JP4502906B2 - Printing apparatus, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Printing apparatuses having a function of printing desired information such as manufacturing date, expiry date, and factory-specific symbol on a packaging material (packaging film) for filling and packaging various kinds of materials to be packaged have become widespread.

For example, the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 prints desired information when reading registration marks that are printed at equal intervals in advance on a packaging material.
JP-A-8-156240

However, the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 sometimes fails to read a registration mark when the registration mark has a color that is difficult to read by a sensor. If the registration mark cannot be read, the printing apparatus cannot print.
The same problem is not limited to printing apparatuses that read registration marks, but is a common problem in printing apparatuses that execute printing by detecting marks provided at equal intervals.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of printing desired information even when a mark formed in advance on a packaging film cannot be read.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
A print head;
Mark detection means for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the predetermined direction on a band-shaped print medium conveyed in a predetermined direction with respect to the print head;
A conveyance amount detecting means for detecting a conveyance amount of the print medium;
Based on detection of the mark by the mark detection means, the print head is instructed to print desired information on the print medium, and detected by the transport amount detection means before the print instruction based on detection of the mark. Printing means for instructing the print head to print the desired information on the print medium when the transport amount of the print medium reaches a predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
Equipped with a,
The printing means includes
Means for prohibiting printing based on detection of the mark for a predetermined period when the print medium is instructed to print based on the predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
Means for correcting the starting point of the predetermined transport amount to the mark detection position by the mark detection means;
The equipped and wherein the Rukoto.

A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is
A print head;
Mark detection means for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the predetermined direction on a print medium conveyed in a predetermined direction with respect to the print head;
A conveyance amount detecting means for detecting a conveyance amount of the print medium;
Based on detection of the mark by the mark detection means, the print head is instructed to print desired information on the print medium, and detected by the transport amount detection means before the print instruction based on detection of the mark. Printing means for instructing the print head to print the desired information on the print medium when the transport amount of the print medium reaches a predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
A counting unit that counts the number of times that the print head is instructed to print when the conveyance amount of the print medium detected by the conveyance amount detection unit reaches the predetermined conveyance amount from the previous printing position;
A warning signal output means for outputting a warning signal when the number of consecutive times counted by the counting means exceeds a predetermined number;
It comprising: a.

Furthermore, in the printing apparatus,
An interval detection unit that detects an interval of the mark based on the detection of the mark by the mark detection unit and the conveyance amount detected by the conveyance amount detection unit;
Determining means for determining the predetermined transport amount based on the interval detected by the interval detecting means;
May be further provided.

A printing method according to the third aspect of the present invention includes:
A mark detection step for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction on the transported belt-shaped print medium;
A conveyance amount detection step for detecting a conveyance amount of the print medium;
Based on the detection of the mark in the mark detection step, desired information is printed on the print medium. Before printing based on the detection of the mark, the conveyance amount of the print medium detected in the conveyance amount detection step is A printing step for printing the desired information on the print medium when a predetermined conveyance amount is reached from the previous printing position;
Equipped with a,
The printing step includes
A step of prohibiting printing based on detection of the mark for a predetermined period when the print instruction is made based on the fact that the transport amount of the print medium has reached the predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
Correcting the starting point of the predetermined transport amount to the mark detection position in the mark detection step;
The equipped and wherein the Rukoto.

A program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is:
On the computer,
A mark detection procedure for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction on the belt-shaped print medium to be transported;
A transport amount detection procedure for detecting a transport amount of the print medium;
Based on the detection of the mark in the mark detection procedure, desired information is printed on the print medium. Before printing based on the detection of the mark, the transport amount of the print medium detected in the transport amount detection procedure is A printing procedure for printing the desired information on the print medium when a predetermined conveyance amount is reached from the previous printing position;
A program Ru allowed to run,
The printing procedure includes:
When the print instruction is made based on the fact that the transport amount of the print medium has reached the predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position, printing based on the detection of the mark is prohibited for a predetermined period,
The starting point of the predetermined transport amount is corrected to the mark detection position in the mark detection procedure.

