JP7272167B2 - PRINTING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The disclosure of the present specification relates to a printing device, a control method, and a program.

In a printing apparatus having a thermal head, it is known that the amount of heat applied to the print medium when energized changes according to the temperature of the thermal head. A change in the amount of heat applied to the print medium may cause problems such as rubbing and blurring of the print, which is undesirable. A technique related to such a technical problem is described in Patent Literature 1, for example.

Patent Document 1 describes heating or cooling the thermal head by measuring the temperature of the thermal head with a thermistor provided in the thermal head and comparing the measured temperature with an appropriate temperature. If the temperature of the thermal head can be kept at an appropriate temperature by the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200010, it is possible to maintain the print quality at a constant level.

JP-A-3-256757

In the above approach, it is important to accurately grasp the temperature of the thermal head and appropriately adjust the energy applied to the thermal head. However, it is not necessarily easy to accurately obtain the temperature of the thermal head with the thermistor.

This is because the thermistor is placed at a certain distance from the heating element in order to avoid the driver IC, wiring, and the like that control the heating element. In particular, when the temperature around the thermistor is low, such as immediately after the start of printing, it is difficult for the thermistor to quickly respond to temperature changes in the thermal head.

In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a technique for applying a stable amount of heat to a print medium regardless of the temperature of the thermal head.

A printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements for printing on a print medium, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head as a sensor temperature, and the thermal head. wherein the control unit determines whether the sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, and determines whether the sensor temperature is regarded as the head temperature. If it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, the energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted according to the print data. , the determination is based on at least one of the print data and the sensor temperature.
A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements for printing on a print medium, a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the thermal head as a sensor temperature, and a control unit for controlling a thermal head, wherein the control unit determines whether the sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head; When it is determined that the temperature cannot be regarded as the temperature, the energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted according to the print data, and the sensor temperature is maintained until it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature. can be regarded as the head temperature.

A control method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a control method for a printing apparatus having a thermal head for printing on a print medium, wherein the sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head is It is determined whether or not the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, and if it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature, the energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted according to the print data. and determining whether or not the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head is determined based on at least one of the print data and the sensor temperature.
A control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a control method for a printing apparatus having a thermal head for printing on a print medium, wherein the sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head is can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, and when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature, the energy to be applied to the thermal head is changed according to the print data. Until it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, it is determined whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for a printing apparatus having a thermal head for printing on a print medium, wherein a sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head is used as the head temperature of the thermal head. If it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature, the energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted according to the print data , and the sensor temperature is determined as the head temperature. When determining whether or not the temperature can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, determination processing is executed based on at least one of the print data and the sensor temperature.
Further, a program according to a second aspect of the present invention provides a printing apparatus having a thermal head for printing on a print medium, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head. If it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature, the energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted according to the print data, and the sensor temperature is determined. can be regarded as the head temperature, a process of determining whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature is executed.

According to the above aspect, a stable amount of heat can be applied to the print medium regardless of the temperature of the thermal head.

1 is a perspective view of a printer 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape cartridge 30 housed in the printing apparatus 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge housing portion 19 of the printing device 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of thermistors 13 provided in the thermal head 10; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the printing apparatus 1; It is the figure which showed an example of the determination condition table. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a determination condition table; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of the determination condition table;

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing device 1 according to one embodiment. The printing apparatus 1 is a thermal printer having a thermal head, and is a label printer that prints on a long print medium M. As shown in FIG. A thermal transfer type thermal printer using an ink ribbon will be described below as an example, but the printing method is not particularly limited as long as it is a thermal printer. The printing apparatus 1 may be a thermal printer using a thermal tape.

The printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus housing 2, an input section 3, a display section 4, a lid 5, and a cassette accommodating section 19, as shown in FIG. An input unit 3 , a display unit 4 and a lid 5 are arranged on the upper surface of the device housing 2 . Although not shown, the device housing 2 is provided with a power cord connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

The input unit 3 includes various keys such as an input key, a cross key, a conversion key, and an enter key. The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display. Note that the display section 4 may be provided with a touch panel unit, and in that case, the display section 4 may be regarded as part of the input section 3 .

