JP3355934B2 - Printing gap control method and printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print medium having a step in a line feed direction in which a plurality of sheets of different sizes are stacked, a print gap control method and a printer for printing on a print medium having a uniform thickness. In particular, the present invention relates to a printing gap control method and a printer capable of increasing a printing speed by adjusting a printing interval only once when printing on a printing medium having a uniform thickness.

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, line printers having a wire dot print head for impact printing on a printing medium having a step, such as a slip for copying and printing sheets of different sizes, have been put into practical use. It is used for copy printing of delivery slips and the like in business.

In such a printer, the thickness of the paper is measured for each print line, and the gap between the platen and the print head is adjusted each time the thickness of the paper changes, and printing is performed at an appropriate print gap. For this reason, the printing speed is significantly reduced. That is, since the thickness is measured for each print line, a platen moving operation occurs even in a print line that is not a change point, and the printing speed is reduced.

In order to cope with this, the thickness of the paper is measured in units of lines in advance, and the data is registered. If the registered data is used for printing, the platen needs to be moved only at the changing point. Therefore, the degree of reduction in printing speed can be reduced.

Further, when the thickness of a sheet having a uniform thickness is measured in advance, variations in the thickness data for each line occur due to the change in the pressing force of the platen and the slip depending on the position and the accuracy of the sensor. In this case, it is recognized as if there is a step, and the gap adjusting operation is performed according to the change in the sheet thickness.

[0006] Therefore, the printing speed is extremely reduced despite the uniform thickness of the paper. Therefore, there is a demand for a method for increasing the printing speed in the case of such a sheet having a uniform thickness.

[0007]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG . 15 is an internal side view exemplifying a line printer used for printing a delivery slip in the transportation business. The paper feeding section 2 stores and sequentially supplies a continuous slip (hereinafter referred to as a slip) 1a. A printer unit 3 having a platen 4a and a print head 5a having a head mask 50 attached to the front surface, an upper tractor 6a / a lower tractor 6b having a sprocket belt on which feed holes on both sides of the slip 1a are set, and a printed slip. It comprises a stacker 7 for accommodating 1a and a transport path 8 for transporting the slip 1a.

The upper tractor 6a is connected to a stepping motor (hereinafter referred to as a motor) M1, the lower tractor 6b is connected to the upper tractor 6a via a belt and a pulley (not shown), and the rotation of the motor M1 drives the sprocket belt. The slip 1a is transferred in the direction of arrow A.

As shown in FIG . 16 , a print head 5a (a head mask 50 is omitted in the figure) is a head composed of a plurality of wire magnets, and a plurality of print heads (for example, 13) are arranged and attached to a carrier 51, and a guide shaft 52 slides on the carrier 51, and a feed screw 53 is screwed thereon.

The feed screw 53 reciprocates the carrier 51 with a space stroke of a multiple of one line by the forward / reverse rotation of the motor M2.
Printing is performed on one line of the slip 1a by moving in the direction of arrow B and on the next line by moving in the direction of arrow C.

The platen 4a is normally retracted a predetermined distance from the tip of the print head 5a, and approaches the print head 5a during printing to perform printing with an appropriate print gap. Slip 1a
A plurality of sheets are stacked for copying, and a sheet having "step" in the line feed direction and a sheet having "uniform thickness" are used.

A slip 1a of a sheet having a "step" is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), sheets of different sizes, for example, three sheets are overlapped, and there is a portion of one (1P), two (2P) or three (3P) sheet thickness. The information measured by measuring the thickness of the slip 1a and notified to the control unit (not shown) is as shown in (b).

The printer section 3 has a mechanism for measuring the thickness of the slip 1a set between the platen 4a and the print head 5a, and a mechanism for measuring the thickness of the slip 1a and the head mask 50 for securing a gap between the slip 1a and the head mask 50. A mechanism for adjusting the position is provided as a thickness measuring / gap adjusting mechanism 9a.

In the printer unit 3 shown in FIG .
Denotes a cam, 11 denotes a holding member, 12 denotes a sensor, and 13 denotes a detection lever. The platen 4a is urged upward by springs 40a and 40b, and is engaged with both ends of the holding member 11. The head mask 50 has a print window 54, and is attached to the front of the print head 5a via an ink ribbon (not shown).

The camshaft 100 on which the cams 10a and 10b are mounted in the same phase is connected to a motor M3, and the motor M3 and the sensor 12 are connected to a control unit (not shown). cam
The displacement of the platen 4a due to rotation of 10a, 10b is
Is configured to be proportional to the number of steps.

Therefore, the method of measuring the thickness of the slip 1a is as follows.
In a state where the slip 1a does not exist between the platen 4a and the head mask 50, the motor M3 is driven from the position where the platen 4a is retracted downward in the figure (this position is the origin) to drive the cams 10a and 10b. Is rotated to push out the holding member 11 via the cam followers 101a and 101b, whereby the platen 4a advances and is pressed against the front surface of the head mask 50.

