JP2643732B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing print information by positioning a print medium at a print position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing apparatus, an insertion port for inserting a print medium is provided, and an optical sensor for detecting the position of the print medium is provided in a transport path from the insertion port to a print head. Are known. The optical sensor detects the position of the print medium inserted from the insertion port, and the print medium is positioned at the print position based on the detection.

[0003] In conventional printing apparatuses, there are many known printing apparatuses that detect, for example, a front end of a printing medium by an optical sensor and position a printing start position of the printing medium at a printing position.

That is, the distance from the detection position of the optical sensor to the printing position is stored in advance, the distance from the front end of the printing medium to the printing start position is set, and the printing is performed from the set front end of the printing medium. The stored distance from the detection position of the optical sensor to the print head is added to the distance to the start position, and the calculation result is registered in advance as the transport distance. Therefore, when the front end of the print medium is detected by the optical sensor, the print start position of the print medium can be positioned at the print position by transporting the print medium by the registered transport distance from that state.

[0005]

However, depending on the type of printing medium, the printing start position may be based on the front end and may be based on the rear end. That is, there is a print medium in which the print start position is set at a distance from the rear end.

In a conventional printing apparatus, a print start position of a print medium is positioned at a print position by controlling a transport amount of the print medium from a fixed reference position by an optical sensor. There has been a problem that it is impossible to properly set both the print medium in which the start position is set and the printed print medium in which the print start position is set with reference to the rear end.

For example, a printing device that detects the front end of a print medium by an optical sensor and positions the print start position of the print medium at the print position, prints on a print medium whose print start position is set on the basis of the rear end. In this case, check the total length of this print medium in the transport direction, subtract the distance from the rear end set as the print start position to the print start position from the total length in the transport direction, and print the result based on the front end. It is possible to cope with the troublesome process of resetting as the start position, but due to various factors in the transport of the printing device, it is not always possible to accurately position the printing start position based on the rear end reference at the printing position. There was a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of accurately positioning a print start position at a print position regardless of whether the print start position of the print medium is set at the front end reference or the rear end reference. I do.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which prints print information on a print medium by positioning a print medium having information on whether a print start position is a front end reference or a rear end reference at a print position. A front end detecting means for detecting a front end of the print medium, a rear end detecting means for detecting a rear end of the print medium, and a print start position of the print medium set based on the front end or set based on the rear end. Print start position reference determining means for determining whether the print start position of the print medium has been set with respect to the front end by the print start position reference determination means. The first feed means for positioning the print start position of the print medium at the print position after detecting the front end, and the print start position of the print medium set based on the rear end by the print start position reference determining means When it is judged in, it is provided with a second feed means for positioning the print start position of the print medium from the detection of the rear end of the printing medium by the trailing edge detection means to the printing position.

[0010]

In the present invention having such a configuration, when the printing start position reference determining means determines that the printing start position of the print medium is set based on the front end, the first feeding means detects the front end. After the front end of the print medium is detected by the means, the print start position of the print medium is positioned at the print position. Then, print information is printed on the positioned print medium.

[0011] Further, the printing start position reference judging means,
When it is determined that the print start position of the print medium is set based on the rear end, the second feed means detects the rear end of the print medium by the rear end detection means, and then starts the print start position of the print medium. Is positioned at the printing position. Then, print information is printed on the positioned print medium.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main circuit configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) constituting a control unit main body. This CP
ROM in which program data of processing performed by U1 is stored
(Read only memory) 2, RAM in which various memory areas used when the CPU 1 performs processing are formed
(Random access memory) 3, a first sensor to be described later
The fifth sensor is connected via a line to an I / O (input / output) unit 5 for inputting each output signal from the sensor unit 4 composed of five transmission or reflection optical sensors and a host computer. The interface unit 6 is connected to the CPU 1 via a system bus 7.

A head controller 9 for controlling the print head 8 and a motor controller 11 for controlling a transport motor 10 as a drive source for transporting a print medium and the like.
A shutter magnet (not shown) for vertically moving a shutter (not shown), which will be described later, and a magnet unit including a first holding magnet and a second holding magnet for applying a load to and transporting the print medium. A magnet drive circuit 13 for vertically driving the respective 12 is also connected to the CPU 1 via the system bus 7.

