WO2008018437A1

WO2008018437A1 - Time recorder, stepping motor control device, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2008018437A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/065410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koji Ebara
Original assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
Priority date: 2006-08-07
Filing date: 2007-08-07
Publication date: 2008-02-14
Also published as: TWI336455B; TW200813895A; JP2008040818A

Abstract

A card detection sensor (12) detects a time card inserted through a card insertion opening. A control part (21) detects that printing on the inserted time card is completed. In response to the detection, a driver (23) supplies drive pulses to a motor (15) at first pulse intervals until the printed card reaches a predetermined decelerated position. After the card reaches the decelerated position, the driver (23) supplies the drive pulses at second pulse intervals that are longer than the first pulse intervals, and decelerates the motor (15) to discharge the time card.

Description

Specification

Time recorder, stepping motor control device, and program

The present invention relates to a time recorder having a transport mechanism for transporting a card, and a stepping motor control device for driving the transport mechanism.

Background art

[0002] A time recorder is used for managing the working hours of company employees and the like, and prints the current time on an inserted time card. Time recorder power The position of printing time on the S time card changes from day to day. For this reason, a normal time recorder has a transport mechanism that transports the time card to a desired position, and prints the time after transporting the time card to an appropriate position. If the time card deviates from the appropriate printing position, the time printing position will also deviate. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately control the position where the time card is conveyed. As the drive source of the transport mechanism, a stepping motor is often used as disclosed in Patent Document 1 in order to appropriately control the position of the time card.

[0003] The transport mechanism includes a sensor for detecting a time card inserted into the inlet formed on the upper surface of the time recorder. The transport mechanism pulls in the time force in response to the sensor detection. After the characters are printed on the time card, the transport mechanism transports the time force to the original position and discharges it.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-1 10794

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] In the time recorder having such a configuration, there is a case where the time card force S is moved to a predetermined position by the transfer mechanism and then dropped by gravity, and the sensor detects the time card. In this case, the transport mechanism pulls the time card back into the time recorder and prints it. If the conveying speed is slow, such a problem does not occur. However, it takes time to transport the time card, which is inconvenient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a time card is a time recorder. The purpose is to make it difficult for the time card to be pulled into the time recorder when it is discharged.

Also, the present invention provides a means for solving the problems aimed at preventing malfunction while transporting a time card at high speed.

In order to solve the above problems, a time recorder according to the present invention includes:

A time recorder for printing characters including time on a card,

Printing means for printing characters on the card;

In order to discharge the card printed by the printing means, the card is conveyed at the first speed until it reaches a predetermined deceleration position, and after reaching the predetermined deceleration position, the first Conveying means for conveying at a second speed slower than the speed;

It is characterized by providing.

[0007] The conveying means is, for example,

A conveying mechanism for conveying the force,

A stepping motor for driving the transport mechanism;

Detecting means for detecting that the card has reached a predetermined deceleration position;

In response to detection by the detection means, until the card reaches a predetermined deceleration position, a driving noise is supplied to the stepping motor at the first interval, and after the card reaches a predetermined deceleration position. Is longer than the first interval !, motor drive means for supplying drive pulses at the second interval;

Power composed.

[0008] The detection means, for example,

Print position information output means for outputting print position information indicating the position of the card when the printing means prints characters on the card;

Required pulse for obtaining a required pulse number indicating the number of drive pulses required by the stepping motor in order to convey the card from the print position indicated by the print position information output by the print position information output means to the deceleration position. Number calculating means;

Counts the number of drive noises supplied to the stepping motor by the motor drive means. Noreless counter,

X is provided with a pulse number arrival detecting means for detecting that the number counted by the above-mentioned counter has reached the required number of nores calculated by the required number of count calculating means and outputting a detection signal.

[0009] Further, the detection means is, for example,

A required time calculating means for obtaining a time required for transporting the card from the print position indicated by the print position information output by the print position information output means to the deceleration position;

A time measuring means for measuring a transport time by the transport mechanism;

And a means for detecting that the time measured by the time measuring means has reached the required time calculated by the required time calculating means, and outputting a detection signal.