When the holding member 11 is further pushed out, the platen 4a retreats relatively, the detection lever 13 rotates and the tip shields the sensor 12, and the contact between the platen 4a and the head mask 50 is detected. . The number of steps Sn1 of the motor M3 from the origin to the detection is counted.

The number of steps Sn1 is calculated from the origin by using a head mask.
The distance (constant value) up to 50 is defined as S in steps, and after the platen 4a is pressed against the head mask 50, the sensor 12
Assuming that the number of steps (constant value) until the detection of is α, S +
α (= Sn1).

Next, the slip 1a is composed of the platen 4a and the head mask 50.
As described above, the motor M3 is driven from the retracted position of the platen 4a,
And extrude the platen 4a through the voucher 1a through the head mask
The number of steps Sn2 of the motor M3 until it is pressed against the front surface of the motor 50 and further pushed out and detected by the sensor 12 is counted.

Therefore, the thickness (the number of steps) of the slip 1a is represented by T
Then, by calculating Sn1−Sn2 = (S + α) − (ST + α) = T, the thickness of the slip 1a can be obtained by the number of steps.

The number of steps is converted into the amount of movement of the holding member 11 due to the rotation of the cams 10a and 10b, and can be 1P, 1.5P, 2P,... In this manner, the thickness of the slip 1a can be measured.
Is measured each time the line is fed, and the thickness data for each print line is measured.

The method of adjusting the gap for the slip 1a is as follows. From the position of the platen 4a where the contact between the head mask 50 and the slip 1a is detected, a predetermined printing gap g between the slip 1a and the head mask 50 (= G +
α), the cams 10a, 10b
You can adjust the rotation back.

In order to perform the printing operation while maintaining an appropriate print gap g between the head masks 50, the slip 1a measures the thickness of the slip 1a having a step in the line feed direction by using the thickness measuring / gap adjusting mechanism 9a. Each time the thickness of the voucher 1a changes, the control unit controls the gap between the platen 4a and the head mask 50 to perform printing. But,
In this method, the printing speed is significantly reduced.

On the other hand, a slip 1a having "uniform thickness"
Alternatively, for the slip 1a having a "step", the thickness of each slip of the slip 1a is measured in advance, and the data is stored in a memory, and when printing, the stored data is used for the platen 4a and the head mask 50a. By adjusting the gap between
Methods for preventing a decrease in printing speed have been implemented.

[0025]

According to the above-mentioned conventional method, when a slip having a "uniform thickness" as shown in FIG. As shown in b), variations may occur.

In this case, the control unit recognizes the change in thickness due to the step of the slip and adjusts the gap between the platen and the head mask every time the thickness changes. There is a problem that the printing speed is extremely reduced in spite of the slip.

The reason why the measured values vary even though the slip is "uniform in thickness" is that the platen surface is not always flat at the time of measurement, so the pressing force of the slip pressed against the platen changes depending on the row position. And an error is caused by the detection accuracy of the sensor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing gap control method and a printer capable of increasing the printing speed in the case of a printing medium having a uniform thickness.

[0029]

FIGS. 1 to 4 are explanatory diagrams of the principle of the present invention. FIG. 1 corresponds to claim 1, and FIG.
3 corresponds to claim 5 , and FIG. 4 corresponds to claim 6.
Yes, it is.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a print medium, 4 is a platen, 5 is a print head which moves in parallel with the platen 4 with a gap therebetween, and 10 is a line feed set in the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5. Printing medium 1 having a step in the direction,
Alternatively, it is a gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5 according to the thickness of the print medium 1 having a uniform thickness.

A printing gap control method for a printer for printing on the printing medium 1 by the printing head 5 with the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means 10, wherein the thickness of each printing line of the printing medium 1 is measured by the measuring means 9. If the input print medium 1 has a step based on the measured value obtained and the input of whether the print medium 1 has a step in the line feed direction or has a uniform thickness by the input means 17, Then, the measured thickness value for each print line is stored in the storage means 162, and when the thickness of the input print medium 1 is uniform, the measured thickness value for each print line is equal. If present, storage means 162
When the measured values of the thickness of each print line of the print medium 1 vary even though the thickness of the input print medium 1 is uniform, the distribution of the plurality of measured values is The representative value is stored in the storage means 162, and the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5 is adjusted according to the thickness of the print medium 1 stored in the storage means 162.

Therefore, when the thickness of the print medium 1 is uniform, even if there are variations in the measured thickness, the gap only needs to be adjusted once using the representative value of the plurality of measured values. Printing speed can be increased.

In FIG. 2, 1 is a print medium, 4 is a platen, 5 is a print head that moves in parallel with the platen 1 with a gap therebetween, and 10 is a line feed set in the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5. Printing medium 1 having a step in the direction,
Alternatively, it is a gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5 according to the thickness of the print medium 1 having a uniform thickness.