  According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, desired information can be printed even when a mark formed on the packaging film cannot be read.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The printing apparatus 100 is a part of the packaging equipment and is for printing the expiration date and the like for each packaging unit of the printing medium composed of the packaging material.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 prints, for example, an expiration date for each packaging unit on a packaging film (printing medium) F supplied from a supply roll 101. A packaging device (not shown) wraps a product with the packaging film.

  The winding roll 102 winds up the packaging film F on which the expiration date is printed. On one side in the width direction of the packaging film F, registration marks M are printed in advance at regular intervals P (for each packaging unit, for example, every 300 mm). The take-up roll 102 is rotationally driven by the print medium feeding device 103. When the take-up roll 102 is driven by driving the print medium feeding device 103, the packaging film F is fed (conveyed). For convenience, a film feeding mechanism including a supply roll 101, a take-up roll 102, a printing medium feeding device 103, and a printing medium feeding control circuit 112 described later is shown as if it is a part of the printing apparatus 100. These are part of a packaging device (not shown). When the printing apparatus 100 is configured using the packaging film feeding mechanism of the existing packaging apparatus, it is difficult to make the packaging film feeding mechanism controllable from the printing apparatus 100, and it is transported outside the control of such a printing apparatus 100. The present invention is particularly effective when printing desired information on a fixed position of the packaging film F to be printed. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the CPU 110 and the print medium feed control circuit 112, which will be described later, are connected by a broken line so that the printing apparatus 100 controls the film feed mechanism as a part thereof. It may be configured in a separate manner, or may be configured separately from the packaging device or the like.

  The registration mark sensor 31 is composed of, for example, an optical sensor, detects the registration mark M as the packaging film F is fed, and outputs a detection signal. The driving direction (feeding direction) of the packaging film F is defined as the X direction.

  The machine casing 21 of the printing apparatus 100 extends in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction when viewed in plan. The machine frame 21 is provided with a printing unit 22 and a maintenance unit 23. A guide rail 24 extends in the Y direction across the printing unit 22 and the maintenance unit 23 and is fixed to the printing unit 22 and the maintenance unit 23. A head carrier 25 is supported on the guide rail 24 so as to be movable in the Y direction. A feed screw (not shown) composed of a ball screw for moving the head carrier 25 in the Y direction is disposed in the guide rail 24. When the feed screw is rotated by the ball screw drive mechanism 104, the head carrier 25 moves in the Y direction according to the rotation direction.

  The ball screw drive mechanism 104 includes, for example, a motor, and rotates the feed screw forward or backward.

  A print head 26 is detachably mounted on the head carrier 25. The print head 26 is composed of an ink jet printer head. This ink jet printer head includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 26a, a head body 26b accommodated in the casing 26a, and an ink tank (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the head body 26b has a nozzle surface 26c that is long in the Y direction on the lower surface thereof. A large number of ink nozzles 26d are formed on the nozzle surface 26c at the same pitch so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). The ink nozzles 26d are arranged in a line in the Y direction in FIG. 2, but may be arranged in a plurality of lines in the Y direction, such as a staggered pattern, in order to increase the dot density.

  The head carrier driving mechanism (driven by the head carrier driving circuit 107 (FIG. 3)) by the head carrier 25 and the ball screw driving mechanism 104 is equivalent to or larger than the arrangement pitch of the ink nozzles 26d. It can be driven in the Y direction with resolution.

  A platen 27 is supported on the printing unit 22 of the machine frame 21 in parallel with the guide rail 24. The platen 27 has a length corresponding to the entire movement range of the print head 26 moving along the guide rail 24, that is, the entire width of the packaging film F. The platen 27 sandwiches the packaging film F with the print head 26, holds the packaging film F flat, and enables the printing head 26 to print on the packaging film F.

  A plurality of guide rollers 28 are supported on the printing unit 22. The guide roller 28 guides the packaging film F that has come out of the supply roll 101 between the platen 27 and the print head 26, and discharges the packaging film F that has been printed toward the winding roll 102.

