JP5716658B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that prints a pattern or a character on a long medium having a scale in the vicinity of a side edge in a longitudinal direction. More specifically, for example, the remaining of a long medium wound in a roll shape is provided. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of mechanically detecting the amount.

  In a long medium in which an adhesive sheet is temporarily attached to a release paper, a plurality of holes that engage with sprockets, tractors, etc. are provided in the side edges in the longitudinal direction. The vehicle is driven by the rotation of the tractor. Long media traveling using sprockets and tractors do not skew and are linearly stable compared to the method of conveying by the frictional force between the rollers when printing output. It can be run. Therefore, in a printer or the like that outputs a long medium of several meters, a long medium that is traveled by using a sprocket or a tractor having no positional deviation is used.

  Such a long medium is used, for example, as a print medium for printing a pattern and characters such as indoors, outdoors, and nameplates. For example, in a printer or the like using a thermal head as a head, a predetermined image is formed by transferring the dye of the ink ribbon to the printing layer. Then, after printing, the long medium is cut into a predetermined shape by a printer built-in or another cutting device or the like, and the release paper is peeled off and attached to a predetermined place.

  This type of long medium has a roll shape, is set in a printer or the like, and travels by a sprocket or a tractor. When printing is performed with a length of several meters, if the long medium disappears in the middle of printing, the long medium that has been printed is wasted. In order to prevent this, a printer or the like takes out a set roll-shaped long medium and visually checks the roll diameter. However, since the remaining amount is visually estimated by visual confirmation, it is difficult to accurately grasp the remaining amount.

  Further, when the roll-shaped long medium that has been set is taken out and the remaining amount is visually confirmed, when the remaining amount is sufficient, it is necessary to reset the roll-shaped long medium again. If it is insufficient, a new roll-shaped long medium needs to be set in a printer or the like. The work of resetting the long medium is complicated because the long medium drawn from the printer or the like is rewound onto the roll.

  Incidentally, there is a demand for a long medium that can easily visually check the remaining amount of the long medium set in a printer or the like. For example, in Patent Document 1, a scale for displaying the remaining length is added over the entire length of the back surface of the recording paper, coloration is provided according to a predetermined rule, or black points are spaced with a small remaining amount. It is disclosed that the remaining amount is expressed in an analog manner by narrowing as it becomes. Here, the scale for displaying the remaining length, color coding, and black dots are generally performed by printing.

  In addition, with long media with a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet temporarily attached to release paper, the release paper on the back side is often already printed with a pattern such as a lattice, a logo indicating the product name, etc. It is difficult to print scales, color codes, and black dots that are indicators of the remaining amount while avoiding printing. When the remaining amount indicator is printed in duplicate, it is not only difficult to visually recognize, but also difficult to detect mechanically. Further printing is also costly.

  In addition, both side edges in the longitudinal direction of the long medium are not the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet but often the release surface of the release paper. Since the peeling surface is mainly made of silicon, it is difficult to fix the ink and it is difficult to print the remaining amount display index. On the other hand, the print layer is a drawing area. If an index is provided here, the drawing area becomes narrow.

  Further, the remaining amount display index can be formed by a hole instead of printing. However, in order to form the scale with holes, in addition to a plurality of holes engaged with sprockets, tractors, etc., it is necessary to provide areas for scales on both side edges in the longitudinal direction of the long medium. Thus, the use efficiency (number of sheets) of the long medium that can be processed from the original fabric is lowered.

  Patent Document 2 also discloses that an index indicating the remaining amount is given to a long web. In Patent Document 2, specifically, the first index is given at equal intervals, the second index is given at a second interval different from the interval of the first index, and the adjacent first index and It is disclosed that the distance between the two indices varies along the length of the medium. However, when it is attempted to visually check the length of the medium before setting it in a printer or the like, the length is indicated by the interval between the adjacent first index and the second index, but visually specific. The remaining length cannot be grasped. For example, when it is desired to obtain an output product of 3 m, it is possible to visually determine whether there is a medium remaining of 3 m or more based on the first index and the second index indicated on the medium to be set on the printer or the like. difficult.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that an index indicating the remaining amount is given to a long web. Specifically, this Patent Document 3 discloses that a multi-stage mark is provided on a long sheet and the remaining amount is indicated by a pattern formed by a combination of the marks. In the case where the remaining amount is indicated by a pattern formed by a combination of multi-level marks, the method of giving the highest resolution is to give the remaining amount by a combination of black and white, that is, a pattern indicated by a binary number.

  However, when the remaining amount is displayed in the pattern shown in black and white, if the remaining amount is visually grasped only by the sheet, it is necessary to decode the binary pattern, and the general user can grasp the remaining amount. Have difficulty.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-90555 Japanese Patent No. 3756308 JP-A-4-2355853

