JP2004155009A - Printing condition setting method and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply set printing conditions by automatically forming an input sheet, recording printing conditions to the input sheet and making an optical sensor read the same. <P>SOLUTION: Setting of printing conditions of a printer is carried out by filling the conditions in a sheet for setting (mark sheet 82) printed by the printer itself and making a scanner read the same. Subsequently, test printing is carried out and the printing is verified by the scanner. In the case of defective printing, a sheet for test printing and resetting is issued by a continuous forms paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing condition setting method and a printing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The printer supports multiple types of recording media (recorded media such as paper, transfer media such as ink ribbon) and connected devices (host devices such as personal computers and mobile terminals, keyboards, input devices such as scanners, etc.). There are many printing conditions that must be set for use in order to perform optimum printing.
[0003]
Particularly, in a portable small printer, there is a possibility that a device to be connected to the printer is frequently changed, and a communication speed, an interface selection, and the like must be frequently set.
[0004]
For this reason, there is known a printer in which a dip switch is provided in a cover of a printer or the like, and is switched to set a printing condition.
[0005]
However, since the DIP switches are set by a combination of ON / OFF states of the respective switches, there is a problem that the setting contents are difficult to understand and a tool such as a driver is required for operation.
[0006]
On the other hand, there has been known a printer which performs setting by operating a numeric keypad or a cursor (arrow) key while checking a display screen provided on a printer body. However, printers that are presumed to be connected to external devices are difficult to operate because input devices such as a keyboard and display devices are simplified, and the initial screen is displayed on an LCD screen that can only display English characters and katakana. In the menu format in which the mode is switched hierarchically and set, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to recognize that the currently operated mode is switched to another mode on the way in addition to the individual input operations.
[0007]
A printer processor that has a barcode reader that reads a barcode recorded in a manual to simplify operation for general users is known from Patent Document 1 and the like. .
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-161249
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has a problem that the printer cannot be operated unless a manual on which a barcode is recorded is always carried with the printer.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to create an input sheet by itself, record printing conditions on the input sheet, and read it with an optical sensor so that the operator can use the input sheet. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing condition setting method which can be easily operated and a printing apparatus for performing the method.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the means adopted by the method for setting printing conditions according to claim 1 is a printing device capable of printing on continuous paper and cut-sheet paper. A step of printing and discharging the sheet outside the printing apparatus, a step of recording printing conditions on the setting sheet, a step of inserting the recorded setting sheet into the printing apparatus, and an optical step provided in the printing apparatus while transporting the setting sheet. The process of reading with the dynamic sensor, the process of setting the printing conditions of the printing device according to the reading result, the process of performing test printing under the newly set printing conditions, and the setting from continuous paper again when the test printing is not good And a step of printing and discharging the sheet.
[0012]
Further, in the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, a continuous paper guide path for guiding the continuous paper set in the printing apparatus main body to the printing section, and the continuous paper guide path is inserted separately from the outside of the printing apparatus main body. A cut sheet guide path provided to guide cut sheets to the printing section, and a first conveyance provided in the continuous sheet guide path for feeding the continuous sheet to the printing section and retreating from the printing section. Means, a second conveying means provided in the cut sheet guide path, for feeding cut sheets to a printing unit, and a cut sheet provided in the cut sheet guide path, wherein the cut sheet guide path is provided. Detection means for detecting that the cut sheet has been inserted, and when the cut sheet is detected by the detection means, the cut sheet is supplied to the printing section before being fed to the printing section based on the detection result. Controlling the first transporting means and the second transporting means so as to retreat the continuous paper to be retracted from the printing unit. Transport control means, a setting start means for performing an operation for starting the setting of printing conditions, an optical sensor for reading while conveying the sheet for setting the printing conditions, and a printing condition which is set in accordance with the read result, and the newly set printing conditions And a setting ending means for selecting whether to end the printing condition setting operation or to print and discharge the setting sheet from continuous paper again.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a printing condition setting method and a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus for carrying out a method for setting printing conditions according to the present invention, and is an example of a portable printer 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) that can be driven by a battery. As shown in FIG. 1, a supply reel 14 is rotatably provided on one side in a casing 12 forming an outer frame of the printer 10, and a roll-shaped continuous paper 15 is wound around the supply reel 14. I have. In the vicinity of the supply reel 14, a first feed roller 16 and a pinch roller 18 which is in contact with the feed roller 16 are provided. A printing section 24 including a thermal head 20 and a platen roller 22 is provided substantially in the center of the casing 12, and an upper plate 26 and a lower plate 26 are provided between the printing section 24 and the pair of rollers 16 and 18. A continuous paper guide path 30 including a plate 28 is formed, and a continuous paper detection sensor 27 is provided facing an opening 32 formed in the middle of the lower plate 28. The lower plate 28 has a curved portion 28A that is curved along the lower peripheral edge of the platen roller 22 so that the continuous paper 15 can be easily inserted between the thermal head 20 and the platen roller 22. Further, the platen roller 22 and the first feed roller 16 are connected to a forward / reverse rotation motor (not shown), and are rotated forward / reverse according to an instruction from a controller (transport control means) 34. Further, the continuous paper detection sensor 27 detects the presence or absence of the continuous paper 15, and the detection signal is output to the controller 34.
