JP2023168038A - thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a thermal printer in which, a previous use region and a next use region in an ink ribbon do not overlap.SOLUTION: A thermal printer 1 comprises: a thermal head 21 which performs printing to a printed matter F which is moved at a prescribed speed; an ink ribbon R which is arranged between the thermal head 21 and a printing surface of the printed matter F, and transfers the ink to the printed matter F when printing is performed to the printed matter F by the thermal head 21; a ribbon driving part 321 for moving the ink ribbon R; and a ribbon control part 112 for controlling the ribbon driving part 321 so as to move the ink ribbon R so that a movement speed Vf of the printed matter F and a movement speed Vr of the ink ribbon R become a same movement speed. The ribbon control part 112 monitors a previous use region and a next use region of the ink ribbon R, for controlling the ribbon driving part 321 so that the previous use region and next use region do not overlap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal printer.

Conventionally, a thermal head prints on a long film (printing material) such as a packaging film that moves at a predetermined speed, and an ink ribbon transfers ink to the long film when printing on the long film with the thermal head. A thermal printer is known that includes a ribbon drive unit that moves an ink ribbon, and a ribbon control unit that controls movement of the ink ribbon (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In such thermal printers, during printing, the ink ribbon is controlled by a ribbon controller so that it moves at the same speed as the long film that is continuously moved by a packaging machine, etc., in order to ensure printing quality. be done.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-216478

In thermal printers that control the ink ribbon to move at the same speed as the long film during printing, the ink ribbon is accelerated at a predetermined acceleration until the ink ribbon reaches the same speed as the long film. Therefore, when the moving speed of the long film is different, the acceleration time of the ink ribbon is different. If the acceleration times of the ink ribbon differ, the distance that the long film moves will differ from when the ribbon control section receives the print signal until the ink ribbon reaches the same moving speed as the long film.

In addition, if the acceleration time of the ink ribbon is different, the distance the ink ribbon moves will be different from when the ribbon control unit receives the print signal until the ink ribbon reaches the same moving speed as the long film, resulting in printing. Even if a signal is input at a predetermined timing, the area in which the ink ribbon is used may not be at a fixed position. In this case, there is a possibility that the previous use area of the ink ribbon and the next use area of the ink ribbon overlap. Therefore, a thermal printer is desired in which the previously used area of the ink ribbon does not overlap with the next used area.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal printer in which a previously used area of an ink ribbon does not overlap with a next used area.

The present invention includes a thermal head that prints on a printing material that is moved at a predetermined speed, and a thermal head that is disposed between the thermal head and a printing surface of the printing material, and when printing on the printing material with the thermal head. an ink ribbon to which ink is transferred to the printing material; a ribbon drive unit that moves the ink ribbon; a ribbon control unit that controls the ribbon drive unit to move the ink ribbon, and the ribbon control unit monitors the previous use area and the next use area of the ink ribbon, and the ribbon control unit monitors the previous use area and next use area of the ink ribbon. The present invention relates to a thermal printer that controls the ribbon drive unit so that the area to be used next time does not overlap.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal printer in which the previously used area and the next used area of the ink ribbon do not overlap.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a thermal printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a thermal printer. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the ink ribbon, and shows a case where the long film moves at a moving speed Vf when the printing reference speed Vk is set to the printing reference speed Va. 5 is a timing chart showing movement control of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film does not change. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film does not change. 5 is a timing chart showing the movement control of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film increases from the middle. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film increases from the middle. 5 is a timing chart showing the movement control of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film decreases from the middle. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film decreases midway. 7 is a timing chart showing the movement control of the ink ribbon when priority is given to the feeding operation of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film decreases from the middle. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ink ribbon when the moving speed of the long film decreases midway and priority is given to the feeding operation of the ink ribbon. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of printing a plurality of long character strings in the running direction of a long film in the thermal printer of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a ribbon save function in the thermal printer of the second embodiment. 7 is a timing chart showing movement control of an ink ribbon when the movement speed of a long film increases from the middle in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an ink ribbon when the moving speed of a long film increases from the middle in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function. 7 is a timing chart showing movement control of an ink ribbon when the moving speed of a long film does not change in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an ink ribbon when the moving speed of a long film does not change in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function. 7 is a timing chart showing movement control of an ink ribbon when the movement speed of a long film increases from the middle in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an ink ribbon when the moving speed of a long film increases from the middle in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function. 7 is a timing chart showing movement control of an ink ribbon when the moving speed of a long film decreases halfway in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an ink ribbon when the moving speed of a long film decreases halfway in a thermal printer having a ribbon save function.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a thermal printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The thermal printer 1 of this embodiment prints, for example, on a long film F (printing material) such as a packaging film that is continuously moved by a packaging machine (not shown) or the like. The long film F is formed of a long film. The long film F is, for example, a packaging film that is moved by a packaging machine (not shown) or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal printer 1 includes a printer main body 2, a platen roller 4, an upstream guide roller 61, a downstream guide roller 62, a rotary encoder 7, and a mark detection sensor 8.

The printer main body 2 is disposed above the moving path of the long film F in the middle of the moving path of the long film F. The printer main body 2 is held by a support section 23.

The support portion 23 includes a support shaft portion 24, a moving member 25, and a holding member 26. The support shaft portion 24 is held by a holding member 26. The moving member 25 is supported by the support shaft portion 24 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the support shaft portion 24 (in the direction penetrating the plane of the paper in FIG. 1). The printer main body 2 is fixed to the moving member 25. The printer main body 2 is movable in the axial direction of the support shaft portion 24 by the moving member 25 moving in the axial direction of the support shaft portion 24 .

The printer main body 2 includes an ink ribbon R, a ribbon transport mechanism 3, a thermal head 21, and a holding frame 22. The holding frame 22 holds the ribbon transport mechanism 3 and the thermal head 21 .

The thermal head 21 is arranged facing the platen roller 4 with the ink ribbon R and the long film F interposed therebetween. The thermal head 21 is arranged such that the tip end 21a side protrudes toward the platen roller 4 side. The thermal head 21 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z. The thermal head 21 prints a print pattern (not shown) on a long film F that moves from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The thermal head 21 is arranged to face the long film F that is moved in the moving direction P at a predetermined moving speed. The thermal head 21 is configured to be movable with respect to the platen roller 4 to a standby position (see FIG. 1) where it is spaced apart from the platen roller 4 or a pressing position (not shown) where it presses the platen roller 4.

The thermal head 21 includes a plurality of heating elements at its tip 21a. In the thermal head 21, the heating element generates heat when the thermal head 21 is energized.

The ink ribbon R is arranged between the thermal head 21 and the printing surface of the long film F. Ink is transferred from the ink ribbon R to the long film F when the thermal head 21 prints on the long film F. The ink ribbon R is transported (moved) by the ribbon transport mechanism 3.

The ribbon transport mechanism 3 includes an original ribbon holder 31 that holds a wound unused ink ribbon R, a take-up ribbon holder 32 that winds up the ink ribbon R, and a plurality of guide rollers 33, 34, 35. , 36, and a ribbon drive motor 321 as a ribbon drive section. The ribbon transport mechanism 3 is driven by a ribbon drive motor 321 to rewind the unused ink ribbon R wound around the original ribbon holder 31 toward the thermal head 21 and to unwind the ink used in the thermal head 21. The ribbon R is wound onto the winding-side ribbon holder 32.

