JP4844129B2 - RECORDING DEVICE, RECORDING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND COMPUTER SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium based on an instruction transmitted from a host computer, a control method for the recording apparatus, a control program, and a computer system including the recording apparatus.

Generally, when a host computer and a recording device such as a printer are connected, so-called bidirectional communication is performed between the host computer and the recording device (for example, see Patent Document 1). Bidirectional communication is performed by repeating instructions and responses, such as sending recording data and control commands from the host computer to the recording device, and sending information indicating the operating state from the recording device to the host computer. Is called. By utilizing this bidirectional communication, every time the recording apparatus operates, the state can be constantly monitored on the host computer side, and reliable control can be performed.
JP-A-11-73282

However, when using the above two-way communication, every time an operation is instructed from the host computer to the recording apparatus, it is confirmed whether or not the operation has been performed as instructed, and the next operation is instructed after the operation is confirmed The following procedure is used. In this procedure, there is a problem that it is necessary to wait for the operation of the recording apparatus to end, and a waiting time that cannot be ignored occurs.
For example, when an image is recorded on a recording medium, the host computer instructs the recording apparatus to convey the recording medium. After this instruction is transmitted, the host computer completes the conveyance of the recording apparatus and is normal. There is a problem in that waiting time must be waited until notification that it is in a proper state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the waiting time when bidirectional communication is performed between a host computer and a recording apparatus and to improve throughput. .

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention includes a transport mechanism unit that transports a recording medium and a recording mechanism unit that records an image on the recording medium, and the transport mechanism unit based on an instruction transmitted from a host computer. In the recording apparatus that performs conveyance by the recording mechanism and recording by the recording mechanism unit, a detection unit that detects the recording medium is provided on a conveyance path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism unit, and the recording medium is detected by the host computer. When an amount to be conveyed is instructed, it is determined whether or not the instructed amount can be conveyed based on a detection state of the detecting unit and a distance between the detecting unit and the recording mechanism unit. A control means is provided.
According to this configuration, the portion to be conveyed toward the recording mechanism unit from the detection state of the detection means provided on the recording medium conveyance path toward the recording mechanism unit, that is, on the upstream side of the recording mechanism unit. That is, it is possible to know the presence or absence of the remaining amount of the recording medium. Further, the remaining amount of the recording medium can be known based on the distance from the recording mechanism unit to the detecting means. For this reason, it is possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of the recording medium is exhausted when the amount instructed by the host computer is transported, so that it is possible to quickly and accurately determine whether the instructed amount can be transported. . As a result, when the conveyance is instructed from the host computer, the host computer can promptly determine whether or not the conveyance is possible and notify the host computer, so that the host computer continuously instructs the recording of the image or stops the conveyance. Etc. can be performed. Accordingly, it is possible to greatly reduce the waiting time when performing bidirectional communication between the host computer and the recording apparatus, and to improve the throughput.

  In the present invention, the control means transmits the determination result to the host computer when the amount instructed by the host computer is possible, and then transports the recording medium by the transport mechanism. It is good. In this case, since the determination result indicating whether the conveyance is possible is transmitted to the host computer and then the recording medium is conveyed, the recording medium can be conveyed while the host computer receives the determination result and performs processing. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently use the waiting time in both the host computer and the recording apparatus and further improve the throughput.

  In the present invention, the control means may be configured such that, in a state where the recording medium is detected by the detection means, an amount instructed by the host computer is based on a distance between the recording mechanism unit and the detection means. If it is smaller, it may be determined that the designated amount can be conveyed. That is, in a state in which the recording medium is detected by the detection unit, the recording medium is present at least from the recording mechanism unit to the detection unit, and can be transported by that amount. For this reason, by comparing the distance between the recording mechanism unit and the detection means with the amount instructed by the host computer, it is possible to quickly and accurately determine whether the conveyance is possible.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, an amount obtained by subtracting the conveyance amount from the time when the recording medium is no longer detected by the detection unit from the distance between the recording mechanism and the detection unit is stored as the remaining conveyance amount. The storage unit may further include a storage unit, and the control unit may determine whether or not the conveyance is possible by comparing the amount instructed by the host computer with the transportable amount stored in the storage unit. . According to this configuration, when the recording medium is no longer detected by the detection unit, the size of the recording medium that can be transported to the recording mechanism unit is equal to the distance from the recording mechanism unit to the detection unit. In addition, the remaining transportable amount that can be transported toward the recording mechanism unit is obtained and stored in the storage means. In this case, since the transportable amount is stored in advance, it can be quickly and accurately determined whether or not the amount instructed by the host computer can be transported.

