JPH0485070A - Multicolor ink ribbon detector for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid the need for attaching markings to a multicolor ink ribbon for color identification and make a single light sensor adequate to serve the purpose by a method wherein the color of the multicolor ink ribbon is detected by the light sensor making use of the difference in reflectivity between each color and converted into the digital values by which to identify the color. CONSTITUTION:When a multicolor ink ribbon 1 is set and the printing action is started, the colors in color areas are successively detected by a light sensor 2. The output level from the light sensor 2 is supplied to a A/D converter 5 at the value of voltage corresponding to the color to be converted into the digital data. Upon identification of the color to be printed, it is printed and '1' is set in the bit area corresponding to the color ribbon buffer. If there is no printing of the desired color, however, the ribbon is sent to the next color area. When the multicolor ink ribbon 1 reaches the last color area, the content of a color ribbon buffer of RAM 8 is read out and checked to see if there is any unused color data. If so, the multicolor ink ribbon 1 is rolled back to the corresponding unused color area for printing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a multicolor ink ribbon detection device for a printer using multicolor ink ribbons.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a multicolor ink ribbon detection device for a printer that uses a multicolor ink ribbon, for example, a sheet-like multicolor ink ribbon in which each color area corresponds to one page, has a multicolor ink ribbon as shown in FIG. Ink ribbon 50 was used. This multicolor ink ribbon 50 has a yellow (Y) color area 51 and a magenta (M) color area 51.
color areas 52 and cyan (C) color areas 53 are arranged alternately, and a black marker 54 for color identification is placed between each color area.
It has a configuration in which ゜55.55 is printed. Note that the marker 54 is printed only at the center, and the marker 55 is printed at three locations, the center and both ends.

The sensor circuit is constructed as shown in FIG. In other words, there is a reflective optical sensor 6 between the +5 ■ terminal and the ground.
The light emitting element 60a of 0 is connected via a resistor 61, and the light receiving element 60b is connected via a resistor 62. The optical sensor 60 irradiates the multicolor ink ribbon 50 with light from a light emitting element 60g, receives the reflected light with a light receiving element 60b, converts it into a voltage signal, and outputs the voltage signal.

This voltage signal is applied to the inverting input terminal (-
) via a resistor 63.

+5 to the non-inverting input terminal (10) of the comparator 67
A reference voltage is input from a series voltage divider circuit consisting of resistors 64 and 65 connected between the V terminal and ground.

The comparator 67 compares the output of the previous sensor 6o with a reference voltage, and outputs the comparison output via a resistor 68. Note that the output terminal of the comparator 67 is connected to a +5V terminal via a resistor 69.

In the conventional apparatus, at least two sensor circuits having such a configuration are used, and optical sensors are arranged, for example, on the central passage line and one on one end passage line of the multicolor ink ribbon 50, and the marker 54 is connected to the marker 54. , 55 are detected.

As a result, when only the first sensor in the center detects a marker, the next color is identified as cyan, and when both the center and edge sensors detect a marker, the next color is identified as magenta. Then, when both the center and edge optical sensors detected the marker, the next color was identified as yellow.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, this conventional apparatus has a problem in that a marker for color identification must be printed on the multicolor ink ribbon in order to identify the color area of the multicolor ink ribbon. Another problem is that at least two sensor circuits are required to detect the marker.

Therefore, this invention does not require a marker for color identification, can use only one sensor, and if an unused part of the color area occurs in the middle, it can be memorized, so that the unused part can be stored. An object of the present invention is to provide a multicolor ink ribbon detection device for a printer, which makes it possible to use a portion of the ink ribbon later and to use the ribbon without wasting it.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a printer that prints using a multicolor ink ribbon, which includes an optical sensor that optically detects each color of the multicolor ink ribbon, and a digital sensor that detects the output level of the optical sensor. It consists of a conversion means for converting into a signal, a color identification means for identifying colors based on the digital signal from the conversion means, and a storage means for recording whether each color area of the multicolor ink ribbon is used or not. This makes it possible to use unused color areas based on the stored contents.

[Function] According to the invention having such a configuration, the color area of the multicolor ink ribbon is detected by an optical sensor. In addition, the optical sensor outputs a voltage signal at a level corresponding to the reflectance of the color. This voltage signal is converted into a digital signal by a conversion means, and the color is identified based on the value of the digital signal.