A printing gap control method for a printer for printing on the printing medium 1 by the printing head 5 with the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means 10, wherein the thickness of each printing line of the printing medium 1 is measured by the measuring means 9. If the input print medium 1 has a step based on the measured value obtained and the input of whether the print medium 1 has a step in the line feed direction or has a uniform thickness by the input means 17, Then, the measured thickness value for each print line is stored in the storage means 162, and when the thickness of the input print medium 1 is uniform, the measured thickness value for each print line is equal. If present, storage means 162
If the measured thickness of the print medium 1 varies for each print line even though the input thickness of the print medium 1 is uniform, the notifying means 17A outputs The input of the thickness is prompted, and the thickness of the print medium 1 input by the input unit 17 is stored in the storage unit 162.
The gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5 is adjusted according to the thickness of the print medium 1 stored in the print medium 1.

Therefore, when the thickness of the print medium 1 is uniform, even if the measured thickness varies, it is possible to adjust the gap only once by inputting the uniform thickness of the print medium 1. Since it is good, the printing speed can be increased.

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

In FIG . 3 , 1 is a print medium, 4 is a platen, 5 is a print head that moves in parallel with the platen 4 with a gap therebetween, and 10 is a line feed set in the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5. Printing medium 1 having a step in the direction,
Or gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5 according to the thickness of the print medium 1 having a uniform thickness;
Measuring means for measuring the thickness of each print line of the print medium 1;
Is input means for inputting whether the print medium 1 has a step in the line feed direction or has a uniform thickness, and 162 is a thickness or thickness different depending on the step of the print medium 1 input by the input means 17. A storage unit 154 for storing the thickness of the print medium 1 having a uniform thickness, and a thickness measurement unit 154 for each print line measured by the measurement unit 9 when the print medium 1 input by the input unit 17 has a step. The value is stored in the storage means 162,
If the thickness of the input print medium 1 is uniform and the measured values are the same for each print line, the measured values are stored in the storage means 162, and the input print medium is stored. If the measured value of the thickness of each printed line varies even though the thickness of the first line is uniform, control is performed so that a representative value of a distribution of a plurality of measured values is stored in the storage unit 162. It is a measurement value control means.

A printer for printing on the print medium 1 by the print head 5 at the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means 10, wherein the platen 4 and the print head 4 are printed in accordance with the thickness of the print medium 1 stored in the storage means 162. The printing is performed by adjusting the gap of No. 5.

Therefore, when the thickness of the print medium 1 is uniform, even if there are variations in the measured thickness values, the gap only needs to be adjusted once using the representative value of the distribution of the plurality of measured values. And the printing speed can be increased.

Claim 3, Claim 7 : The representative value is the mode, median or average of the distribution of a plurality of measured values. Claim 4 and Claim 8 : The representative value is a measured value of a print line position designated in advance under a condition that the variation of the measured value is within a range of a preset allowable value.

In FIG . 4 , 1 is a printing medium, 4 is a platen, 5 is a printing head that moves in parallel with the platen 4 with a gap therebetween, and 10 is a line feed set in the gap between the platen 4 and the printing head 5. Printing medium 1 having a step in the direction,
Or gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 5 according to the thickness of the print medium 1 having a uniform thickness;
Measuring means for measuring the thickness of each print line of the print medium 1;
Is input means for inputting whether the print medium 1 has a step in the line feed direction or has a uniform thickness, and inputting the thickness of the print medium 1, and 17 A is the input means of the print medium 1 input by the input means 17. Informing means for notifying when the measured values vary even though the thickness is uniform and prompting the input of the thickness of the print medium 1, and the notification means 162 varies depending on the step of the print medium 1 input by the input means 17. Printing medium 1 of uniform thickness or thickness
Means 154A stores the thickness measurement value of each print line measured by the measuring means 9 in the storage means 162 when the step of the printing medium 1 inputted by the input means 17 is provided. If the input print medium 1 has a uniform thickness, and if the measured print medium 1 has the same thickness for each print line, the measured value is stored in the storage unit 162, and the input value is stored. If the measured thickness of each print line of the print medium 1 varies even though the measured thickness of the print medium 1 is uniform, the input is performed by the input unit 17 based on the notification by the notification unit 17A. Storage means for storing the thickness of the printed printing medium 1
162 is a measured value / thickness control means.

A printer for printing on the print medium 1 by the print head 5 at the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means 10, wherein the platen 4 and the print head 4 are printed in accordance with the thickness of the print medium 1 stored in the storage means 162. The printing is performed by adjusting the gap of No. 5.

Therefore, when the thickness of the print medium 1 is uniform, even if the thickness measurement values fluctuate, the gap can be adjusted only once by inputting the uniform thickness of the print medium 1. Since it is good, the printing speed can be increased.

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the slip printers described in the conventional example will be described Examples 1 to 4 of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 5 to 14. The same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the drawings.

