JP7469898B2 - Printers, programs, and printer control methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer, a program, and a method for controlling a printer.

It is known that the print density and print speed can be adjusted to set the print settings of a printer. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a thermal printer equipped with a print density detection unit that can detect the print density, and a control unit that calculates optimal print conditions from the print density measurement results.

JP 2002-103757 A

In the past, printers have been proposed that set optimal print settings from the perspective of print quality, but the power consumption caused by printing was not taken into consideration.

The present invention aims to enable a printer to set optimal print settings while taking into account the power consumption caused by printing.

One aspect of the present invention is a printer comprising a print head which prints information on a specified print medium, a memory unit including a database in which values of power consumption caused by printing on the print medium corresponding to combinations of each of a plurality of print speeds performed by the print head and each of a plurality of print densities performed by the print head are described, and a control unit which controls printing by setting the combination of print speeds and print densities described in the database that consumes the least amount of power.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a printer can perform optimal print settings while taking into account the power consumption caused by printing.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a printer system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a print evaluation database according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a printer system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a print evaluation database according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a print evaluation database according to a third embodiment.

The following describes the printer system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(1) First embodiment (1-1) Configuration of printer system 1 The configuration of printer system 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of printer system 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of printer system 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a print evaluation database in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system 1 of this embodiment includes a printer 2 and a host computer 3. The printer 2 and the host computer 3 are connected via a network NW. The network NW may be, for example, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.

Printer 2 is a printer used by a user, and is placed at the user's desired location for use with printer 2, such as the user's place of business, factory, or warehouse. The type of printer 2 is not limited, but it is, for example, a label printer. A label printer contains a label roll on which continuous paper containing multiple labels is wound, and information is printed on each label.

The host computer 3 is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone. In FIG. 1, for simplicity, the host computer 3 and the printer 2 are shown in a one-to-one relationship, but this is not limited thereto, and the host computer 3 can be configured to be able to control multiple printers 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 2 includes a control unit 21 , a storage 22 , an operation input unit 23 , a display unit 24 , a motor driving unit 25 , a head driving unit 26 , and a communication unit 27 .
The control unit 21 includes a microcomputer and memories (RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory)), and controls the operation of the printer 2. The microcomputer reads and executes firmware stored in the ROM when the printer 2 is started. The RAM may function as a buffer in which print data for issuing labels is temporarily recorded, for example.

The storage 22 includes a non-volatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The non-volatile memory stores a print evaluation database (print evaluation DB) described later.
The control unit 21 refers to a print evaluation database stored in the storage 22, and controls printing so that the combination with the lowest power consumption is set among the combinations of print speed and print density that result in a print quality evaluation value equal to or greater than a preset threshold value.

The operation input unit 23 is at least one of input means including operation buttons provided on the housing of the printer 2 and touch input buttons provided on a touch panel input screen.
The display unit 24 includes a display panel, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and a drive circuit that displays images on the display panel.

The motor drive unit 25 drives a stepping motor (not shown) that controls the rotation of a platen roller (not shown) and an ink ribbon take-up roller, whereby the continuous paper is pulled out from the label roll and transported, and the ink ribbon (not shown) is taken up.
In response to a transport request from the control unit 21, the motor drive unit 25 transports the continuous paper in the transport direction (forward or reverse) and transport amount specified by the transport request. The specified transport direction and transport amount correspond to, for example, the rotation direction, drive frequency, and number of steps of a stepping motor. The motor drive unit 25 drives the stepping motor based on the rotation direction, drive frequency, and number of steps.

The control unit 21 receives print data, for example, from the host computer 3 via the network NW. Based on the print data, the head drive unit 26 selectively passes current through each heating element of a thermal head (an example of a print head) having multiple heating elements at the required timing. When the heating elements, which are heated by the current, are pressed against the label transported by the platen roller via the ink ribbon, the ink on the ink ribbon melts and is transferred to the part of the label pressed against the heating element. As a result, information is printed on the label.

The communication unit 27 communicates with the host computer 3 via the network NW to send and receive data.

Next, the print evaluation database will be described with reference to FIG.
3, the print evaluation database includes a look-up table (LUT) that describes the print quality evaluation value (5 levels from A to E) and the power consumption value (values from 1 to 10) for each of 25 combinations of, for example, 5 levels of print density and 5 levels of print speed. The print quality evaluation values indicate that the print quality is evaluated in the order of A, B, C, D, and E.
The higher the power consumption value shown in the LUT, the higher the power consumption when actually printing. Note that the number of stages of print density and print speed, the evaluation value, and the power consumption settings are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate.

In this embodiment, the printer 2 is used to evaluate the print quality and measure the power consumption for each combination of different print densities and different print speeds, and a print evaluation database is created before operating the printer 2. The ambient temperature when evaluating the print quality and measuring the power consumption is not limited, but is, for example, room temperature (25° C.). At this time, it is preferable to evaluate the print quality and measure the power consumption using an ink ribbon and label roll that are installed as standard in the printer 2 and are recommended for use.
The created print evaluation database is stored in the storage 32 of the host computer 3 .