The ribbon drive motor 321 moves the ink ribbon R. The ribbon drive motor 321 rotationally drives the winding-side ribbon holder 32 in both directions, a direction for rewinding the ink ribbon R and a direction for winding the ink ribbon R. The ribbon drive motor 321 transports the ink ribbon R toward the thermal head 21 at the same moving speed as a long film F such as a packaging film that is continuously moved by a packaging machine or the like.
The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by a ribbon control section 112, which will be described later.

The plurality of guide rollers 33, 34, 35, and 36 guide the ink ribbon R conveyed from the original ribbon holder 31 toward the take-up ribbon holder 32, or guide the ink ribbon R conveyed from the original ribbon holder 31 to the take-up ribbon holder 32. This is a roller that guides the ink ribbon R being conveyed toward the side ribbon holder 31.

The platen roller 4, the upstream guide roller 61, and the downstream guide roller 62 are held by the side plate 10 or the like. The platen roller 4, the upstream guide roller 61, and the downstream guide roller 62 guide the movement of the long film F in the moving direction P.

As shown in FIG. 1, the platen roller 4 is arranged facing the thermal head 21 with the ink ribbon R and the long film F interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, the platen roller 4 is arranged below the thermal head 21.

The platen roller 4 is rotatable with the long film F disposed between the platen roller 4 and the thermal head 21 while wrapping at least a portion of the long film F around its circumferential surface. The platen roller 4 is a cylindrical roller with a predetermined outer diameter, and has an elastic layer made of a material having a predetermined elasticity, such as silicone rubber, formed on the circumferential surface of a metal core having a predetermined diameter. The platen roller 4 includes a platen roller main body 41 and a platen shaft member 42. The platen shaft member 42 is rotatably supported by the side plate 10 via a bearing (not shown).

The rotary encoder 7 is arranged opposite to the platen roller 4 with the long film F interposed therebetween. The rotary encoder 7 rotates as the long film F moves, detects the amount of movement of the long film F as a rotation amount, and outputs it as a pulse signal. Thereby, the control unit 110 (described later) calculates the position of the long film F in the moving direction P from the reference position. The reference position is, for example, a plurality of marks printed on the long film F at predetermined intervals.

The pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7 is input to a control section 110 (described later). Thereby, the control unit 110 can calculate the speed of the long film F by converting the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7 into the speed of the long film F.

The upstream guide roller 61 is arranged upstream of the platen roller 4 in the moving direction P of the long film F. The upstream guide roller 61 guides the long film F on the upstream side of the platen roller 4.

The mark detection sensor 8 is arranged on the movement path of the long film F on the upstream side of the upstream guide roller 61. Note that the mark detection sensor 8 may be provided downstream of the downstream guide roller 62 (described later). The mark detection sensor 8 includes a sensor light emitting section 8a and a sensor light receiving section 8b. The sensor light emitting section 8a and the sensor light receiving section 8b are arranged facing each other with a predetermined distance apart. The mark detection sensor 8 has a plurality of marks M (reference positions) printed at predetermined intervals on the long film F (see FIG. 5, etc.) located between the sensor light emitting part 8a and the sensor light receiving part 8b. In this case, a detection signal indicating that the mark M has been detected is output. A detection signal output from the mark detection sensor 8 is input to a control section 110 (described later).

The downstream guide roller 62 is arranged downstream of the platen roller 4 in the moving direction P of the long film F. The downstream guide roller 62 guides the long film F on the downstream side of the platen roller 4.

By configuring the upstream guide roller 61, the platen roller 4, and the downstream guide roller 62 in this way, the long film F is moved in the order of the upstream guide roller 61, the platen roller 4, and the downstream guide roller 62. Ru. The long film F is, for example, a packaging film that is moved by a packaging machine (not shown) or the like, and is moved in the moving direction P by a film moving mechanism of the packaging machine or the like. The moving speed of the long film F can be changed by a speed changing section (not shown) of the packaging machine.

The thermal printer 1 configured as described above moves the ink ribbon R onto the long film by moving the thermal head 21 from the standby position (see FIG. 1) toward the pressing position (not shown). F and platen roller 4 side. Then, as the long film F is moved along the movement path, the ink ribbon R that has come into contact with a desired heating element that generates heat on the surface of the platen roller 4 is moved while being in contact with the long film F. Thereby, the thermal printer 1 transfers the ink applied to the ink ribbon R onto the long film F, and prints a printing section (not shown) on the long film F that is moved at the moving speed Vf.

Next, the functional configuration of the thermal printer 1 will be explained. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the thermal printer 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the ink ribbon R, and is a diagram showing a case where the long film F moves at a moving speed Vf when the printing reference speed Vk is set to the printing reference speed Va.

In addition to the above-described components, the thermal printer 1 further includes an operating section 9 and a control device 100, as shown in FIG. Control device 100 includes a control section 110 and a storage section 120.

The operation unit 9 includes a touch panel (not shown), a numeric keypad (not shown), and the like. The operation unit 9 is used for starting the printing operation, inputting numbers such as the number of times of printing, changing the setting of the printing reference speed Vk (described later), and changing the settings of various values. Be manipulated. The operation unit 9 controls a signal indicating that the touch panel (not shown), the numeric keypad (not shown), etc. has been operated by operating the touch panel (not shown), the numeric keypad (not shown), etc. 110.

The storage unit 120 is composed of a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 120 stores a control program used in the control unit 110 of the thermal printer 1, data used by this control program, and the like.

The control unit 110 controls the thermal head 21, ribbon drive motor 321, and the like. The control section 110 includes a thermal head control section 111, a ribbon control section 112, and a speed setting change section 113.

The thermal head control unit 111 controls the operation of the thermal head 21. The thermal head control unit 111 moves the thermal head 21 to a standby position (see FIG. 1) where it is separated from the platen roller 4 or a pressing position (not shown) where it presses the platen roller 4. control. The thermal head control unit 111 controls the thermal head 21 to be energized so that a desired heating element of the thermal head 21 generates heat.

The ribbon control unit 112 controls the movement of the ink ribbon R during the printing operation. The ribbon control unit 112 is configured to sequentially execute a delay process, a print preparation process, a print process, a deceleration process, a standby process, and a rewind process (reverse movement process) in one cycle of printing operation. , controls the ribbon drive motor 321.

In the printing preparation process, printing process, and deceleration process, the ink ribbon R moves in the forward direction from the original ribbon holder 31 to the take-up ribbon holder 32.
In the rewinding process (reverse movement process), the ink ribbon R is moved from the take-up ribbon holder 32 in the opposite direction to the forward direction in which the ink ribbon R moves in the printing preparation process, printing process, and deceleration process. It moves in the opposite direction toward the original ribbon holder 31.

In the following description, when the ink ribbon R moves in the direction "forward direction", it means the direction in which the ink ribbon R moves from the original ribbon holder 31 to the take-up ribbon holder 32. do. Furthermore, in the direction in which the ink ribbon R moves, when described as "reverse direction", it means the direction in which the ink ribbon R moves from the take-up side ribbon holder 32 to the original fabric side ribbon holder 31.

Regarding these steps, FIG. 3 is shown as a timing chart mainly showing the operations of the long film F and the ink ribbon R. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. It is moving at a moving speed Vb=20 m/min).

