JPH10181123A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the deformation of the tip of a paper and the occurrence of jamming of the paper and to prevent the paper from coming out through the gap between a print head and a platen when the paper is exchanged. SOLUTION: When an idling condition continues for a predetermined time period, '1' is set to a normal rotation flag 4-1 and a paper is conveyed at a predetermined length. Count data corresponding to the length is set to a normal ratation quantity counter 4-2. When a head-up is detected by virtue of an output signal from a head open sensor 16, a feeding command is received from a host computer 8 via a communication line and the feeding is executed or a power is turned on, back feeding based on the count data set in the normal rotation quantity counter 4-2 is not executed '0' is inputted to the normal rotation flag 4-1 to be cleared and the count data in the normal rotation quantity counter 4-2 is cleared.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a print head and a platen opposed to the print head. The platen conveys the paper and positions a print start position of the paper at a print position by the print head. The present invention relates to a printer that prints on paper using a print head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A known thermal printer using a thermal head is provided with a cutter and uses continuous paper. When printing is completed, the thermal printer feeds and conveys the print end position of the paper (including the lower margin of the print) to the cutting position by the cutter, cuts the printed portion of the paper, and then returns and conveys the remaining paper. The print start position at the leading end of the sheet is positioned at the print position of the thermal head. In such a thermal printer, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the paper 103 is pressed against a cylindrical platen 102 on which the thermal head 101 is arranged to face by printing. If the thermal head 101 does not have the function of raising the paper 103, the thermal head 101 keeps pressing the paper 103 against the platen 102 even during non-printing, and if the paper 103 is not transported for a long time,
The paper 103 is deformed along the shape (cylindrical shape) of the platen 102. Reference numeral 104 denotes a discharge-side conveyance path for conveying the printed paper 103, and the discharge-side conveyance path 1
The paper 103 transported through the sheet 04 is cut by the cutter 105, and the cut paper is discharged from a discharge port (issuing port) 106.

Next, when the sheet is conveyed, the leading edge of the sheet is not conveyed to the original conveyance path to the discharge port (issuing port), but is conveyed along the platen, which may cause a jam. In particular, when the paper is thick and its material is hard, the paper is hard to be deformed and the possibility of occurrence of a jam increases. In order to solve such a problem, in the conventional thermal printer, when the idle state (standby state) has continued for a certain time or more, the paper is transported forward by a certain length to advance the paper.
The leading edge of the paper is removed from between the thermal head 101 and the platen 102 to prevent the leading edge of the paper from being deformed, and at the time of preparing for printing or before starting printing, return the paper by a predetermined length that has been advanced. In this case, printing is performed by repositioning the printing start position of the paper and correcting the deformation of the paper.

[0004]

However, when the paper is exchanged after the paper has been fed and transported for a predetermined length after the idle state has continued for a predetermined time or more, the leading end of the paper is set in accordance with the printing position of the thermal head. If this occurs, the paper will be transported back a certain length at the time of printing (when preparing for printing or before starting printing), and the leading edge of the paper will fall out between the thermal head and the platen, causing a paper error. there were. Accordingly, the present invention provides a printer capable of preventing deformation of the leading edge of a sheet to prevent the occurrence of a sheet jam and preventing the sheet from falling out of between a print head and a platen when the sheet is replaced. The purpose is to do.

[0005]

