JP6810419B2 - Thermal printer, print control method of thermal printer, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal printer, a platen open / close detection method for a thermal printer, and a program.

A thermal printer is a device that prints characters or the like on paper as a recording medium by thermally transferring characters or the like corresponding to print data from the thermal head. In a thermal printer, a thermal head is typically provided on the lid and a platen roller is provided on the body. Then, when the lid is closed with respect to the main body, the paper is sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen roller. When the platen roller is rotated in this state, the paper is conveyed by it. As the paper is transported, the thermal head heats the paper according to the transport speed, print data, and the like. As a result, the heat-sensitive layer applied to the paper develops color, and characters and the like corresponding to the print data are printed on the paper.

In a thermal printer, if the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other during printing, so-called blank printing may occur, and the thermal head may overheat and be damaged. In order to prevent this, in a thermal printer, for example, the lid is opened and closed by a lever, and a detection sensor for confirming the opening and closing of the lid may be mounted (see Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 discloses two types of thermal printers.

The first printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a motor, a detection means for detecting a signal generated in response to the rotation of a platen roller, and a voltage lower than a voltage given to the motor to convey a recording medium. A discriminating means for determining the open / closed state of the lid based on the presence / absence of a signal detected by the detecting means when the motor is given is provided. In the first thermal printer, the motor has a recording medium sandwiched between the thermal head provided on the lid and the platen roller provided on the main body in conjunction with the closing of the lid with respect to the main body. The recording medium is conveyed by rotating the platen roller in this state.

The second printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a detection means for detecting a signal generated at a cycle corresponding to the rotation of a motor and a platen roller, and a detection means for detecting the signal while being recorded on a recording medium by a thermal head. A discriminating means for discriminating the open / closed state of the lid based on the cycle of the signal to be received is provided. In the second thermal printer, the motor has a recording medium sandwiched between the thermal head provided on the lid and the platen roller provided on the main body in conjunction with the closing of the lid with respect to the main body. The recording medium is conveyed by applying a voltage in this state and rotating the platen roller.

Japanese Patent No. 5928006

In the printer described in Patent Document 1, the separation / proximity of the thermal head and the platen roller is switched in conjunction with the opening and closing of the lid with respect to the main body. Here, the proximity is a state in which the thermal head and the platen roller sandwich the recording medium with a predetermined force, and the other states are separation. In such a printer, when the separation between the thermal head and the platen roller is detected, printing is usually stopped in order to prevent damage due to blank printing.

However, in the detection means provided in the printer described in Patent Document 1, even when the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other for an extremely short time due to the mixing of foreign matter between them, the platen is used. It may be detected that the rotation of the rollers changes and the rollers are separated. In such a case, although there is no problem even if the printing is actually continued, the printing is stopped, which may reduce the printing efficiency.

As a method for dealing with such a decrease in printing efficiency, it is conceivable to stop the operation of the detection means or block the output from the detection means from the start of printing. However, according to these methods, even if the thermal head and the platen roller are actually separated from each other during printing, it cannot be detected, and as a result, there is a risk that the thermal head is damaged by blank printing.

Further, both of the above-mentioned first and second printers disclosed in Patent Document 1 detect the separation / proximity of the thermal head and the platen roller by using the output of the encoder as the detection means. .. That is, in the first and second printers disclosed in Patent Document 1, a closed loop control method in which the operation of the motor is fed back by an encoder is adopted. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to apply it to an open-loop control type thermal printer, which is a control method that does not require an encoder.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a thermal printer capable of suppressing a decrease in printing efficiency while avoiding damage to the thermal head due to blank printing even if an encoder is not mounted. The purpose is to provide such as.

In order to achieve the above object, the thermal printer according to the first aspect of the present invention is
A head temperature sensor that measures the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head,
A prediction unit that obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the printing history from a predetermined time point, and
A comparison unit that compares the measured head temperature with the obtained predicted temperature, and
A print control unit that controls printing based on the result of comparison by the comparison unit is provided.

The print control unit may stop printing when the magnitude of the difference between the measured head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature is larger than a predetermined threshold value.

Further provided with a detection unit that detects whether or not the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result.
The comparison unit may compare the measured head temperature with the obtained predicted temperature when it indicates that the output detection signals are separated.

A reference relating a print pattern indicating a print density in a preset print unit and a unit rise temperature which is a rise temperature of a thermal head when printing of the print unit at a print density corresponding to the print pattern. It also has a storage unit to store data.
The prediction unit
A print amount calculation unit that calculates the print amount of the print history based on the print unit of the print pattern,
It may have a temperature prediction unit for obtaining the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the unit rise temperature included in the reference data and the calculated print amount.

Equipped with an environmental temperature sensor that measures the environmental temperature
The temperature prediction unit may obtain the predicted temperature of the thermal head by adding the measured ambient temperature to the product of the unit rise temperature and the calculated print amount.

It also has an in-use user acquisition unit that acquires in-use user data that indicates the in-use user.
The reference data associates the print pattern with the unit rise temperature and a user ID for identifying the user.
The prediction unit
Further having a reference data acquisition unit that identifies the user ID corresponding to the acquired user data in use and acquires the print pattern and the unit rise temperature associated with the specified user ID.
The print amount calculation unit calculates the print amount of the print history based on the print unit of the acquired print pattern.
The temperature prediction unit may obtain the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the acquired unit rise temperature and the calculated print amount.

The printing pattern may include the number of lines per printing unit and the number of characters in each line.

The platen open / close detection method of the thermal printer according to the second aspect of the present invention is
Acquiring head temperature data indicating the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head,
Obtaining the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the printing history from a predetermined time point,
Comparing the measured head temperature with the obtained predicted temperature,
Including controlling printing based on the result of the comparison.

The program according to the third aspect of the present invention
On the computer
Acquiring head temperature data indicating the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head,
Obtaining the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the printing history from a predetermined time point by the thermal printer equipped with the thermal head, and
Comparing the measured head temperature with the obtained predicted temperature,
The purpose is to control printing based on the result of comparison by the comparison unit.

According to the present invention, even if an encoder is not mounted, it is possible to suppress deterioration of printing efficiency while avoiding damage to the thermal head due to blank printing.

It is a figure which shows the physical structure of the thermal printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the control unit which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reference data which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the print mode control part which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the prediction part which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reference data collection processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the operation of a detection switch and a detection signal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the print mode processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the print mode processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the prediction data acquisition processing shown in FIG. 8A. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the inspection mode processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the inspection mode processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the inspection mode processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions will be described using terms of front, back, up, down, left and right, but these are used for explanation and are not intended to limit the present invention.

