KR20050054599A - Apparatus and method for printing using low power in printer equipped multiple thermal print head - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a low power printing apparatus and method for use in a thermal transfer / sublimation printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads. In a printer with a plurality of thermal transfer heads, a low power printing device comprises a plurality of thermal print heads and control means. In order to control the heating time of the heating element corresponding to the data line to be printed, a plurality of thermal print heads each receive a strobe signal that lasts for a predetermined interval and print data by processing the data per line in parallel. When the data per line is latched to the thermal print head, a strobe weight signal indicating whether or not a strobe signal is generated for another thermal print head is generated and checked so that the strobe signals are not generated at the same time.

Description

Apparatus and method for printing using low power in printer equipped multiple thermal print head}

The present invention relates to a low power printing apparatus and method for use in a thermal transfer / sublimation printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads.

A thermal transfer printer is a device that prints letters or pictures by giving heat to a thermal paper or thermal film generated by heat by a dot-type heating element or the like. Such thermal transfer printers are mainly used for faxes using thermal paper, an initial form of facsimile. Recently, point-of-sale (POS), electronic cash resister (ECR), bar code printer, ATM, ticket vending machines, etc. It is widely applied to small devices.

Thermal transfer printing is the most suitable printing apparatus and method for constructing a portable printer because the size of the printing apparatus can be configured small.

However, thermal transfer printing requires a considerable amount of energy because it transfers heat to a thermal film and records data on paper, which is a printing method that converts print data received from a PC into heat and transfers the heat.

Therefore, thermal transfer or sublimation printers have advantages in mechanical size and speed, but large power consumption is a major disadvantage. In addition, there is a problem that a large rating of the DC power supply (not shown) has to be designed, thereby increasing the price of the system.

1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the thermal transfer printing method according to the related art. When data arrives from the PC and printing starts (step 100), the line feed motor is driven (step 101). If the position of the recording sheet is determined and the recording sheet is the first TPH position (step 102), the data for one line is latched to the first TPH (step 103). When the latch is completed, generally four Strobe signals are generated and data is printed by dividing one line of data into four blocks (step 104). By the Strobe signal, only the portion where data exists in the header of the first TPH is turned on to transfer heat to the thermal film, and ink of the portion where the heat is transferred is printed on paper. If the position of the recording sheet is determined and the recording sheet is in the second TPH position (step 105), data for one line is latched in the second TPH (step 106). When the latch is completed, generally four Strobe signals are generated and data is printed by dividing one line of data into four blocks (step 107). By the Strobe signal, only the portion in which the data exists in the header of the second TPH is turned on to transfer heat to the thermal film, and ink of the portion where the heat is transferred is printed on paper. After this, the line feed motor is driven to move to the next line position and the same operation is repeated.

2A and 2B are timing diagrams of driving two first and second TPHs according to the prior art, and FIG. 2A is a timing diagram of driving a first TPH (denoted A), and FIG. 2B is a second TPH. A timing diagram according to the driving of (denoted B) is shown. In FIG. 2A, Data IN A represents data transmitted from a microcomputer (not shown), CLK A represents a clock signal for synchronizing between the microcomputer and the first TPH, and / Latch A represents a latch signal transmitted from the microcomputer, Strobe A_1. -Strobe A_4 represents the strobe signal transmitted from the microcomputer. Similarly, in FIG. 2B, Data IN B denotes data transmitted from the microcomputer, CLK B denotes a clock signal for synchronizing between the microcomputer and the second TPH, and / Latch B denotes a latch signal transmitted from the microcomputer, Strobe B_1 to / Strobe. B_4 represents the strobe signal transmitted from the microcomputer.

The maximum instantaneous power of the TPH depends on the number of dots driven simultaneously. In particular, the thermal transfer method using TPH has a long duration of the driven Strobe, so the maximum instantaneous power determines the rating of the power supply.

Therefore, the average power consumption of TPH is considerably higher than that of other printing devices. The maximum number of dots that can be driven by one strobe per line is 720 dots based on the TPH for 300 dpi A4, and the maximum power consumption is 187.2W because the power consumption per dot is 0.26W.

When the amount of data is large, it indicates that a large power can be consumed. In addition, the sublimation type uses a plurality of TPH to increase the printing speed when printing CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK) data. Since data is processed in parallel, strobe times can overlap, which requires twice the power (374.4W for two TPHs). In addition, when using a DC power supply or a built-in power supply, a large rating (two times) can be used, and the power rating also increases by an integer multiple according to the number of TPHs used in the printer.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to prevent the strobe signal is generated at the same time in a printer performing a high-speed printing using a plurality of thermal transfer head to reduce the amount of instantaneous maximum power consumption to enable the printer to drive low power The present invention provides a low power printing apparatus and method in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads.

