JP3347380B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to printer paper on which a code identified by a printer is written, and prints according to the situation, such as the type of paper and the occurrence of sticks, using the code attached to the printer paper. And an electronic apparatus including such a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, not only office equipment such as copying equipment and facsimile equipment but also portable electronic equipment when creating an order slip at a restaurant or the like are known as electronic equipment having a printing means (printer). ing. Paper having specifications corresponding to these devices is commercially available. For example, printer paper used in a printer device provided in an electronic device used in a restaurant or the like includes a single sheet type and a double sheet type (two sheets are overlapped, and both sheets are printed at a time). Be used). Then, the operator of the electronic device performs such identification of the paper and selection of the printing method according to the identification. However, such a portable electronic device prints out while being held by the operator's hand, so it is difficult to keep the paper transport direction horizontal. Also, the selection of the printing method according to the paper selection is inappropriate. Therefore, a stick (stuck without being conveyed) may occur due to such a situation. Therefore, conventionally, in order to prevent the occurrence of such a stick, the motor torque is set to be large and the generation of the stick is suppressed by maintaining the motor torque at a constant value. .

[0003]

However, in the above-described printer provided in the electronic apparatus, when an operator identifies an erroneous paper, for example, printing is performed by using a method of printing one sheet on two sheets. In such a case, generally, printing on two sheets requires higher printing power than printing on one sheet, so that the duplicating side of the two sheets becomes unclear printing. In such a case, the printer paper must be re-set and reprinted. Such troubles cause the following problems.

That is, first, in a battery-operated portable electronic device, the ratio of the battery consumption rate at the time of printing is relatively high, and the driving time of the battery is greatly reduced by performing printing again. Second, when one sheet and two sheets are frequently replaced and used, the printing method must be selected every time the paper is replaced, which complicates the operation and causes printing. There was a problem that it was easy to make mistakes.

In addition, since the torque of the paper transport motor is set to be large and fixed so that no stick occurs during operation of the printer, the following problems occur.

That is, first of all, a voltage more than necessary is applied to the motor even in a situation where no stick occurs. Secondly, once the stick is generated, the motor torque is fixed to the torque value at the time of setting, and the stick is continuously generated. In such a case, the printed characters are deformed.

[0007] Despite these problems,
The conventional printer has a problem that there is no means for determining whether or not such a stick has occurred.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a printer paper having a predetermined code and a printer which executes printing in accordance with the situation such as the type of paper and the occurrence of a stick using the code provided to the printer paper. It is an object to provide an electronic device having such a printer.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following arrangement.

[0010]

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveying means for conveying printer paper, and a recording means for recording on the printer paper.
A printer having a said during transport of the printing paper by the conveying means, to detect along the conveying direction of the printing paper by a plurality of codes sequentially place that is attached on the printer paper at predetermined intervals a stick generation sensing means for sensing the occurrence of <br/> stick printer paper, based on the signal indicating the occurrence of the stick emitted by said stick generating sensing means by the torque of the motor for driving the conveying means ; and a motor torque control means for controlling the motor torque control means
The signal indicating the occurrence of the stick
When the motor is issued by the
It is characterized by increasing the torque .

According to a second aspect of the present invention , there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising a printer according to the first aspect of the invention as a printer unit .
Characterized in that that.

[0014] The third invention comprises a conveying means for conveying the printing paper, and recording means for recording on the printing paper, and read the by the code attached to the print sheet represented by the numeral flop having a sensor means for reading information on the printer paper, and control means for controlling the operation of said conveying means and said recording means based on the information read by the sensor means
A printer, said control means, during transport of the printing paper by the conveying means, along the conveying direction of the printing paper by a plurality of codes sequentially place that is attached on the printer paper at predetermined intervals Printer by detecting
A stick generation sensing means for sensing the occurrence of a paper stick, based on the signal indicating the occurrence of the stick emitted by said stick generation sensing means, a motor torque control for controlling the torque of the motor for driving the conveying means and means, the motor torque control means
The signal indicating the occurrence of the stick
When the motor is issued by the
It is characterized by increasing the torque .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention , there is provided an electronic apparatus including a printer according to the third aspect of the present invention as a printer unit .
Characterized in that that.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