[0050] 1) Example 1 5-7 Example 1 will be described. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment .
FIG . 6 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

In FIG . 5 , 14 is a CPU, 15 is a ROM,
16 is a RAM, 17a is a display operation unit, 18 to 21 are drive circuits, 22
Indicates a sensor amplifier. The CPU 14 controls each unit based on a control program stored in the ROM 15. RO
M15 is a program of the print control unit 150, the medium transfer control unit 151, the medium state registration control unit 152, the medium thickness measurement control unit 153, the measurement value control unit 154a, the gap adjustment unit 155, and the display screen control unit 156. And a display screen storage unit 158.

[0052] The print control unit 150 is based on the print information.
The print operation by the print head 5a (the dot print operation of the print head 5a and the space operation of the print head 5a) is controlled. The medium transfer control unit 151 controls the transfer of the slip 1a on a line-by-line basis.

The medium state registration control unit 152 is activated by the medium state registration mode instruction from the display operation unit 17a on which the registration display screen is displayed, and the medium state of the slip 1a input from the display operation unit 17a, ie, “ Either the thickness is “uniform” or “there is a step”, and the page length and line feed pitch of the slip 1a are controlled to be stored in the registration unit 160 of the RAM 16.

The medium thickness measurement control unit 153 includes a display operation unit 17
When the input of the medium state is input from a and a not-shown input completion key is pressed, the operation is started, and the slip 1a set in the printer unit 3 is instructed to the medium transfer control unit 151 to be moved in the line feed direction. By driving the thickness measuring / gap adjusting mechanism 9a, the number of steps of the motor M3 is counted by the counter 161 to measure the thickness of each row. That is, from the number of steps of the counter 161, the thickness of each print line of the slip 1a is obtained by the method described in the conventional example.

The measured value control unit 154a includes an arithmetic unit (not shown), and under the control of the medium thickness measurement control unit 153, converts the thickness measured value measured by the thickness measurement / gap adjusting mechanism 9a into the following ( 1) Control as shown in (3).

(1) When “the slip 1a has a step” registered in the registration unit 160, a plurality of thickness measurement values T
From the gap g stored in the setting unit 157 and the distance S between the origin of the platen 4a and the head mask 50 described in the conventional example, an adjustment value Sn3 (platen 4a Is moved from the origin by the adjustment value Sn3, the gap g is set.) Is stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a of the RAM 16.

(2) If the thickness of the slip 1a registered in the registration unit 160 is “uniform” and a plurality of measured thicknesses for each printed line are uniform, the measured value T and Gap g,
The adjustment value Sn3 obtained by calculating STg from the distance S is stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

(3) The slip 1a registered in the registration section 160 is “uniform in thickness” . However, as shown in FIG. If there is a variation, select the largest thickness measurement value T among the multiple measurement values as shown in (b) (The method is to compare the measurement value with multiple threshold values, and calculate 1P, 1.5P, 2P , 2.5P,..., The number of the same thickness values is checked, and the largest one, that is, the mode of the measured value is selected.) And an adjustment value Sn3 obtained by calculating STg from the distance S and the slip 1a.
Is stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a as the adjustment value of the uniform thickness of the image.

When printing on the slip 1a after the medium state registration mode instruction is released, the measured value or the uniform value for each line is read from the adjustment value storage unit 162a. Gap adjuster 155
Has a calculation unit (not shown), and reads the thickness of the corresponding line stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a for the first print line of the slip 1a, and controls the thickness measurement / gap adjustment mechanism 9a. The platen 4a is advanced from the origin of the platen 4a by the adjustment value Sn3 of the first row stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a. From the next line onward, (without returning to the origin) the adjustment value Sn3 of the printed line is subtracted from the adjustment value Sn3 of the next line stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a, and the value (that is, the step difference) is calculated. Move the platen 4a forward or backward by the number of steps (If the difference is +, move forward,-
If it is, retreat).

The display screen control unit 156 includes the display screen storage unit 16
4 is displayed on the display operation unit 17a.
The setting unit 157 includes the slip 1a on the platen 4a and the head mask 50.
Gap g (optimal gap for printing) and platen 4a
The distance S from the origin to the head mask 50 is set.

The display screen storage unit 158 includes a screen for designating conditions necessary for the printing operation (for example, the number of prints), an initial display screen for an instruction screen for instructing a registration mode for registering the state of the slip 1a, and a “ A registration display screen or the like for inputting whether the thickness is “uniform” or “there is a step”, and inputting a page length, a line feed pitch, and the like is stored.

The RAM 16 has a registration section 160, a counter 161 and an adjustment value storage section 162a. Under the control of the medium state registration control unit 152, the registration unit 160 stores whether “the thickness is uniform” or “there is a step” input from the display operation unit 17a, and also stores the page length and the page length of the slip 1a. The line feed pitch and the like are stored.

The counter 161 includes a medium thickness measurement control unit 153
When the thickness is measured by the control, the number of steps Sn1 of the motor M3 until the platen 4a advances and the output signal of the sensor 11 is output.
Count Sn2. When the gap is controlled by the gap adjusting unit 155, the platen 4a moves forward from the origin to the position where the gap g is set in the first row. The adjustment value Sn3, and the number of steps in which the platen 4a moves forward / backward from the next row. (Step difference between the printed line and the next line) is counted.

