WO2012127846A1

WO2012127846A1 - Color printer

Info

Publication number: WO2012127846A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/001882
Authority: WO
Inventors: 邦幸三浦
Original assignee: サトーホールディングス株式会社; 株式会社サトー知識財産研究所
Priority date: 2011-03-22
Filing date: 2012-03-19
Publication date: 2012-09-27
Also published as: JP2012196872A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a color printer capable of feeding paper properly for printing in any of a variety of colors. [Solution] A color printer is configured such that a plurality of print units provided with a plurality of heads are serially disposed along a paper conveyance path. The color printer comprises the following: a print color instruction acquisition means (S11) which receives instructions relating to the printing color; and a print start position control means (S12-S18) that, in accordance with the print color related to the instructions received by the print color instruction acquisition means (S11), variably controls print start position, which is the position on the conveyance path at which the paper is to be positioned when printing starts.

Description

Color printer

The present invention relates to a color printer that performs printing of a plurality of colors.

Conventionally, a color printer described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this color printer, a plurality of end face type thermal heads are arranged in series along a conveyance path for conveying a sheet linearly, and a platen is arranged so as to face each thermal head across the sheet. . Ink ribbons of different colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink ribbons) are supplied between each thermal head and plantain.

JP 09-094987 A

By the way, in this type of color printer, monochrome printing using only a black ink ribbon, full color printing using different color ink ribbons (all of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink ribbons), a specified color ( It is possible to print in various colors such as single color printing using only an ink ribbon other than black. Assuming that printing in these various colors is performed, the print start position where the paper should be positioned on the transport path at the start of printing is set at a position further upstream than the print position on the most upstream side. For example, in the case of full-color printing (full-color mode), in the process in which the paper moves from a position further upstream than the print position on the most upstream side determined as the print start position, the print position on the most upstream side sequentially. Full color printing is performed by thermal transfer of each ink ribbon. Also, in the case of single color printing (single color mode), after the paper is fed to the print position of the designated color from a position further upstream than the print position on the most upstream side determined as the print position, A single color print is made by thermal transfer of an ink ribbon of a designated color in the process of moving the paper. As described above, if the position upstream from the print position on the most upstream side is set as the print start position, the sheet is always sent out regardless of the instruction (print mode instruction) relating to any print color. This makes it easy to control the paper feed. *

However, in the case of monochrome print or single color print, the paper is skipped from the print start position set at a position upstream of the most upstream print position to the print position of the designated color. When printing or single color printing is repeated intermittently, the paper is frequently fed and the time until the start of paper discharge in each print tends to be longer. Further, since the paper is frequently fed and the paper frequently rubs against an ink ribbon that is not used for printing, ink stains on the paper and misalignment of the print are likely to occur. *

As described above, the conventional color printer is not necessarily capable of properly feeding paper in any of various color prints (for example, full color print, monochrome print, single color print, etc.). *

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a color printer capable of appropriate paper feeding in any of various color prints.

A color printer according to the present invention is a color printer in which a plurality of printing units having a plurality of heads are arranged in series along a paper conveyance path, and a print color instruction acquisition unit that receives an instruction relating to a print color And a print start position control means for variably controlling the print start position at which the paper should be positioned on the transport path at the start of printing according to the print color according to the instruction received by the print color instruction acquisition means. Become. *

A color printer according to the present invention is a color printer in which a plurality of print units having ink ribbons and heads of different colors are arranged in series along a paper conveyance path, and receives a print color instruction. A color instruction acquisition unit; and a print start position control unit that variably controls a print start position where the paper should be positioned on the conveyance path at the start of printing according to a print color according to an instruction received by the print color instruction acquisition unit It becomes the composition which has. *

With such a configuration, the print start position at which the paper should be positioned on the transport path at the start of printing can be changed according to the print color according to the instruction, so the relationship with the print unit corresponding to the print color according to the instruction at the start of printing With this, the sheet can be fed from an appropriate print start position. *

