JP2012011569A - Printer and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce detection time of an ink ribbon marker and to improve stop precision during printing operation of a printer.SOLUTION: The printer includes: a ribbon conveying part for pulling a ribbon for printing wound around a supply shaft part and for winding the ribbon by driving a winding shaft part; a ribbon marker detection part capable of detecting a leading marker including a first marker and a second marker; and a controller for controlling printing operation. The controller measures passing time from detection of the first marker to that of the second marker at the ribbon marker detection part while conveying the ribbon for printing at a predetermined low speed. The controller controls to convey the ribbon for printing next time or later at a conveying speed of the ribbon for printing which is obtained by calculating the passing time and faster than the predetermined low speed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that can be controlled to search for a marker while winding an ink ribbon used for printing, and to stop at a position specified by the marker with high accuracy in a short time, and a control method therefor.

  In general, in a thermal sublimation type color printer, a thermal ink material or an overcoat (OC) material on a thermal sublimation ink ribbon is sublimated and adsorbed on a printing paper by a thermal head to form a tone and form an image.

  The thermal sublimation color ink ribbon used in this thermal sublimation type color printer (color summar printer) is provided with a plurality of blocks in one ribbon, and each block has yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). An overcoat (OC) is disposed.

  Further, the head dye sublimation color ink ribbon is provided with two head markers at the start position of the yellow ink area so that the head of each color ink can be detected. At the same time, the head sublimation color ink ribbon is provided with one leading marker at the start position of the magenta (M), cyan (C), and overcoat (OC) ink regions.

  A color summar printer using the thermal sublimation color ink ribbon includes a ribbon marker sensor for detecting a leading marker.

  In this color summar printer, the color sublimation color ink ribbon is wound up, the area of the color to be printed is cued, and the thermal ink of this color is thermally transferred onto the paper by the thermal head.

  For this reason, in the color summar printer, the leading marker is detected by the ribbon marker sensor while winding the color ink ribbon.

  In this color summar printer, the ribbon marker sensor detects the leading marker of the two lines at the start position of the yellow ink region, and then counts the number of times the leading marker is detected. Each color is specified.

  Further, in this color summar printer, when the head marker at the head of each color area is detected, the winding operation of the color ink ribbon is stopped, thereby performing cueing for each color area.

  In such a color summar printer, it is necessary to wind up the color ink ribbon and accurately perform the cueing operation for each color area.

  Therefore, in a conventional color summar printer, a method has been proposed in which a plurality of marker detection sensors are arranged so as to be able to determine whether or not the marker has just been detected, and the ink ribbon winding speed is reduced immediately before the detection (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a conventional color summar printer has been proposed in which the ink ribbon transport speed is detected when the ink of the ink ribbon is cued in order to keep the ink ribbon transport speed during printing constant. In this conventional color summar printer, the power control of the ink ribbon drive motor is performed so that the ink ribbon is transported at a constant speed during printing based on the detected transport speed of the ink ribbon during the cueing operation. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP-A-6-32036 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-214849

  However, the color sequential ribbon marker detection method described above has the following problems. That is, in the ink ribbon take-up operation in the color summar printer, the ink ribbon transport speed increases in proportion to the amount of ink ribbon wound on the ink ribbon take-up drive shaft side, and the transport speed is constant. Not.

  This is because even if the angular speed of the take-up drive shaft for winding the ink ribbon is the same, the amount of the ink ribbon to be wound up increases according to the shaft diameter, and the relative speed at which the ink ribbon marker passes over the marker sensor increases. To go.

  As a result, even in the color summar printer, even if the leading marker of the ink ribbon is detected and the winding of the ink ribbon is stopped, if the winding speed of the ink ribbon is too fast, an event that stops after passing the leading marker occurs. There is a case. In such a case, the ink ribbon marker of the next color is transferred to the printing paper at the end of printing, causing sticking between the ink ribbon and the printing paper.