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if a scale index is provided, the print area does not become narrow, and an image of a long medium that can realize the scale index at low cost. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily grasp or detect the remaining amount of a long medium.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided on both sides of the longitudinal side of a long medium in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is temporarily attached to a release paper, at equal intervals on a straight line. A plurality of holes, a plurality of first indicators repeatedly given at an interval that is an integral multiple of the interval between the plurality of holes, and at least one of the side edges on at least one of the side edges. A plurality of second indicators repeatedly provided at intervals shorter than the interval of the first indicators on a straight line different from the first indicator row, and the plurality of holes and the plurality of second indicators. The first index and the plurality of second indices are provided substantially parallel to each other, and the inner side of the adjacent first index of the plurality of holes divided by the adjacent first index. A plurality of holes, a start hole located on the leading end side of the long medium, and the long medium Distance between end hole located on the end side represents the reference length of the long medium, a first ratio of the unit length of the plurality of holes of spacing and the long medium, said first indicator A difference between the interval and the interval between the second indicators and a second ratio between the intervals between the plurality of first indicators are substantially the same, and the second indicator is the end point As the end of the long medium is provided toward the end of the long medium, the end of the long medium gradually approaches the start end hole, and the distance between the start end hole and the second index is the length of the long medium. The distance between the first index and the second index is narrower by comparing the distance from the first index to the second index with the plurality of holes. An image forming apparatus that outputs to a long medium that can be visually grasped to detect the first index of the long medium Comprising a first detecting means and second detecting means for detecting said second indicator.

  Furthermore, the first index and the second index are calculated from the position of the first index detected by the first detection means and the position of the second index detected by the second detection means. And a control unit that detects the remaining amount of the long medium from the calculated interval.

  Further, the control means compares the detected remaining amount of the long medium and the length of the long medium according to the output of the input data, and compares the length of the long medium according to the data. When the remaining amount of the detected long medium is insufficient, the operation may be stopped.

  Further, when the remaining amount of the long medium detected with respect to the length of the long medium according to the data is insufficient, a notification means for reporting that the remaining amount of the long medium is insufficient You may make it provide.

  Further, the control means detects the amount of change in the remaining amount at a plurality of locations of the long medium during the transport operation, compares it with each calculated amount of change, and determines whether the amount of change is constant or within a predetermined rule. If it is determined and it is determined that the amount of change is not constant or not within a predetermined rule, it may be determined that the conveyance is defective.

  Further, the control unit may stop the operation of the image forming apparatus or notify the information by a notifying unit when determining that the conveyance is defective.

  Since the long medium used in the present invention is provided as a scale index indicating the unit length of the long medium, the interval between the scales on the side edges of the long medium is determined from the scale and the first index. By comparing the distance to the second index, the remaining amount of the long medium can be easily grasped visually. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first index of the long medium is detected by the first detection unit, and the second index is detected by the second detection unit, thereby easily remaining the long medium. Can be grasped or detected.

  Further, according to the present invention, the remaining amount of the long medium is detected by detecting the first and second detection means using an optical sensor or the like and calculating the distance from the first index to the second index. Can be easily detected.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer using a long medium to which the present invention is applied. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows a part of elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows a part of elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows a part of elongate medium used for this invention. It is a flowchart at the time of performing the remaining amount detection process of a long medium to which the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart at the time of performing the conveyance error detection process of a long medium to which the present invention is applied. It is a top view which shows the 1st modification of the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cutting device in which the elongate medium used for this invention is used. It is a top view which shows the 2nd modification of the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows the 3rd modification of the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows the 4th modification of the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows the 5th modification of the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows the 6th modification of the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows the 2nd Example of the elongate medium used for this invention. It is a top view which shows the 3rd Example of the elongate medium used for this invention.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied (hereinafter also simply referred to as a printer or the like) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description will be given in the following order.
1. 1. Outline of long media 2. Description of the printer 3. Explanation of operation of printer remaining amount detection process 4. Explanation of operation of conveyance error detection processing of printer Modification 6 Second embodiment 7. Third embodiment

<1. Summary of long media>
As shown in FIG. 1, the long medium 1 is used in a printer 2 that uses, for example, a thermal head as a printer head. The printer 2 is for printing patterns and characters such as indoors, outdoors, and nameplates. When the printer 2 is long, an image having a length of several meters is printed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the long medium 1 includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 having a front surface 3 a as a print layer and a back surface 3 b on which an adhesive layer 4 is formed. It is temporarily attached to 5a. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is provided narrower than the release sheet 5. Accordingly, both of the side edges 1a in the longitudinal direction of the long medium 1 are non-printing areas where the adhesive sheet 3 serving as a printing layer is not provided. Furthermore, on the back surface 5b side of the release sheet 5, a pattern such as a lattice, a logo indicating a product name, etc. are already printed. In addition, the logo etc. do not need to be printed on the back surface 5b side of the release sheet 5.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the long medium 1 is provided with a scale portion 10 that can visually and mechanically grasp the remaining amount of the long medium 1. The scale unit 10 includes a scale hole 11 serving as a scale index, a first index hole 12 serving as a first index indicating a reference position when the remaining amount of the long medium 1 is displayed, and a first index. Is a second index hole 13 serving as a second index indicating the current remaining amount of the long medium 1.

  Specifically, the scale holes 11 are formed on both the side edges 1a in the longitudinal direction of the long medium 1, that is, on both sides (non-printing area) of the release sheet 5 where the adhesive sheet 3 is not provided. Are provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. The first index holes 12 are repeatedly given at equal intervals toward one side of the side edge portion 1a in the longitudinal direction. The second index holes 13 are repeatedly provided at equal intervals on the same side as the first index holes 12 on one side edge 1a in the longitudinal direction.

