JPH02279373A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance throughput and to achieve cost reduction by a method wherein the initial setting means of a printer is started on the basis of a detection means detecting the supply of a power supply for driving the printer and the detection means is used as the abnormality detection means of the printer and also used jointly with the current supply width prescribing means of a printing head. CONSTITUTION:When the constants of both of a volume VR and a condenser Ct are fixed, a detection means receives the trigger output A from a CPU 10 corresponding to the voltage level of a printer driving power supply Vp to output a pulse width. This pulse width is monitored at the terminal B of the CPU 10 when the power supply is closed to detect whether or not the printer driving power supply Vp reaches a prescribed voltage level and, when a detection result is normal, the initial setting means of a printer is started and further used jointly in the prescription of the current supply width of a printing head 14. Further, in such a case that an output pulse width is not outputted in a prescribed pulse width even when a trigger is given for a certain predetermined time when the printer driving power supply is closed, the detection means is also used as an abnormality detection means processing this state as printer error. By this method, throughput is enhanced and cost reduction is achieved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Prior Art] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of the prior art. It has a circuit power supply (logic power supply), and a sequence is defined for the power-on timing of the printer drive power supply and the control circuit power supply. Basically, the power for the control circuit is input first, and then the power for driving the printer is input. When the power for the control circuit is input and the CPU is reset, the software starts running according to the program1. After reading the DIP SW settings, etc., a printer drive signal is output to initialize the printer. Ru. At this time, if the voltage level of the printer drive power source has not risen sufficiently, the printer motor cannot be driven even though the printer drive signal is output, resulting in a printer error.

Therefore, in order to avoid the error, the DIP S
A method has been used in which a waiting time is set in software (for example, about 1 second) after the reading of the settings etc. of W is completed, and then a printer drive signal is outputted to perform the initial setting of the printer.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional printer initial setting method for finished product printers, there is a problem in that it takes longer than necessary from the time the power is turned on to the actual use due to the waiting time in the software, and furthermore, the throughput decreases. It had

Furthermore, depending on the variation in the power supply used, the printer drive power supply may not be sufficiently turned on within the set software waiting time, resulting in a problem with product yields, such as the inability to initialize the printer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate these conventional drawbacks and provide an inexpensive and highly reliable printer with improved throughput and high yield.

[Means to solve the problem]

The printer of the present invention is a printer having a detection means for detecting the supply of power for driving the printer, and starts an initial setting means of the printer based on the detection means, and uses the detection means as an abnormality detection means of the printer. The present invention is characterized in that the detection means is used in conjunction with a means for regulating the current flow width of the print head.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained in detail below using FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit diagram of a printer showing an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the invention.

In FIG. 1, numeral 10 is a CPU, which is the central part of the printer that controls the printer according to software programmed in a ROM or the like. 11 is a one-shot multi, and C
By the trigger signal from output terminal A of PU 10,
A pulse width corresponding to the voltage level of the printer driving power supply Vp is output. Terminal B of the CPU 10 is an input terminal, and monitors the output of the one-shot multi 11. 12 is a transistor that controls the current width of the print head 14; 13 is a transistor array that drives the print head, and P and G mean power ground. Reference numeral 14 denotes a print head, and as an example, a head having a seven-bin configuration is shown.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a printer motor, and one end of the motor is connected to a printer driving power source Vp. 16 is a transistor for motor drive. Terminal C of the CPU 10 is an output terminal and outputs a drive signal for driving the motor 15. One-shot multi 11 in Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 3, an output having a pulse width defined by the voltage level of the printer driving power supply Vp, the volume VR, and the constant of the capacitor Ct is output. In other words, if the volume VR and the constant of the capacitor Ct are fixed, the CPU
It receives the trigger output A from 10 and outputs the pulse width.

This pulse width is monitored at terminal B of CPU 1.0 when the power is turned on to detect whether the printer power supply Vp has reached a specified voltage level, and if normal, the printer's initial setting means is activated. . Further, as can be seen from FIG. 1, it can also be used to regulate the current width of the print head 14.

Further, when the printer is powered on, a trigger is applied for a certain predetermined period of time, and if the output pulse width is not outputted with a specified pulse width, it can be used as an abnormality detection means that processes this as a printer error.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, by having the detection means for detecting the supply of power for driving the printer, initial settings of the printer can be performed after the power for driving the printer sufficiently reaches a specified voltage, and further, Printer throughput can be improved.

Furthermore, it can also be used to regulate the energization width of the print head, making it possible to supply a highly reliable printer.

Furthermore, as described above, if power for driving the printer is not supplied even after a certain predetermined period of time has elapsed, this can be treated as an error, making it possible to provide a highly reliable printer.

12... Head energization width control transistor 13...
Head drive transistor array, print head, printer drive motor, motor drive transistor 14 ・ 15 ・ 16 ・

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows a one-shot system used in the embodiments of the present invention.Applicant Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Kizobe Suzuki and one other person 10 CPU 1 ] One-shot multi

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A printer drive power supply for driving a printer motor and a print head, and a control circuit power supply, and a detection means for detecting whether or not the printer drive power supply is supplied. Featured printers. 2) A printer characterized in that initial setting means of the printer is activated based on the result of the detection means. 3) A printer characterized in that the detection means is used as an abnormality detection means of the printer. 4) A printer characterized in that the detection means is used in combination with a print head current width regulation means.