JPH05193232A - Printer operation control system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] The present invention relates to a printer operation control system, and an object thereof is to prevent a paper jam at the left and right edges of a horizontal perforation of a paper. [Structure] When the head 5 is at the edge of the paper 6, the paper 6
When performing a line feed beyond the horizontal perforations, the head control unit 3 moves the head 5 to the left or right of the end portion by a predetermined amount, and then the line feed control unit 2 moves the paper 6 in a predetermined direction. By doing this, a line break is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer operation control system, and more particularly to a printer operation control system in the case where a line feed is performed while the print head is at the left and right ends of the horizontal folding perforation for paper folding.

In a serial printer, the print head may move to the left edge or right edge of the paper. Further, in a serial printer, a sheet having a horizontal perforation for folding may be used as a sheet.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a conventional technique, showing a conventional printer operation control when a line feed is performed in a state where the print head is located at the left and right ends of the horizontal folding perforation for paper folding.

The sheet 6 is a sheet used as a continuous form, and a horizontal perforation 61 is provided for each form in order to fold the sheet and separate it into individual forms. The sheet 6 is moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure for the line feed operation. For this purpose, the feed hole 64 is used.

The head moves left and right on the paper 6 to perform printing 62. The path 63 of the relative movement of the head with respect to the paper 6 is as shown in the figure by the left and right movement of the head and the movement of the paper 6 in the arrow direction.

In this route 63, there are cases where the states shown by a and b in the figure occur. For example, in the case of a, the state is as follows. That is, the head moves from right to left to print in the order of "2DCBA", and then overruns for a certain distance and stops. At this time, the head is at the left end of the paper 6. In this state, since the line "ABCD2" is the last line of the page or form, the line feed operation is performed. Therefore, the route 63 is a route in which the head passes the left end of the horizontal perforation 61 in the portion a. After this,
The head moves from left to right and runs for a certain distance,
Print in order of BCD3 ".

Similarly, the path 63 has
The route is such that the head passes through the right end of the horizontal perforation 61.

[0008]

10 and 11 show the following.
The problems of the above-mentioned prior art will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet 6 moves along the platen 4 in the direction of the arrow in the figure for a line feed operation. An ink ribbon 7 is interposed between the paper 6 and the (printing) head 5, and a ribbon mask 8 is interposed between the ink ribbon 7 and the paper 6. The ribbon mask 8 is for preventing an undesired portion of the ink ribbon 7 around the ribbon mask 8 from touching the paper 6 when the ink ribbon 7 is pressed against the paper 6 by the pin of the head 5. Move with.

A mask hole 81 having a shape as shown in FIG. 10 is provided at the center of the ribbon mask 8, and the ink ribbon 7 is pressed against the paper 6 through the mask hole 81. The path 63 of the head 5 in FIG. 9 is shown by regarding the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangular mask hole 81 as shown in the drawing as the position of the head 5 (the same applies below).

The relationship between the ribbon mask 8 and the paper 6 in the portion a of the path 63 is as shown in FIG. At this time, if the amount of bulging of the edge of the sheet 6 at the horizontal perforations 61 is large, the sheet 6 will be caught at the corner of the mask hole 81, and the sheet will jam as shown in FIG. The swelling of the paper 6 at the horizontal perforations 61 is unavoidable because the paper 6 is folded and fed into the hopper, and the horizontal perforations 61 always repeat "peaks" and "valleys".

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer operation control system which prevents a paper jam at a horizontal perforation.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, showing the outline of a printer according to the present invention. This printer includes a processing unit 1 including a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory. A line feed control unit 2 and a head control unit 3 are provided in the processing device 1.

Further, in this printer, as in the case shown in FIG. 11, an ink ribbon 7 is interposed between the paper 6 and the (printing) head 6, and further the ink ribbon 7 and the paper 6 are provided.
Ribbon mask 8 is interposed between and. Ribbon mask 8
Has the same shape as that shown in FIG. 10 and has a rectangular mask hole 81. Ribbon mask 8 (the mask hole 81)
Corresponds to the head 5 and moves with the head 5.

