JP5146175B2 - Printer printing position control method and printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing on a recording sheet such as a label sheet supplied from one of a plurality of paper feed paths, and more particularly, recording by variation in the print reference position of each paper feed path due to individual differences. The present invention relates to a printing position control method for a printer and a printer that can prevent printing out due to printing misalignment in the paper width direction and erroneous setting of the printing width.

In a printer that prints on label paper, the paper width sensor detects the paper width of the label paper mount or label part on the transport path that transports the label paper, and controls each part of the printer based on the detection results. Printing. Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus in which an image sensor head and a reflective member are formed wider than a label width and arranged above and below the label. Various labels having different widths can be detected by detecting the reflected light that has been reflected and returned from the label by each optical element of the image sensor head.

On the other hand, there is known a printer that can perform printing by selectively using different types of recording paper such as roll paper and fanfold paper. In Patent Document 2, one of a recording paper fed out from a roll paper and a fanfold paper can be inserted from a paper insertion port formed in the paper conveyance path, and conveyed along the paper conveyance path for printing. The printer is listed.
JP 2007-216515 A JP 2000-296952 A

In a printer that prints on different types of recording paper, a different paper feed path is provided to print on different types of recording paper, and the recording paper fed from, for example, roll paper is supplied along one paper feed path, It is conceivable to supply, for example, fanfold paper along the other paper feed path. In this case, a roll paper guide for defining a paper feed path for supplying recording paper from the roll paper and a recording paper guide for defining a paper feed path for supplying fanfold paper are separately arranged. If there is a deviation between the print reference positions defined by these guides, a deviation occurs in the position in the width direction of the recording paper supplied to the print position. As a result, for example, even if printing can be performed without causing a deviation in the width direction with respect to the recording paper supplied from one paper feeding path, the recording paper supplied from the other paper feeding path is printed. There is a problem that the position shifts in the width direction and the print position shifts in the width direction. Such misalignment of the print reference position is caused by individual differences among the printers and is difficult to adjust.

Here, if the print reference position is the center reference set at the center in the recording paper width direction, slide the left and right guides according to the width of the recording paper to define the setting position of the recording paper of each size. Yes. On the other hand, when the one-side reference having one end in the width direction as the printing reference position is adopted, the reference-side guide is generally a fixed guide, and the other guide is slid according to the recording paper width to be set. ing. Accordingly, when the center reference for sliding both guides is employed, a shift in the recording paper width direction is particularly likely to occur.

On the other hand, when there is a discrepancy between the designation of the recording paper width of the print data supplied from a host computer or the like and the actual recording paper width set in the printer, a printing defect occurs. In particular, when a width larger than the actually set recording paper width is specified as an error in specifying the recording paper width of the print data, printing is performed on a portion other than the recording paper, for example, a platen at the printing position. End up. In the case of a label sheet, printing is performed on the mount on which the label is attached. When printing is performed on the platen, the subsequent recording paper may be smudged. When printing on the mount, since the surface of the mount is coated with a release agent and the ink is not fixed, there is a risk of contaminating the site on the printer discharge side, the operator's hand, and clothing.

In view of these points, the present invention has an object of printing standards for each paper feed path due to individual differences in printing on recording paper such as label paper supplied from one of a plurality of paper feed paths. It is an object of the present invention to propose a printing control method for a printer that can prevent printing misalignment in the recording paper width direction caused by position variations.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a printing control method for a printer that prevents the printing paper supplied from each paper feed path from being overprinted on a platen, a mount or the like.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
Printing of a printer that supplies recording paper from one of the first paper feeding path and the second paper feeding path to a printing position and prints on the recording paper while moving the print head in the width direction of the recording paper at the printing position A position control method,
The first position correction value for correcting the print reference position in the recording sheet width direction by the print head when the recording sheet is conveyed from the first sheet feeding path, and the recording sheet is conveyed from the second sheet feeding path. And storing a second position correction value for correcting the print reference position in the case of
When recording paper is supplied from the first paper feed path, the first position correction value is read and the print reference position is corrected based on the first position correction value.
When recording paper is supplied from the second paper feed path, the second position correction value is read and the print reference position is corrected based on the first position correction value.

In the printer printing position control method of the present invention, for example, a correction value for the printing reference position is obtained by actual measurement and stored. In this case, printing is performed by the print head on the recording paper supplied from each paper feed path to the printing position with reference to the printing reference position set by driving the actual printer before shipping the printer, If there is a print misalignment in the width direction, the first and second position correction values may be calculated and stored so that the print misalignment can be eliminated. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent printing misalignment in the width direction for each paper feed path due to individual differences between printers, and appropriate printing can be performed when recording paper is supplied using any paper feed path. it can.

Here, according to the printing position control method of the printer of the present invention, when the power is turned on, the recording paper is supplied from the first paper supply path and the recording paper is supplied from the second paper supply path. It is determined which of the supplied second sheet feeding modes is set, and the position correction value corresponding to the determined sheet feeding mode is stored among the first and second position correction values stored and held. At the time of reading and printing by the print head, it is desirable to calculate the corrected printing reference position by correcting the printing reference position using the read position correction value. For example, first, second
The position correction values are stored in nonvolatile memory and read out when the power is turned on.
What is necessary is just to hold | maintain and use in the temporary storage memory for work.

