JPH02171250A - Printing pressure control method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To optimize printing density by allowing a host computer to select printing pressure suitable for a medium according to medium identifying information inputted from a terminal device, outputting printing pressure information to the terminal device and rendering the terminal device to determine printing pressure based on the printing pressure information and to instruct the medium to print. CONSTITUTION:To prepare a voucher, voucher paper is set to a printer 1, and a keyboard 2 is operated to input a necessary parameter, thereby sending it to the host computer 4. It sends back a telegram including a slip table, which is stored in a RAM 42 via a terminal control part 31 and a control circuit 26. Then, a processor 24 reads out the numerical data of printing pressure information stored in the slip table, and inputs the data into a printing pressure switch 28. According to the table, the switch 28 determines the number of pulses and outputs and outputs it to a pulse motor 29. It rotates a supporting bar 34 a prescribed number of times, adjusts a distance between a printing head 33 and a voucher 22 or a note 23, and determines a prescribed printing pressure, whereby the printing head 33 enters printing data on the voucher. Thus, printing pressure is set according to the type of a printing medium, and printing, accompanying a copying action, can be performed satisfactorily.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a printing pressure control method for a printer that automatically sets printing pressure according to the type of printing medium.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, for example, in computer terminal devices at financial institutions, a single printer has been used to print two or more types of media, such as passbooks and slips, in order to perform various tasks. . Some slips are made of carbon paper or the like and are copied onto multiple sheets at the same time. Any form necessarily requires more pressure to print than a one-sheet form.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a conventional printer.

In FIG. 2, a slip 22 as a first printing medium or a passbook 23 as a second printing medium are carried into the printer 21 through an entrance/exit 21a. The printer 21 determines whether the print medium that has been brought in is the slip 22 or the passbook 23 through the entrance/exit 21a.
A sensor installed in the printer detects and identifies the size of the print medium. Then, printing is performed by setting a suitable printing pressure for each of the slip 22 and the passbook 23, that is, the slip 22
For this purpose, increase the printing pressure to improve the image quality on carbon paper. On the other hand, for the bankbook 23, the printing pressure is lowered to reduce stains on the paper.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the printer shown in FIG. 2.

The printer 21 includes a processor 24 and the processor 2
The sensor control unit 25 is connected to the pass line 24a of No. 4.
, an interface control circuit 26 , and a print control circuit 27
, the printing pressure switch 28, the printing device 30, and the ROM (
read-only memory) 41 and RAM (random
access memory) 42, etc.

The processor 24 performs data processing and control for printing according to a program stored in the ROM 41.

The ROM 41 is for storing programs and the like executed by the processor 24.

The RAM 42 is for temporarily storing data input from an external circuit (not shown) via the interface control circuit 26, results processed by the processor 24 based on this data, and the like.

The sensor control unit 25 is a sensor 20a provided at the entrance/exit 21a of the printer 21 shown in FIG.

20b and 20c.

Further, the interface control circuit 26 is for controlling input/output with an external circuit (not shown).

The printing control circuit 27 is for controlling the printing device 30 to print on slips and passbooks.

The printing pressure switch 28 is for driving a solenoid or the like to switch the printing pressure of the printing device 3o.

The printing device 30 is, for example, of a dot impact type, and includes a platen 32 and a print head 33. The platen 32 has a slip 22 or a passbook 2 on its side.
3 is to be installed. The print head 33 includes a plurality of print wires, and makes each print wire protrude by electromagnetic force to print on the slip 22 via an ink ribbon (not shown).
Or collide with the surface of the passbook 23. As a result, the ink on the ink ribbon is transferred to the slip 22 or passbook 23, and printing is performed.

Further, the distance between the print head 33 and the platen 32 can be changed between two levels as shown in the figure and as indicated by a broken line by excitation of a solenoid or the like.

The above-mentioned device receives an image signal for printing from an external circuit (not shown) via the interface control circuit 26, and prints predetermined items on the slip 22 or passbook 23 using the printing device 30.

Here, whether the printing target is a slip or a passbook is determined by the sensors 20a and 2.
It can be determined whether all three or two of 0b and 20c are turned on.

When the object to be printed is a slip, the print head 33 is placed at the position shown by the solid line, and when the object to be printed is placed at the position shown by the broken line, printing is performed with the appropriate density.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the printer with the above configuration has the following problems.

That is, not only one type of slip but a variety of slips are used that are made of carbon paper and require copying.

As the number of copies (thickness) of a slip increases, higher printing pressure is required. On the other hand, even if the slip requires copying, if it is thin,
There is a problem in that printing quality deteriorates when the printing pressure is too high.

