JPS5863494A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a printer wherein an ink ribbon fitted can be discriminated, by a method wherein a specified element of an ink ribbon cassette is discriminated by a cassette-discriminating means to obtain conformity between an ink ribbon and a designation information for designating the ink ribbon. CONSTITUTION:A key switch 11 for discriminating an ink ribbon cassette is fitted to a carriage 5 on which the ink ribbon cassette 2 and a thermal head 3 are fitted. The specified cassette is discriminated by the condition in which the key switch 11 is fitted into a recess provided in the lower surface of the cassette 2, thereby enabling to print with the ink ribbon cassette conforming to the printing condition.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to a printing device.

In conventional printers that perform multicolor printing using ink ribbon cassettes, the operator of the printer sets the ink ribbon cassette containing ink of a desired color into the printer to perform multicolor printing. At that time, the operator must check whether the cassette of the specified color is set or not, and even if something other than the specified mourning item is set, the printer will not be able to distinguish it, so it will be left as is. It has the disadvantage of printing too much.

Some types of ink ribbons, such as ink ribbons for thermal transfer printers, require changing their melting point, and in that case, the operator must check the ink ribbon and set an appropriate melting point. There is a drawback that clear printing cannot be achieved if the setting of that one point is completely changed.

~The present invention is proposed only #1 in view of the disadvantages that conventional printing devices have.

A first object of the present invention is to propose a printing device t-I that is capable of identifying the ink ribbon attached to the printing device.

It is now possible to obtain a print that matches the desired color or temperature conditions.

A second object of the present invention is to propose a printing device that can determine whether or not an ink ribbon that meets predetermined printing conditions is loaded, thereby preventing erroneous printing and defective printing.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In Fig. 1 showing a cassette-replaceable thermal transfer multicolor printing device, 1 is an ink ribbon coated with heat-melting ink on one side, and when heat is applied to this, the ink melts and is transferred to paper 4. . 2 is a cassette that stores the ink ribbon 1. Use this cassette when changing the printing color)
I decided to exchange both. 3 is a thermal head which converts the pattern signal to be printed into heat and melts the ink on the ink ribbon 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a stand on which the cassette 2 and the thermal head 3 are mounted, and is moved by a tie belt 6 to a predetermined printing position. The tie-up belt is driven by a pulley 7.7 and driven by a drive motor 8. Guides 9, 9 are formed downward from the table 5, and engage with the rod 1G to stably guide the movement of the table 5. Note that 8 is a platen.

Next, reference numeral 11 denotes a key switch for identifying a cassette attached to the stand 5, and a specific cassette can be identified by the state in which this key switch enters the recess on the lower surface of the cassette 2. Reference numeral 12 denotes an ink ribbon drive motor for driving the ink ribbon 1. Further, the ink ribbon cassette discrimination mechanism will be explained in detail with reference to the kmZ diagram and FIG. 3.

FIG. 2(a) is a rounded diagram illustrating means for distinguishing between different types of cassettes, and shows a state in which no ink ribbon cassette 2 is loaded on the stand 5. At this time, there is nothing on the discrimination key switch 11, and it remains in a protruding state. Now, when the cassette with the good *** shown in Figure 2) and (e) is loaded on the stand 5, the key switch corresponding to the concave part 2 of the cassette protrudes at 5 of the switch 11. , and K as shown in IIz diagram Q/) and (c'), respectively. Figure lI2 (4) and 2) is a cross-sectional view of the key switch 11 at the nine o'clock position when the cassette 2 is laid down. 21
is the current 7 top of the key switch 11, 22 is a switch terminal connected to the key top 21 via a spring, and 2 is a switch terminal connected to the key top 21 via a spring.
3 is a contact point of the switch terminal 22. 24 is the bottom of the ink ribbon cassette ≦ Figure 2 (2) shows the case where there is a recess 2c on the bottom of the cassette, (- indicates the case where there is no recess. If there is a recess, the key top 21 enters the recess 2c, and the discrimination switch is open, but if there is no recess, the key top 21 is pressed and the discrimination switch is closed, and the terminal 23 and the 22-wire conductive shape are rounded and the recess is opened on the cassette 2 side. The type of cassette 2 (that is, the type of color of ink & yl) can be detected depending on whether 2c is present or not.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control circuit to which misfire 1JIK is applied. Reference numeral 31 denotes a data separation circuit (not shown) for separating color signals and pattern-related signals contained in print data sent from the host device to the printer. Here, the pattern signal and separated color signal are compared. The pattern signal is transferred to the circuit 32 and the print control circuit 33. The comparison circuit 32 compares the color signal from the data separation circuit 31 with the data from the decoder circuit 34 which converts the signal from the cassette discrimination key switch 11 into the color data of the ink ribbon, and compares the color signal from the data separation circuit 31 with the data from the decoder circuit 34 which converts the signal from the cassette discrimination key switch 11 into color data of the ink ribbon. It is determined whether the cassette is suitable, and if a suitable cassette is loaded, a signal indicating a match is sent to the print control circuit wr.
Transfer to 33. For devices that can load multiple cassettes of different types, a color instruction signal can be transferred to the print control circuit 33 in order to select only the cassette that stores the ink ribbon of a specific color specified by the print data. good. If the loaded cassette does not match the color specified by the print data, a mismatch signal is transferred to the print control circuit 33 and set to 5 to prevent printing, and a mismatch signal is also sent to the host device to warn. do. The operator may also be notified of the discrepancy by lighting a lamp or buzzer.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the thermal transfer printer 41 uses an ink ribbon of a specific color from among a plurality of color ink ribbons, and the description has been made in connection with multicolor printing by the thermal transfer printer in row 5.