The thermal printer according to the embodiment of the present invention is a device that prints characters, symbols, images, and the like on thermal paper by thermal transfer. In the present embodiment, an example of a thermal printer that thermally transfers thermal paper as a recording medium will be described, but the thermal printer is not limited to this, and for example, thermal transfer is thermally performed to a recording medium other than thermal paper by using an ink ribbon. You may.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal printer 100 according to the present embodiment inputs the thermal head 101, the platen roller 102, the detection switch 103, the motor 104, the head temperature sensor 105, and the environmental temperature sensor 106. A unit 107, a display unit 108, a mode changeover switch 109, and a control unit 110 are provided.

The thermal head 101 is a member that transfers characters, symbols, images, and the like by heating the thermal paper 111.

The thermal head 101 has, for example, minute heating elements that are aligned and arranged. By switching whether or not to energize each heating element, each heating element is selectively heated according to the characters, symbols, images, etc. to be printed. Characters, symbols, images, etc. are transferred to the thermal paper heated by such a heating element.

The platen roller 102 is a columnar member that rotates around a rotating shaft 112 extending to the left and right, and is made of resin, rubber, or the like.

Typically, the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 can switch between a close state and a separated state, and in the close state, exert a predetermined force on each other via the thermal paper 111. Therefore, when the platen roller 102 rotates while the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are close to each other and sandwich the thermal paper 111 as shown in FIG. 1, the thermal paper 111 is conveyed according to the amount of rotation. ..

For example, the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are arranged in a housing such as a POS (Point of sale) terminal (not shown). The housing is typically a hollow box, consisting of a hollow body having an opening and a lid that can open and close the opening of the body. The thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are provided on the lid and the main body, respectively, so that the distance and the proximity are switched in conjunction with the opening and closing of the lid. According to this, the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are close to the main body when the lid is closed, and separated from the main body when the lid is opened. Then, when the lid is closed with respect to the main body, the thermal paper 111 is sandwiched between the adjacent thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102.

The detection switch 103 is a detection unit that detects whether or not the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other, and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result.

The detection switch 103 according to the present embodiment is provided on the main body of the housing, for example, and has a movable member (139) and a pin member (138) (see FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (e)). Each of 7 (a) to 7 (e) is a view of the rotating shaft 112 and the detection switch 103 viewed from the right side).

The movable member (139) moves up and down with respect to the rotation shaft 112 of the platen roller 102 fixed to the main body of the housing. An upward urging force is applied to the movable member (139) by a spring or the like (not shown).

The lower end of the pin member (138) is in contact with the rotating shaft 112, and the pin member (138) is provided on the movable member (139) so as to be freely visible.

When the lid is closed with respect to the body, the movable member (139) is pushed downward by the lid, and as a result, moves downward against the urging force. In conjunction with this, the pin member (138) is pushed and immersed in the movable member (139) (see FIGS. 7 (c) and 7 (e)). As a result, the detection switch 103 detects that the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are close to each other (that is, not separated from each other), and outputs a proximity signal indicating this as a detection signal.

Further, when the lid is opened with respect to the main body, the movable member (139) moves upward by the urging force. In conjunction with this, the pin member (138) projects downward from the movable member (139) (see FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b)). As a result, the detection switch 103 detects that the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other, and outputs a separation signal indicating this as a detection signal.

Each of the separation signal and the proximity signal may be appropriately determined, but in the present embodiment, they are voltage signals of H (mV) and L (mV). Here, H is larger than L, for example, L is a voltage signal of a reference potential (0 mV), and H is a voltage signal of 5 mV.

The detection switch 103 described here is an example of a detection unit that detects whether or not the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result. The detection unit is not limited to the one described here, and may be, for example, a switch having a configuration different from that of the present embodiment and provided at a different location, or may be composed of an infrared sensor or the like.

The motor 104 is a drive unit for rotating the platen roller 102, and rotates the rotation shaft 112 of the platen roller 102 via the transmission mechanism 113. The transmission mechanism 113 is configured by, for example, appropriately combining gears, belts, pulleys, and the like.

The head temperature sensor 105 and the environmental temperature sensor 106 are sensors for measuring the head temperature and the environmental temperature, respectively, and each of them is composed of, for example, a thermistor.

The head temperature is the temperature of the thermal head 101. The head temperature sensor 105 is arranged so as to be in close contact with the thermal head 101, for example. The environmental temperature is the temperature around the thermal printer 100 (usually room temperature). The environmental temperature sensor 106 is arranged at a position that is not affected by heat generated from a heating element such as a thermal head 101.

The input unit 107 is a part for the user to input characters, symbols, numerical values, and the like. The display unit 108 is a portion for displaying characters, symbols, numerical values, and the like. For example, the display unit 108 is realized by a liquid crystal panel, and constitutes a touch panel together with the input unit 107.

The mode changeover switch 109 is a switch for switching the operation mode of the thermal printer 100. The mode changeover switch 109 according to the present embodiment is a switch provided on the thermal head 101 and slides left and right as shown in FIG.

The installation location of the mode changeover switch 109 is not limited to this, and may be changed as appropriate. Further, the mode changeover switch 109 is not limited to the slide switch, and may be, for example, a physically provided button, a switch or a button realized by software, or the like.

The operation mode of the thermal printer 100 according to the present embodiment includes a print mode, an inspection mode, and a reference data collection mode. The print mode is an operation mode during normal printing. The inspection mode is an operation mode for inspecting the operation in the print mode. The reference data collection mode is an operation mode for collecting data necessary for operation in the print mode.

The control unit 110 controls the thermal head 101, the motor 104, the display unit 108, and the like in an operation mode according to the setting of the mode changeover switch 109. The control unit 110 is physically composed of, for example, a part or all of a processor, an electric circuit, a semiconductor memory, a communication interface, and the like.

The control unit 110 functionally includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a storage unit 114 for storing various data and a control unit 115. The control unit 115 includes a head temperature acquisition unit 116, an environmental temperature acquisition unit 117, a detection signal acquisition unit 118, a print mode control unit 119, a reference data collection unit 120, and an inspection mode control unit 121. .. Such a function is realized, for example, by operating the control unit 110 according to a pre-installed computer program.

The storage unit 114 stores, for example, the user ID (Identification Data) 122 in use, the print data 123b, the print history data 124, the reference data 125, and the print data 126 for inspection.

