JPH05238027A - Printing controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain a compatibility between the mount/dismount states of an ink ribbon cassette and the setting of a printing mode in a printing controller which can select a heat transfer printing mode employing an ink ribbon cassette or a heat sensitive printing mode employing a thermosensible sheet. CONSTITUTION:An ink ribbon cassette sensor 6 for detecting whether or not an ink ribbon cassette is mounted is provided to read the switching of a printing mode by a keyboard 14. Thus, only when the compatibility therebetween is maintained, a printing is started. Accordingly, the printing mode is automatically set in accordance with the mounting condition of the ink ribbon cassette and an abnormal printing due to an incompatible state is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control device applied to a personal word processor, a personal computer or the like which uses a thermal printer as a printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a personal word processor or personal computer, a thermal printer having a small size, light weight and high printing quality has been exclusively used as a built-in printer.

In a conventional personal word processor using such a thermal printer, printing speed (low speed / high speed) and paper (thermal paper / plain paper) can be selected as printing conditions, and the printing speed can be selected. The voltage applied to the thermal head is switched, and the necessity of saving the thermal transfer ink ribbon is automatically switched by selecting the paper, and the voltage applied to the thermal head is switched.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional print control device, the paper to be inserted into the printing section is selected according to the type of paper to be printed, and the print mode is switched to a predetermined mode. In addition, it is necessary to attach and detach the ink ribbon cassette. The user must always pay attention to these operations, and if the combination of the type of the inserted paper, the setting of the print mode, and the presence / absence of the ink ribbon cassette attachment is not suitable, the printing cannot be performed properly. In particular, as a result of paying attention to the setting of various conditions such as the print mode type on the print condition setting screen, it was often forgotten to forget to actually attach and detach the ink ribbon cassette. Therefore, for example, even if the thermal transfer printing mode is for plain paper, printing cannot be performed at all by forgetting to install the ink ribbon cassette. There was a failure that printing was performed and thermal transfer printing was done on thermal paper. Especially in the latter case, since the printing is performed for the time being, the ink ribbon may be wastefully consumed without noticing the abnormal state.

Further, instead of expressing all of the original print data as a dot pattern, by thinning out the print data, the transfer speed of the print data to the buffer is increased and the overall print speed (cps) is increased.
The so-called draft printing mode is used when a rough-printed original is created, such as when confirming the contents of a document quickly. When using this mode, it is necessary to print on thermal paper. If draft printing is performed with the ink ribbon cassette attached, thermal transfer becomes uncertain, and there is a problem that not only a print result of normal print quality cannot be obtained, but also the ink ribbon is wasted.

An object of the present invention is to provide a print control device which can obtain a print result of normal print quality without wasting the ink ribbon in the draft print mode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing control apparatus which automatically keeps compatibility between the presence / absence of attachment of a thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette and a printing mode to prevent the above failures. ..

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus, which includes an ink ribbon cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not a removable thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette is mounted, and a thermal head and a scanning device based on thinned print data. Draft print mode switching means for switching the selection / non-selection of the draft print mode for driving the system to perform printing, and when the ink ribbon cassette detection means detects the presence of the ink ribbon cassette before starting the printing process in the draft print mode. An error processing unit for stopping the printing operation and notifying an abnormal state is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control device for switching between an ink ribbon cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not a removable thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette is mounted, and a thermal transfer printing mode using the ink ribbon cassette and a thermal printing mode using thermal paper. The print mode switching means to be selected and the print mode is set when the ink ribbon cassette detecting means detects the ink ribbon cassette mounting state in the print condition setting mode, and the thermal transfer printing mode is set, and the print mode is set when the ink ribbon cassette non-mounting state is detected. The print mode automatic setting means for setting the thermal printing mode, the means for detecting the change state of the print mode by the print mode switching means, and the compatibility between the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette and the print mode after the change state of the print mode is detected. Incompatibility between the judgment method and the print mode Characterized in that a means for notifying the abnormal state.