The delay step is a step of delaying the start of movement of the ink ribbon R during the delay time Ta, as shown in FIG. The delay time Ta is the time from when the ribbon control unit 112 receives the print signal to when the ink ribbon R starts moving. The timing at which the ribbon control unit 112 receives the print signal is timing t11. The delay time Ta is the time from timing t11 to t12. In the delay process, the ink ribbon R stops without moving during the delay time Ta.

The printing preparation step is a step of preparing for printing on the long film F at the printing preparation time Tb after the delay step (delay time Ta). The print preparation time Tb is the time from when the ink ribbon R starts moving after the delay step (delay time Ta) until the long film F is ready for printing. The print preparation time Tb is the time from timing t12 to t14.

The printing preparation process includes an acceleration process of accelerating the ink ribbon R, and a ribbon feed adjustment process of adjusting the feed amount of the ink ribbon R. The print preparation time Tb includes an acceleration time Tc and a ribbon feed adjustment time Td. The acceleration time Tc is the time to accelerate the ink ribbon R, and is the time to execute the acceleration process. The ribbon feed adjustment time Td is the time after the acceleration time Tc to adjust the feed amount of the ink ribbon R, and is the time to execute the ribbon feed adjustment step.

The acceleration time Tc is the time from timing t12 to t13. In the acceleration step, during acceleration time Tc, the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R rises to a predetermined initial speed, accelerates from the predetermined initial speed at a predetermined constant acceleration, and becomes the same as the moving speed Vf of the long film F. For example, the moving speed Vb (=20 m/min) is reached.

In this embodiment, the predetermined constant acceleration in the acceleration step is determined when the movement speed Vf of the long film F is different when controlling the operation of the ink ribbon R (for example, as in this embodiment, the movement speed Vb = 20 m/min, for example, when the moving speed Vb = 30 m/min, 10 m/min), or even when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway, with the same constant acceleration. be. The predetermined constant acceleration is appropriately set, for example, based on the specifications of the ribbon drive motor 321 and the like. In addition, in this embodiment, although all the accelerations in the acceleration process were made into the same acceleration, it is not limited to this. The acceleration may be a varying acceleration.

The moving distance of the ink ribbon R is shown as an area in a timing chart in which the vertical axis is the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R and the horizontal axis is the time t. As shown in FIG. 3, the moving distance of the ink ribbon R during the acceleration time Tc is the moving distance Lra.

The ribbon feed adjustment time Td is the time from timing t13 to t14. In the ribbon feed adjustment step, during the ribbon feed adjustment time Td, the ink ribbon R is moved at a moving speed Vr that reaches the moving speed Vf of the long film F, and the ink ribbon R is moved at the moving speed during the ribbon feed adjustment time Td. let The moving distance of the ink ribbon R during the ribbon feed adjustment time Td is the moving distance Lrb.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printing process is a process of printing on the long film F at a printing time Te after the printing preparation process (printing preparation time Tb). The printing time Te is the time for printing on the long film F. The printing time Te is the time from timing t14 to t15. That is, the printing process starts at timing t14 and ends at timing t15.

In the printing process, the ink ribbon R is moved at a moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R, which is the same as the moving speed Vf of the long film F, for a printing time Te. The moving distance of the ink ribbon R during the printing time Te is the moving distance Lrp. Even when the moving speed Vf of the long film F is different (for example, moving speed Vb = 30 m/min, 20 m/min, 10 m/min), or when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes on the way. are the same distance traveled.

The deceleration process is a process of decelerating the ink ribbon R during the deceleration time Tf after the printing process (printing time Te). The deceleration time Tf is the time during which the ink ribbon R is decelerated after the printing process is finished. The deceleration time Tf is the time from timing t15 to t16.

In the deceleration step, during the deceleration time Tf, the ink ribbon R is decelerated at a predetermined constant acceleration from the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R in the printing step, and is stopped after reaching a predetermined terminal speed. The moving distance of the ink ribbon R during the deceleration time Tf is the backrun distance Lrd.

The standby process is a process of waiting for execution of the rewinding process (reverse movement process) during the waiting time Tg after the deceleration process (deceleration time Tf). The standby time Tg is the time from the end of the deceleration process until the start of the rewinding process (reverse movement process). The standby time Tg is the time from timing t16 to t17. In the standby process, the ink ribbon R is stopped without being moved during the standby time Tg, and waits until execution of the rewinding process (reverse movement process) is started.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rewinding process (reverse movement process) is a rewinding process that occurs after the printing process (printing time Te) and after the deceleration process (deceleration time Tf) and the standby process (standby time Tg). This is a step of rewinding the ink ribbon R in the opposite direction at time Th. The rewinding time Th is the time for rewinding the ink ribbon R.

The rewinding time Th is the time from timing t17 to t19 via t18. In the rewinding process (reverse movement process), during the rewinding time Th, the ink ribbon R is accelerated from a predetermined initial speed in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) at a predetermined constant acceleration, and the ink ribbon R is accelerated in the rewinding direction (reverse direction). ), it is decelerated at a predetermined constant acceleration, and after reaching a predetermined terminal speed in the rewinding direction (reverse direction), it is stopped. In the rewinding step (reverse movement step), the timing t18 of deceleration is determined so that a predetermined amount of rewinding is achieved when the rewinding step is completed and stopped after reaching a predetermined terminal speed. In this embodiment, the rewinding movement distance of the ink ribbon R during the rewinding time Th is a predetermined rewinding movement distance Lrr in the rewinding direction (reverse direction).

In addition, the rewind movement distance Lrr of the ink ribbon R in the reverse direction during the rewind time Th is the rewind movement distance Lrr of the ink ribbon R in the reverse direction by the backrun distance Lrd moved in the forward direction in the deceleration process (deceleration time Tf). This is the total distance of the distance to be rewound and moved, the distance to be rewound and moved in the opposite direction by the print start movement distance Lx, and the distance to be moved in the forward direction by the ribbon feed amount Lfm between texts. Therefore, if the sum of the moving distance Lra in the acceleration process (acceleration time Tc) and the moving distance Lrb in the ribbon feed adjustment process (ribbon feed adjustment time Td) is defined as the printing start movement distance Lx, the opposite direction is considered to be positive. When the forward direction is set as a negative value, the rewind movement distance is Lrr (=Lx+Lrd-Lfm). By positioning the ribbon in the forward direction (downstream side) by the amount Lfm of ribbon feeding between texts, the rearmost end of the usage area of the ink ribbon R is positioned at a predetermined position in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon R, as will be described in detail later. Control is executed to rewind the ink ribbon R so that the ink ribbon R is located at the position shown in FIG.

The ribbon control unit 112 controls the ribbon drive so that the ink ribbon R is moved so that the moving speed Vf of the long film F and the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R are the same moving speed during the printing process in the printing operation. The motor 321 is controlled.

The ribbon control unit 112 determines, depending on the moving speed Vf of the long film F, that the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx and the distance that the long film F moves at the printing standard speed Vk ( (see Figure 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the printing preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the printing reference speed Vk during the printing preparation time Tb. The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that

The pre-printing stage time Tx is the time from when the ribbon control unit 112 receives the print signal until it is ready to print on the long film F, and is the sum of the delay time Ta and the print preparation time Tb. It is. The pre-print stage time Tx is the time from timing t11 to t14.

