JP3858145B2 - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a print system for printing on a recording medium, e.g. a CD-R (Compact Disk Recordable), in which the recording medium is prevented from being moved to a position where it can be mounted or removed with a print head touching the surface of the recording medium, i.e., a disc. SOLUTION: When a print position detection signal indicating the fact that a thermal head 21 is located at a print position cannot be obtained by a print position detection switch SW2 at the time of ink jet operation and a decision is made that the print system is not operating, a stepping motor M is driven reversely and the thermal head 21 is moved toward a nonprint position and returned back to a print waiting position and then a solenoid 12 is driven to eject a tray 5. Consequently, the tray 5 is ejected after the thermal head 21 is moved surely to a position not touching an optical disc 4 even during nonprint operation.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system 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 printing mechanism having a tray on which an optical disk is placed and moved to a predetermined position in the apparatus main body, and a thermal head provided on the tray moved to the predetermined position. Print data created and input by a computer is printed on the surface of an optical disk placed on the tray by operating the printing mechanism.
[0005]
Here, the optical disk placed on the tray and placed in the apparatus main body is taken out by projecting the tray toward the front side of the apparatus main body (tray ejection). The operation is performed by operating an “eject” button provided together with a “print” button on the print control screen of a personal computer connected as an eject switch or a control device.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a printing apparatus, when the printing operation is performed on the optical disk, the thermal head is in contact with the surface of the optical disk to perform printing. If it is moved and protruded, there is a problem that the disk surface is damaged due to contact with the thermal head or that the printing mechanism is damaged.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and prevents the recording medium from being moved to a detachable position while the print head remains in contact with the surface of the disk as the recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system that makes it possible.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for supporting a recording medium, a printing head for printing on the recording medium supported by the supporting means, and the printing head as a printing position and non-printing. A head moving means that moves to a position; a drive means that moves the support means to a position where the recording medium is removable; an operation means that generates a control signal for operating the drive means; and a printing operation Determining means for determining whether or not the printing head is in operation, and the head moving means for moving the print head toward the non-printing position when the determining means determines that the printing operation is not being performed when the operating means is operated. And a control means for operating the drive means after that.
[0009]
In such a printing system according to claim 1 of the present invention, when the operation means generates a control signal for operating the driving means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. When it is determined whether or not the printing operation is being performed, and it is determined that the printing operation is not being performed, the driving unit is operated and controlled after the head moving unit is driven to move the print head toward the non-printing position. Even if the printing operation is not being performed, the drive for moving the recording medium support means is performed after the control for reliably moving the print head to a position where it does not come into contact with the recording medium.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for supporting a recording medium, a printing head for printing on the recording medium supported by the supporting means, and the printing head as a printing position and non-printing. A head moving means that moves to a position; a drive means that moves the support means to a position where the recording medium is removable; an operation means that generates a control signal for operating the drive means; and a printing operation A determination means for determining whether or not the print head is in operation, and if the determination means determines that the printing operation is being performed when the operation means is operated, the operation of the operation means is disabled and the print operation of the print head is performed. And a control means for continuing.
[0011]
In such a printing system according to claim 2 of the present invention, when the operation means generates a control signal for operating the drive means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. When it is determined whether or not the printing operation is being performed, and it is determined that the printing operation is being performed, the operation of the operation unit is invalidated, and the printing operation of the print head that performs printing on the recording medium is performed. Since the continuation control is performed, the movement of the support means for the recording medium to be printed is prevented during the printing operation.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for supporting a recording medium, a printing head for performing printing on the recording medium supported by the supporting means, a printing operation position and a standby state for the printing head. A head moving means that moves to a position; a drive means that moves the support means to a position where the recording medium is removable; an operation means that generates a control signal for operating the drive means; and a printing operation A determination unit that determines whether or not printing is in progress; and when the determination unit determines that a printing operation is being performed when the operation unit is operated, the printing operation of the print head is interrupted and the print head is on standby Control means for driving the head moving means to move to a position and then operating the driving means.