  The scale hole 11, the first index hole 12, and the second index hole 13 are provided substantially parallel to each other. The scale hole 11 is provided on the straight line L1 in the longitudinal direction. The first index hole 12 is provided between the scale holes 11 and 11 on the same straight line L1 as the scale hole 11. As will be described later, the first index hole 12 may be provided on a straight line different from the scale hole 11. The second indicator holes 13 are provided on a straight line L2 different from the row of the first indicator holes 12, and are provided, for example, on the inner side in the width direction than the row of the first indicator holes 12.

  Further, the scale hole 11, the first index hole 12, and the second index hole 13 are through holes that penetrate the long medium 1. For example, the scale hole 11 is formed in a circular shape, and the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are formed in a long hole shape. Further, the scale hole 11 is, for example, a sprocket hole, and is engaged with a protrusion 20a of a sprocket 20 of the printer 2 described later. The long medium 1 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction when the sprocket 20 is rotationally driven in a state where the scale hole 11 is engaged with the protrusion 20 a of the sprocket 20.

  Further, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are provided with a smaller hole diameter than the scale hole 11. Accordingly, since the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are different in shape and size from the scale hole 11, they can be easily distinguished from the scale hole 11.

  Further, the first index hole 12 is repeated over the entire length L from the front end 1b to the end 1c of the long medium 1 at a distance P1 that is an integral multiple nd (n is an integer) of the distance d between the plurality of scale holes 11. Has been granted. The second index hole 13 is repeatedly given at a distance P2 shorter than the first index hole 12 from a position shifted from the front end 1b to the end 1c side with respect to the longitudinal direction of the long medium 1 by a predetermined distance. .

  In addition, the 1st parameter | index 12 is an parameter | index for dividing | segmenting the scale hole 11 at equal intervals, The space | interval of the 1st parameter | index 12 does not necessarily need to be continuously provided repeatedly at equal intervals, and it is 2 or more types. The intervals may be given alternately and repeatedly.

  It is sufficient that the first index 12 is provided so as to be understood to be on the same straight line as the scale hole 11, and it can be seen that the second index 13 is on a straight line different from the scale hole 11. As long as it is provided. For example, a shape in which a part of the index protrudes on two different straight lines of the scale hole 11 and the second index 13 may be arranged.

  Further, each of the plurality of scale holes 11 sandwiched and divided by the adjacent first index holes 12, 12 serves as a scale index serving as a reference when grasping the remaining amount of the long medium 1, and is adjacent to the scale. The interval d between the holes 11 indicates the unit length M of the long medium 1. At this time, the scale hole 11 in the vicinity of the inside of the first index hole 12 on the front end 1b side of the long medium 1 becomes the start end scale hole 11a, and the scale hole 11 in the vicinity of the inside of the first index hole 12 on the end 1c side. Becomes the end scale hole 11b which makes a pair with the start end scale hole 11a. The distance between the start end scale hole 11a and the end end scale hole 11b forming the pair indicates the reference length of the long medium 1 and serves as a scale index. On the other hand, the 1st index hole 12 shows the boundary of the scale index of a fixed section.

  Further, the plurality of scale holes 11, the plurality of first index holes 12, and the plurality of second index holes 13 are the first of the distance d between the plurality of scale holes 11 and the unit length M of the long medium 1. And the second ratio of the difference between the distance P1 between the first index holes 12 and the distance P2 between the second index holes 13 and the amount of change in the length of the long medium 1 indicated by this difference, It is provided to be substantially the same.

  That is, the first second index hole 13 on the most distal end 1b side of the long medium 1 indicates a state in which the long medium 1 is not used. It is provided so as to coincide with the end scale hole 11b. Then, the second second index hole 13 gradually approaches the starting scale hole 11a by a certain length along the length of the long medium 1 toward the end 1c of the long medium 1. Has been granted. In other words, the second index hole 13 from the second gradually increases as the distance H between the starting scale hole 11a and the second index hole 13 moves toward the end 1c of the long medium 1. It is given so as to become narrower by a certain length along the length.

  Next, the interval P1 between the first index holes 12 and the interval P2 between the second index holes 13 will be described using specific values.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, for example, the total length L of the long medium 1 is 15 m (15000 mm), the interval d of the scale holes 11 is 10 mm, and the long length indicated by the interval d of the scale holes 11 is shown. A case where the unit length M of the medium 1 is 1 m (1000 mm) will be described as an example. Then, the first ratio S between the interval d of the scale holes 11 and the unit length M of the long medium 1 is S = d / M = 10/1000 = 1/100. That is, the scale index composed of the plurality of scale holes 11 displays the length of the long medium 1 on a 1/100 scale.

  Further, the interval P1 between the first index holes 12 is required to be P1 ≧ L × S = 15000 × 1/100 = 150 mm or more when a scale index for the entire length L of the long medium 1 is secured. Accordingly, as described above, the interval P1 between the first index holes 12 is given at an interval nd that is an integral multiple of the interval d between the scale holes 11, so that it is necessary to satisfy n> 15 from P1 ≧ n × d. is there.

  Here, the interval between one display section is one pitch d, and n = 16. Then, the interval P1 between the first index holes 12 is P1 = 160 mm from P1 = n × d. That is, the first index holes 12 are provided at a pitch of 160 mm so that the 16 scale holes 11 are sandwiched between the first index holes 12 and 12 adjacent to each other.