  Still further, the control means is configured such that the amount instructed by the host computer exceeds the distance between the recording mechanism unit and the detection means in a state where the recording medium is detected by the detection means. May be configured to make the determination by transporting the recording medium by the transport mechanism until the recording unit is no longer detected by the detection means. In this case, even if it is difficult to determine whether or not the amount instructed by the host computer can be transported, transport is performed until the recording medium is no longer detected by the detecting means, and the remaining amount to be transported at that time is determined. Judgment can be made on the basis. That is, it is possible to promptly determine whether or not conveyance is possible in any case.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a transport mechanism unit that transports a recording medium and a recording mechanism unit that records an image on the recording medium, and the transporting unit is based on an instruction transmitted from a host computer. A method for controlling a recording apparatus, comprising: a mechanism that performs conveyance by a mechanism and recording by the recording mechanism; and a detection unit that detects the recording medium on a conveyance path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism When the amount of transport of the recording medium is instructed by the host computer, it is instructed based on the detection state of the detection means and the distance between the detection means and the recording mechanism unit. A method for controlling a printing apparatus is provided that determines whether or not a certain amount of paper can be conveyed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a transport mechanism unit that transports a recording medium and a recording mechanism unit that records an image on the recording medium, and the transporting unit is based on an instruction transmitted from a host computer. A computer for controlling a recording apparatus having a configuration for performing conveyance by a mechanism unit and recording by the recording mechanism unit, and provided with detection means for detecting the recording medium on a conveyance path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism unit When the amount by which the recording medium is conveyed is instructed by the host computer, based on the detection state of the detection means and the distance between the detection means and the recording mechanism unit. A control program for functioning as a means for determining whether or not transport is possible is provided.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects a host computer and a recording apparatus that conveys the recording medium and records an image on the recording medium based on an instruction transmitted from the host computer. In the computer system, the recording apparatus includes a transport mechanism unit that transports the recording medium, a recording mechanism unit that records an image on the recording medium, and a transport path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism unit. A control unit arranged to detect the recording medium, and a control unit configured to execute conveyance by the conveyance mechanism unit and recording by the recording mechanism unit based on an instruction transmitted from the host computer. Is detected by the detection means when the amount of transport of the recording medium is instructed by the host computer, and A computer system is provided that determines whether or not a specified amount of conveyance is possible based on a distance between the recording means and the recording mechanism, and transmits the determination result to the host computer. To do.
According to this configuration, in the recording apparatus, the remaining amount of the recording medium can be known based on the detection state of the detection means provided on the upstream side of the recording mechanism unit. Whether or not the remaining amount of the recording medium is exhausted when transported can be determined promptly and accurately. For this reason, if the host computer instructs the recording apparatus to transport the recording medium, it is possible to promptly determine whether or not to execute the recording medium and notify the host computer. Thereby, the waiting time in both the host computer and the recording apparatus can be greatly shortened, and the throughput can be improved.

  According to the present invention, the remaining amount of the recording medium is obtained based on the detection state of the detection means provided on the upstream side of the recording mechanism, and whether or not the conveyance instructed by the host computer is promptly and accurately determined. Since the determination can be made, it is possible to greatly reduce the waiting time when performing bidirectional communication between the host computer and the recording apparatus, and to improve the throughput.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a dot impact printer as a recording apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The dot impact printer of this embodiment includes a recording head 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) including a plurality of recording wires 18A (see FIG. 4), and these recording wires 18A are connected to a recording medium via an ink ribbon. By ejecting toward the surface, dots are formed on the recording surface of the recording medium, and an image including characters is recorded.
Here, examples of the recording medium usable in the dot impact printer 10 include a cut sheet cut to a predetermined length, a continuous sheet in which a plurality of sheets are connected, and the like. These cut sheets and continuous sheets may be made of paper such as plain paper, copy paper, cardboard, or the like, or a sheet made of synthetic resin, and these sheets may be processed by coating or infiltration. In addition, as a form of the cut sheet, for example, in addition to a standard size cut paper (PPC paper, a postcard, etc.), a booklet form in which a plurality of sheets are bound (passbook etc.) or a bag-shaped form (envelope) Etc.). Examples of the form of the continuous sheet include continuous paper in which sprocket holes are formed at both ends in the width direction and folded at a predetermined length, and roll paper wound in a roll shape.
In this embodiment, the dot impact printer 10 will be described by taking as an example a case where a booklet-like passbook 100 in which a plurality of recording sheets are bound at the center in the longitudinal direction is used.

In the passbook 100 shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic stripe 101 is provided on the surface that becomes the bottom surface when the recording surface is opened. The magnetic stripe 101 is a recording area in which various kinds of information can be magnetically recorded, and information is written and read by a magnetic head 34 (FIG. 2) described later.
The dot impact printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which a main body is accommodated in an exterior made up of a cover 12, an upper case 13, and a lower case 14. This exterior is provided with a cover 12 that can be opened and closed at the top, and an upper case 13 and a lower case 14 that are connected to each other up and down. On the front surface of the exterior, an opening is provided at a boundary portion between the upper case 13 and the lower case 14, and serves as a manual insertion slot 15 for manually inserting the passbook 100.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printer main body housed in the exterior of the dot impact printer 10. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the dot impact printer 10. A symbol A shown in FIG. 3 indicates a conveyance path of the bankbook 100.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer main body 11 has a main body frame including a left side frame 16 and a right side frame 17. The main body frame includes a recording mechanism section 20 including a recording head 18 and a carriage 19, a transport mechanism section including a platen 21, a first transport roller 22, and a second transport roller 23 facing the recording head 18. The first transport mechanism 24, the second transport mechanism 27 including the third transport roller 25 and the fourth transport roller 26, and the magnetic including the magnetic head 34 that reads and writes the magnetic information of the magnetic stripe 101 included in the bankbook 100. A data reading unit 29 and a sheet pressing unit 30 that presses the floating of the passbook 100 from above when reading and writing magnetic information are provided.

