JPH0214178A - Printer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the execution of printing wherein the frequency of use of the same color band is made uniform, by providing a rotation control means to rotate a specified color ribbon cassette so that a band to be used which is determined by a band determining means determining the band at random be made opposite to a printing head. CONSTITUTION:Receiving a color specification command from a host device through an interface circuit 35, CPU 31 detects whether a color ribbon cassette mounted on a carriage is a specified color ribbon cassette 11 or not, through ribbon sort detection switches 23a and 23b. When it is confirmed that the specified color ribbon cassette 11 is mounted, the CPU 31 determines a band to be used, at random, in accordance with a print color (a black or red print herein) specified by the color specification command. This determination of the band is executed through a band position computing circuit 33. Next, the CPU 31 detects the position of a band facing a printing head 18 currently, and using this position as a reference, it rotates the specified color ribbon cassette 11 so that the determined band to be used be made opposite to the printing head 18.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a printer device that carries a color ribbon cassette on a carriage and performs color printing, and particularly relates to a specific color ribbon cassette for printing in a specific color. The present invention relates to a printer device suitable for printing using.

(Prior Art) A ribbon cassette for color printing used in this type of printer device stores a color ink ribbon therein. This color ink ribbon is made by dividing a wide nylon fabric into multiple regions in the width direction, and impregnating each divided region with a different ink. Obi).

Such a color ribbon cassette is mounted on a carriage and is controlled to rotate (shift) so that a band corresponding to a designated print color and a print head face each other. When the band corresponding to the print color faces the print head, the carriage moves in the axial direction of the platen, and as the carriage moves, print pins built into the print head protrude toward the platen.

The protruding print pin contacts the paper on the platen via a band facing the print head. Due to this contact of the printing pins, the ink of the band is applied to the paper, and colored dot characters are formed.

By the way, the color ribbon cassette as described above is convenient when printing in multiple colors using each band, but it is economically inconvenient when printing using a band of a specific color. There's a problem. In order to solve this problem, a specific color ribbon cassette 11 for printing in a specific color as shown in FIG. 12 has now been developed. This specific color ribbon cassette 11 stores a color ink ribbon lla having at least two bands of the same color and a band of a different color from the above-mentioned bands.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, this color ink ribbon lla has, for example, red in bunts a and b, bunt c,
Black for d or red for bunt aSC, bunt b, d
have overlapping bands of frequently used colors, such as black. Therefore, this color ink ribbon
By using the specific color ribbon cassette 11 in which a is stored, it is possible to print only in specific colors (here, red and black).

However, conventionally, among several different colored bands,
Since the color ribbon cassette was rotated by $1g1l so that the band corresponding to the print color faced the print head, when the specific color ribbon cassette 11 was used, even though there were bands of the same color, The drawback was that only one band could be used.

That is, if the color ink ribbon lla is formed with the ribbon color configuration of Example 1 in FIG.
Only one of bands b is used for red printing, and only one of bands c and d is used for black printing.

In a normal color ribbon cassette, one of bands a and b is red, and bands c and d
This is because one of the bands is set to black. For this reason, conventionally, specific color ribbon cassette 1
When No. 1 is used, there are problems that cause adverse effects such as a decrease in ribbon usage efficiency and a decrease in ribbon life.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, conventionally, when a specific color ribbon cassette is used, the use for the same color band is fixed,
There were problems that caused negative effects such as a decrease in ribbon usage efficiency and a decrease in ribbon life.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer device that can perform printing with uniform frequency of use for the same color band when a specific color ribbon cassette is used.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) That is, a printer device according to the present invention has a color ribbon cassette containing color ink ribbons mounted on a carriage, and by rotating the color ribbon cassette,
In a printer device that prints in color by placing a band corresponding to the print color specified by the host device against the print head, it detects the installation of a specific color ribbon cassette and selects the band to be used according to the specified print color. It is determined randomly or according to a predetermined rule, and configured to face the print head.

