JP3815279B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer for printing on a recording medium such as a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) in which the possibility of damaging the recording medium, i.e., a disc, is eliminated when the printer body is to be conveyed. SOLUTION: When disconnection incident to removal of a USB cable 3 receiving print data from a personal computer 2 is determined based on interruption of a signal on the data line 3D in the cable 3, a tray 5 is ejected to a position where an optical disc 4 can be taken out and when movement of the printer body 1a incident to removal of the USB cable 3 is possible, take out of the optical disc 4 is urged forcibly. Consequently, the disc 4 is prevented from being removed from the tray 5 during movement of the body or being damaged through contact with a movable mechanism around the disc, e.g. a print mechanism.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium such as a CD-R (Compact Disk Recordable).
[0002]
[Prior art]
The CD-R is an optical recording medium on which data can be freely written by the user, and it is convenient for management to print and display the title of the written data on the surface of the CD-R.
[0003]
Conventionally, various printing apparatuses that perform label printing on the surface of an optical disk such as a CD-R have been proposed. This inventor has also developed a printing apparatus that performs label printing on the surface of an optical disk.
[0004]
The printing apparatus includes a tray on which an optical disk is placed and moved to a predetermined position in the apparatus main body, and a printing mechanism provided on an upper portion of the tray moved to the predetermined position, and is created by an external personal computer. The print data inputted in this manner is printed on the surface of the optical disk placed on the tray by operating the printing mechanism.
[0005]
In this case, in the printing apparatus, print data created by a personal computer is input via a communication cable connected to the personal computer, and the apparatus is connected to an AC adapter connected to a power outlet of a commercial power source. Drive power is supplied, or drive power for the tray moving mechanism and printing mechanism of the apparatus is supplied from the AC adapter, and drive power for the control part of the apparatus is supplied via the power supply line of the communication cable.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a printing system consisting of a printing device and a personal computer, the printing device is configured to be portable. Therefore, the communication cable is removed from the personal computer, the AC adapter is removed from the power outlet, and the unit is moved to another location. There is.
[0007]
In this case, if the printing device is carried and moved with the optical disk inside, the disk will move out of the tray, or the moving mechanism around the disk, such as the printing mechanism, may come into contact with the disk and damage the disk. Damage may occur.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can eliminate the possibility of damage to a disk as a recording medium when the apparatus main body is carried and moved. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that receives supply of print data from a host apparatus connected via a communication cable,
Support means for supporting a recording medium, printing means for driving a print head based on print data supplied from the host device to the recording medium supported by the support means, and the recording medium Driving means for moving the support means to a detachable position, cable connection determination means for determining connection of the communication cable, and the drive means based on determination of disconnection of the communication cable by the cable connection determination means. And a control means for driving.
[0010]
In such a first printing apparatus according to the present invention, when it is determined that the communication cable is disconnected by the cable connection determining means for determining the connection of the communication cable that receives the print data supplied from the host apparatus. Since the drive means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached / detached is controlled, the apparatus main body may be moved as the communication cable is removed. Will be forced to remove the disc.
[0011]
A second printing apparatus according to the present invention receives print data and power from a host device via a connection cable having a data supply line and a power supply line, and also receives power from a power supply unit. A printing apparatus for performing a printing operation, wherein a print unit is driven based on print data supplied from the host device to a support unit that supports a recording medium, and the recording medium supported by the support unit. A printing unit that performs printing; a driving unit that moves the support unit to a position where the recording medium is attachable / detachable; a power supply stop determination unit that determines whether power supply from the power supply unit is stopped; and the power supply Control means for driving the drive means with the power supplied from the connection cable based on the determination of the stop of the power supply by the stop determination means. It is characterized in.
[0012]
In the second printing apparatus according to the present invention as described above, when the power supply stop determination unit that determines the stop of the supply of power for printing operation from the power supply unit is determined, the data supply is performed. The drive means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached is driven and controlled by the electric power supplied from the connection cable having the line and the power supply line. When there is a possibility that the main body of the apparatus is moved along with the stop, the removal of the disk as the recording medium is forcibly urged using the power supplied from the connection cable.
[0013]
A third printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that receives a supply of print data from a host device connected via a communication cable and performs a printing operation by receiving a supply of power from a power supply unit.
A support unit that supports the recording medium; a printing unit that performs printing on the recording medium supported by the support unit; and the recording medium is attached or detached when power supply from the power supply unit is stopped Drive means for moving the support means to a possible position.