The left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 are erected so as to face each other at the left and right ends of the printer body 11. A carriage shaft 31 is bridged between the side frames 16 and 17, and a front seat guide 32 and a rear seat guide 33 having a flat surface shape are fixedly provided across the side frames 16 and 17. .
The front sheet guide 32 and the rear sheet guide 33 constitute the lower surface of the conveyance path A through which the bankbook 100 inserted from the manual feed slot 15 (FIG. 1) is conveyed. The front sheet guide 32 is located on the front side of the printer main body 11, that is, the manual feed port 15 side, and the rear sheet guide 33 is located on the rear side of the printer main body 11. The front sheet guide 32 and the rear sheet guide 33 are separated below the recording head 18, and the planar platen 21 is disposed in this space.

The first transport mechanism unit 24 is located on the front side of the platen 21, and the second transport mechanism unit 27 is located on the rear side of the platen 21.
Among these, the first transport roller 22 and the third transport roller 25 are disposed below the transport path A, and the second transport roller 23 and the fourth transport roller 26 are disposed above the transport path A. The bankbook 100 is sandwiched between the first transport roller 22 and the second transport roller 23 and between the third transport roller 25 and the fourth transport roller 26 and is transported along the transport path A.
Here, the first transport roller 22 and the third transport roller 25 are drive rollers that are rotationally driven by a transport motor 36 (FIG. 5) and a drive wheel train (not shown). On the other hand, the second transport roller 23 and the fourth transport roller 26 are spring-biased with a predetermined pressing force toward the first transport roller 22 and the third transport roller 25, respectively. This is a driven roller that rotates as the transport roller 25 rotates. For this reason, the 1st conveyance roller 22 and the 2nd conveyance roller 23 rotate in the mutually opposite direction, and the 3rd conveyance roller 25 and the 4th conveyance roller 26 rotate in the mutually opposite direction, and convey the bankbook 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an alignment plate 54 is disposed between the platen 21 and the first transport roller 22. The alignment plate 54 is a plate-like member that extends parallel to the scanning direction of the recording head 18 and is perpendicular to the transport path A. The alignment plate 54 is embedded below the conveyance path A, and is configured to be able to advance and retreat in the conveyance path A by the operation of the alignment motor 37 (FIG. 5). That is, the alignment plate 54 is driven by the alignment motor 37 to move up and down, protrudes from the lower side of the front sheet guide 32 to the conveyance path A, or advances from the state protruding from the conveyance path A to the front sheet guide 32. Retreat to the bottom or flush position.
The magnetic head 34 is driven to reciprocate by a magnetic motor 38 (FIG. 5) along two magnetic head guides laid in parallel between the side frames 16 and 17. As a result, the magnetic head 34 can scan the magnetic stripe 101 of the bankbook 100, read information from the magnetic stripe 101, and write information.

As described above, the carriage 19 is slidably inserted into the carriage shaft 31 spanned between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17. The carriage 19 is connected to a carriage drive motor 35 (FIG. 5) via a train wheel drive unit (not shown) and a timing belt (not shown), and is connected to the carriage shaft 31 by forward rotation or reverse rotation of the carriage drive motor 35. It travels (scans) along. The scanning direction of the carriage 19 is defined as the main scanning direction.
A recording head 18 is mounted on the carriage 19. The recording head 18 is integrated with the carriage 19 and moves on the recording surface of the bankbook 100 along the main scanning direction.
Further, a ribbon cartridge 39 accommodated in a state where the ink ribbon is folded is attached to the carriage 19 or the main body frame. A part of the ink ribbon housed in the ribbon cartridge 39 is pulled out and overlaps the tip of the recording head 18. Then, the recording head 18 protrudes the recording wire 18A (FIG. 4) while running in the main scanning direction, and strikes the recording surface of the passbook 100 via the ink ribbon, and the ink of the ink ribbon is applied to the platen 21. Are attached to the passbook 100 transported between the recording head 18 and an image including characters.

  The projection output of the recording wire 18A protruding from the recording head 18 is received by the platen 21. The platen 21 has a flat surface extending in the traveling direction of the carriage 19 and is elastically supported while being biased toward the recording head 18 by biasing springs 40 (FIG. 3) at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The biasing spring 40 is, for example, a compression coil spring. Due to the urging force of the urging spring 40, the projecting output of the recording wire 18A during the recording operation of the recording head 18 is supported.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the main part of the dot impact printer 10, and particularly shows the configuration of the recording head 18 and its front side.
As shown in FIG. 4, the recording head 18 is provided with a guide roller 41 located on the side of the position where the recording wire 18A protrudes. The guide roller 41 is a roller that is rotatably supported along the scanning direction of the recording head 18. The lower end of the guide roller 41 is positioned below the tip of the recording head 18 in a state where the recording wire 18A is not driven out. The lower end of the guide roller 41 abuts against the platen 21 or the bankbook 100 located on the platen 21 and resists the urging force of the urging spring 40 that pushes up the platen 21. As a result, even if the thickness of the bankbook 100 changes, the platen 21 is displaced up and down accordingly, so that the difference in thickness is absorbed, and the distance (gap) between the recording surface of the bankbook 100 and the tip of the recording head 18. Or the media gap) is maintained at an appropriate distance by the guide roller 41.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first sheet guide 42 and a second sheet guide 43 are disposed on the front side of the recording head 18. The first sheet guide 42 guides the leading end of the bankbook 100 that is inserted from the manual feed slot 15 and conveyed toward the recording head 18 downward. By the first sheet guide 42, the leading end of the bankbook 100 smoothly enters between the recording head 18 and the platen 21. The second sheet guide 43 is lifted when the leading edge of the passbook 100 recorded by the recording head 18 is conveyed from the recording head 18 toward the manual feed slot 15. It is a guide for guiding the tip downward and smoothly discharging it from the manual feed port 15.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, two sensors of an insertion detection sensor 51 and an end detection sensor 52 as detection means are arranged on the conveyance path A of the bankbook 100.
Both of these two sensors have a function of detecting the presence or absence of the bankbook 100 in the transport path A. Specific configurations of these two sensors include, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) (not shown) embedded above the transport path A and a light receiving element embedded below the transport path A so as to face the LED. (A phototransistor, a photodiode, or the like) and a device that detects the presence or absence of the bankbook 100 based on whether or not light from an LED is received by a light receiving element.

