JP4540255B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing apparatus used when issuing a label or a ticket.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a label printer as a conventional printing apparatus, predetermined print data is printed on each label of a label continuum (hereinafter referred to as a roll as appropriate) for continuously supplying labels, and when printing on the final label is completed, A new roll is loaded, and after detecting the label pitch (distance between the leading edge of the next label and the leading edge of the next label), printing is performed from the next print data.
[0003]
In addition, when printing on the final label is a printing failure or a label failure, the user manually recalls the same print data printed on the final label and prints the same print data again. ing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this way, when printing on the final label is a printing failure or a label failure, the user manually calls the same print data printed on the final label and prints the same print data again. Because it is necessary, there is a problem that the operation is complicated and time is required.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables reprinting of the same data to be efficiently performed with a simple operation.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 is a printing apparatus that prints a predetermined print data on a predetermined medium loaded in a state where a predetermined number of continuous print data can be continuously supplied, and a transport unit that transports the medium; Printing means for printing print data on the medium conveyed by the conveying means, detection means for detecting the last medium, storage means for storing the print data printed on the last medium by the printing means, and last medium Inquiry means for inquiring whether the data is normal, an input means for inputting a response to the inquiry, and a medium in which the print data saved by the saving means is newly loaded in response to the response input by the input means And control means for controlling to be reprinted by the printing means.
Further, the image forming apparatus can further include a counting unit that counts the number of media reprinted by the printing unit.
In addition, display means for displaying the count value counted by the counting means can be further provided.
In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the conveyance unit conveys the medium, the printing unit prints the print data on the medium conveyed by the conveyance unit, the detection unit detects the last medium, and the storage unit includes the printing unit. To save the print data printed on the last medium, the inquiry means inquires whether or not the last medium is normal, and the control means saves according to the response to the inquiry inputted by the input means. Control is performed so that the print data saved by the means is reprinted by the printing means on the newly loaded medium.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of a label printer to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the label printer includes a control unit 10 that controls each unit, a print head 5 that performs printing on the label 1, and a stepping motor that is driven by the control of the control unit 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a motor as appropriate). 7) and the mount 2 and the mount 2 constituting the label continuum 3 set on the supply shaft 4 to be described later, so as to be peeled off and rotated by the rotational force of the motor 7 transmitted through the belt 8. The platen roller 6 that conveys the label 1 and presses the label 1 against the print head 5, the supply shaft 4 that rotatably supports the label continuum 3, the light emitting unit that emits predetermined light, and the light emitting unit It comprises a light receiving unit that receives the emitted light and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light (the amount of light received per unit time). The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are sandwiched between the mount 2 and the label 1. Arrangement The position detection sensor 9 that detects the label 1 and the gap (the portion of the mount 2 only between the two adjacent labels 1) based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit, A light emitting unit that emits light, and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light, and the light emitting unit so as to sandwich the mount 2 and the label 1 An end sensor 11 is provided for detecting the end of the label 1 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit, and a cutter 12 for separating the label 1 at the gap.
[0008]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the embodiment of FIG. As shown in the figure, the control unit 10 includes a ROM (ready memory) 22 that stores a predetermined control program, and a CPU (central processing unit) 21 that operates according to the control program stored in the ROM 22 and controls each unit. A random access memory (RAM) 23 for storing various data necessary for the operation of the CPU 21, a motor control unit 24 for supplying a pulse signal to the stepping motor 7 and rotating the stepping motor 7, and a supply from the CPU 21. A control signal corresponding to print data such as characters, figures, and barcodes to be printed is generated, supplied to the print head 5, and a print operation is performed. Under control of the CPU 21, position detection is performed. Controls the light emitting part of the sensor 9 to emit light A sensor control unit 26 that receives an electrical signal output from the light receiving unit, converts it into digital data and supplies it to the CPU 21 as position detection data, and controls the light emitting unit of the end sensor 11 under the control of the CPU 21; An error detection unit 31 that emits light, receives an electrical signal output from the light receiving unit, detects the end of the label 1 based on the magnitude and change of the electrical signal, and supplies end detection data to the CPU 21; 12, a cutter control unit 32 that separates the label 1, an external interface 27, and an interface 30. An input unit 28 for inputting various data and commands and a monitor 29 for displaying input data and various information input from the input unit 28 are connected via an interface 30. Input data input from the input unit 28 is supplied to the CPU 21 via the interface 30, and display data corresponding to various information displayed on the monitor 29 is supplied from the CPU 21 via the interface 30. Yes. Further, various data and commands can be transmitted / received to / from an externally connected device via the external interface 27.
