JPS6342584B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention provides continuous paper fed to a printing device,
The present invention relates to a print medium detection control device for detecting a print medium such as ledger paper and applying a predetermined operation to a printing device based on the detection signal.

The printing media used in the printing device, such as continuous ledger paper and ledger paper, are transported one by one as they are printed, and if the printing medium runs out, the printing operation must of course be stopped. A detection switch is provided for detecting the presence or absence of a medium, and the printing operation is stopped by a signal from this detection switch. The switch that detects when the paper is empty is usually called a paper empty switch or near-end switch, and uses a micro switch, a photo sensor, or the like. FIG. 1 shows an example of a print medium detection device using a micro switch, in which a print medium is fed to a platen (not shown) through the bottom of a tractor 1, which is mounted on a tractor frame 2. This is detected by a micro switch 3. When the print medium is being fed, the actuator 6 of the micro switch 3 is pushed up by the print medium passing over the top surface 5 of the medium guide plate 4, and when the print medium runs out, the actuator 6 moves up the top surface 5 of the medium guide plate 4. The media falls into the recess 7 provided in the media and detects that the media is missing.

Figure 2 shows an example of using a photo sensor as a paper empty switch.
A light emitter 8 is attached to the frame 2 of the tractor 1, and a light receiving element 10 is provided below the medium passage 9, facing the light emitter 8. When there is a print medium, the light from the light emitter 8 is blocked by the medium, and when there is no print medium, the light from the light emitter 8 is blocked by the light receiving element 10.
is reached and the end of the medium is detected.

However, as shown in FIG. 3, some printing media 11 are provided with a binding hole 12, and this binding hole 1
2 passes a position where a detector such as the aforementioned micro switch 3 or photo sensor 8, 10 is attached, the detector emits a signal through the binding hole 12, indicating that the print medium 11 is not empty. Despite this, the printing operation may sometimes stop. In order to eliminate this obstacle, the position of the binding hole provided in the print medium 11 is restricted so that it does not coincide with the position of the detector, or the detectors are placed on both sides of the medium path, so that both detectors are simultaneously activated. The printing operation is stopped only when a no-medium signal is issued. However, it is practically unnecessary to limit the position of the binding holes, and it is uneconomical to provide detectors on both sides.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem,
In the device described in No. 15821, a counter that counts the amount of printing media fed is activated by a media empty signal from a paper empty switch, and when the count value of this counter reaches a set value (overflows). When a medium end signal is issued and a medium presence signal is issued again before the count value reaches the set value, the counter is reset to avoid malfunctions caused by the paper binding holes 12, etc.

On the other hand, when processing certain types of print media, such as ledgers and other forms, in bulk, a computer determines what type of media is being fed and determines the print position for each media. The printing form is determined automatically. Therefore, in such a case, various marks are attached to the media in order to distinguish the type of printing medium and determine the printing position, and a mark sensor installed in the printing device detects the markings and performs the prescribed processing. I'm trying to get them to do it.
Therefore, in conventional printing devices that are capable of batch processing of ledgers, etc., it is necessary to install the above-mentioned mark sensor in addition to the above-mentioned paper empty switch, and each switch and sensor must be installed at an optimal position due to the installation space. There were problems in that it was difficult to implement the control wiring, and it was difficult to implement the control wiring.

The present invention solves the above problem by providing a detection control device that can also determine the type of print medium using a paper empty switch. That is, in the feeding medium detection control device of the present invention, after the detector for detecting the presence or absence of a medium issues a no-printing-medium signal and after feeding a predetermined amount of printing medium, the no-printing-medium signal is still being emitted. For example, in a medium detection control device such as that described in Utility Model Publication No. 15821/1983, in which a medium end signal is output on the condition that a medium is present, the detector issues a signal indicating that there is no printing medium, and then outputs a signal indicating that there is a medium again. If the medium is emitted, the amount of movement of the medium during the time when the no-medium signal is emitted is detected, and a different control signal is determined corresponding to the amount of movement;
For example, it is characterized by outputting a signal that simply cancels the detection signal or a signal that incorporates the detection signal as a signal indicating the type of medium.

According to the apparatus configured as described above, the perforation or filled area provided in the medium can be detected by the paper empty switch, and various control signals can be given to the control device depending on the size thereof. For example, after providing a perforation or a filled area of a predetermined diameter on the medium, a group of perforations or a group of filled areas indicating the type of medium is provided, and when the first perforation or filled area is detected, a signal indicating that there is no medium is output. The size of the perforation or filled area is detected based on the amount of movement of the medium during the period, and the control is switched, so that the following perforation group or filled area group can be read as a medium identification signal. Note that when a reflective photoelectric sensor is used as a paper empty switch, it is possible to generate a medium empty signal in the switch by providing a filled area on the medium. The control signal can also be output by providing a crushed area.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the control means used in the detection control device of the present invention, in which reference numeral 13 indicates a medium detector such as a micro switch 3 or a photo sensor 8, 10, and 14 indicates a friction between the tractor 1 or a non-porous medium. A pulse motor that drives a medium driving device such as a feed roller that is fed by driving, 15 is a drive pulse generator for this pulse motor 14, 16 is a printing control device, 17 is a counter, 18a, 18b,
18c is a comparator, and each comparator 18a, 18b, 1
The output value of the counter 17 is compared with the set value set in advance in the counter 8c, and 19 and 20 are AND gates, and 21 is an inverter. When a medium drive command a is output from the print control device 16, the AND gate 19 is opened, the pulse motor 14 is driven, and the print medium is fed. When the detector 13 issues a signal b indicating no medium during this medium feeding, the counter 17 with the AND gate 20 opened starts counting the number of pulses from the pulse generator 15. If the counter 17 overflows, that is, if the detector 13 is still emitting the no-medium signal b even after a predetermined amount of print media defined by the capacity of the counter 17 has been fed, the overflow causes the An end signal c is given to the print control device 16 to stop the printing operation, and at the same time a reset signal d is given to the counter 17. When the detector 13 detects the medium again before the counter 17 overflows and the no-medium signal b disappears, the disappearance of the signal b closes the AND gate 20 and the counter 17
stops counting, and at the same time, the inverter 21 applies an inverted signal to the enable terminals 22a, 22b, 22c of the comparators 18a, 18b, 18c, and the comparators 18a, 18b, 18c change the count value e( The output f, g, or h is output from one of the comparators 18a, 18b, or 18c by comparing the digital quantity) with the set value. The output g of the comparator 18b simply resets the counter 17, which indicates that the signal detected by the detector 13 is a blind hole, such as a binding hole, which is unrelated to the printing process. . When the detector detects a significant hole other than a binding hole, an output f or h is output depending on the size of the hole, and this is sent to the print control device 16 to select the print content or determine the print position. At the same time, a reset signal d is sent from the printing control device 16 to the counter 17.
given to.