The insertion detection sensor 51 is installed between the manual insertion slot 15 and the alignment plate 54, preferably on the side close to the manual insertion slot 15, and the end detection sensor 52 is installed between the insertion detection sensor 51 and the alignment plate 54. RU The insertion detection sensor 51 and the end detection sensor 52 detect the presence / absence of the bankbook 100 at the installation position on the transport path A.
Here, the distance between the position where the end detection sensor 52 detects the presence / absence of the bankbook 100 and the position where the recording wire 18A of the recording head 18 protrudes is indicated by the symbol D. In addition, an area indicated by reference sign D in the transport path A of the bankbook 100, that is, an area between the recording head 18 and the end detection sensor 52 is referred to as a termination area.

The bankbook 100 inserted from the manual feed slot 15 (FIG. 1) is transported toward the back of the printer body 11 by the first transport mechanism 24 and passes through the installation positions of the insertion detection sensor 51 and the end detection sensor 52. Thereafter, the bankbook 100 passes through the position of the alignment plate 54, passes under the first sheet guide 42 and the second sheet guide 43, reaches between the recording head 18 and the platen 21, and an image is recorded.
When the banknote 100 is no longer detected by the end detection sensor 52 during recording on the bankbook 100, that is, when the bankbook 100 is transported, the end of the bankbook 100 is positioned at the end of the recording head 18 rather than the edge detection sensor 52. When moved to the side, the remaining area in which an image can be recorded by the recording head 18 is equal to the end area corresponding to the portion indicated by the symbol D in the figure. Accordingly, in the operation described later, the dot impact printer 10 records an image on the passbook 100 based on whether the end detection sensor 52 detects the end of the passbook 100 and the size of the end area, that is, the distance D. Determine if you can.

  The dot impact printer 10 also controls the drive of the first and second sheet transport mechanisms 24 and 27, the travel control of the carriage 19, the control of the recording operation by the recording wire 18A of the recording head 18, and the magnetic data reading unit 29. As a control unit for controlling the entire printer 10 such as read / write control, for example, a control board unit 50 is provided below the back side of the printer main body 11.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the dot impact printer 10. For convenience of understanding, FIG. 5 shows the host computer 80 existing outside the dot impact printer 10 together with the components of the dot impact printer 10.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control board unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 as a control unit that controls each part of the control board unit 50, and a RAM (temporarily storing programs and data executed by the CPU 61. A random access memory (Random Access Memory) 62 and a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 63 as storage means for storing a control program executed by the CPU 61 are provided. These units are connected to each other via a bus 68. In addition, a character generator (CG) 64 for generating characters to be recorded by the recording head 18 is connected to the bus 68, and the recording head 18, the carriage drive motor 35, the transport motor 36, the alignment motor 37 and the magnetic field. A driver circuit 66 is connected to various stepping motors including the motor 38, and supplies power and pulse signals to these stepping motors.

Further, the insertion detection sensor 51 and the end detection sensor 52 are connected to the bus 68 via a gate array (G / A) 65. The CPU 61 controls the recording head 18 and the driver circuit 66 based on the control program stored in the flash ROM 63 and acquires the detection results of the insertion detection sensor 51 and the end detection sensor 52 via the gate array 65. Specifically, the output voltages of the insertion detection sensor 51 and the end detection sensor 52 are sampled via a gate array 65 at a predetermined period (for example, 100 [ms]) and A / D converted, thereby outputting these output voltages. Get the data indicating.
Further, an interface circuit (I / F) 67 having a connector conforming to various standards such as a serial interface, a parallel interface, a USB interface, and a network card interface is connected to the bus 68. A host computer 80 external to the dot impact printer 10 is connected to the I / F 67. The host computer 80 is for recording an image by the dot impact printer 10 by transmitting / receiving various control information and data to / from the dot impact printer 10. For example, the host computer 80 instructs conveyance of the passbook 100 and execution of recording. Control information (command) to be recorded, image data to be recorded, or the like is transmitted to the dot impact printer 10. A computer system is configured by connecting the dot impact printer 10 to the host computer 80.
Of the above components, the CPU 61, RAM 62, flash ROM 63, CG 64, gate array 65, driver circuit 66, and I / F 67 are mounted on the control board 50 and formed on the control board 50. Although it is connected to the bus 68, its specific mounting form or the like is arbitrary.