The adjustment value storage unit 162a stores the adjustment value Sn3 calculated and sent by the measurement value control unit 154a. That is, slip
If there is a "step" in 1a, the adjustment value Sn3 for each print line,
In the case of "uniform thickness", one adjustment value Sn3 is stored.

The display operation section 17a has a touch panel 171 mounted on the front of the CRT 170, displays the display screen stored in the display screen storage section 158, and is input by a touch operation. Having such a configuration and function, the operation will be described next with reference to the flowchart of FIG .

First, before starting printing, the display operation unit
Specify the registration mode on the initial display screen of 17a, and
State, that is, either "uniform thickness" or "stepped" of the slip 1a is selected from a selection menu displayed based on the instruction, and the page length is displayed by the input screen displayed subsequently. Then, input a line feed pitch and the like.

When the completion key is touched upon completion of the input, the state of the input slip 1a is stored in the registration section 160, and the medium thickness measurement control section 153 is activated. Then, the slip 1a is transferred between the platen 4a and the print mask 50 by driving the motor M3, and the thickness of each print line is measured.

The registration unit is controlled by the measurement value control unit 154a.
If the value "160" is stored in "160", an adjustment value Sn3 is calculated from a plurality of measured thickness values for each of the printed lines and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

The registration unit 160 stores "uniform thickness". If a plurality of measured thickness values for each print line are uniform, an adjustment value Sn3 is calculated from the measured values. Then, it is stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

If the registration unit 160 stores "thickness is uniform", but there are variations in a plurality of measured thickness values for each print line, one of the The most measured thickness value is regarded as the uniform thickness of the slip 1a, and the adjustment value Sn3 is calculated from the measured value and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

Therefore, when the registration mode release key is touched on the display screen to release the registration mode instruction and the print start key is instructed, the gap adjustment unit 155 is activated to read the adjustment value Sn3 from the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

Based on the read value, the motor M3 is driven to stop the platen 4a at a position advanced from the origin by the adjustment value Sn3, and the first line is printed. After the next line of the slip 1a, the platen 4a is moved forward or backward by the number of steps obtained by subtracting the adjustment value Sn3 of the line printed in the adjustment value storage unit 162a from the adjustment value Sn3 of the next line. Therefore, when the thickness is uniform, there is no need for adjustment.

As described above, the “thickness is uniform” of the slip 1a
In the case of, even if there is a variation in the thickness measurement value, only one adjustment value is stored as a uniform thickness by representing the mode value of the measurement value, and the gap adjustment for each row is not performed. Printing can be done.

[0074] 2) Example 2 8-10 a second embodiment will be described. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment, and FIG.
9 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the slip 1a
In the case where the thickness is uniform, but the measured values of thickness vary, the variation is within a range of a preset allowable value instead of the method of selecting the most measured value. Then, select the measurement value of the pre-designated position of the slip 1a,
That is, the slip 1a has a uniform thickness.

That is, in FIG. 8 , 14a is a CPU, 15a
Indicates a ROM. The CPU 14a controls each unit according to a control program stored in the ROM 15a. ROM15a
Has a measurement value control unit 154b and a display screen storage unit 158a in place of the measurement value control unit 154a and the display screen storage unit 158 of the ROM 15 described in the first embodiment, and further has an allowable variation setting unit 159 and a position setting unit. 23.

The measurement value control unit 154b is a medium thickness measurement control unit.
Under the control of 153, the measured value measured by the thickness measuring / gap adjusting mechanism 9a is controlled as in the following (1) to (3). (1) When the slip 1a registered in the registration unit 160 has a “step”, and (2) For each print line measured because the thickness of the slip 1a registered in the registration unit 160 is “uniform”. If a plurality of thickness measurement values are uniform, control is performed in the same manner as the measurement value control unit 154a described in the first embodiment.

(3) When the thickness of the slip 1a registered in the registration unit 160 is “uniform”, but there are variations in a plurality of measured thickness values for each print line, the variation is an allowable variation. It is determined whether the value is within the range set in the setting unit 159 or exceeds the range.

In the determination method, the measured value is compared with a plurality of threshold values, converted into thickness values of 0.5P, 1P, 1.5P, 2P, 3P,..., And each value is set in the allowable variation setting unit 159. Judge whether it is within the allowable range or out of the allowable range,
If it exceeds the allowable range, the fact that the variation is too large is displayed on the display operation unit 17a.

For example, as shown in FIG.
In the case of having a uniform thickness of 2P, as shown in (b), 2P
If the measured value of the slip 1a is in the range of 1P to 3P, if the set value of the allowable variation setting unit 159 is 1P to 3P, it is determined that the slip is within the allowable range.

