JPH02215576A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always perform an accurate curing of a multi-color ribbon by a method wherein unless a sensor detects a detection mark at the start of a ribbon cueing action, a ribbon cueing control is conducted from a detection mark which will be detected first after that. CONSTITUTION:Prior to the start of a ribbon sensing operation, a sensor signal outputted from a mark detection means 1 is sensed. When the sensor signal is 'L', a multi-color ribbon 6 is taken up on a take-up reel by driving a stepping motor 5 with a fixed rotating frequency, and the multi-color ribbon sensing operation is started. On the other hand, when the sensor signal is 'H', the stepping motor 5 is driven with the fixed rotating frequency, but the multi-color ribbon sensing operation is not conducted in a period during which the sensor signal is 'H'. However, when the sensor signal is turned from 'H' to 'L' as the multi-color ribbon 6 is wound on the take-up reel, the multi-color ribbon sensing operation is started.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer that is used as an output device for computers and word processors and is capable of performing color printing using a multicolor ribbon.

Conventional technology A conventional printer of this type will be described below.

2 and 3 are control flows of conventional multicolor ribbon sensing, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of multicolor ribbon sensing means of a conventional printer.

In FIG. 4, l is a mark detection means for detecting a detection mark provided corresponding to each ink of the multicolor ribbon, and 2 is a mark detection means for detecting the first detection mark of each cycle of the multicolor ribbon based on the output of the mark detection means 1. A patented means comprising a control means for counting the number of motor clock pulses while the detection mark passes in front of the mark detection means; 4 is a motor control means, and 5 is a ribbon winding motor for winding the multi-color ribbon, which is composed of a stepping motor. There is.

FIG. 5 is a ribbon mark configuration diagram showing the configuration of a detection mark given to a multicolor ribbon in a conventional example. In the figure, 6 is a multicolor ribbon in which yellow, magenta, and cyan ribbons are formed in order with predetermined lengths, 7a is a Y detection mark indicating the beginning of the Y (yellow) ink application area, and 7b is M ( 7c is an M detection mark indicating the beginning of the application area of C (cyan) ink, and a C detection mark 7c indicating the beginning of the application area of C (cyan) ink. 17, the multi-colored ribbon 6 is connected to the ribbon winding remoter 5
This is a sensor signal output from the mark detection means 1 when the mark is wound up and moved in the direction A.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the ribbon cassette, in which 10 is the ribbon cassette body, 11 is a ribbon supply reel, 12 is a ribbon take-up reel, 14 is a reflective photosensor, 15
1 is a thermal head, 16 is a reflective plate provided opposite to the reflective photo center, and the multi-colored ribbon 6 is wound onto the ribbon take-up reel 12 by the ribbon take-up motor 5. , move in the direction of B.

The operation of the multicolor ribbon sensing means in the conventional printer configured as described above will be explained. In FIG. 4, the stepping motor, which is the ribbon winding motor 5, is operated at a constant rotation frequency (clock period φm).
The multi-color ribbon 13 is wound onto the take-up reel 12 by driving the multi-color ribbon 13.

At this time, the detection mark 7 provided on the multi-color ribbon 6 is a reflective photo sensor (hereinafter referred to as a sensor).
Pass in front of 14. Here, when the sensor 14 detects the detection mark 7, the sensor signal 17 (SENSE) output from the mark detection means 1 becomes H'', and the clock φm of the ribbon winding remoter 5 starts counting. Mark 7a, M detection mark 7b, C
An end detection mark having a mark width longer than the mark width of the detection mark 7c is provided, and while the counting means 2 is counting this end detection mark, the count value Ny exceeds a preset value N*ax. Therefore, this is determined to be an end mark, and the printer prints ribbon 6.
Stop winding the ribbon and issue instructions to replace the ribbon.

Further, when this detection mark 7 completely passes the front surface of the sensor 14 and the sensor signal 17 becomes L'', the counting means 2 stops counting the clock φ of the ribbon winding motor 5 and calculates the count value NY at that time. Compared to the minimum setting value Nm1n, N
If y < Nm1n, the detection mark is M detection mark 7
B or C detection mark 7c' is determined, and winding of the ribbon 60 is continued until the Y detection mark 7a is detected. N
If max≧Ny≧N*in, it is determined that this detection mark 7 is a Y detection mark 7a. At that time, the ribbon winding amount per pulse at the ribbon winding diameter is 1 p.
is 1p=Ly/Ny ---(1)(Ly
is the length of the Y detection mark 7a. ).

Here, set the printing start position of the ribbon 6 to the thermal head 15.
The feeding amount when feeding the multicolor ribbon 6 to the printing position is the distance fiLl from the end of the detection mark Ly to the printing start position (this distance L1 is always certain, taking into account uneven winding of the multicolor ribbon). ) and the distance L2 from the print position Ao of the thermal head 15 to the sensor position A1, L = LL + L2 --- (2) Therefore, the detection mark foot Ribbon feed pulse number NL after passing 8
is, NL=L/1p=L-Ny/Ly ---(3
), and the calculation of the above equation (3) is performed by the calculation means 3.

In this calculation, since L and Ly are constants and the possible values of Ny are known, this calculation can be performed by referring to a data conversion table in which these values are stored in advance.

