JPH0520478A - Method and device for judging life of ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To judge an accurate ribbon life by counting based on a mark density detection signal and comparison-operating it with the content of the prescribed number of printings. CONSTITUTION:When a count start signal is inputted, a counter 3 inputs a print enable signal and counts the number of the printings. A prescribed printing number storage means 4 stores the printable number of the printings till the life of a ribbon from time when mark density reaches reference density as the prescribed number of the printings. A life judgement means 5 comparison- operates the content of the counter 3 with that of the prescribed printing number storage means 4. When a count value is more than the prescribed number of the printings, it is the life of the ribbon. A display means 6 outputting a message display signal to a display means 6 reads ribbon exchange message data from a ribbon exchange message storage means 7 and displays it. Thus, an operator can learn an accurate ribbon exchange period by the ribbon exchange message shown in the display means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon life judging method and apparatus for judging the life of an ink ribbon used in an impact printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an impact printer using an ink ribbon, the number of marks printed from the time the ink ribbon is replaced to the mark density is in inverse proportion to each other, which affects the printing quality. Especially in a device that prints on a passbook, a slip, etc., it is important to determine the life of the ribbon because it detects the previously printed mark and determines the printing position. Has been developed. For example, the ribbon density determination method disclosed in JP-B-54-36014 is one of them. According to the ribbon density determination method disclosed in that publication, mark detecting means for generating a signal according to the density of a mark and slicing means for slicing at two levels are provided, and the printing process is completed and the print medium is ejected. In this method, the mark on the last print line is detected, and when it is between the two set slice levels, an alarm signal is output to prompt the operator to replace the ribbon.

[0003]

Normally, even when the ink ribbon is partially thinned, the ink ribbon is immediately replenished from the surroundings and returns to a usable state. In particular, when it is wound on the ribbon spool, the ink is replenished because it comes in a spiral shape and contacts.

However, in the conventional ribbon density determination method, after the alarm signal is output, the operator cannot know how much printing can be performed using the ribbon. Even if the printable number is known, it is not possible to count the number of marks printed one by one, so when the alarm signal is output, the ribbon is still usable, but psychologically safe. There was a problem in that the ink ribbon was replaced for the purpose.

The present invention does not output an indeterminate alarm signal to let the operator decide when to replace the ribbon, but uses a ribbon life determining method for accurately determining the ribbon life and a ribbon life using the method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for notifying the replacement time by a message after determining the above.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention sets a specified number of prints that can be printed when the mark density reaches a reference density, and prints when the mark density reaches the reference density. This is a ribbon life determination method that cumulatively counts the number and determines when the count value exceeds the specified print number as the ribbon life. Specifically, a count start signal that inputs a mark density detection signal and generates a count start signal. Generating means, a counter for counting the number of prints based on the count start signal, a specified print number storage means for storing the specified print number that can be printed from when the reference density is reached to the end of the ribbon life, the counter and the specified print number The contents of the storage means are input to perform a comparison calculation, and a life judgment means for outputting a life judgment signal based on the calculation result, and a ribbon replacement message storing the ribbon replacement message are stored. And over di storage means, in which a display means for displaying the ribbon switching message storage reads the ribbon messages based on the life judgment signal from the life judgment unit.

Further, each of the above means is a main part, and a test pattern is printed on the test pattern printing means based on the depression of the reset key, the pattern density detecting means, the test pattern printing means and the reset key, and the recorded pattern is printed as the pattern density. A reset means is provided for causing the detection means to detect and reset the life determination means when the concentration is equal to or higher than the reference concentration.

Further, in place of the count start signal generating means, a count start / reset signal for outputting a count start signal to a counter based on the mark density detection signal from the mark density detection means and a reset signal to the life determination means. It is provided with a generating means.