The present invention has been made with attention to the above points, and is a printer that finely sets printing pressure according to the type of printing medium and thereby performs good printing of slips that involve copying. The object of the present invention is to provide a printing pressure control method.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In the printer printing pressure control method of the present invention, when a terminal device prints predetermined information on a medium under the control of a host computer, a medium identification input from the terminal device is provided. Based on the information, the host computer selects a printing pressure suitable for the medium and outputs the printing pressure information to the terminal device, and the terminal device determines the printing pressure based on the printing pressure information and prints on the medium. It was designed to do so.

(Function) According to the printer printing pressure control method described above, the printer on the terminal device side does not select the printing pressure, but the host computer selects the printing pressure depending on the type of medium based on the medium identification information sent from the terminal device to the host computer. Select the printing pressure. Information corresponding to this printing pressure is sent from the host computer to the terminal device, and the printer on the terminal device side determines the printing pressure in multiple stages based on this information.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus for realizing the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a printer 1, a keyboard 2, a display 3, and a terminal control section 31 are installed on the terminal device side. This terminal device is connected to a host computer 4 via a communication line 5.

The printer 1 has substantially the same configuration as the printer 21 shown in FIG. 3, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

The printer 1 is not provided with sensors 20a, 20b, and 20c (see FIG. 3) for detecting the size of the print medium. Therefore, the sensor control section 25 is also not provided.

Further, in the printing device 30, a print head 33 is supported by a support rod 34 so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. As a result, the print head 33 is attached to the support rod 34.
along the paper in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface to print.

The support rod 34 is eccentrically rotated clockwise as indicated by an arrow 34A. Therefore, the support rod 34
By adjusting the rotation angle of the print head 33, the distance from the platen 4 can be adjusted by moving the print head 33 back and forth. Thereby, the printing pressure of the print head 33 is adjusted. The support rod 34 is rotated by a pulse motor 29.

The printing pressure switch 28 outputs a pulse signal with a pulse number corresponding to numerical data that is printing pressure information sent from the host computer 4 to the printer 1. That is, the printing pressure switch 28 includes a table ROM storing the number of pulses corresponding to numerical data, a pulse signal generating circuit constituting a pulse motor driver, and the like.

The rotation angle of the pulse motor 29 is determined by the number of pulses of the pulse signal output from the printing pressure switch 28.

Note that when the eccentrically rotating support rod 34 rotates once, the print head 33 returns to its original position. Therefore, it is sufficient to control the pulse motor 29 in one direction of rotation.

The other configurations are the same as the printer 21 in FIG. 2.

The keyboard 2 is used by an operator of the terminal device to determine the type of data processing such as slip creation or bankbook entry, and to input parameters necessary for each of these processings. One such parameter is medium identification information that identifies the type of print medium. Specifically, this medium identification information is a slip number. That is, the operator specifies the type of slip by pressing a key for specifying the slip number. Then, by pressing the send key, a message including the slip number, which is the medium identification information, and parameters necessary for data processing is sent to the host computer 4.

The display 3 consists of a CRT (cathode ray tube) or the like. The display 3 is used to display information sent from the host computer 4 and an input screen for inputting parameters necessary for the data processing described above.

The host computer 4 receives the message sent from the terminal device side, extracts information about the type of data processing such as slip creation or bankbook entry from the message, and
If the type of processing is to create a slip, the slip number is extracted from this message. The host computer 4 stores a plurality of form tables for determining the form of a form. Each of these form tables corresponds to each form number.

On the other hand, the host computer 4 extracts parameters from the message sent from the terminal device side, and performs data processing according to these parameters. That is, information to be written on the slip or passbook is created. The host computer 4 sends back a message containing information on the processing results. If the type of processing is slip creation, this message includes a slip table. This form table includes the above-mentioned printing pressure information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a form table.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 4(a) shows the procedure by which the printer 1 determines the format of a slip by referring to the form table 14 shown in FIG. 4(b).

In step Sl, a printer for output is specified using predetermined information in the form table 14, and editing and output processing of print data is started.

In step S2, the left/right margin data table shown in FIG. 4(C) is read from the left/right margin data table number of the form table 14, and the left limit of print data on the form is read from the left margin value. Determine.

In step S3, the limit on the right side of the print data on the slip is determined from the right margin value of the left/right margin data table read earlier.

In step S4, the line spacing table shown in FIG. 4(d) is read from the line spacing table number of the form table 14. Then, the line feed/line feed of the print data is edited and output.

In step S5, the printing pressure of the print head 33 shown in FIG. 1 is determined from the printing pressure information stored in the form table 14. Numerical data corresponding to the thickness of the slip and the number of copies of paper corresponding to the slip table 14 is set in this printing pressure information.

This numerical data can be of multiple types (for example,
Set to one of five values).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a table for determining printing pressure in accordance with the numerical data set in the table of FIG. 4.