The line feed control section 2 moves the sheet 6 in a predetermined direction (arrow direction in the drawing) via a sheet drive section (not shown) including a motor and a drive circuit thereof, thereby performing a line feed in printing. The head controller 3 controls the head 5 so as to move on the paper 6 by a predetermined distance via a head driver (not shown) including a motor and a drive circuit thereof and performs printing. The paper 6 has horizontal perforations (61) for using the paper 6 as a continuous form, for example.

In particular, when performing a line feed beyond the horizontal perforations (61) with the head 5 at the end of the paper 6, first,
The head controller 3 moves the head 5 to the left or right of the edge of the paper 6. After that, the line feed control unit 2 makes a line feed beyond the horizontal perforations (61).

[0016]

[Operation] When making a line break beyond the horizontal perforations (61),
Prior to this, the head 5 is moved to the left or right from the edge (left edge or right edge) of the paper 6. This allows
The head 5 does not pass through the end of the horizontal perforation (61) (line a and b in FIG. 9) at the time of line feed.

Therefore, since the ribbon mask 8 moves together with the head 5, the bulge of the paper 6 at the horizontal perforation (61) may be caught in the mask hole 81 of the ribbon mask 8 as shown in FIGS. Lost. As described above, it is possible to eliminate a line break when the head 5 is located at the end of the horizontal perforation (61), and it is possible to prevent a paper jam that has conventionally been caused by such a line break. ..

[0018]

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are explanatory views of an embodiment. In FIG. 2, the head control unit 3 which receives the print command moves the head 5 from the left side to the right side of the paper 6 in response to the command, and then outputs "ABCD".
E 62 is printed (1 line) and stopped after overrun. Similarly, “FGHIJ” (1 + 1 line) and “KLMNO” (m line) are printed.

The line feed control unit 2, which receives the line feed command with the head 5 stopped, responds to this and performs the following processing.
That is, the line feed amount d is calculated based on the line feed command,
It is determined whether the line feed amount d is larger than a predetermined value N (inch).

Here, as the predetermined value N, the width (inch) of the print non-guaranteed area (or print prohibition area) 65 is used. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the print non-guaranteed area 65 has horizontal perforations (intermediate perforations and cut perforations) 6
It is provided for each one, and a certain width above and below that is the area,
The print quality non-guaranteed range for the paper 6 is shown. The line feed amount d is from the center of one line to the center of the next line, as shown in FIG.

When d <N, the line feed control unit 2 sets the line feed amount d.
Only by moving the paper 6 in a predetermined direction, a line feed is performed. This line break is a normal line break, and
Line to line l + 1, horizontal perforation 61 in FIG.
Corresponds to each line break that does not exceed.

If d ≧ N, the line feed control unit 2 notifies the head control unit 3 that the line feed amount is large and the line feed may exceed the horizontal perforations 61. Upon receiving this notification, the head control unit 3 moves the head 5 to the left or right. The head control unit 3 notifies the line feed control unit 2 of the completion of this movement.

Here, the movement of the head 5 depends on the movement of the head 5.
Is performed up to the position (digit) printed immediately before. For this reason,
The head controller 3 stores the immediately preceding print position. This movement is performed rightward as shown in FIG. 2 when the head 5 is at the left end of the paper 6, and the position of the immediately preceding print "J" (position P1
It is performed so that the head 5 is located at Also,
This movement is shown in FIG. 3 when the head 5 is at the right end of the paper 6.
As shown in (4), the printing is performed to the left (up to the position of the immediately preceding print "8").

The line feed control unit 2, which has received the notification from the head control unit 3, moves the paper 6 in the predetermined direction by the line feed amount d to make a line feed. This line feed is l in FIG.
Line feed from line +1 to line m, horizontal perforation 61 in FIG.
Corresponds to each line break beyond.

At this line feed, the head 5 does not exist at the end of the paper 6 but always exists on (in the printable area of) the paper 6. Therefore, in the process of line feed, the positions of the paper 6 and the ribbon mask 8 are not in the relationship as shown in FIG. 10, and the occurrence of paper jam as shown in FIG. 11 can be prevented.