[0013]
In such a printing system according to claim 3 of the present invention, when the operation means generates a control signal for operating the driving means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. Whether or not the printing operation is being performed is determined. If it is determined that the printing operation is being performed, the printing operation of the printing head that performs printing on the recording medium is interrupted, and the printing head is set to the standby position. After the head moving means is driven to move, the drive means is controlled to operate. Therefore, even during the printing operation, the print head is surely moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the recording medium. Drive to move the support means is performed.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for supporting a recording medium, a printing head for printing on the recording medium supported by the supporting means, and the printing head as a printing position and non-printing. A head moving means that moves to a position; a drive means that moves the support means to a position where the recording medium is removable; an operation means that generates a control signal for operating the drive means; and a printing operation A determination means for determining whether or not the printing operation is being performed, and when the determination means determines that a printing operation is being performed when the operation means is operated, the printing operation of the print head is continued, and after the printing operation is completed Control means for driving the head moving means to move the print head to a non-printing position based on an operation of the operating means, and then operating the driving means. And wherein the door.
[0015]
In such a printing system according to claim 4 of the present invention, when the operation means generates a control signal for operating the driving means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. Whether or not the printing operation is being performed is determined, and if it is determined that the printing operation is being performed, after the printing operation of the print head that performs printing on the recording medium is continued and the printing operation is completed, Based on the operation of the operating means, the head moving means is driven to move the print head to the non-printing position, and then the driving means is controlled to operate. Therefore, during the printing operation, the printing is finished before printing. The head is moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the recording medium, and thereafter, driving for moving the recording medium support means is performed.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
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.
[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 receives an eject signal transmitted in response to an operation of an eject button 7 provided on the right front end of the apparatus main body 1a or an operation of an “eject” button Ej provided on the print control screen of the personal computer 2. Based on this reception, the inner bottom portion moves so as to protrude forward from the predetermined storage position, and from the protruded state, it moves into the apparatus main body 1a and is arranged at the predetermined storage position.
[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 by operating the “print” button Pr on the print control screen, and “print” on the print control screen A process of specifying a tray eject by operating the “eject” button Ej and a control process 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 a diagram showing the configuration of the disk detection mechanism.
[0024]
Coil springs 9 constituting a push-out mechanism of the tray 5 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the rear portion of the apparatus main body 1, and a push piece 10 is attached to the front end portions of these coil springs 9.
[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 the solenoid 12. A hook 14 a is integrally formed at one end of the locking lever 14. The hook 14a is detachably engaged with a protrusion 15 formed at the rear portion of the tray 5.
[0026]
When the tray 5 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1a and disposed at a predetermined storage position, the rear edge of the tray 5 comes into contact with the pushing piece 10 of the pushing mechanism and the coil spring 9 is compressed. The protrusion 15 engages with the hook 14 a of the locking lever 14, and by this engagement, 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 drawn tray 5 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1a, the rear edge of the tray 5 comes into contact with the pushing piece 10, and when the tray 5 is pushed further, the coil spring 9 is compressed and the projection 15 of the tray 5 is engaged. Engaging with the hook 14a of the stop lever 14, the tray 5 is held at a predetermined storage position in the apparatus main body 1a against the elastic force of the coil spring 9 by this engagement.
[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. The carriage 19 is movable with respect to the carriage guide 17 in the directions indicated by the arrows x and y, and the mounting surface of the ink ribbon cassette 20 mounted on the front surface of the carriage guide 17 faces the opening 1b of the apparatus main body 1a. Yes.
[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]
In addition, an actuator 22a of a disk detection switch 22 formed of a micro switch is provided on the inner side of the rear of the apparatus main body 1a at a position facing the outer peripheral edge of the optical disk 4 placed on the tray 5 so as to protrude on the tray 5. It is detected whether or not the optical disc 4 is placed 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]
Here, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the position of the thermal head 21 when the head arm 36 in the carriage 19 is held horizontally is the print standby position, and in FIG. 3 (B). As shown, the position of the thermal head 21 when the head arm 36 is most inclined and the thermal head 21 is in contact with the label printing surface of the optical disk 4 is defined as a printing position.
