JPH04103760U - thermal recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To prevent printing with the thermal paper incorrectly set when replacing the thermal paper used in a thermal recording device. [Configuration] When the thermal paper 4 is replaced, the thermal head 1
2, printing is performed once, and the reflective photosensor 22 detects whether or not the printed area is colored. If no color has developed, the display lamp 11 notifies that no color has developed.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention relates to a thermal recording device that prints on thermal paper using a heating element, and is particularly useful for Relating to a thermal recording device that prevents incorrect setting of thermal paper when replacing thermal paper .

0002

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, facsimile machines equipped with a thermal head as a heating element, etc. When the thermal paper used up, it was replaced with a new one. Figure 5 shows the conventional appearance. This is a schematic configuration diagram showing a facsimile machine as a thermal recording device, and the following is a diagram showing the facsimile machine as a thermal recording device. I will explain.

0003 In the figure, the facsimile machine consists of a main body 1 and an opening 2. As shown in FIG. Open The mouth part 2 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body part 1 in the direction of arrow A-B around the fulcrum 3. Ru.

0004 Inside the main body 1 are a thermal roll paper 4, a lower guide 5, a platen 6, and a cutter 7. Each of them is attached along the running direction of the thermal paper 4. Also under lower guide 5 A microswitch 9 is attached to the guide section, and the thermal paper 4 running on the guide section By pushing the roller 10, the presence or absence of the thermal paper 4 can be detected. Ma The main body portion 1 is provided with an indicator lamp 11.

[0005] A thermal head 12 and an upper guide 13 are attached to the opening 2. , so that they face the platen 6 and the lower cover 5 when the opening 2 is closed. The sea urchin is turning.

[0006] Next, Figure 6 shows the operation when the thermal paper 4 is used up and replaced with a new one. Therefore, I will explain. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a conventional thermal paper exchange operation. When the thermal roll paper 4 is finished and the end passes through the upper and lower guides 5 and 13, the roll The controller 10 moves upward and releases the pressed state of the microswitch 9. This results in The absence of thermal paper 4 is detected (step 1), and the indicator lamp 11 indicating no thermal paper is lit. (Step 2). At the same time, a speaker (not shown) is installed to notify the user that there is no thermal paper available. Make an alarm sound from the car (Step 3). The operator replaces thermal paper 4 with a new one. When the replaced thermal paper 4 passes through the guide section, the microswitch 9 activates the thermal paper 4. The presence of hot paper is detected (step 4), and the display lamp 11 is turned off (step 5). Next, feed a certain amount of thermal paper 4 in the direction of arrow C until the leading edge passes through the cutter 7 ( Step 6), the cutter 7 is driven in the direction of arrow D by a drive source (not shown), and the thermal paper 4 is (Step 7). Next, return the thermal paper 4 by a certain amount so that the leading edge of the thermal paper 4 is position between the head 12 and the platen 6, that is, the printing start position. (Step 8). This completes the operation associated with replacing the thermal paper 4 and enters the reception waiting state. (Step 9).

[0007]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, in the conventional device described above, when replacing the thermal paper, the operator If you accidentally set the thermal paper with the front and back sides reversed, it will not be able to detect the front and back sides, and normal printing will not be possible. I'm going to print. Thermal paper has a heat-sensitive surface on the front and a non-thermal surface on the back. , the color does not develop during printing unless the heat-sensitive surface is on the thermal head side. Therefore If you load the thermal paper upside down, the printed information will not be visible even when you print. Not possible. Especially in the case of facsimile machines, no information is transmitted to the receiving end. This becomes a big problem if the information to be communicated is urgent and important.

[0008] This invention was created in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to replace thermal paper. By checking whether printing is performed normally in the case where no color printing occurs, The object of the present invention is to provide an excellent heat-sensitive recording device that does not generate heat.

[0009]

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has developed a detection method for detecting the presence or absence of printing on thermal paper. a notification means for notifying that the thermal paper has been set incorrectly, and a After printing on thermal paper with a thermal head, it is determined whether or not the detection means detects the presence of printing. If it is determined that printing is detected, it is allowed to use, and if it is determined that it is not detected, it is In this case, a control means for activating the notification means is provided.

0010

[Effect]

Next, the effect will be explained.

[0011] When the thermal paper is replaced, the thermal head prints on the new thermal paper and the detection hand The presence or absence of printing is detected in the step. The control means detects the thermal paper according to the detection result of the detection means. Determine whether it is set correctly. If it is determined that it is not set correctly activates the notification means to notify the operator of a failure in setting the thermal paper. correct again If it is determined that it is set properly, it will be enabled for use.

0012

【Example】

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that this is common to each drawing. Elements are given the same reference numerals.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention. FIG.

[0014] In this embodiment, a facsimile machine will be used as the thermal recording device. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the facsimile device 21 is connected to the platen 6 of the main body 2. A reflective photosensor 22 is provided between the photo sensor 22 and the photo sensor 7. Other structures are the same as the conventional example. The same is true.

[0015] In FIG. 2, the control unit 23 is composed of a central processing unit (CPU), memory, etc. Control the operation of the device. The control unit 23 includes a cutter drive circuit 24 and a thermal head drive circuit. A dynamic circuit 25 and a motor drive circuit 26 are connected. The cutter drive circuit 24 is shown in FIG. The motor 27 that operates the cutter 7 shown in FIG. 1 is driven. Thermal head drive circuit 25 drives the thermal head 12 to perform printing. The motor drive circuit 26 is shown in FIG. A motor 28 is driven to rotate the platen 6 shown. Platen 6 rotates by itself The thermal paper 4 is thereby conveyed. The control unit 23 also controls the lamp 11 and the speaker 2. Controls the operation of 9.

