JPH03227287A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent rubbing OFF of a printed surface and to use a plurality of times in a satisfactory state by determining a winding amount of a multitime ink tape arriving at usable times, and rewinding the tape to a reusable position to a supply shaft. CONSTITUTION:Winding amount memory means Rw stores a winding amount of a multitime ink tape 16 on a winding shaft 18 to be added with the winding amount upon printing. A plurality of printing position memory means R1 - R3 are in quantity responsive to usable times (n) of the tape 16, and store any winding amounts at the times of use of the tape 16 one - n times. Rewinding means determines the winding quantity of the tape 16 arriving at usable times (n), replace the contents of the means R1 - R3 which stored the winding amounts not arriving at the usable times (n) with contents of reusable amounts, and rewinds the tape 16 to a reusable position to a supply shaft 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a printing device equipped with a thermal print head and using a multi-time ink tape.

[Prior Art] Recently, multi-time ink tapes, which are capable of printing multiple times with one ink tape, are used in printing devices equipped with line-type or serial-type thermal print heads that are incorporated into facsimile machines, copy machines, etc. has been done. in this case,
Conventionally, each time a multi-time ink tape was used to the end, it was rewound and used again.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since this type of ink tape uses a synthetic resin tape as a base material, it expands and contracts once heat is applied. Therefore, when the ink tape is rewound again, it cannot be wound evenly, resulting in wrinkles in some parts of the ink tape, which has the disadvantage that the prints are rubbed off in places during the second and subsequent printings.

The causes of scratches in print are as follows.

First, the tension applied to the ink tape when it is unwound is small. Therefore, the ink tape that has been rewound around the ink tape supply shaft is wound such that the heated and stretched portion and the unheated and unstretched portion are shifted stepwise in the thickness direction. During printing, a large printing pressure is applied to the ink tape by the thermal print head, and this printing pressure exerts a large tension on the ink tape, so the ink tape that is rewound to the tape supply shaft is stretched and unstretched. The parts return to one plane and the ink tape stretches. Therefore, the portion heated by the thermal print head is displaced toward the winding shaft, and the timing at which the maximum printing pressure is applied is shifted. This amount of displacement is proportional to the amount of rewinding of the ink tape onto the tape supply shaft.

Therefore, it is thought that the above problem can be solved by reducing the amount of rewinding of the portion to be reprinted onto the supply shaft, and by rewinding the ink tape and reprinting after a predetermined amount has been printed.

An object of this invention is to prevent the printed surface from being scratched due to the wrinkles of the tape when reusing the multi-time ink tape for printing, and to enable the multi-time ink tape to be used multiple times in good condition. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a printing device that prints using a thermal head while winding a multi-time ink tape wound around a supply shaft around a take-up shaft,
a winding amount storage means for storing the winding amount by which the multi-time ink tape is wound around the winding shaft by adding the winding amount along with the printing operation; a plurality of print position storage means, each of which stores the winding amount when the multi-time ink tape is used 1 to n times; and when the multi-time ink tape reaches the maximum number of uses n. The amount of winding is determined, and the content of the printing position storage means in which the amount of winding that has not reached the usable number of times n is stored is replaced with the content indicating the reusable amount, and the multi-time ink tape is reused. The present invention is characterized by comprising a rewinding means for rewinding onto the supply shaft to a possible position.

[Operation] In the printing device of the present invention, the winding amount storage means adds the winding amount in accordance with the printing operation, and stores the winding amount of the multi-time ink tape wound around the winding shaft. Further, the plurality of print position storage means are configured in a number corresponding to the usable number of times n of the multi-time ink tape, and each stores the winding amount of the multi-time ink tape when the multi-time ink tape is used 1 to n times. Then, the rewinding means determines the amount of winding of the multi-time ink tape that has reached the usable number of times n, and replays the contents of the printing position storage means in which the winding amount that has not reached the usable number of times n is stored. At the same time, the multi-time ink tape is rewound onto the supply shaft to a position where it can be reused.

Therefore, when the multi-time ink tape is reused for printing, the printed surface is prevented from being scratched due to wrinkles in the tape, and the multi-time ink tape can be used multiple times in good condition.

[Example 1] An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a printing device to which the present invention is applied.

The print control section 1 receives a facsimile image signal sent from a facsimile main body (not shown), and controls printing operations based on this signal.