Next, the printing position control method of the printer of the present invention includes:
Detecting a paper width of the recording paper supplied to the printing position using a paper width sensor;
When the print width based on the print data is wider than the paper width, a mask process is performed so that a data portion printed out of the paper width in the print data is not printed.

For example, even if there is an error in the recording paper width specification included in the print data and the print data print width is wider than the set recording paper width, printing is performed at a position deviated in the width direction of the recording paper. Never done. Therefore, the ink does not adhere to the platen for guiding the recording paper at the printing position and is not stained. In addition, when printing on label paper, portions other than the label, for example, the mount, do not get stained with ink.

Here, in the mask process, it is preferable to compare a paper width narrower than the detected paper width with a print width based on the print data in consideration of a detection error by the paper width sensor.

The mask process can be performed as follows. First, the first paper edge position and the other second paper edge position of the recording paper are detected by the paper width sensor. Next, in the mask process, a first inner end position and a second inner end position that are moved by a first dimension inward in the recording paper width direction with respect to the first paper end position and the second paper end position are calculated. When one first print end position in the recording paper width direction defining the print width of the print data is outside the first inner end position, the first dimension is larger than the first dimension from the first paper end position. A position moved inward in the recording paper width direction by the second dimension is calculated, and a portion of print data printed in a range from the position to the first print end position is masked so as not to be printed. Similarly, when the other second print end position in the recording paper width direction defining the print width of the print data is outside the second inner end position, the second print end position is changed from the second paper end position to the second paper end position. The position moved to the inside in the recording paper width direction by the dimension is calculated, and the portion of the print data printed in the range from the position to the second print end position is
Mask from printing.

In this way, when the print width of the print data is wider than the detected recording paper width and the print data is printed outside the print paper, the mask is applied so that the portion that is printed out is not printed. . Further, at this time, the printing is masked from the end of the recording paper to the position inside the second dimension, so that the overprinting can be surely avoided. For example, by setting the second dimension to a value larger than the dimension between the end of the label in the label paper to be used and the end of the label, printing is performed on the end of the mount that is off the label. Can be surely prevented.

Next, the recording paper supplied from the first paper feed path can be a recording paper fed out from a roll paper, and the recording paper supplied from the second paper feed path can be a fanfold paper. .

In this case, recording paper fed out from the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit with an open / close cover is supplied to the first paper supply path, and a fan inserted from the manual feed port to the second paper supply path. It can be configured to supply fold paper. When this configuration is adopted, the paper width detection of the recording paper by the paper width sensor is performed at least when the opening / closing cover is detected to be closed when the power is turned on, and the fanfold paper is inserted into the manual feed slot. It may be performed at any time point when it has been detected. This is because there is a high possibility that the recording paper is exchanged in the stage before these events occur.