In the color printer according to the present invention, the print start position control means may include an initial paper movement control means for moving the paper to a position determined as the print start position faster than during printing. *

With such a configuration, when the paper is moved to the position determined as the print start position at the start of printing according to the print color according to the instruction, the paper moves faster than at the time of printing. The feed can be completed in a shorter time. *

Also, in the color printer according to the present invention, the print start position control means moves the next print sheet to move the sheet to be printed next to the position determined as the print start position after a predetermined printing operation is completed. It can be set as the structure which has a control means. *

With such a configuration, after a predetermined printing operation is completed, the next print sheet moves to a position determined as a print start position according to the print color according to the instruction. If such an instruction is given, it is possible to omit the paper feed at the start of printing. *

Further, in the color printer according to the present invention, when the print color instruction acquisition unit receives an instruction related to a single print color, the print start position control unit is configured to print a print unit corresponding to the print color related to the instruction. A predetermined position on the upstream side from the print position in FIG. 5 can be determined as the print start position. *

With this configuration, when an instruction relating to a single print color is received, a predetermined position on the upstream side of the print position in the print unit corresponding to the single print color is determined as the print start position. When the sheet is moved from the position determined as the position, it is possible to perform printing while eliminating unnecessary idle feeding. *

Further, in the color printer according to the present invention, when the print color instruction acquisition unit receives an instruction related to two print colors, the print start position control unit is configured to output two print colors corresponding to the two print colors related to the instruction. A predetermined upstream position of the print position in the print section located on the upstream side of the print section may be determined as the print start position. *

With this configuration, when an instruction relating to two print colors is received, the predetermined upstream position of the print position in the print section located upstream of the two print sections corresponding to the two print colors is printed. Since it is determined as the start position, when the paper is moved from the position determined as the print start position, it is possible to perform two-color printing in the two print units while minimizing unnecessary idle feeding. . *

The instruction relating to the print color reproduced by the two print units is a print (two-color print) instruction that reproduces the two print colors separately, and reproduces the color obtained by superimposing the two print colors. It may be an instruction for printing (two-color overlapping printing) or an instruction for printing in which they are mixed. *

Further, in the color printer according to the present invention, the plurality of print units include a black print unit that performs black color development, and the black print unit is arranged on the most downstream side of the conveyance path. it can. *

With such a configuration, when an instruction relating to black monochrome printing (monochrome printing) is received, the sheet starts to be fed from an appropriate print start position in relation to the print unit corresponding to black arranged at the most downstream side. Therefore, when such black single-color printing is repeatedly performed, by keeping the print start position, it is possible to further reduce the paper feed during the repeated printing operation.

According to the color printer of the present invention, any print color instruction for printing in various colors is always appropriate in relation to the print unit corresponding to the print color according to the instruction at the start of printing. Since it becomes possible to start feeding paper from the print start position, it is possible to feed paper properly in any of various color prints.

It is a figure which shows the state which has the paper S of the color printer concerning one Embodiment of this invention in a starting position. It is a figure which shows the state in which the paper S of the color printer concerning one Embodiment of this invention is located in the print start position at the time of monochrome printing. It is a figure which shows the state in the monochrome printing of the color printer concerning one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where a sheet of paper S of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned at a print start position for two-color printing of magenta (M) and cyan (C). 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure related to a print job.

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

The color printer according to the present invention is configured as shown in FIGS. *

1 to 4, in this color printer, a paper S having a predetermined width wound around a roll 15 is fed out by a feeding roller 16, and the paper S moves on the conveyance path 100. The paper S has a configuration in which, for example, labels arranged in sequence are temporarily attached to the mount. This color printer has four print sections, a Y print section 11 for yellow, an M print section 12 for magenta, a C print section 14 for cyan, and a BK print section 14 for black. The two

printing units

11, 12, 13, and 14 are arranged in series along the transport path 100 of the paper S. *

