JP2015013434A - Printer and mark detection method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and a mark detection method for a printer capable of ensuring detection of a mark even if an output level of a sensor changes or a sensor having different output levels is used.SOLUTION: An MCU determines a position on a sheet when an output level of a sensor falls below a predetermined rate of a white level that is an output level of the sensor indicating an unmarked area as a tip end of a mark (S45), and starts calculating a mark width (S45). If the output level of the sensor is equal to or higher than an intermediate value between the white level and a minimum value of a mark level that is a minimum value of the output level when a current output level of the sensor exceeds a previous output level of the sensor and the mark width is not less than a first threshold and not more than a second threshold, the MCU determines a position on the sheet when the output level of the sensor exceeds the intermediate value as a rear end of the mark (S50, S53, and S54).

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a mark detection method for the printing apparatus.

  A thermal printer that detects a mark on a sheet and positions the sheet is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a thermal printer, a mark detection threshold value is registered in the nonvolatile memory as an initial setting, and mark detection on a sheet is executed by comparing the set threshold value with an output value of a sensor level.

JP 2002-182362 A

  However, in the above mark detection method, there is a difference in output level depending on the photosensor used, so that an appropriate threshold value must be set for each thermal printer, which takes man-hours for the initial setting. Even if the threshold value is set to an appropriate value, if the output level of the photosensor changes due to a temporal change due to temperature drift, the mark may not be detected normally.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a printing apparatus and printing capable of reliably performing mark detection even when the output level of a sensor changes or a sensor having a difference in output level is used. An object of the present invention is to provide a mark detection method for an apparatus.

  The printing apparatus described in the present specification includes a sensor that reads a sheet, and a sheet when an output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of a white level that is an output level of a sensor that reads a non-mark area of the sheet. First determination means for determining the upper position as the tip of the mark, calculation means for starting calculation of the mark width when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level, and the output level of the sensor Is greater than or equal to an intermediate value between the white level and the minimum value of the mark level, which is the minimum value of the output level when the output level of the current sensor exceeds the output level of the previous sensor, and the calculation means When the mark width calculated in (1) is not less than the first threshold and not more than the second threshold, the position on the sheet when the output level of the sensor exceeds the intermediate value is defined as the trailing edge of the mark. A second determining means for determining, characterized in that it comprises a. According to such a configuration, even when the output level of the sensor changes or when a sensor having a difference in output level is used, mark detection can be reliably performed.

  Preferably, the second determining unit determines that there is no sheet when the output level of the sensor is less than the intermediate value and the mark width calculated by the calculating unit is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. It is characterized by doing. According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of paper.

  Preferably, the second determination unit determines that noise is detected when the output level of the sensor is equal to or greater than the intermediate value and the mark width calculated by the calculation unit is less than the first threshold value. It is characterized by doing. According to this configuration, noise detection can be performed.

  Preferably, after determining the trailing edge of the mark, the printing apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys the sheet by a mark cueing amount, a reference intermediate value corresponding to the end position of the mark stored in advance in the storage unit, and the sensor And a correction means for detecting the difference from the intermediate value obtained from the output level and correcting the mark cue amount according to the difference. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the paper stop position after the mark detection from deviating from the correct paper stop position.

  Preferably, when the second determining unit determines that there is no paper, the threshold used for determining the mark reading state and the paper out state in the process of determining whether the state of the printing apparatus has changed is , And an intermediate value when the rear end of the mark is determined. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection of no paper in the process of determining whether the state of the printing apparatus has changed.

  Preferably, in the process of determining whether or not the state of the printing apparatus has changed, if there are no threshold values used for determining the mark reading state and the no-paper state, it is recorded in advance in the storage means. It is characterized by using a threshold value for detecting the absence of paper. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection of no paper even when there is no threshold used for determining the mark reading state and the no paper state, just after the power is turned on.

  The printing apparatus described in the present specification includes a sensor that reads a sheet, and a sheet when an output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of a white level that is an output level of a sensor that reads a non-mark area of the sheet. First determination means for determining the upper position as the tip of the mark, calculation means for starting calculation of the mark width when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level, and the first determination means When the sensor output level after determining the tip of the mark is not less than the predetermined ratio and the mark width calculated by the calculating means is not less than a first threshold value and not more than a second threshold value, the sensor And a second determining means for determining a position on the sheet when the output level exceeds the predetermined ratio as the trailing edge of the mark. According to such a configuration, even when the output level of the sensor changes or when a sensor having a difference in output level is used, mark detection can be reliably performed.