Next, an outline of the operation of the printer 10 will be described.
When the bankbook 100 is inserted from the manual feed slot 15, first, the bankbook 100 is detected by the insertion detection sensor 51. Next, the alignment plate 54 protrudes into the transport path A, and the bankbook 100 is sandwiched between the first transport roller 22 and the second transport roller 23 of the first transport mechanism 24 and transported to the front of the platen 21. Here, in order to correct the inclination of the bankbook 100 in the transport direction, the bankbook 100 is transported by the first transport roller 22 and the second transport roller 23 in a state where the alignment plate 54 projects into the transport path A, and hits the alignment plate 54. By being applied, it is aligned along the alignment plate 54. Next, the bankbook 100 is transported by the first transport mechanism 24 to a reading position where the magnetic data reading unit 29 can read the magnetic stripe 101 of the bankbook 100.

Subsequently, the magnetic data reading unit 29 reads and writes information on the magnetic stripe 101 of the bankbook 100, and then the bankbook 100 is recorded on the platen 21 by the first and second sheet transport mechanism units 24 and 27. And an image such as a character is recorded by the recording head 18.
The recording operation by the recording head 18 is performed by recording one line by the recording wire 18A while the recording head 18 travels leftward or rightward in the main scanning direction. The first conveying roller 22, the second conveying roller 23, the third conveying roller 25, and the fourth conveying roller 26 convey the bankbook 100 for a predetermined length (for example, between lines), and these operations are repeated.
After recording by the recording head 18, the passbook 100 is transported to the reading position by the first and second sheet transport mechanisms 24 and 27, and based on the information recorded in the passbook 100, the magnetic data reader / writer 29 reads the magnetic stripe 101. Magnetic information is written in Next, the passbook 100 is transported forward by the first transport mechanism 24, and the passbook 100 is discharged from the manual feed slot 15.

During execution of this recording operation, the CPU 61 provided in the control board unit 50 of the dot impact printer 10 acquires the detection state in the end detection sensor 52 via the gate array 65, and the end detection sensor 52 detects the end of the passbook 100. In such a case, an area where recording can be performed by the end of the passbook 100 is calculated as needed.
More specifically, the remaining area in which an image can be recorded by the recording head 18 at the time when the end of the passbook 100 passes the end detection sensor 52 during execution of the recording to the passbook 100 is indicated by a symbol D in FIG. Only the termination area. Here, the CPU 61 causes the RAM 62 to store information indicating that the portion of the bankbook 100 immediately below the recording head 18, that is, the current position has entered the terminal area. Further, the CPU 61 stores the size of the area that can be recorded before the end of the passbook 100 in the RAM 62 as the remaining end area.
This remaining terminal area is equal to the distance indicated by the symbol D in FIG. 4 while the current position is outside the terminal area, that is, while the banknote 100 is detected by the end detection sensor 52. In addition, after the current position is in the terminal area, that is, after the banknote 100 is no longer detected by the edge detection sensor 52, the transport amount after the bankbook 100 is no longer detected is subtracted from the distance D. Distance.
Then, the CPU 61 carries the bankbook 100 according to the control information transmitted from the host computer 80 based on the information indicating the size of the remaining terminal area stored in the RAM 62.

The case where the dot impact printer 10 configured as described above operates according to the control of the host computer 80 will be described below.
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the computer system including the host computer 80 and the dot impact printer 10.
First, the host computer 80 transmits a command for instructing to carry the bankbook 100 and information for designating the carry amount to the dot impact printer 10 (step S11). Subsequently, the host computer 80 transmits a status information transmission request to the dot impact printer 10 (step S22). This status information transmission request is a command for requesting the dot impact printer 10 to transmit status information. Here, the status information is information indicating the state of the dot impact printer 10, and particularly indicates information indicating whether or not the dot impact printer 10 is in a state where it can carry as instructed by a command.

The dot impact printer 10 receives a command transmitted from the host computer 80 (step S21), and further receives a status information transmission request (step S22).
Then, the dot impact printer 10 determines whether the bankbook 100 can be transported according to the received command, transmits status information based on the determination result, and executes transport if the bankbook 100 can be transported (step S23). ). Here, the status information transmitted by the dot impact printer 10 takes a value of “normal” if the passbook 100 can be transported as instructed, and “error” if the instructed transport cannot be performed.

The host computer 80 receives the status information transmitted from the dot impact printer 10 (step S13), determines the status information (step S14), and ends the process if the status information is “error”. Perform the action corresponding to the error.
If the status information transmitted from the dot impact printer 10 is “normal”, the host computer 80 transmits to the dot impact printer 10 data to be recorded in the passbook 100 after transfer and a command to instruct recording. (Step S15), the process proceeds to processing for generating data to be recorded next (step S16).
When the dot impact printer 10 receives the data transmitted from the host computer 80 and the command for instructing recording (step S24), the dot impact printer 10 records an image on the passbook 100 based on the received data (step S25). The process shifts to a standby state for receiving a command or the like (step S26).

