JPH10119332A - Medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a whole printed portion from being shifted even when expansion or contraction of printing occurs by a constitution wherein a means for detecting a diameter of a wound ink ribbon and changing a printing start position with respect to a direction of medium conveying in accordance with the diameter. SOLUTION: A printing start position selecting means 23 inspects as to which stage stored in a memory section 25 corresponds to the number of pulses counted by a counter 22 at the issuing of a ticket in the previous time and determines the printing start position by virtue of the number of pulses for setting the top of form. The printing start position is corrected in accordance with a diameter of a wound ink ribbon 4, so that it is possible to prevent the one-sided printing which may occur due to presence or absence of a load of the ink ribbon 4 and to prevent a whole print position from being shifted. As a result, even when a medium 9 has a cutting line in the way thereof and is required for being cut, it is possible to prevent an end position of printing from being shifted so that the printing result is not overlapped with the cutting line of the medium 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus having a function of performing printing processing on a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional medium processing apparatus, as a method of printing on a medium, there is a method capable of performing both thermal transfer printing using an ink ribbon and direct thermal printing without using an ink ribbon. . When performing thermal transfer printing in such a medium processing apparatus, the ink ribbon is wound around a winding shaft and a supply shaft, and the ink ribbon is moved by rotating the winding shaft. Note that the winding force of the ink ribbon is always constant.

[0003] The medium on which printing is performed is conveyed by a rotating platen, and in the case of thermal transfer printing, printing is performed by being sandwiched between a thermal head and a platen via an ink ribbon to melt ink. Will be In the case of direct thermal printing, printing is performed while being conveyed while being sandwiched between a thermal head and a platen.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional medium processing apparatus, if the winding diameter of the ink ribbon on the supply shaft is large, the pulling force of the ink ribbon on the winding shaft is constant.
Since the load due to the contact with the ink ribbon is large, the transport speed of the medium is reduced, and the printing may be reduced.
On the other hand, if the winding diameter of the ink ribbon on the supply shaft is small, the ink ribbon pulling force on the winding shaft is constant, but the load on the ink ribbon on the supply shaft is small. In some cases, the force is increased, the transport speed of the medium is increased, and the printing is elongated.

In the case of thermal transfer printing using an ink ribbon, when the ink melts, the medium and the ink ribbon are in a state of being bonded. Then, since the medium is not only transported by the platen but also pulled by the ink ribbon, the transport speed of the medium is increased and the printing may be extended. When the print amount is small, there are few places where the medium and the ink ribbon are bonded, so that the conveyance speed is not affected.However, when the print amount is large, the place where the medium and the ink ribbon are bonded increases, so In some cases, the amount pulled by the ink ribbon increases, the transport speed increases, and printing may be extended.

Further, when the platen is made of rubber, the diameter of the platen may change due to a change in temperature, and if the diameter of the platen changes, the transport speed of the medium changes. Then, even in the thermal transfer printing using the ink ribbon or the direct thermal printing without using the ink ribbon, the printing may be elongated or shrunk.

[0007] When the print is stretched or shrunk, the print end position is deviated and the print quality is degraded.

[0008] For example, if there is a cut line like a perforation in the middle of the medium and the printing end position is shifted,
In some cases, the printing position was over the cut line of the medium. It may not be possible to print on the cut line.
Even if printing can be performed on the cut line, if the medium is cut along the cut line after printing on the medium, there is a problem that the printed characters are cut off.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first solution provided by the present invention is to wrap an ink ribbon around a winding shaft and a supply shaft and rotate the winding shaft to form an ink. In a medium processing apparatus that prints on a medium by a print head via an ink ribbon while transporting the medium by moving the ribbon and rotating a platen, the winding diameter of the ink ribbon is detected, and according to the winding diameter. This changes the print start position with respect to the transport direction of the medium.

[0010] The ink ribbon load changes according to the ink ribbon winding diameter. Therefore, according to the ink ribbon winding diameter,
By changing the print start position, it is possible to cope with print expansion and contraction.

A second solution provided in the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is that an ink ribbon is wound around a winding shaft and a supply shaft, and the ink ribbon is moved by rotating the winding shaft. While the medium is being conveyed by rotating the platen, printing is performed on the medium by the print head via the ink ribbon, and the medium processing apparatus that also performs direct thermal printing detects the ambient temperature near the platen and detects the ambient temperature. The printing start position is changed depending on the temperature and whether or not printing is performed using the ink ribbon.

The diameter of the platen changes according to the ambient temperature near the platen, and the transport speed of the medium changes. Therefore, the surrounding temperature near the platen is detected, and the elongation or shrinkage of the print is handled based on the detected temperature. In addition, the presence or absence of an ink ribbon affects the speed at which the medium is conveyed. I do.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a printing unit 1 of a medium processing apparatus is provided with a take-up shaft 2 and a supply shaft 3, and an ink ribbon 4 is wound around each of them. The take-up shaft 2 is rotated by a take-up motor 5, and the supply shaft 3 is rotated by a rewind motor 6. The motors 5 and 6 are rotated so that the ink ribbon 4 moves in the direction of arrow C, that is, in the direction from the supply shaft 3 to the winding shaft 2.
The motors 5 and 6 can be rotationally driven to move in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction from the winding shaft 2 to the supply shaft 3.