[0014]
In such a third printing apparatus according to the present invention, when the supply of power for printing operation from the power supply means is stopped, the drive for moving the support means of the recording medium to a position where the recording medium can be attached or detached. Since the means is driven and controlled, if there is a possibility that the main body of the apparatus is moved in accordance with the stop of the power supply from the power supply means, the removal of the disk as the recording medium is forcibly prompted.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an overall configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
The printing system includes a printing apparatus 1 and a personal computer (PC) 2 that controls the printing apparatus 1. The personal computer 2 and the printing apparatus 1 are connected via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 3. Is done.
[0018]
The printing apparatus 1 is driven by the power supplied from an AC adapter (AC) that converts an AC power supply voltage of AC 100 volts supplied from a power outlet of an AC commercial power supply into a DC voltage of DC 20 volts, for example. Done.
[0019]
The apparatus main body 1a of the printing apparatus 1 is formed in a substantially thin box shape with a synthetic resin and has a built-in thermal transfer printing mechanism to be described later, and a label of an optical disk 4 such as a CD-R as a printing medium. Print data created and edited by the personal computer 2 and supplied via the USB cable 3 is printed on the printing surface. A tray 5 as a support means for the optical disk 4 is provided on the inner bottom portion of the apparatus main body 1a. An anti-slip and cushion rubber sheet 6 for placing and supporting the optical disk 4 as shown by an arrow a is provided near the front end of the upper surface of the tray 5.
[0020]
The tray 5 is moved forward from a predetermined position in the apparatus main body 1a in response to an operation of an eject button 7 provided on the front right end of the apparatus main body 1a or in response to reception of an eject signal transmitted from the personal computer 2. The optical disk 4 protrudes and is moved to a position outside the apparatus main body 1a where it can be attached and detached.
[0021]
An opening 1b is formed in a portion extending from the front surface of the apparatus main body 1a to a part of the upper surface. The opening 1b opens and closes the opening 1b by pivoting up and down about the pin 8a. A cover 8 is provided. In the normal state, as shown in the figure, the printer cover 8 is closed to the opening 1b, and the opening 1b is closed.
[0022]
The personal computer 2 includes a keyboard 2a and a mouse 2b as input devices, and has a display device 2c made of CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). In order to print on the label printing surface, print data creation / edit processing such as music titles and artists, print start designation processing, and print control processing of the printing apparatus 1 connected to the interface are performed accordingly.
[0023]
2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1 in the printing system, in which FIG. 2A is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a tray driving mechanism and a thermal transfer printing mechanism, and FIG. 2B is a configuration of the thermal transfer printing mechanism. FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram of the disk detection mechanism.
[0024]
A coil spring 9 that constitutes the pushing mechanism of the tray 5 is provided between the left and right inner surfaces of the rear portion of the apparatus main body 1a and the locking portion 10 provided at the rear portion of the tray 5.
[0025]
In addition, a locking mechanism 11 is provided at the center of the rear inner surface of the apparatus main body 1a so as to detachably lock the tray 5. The locking mechanism 11 includes a solenoid 12 and a locking lever 14 that rotates about a pin 13 in conjunction with a plunger of the solenoid 12, and a hook 14 a is integrally formed at one end of the locking lever 14. The hook 14 a is formed so as to be detachably engaged with a protrusion 15 formed on the rear portion of the tray 5.
[0026]
When the tray 5 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1a and placed in a predetermined storage position, the coil spring 9 is compressed, and the projection 15 of the tray 5 engages with the hook 14a of the locking lever 14, and this engagement is achieved. Accordingly, the tray 5 is held in the apparatus main body 1 a against the elastic force of the coil spring 9.
[0027]
An eject button 7 for inputting a control signal for driving the solenoid 12 of the locking mechanism 11 is provided on the right end portion of the front surface of the apparatus main body 1a. By pressing the eject button 7 with a fingertip, the solenoid 12 By this excitation, the plunger of the solenoid 12 is attracted, and by this attracting operation, the locking lever 14 is rotated around the pin 13, and by this rotation, the hook 14 a is disengaged from the protrusion 15 of the tray 5 and the engagement thereof. When the engagement is released, the tray 5 is pushed out to the front side of the apparatus main body 1a by a predetermined dimension by the elastic force of the coil spring 9 of the pushing mechanism. Then, the user can pull out the tray 5 pushed out by a certain size further forward with his hand, so that the tray 5 can be protruded to the maximum allowable distance on the front side of the apparatus main body 1a.
[0028]
On the other hand, when the pulled-out tray 5 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1a, the coil spring 9 is compressed, and the projection 15 of the tray 5 is engaged with the hook 14a of the locking lever 14, and this engagement causes the tray 5 to be coiled. It is held at a predetermined storage position in the apparatus main body 1a against the elastic force.
