JP6475506B2 - Thermal printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal printer including a thermal head.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a thermal printer including a thermal head that performs printing on a substrate is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a thermal printer, one piece of print data is printed on a substrate based on a single print instruction signal input from the outside. When printing a plurality of print data, a plurality of print instruction signals are input.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-123863

  Incidentally, in a thermal printer, it is desired to improve printing control.

  An object of this invention is to provide the thermal printer which can improve printing control.

  The present invention generates a plurality of print start signals from a thermal head that performs printing on a substrate that is moved in the moving direction and a single print instruction signal that is input from the outside, and the generated plurality of print starts. The present invention relates to a thermal printer comprising: a print control unit that controls the thermal head so as to print print data at a plurality of locations in the movement direction of a substrate based on a signal.

  In addition, a print data storage unit that stores a plurality of print data setting contents is provided, and the print control unit is configured to perform printing based on the setting contents of each of the plurality of print data stored in the print data storage unit. It is preferable to control the thermal head so that print data is printed at a plurality of locations in the moving direction.

  Further, the print control unit generates each of the plurality of print start signals so that each of the plurality of print start signals is delayed by a delay time after receiving the print instruction signal. A delay time storage unit configured to store a plurality of delay time setting contents, wherein the print control unit is configured to print the plurality of prints based on the setting contents of the plurality of delay times stored in the delay time storage unit; Preferably, each start signal is generated so as to be delayed by the delay time after receiving the print instruction signal.

  Further, the print control unit generates each of the plurality of print start signals so that each of the plurality of print start signals is delayed by a delay distance after receiving the print instruction signal. A pulse generation unit that outputs a movement distance of the printing material as a pulse signal; and a delay distance storage unit that stores a plurality of settings of the delay distance. The print control unit is output from the pulse generation unit. Based on the setting contents of each of the plurality of delay distances stored in the pulse signal and the delay distance storage unit, each of the plurality of print start signals is delayed by the delay distance after receiving the print instruction signal. It is preferable to produce | generate to.

  In addition, when the printing control unit performs printing on the printing material in a printing range that is moved by the single feeding operation of the printing material, a printing instruction input from the outside with respect to the single feeding operation of the printing material. It is preferable to receive the signal and generate the plurality of print start signals from a single print instruction signal input from the outside.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the thermal printer which can improve printing control can be provided.

It is a figure explaining the whole structure of the thermal printer 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the thermal printer 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 6 is a timing chart for explaining control executed by the print control unit 111; 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which print data is printed at three locations in a moving direction P of a long film F. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the printing operation of the thermal printer 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of 1 A of thermal printers concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a thermal printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The thermal printer 1 of the first embodiment performs printing on a long film F (substrate) such as a packaging film that is continuously moved by, for example, a packaging machine (not shown). The long film F is formed of a long film. The long film F is a packaging film that is moved by, for example, a packaging machine (not shown).
A plurality of marks M indicating the reference position in the moving direction P of the long film F are printed on the long film F at predetermined intervals in the moving direction P of the long film F at the side edge portions ( (See FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal printer 1 includes a printer body 2, a platen roller 4, an upstream guide roller 61, a downstream guide roller 62, a rotary encoder 7, and a mark detection sensor 8.

  The printer main body 2 is arranged on the upper side with respect to the moving path of the long film F in the middle of the moving path of the long film F. The printer main body 2 is held by the support portion 23.

  The support part 23 includes a support shaft part 24, a moving member 25, and a holding member 26. The support shaft portion 24 is held by the holding member 26. The moving member 25 is supported by the support shaft portion 24 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the support shaft portion 24 (direction passing through the paper surface of FIG. 1). The printer body 2 is fixed to the moving member 25. The printer main body 2 can move in the axial direction of the support shaft portion 24 when the moving member 25 moves in the axial direction of the support shaft portion 24.

  The printer main body 2 includes an ink ribbon R, a ribbon transport mechanism 3, a thermal head 21, and a holding frame body 22. The holding frame body 22 holds the ribbon transport mechanism 3 and the thermal head 21.

  The thermal head 21 is disposed to face the platen roller 4 with the ink ribbon R and the long film F interposed therebetween. The thermal head 21 is disposed so that the tip 21a side protrudes toward the platen roller 4 side. The thermal head 21 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z. The thermal head 21 prints a print pattern of print data (for example, see FIG. 4) on the long film F that moves from the upstream side toward the downstream side.

