JP6337555B2 - Printing apparatus and printing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method that perform printing directly on the surface of paper or plastic regardless of size without passing through the apparatus.

Patent Document 1 discloses correcting distortion of a printed image by printing while detecting a reference guide (paragraph 0044 of FIG. 5, FIG. 5 and FIG. 7). Further, regarding the detection of the edge of the paper, it is also disclosed to detect the edge of the recording sheet when printing the reference guide (paragraph 0081 of Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for reading and printing a ladder pattern (paragraph 0028 of Patent Document 2).
Patent Document 3 discloses that paper (printing) is stopped when an eye mark is detected (paragraph 0010 of Patent Document 3 and dt3 of FIG. 4).

JP 2009-208291 A JP 2004-130647 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-243776

In a direct printing apparatus (also called a self-propelled printer, a handy printer, etc.), it is difficult to easily grasp the number of characters that can be printed and the required length, and a printing target is wasted due to a printing mistake. There is a problem that trial printing is necessary to prevent this. In addition, there is a problem that when the contents to be printed cannot be accommodated, printing is temporarily stopped, the apparatus is released, the printing position is changed, and printing is resumed from the middle of characters when printing is continued.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method that appropriately perform printing stop and line feed.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a print head capable of printing a plurality of set patterns on a printing medium, and the printing apparatus moves in a printing area of the printing medium so that the printing area in the printing area A detection unit that detects a distance in one direction; and the number of patterns that can be printed along the first direction in the print area according to the distance detected by the detection unit. And the interval between the print head and the detection unit can be adjusted by a format including at least one of the font type and font size of the plurality of patterns. And a detection interval changing mechanism .
In the printing method of the present invention, a printing apparatus provided with a print head capable of printing a plurality of set patterns on a printing medium moves the printing area of the printing medium, thereby moving the printing area. the distance of the first direction is detected in accordance with said detected distance, the spacing between the number of printable patterns arranged along said first direction in the printing area and the print head and the detecting unit It was calculated based on the distance between the print head and the detecting unit, the font type of the plurality of patterns, and can be adjusted by the format comprising at least one of the font sizes.

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, an appropriate line feed process can be automatically performed without protruding without a troublesome procedure such as calculation in advance.
Also, printing can be avoided when punch holes or the like are in the print target area.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a direct printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the direct printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program executed by the CPU of the direct printing apparatus. FIG. 4A shows an example of an input character string. FIG. 4B shows an example of a character size table. FIG. 5 shows an example of a proportional font. FIG. 6A shows the distance S between the detection target portion of the photosensor and the print target portion of the printer unit. FIG. 6B shows an example of the print target area. FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit. FIG. 7A shows an example of an error message. FIG. 7B is an example of a print end notification screen. FIG. 7C is a confirmation screen display example. FIG. 8 shows a print example. FIG. 8A shows that printing is performed outside the printing target area when the present invention is not used, and that printing is interrupted in the middle of printing when printing is interrupted. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the photo sensor detects an end line. FIG. 8C shows that printing is continued only for printable data in the print target area. FIG. 8D shows that the user moves the printing unit to the beginning of the line where the user wants to print as the next line. FIG. 8E shows a state in which a line feed process has been performed in order to obtain a print that is neatly stored in the print target area. FIG. 8F shows a state in which a line feed process has been performed for a print that is neatly accommodated in the area when the size of the print area is changed. FIG. 8G shows a state in which a line feed process has been performed in order to obtain a print that fits neatly in the area when the size of a character to be printed is changed.

《Analysis of issues》
The inventor of the present invention analyzed why “it is difficult to easily grasp the number of printable characters and the required length” described in the “Problems” section. Then, there are the following three reasons. First, in the direct printing apparatus (self-propelled printer, handy type printer), the user can arbitrarily designate the printing start position. Second, the area to be printed also differs depending on the case (such as when the end of the paper ends, when the punch hole ends, or when the frame already printed on the paper ends). Third, even if the content of the same text is changed to a font with a different character size or proportional value, the number of characters that can be printed per line changes.

