JPH0890890A - Ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent collision of a stocker with a carriage by detecting whether a changer is in a ribbon delivering state or in a state of enabling movement of the carriage, on the occasion of movement of the carriage, and by checking the movement of the carriage in the case when the changer is not in the state of enabling the movement of the carriage. CONSTITUTION: In a printer equipped with a carriage 11 holding an ink ribbon cassette (hereinafter called simply a cassette), a stocker 12 storing a plurality of cassettes so that they can be taken out is provided. Besides, a changer 13 which can shift the stocker 12 and the carriage 11 to two states, a ribbon delivering state wherein the stocker and the carriage are made to approach each other so as to conduct delivery of the cassette and a state of enabling movement of the carriage wherein they are separated from each other so as to make the carriage 11 movable, is provided. At the time when a means 14 for detecting the state of the changer 13 detects that the changer 13 is not in the state of enabling the movement of the carriage, the movement of the carriage 11 is checked by a control means 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system for automatically exchanging a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional system of this type, a thermal transfer type printer described in JP-A-60-253578 and a printing device described in JP-A-2-258276 are known.

In order to perform color printing with such a conventional printer system, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-253578, an ink ribbon is "painted gradually" as shown in FIG. 23, or As shown in FIG. 24, by streaking, Y (yellow) / M (magenta) / C (cyan) /
It is divided into a plurality of areas such as B (black) and they are overlapped and printed.

However, in this method, if there is a variation in the usage rate of the colors, the ribbons of the unused colors will be idly fed and wasted.
In the thermal transfer type printer described in Japanese Patent No. 53578, a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes are arranged and held in the same direction as the carriage movement direction, and printing (printing) is performed while mounting or replacing a necessary ink ribbon cassette on the carriage each time. A method has been proposed.

25 and 26 are explanatory views of the method. 26 (1) and 26 (2) are shown in FIG.
It is the figure which looked at the carriage of from the left. 25 and 26, the carriage 100 includes a platen 110 (not shown in FIG. 25) by a timing belt 107 and a carriage drive motor 108 (not shown in FIG. 26).
Can move in the direction parallel to. The stocker 105 can hold a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes 101 to 104 in a direction parallel to the platen 110.

In FIG. 25, since the carriage 100 holds the ribbon cassette 103, printing can be performed by the print head 109 using the ribbon cassette 103, but another ribbon cassette, for example, the ribbon cassette 101 is used. If you want to print again, return the ribbon cassette 103 to the empty position of the stocker 105,
All you have to do is get the ribbon cassette 101.

26 (1) and 26 (2), the print paper feed roller conveys the print paper 111 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. When the printing paper 111 is inserted, the output of the printing paper presence sensor 113 is turned on.

The ribbon cassette can be transferred between the carriage 100 and the stocker 105 by either moving the stocker to get the ribbon cassette that requires the carriage, or moving the stocker itself to place the ribbon cassette on the carriage. 26 (1) and FIG. 26 (2) illustrate the latter method.
FIG. 26 (1) shows a state in which the stocker is raised, and FIG. 26 (2).
Shows the state where the stocker is lowered and the carriage holds the ribbon cassette.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-258276, in order to smoothly convey the printing paper, when the printing paper is conveyed, the carriage is moved to the center and the printing paper is pressed to prevent the jamming of the printing paper. Techniques to prevent are described. 27 to 29 are explanatory diagrams thereof.

In FIG. 27, the transport system of the printer is equipped with a print head 201, a platen 202 facing the print head 201, a ribbon guide 206 located between the print head 201 and the platen 202, a print head 201 and a ribbon guide 206. And a tractor 2 that can move the carriage (carrier) 207 and the printing paper 203 to the left and right.
04 and a cutter 205 for separating the printing paper. Further, the tractor 204 is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 209 via a drive shaft 208.

The carriage 207 is the timing belt 2
It is horizontally driven by a stepping motor 211 via 10. Further, a detection sensor 212 for determining the sheet conveyance position is arranged on the conveyance path between the print head 201 and the tractor 204.

FIG. 28 shows the position of the carriage 207 when the print sheet 203 is conveyed in the discharge direction. FIG. 29
Shows an enlarged view up to the cutter of the printing paper path after printing.

The printing paper 203 is set on the tractor 204, and the stepping motor 209 is driven when the switch on the operation panel is pushed, the printing paper 203 is conveyed, and the printing paper detection sensor 212 detects the upper end of the printing paper 203 and keeps it constant. Carry a certain amount of paper. At this time, the carriage 207 is moved to the center of the print sheet by the driving of the stepping motor 211 at the same time when the switch of the operation panel is pressed, and the print sheet 2 is moved by the ribbon guide 206.
It is in the state of pressing 03.

By doing so, the printing paper 2
It is possible to prevent the print sheet from being conveyed while being tilted in the direction opposite to the direction in which 03 is wrapped around the platen 202 (sheet path), and the top edge of the print sheet is caught by the lower guide end 205 ″ of the cutter 205 and becomes a paper jam.

[0015]

However, in the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-253578, in order to attach and detach the ink ribbon cassette, the changer raises and lowers the stocker. Then, the ink ribbon cassette is delivered to and from the carriage.

Therefore, if an attempt is made to move the carriage when the stocker is lowered by the changer or when the stocker is lowered for some reason, the carriage collides with the stocker and cannot move, and the carriage drive motor There was a problem that an excessive load was applied to the motor, and continued operation would cause the motor to overheat, leading to malfunctions and accidents.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and a sensor for detecting whether the stocker is currently raised or lowered by the changer is attached, and the stocker is raised. The purpose is to solve the above problem by controlling the carriage so that it does not move when the state is not in the open state.

If there is no sensor for detecting the state of the stocker, it is necessary to use a stepping motor or the like that can accurately detect the amount of rotation in order to accurately raise or lower the stocker, which increases the cost. However, by providing a sensor that detects the state of the stocker, it is possible to use an inexpensive motor (such as a DC motor) that cannot know the exact amount of rotation, thereby reducing the cost. It is an object.

In the ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-253578, in order to attach / detach the ink ribbon cassette, the changer raises or lowers the stocker to move the carriage. The ink ribbon cassette is delivered to and from.

Therefore, if the changer tries to lower the stocker when the user forces the carriage to move the stocker while the stocker is being raised by the changer, the stocker and the carriage collide with each other and the changer becomes excessive. There was a problem that caused a failure or accident, such as a large load being applied and the motor generating heat if it continues to operate.

Alternatively, when the changer tries to raise the stocker when something is placed on the stocker, the changer is overloaded and the same problem occurs.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the motor from overheating at the abnormal time by stopping the operation of the changer when the operation of the changer is not completed within a predetermined time.

In the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-253578, in order to attach / detach the ink ribbon cassette, the changer raises or lowers the stocker to move the carriage. The ink ribbon cassette is delivered to and from.

Therefore, when the printing paper is set while the stocker is raised by the changer, there is a problem that the printing paper is caught on the lower end of the stocker as shown in FIG. 26 (1).

The technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-258276 is a method of controlling the carriage so that the carriage is moved to the center when the paper is fed in order to prevent the paper jam, but the ink ribbon cartridge having the stocker as described above is used. In the set auto changer printer, there is a problem in that both ends of the paper are caught in the lower end of the stocker only by moving the carriage to the center, and smooth paper feeding cannot be performed.

Therefore, in order to load the paper into the ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer having the stocker as described above, it is necessary to lower the stocker so that the lower end of the stocker is not caught. (When the stocker is lowered, the paper is not caught on the lower end of the stocker and is guided and conveyed by the front part of the stocker as shown in FIG. 26 (2).)

Therefore, when the user tries to load the paper and the stocker is in a raised state, the user needs to perform an operation for lowering the stocker before setting the printing paper, which is troublesome. There was a problem that it was troublesome.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to immediately set the printing paper at the start of the next printing by controlling the stocker so as to lower it after the printing operation is completed.

Further, such an ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer has a problem that the total height of the housing for accommodating the printer is increased by raising the stocker upward, but the present invention lowers the stocker after the printing operation is completed. By lowering the printer, that is, by controlling the stocker so that it is always lowered except during printing, lower the overall height of the housing in which the printer is housed (the housing is at the height of the printer when the stocker is lowered). The height is also adjusted).

Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the stocker is not in the lowered state when the power is turned on (such as when the power switch is turned off during printing), the stocker is controlled to be lowered to start the next printing. It is also aimed to be able to set the printing paper immediately at times. It also aims to lower the overall height of the housing that houses the printer.

When the print start instruction is given and the print paper is not loaded, the user is informed of that fact and the stocker is controlled so as not to be raised until the print paper is loaded. It also aims to prevent paper jams.

In the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-253578, in order to attach / detach the ink ribbon cassette, the changer raises or lowers the stocker to move the carriage. The ink ribbon cassette is delivered to and from.

Therefore, when the stocker is lifted by the changer from the state where the stocker is lowered after the paper is loaded, if the stocker is lifted while the ink ribbon cassette remains in the carriage, the first ink ribbon cassette used after the start of printing is the carriage. If it is different from the ink ribbon cassette in, the ink ribbon cassette must be returned to the stocker and the ink ribbon cassette to be printed first must be attached to the carriage, and the time to start printing increases as the ink ribbon cassette is returned. There was a problem.

On the contrary, when the stocker is lowered after the paper is loaded and the stocker is raised by the changer and the ink ribbon cassette is removed from the carriage and the stocker is raised, the ink ribbon cassette used first after printing is originally If the ink ribbon cassette was in the carriage, the same ink ribbon cassette would have to be mounted again in the carriage, which would be a waste.

According to the present invention, when the stocker is raised by the changer after the paper is loaded, the kind (color) of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage is the same as the kind (color) of the ink ribbon cassette used first after the start of printing. If it is the same, the changer raises the stocker while leaving the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage.If it is different or cannot be determined, the changer holds the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage in the stocker. It is also an object to shorten the time until the start of printing by controlling the stocker to rise.

In the ink ribbon cassette auto-changer printer as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-253578, in order to attach / detach the ink ribbon cassette, the changer raises or lowers the stocker to move the carriage. The ink ribbon cassette is delivered to and from.

Therefore, the type of the ink ribbon cassette attached to the carriage is determined by the position in the stocker from which the ink ribbon cassette is taken out if the carriage does not have an ink ribbon cassette type detecting device.

The type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette held in the stocker is, for example, B (black) Y from the left end.
Since (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) are set, if the ink ribbon cassette is mounted when the carriage is at the left end, recognize that it is a "black" ink ribbon cassette. You can

However, generally, in the conventional printer, since the position of the carriage is recognized by the sensor which is turned on when the carriage is moved to the left end, the position is recognized as the origin by the movement distance from the origin. , The carriage position cannot be recognized immediately after the power is turned on and before the printer is initialized (the carriage is moved to the origin). That is, at that time, the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette mounted on the carriage by the changer cannot be recognized. Further, even when the ink ribbon cassette is already mounted on the carriage when the power is turned on, the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette cannot be recognized.

Therefore, even if the carriage already holds the ink ribbon cassette to be used first at the start of printing, it is returned to the stocker once, the position of the carriage is recognized, and then the ink ribbon cassette is held again in the carriage. There was a problem in that it was necessary to perform a wasteful operation of causing it.

Another object of the present invention is to recognize the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage by recognizing the removed position of the ink ribbon cassette of the stocker.

[0042]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present invention has a print head and is capable of holding an ink ribbon cassette and moving the carriage. 11, a stocker 12 for removably storing the ink ribbon cassette, and a stocker 1
A changer 13 that shifts the two and the carriage 11 into two states: a ribbon delivery state in which they are brought close to each other to deliver the ink ribbon cassette, and a carriage movable state in which the two are separated to allow the carriage 11 to move. , Changer state detection means 14 for detecting whether the changer 13 is in a ribbon transfer state or a carriage movable state, and a changer 13.
Is an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system including a control means 15 for preventing movement of the carriage 11 when the carriage is not movable.

In the present invention, the print head provided on the carriage 11 is preferably a thermal head from the viewpoint of miniaturization, but a needle dot impact type print head can also be used.

The stocker 12 has a plurality of colors, preferably Y.
(Yellow) / M (Magenta) / C (Cyan) / B (Black) 4 color ink ribbon cassettes are preferably removable so that they can be stored in a horizontal type or in a vertical direction. A vertical type that is stacked and stored can be used.

The changer 13 preferably shifts the stocker 12 and the carriage 11 between two states, that is, the ribbon transfer state and the carriage movable state, by using the rotation of the cam, but another driving method is used. You can also It is convenient to use a microprocessor as the control means 15.

Further, according to the present invention, a carriage having a print head and capable of holding and moving an ink ribbon cassette, a stocker for removably accommodating the ink ribbon cassette, and a stocker and a carriage are arranged close to each other to bring the ink ribbon cassette into close proximity. A ribbon transfer state in which the set is delivered, and a changer in which the carriage can be moved by separating the two from each other, and a changer in which the changer is in the ribbon delivery state or in the carriage movable state. Changer state detection means for detecting whether or not, the time until the changer from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state, and the time from the carriage movable state to the ribbon transfer state, the time measuring means, respectively,
The ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system includes changer stopping means for stopping the change operation of the changer when the changer state detecting means does not detect that the desired state has been reached even after the timekeeping means has timed.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the changer automatic shifting means at the time of printing is further provided for automatically shifting the changer 13 from the carriage movable state to the ribbon delivery state after the printing operation of the carriage 11 is completed.

In the above structure, when the power is turned on and the changer state detected by the changer state detecting means 14 is not the ribbon delivery state, the changer 13 is automatically switched to the ribbon delivery state. It is preferable that the time changer automatic transfer means is further provided.