  An encoder 105 is fixed to the machine casing 21. The encoder 105 includes a driven roller 40 that sandwiches the packaging film F (contacts the surface of the packaging film F) with the platen 27. The driven roller 40 rotates in accordance with the feeding (conveying) of the packaging film F, and the amount of rotation (that is, the amount of movement of the packaging film F) is detected by the encoder 105. The amount of movement of the packaging film F can also be detected by detecting the amount of rotation of the take-up roll 102 or the like. However, according to the external encoder 105, the amount of movement can be easily detected without modifying existing equipment.

  In the maintenance unit 23, a wiper unit 29 and a suction unit 30 are arranged. The wiper unit 29 wipes off ink adhering to the nozzle surface 26 c of the print head 26. The suction unit 30 places the nozzle surface 26c in a vacuum atmosphere when printing is suspended, and removes foreign matter and excess ink from the nozzle surface 26c by suction.

Next, a circuit configuration of the printing apparatus 100 having the above-described mechanical configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 100 includes the encoder 105, the head carrier drive circuit 107, the print head control circuit 108, the counter 120, the storage circuit 109, and the central processing unit (CPU) 110.
The print head control circuit 108 includes a driver circuit that executes control of ink ejection from the print buffer (dot pattern memory) and the ink nozzles of the print head 26. The print head control circuit 108 controls which nozzle of the multiple ink nozzles 26d of the print head 26 is used for printing according to the dot pattern data developed on the print buffer.

  The counter 120 counts a print count that is the total number of times of printing, an encoder count that is the number of encoder pulses output from the encoder 105, a continuous count that is the number of times of continuous printing based on the encoder count, and the like.

  The input / output unit 121 includes a display (output) device, an input device, and the like. The display (output) device is an image supplied from the CPU 110, for example, an image for the user to perform various operations, An image or the like for prompting a warning in an emergency situation is displayed (output), and the input device inputs various data and commands.

  The storage circuit 109 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor storage circuit such as a ROM or a RAM, stores desired information input from the input / output unit 121, and supplies it to the CPU 110. The desired information includes character information that specifies a character string to be printed (text, symbols, numbers, pictograms, and the like) and print position information that specifies the position of the character string. The print position information is information that specifies at which position in the width direction and the length direction of the packaging film F the character string is to be printed. Note that it is also possible to input to the RAM, which is a work area of the CPU 110, by manual input, reading from a communication / recording medium, or the like.

  The storage circuit 109 may store each character information to be printed in the form of a dot pattern, or may store it in the form of code information. The CPU 110 generates information defining a dot pattern (dot printing / non-printing) of a dot line to be printed based on the character information, and supplies the information to the print head control circuit 108. For example, when character information is stored in the storage circuit 109 in the dot pattern format, the CPU 110 reads the dot pattern to be printed from the storage circuit 109 and provides it to the print head control circuit 108 in units of dot lines. Also, for example, when character information is stored in the storage circuit 109 in the form of code information, the CPU 110 reads out code information to be printed and its attribute information (control information) from the storage circuit 109, The dot pattern of the character string to be printed is developed on the work memory using a character generator or the like prepared in 109. The CPU 110 reads the developed dot pattern in dot line units and supplies the read dot pattern to the print head control circuit 108.

  Further, the CPU 110 moves the head carrier 25 to a specific position in the width direction of the packaging film F via the head carrier control circuit 111 and the ball screw driving mechanism 104 based on the printing position information.

  The CPU 110 is supplied with a detection signal indicating that the registration mark M of the packaging film F has been detected from the registration mark sensor 31. The encoder pulse corresponding to the transport amount of the packaging film F is supplied from the encoder 105 to the CPU 110.

  The CPU 110 wraps the packaging film F after the registration mark sensor 31 detects the registration mark M based on the detection signal indicating the detection of the registration mark M supplied from the registration mark sensor 31 and the encoder pulse supplied from the encoder 105. Obtain the transport amount. The CPU 110 executes a printing process based on the determined carry amount and the printing position information (relative position information of the packaging film F with respect to the printing head 26) read from the storage circuit 109. The print medium feed control circuit 112 drives the take-up roll 102 via the print medium feed device 103 under the control of a packaging device (not shown).