The invention corresponding to claim 1 is:
A print head and a cylindrical platen opposed to the print head are provided. The platen transports the paper, positions the print start position of the paper at a print position by the print head, and prints on the paper by the print head. In the printer, a paper protection unit that feeds and transports the paper by a certain length when an operation related to printing is not performed for a certain time or more, and after the paper is transported by a certain length by the paper protection unit, If there is a print command, the print preparation means for returning and transporting the paper for a certain length, and if the paper is transported for a certain length by the paper protection means, and if the paper is further replaced, And a paper exchange control means for controlling not to carry back the paper by a predetermined length by the printing preparation means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the print preparation means includes a memory for setting a return conveyance length of the paper, and the paper protection means feeds and conveys a predetermined length of the paper. Sometimes, the carry amount for a certain length is set in the memory, and based on the carry amount set in this memory, when a print command is issued, the paper is returned and carried, and the paper exchange control means separates the print head from the platen. The control is performed so that the sheet is not returned and conveyed based on the amount of conveyance set in the memory by the operation to be performed. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the printing preparation means includes a memory for setting a return conveyance length of the paper, and the print protection means stores the memory when the paper protection means has conveyed a predetermined length of the paper. A transport amount for a certain length is set, and based on the transport amount set in this memory, when there is a print command, the paper is returned and transported, and the paper replacement control unit is turned on when the power is turned on. The control is performed so that the return conveyance of the sheet based on the conveyance amount is not performed. The invention corresponding to claim 4 is claim 1
In the corresponding invention, the printing preparation means includes a memory for setting a return conveyance length of the paper, and when the paper protection means has fed and conveyed a predetermined length of the paper, sets the conveyance amount for the predetermined length in the memory. Based on the transport amount set in the memory, when there is a print command, the paper is returned and transported, and the paper replacement control unit is set in the memory when receiving the control of the paper transport request instruction through communication. The control is performed so that the return conveyance of the sheet based on the conveyance amount is not performed.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a label printer to which the present invention is applied.
The structure around the thermal head and the platen of this label printer is the same as that described in the prior art (see FIG. 9). 1 is a CPU (c
entral processing unit). A ROM (read onl) in which program data of processing performed by the CPU 1 is stored.
ymemory) 2, a RAM (random access) in which areas of various memories used when the CPU 1 performs processing are formed.
memory) 3, an EEPROM (electrically
ble programmable read only memory) 4, a key interface 6 for controlling data transmission with a key unit 5 composed of keys for performing various (manual) operations, a timer unit 7 for measuring time and for measuring a preset time,
RS-232C / D (driver) for controlling data transmission with the host computer 8 via the RS-232C line
Each / R (receiver) 9 is connected to the CPU 1 via a system bus 10.

The CPU 1 is connected to the system bus 1
0, a display controller 13 for controlling an LED (light emitting diode) 11 and an LCD (liquid crystal display) 12, a driver unit 15 for controlling a driving unit 14 described later, and an output from a first sensor unit 16 described later. An input / output (I / O) port 17 for inputting a signal, and an output signal (an analog signal) from a second sensor unit 18 described later.
A / D (analog / di) that converts) into a digital signal for processing
g.) section 19 and a D / A (digital / analog) section 21 for outputting an analog signal for voltage control to a voltage control section 20 described later.