Further, in the above arrangement, the paper detecting means for detecting the set state of the print paper, the print start instructing means for instructing the print start, and the print start instruction means,
When the print paper setting state is detected and the print paper setting is completed, the changer 13 is moved from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state, and when the print paper is not set, the print paper is not set. It is preferable that the sheet state determination means for notifying the user is further provided.

In the above structure, the carriage ribbon type recognizing means for recognizing the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage 11, the printing ribbon type storing means for storing the type of the ink ribbon cassette used first at the time of printing, When the start of printing is instructed, the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage 11 is recognized, and if the recognized type is the same as the type stored in the print ribbon type storage means, the ink ribbon cassette is placed on the carriage 11. Changer 1
3 is shifted from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state, and the recognized type is different from the type stored in the print ribbon type storage means, or the type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the carriage 11 cannot be recognized. It is preferable that the configuration further includes a ribbon type transfer unit that transfers the changer 13 from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state in a state where the ink ribbon cassette is taken out from the carriage 11.

Further, according to the present invention, a carriage having a print head and holding and moving an ink ribbon cassette, and a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes are removably accommodated and whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is accommodated is determined. A stocker having storage detecting means for detecting, a ribbon delivery state in which the stocker and the carriage are brought close to each other to deliver the ink ribbon cassette, and a carriage movable state in which the carriage is movable by separating the two. Changer to shift to two states, stocker ribbon type storage means that stores the type of ink ribbon cassette stored in the stocker for each storage position, and the position of the ink ribbon cassette taken out from the stocker is detected by the storage detection means, Memory of the detected position and stocker ribbon type From the class of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the stage, a ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system comprising includes a stocker position ribbon kind determining means for determining the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage.

[0052]

According to the present invention, when the carriage is moved, the changer state detecting means 14 detects whether the changer 13 is in the ribbon transfer state or the carriage movable state. The control means 14 prevents the carriage from moving. Therefore, the collision between the carriage 11 and the stocker 12 can be avoided, and the carriage drive motor can be prevented from overheating.

Further, according to the present invention, when the state of the changer shifts, a predetermined time is measured by the time measuring means, and even if the time measured exceeds the predetermined time, the target state must be obtained. The transfer operation of the changer 13 is stopped by the changer stopping means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the changer 13 from being broken and the changer drive motor from being overheated.

When a changer automatic transfer means at the end of printing is further provided, the changer 13 after printing is completed.
Is automatically shifted from the carriage movable state to the ribbon transfer state. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly insert the printing paper when the next printing is performed, and it is possible to suppress the height of the housing to be low.

When the changer automatic shifting means at power-on is further provided, when the changer state detected by the changer state detecting means 14 is not the ribbon transfer state when the power is turned on, the changer 1
3 is automatically transferred to the ribbon delivery state. Therefore, even when the changer is not in the ribbon transfer state when the power is turned on, it is possible to smoothly insert the printing paper when printing is performed in the future, and to keep the height of the housing low.

When the paper detection means, the print start instruction means, and the paper state determination means are further provided, when the print start is instructed, the setting state of the print paper is detected and the setting of the print paper is completed. At some times, the changer 13 is moved from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state, and when the printing paper is not set, it is notified that the printing paper is not set.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the changer from moving without the printing paper set, so that the printing paper can be inserted smoothly (the jam of the printing paper is prevented).
be able to. Further, the user can be prompted to insert the printing paper.

When a carriage ribbon type recognition unit, a printing ribbon type storage unit, and a ribbon type transfer unit are further provided, the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage 11 is recognized when the printing start is instructed. If the recognized type is the same as the type stored in the print ribbon type storage means, the changer 13 shifts from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state while the ink ribbon cassette is held in the carriage 11. To be done. If the recognized type is different from the type stored in the print ribbon type storage means, or if the type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the carriage 11 cannot be recognized, the ink ribbon cassette is removed from the carriage 11, The changer 13 is moved from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state.

Therefore, if the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage 11 is the first ink ribbon cassette to be used, the ink ribbon cassette is not replaced, so that the time until the start of printing can be shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, a carriage having a print head, capable of holding and moving an ink ribbon cassette, and a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes are detachably accommodated, and whether each ink ribbon cassette is accommodated or not is determined. A stocker having storage detecting means for detecting, a ribbon delivery state in which the stocker and the carriage are brought close to each other to deliver the ink ribbon cassette, and a carriage movable state in which the carriage is movable by separating the two. Changer to shift to two states, stocker ribbon type storage means that stores the type of ink ribbon cassette stored in the stocker for each storage position, and the position of the ink ribbon cassette taken out from the stocker is detected by the storage detection means, Memory of the detected position and stocker ribbon type If the ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer system is equipped with a stocker position ribbon type discrimination means for discriminating the type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the carriage from the type of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the column, it is taken out from the stocker. The type of the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage can be determined from the position of the ink ribbon cassette that is present.

Therefore, even when the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage cannot be recognized, the type of the ink ribbon cassette can be discriminated from the state of the stocker. Therefore, the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage is returned to the stocker, and the carriage is loaded again. Useless operations such as mounting can be omitted, and the time until the start of printing can be shortened.

[0062]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of an embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an ink ribbon cassette auto-changer printer system that automatically exchanges four ink ribbon cassettes for printing will be described as an example.

The ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a control / arithmetic unit (CPU-Central Processing Unit) 1 for controlling the operation of each component and for performing arithmetic operations.

The storage device 3 is directly connected to the control / calculation device 1. Further, the input device 2, the display device 4, and the printing device 5 are connected via the I / O port 6. The storage device 3 is an RA that can read / write and store document data, image data, various variable data, and the like.
M (Random Access Memory) and control / arithmetic unit (CP)
U) A ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program for operating the U) 1 is connected.

As the input device 2, a keyboard for inputting document data and instructions from a user (user) is connected via a key interface. Although not shown, a color image scanner or the like for inputting color image data may be connected.

As the display device 4, L for displaying document data, image data, a message to the user, and the like.
A CD (Lequid Crystal Display) is connected via an LCD controller. As the printing device 5, a printing device (ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer) 5 for printing document data, image data, etc. is connected.

The printing device 5 has a thermal head, and
Each of the ink ribbon cassettes can be held, and four carriages 5-3 that can move in a direction parallel to the platen and four ink ribbon cassettes can be held side by side above the carriage 5-3 in parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 5-3. The stocker 5-1 and the ink ribbon cassette held at an arbitrary position of the stocker 5-1 are removed and mounted on the carriage 5-3, or the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage 5-3 is removed and the stocker 5-1 is arbitrarily set. It has a changer 5-2 that can be mounted at the position (not held by the ink ribbon cassette) and a paper feeder 5-4 that feeds a paper.

The stocker 5-1 has four stocker cassette holding sensors for detecting whether or not each of the four ink ribbon cassettes is held, and the stocker 5-for easy replacement of the ink ribbon cassette by the user. 1 has a stocker closing sensor for detecting whether or not it is open.

The changer 5-2 includes a changer upper end sensor for determining whether the stocker 5-1 is in the raised state and a changer lower end sensor for determining whether the stocker 5-1 is in the lowered state. Each has one. Further, the changer 5-2 has a motor for moving up and down and a driver for driving the motor.