Also, whether each color area was used or not during the process is stored in the storage means. Therefore, if the stored contents of the storage means are later checked, an unused color area can be retrieved, and the unused portion can be used.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a multicolor ink ribbon, and as shown in FIG.
The M) color area 23 and the cyan (C) color area 24 are alternately arranged in this order. Each color area is directly adjacent to the adjacent color area with no marker portion between them.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a reflective optical sensor, for example, which includes a light emitting diode 2a as a light emitting element and a phototransistor 2b as a light receiving element.
Then, the light emitting diode 2a is connected between the +5V terminal and the ground via the resistor 3, and the phototransistor 2b is connected.
are connected via resistor 4.

The front sensor 2 irradiates light from a light emitting diode 2a onto the multicolor ink ribbon 1, and receives the reflected light with a phototransistor 2b, which converts it into an analog electrical signal. The sensor output is taken out from the connection point between the phototransistor 2b and the resistor 4.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an A/D (analog/digital) converter constituting a conversion means, and an Ain (analog input) terminal 5 a
, Do-D7 (8-bit data) output terminal 5b, 5TRB terminal 5c, and CE terminal 5d. The A/D converter 5 inputs the sensor output from the optical sensor 2 to its Ain terminal 5a.

The A/D converter 5 converts the input sensor output level into 8-bit digital data,
7 is output to the system bus 16 from the output terminal 5b.

The system bus 16 includes a CPU that constitutes the main body of the control section.
(Central Processing Unit) 6, ROM (Read Only Memory) 7 which stores program data etc. for this CPU 6 to control each part, and R constituting storage means.
AM (random access memory) 8 is connected to each. The system bus 16 also has an I10 port 9. A ribbon feed controller 10 that controls the ribbon feed section 11, a print section controller 12 that controls the print section 13, and a display section controller 14 that controls the display section 15.
are connected to each other.

5TRB of the A/D converter 5 is connected to the I10 port 9.
A terminal 5c and a CE terminal 5d are connected to each other.

The A/D converter 5 connects the digital converter to the system bus 1 when a chip enable signal is input from the I10 port 9 to the CE terminal 5d according to a command from the CPU 6.
6.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the main processing by the CPU 6,
5T of the A/D converter 5 via the I10 port 9
A strobe signal is supplied to the RB terminal 5c to start the A/D conversion operation.

Then, it is in a standby state for reading data from the data terminal 5b for a certain period of time, and when the certain period of time has elapsed, a chip enable signal is output from the 110 port 9, and the digital data from the A/D converter 5 is read.

The CPU 6 is provided with a color identification means, and reference values for color identification are set in advance. In other words, the optical sensor output changes as shown in FIG. 4(b) for each color of the multicolor ink ribbon, black, yellow, magenta, cyan, and no ribbon, as shown in FIG. 4(a). ,A/
Since the digital data from the D converter 5 is as shown in FIG. 4(C), the CPU 6 identifies black when the 8-bit digital data is F
07 (HEX) identifies yellow, 73 ()
IEX), identifies magenta, and E 3 (HEX)
When it is 00 (HEX), cyan is identified, and when it is 00 (HEX), no ribbon is identified.

When the read digital data is 00 (HEX), it is determined that there is no ribbon, and the contents of the color ribbon buffer provided in the RAM 8 are read out to check whether there is any unused color area.

Each bit area of the color ribbon buffer has a one-to-one correspondence with the color area of the multicolor ink ribbon 1, and each time a color area is used, rlJ is set in the bit area corresponding to that color area. Therefore, bit areas corresponding to unused color areas remain at "0".

As a result, when the use of the multicolor ink ribbon 1 is finished, the color ribbon buffer is searched, and if there is an unused color area, the multicolor ink ribbon 1 is rewound to that color area. If there is no unused color area, the display unit controller 14 controls the display unit 15 to display ink ribbon empty to inform the user that the multicolor ink ribbon should be replaced.

Also, the read digital data is 00 (l(EX)
Otherwise, the digital data is 07 ()IEX
).

74 (HEX), E 3 (HEX) or F
F (HEX).

For example, when the digital date is 07 (HEX), it is determined that the color area set in the printing unit 13 at that time is yellow, and if there is yellow printing, that printing is performed, and the color area buffer is Set the used bit "1" in the bit area to be used.

If there is no yellow printing, the ribbon feed controller 10 controls the ribbon feed section 11 to feed the ribbon to the next color area, leaving the corresponding bit area of the color area buffer unchanged.