  Preferably, the second determination unit is out of paper when the output level of the sensor is less than the predetermined ratio and the mark width calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than the second threshold. It is characterized by determining. According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of paper.

  Preferably, the second determination unit detects noise when the output level of the sensor is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio and the mark width calculated by the calculation unit is less than the first threshold value. It is characterized by determining. According to this configuration, noise detection can be performed.

  The mark detection method of the printing apparatus described in this specification marks the position on the paper when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level that is the output level of the sensor that reads the non-mark area of the paper. And the calculation of the mark width is started when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level. The output level of the sensor includes the white level and the current sensor output level. Is greater than the intermediate value of the minimum value of the mark level, which is the minimum value of the output level when the output level of the previous sensor is exceeded, and the mark width is not less than the first threshold and not more than the second threshold. The position on the paper when the output level of the sensor exceeds the intermediate value is determined as the trailing edge of the mark. According to such a configuration, even when the output level of the sensor changes or when a sensor having a difference in output level is used, mark detection can be reliably performed.

  According to the mark detection method of the printing apparatus described in this specification, the position on the paper when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level that is the output level of the sensor that has read the non-marked area of the paper. When the sensor output level falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level, the calculation of the mark width is started when the sensor output level falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level. When the mark width is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio and the mark width is greater than or equal to a first threshold value and less than or equal to a second threshold value, the position on the paper when the output level of the sensor exceeds the predetermined ratio It is determined as follows. According to such a configuration, even when the output level of the sensor changes or when a sensor having a difference in output level is used, mark detection can be reliably performed.

  According to the present invention, even when the output level of a sensor changes or when a sensor having a difference in output level is used, mark detection can be reliably performed.

It is a figure which shows the connection relation of the printing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment, and information processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a thermal printer. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of the main routine performed by MCU. 4 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process for detecting an error state related to the printer state transition determination process of FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the output level of a photosensor. It is a flowchart which shows the command analysis process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the printing starting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the mark detection process of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the output level of a photosensor. It is a figure which shows the example of the some output level of a photosensor. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a mark detection process.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, a thermal printer 1. Note that the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to a thermal printer as long as it is an apparatus that positions a sheet by reading marks on the sheet (for example, thermal paper). The mark for positioning the paper may be printed on one side of the paper or may be printed on both sides. In the present embodiment, the marks are printed on the paper at a predetermined interval (for example, 10 cm). The width direction of the mark is parallel to the paper transport direction.

  The information processing apparatus is the computer 2 in the example of FIG. 1, but may be a mobile phone or a tablet terminal, for example. The computer 2 performs data communication with the thermal printer 1. For example, the computer 2 transmits print data to the thermal printer 1, and the thermal printer 1 prints the print data on a recording sheet.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the thermal printer. As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal printer 1 includes an operation panel 10, a mechanical unit 20, a control circuit unit 30, and a battery 60.

  Further, in the control circuit unit 30, a power control circuit 33 and an MCU (Micro Control Unit) 36 are provided. The MCU 36 functions as a first determination unit, a calculation unit, a second determination unit, and a correction unit. The power supply control circuit 33 is connected to the MCU 36 and controls the power supplied from the battery 60 to the control circuit unit 30. The MCU 36 performs overall control of the thermal printer. The battery 60 is a power supply source for the thermal printer used in the present embodiment.

  The operation panel 10 includes a power switch 11, a paper feed switch 12, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 13. The power switch 11 is operated by the user to transmit a control signal for turning on / off the power to the power control circuit 33 in the control circuit unit, thereby controlling the power on / off. A push button switch or the like is used as the power switch 11.

  The paper feed switch 12 is a switch for a paper feed operation by the user. The paper feed switch 12 transmits a paper feed command to the MCU 36 via the operation panel control circuit 35. The LED 13 emits light in response to an instruction from the MCU 36 via the operation panel control circuit 35.

  The mechanical unit 20 includes a thermal head 21, a paper feed motor 22, a head temperature detection thermistor 23, a cover open detection sensor 24, and a photo sensor 25.

  The thermal head 21 selectively applies a potential to the heating resistors arranged in a straight line to generate heat, and prints characters and image data on paper such as thermal paper that reacts with this heat. The paper feed motor 22 as a transport means is constituted by a stepping motor and is used for transporting paper. The head temperature detection thermistor 23 detects the temperature of the thermal head 21. The cover open detection sensor 24 detects the open / closed state of the cover that covers the mechanical unit 20. The photosensor 25 is an optical reading sensor used for detecting the presence or absence of a mark or paper, and has a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The light emitting element irradiates the paper with light, the light receiving element receives the reflected light from the paper, and outputs the reflected light to the A / D conversion circuit 42 as an analog signal. Note that the mechanical unit 20 may include a plurality of photosensors 25 in order to cope with the case where the mark is printed on both sides of the paper. In this case, the photo sensor 25 is disposed so as to face the front surface and the back surface of the sheet.