  Further, the present invention can be applied as follows.
(Application example 1)
  Printing of a printer that can be connected to a host device, has at least a first paper feed path, supplies recording paper through the first paper feed path, and prints on the recording paper while moving a print head in the width direction of the recording paper A position control method,
  Storing a first position correction value for correcting a print reference position of the print head in the recording sheet width direction with respect to the recording sheet supplied by the first sheet feeding path;
  Reading out the first position correction value and correcting the print reference position as a corrected print reference position;
  When print data is received from the host device, the first print end position which is one end in the recording paper width direction of the print width when printing the print data and the other based on the print data and the corrected print reference position 2nd printing edge position which is the edge of
  Using a paper width detector, a first paper end position that is one end of the recording paper supplied by the first paper feed path and a second paper end position that is the other end are detected based on the home position. And
  Calculating a first inner edge position and a second inner edge position which are moved by a first dimension toward the center side in the recording paper width direction of the recording paper with respect to the first paper edge position and the second paper edge position;
  When the first printing end position is outside the first inner end position in the recording sheet width direction, the recording sheet width direction of the recording sheet is larger by the second dimension than the first dimension from the first sheet end position. Calculating the position moved toward the center of the image, masking the portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the first print end position so as not to print,
  When the second print end position is outside the second inner end position in the recording paper width direction, the second print end position is directed from the second paper end position to the center side of the recording paper in the recording paper width direction by the second dimension. A printing position control method for a printer, wherein the position of the print data is calculated, and a portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the second printing end position is masked so as not to be printed .
(Application example 2)
  The printer includes a second paper feed path,
  Storing a second position correction value for correcting the print reference position of the print head in the recording paper width direction with respect to the recording paper supplied by the second paper feed path;
  Either a first paper supply mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the first paper supply path or a second paper supply mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the second paper supply path when the power is turned on is set. To determine whether
  When print data is received from the host device, a position correction value corresponding to the determined paper feed mode is read out of the stored first position correction value and second position correction value, and the print reference position is set as the print reference position. The above-described printer printing position control method, wherein the correction printing reference position is corrected.
(Application example 3)
  In the mask processing, the printing position control method for a printer described above, wherein the paper width is narrower than the detected paper width based on a detection error by the paper width detector.
(Application example 4)
  The above-mentioned printer is characterized in that the recording sheet has a label affixed to a mount, and the second dimension is larger than the dimension of the mount portion from the end of the mount to the end of the label. Print control method.
(Application example 5)
  Recording paper fed from roll paper stored in a roll paper storage unit with an open / close cover is supplied to the first paper supply path, and fanfold paper inserted from a manual feed port is supplied to the second paper supply path. It is supposed to
  The paper width detection of the recording paper by the paper width detector is at least either when the opening / closing cover is detected to be closed or when the fanfold paper is detected to be inserted into the manual feed slot. A method for controlling the printing position of the printer as described above.
(Application example 6)
  A printer that can be connected to a host device,
  A print head for printing on recording paper while moving in the recording paper width direction;
  A first paper feed path for feeding the recording paper;
  A paper width detector for detecting the paper width of the recording paper;
  A storage unit for storing a first position correction value for correcting a print reference position of the print head in the recording sheet width direction with respect to the recording sheet supplied by the first sheet feeding path;
  Control means for controlling a printing operation by the print head,
  The control means includes
  Reading out the first position correction value and correcting the print reference position as a corrected print reference position;
  When print data is received from the host device, the first print end position which is one end in the recording paper width direction of the print width when printing the print data and the other based on the print data and the corrected print reference position 2nd printing edge position which is the edge of
  Using the paper width detector, a first paper end position which is one end of the recording paper supplied by the first paper feed path and a second paper end position which is the other end of the recording paper supplied from the home position are used as a reference. Detect
  Calculating a first inner edge position and a second inner edge position which are moved by a first dimension toward the center side in the recording paper width direction of the recording paper with respect to the first paper edge position and the second paper edge position;
  When the first printing end position is outside the first inner end position in the recording sheet width direction, the recording sheet width direction of the recording sheet is larger by the second dimension than the first dimension from the first sheet end position. Calculating the position moved toward the center of the image, masking the portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the first print end position so as not to print,
  When the second print end position is outside the second inner end position in the recording paper width direction, the second print end position is directed from the second paper end position to the center side of the recording paper in the recording paper width direction by the second dimension. A printer that calculates the moved position and masks the portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the second print end position so as not to print.
(Application example 7)
  One of a second paper feeding path, a first paper feeding mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the first paper feeding path, and a second paper feeding mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the second paper feeding path. With setting means for setting,
  The storage unit stores a second position correction value for correcting a print reference position in a recording sheet width direction by the print head with respect to the recording sheet supplied by the second sheet feeding path.
  The control means includes
  When the power is turned on, the setting means determines which of the first paper feed mode and the second paper feed mode is set,
  When print data is received from the host device, a position correction value corresponding to the determined paper feed mode is read from the first position correction value and the second position correction value stored in the storage unit, and the print The printer described above, wherein a reference position is corrected to the corrected printing reference position.
(Application example 8)
  The control means includes
  In the masking process, the paper width is narrower than the detected paper width based on a detection error by the paper width detector.
(Application example 9)
  The above-mentioned printer, wherein the recording paper is a label affixed to a mount, and the second dimension is larger than the dimension of the mount portion from the end of the mount to the end of the label.
(Application example 10)
  A roll paper storage section with an open / close cover provided on the first paper feed path side;
  A cover detector for detecting opening and closing of the opening and closing cover;
  A manual feed opening provided on the second paper feed path side;
  An insertion detector that detects that the fanfold paper has been inserted into the manual feed port, and
  The recording paper supplied from the first paper feed path is a recording paper fed out from the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit,
  The recording paper supplied from the second paper feed path is the fanfold paper inserted from the manual feed port,
  The paper width detection of the recording paper by the paper width detector is performed at least when the cover detector detects that the opening / closing cover is closed, and the insertion detector inserts the fanfold paper into the manual feed port. The printer as described above, which is performed at any time when it is detected.

In the printer printing position control method of the present invention and the printer using the method, the correction value of the printing reference position is stored and held. For example, printing is performed by a print head on a recording sheet supplied from each paper feed path to a printing position based on a printing reference position set by driving an actual printer before shipping the printer, If there is a print misalignment, the first and second position correction values are calculated and stored so that the print misalignment can be eliminated. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent printing misalignment in the width direction for each paper feed path due to individual differences between printers, and appropriate printing can be performed even when recording paper is supplied using any paper feed path.

