JPH01171969A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate setting of print area and to control printing operation, by resetting a print head to a home position then moving the print head to the right and left and depressing a set switch in order to register right and left end positions for defining the print area. CONSTITUTION:When key switches 11a, 11b are depressed simultaneously to set a print area setting mode, a CPU motor 12 is driven to shift a carrier block 6 to the left until it is detected through a home position sensor 8. When the carrier block 6 shifts by an amount (a) and arrives at point Z, a counter (c) is cleared then counts up by '1' every time when the motor 12 is shifted to the right. If the key switch 11a is depressed before the count in the counter (c) reaches a Max count, count X in the counter (c) is stored in a print area right end memory, then the carrier block 6 is shifted to the left. The counter (c) counts down by '1' every time when the motor 12 is shifted to the left and the count Y of the counter (c) is subtracted from the value X stored in the print area right end memory when the key switch 11b is depressed, then the subtraction result is stored in a print area left end memory in order to set the print area and to control printing operation in the print area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printing device used in printers, electronic typewriters, and the like.

[Prior Art] There is a printing device (printer) in which a print head is placed on a carrier together with an ink ribbon, and the print head is controlled to perform printing while moving the print head back and forth in the left and right direction using a motor.

Such printing devices are widely used in output terminal devices such as personal computers and word processors. By the way, in such a printing device, it is necessary to set the paper width to be used, the printing area on the paper, the character pitch, the number of lines per page, etc.

This is called formatting, and unless the application allows selection from among fixed formats, this formatting must be set by the user. To set this format, the host computer sends a control command to the printing device to specify the left and right edges of the printing area, and the printing device is equipped with a rotary switch or dip switch, which is used as the format setting data. A method is used.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, printing devices used in output terminal devices such as personal computers and word processors have various characteristics such as the size of the paper to be used, the position where the paper is set, the area to be printed, the character pitch, etc. The number of lines per page, etc. is set depending on the purpose, and this setting is done either by sending a control command from the host computer or by setting a setting switch provided on the printing device. and,
After performing these format settings, if you use paper with a different paper width or change the position where the paper is set in the printing device, you need to specify the printing area of the printing device according to the purpose. . When resetting the printing area from the host computer side, the host computer side sends control commands to the printing device to specify the left and right edges of the printing area, but even if you simply specify these left and right edge positions, the home position The 0 (zero) character position, which is determined based on A certain character pitch (number of characters per inch)
If you do not also change the character pitch, you will not be able to set the print area as expected. This setting is difficult because the status cannot be determined until it is printed. Additionally, although it is relatively easy to set up a system in which the printing device is equipped with a rotary switch or depth switch and these are used for format setting data, the number of switches that can be installed on the printing device is limited. The disadvantage is that the number of types cannot be increased, and the settings that can be set are limited, making it impossible to make detailed settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device that can easily and precisely set a printing area and control printing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is as follows. That is, in a printing device in which a print head is moved back and forth along a platen roller by a motor to perform printing, there is a switch for specifying a print area setting mode and commanding the left and right end positions of the print area, and a print area setting mode. At this time, the motor is controlled to return the print head to the home position, and a counter is cleared when the print head reaches a preset standard character printing position during rightward movement after returning to the home position. Thereafter, when the switch is operated, the count value of the counter at that time is registered as the right end setting information, and the print head is switched to move toward the home position and the movement is controlled at low speed, and the predetermined movement is thereafter performed. When operated, the print head position is counted and managed based on the reference print position in the count mode of the counter at that time, and the print head position is configured to be within a range corresponding to these registered count values. .

[Function] In such a configuration, when the printing area setting mode is set, the control means controls the motor to return the print head to the home position. When the print head returns to the home position, the drive control is then switched to low-speed rightward movement. Then, when the print head reaches a preset standard character printing position during rightward movement after returning to its home position, the counter is cleared, and the count value of the counter is incremented at each predetermined feed thereafter. go. When the operator operates a switch that commands the right end position when the print head reaches the desired right end position, the control means registers the count value of the counter at that time as right end setting information, and controls the print head. The control is switched to move at a low speed toward the home position, and thereafter, the count value of the counter is decremented every predetermined movement. When the print head reaches a desired left end position, the operator operates a switch that commands the left end position. Then, the control means subtracts the count value of the counter at that time from the registered right end setting information and registers the result as left end setting information.

Then exit this mode. When entering the print mode, the control means counts and manages the print head position based on the reference print position, and performs printing control when the print head position is within a range corresponding to these registered count values.