[0010]

In the print control apparatus according to the first aspect, the ink ribbon cassette detecting means detects whether or not the thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette is mounted. The draft print mode switching means switches and selects the draft print mode and the non-draft print mode according to the operation of the user. When the ink ribbon cassette detecting means detects the presence of the ink ribbon cassette before starting the printing in the draft printing mode, the printing operation is stopped, and the error processing means causes the abnormal state (the ink ribbon cassette is in spite of being in the draft printing mode). The state that the set is installed) is notified. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the printing quality and waste of the ink ribbon due to draft printing by thermal transfer.

In the printing control apparatus according to the second aspect, the ink ribbon cassette detecting means detects whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is attached. The printing mode switching means switches and selects the thermal transfer printing mode or the thermal printing mode according to the operation of the user. The print mode automatic setting means automatically sets the print mode to the thermal transfer print mode when the ink ribbon cassette detection means detects the ink ribbon cassette mounting state in the print condition setting mode, and sets the print mode to the thermal printing mode when the ink ribbon cassette is not mounted. Automatically set to. Then, after the print mode is changed by the print mode switching means, the compatibility between the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette and the print mode is determined, and an abnormal state is notified when the print mode is incompatible. For example, if the print condition setting mode is set with the ink ribbon cassette installed, the print mode automatically changes to the thermal transfer print mode, but after that, if you try to perform printing while switching the print mode to the thermal print mode. For example, an abnormal state due to the incompatibility of the ink ribbon cassette and the print mode is notified. Also, for example, if the printing condition setting mode is set without the ink ribbon cassette installed, the printing mode is automatically set to the thermal printing mode, but if the printing is executed while switching it to the thermal transfer mode, ,
After all, an abnormal state due to the incompatibility of the ink ribbon cassette and the print mode is notified.

[0012]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal word processor including a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a microcomputer, which includes a CPU 2, a ROM 3, a RAM 4, an I / O port 5, and the like. A program is written in the ROM 3 in advance, and the CPU 2 executes the program in the ROM 3 to perform print control described later. The RAM 4 is used as various flags described later and other working areas. Various input / output circuits are connected to the I / O port 5, and the CPU 2 inputs / outputs data or signals via the I / O port 5. The ink ribbon cassette sensor 6 detects whether or not the thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette is mounted.
The mechanical portion of the printer is composed of a drive system that conveys paper and a drive system that moves a carriage equipped with a thermal head along a platen, and the ink ribbon cassette is configured to be removable from the carriage. The ink ribbon cassette sensor 6 is provided on the carriage, for example, and mechanically or optically detects whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is mounted. The CPU reads the state of the ink ribbon cassette 6 via the I / O port 5. The thermal head 8 has a plurality of heating elements and is attached to the carriage. The driver 7 selectively drives each heating element provided in the thermal head 8 based on the print data output from the CPU 2 via the I / O port 5. The motor 10 is composed of a motor for the above-described paper transport drive system and a carriage scan drive system, and a motor for driving the thermal head up and down. The motor controller 9 performs stepping control of each motor based on a control signal output from the CPU 2 via the I / O port 5. The LCD 12 is a liquid crystal display panel. LCD controller 11 is I /
The display data output from the CPU 2 via the O port 5 is stored and a display signal is given to the LCD 12.
The keyboard 14 is used as a word processor for key operations when creating a document and for setting various printing conditions. The key controller 13 controls the keyboard 14. C
The PU 2 reads the key operation content of the keyboard 14 via the I / O port 5.

Next, FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the print control of the CPU 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a processing procedure when the print key is operated. First, the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette is detected by reading the state of the ink ribbon cassette sensor 6 (n1). If the ink ribbon cassette is installed, set flag FC and flag FP (n2 →
n3 → n4). If not attached, the flag FC and the flag FP are reset (n2 → n5 → n6). Here, FC is a flag indicating the detection result of the ink ribbon cassette, and FC = 1 indicates “there is an ink ribbon cassette”, F
C = 0 represents "no ink ribbon cassette". Also F
P is a flag indicating a print mode, FP = 1 indicates a "thermal transfer print mode", and FP = 0 indicates a "thermal print mode". After that, various printing conditions are displayed and the printing condition is set (n7). This printing condition includes the selected states of the thermal transfer printing mode and the thermal printing mode, and depending on the state of the flag FP, the thermal transfer printing mode when FP = 1, FP =
When it is 0, the thermal printing mode is automatically displayed. Therefore, if the print mode is not changed as it is, the print mode is set according to whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is mounted.