[0009]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the label printer receives print data transmitted from a host computer (not shown) connected to the external interface 27. The received print data is supplied from the external interface 27 to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 temporarily stores this print data in the RAM 23. In step S <b> 2, the CPU 21 edits and expands the print data in the drawing area of the RAM 23.
[0010]
Next, proceeding to step S3, the print data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 23 is printed on the label 1 under the control of the CPU 21. That is, the CPU 21 controls the motor control unit 24 based on the position detection data supplied from the sensor control unit 26 and moves the label 1 directly below the print head 5. Then, it instructs the print control unit 25 to issue the label 1 on which the print data expanded in the drawing area of the RAM 23 is printed. Upon receiving this instruction, the print control unit 25 supplies a control signal corresponding to the print data developed in the drawing area to the print head 5. The print head 5 performs printing on the label 1 in accordance with a control signal supplied from the print control unit 25. In parallel with the print head 5 printing on the label 1, under the control of the CPU 21, the motor control unit 24 controls the stepping motor 7 to convey the label 1 at a predetermined speed. As a result, a character string or the like corresponding to the print data developed in the drawing area is printed on the label 1.
[0011]
Next, in step S4, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the label 1 has been completed. That is, based on the output signal from the end sensor 11, the end of the label 1 is detected by the error detection unit 31, and it is determined whether or not the end detection data is supplied to the CPU 21.
[0012]
When the CPU 21 determines that the label 1 has not ended, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether or not to end printing. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the input unit 28 to instruct the end of printing, or the power is turned off, for example. If it is determined that the end of printing has not been instructed, the process returns to step S3, and the processes after step S3 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the end of printing has been instructed, the present process ends.
[0013]
If the CPU 21 determines in step S4 that the label 1 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S6 where print data is printed on the remaining label 1. The number of labels 1 printed after the end of the label is detected by the error detection unit 31 can be printed up to the last label 1. The distance between the end sensor 11 and the print head 5 is determined by the label. It can be determined by dividing by the pitch (distance between the leading edge of a label and the leading edge of the next label). Next, in step S7, under the control of the CPU 21, the print data printed on the last label 1 is supplied to the storage area of the RAM 23 and stored.
[0014]
Next, in step S8, it is determined whether or not the last label 1 is usable. That is, after the last printed label 1 is visually checked by the user, the input unit 28 is operated, the last label 1 of the label continuous body 3 is printed normally, and the label 1 itself is normal. Data indicating whether or not is input. Then, based on the data input by the user, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the last label 1 is usable.
[0015]
When the user prints normally on the last label 1 and inputs data indicating that the label 1 itself is normal, the CPU 21 determines that the last label 1 is usable, The process ends. On the other hand, if the user did not normally print on the last label 1 or data indicating that the label 1 itself is not normal is input by the CPU 21, the last label 1 is unusable. Determination is made and the process proceeds to step S9.
[0016]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a part of the last label 1 is broken, the user determines that the label 1 cannot be used and sends data indicating that the label 1 cannot be used from the input unit 28. input. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when the last label 1 has been subjected to processing such as tape fastening, the user determines that this label 1 cannot be used, and inputs data indicating that the label 1 cannot be used. 28 is input. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, even when the corner portion of the last label 1 is broken, the user determines that the label 1 cannot be used, and inputs data indicating that the label 1 cannot be used from the input unit 28. .
[0017]
When printing on the last label 1 of the label continuous body 3 is completed, the user newly loads the label continuous body 3 into the label printer. In step S9, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the user has operated the input unit 28 to instruct reprinting. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to reprint the same print data as the print data to be printed on the last label 1. If it is determined that reprinting has not been instructed, this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that reprinting has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S10.
[0018]
When instructing reprinting in step S <b> 9, the user performs an operation of simultaneously pressing a “line” button and a “feed” button (not shown) constituting the input unit 28, for example. Thus, the CPU 21 determines that a reprint instruction has been given, and proceeds to step S10.