  As described above, since the first index holes 12 are provided at a pitch of 160 mm, the length of the long medium 1 decreases by 160 mm from the leading end 1b of the long medium 1 toward the terminal end 1c. Accordingly, the second index hole 13 is 160 mm away from the second index hole 13 on the side of the adjacent leading end 1b toward the starting scale hole 11a as it goes from the leading end 1b of the long medium 1 to the terminal end 1c. It is given so as to approach by a ratio S of 1, that is, 1/100. That is, the interval P2 between the second index holes 13 is P2 = P1 (1-S). Therefore, the interval P2 between the second index holes 13 is P2 = 160 × (1− (1/100)) = 158.4 mm.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, at the position of the leading end 1 b of the long medium 1, the second index hole 13 coincides with the first terminal scale hole 11 b provided on the leading end 1 b of the long medium 1. Are arranged as follows. Since the end scale hole 11b coinciding with the second index hole 13 is the 15th scale hole 11 from the start end scale hole 11a to the end 1c side, the long medium 1 has a remaining amount of about 15 m. You can grasp what is happening visually.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, at the position of about 5 m from the front end 1b of the long medium 1, the second index hole 13 substantially coincides with the tenth scale hole 11 from the start end scale hole 11a to the end 1c side. Are arranged to be. Thereby, it is possible to visually grasp that the long medium 1 has a remaining amount of about 10 m. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the second index hole 13 is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the start end scale hole 11 a at a position of approximately 15 m from the leading end 1 b of the long medium 1. As a result, it is possible to visually grasp that the long medium 1 has no remaining amount.

  Therefore, the long medium 1 is provided as a scale index in which the distance d between the scale holes 11 of the side edge portion 1a indicates the unit length M of the long medium 1, and therefore, from the scale hole 11 and the start end scale hole 11a. By comparing the distance to the second index hole 13, the remaining amount of the long medium 1 can be easily and accurately grasped visually.

  Furthermore, the long medium 1 uses the scale hole 11 which is a sprocket hole conventionally provided for conveyance as a scale index, so that it is not necessary to provide a separate scale index, and the scale index is provided at low cost. The cost of the long medium 1 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the long medium 1 to which the present invention is applied does not have a narrow print area even if a scale index is provided, and can provide a wide print area. Further, in the long medium 1, it is not necessary to forcibly provide an index on the front surface 5 a of the release sheet 5 where it is difficult to fix ink or on the back surface 5 b of the release sheet 5 that has already been printed.

<2. Printer Description>
As shown in FIG. 1, the long medium 1 as described above is mounted on the printer 2 in a state of being wound like a roll paper. Specifically, in the printer 2, a roll of the long medium 1 is rotatably stored in a storage portion (not shown) in the apparatus main body. The long medium 1 pulled out from the roll is run while the sprocket 20 is engaged with the scale holes 11 of the side edges 1a and is guided by a plurality of guide pins (not shown) and guide rollers (not shown). In the printer 2, a thermal head 21 that applies thermal energy according to print data is disposed opposite to the platen 22 on the upstream side of the sprocket 20 in the traveling direction of the long medium 1. Further, an ink ribbon cartridge 23 is attached to the printer 2, and an ink ribbon 24 is interposed between the thermal head 21 and the platen 22. The ink ribbon 24 is overlapped between the thermal head 21 and the platen 22, and the ink ribbon 24 is pressed against the print layer of the long medium 1. An image is formed on the long medium 1 by applying the thermal energy according to the print data by the thermal head 21 and transferring the dye on the ink ribbon 24 to the print layer of the long medium 1.

  Further, a cutting mechanism 25 for cutting the printed long medium 1 is provided on the downstream side of the sprocket 20. The cutting mechanism 25 includes, for example, a cutter 25 a that moves in the width direction of the long medium 1. The cutter 25 a moves in the width direction of the long medium 1, and the long medium 1 travels to move the long medium. 1 is cut into a predetermined shape.

  A remaining amount detection sensor 26 is provided on the upstream side of the thermal head 21 or the downstream side of the cutting mechanism 25. In the remaining amount detection sensor 26, a first light emitting unit 26a that detects the first indicator hole 12 and a first light receiving unit 26b that detects light emitted from the first light emitting unit 26a are arranged to face each other, and The second light emitting part 26c for detecting the second index hole 13 and the second light receiving part 26d for detecting the light emitted from the second light emitting part 26c are arranged to face each other.

  The printer 2 controls a motor that drives the sprocket 20, a remaining amount detection sensor 26, a cutting mechanism 25, a thermal head 21, and the like by a control unit 27 such as a microcomputer. For example, when the long medium 1 travels, the control unit 27 calculates the remaining amount of the long medium 1 based on the phase difference between the outputs of the first and second light receiving units 26b and 26d of the remaining amount detection sensor 26. To do. Furthermore, when the remaining amount of the long medium 1 is shorter than the length of the print area corresponding to the print data, the control unit 27 notifies the user of the short medium shortage via the display unit and the speaker.

  Note that the printer 2 is not limited to the provision of the thermal head 21, and it is sufficient that printing can be performed on the long medium 1. For example, the printer 2 presses the ink with pressure generated by a heater or a piezo element. Alternatively, the printer may include an ink jet head that prints an image or characters on the long medium 1 by ejecting the pressed ink into droplets from the ejection port and ejecting the ink onto the long medium 1. Further, the ink ribbon may be a single color, or one ribbon may be provided with dyes such as yellow, cyan, magenta, and black in the order of frames.