In order to solve the above problems, a stepping motor control device according to the present invention includes:

Printing means for printing characters on a print medium;

A transport mechanism for discharging the recording medium printed by the printing means to the outside of the apparatus;

Detection means for detecting that the print medium has reached a predetermined position in the transport process; a stepping motor for driving the transport mechanism;

In response to detecting that the stepping motor is supplied with driving noise at a first interval and the detection means detects that the force is conveyed to the predetermined position, the stepping motor is more than the first interval. Pulse supplying means for supplying the driving noise to the stepping motor at a long second interval;

It is characterized by providing.

[0011] Furthermore, a program for causing a computer to execute the main functions of the present invention is provided.

The invention's effect

[0012] The time recorder of the present invention discharges after reducing the transport speed of the time card. this Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the time card conveyed and discharged at high speed jumps and falls due to gravity. As a result, the time force conveyed to the stop position is pulled back into the time recorder.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a time recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention and a time card inserted into the time recorder.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a time recorder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a stepping motor control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of card feed control by the stepping motor control device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a modification of the internal configuration of the stepping motor control device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the internal configuration of the time recorder.

Explanation of symbols

[0014] 1 Time recorder

2 Time card

3 Display pane

11 Enclosure

11a Card entrance

12, 17a, 17b Card detection sensor

13 Roller shaft

14a, 14b Feed roller

15 Motor

16 Timing range

19 Print section

20 Stepping motor controller

21 Control unit

22 Drive pulse generator

23 Driver 24 Required number of pulse calculator

25 Nores counter

30 Main controller

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a time recorder 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the time recorder 1 is a stationary type equipped with a printing function for the time card 2. The time recorder 1 includes a housing 11, a display panel 3, and the like.

The casing 11 accommodates other parts. On the upper surface of the housing 11, a card slot 11a for inserting the time card 2 into the time recorder 1 is provided. The display panel 3 is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel or the like, and displays the current time and the like.

Next, the internal configuration of the time recorder 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the time recorder 1 includes a card detection sensor 12, a roller shaft 13, feed rollers 14a and 14b, a motor 15, a timing belt 16, and card detection sensors 17a and 17b.

[0018] The card detection sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a transmissive optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The card detection sensor 12 is configured so that the end of the inserted time card 2 passes between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and detects the time card 2 inserted from the card inlet 11a. Note that the card detection sensor 12 is not limited to a transmission type optical sensor, but is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor, or a switch type sensor that operates by turning on the lever when the end of the time card 2 contacts. , May consist of! /

[0019] The roller shaft 13 rotates so as to pull in the inserted time card 2 or to discharge the inserted time card 2. The roller shaft 13 is provided with a pair of left and right feed rollers 14a and 14b. The feed rollers 14a and 14b contact the inserted time card 2 and rotate in accordance with the rotation of the roller shaft 13, thereby conveying the inserted time card 2 and drawing it into the time recorder 11. , The inserted time card 2 is discharged from the time recorder.

[0020] The motor 15 is a drive source (rotation source) for the roller shaft 13, and is configured by a stepping motor that rotates by a predetermined step unit when given a pulse signal (drive pulse). The motor 15 has a lower pulse speed of the supplied drive noise. The longer it is, the slower it rotates.

The timing belt 16 transmits the driving force of the motor 15 to the roller shaft 13.

The card detection sensors 17a and 17b are composed of a pair of left and right sensors, and detect the time card 2 when the lower end of the drawn time card 2 reaches the maximum drawing position.

The printing unit 19 prints predetermined data, for example, the current time, on the time card 2 under the control of the main controller 30.

Next, the configuration of the stepping motor control device 20 that controls the driving of the motor 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the stepping motor control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a drive panel generation unit 22, a driver 23, a required pulse number calculation unit 24, a pulse counter 25, and card detection sensors 12, 17a, 17b. Prepare.

[0023] The control unit 21 includes a microprocessor unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program that defines a processing procedure by the microprocessor unit, and a RAM (Randam Access Memory) that the microprocessor uses in a work area or the like. , Is provided. The control unit 21 controls the entire stepping motor control device 20. When each of the card detection sensors 12, 17a, 17b detects the end of the time card 2, a detection signal indicating the detection is input to the control unit 21.