After this line feed, for example, m lines in FIG. 2 are printed. The position of the head 5 at the time of printing the first character "K" or "O" in this printing is P2 (or P3).
Then, the run-up distance for starting printing from P2 (or P3) is required.

The securing of this approach distance will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 4, when the character "KLMNO" is printed on the m-th line, the run-up distance and overrun (distance) of a predetermined length are required before and after the printing. The run-up distance is the running distance until the head 5 reaches the printable speed. Overrun is a traveling distance until the head 5 stops. You can think that the run-up distance and the overrun are equal.

The relationship between the immediately preceding print position P1 and the print start position P2 (or P3) of the next line is shown in FIG. 4 (a).
Any one of (d) to (d). (A) shows the head 5 from the run-up distance to the left end of the print line (character "K", that is, position P2).
This is the case where (position P1) is further left. (B) is the run-up distance to the left end of the print line or the print line (“KLMNO”)
This is the case when the head 5 is in the left half of the. (C) is the case where the head 5 is located in the run-up distance (equal to overrun) to the right end of the print line (character "O", that is, position P3) or in the right half of the print line. (D) is a case where the head 5 is further to the right of the approach distance to the right end of the print line.

In the case of (a), as shown in FIG. 5 (a), after the line feed, the head 5 is moved to the right for printing. In the case of (b), as shown in FIG. 5B, after the line feed, the head 5 is once moved to the left to secure an approach distance, and then the head 5 is moved to the right for printing. In the case of (c), as shown in FIG. 5C, after the line feed, the head 5 is once moved to the right to secure an approach distance, and then the head 5 is moved to the left to print. In the case of (d), FIG.
As shown in (d), after the line feed, the head 5 is moved to the left to print.

The head controller 3 determines whether the relationship between the position P1 and the position P2 or P3 is any one of the above (a) to (d), and moves the head 5 to perform printing. Figure 2
In, the printing of m lines corresponds to the case of (b), so
The head control unit 3 moves the head 5 located at the position P1 to the position Q1 where the approach distance can be secured, and then moves from the position P2 to the position P2.
Printing is performed up to 3, and the head 5 is stopped at the position Q2.
In FIG. 3, the printing of “9GFE” corresponds to the case of (c), and therefore the head 5 is moved to print as shown.

FIG. 6 is a printer operation control processing flow. When the line feed control unit 2 receives the line feed command, the line feed amount d
Is calculated (step 61), and the line feed amount d is a predetermined value N
It is checked whether (inch) or more (d ≧ N) (step 6)
2).

If d ≧ N, the head controller 3 prints the head 5 at the last position (digit) P1 of the last printed line.
(Step 63). That is, the head 5 is returned by the amount overrun immediately before. If d ≧ N,
Step 63 is not executed.

The line feed control unit 2 executes the line feed operation by the line feed amount d (step 64). The head control unit 3 controls the current digit position P1 of the head 5 and the digit position P2 at which printing is started next.
Alternatively, the distance from P3 is calculated, and the head 5 is moved based on this result (step 65).

Conventionally, steps 64 and 65 are executed after step 61. Therefore, step 65 may use the previous step, and there is no increase in the load for starting the printing of the next line due to the movement of the head 5 in step 63.

7 and 8 are explanatory views of other embodiments of the present invention. As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 3, in this embodiment, when performing a line feed beyond the horizontal perforations 61, the head 5 at the end of the paper 6 is moved to the left or right of the end by a predetermined distance. Let As a result, the head 5 is located not at the end of the paper 6 but at a position away from the end on the paper 6 or outside the paper 6.

Incidentally, in FIG. 7, the head 5 is always moved to the right. That is, when the head 5 is at the left end of the sheet 6, it is moved to the right so that it is on the sheet 6. Further, even when the head 5 is at the right end of the paper 6, the head 5 is moved to the right so that the head 5 is located away from the end of the paper 6. Here, the position away from the end means, for example, the position of the head 5 where the mask hole 81 of the ribbon mask 8 does not overlap the paper 61.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 5 is provided to detect the edge of the sheet 6, and the head 5 is located at the edge of the sheet 6 (particularly at any position of the edge). It is trying to detect. That is, the sensor 6 causes the paper 6
The position of the end of the head and the position of the head 5 are obtained as position coordinates.

