JPH01218860A - Resolving power variable type line printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily make the resolving powers in main scanning and sub- scanning directions independently variable, by changing the relative relation between the feed timing of a feed means and the drive timing of a plurality of line dot heads respectively different in resolving power corresponding to the indicated resolving power in the sub-scanning direction and selecting the line head corresponding to the indicated resolving power in the main scanning direction to drive the same. CONSTITUTION:A control part 3 makes the resolving powers in main scanning and sub-scanning directions independently variable. Since the resolving power in the main scanning direction is determined by the resolving powers of line dot heads 1a, 1b, a plurality of the line heads different in resolving power are arranged and used while changed over. The resolving power in the sub-scanning direction is changed by changing the relative relation between the feed timing of a feed means 20 and the drive timings STR 1, STR 2 of the line dot heads 1a, 1b. Further, the line dot heads 1a, 1b are subjected to printing driving corresponding to indicated printing magnification.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Table of contents] Overview Industrial field of application Conventional technology Problems to be solved by the invention Means for solving the problems (Fig. 1) Working example (a) One example Explanation of the configuration (Figures 2 and 3) (
b) Explanation of the operation of one embodiment (Figs. 4, 5, and 6) (C) Explanation of other embodiments Effects of the invention [Summary] In a line printer using a line dot head,
This invention relates to a variable resolution line printer in which the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction can be independently varied.

The purpose is to use a line dot head to easily and independently change the resolution in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction.

A plurality of line dot heads each having a different resolution in the main scanning direction, and a feeding means for feeding a print medium on which the line dot heads form an image in the sub scanning direction.

and a control unit that drives the line dot head for printing,
The control unit is controlled according to the specified resolution in the sub-scanning direction.
The relative relationship between the feeding timing of the feeding means and the driving timing of the line dot head is changed, and the line dot head is selected and driven according to the designated resolution in the main scanning direction.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a variable resolution line printer using a line dot head, in which the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction can be independently varied.

Dot printers are widely used to dot print print data such as characters, graphics, images, and overlays sent from a host, and line tod printers in particular are widely used because they can print at high speed.

Such line head printers include various types such as electrophotographic, thermal, thermal transfer, electrostatic recording, and wire dot printers.

In such line head printers, by changing the resolution from various uses in recent years.

It is required to change printing resolution and printing magnification.

[Conventional technology]

For example, patent application specification No. 145486 of 1983 (filed on July 13, 1988) and patent application publication number 664 of 1988.
As seen in Japanese Patent No. 65, etc., in an electrophotographic printer using a laser scanning system, the rotational speed of the scanner, the period of the video signal, and the intensity of the light beam are changed in order to make the resolution variable.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this prior art, it is necessary to use an expensive laser scanning system that is one mechanical scanning element. In addition to this problem, there was also the problem that complex control was required, such as changing the cycle of print data (video signal) and changing the rotation speed of the scanner. Also, there was a problem that complicated controls such as changing the cycle of print data (video signal) and changing the rotation speed of the scanner were required. There was also a problem in that the resolution was variable at the same ratio and it was difficult to vary it separately.

This problem is especially true for stock form data.

There was a problem when printing on cut paper with a different aspect ratio from the stock form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a variable resolution line printer that can easily and independently change the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction using a line dot head.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. It has a feeding means 20 that sends the printing medium 20a to be printed in the sub-scanning direction (arrow), and a control section 3 that drives the line dot heads 1a and 1b by one mark. The feeding timing of the feeding means 20 and the line dot head 1a are adjusted according to the timing of the feeding means 20 and the line dot head 1a.

The relative relationship with the drive timing of 1b is changed.

Line head 1 according to the specified resolution in the main scanning direction
The configuration is such that a and 1b are selected and driven.

In addition, one aspect of the present invention is to adjust the drive timing 5TR of the line dot heads la and 1b according to the designated resolution in the sub-scanning direction.
The period of I, 5TR2 is changed.

Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that the line dot heads 1a and 1b are driven for printing in accordance with a designated printing magnification.

[For production]

The present invention uses a line dot head.
The purpose of the present invention is to realize a line printer with variable resolution at low cost and in a small size without using an expensive and large-sized mechanical scanning means.

The resolution in the main scanning direction is the line dot head 1.
Since it is determined by the resolution (or resolution) of a and 1b,
Multiple line dot heads with different resolutions are arranged and used by switching.