The carriage 5-3 has one carriage cassette holding sensor for detecting whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held on the carriage 5-3, and detects the end of the ink ribbon during printing. One ink ribbon end sensor, one print head for printing and one driver for applying voltage to the print head, a motor for driving the carriage 5-3, a motor for bringing the print head into close contact with paper or winding the ink ribbon. , And one driver for driving these motors.

The paper feeder 5-4 has one paper sensor for judging whether paper is set, one motor for feeding the paper and one driver for driving the motor.

The outputs of the above-mentioned sensors are input to the control / arithmetic unit (CPU) 1 via the I / O port 6, and the above-mentioned respective drivers are connected to the control / arithmetic unit (CPU).
1 through I / O port 6.

3 to 13 are explanatory views of the printing apparatus (ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer) 5. In FIG. 3, the stocker 5-1 can hold the ink ribbon cassettes 5-5 to 5-8, and the stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1 to determine whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is held. 1 to
It has 5-1-4.

4 (1) and 4 (2) are explanatory views of the stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1 (other stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-2 to 5-1-4).
The same). Stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1
Uses a switch that turns on only when the protrusion is pushed down. In FIG. 4A, since the ink ribbon cassette is not held in the stocker 5-1, the stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1 is OFF. Figure 4
In (2), the ink ribbon cassette 5 is added to the stocker 5-1.
Since No. 5 is held, the protrusion is pushed and turned on.

In addition, the stocker 5-1 is provided so that the user can easily replace the ink ribbon cassette as shown in FIG.
A stocker closing sensor 5 that can be opened as in (1) and detects whether or not the stocker 5-1 is opened.
-1-5.

5 (1) and 5 (2) are explanatory views of the stocker closing sensor 5-1-5. The stocker closing sensor 5-1-5 uses a switch that is turned on only when the protrusion is pushed down. In FIG. 5 (1), the stocker 5-1
Is open, and the stocker close sensor 5-1-5
Is off. In FIG. 5 (2), the stocker 5-1
Since is closed, the protrusion is pushed and turned on.

The changer 5-2 is capable of moving the stocker 5-1 up and down, and carries out the operation of transferring the ink ribbon cassette between the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5-3. The changer 5-2 is a changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 and a changer lower end sensor 5
-2-3.

6 (1) to 6 (4) show a changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 and a changer lower end sensor 5-.
It is an explanatory view of 2-3. As shown in these drawings, the cam 5-2-1 rotates in synchronization with the operation of the changer 5-2 (when the stocker 5-1 operates from the upper end position to the lower end position, the cam 5-2-1 1 rotates 180 degrees).

When the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end position (0 °), the state of FIG. 6 (1) is reached, the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned on, and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is turned off. Becomes

Further, the stocker 5-1 is at the lower end position (180
6), the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned off and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is turned on.

The state shown in FIGS. 6 (2) and 6 (4) (the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 are both ON or both are OF.
The state (F) indicates that the stocker 5-1 is in the middle between the upper end and the lower end.

FIG. 7 shows a changer upper end sensor 5-2.
2 is a table showing the relationship between the output state of the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3, the angle of the cam 5-2-1, and the vertical position of the stocker 5-1. For example, when the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is ON and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is OFF, the cam 5-2
It can be seen that the angle of 1 is 0 ° and the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 5-3
Is guided by the shaft 5-9, moved in parallel with the platen 5-10 by a carriage driving mechanism (not shown), and printing can be performed by the print head 5-3-2.

A carriage left end sensor (not shown) which is turned on when the carriage 5-3 is moved to the left end
And the current position of the carriage 5-3 is recognized based on the movement distance from that position as the origin. (Since a stepping motor is used as a motor for moving the carriage 5-3, the moving distance can be recognized by the number of steps.)

The carriage 5-3 has a carriage cassette holding sensor 5-3-1.
It is possible to determine whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held at -3. Carriage cassette holding sensor 5-
3-1 is a stocker cassette holding sensor 5-1-1 to 5
The same switch as -1-4 is used. Further, the carriage 5-3 has an ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-3, which can detect the end of the ink ribbon during printing.

FIG. 8 shows an ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-
It is explanatory drawing of 3. In FIG. 8, the ink ribbon 5-7
-1 is a light emitting part 5 of the ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-3
It is sandwiched between the 3-3-1 and the light receiving unit 5-3-3-2.

An ink ribbon end mark 5-7-2 is provided near the end portion of the ink ribbon 5-7-1, and in this portion, a portion through which light passes and a portion through which light does not pass are alternately arranged. Normally, the ink ribbon hardly transmits light, and the light receiving section 5-3-3
-2 does not reach the light. However, the ink ribbon 5-7-1
Take up in the direction of the arrow, and
When 7-2 passes the ink ribbon end sensor 5-3-3, the light receiving unit 5-3-3-2 receives a pulse of light, converts it into an electric pulse and outputs it, so that the ink ribbon ends. It is possible to detect what has been done.

In FIG. 9, the changer 5-2 is the stocker 5-.
1 shows a state where 1 is raised. The carriage 5-3 has the platen 5-1 only when the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end.
It can move in a direction parallel to 0.

In FIG. 9, the stocker 5-1 holds the ink ribbon cassettes 5-5 to 5-8, and the carriage 5-3 does not hold the ink ribbon cassette. Here, in order to mount the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 on the carriage 5-3, as shown in FIG.
Is moved right below the ink ribbon cassette 5-7, and the stocker 5-1 is lowered by the changer 5-2.
After the carriage 5-3 holds the ink ribbon cassette 5-7, the stocker 5-1 is raised.

In addition, in order to move the carriage 5-3 directly under each ink ribbon cassette 5-5-5-8, a stepping motor (not shown) for moving the carriage 5-3 is provided (from the origin to each stocker). The number of steps (up to the position) is stored in advance in the storage device 3, and a value obtained by subtracting the number of steps at the current position of the carriage from the number of steps at the target stocker position is given to the stepping motor.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 is mounted on the carriage 5-3 and the stocker 5-1 is raised again by the changer 5-2. This causes the carriage 5-3 to move to the ink ribbon cassette 5
It is possible to perform the printing operation using -7.

Another ink ribbon cassette is attached to the carriage 5.
-3, you can move the carriage 5-3 to the position just below the vacant position of the stocker 5-1.
-2 lowers the stocker 5-1 to move the stocker 5
-1 holds the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 and then raises the stocker 5-1 to return the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 to the original position of the stocker 5-1. It can be attached in the same manner. In addition, the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5
The details of the method of delivering the ink ribbon cassette between the points # 3 and # 3 will be described later.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the stocker 5-1 is opened. When the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end position as shown in FIG. 9, the stocker 5-1 can be rotated around the stocker rotation shaft 5-1-6 to be opened, and the ink ribbon cassette 5-5 can be opened.
The user can replace 5-8. Further, the stocker 5-1 has a stocker closing sensor 5-1-5, and it is possible to judge whether or not the stocker 5-1 is in the opened state. The stocker closing sensor 5-1
5 has already been described with reference to FIG.