<3. Explanation of printer remaining amount detection processing>
Next, the operation of the remaining amount detection process of the printer 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a case where the remaining amount of the long medium 1 that has already been used for a predetermined length from the tip 1b is detected will be described as an example. In addition, the dashed-two dotted line in FIG. 5 has shown the intermediate | middle tip 1e.

  In step S1, the control unit 27 performs initialization processing when the long medium 1 is stored in the printer 2 or when the power is turned on in the stored state. Specifically, the control unit 27 resets the count of the transport distance of the long medium 1 that is counted up according to the rotation amount of the motor that drives the sprocket 20. Furthermore, the control unit 27 resets the hole diameter counts of the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 27 transports the long medium 1. Specifically, the control unit 27 drives the sprocket 20 engaged with the scale holes 11 of the side edges 1a by the motor to guide the long medium 1 drawn from the roll to a plurality of guide pins or guide rollers. Let it run. Furthermore, the control unit 27 counts up the transport distance of the long medium 1.

  In step S <b> 3, the control unit 27 starts detection processing of the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 of the long medium 1 being conveyed by the remaining amount detection sensor 26.

  In step S4, the control unit 27 detects the first index hole 12 closest to the midway tip 1e by the first light emitting unit 26a and the first light receiving unit 26b. At this time, the control unit 27 detects the transport distance and the hole diameter of the first index hole 12. The hole diameter referred to here is the diameter when the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are circular, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the long medium 1 when the hole is long. Say. And such a hole diameter is calculated based on the phase of the output of the 1st and 2nd light-receiving part 26b, 26d.

  Furthermore, after detecting the first index hole 12 closest to the midway tip 1e, the control unit 27 uses the second light emitting unit 26c and the second light receiving unit 26d to detect the first index hole 12 more than the detected first index hole 12. The second indicator hole 13 closest to the end 1c side is detected. At this time, the control unit 27 detects the transport distance and the hole diameter of the second index hole 13. In step S <b> 5, the control unit 27 ends the detection of the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13. The control unit 27 stops the operation when the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 cannot be detected even after being transported for a predetermined time or a predetermined distance, and the user stops the operation via the display unit or the speaker. On the other hand, it may be notified that the regular long medium 1 is used.

  In step S <b> 6, the control unit 27 calculates the positions of the detected first index hole 12 and second index hole 13. Specifically, the control unit 27 subtracts half the length of the hole diameter of the first index hole 12 from the detected transport distance of the first index hole 12, and detects the center position of the detected first index hole 12 The transport distance at is calculated. Further, the control unit 27 subtracts half the length of the hole diameter of the second index hole 13 from the detected transport distance of the second index hole 13, and transports it at the center position of the detected second index hole 13. Calculate the distance. In step S <b> 7, the control unit 27 ends the calculation of the transport distance at the center positions of the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13.

  In step S8, the control unit 27 subtracts the transport distance at the center position of the first first index hole 12 from the midway tip 1e from the transport distance at the center position of the first second index hole 13, A first interval between the first first index hole 12 and the first second index hole 13 is calculated.

  Then, the control unit 27 detects the remaining amount of the long medium 1 from the first interval H. Specifically, the scale index and the length of the long medium 1 have a first ratio S relationship. For example, the scale index is displayed on a 1/100 scale of the long medium 1. Therefore, the remaining amount of the long medium 1 can be calculated from the first interval H and the first ratio S. For example, the remaining amount of the long medium 1 can be calculated by multiplying the first interval H by 100. As described above, the printer 2 detects the remaining amount of the long medium 1.

  After that, the control unit 27 compares the detected remaining amount of the long medium 1 with the length of the print area corresponding to the input print data. Then, when the detected remaining amount is shorter than the length of the print area, the control unit 27 stops the operation and notifies the user that the remaining amount is insufficient via the display unit or the speaker. When the detected remaining amount is longer than the printing area, the control unit 27 rewinds the long medium 1 and then carries it again, and uses the ink ribbon 24, the thermal head 21, and the platen 22 to print data. The printing according to the cutting data is performed, and the cutting according to the cutting data is performed by the cutter 25a. Further, the control unit 27 performs the operations from step S3 to step S8 even during printing, and always detects the remaining amount of the long medium 1.

  In other words, since the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are through holes in the long medium 1, the printer 2 has only an optical sensor that can detect the through holes. 12 and the second index hole 13 can be easily detected. Therefore, the long medium 1 can easily detect the remaining amount of the long medium 1 mechanically.

<4. Explanation of printer transport error detection processing>
Next, the operation of the conveyance error detection process of the printer 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, as in the operation of the remaining amount detection process, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a long medium 1 that has already been used for a predetermined length from the tip 1b will be described as an example.

  In step S10, the control unit 27 performs the same operation as that in steps S1 to S8 of the remaining amount detection process described above when transporting the long medium 1 during printing, for example, and performs the remaining amount detection process. Do. In the operation of the remaining amount detection process described above, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are detected one by one, and the closest remaining amount of the long medium 1 is detected from the midway tip 1e. On the other hand, in step S10, the control unit 27 detects a plurality of first index holes 12 and a plurality of second index holes 13 to detect remaining amounts at a plurality of locations. For example, the control unit 27 detects remaining amounts at three locations.