The printing reference speed Vk is a reference moving speed for the long film F and the ink ribbon R. The printing reference speed Vk is set to the moving speed Vf of the long film F, which is assumed to be the highest speed among the moving speeds Vf of the long film F.

"The moving speed Vf of the long film F, which is assumed to be the highest speed" will be explained.
The moving speed Vf of the long film F can be set and changed depending on, for example, the size of a product to be packaged in a packaging machine (not shown). Therefore, the moving speed Vf of the long film F, which is assumed to be the maximum speed, is, for example, the moving speed of the long film F that is set based on the size of the product to be packaged by a packaging machine (not shown). Among them, this is the upper limit value of the moving speed Vf of the long film F whose setting may be changed.
Therefore, the moving speed Vf of the long film F is equal to or lower than the printing reference speed Vk. The setting of the printing reference speed Vk can be changed by the speed setting changing unit 113.

In this embodiment, by setting the printing reference speed Vk to the printing reference speed Va (for example, 30 m/min), when the moving speed Vf of the long film F is different (for example, moving speed Vb=30 m/min, 20 m/min, 10 m/min) or when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the speed when the moving speed Vf of the long film F is the printing reference speed Vk. The delay time Ta is changed so that the movement distance is the same as the movement distance, and control is performed so that the movement distance that the long film F advances in the pre-printing stage time Tx (delay time Ta and print preparation time Tb) is the same. . The delay time Ta may be calculated under the control of the ribbon control section 112, or may be stored in the storage section 120 as a storage table.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the maximum speed of the moving speed Vf of the long film F is assumed to be the printing reference speed Va, the printing reference speed Vk is set to the printing reference speed Va (for example, 30 m/min). Set. In this case, even if the moving speed Vf of the long film F is different (for example, moving speed Vb=30 m/min, 20 m/min, 10 m/min) or changed, the pre-printing stage time Tx (=delay time Ta+Print preparation time Tb), the ribbon control unit 112 delays so that the distance that the long film F moves is the same as the distance that the long film F moves at the printing reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). Adjust time Ta.

Here, the moving distance of the long film F during the pre-printing stage time Tx (= delay time Ta + printing preparation time Tb) is the moving distance of the long film F that moves per unit time during the pre-printing stage time Tx (= This is the result obtained by integrating the delay time Ta+print preparation time Tb). In FIG. 3, the moving distance of the long film F corresponds to the area in the pre-printing stage time Tx (=delay time Ta+print preparation time Tb). The moving distance of the long film F is the moving distance Lf.

Here, in the pre-printing stage time Tx (=delay time Ta+print preparation time Tb), "the distance that the long film F moves is the same as the distance that the long film F moves at the printing standard speed Vk" means: When the printing reference speed Vk is set to the printing reference speed Va (for example, 30 m/min), the distance that the long film F moves is such that the moving speed Vf of the long film F is the same as the printing reference speed Va. This means that the distance traveled is the same as when . Specifically, in the present embodiment, the ribbon control unit 112 controls which one of the moving speeds Vf of the long film F is different (for example, moving speed Vb=30 m/min, 20 m/min, 10 m/min). In this case, the delay time Ta is adjusted so that the moving distance Lf of the long film F becomes the same as the moving distance when the printing reference speed Vk is set to the printing reference speed Va.

In this way, by setting the printing reference speed Vk and adjusting the delay time Ta, the distance of the long film F to be moved during the pre-printing stage time Tx (=delay time Ta + printing preparation time Tb) can be kept constant. It can be done. Thereby, the moving distance from the position where the ribbon control unit 112 receives the print signal on the ink ribbon R to the position where printing on the long film F starts can be made constant. Therefore, even when the moving speed Vf of the long film F differs or changes, the printing position on the long film F can be kept constant.

In addition, during the print preparation time Tb, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the delay time Ta so that the distance that the ink ribbon R moves is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the printing reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). and adjust the ribbon feed adjustment time Td. The delay time Ta and the ribbon feed adjustment time Td may be calculated under the control of the ribbon control section 112, or may be stored in the storage section 120 as a storage table.

Here, the moving distance of the ink ribbon R during the printing preparation time Tb is the integral of the moving distance of the ink ribbon R that moves per unit time over the printing preparation time Tb. In FIG. 3, the area of the ink ribbon R corresponds to the print preparation time Tb. The moving distance of the ink ribbon R is the printing start moving distance Lx (=Lra+Lrb), which is the sum of the moving distance Lra in the acceleration time Tc and the moving distance Lrb in the ribbon feed adjustment time Td.

Here, in the printing preparation time Tb, "the distance that the ink ribbon R moves is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the printing standard speed Vk" means that the printing standard speed Vk is the same as that of the printing standard speed Vk, as shown in FIG. When the reference speed Va is set, it means that the distance that the ink ribbon R moves is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves when the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R is the same moving speed as the printing reference speed Va. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ribbon control unit 112 controls when the moving speed Vf of the long film F is different (for example, moving speed Vb=30 m/min, 20 m/min, 10 m/min) or changed. , adjust the delay time Ta and the ribbon feed adjustment time Td so that the printing start movement distance Lx (=Lra+Lrb) of the ink ribbon R becomes the same as the movement distance when the printing reference speed Vk is set to the printing reference speed Va. do.

In this way, by setting the printing reference speed Vk and adjusting the delay time Ta and the ribbon feed adjustment time Td, the distance of the ink ribbon R moved during the printing preparation time Tb can be made constant. Thereby, the moving distance from the position on the ink ribbon R from the position where the ribbon control unit 112 receives the print signal to the position on the ink ribbon R at which transfer is started can be made constant. Therefore, even if the moving speed Vf of the long film F differs or changes, the transfer position on the ink ribbon R can be kept constant.

Next, in the printing control performed as described above, when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway, there is a conventional problem that the previously used area of the ink ribbon overlaps with the next used area. was there. The present invention solves these problems. 4 to 11, details of control to prevent the use areas of the ink ribbons R from overlapping, which is a feature of the present invention, will be explained in detail.

In addition to the above-mentioned functions, the ribbon control unit 112 can also perform control to prevent the use areas of the ink ribbons R from overlapping. Specifically, the ribbon control unit 112 monitors the previous use area and the next use area of the ink ribbon R, and controls the ribbon drive motor 321 so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap. control. Specifically, the ribbon control unit 112 monitors the rearmost end of the previous use area and controls the ribbon drive motor 321 so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap.

In a thermal printer that prints character strings lined up along the width direction of a long film at predetermined intervals, the usage area of the ink ribbon R is determined when the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change and when it changes. The detailed operation of the non-overlapping control will be explained. In the ink ribbon control of this embodiment, as described above, under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, in one cycle of printing operation, a delay process, a print preparation process, a printing process, and a deceleration process are performed. , a standby process, and a rewinding process (reverse movement process) are performed in order to control the ribbon drive motor 321.

First, a case where the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 4, when a print signal is received at timing t21 under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, the acceleration process from timing t22 to t23 and the ribbon feed adjustment process from timing t23 to t24 are delayed until timing t22. Thereafter, printing in the printing process is controlled to start at timing t24.

