JP7192476B2 - PRINTING DEVICE, PROGRAM AND CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Description

The present specification relates to a printing apparatus, program, and control method.

Conventionally, a printing apparatus using a thermal head that does not have a thermistor controls the energization time based on the black ratio of print data instead of using the thermistor. In such a printing apparatus, the timer of the printing apparatus performs subtraction processing of the surplus rate at regular time intervals after the end of printing, so that the surplus rate is maintained at an appropriate rate over time.

For example, in a printing apparatus using a thermal head, there is disclosed a technique of modeling the thermal response of the thermal print head element to energy supply to the thermal print head element over time (for example, Patent Document 1 reference).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-519713

However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the timer stops when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off, and if the elapsed time is not correctly counted, there are cases where an appropriate thermal response cannot be performed.

In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a technique capable of appropriately controlling the energization time of the thermal head even if the printing apparatus does not accurately count the time. is.

A printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a thermal head that has a heating element, and performs printing on a print medium by energizing the heating element; a control means for controlling an energization time, wherein the control means controls a first time when the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned off and the time when the most recent printing is completed. and a remaining value obtained by subtracting a predetermined adjustment value from the surplus rate in the most recent printing for the time from when the printer is turned off, and a residual value obtained by subtracting a predetermined adjustment value from the printing apparatus . When the power is turned on again after the power is turned off and the first printing is executed, a second time at which the first printing is executed is acquired from an external device having time information, and the first time and the first 2 time and the residual value, controlling the energization time of the thermal head when executing the first printing .
Further, a printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element, and the thermal head that performs printing on a printing medium according to the print data surplus rate. and a control means for controlling the energization time of the head, wherein the control means, when the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned off, updates the time of the most recent printing and the profit rate of the most recent printing to the external apparatus. stored in a storage unit, and when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off and then turned on again to execute the first printing, the time of the most recent printing and the profit rate of the most recent printing are stored. Acquired from the external device along with the time of the first printing, and based on the difference between the time of the most recent printing and the time of the first printing, and the profit rate of the most recent printing and controlling the energization time of the thermal head during printing.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for controlling a computer of a printing device having a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element, function as control means for controlling the energization time of the thermal head by means of, when the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned off, the control means includes a first time when the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned off; and a remaining value obtained by subtracting a predetermined adjustment value from the surplus rate in the most recent printing for the time from the end of printing until the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned off, and and obtaining a second time at which the first printing is executed from an external device having time information when the power of the printing device is turned on again after the power is turned off and the first printing is executed, and The energizing time of the thermal head when executing the first printing is controlled based on the difference between the first time and the second time and the remaining value .
Further, a program according to a second aspect of the present invention provides a computer of a printing device having a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a print medium by energizing the heating element to generate print data. Functioning as control means for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the surplus rate, the control means controls the most recent printing time and the most recent surplus rate when the printing apparatus is turned off. is stored in the storage unit of the external device, and when the power of the printing device is turned off and then turned on again and the first printing is executed, the time of the most recent printing and the time of the most recent printing and the surplus rate of the first printing are obtained from the external device together with the time of the first printing, the difference between the time of the most recent printing and the time of the first printing, the surplus rate of the most recent printing, and controlling the energization time of the thermal head at the time of the first printing based on.

A control method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a control method executed by a printing apparatus having a thermal head that has heating elements and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating elements. and control processing for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the surplus ratio of the print data, wherein the control processing is performed when the printing apparatus is powered off when the printing apparatus is powered off. 1 time, and a remaining value obtained by subtracting a predetermined adjustment value from the profit rate in the most recent printing for the time from the end of the most recent printing to the time when the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned off. and storing the second time at which the first printing is executed from an external device having time information when the power of the printing device is turned on again after the power is turned off and the first printing is executed. and controlling the energization time of the thermal head when executing the first printing based on the difference between the first time and the second time and the remaining value .
A control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a control method executed by a printing apparatus having a thermal head that has heating elements and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating elements. and control processing for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the surplus ratio of print data. The surplus rate at the time of printing is stored in the storage unit of the external device, and when the power of the printing device is turned off and then turned on again to execute the first printing, the time of the most recent printing and the time of printing are stored. The black ratio at the most recent printing is obtained from the external device along with the time at the first printing, and the difference between the time at the most recent printing and the time at the first printing, and the time at the most recent printing. and the surplus rate of the thermal head is controlled during the initial printing.

According to the above aspect, it is possible to appropriately control the energization time of the thermal head even if the printing apparatus does not accurately count the time.