If the variation is within the allowable range, a measurement value T corresponding to the row position set in the position setting unit 23 is selected, and
From the measured value T, the gap g, and the origin, the head mask
Calculate STg from the distance S up to 50 and adjust the value
Sn3 is stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a as a uniform thickness.

When the medium state registration mode instruction is released and the slip 1a is printed, the adjustment value Sn3 is read from the adjustment value storage unit 162a in the same manner as the measurement value control unit 154a of the first embodiment.

The display screen storage unit 158a has a function of displaying the display screen of the display screen storage unit 158 described in the first embodiment and, when the variation of the measured value of the slip 1a having a uniform thickness exceeds the allowable range. A screen for displaying that effect is stored.

The permissible variation setting section 159 stores a preset permissible range for the variation in the measured value when the thickness of the slip 1a having a uniform thickness is measured for each print line.
The position setting unit 23 outputs a preset print line position (for example,
(The first row) is stored.

With the above configuration and function, the operation will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG . ~
Since and are the same as in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment,
Is shown.

The registration unit is controlled by the measurement value control unit 154b.
When 160 stores `` there is a step '', the value obtained by subtracting the gap g from the plurality of measured thickness values of each measured print line is converted into the number of steps of the motor M3, and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a. Remember.

Alternatively, if “thickness is uniform” is stored in the registration unit 160, and if a plurality of measured thickness values for each print line are uniform, the measured value T, the gap g, and the distance From S, the adjustment value Sn3 is calculated and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

If “thickness is uniform” is stored in the registration unit 160, but there is a variation in a plurality of measured thickness values for each print line, the variation is stored in the allowable variation setting unit 157. If the variation is within the set variation range, the thickness measurement value of the print line set in the position setting unit 159, for example, the first line is selected, and the measurement value T, the gap g, and the distance S are determined. The adjustment value Sn3 is calculated and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a as the uniform thickness of the slip 1a.

If the variation exceeds the set variation allowable range, a message indicating that the variation is too large is displayed on the display operation unit 17a. (This indicates that re-measurement is necessary, and measures are taken again by the operator's operation. If the re-measurement also has a large variation, take measures to eliminate the cause.) Thus, the slip 1a If “Thickness is uniform”, even if there is variation in the thickness measurement value, if the variation is within the allowable range, only one adjustment value is stored from the measurement value of the row position specified in advance. Thus, printing can be performed without adjusting the gap for each line as a uniform thickness.

[0090] 3) The third embodiment will be described by Examples 3 FIGS. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the third embodiment.

The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the slip 1a is “uniform in thickness”, but the measured values of the thickness are not uniform even when the thickness of the slip 1a varies. This is a method of inputting the thickness of the thickness slip 1a.

That is, in FIG. 11 , 14b is a CPU, 15b
b indicates a ROM. The CPU 14b controls each unit according to a control program stored in the ROM 15b. ROM15
b is a medium thickness measurement control unit 153a, a measurement value control unit 154c, and a display screen storage unit instead of the medium thickness measurement control unit 153, the measurement value control unit 154a, and the display screen storage unit 158 described in the first embodiment. 158b.

The medium thickness measurement control section 153a is activated when the slip 1a is registered in the registration section 160 with "step" or "uniform thickness", and controls the thickness measurement / gap adjusting mechanism 9a. Then, the thickness of each row is measured and sent to the measurement value control unit 154c. If the thickness of the voucher 1a is "uniform" but the measurement values are not uniform, the display operation unit 17a displays the thickness. The input screen is displayed and the thickness of the slip 1a input by the operator is
Send to 154c.

The measurement value control unit 154c calculates an adjustment value Sn3 from the measurement value T for each print line, which is measured and sent when there is a level difference, the gap g, and the distance S, and calculates the adjustment value Sn3. Controlled to be stored in the storage unit 162a, and when "thickness is uniform", the thickness of the slip 1a input by the operator's operation is converted to the number of steps instead of the measured value that fluctuates, and the value is converted to the value.
And a T _1, and the gap g, the distance S, the adjustment value Sn3 (= S
−T ₁ −g) is calculated and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a. Also, when the medium status registration mode instruction is released and the slip is printed, the measured value control unit of the first embodiment is used.
The adjustment value Sn3 is read from the adjustment value storage unit 162a in the same manner as in 154a.

The display screen storage unit 158b has a thickness input display screen that prompts the operator to input the thickness of the slip 1a having a uniform thickness, in addition to the display screen similar to the display screen storage unit 158 described in the first embodiment. Is stored.

Having such a configuration and functions, the operation will be described next with reference to the flowchart of FIG . ~
Since and are the same as in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment,
Is shown.

The registration unit 160 determines that the measured value for each printed line when the slip 1a has “step” and the measured value for each printed line when the slip 1a is “thick” are uniform. When
An adjustment value Sn3 is calculated from the plurality of measured thickness values T for each print line, the gap g, and the distance S, and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

If the registration of the registration unit 160 is "uniform thickness" but there is a variation in the measured values, a thickness input screen is displayed on the display / operation unit 17a to allow the operator to input the thickness. Prompt. Therefore, the operator inputs the thickness using the input keys on the thickness input screen.