If the printing device is controlled by a microcomputer, such control means are provided by a program of the microcomputer. Figure 5 shows an example of the flowchart of this program, where SW is micro switch 3.
It is a detection signal from a detector such as or photo sensor 8, 10, and OFF means a signal indicating that a medium is present, and ON means a signal that there is no medium. SUBPM is a subroutine that applies one drive pulse to the pulse motor that drives the print medium, A is a parameter that counts the amount of rotation of the pulse motor after the detector issues a signal that there is no medium, and L determines the end of the medium. J is a setting value for determining a significant hole smaller than a binding hole, K is a setting value for determining a punch hole, SUBF is a setting value for giving a predetermined processing operation to the printing device by detecting a significant hole smaller than a binding hole. subroutine for,
SUBH is a subroutine for giving a predetermined processing operation to the printing device upon detection of a significant hole larger than a binding hole, and RETURN means that the program returns to the initial START and is operated again. When the medium is being fed by the START signal, the detector issues a no-medium signal and the SW is activated.
When turned ON, parameter A counts the amount of rotation of the pulse motor, and when parameter A reaches the set value L with SW remaining in the ON state, it is determined that the medium is finished and the printing operation is stopped. Parameter A
If the SW returns to OFF before reaching the set value L, the value of parameter A and set values J and K at this time
The values of are compared sequentially. When the value of parameter A is smaller than the value of set value J, it is determined that the detector has detected the first significant hole, and after the SUBF causes the printing device to perform a predetermined operation, the printing operation is continued. When the value of the parameter A is greater than or equal to the set value J and smaller than the set value K, it is determined that what the detector has detected is a binding hole, and the printing device continues the printing operation. If the value of the parameter A is equal to or greater than the set value K, it is determined that the detector has detected the second significant hole, and after a predetermined operation is performed by SUBH, the printing operation is continued.

As described above, this control means is provided with a control means that links the output signal of the print medium detector disposed in the print medium feeding path with the drive amount of a print medium drive device such as a tractor or feed roller. By outputting a paper empty signal or other control signal through the detector, it can be determined whether the signal detected by this detector is a signal indicating the end of the print medium or if an unexpected hole such as a binding hole has been detected. Not only can it be determined whether the print medium is a binding hole or the like, but by providing a through hole or notch of a different size to a binding hole, the desired operation of the printing device can be selected using the through hole or notch. This makes it possible to implement the system in a practical manner. Although the above-mentioned embodiment describes the case where a pulse motor is used as the drive source for the printing medium, it is of course possible to provide a similar control means when a drive source other than the pulse motor is used. be.

As explained above, the print medium detection control device of the present invention adds specific control means to the detector, which conventionally detects only the end of the print medium as a paper empty switch. This not only prevents the malfunction of the detector, but also makes it possible to determine the type of print medium being fed and the print position on the print medium by determining the signal detected by the detector. Since it is a mark sensor, it can take on the function of a conventional mark sensor for identifying print media, and by using this detection control device in combination with a conventional mark sensor, media identification can be made more accurate. , and its identification functions become richer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of mounting when a micro switch is provided in the print medium feeding path, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of mounting when a photo sensor is provided,
FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of continuous paper; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control means according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when a computer is used as the control means according to the present invention. 1...Tractor, 3...Micro switch, 4
...Media guide plate, 6...Actuator, 8...
Light emitter, 9... Medium path, 10... Light receiving element, 1
3...Detector, 14...Pulse motor, 15...
Drive pulse generator, 16...Printing control device, 17
... Counter, 18a, 18b, 18c... Comparator, 19, 20... AND gate, 21... Inverter, 22a, 22b, 22c... Enable terminal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 It has a drive device that feeds the print medium, and a detector that detects the presence or absence of the print medium at a predetermined position of the print medium feeding path, and after the detector issues a signal that there is no print medium, the print medium is fed by a predetermined amount. In a media detection control device of a printing device that outputs a media end signal on the condition that a no print media signal is still being issued after feeding the print media, the detector outputs a no media signal. a counting means for counting the amount of movement of the medium while the medium is present; a comparison and determination means for comparing the contents of the counting means with a set value when the medium-absent signal changes to a medium-present signal; and the comparison and determination means A feeding medium detection control device in a printing device, comprising: output control means for selecting and outputting one of a plurality of control signals based on the output of the plurality of control signals.