  In step S11, the control unit 27 calculates a first change amount between the first remaining amount and the second remaining amount, and a second change amount between the second remaining amount and the third remaining amount. To do.

  In step S12, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the first change amount and the second change amount are constant or within a predetermined rule. If the control unit 27 determines that the first change amount and the second change amount are not constant or not within a predetermined rule, the control unit 27 proceeds to step S14, stops the operation, and passes through the display unit and the speaker. Notify the user of conveyance abnormality. Note that the control unit 27 may notify the use of the regular long medium 1 together with the conveyance abnormality. Further, when the control unit 27 determines that the first change amount and the second change amount are constant or within a predetermined rule, the control unit 27 proceeds to step S13 and continues the conveyance, for example, after the end of the printing process. Exit. As described above, the printer 2 detects a conveyance error of the long medium 1.

  Therefore, when the long medium 1 is conveyed by the printer 2, it is possible to detect a jam of the long medium 1 by detecting the amount of change in the remaining amount of the long medium 1. Therefore, the long medium 1 can perform an abnormality process such as stopping the printing operation as a conveyance abnormality of the long medium 1.

<5. Modification>
The long medium 1 is not limited to roll paper wound in a roll shape, and may be fanfold paper folded alternately along perforations.

  Further, the long medium 1 is not limited to providing the adhesive sheet 3 narrower than the release sheet 5. For example, in the long medium 1, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is provided with substantially the same width as that of the release sheet 5, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is provided on the entire surface of the release sheet 5, The index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 may be provided.

  Furthermore, the scale hole 11, the first index hole 12, and the second index hole 13 are not limited to being provided in the shape, size, and interval described above. The scale hole 11 may have any shape, size, and interval as long as the shape, size, and interval can be engaged with the protrusion 20 a of the sprocket 20 of the printer 2. Further, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 may be formed in other shapes such as a circular shape or a rectangular shape in addition to the long hole shape, and have the same shape and size as the scale hole 11. There may be. Further, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 may have different shapes and sizes.

  Furthermore, the 1st parameter | index hole 12 and the 2nd parameter | index hole 13 are not limited to providing only to one of the side edge parts 1a, You may provide to both. In this case, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are provided at the same position in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the side edge portion 1a, so that the long medium 1 is coupled to the protrusion 20a of the sprocket 20. Since these indices can also be used as indices for identifying the scale holes 11 at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction, the scale holes 11 can be prevented from being set obliquely due to a step shift. it can.

  Further, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are not limited to being provided up to a position where the remaining amount of the long medium 1 is substantially 0 m, but the remaining amount of the long medium 1 is not limited. May be given up to a predetermined length, for example, a position where 1 m remains. Further, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 are not limited to being provided from the leading end 1b of the long medium 1, but are predetermined from the leading end 1b of the long medium 1 to the end 1c side. You may make it give from the position of, for example, the position of 10 m. Further, in the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13, the remaining amount of the long medium 1 remains from a predetermined position from the front end 1 b to the end 1 c side of the long medium 1 by a predetermined length. You may make it provide to a position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the long medium 1 may be provided with a reference mark 14 indicating the boundary of the scale index by the scale hole 11. The reference mark 14 is, for example, a through hole provided so as to coincide with the first index hole 12 on the same straight line L2 as the second index hole 13. By providing the reference mark 14 so as to coincide with the first index hole 12 on the same straight line L2 as the second index hole 13, the long medium 1 can easily grasp the boundary of the scale index, Furthermore, when the distance between the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 is read, the first index hole 12 and the second index hole 13 can be easily replaced with the first index hole 12. Can be grasped.

  Further, the long medium 1 is not limited to being used in the printer 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the long medium 1 can also be used in a cutting device 30 that cuts the long medium 1 printed by a printer that does not include the cutting mechanism 25. Since this cutting device 30 is substantially the same as the configuration in which the thermal head 21 is removed from the printer 2, its details are omitted.