  Embodiments of a printer to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a state in which the opening / closing cover is fully opened. The printer 1 includes a printer main body 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and an opening / closing cover 3 attached to the front surface of the printer main body 2.
A recording paper discharge port 4 having a predetermined width is formed on the front surface of the outer case 2 a of the printer main body 2.
A paper discharge guide 5 protrudes forward below the recording paper discharge port 4, and an opening / closing lever 6 is disposed on the side of the paper discharge guide 5. A rectangular opening 2b for inserting and removing the roll paper is formed below the paper discharge guide 5 and the opening / closing lever 6 in the outer case 2a. The opening 2b is sealed by the opening / closing cover 3. The opening / closing cover 3 is opened and closed by an exterior case 2a.
It can be detected by an open / close sensor 2c arranged in the vicinity of the opening 2b.

When the open / close lever 6 is operated, the lock of the open / close cover 3 is released. When the paper discharge guide 5 is pulled forward, as shown in FIG. 2, the open / close cover 3 is opened until it is almost horizontal forward with the lower end as a center. When the opening / closing cover 3 is opened, the roll paper storage unit 7 formed inside the printer body 2 is opened. At the same time, the suction platen 8 for defining the printing position is provided with the opening / closing cover 3.
The space from the roll paper storage unit 7 to the recording paper discharge port 4 is opened and the roll paper 9 can be easily loaded from the front of the printer.

In addition, the printer 1 can use the fanfold paper 10, and the fanfold paper 10 is formed on the recording paper insertion slot 11 (
3), the printer is manually inserted into the printer body 2. In FIG. 2, the cover case 3a and the opening / closing lever 6 are omitted.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the printer 1. Inside the printer 1, a roll paper storage portion 7 is formed at the center in the width direction of the printer main body frame 12.
The roll paper 9 is stored in the roll paper storage unit 7 in a horizontally placed state facing the printer width direction. Behind the roll paper storage unit 7, a feed roller 13 for transporting the long recording paper 9 a fed from the roll paper 9 is disposed.

A head unit frame 14 is horizontally attached to the upper end of the printer main body frame 12 above the roll paper storage unit 7. The head unit frame 14 includes an inkjet head 15, a carriage 16 on which the inkjet head 15 is mounted, a carriage guide shaft 17 that guides the movement of the carriage 16 in the printer width direction, and a carriage 16.
A carriage transport mechanism including a carriage motor 18 and a timing belt 19 for reciprocally moving the motor along the carriage guide shaft 17 is disposed. The inkjet head 15 is mounted on the carriage 16 so that the ink nozzle surface 15a faces downward. An auto cutter 20 composed of a fixed blade and a movable blade is disposed at the front end position of the head unit frame 14.

A suction platen 8 extending horizontally in the printer width direction with a certain gap is disposed below the ink jet head 15. The suction platen 8 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of suction holes are formed in a predetermined region of the platen surface 8a. By sucking air from these suction holes by a suction mechanism (not shown), the recording paper 9a and the fanfold paper 10 can be conveyed while being sucked onto the platen surface 8a, whereby the platen gap can be kept constant.

On the rear side of the suction platen 8, a feed roller 21 is stretched horizontally in the printer width direction, and a paper pressing roller 22 having a predetermined width is pressed against the feed roller 21 with a predetermined pressing force. The feed roller 21 is driven by a paper feed motor 23 mounted on the printer main body frame 12. A front paper pressing roller 24 is disposed at the front end portion of the suction platen 8. The front-side paper pressing roller 24 prevents the recording paper 9a and the fanfold paper 10 from being lifted, and rotates together with the recording paper 9a and the fanfold paper 10 sent out to the recording paper discharge port 4.

A paper discharge guide 5 is attached to the front end of the suction platen 8. A gap between the printer main body frame 12 and the head unit frame 14 at the front end of the suction platen 8 has a certain width, and this gap serves as the recording paper discharge port 4.

A roll paper pressing lever 25 is attached to the lower side of the suction platen 8 so as to extend obliquely downward toward the rear. The roll paper pressing lever 25 is urged downward by a spring force, and the roll paper pressing roller 26 attached to the tip portion of the roll paper pressing lever 25 is pressed against the feeding roller 13 with a predetermined pressing force.

A tension guide 27 curved downward is attached to the rear end of the suction platen 8. The tension guide 27 is biased upward by a spring force, and a predetermined tension is applied to the recording paper 9 a by the tension guide 27.

A rear paper pressing roller 28 is disposed behind the tension guide 27. A recording paper insertion slot 11 for receiving the fanfold paper 10 from the back side of the printer main body 2 is formed at a portion of the printer main body frame 12 behind the rear paper pressing roller 28. A fanfold paper holder 30 having an introduction path 29 for guiding the fanfold paper 10 to the recording paper insertion slot 11 is provided outside the portion of the printer main body frame 12 where the recording paper insertion slot 11 is formed. Installed.