The Y print unit 11 disposed on the most upstream side in the moving direction of the sheet S includes a yellow (Y) ink ribbon 111, a thermal head 112, and a platen roller 113, and the thermal head 112 and the platen roller 113 are interposed between them. The Y print unit 11 is installed so that the paper S moving on the conveyance path 100 and the ink ribbon 111 are sandwiched with each other. The BK print unit 14 installed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the sheet S includes a black (BK) ink ribbon 141, a thermal head 142, and a platen roller 143, and is adjacent to the Y print unit 11 and downstream thereof. The M print unit 12 disposed in the head includes a magenta (M) ink ribbon 121, a thermal head 122, and a platen roller 123, and is further adjacent to the BK print unit 14 and disposed upstream thereof. 13 includes a cyan (C) ink ribbon 131, a thermal head 132, and a platen roller 133. The

print units

12, 13, and 14 for each color (M, C, and BK) other than the Y print unit 11 also include

ink ribbons

121, 131, and 141, thermal heads 122, 132, and 142, and

platen rollers

123, 133, and 143. The paper S on the transport path 100 is installed so as to have the same positional relationship as that of the Y print unit 11. *

The leading edge of the sheet S fed out from the roll 15 is located at a predetermined upstream position (hereinafter referred to as a position immediately before Y printing) upstream of the printing position (position where the thermal head 112 and the platen roller 113 face each other) in the most upstream Y printing section 11. A paper position sensor 18 for detecting the above is provided. Further, a predetermined position upstream of the print position in the M print unit 12 (hereinafter referred to as a position immediately before M print),
Similarly, paper is also provided at a predetermined position upstream of the print position in the C print unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as a position immediately before C printing) and a predetermined position upstream of the print position in the BK print unit 14 (hereinafter referred to as a position immediately before BK printing).

Position sensors

19, 20, 21 are provided. A cutter 17 for cutting the paper S is installed at a predetermined position on the downstream side of the BK printing unit 14 on the most downstream side.

The color printer includes a controller 10 that controls the printing operation of the

printing units

11, 12, 13, and 14 for each color (Y, M, C, and BK). The controller 10 has print modes (monochrome mode, full color mode, two-color mode, etc.) determined according to detection signals from the

paper position sensors

18, 19, 20, 21 and print colors from the host device 30 such as a personal computer. Control of the

thermal heads

111, 121, 131, 141 in each of the

printing units

11, 12, 13, 14 and the feeding of the paper S based on the data required for printing such as print data, format data, etc. Controls printing operations such as control. *

Specifically, the controller 10 performs processing related to the print job in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. *

When the color printer is activated, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper S fed out from the roll 15 is set at a position where the leading edge is detected by the paper position sensor 18, that is, a position immediately before Y printing. In this state, when the controller 10 acquires the print mode designated together with the print request from the host device 30 (S11: print color designation acquisition means), the designated print mode is the print color only black (BK). Monochrome mode (S12) which is a print mode, full color mode (S13) which is a print mode of all four colors (yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (BK)), print color Is a two-color mode (S14), which is a print mode with only two colors, or a single-color mode (NO in S14), which is a print mode with a single color (excluding black). *

If the designated print mode is, for example, the monochrome mode (YES in S12), the controller 10 uses the BK printing unit 14 on the most downstream side as a print start position where the paper S should be positioned on the transport path 100 when printing is started. A position immediately before the BK printing, which is a predetermined position on the upstream side, is set (S15). Then, the controller 10 determines whether or not the sheet S needs to be moved from the current position of the sheet S to the position immediately before the BK printing determined as the print start position (S19). When the color printer is activated, as described above, the sheet S is in the position immediately before the Y-print on the most upstream side (see FIG. 1), so it is determined that the sheet S needs to be moved (YES in S19). Then, the controller 10 actually moves the sheet S from the position immediately before the Y print on the most upstream side to the position immediately before the BK print on the downstream side where the leading edge S is detected by the sheet position sensor 21 as shown in FIG. It is moved at a feed speed (hereinafter referred to as idle feed speed) faster than the feed speed during printing (hereinafter referred to as print speed) (S20: print start position control means / initial paper movement control means). *