FIG. 2 shows the detection position of the first sensor P1 to the detection position of the fifth sensor P5, the first holding magnet 12a, the second holding magnet 12b, and the first holding magnet 12a. FIG. 9 shows an arrangement diagram of a first holding portion 12c that moves up and down in conjunction with the second holding portion 12d that moves up and down in conjunction with the second holding magnet 12b.

The arrow F indicates the direction in which the print medium is inserted and the direction in which the print medium is conveyed. A indicated by a dashed line indicates a left reference line when a print medium is inserted and conveyed, and B indicated by a dashed line indicates a print position line when printing is performed by the print head 8. , C indicated by a dashed line prevents further insertion of the front end when the print medium is inserted,
A shutter line on which a shutter (not shown) is arranged to set the front end of the print medium so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction is shown.

Therefore, at the time of insertion, the left end and the front end of the print medium are respectively aligned with the left reference line A and the shutter line C.
The setting is performed so as to touch the.

The distance from the detection position of the first sensor P1 to the printing position line B is N2 pulses,
From the detection position of the fourth sensor P4 to the printing position line B
The distance to is N1 pulses.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a print medium α in which a print start position is set based on the front end and a print medium β in which a print start position is set based on the rear end. The printing start position is indicated by a black triangle in the figure.

The first printing medium α has a width D, a printing start position is set at a distance of (n1-N1) pulses from the front end, and the second printing medium β has a width E and ( N2-
n2) The print start position is set at a distance corresponding to the pulse.

Therefore, in the case of the first printing medium α, when the front end is detected by the fourth sensor P4 and then n1 pulses are sent, the printing start position is exactly at the printing position line B. In the case of the second printing medium β, when the trailing edge is detected by the first sensor P1 and n2 pulses are sent, the printing start position is exactly at the printing position line B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor P1
Is located at a position where the distance from the left reference line A is shorter than the width D of the first print medium α shown in FIG.
Further, the detection position of the fifth sensor P5 is such that the left reference line A is located on the side of the shutter line C where the print medium is set.
Is longer than the width D and shorter than the width E of the second printing medium β shown in FIG.

The detection position of the second sensor P2 and the detection position of the third sensor P3 are located near the left reference line A and the shutter line C, respectively, on the side where a print medium is set. I have. The detection position of the fourth sensor P4 is arranged near the shutter line C and on the side where the print medium is conveyed (printed).

FIG. 5 shows the flow of the transport process performed by the CPU 1.

First, the detection signals of the second sensor P2 and the third sensor P3 are both in the ON state (print medium detection state).
It is or in become a standby state become. When the detection signals of the second sensor P2 and the third sensor P3 are both turned on, it is determined that the print medium has been set correctly, and the first
Holding magnet 12a and second holding magnet 12
b) to turn on the drive circuit for the first holding magnet 12a and the second holding magnet 12b, that is, the first holding unit 12 interlocked with the first holding magnet 12a.
c and the second holding part 1 interlocked with the second holding magnet
2d is placed on a print medium, and a drive circuit for a shutter magnet (not shown) is turned on to lower the shutter magnet and open the shutter.

Next, it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the fifth sensor P5 is on (print start position reference determining means). If the detection signal of the fifth sensor P5 is not on, RA
The P4 on counter formed in M3 is cleared and initialized.

Next, as a process of step 1 (ST1), the print medium is transported by one pulse by the transport motor 10, and it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the fourth sensor P4 is on (front end detection means). Here, if the detection signal of the fourth sensor P4 is not on, the process returns to the above-described step 1 again. If the detection signal of the fourth sensor P4 is on, the P4 on-counter Increment processing (unit addition processing) is performed on the count value of
The count value of the P4 on-counter is a preset value n
It is determined whether it is 1 or more.

When the count value of the P4 on-counter is a numerical value n1
If not, the process returns to the above-described step 1, and if the count value of the P4 on-counter is equal to or greater than the numerical value n1, this transport process is terminated (first feeding means). ).

When it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the fifth sensor P5 is on, if the detection signal of the fifth sensor P5 is on, the P1 off counter formed in the RAM 3 is cleared and initialized. .

Next, as the process of step 2 (ST2), the print medium is transported by one pulse by the transport motor 10, and it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the first sensor P1 is in the OFF state (rear end detection means). . Here, if the detection signal of the first sensor P1 is not in the off state, the process returns to the above-described step 2 again. If the detection signal of the first sensor P1 is in the off state, the P1 off counter Increment processing (unit addition processing) is performed on the count value of
The count value of the P1 off counter is a preset value n
It is determined whether it is 2 or more.