Here, the first paper feed path A for transporting the long recording paper 9 a fed out from the roll paper 9 stored in the roll paper storage unit 7 passes through the nip portion of the feed roller 13 and the tension guide 27. Thereafter, the ink jet head is pulled out upward and curved forward via the tension guide 27, and then, along the platen surface 8a via the nip position of the feed roller 21 and the paper pressing roller 22, the ink jet head. 15 extends horizontally through the printing position 15, the cutting position by the auto cutter 20, and the recording paper discharge port 4 in order. The position in the width direction of the recording paper 9a conveyed along the first paper feeding path A is defined by movable guides 7a and 7b (see FIG. 2) arranged on both sides of the roll paper storage unit 7. . That is, in this example, the left and right movable guides 7a, 7 are made to correspond to the width of the roll paper 9.
b is slid, and the position of the roll paper 9 and, therefore, the recording paper 9a fed out therefrom.
The position in the width direction is defined by the central reference.

The second paper feed path B for conveying the fanfold paper 10 inserted manually from the introduction path 29 is a nip portion between the recording paper insertion port 11 and the rear paper pressing roller 28, the feeding roller 21 and the paper pressing roller 22. , And after passing through the printing position by the inkjet head 15 along the platen surface 8a, the cutting position by the auto cutter 20 and the recording paper discharge port 4 are sequentially extended horizontally. Yes. The first paper feed path A and the second paper feed path B have a common path downstream from the nip portion of the feed roller 21 and the paper pressing roller 22. Positions in the width direction of the fanfold paper 10 conveyed along the second paper feed path A are movable guides 29 a and 29 that define both side walls of the introduction path 29.
defined by b. That is, the left and right movable guides 29a and 29b are slid in accordance with the width of the fanfold paper 10, and the position of the fanfold paper 10 in the width direction is
It is defined by the central standard.

Next, a paper insertion detector 31 for detecting the presence or absence of the fanfold paper 10 is disposed at the recording paper insertion slot 11. The paper insertion detector 31 includes a detection lever 31 a that protrudes into the fanfold paper conveyance path at the recording paper insertion port 11. When the detection lever 31a is pushed by the fanfold paper 10 inserted into the recording paper insertion slot 11, it is detected that the fanfold paper 10 has been inserted.

On the carriage 16 on which the inkjet head 15 is mounted, a paper width sensor 33 made of, for example, a reflective photosensor is mounted. The paper width sensor 33 moves the recording paper 9a or the fanfold paper 10 supplied to the printing position via the first paper feeding path A or the second paper feeding path B while moving in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper transport direction. Both end positions in the width direction (first paper end position, second paper end position) are detected.

(Control system)
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the printer 1. The control system of the printer 1 is CP
The control unit 40 includes a U, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 40 includes
Print data, commands, and the like are supplied from a host device such as the host device 42 via a transmission / reception unit (not shown). The control unit 40 performs a paper feeding operation for feeding out the roll paper 9 and the fanfold paper 10 based on a printing command from the host device 42 or the like, a printing operation for performing printing by reciprocating the inkjet head 15 in the paper width direction by the carriage 16, etc. To control.

The inkjet head 15 is connected to the output side of the control unit 40 via a head driver 43, and the carriage motor 18 and the paper feed motor 23 are connected via motor drivers 44 and 45. A sensor group such as the open / close sensor 2 c is connected to the input side of the control unit 40. An encoder sensor 46 and a paper width sensor 33 are connected. The encoder sensor 46 is for detecting the movement position of the carriage 16.

While moving the carriage 16 in the paper width direction, the paper width sensor 33 detects the paper width of the recording paper 9a or the fanfold paper 10 set in the first and second paper feed paths A and B. That is, by comparing the detection output of the paper width sensor 33 with a predetermined threshold value,
By detecting a change point of the reflectance that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and grasping the position of the detected change point of the reflectance based on the output of the encoder sensor 46, the recording paper 9a and the fanfold paper 10 are detected.
The first paper edge position P1 and the second paper edge position P2 on both sides in the width direction are detected. These first and second paper edge positions are calculated as distances from the home position in the paper width direction of the carriage 16, for example, and the paper width is calculated based on these values.

In addition, a central position in the paper width direction representing a reference printing position by the inkjet head 15 is set in the control unit 40 in advance, and based on the set central position C, a print start position and a print end position by the inkjet head 15 are set. Set to control printing.

Further, a storage unit 47 made of a nonvolatile memory is connected to the control unit 40. The storage unit 47 stores and holds a first position correction value C1 for correcting the center position of the recording paper 9a defined by the first paper feeding path A that conveys the recording paper 9a fed out from the roll paper 9. ing. In other words, the deviation amount between the paper width center position defined by the movable guides 7a and 7b and the set center position set in the control unit 40 is stored and held as the first position correction value C1. Similarly, the storage unit 47 stores and holds a second position correction value C2 for correcting the center position of the fanfold paper 10 defined by the second paper feed path B that conveys the fanfold paper 10. . In other words, the shift amount between the paper width center position and the set center position defined by the movable guides 29a and 29b is stored and held as the second position correction value C2.

These first and second position correction values C1 and C2 are printed by the inkjet head 15 by actually transporting the recording paper 9a and the fanfold paper 10 before the printer 1 is shipped. Is obtained by actually measuring the amount of deviation between the center of the sheet (set center position) and the center position of each paper width. Accordingly, this is a value reflecting the positional deviation in the paper width direction of the first and second paper feed paths A and B due to the individual difference of the printer 1.