[0029]
On the other hand, a printing mechanism as a printing unit is provided above the tray 5 near the front in the apparatus main body 1a. That is, a metal printer frame 16 extending in the width direction of the apparatus main body 1 a is attached across the tray 5, and the printer frame 16 is installed in parallel to the lower side of the frame lateral beam facing away from the upper surface of the tray 5. A rack 18 extending along the longitudinal direction is provided on the lower surface of the frame transverse beam. A carriage 19 is provided along the carriage guide 17 so as to be movable in the directions indicated by the arrows x and y, and a mounting surface for mounting the ink ribbon cassette 20 on the front surface of the carriage 19 faces the opening 1b of the apparatus main body 1a. Is provided.
[0030]
A thermal head 21 is provided on the front side, which is the cassette mounting surface of the carriage 19, and is positioned in a U-shaped recess 19 a to which the ink ribbon 20 a of the mounted ink ribbon cassette 20 is exposed and conveyed.
[0031]
The carriage 19 is also provided with a traveling drive mechanism for the carriage 19, a head moving mechanism for the thermal head 21, and a winding mechanism for an ink ribbon as a printing consumable material. A possible stepping motor M is attached to the back of the carriage 19. An ink ribbon cassette 20 containing an ink ribbon 20a as a printing consumable is detachably mounted on the front surface of the carriage 19.
[0032]
Further, a disc detection switch 22 comprising a micro switch in which an actuator 22a protrudes toward the tray 5 is provided at the rear portion in the apparatus main body 1a at a position facing the outer peripheral edge portion of the optical disc 4 placed on the tray 5. Is provided to detect the presence or absence of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a carriage travel drive mechanism, a head moving mechanism, and an ink ribbon take-up mechanism provided in the carriage 19 in the printing apparatus 1, and FIG. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a configuration during the printing operation.
[0034]
A ribbon supply core 24 and a ribbon take-up core 25 are provided in the case 23 of the ink ribbon cassette 20, and the ink ribbon 20 a is wound around the ribbon supply core 24 in a roll shape and is drawn out from the ribbon supply core 24. The ink ribbon 20a is hooked on the take-up core 25 through a plurality of guide pins 26, and the ink ribbon 20a is taken up on the take-up core 25 sequentially in accordance with the normal rotation of the take-up core 25. . The middle of the ink ribbon 20a is exposed to the outside from the case 23 and travels on the lower surface side of the recess 19a where the thermal head 21 is located.
[0035]
The travel drive mechanism, the head moving mechanism, and the ribbon take-up mechanism provided in the carriage 19 will be described. In the carriage 19, an output gear 27 attached to the output shaft of the stepping motor M is disposed. A first gear 28a meshes with the gear 27, a second gear 28b is provided coaxially with the first gear 28a, a third gear 28c meshes with the second gear 28b, and this second gear 28b meshes with the second gear 28b. The fourth gear 28d is engaged with the third gear 28c.
[0036]
A ribbon take-up shaft 29 is provided on the rotation shaft of the fourth gear 28d on the same axis via a one-way clutch (not shown), and the ribbon take-up shaft 29 is located forward of the carriage 19 from the cassette mounting surface. The take-up core 25 is engaged with the ribbon take-up shaft 29 in accordance with the mounting of the ink ribbon cassette 20 on the cassette mounting surface.
[0037]
The third gear 28a meshes with the rack 18, and by this meshing, the carriage 19 reciprocates along the carriage guide according to the forward / reverse rotation of the third gear 28c.
[0038]
A cam gear 30 is provided in the carriage 19, and an arcuate cam groove 31 that is eccentric with respect to the center of rotation is formed in the cam gear 30. A swing clutch 32 is provided between the cam gear 30 and the output gear 27.
[0039]
The swing clutch 32 includes a sun gear 33 meshed with the output gear 27 and a pair of planetary gears 35 a meshed with the sun gear 33 and supported so as to be movable in the circumferential direction of the sun gear 33 via the arm 34. , 35b, and when the sun gear 33 rotates in the forward direction (clockwise rotation), one planet gear 35a meshes with the cam gear 30 and the other planet gear 35b moves away from the cam gear 30. At the time of reverse rotation (counterclockwise rotation), one planetary gear 35 a is separated from the cam gear 30 and the other planetary gear 35 b is engaged with the cam gear 30.
[0040]
A head arm 36 that rotates in the vertical direction about a shaft 42 is provided in the carriage 19, and this head arm 36 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 by a spring 37 that is stretched on one end of the head arm 36. The head arm 36 is elastically biased, and a pin 38 is provided near one end of the head arm 36, and the pin 38 is slidably inserted into the cam groove 31 of the cam gear 30.
[0041]
A head holder 39 is attached to an end portion of the other end side of the head arm 36, and the head holder 39 protrudes and extends to the front side of the carriage 19. A head base 41 is supported, and a thermal head 21 as a printing head is attached to the lower surface of the head base 41, and the thermal head 21 is disposed so as to face the opening lower surface of the cassette recess 19a.
