winding command has been received from the printing apparatus 1 (S23: YES), the second control unit 60 starts additional winding processing (S24). In the additional winding process, the second control unit 60 drives the winding drive unit 66 to convey the long medium M by a predetermined amount in the reverse direction B′ and wind it onto the roll R.

The second control unit 60 determines whether or not the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 22 remains at the lower limit value (zero) during the execution of the additional winding process. (S25). The second control unit 60 makes the determination of S25 based on the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69. FIG.

When the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 22 is not the lower limit value (S25: NO), the second control unit 60 determines that the rewinder 29 cannot normally convey the long medium M. to decide. The second control unit 60 transmits a rewinder abnormality signal to the first control unit 30 via the second communication unit 64 (S30). The second control unit 60 ends the second return processing.

When it is determined that the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M by the back tension applying unit 8 remains at the lower limit value (S25: YES), the second control unit 60 controls the length medium in the additional winding process. It is determined whether or not the M has been wound by a predetermined amount in the reverse direction B' (S26). The second control section 60 makes the determination of S26 based on the drive amount of the winding drive section 66 detected by the encoder 68 .

If the winding of the predetermined amount of the long medium M has not been completed in the additional winding process (S26: NO), the second control unit 60 returns the process to the judgment of S25. The second control unit 60 repeats the determinations of S25 and S26 until a predetermined amount of the long medium M is completely wound in the additional winding process. When it is determined that the predetermined amount of the long medium M has been completely wound in the additional winding process (S26: YES), the second control unit 60 stops driving the winding drive unit 66 and starts the additional winding process. End (S27).

The second control unit 60 determines whether or not the second restart command has been received from the printing apparatus 1 via the second communication unit 64 (S28). The second control unit 60 waits until receiving the second restart command (S28: NO). When determining that the second restart command has been received from the printing apparatus 1 (S28: YES), the second control unit 60 drives the winding drive unit 66 to convey the long medium M in the reverse direction B', The winding of the length medium M to the roll R' is restarted (S29).

As described above, in the printing system 100, when the encoder 69 detects that the roller 222 is at the top dead center, the second control unit 60 determines that the magnitude of the back tension is the lower limit. The second control unit 60 transmits a tension signal to the printing device 1 via the second communication unit 64, and notifies the printing device 1 that the long medium M is broken on the rewinder 29 side (S21). In the winding stop process, the rewinder 29 stops winding the long medium M onto the roll R', and then executes the additional winding process (S24 to S27). In the additional winding process, the rewinder 29 controls the winding drive unit 66 based on the encoder 68, conveys the long medium M by a predetermined amount in the reverse direction B', and winds it onto the roll R'. When the printer 1 receives the tension signal via the first communication unit 240, the printer 1 executes print feed processing (S1). In the print feeding process, the printing apparatus 1 drives the original roll transport drive unit 11 and the transport drive unit to move in the forward direction F until the print unit 6 completes printing of an image on one print medium being printed. A long medium M is fed out. When the printing unit 6 completes printing an image on one printing medium that is being printed, the original roll transport driving unit 11 and the transport driving unit are controlled to reduce the transport speed of the long medium M. stop transporting In the printing system 100 , the printing apparatus 1 receives the tension signal from the rewinder 29 and recognizes that the long medium M has broken on the rewinder 29 side. The printing apparatus 1 feeds out the long medium M in the forward direction F while printing on the print medium until printing of an image on one print medium being printed is completed. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can prevent the conveyance of the long medium M from being stopped in the middle of printing the image. When respreading the long medium M between the printing apparatus 1 and the rewinder 29, the user must remove the half-printed part so that the part that is halfway printed does not remain on the respread long medium M. no need to remove. Therefore, even if the medium is broken on the rewinder 29 side, the printing system 100 can resume printing by the printing apparatus 1 without requiring the user to perform complicated operations.

The first control unit 30 executes a confirmation winding process (S7-S10). The first control unit 30 conveys the long medium M in the reverse direction B by a predetermined amount and winds it onto the roll R in the confirmation winding process. The first control unit 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the back tension detected by the tension detection unit 54 remains at the lower limit while the confirmation winding process is being executed (S8). When the magnitude of the back tension remains at the lower limit value and the confirmation winding process is performed normally, there is no serious abnormality in the printing system 100 and the printing system 100 can resume printing by the printing apparatus 1 .