FIG. 3 shows the processing contents when the print mode switching key is operated. If the print mode switching key is operated in the print condition setting state, the state of the flag FP is reversed (n8). Therefore, each time the print mode switching key is operated, the thermal transfer print mode and the thermal print mode are reversed.

FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure when the print execution key is operated after setting or confirming the print conditions. First,
The presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette is detected by reading the state of the ink ribbon cassette sensor 6 (n1
0). If the ink ribbon cassette is installed, the flag FC is set (n11 → n12), and if not installed, the flag FC is reset (n13). Then, the state of the flag FP is determined (n14). When FP = 1 (thermal transfer printing mode) and flag FC = 1 (cassette mounted state), normal thermal transfer printing processing is performed (n16).
Here, the thermal head is driven so that the amount of heat generated is optimal for thermal transfer printing on plain paper using an ink ribbon, and printing processing is performed according to other printing conditions (whether ribbon saving is required, etc.). .. If FP = 1 (thermal transfer printing mode) and FC = 0 (non-cassette mounted state), printing is not started and an error message is displayed (n1
7). Here, a message such as "Please install the ink ribbon cassette." Or "Please set to the thermal printing mode" is displayed. If FP = 0 (thermal printing mode) and FC = 0 (cassette not mounted), normal thermal printing processing is performed on the thermal paper (n14).
→ n18 → n19). Here, the thermal head is driven so as to obtain the optimum heating amount for the thermal paper, and printing processing is performed according to other printing conditions (high-speed printing mode, ribbon non-saving mode, etc.). If FP = 0 (thermal printing mode) and FC = 1 (cassette mounted state), an error message is displayed without starting the printing process (n20). For example, a message such as "Please remove the ink ribbon cassette" or "Please enter the thermal transfer printing mode" is displayed.

With the above configuration, the print mode is automatically switched depending on whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is mounted. Also, after the print mode is set automatically, you can change the print mode and instruct to execute the print without attaching or detaching the ink ribbon cassette, or you can instruct to execute the print without changing the print mode by attaching or detaching the ink ribbon cassette. However, since the incompatibility is notified, erroneous printing can be prevented in advance, and the deterioration of printing quality and wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon can be prevented.

Next, another processing procedure of the print control of the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 is shown as a flow chart in FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure when the print key is operated. First, the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette is detected by reading the state of the ink ribbon cassette sensor 6 (n31). If the ink ribbon cassette is installed, flag FC and flag FP are set (n3
2 → n33 → n34). Flag F if not attached
C and flag FP are reset (n32 → n35 →
n36). Here, FC is a flag indicating the detection result of the ink ribbon cassette, as in the example shown in FIG. 2, and FC = 1
Indicates “with ink ribbon cassette”, and FC = 0 indicates “without ink ribbon cassette”. Further, FP is a flag indicating the print mode, and FP = 1 is the “thermal transfer print mode”
FP = 0 represents the "thermal printing mode". Then, the flag FD is reset (n37). This flag FD is a flag indicating a draft printing mode, FD = 1 indicates a "draft printing mode", and FD = 0 indicates a "non-draft printing mode". After that, various printing conditions are displayed and the printing condition is set (n38). The printing conditions include a selected state of the thermal transfer printing mode and the thermal printing mode and a selected / non-selected state of the draft printing mode. Depending on the state of the flag FP, the thermal transfer printing mode when FP = 1, the FP
When = 0, the thermal print mode is automatically displayed and FD
The draft print mode is automatically displayed when = 1 and the non-draft print mode is automatically displayed when FD = 0. Therefore, if the print mode is not changed as it is, it is set to the non-draft print mode and the print mode suitable for whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is mounted.

FIG. 6 shows the processing contents when the draft print mode switching key is operated. If the print mode switching key is operated in the draft printing condition setting state, the state of the flag FD is reversed (n39). Therefore, every time the draft print mode switching key is operated, the draft print mode and the non-draft print mode are reversed. In addition,
To select the thermal transfer printing mode or the thermal printing mode, the state of the flag FP is inverted every time the printing mode switching key is operated, as in the case shown in FIG. 3 in the above example.

FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure when the print execution key is operated after setting or confirming the print conditions. First,
The presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette is detected by reading the state of the ink ribbon cassette sensor 6 (n4
0). If the ink ribbon cassette is installed, the flag FC is set (n41 → n42), and if not installed, the flag FC is reset (n43). Then, the state of the flag FP is determined (n44). When FP = 1 (thermal transfer printing mode) If flag FD = 1 (draft printing mode), an error message such as “Cannot perform draft printing using the ink ribbon cassette.” Is displayed (n45 → n48). Flag FD = 0 (non-draft print mode) and FC = 1
If (cassette mounted state), normal thermal transfer printing processing is performed (n46 → n47). Here, the thermal head is driven so that the heat generation amount is optimal for thermal transfer printing on plain paper using the ink ribbon, and other printing conditions (such as ribbon saving necessity or low speed / high speed printing mode) Print processing. If FP = 0 (thermal printing mode)
FC = 0 (cassette not mounted) and FD = 1
If so, proper draft printing is performed on the thermal paper (n
44 → n50 → n51 → n52). If FP = 0 (thermal printing mode) and FC = 0 (cassette not mounted) and FD = 0, normal thermal printing is performed on the thermal paper (n50 → n51 → n54). Here, the thermal head is driven so as to obtain the optimum heating amount for the thermal paper, and printing processing is performed according to other printing conditions (low speed / high speed printing mode, ribbon non-saving mode, etc.). If F
When FC is 1 (cassette mounted state) and FD is 1 when P = 0 (thermal printing mode), an error message such as “Draft printing cannot be performed using the ink ribbon cassette.” Is displayed ( n50 → n
53 → n55). Even if FC = 1 (cassette mounted state) when FP = 0 (thermal printing mode), FD =
If it is 0 (non-draft printing mode), the thermal printing process is performed without displaying an error message (n53 → n).
54). This state is not a normal state, but since it is possible to print for the time being, it is not an error in terms of specifications.

Although FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show the embodiment having both the functions according to claim 1 and claim 2 of the present invention, when only the function according to claim 1 is realized, the printing condition is set. Sometimes the status of whether or not to use the draft print mode is stored, the presence or absence of a cassette is detected at the start of printing execution, and if it is in the draft print mode and there is no cassette, draft printing is started as it is, and there is a cassette. In this case, an error message may be displayed and draft printing may be prohibited.

With the above-described structure, it is possible to prevent the failure of draft printing with the ink ribbon cassette attached, and to prevent deterioration of print quality and wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon. ..

[0024]

According to the print control apparatus of the first aspect,
Draft printing control is not performed while the ink ribbon cassette is installed, which reduces print quality and wastes the ink ribbon.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the printing mode is automatically set according to the mounting / non-mounting state of the ink ribbon cassette, and the mounting state of the ink ribbon cassette is changed after the automatic setting. Also, even if the print mode is changed, printing is not executed in a state in which the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette and the print mode are incompatible, and print processing without failure is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal word processor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a print key is operated.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents when a print mode switching key is operated.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a print execution key is operated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure when a print key is operated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents when a draft print mode switching key is operated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another processing procedure when a print execution key is operated.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An ink ribbon cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not a removable thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette is mounted, and a draft print mode for selecting / not selecting a thermal head and a scanning system for printing by thinned print data. A draft printing mode switching unit for switching and an error processing unit for stopping the printing operation and notifying an abnormal state when the ink ribbon cassette detection unit detects the presence of the ink ribbon cassette before starting the printing process in the draft printing mode. A print control device provided. 2. An ink ribbon cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not a removable thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette is mounted, and a print mode switching means for selectively selecting a thermal transfer printing mode using the ink ribbon cassette and a thermal printing mode using thermal paper. A printing mode in which the printing mode is set to the thermal transfer printing mode when the ink ribbon cassette detection unit detects the ink ribbon cassette mounting state in the printing condition setting mode, and the printing mode is set to the thermal printing mode when the ink ribbon cassette non-mounting state is detected. Automatic setting means, means for detecting the change state of the print mode by the print mode switching means, means for determining the compatibility of the presence or absence of the ink ribbon cassette and the print mode after detecting the change state of the print mode, and Means to notify abnormal condition when non-conforming Print control apparatus, characterized in that the provided.