The drive pulse generator 22 generates a drive pulse for rotating the rotor of the motor 15 at a predetermined rotational speed. Further, the drive pulse generator 22 is constituted by, for example, an separately-excited oscillation circuit and adjusts the drive pulse to a desired pulse speed based on the oscillation control signal from the controller 21. The driver 23 supplies a drive signal (phase switching signal) for controlling the rotation of the rotor of the motor 15 to the motor 15 based on the drive noise and the control signal from the control unit 21.

The required pulse number calculation unit 24 receives a calculation command signal from the control unit 21. Based on the pulse speed of the drive pulse generated by the drive pulse generator 22, the required panelless number calculator 24 transports the time force 2 from the current position to a predetermined discharge position on the transport path for sending the card. Calculate the number of drive noises required to do this (hereinafter referred to as “the number of required pulses”). This discharge position is set, for example, at a position of 8 mm from the central axis of the roller shaft 13 toward the card drawing direction. In addition, the required pulse number calculation unit 24 calculates the required required noise. The control unit 21 is notified of the number. It should be noted that a method of calculating the required number of drive pulses in a form in which the required number of pulses is obtained in advance, stored in tape, and the appropriate number of pulses is read from the table. It may be used.

[0026] The noise counter 25 responds to the count start signal from the control unit 21 and generates a drive noise generating unit.

Count the drive nos where 22 occurs. Further, the noise counter 25 notifies the control unit 21 of the count value.

The main controller 30 includes, for example, a microcomputer, ROM, RAM, and the like, and controls the entire time recorder 1. For example, the main control unit 30 controls the printing unit 19 to print predetermined information (for example, time and attendance information) in the printing field of the time mode 2. The main controller 30 also sends information indicating the position printed on the time card 2 (hereinafter referred to as “print position information”) and a print end signal indicating the end of printing to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 may be a function unit of the main control device 30! /.

Next, the operation of the stepping motor control device 20 having the above configuration will be described. When the lower end of the time card 2 inserted from the card slot 11a reaches the detection area of the card detection sensor 12, the card detection sensor 12 detects the insertion of the time card 2 and sends a detection signal to the control unit 21. Send to.

In response to this detection signal, the control unit 21 sends an oscillation start signal instructing the drive pulse generation unit 22 to generate a pull-in drive pulse. Upon receiving this oscillation start signal, the drive noise generator 22 generates a pull-in drive noise at a predetermined pulse speed and supplies it to the driver 23. Further, the control unit 21 sends a pull-in drive control signal to the driver 23. The driver 23 that has received this pull-in drive control signal supplies the pull-in drive noise received from the drive noise generator 22 to the motor 15 (step S1).

[0030] When the pull-in driving noise is supplied to the motor 15, the card feed mechanism (in this embodiment, the roller shaft 13, the feed rollers 14a, 14b) is driven, and the pull-in of the time card 2 is started. Specifically, the rotor and the drive shaft of the motor 15 rotate, and are transmitted to the roller shaft 13 through the driving force force timing belt 16 by this rotation. As a result, the rotation of the roller shaft 13 starts, and the time card 2 is drawn into the time recorder 1 by the feed rollers 14a and 14b. [0031] When the leading end of the time card 2 reaches the maximum retracted position (step S2; Yes), the card detection sensors 17a and 17b send a detection signal indicating the arrival to the control unit 21. Upon receiving this detection signal, the control unit 21 sends an oscillation stop signal to the drive noise generation unit 22. As a result, the supply of the pulling drive noise is stopped (step S3), and the pull-in of the time card 2 is stopped.

While the pull-in of time card 2 is stopped, main controller 30 sends print position information to control unit 21. The main controller 30 may send the print position information before the time card 2 is stopped. Based on this print position information, the control unit 21 performs control to raise the time card 2 to a position (print position) where characters are printed in a predetermined print field of the time card 2.

At this time, the control unit 21 sends an oscillation start signal instructing generation of the pulling-up driving noise to the driving noise generating unit 22. When receiving the oscillation start signal from the control unit 21, the drive noise generating unit 22 generates a pulling up drive noise. The control unit 21 sends a pulling drive control signal to the driver 23. Upon receiving this pull-up drive control signal, the driver 23 controls the motor 15 so that the drive shaft of the motor 15 rotates in the direction opposite to the pull-in direction. In accordance with the pulse, a drive signal is supplied to the motor 15 (step S4).