13 (1) to 13 (4) show the stocker 5
-1 and an ink ribbon cassette 5 between the carriage 5-3
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the delivery of the ink of FIG.
The external shapes of -5 to 5-8 are all the same, so the delivery method is also the same).

In FIG. 13A, the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 is held in the stocker 5-1 by the stocker fixed holding tabs 5-1-7 and the stocker movable holding tabs 5-1-8. Further, the carriage 5-3 has a plurality of carriage fixed holding tabs 5-3-4 for holding the ink ribbon cassette.

Here, when it is desired to mount the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 held in the stocker 5-1 on the carriage 5-3, a changer 5-2 (not shown in FIG. 13).
Lowers the stocker 5-1 as shown in FIG. 13 (2).

In FIG. 13 (2), the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 has a stocker 5-1 (stocker fixing and holding tab 5-).
1-7 and the stocker movable holding claw 5-1-8) and the carriage 5-3 (carriage holding claw 5-3-4).

Next, the changer 5-2 moves the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 in the arrow direction as shown in FIG. 13 (3). As a result, the stocker 5-1 has released the holding of the ink ribbon cassette 5-7.

Next, the changer 5-2 is connected to the stocker 5-1.
To rise. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 (4), the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 is held by the carriage 5-3, and the stocker 5-1 does not hold the ink ribbon cassette.

Conversely, when it is desired to return the ink ribbon cassette 5-7 held by the carriage 5-3 to the stocker 5-1 as shown in FIG. 13 (4), the changer 5-2 is as shown in FIG. 13 (3). Stocker movable holding claw 5-1-8
Is moved in the direction of the arrow to lower the stocker 5-1.
Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, the changer 5-2 returns the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 to the original state (holds the ink ribbon cassette 5-7) and raises the stocker 5-1.

The ink ribbon cassette holding force by the stocker fixed holding claws 5-1-7 and the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 is sufficiently stronger than the holding force by the carriage fixed holding claws 5-3-4. 13 is removed from the carriage 5-3 and mounted on the stocker 5-1 as shown in FIG. 13 (1).

The stocker 5-1 has as many stocker movable holding tabs 5-1-8 as the number of ink ribbon cassettes that can be held (four in this embodiment).
Only the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 at the position in contact with the carriage 5-3 when the stocker 5-1 is moved down can be moved by 2.

The changer 5-2 is the stocker 5-.
Whether the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 are moved when raising or lowering 1 is determined by the stocker 5-1.
Can be selected by a claw moving cam (not shown) rotated by a changer motor (not shown) for raising or lowering.

The claw moving cam is the cam 5 shown in FIG.
Like the 2-1, it rotates in synchronization with the operation of the changer 5-2, 180 ° (stocker 5-1 lower end) to 270 °
There is a convex portion at a position (the stocker 5-1 is in the middle), and the movable stocker holding claw is moved by this convex portion.

That is, when the changer motor (not shown) raises the stocker 5-1 in the rotation direction of 180 ° → 270 ° → 360 ° (0 °), the stocker movable holding tab 5 is moved.
-1-8 moves. When the stocker 5-1 is raised in the rotation direction of 180 ° → 90 ° → 0 °, the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 do not move.

14 (1) and 14 (2) are explanatory views showing a sectional state of the ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer of this embodiment. FIG. 14 (1) shows a state where the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end, and FIG. 14 (2) shows a stocker 5
-1 represents the state at the bottom.

In FIGS. 14 (1) and 14 (2), the print paper 5-4-3 is fed in the direction of the arrow by the paper feed roller 5-4-2, and the platen 5-10 and the print head 5- are fed. It is inserted between 3-2.

When the printing paper 5-4-3 is inserted, the paper presence / absence sensor 5-4-1 is turned on and detects that the paper is inserted. In addition, the paper presence sensor 5-
4-1 is a carriage cassette presence sensor 5-3-1
The same switch (switch that turns on only when the protrusion is pressed) is used, and when the paper is inserted, the protrusion is pressed and the output is turned on.

In FIG. 14 (1), the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end, but if the printing paper 5-4-3 is conveyed in this state,
The leading end of the printing paper 5-4-3 hits the lower end of the stocker 5-1 and causes a paper jam.

In FIG. 14 (2), the stocker 5-1 is at the lower end, and in this state, the printing paper 5-4-3 does not hit the lower end of the stocker 5-1 and the front part of the stocker 5-1. Guides can be used for smooth transport.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the processing contents for preventing the movement of the carriage when the changer is not in the carriage movable state. In this embodiment,
The changer 5-2 moves the stocker 5-1 up and down in order to transfer the ink ribbon cassette between the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5-3. However, even if an attempt is made to move the carriage 5-3 when the stocker 5-1 is not in the raised state, the carriage 5-3 hits the stocker 5-1 and cannot move, which causes a failure. In the processing, control is performed so that the carriage 5-3 is not moved unless the stocker 5-1 is in the raised state.

When the carriage 5-3 is instructed to move, the flow of FIG. 15 is started. First step S
At 101, it is determined whether the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is ON or OFF. If ON, the process proceeds to step S102, and if OFF, the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S102, it is determined whether the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is ON or OFF. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S103, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S103, the changer top sensor 5-2-2 is OFF, or the changer top sensor 5-2-2 is ON and the changer bottom sensor 5-2-3 is ON. Is not at the upper end and the carriage 5-3 cannot move. Therefore, the changer 5-3 raises the stocker 5-1 and shifts to step S104.

On the other hand, in step S104, since the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is ON and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is OFF, it can be seen from FIG. 7 that the stocker position is at the upper end, and the carriage 5
-3 is performed, and this processing ends. By the above processing, the movement of the carriage is blocked when the changer is not in the carriage movable state.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the processing contents for stopping the operation of the changer when the changer does not reach the intended state.

In this embodiment, the changer 5-2 moves the stocker 5-1 up and down in order to transfer the ink ribbon cassette between the stocker 5-1 and the carriage 5-3. However, for some reason (for example, the carriage 5-3 is moved by the user, or the stocker 5-3 is moved).
Stocker 1 when something is placed on top of 1)
If the changer 5-2 is operated when the changer 5-2 cannot be moved, a load is applied to the changer motor and the like, which may cause a failure. If the state does not reach, the changer 5-2 is controlled to stop its operation.

The predetermined time is set in advance to an optimum value (a value sufficiently larger than the time required for normal operation and sufficiently smaller than the time when problems such as motor overheating occur) according to the specifications of the ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer. , Stored in the storage device 3.

When an operation instruction is given to the changer 5-2, the flow of FIG. 16 is started. First, in step S201, a timer for measuring time is initialized. The timer is included in the control / arithmetic unit 1.

In step S202, the changer 5-2
The operation (the stocker 5-1 is moved up or down) is started. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the operation of the changer 5-2 is finished, by the changer upper end sensor 5-2.
2 and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3, and if it is completed, the present process is terminated, and if not completed, the process proceeds to step S204.