  Further, in order to avoid such a situation, it is conceivable that the ink ribbon winding speed is always slowed to be equal to or lower than a constant speed. However, if the ink ribbon winding speed is always slowed down to a certain value or less, the time required for detecting the ink ribbon marker increases, and the printing time increases, providing a comfortable operability for the user. I can't do things.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can improve the stopping accuracy of the ink ribbon and increase the detection time of the ink ribbon marker, and can provide a comfortable operability for the user, and a control method therefor.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printer of the present invention uses a ribbon provided with a plurality of areas arranged in a frame sequence and a leading marker for detecting the leading edge at the leading edge of each of the areas in the transport direction. A ribbon transport unit configured to wind the ribbon drawn from the supply shaft unit around which the ribbon is wound, by winding the winding shaft unit by driving the winding shaft unit; A ribbon marker detection unit that detects the leading marker, and a control unit that controls the conveyance of the ribbon by the ribbon conveyance unit, and the control unit is first configured by the ribbon conveyance unit at a predetermined conveyance speed. The ribbon is transported and transported based on the passage time of the period in which the ribbon marker detection unit detects the leading marker or the driving amount by the ribbon transport unit. Determining the degree, from the next time, characterized in that conveying the ribbon by the ribbon transport unit at a conveying speed which is the determined. In order to achieve the above object, the printer control method of the present invention is provided with a plurality of areas arranged in a frame sequence and a leading marker for detecting the leading edge at the leading edge of each of the areas in the transport direction. In the printer control method for printing using a ribbon, the printer winds the ribbon drawn out from the supply shaft portion around which the ribbon is wound around the winding shaft portion by driving the winding shaft portion. A ribbon conveyance unit configured to take, a ribbon marker detection unit that detects the leading marker, and a control unit that controls conveyance of the ribbon by the ribbon conveyance unit. A step of transporting the ribbon by the ribbon transport unit at a transport speed, and a passage time or a period during which the leading marker is detected by the ribbon marker detection unit. Based on the driving amount by ribbon transport unit, determining the conveying speed from the next time, characterized by having a step of transporting the ribbon by the ribbon transport unit at a conveying speed which is the determined.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the winding speed of the ink ribbon even if the winding amount of the ink ribbon changes. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a significant decrease in stopping accuracy and to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the ink ribbon and the printing paper stick. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a printer and a control method thereof that can provide a user-friendly operability without increasing the detection time of the ink ribbon marker.

It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of operation | movement when performing a yellow marker search with the color summar printer concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state before the printing of the heat sublimation type printing part of the color summar printer concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state in which the thermal sublimation type printing part of the color samar printer concerning embodiment of this invention is printing. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a color summar printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic structure explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the heat sublimation type | mold ink ribbon used with the color samar printer concerning embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when printing is performed by the color summar printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state in which the thermal sublimation type printing part of the color samar printer concerning embodiment of this invention is printing.

  Hereinafter, a color summar printer according to an embodiment of the printer of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of FIG. 4 illustrating a schematic configuration of a color summar printer (thermal sublimation printing apparatus) according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 1119 denotes an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) that controls printing processing of the printing apparatus main body. The MPU 1119 is configured as a dedicated IC in which an image processing function, a memory card access function, a communication interface, and the like are combined in addition to the microprocessor function.

  The MPU 1119 is connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1107 such as a flash memory in which a control program for the printing apparatus main body is stored. At the same time, the MPU 1119 is connected to a rewritable RAM (Random Access Memory) 1108 that is used to create print image data and expands the print image data.

  The MPU 1119 executes control of the thermal head 1110 based on the print image data expanded in the 1108 RAM at the time of printing.

  The MPU 1119 is connected to a sensor group 1101 for detecting states of a print paper leading edge detection sensor, an ink ribbon leading edge detection sensor, and the like.

  Further, the MPU 1119 is configured to drive and control a stepping motor 1102 that conveys printing paper via a stepping motor driver 1103. At the same time, the MPU 1119 is configured to drive and control the position change motor 1104 and the ribbon feed motor 1105 via the DC motor driver 1106. The DC motor driver 1106 is configured to be able to execute speed control by a technique such as PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).