1 is a diagram exemplifying the configuration of a printing system 100 including a printing apparatus 1 and a printing control apparatus 50 according to this embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 with an opening/closing cover 3 opened; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a print control device 50; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing surplus rate coefficients stored in a surplus rate coefficient storage unit 6b; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of print processing of the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment; 4 is a flowchart of OFF processing of the printing apparatus 1 of the embodiment;

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system 100 including a printing device 1 and a printing control device 50 (external device) according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 1 with the opening/closing cover 3 opened. A printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a printing device 1 and a printing control device 50 that transmits print data (print data) to the printing device 1 . The printing device 1 and the print control device 50 exchange data by wireless communication or wired communication. The printing device 1 is a printing device that prints on a printing medium M. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, when the printer 1 is powered on, the second printing is executed after the first printing. Thus, the first print is the print that occurs immediately before the second print. Also, the second printing is printing performed after the first printing.

In the present embodiment, the direction in which the print medium M (printing tape) is transported is defined as the "transport direction X", and the width direction of the print medium M orthogonal to the transport direction X is defined as the "medium width direction Y". do. These X direction and Y direction are orthogonal to each other.

The printing apparatus 1 is a printing apparatus having a thermal head that prints on a print medium M, and is, for example, a label printer that prints on a long band-shaped print medium M by a single pass method. The print medium M used in the printing apparatus 1 includes, for example, a base material, an adhesive material (glue surface) applied to the base material, and a release and paper. Note that the print medium M may be a long tape member without release paper.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus housing 2 and an opening/closing lid 3 attached to the apparatus housing 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 2, the device housing 2 has a cassette housing portion 17 for housing a tape cassette 30 therein.

On the upper surface of the apparatus housing 2, in addition to the power button 25, there are operation buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c (hereinafter referred to as "operation buttons 26") for performing various operations, a cover opening/closing button 27 for opening the opening/closing cover 3, and the like. are placed. When the power button 25 is pressed while a battery or an adapter (not shown) is connected, a signal is sent to the power supply circuit 40 (see FIG. 3) to turn on the printer 1 . When the power button 25 is pressed again while the power is on, a signal is sent to the power supply circuit 40 to turn off the power of the printer 1 . Further, when the operation button 26 is pressed, a signal is sent to the control circuit 5 (see FIG. 3), and processing corresponding to each button is performed.

Although not shown, the device housing 2 is provided with external device connection terminals, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

The opening/closing lid 3 is arranged so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the upper portion of the cassette housing portion 17 .

The opening/closing lid 3 has a window 3a so that it is possible to visually confirm whether or not a tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 2) is stored in the cassette storing portion 17 even when the opening/closing lid 3 is closed. formed.

A discharge port 2a is formed in a side surface of the apparatus housing 2 and located downstream in the transport direction X of the print medium M. As shown in FIG. The print medium M printed by the thermal head 10 in the printing apparatus 1 is ejected from the ejection port 2a to the outside of the apparatus. A tape width detection switch 24 for detecting the width of the tape (printing medium M) housed in the tape cassette 30 is provided in the cassette housing portion 17 .

The tape width detection switch 24 is a switch for detecting the width of the print medium M (hereinafter also referred to as “printing tape width”) based on the shape of the tape cassette 30 . A plurality of tape width detection switches 24 are provided in the cassette housing portion 17 . The tape cassettes 30 with different print tape widths are configured to press the plurality of tape width detection switches 24 in different combinations. As a result, the control circuit 5 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, identifies the type of the tape cassette 30 from the combination of the pressed tape width detection switches 24, and detects the width of the print medium M (printing tape width). .

Further, the cassette housing portion 17 is provided with a thermal head 10 having a plurality of heating elements for printing on the print medium M, and a platen roller 21 as a transport mechanism for transporting the print medium M.

The thermal head 10 is a printing unit that prints on the printing medium M. As shown in FIG. The thermal head 10 has a plurality of heat generating elements 10a (see FIG. 3) arranged in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the print medium M, and heats the print medium M by heating the heat generating elements 10a. Print line by line.

The platen roller 21 is a transport unit that transports the print medium M. As shown in FIG. The platen roller 21 is rotated by the rotation of the stepping motor 12 (see FIG. 3). Note that, instead of the stepping motor 12, another motor such as a direct current (DC) motor may be used. The platen roller 21 rotates while pinching the print medium M fed out from the tape cassette 30 between itself and the thermal head 10 to transport the print medium M in the transport direction.

The printed print medium M that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is cut by the half-cut mechanism 15 or the full-cut mechanism 16 and discharged from the discharge port 2a. The ejection port 2a ejects the print medium M so that the print surface of the print medium M is orthogonal to the surface on which the printing device 1 is placed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. In addition to the configuration described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control circuit 5, a flash memory (Flash Memory) 6, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 7, a communication interface (IF) 8, and a head drive circuit 9, as shown in FIG. , a motor driving circuit 11 for conveying (conveying device), a stepping motor 12 , a cutter motor driving circuit 13 , a cutter motor 14 , and a power supply circuit 40 . At least the control circuit 5, the flash memory 6, and the RAM 7 constitute a computer of the printing apparatus 1. FIG. Also, the flash memory 6 and the RAM 7 constitute a storage unit of the printer 1 .