When the paper position sensor 21 detects the leading edge of the paper S, that is, when the paper S reaches the position immediately before BK printing set as the print start position, the controller 10 receives data (print data, print data, etc.) related to printing from the host device 30. Based on the format data, the number of print labels, etc.), specifically, the drive control of the thermal head 142 in the BK print unit 14 synchronized with the feeding of the paper S at the print speed is performed (S21). . Then, in the process in which printing is sequentially performed on each label of the paper S that is moved by the black (BK) ink ribbon in the BK printing unit 14, each time the printed label passes the cutter 17, as shown in FIG. The feeding and printing operations of the paper S are temporarily stopped, and the paper S is cut by the cutter 17. As a result, printed labels are sequentially discharged from the transport path 100. *

In the course of the printing process (S21), the controller 10 determines whether or not the printing requested from the host device 30 has been completed (S22). When the requested printing is completed (YES in S22), the controller 10 returns the sheet S having the leading end to the cutter 17 to the position immediately before the BK printing (see FIG. 2) set as the above-described print start position. Therefore, the paper S is returned and waited until the leading edge of the paper S is detected by the paper position sensor 21 (S23: next print paper movement control means). This completes the processing for one print job. *

In the next print job, if the print mode designated together with the print request from the host device 30 is, for example, the same monochrome mode as the previous time (YES in S12), the controller 10 BK on the most downstream side is the same as described above. The position immediately before printing is set as the printing start position (S15). In this case, since the previous print job is completed and the sheet S is waiting at the position immediately before the BK printing, it is not necessary to move the sheet S at the idle feed speed (NO in S19), and the controller 10 performs the print process as it is. (S21) is started. When the requested print is completed (YES in S22), the paper S is returned to the position immediately before the BK printing set as the print start position and waits at that position (S23). Thereafter, while the print job in the monochrome mode is repeated, the print start position is maintained at the position immediately before the BK print on the most downstream side, and the black for each label on the paper S is performed in the BK print unit 14 according to the same procedure as described above. (BK) is printed with an ink ribbon. *

If the print mode designated together with the print request from the host apparatus 30 is the full color mode (NO in S12, YES in S13), the controller 10 immediately before the Y print that is a predetermined upstream position of the Y print unit 11 on the most upstream side. The position is set as the print start position (S16: print start position control means). Since the paper S is in the position immediately before Y printing (see FIG. 1) when the color printer is activated, it is not necessary to move the paper S at the idle feed speed (NO in S19), and the controller 10 performs the printing process (S21). ). In the process in which the paper S moves from the position immediately before Y printing by the printing process of the controller 10, the yellow (Y) color in the Y print unit 11 with respect to the paper S is changed to magenta (M ), The cyan (C) color in the C printing unit 13 and the black (BK) color in the BK printing unit 14 are sequentially performed, and full-color printing is performed on each label of the paper S. *

When the printing related to the request from the host device 30 is completed (YES in S22), the controller 10 immediately before the Y printing (FIG. 1) is set with the paper S having the leading edge reaching the cutter 17 as the print start position described above. In order to return to the reference, the paper S is returned and waited until the leading edge of the paper S is detected by the paper position sensor 18 (S23: next print paper movement control means). Also in this case, in the next print job, if the print mode designated by the host apparatus 30 is the same full color mode as the previous time (NO in S12, YES in S13), the paper S waiting in the position immediately before Y printing is loaded. A full color print similar to that described above is made while moving at the printing speed. Thereafter, while the print job in the full color mode is repeated, the print start position is maintained at the position immediately before the Y-print on the most upstream side, and yellow (Y) ink for each label of the paper S is performed according to the same procedure as described above. A ribbon, a magenta (M) ink ribbon, a cyan (C) ink ribbon, and a black (BK) print, that is, a full color print is made. *