[0044]
A standby position for detecting that the thermal head 21 on the other end side of the head arm 36 is in a print standby position where the head arm 36 is held horizontally at a position where the one end side of the head arm 36 is lowered in the carriage 19. The detection switch SW1 is provided, and the thermal head 21 on the other end side of the head arm 36 is in contact with the label printing surface of the optical disk 4 at the printing position at the position where the one end side of the head arm 36 is raised most. Is provided with a print position detection switch SW2.
[0045]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of electronic circuits of the printing apparatus 1 and the person computer 2 in the printing system.
[0046]
The printing apparatus 1 includes a controller 51, which is connected to the USB cable 3 via an interface (I / F) 52 and connected to a personal computer (PC) 2.
[0047]
The controller 51 includes a ROM 53 and a RAM 54. The ROM 53 stores program data such as 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. Further, the RAM 54 is provided with a print data memory 54 a for storing print data transmitted from the personal computer 2.
[0048]
Further, the controller 51 includes an eject signal according to the switch operation of the eject switch 7, a disk detection signal according to the detection operation of the optical disk 4 by the disk detection switch 22, and a print standby position according to the switch operation of the standby position detection switch SW1. A detection signal and a print position detection signal corresponding to the switch operation of the print position detection switch SW2 are supplied.
[0049]
The thermal head 21 is connected to the controller 51 via the head driver 55, the stepping motor M is connected via the motor driver 56, and the solenoid 12 is connected via the solenoid driver 57.
[0050]
The controller 51 outputs a head control signal to the head driver 55 according to the print control signal transmitted from the personal computer 2 to drive the thermal head 21 and outputs a motor control signal to the motor driver 56 to output the stepping motor M. And the excitation control signal is output to the solenoid driver 57 to drive the solenoid 12.
[0051]
On the other hand, the personal computer (PC) 2 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 61 that is a central control unit. The CPU 61 stores the RAM 63 in a work memory according to a system program stored in a storage device 62 including a hard disk and a flash memory. The operation of each part is controlled.
[0052]
The storage device 62 stores in advance a system program that controls the overall operation of the personal computer 2, and also includes a document processing program and a browser program installed by the user as needed, and a printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Various application programs such as a print control program for the printing apparatus 1 installed by installing the software are stored.
[0053]
The RAM 63 is provided with a working memory corresponding to the execution of various application programs. The working memory for executing the printing control program for the printing apparatus 1 is created and edited to be printed on the label printing surface of the optical disc 4. A print data memory 63a for storing print data is provided.
[0054]
In addition to the storage device 62 and RAM 63, the CPU 61 is connected to a USB cable 3 for connection to the printing device 1 via an interface (I / F) 64, and a keyboard controller 65. Is connected to the keyboard 2a, and the display controller 66 is connected to the display device 66.
[0055]
Next, a printing operation by the printing apparatus 1 of the printing system having the above configuration will be described.
[0056]
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. At this time, the standby position detection switch SW1 detects that the thermal head 21 is at the print standby position.
[0057]
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.
[0058]
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).
[0059]
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.
[0060]
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.
[0061]
At this time, the print position detection switch SW2 detects that the thermal head 21 is at the print position. 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.
[0062]
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.
[0063]
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.
[0064]
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.
[0065]
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.
[0066]
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 around the shaft 42, and this rotation causes the thermal head 21 to move upward (in the direction of the non-printing position) indicated by the arrow u, thereby causing the optical disk to move. 4, the head arm 36 returns to the original horizontal state (print standby position). 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.
[0067]
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 steps of reverse rotation of the stepping motor M required for reverse rotation j of the cam gear 30 until the thermal head 21 moves upward (in the direction of the non-printing position) u and returns to the print standby position becomes n steps. In this print standby position, even if the cam gear 30 is rotated forward i, the rotation radius of the cam groove 31 in which the pin 38 of the head arm 36 slides is a constant section, so that the head arm 36 is rotated counterclockwise. The thermal head 21 is held without moving downward d and the ink ribbon 20a is wound by the forward rotation a of the ribbon winding shaft 29. Only the number of drive steps of the forward rotation of the stepping motor M to be performed by m steps.