The user ID 122 in use is data for identifying a user who is using the thermal printer 100. The in-use user ID 122 is stored in the storage unit 114, for example, when the user who uses the thermal printer 100 changes, through input to the input unit 107 or the like.

The print data 123b is data indicating characters, symbols, numerical values, and the like to be printed. The print data 123b is data in which the print data 123a is temporarily stored in the storage unit 114, and the print data 123a is data acquired from the outside as data indicating characters, symbols, numerical values, and the like to be printed. For example, the print data 123b is stored in the storage unit 114 when a series of print data 123a is acquired from the outside, and is deleted when printing based on the print data 123b is completed.

Here, the series of print data 123a is typically one continuous print data, but is not limited to this. For example, the series of print data 123a may be defined as print data forming one unit in content, or may be print data acquired without a time interval of a predetermined time or longer.

The print history data 124 is data indicating printed data 123b among the print data 123b.

The reference data 125 is data that serves as a reference for predicting the head temperature during printing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reference data 125 according to the present embodiment is data in which the user ID, the print pattern, and the unit rise temperature are associated with each other.

The user ID is data for identifying each person who uses the thermal printer 100. The user ID is, for example, data indicating a combination of characters, numbers, symbols, and the like as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the same combination of characters, numbers, symbols, etc. is adopted for the above-mentioned in-use user ID 122 and the user ID for the same person, and the user IDs are associated with each other.

As long as the user ID 122 in use and the user ID for the same person are associated with each other, different combinations of characters, numbers, symbols, and the like may be adopted. In this case, for example, the user ID and the user ID 122 in use may be associated with each other by a table stored in the storage unit 114 or the like.

The print pattern indicates the print density in a preset print unit. The printing unit is, for example, a paper size such as A4 or B5 defined by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). The print density is set by the number of lines per print unit and the number of characters per line.

In the present embodiment, the print unit is described as being constant, but it may be configured to be changeable. In this case, the print unit is stored in association with the number of lines and the number of characters in the print pattern, for example. Good. Further, the printing unit is not limited to the above example and may be appropriately set. For example, when the thermal paper 111 attached to the thermal printer 100 is a roll paper, its width and a constant feeding length (5 cm, 10 cm, etc.) It may be.

The unit rise temperature is the number of lines and the number of characters according to the print pattern, and indicates the rise temperature of the thermal head 101 when printing the paper size indicated by the print pattern.

See FIG. 2 again.
The inspection print data 126 is data indicating standard characters, symbols, numerical values, etc. set in advance for printing when inspecting in the inspection mode.

The head temperature acquisition unit 116 acquires head temperature data from the head temperature sensor 105. The head temperature data is data indicating the head temperature.

The environmental temperature acquisition unit 117 acquires the environmental temperature data from the environmental temperature sensor. The environmental temperature data is data indicating the environmental temperature.

The detection signal acquisition unit 118 acquires the detection signal from the detection switch 103.

The print mode control unit 119 controls the thermal printer 100 as a whole when the operation mode of the thermal printer 100 is the print mode.

For example, the print mode control unit 119 controls the thermal head 101, the motor 104, and the like based on the print data 123b. As a result, characters, symbols, images and the like corresponding to the print data 123b are thermally transferred from the thermal head 101, and the characters, symbols, images and the like are printed on the thermal paper. Further, for example, the print mode control unit 119 determines whether or not the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other during printing, and if it is determined that the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other, the printing is stopped.

Specifically, the print mode control unit 119 has a print control unit 127, a prediction unit 128, and a comparison unit 129, as shown in FIG.

When the print control unit 127 acquires the print data 123a from the outside while the proximity signal is being output from the detection switch 103, the print control unit 127 sequentially stores the print data 123a in the storage unit 114 as the print data 123b.

Then, when the acquisition of the series of print data 123a is completed, the print control unit 127 prints the contents of the print data 123b by controlling the thermal head 101 and the motor 104 based on the print data 123b. The contents of the print data 123b are characters, symbols, images, and the like indicated by the print data 123b.

The print control unit 127 rotates the motor 104 with the thermal paper 111 sandwiched between the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102. As a result, the platen roller 102 rotates via the transmission mechanism 113, and the thermal paper 111 is conveyed. The print control unit 127 heats the thermal head 101 according to characters, symbols, images, and the like included in the print data 123b as the thermal paper 111 is conveyed. As a result, the heat-sensitive layer applied to the heat-sensitive paper 111 develops color, and the contents of the print data 123b are printed on the paper.

When the print control unit 127 prints the contents of the print data 123b, the print control unit 127 sequentially stores the print data 123b corresponding to the printed portion as the print history data 124 in the storage unit 114.

The print history data 124 may be any data 123b that indicates a portion of the print data 123b that has been printed, and the method of indicating the portion that has been printed is not limited to that illustrated here. For example, printing is completed. It may be the data size of the printed part.

When printing based on the print data 123b is completed, the print control unit 127 deletes the print data 123b and the print history data 124 from the storage unit 114.

Further, when the print control unit 127 receives information indicating the comparison result from the comparison unit 129 described in detail later, the print control unit 127 controls printing based on the comparison result indicated by the information. For example, the print control unit 127 stops printing when the head temperature measured by the head temperature sensor is higher than the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101.

The prediction unit 128 obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 based on the printing history from a predetermined time point. The prediction unit 128 according to the present embodiment obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 based on the print history data 124. That is, in the present embodiment, the time point at which printing of the print data 123b (series of print data 123a) is disclosed is defined as a "predetermined time point", and how much of the series of print data 123b has been printed. By referring to it, the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 is obtained.

Specifically, the prediction unit 128 obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 based on the user ID 122 in use, the reference data 125, the print history data 124, and the environmental temperature data. As shown in FIG. 5, the prediction unit 128 according to the present embodiment functionally includes the in-use user acquisition unit 130, the reference acquisition unit 131, the print history acquisition unit 132, the print amount calculation unit 133, and the temperature. It has a prediction unit 134.

The in-use user acquisition unit 130 acquires the in-use user ID 122 from the storage unit 114. The in-use user ID 122 may be acquired by wireless or wired communication, and in this case, the in-use user ID 122 may not be stored in the storage unit 114.

The reference acquisition unit 131 acquires the reference data 125 from the storage unit 114.

Specifically, the reference acquisition unit 131 identifies the user ID corresponding to the in-use user ID 122 acquired by the in-use user acquisition unit 130 with reference to, for example, the reference data 125. Then, the reference acquisition unit 131 acquires the print pattern and the unit rise temperature associated with the specified user ID.