The control circuit 5 includes a processor 5a such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control circuit 5 is control means for controlling the operation of each part of the printing apparatus 1 by loading the program stored in the flash memory 6 into the RAM 7 and executing the program. The communication interface 8 exchanges data with an external device (for example, the print control device 50) through wired communication or wireless communication. The communication interface 8 is a communication module including an antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) section, and a baseband section, such as a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, and a BLE module. Note that the communication interface 8 is not limited to a wireless communication module, and may be an interface for performing wired communication.

The control circuit 5 supplies, for example, control signals (latch signals, clock signals) including strobe signals and print data to the head drive circuit 9 to control the thermal head 10 via the head drive circuit 9 . A strobe signal is a control signal that designates an energization time for applying a voltage to the heating elements 10 a of the thermal head 10 .

The control circuit 5 also controls the motors (the stepping motor 12 and the cutter motor 14) via the motor drive circuits (the conveying motor drive circuit 11 and the cutter motor drive circuit 13).

The control circuit 5 receives from the print control device 50 the print data indicating the information of the print content to be printed on the print medium M and the time of printing. For example, the control circuit 5 receives from the print control device 50 the time to send a print instruction to the printing device 1 at the time of printing the first print as the time of printing.

The flash memory 6 stores a printing program for printing on the printing medium M and various data (for example, fonts) necessary for executing the printing program. The flash memory 6 also functions as a storage medium storing programs readable by the control circuit 5 . The flash memory 6 includes a surplus ratio storage unit 6a and a surplus ratio coefficient storage unit 6b. The surplus ratio storage unit 6a stores the printing time of the first printing of the printing medium M and the surplus ratio after the first printing is completed. The surplus ratio is the ratio of heated dots based on dot data for each line of print data, dot data for each line before or after that line, or a combination thereof.

The surplus rate coefficient storage unit 6b stores a surplus rate coefficient to be multiplied according to the surplus rate. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the surplus rate coefficients stored in the surplus rate coefficient storage unit 6b. The surplus ratio coefficient is a coefficient that is multiplied according to the surplus ratio of the print data. The surplus ratio coefficient storage unit 6b stores surplus ratio coefficient values corresponding to surplus ratios and print densities. The surplus rate shown in FIG. 5 is shown in hexadecimal. In the example of FIG. 5, the printing density is set in five stages from 1 to 5, the density closer to "1" is darker, and the density closer to "5" is lighter.

While the printer 1 is powered on, the control circuit 5 subtracts the surplus rate at regular intervals after the first printing is finished. In this embodiment, the control circuit 5 subtracts "6" from the surplus ratio every "5 msec". By subtracting the surplus ratio by the control circuit 5 in this manner, the surplus ratio is maintained at an appropriate level even after a lapse of time. However, when the printer 1 is powered off, the surplus rate is cleared. Therefore, after printing the print data with a high surplus ratio, the printer 1 is immediately turned off, and then immediately turned on again to start printing. state, it is necessary to reduce the energization time. However, the surplus rate is cleared when the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off, and the surplus rate before the power is turned on is not correctly maintained, so there is a risk of printing with an unnecessarily long power-on time.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the printer 1 is powered off, the control circuit 5 stores the time of the first printing and the surplus ratio after the first printing is completed in the surplus ratio storage unit. 6a. For example, the control circuit 5 stores the time at which the print control device 50 sends a print instruction to the printing device 1 at the time of the first printing as the time at the time of the first printing in the surplus ratio storage unit 6a. Since the print control device 50 only needs to transmit the time information to the printing device 1 together with the print instruction, it is possible to prevent the printing process from becoming complicated.

A case of printing under the following conditions will be described.
・Subtraction rate of the surplus ratio: Subtract 6 from the surplus ratio every 5 msec ・Time (T0) at the time of the first printing before the power of the printing device 1 is turned off: 12:00:00 ・The time of the first printing Profit rate after printing (B0): 22000h
-Time (T1) at the time of printing of the second print: 12:00:16 In this case, the surplus ratio (B1) to be subtracted is represented by the formula (1).
Surplus rate to be subtracted (B1) = (T1-T0) x 1000/5 x 6 (1)
= 4B00h
The correct surplus rate (B2) is represented by Equation (2).
Correct surplus rate (B2) = (B0-B1) (2)
= 1D500h
Here, when the print density is "3", the control circuit 5 refers to the surplus ratio coefficient storage unit 6b in FIG. Select "0.80" as the value of the surplus rate factor to be used. In this case, the control circuit 5 controls the energization time so that the heating element 10a is heated with 80% energy for printing.

The communication interface 8 exchanges print data with an external device (for example, the print control device 50) or a storage device of an external server through wired or wireless communication.

The head drive circuit 9 drives the thermal head 10 based on the control signal and print data supplied from the control circuit 5 . The thermal head 10 is a print head having a plurality of heating elements 10a arranged in the main scanning direction. Specifically, the control circuit 5 controls the energization time of the thermal head 10 according to the black ratio of the print data. Then, the head driving circuit 9 selectively applies current to the plurality of heating elements 10a according to the print data output from the head driving circuit 9 during the energization time specified by the strobe signal supplied from the control circuit 5. By flowing the ink, the heating element 10a selected from among the plurality of heating elements 10a generates heat to heat the ink ribbon. As a result, the thermal head 10 prints line by line on the print medium M by thermal transfer. That is, the printing device 1 is a thermal line printer.