  In addition to the power supply control circuit 33 and the MCU 36, the control circuit unit 30 includes a thermal head drive circuit 31, a motor drive circuit 32, a sensor detection circuit 34, an operation panel control circuit 35, an oscillator 37, an interface (I / F) circuit 38, and a reset. A circuit 39, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 40, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 41, and an A / D conversion circuit 42 are provided. Each of the RAM 40 and the EEPROM 41 functions as a first storage unit and a second storage unit.

  The thermal head drive circuit 31 drives the thermal head 21 in response to an instruction from the MCU 36. The motor drive circuit 32 supplies a drive current to the paper feed motor 22 in accordance with an instruction from the MCU 36. The sensor detection circuit 34 outputs a signal detected by the cover open detection sensor 24 to the MCU 36. The operation panel control circuit 35 controls on / off of the LED 13 in accordance with an instruction from the MCU 36 and outputs a control signal from the paper feed switch 12 to the MCU 36.

  The oscillator 37 supplies a clock signal having a predetermined frequency to the MCU 36. The interface (I / F) circuit 38 receives print data and commands from the computer 2 and returns a response signal to the command from the computer 2 to the computer 2. When the power of the thermal printer 1 is turned off, the reset circuit 39 outputs a reset request signal to the MCU 36 to set the thermal printer 1 to an initial state.

  The RAM 40 is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores received data input from the computer 2 or temporarily stores data being processed. The EEPROM 41 is a non-volatile memory, and includes software for execution by the MCU 36, and is read in response to a request from the MCU 36. The A / D conversion circuit 42 converts the analog signal from the photosensor 25 into a digital signal, and outputs the converted digital signal to the MCU 36. That is, the MCU 36 receives the output value (level) from the photosensor 25 via the A / D conversion circuit 42.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the main routine executed by the MCU 36.

  First, when the printer power is turned on by operating the power switch 11 (step S1), initialization processing is executed (step S2). In the initialization process, various information necessary for the operation of the thermal printer 1 is set in the internal RAM of the MCU 36. Note that the values of various information set in the internal RAM change according to the operation of the thermal printer 1.

  Next, the MCU 36 determines whether or not there is a reset request from the reset circuit 39 (step S3). If there is a reset request, the procedure returns to step S2. If there is no reset request, the MCU 36 executes a printer state transition determination process (step S4). Specifically, the MCU 36 determines whether or not the state of the thermal printer 1 has changed, and notifies the computer 2 of the state of the thermal printer 1 when the state of the thermal printer 1 has changed.

  Next, the MCU 36 determines whether or not the thermal printer 1 is in an error state (step S5). The error state of the thermal printer 1 is detected in a timer interrupt processing routine described later. If the thermal printer 1 is in an error state (YES in step S5), the procedure returns to step S3.

  If the thermal printer 1 is not in an error state (NO in step S5), if there is received data from the computer 2, the MCU 36 performs command analysis processing for extracting and executing each command related to printing from the received data. It performs (step S6). The received data from the computer 2 is received by the timer interrupt process and stored in a predetermined area, but the description of this process is omitted.

  Next, the MCU 36 determines whether or not print data is included in the data received from the computer 2 (step S7). If print data is not included (NO in step S7), the procedure returns to step S3. If print data is included (YES in step S7), the MCU 36 executes print start processing and starts print processing (step S8). Specifically, the print data is transferred to the thermal head 21, the number of print steps is set, and printing is executed in synchronization with the number of steps of the paper feed motor 22 by timer interruption processing.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process for detecting an error state related to the printer state transition determination process of FIG.

  First, when this interrupt process is executed, a task counter (not shown) is updated (step S11). This task counter is provided in the MCU 36.

  Next, the MCU 36 determines whether or not the task counter is a power switch state detection task (step S12). If the task counter is a power switch state detection task (YES in step S12), the MCU 36 performs a power-off determination process (step S13). In this process, the MCU 36 determines whether or not the power switch 11 is pressed. If the power switch 11 is pressed, the MCU 36 notifies the computer 2 that the thermal printer 1 is powered off. Thereafter, the interrupt process is terminated. If the power switch 11 is not pressed, the MCU 36 ends the interrupt process as it is.