Referring again to FIG. 2, the host computer 3 includes a control unit 31 , a storage unit 32 , and a communication unit 33 .
The control unit 31 includes a microcomputer and memories (RAM, ROM), and controls the operation of the host computer 3. The microcomputer reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM when the host computer 3 is started up. For example, the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 33 to transmit a print evaluation database to the printer 2 at a predetermined timing.

The storage 32 is a large-scale storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores the print evaluation database.
The communication unit 33 communicates with the printer 2 via the network NW to send and receive data. The communication unit 33 transmits the print evaluation database to the printer 2 under the command of the control unit 31.

(1-2) Operation of the Printer 2 Next, the operation of the printer 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the printer 2 of this embodiment.
Before the printer 2 starts operation, the host computer 3 transmits the print evaluation database to the printer 2. The control unit 21 of the printer 2 stores the print evaluation database received from the host computer 3 in the storage 22.

When the printer 2 starts operating, the control unit 21 of the printer 2 executes each process in the flowchart of FIG. 4. The control unit 21 of the printer 2 first references the LUT included in the print evaluation database and extracts combinations of print density and print speed for which the evaluation value of print quality is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S10). In the LUT illustrated in FIG. 3, if the threshold value for the evaluation value of print quality is B, combinations within range 101 (i.e. combinations with evaluation values of A or B) are extracted from the 25 combinations of print density and print quality.

Next, the control unit 21 of the printer 2 selects the combination with the lowest power consumption from among the combinations extracted in step S10 (step S12). For example, within the range 101 in FIG. 3, two combinations with power consumption of 5 (a combination of print density: 2, print speed: 2, and a combination of print density: 3, print speed: 2) are selected. This identifies a combination of print density and print speed with good print quality and low power consumption.

If there are two or more combinations selected in step S12 (step S14: YES), the control unit 21 of the printer 2 selects the combination with the lowest print density (step S16). For example, in the example shown in Fig. 3, a combination of print density: 2 and print speed: 2 is selected. This is because when the print density is high, the pulse applied to the thermal head tends to be large, and therefore the power consumption is considered to be relatively high.
Since the combination of print density and print speed has been determined by the processes of steps S14 and S16, the control unit 21 of the printer 2 sets the combination (step S18) and starts producing labels.

As described above, according to the printer system 1 of this embodiment, the printer 2 selects and sets the combination with the lowest power consumption from among the combinations of print density and print speed for which the print quality evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, thereby achieving both print quality and low power consumption. In other words, optimal print settings can be made while taking into account the power consumption due to printing.

The user can appropriately determine which combination of power consumption to select from among the combinations of print density and print speed that result in a print quality evaluation value equal to or greater than a threshold value.
For example, in step S14, when there are two or more combinations selected in step S12, the combination with the lowest print density is selected, but this is not the only option. The multiple combinations selected in step S12 may be presented to the user, and the user may select one of the multiple combinations.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a printer system 1A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the printer system 1A of this embodiment Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the print evaluation database in this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the printer system 1A of this embodiment is different from the printer system 1 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 2) in that the printer 2A is further equipped with a temperature sensor 28 for the printer 2.

The temperature sensor 28 is provided to detect the ambient temperature of the printer 2A. The temperature sensor 28 may be installed anywhere in the printer body, but in order to accurately detect the ambient temperature of the printer 2A, it is preferable that the temperature sensor 28 be installed in a position in the printer body away from heat-generating parts. For example, the temperature sensor 28 may be located near the outer surface of the housing that constitutes the printer body, on the inner surface of the housing, on a circuit board, near the label roll, near the ink ribbon, etc.

As shown in Fig. 6, the print evaluation database referenced in this embodiment includes a plurality of LUTs (three LUTs in the illustrated example) at different temperatures (-30°C, 25°C, and 60°C in the illustrated example). In each database, print quality evaluation values and power consumption values are described for each combination of different print densities and different print speeds. Note that, although Fig. 6 illustrates an example in which LUTs corresponding to three temperatures are included, this is not limiting, and the temperature values and the number of temperatures may be changed as appropriate.
When the ambient temperature differs, the melting characteristics of the ink ribbon change, and the actual print density changes even when the same print density is set. Also, when the ambient temperature drops, the heat generated by the thermal head is more likely to be lost to the surroundings, so the print quality is affected by the print speed. Therefore, in the printer system 1A of this embodiment, the print quality evaluation value and power consumption at different temperatures are measured in advance, and a print evaluation database including multiple LUTs for each different temperature is created.

Before starting operation, printer 2A obtains the print evaluation database from host computer 3 and stores it in storage 22. During operation, printer 2's control unit 21 refers to the print evaluation database, sets the print density and print speed, and issues a label, in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. At this time, control unit 21 refers to the LUT in the print evaluation database for a temperature close to the ambient temperature detected by temperature sensor 28, and selects and sets the print density and print speed.

The printer system 1A of this embodiment can perform optimal printing settings according to the ambient temperature while taking into account the power consumption caused by printing.

(3) Third embodiment Next, a printer system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a print evaluation database according to the present embodiment.