When a predetermined amount of the long medium M is wound while the magnitude of the back tension is at the lower limit value in the confirmation winding process, the first control unit 30 executes the discharge feeding process (S11 to S13). The printer 1 feeds the long medium M in the forward direction F by driving the master roll conveying drive section 11 and the conveying drive section in the discharge feeding process. As a result, the user can easily connect the end of the torn long medium M on the printer 1 side and the end of the torn long medium M on the rewinder 29 side.

The first control unit 30 drives the original roll conveying driving unit 11 and the conveying driving unit so that the leading end of the torn long medium M is positioned outside the printer 1 through the discharge port 21 in the discharge feeding process. . The first control unit 30 controls the position of the leading edge of the print medium detected by the medium detection unit 53, the drive amount of the original roll transport drive unit 11 detected by the encoder 33, and the drive amount detected by the encoders 34, 35, 36, 37. The long medium M is fed out in the forward direction F until the front end of the broken long medium M reaches the discharge port 21 based on the driving amount of the transport drive unit. As a result, the user can easily connect the end of the torn long medium M on the printer 1 side and the end of the torn long medium M on the rewinder 29 side.

The first control unit 30 determines whether or not the first restart command has been received (S16). If it is determined that the first restart command has been received (S16: YES), the first control unit 30 drives the original roll conveying drive unit 11 and the conveying drive unit to feed the long medium M in the forward direction F, and the printing unit 6 to resume printing on the print medium (S18). The second control unit 60 determines whether or not the second restart command has been received from the printing apparatus 1 via the second communication unit 64 (S28). When determining that the second restart command has been received from the printing apparatus 1 (S28: YES), the second control unit 60 drives the winding drive unit 66 to convey the long medium M in the reverse direction B', The winding of the length medium M to the roll R' is restarted (S29). In this case, the printing system 100 can easily resume printing by the printing device 1 and winding by the rewinder 29 .

When the first control unit 30 determines that the leading end of the long medium M that has been broken by the discharge feeding process has reached the discharge port 21 (S12: YES), it executes a return possible notification (S15). The first control unit 30 displays on the display unit 3 that the printing system 100 can be restored without any problem. As a result, the user can easily understand that the printing system 100 can be restored without problems and printing by the printing apparatus 1 can be resumed.

The printing device 1 transmits a winding command to the rewinder 29 via the first communication unit 240 (S6). When the rewinder 29 receives the winding command via the second communication unit 64 (S23: YES), it performs additional winding processing (S24 to S27). In this case, the printing apparatus 1 controls the entire printing system 100 . As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can resume printing without performing complicated control over the entire printing system 100 .

In the additional winding process, the rewinder 29 winds up the length of the long medium M based on the distance from the discharge port 21 of the printing apparatus 1 to the roll R', that is, the length of the transport path Q'. As a result, when the long medium M breaks on the rewinder 29 side, the broken long medium M can be prevented from scattering around the rewinder 29 . Therefore, the printing system 100 can resume printing by the printing apparatus 1 without requiring the user to do complicated work.

The second control unit 60 determines whether or not the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69 remains at the lower limit value (zero) during execution of the additional winding process (S25). The second control unit 60 determines whether the magnitude of the back tension remains at the lower limit value (zero) while the additional winding process is being performed, and determines whether the additional winding process is normally performed. monitor what If the additional winding process is performed normally, there is no serious abnormality in the printing system 100 and the printing system 100 can resume winding by the rewinder 29 .

