JPS63128976A - Impact printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable confirmation of action of a printer in printing mode without sending a color control command from an external device by providing a self- diagnosis function which permits checking of the action of a sensor of confirmation of an action in color printing mode. CONSTITUTION:If a sensor 1 is pressed ON by a ribbon cartridge 2 when a printer is initialized, it is set to the color printing mode. On the other hand, if the sensor is not turned ON by pressure, the printer is set to the black printing mode. A processing part 4 is provided with a program 5 to cause a printing mechanism to print in color when set to color printing mode and to print in black when set to black printing mode after selection of either color or black printing mode/in accordance with an output of the sensor 1, when the self- diagnosis function is started by the operation of a switch 6. When the printer is caused to perform a self-diagnosis active by means of switch operation, the color printing mode is displayed in color and the black printing mode in black, thus checking the action of the sensor 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an impact printer that can use both a color ribbon cartridge and a black ribbon cartridge.

[Conventional technology]

Generally speaking, this type of impact printer.

For example, there are wire tod impact printers. Conventionally, wire tod impact printers capable of color printing have a sensor that distinguishes between a color ribbon cartridge and a black ribbon cartridge. Based on the output of the sensor, if it is determined that the color printing mode is selected, the color printing mode is When a control command is received and applied, and it is determined that the black printing mode is selected, the control command is not received or applied.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, if the sensor that identifies whether the ribbon is colored or black is malfunctioning, the actual PC: ENG:・２;=Futomi:=KO! The purpose of the present invention is to provide an impact printer with a self-diagnosis function that allows you to check sensor operation and color print mode operation without receiving color control commands from an external device such as a personal computer. The purpose is to provide printers.

[Means for solving problems]

According to the present invention, in an impact printer that can use both a color ribbon cartridge (2 in Figure 1) and a black ribbon cartridge (3 in Figure 1), if the currently set ribbon is either a color ribbon or a black ribbon, There is a sensor (1 in Figure 1) that determines whether the ribbon is present or not, and a sensor (1 in Figure 1) when the self-diagnosis function starts (i.e.

(When performing a test print function as a self-diagnosis function), the print mechanism selects color print mode or black print mode according to the output of the sensor.

An impact printer characterized in that it includes a processing section (4 in FIG. 1) having a printing function (program shown by 5 in FIG. 1).

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a wire tod impact printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 1(a) and 1(1) respectively show the state in which a color ribbon cartridge 2 and a black ribbon cartridge are set.

In FIG. 1, sensor 1 is connected to ribbon cartridge 2.
This is a sensor that identifies the type of sensor 1 or 6, and when ribbon cartridge 2 presses sensor 1 and turns it on during the initial operation of the printer (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1 (a))
is the color printing mode! 11. When there is no ONL (1st
The shape shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure (1)) is the black printing mode (monochrome printing mode). Whether it turns on or not depends on the difference in thickness between ribbon cartridges 2 and 6.
Color ribbon cartridge 2 is black ribbon cartridge 3
Since the thickness is larger, sensor 1 turns on. Processing section 4
When the self-diagnosis function is started by operating the switch 6, etc., the printing mechanism is set to either the color printing mode or the black printing mode according to the output of the sensor 1. It has a program 5 for printing in black.

When the self-diagnosis operation of the printer is performed by operating the switch 6, etc., the color printing mode is displayed in color as shown in Figure 2.
The black print mode display can be done by displaying the print in black.
The operation of sensor 1 can be checked.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention has a function of self-diagnosing whether it is a color printing mode or a black printing mode without depending on a command from an external device such as a personal computer. At this time, when performing a test print function as a self-diagnosis function, the operation of the sensor can be checked by printing whether it is in color print mode or black print mode, and the color control command can be sent from an external device such as a PC. It is possible to check the operation of the printer's color print mode even without the printer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(1) are schematic diagrams showing a wire dot impact printer according to an embodiment of the present invention in different operating states. 1... Sensor, 2... Color ribbon cartridge, 3... Black ribbon cartridge, 4... Processing section. 5...Program, 6...Switch. Figure 2 shows an example of printing in self-diagnosis (A
) shows the case of color printing mode, and (B) shows the case of black printing mode. Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an impact printer that can use both a color ribbon cartridge and a black ribbon cartridge, a sensor that determines whether the currently set ribbon is a color ribbon or a black ribbon, and when a self-diagnosis function is started An impact printer comprising: a processing section having a function of causing a printing mechanism to print in either a color printing mode or a black printing mode according to the output of the sensor. 2. When starting the self-diagnosis function, the processing section instructs the printing mechanism to select either color printing mode or black printing mode according to the output of the sensor, and instructs the printing mechanism to select color printing mode or black printing mode. The impact printer according to claim 1, which has a function of printing in black.