(Function) According to the above configuration, when a specific color ribbon cassette is installed, the band to be used according to the print color is determined at random or according to a predetermined rule and is faced to the print head, so that the band is the same. Printing with uniform frequency of use for color bands is possible.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views showing the configuration of the printing mechanism. First, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the color ribbon cassette The configuration of a printer device using the following will be explained.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the specific color ribbon cassette 11 stores a color ink ribbon ILa. This color ink ribbon lla has bands of the same color, for example, as shown in Example 1 of FIG.
It has "black" and "black" bands (color bands) a to d.

A specific color ribbon cassette 11 containing such color ink ribbon lla is rotatably mounted on a carriage (not shown), and is mounted on a shift drive shaft 1.
2. Rotates in the vertical direction (arrow A and arrow B directions) by a rotation mechanism consisting of a shift plate 13 and a shift arm 14. The rotation mechanism is driven by a ribbon motor 15 consisting of a pulse motor. The rotational motion of the ribbon motor 15 is configured to be transmitted to the shift drive shaft 12 via a gear 16.

That is, for example, when the ribbon motor 15 rotates in the direction of the arrow C, the shift drive shaft 12 rotates in the direction of the arrow C via the gear 16. This rotation of the shift drive shaft 12 in the direction of the arrow causes the shift arm 14 to rotate in the direction of the arrow E about the shaft 7 via the shift plate 13,
This causes the specific color ribbon cassette 11 to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Further, the specific color ribbon cassette 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow B by rotating the pulse motor 15 in the direction opposite to arrow C.

For color printing, use a specific color ribbon cassette like this one.
This is done by making the band corresponding to the designated print color face the print head 18 by one rotation. That is, when a band corresponding to a print color faces the print head 18, a print pin (not shown) built in the print head 18 protrudes toward the platen 19 as the carriage moves. The protruding print pin contacts the paper (not shown) on the platen 19 via a band facing the print head 1B.

Due to this contact of the printing pins, the ink of the band is applied to the paper, and colored dot characters are formed.

Here, a specific color ribbon cassette is placed on the carriage.
When the printer is equipped with a printer, a home position sensor 20 is provided to set the specific color ribbon cassette 11 to the initial position as an initial setting. The home position sensor 20 is configured to be turned on by the passage of a sensor lever 21 attached to the shift drive shaft 12, and is composed of, for example, a microswitch or a photo sensor, and detects the initial position of the specific color ribbon cassette 11. Yes, and used for band position detection, which will be described later. In this case, color ribbon cassette 11
When in the initial position, the center of the color ink ribbon lla faces the tip of the print head 18.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the ribbon holder 22 that supports the specific color ribbon cassette 11 is provided with ribbon type detection switches 23a and 23b.

The ribbon type detection switches 23a and 23b are provided on a projection 24a124b provided on the specific color ribbon cassette 11.
It consists of, for example, a microswitch that is turned on when it comes into contact with the ribbon, and is used when detecting the ribbon type, which will be described later.

Next, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the first embodiment. A CPU 31 that controls the entire device includes a system bus 32
Band position calculation circuit 33, interface circuit 35, motor drive circuit 36, head drive circuit 37, I
Ten boats 38 are connected to each.

The ROM 33 stores various data necessary for printing, including programs. The interface circuit 35 sends and receives data to and from the host device.

Motor drive circuit 36 drives paper feed motor 39, carriage motor 40, and ribbon motor 15. Top: Each motor 39.40.15 is pulse smoke.

A head drive circuit 37 drives the print head 18.

The I10 boat 38 performs input control of each signal of the home position sensor 20 and ribbon type detection switches 23a and 23b.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, upon receiving a color designation command from the host device via the interface circuit 35, the CPU 31 detects whether the color ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage is the specific color ribbon cassette 11 through the ribbon type detection switches 23a and 23b ( Step Al).

In this case, as the cassettes to be mounted on the carriage, in addition to the specific color ribbon cassette 11, ordinary color ribbon cassettes such as multicolor ribbon cassettes, all-color ribbon cassettes, etc. can be considered. A multicolor ribbon cassette is a cassette that stores color ink ribbons having bands of a plurality of different colors, such as, for example, "black,""blue,""redJ," and "yellow." In addition, the all-powerful ribbon cassettes are, for example, "black", "black", and "black".