  The position change motor 1104 is used to press and separate the thermal head, the ink ribbon (printing ribbon), and the printing paper. The ribbon feed motor 1105 is mounted on the ribbon transport unit and is used to rotate the ink ribbon take-up shaft to wind up the ink ribbon. The ink ribbon is wound around the supply shaft portion, and the ink ribbon drawn out from the supply shaft portion is drawn on a predetermined transport path and wound around the take-up shaft portion. Yes.

  The MPU 1119 is connected to a communication interface A 1116 for direct printing and a communication interface B 1115 for connecting a personal computer. The interface A1116 is configured so that a digital camera can be connected, and the interface A1116 can be used to perform printing from operations on the digital camera.

  In addition, the interface B is configured to allow the printer to perform printing by using a remote control from a personal computer.

  A memory card slot 1118 for inserting a memory card 1117 is connected to the MPU 1119. Although FIG. 4 shows a single memory card slot 1118, a plurality of memory card slots may be used.

  The MPU 1119 is configured to drive and control the thermal head 1110 via the thermal control IC 1109.

  Further, the MPU 1119 is configured to drive and control a display device LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) via the LCD driver 1111.

  The MPU 1119 is connected to an operation member 1113 for performing a power switch, a print instruction, image selection, and the like. Further, a paper cassette type discriminating unit 1114 for discriminating types of printing paper cassettes and ink ribbon cassettes for detecting a paper cassette type mounted on a color summar printer (thermal sublimation printing apparatus) is connected to the MPU 1119.

  In the color summar printer (thermal sublimation printing apparatus) configured as described above, the MPU 1119 manages the state detection of the operation member 1113, the state detection of the sensor group 1101, and the determination and determination on the sequence.

  In addition, this color summar printer is configured to be able to read a compressed image file from a memory card 1117 mounted in a memory card slot 1118 and to decompress and decompress it by the MPU 1119 on the display device 1112. Further, this color summar printer is configured to be able to print an image selected by the operation member 1113.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the thermal sublimation printing unit in the color samar printer will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this thermal sublimation printing section, the conveyance path for feeding the printing paper 2-1 passes between the paper feed roller pair 2-5, 2-6 and the thermal head 2-7 and the platen roller 2-12. The grip roller 2-8 and the pinch roller 2-9 are hung. Further, in the vicinity of the exit of the pinch roller 2-9 in this transport path, a printing paper leading edge detection sensor 2-13 that is a sensor for detecting the leading edge of the printing paper is disposed.

  A supply reel (supply shaft unit) around which an unused ink ribbon (printing ribbon) is wound is mounted on the thermal sublimation printing unit. The ink ribbon drawn out from the supply reel passes between the thermal head 2-7 and the platen roller 2-12, passes through the ribbon marker sensor 2-10, and then is taken up by the take-up reel (winding shaft). It is configured. The take-up reel is configured to perform a winding operation by a DC motor (not shown).

  In this thermal sublimation printing section, while conveying the printing paper 2-1 and the ink ribbon between the thermal head 2-7 and the platen roller 2-12 as shown in FIG. An image forming process is performed by the head 2-7.

  Next, an ink ribbon used in the color summar printer will be described with reference to FIG. In this ink ribbon, areas in which layers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and overcoat (OC) are formed are arranged in order.

  On this ink ribbon, leading markers 701 and 702 formed on double lines (two parallel lines arranged close to each other) are formed at the leading end in the yellow (Y) transport direction. . The leading marker 704 at the tip in the transport direction of other magenta (M), the leading marker 706 at the tip in the transport direction of cyan (C), and the leading marker 708 at the tip in the transport direction of overcoat (OC) are one line. Are formed in minutes.

  The leading markers 701 and 702 and leading markers 704, 706, and 708 of the ink ribbon are configured to be detected by a ribbon marker sensor during the ink ribbon transport operation.

  Next, the ribbon marker sensor will be described.

  The ribbon marker sensor 2-10 irradiates LED light toward the reflector 2-11, receives the reflected light by the ribbon marker sensor 2-10, converts it into an electrical signal, and performs detection based on the voltage value. It is configured.