[0099] The thickness T ₁ of the input value obtained by converting the thickness of the number of steps of the slip 1a, is stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a calculates an adjustment value Sn3 from the gap g, the distance S. In this way, when the thickness of the slip 1a is "uniform" but there is a variation in the measured thickness, printing can be performed as a uniform thickness by inputting the thickness by the operator.

As described in the first to third embodiments, when the thickness of the slip 1a is “uniform”, the gap is adjusted for each print line even if the measured thickness varies. This eliminates the need and can increase the printing speed.

[0102] 4) Example 4 Figures 13 and 14 a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the fourth embodiment.

In FIG . 13 , 14c is a CPU, 15c is R
OM is shown. The CPU 14c controls each unit according to a control program stored in the ROM 15c. ROM15c
Instead of the medium thickness measurement control unit 153 and the measurement value control unit 154a of the ROM 15 described in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, a medium thickness measurement control unit 153b and a measurement value control unit 154d are provided. Having.

The medium thickness measurement control section 153b
When the slip 1a has "step" in the input from "a", the thickness measuring / gap adjusting mechanism 9a is controlled in the same manner as in the first embodiment to measure and measure the thickness of each print line. Send to value controller 154d. When the thickness of the slip 1a is “uniform”, the thickness of the slip 1a is measured at the measurement position set in the measurement position setting unit 24, and the measured value T is sent to the measured value control unit 154d.

The measured value control unit 154d calculates a measured value T for each print line measured and sent when “there is a step” or a measured value T at a designated position when “the thickness is uniform”. g
From the distance S and the adjustment value Sn3, the adjustment value storage unit
162a is controlled to be stored. When the medium state registration mode instruction is released and the slip 1a is printed, the adjustment value Sn3 is read out from the adjustment value storage unit 162a in the same manner as the measurement value control unit 154a of the first embodiment.

When the thickness of the slip 1a is “uniform”, the measurement position setting unit 24 sets the measurement position (n-th) specified on the slip 1a in advance.
Line) is set. Having such a configuration and function, the operation will be described next with reference to the flowchart of FIG . , And to of FIG.
Since it is the same as 〜, 〜 is shown.

Under the control of the medium thickness measurement controller 153b,
If "Regular" is registered in the registration section 160,
The slip 1a is sent out and the thickness of each line is measured. An adjustment value Sn3 is calculated from the plurality of thickness measurement values T for each print line, the gap g, and the distance S, and stored in the adjustment value storage unit 162a.

When "thickness is uniform" is registered in the registration section 160, the designated measurement position, that is, the n-th line is read out to the measurement position setting section 24, and the n-th line of the sent slip 1a is read out. Measure thickness.

The measured value T at the designated position, the gap g,
From the distance S, an adjustment value Sn3 is calculated, and the adjustment value storage unit 162a
To memorize. In this way, the "thickness of the form 1a"
In this case, by measuring only the designated position, the measurement for each print line and the adjustment for each print line are eliminated, and the printing speed can be further increased.

In the first embodiment, when the measured values of the slip 1a having a uniform thickness vary, the case where the largest value among the plurality of measured values is used as the representative value of the plurality of measured values is described. Although described, a method using the median or average of a plurality of measured values may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the thickness of the slip 1a is converted into the number of steps of the motor M3 has been described.
The thickness of 1a may be converted into 1P, 1.5P, 2P,... In the above embodiment, the case of a line printer using a plurality of wire dot type print heads is described, but a printer using a single wire dot type print head may be used, and other impact printers, for example, The same can be applied to a printer or the like.

[0111]

As described above, according to the present invention, when there is a variation in the measured values of the printing medium having a uniform thickness for each line, the representative value of the measured values is used.
Alternatively, by inputting the thickness of the printing medium, it is not necessary to adjust the printing gap for each printing line, and the printing speed can be increased.

When the thickness of the print medium is uniform, it is not necessary to measure the thickness of each print line by measuring the thickness at the designated position of the print medium. Need not be adjusted, and the printing speed can be further increased. This has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the principle according to claim 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the principle according to claim 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the principle corresponding to claim 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the principle according to claim 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present description;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a line printer to which the present invention is applied .
Internal side view

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a printer unit.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a slip.