According to the present invention , the occurrence of a stick of printer paper during the operation of the printer is sensed by the stick sensing means, and the torque of the motor is adjusted based on a signal indicating the occurrence of the stick issued by the stick occurrence sensing means. Since the control is accurately performed by the control means, the occurrence of continuous sticks is prevented beforehand, and the occurrence of sticks is minimized.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1) First, a configuration example of a portable electronic device equipped with the printer of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of a portable electronic device 1 equipped with a printer according to the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a printer, 3 denotes a sensor attached to a printer paper insertion slot of the printer 2, 4 denotes a printer control circuit for controlling the printer 2, 5 denotes an input device for inputting data to an electronic device, and 6 denotes a printer. A display device for displaying information; 7 a memory for storing control programs and data; 8 an input / output device for electronic equipment;
Central processing unit (Cent for controlling 4, 5, 6 and 7)
ral Processing Unit (CPU).

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a portable electronic device having the internal structure as shown in FIG. 1, wherein reference numeral 1 denotes the electronic device, 9 denotes printer paper, and 10 denotes the surface (printing surface) of the printer paper. A printer paper identification mark printed in advance, and 20 is an arrow indicating the paper insertion direction.

FIG. 3 shows a printer paper 9a of a two-sheet type.
Printer paper identification mark 10a attached to the printing surface of
FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a single sheet type printer paper 9b.
Printer paper identification mark 10b attached to the print surface of
FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the electronic apparatus 1, wherein reference numeral 11 denotes a printer paper insertion slot, 3 denotes a sensor, 14 denotes a roller for feeding the printer paper,
Reference numeral 15 denotes a discharge port for discharging printed paper, 16 denotes an arrow indicating a discharge direction, and 17 denotes a print head.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer paper 9 is inserted through the printer paper insertion slot 11 formed in the electronic device 1. In this embodiment, the electronic device 1
Is for recording customer orders at a restaurant or the like, for example. The printer paper 9 used here is an order slip paper for recording such an order.

The printer paper 9 shown in FIG. 2 has a rectangular shape, one end in the longitudinal direction being the insertion end, and the insertion end of the printing surface on which printing is performed in the width direction. Reference numeral 10 representing predetermined information is written near the edge.
Of course, the position denoted by reference numeral 10 is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily determined by the position of the sensor 3 built in the electronic device 1 and the like.

The above-mentioned predetermined information is information relating to the type of the printer paper 9, and based on this information, the electronic device 1 determines that the inserted printer paper 9 is a single paper type consisting of one sheet. (9b) or a two-sheet type (9a) in which two normal recovery sheets are stacked. In this figure, reference numeral 10 is composed of two parallel thick lines, but is not limited to this. In this embodiment, when the reference numeral 10 is composed of two thick lines, the printer paper 9 with the reference numeral is a two-sheet type (see FIG. 3). In the case of a thick line, the printer paper 9 on which the symbol is written
Indicates a single-sheet type (see FIG. 4).

One end of the printer paper 9 inserted from the insertion slot 11 of the electronic device 1 is fed by a roller 14 toward a print head 17. At this time, the information represented by reference numeral 10 written on the printer paper 9 is
Read by printer control circuit 4 and CPU
8 is transmitted. Then, based on the information, the printing operation and paper feeding operation of the printer 2 are set to the optimum conditions for the inserted printer paper 9 and printing is started.

In this way, by attaching a code indicating the type of paper to the side edge of the printer paper, and attaching a sensor for reading the code to the printer, the printer paper can be inserted without the operator selecting it. , It is possible to perform an appropriate printing operation according to the type of paper.