[0068]
Further, the head moving mechanism is operated by the forward rotation of the stepping motor M from the print standby position, the thermal head 21 is completely lowered to the printing position, and then the thermal head 21 is raised to the non-printing position by the reverse rotation of the stepping motor M. The printing operation position is set until the print standby position is returned.
[0069]
Next, a tray eject function in the printing system according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.
[0070]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the ejection processing of the first embodiment in the printing system.
[0071]
In response to an operation of an eject switch 7 provided on the front face of the printing apparatus 1 or an “eject” button Ej provided on the print control screen of the personal computer 2, a tray eject signal is supplied to the controller 51 of the printing apparatus 1, When the ejection process in FIG. 5 is started, whether or not the printing operation is being performed is determined in the first embodiment by the thermal head 21 being brought into abutting contact with the label printing surface of the optical disc 4 from the printing position detection switch SW2. A determination is made according to whether or not a print position detection signal for detecting the presence of the print position is supplied (step S1).
[0072]
If it is determined that the thermal head 21 is not in the printing operation, that is, if the thermal head 21 is not in the printing position in contact with the optical disk 4 but in the non-printing position, the stepping M is driven reversely by n steps to Whatever position 21 is in, it is reliably returned to its print standby position (step S1 → S2).
[0073]
Subsequently, the stepping motor M is normally driven by m steps, the ink ribbon 20a is only wound without causing the thermal head 21 to descend (step S3), and the stepping motor M is reversely driven by the same m steps. Then, the cam gear 30 is returned to the initial print standby position (step S4).
[0074]
Then, when the solenoid 12 is driven (ON) and excited, the hook 14 a of the locking lever 14 is released from the protrusion 15 of the tray 5 and the engagement is released, and the tray 5 is released by the elastic force of the coil spring 9. It protrudes to the front side of the apparatus main body 1a (step S5). Thereby, the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a, and the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out.
[0075]
As described above, even when it is determined that the printing operation is not being performed in response to the tray ejection operation, the printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21 or the ink ribbon 20a may be in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5. Since the tray 5 is ejected after the performance is surely eliminated, the possibility of scratching the optical disk 4 or damaging the printing mechanism during the tray ejection can be completely eliminated. Further, when the ejected tray 5 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1a again, it is possible to prevent problems such as the tray 5 and the optical disk 4 being caught on the loose ink ribbon 20a.
[0076]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the printing operation is in progress, that is, the thermal head 21 is at the printing position in contact with the optical disk 4, the print output operation of the print data by the thermal head 21 is The operation is continued until the end, and the operation of the tray eject is invalidated (steps S1 → S6, S7).
[0077]
As a result, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the tray 5 is ejected while the printing operation is being performed, and the optical disk 4 is scratched or the printing mechanism is damaged.
[0078]
Therefore, according to the tray eject function in the printing system of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the print position detection signal indicating that the thermal head 21 is at the print position by the print position detection switch SW2 cannot be obtained when the ejection operation is performed. If it is determined that the printing operation is not being performed, the stepping motor M is driven in reverse, the thermal head 21 is moved toward the non-printing position and returned to the printing standby position, and then the solenoid 12 is driven to turn on the tray 5. Therefore, even if the printing operation is not being performed, the thermal head 21 is surely moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the optical disk 4 before the tray 5 is ejected.
[0079]
Further, according to the tray eject function in the printing system of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the ejection operation is performed, a print position detection signal indicating that the thermal head 21 is at the print position by the print position detection switch SW2 is obtained. If it is determined that the printing operation is in progress, the ejection operation is invalidated, and the printing operation at the printing position is continued. Therefore, the optical disk 5 is damaged by the tray ejection during the printing operation and the printing mechanism is not operated. Damage or the like can be prevented in advance.
[0080]
Furthermore, according to the tray eject function in the printing system of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the thermal head 21 is returned to the print standby position that is the non-printing position, only the ink ribbon 20a is wound. Since the slack and sagging of the ink ribbon 20a are removed, the possibility that the tray 5 and the optical disk 4 are caught on the slackened ink ribbon 20a by the subsequent pushing of the tray 5 can be eliminated.