[0042]
Thereby, the thermal head 21 moves along the carriage guide 17 integrally with the carriage 19, and printing is performed in a predetermined printing range H on the label printing surface on the optical disk 4 within the moving range of the thermal head 21. It has become.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in the printing system.
[0044]
The printing apparatus 1 includes a CPU 51, and the CPU 51 is connected to a personal computer (PC) 2 via the USB cable 3. Print data created and edited by the personal computer (PC) 2 is supplied via the data line 3D (D + / D-) of the USB cable 3.
[0045]
The CPU 51 includes a ROM 52 and a RAM 53, and the ROM 52 includes a system program for controlling the operation of each unit of the printing apparatus 1 in accordance with a print control signal from the personal computer 2 and the removal of the USB cable 3. Accordingly, program data such as a tray eject program for forcibly ejecting the tray 5 containing the optical disk 4 is stored, and the RAM 53 is a print data memory for storing print data transmitted from the personal computer 2. Etc. are provided.
[0046]
Further, the CPU 51 is supplied with an eject signal according to the switch operation of the eject switch 7 and a disk detection signal according to the detection operation of the optical disk 4 by the disk detection switch 22.
[0047]
Then, a stepping motor M is connected to the CPU 51 via a motor driver 54, the thermal head 21 is connected via a head driver 55, and the solenoid 12 is connected via a solenoid drive transistor Tr.
[0048]
The CPU 51 outputs a motor control signal to the motor driver 54 in response to the print control signal transmitted from the personal computer 2 to drive the stepping motor M, and outputs a head control signal to the head driver 55 to cause the thermal head 21 to operate. The solenoid 12 is driven by outputting an excitation control signal to the solenoid drive transistor Tr.
[0049]
Each circuit unit of the printing apparatus 1 is supplied by a battery power source (DC) that is switched and connected when the AC adapter (AC) is removed by the AC adapter (AC) or the AC / DC switch 56. For example, it is driven by a DC voltage of 20 volts, and the thermal head 21, the stepping motor M, the motor driver 54 and the solenoid 12 are directly supplied with the driving voltage of 20 volts from the AC / DC switch 56, and The head driver 55 is supplied with a drive voltage of, for example, 5 volts converted through the first voltage conversion circuit 57a. Further, the CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 are supplied with a voltage through the second voltage conversion circuit 57b. A converted drive voltage of, for example, 3.3 volts is supplied.
[0050]
Next, a printing operation by the printing apparatus 1 of the printing system having the above configuration will be described.
[0051]
That is, when waiting for the printing operation, as shown in FIG. 3A, the head arm 36 on the carriage 19 is held in a substantially horizontal state, and the thermal head 21 is separated from the surface of the optical disk 4 by a certain distance. It is in a state of being placed at the print standby position. The carriage 19 is stopped at a home position set near the left end of the moving range.
[0052]
In this state, when print data is supplied from the personal computer 2 to the CPU 51 of the printing apparatus 1 via the USB cable 3 and a print start signal is supplied, the stepping motor M is driven forward and the output gear 27 is counterclockwise. It rotates in the turning direction (arrow a direction). The rotational power of the output gear 27 is transmitted to the first, second, third, and fourth gears 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d. Then, the rotation of the third gear 28c meshing with the rack 18 in the counterclockwise direction (the direction of the arrow a) causes the carriage 19 to move along the carriage guide 17 in the right direction indicated by the arrow x, and further the fourth gear. As a result of the rotation of 28d, the ribbon take-up shaft 29 rotates integrally with the ribbon take-up direction (arrow a direction), and the take-up core 25 in the ink ribbon cassette 20 engaged with the ribbon take-up shaft 29 rotates. The ink ribbon 20a is sequentially wound by the winding rotation of the core 25 and travels.
[0053]
In parallel with this operation, the sun gear 33 of the swing clutch 32 is driven and rotated by the rotation of the output gear 27, and one planet gear 35 a approaches the cam gear 30 according to the rotation of the sun gear 33. The cam gear 30 meshes with the cam gear 30, whereby the rotational power of the sun gear 33 is transmitted to the cam gear 30, and the cam gear 30 rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow i direction).
[0054]
The pin 38 in the cam groove 31 moves upward together with the head arm 36 by the clockwise rotation (i) of the cam gear 30 in the positive direction. Then, the head arm 36 that moves integrally with the pin 38 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 42, and as a result, the thermal head 21 moves downward (in the direction of arrow d) as shown in FIG. And tilt with respect to the horizontal.
