JPH03187776A - Multi-color printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically select a desired kind of printing ribbon by comparing a second data of the transmission amount of light through a photodetecting element corresponding to the emitting amount of light from a light emitting element with a first data related to each kind of ribbon stored in a memory. CONSTITUTION:This printer is provided with a photosensor 32, a kind memory 37 and a selecting means 38. The kind memory 37 stores a first data of the transmission amount of light passing through a photodetecting element 32b to the emitting amount of light from a light emitting element 32a. The first data is stored in correspondence to every kind of ribbon. The selecting means 38 obtains a second data of the amount of light passing through the photodetecting element 32b when the emitting amount of light from the light emitting element 32a is changed. At the same time, the selecting means 38 reads the first data corresponding to the second data from the ribbon kind memory 37 thereby to select the subject kind of ribbon. The selecting means 38 compares an output from the photosensor 32 (the transmission amount of light passing through a ribbon of the set printing ribbon cassette) with a prede termined reference value Vref (the reference transmission amount of the light).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention has a plurality of printing ribbon cassettes of different hues stacked on a cassette stand, and moves the cassette stand to move the printing ribbon against the print head. This invention relates to a multicolor printer configured to select a cassette.

(Prior Art) In a multicolor printer configured as described above, out of a plurality of printing ribbon cassettes mounted on a cassette stand, the printing ribbon cassette that stores ribbon of the desired ribbon type is selected and printed. In order to execute this, the operator had to look at the printing ribbon cassette and confirm the ribbon type of the stored ribbon.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, when performing multicolor printing, it is very troublesome to perform the work of confirming the type of ribbon, and it takes time and effort for the printing operation.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to automatically select the type of ribbon desired for printing, thereby eliminating the need for the above-mentioned troublesome task of confirming the type of ribbon.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In the multicolor printer of the present invention, a plurality of printing ribbon cassettes of different hues are stacked and mounted on a cassette stand,
A multicolor printer configured to select a printing ribbon cassette for a print head by moving a cassette stand, the light emitting device being arranged at a position to irradiate light onto the ribbon of the selected printing ribbon cassette. a light-emitting/light-receiving means consisting of a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element disposed at a position to receive transmitted light from the ribbon in relation to the irradiation light from the light-emitting element, and a light-emitting/light-receiving means comprising a light-receiving element that receives transmitted light from the ribbon in relation to the irradiation light from the light-emitting element; A memory in which first data of the amount of transmitted light is stored in association with each ribbon type, and a second data of the amount of transmitted light to the light receiving element corresponding to the switching while switching the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element. The present invention is characterized by comprising ribbon type selection means for obtaining data, reading out the first data corresponding to the second data from the memory, and selecting the ribbon type of the ribbon based on both of the data. It is a multicolor printer.

(Function) The light emitting element of the light emitting/light receiving means emits light at an amount of light corresponding to the switching of the amount of light emitted from the ribbon type sorting means.

Light from this light emitting element passes through the ribbon and is received by the light receiving element.

The ribbon type selection means obtains second data on the amount of light transmitted to the light receiving element corresponding to the amount of light emitted by the light emitting element, and reads out first data regarding each ribbon type stored in the memory. Then, the ribbon type of the ribbon is selected by comparing both data.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall external appearance of the main parts of a multicolor printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of its carriage, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the carriage. FIG.

In these figures, the symbol 1 is the main frame, 2 is the carriage base, 3 is the motor for lateral movement of the carriage base,
Reference numeral 4 designates a feed roller that sends the printing paper upward, 5 a motor for driving the feed roller, 6 a thermal head as a print head, 7 a cassette stand, 8 a ribbon winding reel, and 9 a platen.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carriage base 2 has a guide shaft 10 horizontally supported on the main frame l.
It is supported by a guide plate 11 fixed to the main frame l via rollers 12, and is connected to a timing belt 13 driven by a motor 3. The carriage base 2 is moved back and forth with a predetermined stroke by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 3. Note that the ribbon take-up reel 8 is connected to a gear 15 provided at the bottom of the carriage base 2.
When the carriage base 2 moves forward, the gear 15 meshes with the rack I6 provided parallel to the guide plate II and is driven to rotate, and accordingly, the ribbon take-up reel 8 is driven to take up the ribbon. It is now possible to do so.

