JPS62234975A - Automatic margin setting device of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the necessity for performing setting at each time when new paper is inserted even if the new paper has a size same to or different from that of the previous paper and the insert position thereof is different, by setting the margin position of the paper from the positions at both ends of the paper detected by a paper detector. CONSTITUTION:A paper both-end detection means 10 and a paper margin position setting means 20 are provided on a printer. The position where a printing head 6 moves to the leftmost side is set to 'O' as the origin and the position of each point from the origin on paper is measured in the right-hand direction. The printing head 6 moves to the left until detects paper absent state and the paper detector 1 carried on the head 6 is shifted from the left end of the paper and the detection signal thereof is blocked to detect the left end of the paper. The printing head 6 moves to the right and the right end C of the paper is detected and stored. A left margin lm is added to the value of the left end A to obtain the value of the left margin position X of the paper and right margin rm is added to the value of the right end C to obtain the value of the right margin position Y of the paper. In actual printing, the signals of the left end L and right end R of printing are generated, and X and L as well as Y and R are compared and coincidence values are respectively set as left and right margin positions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printer used as an output device for computers, word processors, and the like.

[Conventional technology] Conventionally, when the paper size changes, this type of printer
Margins had to be set each time.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] That is, when using paper with different dimensions than before, if margins are not set, it may not be possible to print on the paper all at once, or the printing may extend beyond the paper. The problem arises that it becomes like this.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The inventor solved these problems by using a device that automatically sets the margin position. In other words, this device is a printer that prints using a print head installed on a hammer bank that reciprocates along a platen, and has a paper detection device that detects whether printing paper is loaded in the printing section. a) a paper detecting device for detecting the positions of both ends of the paper based on signals from the paper detecting device; An automatic margin setting device for a printer is characterized in that it has a both-end detection means and b) a margin position setting means for setting a margin position of a sheet based on the detected positions of both ends.

Note that this printer, in which a paper detection device is provided in a reciprocating portion of the printing device, is currently pending for a patent as an invention by the present inventor. The present invention provides a printer according to the present invention,
An automatic margin setting device is added.

[Example] The present invention will be explained with reference to drawings of an example. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the structure of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between sheets and paper margin positions, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of this device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the present invention. It is a process diagram showing a specific example.

In FIG. 1, a print head 6 is mounted on a hammer bank 4 that reciprocates along a platen 2 on a guide shaft 3. A paper detection device 1 for detecting paper empty is provided above this print head 6. Further, the hammer bank 4 is driven by a hammer bank drive device (see FIG. 4).

On this printer, a) Paper both ends detection means 1
0, and b) paper margin position setting means 20 are newly provided. Note that in this printer, the paper detection device 1 is already provided on the print head.

In FIG. 2, the position when the print head is closest to the left side is defined as "0", and the position of each point on the paper is measured in the right direction from this point as the origin. The paper width is W, the left margin is 1m, the right margin is rm, the left margin position is X, the right margin position is Y, the left edge of paper P is A, and the right edge is C1. Let the position be R (each distance 111i from the origin 0).

The interaction between these means and the printer will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, the printer is started, (1) paper is inserted from a state of no paper, and the presence of paper is detected by the paper detection device 1 provided on the print head. (Initially, the print head is near the center.) (1) When the condition (2) is detected, the sheet detection device 1 waits for 1 to 2 seconds and checks that there is no erroneous insertion malfunction.

If the presence of paper is detected even after 01 to 2 seconds, the print head is then moved to the left until the state of no paper is detected.

(2) The paper detection device 1 comes off the left edge of the paper and the paper detection signal is cut off, thereby detecting the left edge A of the paper.

■ Let A be the position detected by ■. In this case, the value of A is detected and stored in consideration of the distance between the print head 6 and the paper detection device 1. (Similarly below) Move the print head to the right in the 0th order.

■The paper detection signal is detected again.

(2) Similarly to (2), when the paper detecting device 1 comes off the right edge of the paper, the right edge C of the paper is detected.

■ Detect and store the value of C in the same way as in ■.

[Phase] A left margin of 1 m is added to the value of A detected in step (3) to obtain the value of the left margin position X of the paper.

(2) The right margin rm detected in (2) is subtracted to obtain the value of the right margin position Y of the paper.

(2) During actual printing, signals for the left edge and right edge R of printing are generated.

@X and L are compared and the matched value is set as the left margin position.

[Phase] Similarly, Y and R are compared, and the matched value is set as the right margin.

Next, a process diagram of a specific embodiment of this device is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the pulses output from the stepping motor drive circuit 100 for moving the print head are used to increase the counter 101 and the counter 102, which were cleared at the leftmost edge of printing, so that the counters 101 and 102 are cleared at the leftmost and rightmost positions of the paper, respectively. Counters 101 and 102 are stopped. Adder 111 and subtracter 112 add the left and right margins of the paper to this value, and comparator 12
1 and 122 by hand. When actually printing, the counter increases by moving the print head■10
3 is used and compared with the value stored in the comparator to determine the right margin and left margin.

As explained above, the present invention was realized by adding a minimum number of means to an existing printer. Since all of the added means can be incorporated into the device constituting the computer or word processor, there are almost no additional elements such as parts.

In addition, since the wiring and the like are shared with the wiring for driving the print head (flexible cables, etc.), there is almost no increase in the number of wiring.

Further, all of these means are conventional and common ones and are well known, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, it is no longer necessary to set margins each time a new sheet is inserted, whether the size is the same or different from the previous sheet, or whether the insertion position is different.
Now you can print immediately.

Furthermore, it has become possible to print not only on paper of a fixed shape (rectangle) but also on paper of special shapes, such as circular or triangular shapes.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the structure of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between sheets and paper margin positions, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of this device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the present invention. It is a process diagram showing a specific example. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Paper detection device, 6...Print head, 10...Paper width detection means, 20...Margin position setting means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A paper detection device for detecting whether or not printing paper is loaded in the printing section of a printer that prints using a print head provided on a hammer bank that reciprocates along a platen. is mounted on a printer provided on either the hammer bank or the print head, the printer having: a) a paper both edge detector that detects the positions of both edges of the paper based on signals from the paper detection device; 1. An automatic margin setting device for a printer, comprising: a detecting device; and b) a margin position setting device for setting a margin position of a sheet based on the detected positions of both ends.