《Direct printing device capable of adapting to occasions》
The inventor of the present invention has considered that it is necessary to provide a configuration that can respond flexibly in the middle of the printing operation in order to realize the problem. Therefore, it has been considered to provide a sensor in front of the printing direction.
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of direct printing device>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a direct printing apparatus 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the direct printing apparatus 100 displays a key input unit 101 for inputting and editing characters, a display control unit 104 for controlling display of an LCD (liquid crystal display device), and the like. A display unit 105 for selecting and displaying pictograms and symbols or displaying a message for notifying the user of information, a ROM 102 storing a table of data, size information, etc. for characters, symbols and pictograms, a display unit, A temporary storage RAM 103 that stores data to be output to the preview display unit, and stores data to be output to the printer unit and the preview display unit, a CPU 106 that performs each arithmetic processing, a photo sensor, and the like, detects the end of the print target area. Change the print area end detection unit 107 and the print area end detection unit according to the maximum size of characters to be printed. Print area end detection unit distance changing mechanism 108, print button 113 for instructing printing, print instruction unit 109 for notifying the CPU of a signal from the print button, and a print buffer for controlling the printer and stored in the RAM Control unit 110 that outputs the content of the image to the printer unit according to the detection content of the direction detection unit, print length detection unit 111 for detecting the printing length and synchronizing the print processing, an inkjet printer or a thermal transfer printer And a printer unit 112 for printing on a printing medium including the above.

<Appearance of direct printing device>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the direct printing apparatus 100.
The direct printing apparatus 100 is formed by connecting a key input / display unit 150 and a handheld unit 120 with, for example, a data transfer cable 204. Instead of connection with the data transfer cable 204, wireless connection may be used.
The key input / display unit 150 includes a key input unit 101 and a display unit 205, and is provided with a power button 202. The handheld unit 120 has a configuration other than the key input unit 101 and the display unit 205 shown in FIG.

<< Possibility of providing a part of the circuit configuration included in the hand-held unit 120 on the key input / display unit 150 side >>
A modification in which the CPU 106, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, and the like, which are part of the circuit configuration included in the handheld unit 120, are provided on the key input / display unit 150 side is also possible.
Alternatively, each of the handheld unit 120 and the key input / display unit 150 may have a CPU so that the two CPUs operate in cooperation. In that case, the functions of the CPU shown in FIG. 1 are shared by the two CPUs and operate in cooperation.

<< Modified Example of Key Input / Display Unit 150 >>
The key input unit 101 can be configured by a keyboard, but can be substituted by a software keyboard displayed on a display unit of a so-called tablet computer.
As the display unit 105, a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or an organic EL display device can be used.
Further, the key input unit 101 and the display unit 105 are not provided in the direct printing apparatus 100, but the direct printing apparatus 100 is connected to a personal computer or a smartphone via a communication unit, so that a key input unit or a display unit on the personal computer or the smartphone side is provided. It is good also as using. In that case, the direct printing apparatus 100 is configured including a personal computer and a smartphone.

<< Power button 202 >>
2, the same members and circuits as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The power button 202 is a button that activates the direct printing apparatus 100. When the power button 202 is turned on, the CPU 106 is activated, and other peripheral circuits are under the control of the CPU.

<< Print Button 113, Roller Part 114, Printer Part 112 >>
Since the direct printing apparatus 100 is a so-called self-propelled printer, printing is started when the user moves the handheld unit 120 to a place where printing is desired and presses the print button 113. That is, the print button 113 is a button for the user to instruct the start of printing.
The roller unit 114 detects a movement of the user to move the handheld unit 120 and transmits it to the print length detection unit 111. The print length detection unit 111 transmits the amount of movement of the handheld unit 120 to the printer control unit 110 based on information from the roller unit 114. Based on this, the printer control unit 110 synchronizes and sends a signal for printing to the printer unit 112. The printer unit 112 has a printer head and the like, and performs printing on a printing object.
The print button 113, the roller unit 114, and the printer unit 112 are configured by a conventional direct printing apparatus (self-propelled printer).