A thermal head 7 and a platen 8 are provided between the winding shaft 2 and the supply shaft 3, and the ink ribbon 4 is sandwiched between the thermal head 7 and the platen 8 together with the medium 9. . Note that the medium 9 is conveyed in a medium conveyance path 17 indicated by a dashed line in the direction of arrow D.
A medium detection sensor 14 for detecting the medium 9 is provided at a predetermined distance upstream of the thermal head 7 in the medium transport direction.

The platen 8 is driven to rotate by a platen motor 10. A slit disk 11 is provided coaxially with the supply shaft 3. The slit disk 11 is provided so as to rotate integrally with the supply shaft 3, and a plurality of slits 12 are radially formed on the plate surface. An optical sensor 13 is provided so as to sandwich the slit disk 11. The optical sensor 13 detects the slit 12 by rotating the slit disk 11. Normally, printing on the medium 9 is started after the platen 8 conveys the medium 9 by a specified value after the medium detection sensor 14 detects the medium 9.

In FIG. 2, a control section 21 controls the entire operation of the printing section 1 and is constituted by a microprocessor or the like, and internally includes a counter 22, a printing start position selecting section 23, and a storage section 25. I have. The storage section 25 stores the number of print start pulses in six stages, for example, according to the number of pulses counted by the counter 22. The number of print start pulses is the number of pulses obtained by adding a certain value to the specified value to change the print start position or the number of pulses obtained by subtracting a certain value from the specified value. Media 9 after detecting
This is the number of pulses for driving the platen motor 10 to rotate before printing to the printer starts.

The printing start position selecting unit 23 checks at which stage the number of pulses counted by the counter 22 matches the stage stored in the storage unit 25 when the ticket is issued last time, and determines the number of print start cueing pulses. decide. Thus, the print start position is determined.

The control unit 21 is connected to the optical sensor 13, the medium detection sensor 14, the drive circuit 24, and the head drive unit 20. The output signal from the optical sensor 13 is sent to the counter 22 of the control unit 21, where the number of pulses is counted. When detecting the medium 9, the medium detection sensor 14 sends an ON signal to the control unit 21. The drive circuit 24 is connected to the above-described motors 5, 6, and 10, and drives these motors to rotate. Upon receiving an instruction from the control unit 21, the head driving unit 20 generates heat from the thermal head 7.

Next, a detection method for detecting a change amount of the ink ribbon will be described. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the ink ribbon 4 has not been used much yet. As can be seen from FIG. 3, when the ink ribbon 4 is not used so much, the winding diameter of the supply shaft 3 is large. Therefore, when the ink ribbon 4 is moved at a constant speed, the rotation speed of the supply shaft 3 is low. That is, the rotation speed of the slit disk 11 is low. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, when the ink ribbon 4 is used and the remaining amount decreases, the winding diameter of the supply shaft 3 decreases. Therefore, in this case, when the ink ribbon 4 is moved at a constant speed, the rotation speed of the supply shaft 3 increases. That is, the rotation speed of the slit disk 11 increases.

The optical sensor 13 detects the slits 12 and generates pulses corresponding to the number of slits 12 detected. Control unit 2
This pulse is input to 1 and the number of pulses is counted by the counter 22 for a certain period of time. When the rotation speed of the slit disk 11 is low, the number of pulses counted by the counter 22 is small, and when the rotation speed of the slit disk 11 is high, the number of pulses counted by the counter 22 is large. FIG.
5A shows a pulse input to the control unit 21 at a certain time t. FIG. 5A shows a case where the rotation speed of the slit disk 11 is low, and FIG.
Shows the case where the rotation speed of is high.

FIG. 5 shows the variation of the pulse number and the ink ribbon 4.
6 is a graph showing a relationship between the actual remaining amount and the remaining amount. In the figure, the vertical axis indicates the remaining diameter of the ink ribbon, and the horizontal axis indicates the number of detected pulses. As can be seen from this figure, as the number of detected pulses increases, the remaining amount of the ink ribbon 4 decreases.

The pulses detected by the optical sensor 13 are counted by a counter 22 and the count value x is sent to a print start position selecting section 23. Note that the count value x counted at the time of issuing a ticket becomes data used at the time of issuing the next ticket. That is, the count value x used to determine the number of print cue pulses is the value counted by the counter 22 at the time of the previous ticket issuance.

The control unit 21 calls an appropriate printing start position from the storage data of the storage unit 25 based on the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3 detected at the time of the previous ticketing. The drive start timing of the head drive unit 20 is determined.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
The description will be made according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, a ticketing printer will be described as a medium processing device.

First, an initial operation is performed in step S1. Next, when a ticketing instruction is issued in step S2, the change amount of the ink ribbon 4 at the time of the previous ticketing is detected in step S3. The printing start position selection unit 23 checks to which stage the count value x at the previous printing coincides with the value stored in the storage unit 25, and stores it in the storage unit 25 for changing the printing start position for the count value x. An appropriate number of pulses is selected from the six steps of the number of print start pulses that have been performed.