  The registration mark sensor 31 and the encoder 105 detect the feed position (conveyance amount) of the packaging film F with respect to the head carrier 25 (print head 26).

  Basically, the CPU 110 executes a print processing operation when the registration mark sensor 31 detects the registration mark M. However, when the registration mark on the packaging film F is difficult to read, the registration mark sensor 31 may not read the registration mark M. Even in such a case, in order to execute the printing operation at the scheduled printing position, the CPU 110 executes the printing operation when the signal corresponding to the transport amount of the packaging film F from the encoder 105 satisfies a predetermined condition. To do. A specific description of this predetermined condition and processing operation will be described later.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the positional relationship between the print head 26 (26d), the registration mark sensor 31, the registration mark M, and the printing position described above. The registration mark M is attached to the packaging film F at a pitch LPitch. When the registration mark M is read by the registration mark sensor 31, the printing position for printing the desired information is designated at a predetermined distance (LOFFset) from the next registration mark M in the traveling direction. The distance between the registration mark sensor 31 and the print head 26 (26d) is D. At this time, the conveyance amount (LDelay) of the packaging film F from when the registration mark sensor 31 detects the registration mark M to when the printing head 26 (26d) starts printing is LOffset- (LPitch-D). .

Hereinafter, the printing operation of the printing apparatus 100 will be described.
5 and 6 are flowcharts of the printing process executed by the CPU 110 of the printing apparatus 100. FIG.

  In the storage circuit 109 of the printing apparatus 100, the number of pulses (PPitch) supplied from the encoder 105 corresponding to the transport amount for the pitch LPitch of the registration mark M of the packaging film F is stored from the input / output unit 121. The scheduled print position value (PExpect), which is the expected number of pulses generated from the encoder 105 from the start of the operation of the printing apparatus 100 to the time when the packaging film F is transported to the next scheduled print position, is an appropriate value in the initial state. Initial value is set. Further, the number of pulses that the encoder 105 generates an encoder pulse when the packaging film F is conveyed by the distance of LOFFset and D is also stored in the storage circuit 109 in advance.

  After the print start instruction is given, the transport film F is transported at a constant speed, and the encoder 105 detects the rotation amount of the driven roller 40 (that is, the transport amount of the packaging film F). At this time, the encoder 105 outputs an encoder pulse to the CPU 110 every predetermined transport amount (for example, 16/540 inches) in the forward direction of the packaging film F. This encoder pulse functions as an interrupt input to the CPU 110.

At this time, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the CPU 110 starts an interrupt (printing) process in response to an encoder pulse input from the encoder 105.
The CPU 110 increments the encoder count (PCcurrent) in the counter 120 in order to count the number of pulses generated from the encoder 105 (step S101).

  Then, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the encoder count (PCcurrent) coincides with the scheduled print position value (PExpect) that is the number of pulses generated from the encoder 105 from the start of operation to the next scheduled print position (step S102). . Here, if PCcurrent matches PExpect (step S102; Yes), the CPU 110 prints on the print head 26 (26d) assuming that the packaging film F has been conveyed from the previous printing position by the pitch LPitch of the registration mark M. An instruction signal is supplied and printing processing is executed (step S103). Thereby, the expiration date etc. are printed on the packaging film F as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 110 updates the next scheduled print position value (PExpect) (step S104). Specifically, the number of pulses is updated by adding the number of pulses (PPitch) corresponding to the pitch LPitch of the registration mark M stored in advance in the storage circuit 109 to the current print position value (PExpect). Thus, the next scheduled print position value (PExpect) is set. Thereafter, the CPU 110 ends the current interruption (printing) process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S102 that PCcurrent does not match PExpect (step S102; No), the CPU 110 corresponds to the print position designated by detection of the registration mark M in the encoder count (PCcurrent). It is determined whether or not the print position value (PRegimark), which is the number of pulses, matches (step S105).
The PRegimark here is updated every time the registration mark sensor 31 detects the registration mark M. A process for setting a specific PRegigmark will be described later.