  Furthermore, the long medium 1 may set the unit length M according to the length of the long medium 1, for example, the unit length M may be set longer as the long medium 1 is lengthened. May be. If it does in this way, the length of a fixed area can be maintained from the start end scale hole 11a to the end scale hole 11b, without changing the space | interval of the scale hole 11. FIG. For this reason, it becomes possible to arrange a scale index without excessively increasing the length of the fixed section from the start end scale hole 11a to the end scale hole 11b, and when the remaining amount of the long medium 1 is visually observed, the long medium This reduces the amount of drawer 1 and makes it easier to see.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the long medium 1 is the first scale hole from the tip 1 b side of each of the plurality of scale holes 11 sandwiched and divided by the adjacent first index holes 12, 12. 11 is set as the start end scale hole 11a, and the 16th scale hole 11 is set as the end scale hole 11b. However, according to the total length of the long medium 1, for example, the position of the end scale hole 11b is 11th from the tip 1b side. The scale hole 11 may be set. In this case, the terminal graduation hole 11b coinciding with the second index hole 13 is the tenth graduation hole 11 on the terminal end 1c side from the paired starting end graduation hole 11a. It is possible to visually grasp that there is a remaining amount of 10 m.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the long medium 1 may be set by offsetting the positions of the start end scale hole 11a and the end end scale hole 11b. For example, among the scale holes 11, the sixth scale hole 11 counted from the first index hole 12 on the tip 1b side of the long medium 1 may be set as the start end scale hole 11a. At this time, the second index hole 13 is also offset in accordance with the start end scale hole 11a so that when the remaining amount of the long medium 1 is exhausted, the second index hole 13 substantially coincides with the start end scale hole 11a. If placed, it can be visually confirmed that the remaining amount is exhausted. At this time, by disposing the terminal scale hole 11b in the vicinity of the first indicator 12 on the tip 1b side, the distance from the first indicator hole 12 on the tip 1b side to the second indicator hole 13 is set. By comparing, it is possible to visually grasp how many meters the long medium 1 has been used rather than the remaining amount of the long medium 1.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, the long medium 1 may be arranged with the start end scale hole 11 a and the end scale hole 11 b offset to the end side 1 b of the long medium 1. For example, the starting scale hole 11 a is offset from the first index hole 12 on the leading end side of the long medium 1 to be offset to the fourth scale hole 11, and the end hole 11 b is offset to be aligned to the 14th scale hole 11. . If it does in this way, on the process of the elongate medium 1, since the 1st index hole 12 and the 2nd index hole 13 are provided by another process, the position of the start end scale hole 11a and the end scale hole 11b is offset. This is because it may be easier to process. When the offset is made, the user is informed that the start scale hole 11a and the end scale hole 11b are arranged offset from the first index 12 by a well-known method such as writing in a package or an instruction manual. Thus, the user can visually grasp the remaining amount of the long medium 1.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the long medium 1 may have a film 15 attached to the first index 12 and the second index 13. Specifically, the film 15 is attached so as to cover the through hole of the first index 12 and the through hole of the second index 13. If it does in this way, the area | region of the 1st parameter | index 12 and the 2nd parameter | index 13 to which the film 15 was affixed becomes higher translucency than the other area | region of the elongate medium 1. FIG. Therefore, in the long medium 1, the first index 12 and the second index 13 are changed by the remaining amount detection sensor 26 from the first index 12 and the second index 13 which are simply through holes. It can be detected accurately. In addition, since the film 15 is different in color from the surroundings, the first index 12 and the second index 13 can be easily distinguished visually.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, the long medium 1 is not limited to the first index 12 and the second index 13 being through-holes, but from other regions of the long medium 1. Alternatively, the translucent portion 16 formed of a thin wall or mesh may be provided so as to have a higher translucency than other areas of the long medium 1. In this way, the long medium 1 can be detected more accurately by the remaining amount detection sensor 26 than in the case of the first index 12 and the second index 13 which are simply through holes. Since the light-transmitting portion 16 formed of a thin wall or mesh is also visually and tactilely different from the surroundings, the first index 12 and the second index 13 can be easily distinguished.

<6. Second Embodiment>
Next, the long medium 40 which becomes the 2nd Example of the long medium 1 to which this invention is applied is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the long medium 1 of the second embodiment, the scale hole 11 is a sprocket hole in the long medium 1 described above. It is a hole. The scale holes 41 of the long medium 40 are provided on one of the side edges 40a in the longitudinal direction of the long medium 40 except that they are provided on the straight line at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction. It has the same configuration as the scale hole 11. Furthermore, the first index 42 of the long medium 40 is provided on the same side as the scale holes 41 on one side edge portion 40 a, except that the first medium 42 is linearly provided inside the row of the scale holes 41. The first index hole 12 has the same configuration. Further, the second index 43 of the long medium 40 has the same configuration as the second index hole 13 of the long medium 1. Further, the long medium 40 is provided with a plurality of sprocket holes 44 at equal intervals on a straight line outside the row of the scale holes 41 at both side edge portions 40a, 40a. The scale hole 41, the first index 42, the second index 43, and the sprocket hole 44 are provided at the side edge of the release sheet 5 where the adhesive sheet 3 serving as a printing layer is not provided.

  The long medium 40 of the second embodiment needs to be provided with a separate scale hole 41, and the printing area is narrower than the long medium 1 described above. Similarly, by comparing the distance from the scale hole 41 to the start end scale hole 41a or the first index 42 to the second index hole 43, the remaining amount can be visually and easily grasped accurately.

  Further, in the long medium 40 of the second embodiment, since the first index hole 42 and the second index hole 43 are through holes as in the long medium 1 described above, the through holes can be detected. The first index hole 42 and the second index hole 43 can be easily detected simply by providing a simple optical sensor in the printer 2, and the remaining amount of the long medium 40 can be easily detected mechanically. can do.

  The long medium 40 may be provided with the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 serving as a printing layer on the entire surface of the release sheet 5. In this case, the scale hole 41, the first index 42, the second index 43, and the sprocket hole 44 are provided on the side edge 40 a of the long medium 40, that is, the side edge of the adhesive sheet 3.

  Further, the long medium 40 may be transported in the longitudinal direction by being held between rollers. In this case, the long medium 40 does not need to be provided with the sprocket holes 44 and needs to be separately provided with the scale holes 41. However, as in the case of the long medium 1 described above, the printing area does not become narrow and the remaining amount remains. Can be easily and accurately grasped visually and mechanically.