In step S4, the number of pulses for determining the print start position is set. Ticketing processing is started in step S5. In step S6, it is determined whether the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, and if the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control unit 21 drives the platen motor 10 to rotate by the number of pulses set in step S4, and conveys the medium 9. When the platen motor 10 is rotationally driven by the number of pulses set in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9,
In step S9, assuming that the set number of pulses has elapsed, the thermal head 7 is heated via the head drive unit 20, and thermal transfer printing to the medium 9 is started.
If printing on the medium 9 is completed, the process proceeds to step S11.
Proceed to. In step S11, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

In the first embodiment, the printing start position is corrected in accordance with the diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3 so that printing can be performed according to the presence or absence of a load on the ink ribbon 4. Is eliminated, and the entire printing position is not largely shifted. As a result, there is a cut line in the middle of the medium 9, and even if the medium 9 needs to be cut, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a shift in the print end position. Will not be bridged.

In this embodiment, the supply shaft 3
Although the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the winding shaft 2 is detected, the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the winding shaft 2 may be detected.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in a medium processing apparatus that performs both thermal transfer printing and direct thermal printing, the control of the printing start position is changed depending on the printing difference.

In FIG. 7, a ribbon set detection lever 15 is urged toward the supply shaft 3 by an urging member (not shown). This ribbon set detection lever 15
Is opposed to a ribbon set detection sensor described later. When the ink ribbon 4 is wound around the supply shaft 3, one end of the ribbon set detection lever 15 is opposed to the ribbon set detection sensor. , The ribbon set detection sensor is turned on. On the other hand, if the ink ribbon is not wound around the supply shaft 3, the ribbon set detection lever 15
Pivots greatly in the direction of the supply shaft 3, so that the ribbon set detection lever 15 which is opposed to the ribbon set detection sensor
Of the ribbon set detection sensor does not detect one end of the ribbon set detection lever 15, that is, it is turned off.

In FIG. 8, a ribbon set detection sensor 16 is connected to the control unit 26. The output change of the ribbon set detection sensor 16 determines whether the transfer is thermal transfer printing or direct thermal printing. You.
That is, if the ribbon set detection sensor 16 has not detected one end of the ribbon set detection lever 15 before the ticketing operation,
Direct thermal printing is performed.

The control unit 26 includes a counter 22 similar to that described above, a print start position selecting unit 23, and a first storage unit 18 that stores the same contents as those of the storage unit 25 described above. The optical sensor 13, the medium detection sensor 14, the head drive unit 20, and the drive circuit 24 are connected.

In the second embodiment, the control unit 26 further includes a second storage unit 19. The second storage unit 19 is used for direct thermal printing. The second storage unit 19 stores a platen motor from when the medium detection sensor 14 detects the medium 9 to when printing is started. The number of pulses for rotating 10 is stored. In the case of direct thermal printing,
Since there is no influence of the load by the ink ribbon 4, the conveyance speed to the print start position is constant, and only one type of predetermined pulse number is stored.

The control unit 26 determines whether or not the ink ribbon 4 is present and the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3.
The print start position selection unit 23
Via the first storage unit 18 or the second storage unit 1
An appropriate start position is set based on the stored data of No. 9 and the thermal head 7 generates heat based on it.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
The description will be made according to the flowchart of FIG. In the second embodiment, a ticket processing printer will be described as a medium processing apparatus.
The description of the same steps as in the first embodiment is omitted.

Step S21 is the same as step S1 in the first embodiment. In step S22,
It is determined whether the ribbon set detection sensor 16 is on. If it is in the ON state, it is determined that the printing is thermal transfer printing using the ink ribbon 4, and the process proceeds to step S23.
If so, the process proceeds to step S33. When the process proceeds to step S23, a ticket issuing instruction for thermal transfer printing is issued, while when the process proceeds to step S33, a direct thermal printing ticket issuing instruction is issued.

When the process proceeds to step S23, the process proceeds to step S23.
From step 23 to step S32, the same processing as step S2 to step S11 in the first embodiment is performed. On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S22 to step S33, since the ink ribbon 4 is not used in the direct thermal printing, the printing end position shift due to the influence of the load of the ink ribbon 4 does not occur. Therefore, there is no need to change the print start position. As a result, when the direct thermal printing ticketing instruction is issued in step S33, the process proceeds to step S34, and the ticketing process is started. Step S35
It is determined whether or not the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9. If the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S 36. In step S36, the control unit 26
The platen motor 10 is rotationally driven by a predetermined number of pulses stored in the second storage unit 19, and the medium 9
Is transported. When the platen motor 10 is rotationally driven by a predetermined number of pulses in step S37, the process proceeds to step S38, in which direct thermal printing on the medium 9 is started in step S38, and when printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S39. If so, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained, and the control is switched between the thermal transfer printing and the direct thermal printing so that the influence of the load on the ink ribbon 4 is obtained. Direct server that does not generate
In the case of multiple printing, control is performed so that the printing start position is not changed, so that control can be switched in accordance with the presence or absence of a load on the ink ribbon 4.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the platen 8
The printing start position is changed according to the nearby ambient temperature (hereinafter, the ambient temperature is the ambient temperature near the platen 8). this is,
Depending on the ambient temperature, the diameter of the platen 8 changes, and as a result,
This is because the transport speed of the medium 9 may change.

In FIG. 10, near the platen 8, a temperature detecting means 28 for detecting an ambient temperature is provided. The temperature detecting means 28 is constituted by a thermistor, and detects an ambient temperature by converting a change in the resistance value of the thermistor into a voltage.