(Embodiment 2) Printer paper 1 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a continuous sheet which has a rectangular shape and is cut to a predetermined length, one end in the longitudinal direction thereof being an insertion side end, and a predetermined distance from a cutting line cut to a predetermined length. Reference numeral 19 representing predetermined information (information on the remaining amount of the printer paper 18) is written at an end in the width direction of a printing surface on which printing is performed. Of course, the position denoted by reference numeral 19 is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily determined by the position of the sensor 3 incorporated in the electronic device 1 or the like.
An arrow 20 in the drawing indicates an insertion direction when the printer paper 19 is inserted into the electronic device main body 1.

One end of the printer paper 9 inserted from the insertion slot 11 of the electronic device 1 is fed to the print head 17 by the roller 14 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When printing is executed and the printer paper 9 is cut out as a predetermined number of paper pieces, for example, as an order slip, a portion indicated by reference numeral 19 reaches the sensor 3. The sensor 3 reads information represented by reference numeral 19 and sends the information to the CPU 8. The information is processed by the CPU 8 and a numerical value representing the remaining amount of paper is displayed on the display device 6.

As described above, a sign indicating the remaining amount of paper is attached to the side edge of the printer paper, and a sensor for reading the code is attached to the printer to warn the operator of the electronic device of the remaining amount of printer paper. , The paper can be supplied promptly. This makes it possible to avoid printing errors due to insufficient paper.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the codes for identifying the type of printer paper and the like are printed on the printer paper . However, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a notched portion may be formed in the shape of a slit, and this may be designated as reference numeral 22.

At this time, the sensor 3 provided in the electronic device 1 is of a type for identifying a slit. The position, shape, etc. of the slit may be any as long as the sensor 3 can identify it.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 8 is a view showing Embodiment 4. Reference numeral 22 denotes a preprinted sheet on which necessary parts are printed in advance, reference numeral 24 denotes characters printed in advance, and reference numeral 25 denotes printing. Reference numeral 26 denotes a scheduled printing position of the character to be performed, and reference numeral 26 denotes a code indicating the scheduled printing position 25. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the scheduled printing position 25 and the position indicated by the reference numeral 26 in the pre-printed paper 23, and reference numeral 27 denotes the distance between the planned printing position 25 and the reference numeral 26.

First, when the printer paper 23 is inserted into the electronic apparatus 1 in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments, the electronic apparatus 1
Starts paper feeding. When the reference numeral 26 reaches the sensor 3, the reference numeral 26 is detected by the sensor 3. Then, printing is executed at the scheduled printing position 25. Here, the distance 27 between the expected print position 25 and the reference numeral 26 needs to be adjusted according to the positional relationship between the print head 17 and the sensor 3 in FIG.

As described above, a code which is synchronized with a print position on a printer paper or the like mixed with preprinted characters is attached to the printer paper, and the code is detected by the printer to determine the print position. Printing can be performed without displacement.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram for explaining a constant current drive circuit and a stick sensing circuit of a motor of a printer. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU that determines whether or not a stick has occurred based on a mark sensor signal and a motor feed timing.
Is a constant current control motor driver, 103 is a mark sensor for determining the presence or absence of a mark, 104 is thermal paper marked at equal intervals, 105 is a platen, 106 is a thermal head, 107 is a head pressing spring, and 108 is motor torque transmission. Reference numeral 109 denotes a motor, 110 denotes a phase switching device built in 102, and 111 denotes a constant current converter built in 102. Reference numerals 112 to 116 indicate terminals, 112 is a terminal for receiving a signal from the mark sensor, 113 is a terminal which is turned on in a normal state, 114 is a terminal which is turned on when a stick is generated, 13 is a terminal which is turned off when a stick is generated, 115 Is a motor feed terminal, and 116 is a current control reference voltage generating terminal.