This printing control section 1 includes an ink tape winding amount storage section R.
W, 3rd printing position storage unit R□, 2nd printing position storage unit R2
, one-time printing position storage section R3, calculation section 2, print data memory 3.1 byte memory 4, P/S conversion section 5.1 line shift register RL11 line latch circuit 6, ink tape end detection section 8, vapor feed driver 9, an ink tape supply driver 10, a head elevation driver 11, and an ink tape take-up redriver 12 are connected by respective pass lines.

The ink tape winding amount storage section R stores the winding amount of the multi-time ink tape 16 wound around a winding shaft 18, which will be described later, and is connected to the printing control section 1 through a data bus and a control bus. ing.

The three-time printing position storage unit R8 stores the printing position (used length) of the multi-time ink tape 16 that has been used three times, and is connected to the printing control unit 1 via a data bus and a control bus.

The twice-printing position storage section R2 stores the printing position (used length) of the ink tape that has been used twice, and is connected to the printing control section 1 via a data bus and a control bus.

The one-time printing position storage unit R3 stores the printing position (used length) of the ink tape used once, and is connected to the printing control unit 1 via a data bus and a control bus.

The calculation unit 2 executes various calculations and is connected to the print control unit 1 via a data bus and a control bus.

The print data memory 3 stores facsimile image signals converted into print data by the print control section 1, and is connected to the print control section 1 via a data bus, an address bus, and a control bus.

The 1-byte memory 4 has a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits), stores 1-byte print data read from the print data memory 3, and supplies it to the P/S converter 5 via a parallel path line. .

The P/S converter 5 receives 1
Bytes of parallel data are sequentially converted into serial data and supplied to a 1-line shift register Rt.

The 1-line shift register RL has a storage capacity to store print data for 1 line (print width), and the P/S
It stores the print data input from the converter 5. The print data for one line stored in the one-line shift register Rt is output to the one-line latch circuit 6 via the parallel pass line and latched therein.

The 1-line latch circuit 6 is a 1-line shift register Rt
The print data output from the printer is latched and output to the thermal head 7.

The thermal head 7 is a line-type thermal print head that includes a current-carrying transistor and a heating element, and each of these elements is arranged in a line corresponding to the print width at a predetermined pitch.

The ink tape end detection section 8 is connected to the print control section 1 via a control bus, detects the end of the multi-time ink tape 16 wound around the supply shaft 15, and detects the end of the multi-time ink tape 16 wound around the supply shaft 15.
Outputs a detection signal to In this case, a conductive foil or the like is provided at the end of the multi-time ink tape 18, and this conductive foil is electrically detected to determine whether the end has been used.

A paper feed driver 9 drives a motor 13 that rotates a paper feed roller 22. The ink tape supply driver 10 drives a motor 14 that rotates a supply shaft 15 . The head lift driver 11 drives a head carrier 19 that supports the thermal head 7. This head carrier 19 supports the thermal head 7 at its tip.

The ink tape take-up driver 12 drives a motor 17 that rotates a take-up shaft -18.

Here, the printing mechanism using the thermal head 7 will be explained. First, the multi-time ink tape 16 is a tape coated with thermal transfer ink, can be reused several times, and has a width corresponding to, for example, the short side of A4 size paper. This multi-time ink tape 16 is wound around a supply shaft 15, and is wound onto a winding shaft 18 by rotation of a motor 14.17. The recording paper 20 is sent out by the rotation of the paper feed roller 22, passes between the head carrier 19 and the platen 21, and the ink on the multi-time ink tape 16 is thermally transferred by the heat generated by the thermal head 7 provided on the head carrier 19. be done.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. However, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the multi-time ink tape 16 is described as being reusable three times.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the printing operation in the printing control section 1.

Figure 3 shows an example of a facsimile manuscript to be printed. Figure 3 (A) is a facsimile manuscript composed of text data, and Figure 3 (B) is a facsimile manuscript composed of graphic data. be.

In this case, the facsimile document is inserted into the facsimile body in a portrait orientation. Note that in the case of the text data shown in FIG. 3(A), a line spacing is always provided, and this line spacing becomes a blank line. Furthermore, in the case of the graphic data shown in FIG. 3(B), since the figures are continuous, there are no blank lines.

FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C) illustrate each step 815. of FIG.
818. It is a diagram showing changes in the storage states of the three-time printing position storage unit R1 to the first-time printing position storage unit R3 when the process of 818.817 is executed.

5(A) to 5(F) show the multi-time ink tape 16 used when printing the facsimile document shown in FIG. 3.
It is a figure which shows the state of repeated use.