  Next, when the task counter is not a power switch state detection task (NO in step S12), the MCU 36 determines whether or not the task counter is a mark escape detection task (step S14). Mark escape refers to determining whether the output level of the photosensor 25 indicates the reading state of the mark or the absence of paper. If the task counter is a mark escape detection task (YES in step S14), the MCU 36 performs a mark escape determination process (step S15). The mark escape determination process is executed to determine whether or not the state of the thermal printer 1 has changed, for example, when the sheet runs out and the sheet is replaced.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the output level of the photosensor. The solid line in FIG. 5 indicates the output level of the photosensor 25 when the mark is read. The broken line in FIG. 5 indicates the output level of the photosensor 25 when there is no paper.

  When the photo sensor 25 reads the non-mark area, that is, when the white area of the paper is read, the output level of the photo sensor 25 is about 1.8V. This output level is called a white level (LW). When the mark is read, the output level of the photo sensor 25 gradually decreases as the paper is conveyed. Even when there is no paper, the output level of the photosensor 25 decreases. This is because the reflectance of light decreases on the mark or on the paper conveyance path. Let LM be the minimum value of the output level of the photosensor 25 when the mark is read.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the output level of the photosensor 25 during reading of the mark decreases, but after reading the mark, the output level of the photosensor 25 returns to the original output level (that is, white level). On the other hand, when there is no paper, the output level of the photosensor 25 does not return to the original output level (that is, the white level).

  For this reason, in the mark escape determination process, when the output of the photo sensor 25 decreases and falls below a predetermined ratio (for example, 87.5%) with respect to the white level, the MCU 36 marks the paper with the paper feed motor 22. A predetermined amount exceeding the width of the mark (for example, twice the width of the mark) is conveyed, and the output level of the photosensor 25 is detected. Then, the MCU 36 determines whether or not the detected output level exceeds an intermediate value (LMTH) between the white level (LW) and the minimum value (LM). When the detected output level exceeds the intermediate value (LMTH), the MCU 36 determines that the thermal printer 1 is in the mark reading state. On the other hand, if the detected output level does not exceed the intermediate value (LMTH), the MCU 36 determines that the thermal printer 1 is out of paper.

  The intermediate value (LMTH) is calculated by a mark detection process described later. Therefore, in the mark escape determination process immediately after the power is turned on, the MCU 36 uses a sheet absence detection threshold registered in the EEPROM 41 of the thermal printer 1 in advance. Use.

  If the thermal printer 1 is out of paper, the MCU 36 notifies the computer 2 that the thermal printer 1 is out of paper. Thereafter, the interrupt process is terminated. If the thermal printer 1 is in the mark reading state, the MCU 36 ends the interrupt processing as it is.

  Returning to FIG. 4, if the task counter is not a mark escape detection task (NO in step S14), an error check corresponding to the task counter is executed (step S16). When an error is detected, the MCU 36 notifies the computer 2 of the error of the thermal printer 1. Thereafter, the interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the command analysis processing of FIG.

  The MCU 36 analyzes the command data received from the computer 2 (step S21). The MCU 36 determines whether or not the command data is print data (step S22). If the command data is print data (YES in step S22), the MCU 36 executes print data expansion processing for converting the command data into print data usable by the thermal head 21 (step S23). Exit.

  If the command data is not print data (NO in step S22), the MCU 36 determines whether the command data is a status notification request (step S24). If the command data is a status notification request (YES in step S24), the MCU 36 executes a status notification process for notifying the computer 2 of the status of the thermal printer 1 (step S25), and ends this process.

  If the command data is not a status notification request (NO in step S24), the MCU 36 determines whether the command data is a mark detection request (step S26). If the command data is a mark detection request (YES in step S26), the MCU 36 executes a mark detection process described later (step S27) and ends this process. If the command data is not a mark detection request (NO in step S26), the MCU 36 executes a command analysis process corresponding to each command content (step S28), and ends this process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the print activation process of FIG.