Here, in the printer 1 of the present example, whether it is used as a roll paper printer that performs printing using the roll paper 9 or a printer that performs printing using the fanfold paper 10 at the stage before shipment is alternative. It is supposed to be set to. When used as a roll paper printer, the components constituting the introduction unit 29 for inserting the fanfold paper 10 are removed, and the control unit 40 is in the roll paper mode (first paper feed mode) M1. Is set. When used as a printer using the fanfold paper 10, the lock mechanism (not shown) that locks the open / close cover 3 of the roll paper storage unit 7 in the sealed state is set to be unusable, and the control unit 40 includes a fan. The fact that it is the fold paper mode (second paper feed mode) M2 is set.

(Print control operation)
The main part in the print control operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a processing operation in the power-on process of the printer 1. When the power is turned on, along with various known initialization processes, the control unit 40 checks whether the paper feed mode of the printer 1 is the roll paper mode M1 or the fanfold paper mode M2 (step S1). When the roll paper mode M1 is set, the first position correction value C1 stored and held in the storage unit 47 is read and held in the working storage area in the RAM (step S2). When the fanfold paper mode M2 is set, the second position correction value C2 stored and held in the storage unit 47 is read and held in the working storage area in the RAM (step S3).

Next, FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing a paper width detection process performed as an initialization process when the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the control unit 40 detects a preset event such as when the open / close sensor 3 detects that the open / close cover 3 is closed, or when the insertion of the fanfold paper 10 is detected by the paper insertion detector 31. Occurs (step S11),
The carriage 16 is driven to move from its home position to the other end (away position) in the paper width direction (step S12), and using the paper width sensor 33, the set recording paper (recording paper 9a, fanfold paper 10) is moved. ) Is detected (step S13).
Thus, the distances from the home position H to the first paper end position P1 on the home position side and the second paper end position P2 on the away position side of the loaded recording paper are calculated, and the paper width is calculated based on this. Calculate (step S14).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the print processing operation. The control unit 40 starts a print processing operation when print data is received from the host device 42 side. First, print start position calculation processing is performed (
Step S21), then, a masking process in the paper width direction is performed (Step S22).
The paper feeding operation and the printing operation are performed (step S23), and when the end of printing is detected (step S24), the printing process is terminated.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing the print start position calculation process (step S21) in FIG. 6, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are explanatory diagrams thereof. In the print start position calculation process, first, the set center position C is corrected by adding the first position correction value C1 or the second position correction value C2 read according to the modes M1 and M2 to the set center position C. (Step S31). The print start position P12 (first print end position) is calculated based on the correction setting center position Ca obtained in this way and the designated paper width designated by the print data (step S32).

By correcting the print start position in this way, as shown in FIG. 7B, the deviation in the paper width direction that occurs in the first paper feed path A or the second paper feed path B due to the individual error is corrected. Thus, it is possible to perform printing (a portion indicated by hatching in the drawing) having a predetermined width with reference to the correction center position Ca in the paper width direction of the recording paper 50 (recording paper 9a, fanfold paper 10). When such a deviation is not corrected, as shown in FIG. 7C, the actual print start position is shifted to the home position side, for example. In the case where the recording sheet 50 is a long sheet 51 and a label 52 having a narrower width than that of the label 51, the printing is performed on the portion of the sheet 51 that is laterally removed from the label 52. As a result, the printer conveyance path, the operator's hand and clothes may be stained with ink. In addition, when printing is performed at a position off the recording paper 50, ink adheres to the platen surface 8a that defines the printing position of the recording paper 50, and the subsequent recording paper 5
Problems such as the 0 portion being stained with ink occur. Since the printer 1 of the present example corrects the deviation in the paper width direction, such an adverse effect can be avoided.

FIG. 8 shows a mask process in the paper width direction that is performed after the print position correction process (step S22 in FIG. 6).
) And FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram thereof. First, the first dimension inward in the recording paper width direction with respect to the first paper edge position P1 on the home position side and the second paper edge position P2 on the opposite side of the recording paper detected and stored in the work area of the RAM. A first inner end position P11 and a second inner end position P21 moved by t1 are calculated. For example, on the basis of the position of the home position H, 1 mm is added to the first paper edge position P1 to calculate the first inner position P11 (step S41), and 1 mm is subtracted from the second paper edge position P2 to obtain the second The inner position P21 is calculated (step S42).

Next, a print start position (first print end position) P1 that defines the print width calculated from the print data
2 is compared with the first inner end position P11, and if the print start position P12 is the same position as the first inner end position P11 or inside the recording paper width direction, the print start position P11 is compared.
12 is set as the printing start position as it is (NO from step S43). That is, the mask process is not performed when the print width of the print data is equal to or smaller than the paper width of the actually set recording paper.