FIG. 8 is a printer operation control processing flow when the operation shown in FIG. 7 is performed. When the head control unit 3 is notified from the line feed control unit 2 that it is the end of the page (form), the head control unit 3 obtains the difference between the position of the head 5 (P1) and the position of the edge of the paper 6, and this difference is calculated. It is determined whether it is smaller than a predetermined value X (step 81). Here, the value X is a margin (distance) for preventing the head 5 (actually, the ribbon mask 8) from being caught on the edge of the paper 6.

When the difference is larger than the value X, the line feed control unit 2 which has received the notification from the head control unit 3 performs a line feed (a page break, that is, a line feed beyond the horizontal perforations 61) (the following steps are executed). Not).

When the difference is smaller than (or equal to) the value X, the head controller 3 causes the traveling direction of the head 5 after the line feed to be +.
It is checked whether it is the direction (direction moving from left to right) (step 82).

If not in the + direction, the head control section 3 determines the position of the head 5 (P1) and the first print position (P1) after the page break.
2), and the difference is a predetermined value −L−2X (= −
It is determined whether (L + 2X)) is smaller (the absolute value is larger) (step 83). Here, the value L is a distance (that is, an approach distance) required for the head 5 to reach the printable speed state from the stopped state.

If it is not small (the absolute value of the difference between P1 and P2 is smaller than L + 2X), the head control unit 3 moves the position of the head 5 from (P1) by -2X (that is, by 2X to the left) ( Step 84). As a result, the head 5 can be separated from the edge of the sheet 6 by at least the value X or more while securing the run-up distance L (or bringing the difference between P1 and P2 close to the run-up distance L).

If the difference is small (the absolute value of the difference between P1 and P2 is larger than L + 2X), the head controller 3 causes the head 5
Position (from P1) + 2X (ie 2X to the right)
Move (step 85). As a result, the head 5 can be separated from the edge of the paper 6 by at least X or more while securing the run-up distance L.

If the direction is + in step 82,
The head controller 3 obtains the difference between the position (P1) of the head 5 and the first print position (P3) after the page break, and determines whether this difference is larger than a predetermined value L + 2X (step 8).
6).

When not large (the difference between P1 and P2 is L +
If it is smaller than 2X), the head controller 3 moves the position of the head 5 by + 2X (from P1) (that is, 2X to the right) (step 87). As a result, the head 5 can be separated from the edge of the sheet 6 by at least the value X or more while securing the run-up distance L (or bringing the difference between P1 and P2 close to the run-up distance L).

When it is large (the difference between P1 and P2 is L + 2X
If so, the head controller 3 moves the position of the head 5 by -2X (from P1) (that is, 2X to the left) (step 88). As a result, the head 5 can be separated from the edge of the paper 6 by at least the value X or more while ensuring the approach distance L.

After steps 84, 85, 87 or 88,
The line feed control unit 2 which has received the notification from the head control unit 3 performs a line feed (page break).

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In printer operation control, by moving the head located at the edge of the paper and then performing a line feed beyond the horizontal perforation, it is possible to prevent the bulge of the paper at the horizontal perforation from being caught in the mask hole of the ribbon mask corresponding to the head. Since it can be eliminated, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of paper jam due to this.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of head movement.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of head movement.

FIG. 6 is a printer operation control processing flow.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a conventional technique.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a problem of the conventional technique.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a problem of the conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Processing Device 2 Line Feed Control Section 3 Head Control Section 4 Platen 5 Head 6 Paper 7 Ink Ribbon 8 Ribbon Mask 9 Sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A line feed control unit (2) for performing line feed by moving a paper (6) having a horizontal perforation (61) in a predetermined direction, and a head (5) moving on the paper (6). And a head control section (3) for controlling the above, in the case where a line feed over the horizontal perforation (61) is made while the head (5) is at the end of the paper (6), A printer operation control method, wherein the line feed control unit (2) performs the line feed after the head control unit (3) moves the head (5) to the left or right of the end. 2. The printer operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the end portion of the head (5) to the left or right is performed to a position immediately before printing.