  The thermal head 21 is disposed to face the long film F that is moved in the moving direction P at a predetermined moving speed. The thermal head 21 is configured to be movable with respect to the platen roller 4 to a standby position (see FIG. 1) that is separated from the platen roller 4 or a pressing position (not shown) that presses the platen roller 4.

  The thermal head 21 includes a plurality of heating elements at the tip 21a. In the thermal head 21, the heating element generates heat when the thermal head 21 is energized.

  The ink ribbon R is disposed between the thermal head 21 and the printing surface of the long film F. From the ink ribbon R, ink is transferred to the long film F when printing on the long film F by the thermal head 21. The ink ribbon R is transported (moved) by the ribbon transport mechanism 3.

  The ribbon transport mechanism 3 includes a raw fabric side ribbon holder 31 that holds a wound unused ink ribbon R, a winding side ribbon holder 32 that winds up the ink ribbon R, and a plurality of guide rollers 33, 34, and 35. , 36 and a ribbon drive motor 321. The ribbon transport mechanism 3 drives the ribbon drive motor 321 to rewind the unused ink ribbon R wound around the original ribbon holder 31 toward the thermal head 21 and the ink used for the thermal head 21. The ribbon R is wound around the winding side ribbon holder 32.

The ribbon drive motor 321 moves the ink ribbon R. The ribbon drive motor 321 rotationally drives the take-up ribbon holder 32 in both directions of rewinding the ink ribbon R and winding the ink ribbon R. The ribbon drive motor 321 transports the ink ribbon R toward the thermal head 21 so as to have the same moving speed as the long film F such as a packaging film continuously moved by a packaging machine or the like.
The ribbon drive motor 321 is controlled by the ribbon control unit 112 described later.

  The plurality of guide rollers 33, 34, 35, 36 guide the ink ribbon R transported from the original fabric ribbon holder 31 toward the take-up ribbon holder 32, or from the take-up ribbon holder 32. A roller for guiding the ink ribbon R conveyed toward the side ribbon holder 31.

  The platen roller 4, the upstream guide roller 61, and the downstream guide roller 62 are held by the side plate 10 or the like. The platen roller 4, the upstream guide roller 61, and the downstream guide roller 62 guide the movement of the long film F in the movement direction P.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the platen roller 4 is disposed to face the thermal head 21 with the ink ribbon R and the long film F interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the platen roller 4 is disposed below the thermal head 21.

  The platen roller 4 is rotatable while at least a part of the long film F is wound around the peripheral surface in a state where the long film F is disposed between the platen roller 4 and the thermal head 21. The platen roller 4 is a roller formed in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined outer diameter by forming an elastic layer made of a material having a predetermined elasticity such as silicone rubber on the peripheral surface of a metal core bar having a predetermined diameter. The platen roller 4 includes a platen roller main body 41 and a platen shaft member 42. The platen shaft member 42 is rotatably supported on the side plate 10 via a bearing (not shown).

  The rotary encoder 7 is disposed to face the platen roller 4 with the long film F interposed therebetween. The rotary encoder 7 rotates as the long film F moves, detects the moving amount of the long film F as a rotating amount, and outputs it as a pulse signal. Thereby, the control part 110 (after-mentioned) calculates the position of the moving direction P of the elongate film F from a reference position. The reference position is, for example, a plurality of marks M (see FIG. 4) printed on the long film F at predetermined intervals.

  The pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7 is input to the control unit 110 (described later). Thereby, the control unit 110 can calculate the speed of the long film F by converting the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7 into the speed of the long film F.

  The upstream guide roller 61 is disposed on the upstream side of the platen roller 4 in the moving direction P of the long film F. The upstream guide roller 61 guides the long film F on the upstream side of the platen roller 4.

  The mark detection sensor 8 is disposed on the moving path of the long film F on the upstream side of the upstream guide roller 61. The mark detection sensor 8 includes a sensor light emitting unit 8a and a sensor light receiving unit 8b. The sensor light emitting unit 8a and the sensor light receiving unit 8b are arranged to face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. The mark detection sensor 8 detects the mark M when a plurality of marks M (reference positions) printed at predetermined intervals on the long film F are positioned between the sensor light emitting unit 8a and the sensor light receiving unit 8b. A detection signal indicating detection is output. A detection signal for detecting the mark M output from the mark detection sensor 8 is input to a print control unit 111 (described later) of the control unit 110 (described later). In the present embodiment, the detection signal when the mark detection sensor 8 detects the mark M is a print instruction signal input from the outside to the print control unit 111 (described later).