In the printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads to solve the above technical problem to be achieved by the present invention, it is preferable that the low power printing apparatus includes a plurality of thermal print heads and control means.

In the present invention, the plurality of thermal print heads respectively receive a strobe signal lasting for a predetermined interval in order to control the heating time of the heating element corresponding to the data line to be printed, and prints by processing the data per line in parallel It is characterized by.

In the present invention, when the data per line is latched to one of the thermal print heads, the control means generates and confirms a strobe weight signal indicating whether or not a strobe signal for another thermal print head is generated so that the strobe signals are not simultaneously generated. Characterized in that the control so as not to.

In the present invention, if the strobe signal for one of the thermal print head is generated by the control means to confirm the strobe weight signal, characterized in that the strobe signal for the other thermal print head stops and waits.

In the present invention, the control means is characterized in that when the strobe signal for one of the thermal print head stops generating the strobe weight signal, the strobe signal for the other thermal print head is resumed.

The low-power printing method in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads to solve other technical problems to be solved by the present invention is to (a) drive a line feed motor when printing is started to write the paper to any one of the thermal print head positions. Moving and latching data for a line to the thermal print head; (b) checking the strobe weight signal to confirm whether or not a strobe signal is generated for the other thermal print head when the latch is completed; And (c) when the strobe weight signal is confirmed, if a strobe signal for the other thermal print head is being generated, stops and waits for generating a strobe signal to the one thermal print head, and by checking the strobe weight signal, the other thermal If the strobe signal generation for the print head is stopped, resuming the strobe signal generation for any one of the thermal print heads.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a low power printing device in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer head according to the present invention, the power supply means 300, the first TPH 301, the second TPH 302, Control means (303). In the present invention, the control means 303 is the NVRAM 303-1, the system memory 303-2, the controller 303-3, the first TPH controller 303-4, and the second TPH controller 303-5. It is made, including.

4 is an example of a timing diagram according to the TPH driving shown in FIG. 3.

5 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of a low power printing method in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads according to the present invention. The printing start step 500, the line feed motor driving step 501, and the recording paper are the first. Determining whether the TPH position is 502; latching one line of data 503; determining if / STW B is inactive; printing if / STW B is inactive (4 strobes generated) Step 505, if / STW B is active, waiting for / STW B to become inactive (506), determining whether the recording sheet is a second TPH position (507), latching data on one line Step 508, determining whether / STW A is inactive (509), printing if / STW A is inactive (four strobes generated) step 510, / STW A if / STW A is active 511 waiting for the to become inactive, and determining 512 whether printing is complete. Than it has done.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

First, a low power printing apparatus in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads will be described.

The power supply means 300 is a power supply means including a direct current power supply device or a built-in power supply device, and supplies power for driving a printing apparatus.

The control unit 303 controls the overall printing operation, receives data to be printed from a PC (not shown), which is an external device, and generates heat of a heating element corresponding to a data line to be printed by power supplied from the power supply unit 300. The duty cycle of the Strobe signal for controlling the time is adjusted and output to the first TPH 301 and the second TPH 302 as a control signal. At this time, four Strobe signals are output to the first TPH 301 and the second TPH 302 so that data of one line is divided into four blocks and printed. When the data per line is latched to one thermal print head, the control unit 303 checks a strobe weight signal indicating whether a strobe signal for another thermal print head is generated and controls the strobe signals not to occur at the same time.

In the NVRAM 303-1, a program for operating a printing apparatus is stored, and the system memory 303-2 temporarily stores data for printing transmitted from a PC.

The control unit 302-3 controls the NVRAM 303-1, the system memory 303-2, the first TPH control unit 303-4, and the second TPH control unit 303-5. The controller 303-3 generates four strobe signals that control the heat generation time of the heating element corresponding to the data line to be printed, thereby respectively generating the first TPH controller 303-4 and the second TPH controller 303-5. )

The first TPH controller 303-4 controls the operation of the first TPH 301 under the control of the controller 303-3. When the recording paper arrives at the position of the first TPH 301, the first TPH controller 303-4 transfers the line data to the first TPH 301 according to a clock and generates a latch signal to generate the first TPH 301. Type in At this time, the first TPH controller 303-4 checks the strobe weight (/ STW B) signal transmitted from the second TPH controller 303-5. The / STW B signal is a signal indicating whether or not a strobe signal for the second TPH 302 is generated. The first TPH controller 303-4 checks whether the / STW B signal is in an active state (Low) or an inactive state (High). When the / STW B signal is inactive, it means that the second TPH control unit 303-5 is not generating the strobe signal, thereby driving the first TPH 301. Then, the / STW A signal is generated to indicate that the first TPH controller 303-4 is generating the strobe signal, and the strobe signal is generated to drive the first TPH 301. Dot dot heating enabled by the input data is passed to the film. On the contrary, when the / STW B signal is in the active state, it means that the second TPH controller 303-5 is generating the strobe signal. Wait until