However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to thermal transfer printers, but can be applied to all printing devices that convert ink ribbons in cassette units. Also, it is not limited to applications for multicolor printing, and is extremely useful even in cases where the temperature of the thermal head must be controlled by the difference in melting point of the ink of the ink ribbon, such as in a thermal transfer printer. Since you can easily identify the type of ink ribbon,
It is also possible to issue instructions for temperature control of the thermal head without human intervention.

Further, the mark for identifying the type of cassette is not limited to the above-mentioned recess 2c, and may be, for example, a photo cup for detecting the presence or absence of reflected light.

As explained above, according to the present invention, since the cassette loaded in the printing device can be mechanically determined, printing can be performed using a cassette that meets the printing conditions.

Furthermore, since it is possible to determine the correspondence between the pre-given cassette conditions and the loaded cassette, this correspondence information can be used to prevent printing errors or defective printing, such as canceling printing or notifying the % printer. The present invention provides an excellent effect of preventing

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the main parts of the thermal transfer printing device, Fig. 2 (←) is a perspective view showing a part of the stand where the key switch is installed, Fig. 2 (b) (IIQ, e) (e is a diagram showing the mutual relationship between the key switch and the cassette, and Figure 2 (b) C) is a sectional view of the key switch and its vicinity, showing the configuration of the key switch and its operating condition m, respectively; Fig. 3 shows the control circuit used in one embodiment of the unexploded rainbow. Here, 2--cassette, 2cm recess, 11--key switch, 21--(key switch 11) top Figure 2-1516 → 2nd prisoner (d) 1 (e) Figure 3 Procedural amendment (method) % formula % 1. Case display Japanese Patent Application No. 162769/1982 2. Invention name printing device 3. Person making the amendment Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd. 4, Agent 1) Building 4F Hama 1-11-10 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105 February 23, 1980 61. The number of inventions that will increase due to the amendment: Instead of increasing the number of inventions to 0, submit Figures 2(a) to 2(b) as amended drawings, as shown in the attached sheet. Description 1, Title of Invention Printing Device 2, Claims In a printing device that prints using a removable ink ribbon cassette, a cassette discrimination stage identifies specific elements of an ink ribbon cassette provided on the cassette in advance, and the ink ribbon A printing device characterized in that a correspondence is obtained between specification information specifying the determination output and the discrimination output. 3. Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device. Conventionally, when performing multicolor printing using an ink ribbon cassette, a printer operator sets an ink ribbon cassette containing ink ribbons of desired colors into the printer to perform multicolor printing. At that time, the operator must check whether the ink ribbon cassette of the specified color is set in advance, and even if an ink ribbon cassette other than the specified color is set, the printer will not accept it. The disadvantage is that it cannot be distinguished and is printed as is. In addition, some types of ink ribbons, such as ink ribbons for thermal transfer printers, require a change in melting point, and it is necessary for an operator to check the ink ribbon and set an appropriate melting point on the spot. If the melting point is set incorrectly, clear printing cannot be achieved. The present invention is proposed in view of the disadvantages that conventional printing devices have. A first object of the present invention is to propose a printing device that is capable of identifying the ink ribbon attached to the printing device, thereby making it possible to obtain prints that match desired color or temperature conditions. A second object of the present invention is to propose a printing device that can determine whether or not an ink ribbon that meets predetermined printing conditions is loaded, thereby preventing erroneous printing and defective printing. . Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In No. 1--, which shows a thermal transfer multicolor printing device with replaceable ink-clean cassettes, heat-melting ink is applied to one side with a 1#'i ink ribbon), and when heat is applied to it, the ink melts. and is transferred onto paper 4. Reference numeral 2 denotes a cassette that stores the ink ribbon 1, and when changing the printing color, the ink ribbon cassette 2 is converted entirely. 3
tj: A thermal head converts the pattern signal to be printed into heat to melt the ink on the ink ribbon 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a stand on which the ink ribbon cassette 2 and the thermal head 3 are mounted, and is moved by a timing belt 6 to a predetermined printing position. The timing belt 6 is placed between the boots 1J7 and 7, and is driven by a drive motor 8. 9,9
is a guide formed downward from the platform 5, which engages with the rod 1o to stably guide the movement of the platform 5. In addition,