The lid 5 is arranged above the cassette accommodating portion 19 so as to be openable and closable. The lid 5 is opened by pressing the button 5a. A window 5b is formed in the lid 5 so that it is possible to visually confirm whether or not the tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 2) is accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion 19 even when the lid 5 is closed. . In addition, a discharge port 2a is formed on the side surface of the device housing 2. As shown in FIG. The print medium M printed in the printing apparatus 1 is ejected from the ejection port 2a to the outside of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge 30 housed in the printer 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge housing section 19 of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. The tape cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 2 is detachably accommodated in the cartridge accommodation section 19 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the tape cartridge 30 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 19. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cartridge 30 has a cartridge case 31 that accommodates a print medium M and an ink ribbon R and that has a thermal head insertion portion 36 and an engaging portion 37 formed therein. The cartridge case 31 is provided with a tape core 32 , an ink ribbon supply core 34 and an ink ribbon take-up core 35 .

The print medium M is wound around a tape core 32 inside the cartridge case 31 in a roll shape. The ink ribbon R for thermal transfer is wound around the ink ribbon supply core 34 inside the cartridge case 31 in a roll shape with its tip wound around the ink ribbon take-up core 35 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge receiving portion 19 of the apparatus housing 2 is provided with a plurality of cartridge receiving portions 20 for supporting the tape cartridges 30 at predetermined positions. Further, the cartridge receiving section 20 is provided with a tape width detection switch 24 for detecting the width of the tape (printing medium M) accommodated in the tape cartridge 30 .

The tape width detection switch 24 is a switch for detecting the width of the print medium M based on the shape of the tape cartridge, and is an example of a width sensor that detects the width of the print medium M. A plurality of tape width detection switches 24 are provided in the cartridge accommodating section 19 . A plurality of tape cartridges containing print media M having tape widths different from each other are configured to press the plurality of tape width detection switches 24 in different combinations. As a result, the control circuit 25 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, identifies the type of tape cartridge from the combination of the pressed tape width detection switches 24, and acquires information on the width of the print medium M (tape width). .

The cartridge housing portion 19 further includes a thermal head 10 having a plurality of heat generating elements for printing on the print medium M, a platen roller 21 for conveying the print medium M, a tape core engagement shaft 22, an ink A ribbon winding drive shaft 23 is provided. Furthermore, a thermistor 13 is embedded in the thermal head 10 . The thermistor 13 is an example of a temperature sensor provided on the thermal head 10 .

When the tape cartridge 30 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 19, the engaging portion 37 provided in the cartridge case 31 is supported by the cartridge receiving portion 20 provided in the cartridge accommodating portion 19, as shown in FIG. . Also, the thermal head 10 is inserted into the thermal head insertion portion 36 formed in the cartridge case 31 . The tape core engaging shaft 22 is engaged with the tape core 32 of the tape cartridge 30 , and the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23 is engaged with the ink ribbon winding core 35 .

When a print instruction is input to the printer 1 , the print medium M is fed out from the tape core 32 by the rotation of the platen roller 21 . At this time, the ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 23 rotates in synchronism with the platen roller 21 , so that the ink ribbon R is let out from the ink ribbon supply core 34 together with the print medium M. As a result, the print medium M and the ink ribbon R are transported in an overlapping state. When the ink ribbon R is heated by the thermal head 10 when passing between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21, the ink is transferred to the printing medium M, and printing is performed.

The used ink ribbon R that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is taken up by the ink ribbon take-up core 35 . On the other hand, 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 16 and the full-cut mechanism 17 and discharged from the discharge port 2a.

FIG. 5 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 printer 1 includes a control circuit 25, a communication interface 26, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 27, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 28, a head drive circuit 18, a transport A motor drive circuit 11 , a conveying motor 12 , a cutter motor drive circuit 14 and a cutter motor 15 are provided.