In this case, at timing t21, as shown in FIG. ) is located in The area Rs to be used next time is an area located in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by the printing start movement distance Lx calculated by the control of the ribbon control unit 112 with respect to the thermal head heater line HL, and is the area to be used next time. It means the area that is planned to be used. The thermal head heater line HL is a line in which the heater portion of the thermal head 21 is arranged along the width direction of the ink ribbon R in the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon R. That is, the thermal head 21 performs printing using the ink ribbon R that is moved in the transport direction in the thermal head heater line HL.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx to the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx according to the moving speed Vf of the long film F. The distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the print preparation time Tb is set so that the distance F is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that it is the same as the distance traveled by Vk.

As shown in FIG. 4, since the moving speed Vf of the long film F has not changed, the ink ribbon R is moved by the pre-calculated printing start moving distance Lx, adjusted by the delay time Ta. , printing can be performed using the area Rs to be used next time at the planned position on the ink ribbon R. The ribbon feed amount Lfm between texts, the print character height Lth, etc. as shown in FIG. 5(a) are also set in advance.

Here, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the rear end Re of the previously used area Rp of the ink ribbon R, and at timing t24 shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the rear end Re of the region Rp and the next use region Rn do not overlap. The details of how the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the rear end Re of the previously used area Rp of the ink ribbon R will be described later.

Specifically, when the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change, the ink ribbon R is moved by a pre-calculated printing start moving distance Lx, adjusted by the delay time Ta, and the ink is Regarding the next usage area Rn of the ribbon R, since printing can be performed using the next usage area Rs at the scheduled position on the ink ribbon R, as shown in FIG. The scheduled use area Rs and the actual next use area Rn are at the same position. Therefore, the printing operation is executed at timing t24 without changing the printing timing. Thereby, in the usage area of the ink ribbon R, the next printing can be performed so that the previous usage area Rp and the next usage area Rn do not overlap.

Thereafter, the ink ribbon R moves by a backrun distance Lrd in the advancing direction during the deceleration time Tf in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 5(c). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the backrun distance Lrd moved in the traveling direction during the deceleration time Tf is from the thermal head heater line HL to the rearmost end Re of the previous use area Rp. The distance is the same as the distance.

In the rewinding time Th in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon R is moved back by a rewinding movement distance Lrr in the rewinding direction (reverse direction), as shown in FIG. 5(d). The rewind movement distance Lrr is the distance obtained by subtracting the inter-text ribbon feed amount Lfm from the sum of the back-run distance Lrd and the printing start movement distance Lx (=Lx+Lrd−inter-text ribbon feed amount Lfm). be. By positioning it in the forward direction (downstream side) by the amount of ribbon feeding Lfm between texts, the rearmost end Re of the usage area Rp of the ink ribbon R is positioned at a predetermined position in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon R. Then, the ink ribbon R can be rewound.

Here, in order to control the ribbon in the next printing operation, the ribbon control unit 112 sets a text rear end distance Le from the thermal head heater line HL to the rearmost end Re of the previous use area Rp on the ink ribbon R. is being calculated. The text rear end distance Le is the distance obtained by subtracting the back run distance Lrd from the rewind movement distance Lrr (Le=Lrr−Lrd). As a result, the ribbon control unit 112 knows the position of the rearmost end Re of the previously used region Rp of the ink ribbon R. Thereafter, it waits until the next print signal arrives.

Next, a case where the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway and increases will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Note that the description of operations similar to those in the case where the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, when a print signal is received at timing t31 under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, the acceleration process from timing t32 to t33 and the ribbon feed adjustment process from timing t33 to t34 are delayed until timing t32. Thereafter, printing in the printing process is controlled to start at timing t34.

In this case, at timing t31, as shown in FIG. 7A, the next use area Rs of the ink ribbon R is moved in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by the printing start movement distance Lx with respect to the thermal head heater line HL. ) is located in As shown in FIG. 6, the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases from a timing slightly after timing t32.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx to the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx according to the moving speed Vf of the long film F. The distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the print preparation time Tb is set so that the distance F is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that it is the same as the distance traveled by Vk.

As shown in FIG. 6, since the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases on the way, the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R also follows and increases. When the ink ribbon R is adjusted by the delay time Ta and moved by the pre-calculated printing start movement distance Lx, it is not calculated that the movement speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases midway. Therefore, the next use area Rn overlaps the previous use area Rp.

Here, similar to the control operation when the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the rear end Re of the previous use area Rp and performs the control operation as shown in FIG. At timing t34, control is performed so that the rear end Re of the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn do not overlap. Therefore, when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases, the timing of printing is determined as shown in FIG. 6 so that the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn do not overlap. At timing t34, printing is not started, but the printing operation is executed so as to start printing with a delay to timing t34a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7(b), next printing can be performed so that the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn do not overlap in the use area of the ink ribbon R.

Thereafter, similarly to the control operation when the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change, the ink ribbon R advances during the deceleration time Tf in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 7(c). Move the backrun distance Lrd in the direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the backrun distance Lrd moved in the advancing direction during the deceleration time Tf is from the thermal head heater line HL to the rearmost end Re of the previous use area Rp. The distance is the same as the distance. Continuously, as shown in FIG. 7D, the ink ribbon R is returned by a rewinding movement distance Lrr in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) during the rewinding time Th in FIG. In order to control the ribbon in the next printing operation, the ribbon control unit 112 subtracts the backrun distance Lrd from the return movement distance Lrr to determine the most of the previously used area Rp of the ink ribbon R from the thermal head heater line HL. The text trailing edge distance Le to the trailing edge Re is calculated. Thereafter, it waits until the next print signal arrives.

Next, a case where the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway and decreases will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Note that the description of operations similar to those in the case where the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, when a print signal is received at timing t41, the acceleration process from timing t42 to t43 and the ribbon feed adjustment process from timing t43 to t44 are delayed until timing t42. Thereafter, printing in the printing process is controlled to start at timing t44.

In this case, at timing t41, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the next use area Rs of the ink ribbon R is moved in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by the printing start movement distance Lx with respect to the thermal head heater line HL. ) is located in As shown in FIG. 8, the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and decreases from a timing slightly after timing t42.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx to the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx according to the moving speed Vf of the long film F. The distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the print preparation time Tb is set so that the distance F is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that it is the same as the distance traveled by Vk.

As shown in FIG. 8, since the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway and decreases, the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R also follows and decreases. The ink ribbon R is adjusted by the delay time Ta and is moved by a pre-calculated print start movement distance Lx, so that the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change in the area where the ink ribbon R is used. In comparison, since the next use area Rn is located in the rewinding direction (reverse direction), the next use area Rn is The thermal head is moved toward the heater line HL. Here, the ribbon control unit 112 leaves a wide gap between the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn, and the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn do not overlap. Therefore, the printing operation is executed at timing t44 without changing the printing timing. Thereby, the next printing can be performed so that the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn do not overlap.

Thereafter, similarly to the control operation when the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change, the ink ribbon R advances during the deceleration time Tf in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 9(c). Move the backrun distance Lrd in the direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the backrun distance Lrd moved in the traveling direction during the deceleration time Tf is from the thermal head heater line HL to the rearmost end Re of the previous use area Rp. It is the same distance as the distance. Continuously, as shown in FIG. 9(d), in the rewinding time Th in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon R is returned by a rewinding movement distance Lrr in the rewinding direction (reverse direction). In order to control the ribbon in the next printing operation, the ribbon control unit 112 subtracts the backrun distance Lrd from the return movement distance Lrr to determine the most of the previously used area Rp of the ink ribbon R from the thermal head heater line HL. The text trailing edge distance Le to the trailing edge Re is calculated. Thereafter, it waits until the next print signal arrives.