[0081]
In the first embodiment, when the printing operation is being performed with respect to the ejection operation of the tray 5, the ejection operation is ignored and the printing operation is continued, so that the optical disk 4 is damaged or the printing mechanism is broken. However, as described in the second embodiment, after the printing operation is interrupted, the printing standby position of the thermal head 21 is the same as described above. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the tray ejection is prioritized by performing a problem solving process by returning to the position and winding the ink ribbon 20a.
[0082]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the ejection processing of the second embodiment in the printing system.
[0083]
In response to an operation of an eject switch 7 provided on the front face of the printing apparatus 1 or an “eject” button Ej provided on the print control screen of the personal computer 2, a tray eject signal is supplied to the controller 51 of the printing apparatus 1, When the ejection process in FIG. 6 is started, whether or not the printing operation is being performed is, in the case of the second embodiment, after the generation of the print control signal in the controller 51 based on the print start signal from the personal computer 2. In other words, it is determined according to whether or not the thermal head 21 to which the standby position detection signal of the thermal head 21 is not supplied from the standby position detection switch SW1 is in the printing operation position after starting to descend ( Step A1).
[0084]
Here, the thermal head 21 is in the print standby position when the printing operation is not being performed, that is, the print control signal is not generated in the controller 51 and the standby position detection signal is supplied from the standby position detection switch SW1. If it is determined, stepping M is reversely driven by n steps, and the thermal head 21 is surely returned to its print standby position regardless of the position (step A1 → A2).
[0085]
Subsequently, the stepping motor M is normally driven for m steps, and only the ink ribbon 20a is wound without causing the thermal head 21 to descend (step A3). Further, the stepping motor M is reversely driven for the same m steps. Then, the cam gear 30 is returned to the initial print standby position (step A4).
[0086]
Then, when the solenoid 12 is driven (ON) and excited, the hook 14 a of the locking lever 14 is released from the protrusion 15 of the tray 5 and the engagement is released, and the tray 5 is released by the elastic force of the coil spring 9. It protrudes to the front side of the apparatus main body 1a (step A5). Thereby, the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a, and the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out.
[0087]
As described above, even when it is determined that the printing operation is not being performed in response to the tray ejection operation, the printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21 or the ink ribbon 20a may be in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5. Since the tray 5 is ejected after the performance is surely eliminated, the possibility of scratching the optical disk 4 or damaging the printing mechanism during the tray ejection can be completely eliminated. Further, when the ejected tray 5 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1a again, it is possible to prevent problems such as the tray 5 and the optical disk 4 being caught on the loose ink ribbon 20a.
[0088]
On the other hand, in step A1, the thermal head 21 has started to descend due to the printing operation being performed, that is, the printing control signal is generated in the controller 51 and the standby position detection signal is not supplied from the standby position detection switch SW1. When it is determined that the print operation position is at the position, the output of the print control signal by the controller 51 is stopped and the print operation is interrupted (step A1 → A6).
[0089]
In the same manner as described above, first, the stepping M is reversely driven by n steps, and the thermal head 21 is returned to its print standby position (step A2).
[0090]
Subsequently, the stepping motor M is normally driven for m steps, and only the ink ribbon 20a is wound without causing the thermal head 21 to descend (step A3). Further, the stepping motor M is reversely driven for the same m steps. Then, the cam gear 30 is returned to the initial print standby position (step A4).
[0091]
Then, when the solenoid 12 is driven (ON) and excited, the hook 14 a of the locking lever 14 is released from the protrusion 15 of the tray 5 and the engagement is released, and the tray 5 is released by the elastic force of the coil spring 9. It protrudes to the front side of the apparatus main body 1a (step A5). Thereby, the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a, and the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out.
[0092]
Therefore, according to the tray eject function in the printing system of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the ejection operation is performed, for example, the standby position detection signal from the standby position detection switch SW1 cannot be obtained, and the thermal head 21 starts to descend. When the printing operation position is determined to be in the printing operation position, the printing operation is interrupted, the stepping motor M is reversely driven, and the thermal head 21 is returned to the printing standby position. 12 is driven and the tray 5 is ejected. Therefore, the ejection operation by the user is prioritized even after the start of the printing operation, and the thermal head 21 is immediately moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the optical disc 4 to eject the tray 5. It becomes like this.