The control circuit 25 includes arbitrary processing circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control circuit 25 controls each part of the printing apparatus 1 by developing a program stored in the ROM 27 in the RAM 28 and executing the program. Note that the control circuit 25 is an example of a control section that controls the thermal head 10 .

The communication interface 26 exchanges data with an external device, for example, by wireless communication. In this case, the communication interface 26 is a communication module including an antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) section, and a baseband section, such as a Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, and BLE module. Note that the communication interface 26 may exchange data with an external device through wired communication.

The ROM 27 stores a print program for printing on the print medium M and various data (for example, fonts, an energization table, a determination table, etc.) necessary for executing the print program. A RAM 28 is a work memory used for executing programs. Computer-readable recording media for storing programs and data used for processing in the printing apparatus 1 include physical (non-temporary) recording media such as the ROM 27 .

The thermal head 10 has a plurality of heating elements 10a arranged in the main scanning direction. The head drive circuit 18 energizes the heating elements 10a based on the print data and the control signal. The thermal head 10 heats the ink ribbon with the heating element 10a and prints on the printing medium M line by line by thermal transfer.

A transport motor drive circuit 11 drives a transport motor 12 . The transport motor 12 is, for example, a stepping motor, and rotates the platen roller 21 . The platen roller 21 is rotated by the power of the transport motor 12 and transports the print medium M in its longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction, transport direction).

A cutter motor drive circuit 14 drives a cutter motor 15 . The full-cut mechanism 17 and the half-cut mechanism 16 are driven by the power of the cutter motor 15 to fully cut or half-cut the print medium M. As shown in FIG.

In the printing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the control circuit 25 regards the temperature detected by the thermistor 13 (hereinafter referred to as sensor temperature) as the temperature of the thermal head 10 (hereinafter referred to as head temperature). If it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature, the energy applied to the thermal head 10 is adjusted according to the print data. As a result, even if the sensor temperature does not accurately reflect the head temperature, the energy applied to the thermal head 10 is adjusted in consideration of the heat generation state of the thermal head 10 expected based on the print data. Therefore, a stable amount of heat can be applied to the print medium M regardless of the head temperature. Further, when the control circuit 25 determines that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, the control circuit 25 adjusts the energy applied to the thermal head 10 according to the sensor temperature. As a result, the applied energy is adjusted to an appropriate energy according to the head temperature based on the sensor temperature, so that a stable amount of heat can be applied to the print medium M regardless of the head temperature. In the following description, a case where the applied energy is adjusted by adjusting the energization time for energizing the plurality of heating elements 10a will be described as an example, but the method for adjusting the applied energy is not limited to adjusting the energization time. . For example, the applied energy may be adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the thermal head 10 . It should be noted that the energization time is the time during which a current is supplied to the heating element 10a to print one dot.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the thermistors 13 provided in the thermal head 10. As shown in FIG. The arrangement of the thermistor 13 and under what conditions the sensor temperature detected by the thermistor 13 can be regarded as the head temperature will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the arrangement of the thermistor 13 will be described. The thermal head 10 provided with the thermistor 13 is provided with a plurality of heating elements 10a and a head driving circuit 18, as shown in FIG. The thermistor 13 is arranged as close as possible to the heating element 10a while avoiding the head driving circuit 18. FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, it is arranged at a position distant from the center of the thermal head 10 .

Next, the conditions under which the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature will be described. If the sensor temperature detected by the thermistor 13 fully reflects the temperature of the heating element 10a corresponding to the tape width (hereinafter referred to as the heating element 10a subject to energization control) among the plurality of heating elements 10a. For example, the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.

Focusing on the relationship with the tape width, the results are as follows. In the thermal head 10, the heating elements 10a to be subjected to energization control differ depending on the tape width of the medium M to be printed. As shown in FIG. 6, when printing is performed on the print medium M1 having a wide tape width, almost all of the heating elements 10a are subjected to energization control, whereas for the print medium M2 having a narrow tape width, When printing, only a portion of the heating elements 10a located near the center of the thermal head 10 are subject to energization control. For this reason, assuming that the heat generating elements 10a subject to energization control are uniformly energized, the distance between the heat generating elements 10a subject to energization control and the thermistor 13 is shorter, and the tape width is wider. It can be assumed that the head temperature is reflected in the sensor temperature more than in the case where the distance between the element 10a and the thermistor 13 is long and the tape width is narrow.