This is a cassette that stores color ink ribbons that have multiple bands of the same color, such as "black."

The specific color ribbon cassette 11 is provided with two protrusions 24a and 24b as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the multicolor ribbon cassette and the all-color ribbon cassette each have one protrusion provided at different positions. Therefore, when the color ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage, the ribbon type can be detected by the combination of on/off of the ribbon type detection switches 23a and 23b.

Therefore, the CPU 31 detects the ribbon type detection switch 23a.
, 23b, when it is confirmed that a color ribbon cassette other than the specific color ribbon cassette 11 is mounted, normal color ribbon processing is executed. - On the other hand, after confirming that the specific color ribbon cassette 11 is installed, the CPU 31 randomly determines the band to be used according to the printing color specified by the color specification command (here, black or red printing) (step A2, A3, A4). This band determination is performed through the band position calculation circuit 33.

That is, for example, the specific color ribbon cassette 11
Color ink ribbon lla of the ribbon color configuration of Example 1 in Figure 3
In response to the designation of black printing, the band position calculation circuit 33 generates a random number and randomly selects one of bands c and d. Similarly, for red printing designation, one of the bands aSb is randomly selected by generating random numbers.

Next, the CPU 31 detects the position of the band currently facing the print head 18 (step A5). In this case, in a printer device that uses a color ribbon cassette,
First, the color ribbon cassette is set to the initial position (the installation position of the home position sensor 20), and then the ribbon motor 15 is driven by a designed step with this initial position as a reference, thereby obtaining the desired value. The band is located at the tip of the print head 18. Therefore, by detecting how many pulses have been driven from this initial position (the installation position of the home position sensor 20), the current band position can be detected.

Then, the CPU 31 uses this current band position as r&, and rotates the specific color ribbon cassette 11 so that the band to be used determined as described above faces the print head 18 (step A6). ).

In this way, when the specific color ribbon cassette 11 is installed, the band to be used according to the print color is randomly determined and placed opposite the print head 18.
Printing with uniform frequency of use for the same color band is possible. Therefore, it is possible to print in a specific color using the specific color ribbon cassette (1) without causing negative effects such as a decrease in ribbon usage efficiency and a decrease in ribbon life.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. Further, the configuration of the printing mechanism section is the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The difference in FIG. 5 from FIG. 1 is that a RAM 34 is provided. This RAM 34 has band storage areas 34a and 34b. The band storage area 34a is
This area stores the black band to be used. Further, the band storage area 34b is an area for storing the red band to be used.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

For example, when the CPU 31 receives an initialization signal that is generated at an initial time such as when power is turned on, when an initial request is made from an external device, or when a cover oven is used, the CPU 31 first checks the color ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. It is detected whether or not it is the specific color ribbon cassette 11 using the same method as in the first embodiment (step Bl). If it is the specific color ribbon cassette 11, the CPU 31 randomly determines the band to be used for each color (here, black and red) through the band position calculation circuit 33 (steps B2 and B3). In this case as well, it is randomly determined by the same method as in the first embodiment.

Then, the CPU 31 stores the thus determined band (information) to be used in the band storage area 3 of the RAM 34.
4a and 34b (step B4). In this case, the black band (information) to be used is stored in the band storage area 34a.

Further, the red band (information) to be used is stored in the band storage area 34b.

Here, upon receiving a color designation command from the host device, the CPU 31 selects the band (information ) to RAM3
4 (steps C1, C2, C3). In this case, for black printing designation, the determined black band to be used is read from the band storage area 34a of the RAM 34. Also, for red printing designation, R
The determined red band to be used is read out from the band storage area 34b of the AM 34.

Then, the CPU 31 detects the position of the band currently facing the print head 18 using the same method as in the first embodiment (step C4), and uses the band position read from the RAM 34 as a reference. The specific color ribbon cassette 11 is rotated so that the desired band faces the print head 18 (step C5).