On the other hand, when the print start position P12 is outside the first inner end position P11 (P
11> P12), a position moved from the first paper edge position P1 to the inside in the recording paper width direction by a second dimension larger than the first dimension (1 mm) is defined as a printing start position P13 (step S4).
4, S45). For example, a position P13 obtained by adding 3 mm to the first paper edge position P1 is determined as the print start position.

Similarly, when the print end position (second print end position) P22 that defines the print width of the print data is at the same position as the second inner end position P21 or inside the recording paper width direction, The designated print end position P22 is set as the print end position as it is (NO from step S46).
), Mask processing is not performed.

On the other hand, when the print end position P22 is outside the second inner end position P21 (P
21 <P22), a position P23 that is moved inward in the recording paper width direction by the second dimension t2 (for example, 3 mm) from the second paper edge position P2 is calculated, and this position is set as the print end position (step S47). , S48).

As described above, when the print width of the print data is equal to or smaller than the paper width of the recording paper that is actually set, the print data is printed as it is without performing mask processing. Otherwise, the printable range is set to a range (P13 to P23) narrower than the print width of the print data.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when printing is performed on the label paper (50), if the print start position P12 and the print end position P22 of the print width of the print data are wider than the paper width of the label paper (50). The range to be printed after the mask process is performed is the range from the print start position P13 to the print end position P23, and the print data portions DA and DC protruding from both sides of the print data D are not printed.

As described above, when the print start position and the print end position that define the print width of the print data are outside the first and second inner end positions P11 and P21 set in consideration of the detection error, the detection is performed. A printable range is set between the positions moved by the second dimension t2 (3 mm) larger than the first dimension t1 inward from the first and second paper width positions P1 and P2. Therefore, the second
For example, the dimension t2 is changed from the end of the mount 51 in the label paper (50) to be used to the label 52.
By setting it to a value larger than the width dimension up to the end of the sheet, it is possible to reliably prevent printing from being performed on the end portion of the mount 51 that is off the label 52.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the recording paper is positioned in the width direction based on the central reference.
Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to a printer that performs positioning in the width direction of a recording sheet based on one-side reference.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a printer of a type that alternatively uses roll paper and fanfold paper has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a printer that performs printing on other types of recording paper. It is applicable to.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state where an opening / closing lid of the printer is opened. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of a printer. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control system of a printer. It is a flowchart of processing operation at the time of power-on and paper width detection operation. It is a flowchart which shows a printing process. It is a flowchart and explanatory drawing which show a printing start position calculation process. It is a flowchart which shows the mask process of a paper width direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mask process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 2 Printer main body, 2a Exterior case, 2b Opening part, 2c Open / close sensor, 3 Open / close cover, 3a Cover case, 4 Recording paper discharge port, 5 Paper discharge guide, 6 Open / close lever, 7 Roll paper storage part, 7a, 7b Movable guide, 8 Suction platen, 8a Platen surface, 9 Roll paper, 9a Recording paper, 10 Fanfold paper, 11 Recording paper insertion slot, 15 Inkjet head, 15a Ink nozzle surface, 16 Carriage, 17
Carriage guide shaft, 18 Carriage motor, 19 Timing belt, 20 Auto cutter, 21 Feeding roller, 22 Paper pressing roller, 23 Paper feeding motor, 24 Front paper pressing roller, 25 Roll paper pressing lever, 26 Roll paper pressing roller, 27
Tension guide, 28 Rear paper pressing roller, 29 Introduction path, 29a, 29b Movable guide, 30 Fanfold paper holder, 31 Paper insertion detector, 33 Paper width sensor, 40
Control unit, 42 Host device, 43 Head driver, 44, 45 driver, 46 Encoder sensor, 47 Storage unit, P1 First paper edge position, P2 Second paper edge position, P11 First inner edge position, P21 Second inner edge Position, P12 designated print start position (first designated print end position), P22 designated print end position (second designated print end position), P13 print start position, P2
3 Print end position, t1 first dimension, t2 second dimension, H home position

Claims (10)