Further, if the print mode designated by the host apparatus 30 together with the print request is a two-color mode, for example, a print mode having only two colors, magenta (M) and cyan (C) (NO in S12, NO in S13, S14). YES), the position immediately before M printing, which is a predetermined upstream position of the M printing section 12 (upstream printing section) located upstream of the M printing section 12 and the C printing section 13, is set as the printing start position. (S17). Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet S reaches the position immediately before the M print set as the print start position, that is, the leading edge of the sheet S is the sheet. It is moved at the idle feed speed until it is detected by the position sensor 19 (YES in S19, S20). Thereafter, the controller 10 performs a printing process (S21). *

With this printing process, in the process in which the paper S moves from the position immediately before M printing at the printing speed, magenta (M) is printed on the paper S in the M printing unit 12 and cyan (C) is printed in the C printing unit 13. Printing is performed sequentially, and each color of the paper S is printed in two colors, magenta (M) and cyan (C) (green color reproduction in which magenta (M) and cyan (C) are superimposed, and / or magenta (M ) And cyan (C) separate color reproduction). When the printing related to the request from the host device 30 is completed (YES in S22), the controller 10 immediately before the M print (the position of the sheet S having the leading edge reaching the cutter 17) set as the above-described print start position (FIG. 4). In order to return to the reference), the paper S is returned and waited until the leading edge of the paper S is detected by the paper position sensor 19 (S23: next print paper movement control means). Also in this case, in the next print job, if the print mode designated by the host device 30 is the same two-color mode of magenta (M) and cyan (C) as the previous time (NO in S12, NO in S13, NO in S14) YES), the two-color printing of magenta (M) and cyan (C) similar to that described above is performed while the paper S waiting at the position immediately before M printing is moved at the printing speed as it is. Thereafter, while the print job in the two-color mode of magenta (M) and cyan (C) is repeated, the print start position is maintained at the position immediately before the M print, and each label of the paper S is followed according to the same procedure as described above. A magenta (M) ink ribbon and a cyan (C) print, that is, a two-color print is made. *

Further, if the print mode designated together with the print request from the host device 30 is a single color mode, for example, a print mode for only magenta M (NO in S12, NO in S13, NO in S14), the M print unit 12 (designated color) The position immediately before M printing, which is a predetermined upstream position of the printing section), is set as the printing start position (S18). Then, the sheet S is moved at the blank feed speed from the position immediately before Y printing set at the time of start-up to the position immediately before M printing set as the print start position (YES in S19, S20). Thereafter, the controller 10 performs a printing process (S21). With this printing process, magenta (M) is printed on the paper S in the M printing unit 12 in the process in which the paper S moves from the position immediately before M printing at the printing speed, and magenta ( M) a single color print is made. When the printing related to the request from the host device 30 is completed (YES in S22), the controller 10 immediately before the M print (the position of the sheet S having the leading edge reaching the cutter 17) set as the above-described print start position (FIG. 4). In order to return to the reference), the paper S is returned and waited until the leading edge of the paper S is detected by the paper position sensor 19 (S23: next print paper movement control means). Also in this case, in the next print job, if the print mode designated by the host device 30 is the same magenta (M) monochrome mode as in the previous time (NO in S12, NO in S13, NO in S14), immediately before the M print. A magenta (M) monochromatic print similar to that described above is performed while the paper S waiting at the position is moved as it is at the printing speed. Thereafter, while the print job in the magenta (M) single color mode is repeated, the print start position is maintained at the position immediately before the M print, and the magenta (M) for each label on the paper S is followed according to the same procedure as described above. Printing, that is, monochrome printing is performed.