A transport motor drive circuit 11 drives a stepping motor 12 . The stepping motor 12 rotates the platen roller 21 . The platen roller 21 is a transport mechanism that rotates by the power of the stepping motor 12 and transports the print medium M in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction, transport direction) of the print medium M. As shown in FIG.

A cutter motor drive circuit 13 drives a cutter motor 14 . The half-cut mechanism 15 and full-cut mechanism 16 are driven by the power of the cutter motor 14 to cut the print medium M by half-cutting or full-cutting. A full cut is an operation of cutting the base material of the print medium M together with the release paper along the width direction, and a half cut is an operation of cutting only the base material along the width direction.

The power supply circuit 40 is a power supply section that generates an output voltage from a DC voltage from a battery or an adapter (not shown) and supplies power to each section of the printing apparatus 1 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the print control device 50. As shown in FIG. The print control device 50 includes a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The print control device 50 is, for example, a computer such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer). The display unit 51 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (organic EL) display. The input unit 52 is, for example, a touch panel.

The print control device 50 includes a display drive circuit 53 , a communication interface (IF) 54 , a flash memory 55 , a RAM 56 and a control circuit 57 in addition to the configuration described above. The display drive circuit 53 is, for example, a liquid crystal display driver circuit or an organic EL display driver circuit. The control circuit 57 comprises a processor 58 . The control circuit 57 is a computing unit having an RTC (Real Time Clock) function, and can compute and acquire accurate time information by executing an application program. The control circuit 57 also displays the print content to be printed by the printing apparatus 1 on the display unit 51 and accepts user's operations on the input unit 52 . The control circuit 57 expands the program stored in the flash memory 55 into the RAM 56 and executes it, thereby controlling the operation of each section of the print control device 50 . Note that the print control device 50 may acquire accurate time information from an integrated circuit having an RTC function, which is different from the control circuit 57 .

The flash memory 55 stores a printing program for printing on the printing medium M and various data (for example, fonts, etc.) necessary for executing the printing program.

The flash memory 55 also functions as a storage medium storing programs readable by the control circuit 57 . The RAM 56 includes a print data storage unit that stores print data indicating patterns of print contents. RAM 56 includes a display data storage unit that stores display data. The communication interface 54 exchanges data with an external device (for example, the printing device 1) through wired communication or wireless communication.

A print process showing a control method of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of print processing of the printer 1 of this embodiment.

In the printing process of this embodiment, the control circuit 5 executes the application program of the printing apparatus 1 based on the instruction to turn on the power of the printing apparatus 1, and starts the printing process shown in FIG.

The control circuit 5 wirelessly communicates with the print control device 50 at the start of the print process, receives the print instruction and print data, and acquires the time (T1) of the second print (step S11). The printing time (T1) for the second printing is the time at which the print control device 50 sends the printing instruction for the second printing to the printing device 1 . Note that the printing time (T1) for the second printing may be the time at which the print control device 50 sends the print data for the second printing to the printing device 1 . The control circuit 5 determines whether or not the time (T0) at the time of the first printing is in the surplus rate storage section 6a (step S12). If the time (T0) at the time of the first printing is not in the surplus ratio storage unit 6a (no step S12), the processing of steps S13 to S16 is omitted, and the processing proceeds to step S17.

On the other hand, if the time (T0) at the time of the first printing is in the black ratio storage unit 6a (with step S12), the control circuit 5 stores the time (T1) at the time of the second printing, A time difference (T1-T0) from the first printing time (T0) before the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off is calculated (step S13). The time (T0) during the first printing before the printer 1 is turned off is 12:00:00, and the time (T1) during the second printing is 12:00:16. In this case, the time difference (T1-T0) is "16 sec".

The control circuit 5 calculates the surplus rate (B1) to be subtracted by the formula (1) (step S14). For example, if the time difference (T1-T0) "16 sec" calculated in step S13 is substituted into the formula (1), the surplus rate to be subtracted (B1)=16×1000÷5×6=4B00h.

The control circuit 5 calculates the correct surplus ratio (B2) by the formula (2) (step S15). For example, the subtracted surplus rate (B1) "4B00h" calculated in step S14 is subtracted from the previously saved surplus rate (B0) "22000h" after the first print is completed. Substituting the values gives the correct surplus rate (B2)=22000h-4B00h=1D500h. The control circuit 5 refers to the surplus rate coefficient storage unit 6b in FIG. 5 and selects the surplus rate coefficient corresponding to the print density and the correct surplus rate (B2) calculated in step S15. For example, when the print density is "3", the control circuit 5 refers to the black ratio coefficient storage unit 6b in FIG. Select as the value of the surplus factor.