The print history acquisition unit 132 acquires the print history data 124 from the storage unit 114.

The print amount calculation unit 133 calculates the print amount of the print history based on the print unit of the print pattern included in the reference data 125 acquired by the reference acquisition unit 131. The print history here is the print history indicated by the print history data 124 acquired by the print history acquisition unit 132.

The temperature prediction unit 134 obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 based on the unit rise temperature acquired by the reference acquisition unit 131 and the print amount calculated by the print amount calculation unit 133.

More specifically, the temperature prediction unit 134 has a temperature rise calculation unit 135 and a prediction temperature calculation unit 136, and by adding the ambient temperature to the product of the unit temperature rise temperature and the print amount, the thermal head 101 Find the predicted temperature.

The rise temperature calculation unit 135 obtains the product of the unit rise temperature included in the reference data acquired by the reference acquisition unit 131 and the print amount calculated by the print amount calculation unit 133 as the rise temperature of the thermal head 101.

The predicted temperature calculation unit 136 obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 by adding the environmental temperature measured by the environmental temperature sensor 106 to the rising temperature of the thermal head 101 obtained by the rising temperature calculation unit 135.

See FIG. 4 again.
The comparison unit 129 compares the head temperature measured by the head temperature sensor 105 (hereinafter, also referred to as “measured temperature”) with the predicted temperature obtained by the prediction unit 128. The comparison unit 129 outputs information indicating the comparison result to the print control unit 127.

In the present embodiment, the comparison unit 129 acquires the detection signal output from the detection switch 103 via the detection signal acquisition unit 118, and the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other based on the acquired detection signal. Detects whether or not it has been done.

When it indicates that the detection signals are separated, that is, when the detection signal is a separation signal, the comparison unit 129 uses the head temperature indicated by the head temperature data acquired via the head temperature acquisition unit 116 and the prediction unit 128. Compare with the obtained predicted temperature. Then, the comparison unit 129 uses the information indicating whether or not the magnitude (absolute value) of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value T as information indicating the result of comparison, which is the print control unit 127. Output to.

The reference data collection unit 120 controls the thermal printer 100 as a whole when the operation mode of the thermal printer 100 is the reference data collection mode.

Specifically, the reference data collection unit 120 acquires the user ID and the print pattern from the input unit 107. Then, the reference data collecting unit 120 obtains the unit rise temperature by acquiring the head temperature before and after printing according to the acquired print pattern. The reference data collection unit 120 stores the data associated with the user ID, the print pattern, and the unit rise temperature acquired in this way in the storage unit 114 as the reference data 125.

The inspection mode control unit 121 controls the thermal printer 100 as a whole when the operation mode of the thermal printer 100 is the inspection mode.

Specifically, when the inspection mode control unit 121 receives an inspection instruction from the input unit 107 with the lid open, that is, with the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 actually separated from each other, the inspection mode control unit 121 receives a dummy proximity signal. Output, thereby operating the print mode control unit 119. The print mode control unit 119 prints under the control of the inspection mode control unit 121.

Here, the dummy proximity signal is a signal corresponding to the proximity signal output from the detection switch 103 when the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are in close proximity to each other.

When the print mode control unit 119 stops printing before the lapse of the predetermined time PT1, the inspection mode control unit 121 notifies the user that the printing operation with the lid open is normal. On the other hand, if the print mode control unit 119 does not stop printing by the time PT1 elapses for a predetermined time, the inspection mode control unit 121 determines that the printing operation with the lid open is not normal (inspection error). Notify the user.

Further, the inspection mode control unit 121 operates the print mode control unit 119 when the inspection instruction is received from the input unit 107 in a state where the lid is closed, that is, when the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are actually close to each other. Let me. The print mode control unit 119 prints under the control of the inspection mode control unit 121. When PT2 elapses for a predetermined time from the start of printing, the inspection mode control unit 121 outputs a dummy separation signal to the print mode control unit 119.

Here, the dummy separation signal is a signal corresponding to the separation signal output from the detection switch 103 when the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other, and is a predetermined short-time one-shot signal. It is a pulse signal.

When the print control unit 127 is operating normally, even if it acquires a dummy separation signal, if it is actually close to each other, it is based on the result of comparison between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature in the comparison unit 129. Therefore, it is determined that the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are not separated from each other.

Therefore, when the print control unit 127 continues printing even after a predetermined time required for the comparison process elapses after outputting the dummy separation signal, the inspection mode control unit 121 keeps the lid closed. Notify the user that the print operation is normal.

On the other hand, when the inspection mode control unit 121 outputs a dummy separation signal and then the print control unit 127 stops printing before a predetermined time required for the comparison process elapses, the inspection mode control unit 121 causes the inspection mode control unit 121 to stop printing. , Notify the user that the printing operation with the lid closed is not normal (inspection error).

So far, the configuration of the thermal printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described. From here, the operation of the thermal printer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Operation of the thermal printer 100 in the reference data collection mode>
When the power of the thermal printer 100 is turned on and the mode changeover switch 109 is set to the reference data collection mode, for example, when a user's instruction based on an operation on the input unit 107 is received, the reference data collection unit 120 is shown in FIG. The reference data collection process shown in 6 is started.

The reference data collecting unit 120 acquires the head temperature data output from the head temperature sensor 105 via the head temperature acquiring unit 116. As a result, the reference data collecting unit 120 acquires the head temperature indicated by the head temperature data (step S101).

The reference data collecting unit 120 acquires the user ID from the input unit 107 based on the operation of the user to the input unit 107 (step S102).

The reference data collection unit 120 acquires a print pattern based on the user's operation on the input unit 107 (step S103). In the present embodiment, the reference data collection unit 120 acquires a combination of the number of lines per print unit and the number of characters per line as a print pattern.

The reference data collection unit 120 prints according to the print pattern acquired in step S103 (step S104). For example, the number of lines and the number of characters included in the print pattern are used to print an amount corresponding to a printing unit. The amount corresponding to the printing unit is, for example, one A4 size sheet when JIS A4 size is adopted as the printing unit.

The amount to be printed in step S104 may be appropriately predetermined, and may be a predetermined amount based on the printing unit, for example, half, two, or three times the set printing unit.

The reference data collection unit 120 acquires the head temperature data output from the head temperature sensor 105 after the printing in step S104 is completed via the head temperature acquisition unit 116. As a result, the reference data collection unit 120 acquires the head temperature after printing in step S104. The reference data collecting unit 120 calculates the unit rise temperature by subtracting the head temperature before printing acquired in step S101 from the head temperature after printing (step S105).