<< Print Area End Detection Unit 107 and Print Area End Detection Unit Distance Change Mechanism 108 >>
The members (circuits) that the direct printing apparatus 100 according to the present invention has as its features are a print area end detection unit 107 and a print area end detection unit distance change mechanism 108.
The print area end detection unit 107 is located in front of the printer head of the printer unit 112 in the scanning direction at the time of printing scan, and has, for example, a photo sensor, and detects the end of the print area.
The print area end detection unit distance changing mechanism 108 is a mechanism for the print area end detection unit 107 to take a distance equal to or larger than the maximum print size with the printer head of the printer unit 112. For example, it consists of a rack and a pinion, and a spring that meshes with the rack to fix the movement of the rack, and the distance between the photo sensor and the printer head is changed each time the rack is moved, and the distance is fixed at a desired position. Composed.

<How to adjust the distance>
When the user decides the desired print contents and determines the font type and font size, the CPU 106 refers to the table stored in the ROM 102 and refers to the font size (horizontal width and vertical writing if horizontal writing). Select the maximum size (length if any). The user adjusts the print area end detection unit distance changing mechanism 108 so that the distance between the print area end detection unit 107 and the printer head is larger than the maximum font size. When appropriate adjustment is made, CPU 106 displays “OK” on display unit 105, for example. The user sees it and knows that the adjustment has been made properly.

<< Explanation of operation by flowchart: Data input >>
FIG. 3 shows an example of a flowchart of the direct printing apparatus 100. In the flowchart of FIG. 3, step 301 and the like are represented as “s301” and the like.
First, the user activates the direct printing apparatus 100 by pressing the power button 202. Then, some peripheral circuits shown in FIG. 1 are under the control of the CPU 106. In this state, the user uses the key input unit 101 to input characters to be printed while confirming the display content of the display unit 105 (step 301).
Here, the input character string will be described as shown in FIG.

《Format setting》
Next, the font type, print direction (vertical writing or horizontal writing), character size, and other formats are specified for the input characters and character strings (step 302). The character size to be specified is stored in the ROM 102 as a table as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, and is specified with reference to the table. Although the illustration of font types is omitted, a similar table is prepared.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D show proportional examples of the respective characters (fonts).
Since the proportionality is not effective at the time of vertical writing, the vertical size Y of the character is uniform regardless of the character type and font (FIGS. 5A to 5D are all the same vertical size “Y” "). Therefore, the size when printing in vertical writing is the print reference size.
When printing horizontally, there is a proportional value for each character. When printing actually, the horizontal length is different, such as XA and XI. Therefore, the magnification shown in FIG. The applied length becomes the print length.

<Detection of maximum size>
For each input character, the maximum size in units of one character is detected based on the setting of each format (step 303). This detection is obtained by the CPU 106 calculating each character constituting the character string input by the user in step 301 based on the proportional value, character size, font type information, and the like.

<End sensor position adjustment>
Next, the CPU 106 displays a “screen for prompting the user to adjust the position of the photosensor” on the display unit 105 via the display control unit 104.
The user is prompted by the screen, and if necessary, adjusts the position of the photo sensor by the print area end detection unit distance changing mechanism 108 including the print area end detection unit (end sensor) 107 (step 304).

<< Comparison between maximum size and distance S >>
Thereafter, the maximum size detected in step 303 is compared with the distance between the end sensor and the printing unit (distance S in FIG. 6A) (step 305). In FIG. 6A, the distance between the print head position 601 and the end sensor position 602 is S.

<Automatic line feed printing>
If the distance S is smaller than the maximum size detected in step 303, the process proceeds to step 306, and an error message (a confirmation screen for whether to perform automatic line feed printing) is displayed as shown in FIG. Let the user select whether to print without line breaks or to print with automatic line breaks.

<End sensor position adjustment>
If the user selects automatic line feed in step 306 (NO in step 306), the process returns to 304, and the position of the end sensor is adjusted again. Then, the maximum size is compared with the distance S again (step 305).

<Execution without automatic line feed>
If it is determined in step 306 that the user does not perform automatic line feed (YES in step 306), the process proceeds to step 307. At this time, while the user presses the print button 113 (step 307), the printer unit 112 continues printing to the end of the data by moving the hand-held unit 120 so that the roller unit 114 rolls along the print target. (Step 308), a printing end screen is displayed (Step 309), and printing is ended. FIG. 8A shows the printing result printed in this way. As shown in FIG. 8A, the result is that printing is performed outside the original print target area.
In the printing operation, the printer control unit 110 receives a signal for detecting the rotation of the roller from the roller unit 114, and the operation of the printer unit 112 is performed in synchronization therewith. However, this is not the core of the present invention. The drawing in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is omitted. The same applies to the printing operation described below.