From the above formula (3), after the Y detection mark 7a passes the front surface of the sensor 14 and the sensor signal 17 becomes °L'', the Y cue can be found by winding the multicolor ribbon 6 by an additional NL pulse. .

In addition, cueing for M and C in the same cycle following Y can be performed by winding the ribbon 6 by NL pulses after the detection marks 7bz'7c of M and C, respectively, pass the front surface of the sensor 14. .

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above conventional configuration, when replacing the ribbon, etc.
When the multi-color ribbon 6 is sagging or the like and the multi-color ribbon sensing operation is started with the detection mark of the multi-color ribbon 6 at the sensor 14 position, the sensor signals 1 and 7 output from the sensor 14
is “H”, the motor pulse counting means 2 starts counting the clock of the ribbon winding motor 5, but even if the ribbon winding motor 5 winds the multicolor ribbon 6 onto the winding reel 12, , the detection mark located at the mark detection means 1 does not move until the bending of the multicolor ribbon 6 disappears, and the clock of the ribbon winding motor 5 counted during that period will be counted incorrectly. In other words, the actual count is higher than the original count corresponding to the detection mark located in front of the sensor 14. Therefore, even though the Y detection mark, M detection mark, or C detection mark is located in front of the sensor 14, the count number Ny at that time is Ny.
y>Nmax, and it may be determined that the tape is at the end when it is not, and even though the M detection mark or the C detection mark is actually located in front of the sensor 14, The count number Ny at that time
may satisfy Na+ax≧Ny≧Nm1n, and in this case, it is incorrectly determined that it is a Y detection mark, and the subsequent beginning of each ribbon cannot be accurately performed. was there.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides, if a sensor detects a detection mark at the start of the ribbon head-starting operation, ribbon head-start control using the currently detected detection mark. If the sensor does not detect a detection mark at the start of the ribbon starting operation, then the ribbon is started from the first detected mark. Biasing the control means to perform cueing control.

According to the above structure, the present invention can always accurately locate the beginning of a multicolor ribbon even if the ribbon is bent or there is a multicolor ribbon detection mark at the position of the mark detection means before the multicolor ribbon sensing operation. can be done.

Embodiment The block configuration of a printer in an embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
Since the configuration is the same as that shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 used in the prior art, detailed explanation will be omitted. Below, only the points different from the prior art will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a control flow of multicolor ribbon sensing in one embodiment of the present invention.

First, before performing the ribbon sensing operation, the sensor signal output from the mark detection means 1 is sensed. When the sensor signal is "L", the ribbon winding motor 5
By driving a stepping motor at a constant rotation frequency, the multi-colored ribbon 6 is placed on the take-up reel 12.
Wind it up and enter the multi-color ribbon sensing operation. On the other hand, if the sensor signal is "H", the sensor signal "
As in the case of "L", the stepping motor that is the ribbon take-up reel 5 is driven at a constant rotation frequency, but the multicolor ribbon sensing operation is not performed while the sensor signal is "H". As the multi-color ribbon 6 is wound up, the sensor signal becomes “H”→
When it changes to "L", it shifts to multi-color ribbon sensing operation as before.

Therefore, the following effects can be achieved.

In other words, if the multi-color ribbon becomes loose when replacing the ribbon and is installed in this state, even if the count value by the counting means 2 is higher than the actual value due to the reasons mentioned above, the output from the sensor 14 will be Since the ribbon head positioning operation based on this count value is not performed until after the count value reaches "L", problems that have conventionally occurred, such as slack in the ribbon, can occur due to the Y detection mark, M This has the effect of solving the problem of incorrect judgment being made regarding the detection mark and the C detection mark and the subsequent inability to accurately position the ribbon.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, if a sensor detects a detection mark attached to the ribbon at the start of the ribbon head control, the ribbon is transported until the detection mark is no longer detected, and then the sensor detects the detection mark. By calculating the number of feed pulses necessary to start the ribbon from the mark and controlling the motor operation based on the calculation results, it is possible to prevent bending of the multi-color ribbon when replacing the ribbon, etc. This is an excellent printer that can accurately start the multicolor ribbon even if there is a multicolor ribbon detection mark at the position of the mark detection means.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the control flow of multicolor ribbon sensing in a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the control flow of conventional multicolor ribbon sensing, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional printer, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a multicolor ribbon detection mark, and FIG.
The figure is a plan view showing the ribbon cassette. Mark detection means Motor pulse counting means Calculation means Motor control means Ribbon winding motor 7a... Y detection mark Diagram Name of agent Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and one other person A motor diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printer that performs printing using a multicolor ribbon on which ink of a plurality of colors is sequentially formed and has a detection mark corresponding to each color, the printer comprising: a mark detection means for detecting a detection mark on the multicolor ribbon; and a multicolor ribbon. a ribbon winding motor for winding up a ribbon winding motor; a motor pulse counting means for counting drive pulses of the ribbon winding motor while the mark detection means detects the detection mark; and a motor pulse counting means for counting drive pulses of the ribbon winding motor; a calculation means for calculating the number of feed pulses necessary for starting the multi-color ribbon according to the above; until the mark is no longer detected.
A printer comprising: a control means for once driving the ribbon winding motor, and then performing a ribbon head positioning operation based on a calculation result by the calculation means.