On the other hand, the resolution in the sub-scanning direction can be achieved by changing the relative relationship between the feeding timing of the feeding means 20 and the driving timing of the line dot heads 1m and 1b.

The control unit 3 controls these independently to independently vary the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

For example, as shown on the left side of Figure 1 (CB), the main scanning direction is 240 dpi (dots per 1 inch),
300dpi, sub-scanning direction: z+odpi, 30
You can set it to 0dpi.

As shown on the right side of Figure 1 (c), the main scanning direction is
The dpi and sub-scanning direction can also be made different from 360 dpi.

In addition, by changing the resolution in the sub-scanning direction by changing the drive timing cycle of the in-head heads 1a and Ib, the feed rate of the feed mechanism can be changed without changing.
This is easily achieved using electrical control.

Furthermore, if the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is changed depending on the specified print magnification, then K, for example, 240
dpi X240dpi data 240dpi x2
+ODPI 1-size printing, AOODPI xaoo
API's original size reduction printing, aooapi X360d
Various types of markings 81 such as PT bias reduction printing can be realized. [Embodiment] (a) Explanation of the configuration of an embodiment FIGS. 2 and 3 are configuration diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention. , shows an electrophotographic printer using an LED (light emitting diode) array in the line dot head.

In FIG. 2, the same parts as shown in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same symbols, and 2 is a printing mechanism.

A charger 2 is installed around the photosensitive drum as the print medium 20a.
1. LED7L/-18M 1 be developer 22° transfer charger 23. Static eliminator 24. A cleaner 25 is arranged, and the paper PP on the hopper 26 is separated by a separation roller 26m,
The paper PP after transfer is sent to the transfer charger 23 by the feeding roller 227, fixed by the fixing roller 28, and sent to the stacker 29. 20a is the feed motor 2 at a constant speed.
Rotated by 0.

The photosensitive drum 20a is charged by a charger 21.

The image is exposed by the LED array 1a or 1b, and the developing device 22
The developed image is transferred to the fed paper PP by the transfer charger 23, the static electricity is removed by the static eliminator 24, and the developed image is transferred to the paper PP fed by the cleaner 2.
It is cleaned in step 5 and reused to perform continuous printing operations.

LEDA v-1a, lb is II l Figure (B)K,
As shown in FIG.
It has two light emitting elements and a resolution of 240 dpi.
The LED array 1b has 3520 light emitting elements in the main scanning direction K and has a resolution of aooapi.

In FIG. 3, numeral 4 is a host machine (combiator) that stores printing codes, etc. on a page-by-page basis, and 9, for example,
-) The imprinter has print data stored in the size of continuous paper (stock form).

It outputs print commands, print magnification, and print data to a line printer.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a channel control unit, which controls the exchange of data, commands, and control signals with the channels of the host machine 4 through a channel interface. Reference numeral 31 denotes a main processor, which controls the host machine 4 through the channel control unit 30. The entire printer is controlled by commands from the printer.

32 is an expansion control unit that converts the print code into characters.

Converting to image data such as figures, converting overlay data to overlay image data, and expanding it to an image memory to be described later; 33 is an image memory;
It consists of a bitmap memory and stores expanded image data (dot data).

34 is a print control unit that reads and outputs image data from the image memory 33 in response to resolution instructions and print start instructions from the main processor 31;
is the mechanical controller.

Composed of four microphone processors, it provides a synchronization signal to the print control unit 34 and outputs the image data as a video signal to the LE.
D array 18. lb, and the strobe period T1
It has a register 35a that stores .about.Tn, and selectively outputs the strobe period T corresponding to the specified resolution in the sub-scanning direction.

It emits a resolution selection signal M8 in the specified main scanning direction.

36 is a strobe generation circuit, which includes a counter 36a which is loaded with the strobe period T from the mechanical part controller 35 and performs counting using a trigger signal synchronized with the feed of the feed motor 20, and a strobe signal which is the carry output of the counter 36a. Each LED array 1a, 1b is composed of a shift register, and converts a serial video signal into one row of parallel data. A serial/parallel converter 10 that converts, a latch circuit 11 that latches parallel data for 1001 rows of the serial/parallel converter according to strobe signals 5TRI and 5TR2 from the switch 36b, and a line that emits light according to the contents of the latch circuit 11. 1 piece (= 2816 pieces) placed 9m pieces (2352 pieces)
0) light emitting elements 12.