  When the print activation process is started, the MCU 36 causes the head drive circuit 31 to drive the thermal head 21 and causes the motor drive circuit 32 to drive the paper feed motor 22 (step S31). Specifically, the MCU 36 includes a counter that counts the number of motor steps, and transmits a motor drive control signal to the motor drive circuit 32 for each step. The motor drive circuit 32 sends the motor phase to the paper feed motor 22 for each step. Output. The MCU 36 simultaneously transmits print data to the head drive circuit 31, and the head drive circuit 31 drives the thermal head 21 based on the print data. The MCU 36 continues the above processing to the head driving circuit 31 and the motor driving circuit 32 while counting down the number of motor steps until the processing of the set sheet feed amount is completed. When the number of motor steps becomes zero, this process ends.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the mark detection process of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the output level of the photosensor. Here, a sheet having a mark width of 5 mm is used. In FIG. 9, “mark width” refers to the distance from the position at which the photosensor output is 87.5% of the white level to the position at which the median value between the white level and the minimum value is reached. Further, for example, the sheet is conveyed by 0.125 mm per step of the sheet feeding motor 22, and the mark width counter is incremented by one.

  First, the MCU 36 receives the output level of the photosensor 25 via the A / D conversion circuit 42, compares this output level with a paper-out detection threshold value registered in advance in the EEPROM 41, and there is paper in the thermal printer 1. This is confirmed (step S41).

  Next, the MCU 36 stores the output level (that is, the white level) of the photosensor 25 in the non-mark area (that is, the white area of the sheet) in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 in a state in which the sheet feeding motor 22 is stopped (step S40). S42). Here, the value of the white level (LW) in FIG. 9 is stored in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41.

  Next, the MCU 36 starts driving the paper feed motor 22 via the motor drive circuit 32 and continuously receives the output level of the photosensor 25 (step S43). The MCU 36 determines whether or not the output level of the photosensor 25 is 87.5% or less of the white level in order to determine whether or not the mark tip has been detected (step S44). Note that the output level for determining the tip of the mark is not limited to 87.5% of the white level. However, the output level for determining the tip of the mark is 87.5% of the white level in order to determine the output level for determining the tip of the mark at high speed by a shift operation or to eliminate the influence of noise. Is preferably set.

  If the output level of the photosensor 25 is not 87.5% or less of the white level (NO in step S44), the procedure returns to step S43. On the other hand, when the output level of the photo sensor 25 is 87.5% or less of the white level (YES in step S44), the MCU 36 is on the sheet on which the output level of the photo sensor 25 is 87.5% of the white level. The position (specifically, the number of motor steps at which the output level of the photo sensor 25 is 87.5% of the white level) is determined as the tip of the mark, the count of the mark width counter is started, and the detected output level Is stored in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 as the minimum value of the output level of the photosensor 25 (step S45). A mark width counter for measuring the mark width is provided in the MCU 36.

  Then, the MCU 36 compares the current output level of the photosensor 25 with the previously detected output level, and determines whether or not the current output level is equal to or higher than the previous output level (step S46). If the current output level of the photosensor 25 is less than the previous output level (NO in step S46), the MCU 36 increments the mark width counter by 1 and sets the minimum value of the output level stored in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 to the current value. The output level is rewritten (step S47), and the process returns to step S46. Steps S46 and S47 are executed while the sheet is being conveyed (that is, while the motor step number and the mark width counter are increasing).

  On the other hand, when the current output level of the photosensor 25 becomes equal to or higher than the previous output level (YES in step S46), the MCU 36 sets the current output level that is equal to or higher than the previous output level as the minimum mark level LM. The data is stored in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 (step S48), and the mark width counter is incremented by 1 (step S49). Note that the method of determining the minimum mark level value LM is not limited to the processing in step S48. For example, when the current output level is equal to or higher than the previous output level, the MCU 36 may determine the previous output level as the minimum mark level value LM.

  The MCU 36 determines whether or not the current output level is equal to or higher than the intermediate value LMTH between the white level LW and the minimum value LM stored in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 (step S50). The intermediate value LMTH is represented by (LM + LW) / 2. Further, the MCU 36 stores the calculated intermediate value LMTH in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41.

  If the current output level is less than the intermediate value LMTH (NO in step S50), the MCU 36 refers to the mark width counter to determine whether or not the mark width exceeds 8 mm (step S51). Note that the mark width is obtained by multiplying the count value of the mark width counter by a sheet conveyance amount per count (for example, 0.125 mm). The value of 8 mm is a value obtained by adding a margin of 3 mm to a mark width of 5 mm in consideration of reading error and the like.