[0041] Furthermore, V _REF is the reference voltage, V _DD is a main power supply, V _Ry reference voltage obtained by dividing the V _REF min, V _RR is voltage R _R caused by current flowing through the motor coil through the R _R, R _1, R ₂ suitable resistance, R _x, R _y the element built-in resistor, and R _R is the resistance that is used to make the V _RR. The CPU 101 feeds the motor to the position where the mark is present, based on the signal of the mark sensor input from the terminal 112. Printing starts as soon as the position is determined.
In the normal state, the CPU turns on the terminal 113. This gives V _Ry

[0042]

(Equation 1)

Assuming that the current flowing through the motor coil is I _R ,

[0044]

V _RR = I _R × R _R (2) According to 110 and 111, a current flows through the coil until V _Ry = V _RR . That is,

[0045]

## _EQU3 ## I _{R (Max)} = V _Ry / R _R (3)

The motor torque τ is

[0047]

Equation 4] τ = AI _R: for a (A constant) (4), obtain a large torque by larger _{I R.}

Assume that a stick has occurred. CPU
Senses the signal from the mark sensor despite the motor feed, and sets the terminal 113 to O
FF is performed, and the terminal 114 is turned ON. This gives V _Ry

[0049]

(Equation 5)

Is as follows. I _{R (Max)} is

[0051]

(Equation 6)

By setting R ₁ <R ₂ at the time of setting,

[0053]

(Equation 7)

Is as follows. As a result, a torque larger than the normal torque is generated immediately after the stick is generated, and the stick can be pressed to a minimum.

(Embodiment 6) As another method of judging whether or not a stick has occurred, holes are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the printer paper 120 at equal intervals, and a gear 121 is engaged there, and the rotation of the gear 121 is performed. The stick generation is sensed by sensing the speed.

(Embodiment 7) In the case where the motor is controlled not by constant current control but by constant voltage control, as shown in FIG. 12, by increasing the motor feed timing from the CPU to the motor driver, more energy is given to the motor.

[0057]

The printer according to the third invention includes sensor means for reading a code attached to the printer paper and reading the information represented by the code , and based on the information read by the sensor means. Since the conveyance of the printer paper and the recording operation on the printer paper are controlled, an accurate recording operation corresponding to the type of the printer paper is executed, and the operation of the printer becomes easier, and the printing trouble of the conventional printer is reduced. The occurrence can be reduced.

[0058] The printer according to the present invention includes a stick generation sensing means for sensing the occurrence of stick printer paper during operation of the printer, based on the signal indicating the occurrence of stick emitted by the stick generating sensing means Motor torque control means for controlling the torque of the motor driving the transport means ; and
The signal indicating the occurrence of a tick is
When issued by the sensing means, stake occurrence sensing means
Increases the motor torque and accurately adjusts the motor torque
The controllable structure prevents continuous sticks from occurring and minimizes sticks, which can cause problems during printing, such as deformation of printed characters. Can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for describing a configuration of a portable electronic device including a printer according to third and fourth inventions .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the portable electronic device shown in FIG. 1 and printer paper inserted into the main body.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of reference numerals assigned to two-sheet type printer paper used in the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of reference numerals assigned to a single-sheet type printer sheet used in the printer shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a partial side sectional view of a printer unit of the portable electronic device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a second example of reference numerals attached to printer paper used in the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a third example of reference numerals attached to printer paper used in the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a fourth example of reference numerals assigned to printer paper used in the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a mark to be printed and a mark on a printer sheet shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram for explaining a low-current driving circuit and a stick sensing circuit of the motor of the printer according to the present invention .