Therefore, in LBD7L/-11, 1b, data for one row is latched in accordance with strobe signals 5TRI and 8TR2, and the light emitting elements 12 arranged in one column emit light in response to strobe signals 8TR1 and 5TR2.

By repeating this sea fence, printing for one page is completed.

Note that the control unit 3 in FIG. 1 includes a channel control unit 30, a main processor 31. Deployment control unit 32. Image memory 33
．． Print control unit 34. It corresponds to the mechanical part controller 235 and the strobe generation circuit 36.

Φ) Description of operation of one embodiment FIG. 4 is a time chart diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

Print information and print data are sent from the host machine 4 to the line printer side. Print information includes print magnification information and paper size (data size).

The channel control unit 30 receives print information and print data from the host machine 4 and sends it to the main processor 31.

The main processor 31 converts the print data into internal code and sends it to the expansion control section 32.

The expansion control unit 32 instructs to expand the internal code into 81-bit data, and the expanded bit data is written into the image memory 33.

On the other hand, printing information such as paper size and print magnification.

It is set in the print control section 34 from the main processor 31.

The mark III control unit 34 determines the readout start point and readout area of the image memory 33 according to the print information, and the print control unit 34 reads print bit data from the image memory 33 and sends it to the mechanical unit controller 35 as a video signal.

Prior to this, the mechanical controller 35 determines the LED arrays 1a and 1b and the strobe cycle T based on the print information from the print controller 34.

As shown in Figure 4, if the main scanning direction is 240 dpi, 2
The strobe signal 5TRI is outputted to the LED array 1a having 2816 light emitting elements 12.

When the switching signal M8 is set and the main scanning direction is 300 dpi, the switching signal MS is set so that the strobe signal 8TR2 is output to the LED array 1b having 3520 2 light emitting elements 12.
is set.

On the other hand, if the sub-scanning direction is 24 odpi, Tl is selected as the strobe period T from the register 35a, and the counter 36a
loaded to 300 dpl and the slip period T to T
2 (T2: Tl・240/300') is register 35
a is selected and loaded into the counter 36a, 360
dpi, the strobe period T is T3 (T3='l'1
-240/360) is selected by register 35a.

The counter 36a is loaded.

For example, if the data size is 2816 dots) x 1984 dots and full size printing is specified, then
As shown in a), a video signal (data) and a strobe signal 5TRI with a strobe period T1 are applied to the LED array 18, and printing is performed on A4 size paper PP-cup at 240 dpi x 240 dpi.

Similarly, if the data size is 3520 dots) x 2640 dots and full-size printing is specified, Figure 4 (6) and Figure 5 (
5), a video signal and a strobe signal 5TR2 with a strobe period T2 are applied to the LED array 1b,
Printed on A4 size paper PP-cup at 30Qdpi x 300dpi.

In contrast, the data size is 2816 dots x 1984 dots.
When 80% reduction printing is specified for dots.

As shown in Figure 4 (b) and Figure 5 (5), the LED array 1
bK video signal and strobe signal 5TR2 with strobe period T2 are given, 300api xsoodp
i, the image is printed at the same size on KA4 size paper PP as shown in FIG. 5 (to).

At this time, the image memory 33 has a resolution of 3520x2460.
Leave 352 dots on both sides of the dot bitmap, and
816x1984 dot image data is expanded and stored.

This allows printing of 2816 x 1984 dots.

It fits well in the center of A4 size paper.

Furthermore, as in the sixth position, when the data size is 3270 dots x 2460 dots and a bias reduction of 80% x 60% is specified, the LED
A video signal and a strobe signal 5TR2 with a strobe period T3 are applied to the array 1b, and a 300 dpi X3
Printed at 60 dpi with reduced bias on A4 size paper as shown in the 6th printing.

The bias reduction is effective in the case of 9th order.

In general, the host machine 4 has stored various data regarding the paper size of stock 7 ohm (line printer continuous paper).

In such systems, the page size is
As shown in figure (B), the width is 13.8 inches (=350.
52 m), 11 inches long (=279.4-), and generally has a resolution of 240d9i x 240dpi.