[0055]
A missing portion (not shown) is formed on a part of the periphery of the cam gear 30. When the cam gear 30 rotates by a certain angle, the planetary gear 35a falls into the missing portion and idles. The thermal head 21 maintains a predetermined inclination angle and is held at a printing position where it contacts the surface of the optical disk 4 with the ink ribbon 20a interposed therebetween. At this time, the thermal head 21 comes into contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 with a predetermined pressure by the elastic force of the spring 37. When the stepping motor M is further driven in the forward direction, the planetary gear 35a is located in the missing portion, so that the carriage 19 moves to the right while the thermal head 21 is held at the printing position, and the ink ribbon 20a is wound up. Driving is performed.
[0056]
Simultaneously with the movement of the carriage 19 and the winding of the ink ribbon 20a, the heating element of the thermal head 21 is driven to generate heat based on the print data transferred from the personal computer 2 to the CPU 51 of the printing apparatus 1, and the ink ribbon 20a. Are sequentially melted and thermally transferred onto the surface of the optical disk 4, and characters such as characters and symbols are printed in a predetermined printing range H corresponding to the moving range of the carriage 19 (thermal head 21) on the surface of the optical disk 4.
[0057]
After the printing is finished, the stepping motor M is driven in reverse, and the output gear 27 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise direction) indicated by the arrow b. The reverse rotation of the output gear 27 causes the third gear 28c to also rotate reversely in the clockwise direction (the direction of arrow b), and the reverse rotation of the third gear 28c causes the carriage 19 to reverse along the carriage guide 17 with the arrow y. Move in the direction (left direction) and return to the home position.
[0058]
Since the fourth gear 28d is connected to the ribbon take-up shaft 29 via a one-way clutch, the reverse rotation operation of the fourth gear 28d is not transmitted to the ribbon take-up shaft 29 and the ink ribbon 20a is wound. No take is done.
[0059]
At the same time, the sun gear 33 of the swing clutch 32 is reversely rotated by the reverse rotation indicated by the arrow b of the output gear 27, and one planetary gear 35 a is separated from the cam gear 30 by the reverse rotation of the sun gear 33 and the other planetary The gear 35b comes close to the cam gear 30 and meshes with it, whereby the rotational power of the sun gear 33 is transmitted to the cam gear 30 and the cam gear 30 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow j.
[0060]
Then, the reverse rotation of the cam gear 30 causes the pin 38 in the cam groove 31 to move downward together with the head arm 36. Then, the head arm 36 that moves integrally with the pin 38 rotates clockwise about the shaft 42, and by this rotation, the thermal head 21 moves upward as indicated by the arrow u and moves away from the surface of the optical disk 4. The arm 36 returns to the original horizontal state. A missing portion (not shown) is formed on a part of the periphery of the cam gear 30 corresponding to the planetary gear 35b. The cam gear 30 rotates by a certain angle and the thermal head 21 returns to the print standby position. The planetary gear 35b falls into the missing portion and idles. After the planetary gear 35b is located in the missing part, only the carriage 19 moves in the reverse direction (left direction) indicated by the arrow y while the thermal head 21 is held at the print standby position by the reverse drive of the stepping motor M. Become.
[0061]
The head arm 36 is rotated clockwise from the printing position where the head arm 36 is rotated counterclockwise to the maximum and the thermal head 21 is in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 via the ink ribbon 20a. The number of reverse rotation driving steps of the stepping motor M necessary for the reverse rotation j of the cam gear 30 until the thermal head 21 moves upward u and returns to the print standby position is n steps. Even if the cam gear 30 rotates forward i, the rotation radius of the cam groove 31 in which the pin 38 of the head arm 36 slides is a constant interval, so that the head arm 36 is not rotated counterclockwise and the thermal head. 21 is held without moving downward d, and only the winding of the ink ribbon 20a is performed by the forward rotation a of the ribbon winding shaft 29. The number of drive steps of the forward rotation of the ping motor M and m steps.
[0062]
Further, the head moving mechanism is operated by the forward rotation of the stepping motor M from the printing standby position, the thermal head 21 is completely lowered to the printing position, and then the thermal head 21 is lifted by the reverse rotation of the stepping motor M to wait for printing. The printing operation position is taken until the position returns.
[0063]
Next, the tray eject function associated with the removal of the USB cable 3 in the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.
[0064]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a tray ejection process associated with the removal of the USB cable 3 in the printing apparatus 1.
[0065]
On the data line (D + / D−) 3d of the USB cable 3, a pulse-like signal constantly changing alternately between a high level “H” and a low level “L” is output from the personal computer 2. In this ejection process, it is first determined whether or not the D + signal supplied via the data line 3d of the USB cable 3 is at the “H” level (step S1).
[0066]
In this step S1, when it is determined that the D + signal supplied via the data line 3d of the USB cable 3 is not at the “H” level but at the “L” level, a predetermined time (for example, 2.5 μS) is further provided. After waiting (step S2), it is determined again whether or not the D + signal supplied via the data line 3d of the USB cable 3 is at the “H” level (step S3).