The control circuit 5 clears the time (T0) at the time of the first printing and the surplus rate (B0) after the first printing, which are stored in the surplus rate storage unit 6a (step S16). If the correct surplus rate (B2) is calculated in step S15 and the surplus rate coefficient is selected by referring to the surplus rate coefficient storage unit 6b in FIG. is printed by controlling the energization time so as to heat the heating element 10a with the energy multiplied by the black ratio coefficient (step S17). For example, when "0.80" is selected as the positive ratio coefficient, the control circuit 5 performs printing by controlling the energization time so as to heat the heating element 10a with 80% energy. Further, when it is determined in step S12 that the time (T0) at the time of the first printing is not stored in the profit rate storage unit 6a, the control circuit 5 changes the print data at the time of printing of the second printing to the profit rate The power supply time is controlled so as to heat the heating element 10a with the energy not multiplied by the coefficient, that is, the raw energy, and printing is performed (step S17).

The control circuit 5 calculates the surplus ratio based on the print data printed in step S17, and obtains the surplus ratio (B3) after the printing of the new first printing is finished (step S18). A known technique can be employed for the method of calculating the surplus rate based on the print data, so the explanation is omitted. When this process ends, the print process ends.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the OFF processing of the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the OFF processing of the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

In the printing process of the present embodiment, the control circuit 5 executes the application program of the printing apparatus 1 based on an instruction to turn off the power of the printing apparatus 1, and starts the OFF process shown in FIG.

The control circuit 5 sets the time (T1) of the second printing acquired in step S11 as the time (T0) of the first printing before the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off. (step S21). The control circuit 5 stores the new surplus rate (B3) after the end of the first print acquired in step S18 as the surplus rate (B0) after the end of the first print in the surplus rate storage unit 6a. (Step S22). When this process ends, the OFF process ends.

According to the above-described embodiment, when the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned on and the printing of the second printing is executed, the control circuit 5 provides accurate time information of the printing time of the second printing. Acquired from the print control device 50 that can be acquired. Based on the difference between the time of the first print and the time of the second print obtained from the print control device 50, and the surplus rate after the end of the first print, the control circuit 5 Then, the surplus ratio when printing the print data for the second printing is calculated. Therefore, even if the printing apparatus 1 does not accurately count the time when the printing apparatus 1 is turned off after printing, the print control apparatus 50 can obtain accurate time information. By calculating the rate, it is possible to calculate an appropriate surplus rate. Thereby, the energization time of the thermal head 10 can be appropriately controlled.

Further, when the power of the printer 1 is turned off, the control circuit 5 stores the time of the first printing and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first print in the surplus ratio storage unit 6a of the printer 1. Remember. Then, the control circuit 5 stores the difference between the time of the first printing stored in the surplus rate storage unit 6a and the time of the second printing acquired from the print control device 50, and the first printing The surplus ratio when printing the print data of the second printing is calculated based on the surplus ratio after the printing is completed. As a result, it is possible to appropriately control the energization time of the thermal head while minimizing communication with the print control device 50 .

In the above embodiment, the control circuit 5 stores in the flash memory 6 of the printing apparatus 1 the time of the first printing of the printing medium M and the surplus rate after the first printing is completed. This is not the case. For example, when the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off, the control circuit 5 outputs the time of the first printing and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing through the control circuit 57 of the printing control apparatus 50. may be stored in the flash memory (storage unit) 55 of the print control device 50 . In this case, the control circuit 57 of the print control device 50 can uniquely identify the printing device 1 by providing the server (not shown) with information on the time of the first printing and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing. Upload with identifier. Then, when the printing apparatus 1 is powered on and the printing of the second printing is executed, the printing control apparatus 50 receives the time of the first printing from the server based on the identifier that can uniquely identify the printing apparatus 1. and information on the printing time of the second printing and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing is completed to the flash memory 55 . The control circuit 5 of the printing device 1 acquires the time of the first printing, the time of the printing of the second printing, and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing from the printing control device 50. When printing the print data for the second printing based on the difference between the time of the first printing and the time of printing the second printing, and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing is completed. Calculate the surplus rate. As a result, even in the printing apparatus 1 having a small memory capacity, it is possible to control the surplus rate and appropriately control the energizing time of the thermal head.

In the above-described embodiment, the control circuit 5 stores the time at which the print control device 50 sends a print instruction to the printing device 1 at the time of the first printing as the time at the time of the first printing in the profit rate storage unit 6a. This is not the case. For example, the control circuit 5 may store the time at which print data is sent from the print control device 50 to the printing device 1 at the time of the first printing as the time at the time of the first printing in the surplus rate storage section 6a. As a result, the print control device 50 only needs to transmit the time information together with the print data to the printing device 1, thereby preventing the printing process from becoming complicated.