[0093]
At this time, even after the start of the printing operation, if the ejection operation is performed and the printing operation is interrupted when the thermal head 21 does not reach the printing position, the actual label printing is performed on the optical disc 4. Before being done, the tray 5 can be ejected and the optical disk 4 before printing can be taken out.
[0094]
Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the optical disk 5 and breakage of the printing mechanism due to tray ejection during the printing operation.
[0095]
Further, according to the tray eject function in the printing system of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the thermal head 21 is returned to the print standby position, only the ink ribbon 20a is wound up to perform the ink ribbon. Since the slack and sag of 20a are removed, the possibility that the tray 5 and the optical disk 4 will be caught by the slack ink ribbon 20a by the subsequent pushing of the tray 5 can be eliminated.
[0096]
In the second embodiment, when the printing operation is being performed with respect to the ejection operation of the tray 5, the printing operation is interrupted by giving priority to the ejection operation, and then the print head is moved to the print standby position. Although the tray ejection is performed by performing the trouble solving process by the movement return and the winding of the ink ribbon 20a, as will be described in the following third embodiment, when there is an ejection operation during the printing operation Then, after the printing operation is continued, the tray ejection may be performed by performing the trouble solving process by returning to the print standby position of the thermal head 21 and winding the ink ribbon 20a.
[0097]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the ejection processing of the third embodiment in the printing system.
[0098]
In response to an operation of an eject switch 7 provided on the front face of the printing apparatus 1 or an “eject” button Ej provided on the print control screen of the personal computer 2, a tray eject signal is supplied to the controller 51 of the printing apparatus 1, When the ejection process in FIG. 7 is started, first, a flag F indicating that the ejection operation has been performed is set (step B1), and it is determined whether or not a printing operation is being performed (step B2).
[0099]
In the case of the third embodiment, whether or not the printing operation is being performed is determined by detecting that the thermal head 21 is in contact with the label printing surface of the optical disc 4 and is in the printing position from the printing position detection switch SW2. Determination is made according to whether or not a position detection signal is supplied (step B2).
[0100]
If it is determined that the thermal head 21 is not in the printing operation, that is, if the thermal head 21 is not in the printing position in contact with the optical disk 4 but in the non-printing position, the stepping M is driven reversely by n steps to Whatever position 21 is in, it is reliably returned to its print standby position (step B2 → B3).
[0101]
Subsequently, the stepping motor M is normally driven for m steps, and only the winding of the ink ribbon 20a is performed without causing the lowering of the thermal head 21 (step B4). Further, the stepping motor M is reversely driven for the same m steps. Then, the cam gear 30 is returned to the initial print standby position (step B5).
[0102]
Then, when the solenoid 12 is driven (ON) and excited, the hook 14 a of the locking lever 14 is released from the protrusion 15 of the tray 5 and the engagement is released, and the tray 5 is released by the elastic force of the coil spring 9. It protrudes to the front side of the apparatus main body 1a (step B6). Thereby, the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a, and the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out.
[0103]
As described above, even when it is determined that the printing operation is not being performed in response to the tray ejection operation, the printing mechanism such as the thermal head 21 or the ink ribbon 20a may be in contact with the surface of the optical disk 4 on the tray 5. Since the tray 5 is ejected after the performance is surely eliminated, the possibility of scratching the optical disk 4 or damaging the printing mechanism during the tray ejection can be completely eliminated. Further, when the ejected tray 5 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1a again, it is possible to prevent problems such as the tray 5 and the optical disk 4 being caught on the loose ink ribbon 20a.
[0104]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step B2 that the printing operation is being performed, that is, the thermal head 21 is at the printing position in contact with the optical disk 4, the print output operation of the print data by the thermal head 21 is The process continues until the end (steps B2 → B7, B8).