In this way, in the present invention, when the printing area setting mode is set,
The control means returns the print head to its home position and then automatically moves it to the right at a low speed, and when the setting switch is pressed, the position at that point is registered as the rightmost position and it automatically moves to the left at a low speed. When the printer is reversed and moved at low speed, and a setting switch is pressed, the current position is registered as the left end position, the area between these registered positions is set as a printing area, and the printing start position is controlled.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing device in which printing can be performed by easily and finely setting a printing area.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, ■ is the system power supply, 2 is the controller and driver, 3 is the ribbon end sensor that detects ribbon breakage of the ink ribbon, 4 is the print head, and 5 is the ribbon feed motor that feeds the ink ribbon. It is. The print head 4, ink ribbon 3, and ribbon feed motor 5 are attached to a carrier block 8, and are moved left and right along a platen (not shown) to perform printing.

Additionally, a paper out detection switch 7 for detecting paper out is installed at a position on the vapor supply side near the platen in the printer housing, and a carriage home position sensor 8 is installed at the home position of the carriage. ing.

9 is a ROM, and 10 is a RAM. Reference numeral 11 denotes an operation panel, which includes panel switches and indicator lamps for various operations such as an online switch, a paper feed switch, and a key switch for setting a print area. 12 is a carrier motor that moves the carrier block 6, and 13 is a vapor feed motor that feeds printing paper.

The controller and driver 2 are C, which plays a central role in control.
It is composed of a PU (microprocessor; arithmetic processing unit) and a driver section that generates drive output for various motors and heads, and the ROM 9 stores programs to be executed by the CPU of the controller and driver 2, character font data, etc. The RAM 10 is used as a working area and a data storage area when the CPUs of the controller and driver 2 execute programs. A data buffer is also provided within this RAM 10. The functions executed by the controller and driver 2 include buffer memory management, writing of transmission data from the host computer to the buffer memory, reading from the buffer memory for printing, operation functions for specifying the print area, and various switches. The ROM 9 stores programs for implementing these functions, such as commands for corresponding operations based on the output of the buffer, and print control commands based on data read from the buffer. 1
4 is a host computer, which can send and receive data and control signals via an input/output interface.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main structure of this device, and the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same parts.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a pair of left and right support plates, to which a platen roller 21 and two carriage guide shafts 8a and 8b are attached. Platen roller 2
1 is rotationally driven by a paper feed motor. Carriage guide shaft 6a.

6b is arranged parallel to the platen roller 21 at a distance from each other, and is a carrier motor 1 using a stepping motor.
When receiving the driving force of 2, the carriage etc. guide shaft 6
a, 8b to allow the carrier block 6 to move. Although not shown in the drawings, this driving force is transmitted by a transmission mechanism such as a wire or a belt passed between a pulley and the pulley. The print head 4 is mounted on a carrier block 6, and the opposing position on the platen roller 21 changes by reciprocating the carrier block 6 from side to side.

lla and llb on the operation panel 11 are operation key switches for setting a printing area, and 23 is a sheet of paper set on the platen roller 21.

The operation of this device having such a configuration will be explained.

In this device, when the power is turned on, the main program in the ROM 9 is executed, and the device functions as a printer. That is, after performing predetermined initial settings and waiting for data from the connected host computer, the operation panel 111 of the printer itself; there are operation buttons such as an execution button, page feed button, line feed button, etc., or key switches lla and llb. Therefore, you will have to wait for these buttons to be operated. Then, when data is received from the host computer or when a button or switch on the operation panel 11 is operated, the signal is taken into the CPU of the controller and driver 2. The CPU then controls the driver system to perform control in accordance with the command content indicated by this operation button.

Therefore, if the execution button is pressed, if there is data in the buffer, it will be printed, and then it will wait for data input.
When the CPU receives a print command and data from the host computer 14 via the input/output interface, the CPU edits the data, performs print processing, and controls the drive system to print.

The data sent from the host computer 14 side is R.
Once stored in a buffer within the AM 10, upon receiving a print command, these are sequentially read out by the CPU and used for printing.

On the other hand, it is assumed that when the printer is in a standby state when the power is turned on, pressing the key switches lla and llb at the same time enters the print area setting mode, and that the operator performs such an operation.

In this state, the printing area is set, and the setting procedure will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printing mechanism part of the printing device. The printing position of the O-th character, which is a distance a from the position sensor 8, is set as two points, and the area that can actually be printed by this printing device is set to the maximum range based on these two points. Wa from 2 points
An arbitrary position in the range of x is expressed by the number of shifts of the stepping motor with two points as a reference.

When the key switches lla and llb are pressed at the same time and the print area setting mode is entered, the CPU executes the control as shown in FIG. That is, first of all, the home position
Check whether the sensor 8 is on or not (sl), and if it is not on, shift the carrier motor 12 by one shift (reference movement i: JL) to the left (sll) (movement direction toward the home position). ) Return to sl.