[0009]

The count start signal generating means of the ribbon life determining method and apparatus configured as described above outputs a count start signal to the counter based on the mark density detection signal. The counter starts counting the number of prints based on the count start signal. The life judgment means compares and calculates the contents of the counter and the specified print number storage means, and outputs the result to the display means. The display means displays a ribbon replacement message or the number of printable prints based on the input comparison calculation result.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the operator can know the exact ribbon replacement time from the ribbon replacement message displayed on the display means.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The elements common to the drawings are given the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of the first embodiment. When the printing of one transaction is completed and the medium is ejected, the mark density detecting means 1 outputs an ON or OFF signal depending on whether or not the specific mark density reaches the reference density. The count start signal generation means 2 inputs the mark density detection signal from the mark density detection means 1 and outputs the count start signal to the counter 3. When the count start signal is input to the counter 3, the print enable signal is input to count the number of prints. The specified print number storage means 4 stores the number of prints that can be printed from the time when the mark density reaches the reference density until the life of the ribbon as the specified print number. The life judgment means 5 compares and calculates the contents of the counter 3 and the specified print number storage means 4,
When the count value is equal to or greater than the specified number of prints, it is determined that the ribbon has reached the end of life, and the display unit 6 that outputs a message display signal to the display unit 6 reads the ribbon exchange message data from the ribbon exchange message storage unit 7 and displays it. When the reset key 10 is pressed, the reset means 8 causes the test pattern printing means 9 to print a test pattern, and the pattern density detection means 11 to detect the recorded pattern. A reset signal is output to reset the ribbon life judgment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment realized by using a microcomputer. The central processing unit 12 (hereinafter referred to as the CPU 12) includes a memory 13 (hereinafter referred to as the MEM 13), a driver circuit 14 that drives the print head 15 (hereinafter referred to as the DV circuit 14), and a display device 1.
6, the input device 17, the counter 18 and the bus line 20 are connected. The clear terminal C of the counter 18 is the CPU
12 is connected to the signal line 21. The DV circuit 14 outputs a print enable signal in pulses to the count input terminal every time one character is printed. Sensor 19
The output terminal of is connected to the CPU 12 by a signal line 23. In the MEM 13, the "specified number of prints", the "ribbon replacement message", the "test" that can be printed from the time when the detection signal output from the sensor 19 to the CPU 12 changes to the level "L" signal until the end of the life of the ink ribbon. pattern"
The data such as is stored. The specified number of prints is a value obtained by experiment. The portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1 is the CPU 12, and the mark and pattern density detecting means is the sensor 19.