The reference data collecting unit 120 stores the reference data 125 in which the user ID and the print pattern acquired in steps S102 to S103 and the unit rise temperature calculated in step S105 are associated with each other in the storage unit 114 (step S106). As a result, the reference data collection unit 120 ends the reference data collection process.

<Operation of thermal printer 100 in print mode>
For example, when the power of the thermal printer 100 is turned on and the mode changeover switch 109 is set to the print mode, the print mode control unit 119 transmits the detection signal output from the detection switch 103 via the detection signal acquisition unit 118. get.

Then, while the acquired detection signal is a proximity signal, that is, when the acquired detection signal indicates proximity between the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102, the print mode control unit 119 performs print mode processing (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). ) Is repeated.

Here, the relationship between the operation of the detection switch 103 and the detection signal will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

At time T1, for example, the lid is open with respect to the main body, the pin member 138 of the detection switch 103 projects downward from the movable member 139, and the lower end thereof rotates the platen roller 102, as shown in FIG. 7A. It is in contact with the shaft 112. At this time, the signal level of the detection signal is an H [mV] separation signal.

After that, for example, when the lid is closed with respect to the main body, the movable member 139 is pushed downward, and the pin member 138 is immersed in the movable member 139 accordingly. The state of the detection switch 103 at the time T2 is shown in FIG. 7 (b). At this time, the signal level of the detection signal is an H [mV] separation signal.

Eventually, at time T3, for example, the lid is closed with respect to the main body, and as shown in FIG. 7C, almost all of the pin member 138 is immersed in the movable member 139. Immediately after this, the signal level of the detection signal changes from H [mV] to L [mV] proximity signal (time T4). Then, after the time T4, the detection switch 103 continues to output the proximity signal.

When the proximity signal is output in this way, as shown in FIG. 8A, the print control unit 127 determines whether or not the print data 123a has been acquired from the outside (step S121).

When the print data 123a has not been acquired, the print control unit 127 determines that the print data 123a has not been acquired (step S121; NO). Then, the print control unit 127 acquires the detection signal output from the detection switch 103 via the detection signal acquisition unit 118, and determines whether or not the separation signal has been acquired based on the acquired detection signal (step). S122).

When the detection signal acquired in step S122 is a proximity signal, the print control unit 127 determines that the separation signal has not been acquired (step S122; NO), and returns to the process of step S121.

When the detection signal acquired in step S122 is a separation signal, the print control unit 127 determines that the separation signal has been acquired (step S122; YES). Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the print control unit 127 notifies that the print control unit 127 is separated through the display on the display unit 108 (step S123), and ends the print mode process.

See FIG. 8A again.
When the print data 123a is acquired, the print control unit 127 determines that the print data 123a has been acquired (step S121; YES). The print control unit 127 sequentially stores the acquired print data 123a as print data 123b in the storage unit 114 until the acquisition of a series of print data 123a is completed. The print control unit 127 prints characters, symbols, images, etc. indicated by the print data 123b on the thermal paper 111 by controlling the thermal head 101 and the motor 104 with reference to the stored print data 123b (step S124). ..

At this time, the print control unit 127 sequentially stores the printed portion of the print data 123b in the storage unit 114 as print history data 124. Then, the print control unit 127 determines whether or not the printing of the print data 123b is completed (step S125).

If there is print data 123b for which printing has not yet been completed, the print control unit 127 determines that printing has not been completed (step S125; NO), and detects the detection signal output from the detection switch 103 as the detection signal acquisition unit. Get through 118. The print control unit 127 determines whether or not the separation signal has been acquired based on the acquired detection signal (step S126).

When the detection signal acquired in step S126 is a proximity signal, the print control unit 127 determines that the separation signal has not been acquired (step S126; NO), and returns to the process of step S124. As a result, the contents of the print data 123b that has not yet been printed are continuously printed.

When all the characters, symbols, images, and the like indicated by the print data 123b are printed, the print control unit 127 determines that the printing is completed (step S125; YES). The print control unit 127 deletes the print data 123b from the storage unit 114 (step S127), and ends the print mode process as shown in FIG. 8B.

See FIG. 8A again.
When the detection signal acquired in step S126 is a separation signal, the print control unit 127 determines that the separation signal has been acquired (step S126; YES).

Since the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are not separated from each other during normal printing, the separation signal is not output from the detection switch 103.

However, in rare cases, a separation signal may be output from the detection switch 103 during printing. For example, as shown in FIG. 7D, a foreign matter 140 is sandwiched between the rotating shaft 112 of the platen roller 102 and the movable member 139, whereby the pin member 138 slightly protrudes downward from the movable member 139. In such a case, the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other even during printing, and the detection signal gradually changes from the proximity signal of L [mV] (time T5) to the separation signal of H [mV]. It changes (time T6).

See FIG. 8A again.
When it is determined that the separation signal has been acquired (step S126; YES), the comparison unit 129 acquires the head temperature data output from the head temperature sensor 105 via the head temperature acquisition unit 116. As a result, the comparison unit 129, which has acquired the separation signal during printing, acquires the measured temperature when the separation signal is acquired (step S128).

Subsequently, the prediction unit 128 executes the prediction temperature acquisition process (step S129). The predicted temperature acquisition process is a process for acquiring the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101.

As shown in FIG. 9, the in-use user acquisition unit 130 acquires the in-use user ID 122 from the storage unit 114 (step S1291).

The reference acquisition unit 131 identifies the user ID corresponding to the user ID 122 in use acquired in step S1291 and acquires the reference data 125 including the specified user ID (step S1292).

The print history acquisition unit 132 acquires the print history data 124 from the storage unit 114 (step S1293).

The print amount calculation unit 133 calculates the print amount of the print history indicated by the print history data 124 acquired in step S1293 based on the preset print unit (step S1294). As a result, the amount of printing after the printing process is started in step S124 is calculated.

The rise temperature calculation unit 135 multiplies the unit rise temperature included in the reference data 125 acquired in step S1292 and the print amount calculated in step S1294. The rise temperature calculation unit 135 calculates the value obtained by multiplying as the rise temperature (step S1295).