Thus, the process shown in FIG. 2 is started when the facsimile image signal is supplied to the print control section 1 from the facsimile main body. In this case, facsimile image data corresponding to the facsimile originals shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are sequentially supplied to the print control section 1. The facsimile image data is then converted into print data by the print control section 1, output to the data bus, and stored in the print data memory 3.

That is, print data corresponding to two pages of the facsimile document shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the print data memory 3.

First, in step S1, it is confirmed that an unused multi-time ink tape 16 is attached.

Although not shown, a reset switch or the like may be operated when an unused tape is attached.

In the next step S2, when an unused multi-time ink tape 16 is attached, "0" is written in each of the three-time printing position storage section R1 to the one-time printing position storage section R3 for initialization. In this case, it is assumed that an unused multi-time ink tape 16 is attached. If it is the second or subsequent time since the multi-time ink tape 16 has been attached, the process of step S2 will not be executed.

In the following step S3, one line of print data is read from the print data memory 3, and the 1-byte memory lJ4, P/S
It is written into the 1-line shift register RL via the converter 5.

In step S4, it is determined whether printing has ended.

That is, it is determined whether all the print data stored in the print data memory 3 has been printed. In this case, since printing has not yet been completed, the determination is No and the process proceeds to step S5. If YES in step S4, step SIO is executed, the head is raised, and the printing operation is completed.

In step S5, it is determined whether the multi-time ink tape 16 has been used to the end. That is, it is determined whether the conductive foil provided at the end of the multi-time ink tape 16 has been detected.

If YES is determined in this step S5, step 81
1, a warning process such as a buzzer sound is executed. now,
Since it is not the end of the ink tape, the determination is NO and the process advances to step S6.

In step S6, the head lift driver 11 is driven by the print control section 1, the head carrier 19 is operated, and the thermal head 7 is lowered. In other words, it comes into close contact with the recording paper 20 via the multi-time ink tape 16 and becomes ready for printing.

Then, one line printing is executed in step S7. That is, the print data stored in the 1-line shift register Rt is latched by the 1-line latch circuit 6, the thermal head 7 is driven based on the latched contents of the 1-line latch circuit 6, and the print data of line 1 is transferred to the recording paper 20. thermally transferred to

In step S8, the multi-time ink tape 16
Then, the recording paper 20 is wound up by ΔRw (a length corresponding to one line of printing, for example, 1/8 dot).

In step S9, Δ
By adding the numerical value corresponding to R, the amount of winding per line of printing is added. After executing step S9, step 812
Proceed to.

In step S12, one line of print data is read from the print data memory 3 and written to the one-line shift register RL via the one-byte memory 4 and the P/S converter 5, as in step S3.

Next, in step S13, the 1-line shift register R
It is determined whether the print data written in L is a blank line or not, that is, whether the content of the one-line shift register Rt is "0". In this case, text data is written, so N
It is determined that the answer is O, and step S14 is executed. Further, if it is determined YES in this step S13, step 82
Go to 1.

In step 814, the ink tape winding amount storage unit R,
The content is 100 mm (a value equivalent to 100-s).

(Similarly below) It is determined whether or not it is greater than or equal to "Rw≧100". In this case, the content of the ink tape winding amount storage section Rw is smaller than 100 sm, so the determination is NO and the process returns to step S4.

Further, if it is determined in step 813 that the line is a blank line, step 821 is executed. In step S21, it is determined whether the page has ended. That is, it is determined whether the print data written in the one-line shift register RL includes page break data indicating the end of a page. Since the page has not yet ended, the determination is NO and the process advances to step S22.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step 821 that the page has ended, step 823 is executed.

In step 822, the contents of the ink tape winding amount storage section R are 50. , that is, whether r Rw≧50J. In this case, since the content of the ink tape winding amount storage section R is smaller than 50 mm, the determination is No, and the process returns to step S4.

Thereafter, the processes of steps S4 to 814 are repeatedly executed in the same manner as described above until a blank line appears in the print data. In this way, when the multi-time ink tape 16 is used 10 times as shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 6(A), the content of the ink tape winding amount storage section Rw becomes Low.

Then, as shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 5(B), when 50 mm of the multi-time ink tape 16 is used and the content of the ink tape winding amount storage section R becomes 50 mm,
Assume that a blank line (line feed portion) appears in the print data. At this time, YES is determined in step 813, and step S21
The process then proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the content of the ink tape winding amount storage section Rw is 50 dragons, so Y
The process becomes ES and step S15 is executed.