  The downstream guide roller 62 is disposed on the downstream side of the platen roller 4 in the moving direction P of the long film F. The downstream guide roller 62 guides the long film F on the downstream side of the platen roller 4.

  By configuring the upstream guide roller 61, the platen roller 4 and the downstream guide roller 62 in this way, the long film F is moved in the order of the upstream guide roller 61, the platen roller 4, and the downstream guide roller 62. The The long film F is, for example, a packaging film that is moved by a packaging machine (not shown) or the like, and is moved in the movement direction P by a film moving mechanism or the like of the packaging machine. The moving speed of the long film F can be changed by a speed changing unit (not shown) of the packaging machine.

  The thermal printer 1 configured as described above moves the thermal head 21 from the standby position (see FIG. 1) toward the pressing position (not shown), whereby the ink ribbon R is moved to the long film. F and press against the platen roller 4 side. Then, when the long film F is moved along the moving path, the ink ribbon R in contact with the desired heat generating element that has generated heat on the surface of the platen roller 4 is moved in contact with the long film F. Thereby, the thermal printer 1 transfers the ink applied to the ink ribbon R to the long film F, and prints a printing unit (not shown) on the long film F moved at the moving speed.

  Next, the functional configuration of the thermal printer 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the thermal printer 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the control executed by the print control unit 111. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which print data is printed at three locations in the moving direction P of the long film F.

  In addition to the components described above, the thermal printer 1 further includes an operation unit 9 and a control device 100 as shown in FIG. The control device 100 includes a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120.

  The operation unit 9 includes a touch panel (not shown), a numeric keypad (not shown), and the like. The operation unit 9 is an operation for starting a printing operation, an operation for setting the number of prints of print data, an operation for switching between a normal print mode or a multiple number of print modes, an operation for setting the contents of print data, It is operated to set the print interval (delay distance and delay time, which will be described later) of the print data and to change the setting of various values. The operation unit 9 controls a signal indicating that a touch panel (not shown), a numeric keypad (not shown) or the like is operated by operating a touch panel (not shown), a numeric keypad (not shown), or the like. Output to the unit 110.

The storage unit 120 includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 120 stores a control program used by the control unit 110 of the thermal printer 1 and data used by the control program.
The storage unit 120 includes a print mode storage unit 121, a print data storage unit 122, and a delay time storage unit 123.

  The print mode storage unit 121 stores the setting contents of the normal print mode or the multiple times print mode. The normal print mode is a print mode in which printing is performed at one location based on a single print instruction signal input from the outside. The multiple printing mode is a printing mode in which a plurality of printing start signals are generated from a single printing instruction signal and printing is performed at a plurality of locations. The setting contents of the normal printing mode or the multiple printing mode are stored in the printing mode storage unit 121 when the user performs an operation for switching the printing mode from the operation unit 9.

  The print data storage unit 122 stores setting contents of a plurality of print data. The setting contents of the plurality of print data include, for example, a manufacturing date, a shelf life, a manufacturing number, a manufacturing factory name, a display of contents, and a display of precautions. The user can arbitrarily set the setting contents of a plurality of print data. Therefore, the setting contents of the plurality of print data may be, for example, a plurality of print data all having the same contents (see FIG. 4A), or a plurality of contents having some of the same contents and others different. Or a plurality of pieces of print data (see FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C) all having different contents. The setting contents of the plurality of print data are stored in the print data storage unit 122 when the user performs an operation for setting the print data from the operation unit 9.

  The delay time storage unit 123 stores a set content of a plurality of delay times from when a print instruction signal is received until a plurality of print data is printed. The setting contents of the plurality of delay times are converted into delay times Ta, Tb, and Tc corresponding to the printing intervals of the plurality of print data in consideration of the moving speed of the long film F, for example, and the delay time storage unit 123 Is remembered.

Here, the printing interval from the reception of the print instruction signal to the printing operation 1 is, for example, an interval distance Lk1 at which the long film F moves at an interval time Tk1 (delay time Ta) from timing t1 to t2 in FIG. It is. Further, the printing interval from the printing operation 1 to the printing operation 2 is, for example, an interval distance Lk2 at which the long film F moves during the interval time Tk2 (delay time Tb−delay time Ta) from timing t2 to t3 in FIG. is there. Further, the printing interval from the printing operation 2 to the printing operation 3 is, for example, an interval distance Lk3 in which the long film F moves during the interval time Tk3 (delay time Tc−delay time Tb) from timing t3 to t4 in FIG. is there.
Therefore, the printing intervals of the plurality of print data can be converted into delay times Ta, Tb, and Tc from when the print instruction signal is received until the plurality of print data are printed. In this way, the delay time storage unit 123 stores the delay times Ta, Tb, and Tc corresponding to the print intervals of a plurality of print data as setting contents. By converting the delay times Ta, Tb, and Tc corresponding to the print intervals of the plurality of print data, the print intervals of the plurality of print data can be made the same or different.

