JP2002273954A - Recorder and method of controlling recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute controlling of printing corresponding to a type of a paper roll wherein whether the paper roll used at present is of a type having a paper core to which the paper roll is fixed or a type not having a paper core is judged when the end of the paper roll is detected. SOLUTION: This recorder comprises a paper end detecting means (101) for detecting the end of the paper roll of the first type of paper roll or the second type of paper roll, a judging means (102) for judging whether the paper roll is of the first type or the second type when the end of the paper roll is detected by the paper end detecting means (101), and print stopping control means (103, 105) that stops the printing after performing the printing of a predetermined number of lines when it is judged that the paper roll is of the first type and stops the printing after performing the printing of a number of lines less than the above predetermined number of lines.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for performing printing using roll paper including a recording paper and a paper tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As roll paper used in this type of recording apparatus, a type in which recording paper is wound around a paper tube is known. There are two types, one that is fixed by gluing or pasting, and the other that is simply wound and not fixed. However, with the latter type of roll paper fixed to the paper tube, printing cannot be performed until the end of the recording paper due to limitations in the mechanism of the recording device.

As a recording apparatus commonly using these types of roll paper, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-349197.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-139,086 discloses a recording apparatus that detects the end of the paper regardless of the type of roll paper used. Further, according to this device, when the paper end is detected, the user is notified of the paper end through a buzzer sound, a blinking display, and the like, and if necessary, the paper end is performed through a predetermined instruction operation. The receipt is issued (or invalidated) so that the receipt issuance operation can be continued until the end of the sheet.

[0004]

According to this conventional example, although the recording paper can be effectively used to the end without waste, the apparatus issues an alarm when the paper end is detected, It is necessary to perform an operation for continuing printing with human intervention.

[0005] If the continuous operation is mistakenly performed even though the currently used roll paper is a roll paper of a type fixed to a paper core, the paper is pulled in with the pull-in of the recording paper. Even the tube is caught in the printing section, which causes problems such as breakage of the recording paper during printing and trouble such as jamming. Furthermore, in order to prevent such troubles, when setting the roll paper for the first time, the user of the apparatus must use a type in which the roll paper to be used is fixed to the paper core, It is necessary to remember whether the type is not fixed up to the paper end.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a roll paper of a type in which the roll paper currently being used is fixed to a paper core when the end of the roll paper is detected, or a type of roll paper not fixed to a paper core. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that reduces the burden on the user by identifying whether the printing operation has been performed and enables printing control in accordance with the type of the printing apparatus.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first type of roll paper in which the end of the recording paper is not fixed to the paper tube, or the end of the recording paper is formed in the paper tube. In a recording apparatus for selectively placing a fixed second type of roll paper in a paper storage unit and performing printing, the first type
Paper end detecting means for detecting the end of the type of roll paper or the second type of roll paper; and when the paper end detecting means detects the end of the roll paper, the roll paper is of the first type or the second type. Identification means for identifying
When the identified roll paper is identified as a first type of roll paper, printing is stopped after performing printing on a predetermined line, and the identified roll paper is a second type of roll paper. And print stop control means for stopping printing on fewer lines than the predetermined line.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the end of the roll paper is detected, the currently used roll paper is fixed to the paper core, or is fixed to the paper core. If the type of roll paper is not fixed to the paper tube, the type of roll paper that is not fixed can be automatically printed on a predetermined line, and the burden on the user can be reduced. . Also, if the currently used roll paper is of a type that is fixed to the paper core,
Printing can be stopped in less than the predetermined number of lines to prevent troubles caused by erroneous operations, and also troublesome that the user must memorize the type of roll paper set.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the identification means includes a sensor disposed at a lower portion of the sheet storage section.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the paper tube is fixed to the recording paper by detecting whether or not the paper tube falls off the roll paper and remains in the lower portion of the paper storage section. It is possible to identify the type of roll paper that does not have it or the type of roll paper whose paper core is fixed to the recording paper, eliminating the need to apply special markings or processing to the roll paper, and identifying it with an inexpensive configuration Becomes possible.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

A thermal printer 1, which is a recording device, includes a holder 4 for storing and holding a roll paper having a thermal recording paper 3 (hereinafter referred to as a recording paper 3) wound around a paper tube 2, and a transport for transporting the recording paper 3. The apparatus includes a path 5 and a thermal head 7 that is in contact with the platen 6. A paper end detection sensor 8 for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper 3 and a paper tube detection sensor 9 for detecting the presence or absence of a paper tube 2 described below are disposed at substantially the center of the side wall of the holder 4 and the bottom of the same holder 4. ing. The control means 10 for controlling the entire thermal printer 1 includes a paper end detection sensor 8, a paper tube detection sensor 9, a print memory 11 for storing print data, and a motor for driving a motor (not shown) as a drive source. A driver 12 and a display unit 13 including an LED or the like for displaying various operation states of the apparatus are connected to each other.