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a stick sensing means in a case where the code of the printer paper used in the printer according to the present invention is formed by perforation instead of color.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining motor feed timing in the motor constant voltage drive circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 2 Printer 3 Sensor 4 Printer control circuit 5 Input device 6 Display device 7 Memory 8 CPU 9 Printer paper 10 Sign (mark) 11 Printer paper insertion port 12 Printer paper 13 Code 14 Roller 15 Discharge port 16 Arrow indicating discharge direction 17 Print head 18 Printer paper 19 Code 20 Arrow indicating insertion direction 21 Printer paper 22 Code 23 Printer paper 24 Pre-printed characters 25 Planned printing position 26 Code 27 Separation distance between planned printing position and code 101 CPU 102 Constant current Control motor driver 103 Mark sensor 104 Thermal paper 105 Platen 106 Thermal head 107 Head holding spring 108 Motor torque transmission gear 109 Motor 110 Phase switching device built in constant current control motor driver 11 a constant current incorporated in the control motor driver a constant current converter 112 terminal 113 terminal 114 terminal 115 terminal 116 terminal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI B41J 21/16 B41J 3/10 114E (56) References JP-A-4-85066 (JP, A) JP-A-3-295670 ( JP, A) JP-A-4-263970 (JP, A) JP-A-4-183299 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 11/42, 13/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] And conveying means for conveying the 1. A printing paper, a printer and a recording means for recording on printing paper, during transport of the printing paper by the conveying means, along the conveying direction of the printing paper a stick generation sensing means for sensing the occurrence of the stick of the printer paper by detecting in by a plurality of codes sequentially place with on the printer paper at predetermined intervals, emitted by the stick generating sensing means based on the signal indicating the occurrence of the stick, comprising a motor torque control means for controlling the torque of the motor for driving the conveying means, the motor torque control means, the occurrence of the stick
The notification signal is issued by the stick occurrence detection means.
Wherein the torque of the motor is increased when the printer is operated. 2. An electronic apparatus comprising a printer unit having a transport unit for transporting printer paper and a recording unit for performing recording on the printer paper , wherein the printer unit transports the printer paper when the transport unit transports the printer paper. a stick generation sensing means for sensing the occurrence of the stick of the printer paper by detecting in by a plurality of codes sequentially place with along the conveying direction on the printing paper at a predetermined interval, the stick occurs sensing based on the signal indicating the occurrence of the stick emitted by means comprises a motor torque control means for controlling the torque of the motor for driving the conveying means, the motor torque control means, the occurrence of the stick
The notification signal is issued by the stick occurrence detection means.
An electronic device for increasing the torque of the motor when the electronic device is operated. And conveying means for conveying the 3. A printer paper, and a recording means for recording on the printing paper, to the printer paper represented by said deciphering has been a code with code to the printer paper A printer comprising: sensor means for reading information; and control means for controlling operations of the transport means and the recording means based on the information read by the sensor means.
Te, the control means, wherein when the conveyance of the printing paper by the conveying means, to detect along the conveying direction of the printing paper by a plurality of codes sequentially place that is attached on the printer paper at predetermined intervals motor for controlling the stick generation sensing means for sensing the occurrence of stick printer paper, based on the signal indicating the occurrence of the stick emitted by said stick generation sensing means, the torque of the motor for driving the conveying means by Torque control means , wherein the motor torque control means generates the stick.
The notification signal is issued by the stick occurrence detection means.
Wherein the torque of the motor is increased when the printer is operated. And conveying means for conveying the 4. A printer paper, and a recording means for recording on the printing paper, to the printer paper represented by said deciphering has been a code with code to the printer paper A printer unit having sensor means for reading information, and control means for controlling operations of the transport means and the recording means based on the information read by the sensor means.
An electronic device to which Bei, wherein, during transport of the printing paper by the transporting unit, sequentially given in the conveyance direction of the printing paper a plurality of codes that are attached on the printer paper at predetermined intervals a stick generation sensing means for sensing the occurrence of the stick of the printer paper by detecting at the location, based on the signal indicating the occurrence of the stick emitted by said stick generation sensing means, a motor for driving the conveying means Motor torque control means for controlling the torque of the stick , wherein the motor torque control means
The notification signal is issued by the stick occurrence detection means.
An electronic device for increasing the torque of the motor when the electronic device is operated.