  The user can arbitrarily set setting contents of a plurality of delay times corresponding to printing intervals of a plurality of print data. The setting content converted into the delay time corresponding to the print interval of the plurality of print data is stored in the delay time storage unit 123 when the user operates the setting of the print interval from the operation unit 9.

  The control unit 110 controls the thermal head 21, the ribbon drive motor 321 and the like. The control unit 110 includes a print control unit 111, a ribbon control unit 112, and a timer unit 113.

The print control unit 111 performs control so that the normal print mode or the multiple-time print mode is executed based on the print mode setting content stored in the print mode storage unit 121.
The print control unit 111 generates a plurality of print start signals from a single print instruction signal input from the outside in the multiple-times print mode. As a single print instruction signal input from the outside, there are a signal input from the outside of the thermal printer 1 and a detection signal when the mark detection sensor 8 detects the mark M.

Specifically, the print control unit 111 determines the delay time after each of the plurality of print start signals receives the print instruction signal based on the setting contents of the plurality of delay times stored in the delay time storage unit 123. A plurality of print start signals are generated so as to be delayed.
Here, the control unit 110 includes a time measuring unit 113. The timer 113 measures the time after each of the plurality of print start signals has received the print instruction signal. Accordingly, the print control unit 111 generates each of the plurality of print start signals by delaying the delay time after receiving the print instruction signal based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 113.

  The print control unit 111 controls the thermal head 21 so as to print the print data at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F based on a plurality of print start signals generated so as to delay the delay time. . In the multiple printing mode, the print control unit 111 is configured not to receive the next print instruction signal until the control for generating a plurality of print start signals is completed.

  The print control unit 111 prints the print data at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F based on the setting contents of the plurality of print data stored in the print data storage unit 122. To control.

Here, the details of the control by the print control unit 111 will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG.
First, before the print instruction signal is input, the user operates the operation unit 9 so that the print mode is set to the print mode a plurality of times. Also, setting of print contents of a plurality of print data and setting of a delay time converted from a print interval of the plurality of print data are performed. The setting contents of the set print mode are stored in the print mode storage unit 121. The setting contents of the plurality of set print data are stored in the print data storage unit 122. The set contents of the set delay time are stored in the delay time storage unit 123.

  Here, by setting the print interval of the plurality of print data to an arbitrary print interval by the operation unit 9, the delay times Ta, Tb, Tc converted into the delay times corresponding to the print intervals of the plurality of print data are arbitrarily set. Delay time can be set. For example, the print intervals of a plurality of print data can be made the same or different. In this embodiment, for example, the delay times Ta, Tb, and Tc are, in order from the shortest, the delay time Ta, the delay time Tb, and the delay time Tc (delay time Ta <delay time Tb <delay time Tc).

  Further, the contents of a plurality of print data can be set to arbitrary contents. That is, the contents of a plurality of print data can be a plurality of print data, all of which are the same contents, a part of which can be the same contents, and the others can be a plurality of print data. A plurality of print data having different contents may be used.

  For example, when a print instruction signal is input from the outside to the control device 100 after such settings are made, the print control unit 111 receives the print instruction signal input from the outside at a timing t1 shown in FIG. Receive. The timing t1 may be, for example, a time when a signal is input to the control device 100 from the outside of the thermal printer 1 or a time when a detection signal when the mark detection sensor 8 detects the mark M is input to the control device 100.

  At the timing t2, the print control unit 111 first delays by the delay time Ta from the one-time print instruction signal input from the outside at the timing t1 based on the delay time stored in the delay time storage unit 123. A print start signal K1 is generated. Then, the print control unit 111 controls to execute the printing operation 1 based on the contents of the print data stored in the print data storage unit 122.

  At timing t3, the print control unit 111 determines a delay time Tb (> delay time Ta) from a single print instruction signal input from the outside at timing t1, based on the delay time stored in the delay time storage unit 123. A second print start signal K2 delayed by a time is generated. Then, the print control unit 111 controls to execute the printing operation 2 based on the contents of the print data stored in the print data storage unit 122.