This is a calculation method based on the idea that the rising temperature of the thermal head 101 is proportional to the printing amount. The method for obtaining the rising temperature of the thermal head 101 is not limited to this. The rising temperature of the thermal head 101 may be obtained, for example, by storing a table in which the printing amount and the rising temperature of the thermal head 101 are associated in advance in the storage unit 114 and referring to this table. According to this, even when the rising temperature of the thermal head 101 is not proportional to the printing amount, the rising temperature of the thermal head 101 can be obtained more accurately.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the reference data 125 includes one unit temperature rise is shown, but in general, the thermal head 101 is often substantially constant at a certain temperature. Therefore, the reference data 125 may include a plurality of unit rising temperatures depending on, for example, the printing time, the printing amount, and the like. The amount of printing here may be indicated by, for example, the number of printed characters or the number of lines.

With reference to FIG. 9, the predicted temperature calculation unit 136 acquires the environmental temperature data output from the environmental temperature sensor 106 via the environmental temperature acquisition unit 117. As a result, the predicted temperature calculation unit 136 acquires the environmental temperature when the separation signal is acquired during printing (step S1296).

The predicted temperature calculation unit 136 adds the rising temperature calculated in step S1295 and the environmental temperature acquired in step S1296. As a result, the predicted temperature calculation unit 136 calculates the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 when the separation signal is acquired during printing (step S1297). As a result, the predicted temperature acquisition process is completed.

See FIG. 8A again.
The comparison unit 129 calculates the difference between the measured temperature acquired in step S128 and the predicted temperature acquired in step S129. Then, the comparison unit 129 determines whether or not the calculated difference magnitude is equal to or less than the threshold value T (step S130). Here, for example, the threshold value T is set to a value smaller than the size of the difference between the design heat resistant temperature of the thermal head 101 and the measured temperature.

When it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is equal to or less than the threshold value T (step S130; YES), the print control unit 127 continues the printing process in step S124 in response to the result of the determination. To do.

For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 7D, the foreign matter 140 may be caught between the rotating shaft 112 and the movable member 139, whereby the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 may be separated from each other. However, the pinched foreign matter 140 is often removed as shown in FIG. 7 (e) with the subsequent rotation of the rotating shaft 112 and the like. When the foreign matter 140 is removed, the detection signal gradually returns from the L [mV] separation signal (time T7) to the H [mV] proximity signal (time T8).

In such a case, the time at which the separation signal is output is a relatively short time from the time T6 to the time T7. Therefore, even if blank printing occurs during this period, it is unlikely that the thermal head 101 will overheat and be damaged. In such a case, if printing is stopped based on the detection signal, it takes time for the user and the printing efficiency is lowered.

In the present embodiment, when a separation signal is output during printing, the separation between the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 is determined based on the head temperature as described above. Therefore, if the distance between the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 is relatively short, the printing process (step S124) is not stopped, and the contents of the print data 123b that has not yet been printed are continuously printed. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of printing efficiency.

On the other hand, when the distance between the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 continues, the measured temperature rises and the difference from the predicted temperature exceeds the threshold value T. In this case, the comparison unit 129 determines that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is not equal to or less than the threshold value T (step S130; NO). Upon receiving the result of this determination, the print control unit 127 stops printing as shown in FIG. 8B (step S131). Since printing is stopped, it is possible to avoid damage due to blank printing.

The print control unit 127 notifies that the print control unit 127 is separated through the display on the display unit 108 (step S123), and ends the print mode process.

Such print mode processing does not require encoder-based control. Therefore, even if the encoder is not mounted, it is possible to suppress deterioration of printing efficiency while avoiding damage to the thermal head due to blank printing.

<Operation of thermal printer 100 in inspection mode>
When the power of the thermal printer 100 is turned on and the mode changeover switch 109 is set to the inspection mode, the inspection mode control unit 121 executes the inspection mode processing shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the inspection mode control unit 121 determines whether or not the inspection instruction has been received with the lid open (step S141). Whether or not the lid is open is determined based on the detection signal acquired from the detection switch 103 via the detection signal acquisition unit 118. Further, the inspection instruction is output from the input unit 107, for example, in response to the user performing a predetermined operation on the input unit 107.

When the proximity signal is acquired or the inspection instruction is not accepted, the inspection mode control unit 121 determines that the inspection instruction is not accepted with the lid open (step S141; NO), and step S141. Repeat the process of.

When the separation signal is acquired and the inspection instruction is received, the inspection mode control unit 121 determines that the inspection instruction has been received with the lid open (step S141; YES), and sends a dummy to the print mode control unit 119. Proximity signal is output (step S142). Then, the inspection mode control unit 121 starts the timer (step S143).

When the print mode control unit 119 acquires the dummy proximity signal from the inspection mode control unit 121, the print mode control unit 119 acquires the inspection print data 126 from the storage unit 114 (step S144).

The print mode control unit 119 executes the processes of steps S124 and S128 to S130 described above. In the processes of steps S124 and S128 to S130 here, the inspection print data 126 acquired in step S144 is adopted instead of the print data 123b of the print mode process.

When it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is equal to or less than the threshold value T (step S130; YES), the inspection mode control unit 121 is based on the time measured by the timer started in step S143. Then, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time PT1 has elapsed (step S145).

When it is determined that the predetermined time PT1 has not elapsed (step S145; NO), the inspection mode control unit 121 causes the print mode control unit 119 to continuously execute the processes of steps S124 and S128 to S130.

If the printing of characters, symbols, numerical values, etc. included in the inspection print data 126 is completed by the time when the predetermined time PT1 elapses, the contents of the inspection print data 126 will be displayed until the predetermined time PT1 elapses. It should be printed repeatedly. In this case, the print history data 124 may include, for example, the number of times the printing of the contents of the print data 123 is repeated.

Here, when blank printing is continued for the predetermined time PT1, the thermal printer 100 usually adopts a time when the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature exceeds the threshold value T. Therefore, if it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is equal to or less than the threshold value T even if the predetermined time PT1 elapses from the time when the timer is started in step S143, the print mode control unit 119 Means that is not working properly.

When it is determined that the predetermined time PT1 has elapsed (step S145; YES), the inspection mode control unit 121 causes the print mode control unit 119 to stop printing as shown in FIG. 10C (step S146). Then, the inspection mode control unit 121 notifies that it is not operating normally (inspection error) through the display on the display unit 108 (step S147), and ends the inspection mode process.

See FIG. 10A again.
When it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is not equal to or less than the threshold value T (step S130; NO), the print mode control unit 119 stops printing as shown in FIG. 10B (step S131).

In this case, it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature exceeds the threshold value T from the time when the timer is started in step S143 to the time when the predetermined time PT1 elapses, and printing is stopped. This means that the print mode control unit 119 is operating normally.