In the above embodiment, the long medium M corresponds to the "medium" of the present invention. The original winding transport section 10 corresponds to the "supply section" of the present invention. The first conveying section 7, the second conveying section 15, the third conveying section 19, and the fourth conveying section 48 correspond to the "conveying section" of the present invention. The medium detection unit 53 corresponds to the "position detection unit" of the present invention, and the discharge port 21 corresponds to the "discharge unit" of the present invention. The rewinder transport section 90 corresponds to the "winding section" of the present invention. The back tension applying section 22 corresponds to the "winding tension applying section" of the present invention. The encoder 69 corresponds to the "winding tension detector" of the present invention. The lower limit (zero) of the back tension corresponds to the "threshold" of the present invention. The processing of S21 corresponds to the "tension signal processing" of the present invention, and the step of B2 corresponds to the "tension signal step" of the present invention. The forward direction F corresponds to the "delivery direction" of the present invention. The additional winding process performed in S23 to S26 corresponds to the "winding process" of the present invention, and the step of B4 corresponds to the "winding step" of the present invention. The process of S1 corresponds to the "delivering process" of the present invention, and the process of A2 corresponds to the "delivering process" of the present invention. The back tension applying section 8 corresponds to the "conveying tension applying section" of the present invention. The tension detector 54 corresponds to the "conveyance tension detector" of the present invention. The reverse direction B corresponds to the "retraction direction" of the present invention. The confirmation winding process performed in S7 to S10 corresponds to the "pullback process" of the present invention, and the confirmation winding process performed in A5 to A7 corresponds to the "pullback process" of the present invention. The lower limit value (zero) of the back tension corresponds to the "second threshold" of the present invention. The determination of S8 corresponds to the "determining process" of the present invention, and the determination of A6 corresponds to the "determining step" of the present invention. The discharge feeding process performed in S11 to S13 corresponds to the "second feeding process" of the present invention, and the step of A8 corresponds to the "second feeding step" of the present invention. The determination of S16 corresponds to the "first reception process" of the present invention, and the step of A10 corresponds to the "first reception step" of the present invention. The process of S18 corresponds to the "printing return process" of the present invention, and the process of A12 corresponds to the "printing return process" of the present invention. The determination of S28 corresponds to the "second receiving process" of the present invention, and the step of B7 corresponds to the "second receiving step" of the present invention. The processing of S29 corresponds to the "winding recovery process" of the present invention, and the step of B8 corresponds to the "winding recovery step" of the present invention. The process of S15 corresponds to the "display process" of the present invention, and the process of A9 corresponds to the "display process" of the present invention. The process of S6 corresponds to the "winding command process" of the present invention, and the process of A4 corresponds to the "winding command process" of the present invention. The lower limit value (zero) of the back tension corresponds to the "third threshold" of the present invention. The determination of S25 corresponds to the "second determination process" of the present invention, and the determination of B6 corresponds to the "second determination step" of the present invention.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the first communication unit 240 and the second communication unit 64 may be configured to allow wireless connection between the printing apparatus 1 and the rewinder 29 .

In the above embodiment, when the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69 reaches the lower limit, the second control unit 60 determines that the long medium M has broken on the rewinder 29 side. Alternatively, depending on the configuration of the rewinder 29, the criterion for determining whether or not the long medium M is broken on the rewinder 29 side may be changed as appropriate. For example, the printing apparatus 1 may include a detection unit that detects the magnitude of the back tension applied to the long medium M at the discharge port 21 . In this case, the second control unit 60 controls the length of the long medium M on the side of the rewinder 29 based on the magnitude of the back tension of the detection unit transmitted from the printing apparatus 1 and the magnitude of the back tension detected by the encoder 69. It may be determined that a rupture has occurred.

The magnitude of the back tension, which serves as a reference for determining that the long medium M has broken on the rewinder 29 side, may be changed as appropriate. The second control unit 60 may determine that the long medium M has broken on the rewinder 29 side when the magnitude of the back tension is less than a predetermined threshold. The magnitude of the back tension, which serves as a reference for determining that the confirmation winding process can be executed normally, may be changed as appropriate. The first control unit 30 may determine that the confirmation winding process can be executed normally when the magnitude of the back tension remains less than the predetermined threshold value during the confirmation winding process. The magnitude of the back tension, which serves as a reference for determining that the additional winding process can be performed normally, may be changed as appropriate. The second control unit 60 may determine that the additional winding process can be executed normally when the magnitude of the back tension remains less than the predetermined threshold value during the additional winding process.

In the print feeding process, the first control unit 30 does not need to stop feeding the long medium M in the middle of printing an image on the printing medium. For example, in the print delivery process, the first control unit 30 controls the original roll transport drive unit 11 and the transport drive unit to The transportation of the length medium M may be stopped. The long medium M does not have to include multiple print media. In this case, the first control unit 30 may feed a predetermined amount in the printing feeding process. The predetermined amount of the long medium M fed out in this case may be the amount input to the first control unit 30 by the user operating the operation unit 4, or may be the length of the transport path Q of the printing apparatus 1. It can be the amount based on The long medium M may be fanfold paper that is folded along perforations cut in the paper. The long medium M may be free of perforations, cuts, and cuts.