If the operation of the changer 5-2 is the raising of the stocker 5-1, the changer upper end sensor 5
-2-2 is ON, changer bottom sensor is OFF
If it is, the changer is judged to have finished and the changer 5-
If the operation of 2 is the lowering of the stocker 5-1, it is judged that the operation has ended when the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is OFF and the changer lower end sensor is ON.

In step S204, the timer of the arithmetic / control means 1 and the set time stored in the storage device 3 are referred to, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the changer 5-2 started operating. If it has not elapsed, the process returns to step S203, and if it has elapsed, step S20.
Go to 5.

In step S205, since the changer 5-2 has not finished its operation despite the lapse of a predetermined time, it is determined that the ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer has an abnormality, and the display device 4 is operated.
A message such as "A printer error has occurred. Please turn off the power" is displayed to notify the user of the error, and this processing ends. When this message is displayed, the user notices an abnormality in the printer, and if there is an object on the stocker, remove it and turn off the power.

When the power is turned on again, the system initializes the printer, and if the abnormality of the printer is removed, printing can be performed normally. Through the above processing, when the changer does not reach the desired state, the changer operation is stopped.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for automatically shifting the changer from the carriage movable state to the ribbon exchange state after the printing operation is completed. In this process, to make it easier for the user to insert printing paper into the ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer (to prevent paper jams), and to lower the height of the housing that houses the ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer, printing is completed. After that, control is performed so that the stocker 5-1 is in a lowered state.

When printing is started by the ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer, the flow of FIG. 17 is started. First, in step S302, a printing process is performed, and it is determined whether or not printing is completed in step S302. If not completed, the process returns to step S301, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S303.

In step S303, the carriage 5-3
It is determined whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held above. If not held, the process proceeds to step S307, and if held, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the carriage 5-3
In order to return the upper ink ribbon cassette to the original position of the stocker 5-1, the carriage 5-3 is moved right below the corresponding holding position of the stocker 5-1.

In step S305, the changer 5-
2 lowers the stocker 5-1. As a result, the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage 5-3 is held by both the carriage 5-3 and the stocker 5-1.

At step S306, the changer 5-
2 raises the stocker 5-1 without moving the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 (holding the ink ribbon cassette). Steps S304 to S30 described above
By the processing of 6, the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage 5-3 is delivered to the stocker 5-1. Next, in step S307, the carriage 5-3 is moved to the home position.

In the conventional printer, the home position of the carriage 5-3 is set at the central position in order to smoothly convey the printing paper, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2582767. However, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, since the printing paper is smoothly conveyed by setting the stocker 5-1 in the lowered state, the home position of the carriage 5-3 may be set anywhere. For example, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the black ink ribbon cassette, which is most often used, is held at the left end position of the stocker 5-1. However, other positions may be used as home positions. In step S308, the changer 5-
2 moves down the stocker 5-1 without moving the stocker movable holding claws 5-1-8 (holding the ink ribbon cassette).

With the above processing, the changer is automatically moved from the carriage movable state to the ribbon exchange state after the printing operation is completed. Since steps S304 and S307 are the movement processing of the carriage 5-3, the processing of blocking the movement of the carriage when the changer is not in the movement movable state is also performed at the same time.

Further, steps S305 and S30
Since 6 and step S308 are the operations of the changer 5-2 (moving the stocker 5-1 up and down), the operation of stopping the operation of the changer when the changer does not reach the intended state is also performed at the same time.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for automatically shifting the changer from the carriage movable state to the ribbon exchange state when the power is turned on. This process is performed so that the user can easily insert print paper into the Ink Ribbon Cassette Auto Changer Printer (to prevent paper jams) and to lower the height of the housing that houses the Ink Ribbon Cassette Auto Changer Printer. At this time, if the stocker 5-1 is not in the lowered state (for example, when the power is cut off during printing), the control is performed to lower the stocker 5-1.

Ink Ribbon Cassette Auto Changer When the printer system is powered on, as shown in FIG.
Flow 8 is started. First, in step S401, whether the changer top sensor 5-2-2 is ON or OFF
If it is ON, go to step S402.
If it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S403.

In step S402, it is determined whether the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is ON or OFF. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S404 and OFF.
If so, since the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is ON and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is OFF, as can be seen from FIG. 7, it is determined that the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end, and the process proceeds to step S405. To do.

In step S403, it is determined whether the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is ON or OFF. If ON, changer top sensor 5-
2-2 is OFF and changer bottom sensor 5-2
Since 3 is ON, the stocker 5-1 is at the lower end as shown in FIG. 7, so the power supply was shut off normally before the power was turned on (the power was shut off when printing was not performed). ) And terminates this processing. If it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned on and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is turned on, or the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned off and the changer lower end sensor 5 is turned on.
7, the changer 5-2 once lowers the stocker 5-1 to move the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage 5-3 to the stocker 5-1. The stocker 5-1 is raised and the stocker 5-1 is raised, and the process proceeds to step S405.

On the other hand, in step S405, the stocker 5-
Since 1 is at the upper end and the carriage 5-3 is movable, the carriage 5-3 is moved to the home position.
This is because the carriage 5-3 is moved to the home position (the position where the black ink ribbon cassette that is considered to be most used is held) so that the print start process can be performed efficiently.

Finally, in step S406, the changer 5-2 lowers the stocker 5-1 to end this processing. Through the above processing, the power changer automatically shifts the changer from the carriage movable state to the ribbon exchange state.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for preventing the stocker from being raised until the printing paper is inserted. This process raises the stocker 5-1 until it is confirmed that the paper is inserted so that the user can easily insert the printing paper into the ink ribbon cassette auto changer printer (to prevent paper jam) at the start of printing. The control is performed so as not to allow it.

When the user instructs the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system to start printing, or when the paper is finished during printing and the next paper is required, the flow of FIG. 19 is started. First, in step S501, it is determined by the paper presence sensor 5-4-1 whether or not a print paper is inserted. If not, the process proceeds to step S502, and if inserted, the process proceeds to step S509.

In step S502, it is determined whether the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is ON or OFF. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S503, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S504.

In step S503, it is determined whether the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is ON or OFF. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S505 and OFF.
If so, since the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is ON and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is OFF, it is determined that the stocker 51 is at the upper end, as shown in FIG. 7, and the process proceeds to step S506.

On the other hand, in step S504, it is determined whether the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is ON or OFF.
2-2 is OFF and changer bottom sensor 5-2
Since 3 is ON, as can be seen from Fig. 7, stocker 5-1
Is determined to be at the lower end, the process proceeds to step S508,
If it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S505.

At step S505, the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned on and the changer lower end sensor 5-2-3 is turned on, or the changer upper end sensor 5-2-2 is turned off and the changer lower end sensor 5 is turned on.
-2-3 is OFF, so you can see from FIG.
The stocker position is in the middle, so the changer 5
-2 once lowers the stocker 5-1 to move the carriage 5-
The ink ribbon cassette on the upper side of No. 3 is held by the stocker 5-1 and the stocker 5-1 is raised.