  Since the ink ribbon marker portion is formed to have a lower transmittance than the ink portion, the reflected light is lower than that of the ink portion. Therefore, in this color summar printer, the leading marker 701, 702, 704 is utilized by utilizing the fact that the output voltage of the ribbon marker sensor 2-10 changes between the ink portion and the ribbon marker portion as shown at 710 in FIG. , 706 and 708 are detected.

  Next, a printing operation process executed by the color summar printer will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In this color summar printer, when the MPU 1119 is instructed to print from the digital camera or personal computer via the operation member 1113, the communication interface A 1116, and the communication interface B, the processing of the printing operation is started.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the processing of the printing operation is started, the printing paper is conveyed on the conveyance path for paper feeding (step S801).

  When the printing paper is detected by the printing paper leading edge detection sensor 2-13, the MPU 1119 drives the number of steps of a stepping motor (not shown) that drives the grip roller 2-8 to convey the printing paper 2-1. Control by.

  Next, the MPU 1119 determines whether or not to perform yellow printing. If it is determined that yellow printing is to be performed (YES in step S803), the process proceeds to the next step S804, where a yellow marker search is executed.

  In this yellow marker search, the head markers 701 and 702 in the yellow area of the heat sublimation ink ribbon are detected by the ribbon marker sensor while the heat sublimation ink ribbon 2-3 is wound in the direction of arrow 2-16 by a DC motor (not shown). To detect. Details of the yellow marker search will be described later.

  When the ribbon marker sensor 2-10 detects the leading markers 701 and 702 in the yellow region, the yellow of the thermal sublimation ink ribbon is cueed and the yellow marker search is completed.

  Next, the MPU 1119 starts a printing process, presses the thermal head 2-7 against the platen roller 2-12, and starts energizing the thermal head 2-7. Further, the MPU 1119 controls to convey the printing paper 2-1 in the direction of the arrow 2-14 while winding up the ink ribbon, and sublimates the thermal sublimation ink to be printed on the printing paper (step S806). . In this printing process, when the printing paper 2-1 is transported, the transport distance is managed by the number of steps of a stepping motor (not shown) that drives the grip roller 2-8. Then, the MPU 1119 stops the stepping motor (not shown) when the conveyance of the printing paper of the predetermined number of steps is completed, stops the energization to the thermal head 2-7, and releases the pressure contact with the platen roller 2-14. The yellow (Y) printing process is terminated.

  Next, the MPU 1119 determines whether overcoat (OC) printing is completed. If it is determined that the overcoat printing has not been completed (NO in step S807), the next-color magenta (M) printing process is performed in accordance with the surface sequential arrangement of the ink ribbon. This is performed (step S808).

  In this paper reverse conveyance process, the printing paper 2-1 is returned by the amount conveyed by the printing paper at the time of yellow printing. 14) Transport the printing paper.

  Next, after the printing paper is returned to the printing start position in the paper reverse conveyance process, the MPU 1119 determines whether the color to be printed next is yellow. If the MPU 1119 determines that the color is not yellow (NO in step S803), the MPU 1119 proceeds to the next step S805, and the color to be printed next (here, the next color magenta (M) according to the surface sequential arrangement of the ink ribbon). Ink ribbon head marker search is performed.

  Next, when the marker search is completed, the MPU 1119 proceeds to step S806 described above, and executes a printing process for the color to be printed next (magenta in this case).

  In this way, the MPU 1119 executes the cyan (C) and overcoat (OC) printing process by repeating the routines from step S803 to step S808.

  If the MPU 1119 determines in step S807 that the overcoat printing process has been completed (YES in step S807), the MPU 1119 executes a process of discharging the printed matter (step S809) to complete the printing operation process. .

  Next, details of the yellow marker search corresponding to step S804 in the printing operation process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  This yellow marker search process is started prior to yellow printing. When the yellow marker search is started, the ribbon marker sensor 2-10 starts marker detection (step S101).