In FIG. 11, the control unit 27 is connected to the above-described medium detection sensor 14, ribbon set detection sensor 16, head drive unit 20, and drive circuit 24. In the third embodiment, a print start position selection unit 29, a first storage unit 30, and a second storage unit 31 are further provided, and a temperature detection unit 28 is connected.

The temperature detecting means 28 detects the ambient temperature,
This is transmitted to the control unit 27. In both the first storage unit 30 and the second storage unit 31, the number of print start pulses is, for example, between 5 degrees Celsius at low temperatures and 40 degrees Celsius at high temperatures, 10 degrees Celsius or more according to the ambient temperature. It is stored in seven stages, such as less than 15 degrees Celsius, 15 degrees Celsius or more and less than 20 degrees Celsius. The number of print cue pulses is
This is the number of pulses obtained by adding a certain value to the specified value shown in the first embodiment to change the printing start position, or the number of pulses obtained by subtracting a certain value from the specified value.
Reference numeral 4 denotes the number of pulses for rotating the platen motor 10 from when the medium 9 is detected to when printing on the medium 9 is started.

Then, the print start position selecting section 29 checks to which stage the ambient temperature matches in the first storage section 30 and the second storage section 31, and determines the number of print start pulses. I do. Thus, the print start position is determined.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between printing elongation and contraction due to changes in ambient temperature and printing differences. In the case of direct thermal printing, there is no influence of the load on the ink ribbon 4 and only the effect of temperature. Therefore, when the surrounding temperature is high, the printing elongation is small compared to the thermal transfer printing, but the surrounding temperature is low. At low temperatures, printing shrinks significantly. On the other hand, in the case of thermal transfer printing using the ink ribbon 4, the ink ribbon 4
Due to its own load, compared to direct thermal printing,
At high temperatures, the print elongation is large, but at low temperatures, shrinkage is smaller than in direct thermal printing. Therefore, in the case of direct thermal printing and thermal transfer printing, it is necessary to change the printing start position even at the same temperature. Accordingly, the first storage unit 30 stores the number of print start pulses during thermal transfer printing, and the second storage unit 31 stores the direct search pulse number.
The number of print start pulses at the time of round printing is stored.

The control unit 27 recognizes the ambient temperature, and sets an appropriate start position based on the data stored in the first storage unit 30 or the second storage unit 31. The thermal head 7 generates heat.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
3. Explanation will be given according to the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
In the third embodiment, a ticket processing printer will be described as a medium processing apparatus.

First, an initial operation is performed in step S51. Next, in step S52, the ribbon set detection sensor 16
Is determined to be in the ON state. Here, if it is in the ON state, it is determined that the thermal transfer printing is performed by the ink ribbon 4, and the process proceeds to step S53.
Proceed to 65. When proceeding to step S53, an instruction for issuing a ticket for thermal transfer printing is issued, while when proceeding to step S65, an instruction for issuing a ticket for direct thermal printing is issued.

When the process proceeds to step S53, the process proceeds to step S53.
When an instruction to issue a thermal transfer print is issued at 53, step S is executed.
At 54, the ambient temperature is detected. The temperature detection unit 28 detects the ambient temperature, and the detected temperature is transmitted to the control unit 27. In step S55, temperature data is created based on the ambient temperature. In step S56, the temperature data is sent to the print start position selecting section 29. Then, the printing start position selecting section 29 searches for the temperature level among the seven temperature levels stored in the first storage section 30, and indicates the matching temperature level. The number of print cue pulses is selected.

In step S57, the number of pulses for determining the print start position is set. In step S58, a ticketing process is started. It is determined whether or not the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9 in step S59. If the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S60. In step S60, the control unit 27 drives the platen motor 10 to rotate by the number of pulses set in step S57, and conveys the medium 9. When the platen motor 10 is rotationally driven by the number of pulses set in step S61, the process proceeds to step S62, in which the thermal head 7 is heated via the head driving unit 20 to start thermal transfer printing on the medium 9. Then, when printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S63, the process proceeds to step S64. Step S
At 64, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

On the other hand, steps S52 to S65
In step S65, when a direct thermal print ticketing instruction is issued, the ambient temperature is detected in step S66, and based on the ambient temperature in step S67,
Temperature data is created. In step S68, the temperature data is sent to the print start position selecting section 29. Then, the printing start position selecting section 29 searches for the temperature level among the seven temperature levels stored in the second storage section 31, and indicates the matching temperature level. The number of print cue pulses is selected.

In step S69, the number of pulses for determining the print start position is set. In step S70, a ticketing process is started. In step S71, it is determined whether the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, and if the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, the control unit 27 rotates the platen motor 10 by the number of pulses set in step S69, and conveys the medium 9. When the platen motor 10 is rotationally driven by the number of pulses set in step S73, the process proceeds to step S74. In step S74, the thermal head 7 is heated via the head driving unit 20, and the direct thermal is applied to the medium 9. Printing is started. If printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S75, the process proceeds to step S64. In step S64, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

In the third embodiment, since the printing start position is changed according to the ambient temperature, the printing bias due to the expansion and contraction of the printing caused by the influence of the ambient temperature is eliminated, and the entire printing position is reduced. There is no big deviation. As a result, there is a cut line in the middle of the medium 9, where
Even if the medium 9 needs to be cut, the occurrence of a shift in the print end position can be prevented, so that the print does not cross the cut line of the medium 9.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 15 is a control block diagram of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing normal print timing and print drive pulses.
7 is a timing chart showing the print timing and print drive pulse when the print shrinkage is corrected, and FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing the print timing and print drive pulse when the print elongation is corrected.

In the fourth embodiment, the printing timing is changed in accordance with the diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3. This is because the transport speed of the medium 9 may change depending on the diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3. In addition,
The print timing shown in FIG. 16 is always generated when printing is possible. In accordance with this print timing, a print drive pulse is generated at a place where printing is to be performed. The driving unit 35 is
The round head 7 is heated.

As in the first embodiment, the diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3 is detected by the slit disk 11 and the optical sensor 13.

In FIG. 15, a control section 32 controls the entire operation of the printing section 1 and is constituted by a microprocessor or the like, and includes a counter 22, a storage section 33, and a printing timing generation section 34. . The storage unit 3
3, print timing is stored in six stages according to the number of pulses counted by the counter 22. The stored contents include how long the timing for printing, that is, heat generation, should be set in accordance with the number of pulses counted by the counter 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3 is large, the transport speed of the medium 9 becomes lower than a predetermined speed, and printing is reduced. As shown in FIG. 17, the print timing is widened.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, when the diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3 is small, the transport speed of the medium 9 increases more than a predetermined speed, and printing is extended.
As shown in FIG. 18, the print timing is shortened.

The print timing generator 34 is provided with a counter 2
It is checked at which stage the number of pulses counted in step 2 corresponds to the stage stored in the storage unit 33, and the interval of the timing at which the thermal head 7 generates heat (print timing) is determined.

The control unit 32 is connected with the head driving unit 35, the optical sensor 13, the medium detection sensor 14, and the driving circuit 24. Upon receiving the print drive pulse from the control unit 32, the head drive unit 35 generates heat in the thermal head 7 only when the print drive pulse is received. Optical sensor 1
The output signal from 3 is sent to the counter 22 of the control unit 32, where the number of pulses is counted. When detecting the medium 9, the medium detection sensor 14 transmits an ON signal to the control unit 32. The drive circuit 24 is connected to each of the motors 5, 6, and 10, and drives these motors to rotate.

Then, the control unit 32 controls the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3 detected at the time of the previous ticket issuance.
Based on the winding diameter of
Appropriate print timing is called out from the storage data of the storage unit 35, and a print drive pulse is generated at the print timing where printing is desired.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
The description will be made in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. In the fourth embodiment, a ticket processing printer will be described as a medium processing device.

First, an initial operation is performed in step S101. Next, when a ticketing instruction is issued in step S102,
In step S103, the print timing is selected via the print timing generator 34 based on the change amount of the ink ribbon at the time of the previous ticket issuance.

In step S104, a print timing is set. Ticketing processing is started in step S105.
In step S106, it is determined whether the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, and if the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S107. Step S10
At 7, the control unit 32 drives the platen motor 10 to rotate by the number of pulses set in advance, and conveys the medium 9. When the platen motor 10 is rotationally driven by a predetermined number of pulses in step S108, the medium 9 is positioned at a predetermined printing start position.
In step 09, a print drive pulse corresponding to the print timing set in step S104 is generated in a place where printing is to be performed, and the head drive unit 35 generates heat in the thermal head 7 only in the place where the print drive pulse is generated. Then, thermal transfer printing to the medium 9 is started. If the printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S110, the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

In the fourth embodiment, the printing timing is changed according to the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3, so that all normal printing can be performed. As a result, offset of printing by the ink ribbon 4 is eliminated, and the entire printing position is not largely shifted. As a result, there is a cut line in the middle of the medium 9, and even if the medium 9 needs to be cut, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a shift in the print end position. Will not be bridged.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 20 is a control block diagram according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, in a medium processing apparatus that performs both thermal transfer printing and direct thermal printing, control of printing timing is changed depending on printing differences.

As in the second embodiment, the winding shaft 3
The ribbon set detection lever 15 is urged by an urging member (not shown). The presence or absence of the ink ribbon 4 is determined based on whether the ribbon set detection lever 15 is detected by the ribbon set detection sensor 16, and it is determined whether the printing is thermal transfer printing or direct thermal printing.

In FIG. 20, a ribbon set detection sensor 16 similar to that of the second embodiment is connected to a control unit 36. The output of the ribbon set detection sensor 16 causes a change in the thermal transfer printing or direct scan. -It is determined whether or not the printing is multiple printing. The control unit 36 includes a counter 22 similar to that described above and a print timing generation unit 34.
And a first storage unit 37 storing the same contents as the storage unit 33 described above.
3, the medium detection sensor 14, the drive circuit 24, and the head drive unit 35 are connected.

In the second embodiment, the control unit 36 further includes a second storage unit 38. The second storage section 38 stores the print timing at the time of direct thermal printing. In the case of the direct thermal printing, the stored contents are information such as how long the printing, that is, the heat generation timing should be set. In the case of direct thermal printing, the printing timing is constant because it is not affected by the ink ribbon 4. Therefore, only one type is stored.

The control unit 36 determines whether or not the ink ribbon 4 is present and the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3.
The print timing generation unit 3 recognizes the winding diameter of
4, an appropriate print timing is set based on the stored data in the first storage unit 37 or the second storage unit 38, and a print drive pulse for a portion where printing is desired is generated. Then, the head drive unit 35 generates heat in the thermal head 7 according to the print drive pulse generated by the print timing generation unit 34.

Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
1 will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the ticket processing printer will be described as a medium processing device, and the description of the same steps as those in the fourth embodiment will be omitted.

Step S121 is the same as step S101 in the fourth embodiment. Step S1
At 22, it is determined whether the ribbon set detection sensor 16 is on. If it is in the ON state, it is determined that the printing is thermal transfer printing using the ink ribbon 4, and the process proceeds to step S123. If “NO”, the process proceeds to step S133. When the process proceeds to step S123, a ticket issuing instruction for thermal transfer printing is issued. On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S133, a direct thermal printing ticket issuing instruction is issued.

When the process proceeds to step S123, the same processing as steps S102 to S111 in the fourth embodiment is performed from step S123 to step S132. On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S122 to step S133, since the ink ribbon 4 is not used in direct thermal printing, a printing end position shift does not occur. Therefore, there is no need to change the print timing. As a result, in step S133, the direct search
When the multi-print ticket issuing instruction is issued, the process proceeds to step S134, and the ticket issuing process is started.

In step S135, it is determined whether or not the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, and if the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S136. In step S136, the control unit 36 drives the platen motor 10 to rotate by the predetermined number of pulses and conveys the medium 9. When the platen motor 10 is rotationally driven by a predetermined number of pulses in step S137, the medium 9 is positioned at a predetermined printing start position, and the process proceeds to step S138.
In step S138, a print drive pulse is generated by the print timing generator 34 at the print timing stored in the second storage unit 38 at a location where printing is to be performed.
The head drive unit 35 only at the position where the print drive pulse is generated
However, the thermal head generates heat and is directly transferred to the medium 9.
Start multiple printing. If the printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S139, the process proceeds to step S132. In step S132, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

In the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment are obtained, and the control is switched between the thermal transfer printing using the ink ribbon 4 and the direct thermal printing, and the direct printing is performed. In the case of thermal printing, control is performed so that the printing timing is constant, so that control can be switched in accordance with the presence or absence of a load on the ink ribbon 4.

Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 22 is a control block diagram of the sixth embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, the platen 8
The printing timing is changed according to the nearby ambient temperature (hereinafter, the ambient temperature is the ambient temperature near the platen 8). This is because the winding diameter of the platen 8 changes depending on the ambient temperature, and as a result, the transport speed of the medium 9 may change.

As in the third embodiment, the temperature detecting means 2 for detecting the ambient temperature is provided near the platen 8.
8 are provided.

In FIG. 22, the above-described medium detection sensor 14, ribbon set detection sensor 16, drive circuit 24, and head drive unit 35 are connected to the control unit 39. Further, in the sixth embodiment, a temperature detecting means 28 is further connected. The control unit 39 includes a print timing generation unit 40, a first storage unit 41, and a second storage unit 42.

The temperature detecting means 28 detects the ambient temperature,
This is transmitted to the control unit 39. In both the first storage unit 41 and the second storage unit 42, the printing timing is set to a value between, for example, 5 degrees Celsius at low temperatures and 4 degrees at high temperatures in accordance with the ambient temperature.
Up to 0 degrees, the data is stored in seven stages, such as 10 degrees Celsius or more and less than 15 degrees Celsius, 15 degrees Celsius or more and less than 20 degrees Celsius. The stored contents include how much intervals should be set for the timing of printing, that is, heat generation, according to the ambient temperature. Then, the print timing generation unit 40 stores the ambient temperature in the first storage unit 4.
First, it is determined which stage is stored in the second storage unit 42, and the interval of the timing at which the thermal head 7 generates heat is determined.

Since the printing timing differs between thermal transfer printing and direct thermal printing even at the same temperature, the first storage section 41 stores the printing timing during thermal transfer printing. The second storage section 42 stores the print timing at the time of direct thermal printing.

The control unit 39 recognizes the ambient temperature and, via the print timing generation unit 40, stores the data in the first storage unit 41 or the second storage unit 42.
Based on the data, an appropriate print timing is set, and a print drive pulse is generated only at a position where printing is desired. Then, the head drive unit 35 generates heat in the thermal head 7 according to the print drive pulse generated by the print timing generation unit 40.

Next, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
3. Explanation will be given according to the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
Also in the sixth embodiment, a ticket issuing printer will be described as a medium processing device.

First, an initial operation is performed in step S151. Next, in step S152, it is determined whether the ribbon set detection sensor 16 is on. Here, if it is in the ON state, it is determined that the thermal transfer printing is performed by the ink ribbon 4, and the process proceeds to step S153. If “NO”, the process proceeds to step S165. If the process proceeds to step S153, an instruction for issuing a ticket for thermal transfer printing is issued.
If the process proceeds to 165, a direct thermal printing ticketing instruction is issued.

When the process proceeds to step S153, when an instruction to issue a thermal transfer print is issued in step S153, the ambient temperature is detected in step S154. This is the same as in the third embodiment. The temperature detecting unit 28 detects the ambient temperature, and the detected temperature is transmitted to the control unit 39.
In step S155, temperature data is created based on the ambient temperature. In step S156, the temperature data is sent to the print timing generator 40. Then, the print timing generation unit 40 stores the temperature data in the first storage unit 4.
A search is made to find out which of the seven temperature stages stored in No. 1 the temperature stage is located at, and the printing timing indicated by the matching temperature stage is selected.

In step S157, a print timing is set. In step S158, a ticketing process is started. In step S159, it is determined whether or not the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, and if the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S160. Step S
At 160, the control unit 39 determines the number of pulses set in advance,
The platen motor 10 is driven to rotate to convey the medium 9.
At step S161, the platen motor 1 is moved by a predetermined number of pulses.
0, the process proceeds to step S162, and in step S162, the position where printing is to be performed is performed in step S1.
A print drive pulse corresponding to the print timing set in 57 is generated by the print timing generation unit 40, and the head drive unit 35 generates heat in the thermal head 7 only at the position where the drive pulse is generated, and transfers the heat to the medium 9. Start printing.
If the printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S163, the process proceeds to step S164. In step S164, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

On the other hand, from step S152 to step S1
If the flow advances to step S165, and a direct thermal print ticketing instruction is issued in step S165, the process proceeds to step S166.
Then, the ambient temperature is detected, and in step S167, temperature data is created based on the ambient temperature. Step S16
At 8, the temperature data is sent to the print timing generator 40. Then, the print timing generation unit 40 searches for the temperature stage among the seven temperature stages stored in the second storage unit 42, and prints the corresponding temperature stage. Timing is selected. In step S169, a print timing is set.

The ticketing process is started in step S170. In step S171, it is determined whether the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, and if the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S172. Step S
At 172, the control unit 39 determines the number of pulses set in advance,
The platen motor 10 is driven to rotate to convey the medium 9.
In step S173, the platen motor 1 is moved by a predetermined number of pulses.
0, the process proceeds to step S174, and in step S174, the position where printing is desired is performed in step S1.
At the print timing set in 69, a print drive pulse is generated by the print timing generation unit 40, and the head drive unit 35 is turned on only at the position where the print drive pulse is generated.
The thermal head 7 generates heat, and direct thermal printing on the medium 9 is started. If the printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S175, the process proceeds to step S164. Step S
At 164, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

In the sixth embodiment, since the printing timing is changed in accordance with the ambient temperature, the printing bias due to the expansion and contraction of the printing caused by the influence of the ambient temperature is eliminated, and the entire printing position becomes large. It will not shift. As a result, there is a cut line in the middle of the medium 9, and even if the medium 9 needs to be cut at the medium 9, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a shift of the print end position.
The printing does not overlap the cut line of the medium 9.

Seventh Embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 26 is a control block diagram of the seventh embodiment.

In the seventh embodiment, the print timing is changed according to the print amount. This is because if the print amount is large, the ink ribbon 4 and the medium 9 adhere to each other, and as a result, the transport speed of the medium 9 may change.

As shown in FIG. 25, this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but detects the diameter of the ink ribbon 4 wound around the supply shaft 3. No means are provided.

In FIG. 26, a control unit 43 controls the entire operation of the printing unit 1 and is constituted by a microprocessor or the like, and includes a print editing unit 44, a print timing generation unit 45, and a storage unit 46. Have been. The print editing unit 44 stores and edits print data transmitted from the host device. The print timing is stored in the storage unit 46.
For example, they are stored in four stages according to the print data amount. The stored contents include information on how long the timing of printing, that is, heat generation, should be set in accordance with the amount of print data.

When the print timing generator 45 receives the print data from the print editor 44, the print timing generator 45 stores the print data in the storage 46.
Is determined, and the interval between the timings at which the thermal head 7 generates heat is determined. The storage contents stored in the storage unit 46 are one type when the print data amount is small and three types when the print data amount is large. If the amount of print data is small, there is no effect on the transport speed of the medium 9, so that only one type of print timing is required.
On the other hand, if the amount of print data is large,
Since the transport speed changes, according to the print data amount,
Three types of print timing for shortening the print timing are stored.

At the printing timing, a printing drive pulse is generated by the print timing generation section 45 at a place where printing is desired.

The control unit 43 is connected with a head drive unit 47, a medium detection sensor 14, and a drive circuit 24. Upon receiving the print drive pulse from the control unit 43, the head drive unit 47 generates heat in the thermal head 7 only when the print drive pulse is received. The drive circuit 24 includes the motors 5,
6 and 10 are connected to rotate these motors.

Then, the control unit 43 recognizes the amount of data stored in the print editing unit 44, so that the appropriate print data is stored in the storage unit 46 via the print timing generation unit 45. Determine the timing.

Next, the operation of the seventh embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.
7 will be described in accordance with the flowchart. In the seventh embodiment, a ticket processing printer will be described as a medium processing device.

First, an initial operation is performed in step S201. Next, when a ticketing instruction is issued in step S202,
In step S203, the print data amount is detected. In step S203, the print data transmitted from the host device to the print editing unit 44 and stored is transmitted to the print timing generation unit 45. Then, the print timing generator 45
Then, it is checked at which stage the print data is stored in the storage section 46, and the print timing stored in the storage section 46 is selected.