  Here, when it is determined that PCcurrent and PRegimark do not match (step S105; No), the CPU 110 ends the interrupt process without printing. On the other hand, if PCcurrent and PRegimark match (step S105; Yes), the CPU 110 determines whether or not printing is instructed in step S103 and printing is currently being performed (step S106). If it is determined that printing is in progress (step S106; Yes), the CPU 110 proceeds to the process of step S109 without instructing printing. This avoids duplication of the printing process in step S103 described above and the printing process started by detecting the registration mark M.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that printing is not in progress (step S106; No), the CPU 110 determines whether the number of pulses (PCcurrent) to the current position is PExpect-PPitch / 2 or less (step S107). When it is determined that Pexpect-PPitch / 2 or less (step S107; Yes), this is also for preventing duplication of print processing, and a print instruction is issued even at the print position designated by detection of the registration mark M. Without executing the processing in step S109, which will be described later, the current interrupt processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of pulses to the current position (PCcurrent) is larger than PExpect-PPitch / 2 (step S107; No), the CPU 110 supplies a print instruction signal to the print head 26 (26d) and executes print processing (step S107: No). Step S108). Then, after the registration mark M is detected, the print head 26 performs printing at the timing when the printing medium feeding device 103 transports the packaging film F by LDelay.

  Subsequently, the CPU 110 updates the next scheduled print position value (PExpect) (step S109). Specifically, PExpect is updated to the number of pulses obtained by adding the number of pulses (PPitch) stored in advance in the storage circuit 109 to the printing position value (PRegimark) designated by detection of the registration mark M. As a result, the next scheduled printing position is corrected based on the detection of the registration mark M. Thereafter, the CPU 110 ends the current interrupt process.

Next, processing for setting the number of pulses (PRegimark) corresponding to the printing position designated by detecting the registration mark M will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The registration mark sensor 31 supplies an interrupt signal to the CPU 110 when detecting the registration mark M. When this interrupt signal is supplied, the CPU 110 starts an interrupt process for setting the PRegimark.

Here, the CPU 110 updates PRegimark to the number of pulses of the encoder pulse generated up to the current position, that is, the number of pulses obtained by adding the number of pulses of the predetermined encoder pulse (PDelay) to the current encoder count (PCcurrent). (Step S201). The predetermined number of pulses (PDelay) here is a number of pulses corresponding to the movement amount (LDelay) of the packaging film F from when the registration mark M shown in FIG. 4 is detected until printing is started. PDDelay is the number of encoder pulses generated by the encoder 105 when the packaging film F is conveyed by a distance of LOffset- (LPitch-D) shown in FIG. 4, and the number of pulses stored in advance in the storage circuit 109 It is. As a result, the printing position value (PRegimark), which is the number of pulses generated from the start of the operation until the packaging film F is transported to the printing position designated by detection of the registration mark M, is updated each time the registration mark M is detected. it can.
After updating the PRegimark, the CPU 110 ends the interrupt process.

  By the above processing, even when the registration mark M of the packaging film F cannot be read (is not detected), desired information can be printed. Further, the registration mark M cannot be detected, and the next scheduled print position value (PExpect) is updated by repeatedly adding the number of pulses (PPitch) corresponding to the pitch LPitch, and only the transport amount corresponding to the pitch LPitch is updated. If only printing is repeated each time the packaging film F is transported, the difference between the actual printing position and the regular printing position increases due to the accumulation of errors. For this reason, when the registration mark M can be detected, the scheduled print position value (PExpect) is reset, in other words, the starting point of the carry amount is corrected. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a shift in the printing position due to the accumulation of errors.