  At the same time, the MPU 1119 determines whether or not the printing operation is performed immediately after the ink ribbon cassette is inserted / removed (step S102).

  If the MPU 1119 determines that the printing operation is immediately after the ink ribbon cassette insertion / removal (YES in step S102), the MPU 1119 sets the ink ribbon to be wound at a predetermined low speed (step S103). The predetermined low speed is a low speed set in advance so that the ribbon marker sensor 2-10 can detect the first marker 701 and the second marker 702 regardless of the amount of the ink ribbon wound around the winding shaft portion. Is speed.

  Next, the MPU 1119 starts an operation of winding the ink ribbon at the low speed set in step S103 (step S104). When winding at low speed immediately after the ink ribbon cartridge is inserted / removed, the ink ribbon marker is prevented from passing through the ink ribbon marker at high speed even when the ink ribbon is almost consumed as shown in FIG. Can be reliably detected.

  Next, the MPU 1119 waits for detection of the first marker 701 at the head of the yellow area while continuing the operation of winding at a low speed. When the MPU 1119 detects the first marker 701 at the head of the yellow area (YES in step S105), the MPU 1119 starts measuring the ribbon marker passage time (step S106).

  Next, the MPU 1119 is set in advance as the ribbon marker passage time at which the measurement is started while continuing the operation of winding at a low speed in order to detect the leading markers 701 and 702 arranged continuously like a double line. The specified time is compared (step S108). Here, the preset specified time is larger than the time required for the first marker 701 and the second marker 702 at the head of the double line to pass, and any one of the head markers 704, 706, and 708 is 2. Set to a smaller time that is detected consecutively.

  Next, when the MPU 1119 determines in step S108 that the passing time of the leading marker has become longer than the specified time (NO in step S108), the MPU 1119 determines that the leading marker 701, 702 in the yellow region is not detected. . In this case, the MPU 1119 proceeds to step S109 in order to wait for detection of the head markers 704, 706, and 708 at the tips of other magenta, cyan, and overcoat.

  Next, the MPU 1119 stops measuring the ribbon marker passage time (step S109), and returns to step S105.

  Further, the MPU 1119 continues the detection operation of the head marker 702 within the specified time of Step S108 (NO in Step S110).

  Next, the MPU 1119 determines that the first marker 701 and the second marker 702 at the head of the yellow area are detected when the head marker 702 is detected within a specified time after the head marker 701 is detected (step S110). YES)

  Next, the MPU 1119 proceeds to step S111 and stops the ribbon winding operation.

  Next, the MPU 1119 stores the passage time of the ink ribbon marker started from step S106 when the second marker 702 is detected (step S112).

  Next, the MPU 1119 stops the ribbon marker passage time measurement (step S113). At the same time, the MPU 1119 stops the ribbon marker detection operation (step S114).

  Next, the MPU 1119 calculates the marker winding time for the subsequent color based on the passage time of the yellow ribbon marker stored in step S112, and prepares for the ribbon marker search for the subsequent color (step S115) and ends this process.

  In this process, the passing time is measured, but in the case of a printer that does not have a timer, the rotation speed or driving amount of the ribbon feed motor 1105 is used instead of the passing time to calculate the marker winding time for the next and subsequent colors. May be.

  Next, a specific example of the winding speed calculation method executed in step S115 of the yellow marker search process described above will be described.

  In the present embodiment, an appropriate PWM duty value is calculated from the passage time from when the first marker 701 at the head of the yellow region is detected until the second marker 702 is detected. The duty value of the PWM is set to a value for achieving a winding speed at which the ink ribbon marker can be detected and can be stopped immediately.

  Here, PWM is a voltage control method for changing the effective voltage applied to the DC motor by controlling the duty of a periodically repeated pulse. Increasing the pulse duty increases the rotational speed of the DC motor. Conversely, decreasing the pulse duty decreases the rotational speed of the DC motor.