[0067]
That is, in the processing of S1 to S3, when it is determined that the D + signal supplied via the data line 3d of the USB cable 3 is not at the “H” level at all, but is completely at the “L” level ( In step S3 → N), the USB cable 3 is removed and the apparatus main body 1a may be moved. In this case, first, based on the disk detection signal output from the disk detection switch 22. Then, it is determined whether or not the optical disk 4 is set on the tray 5 (step S4).
[0068]
If no disc detection signal is obtained from the disc detection switch 22 and it is determined that the optical disc 4 is not set on the tray 5, the optical disc 4 is not currently stored in the main body 1a and the main body is not stored. Since there is no fear of disc damage due to the movement of 1a, the subsequent ejection processing of the tray 5 is not performed and the processing is terminated (step S4 → END).
[0069]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the optical disk 4 is set on the tray 5 by obtaining a disk detection signal from the disk detection switch 22, there is a risk of disk damage due to movement of the apparatus main body 1a. First, it is determined whether or not a printing operation is currently being performed based on the control state of the stepping motor M and the thermal head 21 (steps S4 to S5).
[0070]
Here, when it is determined that the printing operation is not currently performed, that is, when it is determined that the printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21 is not in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5, The solenoid drive transistor Tr is driven (ON) for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) and the solenoid 12 is excited, whereby the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a (steps S5 to S6).
[0071]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing operation is currently being performed, that is, when it is determined that there is a high possibility that the printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21 is in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5, After a reverse rotation drive control signal is supplied to the stepping motor M and the thermal head 21 is raised to the non-printing position (step S5 → S7), the solenoid drive transistor Tr is driven (ON) for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). When the solenoid 12 is excited, the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a (step S6).
[0072]
That is, when the solenoid 12 is excited, the hook 14a of the locking lever 14 is released from the projection 15 of the tray 5 by this excitation and the engagement is released, and the tray 5 is released from the apparatus main body 1a by the elastic force of the coil spring 9. Projected forward.
[0073]
Thereby, the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out before the apparatus main body 1a is moved or carried.
[0074]
Therefore, according to the tray eject function that accompanies the removal of the USB cable 3 in the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the disconnection that accompanies the removal of the USB cable 3 that receives the supply of print data from the personal computer 2 can be 3 is determined based on the stop of the signal on the data line 3D, the tray 5 is ejected to a position where the optical disk 4 can be taken out, so that there is a possibility of movement of the apparatus main body 1a when the USB cable 3 is removed. In this case, the removal of the optical disk 4 is forcibly prompted, and the disk 4 moves away from the tray 5 while the main body is moving, or a movable mechanism around the disk such as a printing mechanism comes into contact with the disk 4. The risk of disc damage such as scratching can be prevented.
[0075]
In the first embodiment, the tray 5 is ejected by determining the possibility of carrying or moving the apparatus main body 1a by determining the removal of the USB cable 3, but the second embodiment will be described below. As described in FIG. 4, the tray 5 may be ejected by determining whether the apparatus main body 1a can be carried or moved by determining removal of the AC adapter (AC).
[0076]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment in the printing system.
[0077]
The electronic circuit of the printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the electronic circuit of the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, but a partially different configuration will be described.
[0078]
In the printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, a voltage detection circuit 58 for detecting a voltage signal supplied from an AC adapter (AC) is provided between the AC / DC changeover switch 56 and the first voltage conversion circuit 57a. The voltage detection signal is connected to the CPU 51.
[0079]
Further, the voltage supplied from the personal computer 2 via the power supply line 3P included in the USB cable 3 is input via the third voltage conversion circuit 57c, and the CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, motor driver 54, stepping motor. A configuration that can be used as a drive voltage of M is adopted.
[0080]
Next, a tray eject function that accompanies removal of the AC adapter (AC) in the printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.
[0081]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a tray ejection process associated with the removal of the AC adapter (AC) in the printing apparatus 1.
[0082]
In this ejection processing, first, it is determined by the voltage detection circuit 58 whether or not the voltage signal supplied from the AC adapter (AC) has not been detected (step A1).
[0083]
If it is determined in step A1 that the voltage signal supplied from the AC adapter (AC) has not been detected (step A1 → Y), the AC adapter (AC) is removed and moved to the apparatus main body 1a. In this case, based on the disk detection signal output from the disk detection switch 22, it is first determined whether or not the optical disk 4 is set on the tray 5 (step). A2).