The distance between the heating element 10a and the thermistor 13 to be subjected to energization control also depends on the difference between the width of the thermal head 10 and the width of the tape (hereinafter referred to as the width difference). Even if the tape width is the same, the head temperature is reflected differently in the sensor temperature depending on whether the difference between the tape width and the width of the thermal head 10 is large or small. When the difference in width is small, the distance between the heating element 10a to be energized and controlled and the thermistor 13 is shorter. Therefore, it can be assumed that the sensor temperature reflects the head temperature more than when the difference in width is large. can be done. However, in the printing apparatus 1, the width of the thermal head 10 is constant. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1, the difference between the width of the thermal head 10 and the tape width is uniquely determined by the tape width, and corresponds to the tape width at 1:1. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1 having a constant head width, the distance between the heating element 10a to be controlled and the thermistor 13 is determined by the width of the tape. are doing.

Further, when the relationship with the print data is paid attention to and examined, it is as follows. Since the distances from the thermistor 13 are different, the heat generating elements 10a subject to energization control exert different effects on the thermistor 13 when energized. If the spatial distribution of the heat generating elements 10a that are actually energized is uniform, the difference in influence between the heat generating elements 10a can be ignored. On the other hand, if the spatial distribution of the heat generating elements 10a that are actually energized is uneven, the sensor temperature will be the temperature of all the heat generating elements 10a subject to energization control, that is, the temperature that fully reflects the head temperature. Hateful. Therefore, it can be assumed that the more uniform the spatial distribution of the heat generating elements 10a that are actually energized, the more the head temperature is reflected in the sensor temperature. Note that the spatial distribution of the heat generating elements 10a that are actually energized can be specified by the print data.

It may be assumed that the higher the so-called surplus rate, the higher the uniformity of the spatial distribution. Therefore, it may be assumed that the higher the surplus rate, the more the head temperature is reflected in the sensor temperature. This is because when the surplus ratio is high, there is a high possibility that the heat generating elements 10a that are actually energized are spatially spread out to some extent. The surplus ratio is the ratio of print dots to the total dots included in the print data. In other words, it is the ratio of print dots to the total of print dots and non-print dots.

Further, when the relationship with the sensor temperature is paid attention to and examined, the results are as follows. For example, when the sensor temperature rises from the temperature at the start of printing by a threshold value or more, it may be considered that the head temperature is reflected in the sensor temperature. That is, it may be confirmed that the heat generated from the heating element 10a has been transferred to the thermistor 13 based on the fact that the temperature actually detected by the thermistor 13 has risen.

Note that the control circuit 25 may use any combination of the tape width, print data, and sensor temperature described above to determine whether the head temperature is reflected in the sensor temperature.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a determination condition table. A method of controlling the printing apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

The processing shown in FIG. 7 is performed by the control circuit 25 executing a program, for example. The printer 1 first initializes a flag F (step S1). Here, the control circuit 25 sets the flag F to F=0. Flag F indicates whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature. Flag F=0 represents a state in which the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature, and flag F=1 represents a state in which the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.

Next, the printer 1 acquires the tape width (step S2), and further acquires the sensor temperature (step S3). Here, the control circuit 25 acquires the width of the print medium M accommodated in the tape cartridge 30 as the tape width based on the signal from the tape width detection switch 24 . The control circuit 25 further acquires the temperature detected by the thermistor 13 as the sensor temperature.

After that, the printer 1 determines whether the flag F is 1 (step S4). If it is determined that the flag F is 1 (step S4 YES), the process of step S10, which will be described later, is performed. On the other hand, when the printer 1 determines that the flag F is not 1 (step S4 NO), the printer 1 determines whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature (step S5). Here, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the sensor temperature acquired in step S3 can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head 10 .