In the above-described embodiment, in step S11, the control circuit 5 receives the print instruction and the print data, and acquires the time (T1) at which the second print was performed. In S17, the print end time (T1') of the first print may be obtained from the print control device 50. FIG. The control circuit 5 acquires the print end time (T1') of the new first print from the print control device 50 at the timing when the first print ends on the printer 1 side. In this case, in step S21, the control circuit 5 sets the acquired time (T1′) at the end of printing to the new time (T0) at the time of printing before the power of the printer 1 is turned off. Stored in the storage unit 6a. As a result, the surplus rate can be calculated based on the more accurate time of printing, so the energizing time of the thermal head 10 can be controlled more appropriately.

In the above-described embodiment, in step S21, the control circuit 5 sets the time (T1) at the time of printing acquired in step S11 to the time (T0) at the time of the first printing before the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off. ) in the surplus rate storage unit 6a, but this is not the only option. For example, the control circuit 5 recognizes the print length from the print data of the first print, and adds the print time obtained in step S11 to the print time calculated based on the recognized print length and the print speed of the first print. The time (T1'') at the end of the first printing may be calculated as the time (T1'') at the end of the first printing. In this case, the control circuit 5 stores the calculated time (T1'') at the end of printing in the surplus ratio storage unit 6a as the time (T0) at the time of the first printing before the printer 1 is turned off. do. As a result, the surplus rate can be calculated based on the more accurate time of printing, so the energizing time of the thermal head 10 can be controlled more appropriately.

Further, when recognizing the print length from the print data of the first print and calculating the print end time of the first print from the print time calculated based on the recognized print length and print speed, the control The circuit 5 may calculate the print speed based on the print density of the print data for the first print. For example, when the print density is set to be high, the control circuit 5 calculates a slow print speed. On the other hand, when the print density is set to be light, the control circuit 5 calculates a high print speed. As a result, since the printing speed can be calculated based on the print density information of the print data, the accuracy of calculating the surplus ratio can be improved. be able to.

Similarly, when recognizing the print length from the print data of the first print and calculating the print end time of the first print from the print time calculated based on the recognized print length and print speed, The control circuit 5 may calculate the printing speed based on the black ratio of the print data for the first printing. For example, when the print data surplus rate is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the control circuit 5 calculates a slow print speed. On the other hand, when the black character ratio of the print data is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, the control circuit 5 calculates a high printing speed. As a result, since the printing speed can be calculated based on the information of the surplus ratio of the print data, the accuracy of calculating the surplus ratio can be improved. be able to.

Further, when recognizing the print length from the print data and calculating the print end time of the first print from the print time calculated based on the recognized print length and print speed, the control circuit 5 The print speed may be calculated based on the print density of the print data for the first print and the black ratio of the print data for the first print. For example, when the print density is set to be high or when the black character ratio of the print data is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the control circuit 5 calculates a slow print speed. On the other hand, when the print density is set to be low or when the black character ratio of print data is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the control circuit 5 calculates a high print speed. As a result, since the printing speed can be calculated based on the print density of the print data and the information on the surplus ratio, it is possible to improve the accuracy of calculating the surplus ratio. can be properly controlled.

Further, when the print speed is calculated based on the print density of the print data for the first print and the black ratio of the print data for the first print, the control circuit 5 actually converts the print data for the first print. The density of the print data for the first printing and the black ratio of the print data for the first printing may be obtained based on the print control information at the time of printing. The print control information includes information about what kind of black ratio or print density was actually printed after the first printing, not the predicted value before printing the first printing. . For example, after printing in step S17, the control circuit 5 acquires print control information including information on the black character rate and print density when actually printed. As a result, since the printing speed can be calculated based on the print density of the actual print data and the information on the surplus ratio, the accuracy of calculating the surplus ratio can be improved. The energization time can be controlled more appropriately.

In step S22, the control circuit 5 sets the new surplus rate (B3) after the end of the first printing acquired in step S18 as the surplus rate (B0) after the end of the first printing to the surplus rate storage unit. 6a, but not limited to this. For example, instead of step S22, the control circuit 5 subtracts the time until the power supply of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off from the surplus rate (B0' ) may be stored in the surplus ratio storage unit 6a. The surplus rate (B0′) obtained by subtracting the amount of time until the printer 1 is turned off from the surplus rate after the end of printing means that the control circuit 5 turns off the power of the printer 1 after the first printing is completed. This is the surplus rate subtracted at regular time intervals until is turned off. For example, the control circuit 5 subtracts 6 from the surplus ratio every 5 msec after the printing of the first printing is completed. Instead of step S21, the control circuit 5 may store the time (T1') when the printer 1 is powered off in the surplus rate storage unit 6a.

In this case, the surplus rate (B1') to be subtracted is represented by the formula (1').
Surplus rate to be subtracted (B1′)=(T1′−T0)×1000÷5×6 (1′)
The correct surplus rate (B2') is represented by the formula (2').
Correct surplus rate (B2') = (B0'-B1') (2')
Therefore, instead of step S15, the control circuit 5 can calculate the correct surplus rate (B2') using the equation (2'). As a result, it is possible to calculate the surplus ratio by taking into account the time from the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing is completed until the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off, so the accuracy of calculating the surplus ratio is improved. As a result, the energization time of the thermal head 10 can be appropriately controlled more accurately.