In addition, in FIG. 9(b), in the usage area of the ink ribbon R, the interval is increased between the previous usage area Rp and the next usage area Rn compared to the case where the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change. The next use area Rn is moved in a wide open state, but from the viewpoint of saving the ink ribbon R, the ribbon control unit 112 can also perform the following control. Since the ribbon control unit 112 knows the rearmost end Re of the previous use area Rp, as shown in FIG. 10, the ribbon control unit 112 advances the printing start timing t44 to the timing t44a, as shown in FIG. , it is also possible to perform control so that printing is performed at a position spaced by a predetermined text-to-text ribbon feed amount Lfm from the rearmost end Re of the usage area Rp of the ink ribbon R. Thereby, the ink ribbon R can be saved.

According to the thermal printer 1 of the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved, for example.
The thermal printer 1 of this embodiment includes a thermal head 21 that prints on a long film F that is moved at a predetermined speed, and a thermal printer that is arranged between the thermal head 21 and the printing surface of the long film F. An ink ribbon R to which ink is transferred to a printing medium F when printing on a long film F, a ribbon drive unit 321 that moves the ink ribbon R, a moving speed of the long film F, and a moving speed of the ink ribbon R. a ribbon control unit 112 that controls the ribbon drive unit 321 to move the ink ribbon R so that the movement speed is the same as that of the ink ribbon R, and the ribbon control unit 112 controls the previous use area Rp of the ink ribbon R. and the next usage area Rn, and controls the ribbon drive motor 321 so that the previous usage area Rp and the next usage area Rn do not overlap. As a result, the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn are controlled so that they do not overlap, so in the control to save the ink ribbon R, the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn of the ink ribbon R are controlled so that they do not overlap. can be used so that they do not overlap.

In the present embodiment, the ribbon control unit 112 monitors the rearmost end Re of the previous use area Rp and drives the ribbon so that the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn do not overlap. The motor 321 is controlled. Thereby, by monitoring the rearmost end Re of the previous use area Rp, it is possible to control with simple control so that the previous use area Rp and the next use area Rn of the ink ribbon R do not overlap.

In addition, the ribbon control unit 112 determines, depending on the moving speed of the long film F, that the distance that the long film F moves during the delay time and the print preparation time is set to the printing standard during the delay time and the print preparation time. The delay is made so that the distance traveled by the ink ribbon R is the same as the distance traveled at the printing reference speed, and the distance traveled by the ink ribbon R during the print preparation time is the same as the distance traveled by the ink ribbon R at the print reference speed during the print preparation time. The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the time.

Therefore, in the long film F, the moving distance from the position where the ribbon control unit 112 receives the print signal to the start of printing can be made constant. Thereby, even if the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes, the printing position on the long film F can be kept constant. Furthermore, the moving distance of the ink ribbon R from the position where the ribbon control unit 112 receives the print signal until the start of transfer can be made constant. Thereby, even if the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes, the transfer position on the ink ribbon R can be kept constant. Therefore, the ink ribbon R can be used efficiently.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an embodiment in which control is applied to a thermal printer 1 having a ribbon saving function to prevent the usage areas of the ink ribbons R from overlapping, which is a characteristic part of the present invention.

Printing using the ribbon save function is performed by using an ink ribbon R having a predetermined width and effectively utilizing the area in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. As shown in FIG. 12A, in the thermal printer 1, character strings such as "AAAA", "BBBB", "CCCC", "DDDD", "EEEE", and "FFFF" are displayed in the transport direction of the long film F. This control saves the ink ribbon R in a configuration in which printing is performed in a line at predetermined intervals.

The ribbon save function that saves the ink ribbon R moves the ink ribbon R in the width direction and rewinds the ink ribbon R by a predetermined length without changing the printing position of the printing part in the width direction of the long film F. This function effectively utilizes the usage area of the ink ribbon R in the width direction and saves the usage amount of the ink ribbon R. The movement of the ink ribbon R in the width direction can be performed by moving the entire printer body 2 to which the ink ribbon R is attached, or by moving the ink ribbon R together with the main printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21. I can do it.

In the ribbon save function, control is performed to feed and rewind the ink ribbon R in the same direction as the traveling direction of the long film F, and control is performed to move the ink ribbon R and the thermal head 21 in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. In the case where the ink ribbon R is sent out and printed, the ribbon control unit 112 rewinds the ink ribbon R by the amount that the ink ribbon R has been moved, and also adjusts the previous use area and the next use area of the ink ribbon R in the width direction. are formed at positions that are lined up in the width direction, and are formed at positions that do not overlap in the moving direction of the long film F.

In the ribbon save function, multiple rows of use areas are formed in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. For example, in this embodiment, in the ink ribbon R, four rows of use areas are formed side by side in the width direction, and are formed side by side on the long film F. For example, as shown in (i) to (iv) of FIG. 12B, the usage area of multiple columns is such that the usage area of the character strings "AAAA", "BBBB", "CCCC", and "DDDD" is After being used in order from one side to the other, as shown in (v) of FIG. are used so as to be lined up in the length direction of the long film F, and then used lined up from the other side to one side in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. This control is repeated.

Here, even in a thermal printer equipped with a ribbon save function, the ribbon control unit 112 determines whether the previous used area and the next used area overlap in the above-described control of the ink ribbon R for each column of the plurality of rows of used areas. Similarly to the control to avoid overlapping, the previous use area and the next use area of the ink ribbon R are monitored, and the ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap.

Specifically, for example, the use area of the ink ribbon R shown in FIG. In this case, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth columns, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the use of multiple rows lined up in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. In the used area of each row of the areas, in the moving direction of the long film F, the previous used area and the next used area of the ink ribbon R are monitored, and the previous used area and the next used area are compared. The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled so that the ribbons do not overlap.

In the thermal printer 1 equipped with the ribbon save function, the detailed operation of the control to prevent the usage areas of the ink ribbon R from overlapping when the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change and when it changes will be described.

In the thermal printer 1 equipped with a ribbon save function, the usage areas of the ink ribbon R are, for example, the fourth row, the third row, the second row, and the third row in the width direction of the ink ribbon R in FIG. 14. The first row is used in the order in which the first row is used, and then the first row is used again on the downstream side in the forward direction of the flow direction of the ink ribbon R in the first row, and the first row is used in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. , the second column, the third column, and the fourth column are used in this order. After that, the fourth row is used again on the downstream side in the forward flow direction of the ink ribbon R in the fourth row, and the fourth row, third row, The second column is used in the order of the first column. This is repeated.

First, regarding the use area of the first row of the ink ribbon R, a case where, for example, the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway and increases will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. In this embodiment, in the control of the ink ribbon R described above, control is performed so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap.

In the usage area of the first row of the ink ribbon R, as shown in FIG. 13, when a print signal is received at timing t51 under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, it is delayed until timing t52, and then from timing t52 to t53. After the acceleration process and the ribbon feed adjustment process from timing t53 to t54, printing in the printing process is controlled to start at timing t54.