[0015]
On the side of the casing 12 opposite to the supply reel 14, an insertion slot 38 for inserting cut-out paper 36 is formed, and an upper plate 40 is provided between the insertion slot 38 and the printing unit 24. A cut sheet guide path 44 including a lower plate 42 is provided. The cut sheet guide path 44 is divided on the way, and a second feed roller 46 and a second pinch roller 48 pressing the second feed roller 46 are provided at the divided position. The second feed roller 46 is connected to a motor (not shown), and rotates so as to feed the cut sheet 36 to the printing unit 24. An opening 50 is formed in the upper plate 40 between the insertion opening 38 and the pair of rollers 46, 48, and a cut-sheet detection sensor 52 is provided facing the opening 50. Then, the cut sheet detection sensor 52 detects the presence or absence of the cut sheet 36, and the detection signal is output to the controller 34.
[0016]
Further, based on detection signals from the continuous paper detection sensor 27 and the cut sheet detection sensor 52, the controller 34 performs a printing operation of the printing unit 24, forward and reverse rotation of the platen roller 22 and the first feed roller 16, The rotation of the second feed roller 46 is controlled, and the power required for these operations is supplied from a battery 54 provided in the casing 12. On the upper surface of the casing 12 above the printing unit 24, an outlet 56 for the continuous paper 15 or cut sheet 36 printed by the printing unit 24 is formed, and a discharge port is provided between the printing unit 24 and the outlet 56. A passage 58 is formed.
[0017]
Reference numeral 62 denotes a slit-shaped scanner mounting portion formed facing the discharge path 58. A handy scanner 64 (hereinafter simply referred to as "scanner") shown in FIG. It has become. 2, the scanner main body 66 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped rod shape, and engagement grooves 68 for engaging with the scanner mounting portion 62 are formed on both side surfaces extending along the reading surface. As shown in FIG. It can be attached to.
[0018]
Reference numeral 70 denotes a cable for connecting to the printer 10, and a connector 72 is provided at a distal end opposite to the scanner main body 66.
[0019]
The scanner 64 scans an image by separating the scanner main body 66 from the printer 10 similarly to a conventionally known scanner. Alternatively, the scanner 64 is attached to the printer 10 as shown in FIG. You can also scan and import images.
[0020]
Next, a method of printing by switching between the continuous paper 15 and the cut sheet 36 by the printer 10 will be described. First, a case where printing is performed on the continuous paper 15 will be described. The leading end of the continuous paper 15 in the form of a roll mounted on the supply reel 14 is pulled out, between the first feed roller 16 and the first pinch roller 18, and The paper is manually fed to the continuous paper detection sensor 27 through the continuous guide path 30. When the continuous paper detection sensor 27 detects the leading end of the continuous paper 15, a detection signal is output to the controller 34. The controller 34 rotates the platen roller 22 and the first feed roller 16 by a predetermined amount in the rotation direction in which the continuous paper 15 is fed to the printing unit 24 based on the detection signal. As a result, the continuous paper 15 is guided by the continuous paper guide path 30 and fed to the printing unit 24, temporarily stops at the printing start position of the thermal head 20, and the printing preparation is completed. Next, print information from the controller 34 is input to the thermal head 20 and printed on the continuous paper 15 from the thermal head 20, and the printed continuous paper 15 is nipped and conveyed by the thermal head 20 and the platen roller 22 to be discharged. It is discharged from the outlet 56. At this time, the first feed roller 16 may or may not be involved in conveying the continuous paper 15 during printing. In addition, the continuous paper 15 discharged to the discharge port 56 is cut by a cutter knife or the like (not shown) at a position where a printing break is good. Alternatively, continuous paper 15 pre-cut with perforations may be used.