In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 that received the first restart command from the operation unit 4 transmitted the second restart command to the rewinder 29, and the rewinder 29 that received the second restart command resumed winding. On the other hand, the rewinder 29 receiving the second restart command may transmit the first restart command to the printing apparatus 1, and the rewinder 29 receiving the first restart command may restart winding. In this case, the rewinder 29 may include an operation section for inputting the second restart command to the second control section 60 . Also, the printing apparatus 1 does not have to transmit the second restart command to the rewinder 29 . In this case, the rewinder 29 may restart winding in response to receiving the second restart command from the operation unit.

The printing device 1 can employ various print heads such as an inkjet head, a thermal print head, and an LED print head as the print unit 6 .

In the above embodiment, the first transport section 7, the second transport section 15, the third transport section 19, and the fourth transport section 48 use rollers (transport rollers 17, 46, 71 and pinch rollers 18, 47, 72). configured as follows. The second conveying unit 15 is configured using rollers (the driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14, the conveying roller 46, and the pinch roller 47) and a belt (the endless belt 16). All of the first conveying section 7, the second conveying section 15, the third conveying section 19, and the fourth conveying section 48 may be configured with rollers, or the first conveying section 7, the second conveying section 15, and the third conveying section may be configured with rollers. All of the section 19 and the fourth conveying section 48 may be configured by belts.

The configurations of the back tension applying units 8 and 22 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the back tension applying units 8 and 22 have a pair of rollers arranged vertically, and the long medium M is stretched over the pair of rollers in an S shape when viewed from the right side. The back tension applying units 8 and 22 apply tension to the long medium M by moving the pair of rollers close to or apart from each other.

Although the medium detection unit 53 detects the presence or absence of the leading edge of the print medium in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the medium detection unit 53 may detect the presence or absence of the long medium M. In this case, the first control unit 30 can detect the broken position of the long medium M based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the long medium M by the medium detection unit 53 . Further, when a marker is provided between each print medium in the long medium M, the medium detection unit 53 may detect the presence or absence of the marker.

The rewinder 29 may have a display. In the second return process, when the additional winding process is completed (S27), the second control unit 60 displays on the display unit that the second return process is normally executed and the printing system 100 can be restored without problems. You may

When the rewinder 29 notifies the printing apparatus 1 that the long medium M has been broken on the rewinder 29 side, the tension signal need not be used. The rewinder 29 may notify the printing apparatus 1 that the long medium M has been broken on the rewinder 29 side by transmitting to the printing apparatus 1 the amount of back tension detected by the encoder 69, for example.

Each step of the first return action of the printing device 1 is not limited to the example executed by the CPU of the first control unit 30 . Each step of the second return action of the rewinder 29 is not limited to the example executed by the CPU of the second control unit 60 . A part or all of each step of the first return action and the second return action may be executed by another electronic device (for example, ASIC). Each step of the first return action and the second return action may be distributed and processed by a plurality of electronic devices (for example, a plurality of CPUs). A mode in which the operating system (OS) or the like running on the printing apparatus 1 performs part or all of the first recovery action based on an instruction from the first control unit 30 is also included in the scope of the present invention. A mode in which an operating system (OS) or the like running on the rewinder 29 performs a part or all of the second restoration processing based on an instruction from the second control unit 60 is also included in the scope of the present invention.

A program for executing the first recovery procedure is downloaded (that is, transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network (not shown) via the external device connection unit 242, and stored in the first storage unit 31. may be stored in The program for executing the second recovery action may be downloaded from a server connected to a network (not shown) and stored in the second storage unit 61, for example. In this case, the program for executing the first recovery action and the second recovery action may be saved in a non-temporary storage medium such as an HDD provided in the server.