FIG. 3 is a sensor circuit diagram. The sensor 19 includes a reference voltage switching relay 24, a photo interrupter 25, and a comparison circuit 26. The output voltage of the photo interrupter 25 is input to the non-inverting input side of the comparison circuit 26, and the reference voltage is input to the inverting input side. The reference voltage is changed in two steps by the relay 24. That is, the other end of the resistor R ₁ whose one end is connected to + 5V has the C of the relay 24.
Resistors R ₂ and R ₃ connected to the common terminal at the contact and the inverting input terminal of the comparison circuit 26 and one ends of which are grounded respectively.
The other end of is connected to the make contact side and the break contact side of the C contact. When the reference voltage is the partial pressure of the resistors R ₁ and R ₂ , the sensor 19 serves as mark density detecting means, and the resistor R
When the partial pressure is ₁ and R ₃ , the sensor 19 serves as a pattern density detecting means. Since the amount of reflected light is small during the period when the mark density is "equal to or higher than the reference density", the output voltage of the photo interrupter 25 is lower than the reference voltage, and the output level of the comparison circuit 26 is "H" during that period. Mark density is "less than standard density"
During the period of, the output voltage of the photo interrupter 25 becomes higher than the reference voltage, and the output level of the comparison circuit becomes "L".
When the output level of the comparison circuit becomes "L", the CPU 12 outputs a clear signal to the clear terminal of the counter 18 to put the counter 18 into the counting state.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After entering the operation mode, in step S ₁ , the CPU 12 inputs print data from a host device (not shown) and stores it in the MEM 13. CP in step S ₂
U12 drives the print head 15 via the DV circuit 14 to start the printing operation for one transaction. C in step S ₃
The PU 12 ends the printing operation for one transaction and ejects a medium (not shown) through the sensor 19. CP in step S ₄
U12 checks the specific mark density with the sensor 19 while ejecting the medium. At step S ₅ , the process branches to step S ₆ and step S ₁₇ depending on whether the mark density is “less than the reference density” or “not”. When "No", i.e., when the "reference concentration or more", the flow proceeds to step S ₁₇ branches on whether the "standby" or "No". If “waiting”, the process returns to step S ₁ and waits for the next transaction. If “No”, the process ends. When the "less than the reference concentration" in step S _5, CPU from the sensor 19
The detection signal to 12 becomes the level “L”. Step S ₆
Then, the CPU 12 changes the clear signal output to the clear terminal C of the counter 18 from the level "H" to "L", sets the counter value of the counter 18 to "0", and starts the counting operation. Further, the CPU 12 sets the counter value “0” of the counter 18 and the “specified print number” stored in the MEM 13.
Are read by the register unit 12b, the counter value "0" is subtracted from the "specified print number" by the calculation unit 12a, and the result is M
The data is stored in the data area X of the EM 13 and displayed on the display device 16. In step S ₇ , the CPU 12 drives the print head 15 via the DV circuit 14 to start the printing operation for one transaction. In step S ₈ , the DV circuit 14 outputs the print data and the print enable signal to the print head 15, but the counter 18 also outputs the pulse of the print enable signal. The counter 18 counts the number of pulses. In step S ₉ CPU 12 discharges the medium to terminate the printing operation. Step S respectively from ₁₀ CPU12 is MEM13 a counter 18. "prescribed number of printed" reads "counter value", the result in the calculating portion 12a from the "prescribed number of printed" by subtracting the "counter value" ME
The data area X of M13 is overwritten and displayed on the display device 16. The process proceeds to step S ₁₈ when the prescribed number of printed> counter value, when the prescribed number of printed ≦ count value proceeds to step S ₁₁ sets a flag in the flag register is provided to the arithmetic unit 12a. When the process proceeds to step S ₁₈ , the process branches depending on whether "standby" or "no". Return to the "wait" if step S _7, to wait until the next transaction amount. If “No”, the process ends.
In step S ₁₁ , the CPU 12 causes the MEM 13 to directly output the “ribbon exchange message” data to the display device 16 and displays the data. Here, the operator sees the message, exchanges the ink ribbon, and presses the "reset" key of the input device 17. When in CPU12 step S ₁₂ detects that the "reset" key is pressed, read the "test pattern" data from the MEM13 in step S _13, it is printed by the print head 15. C in step S ₁₄
The PU 12 energizes the relay 24 of the sensor 19, connects the C contact to the make contact side, and switches the reference voltage to the voltage division of the resistors R ₁ and R ₃ . Then, the density of the printed mark is checked. Mark concentration step S ₁₅ is "less than the reference concentration" branches to a step S ₁₁ and step S ₁₆ in either "Fail". When the process returns to step S ₁₁ , the “ribbon exchange message” is still displayed on the display device 17. When step S ₁₆ is the flag register of the arithmetic unit 12a causes the reset. As a result, the CPU 12 erases the ribbon exchange message displayed on the display means 17 to display the operation screen, and returns to step S ₁ .

Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a basic configuration block diagram of the second embodiment. First
The difference from the basic block diagram of the embodiment is that a count start / reset signal generating means 27 is provided instead of the count start signal generating means 2. Start counting /
The reset signal generating means 27 outputs a count start signal and a reset signal to the counter 3 and the life judging means 5, respectively, when the mark density detecting means 1 outputs a detection signal corresponding to "greater than or equal to the reference density", and the "reference density". When the detection signal corresponding to “less than” is output, the count start signal is output to the counter 3. That is, in the first embodiment, when the mark density detecting means 1 detects that the mark density is "less than the reference density", the life determining means 5 thereafter determines the ribbon life regardless of the mark density. In the second embodiment, the mark density detecting means 1 detects that the mark density is "less than the reference density", and even if the life determining means 5 starts the operation, the mark density is detected as "above the reference density". When the presence is detected, the counter 3 and the life judging means 5 are cleared.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since Steps S ₂₀ to step S ₂₈ is the same as the first embodiment described will be omitted, and enters from the step S _29. In step S ₂₉ CPU12
Checks the mark density of the medium ejected after printing one transaction via the sensor 19. In step S ₃₀ , whether the mark density is “less than the reference value” or “not” is determined in step S _31.
And branches to the step S _39. In step S ₃₉ CPU1
2 clears the data stored in the counter 18 and the data area X of the memory 13. In step S ₄₀ branches in either "wait" or "not". Returns to the step S ₂₀ when the "stand-by". When it is "No", the process ends. In step S ₃₁ , the CPU 12 reads the “specified number of prints” and the “counter value” from the MEM 13 and the counter 18, respectively, and the arithmetic unit 1
In 2a, the "counter value" is subtracted from the "specified number of prints" and the result is overwritten in the data area X of the MEM 13 and displayed on the display device 16. If the specified number of prints> the counter value, the process proceeds to step S _{41. If} the specified number of prints ≦ the counter value, the process proceeds to step S ₃₂ . In step S ₄₁ , the process branches depending on whether “standby” or “no”. When the "wait" to return to the step S _26, wait for the next transaction amount. When it is "No", the process ends. Steps S ₃₂ to S S ₃₇ is omitted because it is the same as step S ₁₆ from step S ₁₁ of the first embodiment.
^{If the process returns to} step S26, the ME
The value read from M13 is not the "specified number of prints" but the value stored in the data area X.

[0018]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

Since the ribbon life is judged when the count value obtained by cumulatively counting the number of prints after the detection of less than the reference density exceeds the specified number of prints, the operator can know the exact ribbon replacement timing. , I will never throw away the ink ribbon that can be used.

After the ribbon is replaced, when the reset key is pressed, the mark density is automatically checked to return to the operation mode, so that the operator sets a new ink ribbon or replaces the used ink ribbon. You can know if you have set.

Further, even if the density lower than the reference density is detected, if it is detected that the density is higher than the reference density by the mark density detection after the end of the next transaction, the count value so far is cleared. , The relationship between the specified number of prints and the ribbon life can be made accurate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration block diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration realized by using a microcomputer.

FIG. 3 Sensor circuit diagram

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a basic configuration block diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Mark density detection means 2 Count start signal generating means 3 counter 4 Specified number of prints storage means 5 Life judgment means 6 Display means 7 Ribbon exchange message storage means 8 reset means 9 Test pattern printing means 10 Reset key 11 Pattern density detection means 27 Count start / reset signal generating means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kenzo Sugiyama             1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric             Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuzo Ito             1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric             Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Junichi Otsuki             1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric             Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Nakayama             1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric             Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A ribbon life determining method for detecting the mark density recorded on a print medium at the end of one transaction and determining the ribbon life when the reference density is reached, when the mark density reaches the reference density. A ribbon characterized by setting a specified number of printable printouts, cumulatively counting the number of prints when a density less than the reference density is detected, and determining the ribbon life when the count value exceeds the specified number of prints. Life judgment method. 2. A ribbon life judgment for detecting a mark density recorded on a print medium by a mark density detecting means at the end of one transaction, and judging a ribbon life based on a mark density detection signal when the reference density is reached. In the device, count start signal generating means for inputting the mark density detection signal and generating a count start signal, a counter for counting the number of prints based on the count start signal, and from the time when the reference density is reached to the end of the ribbon life A specified print number storage means for storing the specified number of printable prints, and a life judgment means for inputting the contents of the counter and the specified print number storage means for comparison calculation and outputting a life judgment signal based on the calculation result, Ribbon replacement message storage means that stores the ribbon replacement message and ribbon replacement message recording based on the life judgment signal from the life judgment means. A ribbon life determining device, comprising: a display unit for reading and displaying a ribbon message from the storage unit. 3. A test pattern is printed on the test pattern printing means based on depression of the reset key, the pattern density detecting means, the test pattern printing means, and the reset key,
3. The ribbon life determining device according to claim 2, further comprising reset means for causing the pattern density detecting means to detect the recorded pattern and resetting the life determining means when the density is equal to or higher than a reference density. 4. The ribbon life determining apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pattern density detecting means outputs a count starting signal to a counter based on the pattern density detecting signal instead of the count starting signal generating means. A ribbon life determining device further comprising count start / reset signal generating means for outputting a reset signal to the life determining means.