The second TPH controller 303-5 controls the operation of the second TPH 302 under the control of the controller 303-3. When the recording paper arrives at the position of the second TPH 302, the second TPH controller 303-5 transfers the line data to the second TPH 302 in time with a clock and generates a latch signal to generate the second TPH 302. Type in At this time, the second TPH controller 303-5 checks the strobe weight (/ STW A) signal transmitted from the first TPH controller 303-4. The / STW A signal is a signal indicating whether or not a strobe signal is generated for the first TPH 301. The second TPH controller 303-5 checks whether the / STW A signal is an active state (Low) or an inactive state (High). When the / STW A signal is inactive, it means that the first TPH control unit 303-4 does not generate the strobe signal. Therefore, the second TPH 302 is driven. Then, the / STW B signal is generated to indicate that the second TPH control unit 303-5 is generating the strobe signal, and the strobe signal is generated to drive the second TPH 302. Dot dot heating enabled by the input data is passed to the film. On the contrary, when the / STW A signal is in an active state, it means that the first TPH 301 is generating a strobe signal. Therefore, the second TPH control unit 303-5 is not ready until the / STW A signal is inactive. Wait

4A and 4B are timing diagrams for driving the first TPH 301 and the second TPH 302 TPH, and FIG. 4A is a timing diagram for driving the first TPH 301 (denoted A). 4b shows a timing diagram according to the driving of the second TPH 302 (denoted B).

In FIG. 4A, Data IN A denotes data transmitted from a microcomputer (not shown), CLK A denotes a clock signal for synchronizing between the controller 303-3 and the first TPH 301, and / Latch A denotes a controller ( The latch signal transmitted from 303-3 indicates the strobe signal, and the Strobe A_1 to / Strobe A_4 indicates the strobe signal transmitted from the control unit 303-3. / STW A indicates whether the strobe signals Strobe A_1 to / Strobe A_4 are generated, that is, from the start to the end, and whether or not the second TPH 302 is operated is determined by this signal. That is, the strobe signals Strobe B_1 to Strobe B_4 are transmitted to the second TPH 302 until printing of the / STW A signal becomes inactive.

In FIG. 4B, Data IN B denotes data transmitted from a microcomputer (not shown), CLK B denotes a clock signal for synchronizing between the controller 303-3 and the second TPH 302, and / Latch B denotes a controller ( The latch signal transmitted from 303-3 represents a strobe signal, and the Strobe B_1 to / Strobe B_4 represent a strobe signal transmitted from the control unit 303-3. / STW B indicates whether or not the strobe signals Strobe B_1 to / Strobe B_4 are generated, that is, from the start to the end, and whether or not the first TPH 301 is operated is determined by this signal. That is, the strobe signals Strobe A_1 to Strobe A_4 are transmitted to the first TPH 301 so that printing is possible only when the / STW B signal is in an inactive state (High).

Next, a low power printing method in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads will be described.

When the control unit 303-3 receives data from the PC and starts printing (step 500), the line feed motor is driven to transfer the recording paper to the line position (step 501).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the recording sheet has arrived at the position of the first TPH 301 (step 502).

When the recording paper arrives at the position of the first TPH 301, the controller 303-3 controls the first TPH controller 303-4 to transfer the line data to the first TPH 301 in time with a clock, and sends a latch signal. Generate and input the first TPH 301 (step 503).

The first TPH controller 303-4 receives the / STW B signal from the second TPH controller 303-5 and determines whether the / STW B signal is inactive (step 504). / STW B indicates whether or not the strobe signals Strobe B_1 to / Strobe B_4 are generated, that is, from the start to the end, and whether or not the first TPH 301 is operated is determined by this signal. That is, the strobe signals Strobe A_1 to Strobe A_4 are transmitted to the first TPH 301 so that printing is possible only when the / STW B signal is in an inactive state (High).

When the / STW B signal is received as the active state (Low) by receiving the / STW B signal from the second TPH controller 303-5, the first TPH controller 303-4 receives the second TPH controller 303-5. Determines that the strobe signal is not generated and drives 1 TPH 301 to print (step 505). Then, the / STW A signal is generated to indicate that the first TPH controller 303-4 is generating the strobe signal, and the strobe signal is generated to drive the first TPH 301. Dot dot heating enabled by the input data is passed to the film.