In step S506, since the stocker 5-1 is at the upper end and the carriage 5-3 is movable, the carriage 5-2 is moved to the home position. If the type (color) of the next ink ribbon cassette to be used is already known (such as when the paper is finished in the middle of printing), the position of the stocker 5-1 where the used ink ribbon cassette is held is changed. Underneath the carriage 5
-2 may be moved. As a result, the time required to start printing can be shortened.

In step S507, the changer 5-2
Lowers the stocker 5-1 and moves to step S508. In step S508, a message such as "Please set printing paper in the printer" is displayed on the display device 4 to notify the user to insert the paper, and the process returns to step S501. Although not used in this embodiment, if there is an automatic paper feeding device, it may be controlled to insert the paper here.

When it is confirmed in step S501 that the paper has been inserted, the printing process is started in step S509 and the present process is terminated. Through the above processing, the stocker is prevented from rising until the printing paper is inserted.

FIG. 20 shows the contents of the process for holding and raising the ink ribbon cassette when the stocker is raised at the start of printing, and when the type of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage cannot be recognized, the ink ribbon cassette stored state of the stocker is changed to the carriage. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for recognizing the type of the upper ink ribbon cassette.

In this processing, in order to shorten the processing time until the start of printing, when the changer 52 raises the stocker 5-1 at the start of printing, the ink ribbon cassette is held and raised, or opened and raised. This is to control.

When the type of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage cannot be recognized by a normal method (when the position of the carriage cannot be recognized immediately after power-on, when the ink ribbon cassette is already held on the carriage at power-on). In addition, the type of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage is recognized from the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the stocker.

When the user instructs the ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system to start printing, the flow of FIG. 20 is started. It is assumed that the printing paper is already inserted in the printer, and the stocker 5-1 is in the lowered state.
It is assumed that four ink ribbon cassettes B, Y, M, C (black, yellow, magenta, cyan) are held in order from the left end, and the state is stored in the storage device 3 as shown in FIG. It has been done.

In FIG. 20, first, in step S601, the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette used first at the start of printing is recognized by referring to the print data stored in the storage device 3 (the color is specified in the print data. If not, it will be black.).

In step S602, it is determined whether or not the current position of the carriage 5-3 is known. If it is known, the process proceeds to step S603, and if it is not known, the process proceeds to step S610.

The position of the carriage 5-3 can be recognized by
There is a carriage left end position sensor (not shown) that turns on when the carriage 5-3 is moved to the left end, and that position is used as the origin, and the position of the carriage 5-3 is recognized by the movement distance from that position. For example, if the printer is not initialized (the carriage 5-3 is moved to the origin) after the power is turned on, the current position of the carriage 5-3 cannot be recognized.

In step S603, since the position of the carriage 5-3 is known, the carriage 5-3 can be detected accordingly.
Recognize the type of ink ribbon cassette held on the top (the stocker 5-1 reads B, Y, M, C in order from the left end).
Since the fact that the four ink ribbon cassettes are held is stored in the storage device 3 as shown in FIG. 21, the position of the carriage 5-3 is, for example, the stocker 5-3.
If it is found that the ink ribbon cassette is at the left end position of 1, the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage 5-3 can be recognized as "black" from FIG. ).

At step S603, the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage 5-3 recognized at step S603 and the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette initially used at the start of printing recognized at step S601. It is determined whether they are the same, and if they are the same, the process proceeds to step S608, and if they are not the same, step S60.
Go to 5.

In step S605, the carriage 5-3
Since the ink ribbon cassette held in No. 1 is not used first, the changer 5-2 holds the ink ribbon cassette and raises the stocker 5-1.

In step S606, step S601
In the carriage 5 until the position immediately below the position where the ink ribbon cassette used for the first time when printing is recognized is recognized.
Move -3. (For example, when the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette to be used first recognized in step S601 is “cyan”, the carriage 5-1 is selected from FIG. 21.
You can move to the right end. )

At step S607, the changer 5-
2 lowers the stocker 5-1. In step S608, the changer 5-2 raises the stocker 5-1 while leaving the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage 5-3.

In step S609, step S601
Since the ink ribbon cassette that is used first at the start of printing recognized in step 3 is held by the carriage 6-3, printing is started using this, and this processing ends.

On the other hand, in step S602, the carriage 5-
If it is determined that the current position of No. 3 is unknown, the process proceeds to step S610. In step S610, the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the stocker 5-1 is determined by the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4. It is detected and stored in the storage device 3. (Here is stocker 5-
Since the four ink ribbon cassettes B, Y, M, and C are held in order from the left in FIG. 1, they are stored as shown in FIG. ) In step S611, the changer 5-2 leaves the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage 5-3 and leaves the stocker 5 behind.
Increase -1.

In step S612, the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the stocker 5-1 is again detected by the stocker cassette holding sensors 5-1-1 to 5-1-4 and compared with the value stored in step S610. As a result of the comparison, it is recognized that the ink ribbon cassette of the type in which the position is changed from “present” to “absent” is the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage 5-3.

For example, if the stored contents in step S610 are shown in FIG. 22 (1) and the detection result in step S612 is shown in FIG. 22 (2), the left end has changed and the result shown in FIG.
From the contents stored in the storage device 3 as in No. 1, it can be recognized that the "black" ink ribbon cassette is held by the carriage 5-3.

The ink ribbon cassette is the stocker 5
-1 is held in the carriage 5-3, and one is held in the carriage 5-3, the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette held in the carriage 5-3 is held in the stocker 5-1. Can be recognized from a position not present.

For example, the carriage 5-3 holds one ink ribbon cassette, and the stocker 5-1 is shown in FIG.
In the case of the state of 2 (2), it can be recognized that the “black” ink ribbon cassette is held by the carriage 5-3 without comparing with FIG. 22 (1).

In step S613, the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette held on the recognition carriage 5-3 in step S612 is the same as the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette first used at the start of printing recognized in step S601. If they are the same, the process proceeds to step S609, and if they are not the same, the process proceeds to step S614. In step S614, the changer 5-2
Lowers the stocker 5-1 to move to step S605, and the rest is as described above.

The stocker cassette holding sensor 5-
In the case of a system that does not have 1-1 to 5-1-4, if it is determined in step S602 that the position of the carriage 5-3 is unknown, it is preferable to immediately proceed to step S605.

The stocker cassette holding sensor 5-
Even in the case of a system having 1-1 to 5-1-4,
The effect of performing the process of the step S610 (shortening the time until the start of printing) is that the type (color) of the ink ribbon cassette held in the carriage 5-3 is the ink ribbon cassette used first detected in step S601. If it is the same as the type (color) of the set and there is a high possibility that they are different (for example, if the color recognized in step S601 is other than “black”), then immediately step S
It is better to move to 605.