<Start of automatic line feed processing>
In step 305, if the distance S is larger than the maximum character size, automatic line feed processing is possible, so the process proceeds to step 310, and the user moves the handheld unit 120 while pressing the print button 113. Then, printing is started (step 311).
By the way, the printing target includes a paper medium.
When direct printing is performed by the direct printing apparatus according to the present invention, the printing start position can be designated by the user by arbitrarily arranging the printer unit 112 of the handheld unit 120.
However, as shown in FIG. 6B, when printing is performed by operating the handheld unit 120 from the left to the right, the right end of the object to be printed such as 1001 on the right side or a frame like 1002 On the right side, there is a hole (punch hole) for binding, such as 1003, and if printing is performed overlapping it, printing will be defective.

<Loop processing when NO is detected for end detection>
In step 312, an end sensor (print area end detection unit) 107 such as a photosensor is used to set the boundary line at the lower end of the print direction as shown in FIG. Detection is performed for each line by real-time processing while executing printing.
If the area end is not detected (NO in step 312), the detection determination (step 312) and the continuation of printing (step 313) are repeated until printing is completed. That is, a loop of NO at step 314, NO at step 312 and NO at step 313 and step 314 is repeatedly processed.

<< When end detection is YES >>
FIG. 8B shows a state where the end sensor 107 has detected the end line when the seventh character “G” of the character string has been printed and the eighth character “H” has started to be printed. .
When the end line is detected, “Yes” is determined in step 312, and the process proceeds to step 316. Since the print size of the character being printed is small with respect to the distance S between the printing unit and the end sensor, the character “H” being printed when the area end is detected is stored in the print target area and printed. (FIG. 8C). In step 316, with respect to the distance S, it is determined how many characters can be printed from the remaining length of characters currently being printed, the space between characters, the size of the following characters, and the like.

<Can final data be printed>
Next, in step 317, it is determined whether or not all the contents to be printed by the end of the area have been printed. If it fits (YES in step 317), the process proceeds to step 318, printing is performed up to the final data, a print end notification as shown in FIG. 7B is issued (step 319), and the print is ended (END).

<If the final data cannot be printed>
If the final data cannot be printed, printing is continued only for data that can be printed on the print target area as shown in FIG. 8C based on the number of printable characters calculated in step 316. (Step 319)
After the printing of the printable characters is finished, the printing is stopped (step 320), and in step 321, a confirmation screen “Please press the print key at the next printing position” as shown in FIG. 7C is displayed. That is, the display prompts for a line break. At this time, since the printing is completed up to the end of the printable characters, the characters are not interrupted.

《Restart printing with line feed》
Upon seeing a display prompting for a line break in step 321, the user moves the handheld unit 120 away from the object to be printed, and arbitrarily selects the beginning of the line to be printed as the next line as shown in FIG. The handheld unit 120 is moved, the handheld unit 120 is placed, and the print button 113 is pressed to move the handheld unit 120 to resume printing of subsequent data (steps 322 and 323). Then, the process returns to step 312 and the same processing is performed again.

  By processing in this way, the characters may actually protrude when printing is performed on the print target area as shown in FIG. 8A, or halfway the character when printing is interrupted at an appropriate place. It is possible to prevent the image from being cut off. That is, as shown in FIG. 8E, a line feed process can be automatically performed to obtain a print that is neatly stored in the print target area.

Also, the size of the print area changes as shown in FIG. 8F, the size of the printed character changes as shown in FIG. 8G, or the punch hole shown in FIG. Even if there is a failure, it is possible to easily obtain a print result in which a line feed is automatically made at an optimal place.
In the line feed process described above, the number of printable characters is calculated based on the distance S between the end sensor and the printer head, and the line feed process is performed. However, the margin is taken into account by setting the right end margin in advance. Line feed processing may be performed.
In the above description, “character” is used. However, any printable pattern may be used, and “pattern” may be used instead of the character.

"Effect of the invention"
When printing the input text data by changing the character size or font, or even printing the same text in different print target areas, according to this idea, it is troublesome to calculate in advance. There is an effect that an appropriate line feed process can be automatically performed without the need for a procedure without protruding.
In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to automatically avoid printing even when there are punch holes for bundling materials in the print target area.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.