  At timing t4, the print control unit 111 determines, based on the delay time stored in the delay time storage unit 123, a delay time Tc (> delay time Tb) from a single print instruction signal input from the outside at timing t1. A print start signal K3 for the third time that is delayed by the length of time is generated. Then, the print control unit 111 controls to execute the printing operation 3 based on the contents of the print data stored in the print data storage unit 122.

  When printing is performed on the long film F in a printing range that is moved by a single feeding operation of the long film F, the print control unit 111 is input from the outside with respect to the single feeding operation of the long film F. A plurality of print start signals are generated from a single print instruction signal input from the outside.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the long film F is, for example, the next mark M from the mark M provided at a predetermined interval in the moving direction P of the long film F by a single feeding operation. It is controlled by a wrapping machine (not shown) so as to move one pitch. When the movement of the long film F is controlled in this way, the print control unit 111 receives a print instruction signal input from the outside for one feed operation of the long film F as a single print instruction. A plurality of print start signals can be generated from the signal.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the range of one pitch between two marks M on the long film F, each of three pieces of print data (“best before date 2015.12.31”) having the same content is stored. The printing is performed at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F, separated from the position of the mark M on the downstream side of the long film F by the delay distances La, Lb, and Lc moving in the delay times Ta, Tb, and Tc. Data can be printed.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the range of one pitch between two marks M on the long film F, three pieces of print data (“best before date 2015.12.31”, “Internal capacity 200 g” and “Factory number EDM02”) are separated from the position of the mark M on the downstream side of the long film F by the delay distances La, Lb, Lc moving to the delay times Ta, Tb, Tc, Print data can be printed at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, for example, in order to create a plurality of packaging sheets for medicines, the perforations X are formed at a plurality of locations, and the two films M between the long films F are formed. In some cases, it is desired to print a plurality of print data within the range of one pitch.

  In this case, conventionally, when printing is performed on the long film F within a printing range that is moved by a single feeding operation of the long film F, only one printing operation can be executed. For this reason, it is difficult to print a plurality of print data in the range of one pitch between the two marks M on the long film F.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), for example, in the range of 1 pitch of the long film F, the long film is formed at three points of the packing sheet forming portion for forming the three packing sheets for the medicine. In some cases, the characters “after breakfast”, “after lunch”, and “after dinner” may be printed from the downstream side to the upstream side in the moving direction P of F.

  In such a case, as in the present invention, a plurality of print start signals are generated from a single print instruction signal, and control is performed so that printing is performed based on the generated plurality of print start signals. Thereby, in the printing range which moves by one feed operation of the long film F, for example, within one pitch range between the two marks M on the long film F, a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F The print data can be printed.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), within the range of one pitch between two marks M on the long film F, three pieces of print data ("after breakfast" "After lunch" and "after dinner") can be printed from the position of the mark M on the downstream side of the long film F by a delay distance that moves to the delay times Ta, Tb, Tc.

  The ribbon control unit 112 performs control to move the ink ribbon R in the printing operation. The ribbon control unit 112 controls the ribbon drive motor 321 so as to rotationally drive the take-up ribbon holder 32 in both directions of rewinding the ink ribbon R and winding the ink ribbon R.

  Next, an example of the printing operation of the thermal printer 1 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation of the thermal printer 1 of the present invention.

  In step S <b> 1, the user performs various settings by operating the operation unit 9. The user operates the operation unit 9 so as to set the print mode to the multiple-time print mode. In addition, the user operates the operation unit 9 so as to set the number of times print data is printed (the number of print start signals generated from a single print instruction signal). In addition, the user operates the operation unit 9 so as to set the print intervals of a plurality of print data. Further, the user operates the operation unit 9 so as to set print contents of a plurality of print data.

When the user operates the operation unit 9, for example, the normal print mode or the multiple-time print mode is switched, the print data print frequency is set to 0 to 99 times, or the print data print interval is set. Can be set to 0.0 mm to 999.9 mm, or the print contents of a plurality of print data can be set.
In the present embodiment, the print mode is set to the multiple-time print mode, the number of print data is set to 3, and the print interval is set to 105 mm.
The various set contents are stored in the print mode storage unit 121, the print data storage unit 122, and the delay time storage unit 123. The delay time storage unit 123 stores a plurality of delay times corresponding to the printing intervals.