The above-described embodiments are specific examples for easy understanding of the invention, and the invention is not limited to these embodiments. The printing apparatus, program, and control method can be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of the claims.

The invention described in the scope of claims at the time of filing of the present application will be additionally described below.

[Appendix 1]
a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a print medium by energizing the heating element;
a control means for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the surplus ratio of print data;
with
The control means is
when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off, storing the time of the first printing and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing in a storage unit;
When the power of the printing device is turned on and the second printing performed after the first printing is executed, the time at the time of the second printing is acquired from an external device having time information, and printing the print data for the second printing based on the difference between the time of the first printing and the acquired time of the second printing, and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing is completed; A printing device characterized by calculating an actual surplus ratio.

[Appendix 2]
The printing device according to Appendix 1,
The control means is
storing the time of the first printing and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing in a storage unit of the printing device when the power of the printing device is turned off;
When the power supply of the printing device is turned on and the second printing is executed, the time at the time of the second printing is obtained from an external device having time information, and the time stored in the storage unit is obtained. printing the print data for the second printing based on the difference between the time of the first printing and the obtained time of the second printing, and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing is completed; A printing device characterized by calculating a surplus ratio when printing.

[Appendix 3]
The printing device according to Appendix 2,
The control means is
When the power supply of the printing device is turned off, the surplus ratio obtained by subtracting the time until the power supply of the printing device is turned off from the time when the power supply of the printing device is turned off and the surplus ratio at the end of printing. and stored in the storage unit,
When the power of the printing device is turned on and the second printing is executed, the time at the time of the second printing is acquired from the external device, and the power of the printing device is stored in the storage unit. The difference between the time when the printer is turned off and the obtained time of the second printing, and the time from the surplus ratio at the end of the printing of the first printing until the power of the printing device is turned off. and calculating a surplus ratio when printing the print data for the second printing, based on the subtracted surplus ratio.

[Appendix 4]
The printing device according to Appendix 1,
The control means is
storing the time of the first printing and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing in a storage unit of the external device when the power of the printing device is turned off;
When the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned on and the second printing is executed, the time at the time of the first printing, the time at the time of the second printing, and the black character after the printing of the first printing is completed. based on the difference between the obtained time of the first printing and the time of the second printing, and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing is completed, A printing apparatus, wherein a surplus rate is calculated when printing the print data for the second printing.

[Appendix 5]
The printing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4,
The printing apparatus, wherein the time at the time of the first printing is a time at which the print instruction is sent to the printing apparatus at the time of the first printing or a time at which print data is sent to the printing apparatus at the time of the first printing.

[Appendix 6]
The printing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time at which the first printing is performed is a time at which printing of the first printing ends.

[Appendix 7]
The printing device according to appendix 6,
The control means is
1. A printing apparatus, wherein the printing end time of the first printing is obtained from the external device at the timing when the first printing ends on the printing apparatus side.

[Appendix 8]
The printing device according to appendix 6,
The control means is
The print length is recognized from the print data of the first print, and the print end time of the first print is calculated from the print time calculated based on the recognized print length and the print speed of the first print. A printing device characterized by:

[Appendix 9]
The printing device according to Appendix 8,
The control means is
A printing apparatus, wherein the printing speed is calculated based on the print density of the print data for the first printing.

[Appendix 10]
The printing device according to Appendix 8,
The control means is
A printing apparatus, wherein the printing speed is calculated based on a surplus ratio of print data for the first printing.

[Appendix 11]
The printing device according to Appendix 8,
The control means is
A printing apparatus, wherein the printing speed is calculated based on the print density of the print data for the first printing and the black ratio of the print data for the first printing.

[Appendix 12]
The printing device according to Appendix 11,
The control means is
The density of the print data for the first printing and the black ratio of the print data for the first printing are obtained based on print control information when the print data for the first printing is actually printed. and printing device.

[Appendix 13]
A computer equipped with a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element,
controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the print data surplus ratio;
when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off, storing the time of the first printing and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing in a storage unit;
When the power of the printing device is turned on and the second printing performed after the first printing is executed, the time at the time of the second printing is acquired from an external device having time information, and printing the print data for the second printing based on the difference between the time of the first printing and the acquired time of the second printing, and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing is completed; A program characterized by executing a process of calculating an actual surplus rate.