[0021]
Next, the case of printing on the cut sheet 36 will be described. At this time, the continuous paper 15 is set in the printing unit 24. First, the cut sheet 36 is inserted into the cut sheet guide path 44 from the insertion opening 38. When the cut sheet detection sensor 52 detects the leading end of the cut sheet 36, a detection signal is output to the controller 34. The controller 34 first rotates the platen roller 22 and the first feed roller 16 by a predetermined amount in the rotation direction in which the continuous paper 15 is retracted based on the detection signal, and moves the continuous paper 15 to a position short of the continuous paper detection sensor 27. The continuous paper 15 is retracted from the printing unit 24 by being retracted. At this time, the first pinch roller 18 is driven to rotate via the continuous paper 15 by the rotation of the first feed roller 16. Then, when the continuous paper detection sensor 27 stops detecting the continuous paper 15, the signal is output to the controller 34 and the rotation operation of the platen roller 22 and the first feed roller 16 is stopped. Next, the controller 34 rotates the second feed roller 46 and the platen roller 22 by a predetermined amount so that the cut sheet 36 is fed to the printing unit 24. At this time, the second pinch roller 48 is driven to rotate via the cut sheet 34 by the rotation of the second feed roller 46. As a result, the cut sheet 36 is guided by the cut sheet guide path 44 and fed to the printing unit 24, temporarily stops at the printing start position of the thermal head 20, and the printing preparation is completed. Then, similarly to the continuous paper 15, the thermal head operates according to the print information from the controller 34 to print on the cut sheet 36, and the printed cut sheet 36 is discharged from the discharge port 56.
[0022]
As described above, in the printer 10, when printing on the cut sheet 36, the continuous paper 15 set in the printing unit 24 is retracted before the cut sheet 36 is fed to the printing unit 24. The continuous paper 15 is retracted from the printing unit 24. Thus, since the continuous paper 15 does not exist in the printing unit 24 when the cut paper 36 is fed to the printing unit 24, the cut paper 36 can be smoothly fed to the printing unit 24. In addition, since the transport of the cut sheet 36 during printing becomes smooth, printing defects such as print misalignment do not occur. Further, the continuous paper 15 and the cut sheet 36 are fed to the printing unit 24 through separate guide paths 30 and 44. Accordingly, the feeding operation of the continuous paper 15 and the feeding operation of retracting from the printing unit 24 and the feeding operation of feeding the cut sheet 36 to the printing unit 24 do not interfere with each other, and the feeding of the respective sheets 15 and 36 can be smoothly performed. It can be carried out.
[0023]
Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer 10. In the figure, reference numeral 74 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire printer 10 including the controller 34 and the like.
[0024]
A ROM 75 stores a control program for implementing the printing condition setting process according to the present embodiment. The control program stored in the ROM 75 is executed by the CPU 74.
[0025]
Reference numeral 76 denotes a RAM, which provides a work area and an auxiliary storage area for the CPU 74 to execute various processes.
[0026]
Reference numeral 77 denotes a storage device that stores images and print information read by the scanner 64.
[0027]
Reference numeral 78 denotes an operation button for starting / ending the printing condition setting process. The operation button 78 may be provided with a dedicated switch or the like, or may be used as another operation button (for example, while pressing the feed switch, Pressing a switch (neither is shown), pressing an online switch for a predetermined time while pressing a feed switch, or clicking). Alternatively, the operation may be started from a menu format as in the related art.
[0028]
Next, a printing condition setting operation method will be described with reference to FIG.
When the power is turned on, the device is initialized and the startup program is read. At this time, the printer setting mode is set by continuously pressing the operation button 78 together with the power button (S1).
[0029]
In the printer setting mode, a printer setting sheet (mark sheet) 79 as shown in FIG. 6 is printed and issued using the continuous paper 36 (S2). The operator of the printer 10 cuts off the continuous paper 36 on which the printer setting sheet 79 is printed, cuts the continuous paper 36, and fills out options (□) of each setting item using a writing instrument.
Then, the completed printer setting sheet 79 is inserted through the cut-sheet insertion slot 38 (S3). In the printer setting mode, printing by the printing unit 24 is not performed on the cut sheet inserted from the insertion slot 38.
[0030]
Next, the written mark sheet is read and analyzed from the scanner 64 (S4), and the printing conditions of the printer are set (S5).
Then, test printing and verification are performed according to the set printing conditions (S6). That is, the test pattern 80 of FIG. 7 is printed on the continuous paper 36 from the printing unit 24, and is read by the scanner 64.
[0031]
Next, as a result of the verification, it is determined whether or not the image has been successfully read (S7).
If it is defective ("N" in S7), the printer setting sheet 82 for resetting with the current setting 81 described on the right end is printed out on the continuous paper 36 following the test printing. 83 is a perforation for cutting formed in advance on the continuous paper 36.
[0032]
Here, in the resetting mark sheet 82, the current setting 81 is printed on the right end, and at the same time, the current setting option (□) is not printed on the left mark column 84. This eliminates the need to enter items that repeat the same selection as the previous one when updating the settings, and can eliminate duplicate operations.
[0033]
Then, only the printer setting sheet for resetting 82 is cut off, and the process returns to S3 again, is inserted into the insertion slot 38 of the cut sheet, and the above operation is repeated until the verification of the test print becomes normal.
[0034]
If the verification result becomes normal in the above S7 (in the case of "Y"), it becomes possible to select whether to end the setting mode by operating the operation button 78 or the like (S9).