The above printing process will be described based on a specific example.
For example, in a normal state, as shown in FIG. 7A, the registration mark sensor 31 normally detects the registration mark M and outputs a print instruction signal based on the detection from the registration mark sensor 31. FIG. 7A shows a case where the arrival of the printing position based on the detection from the registration mark sensor 31 precedes the arrival of the scheduled printing position. The CPU 110 prints desired information such as the expiration date in response to a print instruction signal based on the detection from the registration mark sensor 31 (Step S105; Yes to Step S108, or, Step S102; Yes to Step S103). The registration mark M is printed with the pitch LPitch, and the desired information is printed with the pitch LPitch of the registration mark M on the packaging film F.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7B, desired information is printed in response to a print instruction signal corresponding to the nth registration mark M, and then the number of pulses generated from the encoder 105 and the actual conveyance due to errors or the like. When the arrival of the printing position based on the detection from the registration mark sensor 31 is delayed from the arrival of the scheduled printing position, the (n + 1) th printing is performed by the printing instruction signal based on the arrival of the scheduled printing position. Execute (Step S102; Yes to Step S104). Thereafter, even if the print position based on the detection from the registration mark sensor 31 arrives, overlapping printing is prohibited by the processing of steps S106 and S107. Further, since the number of pulses and the scheduled print position value corresponding to the next scheduled print position are updated when the (n + 1) th registration mark M is detected (step S109), the scheduled print position for the (n + 2) th print is appropriate. The position is corrected.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 7C, in response to a print instruction signal corresponding to the nth registration mark M (step S105; Yes), desired information is printed (step S108), and then the (n + 1) th registration mark is printed. The case where the mark M was not detected is shown. In this case, the desired information is printed every time the scheduled print position arrives (step S102; Yes to step S104).

  FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a printing result obtained by the printing apparatus 100. In any of the cases shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the appearance is printed as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 8, the desired information is a character string SP such as “expiration date 05.09.01” or “manufacturer specific symbol ABC” stored in advance in the storage circuit 109. Ar represents the row width of the plurality of ink nozzles 26 d of the print head 26.

  Thus, normally, the registration mark sensor 31 detects the registration mark M and executes printing. However, even if the registration mark M cannot be detected, the registration mark sensor 31 detects the registration mark M based on the transport amount of the packaging film F. Desired information can be printed at an appropriate position.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is exemplified by a case where the same data representing the expiration date is repeatedly printed on a plurality of print areas arranged at a predetermined pitch on one sheet-like packaging film F. As described above, the printing medium, target data, and printing mode are arbitrary. Also, the print data may be the same or different in print contents for each print.

  Further, the scene in which the printer is used and the configuration and operation of the printer control unit are not limited to the above example. For example, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are merely examples, and can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the print head control circuit 108 and the head carrier control circuit 111 shown in FIG. 3 can be configured by a control processor. In addition, the X direction and the Y direction shown in FIG. 1 are preferably a right angle, but may not be a right angle.

  The print area may be predetermined on the print medium or determined by the printing apparatus.

  Further, in the above embodiment, even when the registration mark M cannot be detected, the desired information is printed when a pulse corresponding to PPitch is generated from the encoder 105. However, since the printing based on the transport amount of the packaging film F is performed without detecting the registration mark M, the printing is not always performed at an accurate position, and the printing is continuously performed. As a result, it is impossible to guarantee that printing is performed at an accurate position. In view of such a situation, when printing based on encoder pulses is continuously executed, a process for warning the user to that effect may be added. As an example, the added processing operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  After the printing based on the encoder pulse in step S103 of FIG. 5 is executed, as shown in FIG. 9A, the CPU 110 executes the continuous number of times of printing based on the encoder count (the transport amount of the packaging film F). Is incremented by the counter 120 (step S301). Subsequently, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the continuous count is equal to the number of times K (for example, 6 times) stored in the storage circuit 109 in advance (step S302). When the encoder count is K times (step S302; Yes), since the printing is performed without detecting the registration mark M continuously K-1 times, the CPU 110 inputs and outputs an instruction signal for prompting the user to warn. The data is output to the unit 121 (for example, a monitor) (step S303), and the printing process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the encoder count is less than K times (step S302; No), the process proceeds to step S104 in FIG. When printing is performed by detecting the registration mark M (step S105; Yes to S108), it is necessary to reset the number of continuous printing based on the encoder pulse. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, a process of clearing the continuous count (step S401) is added between step S105 and step S106.
By adding the above processing, a printing apparatus that can notify a user of a warning when printing based on encoder pulses is continuously executed may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the number of pulses (PPitch) supplied from the encoder 105 corresponding to the transport amount for the pitch LPitch of the packaging film F is stored in the storage circuit 109 in advance, and the CPU 110 is supplied from the encoder 105. Printing was instructed when the number of pulses reached the number of pulses corresponding to PPitch. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a predetermined number of pulses (PPitch) may be learned while executing the printing process.