  In the color summar printer according to the present embodiment, the ink ribbon is wound up by a DC motor capable of PWM drive. In this color summar printer, while continuing the winding operation at a constant low speed, the time (CurrentTime) from the detection of the first marker 701 of the double line at the head of the yellow region to the detection of the second marker 702 is calculated. It is configured to detect. In the color summar printer, the current PWM duty setting value (CurrentPWMDuty) of the ink ribbon winding and the target time (TargetTime) required for the next yellow ink ribbon marker detection can be specified.

Therefore, in this color summar printer, values of (CurrentTime), (CurrentPWMDuty), and (TargetTime) are obtained. In this color summar printer, the PWM duty (NextPWMDuty) of the next ink ribbon winding can be calculated from the following [Equation 1] based on these values.
[Equation 1]
NextPWMDuty = (CurrentTime / TargetTime) × (CurrentPWMDuty) [Formula 1]
In this embodiment, the DC ribbon motor is used for winding the ink ribbon. However, the ink ribbon winding speed may be controlled by changing the driving speed using a stepping motor. . In the case of a stepping motor, the number of steps may be stored, and the marker winding time after the next color may be calculated based on the number of steps.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor passage time measurement of the ink ribbon marker is performed as the time (CurrentTime) from when the first marker 701 of the double line at the head of the yellow region is detected until the second marker 702 is detected. Yes. Therefore, in the second and subsequent printings after the ink ribbon is inserted / extracted, if the printing operation is not performed immediately after the ink ribbon is inserted / removed in step S102, the ribbons of yellow and other colors are printed at the winding speed calculated in step S115 during the previous printing. Marker detection is performed. Here, originally, the sensor passing time of each ink ribbon marker becomes shorter with magenta, cyan, and overcoat following yellow, but there is no problem in regard to macro as almost the same time.

  However, the passing time of ribbon markers other than yellow may be measured and reflected in the winding speed of the ribbon marker search for the next color printing. When detecting the ribbon marker other than yellow and determining the winding speed, since there is only one ribbon marker, measure the passing time during the period when the ribbon marker is detected, and based on the measured passing time It is advisable to determine the winding speed.

  In the present embodiment described above, the case where the ink ribbon cassette is inserted / extracted as an opportunity for setting the low speed of the ink ribbon marker search has been described. However, it may be configured such that the low speed setting of the ink ribbon marker search is triggered when the power is turned on (after power is turned on) or when an error occurs in the printing process (immediately after the error occurs).

  Here, when the power is turned on, it is not necessary to monitor the insertion / removal of the ink ribbon cassette when the power is turned off. However, when an error occurs, particularly when it is caused by the ink ribbon winding control, there is a high possibility that the measured time is not the correct operation time due to a series of operation failures.

  In short, the printer according to the present embodiment is a printer that performs printing using a printing ribbon. The printing ribbon includes a plurality of areas (yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) thermal sublimation ink area, and overcoat (OC) area) arranged in the surface order. Further, the printing ribbon is provided with a leading marker for detecting the leading end at the leading end in the transport direction of each region. At the same time, the first marker 701 is formed on the ribbon for printing on two parallel lines in which the leading markers of the region (yellow region) that is the leadingmost in the surface order are arranged close to each other. And a second marker 702.

  The ribbon for printing is wound around the supply shaft portion. The printing ribbon drawn out from the supply shaft portion passes between the thermal head 2-7 and the platen roller 2-12, passes through the ribbon marker detection portion 2-10, and is wound around the winding shaft portion. The ribbon for printing is transported by controlling the transport speed by a ribbon transport unit configured to rotate and transport the winding shaft portion.

  The ribbon marker detection unit 2-10 is configured to be able to detect the leading marker including the first marker 701 and the second marker 702.

  The control unit that controls the printer is in a state in which the ribbon marker detection unit 2-10 is not known at a speed for transporting the printing ribbon so that the first marker 701 and the second marker 702 of the printing ribbon can be detected. Is determined. The state in which the conveyance speed for detecting the first and second markers is unknown corresponds to the state at the time of the detection operation of the first ink ribbon leading color detection marker after the ink ribbon replacement. When the ink ribbon leading color detection marker is in a detection operation or the like, the control unit moves the first marker 701 and the second marker 702 regardless of the amount of the printing ribbon wound around the winding shaft portion. It is transported at a preset low speed so that it can be detected. The predetermined low speed set in advance is set to be lower than the transport speed determined by the control unit according to the passage time of detection of the leading marker or the driving amount by the ribbon transport unit.