In recent years, line printer paper j), A3. Since B4° human size is easier to handle, printing in these sizes is required.

In this case, modifying the stock 7 ohm size data to these sizes is not a good idea considering the huge amount of accumulated data, and it is necessary to have double pattern management to have character 2 figure bit patterns for size conversion. However, it is not a good idea.

Therefore, it is convenient and unnecessary to change data etc. by reducing the size of the print by switching the resolution.

Stock 7 ohm data is 420m wide x 297cm long
You can print on A3 paper as is, without needing to reduce it.

Also, on B4 paper with width of 364 cm x height of 257 cm.

Rounding that doesn't fit in the vertical direction as it is, and setting the resolution to 240
dpi X240dpi to aooapt xaood
If you shrink the pi to 80%, it will fit.

On the other hand, A4 paper is 297 cm wide x 210 cm high, so if you reduce the size to 80%, the vertical direction will not fit, as shown in Figure 6 (5
), it will fit if you reduce it by 67% to 360dpi x 360dpi.

However, when reduced by 67%, it becomes too small and the print becomes unclear or hard to see.

Therefore, in order to make maximum use of the 4-size paper for two people and make it easier to view, we set the 80% of aooctpt x 360 dpi x 67
If the deviation is reduced by 1.5%, it will be easier to see, the A4 paper can be fully utilized, and punch holes for storage can be provided, as shown in FIG. 6(c).

In this way, bias can be reduced by independently controlling the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

Stock form size data can be effectively printed on A4 size paper.

Similarly, data of 240dpi x 240dpi can be reduced to 240dpi x aooapt,
aooclptx ao.

dpi data can be reduced to 300 dl xaao api. In other words, the magnification can be easily changed in various ways by independent control of the resolution, and it can be easily realized by simply changing the strobe cycle.

(C) Description of other embodiments In the above embodiment, two LED arrays were used, but three LED arrays were used.
In other words, it is sufficient to provide the required resolution in the main scanning direction.Although the line dot head was explained using an LED array, it can also be used as a liquid crystal shutter.

Well-known line dot heads such as thermal line heads, electrostatic recording heads, wire dot line heads, etc. can be used.

In addition, although the image size is reduced to the same size or biased in consideration of the paper size, it may also be used for image transformation purposes such as combiator graphics, and resolution switching in the sub-scanning direction can be performed by changing the feed speed of the medium. This may be done by modification.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to examples, the present invention can be modified in various ways according to the gist of the present invention.

These are not excluded from the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction can be controlled independently.

This has the advantage that it can be easily realized without changing data or using a complicated and expensive mechanism.

Moreover, since it is possible to perform electrical control, it has the effect of being easier to implement.

Furthermore, the effect is that the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction can be changed independently according to the printing magnification.

Compatible with various printing formats.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are configuration diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a time chart diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1a, 1b--LBD7 Ray (line dot head). 2... Printing mechanism. 3...Control unit. 20...Feeding motor (feeding means). 20M...Photosensitive drum (printing medium).

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of line dot heads (1a, 1b) each having a different resolution in the main scanning direction, and a feeding means for feeding the print medium (20a) on which the line dot heads (1a, 1b) form an image in the sub-scanning direction. (20)
and a control unit (3) that drives the line dot heads (1a, 1b) for printing, and controls the control unit (3) according to the specified resolution in the sub-scanning direction.
20) feed timing and the line dot head (1a
, 1b), and selects and drives the line dot head (1a, 1b) according to the specified resolution in the main scanning direction. Variable line printer. (2) The control unit (3) is configured to change the drive timing cycle of the line dot head (1a, 1b) according to the designated resolution in the sub-scanning direction. Variable resolution line printer as described. (3) A plurality of line dot heads (1a, 1b) each having a different resolution in the main scanning direction, and a feeding means for feeding the print medium (20a) on which the line dot heads (1a, 1b) form an image in the sub-scanning direction. (20)
And, according to the specified printing magnification, the line dot head (
1a, 1b), and the controller (3) controls the feeding timing of the feeding means (20) according to the resolution in the sub-scanning direction of the specified printing magnification. and the drive timing of the line dot heads (1a, 1b), and select and drive the line dot heads (1a, 1b) according to the resolution in the main scanning direction of the specified print magnification. A variable resolution line printer characterized in that it is configured to.