JPS63205267A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manually and variably set only the pitch quantity between characters in an arbitrary and continuous manner by controlling a driving means in accordance with the signal setting the pitch quantity corresponding to the input from an operation part. CONSTITUTION:The potential to the resistance value of a variable resistor 39 set by a pitch quantity operation part 19 is degitalized by an A/D converter 47 and CPU 45 stores data in the pitch memory 51a in RAM 51 according to the control program in ROM 49. When a character key is operated, a type wheel driving apparatus 53 is operated and the type body corresponding to the operated character key is selected and the corresponding character is printed by a printing hammer driving apparatus 55. Further, the pitch quantity of the pitch memory 51a is read and a carriage driving apparatus 57 is operated so as to move a carriage 23 by the set pitch quantity.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a printing device that prints using typefaces, and more specifically to a printing device that allows the pitch between printed characters to be manually set. Regarding printing devices.

[Prior art] Conventional printing devices that can arbitrarily set the pitch amount include, for example, a pie force mode that prints 10 characters within 1 inch, an elite mode that prints 12 characters within 1 inch, and an elite mode that prints 15 characters within 1 inch.
It is known that about four types of modes can be set, including a micron mode for printing characters, and a proportional spacing mode for printing evenly balanced characters in which each character has its own space.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a printing device, since the pitch amount is set in stages, it is impossible to fine-tune it arbitrarily; for example, as shown in FIG. , when printing within a predetermined frame d, if printing is done at an elite pitch as in printing example a, it will not fit within frame d, and the operator may not be able to fit within frame d as in printing example A. If you print with a micron pitch from the print position e when you noticed it, a margin will be created in the frame d, and the pitch amount will change significantly in the middle of the print line, making it difficult to print evenly. The problem was that it was not possible to obtain

Furthermore, it is impossible to obtain a pitch larger than the pitch pitch or smaller than the micron pitch, and there is a problem in that the printing result desired by the operator cannot be obtained.

Furthermore, in the proportional spacing mode, there is a problem in that it is impossible to variably set the space between characters unique to each character.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned printing device, it is easy to think of simply increasing the number of pitch amount setting modes;
As the number of modes increases, the number of means for storing pitch amounts in advance, mode selection means, etc. also increases, resulting in a problem of complicating the structure and increasing costs.

Other conventional techniques include, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-45985
As shown in the above publication, a variable printing pitch method is known in which the printing pitch amount of a dot impact printing device is arbitrarily set using a programmable timer.
Since this type of method uses a dot impact method, not only the pitch between characters but also the printing width of the characters themselves change, and if the pitch is changed in the middle of a printing line, the printing result will be very unnatural. There was a problem that the

[Object of the invention] The present invention can solve the above problems at once,
The purpose is to provide a printing device in which only the pitch between characters can be manually and arbitrarily and continuously varied without changing the width of the printed characters.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the printing device according to the present invention is a printing device that prints using type bodies placed on a carriage movable along a platen, and includes a carriage driving means for driving the carriage, and a pitch between characters to be printed. An operating section that allows continuous manual variable input of the amount;
It is characterized by comprising a setting circuit that outputs a signal for setting a pitch amount corresponding to an input from the operating section, and a control means that controls the carriage driving means in response to a signal from the setting circuit. It is said that

[Operation] According to the above configuration, when the pitch amount between characters to be printed is set by the operation section, a signal corresponding to the value is generated in the setting circuit, and the signal causes the carriage driving means to Since the control unit controls the carriage, the carriage is driven according to the set pitch amount.

[Example] Hereinafter, a first example in which the present invention is embodied in a type type tie writer will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the typewriter of this embodiment. Frame 11 of the typewriter has character key 1.
3, a display device 17 arranged behind the keyboard 15, and a pitch device arranged on the side of the display device 17 for manually and arbitrarily and continuously setting the pitch between characters. A quantity operation section 19 is also provided.