The thermal printer 1 thus constructed
First, under the control of the control unit 10, the motor driver 12
The platen roller 6 is rotated by the rotation of a motor (not shown) driven by the printer, and the recording paper 3 is pulled by the rotation of the platen roller 6 via the conveyance path 5 and passes through the thermal head 7. At this time, print data transmitted from a higher-level device (not shown) is temporarily stored in the print memory 11 under the control of the control unit 10, and a print signal based on the print data is sent to the thermal head 7 and The print output is performed on the thermal printing surface of the recording paper 3 by driving the plurality of heating elements arranged in the recording paper 3.

Here, the paper end detection sensor 8 is a light transmission type photo sensor in which a light emitting portion 8 (a) and a light receiving portion 8 (b) are arranged at substantially the center of both side walls of the holder 4, respectively. While light is present in the holder 4, the light from the light emitting portion 8 (a) is blocked by the recording paper 3 and the sensor output by the light receiving portion 8 (b) is turned off. When the recording paper 3 is pulled by the rotation of the platen 6 and the end of the recording paper 3 passes the detection position of the paper end detection sensor 8 and the recording paper 3 runs out, the light from the light emitting unit 8 (a) is received by the light receiving unit 8. (B), the sensor output is turned on. Also,
The paper tube detection sensor 9 is a light reflection type photosensor integrally provided with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (not shown) arranged at the bottom of the holder 4. The paper tube detection sensor 9 emits light when the paper tube 2 exists in the holder 4. The light from the unit is reflected on the paper tube and the output of the light receiving unit is turned on.
On the other hand, when there is no paper tube in the holder 4, the light output from the light emitting unit is not reflected and the sensor output is turned off.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printer 2 used in the thermal printer 1.
It is a figure showing the state of each terminal part of various types of roll paper.

There are the following two types of roll paper used in the thermal printer 1, and the roll 4 is selectively used.
And printing is performed. FIG. 2A shows a first type of roll paper, in which the end of the recording paper 3 is not fixed to the paper tube 2. In this type of roll paper, when the roll paper approaches the end, the paper tube 2 falls off the recording paper 3 and stays at the bottom of the holder 4. On the other hand, FIG.
Denotes a second type of roll paper, in which the end portion of the recording paper 3 is fixed to the paper tube 2 by bonding or sticking. It is raised toward the upper part of the holder 4 accompanying the transport.

Next, the printing process of the thermal printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when printing is started, it is detected in step 101 whether or not the output signal of the paper end detection sensor 8 has been turned on. Here, the control unit 10 monitors the output signal of the paper end detection sensor 8, and when it is turned on, determines that it is the end of the roll paper. On the other hand, the recording paper 3 is
During this period, the sensor output is always turned off, and a normal printing operation is performed.

When the output of the paper end detection sensor is turned on in step 101, that is, when the end of the roll paper is detected, the routine proceeds to the next step 102, where the paper tube detection sensor 9
Is detected whether or not the output signal is ON. In this step, the control means 10 monitors the output signal of the paper tube detection sensor 9, and the roll paper type of the present embodiment is identified. When the output signal of the paper tube detection sensor 9 is turned on in step 102, it indicates that the paper tube 2 is staying at the lower portion of the holder 4 (see FIG. 2A), and the end portion of the recording paper 3 Is identified as a type of roll paper that is not fixed to the paper tube. On the other hand, when the output signal of the paper core detection sensor 9 is turned off, it indicates that the paper core 2 is being lifted at the same time as the recording paper 3 is conveyed (see FIG. 2B). The roll paper whose type is fixed to the paper core is identified.