In step S2, the print control unit 111 determines whether a single print instruction signal is input from the outside. In the present embodiment, the print control unit 111 determines whether or not a single print instruction signal has been input from the outside depending on whether or not the mark detection sensor 8 has detected the mark M provided on the long film F. judge. When the mark detection sensor 8 detects the mark M on the long film F, the detection signal detected by the mark detection sensor 8 is output from the mark detection sensor 8 and input to the print control unit 111. .
When the detection signal that the mark detection sensor 8 has detected the mark M is input to the print control unit 111, it is determined that one print instruction signal has been input, and the process proceeds to step S3. If the detection signal that the mark detection sensor 8 has detected the mark M is not input to the print control unit 111, the process repeats step S2, assuming that one print instruction signal has not been input.

  In step S3, the print control unit 111 receives a single print instruction signal.

  In step S4, the print control unit 111 generates a plurality of print start signals set by the operation unit 9 from the received print signal once. In the case of the present embodiment, for example, since the number of prints of the print data set in step S1 is 3, three print start signals are generated.

  In step S <b> 5, the print control unit 111 measures the delay time by the time measuring unit 113 based on the setting contents of the plurality of delay times stored in the delay time storage unit 123, thereby moving the long film F in the moving direction P. The thermal head 21 is controlled to print the print data at a plurality of locations.

For example, the printing operation 1 is executed by delaying the delay time Ta from the one-time print instruction signal received at the timing t1 at the timing t2 in FIG. 3 by the first printing start signal K1. When the printing operation 1 is executed, the print control unit 111 moves the thermal head 21 from the standby position (see FIG. 1) to the pressing position (not shown) and energizes the thermal head 21. After the end of the printing operation 1, the print control unit 111 stops energizing the thermal head 21 and moves the thermal head 21 from a pressed position (not shown) to a standby position (see FIG. 1).
Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the first position is delayed from the mark M provided on the downstream side in the moving direction P of the long film F by the delay time Ta. Print data can be printed.

Subsequently, at the timing t3 in FIG. 3, the printing operation 2 is executed with a delay time Tb delayed from the one printing instruction signal received at the timing t1 by the second printing start signal K2. By executing the printing operation 2, the printing control unit 111 moves the thermal head 21 from the standby position (see FIG. 1) to the pressing position (not shown) and energizes the thermal head 21. After the end of the printing operation 2, the print control unit 111 stops energization of the thermal head 21 and moves the thermal head 21 from a pressed position (not shown) to a standby position (see FIG. 1).
Thereby, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the second position is delayed by the delay time Tb from the mark M provided on the downstream side in the moving direction P of the long film F. Print data can be printed.

Then, the printing operation 3 is executed by delaying the delay time Tc from the one printing instruction signal received at the timing t1 at the timing t4 in FIG. 3 by the third printing start signal K3. When the printing operation 3 is executed, the print control unit 111 moves the thermal head 21 from the standby position (see FIG. 1) to the pressing position (not shown) and energizes the thermal head 21. Thereby, after the end of the printing operation 3, the printing control unit 111 stops energization of the thermal head 21, and moves the thermal head 21 from a pressed position (not shown) to a standby position (see FIG. 1).
Thereby, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the third position is delayed from the mark M provided on the downstream side in the moving direction P of the long film F by the delay time Tc. Print data can be printed.

As described above, a plurality of print data can be printed at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F. Here, in the control of each printing operation for printing the print data at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F, the thermal head 21 is pressed from the standby position (see FIG. 1) to the pressing position (not shown) each time. To move the thermal head 21 away from the ink ribbon R. For this reason, since the ink ribbon R is not used for a portion where the print data is not printed, useless use of the ink ribbon R is reduced as compared with printing one print data obtained by combining a plurality of print data in one printing operation. be able to.
After step S5, the process ends.

According to the thermal printer 1 of this embodiment, the following effects are produced, for example.
The thermal printer 1 of the present embodiment generates a plurality of print start signals from a thermal head 21 that performs printing on a long film F that is moved in the movement direction P and a single print instruction signal that is input from the outside. A print control unit 111 that controls the thermal head 21 so as to print the print data at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F based on the plurality of generated print start signals.

Therefore, a plurality of print data can be printed from a single print instruction signal input from the outside. Thereby, for example, even when printing is performed within a predetermined range in the moving direction P of the long film F, it is easy to print a plurality of print data. Therefore, printing control can be improved.
Also, since it is sufficient to input a single print instruction signal when printing a plurality of print data, it is less complicated to input a print instruction signal than when a plurality of print instruction signals are input. Is done.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the print control unit 111 prints print data at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F based on the setting contents of each of the plurality of print data stored in the print data storage unit 122. The thermal head 21 is controlled to perform printing.

Therefore, for a plurality of print data, for example, a plurality of print data all with the same contents, a plurality of print data with some of the same contents and other different contents, or a plurality of print data with all different contents Can do. Thus, unlike a printing operation in which only the same print data is repeated, print data having an arbitrary content can be printed at a plurality of locations.
In addition, when printing a plurality of print data at a plurality of locations, it is not necessary to combine the plurality of print data and create in advance as one print data, and by setting the print contents of the plurality of print data Thus, it is possible to easily print a plurality of print data. Accordingly, a plurality of print data can be printed with various print contents.

In the present embodiment, the print control unit 111 receives a plurality of print start signals, a print instruction signal, and a print instruction signal based on the settings of each of the plurality of delay times stored in the delay time storage unit 123. To generate a delay time.
Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily set printing intervals for a plurality of print data. Thereby, for example, it is possible to make the printing intervals of a plurality of print data the same or different. Therefore, a plurality of print data can be printed at various print intervals.

In the present embodiment, the printing control unit 111 performs a single feeding operation of the long film F when printing is performed on the long film F in a printing range that is moved by the single feeding operation of the long film F. On the other hand, a print instruction signal input from the outside is received only once, and a plurality of print start signals are generated from a single print instruction signal input from the outside.
Therefore, a plurality of print data can be printed from a single print instruction signal in a print range that is moved by a single feeding operation of the long film F.

Next, a thermal printer 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a thermal printer 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The thermal printer 1A according to the second embodiment generates the print start signal by delaying the delay time based on the time measured by the timer 113 in the thermal printer 1 according to the first embodiment. The main difference is that the print start signal is generated by delaying the delay distance based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7.

  Specifically, the thermal printer 1A according to the second embodiment is different in functional configuration from the thermal printer 1 according to the first embodiment. The thermal printer 1A according to the second embodiment includes a delay distance storage unit 124 instead of the delay time storage unit 123 according to the first embodiment, does not include the timekeeping unit 113 according to the first embodiment, and a print control unit. The contents of the control executed by 111 are mainly different from the first embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 110 in the second embodiment does not have the time measuring unit 113 in the first embodiment.
In addition, the storage unit 120 in the second embodiment includes a delay distance storage unit 124 instead of the delay time storage unit 123 in the first embodiment. The delay distance storage unit 124 stores setting contents of a plurality of delay distances from receiving a print instruction signal to printing a plurality of print data. The setting contents of the plurality of delay distances are converted into delay distances La, Lb, and Lc (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the print intervals of the plurality of print data, and stored in the delay distance storage unit 124.

Here, the printing interval from the reception of the print instruction signal to the printing operation 1 is, for example, the interval at which the long film F moves during the interval time Tk1 (delay time Ta) from timing t1 to t2 in FIG. Distance Lk1 (delay distance La). Further, the printing interval from the printing operation 1 to the printing operation 2 is, for example, an interval distance in which the long film F moves during the interval time Tk2 (delay time Tb−delay time Ta) from timing t2 to t3 in FIG. Lk2 (delay distance Lb−delay distance La). Further, the printing interval from the printing operation 2 to the printing operation 3 is, for example, an interval distance in which the long film F moves during the interval time Tk3 (delay time Tc−delay time Tb) from timing t3 to t4 in FIG. Lk3 (delay distance Lc−delay distance Lb).
Therefore, the print intervals of the plurality of print data can be converted into delay distances La, Lb, and Lc from when the print instruction signal is received until the plurality of print data are printed. In this way, the delay distance storage unit 124 stores the delay distances La, Lb, and Lc corresponding to the print intervals of a plurality of print data as setting contents.

  The user can arbitrarily set the setting contents of a plurality of delay distances corresponding to the printing intervals of the plurality of print data. The setting content converted into the delay distance corresponding to the print interval of the plurality of print data is stored in the delay distance storage unit 124 when the user operates the setting of the print interval from the operation unit 9.

  The print control unit 111 receives a plurality of print start signals and a print instruction signal based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7 and the setting contents of each of the plurality of delay distances stored in the delay distance storage unit 124. Then, the delay distance is generated to be delayed.