In this way, since the configuration is such that the bands to be used for each color are randomly determined and stored at the initial stage, when the specific color ribbon cassette 11 is used, it is possible to print with uniform frequency of use for the same color band. , the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. Further, the configuration of the printing mechanism section is the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In Fig. 8, the difference from Fig. 1 is that E E P R
, OM52, and a specific RAM 53, and a band position changing circuit 51 instead of the band position calculating circuit 33. The EEPROM 52 is a nonvolatile memory and has band storage areas 52a and 52b. The band storage area 52a is an area for storing a black band (information) to be used. Further, the band storage area 52b is an area for storing a red band (information) to be used.

The specific RAM 53 is a memory that stores a band (information) to be used read out from the EEPROM 52, and has band storage areas 53a and 53b. The band storage area 53a is an area for storing the black band (information) to be used read from the band storage area 52a of the EEFROM 52. Moreover, the band storage area 53b is
This area stores the red band (information) to be used read from the band storage area 52b of the PROM 52.

The band content changing circuit 51 is a circuit that changes the content of the EEPROM 52 according to a predetermined rule so that the band (information) to be used is a different band (information) read from the EEPROM 52 .

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

For example, when the CPU 3L receives an initialization signal that is generated at an initial time such as when the power is turned on, when an initial request is made from an external device, or when a cover oven is used, the CPU 3L first checks the color ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage according to the flowchart in FIG. It is detected whether or not it is the specific color ribbon cassette 11 using the same method as in the first embodiment (step DI). If it is a specific color ribbon cassette 11, the CPU 31 reads each color (black and red in this case) from the EEPROM 52.
Step D2: Read out the band (information) to be used.
, D3) and stored in the specific RAM 53 (step D4). In this case, the band storage area 52a of the EEPROM 52 stores in advance a black band (information) to be used. Further, the band storage area 52b of the EEPROM 52 stores in advance a red band (information) to be used.

Here, when the CPU 31 reads out the band (information) to be used for each color from the EEPROM 52, it transfers it to the band content changing circuit 51 (Step D5). change (steps D6, D7).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the band change processing operation in the band content change circuit 51. That is, for example, if the specific color ribbon cassette 11 stores the color ink ribbon lla having the ribbon color configuration of Example 1 in FIG.
If the red band to be used read out from the band storage area 52b of the EEFROM 52 is a, band b is selected according to a predetermined rule (here, the rule of alternate selection); If the red band to be used is not a, band a is selected (steps E1, F2, F3). Similarly, for the black band, the band content changing circuit 51 also stores the EEFROM 52.
If the black band to be used read out from the band storage area 52a is C, band d is selected;
On the other hand, if the read black band to be used is not C, band C is selected (step E4, F
5, F6).

Here, upon receiving a color designation command from the host device, the CPU 31 determines which band (information ) to specify R
Read from AM53 (steps F1, F2, F3). In this case, for black printing designation, the black band to be used (
information) is read out. Furthermore, in response to the red printing designation, the red band (information) to be used is read from the band storage area 53b of the specific RAM 53.

Then, the CPU 3L detects the position of the band currently facing the print head tg using the same method as in the first embodiment (step F4), and uses the band position read from the RAM 34 as a reference. The specific color ribbon cassette 11 is rotated so that the desired band faces the print head 18 (step F5).

In this way, since the band to be used for each color is initially determined and stored in accordance with a predetermined rule, when the specific color ribbon cassette 11 is used, the usage opening degree for the same color band can be made uniform. Can print, first
The same effects as in the embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, in the first to third embodiments, the rotation control of a specific color ribbon cassette in which a color ink ribbon having two identical bands is stored has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied even when the color ink ribbon has the same band of two or more colors, and even in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

Furthermore, for example, the color ink ribbon is "black".