[0019]
In step S10, the CPU 21 executes reprint processing. That is, the CPU 21 reads the print data printed on the last label 1 of the previous label continuum 3 from the storage area of the RAM 23, edits it in the drawing area of the RAM 23, and develops it.
[0020]
Next, under the control of the CPU 21, the print data expanded in the drawing area of the RAM 23 is printed on the label 1 of the newly loaded label continuous body 3. That is, the CPU 21 controls the motor control unit 24 based on the position detection data supplied from the sensor control unit 26 and moves the label 1 directly below the print head 5. At this time, the label pitch is confirmed. Then, it instructs the print control unit 25 to issue the label 1 on which the print data expanded in the drawing area of the RAM 23 is printed. Upon receiving this instruction, the print control unit 25 supplies a control signal corresponding to the print data developed in the drawing area to the print head 5. The print head 5 performs printing on the label 1 in accordance with a control signal supplied from the print control unit 25. In parallel with the print head 5 printing on the label 1, under the control of the CPU 21, the motor control unit 24 controls the stepping motor 7 to convey the label 1 at a predetermined speed. As a result, a character string or the like corresponding to the print data developed in the drawing area is printed on the label 1. In this way, the same print data as that printed on the final label 1 of the previous label continuum 3 is printed for one sheet, and the operation is stopped.
[0021]
Next, in step S11, the CPU 21 counts up a counter for counting the number of reprints, and the counter value indicating the number of reprints is stored in the RAM 23 and supplied to the monitor 29 via the interface 30. A counter value indicating the number of reprints is displayed.
[0022]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the last label 1 of the label continuous body 3 is in an unusable state, the same label printed on the last label 1 is newly loaded. The label 1 of the continuum 3 can be quickly reprinted with a simple operation.
[0023]
In addition, the process of step S9 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 can be omitted. That is, in step S8, when the user inputs data indicating that the last label 1 is not printed normally or the label 1 itself is not normal, the process proceeds to step S10. Can be. In step S9, it is also possible to simply wait for a reprint instruction from the user.
[0024]
In the above embodiment, the print data to be printed by the label printer is transmitted from the host computer each time and stored in the RAM 23. However, all print data to be printed in advance in the RAM 23 of the label printer is stored. You may make it memorize | store it.
[0025]
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a label printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to other printing apparatuses.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, the case where characters, figures, etc. are printed on a label that is detachably attached to the mount has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to the case where characters, figures, etc. are printed on a label without a mount. can do.
[0027]
In addition, the configuration and operation of the above embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the conveyance unit conveys the medium, the printing unit prints the print data on the medium conveyed by the conveyance unit, and the detection unit detects and stores the last medium. The means stores the print data printed on the last medium by the printing means, the inquiry means inquires whether or not the last medium is normal, and the control means responds to the inquiry input by the input means. Accordingly, the print data stored by the storage unit is controlled to be reprinted by the printing unit on the newly loaded medium, so that the last medium on which the print data is printed cannot be used. In this case, the same print data printed on the last medium can be quickly reprinted with a simple operation. Further, if a counting means for counting the number of media reprinted by the printing means is further provided, the number of reissued media can be managed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a label printer to which a printing apparatus according to the invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the last label 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the last label 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another example of the last label 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Label 2 Mount 3 Label continuous body 4 Supply axis 5 Print head 6 Platen roller 7 Stepping motor 8 Belt 9 Position detection sensor 10 Control part 11 End sensor 12 Cutter 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 motor control unit 25 print control unit 26 sensor control unit 27 external interface 28 input unit 29 monitor 30 interface 31 error detection unit 32 cutter control unit

Claims (3)

A printing apparatus that prints a predetermined print data on a predetermined medium loaded in a state in which a predetermined number can be continuously supplied,
Conveying means for conveying the medium;
Printing means for printing the print data on the medium conveyed by the conveying means;
Detecting means for detecting the last medium;
Storage means for storing the print data printed on the last medium by the printing means;
Inquiry means for inquiring whether the last medium is normal;
Input means for inputting a response to the inquiry;
And control means for controlling the print data stored by the storage means to be reprinted by the printing means on the newly loaded medium in response to the response input by the input means. A printing apparatus characterized by that. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a counting unit that counts the number of the media reprinted by the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying the count value counted by the counting means.

Images