The EEPROM 4 further includes a normal rotation flag 4-1 indicating whether or not the paper has been idle for a predetermined time and the paper has been transported forward by a predetermined length.
And a forward rotation counter 4-2 for storing the length of the advanced transport as the number of steps. After the operation of the label printer is stopped, the timer unit 7 does not operate the key unit 5 and operates the RS-232C.
The D / R 9 has a function of measuring a state in which there is no data received from the host computer 8, that is, an idle state.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the driving section 14. As shown in FIG. The drive unit 14 drives a thermal head 14-1, a ribbon winding motor 14-2 for driving a roller for winding the ink ribbon, and a roller for feeding the ink ribbon in a direction opposite to the ink ribbon transport direction to thereby drive the ink ribbon. Back tension motor 1 that gives appropriate back tension to the
4-3, a cutter motor 14-4, a solenoid 14-5, a pulse motor 14-6, and a drive component such as a mount winding motor 14-7. Is a driver (head driver, motor driver, solenoid driver, etc.) in the driver unit 15 in a one-to-one correspondence.
Is provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the first sensor section 16. The first sensor unit 16 is provided with a discharge port (
(Not shown), a peeling sensor 16-1 for detecting the presence or absence of a printed label peeled off from the backing paper, a ribbon end sensor 16-2 for detecting an end portion of the ink ribbon, and the thermal head 14-1 being positioned at a head-up position. Head open sensor 16-3 for detecting whether or not there is a cutter (not shown)
) Is at the home position, the cutter home position sensor 16-4 for detecting whether or not the ribbon winding motor 14-2 is rotating as a pulse signal, and the ribbon back tension. A ribbon back tension motor sensor 16-6 which detects the rotation state of the motor 14-3 (not the driving state, the driving direction is the reverse rotation direction to the actual rotation direction) as a pulse signal.
And so on.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the second sensor section 18. As shown in FIG. The second sensor unit 18 includes a transmission sensor 18-1 for detecting the presence or absence of a label or paper attached at a predetermined interval on the backing of the label paper, a reflection sensor 18-2 for detecting the presence or absence of the paper, Thermistor 18-3 for detecting the temperature of the thermal head 14-1, a disconnection check unit 18-4 for checking the disconnection of the heating resistor constituting the thermal head 14-1, and a voltage applied to the thermal head 14-1. It comprises a head voltage detecting section-5 for detecting a voltage, a dip switch 18-6 for operating various settings, and the like. The A / D section 19 selectively receives the electric signals (analog signals) output from the components 18-1 to 18-6 and converts them into digital signals.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the voltage control section 20. The voltage control unit 20 includes a ribbon winding motor voltage control unit 20-1 that determines a voltage to be applied to the ribbon winding motor 14-2, and a back tension that determines a voltage to be applied to the ribbon back tension motor 14-3. A motor voltage control unit 20-2, a transmission sensor level control unit 20-3 that determines a determination level of a voltage signal output from the transmission sensor 18-1, and a determination level of a voltage signal output from the load of the reflection sensor 18 Is determined by the reflection sensor level control unit 20-4.

FIG. 6 shows that when the power is turned on, the CPU 1
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of a main process performed by the user. First, initial processing such as initialization of the memory is performed, and when the initial processing is completed, 0 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 of the EEPROM 4 to indicate that the medium is not in the normal rotation state (no forward conveyance) (the normal rotation flag). Clear), and clears (rewrites the data indicating the length 0) the normal rotation amount data stored in the normal rotation amount counter 4-2. Next, as a process of step 1 (ST1), it is determined whether or not there is data received from the host computer 8 via the RS-232C / D / R9. Here, when it is determined that there is received data, a receiving process described later is performed as a process of step 2 (ST2), and
Upon completion of the receiving process, the process returns to the above-described step 1 again. When it is determined that there is no received data, another processing described later is performed as the processing of step 3 (ST3), and when the other processing is completed, the processing returns to the processing of step 1 again.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of a receiving process performed by the CPU 1 as the process of step 2. First, command analysis is performed on the received data, and step 4 (S
In the process of T4), it is determined whether the command is issued based on the command analysis. Here, if it is determined to be issued, it is determined whether or not the data set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 is 1 (normal rotation state, advanced conveyance completed). Here, the normal rotation flag 4-1
When it is determined that the data set in is not 1, that is, the data is 0, the print data is printed on the label by the thermal head 14-1 based on the issued command and the received data analyzed by the command analysis. When the issuing process for discharging the label is performed, and the issuing process is completed, the receiving process is completed and the process returns to the main process.

If it is determined that the data set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 is 1, the back feed is performed based on the normal rotation amount data (count data) stored in the normal rotation amount counter 4-2. When the back feed is completed, data 0 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 to clear the normal rotation amount data stored in the normal rotation amount counter.

Next, the aforementioned issuance processing is performed, and when this issuance processing is completed, this reception processing is completed, and the processing returns to the above-described main processing.