The processes in steps S11 to S16 and steps S21 to S26 in FIG. 6 may be executed, for example, every time recording for one line is performed, or several lines are recorded together in one process. You may do it.
In the process of step S23 described above, the dot impact printer 10 determines whether or not conveyance is possible and transmits status information. If the dot impact printer 10 is capable of conveyance, the dot impact printer 10 executes conveyance. There is no need to wait for the transfer in For this reason, data and commands to be recorded can be quickly transmitted from the host computer 80, and the dot impact printer 10 can perform recording immediately after receiving the data and commands transmitted from the host computer 80. There is an advantage that throughput can be improved.
Hereinafter, the process executed by the dot impact printer 10 in step S23 will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the dot impact printer 10, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the carrying time determination processing shown in step S51 of FIG.
The processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is realized by the CPU 61 of the control board 50 provided in the dot impact printer 10 reading out and executing the control program stored in the flash ROM 63.

The CPU 61 first calculates the carry amount instructed from the host computer 80 (step S41), and then determines whether or not the current recording position is the end region (step S42). Here, the current recording position refers to a portion of the bankbook 100 that is located immediately below the recording head 18.
Here, when the current recording position is in the termination area (step S42; Yes), the CPU 61 determines the termination of the passbook 100 from the transport amount calculated in step S41 and the remaining termination area, that is, the position immediately below the recording head 18. Is compared with the size of the region up to (step S43).

  If the transport amount calculated in step S41 is greater than or equal to the remaining end area stored in the RAM 62, the CPU 61 will exceed the end of the passbook 100 if transported by the specified transport amount. "Error" (step S44), and status information is transmitted to the host computer 80 (step S45). On the other hand, when the carry amount is smaller than the remaining end region (step S43; No), the CPU 61 subtracts the carry amount from the remaining end region stored in the RAM 62 to obtain a new remaining end region (step S46), and the status is changed. As “normal” (step S47), status information is transmitted to the host computer 80 (step S48). Further, the CPU 61 controls the driver circuit 66 to operate the transport motor 36 and transport the bankbook 100 by the transport amount calculated in step S41 (step S49).

If the current position is not the remaining terminal area (step S42), the CPU 61 compares the transport amount calculated in step S41 with the remaining terminal area (step S50).
If the transport amount is smaller than the remaining terminal area, the CPU 61 proceeds to step S47 described above, sets the status information to “normal”, and further transmits the status information.
On the other hand, when the carry amount is equal to or more than the remaining terminal area, that is, when the carry amount exceeds the distance indicated by the symbol D in FIG. 4, the CPU 61 carries the carry amount by the designated carry amount while carrying the bankbook 100. A conveyance time determination process is performed to determine whether or not it is possible (step S51).
The carrying time determination process in step S51 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In the determination process at the time of conveyance shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 61 first sets a parameter N (positive integer), and sets a value obtained by converting the conveyance amount calculated in step S41 of FIG. (Step S61).
Subsequently, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the current position is in the termination area (step S62). If the current position is outside the termination area, has the end detection sensor 52 detected the termination of the bankbook 100? It is determined whether or not (step S63).
Here, if the end of the bankbook 100 is not detected, the CPU 61 drives and controls the driver circuit 66 to operate the transport motor 36 and transport the bankbook 100 by one step (step S64). This one step is, for example, an operation amount of the minimum unit of the transport motor 36 configured as a stepping motor. Then, the CPU 61 subtracts 1 from the parameter N (step S65), and determines whether the parameter N has become 0 (zero) (step S66). If the parameter N becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S76 described later. If the parameter N is not 0, the process returns to step S63.

  When the end of the passbook 100 is detected by the end detection sensor 52 due to the transfer of the passbook 100 in the operations of steps S64 to S65 (step S63; Yes), the CPU 61 stores the remaining end area stored in the RAM 62. Is set to the size of the termination area (reference symbol D in FIG. 4) (step S67), and information indicating that the current position is in the termination area is stored in the RAM 62 (step S68), and the process returns to step S62.

If the current position is in the terminal area in step S62, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the remaining terminal area stored in the RAM 62 is 0 (zero) (step S69). If the remaining terminal area is not 0 (step S69; No), the CPU 61 drives and controls the driver circuit 66 to rotate the transport motor 36 and transport the bankbook 100 by one step (step S70). Subsequently, the CPU 61 subtracts the remaining terminal area stored in the RAM 62 by the amount conveyed (step S71), and proceeds to step S74 described later. Here, when the remaining terminal area is determined in accordance with the number of operation steps of the conveyance motor 36, the CPU 61 may subtract the number of steps (one step) conveyed from the remaining terminal area.
If the remaining terminal area is 0, the “no medium flag” indicating that there is no recordable area in the passbook 100 is set to “1” and stored in the RAM 62 (step S70). 1 is set (step S73), and the process proceeds to step S74.

In step S74, the CPU 61 subtracts 1 from the parameter N and updates it. Subsequently, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the parameter N is 0 (step S75). Here, if the parameter N is not 0, the CPU 61 returns to step S69 and keeps the bankbook 100 by one step until the remaining terminal area becomes 0 or until the parameter N set in step S61 becomes 0. Process to carry.
When the parameter N is 0 (step S75; Yes), the CPU 61 determines whether or not the “no medium flag” is stored in the flash ROM 63 and the value is “1” (step S76). If the “no medium flag” is “1”, the CPU 61 sets the status to “error” because the number of transport steps set in the parameter N in step S61 could not be performed (step S77). The status information is transmitted to the host computer 80 (step S78), and this process is terminated. Here, in the dot impact printer 10, the passbook 100 has already been conveyed, but since the status is an error, recording is not performed on the current page, and page feed etc. is instructed from the host computer 80. As such, there are no practical problems.