The count value of the P1 off counter is a numerical value n2
If not, the process returns to the above-described step 2 again. If the count value of the P1 off counter is equal to or more than the numerical value n2, the transport process is terminated (second feeding means). ).

In this embodiment having such a configuration, if one of the print medium α and the print medium β is correctly set in contact with the left reference line A and the shutter line C, the second
The setting of the print medium is confirmed by the sensor P2 and the third sensor P3.

When the setting of the printing medium is confirmed, the first holding magnet 12a and the second holding magnet 12b, and the first holding unit 12c and the second holding unit 12d which move up and down in conjunction with each other are printed. While being placed on the medium, the shutter magnet is lowered and the shutter is opened to prepare for transport.

Here, the size of the width of the print medium is determined based on whether the detection signal of the fifth sensor P5 is on or not, so that the print medium β at which the print start position is set with reference to the trailing end is determined.
Or the print medium α on which the print start position is set based on the front end
Is determined.

That is, if the detection signal of the fifth sensor P5 is not in the ON state, it is determined that the print medium α is based on the front end, and the detection signal of the fourth sensor P4 changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Is detected, the printing medium α is conveyed by a predetermined conveying distance n1 pulses, and the printing start position is positioned on the printing position line B.

If the detection signal of the fifth sensor P5 is in the ON state, the printing medium β is determined as the printing medium β based on the rear end, and the detection signal of the first sensor P1 changes from the ON state to the OFF state. Is detected, the print medium β is transported by a predetermined transport distance n2 pulses, and the print start position is positioned on the print position line B.

When the print start position of the print medium α or the print medium β is positioned at the print position line B, the print information is printed on the print medium α or the print medium β by the print head 8 and the transport motor 10. Become.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, whether the printing start position set on the print medium is the front end reference or the rear end reference is determined based on the difference in the width of the print medium.
Sensor P5, a fourth sensor P4 for detecting the front end of the print medium, and a first sensor P1 for detecting the rear end of the print medium
When the fifth sensor P5 determines that the print medium is at the front end reference, the fourth sensor P4 detects the front end of the print medium, and then positions the print start position of the print medium at the print position. When the print medium is determined to be the rear end reference by the sensor P5, the print start position of the print medium is positioned at the print position after detecting the rear end of the print medium by the first sensor P1. The print start position can be accurately positioned at the print position regardless of whether the print start position is set at the leading end reference or the trailing end reference.

In this embodiment, whether the print start position set on the print medium is the reference at the front end or the reference at the rear end is determined based on the difference in the width (D and E) of the width of the print medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mark indicating whether the reference is the front end or the rear end is printed at a predetermined position on a print medium, and the front end is detected based on the mark. Alternatively, the print start position of the print medium may be positioned at the print position based on a detection signal from a sensor for detecting the trailing edge.

[0040]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can accurately position the print start position at the print position regardless of whether the print start position of the print medium is set at the front end reference or the rear end reference.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of detection positions of each magnet and each sensor of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a print medium in which a print start position is set based on a front end used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a print medium in which a print start position is set based on a rear end used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a flow of a transport process of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU, 10 ... Convey motor, P1 to P5 ... First to fifth sensors.

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor, Etsuro Sanada 570, Ohito, Oni-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Inside the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Ohito Plant (72) Inventor Shinsuke Ito 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Matsushita Communication (72) Inventor Hisafumi Tomoi 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Daisuke Kawate 4-3 Jonai, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate Pref. (56) References JP-A-3-51167 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A print medium having information on whether a print start position is a front end reference or a rear end reference is positioned at a print position,
In a printing device that prints print information on the print medium,
A front end detection unit that detects a front end of the print medium, a rear end detection unit that detects a rear end of the print medium, and a print start position of the print medium that is set based on the front end or based on the rear end. A print start position reference determining unit for determining whether the print start position has been set; and a print start position reference determining unit that determines that the print start position of the print medium is set based on the front end. A first feeding means for positioning a print start position of the print medium at the print position after detecting a front end of the print medium, and a print start position of the print medium at a rear end by the print start position reference determining means. When it is determined that the print medium has been set, the rear end detection means detects the rear end of the print medium and then positions the print start position of the print medium at the print position. Printing apparatus characterized by comprising a feed means.