<7. Third Example>
Next, a long medium 50 which is a third embodiment of the long medium 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the long medium 50 of the third embodiment has the through holes 41, the first index 42, and the second index 43 of the long medium 40 of the second embodiment described above. In contrast, these indicators are printed. Specifically, in the long medium 50, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 serving as a printing layer is provided on the entire surface of the release sheet 5, and a scale 51 corresponding to the scale hole 41 and a first index corresponding to the first index 42. 52 and a second index 53 corresponding to the second index 43 are printed on the side edge of the front surface 3 a of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 or the side edge of the back surface 5 b of the release sheet 5. The scale 51 is, for example, a remaining amount value 51d corresponding to the scale line 51c or the scale line 51c. The first index 52 and the second index 53 are, for example, rectangular, circular, and long hole marks. Further, the long medium 50 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by being nipped by the rollers of the printer 2 or the cutting device 30.

  When the scale 51, the first index 52, and the second index 53 are printed on the side edge portion of the surface 3a of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3, the long medium 50 according to the third embodiment is the above-described long medium. When the printing area is narrower than that of the medium 1 and is printed on the side edge portion of the back surface 5b of the release sheet 5, it is difficult to print, but as with the long medium 1 described above, the scale 51 and the starting scale 51a By comparing the distance from the first index 52 to the second index 53, the remaining amount can be easily and accurately grasped visually.

  Further, in the long medium 50 of the third embodiment, since the first index 52 and the second index 53 are print marks as in the long medium 1 described above, an optical that can detect a through-hole. The first index 52 and the second index 53 can be easily detected simply by providing the printer 2 with an optical sensor capable of detecting a print mark instead of the sensor. The remaining amount of 50 can be easily detected.

  The long medium 50 may be provided with sprocket holes outside the row of the scales 51 and conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the sprocket 20 of the printer 2 or the cutting device 30. Further, the long medium 50 is provided with the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 serving as a printing layer narrower than the release sheet 5, and the scale 51, the first index 52, and the second index 53 are arranged on the surface 5 a of the release sheet 5 or You may make it print on the side edge part of the back surface 5b.

1 Long medium, 1a side edge, 1b tip, 1c end, 1e halfway tip, 2 printer, 3 adhesive sheet, 3a surface, 3b back surface, 4 adhesive layer, 5 release sheet, 5b back surface, 11 scale hole, 11a start edge Scale hole, 11b End scale hole, 12 1st index, 13 2nd index, 14 Reference mark, 15 Film, 16 Translucent part, 20 Sprocket, 20a Protrusion, 21 Thermal head, 22 Platen, 23 Ink ribbon cartridge, 24 ink ribbon, 25 cutting mechanism, 25a cutter, 26 remaining amount detection sensor, 26a first light emitting unit, 26b first light receiving unit, 26c second light emitting unit, 26d second light receiving unit, 27 control unit, 30 Cutting device, 40 long medium, 41 scale hole, 42 first indicator, 43 second indicator, 44 sprocket hole, 50 long Medium,

Claims (6)

A plurality of holes provided at equal intervals on a straight line on both side edges in the longitudinal direction of the long medium in which the adhesive sheet is temporarily attached to the release paper;
A plurality of first indicators repeatedly given at least an integer multiple of the interval between the plurality of holes on a straight line to at least one of the side edges,
A plurality of second indicators repeatedly provided at intervals shorter than the interval of the first indicators on a straight line different from the row of the first indicators on at least one of the side edges,
The plurality of holes, the plurality of first indicators, and the plurality of second indicators are provided substantially parallel to each other, and are adjacent to the plurality of holes divided by the adjacent first indicators. The interval between the start end hole located on the leading end side of the long medium and the end hole located on the end side of the long medium of the plurality of holes inside the first index is a reference of the long medium. Indicates the length,
A first ratio between the interval between the plurality of holes and the unit length of the long medium;
A difference between the interval between the first indicators and the interval between the second indicators and a second ratio between the intervals between the plurality of first indicators are set to be substantially the same;
The second index is provided on the end hole side, and gradually approaches the start end hole that forms a pair with the end hole toward the end of the long medium, and the start end hole and the second index Is approximately proportional to the remaining amount of the long medium, and the distance from the first index to the second index is compared with the plurality of holes, whereby the first index and the first index An image forming apparatus that outputs to a long medium that can visually grasp that the distance from the index of 2 is narrow,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first detection unit that detects a first index of the long medium; and a second detection unit that detects the second index.   An interval between the first index and the second index from the position of the first index detected by the first detection means and the position of the second index detected by the second detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that calculates the remaining amount of the long medium from the calculated interval. The control means compares the detected remaining amount of the long medium with the length of the long medium according to the output of the input data,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation is stopped when the remaining amount of the long medium detected with respect to the length of the long medium corresponding to the data is insufficient.   In the case where the remaining amount of the long medium detected with respect to the length of the long medium corresponding to the data is insufficient, an informing means for reporting that the remaining amount of the long medium is insufficient is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The control means detects the amount of change in the remaining amount at a plurality of locations of the long medium during the transport operation,
Compare with each calculated change amount,
Determine whether the amount of change is constant or within a predetermined rule,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the amount of change is not constant or within a predetermined rule, it is determined that the conveyance is defective. When the control means determines that the conveyance is defective,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped or notified by a notifying unit.

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