In step 815, the content "50" of the ink tape winding amount storage section Rw is written three times into the print position storage section R1. That is, as shown in the first column of FIG.
□=50".

Next, in step S16, the three-time printing position storage unit R1
~Once, the contents of the print position storage section R3 are compared and data exchanged, and rearranged in the order of RI≦R2≦R3. That is, as shown in the second column of FIG. 4(A), rRl = OJ rR
Q = OJ rRQ = 50J.

In the following step S17, the twice printing position storage unit R2
3 times from the content "0" of the print position storage section R1 content "0"
is subtracted. In this case, there is no change in the contents since both NRIIR2 and NRIIR2 are rOJ. Then, from the content “50” of the first printing position storage unit R3 to the content “0” of the third printing position storage unit R1.
is subtracted.

In this case, since RI is "0", there is no change in the contents of R3. This state is shown in the third column of FIG. 4(A).

In the next step 818, the thermal head 7 is operated and raised by the head lift driver 11 and head carrier 19. As a result, the thermal head 7 is released from the multi-time ink tape 16 and the recording paper 20.

In step 819, multi-time ink tape 1
6 by "rRw-R□". In other words, the content "0" of the print position storage section R8 is subtracted three times from the content "50" of the ink tape winding amount storage section R, and the subtraction result is "50", that is, only 50 dragons, as shown in FIG. The multi-time ink tape 18 is rewound onto the supply shaft 15 in this manner. As a result, the beginning of the once-used portion of the multi-time ink tape 16 becomes the head position.

Next, in step S20, rOJ is written and cleared in the ink tape winding amount storage section R. Step 8
After executing step S20, the process returns to step S4. Thereafter, steps S4 to S14 are repeatedly executed in the same manner as described above.

Since we are currently printing the facsimile document shown in Fig. 3 (A), the text data is printed at the stage where the multi-time ink tape 16 is used 1+ times from the position shown in Fig. 5 (C) as shown in Fig. 5 (D). ends. In this case, the twice-used portion of the multi-time ink tape 16 is 10 m as shown in FIG. 5(D), and the content of the ink tape winding amount storage section R is "10".

When the text data ends, the next print data will be blank lines and page break data.

That is, in step S13, it is determined that there is a blank line in the print data and the result is YES, and in step 821, it is determined that the page has ended, and the process proceeds to step 823. In step 823, as in step 818, the thermal head 7 is operated and raised by the head lift driver 11 and head carrier 19.

In the next step 824, the recording paper 20 is wound up, and the recording paper 20 is newly set in order to locate the beginning of the next page, that is, to print the next page of the facsimile original. After executing step S24, the process advances to step 815.

In step 815, similarly to the above, the content "10" of the ink tape winding amount storage section R is set three times in the print position storage section R1.
will be written to. That is, as shown in the first column of FIG. 4(B), 'Rt=10J.

In step 81B, as described above, the contents of R□ to R3 are compared, data is exchanged, and rearranged in the order of RI≦R2≦R3. That is, as shown in the second column of FIG. 4(B), rRs = OJ rR2 = 10JrR3 = 50J
becomes.

In step 817, the content "0" of R1 is subtracted from the content "10" of %R2. In this case, since R□ is "0", there is no change in the contents of R2. And the content of R3 is “50”
The content "0" of R1 is subtracted from. In this case too, R□
is "0", so there is no change in the contents of R3. This state is shown in the third column of FIG. 4(B).

In the next step 818, the thermal head 7 is operated and raised by the head lift driver 11 and head carrier 19.

In step 819, multi-time ink tape 1
6 is rewound by rRw - RI J. In other words, the result of subtraction is "10", which is obtained by subtracting the content rOJ of the print position storage R1 three times from the content "10" of the ink tape winding amount storage R.
That is, the multi-time ink tape 1B is rewound only by the 10th stitch, as shown in FIG. 5(E). As a result, the head position of the twice-used portion of the multi-time ink tape 16 becomes the head position.

In step 820, the ink tape winding amount storage unit R
, rOJ is written and cleared.

After executing step 820, the process returns to step S4.

Next, the print data of the facsimile original shown in FIG. 3(B) is read out from the print data memory 3. In this case, the facsimile document shown in FIG. 3(B) is graphic data and has no blank lines. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(F), until the multi-time ink tape 16 is wound and the contents of the ink tape winding amount storage section Rw become rloOJ, the processes in steps S4 to 814 are carried out in the same manner as described above. executed repeatedly.

Then, rRw=100J, and the answer is Y in step S14.
If it is determined as S, the process advances to step 815.