[0016] Furthermore, the control unit 23 includes a microswitch 9 and a reflective photosensor 22. are connected, and their respective output signals are input.

[0017] Next, the operation flow when exchanging thermal paper in the embodiment having the above structure is further shown in FIG. 3. Explain according to the chart.

[0018] When the thermal paper 4 shown in FIG. 1 is finished and the end passes through the upper and lower guides 5 and 13, , the roller 10 rises and releases the pressed state of the microswitch 9. micros Based on the detection signal from the switch 9, the control unit 23 determines that the thermal paper 4 has finished printing (step step 11), lights up the display lamp 11, and emits an alarm sound on the speaker 29. (Steps 12 and 13). This allows the thermal paper to be sent to a nearby operator. Notify the end of step 4. The operator opens the opening 2 shown in Fig. 1 in the direction of arrow A, and When you replace the thermal paper 4 with a new one and close the opening 2 again, it will feel like a new set. The roller 10 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed down by the thermal paper 4, and the micro switch 9 is also pressed down. Becomes in a lower state. The control unit 23 uses a detection signal from the microswitch 9 to detect new thermal paper. It is determined that the indicator lamp 11 has been replaced (step 14), and the indicator lamp 11 is turned off (step 14). 15). Next, the control unit 23 issues a command to the motor drive circuit 26 to drive the motor 28. , the platen 6 is rotated in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 1 (step 16). This is it The thermal paper 4 is conveyed by a certain amount in the direction of arrow C. The control unit 23 also controls the thermal head. A command is issued to the drive circuit 25 to drive the thermal head 12 (step 17). As a result, printing is performed on the thermal paper 4, but here, as shown in FIG. All black is printed on the specific part P of the image. Note that Figure 4 shows the position of the photo sensor 22 and the printing position. It is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship.

[0019] After printing, the thermal paper 4 is further fed a certain amount in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 18) passes below the photosensor 22. At this time, the photosensor 22 and As shown in FIG. 4, the specific part P on the black printed thermal paper 4 is The centers are aligned, and the specific part P cannot pass directly under the photosensor 22. It becomes. Therefore, if printing is performed on the specific part P, the photosensor 22 It can be detected. The size of the specific part P can be set arbitrarily, but It is better to be large enough to be detected by the sensor 22. At this point, make sure that the thermal paper 4 is If it is set correctly, it will be visibly printed on the specific part P and the photosensor 22 will be able to see this. Detect. Also, if the thermal paper 4 is not set correctly, that is, the front and back are reversed. If it is, the specific part P will not be visibly printed. The control unit 23 is the photo sensor 2 Upon receiving the output signal of step 2, the thermal paper 4 is correctly set (step 19).

[0020] If it is determined that the thermal paper 4 is not set correctly, the control unit 23 will drive the cutter. A command is issued to the circuit 24 to drive the motor 27 and operate the cutter 7. This results in The leading end of the thermal paper 4 is cut off (step 20). Next, the control unit 23 performs step Return to step 12, turn on the indicator lamp 11, and output the alarm sound to the speaker 29. to prompt the user to set the thermal paper 4 again. At this point, let us know if the thermal paper is set incorrectly. A dedicated indicator lamp may be provided and turned on. Like this If so, you can tell whether the thermal paper has run out or whether it has been set incorrectly.

[0021] In step 19, if it is determined that the thermal paper 4 is set correctly, the cutter After cutting the leading edge of the thermal paper 4 by driving the motor 7 (step 21), the motor 28 is driven. to rotate the platen 6 by a certain amount in the direction opposite to the arrow E shown in FIG. 2). This positions the leading edge of the thermal paper 4 at the printing position and waits for reception. (Step 23).

[0022] Although the above embodiment was explained using a facsimile machine, other thermal recording devices may also be used. It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable.

[0023]

[Effect of the idea]

As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, when replacing the thermal paper, the thermal paper is Use a detection means to forcibly check whether it is set correctly. Since it is not possible to print if the thermal paper is not set, turn the thermal side of the thermal paper to the opposite side. You will no longer be able to perform printing operations with this setting on, and the printing information will be lost. There will be no danger.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

[Fig. 1] A schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Block diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention

[Fig. 3] Flowchart showing the thermal paper exchange operation of the embodiment.

[Fig. 4] Explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the photo sensor and the printing position

[Fig. 5] Schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional thermal recording device

[Fig. 6] Flowchart showing conventional thermal paper exchange operation

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Thermal paper 11 Indication lamp 12 Thermal head 22 Photo sensor 23 Control section

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] Claim 1: A thermal recording device that prints on thermal paper using a thermal head, comprising: a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of printing on the thermal paper; a notification means for notifying a setting failure of the thermal paper; After printing on thermal paper with a thermal head, it is determined whether or not the detection means detects the presence of printing, and if it is determined that printing is detected, it is allowed to use, and if it is determined that it is not detected, the notification means is activated. 1. A thermosensitive recording device characterized by comprising: a control means for controlling the temperature.