  A specific processing operation at this time will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The PPitch learning process is started after the process in step S108 of FIG. First, the CPU 110 causes the counter 120 to increment a print count for counting the number of times of printing (step S501). At this time, the number of pulses (PCcurrent) generated up to the current position is stored in the storage circuit 109 (step S502). Thereafter, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the print count is 1 or more and 5 or less (step S503). If the print count is not greater than or equal to 1 and less than 5 (step S503; No), the learning process is terminated without learning the PPitch, and the process proceeds to step S109.

On the other hand, when the print count is 1 or more and 5 or less (step S503; Yes), the CPU 110 reads PCcurrent at the time of the previous printing from the storage circuit 109 (step S504). Then, the number of pulses (SPitch) generated when the packaging film F is transported from the previous printing position to the current printing position is obtained (step S505). Specifically, PCcurrent—PCcurrent at the time of previous printing is obtained.
Further, the CPU 110 adds the SPitch obtained in step S505 to the current encoder count total (SPitch total) (step S506). When the print count is 1, the total sum of SPitch is 0.

  Then, by executing step S506 during the period from 1 to 5 in the print count, the total of SPitch for 5 times is obtained. Next, when it is determined that the print count is equal to 5 (step S507; Yes), the CPU 110 obtains an average value by dividing the sum of the encoder counts obtained in step S506 by 5, and sets this average value as PPitch. (Step S508). Then, the PPitch learning process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S109. Thereafter, the set PPitch is used in step S104 and step S109 in FIG. 5 to determine the printing position. On the other hand, if the print count is not equal to 5 in step S507 (step S507; No), the CPU 110 ends the PPitch learning process without obtaining the average value, and shifts the process to step S109.

With the PPitch learning process described above, the number of pulses supplied from the encoder 105 at the time of printing is recorded five times, and this is used as a reference for determining whether or not to print the average value for the five times.
Further, the learning of the PPitch (predetermined number of pulses) is not limited to when printing is started, and may be performed once every several hundred printings, for example.

  In the above embodiment, in step S107 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 in the printing process, the CPU 110 determines whether PCcurrent is PExpect-PPitch / 2 or less and then determines whether to instruct printing. (Step S108). However, the value is not limited to this value and may be any value as long as erroneous printing can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, in step S107 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 in the printing process, the CPU 110 determines whether to shift to the printing instruction process based on the PCcurrent value (the transport amount of the packaging film F). It was. However, the value is not limited to the PCurent value (the transport amount of the packaging film F) and may be any as long as erroneous printing can be prevented. It may be determined whether or not to shift to the process.

  Note that all or part of a computer program for causing the CPU 110 or the like to execute the above printing operation and control operation is recorded on a recording medium (ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, flash memory, etc.). It is possible to record and distribute, distribute, or install in a control memory. It is also possible to distribute and distribute a carrier by modulating a carrier wave with a data signal indicating such a program and transmitting it via a communication network.