According to the color printer as described above, the paper S is moved on the conveyance path 100 at the start of printing according to various print modes (monochrome mode, full color mode, two-color mode, single-color mode) instructed from the host device 30. Since the print start position to be positioned can be changed to a position immediately before BK printing, a position immediately before Y print, a position immediately before M print, etc., the

print units

11, 12, 13, and 14 corresponding to the print color corresponding to the instruction at the start of printing Therefore, it is possible to start feeding the paper S from an appropriate print start position such as fewer idle feeds. Accordingly, it is possible to start feeding the paper S properly in any printing in various print modes (monochrome mode, full color mode, two-color mode, single-color mode). *

In addition, after the printing operation in each print mode is completed, if the paper S is in the position determined as the print start position, for example, in the monochrome mode, the sheet S is returned to the position immediately before the BK printing and waits. If an instruction is issued in the same print mode, the paper S can be skipped at the start of printing. In addition, since the BK printing unit 14 is installed on the most downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper S, even when the print job request in the monochrome mode is repeated, the distance of the blank feeding when the paper S is returned is determined by the cutter 17. Therefore, the ink stain on the paper S can be further reduced. *

Further, from the position immediately before the Y print on the most upstream side set at the time of activation (corresponding to the position of the paper position sensor 18), for example, the position immediately before the BK print determined as the print start position at the start of printing in the monochrome mode. When moving to (corresponding to the position of the paper sensor 21), the paper S moves at a faster feed speed than the print speed, so that it is possible to finish the paper S that is not printed in a shorter time, that is, The time from the printing request from the host device 30 to the discharge of the first printed label can be made shorter. Further, the same effect can be obtained in printing in a two-color mode or a single-color mode using a printing unit other than the Y printing unit 11. *

In the monochrome mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the printed label passes through the cutter 17 in the process of sequentially printing each label of the paper S that is moved by black (BK) printing in the BK printing unit 14. Each time, the feeding and printing operation of the paper S is temporarily stopped, and the paper S is cut by the cutter 17. However, the present invention is not limited to such a printing operation. After printing on one label is completed, the paper S is fed forward, and the printed label is separated by the cutter 17, and then the paper S is printed at the BK print which is the print start position. It is also possible to repeatedly perform the operation of returning to the immediately preceding position by blank feeding and then restarting printing for the next label. In this case, the BK printing unit 14 is installed on the most downstream side, and printing on the label is always started from the position immediately before the BK printing. As much as possible, it is possible to reduce the amount of dirt. *

In the above embodiment, the thermal transfer type color printer using an ink ribbon has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this, and may be used for an ink jet printer, a direct printer, or the like, which is another type of color printer. Can have the same effect.

As described above, the color printer according to the present invention has an effect of enabling proper paper feeding in any of various color prints, and performs color printing by printing a plurality of colors. Useful as.

10 controller 11 Y print unit 12 M print unit 13 C print unit 14 BK print unit 15 roll 16 feed roller 17

cutter

18, 19, 20, 21 paper position sensor 30 host device (personal computer) 100 transport path

Claims

A color printer in which a plurality of print units having a plurality of heads are arranged in series along a paper conveyance path, and a print color instruction acquisition unit that receives an instruction relating to a print color; and the print color instruction acquisition unit And a print start position control means for variably controlling a print start position at which the paper should be positioned on the transport path at the start of printing according to the print color relating to the instruction received in step (b).
A color printer in which a plurality of print units having ink ribbons and heads of different colors are arranged in series along a paper conveyance path, and a print color instruction acquisition means for receiving an instruction relating to a print color; A color printer comprising: a print start position control unit that variably controls a print start position at which the paper should be positioned on the transport path at the start of printing according to a print color according to an instruction received by the color instruction acquisition unit.
3. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein the print start position control means includes initial paper movement control means for moving the paper to a position determined as the print start position faster than during printing.
The print start position control means includes a next print sheet movement control means for moving a sheet to be printed next to a position determined as the print start position after a predetermined printing operation is completed. 3. A color printer according to item 3.
When the print color instruction acquisition unit receives an instruction related to a single print color, the print start position control unit sets the predetermined position upstream from the print position in the print unit corresponding to the print color according to the instruction. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein the color printer is determined as a print start position.
When the print color instruction acquisition unit receives an instruction related to two print colors, the print start position control unit is located upstream of two print units corresponding to the two print colors related to the instruction. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined position upstream of a print position in a print unit is determined as the print start position.
The color printer according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print units include a black print unit that performs black color development, and the black print unit is disposed on the most downstream side of the conveyance path.