Further, a platen 21 extending in the left-right direction is rotatably supported on the side frame of the frame 11, and in front of the platen 21, a carriage 23 supported by a guide rod (not shown) is attached to the platen 21. It is installed so that it can reciprocate along the On the carriage 23, a type wheel 27 having a large number of type bodies 25, a printing ribbon 29, a printing hammer 31, etc. are placed.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the pitch amount operating section 19.

The frame 11 of the typewriter is provided with a groove 11b for reciprocating the operation knob 33 of the pitch amount operation section 19 in the direction of arrow A, and an inner wall 11a is formed inside the groove 11b along the direction of arrow A. has been done. Further, on the frame 11, a pitch amount scale tic is written as a guide for setting the pitch amount.

The operation knob 33 of the pitch amount operation unit 19 is in a movable state when the fixed knob 35 located above the operation knob 33 is in the state shown in FIG. 3, and the fixed knob 35 is in the state shown in FIG. When rotated by 90 degrees, the fixing member 37 engages with the inner wall 11a of the frame 11, so that it is in a fixed state.

Its structure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows a case where the operating knob 33 is in a movable state, and FIG. 5 shows a case where the operating knob 33 is in a fixed state. The case is shown below.

In FIG. 4, a sliding variable resistor 39 is fixed to the frame 11, and a fixed knob 35 and a variable resistor 39 are fixed to the frame 11.
A connecting shaft 41 that connects the connecting shaft 9 with the operating knob 33 rotatably passes through the inside of the operating knob 33. Furthermore, a fixing member 37 is provided on the connecting shaft 41.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, the inner wall 1 of the frame 11
1a and the fixed member 37 are not engaged, the operating knob 33 can reciprocate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, and by operating the operating knob 33, the resistance value of the variable resistor 39 can be changed. It becomes possible to do so.

When the fixed knob 35 is rotated 90 degrees, the fixed member 37 is also rotated 90 degrees together with the connecting shaft 41 and engages with the inner wall 11a of the frame 11, as shown in FIG. It cannot reciprocate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 and is in a fixed state, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 39 is fixed at a constant value.

Regarding the configuration of the control system of this typewriter, the first
This will be explained with reference to the block diagram shown in the figure.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 45 that manages all operations of this type type tie writer includes a keyboard 15 and an A/C that digitizes the potential of a variable resistor 39 in the pitch amount operation section 19.
A ROM (read only memory) 4 that stores in advance a control program for operating the D converter 47 and the CPU 45
9, a pitch memory 51a that temporarily stores the pitch amount digitized by the A/D converter 47, and a RAM (random access RAM) that temporarily stores various other information.
memory) 51, a type wheel drive device 53 that drives the type wheel 27, and a printing hammer 31 connected to the platen 21.
A printing hammer driving device 55 that drives the carriage 23 along the platen 21 and a carriage driving device 57 that drives the carriage 23 along the platen 21 are connected.

Next, the operation of the typewriter constructed as described above will be explained with reference to the sectional view shown in FIG. 4 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 4, the operator sets a desired pitch amount by moving the operation knob 33 of the pitch amount operation section 19, and rotates the fixed knob 35 to maintain the pitch amount. Inside the pitch amount operating section 19, due to the rotation of the fixed knob 35, the fixed member 37 engages with the inner wall 11a of the frame 11, and the pitch amount operating section 19
Fix the operating knob 33.

Further, the potentials corresponding to the resistance values of the three variable resistors set in the pitch amount operation section 19 are digitized by the A/D converter 47 and output to the CPU 45.