Each step of the first return procedure can be changed in order, omitted, or added as required. For example, the first control unit 30 may add a process of transmitting a signal in response to the reception of the tension signal at the start of the first return process to the second control unit 60 via the first communication unit 240. good. The first control unit 30 may omit the original winding feeding process (S2 to S5), the return possible notification (S15), the printer abnormality notification (S19), and the rewinder abnormality notification (S20) in the first return process. . Each step of the second recovery procedure can be changed in order, omitted, or added as required. For example, the second control unit 60 may add a process of transmitting a signal in response to the reception of the second restart command to the second control unit 60 via the first communication unit 240 . The second control unit 60 may omit transmission of the rewinder abnormality signal (S30) in the second recovery process.

1 printing device 5 holding unit 6 printing unit 7 first conveying unit 8 back tension applying unit 10 original winding conveying unit 15 second conveying unit 19 third conveying unit 21 outlet 29 rewinder 30 first control unit 48 fourth conveying unit 53 Medium detection unit 60 Second control unit 64 Second communication unit 90 Rewinder transport unit 100 Printing system 240 First communication unit M Elongated medium

Claims (18)

A printing system comprising: a printing device that prints on a medium; and a rewinder that winds up the medium printed by the printing device,
The printing device
a supply unit that supplies the medium;
a transport unit that transports the medium supplied from the supply unit;
a position detection unit that detects the position of the medium transported by the transport unit;
a printing unit that prints on the medium conveyed by the conveying unit based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit;
a discharge unit for discharging the medium printed by the printing unit;
a first communication unit that communicates with the rewinder;
comprising a first control unit and
The rewinder is
a winding unit that winds up the medium discharged from the discharge unit of the printing device;
a winding tension applying unit that applies tension to the medium wound by the winding unit;
a winding tension detection unit that detects the tension applied to the medium by the winding tension applying unit;
a second communication unit that communicates with the printing device;
a second control unit and
The second control unit of the rewinder,
Tension signal processing for transmitting a tension signal to the first control unit via the second communication unit when the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
a winding process for controlling the winding unit and winding the medium by a predetermined winding amount when the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
The first control unit of the printing device,
When the tension signal is received via the first communication unit, the supply unit and the transport unit based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit while the printing unit prints on the medium. and executing a feeding process for conveying in a feeding direction feeding from the supply unit to the discharge unit,
The delivery process is
A printing system, wherein the medium is conveyed until printing of an image on the medium is completed by the printing unit of the printing apparatus. The printing device
a conveying tension applying unit that applies tension to the medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
a conveying tension detection unit that detects the tension applied to the medium by the conveying tension applying unit;
The first control unit is
After the medium is transported by the feeding process, the feeding section and the transporting section are controlled based on the position of the medium detected by the position detecting section, and the medium is transported in the retracting direction opposite to the feeding direction by a predetermined amount. a pullback process of conveying by the pullback amount;
a determination process of determining whether the tension detected by the transport tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold while the medium is being transported in the pull-back direction by the pull-back process; 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein: The first control unit is
In the determination process, if it is determined that the tension detected by the transport tension detection unit is equal to or less than the second threshold, the medium is transported in the pull-back direction by the pull-back process, and then the position 3. The printing according to claim 2, wherein the feeding unit and the conveying unit are controlled based on the position of the medium detected by the detecting unit, and a second feeding process is executed to convey the medium in the feeding direction. system. The position detection unit detects the position of the leading edge of the medium,
The first control unit is
In the second feeding process, the supply unit and the transport unit are controlled based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit, and the leading end of the medium is moved to a position outside the printing device via the discharge unit. 4. The printing system according to claim 3, characterized in that it conveys. The first control unit is
a first reception process for receiving a first restart command for restarting printing on the medium by the printing unit after the medium is conveyed in the feeding direction by the second feeding process;
executing a print return process of controlling the supply unit, the transport unit, and the printing unit to perform printing while transporting the medium when the first restart command is received in the first reception process;
The second control unit is
a second reception process for receiving a second restart command for restarting the winding of the medium by the winding unit;
and a winding recovery process for controlling the winding unit and winding the medium discharged from the discharging unit when the second restart command is received by the second receiving process. 5. The printing system according to claim 3 or 4. The printing device includes a display unit,
The first control unit is
a display process for displaying on the display unit that printing on the medium by the printing unit can be resumed after the medium is conveyed in the feeding direction by the second feeding process. Item 6. The printing system according to any one of items 3 to 5. When the tension signal is received, the first control unit executes a winding command process of transmitting a winding command to the second control unit via the first communication unit,