Specifically, the control circuit 25 determines whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on the print data and the tape width. More specifically, the control circuit 25 first refers to the table T1 shown in FIG. 8 stored in the ROM 27 and acquires the determination condition corresponding to the tape width acquired in step S1. A table T1 is a determination condition table in which determination conditions for regarding the sensor temperature as the head temperature are registered. In the table T1, a surplus rate that differs for each tape width is registered as a determination condition. The surplus ratio is calculated, for example, from print data for the next 10 mm. The reason why the narrower the tape width is, the higher the surplus rate is registered as the judgment condition is that the heat generated by the heating element 10a is less likely to be transmitted to the thermistor 13 as the tape width is narrower.

After acquiring the determination condition, the control circuit 25 pre-reads the print data and determines whether the print data satisfies the acquired determination condition. When the control circuit 25 determines that the print data satisfies the determination condition, the control circuit 25 determines that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature. On the other hand, when the control circuit 25 determines that the determination condition is not satisfied, the control circuit 25 determines that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature.

When it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature (step S5 NO), the printer 1 determines the energization time based on the print data (step S6). Here, the control circuit 25 may, for example, calculate the surplus ratio of the print line based on the print data, and determine the energizing time based on the calculated surplus ratio. Further, the control circuit 25 may calculate a score based on the distribution of print dots included in the print line based on the print data, and determine the energizing time based on the calculated score. Even if the number of print dots included in the print line is the same, different scores may be calculated when the print dots are clustered and when the print dots are dispersed.

When the energization time is determined, the printer 1 performs printing (step S7). Here, the control circuit 25 performs printing according to the energization time determined in step S6. That is, the control circuit 25 adjusts the energy applied to the thermal head 10 based on the energization time determined in step S6, and prints with the adjusted energy. After that, the printer 1 determines whether or not the printing is finished (step S8), and when it is determined that the printing is not finished (step S8 NO), returns to step S3 and repeats the above-described processing. Therefore, at the beginning of printing, printing is performed according to the energization time determined based on the print data. On the other hand, when the printing apparatus 1 determines that printing has ended (step S8 YES), the process shown in FIG. 7 ends.

After that, when it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature (step S5 YES), the printer 1 updates the flag F (step S9). Here, the control circuit 25 sets the flag F to F=1.

When the flag F is updated, the printer 1 determines the energization time based on the sensor temperature (step S10). Here, the control circuit 25 determines the energization time based on the sensor temperature obtained in step S3. More specifically, the control circuit 25 refers to the energization time table stored in the ROM 27 and obtains the adjustment coefficient corresponding to the sensor temperature obtained in step S3. After that, the control circuit 25 determines the time calculated by multiplying the reference energization time by the adjustment coefficient as the energization time.

When the energization time is determined, the printer 1 performs printing (step S7). Here, the control circuit 25 performs printing according to the energization time determined in step S10. That is, the control circuit 25 adjusts the energy applied to the thermal head 10 based on the energization time determined in step S10, and prints with the adjusted energy. After that, the printer 1 determines whether or not the printing is finished (step S8), and when it is determined that the printing is not finished (step S8 NO), returns to step S3 and repeats the above-described processing. Since the flag F is updated to 1 in step S9, the determination is always YES in step S4 thereafter. Therefore, printing is performed according to the energization time determined based on the sensor temperature. On the other hand, when the printing device 1 determines that printing has ended (step S8 YES), the processing shown in FIG. 7 ends.

As described above, in the printing apparatus 1, the control circuit 25 determines the energization time based on the print data until it determines that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, and regards the sensor temperature as the head temperature. After it is determined that the current is to be applied, the energization time is determined based on the sensor temperature.

According to the printing apparatus 1, until the reliability of the sensor temperature is ensured, the energization time is adjusted based on the temperature state of the thermal head 10 expected from the print data. As a result, deterioration in print quality can be suppressed even under conditions where the reliability of the sensor temperature is not ensured. Furthermore, according to the printing apparatus 1, after the reliability of the sensor temperature is ensured, the energization time is adjusted based on the sensor temperature. As a result, the energization time can be appropriately adjusted according to the head temperature. Therefore, deterioration of print quality can be suppressed more effectively. Further, by determining the reliability of the sensor temperature based on the surplus ratio, if the determination condition is satisfied, the energization time can be determined based on the sensor temperature immediately after the start of printing.