If the output of the paper tube detection sensor 9 is ON in step 102, that is, if the currently used roll paper is identified as a type of roll paper that is not fixed to the paper tube, then in step 103 a predetermined Printing is stopped after printing the line is continued. This is because a distance from the thermal head 7 to a position almost in front of the end portion of the roll paper is stored in advance in a ROM (read only memory) (not shown) as the number of steps converted into a motor feed amount. Under the control, the recording paper 3 is conveyed in accordance with the feed amount, and the printing operation is executed at the same time. Also, at this time, if the transport path is designed so that a length sufficient to print at least one standard paper size remains, for example, when printing a certificate stamp or the like, there is no interruption in the middle and the end is completed. Printing becomes possible. Thereafter, when the printing of the predetermined line is completed, the control means 10 outputs a signal to the display means 13 to turn on the LED in step 104, notifies the user of the paper end, and ends the printing process.

On the other hand, at step 102, the paper tube detecting sensor 9
If the output is OFF, that is, if the currently used roll paper is identified as a type of roll paper fixed to the paper core, printing is immediately stopped in step 105 and reissued in step 106. Perform processing. This reissue processing is considered to be interrupted in the middle of printing when the current printing processing reaches the end of the roll paper. Therefore, the print data that has been printed last is used as it is in the print memory 11.
And the same data is printed again at the next roll paper replenishment. afterwards,
The control unit 10 outputs a signal to the display unit 13 in step 104 to turn on the LED, notifies the user of the paper end, and ends the printing process.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a thermal printer was described as an example of a recording device, but a thermal transfer printer or an inkjet printer may be used. Further, a light transmission type or light reflection type photosensor is used as the paper end detection sensor or the paper tube detection sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mechanical sensor such as an actuator may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the LED is turned on as a method of notifying the user of the paper end, but an alarm such as a buzzer or an alarm may be issued. Further, the printing is immediately stopped in step 105, but it is also possible to stop printing after executing printing of several lines within a range in which a jam or the like does not occur. However, the number of lines is smaller than that of a type of roll paper in which the paper core is not fixed to the recording paper. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the end portion of the recording paper is detected, the roll paper currently in use is fixed to the paper core or is fixed to the paper core. If the type of roll paper is not fixed to the paper tube, it is possible to automatically perform printing on a predetermined line, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. Further, when the currently used roll paper is a roll paper of a type fixed to the paper core, printing is stopped in less than the predetermined number of lines, thereby preventing trouble due to erroneous operation and preventing the user from operating. This has the effect of eliminating the hassle of having to memorize the type of roll paper to be set. According to the second aspect of the present invention, by detecting whether or not the paper tube falls off from the roll paper and remains in the lower portion of the paper storage unit, it is possible to detect whether or not the paper tube is fixed to the recording paper. It is possible to distinguish between paper and roll paper of the type where the paper tube is fixed to the recording paper, eliminating the need for special marking or processing on the roll paper, enabling identification with an inexpensive configuration. Has an effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state of an end portion of the roll paper according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal printer 2 Paper core 3 Thermal recording paper (recording paper) 4 Holder 5 Transport path 6 Platen 7 Thermal head 8 Paper end detection sensor 9 Paper tube detection sensor 101 Paper end detection means 102 Identification means 103, 105 Printing stop control means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first type of roll paper in which the end of the recording paper is not fixed to the paper core, or a second type of roll paper in which the end of the recording paper is fixed to the paper core. In a recording apparatus that performs printing by placing the paper on a paper storage unit, a paper end detection unit that detects an end portion of the first type of roll paper or the second type of roll paper, and the paper end detection unit detects the end of the roll paper. An identification means for identifying whether the roll paper is the first type or the second type when detecting the end portion; and a predetermined type when the identified roll paper is identified as the first type of roll paper. Printing stop control for stopping printing after printing a line, and stopping printing on fewer lines than the predetermined line when the identified roll paper is identified as a second type of roll paper. Means. Recording device. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit includes a sensor disposed at a lower part of a sheet storage unit. 3. A first type of roll paper in which the end of the recording paper is not fixed to the paper core, or a second type of roll paper in which the end of the recording paper is fixed to the paper core. In a recording device that performs printing by placing the paper in a paper storage unit, when the end of the first type of roll paper or the second type of roll paper is detected, whether the roll paper is the first type or the second type is determined. When the identified roll paper is identified as the first type of roll paper, printing is stopped after printing a predetermined line, and the identified roll paper is replaced with the second type of roll paper. And printing is stopped in less than the predetermined number of lines when the paper is identified as a roll paper.