On the contrary, when receiving the / STW B signal from the second TPH controller 303-5 and confirming that the / STW B signal is active, the first TPH controller 303-4 is inactive. The operation of the first TPH 301 is waited until step S505. When the / STW B signal is in the low state, it means that the second TPH controller 303-5 is generating the strobe signal, and the operation of the first TPH 301 is not performed until this signal is inactive. Stop and wait

Thereafter, it is determined whether the recording sheet has arrived at the position of the second TPH 302 (step 507).

When the recording paper arrives at the position of the second TPH 302, the control unit 303-3 controls the second TPH control unit 303-5 to transfer the line data to the second TPH 302 in time with a clock, and sends a latch signal. Generate and input the second TPH 302 (step 508).

The second TPH controller 303-5 receives the / STW A signal from the first TPH controller 303-4 and determines whether the / STW A signal is inactive (step 509). / STW A indicates whether the strobe signals Strobe A_1 to / Strobe A_4 are generated, that is, from the start to the end, and whether or not the second TPH 302 is operated is determined by this signal. That is, the strobe signals Strobe B_1 to Strobe B_4 are transmitted to the second TPH 302 until printing of the / STW A signal becomes inactive.

When receiving the / STW A signal from the first TPH controller 303-4 and confirming that the / STW A signal is active, the second TPH controller 303-5 receives the first TPH controller 303-4. ) Determines that the strobe signal is not being generated and drives the second TPH 302 to print (step 510). Then, the / STW B signal is generated to indicate that the second TPH controller 303-5 is generating the strobe signal, and the strobe signal is generated to drive the second TPH 302. Dot dot heating enabled by the input data is passed to the film.

On the contrary, when the / STW A signal is received as the active state (Low) by receiving the / STW A signal from the first TPH control unit 303-4, the second TPH control unit 303-5 determines that / STW A is inactive. The operation of the second TPH 302 is waited until step S511. When the / STW A signal is in the low state, it means that the first TPH controller 303-4 is generating the strobe signal. The operation of the second TPH 302 is not performed until the / STW A signal is inactive. Stop and wait

When printing of one line is completed, the process returns to the line feed motor driving step 501 again to transfer the recording paper to the next line. The above process is repeated, and when the printing of all the lines is completed, the above operation ends (step 512).

In this manner, as in the prior art, data processing is performed in parallel, and processing of the strobe signal is not performed at the same time, but at the same time. The previous examples have described the case where two TPHs are used, but in the case of using a plurality of TPHs, the strobe signal may be processed according to the priority of data in the same manner.

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, while changing the existing TPH driving method in a printer having a plurality of TPH, processing the data at the same time while eliminating the moment when the plurality of TPH is simultaneously consumed, the maximum power consumption while maintaining almost the speed Lowering it was possible to drive at low power. The low-power printing capability enables the use of small rated DC power supplies or built-in power supplies, allowing the high-speed printing while compensating for high power consumption.

1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the thermal transfer printing method according to the prior art.

2 is a timing diagram according to driving of two thermal print heads (TPH) according to the prior art.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a low power printing apparatus in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads according to the present invention.

4 is an example of a timing diagram according to the TPH driving shown in FIG. 3.

5 is an example of a flow diagram showing the operation of a low power printing method in a printer having a plurality of thermal transfer heads according to the present invention.

Claims (4)

A plurality of thermal print heads each receiving a strobe signal lasting for a predetermined interval and controlling the data per line in parallel to control a heating time of a heating element corresponding to a data line to be printed; And And control means for generating and checking a strobe weight signal indicating whether a strobe signal for another thermal print head is generated when data per line is latched to the thermal print head. A low power printing apparatus in a printer having a plurality of thermal heads. The method of claim 1, wherein the control means When the strobe weight signal is confirmed, if a strobe signal for one of the thermal print heads is generated, the strobe signal for the other thermal print head is stopped and waited. Power printing device. The method of claim 2, wherein the control means When the strobe weight signal is confirmed and the generation of the strobe signal for one of the thermal print heads is stopped, the generation of the strobe signal for the other thermal print heads is resumed. printer. A printer operation method comprising a plurality of thermal print heads to process print data in parallel, (a) when printing starts, driving a line feed motor to move a recording sheet to any one of the thermal print head positions, and latching data for a line in the thermal print head; (b) checking the strobe weight signal to confirm whether or not a strobe signal is generated for the other thermal print head when the latch is completed; And (c) when the strobe weight signal is confirmed, if a strobe signal for the other thermal print head is being generated, stops and waits to generate a strobe signal to the one thermal print head, and by checking the strobe weight signal, the other thermal print If the strobe signal generation for the head stops, resuming the strobe signal generation for any one of the thermal print heads.