[Appendix 14]
A control method for a printing apparatus having a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element, the method comprising:
controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the print data surplus ratio;
when the power of the printing device is turned off, storing the time of the first printing and the surplus rate after the printing of the first printing in a storage unit;
When the power of the printing device is turned on and the second printing performed after the first printing is executed, the time at the time of the second printing is acquired from an external device having time information, and printing the print data for the second printing based on the difference between the time of the first printing and the acquired time of the second printing, and the surplus ratio after the printing of the first printing is completed; A method of controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: calculating an actual surplus rate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Printing apparatus 2... Apparatus housing 2a... Discharge port 3... Open/close cover 3a... Window 5... Control circuit 5a... Processor 6. Flash memory 6a Surplus ratio storage unit 6b Surplus ratio coefficient storage unit 7 RAM 8 Communication interface (IF) 9 Head drive circuit 10. Thermal head 10a Heat generating element 11 Transfer motor drive circuit 12 Stepping motor 13 Cutter motor drive circuit 14 Cutter motor 15 Half Cut mechanism 16 Full cut mechanism 17 Cassette housing 21 Platen roller 24 Tape width detection switch 25 Power button 26 Operation button 27 Lid open/close button 30 Tape cassette 40 Power supply circuit 50 Print control device 51 Display unit 52 Input unit 53 Display drive circuit , 54... communication interface (IF), 55... flash memory, 56... RAM, 57... control circuit, 58... processor, M... medium to be printed, 100... print system

Claims (7)

a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a print medium by energizing the heating element;
a control means for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the surplus ratio of print data;
with
The control means is
When the power of the printing device is turned off, only the first time when the power of the printing device is turned off and the time from the end of the most recent printing to the time when the power of the printing device is turned off. A residual value obtained by subtracting a predetermined adjustment value from the surplus rate in the most recent printing is stored in a storage unit,
when the power of the printing device is turned on again after being turned off and the first printing is executed, a second time at which the first printing is executed is acquired from an external device having time information, and the first time is obtained from an external device having time information; and the second time, and the remaining value, controlling the energization time of the thermal head when performing the first printing,
A printing device characterized by: a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a print medium by energizing the heating element;
a control means for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the surplus ratio of print data;
with
The control means is
When the power of the printing device is turned off, storing the time of the most recent printing and the surplus rate of the most recent printing in the storage unit of the external device,
When the power of the printing apparatus is turned on again after being turned off and the first printing is executed, the time of the most recent printing and the profit rate of the most recent printing are displayed together with the time of the first printing. The thermal head at the time of the first printing, obtained from the external device, based on the difference between the time of the most recent printing and the time of the first printing, and the black ratio at the time of the most recent printing. to control the energization time of
A printing device characterized by: The printing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The thermal head has a plurality of heating elements arranged in a predetermined direction,
The surplus ratio is the ratio of heating elements that are heated by energization corresponding to predetermined print data.
A printing device characterized by: A computer of a printing device equipped with a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element,
functioning as control means for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the print data surplus rate;
The control means is
When the power of the printing device is turned off, a first time when the power of the printing device is turned off, and the time from the end of the most recent printing to the time when the power of the printing device is turned off. and a residual value obtained by subtracting a predetermined adjustment value from the surplus rate in the most recent printing is stored in the storage unit,
when the power of the printing device is turned on again after being turned off and the first printing is executed, a second time at which the first printing is executed is acquired from an external device having time information, and the first time is obtained from an external device having time information; and the second time, and the remaining value, controlling the energization time of the thermal head when performing the first printing,
A program characterized by A computer of a printing device equipped with a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element,
functioning as control means for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the print data surplus rate;
The control means is
When the power of the printing device is turned off, storing the time of the most recent printing and the surplus rate of the most recent printing in a storage unit of the external device;
When the power of the printing apparatus is turned on again after being turned off and the first printing is executed, the time of the most recent printing and the profit rate of the most recent printing are displayed together with the time of the first printing. The thermal head at the time of the first printing, obtained from the external device, based on the difference between the time of the most recent printing and the time of the first printing, and the black ratio at the time of the most recent printing. to control the energization time of
A program characterized by A control method executed by a printing apparatus having a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element, the control method comprising:
Control processing for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the print data surplus ratio,
The control process includes
When the power of the printing device is turned off, a first time when the power of the printing device is turned off, and the time from the end of the most recent printing to the time when the power of the printing device is turned off. and a residual value obtained by subtracting a predetermined adjustment value from the surplus rate in the most recent printing is stored in the storage unit,
when the power of the printing device is turned on again after being turned off and the first printing is executed, a second time at which the first printing is executed is acquired from an external device having time information, and the first time is obtained from an external device having time information; and the second time, and the remaining value, controlling the energization time of the thermal head when performing the first printing,
A control method characterized by: A control method executed by a printing apparatus having a thermal head that has a heating element and performs printing on a printing medium by energizing the heating element, the control method comprising:
Control processing for controlling the energization time of the thermal head according to the print data surplus ratio,
The control process includes
When the power of the printing device is turned off, storing the time of the most recent printing and the surplus rate of the most recent printing in a storage unit of the external device;
When the power of the printing apparatus is turned on again after being turned off and the first printing is executed, the time of the most recent printing and the profit rate of the most recent printing are displayed together with the time of the first printing. The thermal head at the time of the first printing, obtained from the external device, based on the difference between the time of the most recent printing and the time of the first printing, and the black ratio at the time of the most recent printing. to control the energization time of
A control method characterized by:

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