[0105]
After the printing operation is completed, the stepping M is reversely driven by n steps in the same manner as described above, and the thermal head 21 is returned to its print standby position (step B9).
[0106]
Subsequently, the stepping motor M is normally driven for m steps, and only the winding of the ink ribbon 20a is performed without causing the thermal head 21 to descend (step B10). Further, the stepping motor M is reversely driven for the same m steps. Then, the cam gear 30 is returned to the initial print standby position (step B11).
[0107]
Here, it is determined whether or not a flag F indicating that an ejection operation has been performed is set. If F = 1, that is, if it is determined that an ejection operation has been performed during the printing operation ( Step B12), when the solenoid 12 is driven (ON) and excited, the hook 14a of the locking lever 14 is released from the protrusion 15 of the tray 5, and the engagement is released. It is projected forward of the apparatus main body 1a by the force (step B6). Thereby, the tray 5 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1a, and the optical disk 4 on the tray 5 can be taken out.
[0108]
As a result, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the tray 5 is ejected while the printing operation is being performed, and the optical disk 4 is scratched or the printing mechanism is damaged.
[0109]
Therefore, according to the tray eject function in the printing system of the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the ejection operation is performed, for example, the thermal head 21 is at the print position based on the print position detection signal from the print position detection switch SW2. If it is determined that the printing operation is in progress, the printing operation is continued and after the printing operation is completed, the stepping motor M is driven reversely based on the ejection operation, and the thermal head 21 is moved to the print standby position. After returning, the solenoid 12 is driven and the tray 5 is ejected. Therefore, during the printing operation, the printing operation is continued, and then the thermal head 21 is moved back to the printing standby position and the ink ribbon 20a is wound. The trouble solving process by taking out is performed and the tray 5 is ejected.
[0110]
Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the optical disk 5 and breakage of the printing mechanism due to tray ejection during the printing operation.
[0111]
Further, also in the tray eject function in the printing system of the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the thermal head 21 is returned to the print standby position, as in the first and second embodiments, the ink ribbon 20a. Since the slack or sag of the ink ribbon 20a is removed only by winding the ink ribbon 20a, the possibility that the tray 5 or the optical disk 4 will be caught on the slackened ink ribbon 20a by pushing the tray 5 is eliminated. Can do.
[0112]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the printing system of the first aspect of the present invention, the control signal for operating the driving means for moving the recording medium supporting means to the position where the recording medium can be attached and detached is provided by the operating means. When it is generated, it is determined whether or not a printing operation is being performed. When it is determined that the printing operation is not being performed, the driving unit is operated after driving the head moving unit to move the print head toward the non-printing position. Since the control is performed, even when the printing operation is not being performed, the print head is moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the recording medium, and then the drive for moving the recording medium support means is performed.
[0113]
According to the printing system of the second aspect of the present invention, when the operation means generates a control signal for operating the drive means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. When it is determined whether or not the printing operation is being performed, and it is determined that the printing operation is being performed, the operation of the operation unit is invalidated, and the printing operation of the print head that performs printing on the recording medium is performed. Since the continuation control is performed, the movement of the support means of the recording medium to be printed is prevented during the printing operation.
[0114]
According to the printing system of the third aspect of the present invention, when the operation means generates a control signal for operating the driving means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. Whether or not the printing operation is being performed is determined. If it is determined that the printing operation is being performed, the printing operation of the printing head that performs printing on the recording medium is interrupted, and the printing head is set to the standby position. After the head moving means is driven to move, the drive means is controlled to operate. Therefore, even during the printing operation, the print head is surely moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the recording medium. Driving to move the support means is performed.
[0115]
According to the printing system of claim 4 of the present invention, when the operation means generates a control signal for operating the drive means for moving the recording medium support means to a position where the recording medium can be attached and detached. Whether or not the printing operation is being performed is determined, and if it is determined that the printing operation is being performed, after the printing operation of the print head that performs printing on the recording medium is continued and the printing operation is completed, Based on the operation of the operating means, the head moving means is driven to move the print head to the non-printing position, and then the driving means is controlled to operate. Therefore, during the printing operation, the printing is finished before printing. The head is moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the recording medium, and thereafter, driving for moving the recording medium support means is performed.