It is also possible to apply the present invention to cases where the ribbon configuration is "black", "black", or "red", and the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiments can be obtained even in this case.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a color ribbon cassette containing color ink ribbons is mounted on a carriage, and by rotating the color ribbon cassette, printing colors specified by a host device are printed. In a printer device that performs color printing by placing a corresponding band facing a print head, the installation of a specific color ribbon cassette is detected, and the band to be used is determined randomly or according to a predetermined rule according to the specified print color, Because it is configured to face the print head, when using a specific color ribbon cassette,
It is possible to print with the frequency of use of the same color band being equalized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams of the printing mechanism section. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation, FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration. FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining the operation, and FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the third embodiment of the present invention, respectively. The figures are block diagrams showing the circuit configuration, Figures 9 to 1.
Figure 1 is a flowchart to explain the operation,
FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining specific color ribbon cassettes, respectively. 11... Specific color ribbon cassette, lla... Color ink ribbon, 12... Shift drive shaft, 1
3...Shift plate, 14...Shift arm, 1
5... Ribbon motor, 16... Gear, 17... Shaft, 18... Print head, 19... Platen, 20...
...Home position sensor, 21...Sensor lever, 22...Ribbon holder, 23a and 23b...
Ribbon type detection switch, 24a and 24b...Protrusion, 31...CPU, 32...System bus, 33.
...Band position calculation circuit, 34...RAM, 35...
・Interface circuit, 3B... motor drive circuit,
37... Head drive circuit, 38... I10 port,
39... Paper feed motor, 40... Carriage motor, 51... Band content change circuit, 52... EEPR
OM, 53...Specific RAM.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A color ribbon cassette containing color ink ribbon is mounted on the carriage, and by rotating the color ribbon cassette, the band corresponding to the print color specified by the host device is opposed to the print head for color printing. A specific color ribbon cassette containing a color ink ribbon having at least two bands of the same color and a band of a different color from the above-mentioned bands, and a specific color ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage; Ribbon type detection means for detecting whether the color ribbon cassette is the specific color ribbon cassette; and when the ribbon type detection means detects that the specific color ribbon cassette is mounted, the ribbon type detection means detects whether or not the color ribbon cassette is the specific color ribbon cassette; A band determining means for randomly determining a band to be used, and a rotation control means for rotating the specific color ribbon cassette so that the band to be used determined by the band determining means is opposed to the print head. A printer device comprising: (2) The color ribbon cassette containing the color ink ribbon is mounted on the carriage, and by rotating the color ribbon cassette, the band corresponding to the print color specified by the host device faces the print head to perform color printing. A specific color ribbon cassette containing a color ink ribbon having at least two bands of the same color and a band of a different color from the above-mentioned bands, and a specific color ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage; Ribbon type detection means for detecting whether or not the color ribbon cassette is the specific color ribbon cassette, and when the ribbon type detection means detects that the specific color ribbon cassette is mounted, the band to be used for each color is randomly selected. a band determining means for storing the band to be used determined by the band determining means; and a band storing means for reading out the band to be used from the band storing means in accordance with a designated print color. A printer apparatus comprising: a reading means; and a rotation control means for rotating the specific color ribbon cassette so that the band to be used read out by the band reading means faces the print head. (3) The color ribbon cassette containing the color ink ribbon is mounted on the carriage, and by rotating the color ribbon cassette, the band corresponding to the print color specified by the host device faces the print head for color printing. A specific color ribbon cassette containing a color ink ribbon having at least two bands of the same color and a band of a color different from the above-mentioned bands; non-volatile memory means for storing the desired band; ribbon type detection means for detecting whether or not the color ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage is the specific color ribbon cassette; a first band reading means for reading out the band to be used stored in the non-volatile memory means when loading of the cassette is detected; and storing the band to be used read out by the first band reading means; band storage means for changing the contents of the non-volatile memory means according to a predetermined rule so that the band becomes a different band from the band read by the first band reading means; a second band reading means for reading out a band to be used from the band storage means according to the color; and a second band reading means for reading out a band to be used from the band storage means; 1. A printer device comprising: rotation control means for rotating a specific color ribbon cassette.