  On the other hand, if the value of the “no medium flag” is not “1” (step S76; No), the CPU 61 can transfer the number of steps set in the parameter N in step S61, so the CPU 61 displays the status. As “normal” (step S79), status information is transmitted to the host computer 80 (step S80), and this process is terminated.

7 and 8, when the dot impact printer 10 is instructed to convey the bankbook 100 from the host computer 80, the distance between the end detection sensor 52 and the recording head 18 (in FIG. 4). Based on the symbol D), it can be quickly determined whether or not the designated amount can be conveyed.
If the designated amount can be transported, the passbook 100 is transported after the status information is transmitted to the host computer 80. Thus, while the dot impact printer 10 is transporting the bankbook 100, the host computer 80 can receive the status information and perform processing such as development of data to be recorded. Each of the host computers 80 can reduce the time for waiting for information transmission from the other party. For this reason, the passbook 100 can be transported and recorded efficiently, and throughput can be improved.
Further, when the amount of conveyance instructed by the host computer 80 cannot be performed, the dot impact printer 10 promptly transmits status information, so the host computer 80 instructs the dot impact printer 10 to page feed the passbook 100. There is an advantage that subsequent processing such as instructing the discharge of the bankbook 100 can be performed quickly, and this advantage can sufficiently contribute to the improvement of the throughput.
Further, when it is difficult to determine whether or not the amount instructed by the host computer 80 can be transported, the dot impact printer 10 can perform the determination while actually transporting the bankbook 100 step by step. As a result, the determination can be made promptly, and if the designated amount can be transported, the recording operation can be performed promptly thereafter. For this reason, it is possible to improve the throughput by quickly determining whether or not the conveyance is possible and eliminating waste of waiting time.

Specifically, when the bankbook 100 is detected by the end detection sensor 52 and the transport amount instructed from the host computer 80 is smaller than the terminal area, the CPU 61 determines that the transport is possible. In this case, it is possible to promptly determine whether or not conveyance is possible. Further, the CPU 61 stores the amount of the passbook 100 that can be transported to just below the recording head 18 in the RAM 62 as the remaining termination area, and after the passbook 100 is no longer detected by the end detection sensor 52, it is based on the subsequent transport amount. To update the remaining termination area. Thus, since the size of the passbook 100 that can be transported is stored in advance, it can be quickly and accurately determined whether or not the amount instructed by the host computer 80 can be transported.
Further, the CPU 61 stops detecting the passbook 100 by the end detection sensor 52 when the end detection sensor 52 detects the passbook 100 and the host computer 80 instructs the transport amount exceeding the size of the terminal area. The passbook 100 is conveyed step by step. Thereby, even if it is difficult to determine whether or not the amount of conveyance instructed by the host computer 80 is possible, it can be appropriately determined whether or not the bankbook 100 can be conveyed.

In the process shown in steps S43 and S50 of FIG. 7 described above, the CPU 61 has been described as determining whether or not the carry amount is greater than or equal to the remaining terminal area, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined whether or not the carry amount exceeds the remaining terminal area. Further, in steps S64 and S70 of FIG. 8, the CPU 61 has been described as rotating the transport motor 36 step by step, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, two steps or more steps. You may operate them one by one.
Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the end detection sensor 52 is provided closer to the manual feed opening 15 than the alignment plate 54 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the end detection sensor 52 is provided. May be provided closer to the recording head 18 than the alignment plate 54. However, the configuration exemplified in the above embodiment has an advantage that the alignment state can be detected by the end detection sensor 52 when the bankbook 100 is brought into contact with the alignment plate 54 and aligned.

  In the above embodiment, the dot impact printer 10 is connected to the host computer 80. However, the number of the host computers 80 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of host computers 80 are connected to the dot impact printer 10. Is possible. In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the dot impact printer 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a thermal printer using a thermal sheet, and a thermal transfer type. The present invention can be applied to various recording devices (printers) such as printers, and can also be applied to recording devices incorporated in other devices (such as copying machines). In addition, it is needless to say that other detailed configurations in the above embodiment can be arbitrarily changed.

1 is an external perspective view of a dot impact printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the printer main body of a dot impact printer. It is a sectional side view of a dot impact printer. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a main part of a dot impact printer. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a control board part. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of a computer system. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a dot impact printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a dot impact printer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Dot impact printer (printing apparatus), 11 ... Printer main body, 15 ... Manual feed port, 18 ... Recording head, 19 ... Carriage, 20 ... Recording mechanism part, 21 ... Platen, 22 ... 1st conveyance roller, 23 ... 1st 2 transport rollers, 24: first transport mechanism (transport mechanism), 25: third transport roller, 26: fourth transport roller, 27: second transport mechanism, 35: carriage drive motor, 36: transport motor, 37 ... Alignment motor, 38 ... Magnetic motor, 50 ... Control board, 51 ... Insertion detection sensor, 52 ... End detection sensor (detection means), 61 ... CPU (control means), 62 ... RAM, 63 ... Flash ROM (memory) Means), 64... CG, 65... Gate array, 66... Driver circuit, 67... I / F, 80.