FIG. 18 explains slip thickness measurement and print gap adjustment.
Figure

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a problem of the conventional method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a print medium, 1a is a slip, 3 is a printer, 4,4a is a platen, 5,5a is a print head, 9 is a measuring means, 9a is a thickness measuring / gap adjusting mechanism, 10 is a gap adjusting means, and 17 is an input. Means, 17a is a display / operation unit, 17A is a notification unit, 154, 154a to 154d are measurement value control units, 162 is a storage unit, and 162a is an adjustment value storage unit

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A platen; a print head moving in parallel to the platen with a gap therebetween; a print medium having a step in a line feed direction set in the gap between the platen and the print head; A gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the platen and the print head according to the thickness of the print medium, wherein the print head prints on the print medium with the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means. The thickness of each print line of the print medium measured by the measurement means, and the input by the input means whether the print medium has a step in the line feed direction or has a uniform thickness. If the print medium input by the input means has a step, the thickness measurement value for each print line measured by the measurement means is stored in the storage means, and the input print medium In the case where the thickness is uniform and the measured value is equal for each print line, the measured value is stored in the storage means, and even though the input print medium thickness is uniform, If the measured value of the thickness of each print line of the print medium varies, the representative value of the distribution of the plurality of measured values is stored in the storage unit, and the thickness of the print medium stored in the storage unit is stored. Adjusting the gap between the platen and the print head in accordance with the print condition. 2. A platen, a print head moving in parallel to the platen with a gap therebetween, and a print medium having a step in a line feed direction set in the gap between the platen and the print head, or a print medium having a uniform thickness. A gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the platen and the print head according to the thickness of the print medium, wherein the print head prints on the print medium with the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means. The thickness of each print line of the print medium measured by the measurement means, and the input by the input means whether the print medium has a step in the line feed direction or has a uniform thickness. If the input print medium has a step, the thickness measurement value for each print line measured by the measurement means is stored in the storage means, and the thickness of the input print medium is uniform. In the case, if the thickness measured for each print line is the same measured value, the measured value is stored in the storage means, and the thickness is measured by the measuring means even though the input print medium thickness is uniform. When the thickness measurement value of each print line of the printed medium varies, the notification means prompts the input of the thickness of the print medium, and the thickness of the print medium input by the input means is stored in the storage means. Adjusting the gap between the platen and the print head according to the thickness of the print medium stored in the storage means. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the representative value is a distribution of the plurality of measured values.
Is the mode, median or average of
The print gap control method according to claim 1. 4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the variation of the measured values is
Designated in advance under conditions that are within the range of preset tolerances
The measured value of the print line position obtained by
2. The printing gap control method according to 1. 5. A printing apparatus which moves in parallel with a platen facing the platen with a gap therebetween.
Line feed direction set in the gap between the print head , platen and print head
Printing media with steps or printing media with uniform thickness
Adjust the gap between the platen and print head according to the thickness of the
Gap adjusting means, and the print head adjusts the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means.
A printer that prints on a print medium by using a measuring means for measuring the thickness of each print line of the print medium, and the print medium has a uniform thickness or a step in the line feed direction.
Input means for inputting one of Luke, different by the step of printing medium input by the input means
The thickness of the print media that has a uniform or uniform thickness is stored.
Storage means, and when the print medium input by the input means has a step,
If the measured thickness measurement for each print line by the measuring means
The value is stored in the storage unit, and the thickness of the input print medium is evenly adjusted.
And the thickness of each printed line is equal.
If it is a fixed value, the measured value is stored in the storage
Forced print media thickness was uniform, but measured
If the measured thickness of each printed line varies,
To store the representative value of the measured value distribution in the storage means.
Control means for controlling the measured value, and a platen corresponding to the thickness of the print medium stored in the storage means.
And printing by adjusting the gap between the print heads.
Printer. 6. A printing apparatus which moves in parallel with a platen facing the platen with a gap therebetween.
Line feed direction set in the gap between the print head , platen and print head
Printing media with steps or printing media with uniform thickness
Adjust the gap between the platen and print head according to the thickness of the
Gap adjusting means, and the print head adjusts the gap adjusted by the gap adjusting means.
A printer that prints on a print medium by using a measuring means for measuring the thickness of each print line of the print medium, and the print medium has a uniform thickness or a step in the line feed direction.
Or the input method for inputting the thickness of the print medium
And the thickness of the print medium input by the input means is uniform.
However, when there is a variation in the measured value, it is notified and printed.
Notification means for prompting the input of the thickness of the medium differs from the level difference of the print medium input by the input means.
The thickness of the print media that has a uniform or uniform thickness is stored.
Storage means having a step of the print medium input by the input means.
If not, measure the thickness of each printed line measured by the measuring means.
The value is stored in the storage unit, and the thickness of the input print medium is evenly adjusted.
And the measured thickness of each print line of the print medium
If the measured values are equal, the measured values are stored in the storage means,
Even if the input print media thickness is uniform,
The thickness measurement value for each print line of the printed media
The input means based on the notification by the notification means.
To store the input print media thickness in the storage means
Control means for controlling a measured value / thickness, and a platen corresponding to the thickness of the print medium stored in the storage means.
And printing by adjusting the gap between the print heads.
Printer. 7. The distribution of the plurality of measured values, wherein the representative value is a distribution of the plurality of measured values.
Is the mode, median or average of
The printer according to claim 5. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the representative value is a variation in the measured value.
Designated in advance under conditions that are within the range of preset tolerances
The measured value of the print line position obtained by
5. The printer according to 5.