The CPU 45 manages the operation of the typewriter shown in FIG. 6 according to the control program in the ROM 19. That is, in step S1, data from the A/D converter 47 is read, in step S2 the data is converted into a corresponding pitch amount, and in step S3, the pitch amount is stored in the RAM.
51 is stored in pitch memory 51a. Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the character key 13 has been operated. If the determination result is No, step S1
If the answer is YES, the process moves to step S5. In step S5, the type wheel drive device 53 is activated, and the type 25 corresponding to the operated character key 13 is selected. Then, in step S6, the printing hammer drive device 5
The printing ribbon 29 is activated by the printing hammer 31.
The type body 25 is struck toward the platen 21 via the , and the character corresponding to the operated character key 13 is printed.

Furthermore, the pitch amount in the pitch memory 51a is read in step S7, and the carriage drive device 57 is operated in step S8 so that the carriage 23 is moved by the set pitch amount in the printing direction, and the process returns to step S1.

By repeating the above operations, when the operator sets the pitch amount to a desired value, the drive amount of the carriage 23 is controlled accordingly, making it possible to print at the printing pitch desired by the operator. .

In other words, in FIG. 10, when the printout cannot be completely accommodated within the frame d as in printing example a, it is possible to fit within the frame d by adjusting the pitch amount R from the middle as in printing example C. It is also possible to print with a pitch amount larger than the pitch pitch or smaller than the micron pitch. Furthermore, the operation knob 33 of the pitch amount operation section 19
By providing the fixing member 37 for fixing, the problem of the set pitch amount being changed unexpectedly due to erroneous operation, vibration, etc. can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the variable resistor 39 is of a sliding type, but other types of variable resistors, such as a rotating type, may be used. Further, although the pitch amount operation section 19 was arranged on the side of the display device 17 on the frame 11, it may be arranged at any other position that is easy for the operator to operate.

Next, a second embodiment in which the pitch amount operating section 19 of the first embodiment has a different configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the pitch amount operation section of the type type tie writer of this embodiment. The pitch amount operation section 61 is arranged on the frame of a typewriter (not shown), and has a pitch amount increase key 63 for increasing or decreasing the pitch amount.
- Equipped with a pitch amount reduction key 65, a pitch amount holding switch 67 that holds the set pitch amount, and a pitch amount display device 69 that displays the reciprocal of the set pitch amount, that is, the number of characters per inch. .

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of this typewriter. However, in this embodiment, parts having the same configuration as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same numbers.

The CPU 45 is connected to a printing mechanism 71 that performs a series of printing operations according to the first embodiment, and a pitch amount operation section 61. The pitch amount operation section 61 is connected to a pitch amount display device 69.
and a signal output section 68. Its signal output section 6
8 outputs an UP signal and a DOWN signal to the CPU 45, respectively, when the pitch amount increase key 63 and the pitch amount decrease key 65 are pressed, and the pitch amount hold switch 67
When is operated as LOCK [in Fig. 7, C
It is configured to output a LOCK signal to the PU 45.

The operation of the typewriter having the above configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the CPU 45, the pitch amount in the pitch memory 51a is initialized in step SIO.

Then, in step Sll, the pitch amount is converted into a reciprocal number, and the value is displayed on the pitch amount display device 69. Next, in step S12, it is determined whether a character key has been operated. When the determination result is YES, the process moves to step 313, the printing mechanism 71 is activated and a series of printing operations are performed, and the process returns to step Sll. The discrimination result is N
In the case of O, the process moves to step S14, and the pitch amount holding switch is pressed.
Whether or not the switch 67 is operated by LOCKIPI is determined by
This is determined by detecting the LOCK signal. When the result is YES, it is determined that the pitch amount setting is prohibited, and the process returns to step S11. When the result is No, it is determined that the pitch amount can be set, and the process moves to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the pitch amount increase key 63 is pressed.
This is determined by detecting the UP signal. If the result is YES, the process moves to step S16, and the pitch memory 5
The pitch amount of 1a is increased and the process returns to step Sll. If the answer is No, the process moves to step S17, and it is determined whether or not the pitch amount reduction key 65 has been pressed by detecting the DOWN signal. If the result is YES, the process moves to step 818, the pitch amount in the pitch memory 51a is decreased, and the process returns to step S11. If No, it is assumed that no operation has been performed and the process returns to step Sll.