Specifically, in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, each of the three print start signals is determined based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7 from the print instruction signal received at timing t1, the delay distance La, Lb and Lc (see FIG. 4) are delayed.
Accordingly, the print control unit 111 generates the first print start signal K1 by delaying the delay distance La (see FIG. 4) at the timing t2, and generates the second print start signal K2 at the delay distance Lb at the timing t3. (See FIG. 4) Generated with delay, and at timing t4, the third print start signal K3 is generated with a delay distance Lc (see FIG. 4).

  Here, the rotary encoder 7 outputs the moving distance of the long film F as a pulse signal. Therefore, by using the rotary encoder 7, it is possible to accurately detect the delay distance of a plurality of print data. In particular, even when the moving speed of the long film F varies, the rotary encoder 7 outputs the moving distance of the long film F by a pulse signal. Can be detected well. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the delay distances La, Lb, and Lc of a plurality of print data.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the print control unit 111 is based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7 and the setting contents of each of the plurality of delay distances stored in the delay distance storage unit 124. Each of the plurality of print start signals is generated so as to be delayed by a delay distance after receiving the print instruction signal. Therefore, even when the moving speed of the long film F varies due to the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 7, the delay distances La, Lb, and Lc of a plurality of print data can be accurately detected. Therefore, a plurality of print data can be printed with high accuracy at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F.

As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described, this invention can be implemented with a various form, without being limited to embodiment mentioned above.
For example, in the description of the flowchart of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, a single print instruction signal input from the outside is a detection signal when the mark detection sensor 8 detects the mark M of the long film F. Not limited to this. For example, a single print instruction signal input from the outside may be a signal input from the outside of the thermal printer 1.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although comprised so that a some print data might be printed in the range of 1 pitch between the two marks M of the elongate film F, it is not restrict | limited to this. In the long film F in which the mark M is not provided, the print data may be printed at a plurality of locations in the moving direction P of the long film F.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it comprised so that printing might be performed on the elongate film F, it is not restrict | limited to this. You may comprise so that it may print on a sheet of a sheet.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of print data to be printed at a plurality of places is three. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of print data may be two, or four or more.

1 Thermal printer 7 Rotary encoder (pulse generator)
21 thermal head 111 print control unit 122 print data storage unit 123 delay time storage unit 124 delay distance storage unit F long film (printed material)
Ta, Tb, Tc Delay time La, Lb, Lc Delay distance P Movement direction

Claims (4)

A thermal head for printing on a substrate to be moved in the moving direction;
A plurality of print start signals are generated from a single print instruction signal input from the outside, and print data is printed at a plurality of locations in the movement direction of the substrate based on the generated print start signals. A thermal printer comprising a print control unit for controlling the thermal head to perform,
The print control unit generates each of the plurality of print start signals such that each of the plurality of print start signals is delayed by a delay time after receiving the print instruction signal;
The thermal printer includes a delay time storage unit that stores a plurality of delay time settings.
The print control unit is configured to delay each of the plurality of print start signals based on the setting contents of the plurality of delay times stored in the delay time storage unit after receiving the print instruction signal. Produces a thermal printer. A thermal head for printing on a substrate to be moved in the moving direction;
A plurality of print start signals are generated from a single print instruction signal input from the outside, and print data is printed at a plurality of locations in the movement direction of the substrate based on the generated print start signals. A thermal printer comprising a print control unit for controlling the thermal head to perform,
The print control unit generates each of the plurality of print start signals such that each of the plurality of print start signals is delayed by a delay distance after receiving the print instruction signal;
The thermal printer includes a pulse generation unit that outputs a moving distance of a printing material as a pulse signal, and a delay distance storage unit that stores a plurality of settings of the delay distance,
The print control unit, based on the pulse signal output from the pulse generation unit and the setting contents of each of the plurality of delay distances stored in the delay distance storage unit, each of the plurality of print start signals, A thermal printer that generates the delay distance after receiving a print instruction signal. A print data storage unit for storing a plurality of print data settings;
The print control unit controls the thermal head to print the print data at a plurality of locations in the moving direction of the substrate based on the setting contents of the plurality of print data stored in the print data storage unit. The thermal printer according to claim 1 or 2, which is controlled. The print control unit receives a print instruction signal input from the outside for the one-time feeding operation of the printing material when printing on the printing material in a printing range that is moved by the one-time feeding operation of the printing material. received, thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for generating one of the plurality of print start signal from the print instruction signal inputted from the external.

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