[0116]
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being moved to a detachable position while the print head remains in contact with the surface of the disk as the recording medium. At the time of taking out, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the recording medium is damaged or the printing mechanism side is damaged due to the interference with the print head.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an overall configuration of a printing system 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. 3C 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 19 in the printing apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a configuration during the printing operation.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic circuit of a printing apparatus and a person computer in the printing system.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing eject processing of the first embodiment in the printing system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing eject processing of the second embodiment in the printing system.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an ejection process according to a third embodiment in the printing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Printing device
1a ... Main unit
2 ... Personal computer
2a ... Keyboard
2b ... mouse
2c ... Display device
3 ... USB cable
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 ... Tray locking lever
15 ... Locking protrusion
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 ... Print controller
52 ... Printing device interface (I / F)
53 ... Printing device ROM
54 ... Printing device RAM
61 ... CPU
62 ... Storage device
63 ... PC RAM
64 ... PC interface (I / F)
M ... Stepping motor
Pr ... “Print” button
Ej ... "Eject" button
SW1 Standby position detection switch
SW2: Print position detection switch
H: Printing range of printing mechanism

Claims (8)

Support means for supporting the recording medium;
A print head for printing on the recording medium supported by the support means;
Head moving means for moving the print head to a printing position and a non-printing position;
Drive means for moving the support means to a position where the recording medium is detachable;
Operating means for generating a control signal for operating the driving means by operation;
A determination means for determining whether the printing operation is in progress;
When the operation unit is operated, when the determination unit determines that the printing operation is not being performed, the head moving unit is driven to move the print head toward the non-printing position, and then the driving unit is operated. Control means to operate;
A printing system comprising: Support means for supporting the recording medium;
A print head for printing on the recording medium supported by the support means;
Head moving means for moving the print head to a printing position and a non-printing position;
Drive means for moving the support means to a position where the recording medium is detachable;
Operating means for generating a control signal for operating the driving means by operation;
A determination means for determining whether the printing operation is in progress;
Control means for disabling the operation of the operation means and continuing the print operation of the print head when the determination means determines that a printing operation is being performed when the operation means is operated;
A printing system comprising: Support means for supporting the recording medium;
A print head for printing on the recording medium supported by the support means;
Head moving means for moving the print head to a printing operation position and a standby position;
Drive means for moving the support means to a position where the recording medium is detachable;
Operating means for generating a control signal for operating the driving means by operation;
A determination means for determining whether the printing operation is in progress;
When the operation unit is operated, when the determination unit determines that the printing operation is being performed, the print operation of the print head is interrupted, and the head moving unit is configured to move the print head to a standby position. Control means for driving and then actuating said driving means;
A printing system comprising: Support means for supporting the recording medium;
A print head for printing on the recording medium supported by the support means;
Head moving means for moving the print head to a printing position and a non-printing position;
Drive means for moving the support means to a position where the recording medium is detachable;
Operating means for generating a control signal for operating the driving means by operation;
A determination means for determining whether the printing operation is in progress;
When the determination unit determines that a printing operation is being performed when the operation unit is operated, the printing operation of the print head is continued, and the printing is performed based on the operation of the operation unit after the printing operation is completed. Control means for driving the head moving means to move the head to a non-printing position and then actuating the driving means;
A printing system comprising: 5. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit includes a detection unit that detects a position of the print head, and determines whether a printing operation is being performed based on detection information from the detection unit. The printing system according to any one of the above. 5. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether a printing operation is being performed based on control information of the control unit that drives the head moving unit to move the print head. The printing system according to any one of the above. Ribbon feeding means for feeding an ink ribbon to the print head is further provided,
The said control means drives the said ribbon feed means at the time of the drive of the said head moving means which moves the said print head to a non-printing position, The claim 1, The claim 1, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing system described in. Ribbon feeding means for feeding an ink ribbon to the print head is further provided,
The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit drives the ribbon feeding unit when driving the head moving unit that moves the print head to a standby position.

Images