In this case, at timing t51, as shown in FIG. 14(a), regarding the use area of the first row of the ink ribbon R, the next use area Rs1 of the ink ribbon R is relative to the thermal head heater line HL. , are located in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by the printing start movement distance Lx. As shown in FIG. 13, the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases from a timing slightly after timing t52.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ribbon control unit 112 determines whether the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx or the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx depends on the moving speed Vf of the long film F. The distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the print preparation time Tb is set so that the distance F is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that it is the same as the distance traveled by Vk.

As shown in FIG. 13, since the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases on the way, the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R also follows and increases. When the ink ribbon R is moved by a pre-calculated printing start movement distance Lx in the usage area of the first row of the ink ribbon R, the movement speed Vf of the long film F is adjusted by the delay time Ta. Since changes and increases midway through are not calculated, the next usage area Rn1 will overlap the previous usage area Rp1.

Here, in the use area of the first row of the ink ribbon R, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the rear end Re1 of the previous use area Rp1, and at timing t54 shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the rear end Re1 of the region Rp1 and the next use region Rn1 do not overlap. Therefore, when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases, the timing of printing is shown in FIG. 13 so that the previous use area Rp1 and the next use area Rn1 do not overlap. At timing t54, printing is not started, but the printing operation is executed so as to start printing with a delay to timing t54a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14(b), next printing can be performed so that the previous use area Rp1 and the next use area Rn1 do not overlap in the use area of the ink ribbon R.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14(c), the ink ribbon R moves by a backrun distance Lrd in the advancing direction during the deceleration time Tf in FIG. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 14(d), the ink ribbon R is rewound in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) so that the rearmost end Re2 of the previously used region Rp2 in the second row is located at a predetermined position. The moving distance (text trailing edge distance Le+previous trailing edge distance Lre2) is returned. In the ribbon control unit 112, the position of the rearmost end Re2 of the previously used region Rp2 in the second row is known when the previously used region Rp2 in the second row is used. The previous rear end distance Lre2 is the distance from the thermal head heater line HL to the most rear end of the previous use area Rp2 of the second row at the end of the previous printing of the second row (see FIG. 14(c)). This is the distance to Re2. Further, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the position of the rearmost end Re1 of the previously used region Rp1 of the first row for the next control of the first row.

Next, the use area of the second row of the ink ribbon R will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, for example, in the case where the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change. In this embodiment, in the control of the ink ribbon R described above, control is performed so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap.

In the usage area of the second row of the ink ribbon R, as shown in FIG. 15, when a print signal is received at timing t61 under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, it is delayed until timing t62, and then from timing t62 to t63. After the acceleration process and the ribbon feed adjustment process from timing t63 to t64, printing in the printing process is controlled to start at timing t64.

In this case, at timing t61, as shown in FIG. 16(a), regarding the use area of the second row of the ink ribbon R, the next use area Rs2 of the ink ribbon R is relative to the thermal head heater line HL. , are located in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by the printing start movement distance Lx.

As shown in FIG. 15, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx to the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx according to the moving speed Vf of the long film F. The distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the print preparation time Tb is set so that the distance F is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that it is the same as the distance traveled by Vk.

As shown in FIG. 15, since the moving speed Vf of the long film F has not changed, the ribbon control unit 112 can distinguish between the previous usage area Rp2 and the next usage area in the second row of the ink ribbon R. Since the usage area Rn2 does not overlap, the printing operation is performed as is at timing t64 without changing the printing timing. Thereby, the next printing can be performed so that the previous use area Rp2 and the next use area Rn2 do not overlap.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the ink ribbon R moves by a backrun distance Lrd in the advancing direction during the deceleration time Tf in FIG. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 16(d), the ink ribbon R is rewound in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) so that the rearmost end Re3 of the previously used region Rp3 in the third row is located at a predetermined position. The moving distance (text trailing edge distance Le+previous trailing edge distance Lre3) is returned. In the ribbon control unit 112, the position of the rearmost end Re3 of the previously used region Rp3 in the third row is known when the previously used region Rp3 in the third row is used. The previous rear end distance Lre3 is the distance from the thermal head heater line HL to the rearmost end of the previous use area Rp3 of the third row at the end of the previous printing of the third row (see FIG. 16(c)). This is the distance to Re3. Further, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the position of the rearmost end Re2 of the previously used region Rp2 of the second row for the next control of the second row.

Next, regarding the use area of the third row of the ink ribbon R, a case where, for example, the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway and increases will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. In this embodiment, in the control of the ink ribbon R described above, control is performed so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap.

In the usage area of the third row of the ink ribbon R, as shown in FIG. 17, when a print signal is received at timing t71 under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, it is delayed until timing t72, and then from timing t72 to t73. After the acceleration process and the ribbon feed adjustment process from timing t73 to t74, printing in the printing process is controlled to start at timing t74.

In this case, at timing t71, as shown in FIG. 18(a), regarding the use area of the third row of the ink ribbon R, the next use area Rs3 of the ink ribbon R is relative to the thermal head heater line HL. , are located in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by the printing start movement distance Lx. As shown in FIG. 17, the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases from a timing slightly after timing t72.

As shown in FIG. 17, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx to the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx according to the moving speed Vf of the long film F. The distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the print preparation time Tb is set so that the distance F is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that it is the same as the distance traveled by Vk.

As shown in FIG. 17, since the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases on the way, the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R also follows and increases. When the ink ribbon R is moved by a pre-calculated printing start movement distance Lx in the usage area of the third row of the ink ribbon R, the movement speed Vf of the long film F is adjusted by the delay time Ta. Since changes and increases midway through are not calculated, the next use area Rn3 will overlap the previous use area Rp3.

Here, in the usage area of the third row of the ink ribbon R, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the rear end part Re3 of the previous usage area Rp3, and at timing t74 shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the rear end Re3 of the region Rp3 and the next use region Rn3 do not overlap. Therefore, when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and increases, the timing of printing is determined as shown in FIG. 17 so that the previous use area Rp3 and the next use area Rn3 do not overlap. At timing t74, printing is not started, but the printing operation is executed so as to start printing with a delay to timing t74a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 17(b), next printing can be performed so that the previous use area Rp3 and the next use area Rn3 do not overlap in the use area of the ink ribbon R.

For example, in FIG. 18(b), in the usage area of the third column of the ink ribbon R, the date changed during printing, so the date was previously printed as "Best before date 22.12.31". ", but the next time it was changed to "Best before date 23.1.1". In this case, the length of the next use area in the flow direction of the ink ribbon R is shorter than the previous use area. Even in this case, since the printed character length in the used area of the ink ribbon R can be grasped from the printed character length, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the position of the rearmost end Re3 of the previous used area Rp3 in the third column. can be understood.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 18(c), the ink ribbon R moves by a backrun distance Lrd in the advancing direction during the deceleration time Tf in FIG. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 18(d), the ink ribbon R is rewound in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) so that the rearmost end Re4 of the previously used region Rp4 in the fourth column is located at a predetermined position. The moving distance (text trailing edge distance Le+previous trailing edge distance Lre4) is returned. In the ribbon control unit 112, the position of the rearmost end Re4 of the previously used region Rp4 in the fourth row is known when the previously used region Rp4 in the fourth row is used. The previous rear end distance Lre4 is the distance from the thermal head heater line HL to the rearmost end of the previous use area Rp4 of the fourth row at the end of the previous printing of the fourth row (see FIG. 18(c)). This is the distance to Re4. Further, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the position of the rearmost end Re3 of the previously used region Rp3 of the third row for the next control of the third row.