By repeating the above operations, it becomes possible to arbitrarily set the pitch amount, and the printing mechanism 71 performs a series of printing operations based on the set pitch amount, so printing is performed at the printing pitch desired by the operator. It becomes possible to do so. Furthermore, by providing the pitch amount holding switch 67 that holds the set pitch amount, erroneous operations can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, a pitch amount display device 69 was provided to display the set pitch amount, but it is also possible to display it on the display device 17. In addition, when setting the pitch amount, only the pitch amount increase key 63 and pitch amount decrease key 65 are used, but it is more convenient to use it together with the conventional setting switch that sets the pie force, elite, and micron modes in stages. This allows for fine adjustment of the pitch amount.

In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the pitch amount was set variably in the normal printing mode, but if a similar setting method is adopted in the proportional spacing mode, the inter-character space unique to each character can be adjusted as a whole. A proportional spacing mode that can be changed at any rate is also possible, and a well-balanced printing result desired by the operator can be obtained.

Further, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to a type typewriter, but it goes without saying that it can be applied to various types of other type type printing devices.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, the present invention includes a printing device equipped with an operating section capable of manually and continuously variable inputting the pitch amount, and a setting circuit that outputs a signal corresponding to the input, By controlling the drive of the carriage, only the pitch between characters can be manually and continuously varied without changing the width of the printed characters, so the pitch can be adjusted from the operator's desired printing position. It is possible to adjust the RH of
When changing the pitch amount significantly, it is important to gradually increase or decrease the pitch amount to obtain a well-balanced printing result, and to make sure that the pitch amount is larger than the pie-force pitch or smaller than the micron pitch. This has the effect that the operator can obtain the desired printing result, such as by being able to set the settings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the typewriter without the control system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the typewriter;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the pitch amount operating section of the tie lighter, FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along line 1v-IV in FIG. 3 showing the inside of the pitch amount operating section, and FIG. 6 is the above-mentioned It is a flowchart showing the operation of the typewriter. Also,
7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention;
The figure is an enlarged front view of the pitch amount control unit of the typewriter of the second embodiment, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control system of the typewriter, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the typewriter. It is. Further, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of printing by conventional typewriters and typewriters of the present invention. 19.61: Pitch amount operation section, 21 Nibraten, 23
: Carriage, 25: Typeface, 33: Operation knob, 37
: Fixed member, 3 variable resistors, 45: CPIJ (central processing unit), 47: A/D converter, 57: Carriage drive device, 63: Pitch amount increase key, 65: Pitch amount decrease key, 67: Pitch Full hold switch, 68: Signal output section patent application Katsuji Kawashima, President of Brother Industries, Ltd. Figure 7 PITCH [Character/ 1nch] Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A carriage movable along the platen (21) (
23), a printing device that prints by means of a type body (25) placed on a printer, comprising a carriage drive means (57) for driving the carriage (23), and a continuous manual control of the pitch between characters to be printed. an operating section (19, 61) that allows variable input;
, 61), and a setting circuit (47, 68) that outputs a signal for setting the pitch amount corresponding to the input from the setting circuit (47, 68), and the carriage driving means (57) in response to the signal from the setting circuit (47, 68). control means (45) for controlling
A printing device characterized by comprising: 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the setting circuit (47) digitizes the potential of a variable resistor (39) provided in the operation section (19). 3. The setting circuit (68) sets the pitch amount corresponding to the pressing time of the operation keys (63, 65) provided on the operation section (61). The printing device described in . 4. The printing device includes a fixing means (3) for holding the pitch amount set by the setting circuit (47, 68).
7, 67).The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the fixing means (37) fixes the operation knob (33) of the operation section (19). 6. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the fixing means (67) suppresses a signal for setting the pitch amount output from the setting circuit (68).