[0084]
Here, when the disk detection signal is not obtained from the disk detection switch 22 and it is determined that the optical disk 4 is not set on the tray 5, the optical disk 4 is not currently stored in the main body 1a and the main body 1a. Since there is no fear of disc damage due to the movement of, the subsequent ejection processing of the tray 5 is not performed and the processing ends (step A2 → END).
[0085]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the optical disk 4 is set on the tray 5 by obtaining a disk detection signal from the disk detection switch 22, there is a risk of disk damage due to movement of the apparatus main body 1a. First, it is determined based on the control state with respect to the stepping motor M and the thermal head 21 whether or not the printing operation is currently being performed (step A2 → A3).
[0086]
Here, when it is determined that the printing operation is not currently performed, that is, when it is determined that the printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21 is not in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5, Based on the power supplied from the USB cable 3, the solenoid driving transistor Tr is driven (ON) for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) and the solenoid 12 is excited, whereby the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a (steps A3 → A4). ).
[0087]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing operation is currently being performed, that is, when it is determined that there is a high possibility that the printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21 is in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5, After the reverse rotation drive control signal is supplied to the stepping motor M based on the power supplied from the USB cable 3 and the thermal head 21 is raised to the non-printing position (step A3 → A5), the solenoid drive transistor Tr is set for a predetermined time ( The tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a by being driven (ON, for example, for 1 second) and the solenoid 12 is excited (step A4).
[0088]
That is, when the solenoid 12 is excited, the hook 14a of the locking lever 14 is released from the projection 15 of the tray 5 by this excitation and the engagement is released, and the tray 5 is released from the apparatus main body 1a by the elastic force of the coil spring 9. Projected forward.
[0089]
Thereby, the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out before the apparatus main body 1a is moved or carried.
[0090]
Therefore, according to the tray eject function that accompanies removal of the AC adapter (AC) in the printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the supply of power for printing operation that accompanies removal of the AC adapter (AC) is stopped by the voltage detection circuit. 58, the tray 5 is discharged to a position where the optical disk 4 can be taken out by the power supplied via the power supply line 3P of the USB cable 3. When there is a possibility of movement of the apparatus main body 1a due to the removal of the adapter (AC), the power supplied from the USB cable 3 is used and the removal of the optical disk 4 is forcibly prompted. The disc 4 moves away from the tray 5 while the main body is moving, or the moving mechanism around the disc such as the printing mechanism comes into contact with the The risk of disc damage such or scratches can be prevented in the disk 4.
[0091]
In the printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, the tray 5 is ejected to the front side of the apparatus main body 1a by exciting the solenoid 12 and removing the hook 14a of the locking lever 14 from the protrusion 15 of the tray 5. Therefore, when it is determined that the supply power from the AC adapter (AC) is stopped, the power supply from the USB cable 3 is used to drive the solenoid 12. As described in the third embodiment, when power supply from the AC adapter (AC) is stopped, the tray 5 may be directly discharged by stopping the power supply.
[0092]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing configurations of a tray driving mechanism and a thermal transfer printing mechanism of the printing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment in the printing system.
[0093]
In the tray drive mechanism of the printing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, the protrusion 15 ′ of the tray 5 is locked by the hook 14 a ′ of the locking lever 14 ′ while the solenoid 12 is ON and the plunger is sucked. The tray 5 is held at a predetermined storage position against the spring force of the coil spring 9.
[0094]
In this way, when the power supply from the AC adapter (AC) is stopped, the excitation of the solenoid 12 is released accordingly, the plunger is released, and the hook 14 a ′ of the locking lever 14 ′ is connected to the tray 5. By detaching from the protrusion 15 ′, the tray 5 is pushed out to the front side of the apparatus main body 1 a by the spring force of the coil spring 9.
[0095]
Therefore, the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out before the apparatus main body 1a is moved or carried along with the removal of the AC adapter (AC).
[0096]
Therefore, according to the tray eject function that accompanies removal of the AC adapter (AC) in the printing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the supply of power for printing operation that accompanies removal of the AC adapter (AC) is stopped Since the tray 5 is ejected to a position where the optical disk 4 can be taken out by this power stop, if there is a possibility that the apparatus main body 1a moves due to removal of the AC adapter (AC), the removal of the optical disk 4 is forced. The disc 4 may move away from the tray 5 while the main body is moving, or a moving mechanism around the disc such as a printing mechanism may come into contact with the disc 4 to damage the disc 4. You can prevent fear.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first printing apparatus of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the communication cable is disconnected by the cable connection determining unit for determining the connection of the communication cable that receives the supply of print data from the host apparatus. In this case, since the drive unit that moves the support unit of the recording medium to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached is controlled, the apparatus main body may be moved along with the removal of the communication cable. The user is forced to take out the recording medium.