In step 815, as described above, the content rloOJ of the ink tape winding amount storage section R is set three times in the printing position storage section R.
Written in □. That is, as shown in the first column of FIG. 4(C), 'R1=100J.

In step 816, as described above, the contents of R1-R3 are compared, data is exchanged, and rearranged in the order of RI≦R2≦R3. That is, as shown in the second column of FIG. 4(C), "R□=10J rR2=50J rR3=
It becomes 100J.

In step 817, the content "10" of R1 is subtracted from the content "50" of R2, and the content of Rg becomes "40".

Then, from the content r100J of R3 to the content “10” of R8
is subtracted, and the content of R3 becomes "90". This state is shown in the third column of FIG. 4(C).

In the next step 818, the thermal head 7 is operated and raised by the head lift driver 11 and head carrier 19.

In step S19, multi-time ink tape 1
6 by rRw - Rt J. In other words, the content "10" of the ink tape winding amount storage section R is subtracted from the content r 100J- of the three-time printing position storage section R1, resulting in a subtraction result of "90", that is, only 90■■, as shown in FIG. 5(G). The multi-time ink tape 16 is rewound as shown in FIG. As a result, the head position of the twice-used portion of the multi-time ink tape 16 becomes the head position. At this time, since the 3-times-used portion (10 mm) of the multi-time ink tape 16 is located ahead of the head position, this 3-times-used portion will not be used again.

In the next step S20, the ink tape winding amount storage unit Rw
"0" is written to and cleared.

After executing step S20, the process returns to step S4.

Thereafter, the processes of steps S4 to S20 are repeatedly executed in the same manner as described above.

In the above embodiment, since the multi-time ink tape 16 can be used three times, three print position storage units, namely, three-time print position storage unit R1 to one-time print position storage unit R3, are provided. However, the printing position storage section may be formed as appropriate depending on the number of times it can be used. In addition, the ink tape was rewound when 50 dragons or more were printed and a blank line was detected, but the printing length could be changed as appropriate, or a blank line could be confirmed without imposing any conditions on the printing length. You may immediately rewind the ink tape. Furthermore, when rewinding a portion of the multi-time ink tape that has reached its usable number of times, it may be possible to rewind the tape by an amount smaller than the winding amount with some margin. Furthermore, it can be applied to the case where a multi-time ink tape is stored in an ink cassette, and various other modifications are also possible.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, when a multi-time ink tape is reused for printing, it is possible to prevent the printed surface from being rubbed due to tape wrinkles, and to keep the multi-time ink tape in good condition. Can be used multiple times.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show embodiments of the invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation,
Figures 3 (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of facsimile manuscripts, Figures 4 (A) to (C) are diagrams showing changes in the state of the storage section, and Figures 5 (A) to (G) are diagrams showing examples of facsimile manuscripts. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the multi-time ink tape is used. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Print control part, 2... Calculation part, 3... Print data memory, 7... Thermal head, 8... Ink tape end detection part, 9... Vapor feed driver, 10
... ink tape supply driver, 11 ... head elevating driver, 12 ... ink tape winding driver,
15... Supply shaft, 16... Multi-time ink tape, 18... Winding shaft, 19... Head carrier,
Rw...Ink tape winding amount storage unit, RI...3
Twice printing position storage section, R2... Twice printing position storage section, R
3...One-time printing position storage section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printing device that prints using a thermal head while winding a multi-time ink tape wound around a supply shaft onto a take-up shaft, wherein the amount of winding is added together with the printing operation, and the multi-time ink tape is a winding amount storage means for storing the winding amount of the ink tape wound around the winding shaft; and a winding amount storage means for storing the winding amount of the ink tape on the winding shaft, and a winding amount storage means that stores the winding amount of the ink tape, and a winding amount storage means that stores the winding amount of the ink tape, and a winding amount storage means that stores the winding amount of the ink tape, and a winding amount storage means that stores the winding amount of the ink tape, and a winding amount storage means that stores the winding amount of the ink tape, and a winding amount storage means that stores the winding amount of the ink tape. A plurality of print position storage means for storing any one of the winding amounts when used 1 to n times, and a plurality of printing position storage means for determining the winding amount at which the multi-time ink tape reaches the usable number n, and determines whether the multi-time ink tape has reached the usable number n. a rewinding means for replacing the contents of the printing position storage means in which the unused winding amount is stored with contents indicating a reusable amount, and rewinding the multi-time ink tape onto the supply shaft to a reusable position; A printing device characterized by comprising: