JP3001780B2 - Ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system, and more particularly, to an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system.
The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system for automatically exchanging a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to perform color printing with a conventional printer of this type, as described in JP-A-60-253578, an ink ribbon cassette is gradually coated as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 37, Y (yellow) / M (magenta) / C (cyan) / B
(Black), the print area is divided into a plurality of areas, and they are superimposed and printed.

[0003] However, in this method, if there is a variation in the usage rate of the color, there is a problem that the ribbon of the color that is not used is fed empty and is wasted.
In the thermal transfer printer described in JP-A-53578, a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes are arranged and held in parallel with the moving direction of the carriage so that the carriage can take a necessary ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory view of the method. As shown in this figure, the carriage 100 is mounted on the timing belt 1.
07 and the carriage drive motor 108 can be moved in a direction parallel to a platen (not shown). The stocker 105 can hold a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes 101 to 104 in a direction parallel to the platen.

In FIG. 38, since the carriage 100 holds the ribbon cassette 103, the ribbon cassette 1
03, the printing can be performed by the print head 109. However, when printing is to be performed using another ribbon cassette, for example, the ribbon cassette 101, the ribbon cassette 103 is returned to the empty position of the stocker 105. , The ribbon cassette 101 may be taken.

A method for transferring a ribbon cassette between the carriage 100 and the stocker 105 is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-253.
Since it is described in detail in Japanese Patent Publication No. 578, it is omitted here.

As printers without a stocker, there are a thermal printer described in JP-A-61-112666, a thermal transfer recording apparatus described in JP-A-3-187777, and a thermal printer described in JP-A-5-169773. Printers and the like are known.

In such a thermal printer, in addition to printing on plain paper using an ink ribbon cassette, printing may be performed using heat-sensitive paper that develops heat. However, there is a problem that it is necessary to remove the ink ribbon cassette every time printing on the thermal paper. In order to solve this problem, in a thermal printer described in JP-A-61-112666, a carriage is provided with a moving mechanism for moving an ink ribbon cassette from a thermal head. A method of removing the ink ribbon cassette from the head has been proposed.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory view of the method.
(1) shows the state when printing on plain paper, and FIG. 39 (2) shows the state when printing on thermal paper. In these figures, the carriage 110 can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the recording paper 111 by a timing belt (not shown) and a carriage drive motor (not shown).

The carriage 110 has an ink ribbon cassette holding mechanism 113 provided with an ink ribbon cassette take-up mechanism 112 and a print head 114. The print head 114 can perform printing by holding the ink ribbon cassette 115 on the carriage 110. When printing on the thermal paper 119 without using the ink ribbon cassette 115, the motor 118 and the gear 11 in the carriage are used.
7, the ink ribbon cassette holding mechanism 113 is pushed up by the cam plate 116, and the ink ribbon cassette 115 is detached from the print head 114 to perform printing.

FIG. 40 shows a method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-169983. FIG. 40 (1) shows a state when printing on plain paper, and FIG. 40 (2) shows a state when printing on thermal paper. Respectively are shown. Similarly, in the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-169983, a carriage 120 that moves in a direction orthogonal to the paper movement direction (not shown) is moved by a drive motor (not shown) and a timing belt (not shown).
An ink ribbon cassette table 122 for holding the ink ribbon cassette 121 is arranged, and the carriage 120 and the ink ribbon cassette table 122 are connected by a movement arm 123 so that the ink ribbon cassette table 122 can be moved in parallel to the carriage 120. ing.

In this printer, in a mode in which printing is performed on thermal paper that does not use the ink ribbon cassette 121 as the paper, the ink ribbon cassette table 122 is lifted by the cam 124, and the print head 125 is brought into direct contact with the paper (not shown). Printing on thermal paper without the need to remove the ink ribbon cassette 121.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 3-187777, a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes have a structure capable of holding a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes on a carriage and have a mechanism for preventing erroneous insertion of the ink ribbon cassettes. Have been proposed. FIG. 41 shows this method. A plurality of ink ribbon cartridges moved up and down by an elevating device 126 are placed on a carriage 127 which is moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of a sheet (not shown) by a motor (not shown) and a timing belt (not shown). A cassette table 128 capable of holding a set is arranged.

When color printing is performed by this thermal transfer recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. 42, a yellow ink ribbon cassette 129c is placed on a cassette table of a carriage 127 from above.
The magenta ink ribbon cassette 129b and the cyan ink ribbon cassette 129a are set, and the cassette table 1 is set.
With the 28 lowered, the yellow ink ribbon cassette 1
At step 29c, Y (yellow) is printed.
(Magenta) is printed by the magenta ink ribbon cassette 129b in a state where
Next, this is realized by printing C (cyan) with the cyan ink ribbon cassette 129a while the cassette table 128 is raised one step further by the elevating device.

Different ink ribbon cassettes 12 of three colors
As shown in FIG. 43, the ink ribbon cassettes 129a, 129b and 12
Detectors 130a, 130b, and 130c for discriminating the colors of the respective ink ribbons 9c are added, and detection switches 131a, 131b, and 131 for detecting the detectors 130a, 130b, and 130c are provided.
c is added to the cassette table 128 (see FIGS. 41 and 42).

On the cassette table 128, as shown in FIG.
Ink ribbon cassettes 129a, 129b and 129c
When the cartridges are placed in the cassette table, the detectors 130a, 130b and 130 added to the respective ink ribbon cassettes
c, the detection switches 131a, 131
31b and 131c are arranged.

When the ink ribbon cassettes 129a, 129b and 129c are mounted on the cassette table 128, the ink ribbon cassettes 129a, 129b and 129c
The detection bodies 130a, 130b and 130c added to the respective detection switches 131a, 131b and 13
1c, the ink ribbon cassette 12 is detected.
It is possible to determine whether 9a, 129b and 129c are set correctly.

The detailed operations of the thermal printer described in JP-A-61-112666, the thermal transfer recording apparatus described in JP-A-3-187777, and the thermal printer described in JP-A-5-169773 are described in detail. Are described in the respective gazettes, and are omitted here.

[0019]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
The thermal transfer printer described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 78 is configured to cause the ink applied to the ribbon of the ink ribbon cassette to contact a print head, in which a plurality of minute heating elements are arranged, with the ink ribbon while causing the heating element of the print head to generate heat. It is an auto changer printer that transfers to paper by heat,
Since there is no sensor for detecting the mounting state of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage, it cannot be detected whether the ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage. Therefore, when printing on thermal paper that is discolored by the application of heat without using the ink ribbon cassette, the ink ribbon cassette is moved every time printing on the thermal paper so that the ink ribbon cassette is not hit while the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage. Check if the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage, and if the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage, the ink ribbon cassette must be removed. Note that this Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In JP-A-253578, there is no description about printing on thermal paper.

Further, if the ink ribbon cassette is automatically moved to the carriage from the stocker holding the ink ribbon cassette every time a printing operation is performed, the ribbon which will be moved to the carriage is replaced with a ribbon.
It must be removed from the stocker before printing.

That is, each time printing is performed on the thermal paper, it is necessary to check the mounting state of the ink ribbon cassette and to prevent printing using the ink ribbon cassette, which causes a problem of poor workability.

The thermal printer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-112666 and the thermal printer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-169983 can print on an ink ribbon cassette and print on thermal paper without using an ink ribbon cassette. Although the ink ribbon cassette is designed so that the user can remove it without removing it, multi-color printing using multiple ink ribbons is not taken into account. They must be replaced each time.

In general, color printing generally uses an ink ribbon cassette of three colors of Y (yellow) / M (magenta) / C (cyan), so frequent ribbon replacement work is required, and efficient color printing is required. There is a problem that printing cannot be performed. In addition, there is a problem that a complicated mechanism is required only for coping with thermal paper printing.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus described in JP-A-3-187777, multicolor printing using a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes can be efficiently realized without the user replacing the ink ribbon cassettes. Although it is possible, the ink ribbon cassette is stacked on the carriage. In this method, when printing on thermal paper,
By performing an extra slide of the ink ribbon cassette so that the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cassette does not come to the print head, printing on thermal paper can be realized. For example, Y (yellow) / M (magenta) / C (cyan)
When using the ribbon of the above, there is a space on the carriage for four ink ribbon cassettes, in addition to the height of three ink ribbon cassettes for color printing, and a slide for thermal paper printing. There is a problem that a large space is required and a mechanically large thickness is required.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when printing on thermal paper that does not use an ink ribbon cassette, the confirmation work including the removal of the ink ribbon cassette is eliminated, and the number of steps is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system capable of performing work efficiently and at high speed, reducing the thickness of a color printer, and performing color printing efficiently and at high speed.

The thermal transfer printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-253578 has no sensor for detecting the state of attachment of the ink ribbon cassette to the stocker, that is, the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette by the stocker and the carriage. If the changer operation is not performed correctly for some reason, such as failure to move the ink ribbon cassette to the printer, or if the ink ribbon cassette comes off due to an external impact during printing, the problem cannot be detected. If it cannot be detected, stress is concentrated on parts having low strength, causing a problem that a failure or damage to parts occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and it is an object of the present invention to detect an accident such as a failure of the transfer of an ink ribbon cassette between a carriage and a stocker by a changer at an early stage, and to reduce a burden on a printer. With the goal.

The thermal transfer type printer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-253578 is, for example, a Y (yellow) / M
By using three (magenta) / C (cyan) ink ribbon cassettes and automatically exchanging them during printing, it is possible to use only one ink ribbon cassette at a time, but with multiple carriages. It is a color printer that can print.

In general, when color printing is performed, data to be printed is divided into Y / M / C components. When printing, the Y component data is a Y color ink ribbon cassette, and the M component data is a M color data. In the ink ribbon cassette,
It is necessary to print the data of the C component in each of the C ink ribbon cassettes. If the ink ribbon cassette is not mounted at the correct position on the stocker, correct color printing cannot be performed.

The thermal transfer type printer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-253578 has no sensor for detecting the state of attachment of the ink ribbon cassette to the stocker. There is a problem that correct printing may not be performed because it is not known whether the printer is mounted.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-187777, a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes stacked on a cassette table on a carriage are detected by adding them to the ink ribbon cassette in order to determine the type of the ink ribbon cassette. The body can be determined by the detection switch attached to the cassette table, and it can be determined whether the ink ribbon cassette has been set correctly.

However, since the ink ribbons are stacked on the carriage, the thickness of the carriage including the cassette table increases in proportion to the number of ink ribbon cassettes that can be mounted, and the sliding width of the cassette table moves up and down.
There is a problem that the space is required above the carriage and the thickness of the entire printer becomes very large.In addition, since there is only one detection switch at one ink ribbon cassette holding position on the cassette base, it is held at that ink ribbon cassette holding position. There is a problem that it is only known whether or not the ink ribbon should be used.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and realizes a thin auto changer printer, and holds an ink ribbon cassette incorrectly for a print mode in which printing is to be performed, or forgets to attach an ink ribbon cassette. The purpose is to prevent.

In addition to realizing a thin autochanger printer, the type of ink ribbon cassette held in the stocker can be discriminated, so that it is not necessary to pay attention to the order in which the ink ribbon cassettes are set. The purpose is to simplify the set and to achieve work efficiency.

It is another object of the present invention to realize a low-profile autochanger, and to prevent an incorrect holding of an ink ribbon cassette or forgetting to mount an ink ribbon cassette in a printing mode to be printed at a low cost.

By realizing a thin autochanger printer and determining the type of ink ribbon cassette held in the stocker, it is not necessary to pay attention to the order in which the ink ribbon cassettes are set. And to achieve work efficiency at low cost.

[0037]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention has a thermal head and is capable of holding and moving an ink ribbon cassette. A carriage 11 having a cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held, and a storage detecting means for storing the ink ribbon cassette so as to be able to be taken out and detecting whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is stored. Stocker 12
And moving the stocker 12 and the carriage 11 into two states, a ribbon transfer state in which the two are brought close to each other to transfer the ink ribbon cassette, and a carriage movable state in which the carriage 11 is movable by separating the two. At the time of printing on the thermal paper, the changer 13 detects whether the ink ribbon cassette is held on the carriage 11. If the ink ribbon cassette is held, the changer 13 is operated to operate the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage 11. Remove the set and stocker 1
An ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system including a cassette detaching means 14 for mounting the ink ribbon cassette at a position where the second ink ribbon cassette is not held.

In the present invention, as the cassette detecting means provided on the carriage 11, various types of sensors such as a switch type sensor and an optical sensor can be used, but from the viewpoint of cost, a switch type sensor can be used. preferable.

The stocker 12 has a plurality of colors, preferably Y
(Yellow) / M (magenta) / C (cyan) / B (black) It is preferable that the ink ribbon cassettes can be stored so that they can be taken out, and a horizontal type that stores the ink ribbon cassettes in parallel is used. Can be.

The changer 13 preferably shifts the stocker 12 and the carriage 11 into two states, a ribbon transfer state and a carriage movable state, by rotating the cam. Can also. It is convenient to use a microprocessor as the cassette detaching means 14.

According to the present invention, a carriage having a print head, being capable of holding and moving the ink ribbon cassette, and having cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held, and a carriage having an ink ribbon cassette are provided. A stocker having storage detecting means for storing the ink ribbon cassette so as to be able to be taken out and detecting whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is stored, and a ribbon delivery state for carrying out the delivery of the ink ribbon cassette by bringing the stocker and the carriage close to each other; A changer that shifts the carriage into two states, that is, a carriage movable state in which the carriage is movable by separating the two, and a storage state of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker before and after the changer transition, and a storage of the ink ribbon cassette after the transition to the changer. Condition is changer Examines whether to match the state should be the line results, if they do not match, an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system comprising comprising a ink ribbon cassette judging means for performing error processing.

In this case, before the start of printing and at predetermined time intervals during printing, the ink ribbon cassette storage state of the stocker is detected, and if the storage state changes, an ink ribbon cassette abnormality detecting means for performing error processing is further provided. It is preferable that the configuration is such that:

The present invention further comprises a print head,
A carriage capable of holding and moving the ink ribbon cassette and having cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held; and a housing for accommodating the ink ribbon cassette so that the ink ribbon cassette can be taken out. A stocker having storage detecting means for detecting whether the stocker and the carriage are in close proximity to each other to transfer the ink ribbon cassette, and a carriage movable state in which the carriage is movable by separating the two. And a changer for shifting to the two states, and detecting the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before the start of printing, and determining whether or not the storage state is appropriate for the printing mode to be printed from now on. That informs about the status of the ink ribbon cassette storage A ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system comprising comprising a ribbon cassette holding state informing means.

In the above arrangement, the stocker ribbon type recognizing means for recognizing the type of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the stocker, and the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before starting the printing, and the stored state is to be printed. It is determined whether or not it is appropriate for the printing mode to be set, and if not, an appropriate storage state of the ink ribbon cassette is notified, and if it is appropriate,
It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a control unit for recognizing the type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the stocker and performing correct printing in a print mode in which printing is desired.

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

According to the present invention, when printing on thermal paper,
When the ink ribbon cassette is not held by the carriage, printing on the thermal paper is started by the thermal head.
, The changer is operated, the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage is removed, and the stocker is attached to a position where the ink ribbon cassette is not held, and the ink ribbon cassette is not held on the carriage. Printing starts. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually remove the ink ribbon cassette of the carriage every time printing is performed on the thermal paper, and the usability is improved.

According to the present invention, the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is detected by the ink ribbon cassette determining means before and after the change of the changer.
It is checked whether or not the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette after the transfer of the changer matches the expected state based on the result of the transfer of the changer. If not, an error process is performed assuming that some abnormality has occurred. Therefore, a changer operation abnormality can be quickly found, and the burden on each part of the printer due to the abnormal operation can be reduced.

In this case, if the ink ribbon cassette abnormality detecting means is further provided, the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is detected before printing starts and every predetermined time during printing, and the storage state is changed. Is
Error processing is performed assuming that some abnormality has occurred.

Therefore, an abnormality (detachment of the cassette due to an impact or the like) with respect to the stocker during printing can be quickly found.
The burden on each part of the printer due to the abnormal operation can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, when printing,
The ink ribbon cassette to be mounted on the stocker differs depending on the printing mode for printing, that is, thermal paper printing, black printing, color printing by Y / M / C, or two-color printing. The storage state is detected, and it is determined whether or not the storage state is appropriate for a print mode to be printed from now on, and an appropriate ink ribbon cassette storage state is notified.

Therefore, since the work of confirming the installation of the ink ribbon cassette is performed, the reliability of the installation is improved.
Erroneous printing due to an ink ribbon cassette mounting error can be prevented.

If the above configuration further includes a stocker ribbon type recognizing unit and a control unit, the control unit detects the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before printing starts, and the storage state is changed to the printing state. It is determined whether or not the print mode is appropriate for the print mode to be attempted, and if not, an appropriate storage state of the ink ribbon cassette is notified. Also, where appropriate,
The type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the stocker is recognized, and printing is correctly performed for the printing mode in which printing is desired.

Accordingly, the reliability of mounting the ink ribbon cassette is improved, and erroneous printing due to a mounting error of the ink ribbon cassette is prevented. Further, since it is not necessary to pay attention to the order of mounting the ink ribbon cassettes, usability is improved.

[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, Y (yellow) / M (magenta) / C (cyan) / B (black)
An ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system for automatically exchanging the four ink ribbon cassettes and performing printing will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system of the present invention is provided with a control / arithmetic unit (CPU-Central Processing Unit) 1 for controlling the operation of each component and performing arithmetic operations. The storage device 3 is directly connected to the control / arithmetic device 1. Also, the input device 2 via the I / O port 6,
The display device 4 and the printing device 5 are connected.

The storage device 3 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can read / write document data, image data, various variable data, etc.
A ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a control program for operating the arithmetic unit (CPU) 1 is stored is connected.

As the input device 2, a keyboard for inputting document data and instructions from a user (user) is connected via a key interface. Although not shown, a color image scanner or the like for inputting color image data may be connected.

The display device 4 is an L for displaying document data, image data, a message for the user, and the like.
A CD (Liquid Crystal Display) is connected via an LCD controller.

As the printing apparatus 5, a printing apparatus (ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer) 5 for printing document data, image data, and the like is connected. The printing apparatus 5 has a thermal head, can hold one ink ribbon cassette, can move in a direction parallel to the platen, and has a carriage 5-3, and the carriage 5-3 moves above the carriage 5-3. A stocker 5-1 capable of holding four ink ribbon cassettes arranged in parallel in the direction, removing the ink ribbon cassette held at an arbitrary position of the stocker 5-1 and mounting it on the carriage 5-3, or holding the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage 5-3 A changer 5-2 capable of removing the removed ink ribbon cassette and mounting it at an arbitrary position (where the ink ribbon cassette is not held) of the stocker 5-1; and a paper feeder 5-4 for feeding paper. I have.

The stocker 5-1 is provided with four stocker cassette holding sensors for detecting whether or not each of the four ink ribbon cassettes is held, and the stocker 5-1 is provided so that the user can easily replace the ink ribbon cassette. And a stocker closing sensor for detecting whether or not 1 is open.

The changer 5-2 includes a changer upper end sensor for judging whether the stocker 5-1 is in the raised state and a changer lower end sensor for judging whether the stocker 5-1 is in the lowered state. Each has one. Further, it has a motor for vertically moving the changer 5-2 and a driver for driving the motor.

The carriage 5-3 has one carriage cassette holding sensor for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held on the carriage 5-3, and detects the end of the ink ribbon during printing. One ink ribbon end sensor, one print head for printing and one driver for applying voltage to the print head, a motor for driving the carriage 5-3, a motor for bringing the print head into close contact with the paper or winding the ink ribbon. , And one driver for driving those motors.

The paper feeder 5-4 has one paper sensor for determining whether or not a paper is set, one motor for feeding the paper, and one driver for driving the motor.

The output of each sensor is input to the control / operation device (CPU) 1 via the I / O port 6, and each driver is connected to the control / operation device (CPU).
1 through the I / O port 6.

FIGS. 3 to 12 are explanatory views of the printing apparatus (ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer) 5. FIG. In FIG. 3, the stocker 5-1 is capable of holding the ink ribbon cassettes 5-5 to 5-8, and a stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1 for determining whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is held. 1 to
5-1-4.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of the stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1 (other stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-2 to 5-1-4).
The same). Stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1
Uses a switch that is turned ON only when the projection is pressed down. In FIG. 4A, the stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1 is OFF because the stocker 5-1 does not hold the ink ribbon cassette. FIG.
In (2), the ink ribbon cassette 5 is stored in the stocker 5-1.
Since -5 is held, the projection is pushed and turned ON.

The stocker 5-1 is provided so that the user can easily replace the ink ribbon cassette.
A stocker closing sensor 5 that can be opened as shown in (1) and detects whether or not the stocker 5-1 is open.
-1-5.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are explanatory diagrams of the stocker closing sensor 5-1-5. The stocker closing sensor 5-1-5 uses a switch that is turned ON only when the protrusion is pressed down. In FIG. 5A, the stocker 5-1 is used.
Is open and the stocker close sensor 5-1-5
Is OFF. In FIG. 5B, the stocker 5-1 is used.
Is closed, the projection is pushed and turned ON.

The changer 5-2 can move the stocker 5-1 up and down, and performs an operation of transferring the ink ribbon cassette between the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5-3. The changer 5-2 includes a changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 and a changer lower end sensor 5-2.
-2-3.

FIGS. 6 (1) to 6 (4) show the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-2.
It is explanatory drawing of 2-3. As shown in these figures, the cam 5-2-1 rotates in synchronization with the operation of the changer 5-2 (when the stocker 5-1 moves from the upper end position to the lower end position, the cam 5-2 is moved). 1 rotates 180 °).

When the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end position (0 °), the state is as shown in FIG. 6A, the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned on, and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is turned on. It turns off.

When the stocker 5-1 is at the lower end position (180)
6), the state shown in FIG. 6C is reached, the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned off, and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is turned on.

The state shown in FIGS. 6 (2) and 6 (4) (the changer upper sensor 5-2-2 and the changer lower sensor 5-2-3 are both ON or both OF)
F state) indicates a state where the stocker 5-1 is located between the upper end and the lower end.

As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 5-3
Is guided by a shaft 5-9, moved in parallel with a platen 5-10 by a carriage driving mechanism (not shown), and can be printed by a print head 5-3-2. In addition,
The print head 5-3-2 is a thermal head.

The carriage 5-3 has a carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3-1.
-3, it is possible to determine whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held. Carriage cassette holding sensor 5-
3-1 also stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1-5
A switch similar to -1-4 is used. The carriage 5-3 has an ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-3, and when the ink ribbon ends during printing, it can be detected.

FIG. 7 shows an ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-.
It is explanatory drawing of No.3. In FIG. 7, the ink ribbon 5-7
-1 is a light emitting section 5 of the ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-3.
-3-3-1 and the light receiving section 5-3-3-2.

There is an ink ribbon end mark 5-7-2 near the end of the ink ribbon 5-7-1. In this portion, portions that allow light to pass through and portions that do not pass through are alternately arranged. Normally, the ink ribbon hardly transmits light, and the light receiving section 5-3-3.
No light reaches -2. However, the ink ribbon 5-7-1
Is wound in the direction of the arrow, and the ink ribbon end mark 5-
When 7-2 passes through the ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-3, the light receiving section 5-3-3-2 receives a light pulse, converts the pulse into an electric pulse, and outputs the pulse. Can be detected.

FIG. 8 shows that the changer 5-2 has the stocker 5-
1 shows a state where 1 has been raised. The carriage 5-3 has a platen 5-1 only when the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end.
It can move in a direction parallel to 0.

In FIG. 8, the stocker 5-1 holds ink ribbon cassettes 5-5 to 5-8, and the carriage 5-3 does not hold ink ribbon cassettes. Here, to mount the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 on the carriage 5-3, the carriage 5-3 is moved directly below the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 as shown in FIG. 9 and the stocker 5-1 is moved by the changer 5-2. After lowering the carriage 5-3 to hold the ink ribbon cassette 5-7, the stocker 5-1 is raised.

FIG. 10 shows a state where the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 is mounted on the carriage 5-3 and the stocker 5-1 is raised again by the changer 5-2. As a result, the carriage 5-3 moves the ink ribbon cassette 5
It is possible to perform a printing operation using -7.

The other ink ribbon cassette is moved to the carriage 5
-3, the carriage 5-3 is moved to a position immediately below the empty position of the stocker 5-1, and the changer 5 is mounted.
-2 lowers the stocker 5-1, and the stocker 5
-1 holds the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 and then raises the stocker 5-1 so that the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 can be returned to the original position of the stocker 5-1. What is necessary is just to attach similarly. The stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5
The details of the method of transferring the ink ribbon cassette between -3 will be described later.

FIG. 11 shows a state where the stocker 5-1 is opened. When the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end position as shown in FIG. 8, the stocker 5-1 can be opened by rotating about the stocker rotating shaft 5-1-6.
~ 5-8 can be exchanged by the user. The stocker 5-1 has a stocker closing sensor 5-1-5, and can determine whether the stocker 5-1 is in an open state. The stocker closing sensor 5-1
5 has already been described with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 12 (1) to 12 (4) show the stocker 5
-1 and the ink ribbon cassette 5 between the carriage 5-3
7 is an explanatory view of the delivery of the ink ribbon cassette 5 (ink ribbon cassette 5).
Since the outer shapes of −5 to 5-8 are all the same, the delivery method is also the same).

In FIG. 12A, the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 has a stocker fixed holding claw 5 on a stocker 5-1.
-1-7 and the stocker movable holding tab 5-1-8. The carriage 5-3 has a plurality of carriage fixing holding tabs 5-3-4 for holding the ink ribbon cassette.

Here, when it is desired to mount the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 held in the stocker 5-1 on the carriage 5-3, the changer 5-2 (not shown in FIG. 12).
Lowers the stocker 5-1 as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12 (2), the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 includes a stocker 5-1 (a stocker fixed holding claw 5-1).
-7 and the stocker movable holding tab 5-1-8) and the carriage 5-3 (carriage holding tab 5-3-4).

Next, the changer 5-2 includes the movable holding claw 5
-1-8 is moved in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. This means that the stocker 5-1 has released the holding of the ink ribbon cassette 5-7.

Next, the changer 5-2 is connected to the stocker 5-1.
To rise. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12D, the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 is held on the carriage 5-3, and the stocker 5-1 does not hold the ink ribbon cassette.

Conversely, when it is desired to return the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 held on the carriage 5-3 to the stocker 5-1 as shown in FIG. 12 (4), the changer 5-2 becomes as shown in FIG. 12 (3). 5-1-8 stocker movable holding tab
Is moved in the direction of the arrow to lower the stocker 5-1.
Next, the changer 5-2 raises the stocker 5-1 by returning the stocker movable holding claw 5-1-8 (holding the ink ribbon cassette 5-7) as shown in FIG. 12 (2).

Since the holding force of the ink ribbon cassette by the stocker fixed holding claw 5-1-7 and the stocker movable holding claw 5-1-8 is sufficiently stronger than the holding force by the carriage fixed holding claw 5-3-4, the ink ribbon cassette 5 7 is detached from the carriage 1-5-3 as shown in FIG. 12 (1) and is mounted on the stocker 5-1.

The stocker 5-1 has as many as four ink ribbon cassettes (four in this embodiment) capable of holding the ink ribbon cassettes.
Only the stocker movable holding claw 5-1-8 at the position in contact with the carriage 5-3 when the stocker 5-1 is lowered can be moved by 2.

The changer 5-2 is connected to the stocker 5-1.
Whether or not to move the stocker movable holding tab 5-1-8 when raising or lowering is selected by a cam (not shown) rotated by a changer motor (not shown) that raises or lowers the stocker 5-1. be able to. Note that a thermal head is used for the print head 5-3-2.

As shown in FIG. 13, instead of the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4,
In order to determine what kind of ink ribbon cassette is held in the stocker 5-1, the stocker 5-1 is used.
At each of the four ink ribbon cassette holding positions,
Kinds of stocker cassette type discriminating sensors A: 5-1-1-1 to 5-1-1-4 and stocker cassette type discriminating sensors B: 5-1-2-1 to 5-1-2-
4 and stocker cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-1
−3-1 to 5-1-3-4 are added.

The stocker cassette type discriminating sensors A: 5-1-1-1 to 5-1-1-4, and the stocker cassette type discriminating sensors B: 5-1-2-1 to 5-1-2-
4 and stocker cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-1
Whether the ink ribbon cassette is held at the ink ribbon cassette holding position of the stocker 5-1 and what kind (color) of the ink ribbon cassette is based on the combination of the detection results of −3-1 to 5-1-3-4. It is determined whether or not is held.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an identification hole for identifying the type of the ink ribbon cassette. As shown in FIG. 14A, the ink ribbon cassette 6-1 has identification holes 6-1-1 to 6-1-3 at three fixed positions.

When the ink ribbon cassette 6-1 is held in the stocker 5-1 as shown in FIG. 14 (2), the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor A: 5-1-1-1 is located at the identification hole 6-1-1. 1 is a stocker cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-1-2-1 at the position of the identification hole 6-1-2.
The stocker cassette type discriminating sensor C: 5-1-3-1 is located at the position of the identification hole 6-1-3.

FIGS. 14 (3) and 14 (4) show the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor A: 5-1-1-1, the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor B: 5-1-2-1, and the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor. C: 5-1-3-3
FIG. 1 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the first embodiment (a stocker cassette type discrimination sensor A: 5-1-1-2-5-1-1-4 added to another ink ribbon cassette holding position of the stocker 5-1;
Stocker cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-1-2-2
5-1-2-4 and stocker cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-1-3-2 to 5-1-3-4).

Stocker cassette type discriminating sensor A: 5
-1-1-1, Stocker cassette type discrimination sensor B:
5-1-2-1 and the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor C: 5-1-3-1 are turned on only when the projection is pressed down.
The switch which becomes N is used.

In FIG. 14C, since the ink ribbon cassette is not held in the stocker 5-1, the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor A: 5-1-1-1, the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor B: 5-1-2. -1 and the stocker cassette type discriminating sensor C: 5-1-3-1 are all OFF, and the identification hole 6 as shown in FIG.
When the ink ribbon cassette 6-2 provided with -2-1 and the identification hole 6-2-3 is set, the stocker cassette type determination sensor A: 5-1-1-1 and the stocker cassette type determination sensor C: 5-1. -3-1 is OFF, stocker cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-1-2-1 is ON
Becomes

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the position of the identification hole and the type of the ribbon of the ink ribbon cassette. In this manner, the holes for identifying the ink ribbon cassette previously added to the ink ribbon cassette for each type of the ink ribbon cassette are formed. The detection is performed by the stocker cassette type determination sensor A, the stocker cassette type determination sensor B, and the stocker cassette type determination sensor C, and the presence / absence and type of the ink ribbon cassette are determined by a combination thereof.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing for printing on thermal paper. This process is performed when printing on thermal paper that does not use an ink ribbon cassette, the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 attached to the carriage 5-3.
Is automatically removed.

First, in step S101, when the print mode for thermal paper is selected, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 is held on the carriage 5-3 by the carriage cassette holding sensor 5. −
Checked by 3-1. If it is not held, the process proceeds to step S110 to start printing.

If it is determined in step S102 that the carriage 5
3 holds the ink ribbon cassette 5-7,
Proceeding to step S103, the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1 is checked by the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4. If there is an empty holding position in the stocker 5-1 in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, where the carriage 5 is moved below the empty ink ribbon cassette holding position of the stocker 5-1.
The ink ribbon cassette 5-7 held on the carriage 5-3 by the changer 5-2 is moved to an empty holding position of the stocker 5-1 in step S106.
In a state where the ink ribbon cassette is not held in the carriage 5-3, the process proceeds to step S110 to start printing.

If it is determined in step S104 that the stocker 5-1
If there is no empty ink ribbon cassette holding position in step S107, the process proceeds to step S107, and a message such as "Please remove the ribbon cassette of the carriage" is displayed on the display device 4 so that the ink ribbon cassette 5 of the carriage 5-3 is displayed. The user is informed that removal of the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 is necessary, and in step S108, the user removes the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 of the carriage 5-3, and then proceeds to step S10.
9, the ink ribbon cassette 5 is detected by the carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3-1 added to the carriage 5-3.
It is checked whether -7 has been removed, and if it has not been removed, the process returns to step S107 to request removal of the ink ribbon cassette again. And if step S1
09, the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 of the carriage 5-3.
If it can be confirmed that has been removed, step S110
Proceed to and start printing. With the above processing, printing on thermal paper is performed.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the processing for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before and after the change to the changer. This process is performed from the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5-3 before the operation of the changer 5-2 to the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5-3 after the operation of the changer 5-2. Is predicted, and the change is compared with the ink ribbon cassette holding state after the actual operation of the changer 5-2.
-2, for quickly detecting an abnormality in the operation of the printer.

In step S201, the holding state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5-3 is determined.
Stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1 to 5-1-4
And a check by the carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3-1.
Store it in M or the like. Then, in step S203, the holding position of the stocker 5-1 where the ink ribbon cassette necessary for printing is located is obtained, the carriage 5-3 is moved below it in step S204, and the changer 5-3 is moved in step S205.
2, the ink ribbon cassette 5-
7 is attached.

After the operation of the changer 5-2, in step S206, the carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3
In step S207, the stocker 5 is checked by the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4.
Check the ink ribbon cassette holding state of -1.

In step S208, step S2
In step 02, the ink ribbon cassette holding state when the changer 5-2 operates correctly is determined from the ink ribbon cassette holding state before the changer 5-2 operation stored in the storage device 3. For example, the stored state of the ink ribbon cassette before the operation of the stored changer 5-2 is as shown in FIG. 26, and the ink ribbon cassette held at the ink ribbon cassette holding position at the left end of the stocker 5-1 is transferred to the carriage 5-3 by the changer 5-2. If the changer 5-2 operation is performed correctly when it moves, the stocker 5-1 is operated.
It can be seen that the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette at the leftmost holding position is changed to "none", and the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette of the carriage 5-3 is changed to "present", as shown in FIG.

In step S209, step S2
07 and the actual state of the ink ribbon cassette checked in step S208 is the same as the state of the ink ribbon cassette held after operation of the changer 5-2 derived in step S208.
It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the changer 5-2, the process proceeds to step S220, and a message such as "The ribbon cassette change has failed. Please check the printer." Is notified, and the printing operation is interrupted.

On the other hand, in step S209, the changer 5
-2 The ink ribbon cassette holding state after the operation matches,
If it is determined that the changer 5-2 operation has been correctly performed, the process proceeds to step S210, and printing is performed using the ink ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage 5-3. When printing with the ink ribbon held on the carriage 5-3 is completed, the state of the ink ribbon held by the stocker 5-1 and the state of holding the carriage 5-3 are checked in step S211. Is stored in the storage device 3 in step S212 as the ink ribbon cassette holding state.

Next, in step S213, the carriage 5-3
The return position of the ink ribbon cassette which has been printed and is returned to the original holding position of the stocker 5-1 is determined. In step S214, the carriage 5 is moved below the original holding position of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1. -3
Then, in step S215, the changer 5-2 returns the ink ribbon cassette of the carriage 5-3 to the original holding position of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1.

After the operation of the changer 5-2, in step S216, the carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3-1 is detected.
The state of the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage 5-3 is checked, and the state of the ink ribbon cassette held by the stocker 5-1 is checked by the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4 in step S217. In step S218, the ink ribbon holding state when the changer 5-2 operates correctly is derived from the ink ribbon cassette holding state before the changer 5-2 operation stored in the storage device 3 in step S212. This deriving method is the same as in step S208.

The correct holding state after the operation of the changer 5-2 derived in step S218 is compared with the actual ink ribbon holding state obtained in steps S216 and S217 in step S219. Is determined to have been performed normally, and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the actual ink ribbon holding state and the desired holding state do not match in step S219, the flow advances to step S220, and the display device 4 displays the message, "Ribbon cassette change failed. Please inform the user that an abnormality has occurred by displaying a message such as "Please."

In this way, each time the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage 5-3 or returned to the stocker 5-1, it is checked whether an abnormality has occurred. With the above processing, the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is checked before and after the change to the changer.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are flowcharts showing the contents of processing for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker at predetermined time intervals during printing. In this process, as shown in FIG. 22, during printing, the ink ribbon cassette holding state is checked at a certain time T to check whether any abnormality has occurred. This is for detecting early removal of the ink ribbon cassette.

In FIG. 23, in step S301, the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette of the carriage 5-3 and the stocker 5-1 is checked by the carriage cassette holding sensor 5.
-3-1 and stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1
Check by 1-5-1-4. And step S302
The storage state of the ink ribbon cassette is indicated by R
It is stored in the AM or the like.

In step S303, the timer for checking every T time is reset (t = 0). It is assumed that the timer is included in the control / arithmetic device 1. Then, a timer is started in step S304, and it is checked in step S305 whether printing is in progress. If printing is not being performed, this process ends.

On the other hand, if printing is in progress, the process proceeds to step S306, and if the changer 5-2 operation is performed, a difference occurs with the ink ribbon holding state stored in the storage device 3 in step S302. The current state of holding the ink ribbon cassette of the carriage 5-3 is checked, and the state of holding the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1 is checked in step S309. In step S310, the holding state of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the previous step S302 is replaced. Proceed to S305.

If the operation of the changer 5-2 has not been performed in step S306, the process proceeds to step S307, and
A timer is used to check whether T time has elapsed. Still T
If the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S305.

If the time T has elapsed by the timer, the flow advances to step S311, and the carriage 5 at that time is moved to step S311.
The carriage ribbon holding sensor 5-3-1 and the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1 determine the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the stocker -3 and the stocker 5-1.
Check with -4. Then, in step S312, the result of this check is compared with the ink ribbon cassette holding state stored in the storage device 3. If they do not match, the process proceeds from step S313 to step S314, where it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, Is displayed to the user by displaying a message such as "An error has occurred in the printer. Check the printer."

On the other hand, if they match in step S312, it is determined that the printer operation has been performed normally, and step S303 is executed.
Then, the timer is reset again, and the timer is restarted to prepare for a check after the next T time.

During the printing operation, while the ink ribbon holding state stored in the storage device 3 is corrected every time the changer 5-2 operation is performed, the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the printer is changed every T time. Check to see if the printer has failed.

Note that the T time may not be a fixed time. For example, the holding state of the carriage and the stocker may be checked every time one line is printed without using a timer. With the above processing, the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is checked at every predetermined time during printing.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker before starting printing. This processing checks whether the ink ribbon cassette is set in the stocker 5-1 before starting printing, and confirms to the user the type of the ink ribbon cassette necessary for the printing mode and the position of the stocker 5-1 to be held. It is for.

Since the required number and types of ink ribbon cassettes vary depending on the print mode, the storage device 3 previously stores data (appropriate ink ribbon cassette holding state) as shown in FIG. Note that "arbitrary" in FIG.
It is not necessary to hold the ink ribbon cassette at the position indicated by the arrow.

First, when the print mode is selected in step S401, the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4 are used in step S402 to control the stocker 5-1-1.
Check the ink ribbon cassette holding state of No. 1. In step S403, this is compared with the ink ribbon cassette holding state corresponding to the print mode stored in the storage device 3.

If the ink ribbon is not set at the holding position of the stocker 5-1 which must be held, the process proceeds from step S404 to step S405, and the display device 4 confirms that the mounting state of the ink ribbon cassette is incorrect. Notify the user. When the user attaches the ink ribbon cassette in step S406, the process returns to step S402 to check the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the stocker.

On the other hand, in step S404, the stocker 5-1
If the ink ribbon holding state of the storage device 3 matches the ink ribbon cassette holding state corresponding to the print mode stored in the storage device 3, the process proceeds to step S 407, and the print mode selected in step S 401 on the display device 4 or the like. The type of the ink ribbon cassette necessary for the printing and the place to hold the ink ribbon cassette are displayed on the display device 4 as shown in FIG. 29 by referring to the appropriate ink ribbon cassette holding state data (FIG. 28) stored in the storage device 3. After the user is notified and confirmed, the process proceeds to step S408 to start printing. With the above processing, the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is checked before starting printing.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the processing contents for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before starting printing and performing correct printing. This process is to check whether the ink ribbon cassette necessary for the printing mode is set in the stocker 5-1 before starting printing.
This is for printing correctly regardless of the holding position of -1.

Here, it is only necessary to know what color ink ribbon cassette is set at each position of the stocker 5-1. If there is no stocker cassette type discriminating sensor, it is displayed on the display device 4 as shown in FIG. Then, the user may input the type of the ink ribbon cassette set in the stocker 5-1 by the input device 2 in order from the one set at the left end.

First, a print mode is selected in step S501. Then, in step S502, the stocker cassette type discrimination sensor A: 5-1-1-1 to 5-1-1
-4, Stocker cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-1
2-1-5-1-2-4 and stocker cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-1-3-1 to 5-1-3-4, holding state and type of ink ribbon cassette in stocker 5-1 Find out.

Then, according to the result, step S501 is performed.
It is checked in step S503 whether all the ink ribbon cassettes of the type required for the print mode selected in step S5 are set in the stocker 5-1. The ink ribbon cassette required for the print mode is stored in the storage device 3 as shown in FIG. In this step S503, step S50
It is determined whether the result of step 2 matches the stored content. However, the positions do not need to match, and the types and numbers need only match. If at least one of the ink ribbon cassettes is not present, steps S504 to S5 are performed.
Go to 05. In step S505, the display device 4 notifies the user of the setting error of the ink ribbon cassette.
In step S502, it is determined that the ink ribbon cassette is not mounted on the stocker 5-1. The ink ribbon cassette required for printing and the holding position of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker 51 are determined in step S506 by the display device 4 or the like. Notify.

The user follows step S505 and step S506 in accordance with the notification of step S505 and step S506.
After setting the ink ribbon cassette in step 07, the flow returns to step S502 to check again whether all the ink ribbon cassettes of the type required for printing are mounted on the stocker 5-1.

If it is determined in step S502 and step S503 that all the ink ribbon cassettes of the type required for printing are mounted on the stocker 5-1,
In step S508, the type and the holding position of the ink ribbon cassette set in the stocker 5-1 are stored in the RAM or the like of the storage device 3. Then, step S508
In step S509, printing is performed in accordance with the type of the ink ribbon cassette set in the stocker 5-1 and the holding position thereof.

For example, the holding position 1 is
There are four holding positions from (left end) to holding position 4 (right end), and when the color print mode is selected in step S501, the four types of ink ribbon cassettes necessary for the print mode are the contents of the storage device 3 (FIG. 28). From black / yellow /
It turns out that it is magenta / cyan.

In step S502, cyan is held at the holding position 1,
It is assumed that a black ink ribbon cassette is set at the holding position 2, a magenta ink is set at the holding position 3, and a blue ink ribbon cassette is set at the holding position 4. In step S503, the user knows that the yellow ink ribbon cassette required for printing is insufficient. Therefore, in steps S505 and S506, the user is informed that the "blue ink ribbon cassette is erroneously set".
And that "the yellow ink ribbon cassette is attached to the holding position 4".

When the user attaches the yellow ink ribbon cassette to the holding position 4 in accordance with the notification and finds that all the cassettes necessary for printing are ready, the holding state and type of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker 5-1, that is, The fact that cyan is held at the holding position 1, black is held at the holding position 2, magenta is held at the holding position 3, and yellow is held at the holding position 4 is stored in the storage device 3 as shown in FIG.

The operation of the changer 5-2 when exchanging the ink ribbon cassette refers to the stored data. For example, if a black ink ribbon cassette is required, the ink ribbon cassette attached to the holding position 2 is replaced with a yellow ink ribbon cassette. When the ink ribbon cassette is required, the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position 4 is used. When the magenta ink ribbon cassette is needed, the ink ribbon cassette attached to the holding position 3 is used. When the cyan ink ribbon cassette is needed, the holding position is used. One ink ribbon cassette is used. By the above processing,
Before starting printing, check the storage status of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker and print correctly.

Next, FIG. 16 shows an example in which the presence or absence of an ink ribbon cassette is determined on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette holding sensor. In this example, as shown in FIG. 16, a stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1 that determines the holding state (presence or absence) of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker provided in the stocker 5-1.
1-5-1-4 are abolished.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which the presence or absence and the type of the ink ribbon cassette are determined on the carriage side by using a stocker without a stocker cassette type determination sensor. In this example, as shown in FIG. 17, the stocker cassette type determination sensor A: 5-1-1-1 to 5-1-1-1
4. Stocker cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-1-2
What kind of ink ribbon cassette is held by the carriage 5-3 instead of -1 to 5-1-2-4 and the stocker cassette type determination sensor C: 5-1-3-1 to 5-1-3-4? Carriage 5-
3 and a carriage cassette type discrimination sensor A: 5-
3-1-1, Carriage cassette type discrimination sensor B:
5-3-1-2 and a carriage cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-3-1-3 are added.

The carriage cassette type discrimination sensor A: 5-3-1-1, the carriage cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-3-1-2 and the carriage cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-3-1-3 are detected. Based on the combination of the results, it is determined whether the ink ribbon cassette is held for the carriage 5-3 and what kind (color) of the ink ribbon cassette is held.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an identification hole for identifying the type of the ink ribbon cassette. As shown in FIG. 18A, three identification holes 7- are formed in three fixed positions on the surface of the ink ribbon cassette 7-1 which is in contact with the upper surface of the carriage.
1-1 to 7-1-3 are provided.

When the ink ribbon cassette 7-1 is held on the carriage 5-3 as shown in FIG.
The carriage cassette type discrimination sensor A: 5-3-1-1 at the position of -1-1, and the carriage cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-3-1-2 at the position of the identification hole 7-1-2.
However, the carriage cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-3-1-3 is located at the position of the identification hole 7-1-3.

FIGS. 18 (3) and 18 (4) show a carriage cassette type discriminating sensor A: 5-3-1-1 and a carriage cassette type discriminating sensor B: 5-3-1-2.
And carriage cassette type determination sensor C: 5-3
It is a detailed explanatory view of -1-3.

Carriage cassette type determination sensor A:
5-3-1-1, Carriage cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-3-1-2 and carriage cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-3-1-3 are switches which are turned ON only when the projection is pressed down. Used. FIG. 18C shows that the stocker 5-1 does not hold the ink ribbon cassette, and the carriage 5-3 does not hold the ink ribbon cassette even when the stocker 5-1 is lowered by the changer 5-2. The determination sensor A: 5-3-1-1, the carriage cassette type determination sensor B: 5-3-1-2, and the carriage cassette type determination sensor C: 5-3-1-3 are all OFF. 18 (4), an ink ribbon cassette 7-2 having an identification hole 7-2-1 and an identification hole 7-2-3.
Is set in the stocker 5-1, and when the stocker 5-1 is lowered by the changer 5-2, the carriage 5-3
Holds the ink ribbon cassette 7-2, the carriage cassette type determination sensor A: 5-3-1-1 and the carriage cassette type determination sensor C: 5-3-1-3 are OFF, and the carriage cassette type determination sensor B: 5 −
3-1-2 turns ON.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the position of the identification hole and the ribbon type of the ink ribbon cassette. In this manner, the holes for ink ribbon cassette identification previously added to the ink ribbon cassette for each ink ribbon cassette type are shown. Carriage cassette type discrimination sensor A:
5-3-1-1, Carriage cassette type discriminating sensor B: 5-3-1-2 and carriage cassette type discriminating sensor C: 5-3-1-3. Is determined.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing the processing contents when the presence or absence of an ink ribbon cassette is determined on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette holding sensor.

This processing is performed before the start of printing.
It is determined whether the ink ribbon cassette is set on the carriage 5-3 with respect to each ink ribbon cassette holding position of the stocker 5-1 by the carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3-1 of the carriage 5-3. To check the ink ribbon cassette holding state (presence / absence) at each holding position of the stocker 5-1 and to confirm to the user the type of ink ribbon cassette required for the printing mode and the position of the stocker 5-1 to be held. Things.

Since the required number and types of ink ribbon cassettes differ depending on the print mode, the storage device 3 previously stores data (appropriate ink ribbon cassette holding state) as shown in FIG. Note that "arbitrary" in FIG.
It is not necessary to hold the ink ribbon cassette at the position indicated by the arrow. It is sufficient that any one of the ink ribbon cassettes such as "red", "green", and "blue" is held at the position indicated as "color".

First, when the print mode is selected in step S601, the stocker 5-1 is raised by the changer 5-2 in step S602. Then, in step S603, the counter n is set to 0 and reset.

In step S604, the counter n is set to 1
Then, in step S605, the carriage 5-3 is moved below the holding position n of the stocker 5-1. Then, in step S606, the stocker 5-1 is operated by the changer 5-2.
Is lowered, and an operation of mounting the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n of the stocker 5-1 is performed in step S607.

In step S608, the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n of the stocker 5-1 is detected by the carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3-1 of the carriage 5-3.
4, the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n is stored. Then, in step S610, the carriage 5-
Then, the operation of removing the ink ribbon cassette from the stocker 5 is performed.
-1 to raise the stocker 5-1.

In this example, since there are four ink ribbon cassette holding positions in the stocker 5-1, it is checked in step S612 whether the counter n is 4. If the counter n is not 4, the process returns to step S604, and 1 is added to the counter n to check the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position of the next stocker 5-1 and store the same.

Thus, steps S604 to S604
611 is repeated for n ≦ 4, that is, from the holding position 1 to the holding position 4 of the stocker 5-1.
-1 is checked and stored.

FIG. 34 shows a storage example of the held state. The stored contents are valid until the stocker 5-1 is opened (the stocker close sensor 5-1-5 is turned off).

Next, in step S613, the actual ink ribbon cassette holding state (presence / absence) of the stocker 5-1 thus obtained and the appropriate ink ribbon cassette corresponding to the print mode stored in the storage device 3 as shown in FIG. Compare with the holding state. If the ink ribbon cassette is not set at the holding position of the stocker 5-1 which must be held, the process proceeds from step S614 to step S614.
Proceeding to 615, the display device 4 notifies the user that the mounting state of the ink ribbon cassette is incorrect. When the user mounts the ink ribbon cassette in step S616, the process returns to step S602 again to check the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the stocker.

On the other hand, in step S614, the stocker 5-1
2 is stored in the storage device 3 in FIG.
If it matches with the appropriate ink ribbon cassette holding state (presence / absence) corresponding to the stored print mode as shown in step S8, the process proceeds to step S617, and the display device 4 or the like uses step S60.
Referring to the ink ribbon cassette holding state data (FIG. 28) stored in the storage device 3, the type of the ink ribbon cassette necessary for the print mode selected in 1 and the place where the ink ribbon cassette should be held are displayed on the display device 4 as shown in FIG. The user is notified and confirmed by displaying or the like, and the process proceeds to step S618 to start printing. With the above processing, the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette is determined on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette holding sensor.

FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing the processing contents when the presence or absence and type of the ink ribbon cassette are determined on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette type determination sensor.

This processing is performed before the start of printing.
The presence / absence and type of the ink ribbon cassette are determined based on the ink ribbon cassette attaching / detaching operation to the carriage 5-3 at the respective ink ribbon cassette holding positions of the stocker 5-1. -1-1, carriage cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-3-1-2 and carriage cassette type discrimination sensor C: 5-3-1-3, the ink ribbon cassette holding state at each holding position of stocker 5-1. (The presence / absence and type) are checked, and based on the result, whether the ink ribbon cassette necessary for the printing mode is set in the stocker 5-1 is checked. If the necessary ink ribbon cassette is provided, it is related to the holding position of the stocker 5-1. It is for printing correctly.

First, in step S701, a print mode is selected. Then, in step S702, the changer 5-
2. The stocker 5-1 is raised by the step S703.
Resets the counter n to 0. And step S
At step 704, 1 is added to the counter n, and at step S705 and step S706, the type of the ink ribbon cassette held at that position for the holding position n of the stocker 5-1 such as when the type of the stocker 5-1 has already been checked. If it is known, it is not necessary to determine the type of the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n, and step S70 is performed again.
4 and add 1 to the counter n.
Check the holding position of -1. (Already stocker 5-1
When the type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the storage device 3 has been checked, since it is stored in the RAM of the storage device 3 as shown in FIG. 31 or FIG. 35, it is determined whether or not the type has already been checked. )

On the other hand, if the type of the ink ribbon cassette at the stocker holding position n is not known in step S705, such as when the holding state of the stocker 5-1 is checked for the first time, the process proceeds to step S706. In step S706, the stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1 of the stocker 5-1
It is checked from 1 to 5-1-4 whether the ink ribbon cassette is held at the holding position n of the stocker 5-1. Here, if it is determined that there is no ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n, it is determined that there is no ink ribbon cassette for the holding position n of the stocker 5-1 and the process returns to step S704, and 1 is added to n to check the next holding position. .

If it is determined in step S706 that the ink ribbon cassette is held at the holding position n, the flow advances to step S707. In step S707, the carriage 5
-3 is moved below the holding position n of the stocker 5-1.
Then, in step S708, the stocker 5-1 is lowered by the changer 5-2, and in step S709, the operation of mounting the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n of the stocker 5-1 is performed. In step S710, a carriage cassette type determination sensor A for the carriage 5-3: 5-3-1-
1. Carriage cassette type discrimination sensor B: 5-3-
1-2 and carriage cassette type determination sensor C:
At step S71, the type of the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n of the stocker 5-1 is detected by 5-3-1-3.
In step 1, the type of the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position n is stored in the RAM of the storage device 3 as shown in FIGS. Then, an operation of removing the ink ribbon cassette from the carriage is performed in step S712, and the changer 5-2 returns the ink ribbon cassette to the stocker 5-1. In step S713, the stocker 5-1 is raised.

In this example, since there are four ink ribbon cassette holding positions in the stocker 5-1, it is checked in step S714 whether the counter n is 4. If the counter n is not 4, the process returns to step S704 and the counter n is set to 1
, The presence / absence of the ink ribbon cassette is similarly checked and stored for the next holding position of the stocker 5-1. In this manner, the steps S704 to S713 are performed while n ≦ 4, that is, from the holding position 1 to the holding position 4 of the stocker 5-1.
Is repeated, and the actual ink ribbon cassette holding state (presence / absence and type) of the stocker 5-1 is checked and stored.

FIGS. 31 and 35 show examples of storage of the held state. The stored contents are such that the stocker 5-1 is opened and the ink ribbon cassette is removed (the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4 are turned off).
).

Then, based on the obtained result, it is checked in step S715 whether all the ink ribbon cassettes of the type required for the print mode selected in step S701 are set in the stocker 5-1. The ink ribbon cassette required for the print mode is stored in the storage device 3 as shown in FIG. In step S716, it is determined whether the appropriate ink ribbon holding state matches the actual holding state. However, the positions do not need to match, and the types and numbers need only match. If there is no ink ribbon cassette, the process proceeds from step S716 to step S717. In step S717, the display device 4 notifies the user of the setting error of the ink ribbon cassette. Then, in step S715, it is checked in step S715 that the ink ribbon cassette necessary for printing, which is determined not to be attached to the stocker 5-1 and in which holding position of the stocker 5-1 to hold the ink ribbon cassette, are displayed in step S718. Notify by

Then, according to the notification in step S717 and step S718, the user proceeds to step S7.
After setting the ink ribbon cassette in step 19, the process returns to step S702 and checks again whether all the ink ribbon cassettes of the type required for printing are mounted on the stocker 5-1.

At the time of this re-examination, the type of the ink ribbon cassette is already known, and for the holding position n which has not been detached in step S719, the process proceeds to step S705.
Is skipped.

Thus, steps S702 to S702
If it is determined in 716 that all the ink ribbon cassettes of the type necessary for printing are mounted on the stocker 5-1, in step S720, the type of the ink ribbon cassette set in the stocker 5-1 and the holding position thereof are stored in the storage device 3. In the RAM as shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. Then, in step S721, printing is performed in accordance with the type of the ink ribbon cassette set in the stocker 5-1 and the holding position thereof stored in step S720.

For example, the stocker 5-1 has the holding position 1
There are four holding positions from (left end) to holding position 4 (right end), and when the color print mode is selected in step S701, the four types of ink ribbon cassettes necessary for the print mode are the contents of the storage device 3 (FIG. 28). From black / yellow /
It turns out that it is magenta / cyan. Step S702-
In step S714, it is assumed that a cyan ink cassette has been set at the holding position 1, a black ink has been set at the holding position 2, a magenta ink has been set at the holding position 3, and a blue ink ribbon cassette has been set at the holding position 4. In step S715, the user knows that the yellow ink ribbon cassette required for printing is insufficient. Therefore, in steps S717 and S718, the user is informed that "the blue ink ribbon cassette is erroneously set" and "hold". Attach yellow ink ribbon cassette at position 4 ".

When the user attaches the yellow ink ribbon cassette to the holding position 4 in accordance with the notification and finds that all the cassettes necessary for printing have been prepared, the stocker 5-1 is displayed.
As shown in FIG. 31, the storage state and type of the ink ribbon cassette are stored in the storage device 3 as shown in FIG. 31 in which cyan is held in the holding position 1, black is held in the holding position 2, magenta is held in the holding position 3, and yellow is held in the holding position 4. Remember.

The operation of the changer 5-2 when exchanging the ink ribbon cassette refers to the stored data. For example, if a black ink ribbon cassette is required, the ink ribbon cassette attached to the holding position 2 is changed to yellow. When the ink ribbon cassette is required, the ink ribbon cassette at the holding position 4 is used. When the magenta ink ribbon cassette is needed, the ink ribbon cassette attached to the holding position 3 is used. When the cyan ink ribbon cassette is needed, the holding position is used. One ink ribbon cassette is used. By the above processing,
Using a stocker without a stocker cassette type determination sensor, the presence or absence and type of the ink ribbon cassette is determined on the carriage side.

[0179]

According to the present invention, when printing on thermal paper, the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage is removed and the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is mounted at a position where the ink ribbon cassette is not held. This eliminates the need to manually remove the ink ribbon cassette of the carriage every time printing is performed on paper, thereby improving usability. Also,
Since the ribbon is automatically attached to and detached from the carriage only by setting the print mode, the usability is improved. Furthermore, since the apparatus for removing the ink ribbon cassette for thermal paper printing is shared with the apparatus for replacing the ink ribbon cassette for color printing, it is possible to cope with thermal paper and color printing without increasing costs. Then, the thickness of the printer can be reduced.

If the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker is detected before and after the change of the changer, abnormal operation of the changer can be quickly detected, and the load on each part of the printer due to the abnormal operation can be reduced.

If the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is detected before the start of printing and at every predetermined time during printing, it is possible to quickly detect an abnormality in the stocker during printing (separation of the cassette due to impact or the like), The burden on each part of the printer due to the operation can be reduced.

If the state of storage of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker is detected before the start of printing, it is possible to check the installation of the ink ribbon cassette. Therefore, the reliability of the installation can be improved, and the ink ribbon cassette mounting error can be improved. Erroneous printing can be prevented.

In the case where the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is detected before the start of printing and printing is performed correctly, the reliability of mounting the ink ribbon cassette is improved, and erroneous printing due to an ink ribbon cassette mounting error is prevented. be able to. Further, since it is not necessary to pay attention to the order of mounting the ink ribbon cassettes, usability is improved.

[0184]

[0185]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an ink ribbon cassette is held by a stocker.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage state of a stocker.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a stocker is opened.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a changer upper end sensor and a changer lower end sensor.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an ink ribbon end sensor.

FIG. 8 is an overall view of an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an overall view of an ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an overall view of an ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an overall view of the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer in the embodiment, showing a state where a stocker is opened.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of transfer of an ink ribbon cassette between a stocker and a carriage.

FIG. 13 is an overall view of an ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer provided with a stocker cassette type determination sensor in the stocker.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an identification hole for identifying the type of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the position of the identification hole and the ribbon type of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the presence or absence of an ink ribbon cassette is determined on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette holding sensor.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the presence or absence and type of an ink ribbon cassette are determined on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette type determination sensor.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an identification hole for identifying the type of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the position of the identification hole and the ribbon type of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating processing for printing on thermal paper.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker before and after the change to the changer.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker at regular intervals during printing.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette in the stocker at regular intervals during printing.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before starting printing.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for checking the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before starting printing and performing correct printing.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a holding state of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a holding state of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an ink ribbon cassette required for a print mode stored in a storage device.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of appropriate ink ribbon cassette holding state data stored in a storage device.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a screen for inputting the type of the ink ribbon cassette set in the stocker.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of storage of a ribbon type holding state of an ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing processing contents when determining the presence or absence of an ink ribbon cassette on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette holding sensor.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the processing contents when discriminating the presence / absence and type of an ink ribbon cassette on the carriage side using a stocker without a stocker cassette type discrimination sensor.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is stored in the storage device.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of storage of the holding state of the ribbon type of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional color ink ribbon.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional color ink ribbon.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the ink ribbon cassette when printing on plain paper and thermal paper by a conventional ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the ink ribbon cassette when printing on plain paper and thermal paper by a conventional ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing a carriage of a conventional multi-color thermal transfer recording apparatus using a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes at the same time.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a detection switch and an ink ribbon cassette of a conventional multi-color thermal transfer recording apparatus using a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes simultaneously.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing types of ink ribbon cassettes used in a conventional multi-color thermal transfer recording apparatus using a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes simultaneously.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 control / calculation device (CPU) 2 input device 3 storage device 4 display device 5 printing device 5-1 stocker 5-2 changer -5 carriage 5-4 paper feeder 5-5, 5-6, 5-7, 5 -8 Ink ribbon cassette 5-9 Carriage guide shaft 5-10 Platen 5-1-1, 5-1-2, 5-1-3, 5-1-4 Stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1-1,5 -1-1-2,5-1-1-3,5
-1-1-1-4 Stocker cassette type discrimination sensor A 5-1-2-1, 5-1-2-2, 5-1-2-3, 5
1-2-4 Stocker cassette type discrimination sensor B 5-1-3-1, 5-1-3-2, 5-1-3-3,5
-1-3-4 Stocker cassette type discrimination sensor C

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 35/28 B41J 35/22 B41J 31/00 B41J 2/325

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A carriage having a thermal head, capable of holding and moving the ink ribbon cassette, and having a cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held; and a removably housed ink ribbon cassette. Then, a stocker having storage detecting means for detecting whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is stored, a stocker and a carriage, and a ribbon delivery state in which the two are brought close to each other to perform delivery of the ink ribbon cassette; A changer that shifts the carriage into two states, that is, a carriage movable state where the carriage can be moved; and a printer that detects whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held by the carriage when printing on thermal paper. To the carriage by operating the changer An ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system comprising a cassette detaching means for removing a held ink ribbon cassette and mounting the ink ribbon cassette to a position where the ink ribbon cassette is not held in a stocker. 2. A carriage having a print head, capable of holding and moving an ink ribbon cassette, and having a cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held, and a removably housed ink ribbon cassette. Then, a stocker having storage detecting means for detecting whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is stored, a stocker and a carriage, and a ribbon delivery state in which the two are brought close to each other to perform delivery of the ink ribbon cassette; A changer for shifting to a carriage movable state in which the carriage can be moved; and a storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before and after the changer transition, and the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette after the changer transition is determined by the changer. Migration results An ink ribbon cassette auto-changer printer system comprising an ink ribbon cassette determining means for checking whether or not the state matches an expected state, and performing an error process when the state does not match. 3. An ink ribbon cassette abnormality detecting means for detecting a storage condition of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before starting printing and at every predetermined time during printing, and performing an error process when the storage condition changes. 3. An ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system according to claim 2. 4. A carriage having a print head, capable of holding and moving the ink ribbon cassette, and having a cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held, and removably storing the ink ribbon cassette. Then, a stocker having storage detecting means for detecting whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is stored, a stocker and a carriage, and a ribbon delivery state in which the two are brought close to each other to perform delivery of the ink ribbon cassette; A changer that shifts between two states, a carriage movable state in which the carriage can be moved; and a print mode in which the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker is detected before printing is started and the storage state is to be printed. Judge whether it is appropriate or not, and An ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system comprising an ink ribbon cassette storage state notifying means for notifying an ink cassette storage state. 5. A stocker ribbon type recognizing means for recognizing a type of an ink ribbon cassette stored in a stocker, and detecting a storage state of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker before starting printing, and printing the storage state to be printed from now on. It is determined whether or not the mode is appropriate for the mode. If the mode is not appropriate, the storage state of the ink ribbon cassette is notified.If the mode is appropriate, the type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the stocker is recognized. 5. The automatic changer printer system according to claim 4, further comprising control means for performing correct printing in a print mode in which printing is desired.