In step S204, a print timing is set. Ticketing processing is started in step S205.
In step S206, it is determined whether the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, and if the medium detection sensor 14 has detected the medium 9, the process proceeds to step S207. Step S20
At 7, the control unit 43 drives the platen motor 10 to rotate by the number of pulses set in advance and conveys the medium 9. When the platen motor 10 is driven to rotate by a predetermined number of pulses in step S208, the medium 9 is positioned at a predetermined printing start position, and the process proceeds to step S209, and proceeds to step S2.
In step 09, the print timing generation unit 4 uses the print timing set in step S <b> 204 in the place where printing is to be performed.
5, a print drive pulse is generated, and the head drive unit 47 generates heat in the thermal head 7 only at the position where the print drive pulse is generated, and starts thermal transfer printing on the medium 9. If the printing on the medium 9 is completed in step S210, the process proceeds to step S211. In step S211, the medium 9 is discharged to a stacker (not shown), and the ticketing process ends.

In the seventh embodiment, since the printing timing is changed according to the printing amount, all normal printing can be performed. Thereby, the elongation of the printing caused by the adhesion between the ink ribbon 4 and the medium 9 is eliminated,
The entire printing position is not largely shifted. As a result, there is a cut line in the middle of the medium 9, and even if the medium 9 needs to be cut, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a shift in the print end position. Will not be bridged.

[0103]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the winding diameter of the ink ribbon is detected, and the printing start position in the transport direction of the medium is changed according to the winding diameter. By detecting the ambient temperature and changing the printing start position depending on the ambient temperature and whether or not printing is performed using the ink ribbon, even if printing elongation or shrinkage occurs,
It is possible to prevent the entire printing position from being largely shifted.

As a result, there is a cut line in the middle of the medium, and even if the medium needs to be cut, it is possible to prevent the printing end position from being shifted. The printed characters are not broken, and the printed characters are not cut off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of change in the number of pulses and the remaining amount of the ink ribbon.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a relationship between print elongation and contraction due to a change in ambient temperature and a difference in printing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.
It is.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.
It is.

FIG. 15 is a control block diagram according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing normal print timing and print drive pulses.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing a print timing and a print drive pulse when printing shrinkage is corrected.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing a print timing and a print drive pulse when the print elongation is corrected.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment.
It is.

FIG. 20 is a control block diagram according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment.
It is.

FIG. 22 is a control block diagram according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment.
It is.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment.
It is.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a control block diagram according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of the seventh embodiment.
It is.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printing unit 2 take-up axis 3 supply axis 4 ink ribbon 14 medium detection sensor 23 print start position selection unit 28 temperature detection unit 29 print start position selection unit 34 print timing generation unit 40 print timing generation unit 45 print timing generation unit

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ryuji Ishii 3-1 Futaba-cho, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture Inside Oki Information Systems Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuo Mizuguchi 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuichi Sekizaki 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaru Shimakata 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] An ink ribbon is wound around a take-up shaft and a supply shaft, the ink ribbon is moved by rotating the take-up shaft, and the medium is conveyed by rotating a platen while passing through the ink ribbon. What is claimed is: 1. A medium processing apparatus for performing printing on a medium by a print head, comprising: detecting a winding diameter of an ink ribbon; and changing a printing start position in a transport direction of the medium according to the winding diameter. 2. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium processing apparatus also performs direct thermal printing, and when performing direct thermal printing, the print start position is always the same position. . 3. An ink ribbon is wound around a take-up shaft and a supply shaft. The ink ribbon is moved by rotating the take-up shaft, and the medium is conveyed by rotating a platen. In the media processing device that prints on the medium with the print head and also performs direct thermal printing, the ambient temperature near the platen is detected, and the printing start position is determined based on the ambient temperature and whether or not printing is performed using the ink ribbon. A medium processing device characterized by changing the following. 4. An ink ribbon is wound around a winding shaft and a supply shaft. The ink ribbon is moved by rotating the winding shaft, and the medium is conveyed by rotating a platen. What is claimed is: 1. A medium processing apparatus for performing printing on a medium by a print head, comprising: detecting a winding diameter of an ink ribbon; and changing a printing timing according to the winding diameter. 5. The medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein said medium processing device also performs direct thermal printing, and when performing direct thermal printing, always keeps the printing timing constant.
The media processing device according to claim 1. 6. An ink ribbon is wound around a take-up shaft and a supply shaft, the ink ribbon is moved by rotating the take-up shaft, and the medium is conveyed by rotating a platen while passing through the ink ribbon. In a media processing device that performs printing on a medium with a print head and also performs direct thermal printing, the ambient temperature near the platen is detected, and the printing timing is determined based on the ambient temperature and whether or not printing is performed using an ink ribbon. Media processing device characterized by changing. 7. An ink ribbon is wound around a take-up shaft and a supply shaft, and the ink ribbon is moved by rotating the take-up shaft, and the medium is conveyed by rotating a platen while passing through the ink ribbon. 1. A medium processing device for printing on a medium by a print head, wherein a print data amount is detected, and a print timing is changed according to the print data amount.