It is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a printing device of the present invention. It is the perspective view seen from the nozzle surface side of the printing head single-piece | unit used for the printing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the printing apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship among a print head, a registration mark sensor, a registration mark, and a printing position. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a printing process. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process for updating PRegimark when a registration mark is detected. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the printing instruction | indication signal based on a registration mark detection, and the printing instruction | indication signal by a printing scheduled position. It is a figure which shows the printing result printed on the packaging film. (A) and (B) are flowcharts for explaining an example of processing for outputting a warning when printing is performed continuously without detecting registration marks. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing when learning PPitch during printing processing;

Explanation of symbols

F Packaging film M Registration mark LPitch Pitch SP Character string 21 Machine frame 22 Printing unit 23 Maintenance unit 24 Guide rail 25 Head carrier 26a Housing 26b Head body 26c Nozzle surface 26d Ink nozzle 27 Platen 28 Guide roller 29 Wiper unit 30 Suction unit 31 Registration Mark Sensor 40 Followed Roller 100 Printing Device 101 Supply Roll 102 Take-up Roll 103 Print Medium Feed Device 104 Ball Screw Drive Mechanism 105 Encoder 107 Head Carrier Drive Circuit 108 Print Head Control Circuit 110 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
111 Head Carrier Control Circuit 112 Print Medium Feed Control Circuit

Claims (5)

A print head;
Mark detection means for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the predetermined direction on a band-shaped print medium conveyed in a predetermined direction with respect to the print head;
A conveyance amount detecting means for detecting a conveyance amount of the print medium;
Based on detection of the mark by the mark detection means, the print head is instructed to print desired information on the print medium, and detected by the transport amount detection means before the print instruction based on detection of the mark. Printing means for instructing the print head to print the desired information on the print medium when the transport amount of the print medium reaches a predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
Equipped with a,
The printing means includes
Means for prohibiting printing based on detection of the mark for a predetermined period when the print medium is instructed to print based on the predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
Means for correcting the starting point of the predetermined transport amount to the mark detection position by the mark detection means;
Printing apparatus according to claim Rukoto equipped with. A print head;
Mark detection means for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the predetermined direction on a print medium conveyed in a predetermined direction with respect to the print head;
A conveyance amount detecting means for detecting a conveyance amount of the print medium;
Based on detection of the mark by the mark detection means, the print head is instructed to print desired information on the print medium, and detected by the transport amount detection means before the print instruction based on detection of the mark. Printing means for instructing the print head to print the desired information on the print medium when the transport amount of the print medium reaches a predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
A counting unit that counts the number of times that the print head is instructed to print when the conveyance amount of the print medium detected by the conveyance amount detection unit reaches the predetermined conveyance amount from the previous printing position;
A warning signal output means for outputting a warning signal when the number of consecutive times counted by the counting means exceeds a predetermined number;
Printing device characterized by obtaining Bei a. An interval detection unit that detects an interval of the mark based on the detection of the mark by the mark detection unit and the conveyance amount detected by the conveyance amount detection unit;
Determining means for determining the predetermined transport amount based on the interval detected by the interval detecting means;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A mark detection step for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction on the transported belt-shaped print medium;
A conveyance amount detection step for detecting a conveyance amount of the print medium;
Based on the detection of the mark in the mark detection step, desired information is printed on the print medium. Before printing based on the detection of the mark, the conveyance amount of the print medium detected in the conveyance amount detection step is A printing step for printing the desired information on the print medium when a predetermined conveyance amount is reached from the previous printing position;
Equipped with a,
The printing step includes
A step of prohibiting printing based on detection of the mark for a predetermined period when the print instruction is made based on the fact that the transport amount of the print medium has reached the predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position;
Correcting the starting point of the predetermined transport amount to the mark detection position in the mark detection step;
Printing method comprising Rukoto equipped with. On the computer,
A mark detection procedure for detecting marks formed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction on the belt-shaped print medium to be transported;
A transport amount detection procedure for detecting a transport amount of the print medium;
Based on the detection of the mark in the mark detection procedure, desired information is printed on the print medium. Before printing based on the detection of the mark, the transport amount of the print medium detected in the transport amount detection procedure is A printing procedure for printing the desired information on the print medium when a predetermined conveyance amount is reached from the previous printing position;
A program Ru allowed to run,
The printing procedure includes:
When the print instruction is made based on the fact that the transport amount of the print medium has reached the predetermined transport amount from the previous printing position, printing based on the detection of the mark is prohibited for a predetermined period,
A program for correcting a starting point of the predetermined transport amount to a mark detection position in the mark detection procedure .

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