Through the above processing, when raising the stocker at the start of printing, it is determined whether or not the ink ribbon cassette is held and raised. When the type of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage cannot be recognized, the type of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage is recognized from the ink ribbon cassette stored state of the stocker.

[0173]

According to the present invention, when the carriage is moved, it is detected whether the changer is in the ribbon transfer state or the carriage movable state, and when the carriage is not movable, the carriage movement is detected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent troubles and accidents such as the stocker colliding with the carriage and the carriage drive motor overheating.

Further, according to the present invention, if the structure for providing the time measuring means and the changer stopping means is provided, when the carriage is moved for some reason or when an object is placed on the stocker, It is possible to prevent a failure or an accident in which the changer mechanism is broken.

When a changer automatic transfer means at the end of printing is further provided, it is possible to smoothly insert the printing paper (prevent jamming of the printing paper) at the time of the next printing, and also increase the height of the housing. It can be kept low.

When the changer automatic transfer means at power-on is further provided, even if the changer is not in the ribbon transfer state at power-on, the printing paper can be smoothly inserted when printing is performed in the future. .

When the paper detecting means, the print start instructing means, and the paper state determining means are further provided, it is possible to prevent the changer from moving when the print paper is not set, and to smoothly insert the print paper ( It is possible to prevent jamming of printing paper. Further, the user can be prompted to insert the printing paper.

When the carriage ribbon type recognizing means, the printing ribbon type storing means and the ribbon type transferring means are further provided, if the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage is the first used ink ribbon cassette, the ink ribbon cassette is replaced. Is not performed, it is possible to shorten the time until the start of printing.

Further, according to the present invention, since the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage can be discriminated from the position of the ink ribbon cassette taken out from the stocker, the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage. Even if the type of the ink ribbon cassette cannot be recognized, the type of the ink ribbon cassette can be determined from the storage state of the stocker. Therefore, it is possible to omit a wasteful operation of returning the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage to the stocker and mounting it again on the carriage, and it is possible to shorten the time until the start of printing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an ink ribbon cassette is held by a stocker.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage state of a stocker.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the stocker is opened.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a changer upper end sensor and a changer lower end sensor.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for determining the vertical position of the stocker from the ON / OFF state of the changer upper end sensor and the changer lower end sensor.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an ink ribbon end sensor.

FIG. 9 is an overall view of an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer in an example.

FIG. 10 is an overall view of an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer in an example.

FIG. 11 is an overall view of an ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer in an example.

FIG. 12 is an overall view of the ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer in the embodiment, showing a state in which the stocker is opened.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing how the ink ribbon cassette is delivered between the stocker and the carriage.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for preventing movement of the carriage when the changer is not in the carriage movable state.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for stopping the operation of the changer when the changer does not reach the intended state.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for automatically shifting the changer from the carriage movable state to the ribbon replacement state after the printing operation is completed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing processing contents for automatically shifting the changer from the carriage movable state to the ribbon exchange state when the power is turned on.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for preventing the stocker from being raised until the printing paper is inserted.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the process contents of whether to hold and raise the ink ribbon cassette when raising the stocker at the start of printing, and when the type of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage cannot be recognized, from the stocker ink ribbon cassette storage state to the carriage state. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for recognizing the type of ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the type of ink ribbon cassette held in the stocker is stored.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the ink ribbon cassette holding state of the stocker is stored.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional color ink ribbon.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional color ink ribbon.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a side surface of a conventional ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional printer.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional printer.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Control / arithmetic unit (CPU) 2 Input device 3 Storage device 4 Display device 5 Printing device 5-1 Stocker 5-2 Changer 5-3 Carriage 5-4 Paper feeder 5-5, 5-6, 5-7, 5 -8 Ink ribbon cassette 5-9 Carriage guide shaft 5-10 Platen

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A carriage that has a print head and is movable while holding an ink ribbon cassette; a stocker that stores the ink ribbon cassette in a removable manner; and a stocker and a carriage that are close to each other to transfer the ink ribbon cassette. A changer that shifts to two states, a ribbon delivery state to be performed and a carriage movable state in which the carriage is movable by separating them, and it is detected whether the changer is in the ribbon delivery state or the carriage movable state. An ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system comprising changer state detection means and control means for preventing movement of the carriage when the changer is not in a carriage movable state. 2. A carriage that has a print head and is movable while holding an ink ribbon cassette, a stocker that stores the ink ribbon cassette in a removable manner, and a stocker and a carriage that are close to each other to transfer the ink ribbon cassette. A changer that shifts to two states, a ribbon delivery state to be performed and a carriage movable state in which the carriage is movable by separating them, and it is detected whether the changer is in the ribbon delivery state or the carriage movable state. The changer state detecting means, a time measuring means for measuring the time from the ribbon transferable state to the carriage movable state, and a time from the carriage movable state to the ribbon transferable state, and a time measuring means are predetermined. Purpose even if time is counted When it became a state of is not detected from the changer state detection means, the ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system comprising comprising a changer stopping means for stopping the changer migration operation. 3. The ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic changer at the end of printing for automatically changing the changer from the carriage movable state to the ribbon transfer state after the carriage printing operation is completed. . 4. When the power is turned on, when the changer state detected by the changer state detecting means is not the ribbon delivery state, the power-on changer automatic transition means for automatically shifting the changer to the ribbon delivery state is further provided. The ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. A paper detecting means for detecting a set state of print paper, a print start instruction means for instructing print start, and a print sheet set state is detected when print start is instructed, When the setting is completed, move the changer from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state, and when the printing paper is not set,
2. The ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system according to claim 1, further comprising a paper state determination means for notifying that the printing paper is not set. 6. A carriage ribbon type recognition means for recognizing the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage, a printing ribbon type storage means for storing the type of the ink ribbon cassette used first at the time of printing, and an instruction to start printing. At this time, the type of the ink ribbon cassette held by the carriage is recognized, and if the recognized type is the same as the type stored in the print ribbon type storage means, the carriage holds the ink ribbon cassette, When the changer is moved from the ribbon transfer state to the carriage movable state and the recognized type is different from the type stored in the print ribbon type storage means, or when the type of the ink ribbon cassette held on the carriage cannot be recognized. , With the ink ribbon cassette removed from the carriage The ink ribbon cassette automatic changer printer system further comprising comprising claim 1, wherein the ribbon type transition means for shifting the changer from the ribbon delivery state to the carriage movable state. 7. A carriage having a print head, capable of holding and moving an ink ribbon cassette, and accommodating a plurality of ink ribbon cassettes removably,
A stocker having storage detection means for detecting whether or not each ink ribbon cassette is stored; a ribbon delivery state in which the stocker and the carriage are brought close to each other to deliver the ink ribbon cassette; and a carriage separated from each other. Of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the stocker for each storage position, and a stocker ribbon type storage means for storing the type of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the stocker. The position of the ink ribbon cassette is detected by the storage detection means, and the type of the ink ribbon cassette held in the carriage is determined from the detected position and the type of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the stocker ribbon type storage means. Equipped with means Ink ribbon cassette autochanger printer system.