The cassette stand 7 is attached above the carriage base 2 via two pairs of left and right X-shaped sinks 17,1B. The rear ends of each of the
9.20, and the front end has a long hole 2 facing forward and backward! , 22 and guide pins 23, 24, and is configured such that the cassette table 7 moves up and down in parallel with the bending and stretching of the X-shaped sinks 17 and 18. Three printing ribbon cassettes 25A, 25B, and 25G can be stacked and mounted on this cassette stand 7, and recesses are formed on the front surface of each printing ribbon cassette 25A, 25B, and 25G. 33,3
A thermal head 6 and a photosensor 32 as a light emitting/light receiving means related to the printing ribbon cassette referred to in the above-mentioned claims are inserted into one of the recesses 34.

FIGS. 4(a) to 4(C) show a structure for driving the cassette table 7 up and down and its operating procedure. A rotary cam mechanism 26 is provided below the cassette table 7 and is driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions. This rotary cam mechanism 26 has a first cam 28 with a small diameter outer circumferential surface fixed to a drive mechanism 27 capable of forward and reverse rotation, and a second cam 29 with a large diameter and an arcuate outer circumferential surface fitted loosely therein. In addition, the pin 3I of the second cam 29 is inserted into the arc-shaped elongated hole 30 formed in the first cam 28.

In the normal state, the first cam 28 and the second cam 29 are in a position where they are rotated to the left as much as possible, as shown in FIG. It is in the lowest position. In this case, the drive claw 8a of the take-up reel 8 is connected to the uppermost printing ribbon cassette 25A.
Only this printing ribbon cassette 25A is set in a state in which the ribbon can be wound, that is, in a state in which printing is possible. When the drive shaft 27 rotates 90 degrees clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 4(a), the cassette stand 7 is raised by a certain amount on the outer circumferential arc surface of the first cam 28, as shown in FIG. 4(b). , At this time, the middle printing ribbon cassette 2
5B is set in the printable position. Further, during this 90 degree rotation, the second cam 29 is maintained at its original position by the elongated hole 30 and the pin 31.

When the drive shaft 27 is further rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state shown in FIG. It starts rotating integrally with the first cam 28. In this case, until the second cam 29 comes into contact with the cassette stand 7, the outer circumferential arc surface of the first cam 28 acts, so that the cassette stand 7 is not displaced. Then, as the second cam 29 comes into contact with the cassette stand 7 and rotates, the cassette stand 7 is pushed up greatly and raised as shown in FIG. 4(C). The printing ribbon cassette 25C reaches the printable position. Note that by rotating the drive shaft 27 counterclockwise, the cassette table 7 is rotated by the reverse operation of the above operation.
It is lowered step by step.

Mechanistically, the photosensor 32 described above has a structure explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. That is,
The photosensor 32 as a light emitting/light receiving means has a light emitting element 3 facing the ribbon side as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
2a and a light receiving element 32b are assembled into a suitable assembly member, and when the light emitting element 32a is rotated, the irradiated light is transmitted through the ribbon 25a of the uppermost printing ribbon cassette 25A in the printable position. Print paper guide 14
After being reflected by a light reflecting plate 36 attached to the back surface of the light receiving element 32b, the reflected light is received by a light receiving element 32b.

In the multicolor printer of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the circuit includes the photosensor 32 and the first data of the amount of light transmitted to the light receiving element 32b relative to the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 32a. While switching the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 32a and the ribbon type memory 37 stored in association with each ribbon type, obtaining second data on the amount of light transmitted to the light receiving element 32b corresponding to the switching,
The ribbon type selection means 38 reads out the first data corresponding to the second data from the ribbon type memory 37 and selects the ribbon type of the ribbon.

In this embodiment, the ribbon type memory 37 stores the first light emission amount when the ribbon type is the first color and the second light emission amount when the ribbon type is the second color as the light emission amount necessary to obtain the reference amount of transmitted light. A plurality of first data F'D are associated with each ribbon type, such as the amount of light emitted, and the third amount of light emitted when the third color is used.
I, FD2. ...is remembered.