Next, the use area of the fourth row of the ink ribbon R will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, for example, when the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes midway and decreases. In this embodiment, in the control of the ink ribbon R described above, control is performed so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap.

In the use area of the fourth column of the ink ribbon R, as shown in FIG. 19, when a print signal is received at timing t81 under the control of the ribbon control unit 112, it is delayed until timing t82, and then from timing t82 to t83. After the acceleration process and the ribbon feed adjustment process from timing t83 to t84, printing in the printing process is controlled to start at timing t84.

In this case, at timing t81, as shown in FIG. 20(a), regarding the use area of the fourth row of the ink ribbon R, the next use area Rs4 of the ink ribbon R is relative to the thermal head heater line HL. , are located in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by the printing start movement distance Lx. As shown in FIG. 19, the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and decreases from a timing slightly after timing t82.

As shown in FIG. 19, the ribbon control unit 112 controls the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx to the distance that the long film F moves during the pre-printing stage time Tx according to the moving speed Vf of the long film F. The distance that the ink ribbon R moves during the print preparation time Tb is set so that the distance F is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3), and the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print preparation time Tb is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon R moves at the print reference speed Vk (see FIG. 3). The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by changing the delay time Ta so that it is the same as the distance traveled by Vk.

As shown in FIG. 19, since the moving speed Vf of the long film F changes and decreases, the moving speed Vr of the ink ribbon R also follows and decreases. The ink ribbon R is adjusted by the delay time Ta and is moved by a pre-calculated print start movement distance Lx, so that the moving speed Vf of the long film F does not change in the area where the ink ribbon R is used. In comparison, the next use area Rn4 is moved with a wide gap between the previous use area Rp4 and the next use area Rn4. Here, the ribbon control unit 112 leaves a wide gap between the previous use area Rp4 and the next use area Rn4, and the previous use area Rp4 and the next use area Rn4 do not overlap. Therefore, the printing operation is executed at timing t44 without changing the printing timing. Thereby, the next printing can be performed so that the previous use area Rp4 and the next use area Rn4 do not overlap.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 20(c), the ink ribbon R moves by a backrun distance Lrd in the advancing direction during the deceleration time Tf in FIG. Continuously, as shown in FIG. 20(d), since this is the last of the series of printing operations, the third column, which is the rearmost part of the entire usage area of the first to fourth columns, is printed. The ink ribbon R is moved in the rewinding direction (reverse direction) by a distance (text trailing edge distance Le + previous trailing edge distance Lre3) so that the trailing edge Re3 of the previous used area Rp3 of the eye is located at a predetermined position. be returned. In the ribbon control unit 112, the position of the rearmost end Re3 of the previously used region Rp3 in the third row is known when the previously used region Rp3 in the third row is used. The previous rear end distance Lre3 is the distance from the thermal head heater line HL to the most rear end of the previous use area Rp3 of the third row at the end of the previous printing of the third row (see FIG. 20(c)). This is the distance to Re3. Further, the ribbon control unit 112 grasps the position of the rearmost end Re4 of the previously used region Rp4 of the fourth row for the next control of the fourth row.

According to the thermal printer 1 of the second embodiment, the following effects are achieved, for example.
In the thermal printer 1 of the second embodiment, the feeding and rewinding of the ink ribbon R is controlled in the same direction as the traveling direction of the long film F, and the ink ribbon R and the thermal head 21 are controlled in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. When movement control is performed, the ribbon control unit 112 rewinds the ink ribbon R by the amount of movement after sending out the ink ribbon R and printing, and also changes the previous use area and next use area of the ink ribbon R. are the positions lined up in the width direction, and in the movement direction of the long film F in the use area of each row of the use areas of the plurality of rows lined up in the width direction on the ink ribbon R. monitors the previous used areas Rp1, Rp2, Rp3, Rp4 and the next used areas Rn1, Rn2, Rn3, Rn4 of the ink ribbon R, and makes sure that the previous used areas and the next used areas do not overlap. , controls the ribbon drive motor 321.

As a result, in the thermal printer 1 having the ribbon save function, the previous used area and the next used area are controlled so as not to overlap, so the previous used area and the next used area of the ink ribbon R do not overlap. It can be used like this.

Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various forms.
For example, in the embodiment, the ribbon control unit 112 monitors the rearmost end of the previous use area and controls the ribbon drive motor 321 (ribbon drive motor 321) so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap. Although the configuration is configured to control the drive unit), the present invention is not limited thereto. The ribbon control unit 112 is configured to monitor the tip end of the next use area and control the ribbon drive motor 321 (ribbon drive unit) so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap. You may do so.

1 Thermal printer 21 Thermal head 112 Ribbon control unit 321 Ribbon drive motor (ribbon drive unit)
F Long film (printing material)
R Ink ribbon Ta Delay time Tb Print preparation time Tc Acceleration time Td Ribbon feed adjustment time Vf Traveling speed of long film (printing material) Vk Printing reference speed

Claims (4)

a thermal head that prints on a substrate that moves at a predetermined speed;
an ink ribbon that is disposed between the thermal head and a printing surface of the printing material, and where ink is transferred to the printing material when the thermal head prints on the printing material;
a ribbon drive unit that moves the ink ribbon;
a ribbon control unit that controls the ribbon drive unit to move the ink ribbon so that the moving speed of the printing substrate and the moving speed of the ink ribbon are the same,
The ribbon control unit monitors the previous use area and the next use area of the ink ribbon, and controls the ribbon drive unit so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap. . The ribbon control unit monitors the rearmost end of the previous use area and controls the ribbon drive unit so that the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap. thermal printer. The time from when the ribbon control unit receives a print signal to when the ink ribbon starts moving is called a delay time, and includes an acceleration time for accelerating the ink ribbon, and a ribbon feeding time for adjusting the feed amount of the ink ribbon. The printing preparation time is the time from when the ink ribbon starts moving until it is ready to print on the substrate.
The ribbon control unit is configured to determine, in accordance with a moving speed of the printing material, that a distance that the printing material moves during the delay time and the printing preparation time is a printing standard speed of the printing material during the delay time and the printing preparation time. and the distance that the ink ribbon moves during the printing preparation time is the same as the distance that the ink ribbon moves at the printing reference speed during the printing preparation time. 3. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon driving section is controlled by changing the delay time. In a case where the ink ribbon is controlled to be fed out and rewinded in the same direction as the traveling direction of the printing medium, and the ink ribbon and the thermal head are controlled to be moved in the width direction of the ink ribbon,
The ribbon control unit is configured to rewind the ink ribbon by the amount of movement after feeding and printing the ink ribbon, and to adjust the previous use area and the next use area of the ink ribbon to be in the width direction. In the used area of each row of the multiple rows of used areas lined up in the width direction of the ink ribbon R, in the moving direction of the printing substrate, the used area of the ink ribbon is the same as the previous used area of the ink ribbon. 3. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon drive unit is controlled so that the next use area is monitored and the previous use area and the next use area do not overlap.

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