[0098]
According to the second printing apparatus of the present invention, when the power supply stop is determined by the power supply stop determination unit that determines the stop of the power supply from the power supply unit for the printing operation, The drive means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached is driven by the power supplied from the connection cable having the data supply line and the power supply line, so that the power supply means can be removed. If there is a possibility that the main body of the apparatus is moved, the removal of the recording medium is forcibly urged using the power supplied from the connection cable.
[0099]
According to the third printing apparatus of the present invention, when the supply of power from the power supply means for printing operation is stopped, the support means for the recording medium is moved to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. Since the drive unit is driven and controlled, when there is a possibility that the apparatus main body is moved in accordance with the stop of the power supply from the power supply unit, the removal of the recording medium is forcibly prompted.
[0100]
Therefore, according to the present invention, when the apparatus main body is carried and moved, the possibility that the recording medium is left in the apparatus main body and the recording medium is damaged can be solved. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a printing apparatus in the printing system, in which FIG. 2A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a tray driving mechanism and a thermal transfer printing mechanism, and FIG. 2B is a configuration of a thermal transfer printing mechanism. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the disk detection mechanism.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a carriage travel drive mechanism, a head moving mechanism, and an ink ribbon take-up mechanism provided in a carriage in the printing apparatus 1; FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a configuration during the printing operation.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment in the printing system.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a tray eject process associated with removal of a USB cable in the printing apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment in the printing system.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a tray eject process associated with removal of an AC adapter in the printing apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a tray driving mechanism and a thermal transfer printing mechanism of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment in the printing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
AC ... AC adapter
DC ... Battery power
1 ... Printing device
1a ... Main unit
2 ... Personal computer
2a ... Keyboard
2b ... mouse
2c ... Display device
3 ... USB cable
3D ... USB data line
3P USB power line
4 ... Optical disc
5 ... Tray
6 ... Rubber sheet
7 ... Eject switch
8: Printer cover
9… Tray extrusion coil spring
11 ... Tray locking mechanism
12 ... Solenoid
14, 14 '... Tray locking lever
15, 15 '... Locking projection
16: Printer frame
17 Carriage guide
18 ... Carriage moving rack
19 Carriage
20 ... Ink ribbon cassette
20a ... ink ribbon
21 ... Thermal head
22 ... Disk detection switch
24 ... Ribbon supply core
25 ... Winding core
27 ... Motor output gear
29 ... Ribbon take-up shaft
30: Cam gear
31 ... Cam groove
32 ... Swing clutch
33 ... Sun gear
35a, 35b ... Planetary gear
36 ... Head arm
39 ... Head holder
42 ... arm shaft
51. Printing device CPU
52. Printing device ROM
53. Printing device RAM
54 ... Motor driver
55 ... Head driver
56… AC / DC selector switch
57a-57c ... Voltage conversion circuit
58 ... Voltage detection circuit
M ... Stepping motor
Tr ... Solenoid drive transistor
H: Printing range of printing mechanism

Claims (7)

A printing apparatus that receives supply of print data from a host device connected via a communication cable,
Support means for supporting the recording medium;
Printing means for driving the print head based on print data supplied from the host device to the recording medium supported by the support means;
Drive means for moving the support means to a position where the recording medium is detachable;
Cable connection determining means for determining connection of the communication cable;
Control means for driving the drive means based on the determination of non-connection of the communication cable by the cable connection determination means;
A printing apparatus comprising: When the cable connection determining means determines that the communication cable is not connected, if the printing means is performing a printing operation, the printing means stops the printing operation before driving the driving means, and the printing is performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing stop control unit that sets the head to a non-printing position. A printing apparatus that receives print data and power from a host device via a connection cable having a data supply line and a power supply line, and that receives a power supply from a power supply unit to perform a printing operation.
Support means for supporting the recording medium;
Printing means for driving the print head based on print data supplied from the host device to the recording medium supported by the support means;
Drive means for moving the support means to a position where the recording medium is detachable;
Power supply stop determining means for determining stop of power supply from the power supply means;
Control means for driving the drive means by the power supplied from the connection cable based on the determination of the supply stop of power by the power supply stop determination means;
A printing apparatus comprising: When the power supply stop determination unit determines that the power supply is stopped, and the printing unit is in a printing operation, the printing unit stops the printing operation before driving the driving unit, and the printing is performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a printing stop control unit that sets the head to a non-printing position. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power supply unit is a direct current power source based on an alternating current commercial power source. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power supply unit is a built-in battery power source. A printing apparatus that receives print data from a host device connected via a communication cable and performs a printing operation by receiving power from a power supply unit,
Supporting means for supporting the recording medium;
Printing means for printing on the recording medium supported by the support means;
Drive means for moving the support means to a position where the recording medium is detachable when supply of power from the power supply means is stopped;
A printing apparatus comprising:

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