Therefore, the inspection mode control unit 121 notifies that it is operating normally (normal operation) through the display on the display unit 108 (step S148).

The inspection mode control unit 121 determines whether or not the inspection instruction has been received with the lid closed (step S149).

When the separation signal is acquired or the inspection instruction is not accepted, the inspection mode control unit 121 determines that the inspection instruction is not accepted with the lid closed (step S149; NO), and step S149. Repeat the process of.

When the proximity signal is acquired and the inspection instruction is received, the inspection mode control unit 121 determines that the inspection instruction has been received with the lid closed (step S149; YES), and starts the timer (step S150). ).

When the timer starts in step S150, the print mode control unit 119 acquires the inspection print data 126 from the storage unit 114 in response to an instruction from, for example, the inspection mode control unit 121 (step S151).

The print mode control unit 119 executes the process of step S124 described above. In the process of step S124 here, the inspection print data 126 acquired in step S144 is adopted instead of the print data 123b of the print mode process.

The inspection mode control unit 121 determines whether or not the predetermined time PT2 has elapsed based on the time measured by the timer started in step S150 (step S152).

When it is determined that the predetermined time PT2 has not elapsed (step S152; NO), the inspection mode control unit 121 continues the process of step S152 and waits until the predetermined time PT2 elapses.

When the predetermined time PT2 has elapsed since the timer was started in step S150, the inspection mode control unit 121 determines that the predetermined time PT2 has elapsed (step S152; YES). Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the inspection mode control unit 121 outputs a dummy separation signal to the print mode control unit 119 (step S153).

When the print mode control unit 119 acquires the dummy separation signal output from the inspection mode control unit 121 (step S154), the print mode control unit 119 executes the processes of steps S128 to S130.

When it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is not equal to or less than the threshold value T (step S130; NO), the print mode control unit 119 stops printing (step S131).

Here, since the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are actually close to each other, stopping printing by the print mode control unit 119 means that the print mode control unit 119 is not operating normally. ..

Therefore, when the inspection mode control unit 121 detects that the print mode control unit 119 has stopped printing, the inspection mode control unit 121 notifies the inspection error through the display on the display unit 108 (step S154), and ends the inspection mode process.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is equal to or less than the threshold value T, the print mode control unit 119 continues printing, so that the print mode control unit 119 operates normally. It means that it is.

When it is determined that the magnitude of the difference between the measured temperature and the predicted temperature is equal to or less than the threshold value T (step S130; YES), the inspection mode control unit 121 sends the print mode control unit 119 to the print mode control unit 119 in response to the result of this determination. Printing is stopped (step S155). Then, the inspection mode control unit 121 notifies the normal operation through the display on the display unit 108 (step S156), and ends the inspection mode process.

By operating the thermal printer 100 in the inspection mode in this way, it is possible to inspect whether the thermal printer 100 operates normally based on the detection signal when operating in the print mode.

So far, the thermal printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described.

Generally, if printing is continued with the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 separated from each other, so-called blank printing occurs, and the thermal head 101 may overheat and be damaged.

On the other hand, as described above, since the foreign matter 140 is sandwiched between the rotating shaft 112 and the movable member 139, the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 may be separated from each other. In such a case, the foreign matter 140 is often removed without human intervention due to the rotation of the rotating shaft 112 or the like within a relatively short time, and the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 often return to a close state. .. When the distance between the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 is relatively short as in this example, it is unlikely that the thermal head 101 will overheat and cause damage. It is not necessary to stop printing even in such a case, and if printing is stopped, the printing efficiency is lowered.

The thermal printer 100 according to the present embodiment obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 based on the printing history from a predetermined time point, compares the measured head temperature with the obtained predicted temperature, and compares them. Control printing based on the result of.

Generally, when the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other, the head temperature rises. Therefore, by comparing the measured temperature of the thermal head 101 with the predicted temperature, it is possible to accurately detect whether or not the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 need to stop printing to some extent.

Then, by stopping printing based on the detection result, blank printing can be avoided and damage to the thermal head due to blank printing can be prevented. Further, by stopping the printing at a temperature lower than the standard heat resistant temperature of the thermal head 101, it is possible to achieve an early recovery by an early response and improve the printing efficiency.

Further, when there is little possibility that the thermal head 101 is damaged by overheating, such as when the distance between the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 is relatively short, printing is continued without stopping. Therefore, the printing efficiency can be improved rather than stopping the printing even when there is little possibility that the thermal head 101 is damaged.

Since the encoder of the motor 104 is not required for these controls, the thermal printer 100 of the open loop control system without the encoder may be used.

Therefore, even if the encoder is not mounted, it is possible to suppress a decrease in printing efficiency while avoiding damage to the thermal head 101 due to blank printing.

According to the present embodiment, the print control unit 127 stops printing when the magnitude of the difference between the measured head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature is larger than the predetermined threshold value T. Normally, a failure may occur when the thermal head 101 is overheated, so that the measured head temperature becomes higher than the predicted temperature.

By stopping printing in this way, it is possible to prevent the thermal head 101 from being overheated and damaged.

According to the present embodiment, the thermal printer 100 further includes a detection switch 103 that detects whether or not the thermal head 101 and the platen roller 102 are separated from each other and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result. Further, the comparison unit 129 compares the measured head temperature with the predicted temperature when it indicates that the output detection signals are separated.

By comparing the measured head temperature with the predicted temperature when it indicates that the detection signals are separated, the control unit 115 is compared with, for example, periodically performing a comparison process without referring to the detection signal. Processing load can be reduced. In this way, since more processing capacity of the control unit 115 can be allocated to the printing process, it is possible to reduce the delay in the printing process due to the processing delay in the control unit 115. Therefore, it is possible to improve the printing efficiency.

According to the present embodiment, the thermal printer 100 has a print pattern indicating a print density in a preset print unit and a thermal head 101 in the case where the print unit is printed at a print density corresponding to the print pattern. A storage unit 114 that stores reference data 125 associated with a unit rise temperature, which is a rise temperature, is further provided. Then, the prediction unit 128 calculates the print amount of the print history based on the print unit of the print pattern, and predicts the thermal head 101 based on the unit rise temperature included in the reference data 125 and the calculated print amount. Find the temperature.

In general, the temperature of the thermal head 101 changes according to the amount of printing, so that the temperature of the thermal head 101 can be appropriately predicted by this method.

According to the present embodiment, the thermal printer 100 further includes an environmental temperature sensor 106 for measuring the environmental temperature. Then, the temperature prediction unit 134 obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 by adding the measured ambient temperature to the product of the unit temperature rise temperature and the calculated printing amount.