[0034] When the pulling drive noise is supplied to the motor 15, the motor 15 rotates the drive shaft in the direction opposite to that during pulling. For this reason, the roller shaft 13 also rotates in the direction opposite to that at the time of drawing, and the time card 2 is pulled up. When the time card 2 is lifted up to the print position indicated by the print position information (step S5; Yes), the control unit 21 sends an oscillation stop signal to the drive pulse generation unit 22. As a result, the supply of the pulling drive norse is stopped (step S6), and the pulling of the time force mode 2 is stopped.

[0035] While the pulling is stopped, the main control unit 30 controls the printing unit 19 to write predetermined information (for example, attendance information) in the printing field of the time card 2 (printing process). When this printing process ends (step S7; Yes), main controller 30 sends a print end signal to control unit 21.

Upon receiving this print end signal, the control unit 21 sends an oscillation start signal instructing the generation of the first drive noise, which is a drive noise for discharge, to the drive noise generation unit 22. Drive When receiving the oscillation start signal, the noise generating unit 22 generates the first driving noise (for example, 600 pps (pulse per second)), and the 23no 23 is given θ.

In addition, the control unit 21 sends a drive control signal for discharge to the driver 23. The driver 23 that has received the discharge drive control signal supplies the drive signal according to the first drive pulse from the drive pulse generator 22 to the motor 15 (step S8). In this way, the control unit 21, the drive pulse generation unit 22, and the driver 23 supply the motor 15 with the drive signal (phase switching signal) corresponding to the first drive pulse. When the supply of the first driving noise is started, the rotation of the roller shaft 13 starts, and the time card 2 is conveyed to the card inlet 11a by the feed rollers 14a and 14b so as to be discharged. The

[0038] Further, the control unit 21 sends a calculation command signal to the required no-les number calculation unit 24 at the same timing as the timing at which the oscillation start signal for generating the first drive noise is sent to the drive noise generation unit 22. . Upon receiving this calculation command signal, the required pulse number calculation unit 24 calculates the required number of pulses required for the insertion side tip of the time card 2 to reach a predetermined position on the transport path (step S9). ).

[0039] This predetermined position is a point set in advance to stabilize the discharge of the time card 2 and decelerates the conveyance speed (card feed speed) of the time card 2 (hereinafter referred to as "deceleration position"). ). The deceleration position is set to a position just before the time card 2 is removed from the feed rollers 14a and 14b (for example, a position 8 mm from the central axis of the roller shaft 13).

In addition, the control unit 21 sends the print position information received from the main control device 30 and the information indicating the deceleration position, together with the calculation command signal, to the required noise number calculation unit 24. The required pulse number calculation unit 24 calculates the required number of pulses based on the print position information, the information indicating the deceleration position, and the pulse speed of the first drive pulse. For example, the required pulse number calculation unit 24 obtains the distance between the printing position and the deceleration position indicated by the printing position information. Further, the required pulse number calculation unit 24 divides the distance by the distance that the transport mechanism transports the card when one driving pulse is supplied to the stepping motor, thereby obtaining the required number of pulses. Then, the required number-of-pulses calculation unit 24 notifies the control unit 21 of the calculated required number of pulses.

[0041] Further, the control unit 21 sends a count start signal to the noise counter 25 at the same timing as sending the calculation command signal to the required dose number calculation unit 24. Norse counter 25 When the counting start signal is received from the control unit 21, counting of the number of first driving noises generated by the driving noise generating unit 22 is started (step S10).

[0042] When the card feeding for discharging the time card 2 is started, the control unit 21 counts the required number of pulses calculated by the required pulse number calculation unit 24 and the first count counted by the false counter 25. It is determined whether the insertion side end of the time card 2 has been transported to the deceleration position or not by comparing with the number of driving noises (step S11).

[0043] If the leading end of the insertion side of the time card 2 has reached the deceleration position (step S11; Yes), the control unit 21 starts oscillation instructing to generate the second driving noise. Send the signal to the drive noise generator 22. Upon receiving this oscillation start signal, the drive noise generator 22 generates a second drive noise (for example, 300 pps) that is slower than the first drive noise, and sends it to the driver 23. The driver 23 supplies the second driving panel received from the driving noise generating unit 22 to the motor 15 (step S12).