If it is determined in the processing of the above-described step 4 that the document is not an issuance, it is determined whether or not the document is a feed. Here, when it is determined that the data is feed, data 0 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1.
Is set, the normal rotation amount data stored in the normal rotation amount counter is cleared, and a feed process for feeding the set length based on the feed command analyzed by the command analysis is performed. When the feed processing ends, the reception processing ends, and the process returns to the main processing described above. Also, if we determine that it is not a feed,
A process corresponding to the command analyzed by the command analysis is performed, and when the process corresponding to the command is completed, the reception process is completed and the process returns to the main process described above.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of another process performed by the CPU 1 as the process of step 3. First, as a process of step 5 (ST5), it is determined whether or not a feed key of the key unit 5 has been input. Here, when it is determined that there is an input of the feed key, it is determined whether the data set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 is 1 or not. Here, if it is determined that the data set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 is not 1, that is, the data is 0, the feed processing based on the feed key is performed as it is. After the processing is completed, the processing returns to the main processing described above.

If it is determined that the data set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 is 1, back feed is performed based on the normal rotation amount data stored in the normal rotation amount counter 4-2. When the back feed ends, the normal rotation flag 4
Data 0 is set to -1, and the normal rotation amount data stored in the normal rotation amount counter is cleared. Next, the above-described feed processing is performed, and when this feed processing is completed, the other processing is terminated, and the process returns to the above-described main processing again.

If it is determined in step 5 that there is no feed key input, it is determined whether another operation is performed on the key unit 5 or the like. Here, when it is determined that there is another operation, another operation process for performing a process based on the operation is performed, and when the other operation process is completed, the other process is terminated.
The process returns to the main process described above.

If it is determined that there is no other operation, it is determined in step 6 (ST6) whether or not the data set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 is 1. Here, when it is determined that the data set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 is 1, it is determined whether or not the head is up based on the output signal from the head open sensor 16-3. here,
If it is determined that the head has not been raised, the other processing is terminated, and the process returns to the above-described main processing. Also, when it is determined that the head has been raised,
Data 0 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 to clear the normal rotation amount data stored in the normal rotation amount counter, the other processing is terminated, and the process returns to the main processing described above. .

In the processing of step 6 described above, the normal rotation flag 4
If it is determined that the data set to -1 is not 1, that is, the data is 0, the idle state time measured by the timer unit 7 is set as a predetermined time as a process of step 7 (ST7). Is determined. Here, when it is determined that the continuation time of the idle state has not passed the predetermined time, it is determined whether or not the head has been raised based on the output signal from the head open sensor 16-3. Here, if it is determined that the head is not up, the other processing is terminated as it is, and the processing returns to the main processing described above. If it is determined that the head has been raised, data 0 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 to clear the normal rotation amount data stored in the normal rotation amount counter, and the other processing is terminated. It returns to the main processing.

If it is determined in step 7 that the idle time has exceeded a predetermined time, data 1 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 to prevent the leading edge of the sheet from being curled. Forward (forward feed) processing for feeding and transporting the paper by a preset length to carry the paper, and when the forward rotation processing is completed, the count data corresponding to the length of the transported paper is forwarded to the forward rotation counter 4-. It is set to 2 to terminate the other processing and return to the main processing described above.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when the data 1 is not set in the normal rotation flag 4-1, the duration of the idle state is set in advance based on the time measured by the timer section 7. After a lapse of a predetermined time, data 1 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1. The paper is fed and transported by a predetermined length in order to prevent the leading end of the paper from being curled along the platen. The count data corresponding to the length is set in the normal rotation amount counter 4-2. If the data 1 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 at the time of issuance, the paper is transported forward based on the count data (normal rotation amount data) set in the normal rotation amount counter 4-2. After the paper is back-fed (returned and conveyed) and the regular printing start position of the paper is positioned (returned) to the printing position of the thermal head 14-1, the issuing process is performed.