As a result, the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 can be obtained in consideration of the environmental temperature, so that the temperature of the thermal head 101 can be predicted more appropriately.

According to the present embodiment, the thermal printer 100 further includes an in-use user acquisition unit 130 that acquires in-use user data indicating the in-use user. Further, the reference data 125 associates a user ID for identifying a user in addition to the print pattern and the unit rise temperature. Then, the prediction unit 128 further identifies the user ID corresponding to the acquired user data in use, and acquires the print pattern and the unit rise temperature associated with the specified user ID. The print amount calculation unit 133 calculates the print amount of the print history based on the print unit of the acquired print pattern. The temperature prediction unit 134 obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 based on the acquired unit rise temperature and the calculated print amount.

As a result, a print pattern can be set for each user ID, and the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 can be obtained based on the print pattern. When the print pattern differs depending on the user ID, the predicted temperature can be obtained according to the print pattern. Therefore, it is possible to accurately obtain the predicted temperature.

According to this embodiment, the printing pattern includes the number of lines per printing unit and the number of characters in each line. As a result, the print density can be easily set and the predicted temperature of the thermal head 101 can be obtained.

Although embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention also includes a form in which a part or all of the embodiments and modifications described above are appropriately combined, and a form in which the form is appropriately modified.

The present invention can be applied to cash processing devices, automatic machines that issue details such as multimedia terminals, store terminals that issue receipts in POS systems, and the like.

100 Thermal printer 101 Thermal head 102 Platen roller 103 Detection switch 104 Motor 105 Head temperature sensor 106 Environmental temperature sensor 109 Mode changeover switch 110 Control unit 111 Thermal paper 112 Rotating shaft 113 Transmission mechanism 114 Storage unit 115 Control unit 116 Head temperature acquisition unit 117 Environmental temperature acquisition unit 118 Detection signal acquisition unit 119 Print mode control unit 120 Reference data collection unit 121 Inspection mode control unit 122 In-use user ID
123a, 123b Print data 124 Print history data 125 Reference data 126 Inspection print data 127 Print control unit 128 Prediction unit 129 Comparison unit 130 In-use user acquisition unit 131 Reference acquisition unit 132 Print history acquisition unit 133 Print amount calculation unit 134 Temperature prediction Part 135 Rising temperature calculation part 136 Predicted temperature calculation part 138 Pin member 139 Movable member 140 Foreign matter

Claims (7)

A detector that detects whether the thermal head and the platen roller are separated,
A head temperature sensor that measures the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head,
A control unit that controls printing and
With
The control unit
A prediction unit that obtains the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the printing history from a predetermined time point, and
When it is detected by the output of the detection unit that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other, the head temperature measured by the head temperature sensor is compared with the predicted temperature obtained by the prediction unit. A comparison unit that determines whether the magnitude of the difference between the measured head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature is larger than a predetermined threshold .
Including a print control unit that controls printing
The print control unit detects that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other by the output of the detection unit based on the determination result from the comparison unit, and the measured head temperature and the determination are obtained. When printing is stopped when the magnitude of the difference from the predicted temperature is larger than a predetermined threshold value, while the output of the detection unit detects that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other. A thermal printer characterized in that printing is continued even if the difference between the measured head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature is smaller than a predetermined threshold value . A reference relating a print pattern indicating a print density in a preset print unit and a unit rise temperature which is a rise temperature of a thermal head when printing of the print unit at a print density corresponding to the print pattern. It also has a storage unit to store data.
The prediction unit
A print amount calculation unit that calculates the print amount of the print history based on the print unit of the print pattern,
Based on the unit temperature rise and the calculated amount of printing included in the reference data, the thermal printer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a temperature prediction unit for obtaining the predicted temperature of the thermal head. Equipped with an environmental temperature sensor that measures the environmental temperature
The temperature prediction unit is the product of the unit raised temperature and the calculated amount of printing, by adding the measured environmental temperature, claim 2, characterized in that to determine the predicted temperature of the thermal head The thermal printer described in. It also has an in-use user acquisition unit that acquires in-use user data that indicates the in-use user.
The reference data associates the print pattern with the unit rise temperature and a user ID for identifying the user.
The prediction unit
Further having a reference data acquisition unit that identifies the user ID corresponding to the acquired user data in use and acquires the print pattern and the unit rise temperature associated with the specified user ID.
The print amount calculation unit calculates the print amount of the print history based on the print unit of the acquired print pattern.
The thermal printer according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the temperature prediction unit obtains a predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the acquired unit rise temperature and the calculated print amount. The thermal printer according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , wherein the printing pattern includes the number of lines per printing unit and the number of characters in each line. A printing control method for a thermal printer including a detection unit for detecting whether or not the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other and a head temperature sensor for measuring the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head.
Acquiring head temperature data indicating the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head, which is the measurement result of the head temperature sensor ,
Obtaining the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the printing history from a predetermined time point,
Wherein said thermal head by an output of the detection unit when the platen roller and detects that it has spaced, comparing the measured front Kihe head temperature data before Ki予 temperature, and the measured head temperature Determining whether the magnitude of the difference from the obtained predicted temperature is larger than a predetermined threshold
Based on the result of the determination , when the output of the detection unit detects that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other, the difference between the measured head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature is When the size is larger than a predetermined threshold, printing is stopped, and the measurement is performed even when the output of the detection unit detects that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other. A printing control method for a thermal printer, comprising: continuing printing when the magnitude of the difference between the head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature is smaller than a predetermined threshold value . A computer mounted on a thermal printer equipped with a detection unit that detects whether or not the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other and a head temperature sensor that measures the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head .
Acquiring head temperature data indicating the head temperature, which is the measurement result of the head temperature sensor and is the temperature of the thermal head,
Obtaining the predicted temperature of the thermal head based on the printing history from a predetermined time point by the thermal printer equipped with the thermal head, and
When it is detected that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other by the output of the detection unit,
That before comparing the Kihe head temperature data before Ki予measuring temperature, determining whether the magnitude of the difference between the measured head temperature and the determined prediction temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold When,
Based on the result of the determination , the difference between the measured head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature when the output of the detection unit detects that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other. When the size is larger than a predetermined threshold, printing is stopped, and the measurement is performed even when the output of the detection unit detects that the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other. When the magnitude of the difference between the head temperature and the obtained predicted temperature is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, printing is continued.
A program to do things and things.

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