[Appendix 1]
A print head that prints a plurality of preset patterns on the print medium;
A moving distance detector for detecting a moving distance of the print head with respect to the printing direction;
An end detection unit that detects an end of a print area of a printing medium provided in front of the print direction of the print head;
When the end of the print area is detected by the end detection unit, the number of printable patterns of the plurality of patterns is calculated based on the interval between the print head and the end detection unit, and the number of printable patterns When the number of printable patterns is equal to or greater than 1, the printing is temporarily stopped after printing, and when the number of printable patterns is 0, the control unit is configured to pause printing.
A direct printing apparatus.

[Appendix 2]
Stop notification means for notifying that the printing has been temporarily stopped by the control unit;
A printing end notification means for notifying that when printing is completed;
The direct printing apparatus according to appendix 1, further comprising:

[Appendix 3]
The direct printing apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, further comprising an end detection interval changing mechanism that allows an interval between the print head and the end detection unit to be adjusted by a format such as a font type and a font size.

[Appendix 4]
The direct printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, further comprising a print instruction unit that resumes the continuation of printing temporarily stopped by the control unit at a location designated by the user.

[Appendix 5]
An end detection step in which an end detection unit provided in front of the print direction of the print head detects the end of the print area of the non-print medium; and
The number of printable patterns is calculated based on the interval between the print head and the end detection unit. When the number of possible patterns is 1 or more, printing is temporarily performed after printing the number of printable patterns. And when the number of printable patterns is 0, a control process for temporarily stopping printing;
A direct printing method comprising:

[Appendix 6]
6. The direct printing method according to appendix 5, wherein an interval between the print head and the end detection unit can be adjusted by a format such as a font type and a font size.

[Appendix 7]
The direct print method according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein the end of the print area includes a paper edge, a punch hole position, and a frame position.

[Appendix 8]
8. The direct printing method according to any one of appendices 5 to 7, wherein the end of the area takes into account a preset margin.

[Appendix 9]
The direct printing method according to any one of appendices 5 to 8, further comprising a printing instruction step for resuming a continuation of printing suspended in the control step at a location designated by the user.

  The present invention can be used in a direct printing apparatus, a handy printer, and a self-propelled printer that can directly print on a printed material regardless of size without passing paper through the apparatus.

100 Direct Printing Device 101 Key Input Unit 102 ROM
103 RAM
104 display control unit 105 display unit 106 CPU
107 Print area end detector (end sensor)
108 Print area end detection unit distance changing mechanism 109 Print instruction unit 110 Printer control unit 111 Print length detection unit 112 Printer unit 113 Print button 114 Roller unit 120 Hand held unit 150 Key input / display unit 202 Power button 204 Data transfer cable

Claims (4)

In the printing device,
A print head capable of printing a plurality of set patterns on a printing medium;
A detection unit that detects a distance in the first direction in the printing area by moving the printing area of the printing medium by the printing apparatus;
Control for calculating the number of printable patterns arranged in the first direction in the print area based on the distance between the print head and the detection unit according to the distance detected by the detection unit. And
A detection interval changing mechanism capable of adjusting an interval between the print head and the detection unit by a format including at least one of a font type and a font size of the plurality of patterns;
A printing apparatus.   After the calculation of the number of patterns, when the printing apparatus is moving in the printing area, the control unit causes the print head to output the calculated number of patterns along the first direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that printing is performed in the print area, and the print head is controlled to stop printing when the number of printed patterns reaches the calculated number of patterns.   After the number of printed patterns reaches the calculated number of patterns and the print head stops printing, the user designates printing of a pattern next to a pattern that has been printed out of the plurality of patterns. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a print instruction unit that starts at a location. A printing apparatus having a print head capable of printing a plurality of set patterns on a printing medium detects a distance in the first direction in the printing area by moving the printing area of the printing medium. ,
According to the detected distance, the number of printable patterns arranged along the first direction in the print area is calculated based on the interval between the print head and the detection unit ,
A printing method in which an interval between the print head and the detection unit can be adjusted by a format including at least one of font types and font sizes of the plurality of patterns .

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