Note that the printing apparatus 1 may have a table T2 shown in FIG. 9 instead of the table T1. Table T2 is similar to table T1 in that different determination conditions are registered for each tape width. Table T2 is different from Table T1 in that the determination condition for a relatively narrow tape width of 18 mm or less includes not only the surplus ratio but also an increase in sensor temperature. The reason why the increase in sensor temperature is added to the narrow tape width determination condition is that it takes time for heat to start to be transmitted to the thermistor 13 . The printing device 1 may use the table T2 as a determination condition table. That is, the control circuit 25 may determine whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on the print data, the sensor temperature, and the tape width. According to the printing apparatus 1, even when the table T2 is used as the determination condition table, the energization time can be adjusted based on the sensor temperature only when the sensor temperature correctly reflects the head temperature. . Therefore, the energizing time can be appropriately adjusted according to the head temperature. Moreover, by using the table T2, even when the difference between the width of the thermal head 10 and the width of the tape is large, the reliability of the sensor temperature can be determined more reliably.

The printing device 1 may have a table T3 shown in FIG. 10 instead of the table T2. Table T3 is similar to table T2 in that different determination conditions are registered for each tape width. Table T3 is different from Table T2 in that the rise in sensor temperature is used instead of the surplus ratio as the determination condition for a relatively wide tape width of 24 mm or more. The printing apparatus 1 may use the table T3 as a determination condition table. That is, the control circuit 25 may determine whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on the print data, the sensor temperature, and the tape width. According to the printing apparatus 1, even when the table T3 is used as the determination condition table, the energization time can be adjusted based on the sensor temperature only when the sensor temperature correctly reflects the head temperature. . Therefore, the energization time can be appropriately adjusted according to the head temperature. Further, by using the table T3, when the difference between the width of the thermal head 10 and the width of the tape is small, it is possible to avoid pre-reading of the print data for calculating the black ratio.

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

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on the print data, the sensor temperature, and the tape width. and sensor temperature. For example, the determination condition may be that the print data satisfies a predetermined condition regardless of the tape width. Further, the determination condition may be that the sensor temperature satisfies a predetermined condition regardless of the tape width. The control circuit 25 may determine whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on at least one of the print data, the sensor temperature and the tape width. The tape width itself may be used as the determination condition. For example, if the tape width is equal to or greater than a predetermined width, the sensor temperature may be relied upon. Such a determination method can also appropriately adjust the energizing time according to the temperature of the thermal head.

In the above-described embodiment, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on the print data, the sensor temperature, and the tape width. You can take it into consideration. For example, the determination may be made in consideration of the type of print medium (for example, paper, cloth, magnet, etc.).

In the above-described embodiment, once the control circuit 25 determines that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, the energization time is determined on the assumption that the sensor temperature can always be regarded as the head temperature. , but not limited to this example. For example, even after it is once determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, the determination process may be repeated. A state transition to a state that is not possible may be allowed.

In the above-described embodiment, the black character ratio was exemplified as an example of determination based on print data, but the determination method is not limited to an example in which all print dots are treated equally like the black character ratio. For example, a weighted surplus ratio may be calculated by weighting according to the positions of print dots. For example, the surplus ratio may be calculated by weighting according to the distance between the thermistor 13 and the print dots, and the determination may be made based on the weighted surplus ratio.