  Then, the control unit passes from the ribbon for printing being conveyed at a preset low speed until the second marker 702 is detected after the ribbon marker detection unit 2-10 detects the first marker 701. Measure time. The control unit can detect the first marker 701 and the second marker 702 by the ribbon marker detection unit 2-10 obtained by calculation based on the measured transit time, and can be used for printing faster than a preset low speed. Control is performed so that the ribbon for printing is conveyed from the next time at the ribbon conveyance speed.

  Further, for example, the control unit determines the conveyance speed based on the passage of time during which the ribbon marker detection unit detects the leading marker or the driving amount by the ribbon conveyance unit.

  As described above, according to the color summar printer of the present embodiment, the ink ribbon is wound at a low speed immediately after the ink ribbon cassette is replaced. If it is determined that the region can be wound at a high speed, then the winding is performed at a high speed. For this reason, in this color summar printer, the winding of the ink ribbon is not uniformly slowed down, and a comfortable operability can be provided to the user.

  Further, according to the color summar printer of the present embodiment, the stop accuracy can be improved because it operates so as to keep the passage time of the ink ribbon marker constant. In the present embodiment, the printing paper 2-1 has been described as having been cut, but the present invention can also be applied to a printer using a roll-shaped printing paper having a cutter mechanism. is there.

Claims (6)

In a printer that prints using a plurality of areas arranged in a surface sequence and a ribbon provided with a leading marker for detecting the leading edge at the leading edge in the transport direction of each of the areas,
A ribbon transport unit configured to wind the ribbon drawn from the supply shaft on which the ribbon is wound, to the winding shaft by driving the winding shaft;
A ribbon marker detector for detecting the leading marker;
A control unit that controls conveyance of the ribbon by the ribbon conveyance unit, and
The controller first transports a ribbon at the predetermined transport speed by the ribbon transport unit, and transports based on a passing time of a period in which the leading marker is detected by the ribbon marker detection unit or a driving amount by the ribbon transport unit. A printer which determines a speed and causes the ribbon transport unit to transport the ribbon at the determined transport speed from the next time.   2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined transport speed is lower than a transport speed determined by the control unit according to a passage time of leading marker detection or a driving amount by a ribbon transport unit. .   The controller is configured to transport the ribbon at the predetermined speed after the printer is turned on or after the ribbon is replaced, and then transport the ribbon at the determined transport speed. Item 10. The printer according to Item 1. In a specific region of the ribbon, a first marker and a second marker formed by two parallel lines are provided as the leading marker,
The control unit determines a conveyance speed based on a passage time from detection of the first marker to detection of the second marker or a driving amount by a ribbon conveyance unit. Item 4. The printer according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a transport speed based on a lapse of time during which the ribbon marker detection unit detects the head marker or a driving amount by the ribbon transport unit. The printer according to any one of the above. In a control method for a printer that prints using a plurality of regions arranged in a surface sequential manner and a ribbon provided with a leading marker for detecting the leading end at the leading end in the transport direction of each of the regions,
The printer includes a ribbon transport unit configured to wind the ribbon drawn out from the supply shaft unit around which the ribbon is wound around the winding shaft unit by driving the winding shaft unit; A ribbon marker detection unit for detecting a leading marker, and a control unit for controlling the conveyance of the ribbon by the ribbon conveyance unit,
The control unit firstly transports the ribbon by the ribbon transport unit at a predetermined transport speed, and based on a passing time of a period in which the leading marker is detected by the ribbon marker detection unit or a driving amount by the ribbon transport unit. A printer control method comprising: determining a conveyance speed; and starting from the next time, the ribbon conveyance unit conveys the ribbon at the determined conveyance speed.

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