8 is a platen. Next, a key switch for identifying a cassette attached to the 11/fi stand 5 is used, and a specific cassette can be identified by the state in which this key switch enters the recess on the bottom surface of the ink ribbon cassette 2. Reference numeral 12 denotes an ink ribbon drive motor for winding up the ink ribbon 1. Furthermore, the mechanism for determining the ink ribbon cassette will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 (&) is a diagram for explaining means for distinguishing between different types of cassettes, and shows a state where the ink ribbon cassette 2 is not loaded on the stand 5. At this time, there is nothing on the discrimination key switch 11, and it remains in a protruding state. If an ink ribbon cassette with a bottom surface like that shown in Figures 2 (b) and (d) is loaded on the stand 5, the key switch 11 corresponding to the recess 2eK of the cassette will protrude. Figure 2 ((ri,
(e) FIGS. 2(f) and (2) show the key switch 110 when the ink ribbon cassette 2 is loaded.
FIG. 21 is a key top of the key switch 11, 22 is a switch terminal connected to the key top 21 via a spring, and 23 is a contact point of the switch terminal 22. 24 is the bottom surface of the ink ribbon cassette 2.
) shows the case where there is a recess 2c on the bottom surface of the cassette, and Fig. 2 @ shows the case where there is no recess. Key top 21 if there is a recess
is the recess 2e of the ink ribbon cassette 2 [ON], the discrimination switch is open, but if there is no recess, the key top 2
1 is pressed, the discrimination switch closes, and the terminals 23 and 22 become conductive, so a recess 2 is formed on the ink ribbon cassette 2 side.
The type of cassette 2 (that is, the type of ink ribbon 10 colors) can be detected depending on whether there is c.
The figure is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control circuit applied to the present invention. 31ti From the host device (not shown)
This is a data separation circuit for separating the color signal included in the print data sent to the printer from the signal related to the pattern, and the color signal separated from the pattern signal is sent to the comparison circuit 3.
2, the pattern signal is transferred to the print control circuit 33. The comparison circuit 32 compares the data from the decoder circuit 34 that converts the signal from the ink ribbon cassette identification key switch 11 into ink ribbon color data with the color signal from the data separation circuit 31, and compares the color signal from the data separation circuit 31 to determine which ink ribbon is currently loaded. It is determined whether the cassette is appropriate, and if an appropriate ink ribbon cassette is loaded, a signal indicating a match is transferred to the print control circuit 33. However, in the case where multiple ink ribbon cassettes of different types can be loaded, a color instruction signal may be transferred to the print control circuit 33 so as to select only the cassette that stores the ink ribbon of a specific color specified by the print data. . If the loaded cassette does not match the color specified by the print data, a mismatch signal is transferred to the print control circuit 33 to prevent printing, and a mismatch signal is also sent to the host device to warn them. . Further, the operator may be notified of the discrepancy by lighting a button or by buzzing. The above-described embodiments have been described in relation to a thermal transfer printer, particularly multicolor printing performed by a thermal transfer printer using an ink ribbon of a specific color from among a plurality of color ink ribbons. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to thermal transfer printers, but can be applied to all printing apparatuses in which ink ribbons are replaced in cassette units. For example, it may be a wire dot printer or a typewriter. Furthermore, the application is not limited to multi-color printing; for example, in thermal transfer printers, where the temperature of the thermal head must be controlled based on the difference in melting point of the ink of the ink ribbon, it is extremely easy to use the ink ribbon. Since the type can be determined, instructions for temperature control of the thermal head can be issued without manual intervention. There are also signs to identify the type of kasetsu. The method is not limited to the above-mentioned recess 2cK, and may also be used to detect the presence or absence of reflected light using a photocoupler, for example. As described above, according to the present invention, since the ink ribbon cassette loaded in the printing device can be mechanically determined, printing can be performed using an ink ribbon cassette that meets printing conditions. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine the correspondence between pre-given cassette conditions and the loaded cassette, this correspondence information can be used to prevent erroneous or defective printing by canceling printing or notifying the operator. The present invention provides excellent effects. 4. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the main parts of the voice transcription printing device, and Fig. 2 (&) is a perspective view showing a part of the stand on which the key switch is installed. Figure 2 (b) (e), (d) (6) is a diagram showing the mutual relationship between the key switch and the cassette, and 2nd WJ (f) and - are keys showing the configuration of the key switch and its operating state, respectively. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a switch and its vicinity. Figure 3 is a control circuit used in one embodiment of the present invention. Here, 2°°° ink ribbon cassette s2c... recessed portion, 11.°° key switch, 21... (key top of key switch 11). Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a printing device using a removable ink ribbon cassette, the ink ribbon is preliminarily provided on the cassette. A printing device that obtains a correspondence between designation information specifying the information and the discrimination output.