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 plurality of heating elements and performs printing on a printing medium;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the thermal head as a sensor temperature;
a control unit that controls the thermal head,
The control unit
determining whether the sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature, energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted according to print data.
[Appendix 2]
In the printing device according to Appendix 1,
The control unit
determining an energization time for energizing the plurality of heating elements based on the print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature;
A printing apparatus, wherein the energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted based on the determined energization time.
[Appendix 3]
In the printing device according to Appendix 2,
The control unit
Based on the print data, calculate the surplus ratio of the print line,
A printing apparatus, wherein an energization time for energizing the plurality of heating elements is determined based on the calculated surplus rate.
[Appendix 4]
In the printing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the energy applied to the thermal head according to the sensor temperature when it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.
[Appendix 5]
In the printing device according to appendix 4,
The control unit
determining an energization time for energizing the plurality of heating elements based on the sensor temperature when it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature;
A printing apparatus, wherein the energy applied to the thermal head is adjusted based on the determined energization time.
[Appendix 6]
In the printing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5,
The printing apparatus, wherein the control unit determines whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on at least one of the print data and the sensor temperature.
[Appendix 7]
The printing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, further comprising:
A width sensor that detects the width of the print medium,
The control unit determines whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on at least one of the print data, the sensor temperature, and the width detected by the width sensor. and printing device.
[Appendix 8]
In the printing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7,
The control unit
A printing apparatus characterized by determining whether or not the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature until it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.
[Appendix 9]
A control method for a printing apparatus having a thermal head for printing on a print medium, comprising:
determining whether a sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
A control method, comprising adjusting energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature.
[Appendix 10]
A printing device equipped with a thermal head that prints on a print medium,
determining whether a sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
A program for executing a process of adjusting energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature.

1 printing device 2 device housing 2a outlet 3 input unit 4 display unit 10 thermal head 10a heating element 13 thermistor 18 head drive circuit 21 platen roller 25 control circuit 26 communication IF
27 ROMs
28 RAMs
M, M1, M2 Print medium R Ink ribbons T1 to T3 Table

Claims (11)

a thermal head that has a plurality of heating elements and performs printing on a printing medium;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the thermal head as a sensor temperature;
a control unit that controls the thermal head,
The control unit
determining whether the sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature ;
When determining whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, the determination is made based on at least one of the print data and the sensor temperature.
A printing device characterized by: a thermal head that has a plurality of heating elements and performs printing on a printing medium;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the thermal head as a sensor temperature;
a control unit that controls the thermal head,
The control unit
determining whether the sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature;
Until it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, it is determined whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.
A printing device characterized by : In the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
The control unit
determining an energization time for energizing the plurality of heating elements based on the print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature;
Adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head based on the determined energization time
A printing device characterized by: The printing device according to claim 3 , wherein
The control unit
Based on the print data, calculate the surplus ratio of the print line,
Determining an energization time for energizing the plurality of heating elements based on the calculated surplus rate
A printing device characterized by: In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The controller adjusts the energy applied to the thermal head according to the sensor temperature when it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.
A printing device characterized by: The printing device according to claim 5 , wherein
The control unit
determining an energization time for energizing the plurality of heating elements based on the sensor temperature when it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature;
Adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head based on the determined energization time
A printing device characterized by: The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising:
A width sensor that detects the width of the print medium,
The control unit determines whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature based on at least one of the print data, the sensor temperature, and the width detected by the width sensor. and printing device. A control method for a printing apparatus having a thermal head for printing on a print medium, comprising:
determining whether a sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature;
When determining whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, the determination is made based on at least one of the print data and the sensor temperature. control method. A control method for a printing apparatus having a thermal head for printing on a print medium, comprising:
determining whether a sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature ;
Until it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, it is determined whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.
A control method characterized by: A printing device equipped with a thermal head that prints on a print medium,
determining whether a sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature ;
When determining whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head, the determination is made based on at least one of the print data and the sensor temperature.
A program characterized by executing processing. A printing device equipped with a thermal head that prints on a print medium,
determining whether a sensor temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head can be regarded as the head temperature of the thermal head;
adjusting the energy applied to the thermal head according to print data when it is determined that the sensor temperature cannot be regarded as the head temperature;
Until it is determined that the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature, it is determined whether the sensor temperature can be regarded as the head temperature.
A program characterized by executing processing.

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