It is possible that the paper was replaced while the power was off, and there is no means to confirm the paper replacement.
After the initial process is performed when the power is turned on, data 0 is set in the normal rotation flag 4-1 and the normal rotation amount counter 4-2 is cleared. The feed command is transmitted from the host computer 8 or the like almost at the time of paper exchange. Therefore, when the feed command is received, the normal rotation flag 4-1 is set to data 0, and the normal rotation amount counter 4- is set. Clear 2 Further, when the thermal head 14-1 is headed up, the paper is replaced or reset, so that when the head up is detected by the output signal from the head open sensor 16-3, the normal rotation flag 4-1 is also set. Data 0
Is set, and the normal rotation amount counter 4-2 is cleared.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the idle state has continued for a predetermined time or more, the normal rotation flag 4-1 is set to 1, and the paper is fed and transported by a predetermined length. After setting the count data corresponding to the length in the normal rotation amount counter 4-2, when head-up is detected by the output signal from the head open sensor 16-3, or via communication from the host computer 8 or the like. When the feed command is received and the feed operation is performed, or when the power is turned on, the back rotation is not performed by the count data set in the normal rotation amount counter 4-2, and the forward rotation flag 4 is set.
By clearing -1 to 0 and clearing the count data of the normal rotation amount counter 4-2, the leading end of the paper is removed from between the thermal head 14-1 and the platen, and the thermal head 14-1 is used for a long time. It is possible to prevent the sheet from being deformed by being pressed by the platen, and to prevent the sheet from being jammed in the sheet by the sheet.

After the paper is transported forward, the thermal head 14-1 performs a head-up operation when the paper is replaced, and a feed by a feed command transmitted via communication from the host computer 8 or the like after the paper is replaced. In response to the operation, and in response to the possibility that the paper has been replaced while the power is turned off, the back feed for the advanced transport can be canceled. It is possible to prevent the paper from being removed from between the thermal head 14-1 and the platen by the back feed for the advanced conveyance after the paper exchange.

[0029]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a printer capable of preventing deformation of a leading end of a sheet to prevent occurrence of a sheet jam and preventing the sheet from falling off between a print head and a platen when the sheet is replaced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a driving unit of the label printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first sensor unit of the label printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second sensor unit of the label printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a voltage controller of the label printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a flow of main processing performed by the label printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of a reception process performed by the label printer according to the embodiment in a main process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of another process performed by the label printer of the embodiment in the main process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of a print head, a platen, and a sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 4-1 ... normal rotation flag, 4-2 ... normal rotation amount counter, 7 ... timer part, 8 ... host computer, 9 ... RS-232C / D / R, 14-1 ... thermal head, 16- 3… Head open sensor.

Claims (4)

[Claims] A print head, and a cylindrical platen opposed to the print head. The print head conveys the paper and positions a print start position of the paper at a print position by the print head. In a printer that prints on the paper with a print head, a paper protection unit that feeds and transports the paper for a predetermined length when an operation related to printing is not performed for a predetermined time or more, When a print command is issued after the long transport has been performed, a printing preparation unit for returning and transporting the paper by the predetermined length, and a transport of the paper for the predetermined length by the paper protection unit is performed. If the paper is further exchanged after the paper is moved, the paper is controlled so as not to return the paper by a predetermined length by the printing preparation means. A printer provided with exchange control means. 2. The printing preparation means includes a memory for setting a return conveyance length of the paper, and when the paper protection means has fed and conveyed the paper for a certain length, the memory for conveying the predetermined length is stored in the memory. Set the amount, based on the amount of conveyance set in the memory, when there is a print command, performs the return conveyance of the paper, the paper exchange control means, the operation of separating the print head from the platen, the memory 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is controlled so as not to perform the return conveyance of the sheet based on the conveyance amount set in (1). 3. The printing preparation means includes a memory for setting a return conveyance length of the paper, and when the paper protection means feeds and conveys the paper for a certain length, the conveyance for the predetermined length is stored in the memory. When a print command is issued based on the transport amount set in the memory, the paper is returned and transported. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is controlled so as not to perform the return conveyance of the sheet based on the condition. 4. The printing preparation means has a memory for setting a return conveyance length of the paper, and when the paper protection means feeds and conveys the paper for a certain length, the paper is conveyed to the memory for the predetermined length. The amount is set, and based on the amount of conveyance set in the memory, when there is a print command, the sheet is returned and conveyed, and the sheet exchange control unit controls a sheet conveyance request instruction via communication. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, when received, the printer is controlled not to carry out the return conveyance of the sheet based on the conveyance amount set in the memory.