The ribbon type selection means 38 converts the output from the photosensor 32 (the amount of ribbon transmitted light corresponding to the ribbon of the set printing ribbon cassette) to a constant reference value Vrer (
A comparator 39 is connected to the comparator 39 which outputs a low level output when the ribbon transmitted light amount is less than the reference transmitted light amount and a high level output when it exceeds the reference transmitted light amount. An input section 11° connected to the ribbon type memory 37, an input section I2, and a control section 40 having a micro combinator configuration, which includes five output sections 01 to 05, and each output section of the control section 40 has one end connected to the control section 40. Five resistors R are individually connected to 01 to 05 and have their other ends commonly connected to the light emitting element 32a.
1 to R5.

The control unit 40 controls each of the resistors R1 to R1 of the light emission amount switching circuit 4I.
R5 through which the light emitting current from the light emitting element 32a flows can be selected.
The amount of light emitted is controlled by this selection. For example, the light emitting current of the light emitting element 32a only flows through the first resistor 111. When the light is caused to flow into the output section Of, the light emitting element 32a is controlled to the first light emission amount, but at that time,
The high level output from the comparator 39 is the second data S.
D, the control unit 40 receives the plurality of first data FDI, FD2 . . . , if there is first data FDI associated with the first light emission amount, it is detected that the ribbon set at that time is the ribbon type of the first color.

Further, if the ribbon set at this time is of the second color ribbon type, the first light emission amount is less than the reference transmitted light amount and the comparator 39 outputs a low level output. 40 supplies the light emitting current of the light emitting element 32a to the first output section 02 only via the second resistor R2.
The light emitting element 32a is controlled to have the second light emission amount, and at this time, the amount of transmitted light at the light receiving element 32b becomes the reference transmitted light amount, and a high level output is given from the comparator 39 as the second data SD. When a plurality of first data FDI, FD2 .・
The first data FD corresponding to the second light emission amount from ...
2, the ribbon set at that time is the second ribbon.
It is detected that it is a ribbon type of color. Similarly, below,
The control unit 40 detects the ribbon type of the ribbon being set.

Here, the light emission amount switching circuit 41 includes five resistors R1-R.
5, it is theoretically possible to switch the light emission amount in 32 steps, so the first data in the ribbon type memory 37 is 32.
Since it is possible to prepare data for 32 types of ribbon types, the control unit 40 sequentially switches and controls the light emitting amount switching circuit 41 to set the high level from the comparator 39 given at that time. Corresponding to the output, it is possible to read out data No. 2 from the ribbon type memory 37 and detect the ribbon type of the set ribbon.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention,
Since the ribbon type you wish to print on is automatically selected,
This eliminates the need for the conventional troublesome ribbon type confirmation work.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the main parts of a multicolor printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carriage shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage shown in FIG. 4(a), 4(b), and 4(C) are schematic side views showing the sequential operation of raising the cassette stand, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the printing ribbon cassette loading section, and FIG. 6 is a photo sensor. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view of the structure of the printer, and FIG. 7 is an internal circuit diagram of the multicolor printer. 25A~25G...Printing ribbon cassette, 25a~
25c... Ribbon, 32... Photo sensor (light emitting/
light receiving means), 37... Ribbon type memory, 38... Ribbon type selection means, 39... Comparator, 40...
Control unit, 41... Light emission amount switching circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A multicolor printer configured such that a plurality of printing ribbon cassettes of different hues are stacked and mounted on a cassette stand, and the printing ribbon cassette is selected for the print head by moving the cassette stand, which A light-emitting element is arranged at a position to irradiate light to the ribbon of the selected printing ribbon cassette, and a light-emitting element is arranged at a position to receive transmitted light from the ribbon in relation to the irradiation light from this light-emitting element. a memory in which first data of the amount of light transmitted to the light receiving element relative to the amount of light emitted by the light emitting element is stored in association with each ribbon type; While switching the amount, second data of the amount of light transmitted to the light receiving element corresponding to the switching is obtained, and the first data corresponding to the second data is obtained.
Ribbon type selection means for reading the data from the memory and selecting the ribbon type based on both of the data.