The table shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the printing pressure switch 28 of the printer 1 shown in FIG. For example, this table contains 5
The number of pulses is 0 corresponding to each of the numerical data 80 to s4.
When the number of six pulses stored in -P4 is 0, the pulse motor 29 is not operated and the distance between the platen 32 and the print head 33 in FIG. 1 is set to the reference distance H0. When the number of pulses is P+, the support shaft 3 is moved by the pulse motor 29.
4 is rotated by 60° clockwise in the figure, and the distance between the platen 32 and the print head 33 is set to a distance H1 shorter than the reference distance. As a result, printing is performed with a printing pressure higher than the standard printing pressure. After printing is completed, the pulse motor 2
9, the support shaft 34 is rotated 300° clockwise in the drawing, and the distance between the print heads is returned to the reference distance H0.

When the number of pulses is P2, P, P4, the support shaft 34 is rotated clockwise by 90'', 120°, and 180° in the figure by the pulse motor 29, and the distance between the platen 32 and the print head 33 is increased. Distance shorter than the reference distance Hz
, Hs, H4. As a result, printing is performed with a printing pressure higher than the standard printing pressure. After printing is completed, the support shaft 34 is rotated by the pulse motor 29 by 270°, 240°, and 180'' clockwise in the figure, respectively, to return the print head distance to the reference distance Ha.

Next, a schematic operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be explained according to its operating procedure.

When creating a slip, the operator sets the slip paper on the printer 1 as shown in FIG.

Then, the user operates the keyboard 2 of the terminal device to input the slip number and parameters necessary for creating the slip. These slip numbers and parameters are sent to the host computer 4. The host computer 4 sends back a message containing the form table 14 shown in FIG. This form table 1
4 is a terminal control unit 10 and an interface control circuit 26;
The data is stored in the RAM 42 via the .

Then, the processor 24 generates the form table 1 shown in FIG.
Numerical data that is printing pressure information stored in 4 is read out and input to the printing pressure switching device 28. Print pressure switch 2
8 determines the number of pulses according to this numerical data using the table shown in FIG. 5, and outputs the determined number of pulses to the pulse motor 29. As a result, the pulse motor 29
The support rod 34 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the distance between the print head 33 and the slip 22 or bankbook 23 is adjusted, and a predetermined printing pressure is determined. Thereafter, print data, which is the content of the message sent from the host computer 4, is written on the slip by the print head 33.

Further, when making bankbook entry, the operator sets the bankbook 23 on the printer 1 and inputs parameters necessary for the bankbook entry from the keyboard 2.

Then, as in the case of the above-mentioned slip, entries are made in the bankbook under the control of the host computer 4. In this case, the printing pressure switch 28 leaves the printing pressure at the standard printing pressure.

As described above, when the print medium is the slip 22,
Printing is performed with a printing pressure that corresponds to the type of slip identified by the slip number, that is, the number of copies of the slip.

The printing pressure control method for a printer according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

That is, in the above embodiment, the printing pressure of the printing device 30 is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the printing head 33, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the printing pressure of the printing device 30 is adjusted by adjusting the excitation current of the electromagnetic coil in the printing head 33. This may be done by adjusting. Further, in the above embodiment, the printing device 30 is constructed of a dot impact type, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be of a type head type as long as it is an impact type. Furthermore, in the above embodiment,
Although the case where there are two types of printing media, for example, a slip and a bankbook, has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and can of course be applied to cases where there are three or more types of printing media.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the printer printing pressure control method of the present invention,
Since the host computer sets the printing pressure according to the type of medium, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, when a single printer prints on various media, it is possible to automatically print at the optimal printing pressure depending on the type and thickness of the media. For example, when printing on a slip, it is possible to print with a printing pressure that corresponds to the number of copies of the slip, and it is possible to prevent the printing from becoming faint or smudged.

Furthermore, there is no need to provide a sensor for identifying the type of medium in each printer on the terminal device side, and the configuration of the printer can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a device that implements the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a conventional printer, Fig. 3 is an internal block diagram of a conventional printer, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of a form table. A diagram showing an example, FIG. 5, is a diagram showing a table for determining printing pressure. l...Printer, 2...Keyboard, 3...Display, 4...Host computer, 22...Slip, 23...Bankbook, 27...Print control circuit, 28...
...Print pressure switch, 29...Pulse motor, 30...
- Printing device, 31... terminal control unit, 32... platen, 33... print head, 34... support rod. Printer side 1a G23 Perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional printer Figure 2 Patent applicant Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] When a terminal device prints predetermined information on a medium under the control of a host computer, the host computer selects a printing pressure suitable for the medium based on medium identification information input from the terminal device. and outputting printing pressure information to the terminal device, the terminal device determining printing pressure based on the printing pressure information and printing on the medium.