In this way, the carrier motor 12 is rotated to move the carrier φ block 6 to the left (home position) until the home position φ sensor 8 detects the carrier block 6. When carrier block 6 eventually reaches the home position, the home position
Since the detection output is obtained from the sensor 8 (sl), the CPU
As a result, the motor 12 is driven and controlled so as to move the carrier block 6 to the right to the next two points (s2).

When carrier block 6 shifts by a and reaches point 2, counter C is cleared and set to 0 (s3).
. From this position, each time the motor 12 is shifted one position to the right, "1" is added to the counter C (s4). This operation is repeated until the key switch lla is pressed (s5, 512). If here, key switch 11
If the value of the counter C reaches Mat before a is pressed, the same process as when the key switch lla is pressed is performed (s6). If key switch lla is pressed before the value of counter C reaches Max, the value
(s[t). Next, the control is switched to shift the carrier block 6 to the left, but when entering this state, each time the carrier motor 12 is given one left shift command from the position where the key switch lla is pressed. While subtracting "1" from counter C (s7, s8
．． 513), advance the left shift and press the key switch ll
Stop when b is pressed. However, if the counter C reaches 0 before the key switch llb is pressed, the same process as when the key switch llb is pressed is executed. That is, at the stage when the key switch llb is pressed, the value Y of the counter C is stored in the memory RI for the right end of the print area.
Y is subtracted from the value X of CIIT (s9), and the result is stored in the memory LEFT for the left end of the printing area (slO).

At this point, the print area setting mode is terminated, and the printer waits for data from the connected host computer 14 or operation input from the operation panel 11 again.

What needs to be taken into consideration here is that the moving speed of the carrier block 6 in the printing area setting mode be set to a speed sufficient for a human being to recognize the position of the carrier block 6. Therefore, in this mode, the carrier motor 12 is rotated at a slower speed than in the print mode.

When the printing area is set in this way and printing data is sent from the host combination coater 14, CPt1 always checks the values of the memory LEFT for the left edge of the printing area and the memory RIG)IT for the right edge of the printing area, and Printing control is performed as if printing is controlled within.

The various functions described above are performed by the CP in the controller and driver 2 according to the programs stored in the ROM Q.
This is realized by U performing arithmetic processing.

Furthermore, the memory of LEFT, RIG) IT and the counter C are configured to use a part of the RAM 10.

As described above, when this device is set to print area setting mode, the carrier block, that is, the print head, is automatically returned to the home position, and then slowly moved to the right while the counter is moved by the stepping motor for driving the carrier block. When the switch for specifying the right area is operated, the value of the counter at that point is registered as the right edge setting value of the print area, and then the print head is slowly moved to the left to move the counter to the carrier. When the block drive stepping motor is decremented in units of shift and the switch for specifying the left area is operated, the counter value at that time is registered as the left end setting value of the printing area, and subsequent printing control is performed using this left and right end setting value. Since the data range is limited to the data range of is used as the limit value for printing, so no matter what the set printing pitch is, printing will start when the print head reaches the left edge setting, and the left edge setting will be applied. Since printing is enabled until the value position is reached, printing can be performed within the desired set printing area.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, in the embodiments described above, the left and right ends of the printing area are I set it with switches lla and ttb,
The mode can be set by combining the conventional operation buttons, and after the mode is set, if one of the conventional buttons has the right-most or left-most command function, the software can be changed without changing the configuration of the conventional model. It becomes possible to add and use the functions of the present invention by simply adding the functions.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing device that can easily and finely set a printing area and execute printing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of main parts of the present device, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the present invention in detail, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the present device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... System power supply, 2... Controller and driver, 4... Print head, B... Carrier block, 9... ROM, 10... RAM, 11
...Operation panel, 11a, llb...Switch, 14...Host computer, 21...Platen roller, 23...Paper. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue District 1, Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a printing device in which a print head is moved reciprocally along a platen roller by a motor to perform printing, there is a switch for specifying a print area setting mode and commanding the left and right end positions of the print area, and when in the print area setting mode. a first means for controlling the motor so as to return the print head to the home position, and switching to rightward movement when the motor returns to the home position to control the low speed drive; and a rightward movement of the print head after returning to the home position. When the print head reaches a preset standard character printing position, the counter is cleared, and a second means for incrementing the count value of the counter every predetermined feed and a switch for commanding the right end position are operated. The count value of the counter at that time is registered as right-end setting information, and the print head is switched to move toward the home position to control low-speed movement, and thereafter the count value of the counter is decremented at every predetermined feed. and a fourth means for subtracting the counted value of the counter at that time from the registered right end setting information and registering the result as left end setting information when the switch for commanding the left end position is operated. a control means comprising: a fifth means for counting and managing the print head position based on the reference print position in a print mode, and controlling printing when the print head position is within a range corresponding to the registered count values; A printing device characterized in that it is configured by providing.