Claims (7)

A conveyance mechanism unit that conveys a recording medium and a recording mechanism unit that records an image on the recording medium, and performs conveyance by the conveyance mechanism unit and recording by the recording mechanism unit based on an instruction transmitted from a host computer. In the recording device,
On the conveying path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism section, a detecting means for detecting the recording medium,
Prior to execution of recording on the recording medium by the host computer, a command for instructing execution of conveyance of the recording medium, information for specifying the amount of conveyance of the recording medium, and a command for requesting transmission of status information When these commands are transmitted, whether or not the designated amount can be conveyed based on the detection state of the detection unit and the distance between the detection unit and the recording mechanism unit. Control means for determining whether or not ,
The control means includes
If possible transport, said by the transport mechanism to notify by sending the status information indicating a normal to the host computer prior to transporting the recording medium, then performs the transfer by the transfer mechanism, by the host computer Received data to be recorded on the recording medium to be transmitted and a command for instructing recording execution, and after executing recording based on the data, shift to a standby state,
If transport is not possible , sending status information indicating an error to the host computer and informing it ,
A recording apparatus.   In the state where the recording medium is detected by the detection means, the control means, when the amount instructed by the host computer is smaller than the distance between the recording mechanism unit and the detection means, The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the designated amount can be conveyed. A storage unit that stores an amount obtained by subtracting a conveyance amount from a time when the recording medium is no longer detected by the detection unit from a distance between the recording mechanism unit and the detection unit as a remaining conveyance amount;
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether or not conveyance is possible by comparing an amount instructed by the host computer and a conveyance amount stored in the storage unit. 2. The recording device according to 2.   In a state where the recording medium is detected by the detection unit, the control unit is configured such that when the amount instructed by the host computer exceeds the distance between the recording mechanism unit and the detection unit, The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination is performed by conveying the recording medium by the conveying mechanism until the recording medium is no longer detected by the detecting unit. A conveyance mechanism unit that conveys a recording medium and a recording mechanism unit that records an image on the recording medium, and performs conveyance by the conveyance mechanism unit and recording by the recording mechanism unit based on an instruction transmitted from a host computer. A control method for a recording apparatus, comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect the recording medium on a conveyance path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism unit,
Prior to execution of recording on the recording medium by the host computer, a command for instructing execution of conveyance of the recording medium, information for specifying the amount of conveyance of the recording medium, and a command for requesting transmission of status information When these commands are transmitted, whether or not the designated amount can be conveyed based on the detection state of the detection unit and the distance between the detection unit and the recording mechanism unit. Determine whether
If possible transport, said by the transport mechanism to notify by sending the status information indicating a normal to the host computer prior to transporting the recording medium, then performs the transfer by the transfer mechanism, by the host computer Received data to be recorded on the recording medium to be transmitted and a command for instructing recording execution, and after executing recording based on the data, shift to a standby state,
If transport is not possible, notify the host computer of an error;
A control method for a recording apparatus. A conveyance mechanism unit that conveys a recording medium and a recording mechanism unit that records an image on the recording medium, and performs conveyance by the conveyance mechanism unit and recording by the recording mechanism unit based on an instruction transmitted from a host computer. A computer for controlling a recording apparatus having a configuration and provided with detection means for detecting the recording medium on a conveyance path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism section;
Prior to execution of recording on the recording medium by the host computer, a command for instructing execution of conveyance of the recording medium, information for specifying the amount of conveyance of the recording medium, and a command for requesting transmission of status information When these commands are transmitted, whether or not the designated amount can be conveyed based on the detection state of the detection unit and the distance between the detection unit and the recording mechanism unit. Determine whether
If possible transport, said by the transport mechanism to notify by sending the status information indicating a normal to the host computer prior to transporting the recording medium, then performs the transfer by the transfer mechanism, by the host computer Means for receiving the data to be recorded on the recording medium to be transmitted and a command for instructing recording, executing recording based on the data, and then shifting to a standby state;
If the transport is not possible, it means for informing an error to the host computer,
Control program to function as. In a computer system in which a host computer is connected to a recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and records an image on the recording medium based on an instruction transmitted from the host computer.
The recording device comprises:
A transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium;
A recording mechanism for recording an image on the recording medium;
A detecting unit disposed on a conveyance path of the recording medium toward the recording mechanism unit and detecting the recording medium;
Control means for executing conveyance by the conveyance mechanism unit and recording by the recording mechanism unit based on an instruction transmitted from the host computer,
The control means includes
Prior to execution of recording on the recording medium by the host computer, a command for instructing execution of conveyance of the recording medium, information for specifying the amount of conveyance of the recording medium, and a command for requesting transmission of status information When these commands are transmitted, whether or not the designated amount can be conveyed based on the detection state of the detection unit and the distance between the detection unit and the recording mechanism unit. Determine whether
If possible transport, said by the transport mechanism to notify by sending the status information indicating a normal to the host computer prior to transporting the recording medium, then performs the transfer by the transfer mechanism, by the host computer Receiving the data to be recorded on the transmitted recording medium and a command for instructing recording, executing recording based on the data, and then transitioning to a standby state,
If the transport is not possible, and informs an error to the host computer,
The host computer
Prior to execution of recording on the recording medium of the recording apparatus, a command for instructing execution of conveyance of the recording medium, information for specifying an amount to convey the recording medium, and a command for requesting transmission of status information Sent to the recording device,
When status information indicating normality is received from the recording device, data to be recorded on the recording medium and a command for instructing recording are transmitted to the recording device to create data for next recording Transition to processing ,
A computer system characterized by the above.

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