In the printer system of this embodiment, the print evaluation database is different from that of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the print evaluation database of this embodiment includes LUTs corresponding to each combination of a label roll of a plurality of part codes and an ink ribbon of a plurality of part codes. As shown in Fig. 3, each LUT describes the print quality evaluation value and the power consumption value for each combination of different print densities and different print speeds. For each combination of a label roll and an ink ribbon, the print quality is evaluated for each combination of different print densities and different print speeds, and the power consumption is measured, thereby creating the print evaluation database.
In the print evaluation database of FIG. 7, a plurality of LUTs corresponding to different temperatures may be provided for each combination of label roll and ink ribbon, similarly to FIG.

In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the printer 2 selects an LUT that corresponds to the label roll and ink ribbon mounted on the printer 2, and selects and sets the print density and print speed based on the selected LUT. To determine the label roll and ink ribbon mounted on the printer 2, the control unit 21 accepts a selection operation by the user via the operation input unit 23 from among multiple label rolls and multiple ink ribbons.

The printer system of this embodiment allows you to set optimal print settings while taking into account the compatibility of the label roll and ink ribbon and the power consumption caused by printing.

The above describes the embodiments of the printer, program, and printer control method of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Furthermore, the above embodiments can be improved or modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the control unit 21 of the printer 2 may divide the multiple heating elements included in the thermal head into multiple groups and control each group to generate heat at different times (split printing). This can reduce the peak power consumption due to printing. That is, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a combination of print density and print speed that provides good print quality and the lowest power consumption is set, but by adopting the split printing described above, the peak power consumption can be further reduced.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a thermal transfer printer that uses an ink ribbon has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a thermal printer that prints on thermal paper. In that case, in the third embodiment, an LUT is set for each of the label rolls of multiple part codes.

In the above-described embodiments, the printer 2, 2A performs the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to select a combination of print density and print speed, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The storage 32 of the host computer 3 may store the print evaluation database, and the control unit 31 may refer to the print evaluation database to perform the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4. In this case, the host computer 3 determines a combination of print density and print speed, and sends a setting command including the determined combination to the printer 2, 2A. The printer 2, 2A sets the combination of print density and print speed included in the received setting command, and starts producing labels.
Alternatively, the storage 32 of the host computer 3 may store the print evaluation database, and the printer 2, 2A may select a combination of print density and print speed by performing the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4. In that case, when executing the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4, the printer 2, 2A requests the print evaluation database from the host computer 3 and receives the print evaluation database in advance.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1A... printer system 2, 2A... printer 21... control section 22, 22A... storage 23... operation input section 24... display section 25... motor drive section 26... head drive section 27... communication section 3... host computer 31... control section 32... storage 33... communication section NW... network

Claims (7)

a print head for printing information on a predetermined print medium;
a storage unit including a database in which values of power consumption due to printing on the print medium corresponding to combinations of each of a plurality of printing speeds by the print head and each of a plurality of print densities by the print head are described;
a control unit that controls the printing so that the combination of printing speed and printing density with the lowest power consumption is set among the combinations of printing speed and printing density described in the database ;
A printer equipped with When there are two or more combinations with the lowest power consumption, the control unit controls to set a combination with a lower print density and perform printing.
2. The printer according to claim 1. Further comprising a temperature acquisition unit that acquires an external ambient temperature,
the database describes power consumption due to printing corresponding to a combination of each of a plurality of print speeds and each of a plurality of print densities for each of a plurality of temperatures;
the control unit refers to the database corresponding to a temperature among the plurality of temperatures that is close to the ambient temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit, and controls to set a combination of a print speed and a print density to perform printing.
3. A printer according to claim 1 or 2. The printing medium is a combination of an ink ribbon and a transfer medium to which the ink of the ink ribbon is transferred,
the database describes power consumption for printing corresponding to each of a plurality of combinations of an ink ribbon and a transfer medium, the combinations being associated with each of a plurality of print speeds and a plurality of print densities;
the control unit controls the printer to set a combination of a printing speed and a printing density by referring to the database corresponding to a combination of an ink ribbon and a transfer medium mounted in the printer, and to perform printing.
A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3. the control unit divides a plurality of heating elements included in the print head into a plurality of groups and controls each group to generate heat at a different timing.
A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4. a print head for printing information on a predetermined print medium;
a storage unit including a database in which power consumption due to printing on the print medium corresponding to each combination of a plurality of printing speeds by the print head and each of a plurality of print densities by the print head is described,
On the computer,
referencing said database;
a step of controlling the printing so that the combination of the printing speed and the printing density which consumes the least power is set among the combinations of the printing speed and the printing density described in the database and printing is performed;
A program for executing. A method for controlling a printer having a print head that prints information on a predetermined print medium, comprising the steps of:
Refer to a storage unit including a database in which values of power consumption due to printing corresponding to combinations of each of a plurality of printing speeds by the print head and each of a plurality of print densities by the print head are described for the print medium;
Controlling the printing so that the combination of printing speed and printing density with the lowest power consumption is set among the combinations of printing speed and printing density described in the database.
How to control the printer.

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