7. The medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second control unit winds the medium by the winding process when the winding command is received via the second communication unit. printing system. 8. The take-up amount is a distance from the discharge section of the printing device to the take-up section of the rewinder, or a time based on the distance and the transport speed of the medium. The printing system according to any one of . The second control unit determines whether the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined third threshold value while the medium is wound by the winding process. 9. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a determination process is executed. A supply unit that supplies a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium supplied from the supply unit, a position detection unit that detects the position of the medium transported by the transport unit, and the position detection unit. a printing unit that prints on the medium conveyed by the conveying unit based on the position of the medium; a discharge unit that discharges the medium printed by the printing unit; and the medium printed by the printing unit. a printing device that uses a rewinder that winds the
A winding section that winds the medium discharged from the discharge section, a winding tension applying section that applies tension to the medium wound by the winding section, and a tension applied to the medium by the winding tension applying section. A printing method using a rewinder that uses a winding tension detection unit that detects the tension applied and a second communication unit that communicates with the printing device,
The rewinder is
a tension signal step of transmitting a tension signal to the printing apparatus via the second communication unit when the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
a winding step of controlling the winding unit and winding the medium by a winding amount when the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
The printing device
When the tension signal is received via the first communication unit, the supply unit and the transport unit based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit while the printing unit prints on the medium. and performing a feeding step of conveying in a feeding direction feeding from the supply unit to the discharge unit,
The feeding step includes
A printing method, comprising: conveying the medium until printing of an image on the medium is completed by the printing unit of the printing apparatus. The printing device
Using a conveying tension applying unit that applies tension to the medium conveyed by the conveying unit and a conveying tension detecting unit that detects the tension applied to the medium by the conveying tension applying unit,
After the medium is conveyed by the feeding step, the feeding section and the conveying section are controlled based on the position of the medium detected by the position detecting section, and the medium is pulled back in a pull-back direction opposite to the feeding direction. A pull-back process of conveying by the amount,
a determination step of determining whether or not the tension detected by the transport tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold value while the medium is being transported in the pull-back direction by the pull-back step; 11. The method of printing according to claim 10, wherein: The printing device
In the determination step, if it is determined that the tension detected by the conveying tension detection unit is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the medium is conveyed in the pull-back direction by the pull-back step, and then the position 12. The printing according to claim 11, characterized in that a second delivery step of controlling the supply section and the transport section based on the position of the medium detected by the detection section and transporting the medium in the delivery direction is performed. Method. The position detection unit detects the position of the leading edge of the medium,
The printing device
In the second feeding step, the supply unit and the transport unit are controlled based on the position of the medium detected by the position detection unit, and the medium is transported to a position outside the printing apparatus via the discharge unit. The printing method according to claim 12, characterized by: The printing device
a first receiving step of receiving a first restart command for restarting printing on the medium by the printing unit after the medium is conveyed in the feeding direction by the second feeding step;
a printing return step of controlling the supply unit, the transport unit, and the printing unit to perform printing while transporting the medium when the first restart command is received in the first receiving step;
The rewinder is
a second receiving step of receiving a second restart command for restarting winding of the medium by the winding unit;
and a winding return step of controlling the winding unit and winding the medium discharged from the discharging unit when the second restart command is received by the second receiving step. The printing method according to claim 12 or 13. The printing device uses the display unit to
After conveying the medium in the feeding direction in the second feeding step, a displaying step is performed for displaying on the display unit that printing on the medium by the printing unit can be resumed. Item 15. The printing method according to any one of items 12 to 14. When the tension signal is received, the printing device executes a winding command step of transmitting a winding command to the rewinder via the first communication unit,
16. The printing method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the rewinder winds the medium by the winding step when receiving the winding command via the second communication unit. . 16. The take-up amount is a distance from the discharge section of the printing device to the take-up section of the rewinder, or a time based on the distance and the transport speed of the medium. The printing method according to any one of The rewinder performs a second determination step of determining whether the tension detected by the winding tension detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined third threshold value while winding the medium in the winding step. 18. The printing method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein:

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