[0044] When the supply of the second drive noise is started, the rotational speeds of the rotor and drive shaft of the motor 15 are reduced, and the card feed speed is also reduced. When the time card 2 is conveyed and removed from the feed rollers 14a and 14b, the feed rollers 14a and 14b continue to idle. However, since the transport speed is slow, the time card 2 keeps its position almost without the time card 2 jumping with momentum.

Subsequently, when the user takes out the time card 2, the card detection sensor 12 sends an undetected signal indicating that the time card 2 does not exist in the detection area to the control unit 21. Receiving the undetected signal, the control unit 21 determines that the time card 2 is completely discharged (step S 13; Yes), and sends an oscillation stop signal to the drive pulse generation unit 22. As a result, the supply of the second drive pulse is stopped (step S14), and the drive of the card feed mechanism (roller shaft 13, feed rollers 14a, 14b) is stopped. This is the end of the card feed control process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the time recorder 1 transports the time card 2 to be ejected, when the card reaches a predetermined deceleration position, the interval is longer than before the arrival. Then, drive noise is supplied to motor 15. For this reason, the time card transport speed is reduced. Therefore, when the time card 2 is transported to a predetermined stop position (upper end) and then jumps and falls, it is difficult to happen. For this reason, the card detection It is possible to prevent the time card 2 from which the sensor 12 has been discharged from being erroneously detected as the newly inserted time card 2. As a result, the time card conveyed to the stop position is drawn back into the time recorder.

Note that the stepping motor control device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0048] It is determined whether or not the end of the time card 2 has reached the deceleration position (the process of step S11). Based on the number of counted pulses! /!

For example, it is possible to determine that the lower end of the time card 2 has reached the deceleration position based on the transport time. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the required time for calculating the time required for the end of the time card 2 to reach the deceleration position based on the pulse speed of the first drive pulse. A calculating unit 24a and a timer 25a for measuring the supply time of the first driving noise to the motor 15 are provided. When the supply time counted by the timer 25a reaches the required time calculated by the required time calculation unit 24a, the control unit 21 determines that the time card 2 has reached the deceleration position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a card detection sensor 24b such as an optical sensor is provided in the vicinity of the deceleration position, and when the control unit 21 receives an undetected signal from the card detection sensor 24b, the card detection sensor 24b decreases. It may be determined that the time card 2 has reached the speed position.

Further, a program for executing the control operation shown in FIG. 4 is recorded on a recording medium and distributed to a computer, for example, a processor constituting the main control device 30 and / or the control unit 21, and this is controlled by the computer. May be used for

[0050] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-214711 filed with the Japan Patent Office on August 7, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial applicability

[0051] When the time card is transported to be discharged from the time recorder, the time card can be drawn back into the time recorder.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A time recorder that prints characters including time on a card,

Printing means for printing characters on the card;

In order to eject the card printed by the printing means, the card is transported at a first speed until it reaches a predetermined deceleration position, and after reaching the predetermined deceleration position, the first Transport means for transporting at a second speed slower than the speed;

A time recorder comprising:

[2] The transport means includes

A conveying mechanism for conveying the force,

A stepping motor for driving the transport mechanism;

2. The time recorder according to claim 1, wherein force is also configured.

[3] The detection means includes

A no-less counter that counts the number of driving pulses supplied to the stepping motor by the motor driving means;

A pulse number arrival detecting means for detecting that the number counted by the Norse counter has reached the required number of nores calculated by the required number of count calculating means and outputting a detection signal;

The time recorder according to claim 2, wherein:

[4] The detection means includes

Means for detecting that the time measured by the time measuring means has reached the required time calculated by the required time calculating means, and outputting a detection signal.

The time recorder according to claim 2, wherein:

[5] a printing means for printing characters on a print medium;

A stepping motor control device comprising:

[6] On the computer,

Time recorder power S having the function of printing characters on the inserted card, processing for detecting the completion of the printing process for printing characters on the card,

A process for detecting that the transport mechanism that transports the card so as to eject the card to a predetermined stop position transports the card to a predetermined deceleration position that decelerates the transport speed;

A process of supplying a driving pulse at a first interval to a stepping motor that drives the transport mechanism in response to detecting the end of the printing process;

In response to detecting that the card has been transported to the deceleration position, Longer than the interval! /, A process of supplying the driving noise to the stepping motor at a second interval;

A program for running