  Printing of a printer that can be connected to a host device, has at least a first paper feed path, supplies recording paper through the first paper feed path, and prints on the recording paper while moving a print head in the width direction of the recording paper A position control method,
  Storing a first position correction value for correcting a print reference position of the print head in the recording sheet width direction with respect to the recording sheet supplied by the first sheet feeding path;
  Reading out the first position correction value and correcting the print reference position as a corrected print reference position;
  When print data is received from the host device, the first print end position which is one end in the recording paper width direction of the print width when printing the print data and the other based on the print data and the corrected print reference position 2nd printing edge position which is the edge of
  Using a paper width detector, a first paper end position that is one end of the recording paper supplied by the first paper feed path and a second paper end position that is the other end are detected based on the home position. And
  Calculating a first inner edge position and a second inner edge position which are moved by a first dimension toward the center side in the recording paper width direction of the recording paper with respect to the first paper edge position and the second paper edge position;
  When the first printing end position is outside the first inner end position in the recording sheet width direction, the recording sheet width direction of the recording sheet is larger by the second dimension than the first dimension from the first sheet end position. Calculating the position moved toward the center of the image, masking the portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the first print end position so as not to print,
  When the second print end position is outside the second inner end position in the recording paper width direction, the second print end position is directed from the second paper end position to the center side of the recording paper in the recording paper width direction by the second dimension. A printing position control method for a printer, wherein the position of the print data is calculated, and a portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the second printing end position is masked so as not to be printed .   The printer includes a second paper feed path,
  Storing a second position correction value for correcting the print reference position of the print head in the recording paper width direction with respect to the recording paper supplied by the second paper feed path;
  Either a first paper supply mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the first paper supply path or a second paper supply mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the second paper supply path when the power is turned on is set. To determine whether
  When print data is received from the host device, a position correction value corresponding to the determined paper feed mode is read out of the stored first position correction value and second position correction value, and the print reference position is set as the print reference position. 2. The printing position control method for a printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing position is corrected to a corrected printing reference position.   3. The printing position control method for a printer according to claim 1, wherein, in the masking process, the paper width is narrower than the detected paper width based on a detection error by the paper width detector.   2. The recording paper according to claim 1, wherein a label is attached to the mount, and the second dimension is a value larger than a dimension of the mount portion from the end of the mount to the end of the label. 4. A printing control method for a printer according to any one of items 3 to 3.   Recording paper fed from roll paper stored in a roll paper storage unit with an open / close cover is supplied to the first paper supply path, and fanfold paper inserted from a manual feed port is supplied to the second paper supply path. It is supposed to
  The paper width detection of the recording paper by the paper width detector is at least either when the opening / closing cover is detected to be closed or when the fanfold paper is detected to be inserted into the manual feed slot. 5. The printing position control method for a printer according to claim 2, wherein the printing position control method is performed in the above.   A printer that can be connected to a host device,
  A print head for printing on recording paper while moving in the recording paper width direction;
  A first paper feed path for feeding the recording paper;
  A paper width detector for detecting the paper width of the recording paper;
  A storage unit for storing a first position correction value for correcting a print reference position of the print head in the recording sheet width direction with respect to the recording sheet supplied by the first sheet feeding path;
  Control means for controlling a printing operation by the print head,
  The control means includes
  Reading out the first position correction value and correcting the print reference position as a corrected print reference position;
  When print data is received from the host device, the first print end position which is one end in the recording paper width direction of the print width when printing the print data and the other based on the print data and the corrected print reference position 2nd printing edge position which is the edge of
  Using the paper width detector, a first paper end position which is one end of the recording paper supplied by the first paper feed path and a second paper end position which is the other end of the recording paper supplied from the home position are used as a reference. Detect
  Calculating a first inner edge position and a second inner edge position which are moved by a first dimension toward the center side in the recording paper width direction of the recording paper with respect to the first paper edge position and the second paper edge position;
  When the first printing end position is outside the first inner end position in the recording sheet width direction, the recording sheet width direction of the recording sheet is larger by the second dimension than the first dimension from the first sheet end position. Calculating the position moved toward the center of the image, masking the portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the first print end position so as not to print,
  When the second print end position is outside the second inner end position in the recording paper width direction, the second print end position is directed from the second paper end position to the center side of the recording paper in the recording paper width direction by the second dimension. A printer that calculates the moved position and masks the portion of the print data to be printed in a range from the position to the second print end position so as not to print.   One of a second paper feeding path, a first paper feeding mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the first paper feeding path, and a second paper feeding mode in which the recording paper is supplied from the second paper feeding path. With setting means for setting,
  The storage unit stores a second position correction value for correcting a print reference position in a recording sheet width direction by the print head with respect to the recording sheet supplied by the second sheet feeding path.
  The control means includes
  When the power is turned on, the setting means determines which of the first paper feed mode and the second paper feed mode is set,
  When print data is received from the host device, a position correction value corresponding to the determined paper feed mode is read from the first position correction value and the second position correction value stored in the storage unit, and the print The printer according to claim 6, wherein a reference position is corrected to the corrected printing reference position.   The control means includes
  8. The printer according to claim 6, wherein, in the masking process, the paper width is narrower than the detected paper width based on a detection error by the paper width detector. 9.   7. The recording sheet according to claim 6, wherein a label is attached to the mount, and the second dimension is a value larger than the dimension of the mount portion from the end of the mount to the end of the label. 8. The printer according to any one of items 8 to 8.   A roll paper storage section with an open / close cover provided on the first paper feed path side;
  A cover detector for detecting opening and closing of the opening and closing cover;
  A manual feed opening provided on the second paper feed path side;
  An insertion detector that detects that the fanfold paper has been inserted into the manual feed port, and
  The recording paper supplied from the first paper feed path is a recording paper fed out from the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit,
  The recording paper supplied from the second paper feed path is the fanfold paper inserted from the manual feed port,
  The paper width detection of the recording paper by the paper width detector is performed at least when the cover detector detects that the opening / closing cover is closed, and the insertion detector inserts the fanfold paper into the manual feed port. The printer according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the printer is performed at any time when it is detected.

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