This is a step provided to enable an operator or the like to visually check even if the result of the verification by the printer 10 is good. If the process is not to be ended (in the case of “N”), the process returns to S3 via S8.
If the process ends in S9 (in the case of “Y”), the above settings are saved and the series of processes ends.
[0035]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printer itself prints and issues a printing condition setting mark sheet, and after setting, reads and sets it with a scanner. The printing conditions can be easily set even with a printer in which the input device is simplified or omitted.
[0036]
Further, when the printer setting sheet is inserted through the cut sheet insertion slot, the leading end of the continuous paper is retracted, so that the paper can be easily passed and paper jam of the printer can be prevented.
[0037]
In addition, test printing is performed immediately after setting the printing conditions, and the test printing is verified. If a reading error occurs, the printer setting sheet is printed and issued again, so that good printing conditions can be quickly found.
[0038]
In particular, a sheet for test printing and resetting is issued on continuous paper, the current setting is displayed in readable characters on the resetting sheet, and items that maintain the current setting do not need to be re-entered. Since the mark column is not displayed, it is convenient to compare the test print with the setting, and it is possible to quickly, easily and easily derive the conditions for performing the print of the required quality.
[0039]
The test print verification can be performed in two ways: verification using a scanner and verification by visual inspection. And both.
[0040]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0041]
For example, while an example has been described in which a detachable handy scanner is used by being fixed to the casing of the printer from the outside, the scanner may be fixedly installed inside the printer.
[0042]
Also, a portable printer that is driven by a battery and performs thermal printing has been described as an example. However, any type of printing device may be used for the drive power supply, printing method, size, and the like.
[0043]
Furthermore, although the case of a mark sheet has been exemplified as the setting sheet, it may be a punch card in which a punching position is printed and specified.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the printer itself prints and issues a sheet for setting printing conditions, and after filling in, reads and sets the sheet with an optical sensor, so that the display device and the input device can be simplified or used. Even if the printer is omitted, the printing conditions can be easily set.
[0045]
Further, when the printer setting sheet is inserted from the cut sheet insertion slot, the leading end of the continuous paper is retracted, so that the paper passing can be simplified and the paper jam of the printer can be prevented.
[0046]
In addition, test printing is performed immediately after the printing conditions are set, and this is verified. If a reading error occurs, the printer setting sheet is printed again, so that good printing conditions can be found quickly and test printing can be performed. By issuing a sheet for re-setting with continuous paper, it is convenient to compare test printing and setting, and it is possible to quickly and easily and easily guide printing conditions of desired quality. To play.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view of a scanner.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing a state in which a cut sheet is inserted from an insertion slot with a scanner attached.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a print setting process.
FIG. 6 is an external view of a printer setting sheet.
FIG. 7 is an external view of a mark sheet for test printing and resetting.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Portable printer, 12 ... Casing, 15 ... Continuous paper, 38 ... Insertion port, 16 ... Feed roller, 18 ... Pinch roller, 20 ... Thermal head, 22 ... Platen roller, 62 ... Scanner mounting part, 64 ... Scanner, 79 ... Printer setting sheet, 80 ... Test pattern (test print), 82 ... Printer setting sheet (Mark sheet)

Claims (2)

A process of printing a setting sheet on continuous paper in accordance with a printing condition setting start operation with a printing device capable of printing on continuous paper and cut sheet paper and discharging the setting sheet to the outside of the printing device, a process of recording printing conditions on the setting sheet, A step of inserting the recorded setting sheet into the printing apparatus, a step of reading the optical sheet provided in the printing apparatus while transporting the setting sheet, and a step of setting printing conditions of the printing apparatus according to the read result. A process for performing test printing under the set printing conditions, and a process for printing and discharging a setting sheet from continuous paper again when test printing is not good. A continuous paper guide path for guiding the continuous paper set in the printing apparatus main body to the printing section, and separately from the continuous paper guide path, a cut sheet inserted from outside the printing apparatus main body is guided to the printing section. A cut sheet paper guide path provided, a first transport means provided in the continuous paper guide path, for feeding the continuous paper to the printing unit and retreating from the printing unit, and a cut sheet paper guide path. A second conveying means for feeding a cut sheet to a printing section, a detecting means provided in the cut sheet guide path, and detecting that the cut sheet has been inserted into the cut sheet guide path, When the cut sheet is detected by the detecting means, the continuous paper existing in the printing section is retracted and retracted from the printing section before the cut sheet is fed to the printing section based on the detection result. Control means for controlling the first and second transfer means, and setting of printing conditions Setting start means for performing a start operation, an optical sensor for reading while setting the printing conditions while conveying the sheet, setting the printing conditions according to the read result, performing test printing with the newly set printing conditions, and setting the printing conditions A setting device for selecting whether to end the operation or to print and discharge the setting sheet from the continuous paper again.

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