When the digital data is 74 ()IEX), it is determined that the color area set in the printing unit 13 is magenta, and if there is magenta printing, that printing is performed, and the corresponding bit of the color area buffer is Set the used bit "1" in the area. If there is no magenta printing, the ribbon feed controller 10 controls the ribbon feed unit 11 to feed the ribbon to the next color area, leaving the corresponding gutter area in the color area buffer unchanged.

When the digital data is E 3 ()IEX),
At that time, it is determined that the color area set in the printing unit 13 is cyan, and if there is cyan printing, that printing is performed,
Set the used bit "1" in the corresponding bit area of the color area buffer. If there is no cyan printing, the ribbon feed controller 10 controls the ribbon feed section 11 to feed the ribbon to the next color area, leaving the corresponding bit area of the color area buffer unchanged.

When the digital data is F F (HEX), it is determined that the color area set in the printing unit 13 at that time is black, and if there is black printing, it is printed and the corresponding bit of the color area buffer is Set the used bit "1" in the area. If there is no black printing, the ribbon feed controller 10 controls the ribbon feed section 11 to feed the ribbon to the next color area, leaving the corresponding bit area of the color area buffer unchanged.

The above process is repeated for each page printed.

In an embodiment with such a configuration, when a multicolor ink ribbon is set and a printing operation is started, the colors of each color area are sequentially detected by the optical sensor 2.

Since the intensity of reflected light differs in each color region due to the difference in reflectance of the color, the output level from the optical sensor 2 is supplied to the A/D converter 5 at a voltage value corresponding to the color. .

The A/D converter 5 converts the input voltage value into 8-bit digital data, and this data becomes a digital value corresponding to a color.

However, the digital data of CPU6 is 07 (HEX)
If the value is 74 (HEX), then magenta is identified; if E3 (HEX), cyan is identified; and if FF (HEX), black is identified.

Then, when each color is identified, if that color is printed, it is printed and "1" is set in the corresponding bit area of the color ribbon buffer. However, if there is no printing of that color, the ribbon is sent to the next color area.

In this way, when the multicolor ink ribbon 1 is used and reaches the end, there is no ribbon and the digital data becomes 00()IEX). Then, the contents of the color ribbon buffer in the RAM 8 are read out and a search is made to see if there is an unused color area.

If there is an unused color area, the multicolor ink ribbon 1 is rewound to the corresponding unused color area and used.

In this way, the unused color area is also used and there is no ribbon again. This time, even if the contents of the color ribbon buffer are searched, there is no unused color area, so the ink ribbon becomes empty, and the display unit 15 informs that the multicolor ink ribbon needs to be replaced. be done.

In this way, the color identification of the multicolor ink ribbon 1 is detected by an optical sensor using the difference in color reflectance, converted into digital data, and color identification is performed based on the digital value. There is no need to attach marks etc. Also, only one optical sensor is required.

In addition, a color ribbon buffer is provided that has a bit area corresponding to the color area of the multicolor ink ribbon in one-to-one correspondence, and the status of the used and unused color areas of the multicolor ink ribbon is stored. By searching the bit area of the color ribbon buffer at the end of the process, unused color areas can be easily detected. Therefore, if the multicolor ink ribbon is rewound to the unused color area based on the information of the unused color area stored in the color ribbon buffer, the ink ribbon can be used without wasting it.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, there is no need for a marker for color identification, only one sensor can be used, and there is no unused portion of the color area in the middle. Therefore, it is possible to provide a multicolor ink ribbon detection device for a printer that can memorize the information, thereby making it possible to use the unused portion later, and making it possible to use the ribbon without wasting it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram including a sensor circuit, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a multicolor ink ribbon, Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing ribbon detection processing by the CPU, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the colors and light of the multicolor ink ribbon. Figures 5 and 6, which show the correspondence between the output of the sensor and the digital data of the A/D converter, show conventional examples, and Figure 5 shows the configuration of a multicolor ink ribbon, and Figure 6. is a circuit diagram showing a sensor circuit. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Multicolor ink ribbon, 2...Photo sensor 5...A/D converter, 6...CPU (central processing unit), 7...RO
M (read-only memory), 8...RAM (
random access memory). Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printer that prints using a multicolor ink ribbon, comprising: an optical sensor that optically detects each color of the multicolor ink ribbon; a conversion means that converts the output level of the optical sensor into a digital signal; color identification means for identifying colors based on digital signals; and storage means for storing used and unused information for each color area of the multicolor ink ribbon; A multicolor ink ribbon detection device for a printer, characterized in that it enables the use of a multicolor ink ribbon.