  If the mark width does not exceed 8 mm (NO in step S51), the procedure returns to step S49. When the mark width exceeds 8 mm (NO in step S51), the MCU 36 determines that the current state is no sheet and clears the intermediate value LMTH, that is, sets the intermediate value LMTH to 0 ( Step S52), the process is terminated. As described above, when there is no sheet during the mark detection, the photosensor output level when there is no sheet is the minimum value, which is lower than the minimum mark level value LM when the mark is read. As a result, when the cover is closed after the paper is set, there is a possibility that erroneous detection of no paper may occur due to ambient light. For this reason, in the mark escape determination process described above, the intermediate value LMTH when the previous mark was detected is used as the intermediate value LMTH used for determination of the mark reading state and the no-paper state. That is, the intermediate value LMTH that can be calculated based on the minimum value when the mark width exceeds 8 mm is not used. The intermediate value LMTH when the mark is normally detected is stored in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41. In step S52, the MCU 36 clears the value of the intermediate value LMTH in order to avoid using the value of the intermediate value LMTH when it is determined that there is no sheet in the mark escape determination process.

  If it is determined that the current output level is equal to or greater than the intermediate value LMTH (YES in step S50), the MCU 36 refers to the mark width counter to determine whether the mark width is 2 mm or more and 8 mm or less (step). S53). 2 mm as the first threshold and 8 mm as the second threshold are a lower limit value and an upper limit value for determining whether or not the mark width is appropriate, and the mark width is set to 5 mm in consideration of reading error and the like. It is a value with a margin of ± 3 mm added. This margin is not limited to ± 3 mm.

  When the mark width is not less than 2 mm and not more than 8 mm (YES in step S53), the MCU 36 assumes that the mark is detected, and the position on the sheet (specifically, the output level of the photosensor 25 becomes the intermediate value LMTH). The number of motor steps at which the output level of the photosensor 25 has reached the intermediate value LMTH is determined as the end of the mark (step S54). The MCU 36 determines the position of the mark by the processing through the route from step S41 to step 54. In this case, the mark position is accurately detected. Thereafter, in order to detect the next mark, the MCU 36 causes the paper feed motor 22 to feed the paper by a predetermined mark cueing amount (step S55), and ends this processing. “Mark heading amount” refers to the transport amount when transporting the paper to the next mark position after the mark detection. On the other hand, if the mark width is less than 2 mm (NO in step S53), the MCU 36 determines that noise other than the mark has been detected, and clears the mark width counter (step S56). Thereafter, the procedure returns to step S44. If the mark width exceeds 8 mm, it is determined that there is no paper, and the mark width counter is cleared (step S56).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of output levels of the photosensor. In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the intermediate value LMTH is an output level corresponding to the end position of the mark when correction is not required.

  In the mark detection process, the MCU 36 determines the position on the sheet at which the output level of the photosensor 25 reaches the intermediate value LMTH, which is determined after detecting the minimum value of the output level, as the end of the mark. The next mark is detected by causing the motor 22 to feed the paper by a predetermined mark cueing amount.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the mark level minimum value LM2 when the mark is read becomes lower than the mark level minimum value LM corresponding to the intermediate value LMTH, the intermediate value LMTH2 also becomes lower than the intermediate value LMTH. As a result, the end position of the mark to be discriminated deviates in the negative direction from the actual mark end position, and the paper stop position when the paper is fed by the mark cue amount after the mark detection also deviates from the correct paper stop position.

  On the other hand, when the mark level minimum value LM3 when the mark is read becomes higher than the mark level minimum value LM corresponding to the intermediate value LMTH, the intermediate value LMTH3 also becomes higher than the intermediate value LMTH. As a result, the end position of the mark to be discriminated deviates in the positive direction from the actual mark end position, and the paper stop position when the paper is fed by the mark cue amount after the mark detection also deviates from the correct paper stop position.

  Therefore, the MCU 36 stores an intermediate value LMTH serving as a reference value corresponding to the end position of the mark in the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 in advance, and the intermediate value LMTH2 or the intermediate value LMTH3 obtained from the white level and the minimum value detected when the mark is read. And the intermediate value LMTH are detected, and the mark cue amount is corrected by a distance corresponding to the difference. This prevents the paper stop position after the mark detection from deviating from the accurate paper stop position. In particular, this correction is effective when a mark having a reflectance that is not included in the specification of the thermal printer 1 is used, when the photo sensor 25 has changed over time, or when the output level of the photo sensor 25 changes significantly. It is.

  For example, when the mark end position is shifted in the negative direction by 0.25 mm at the intermediate value LMTH2, the MCU 36 sets a value obtained by adding 0.25 mm to the mark cue amount as a new mark cue amount. On the other hand, at the intermediate value LMTH3, when the mark end position deviates in the positive direction by 0.25 mm, the MCU 36 sets a value obtained by subtracting 0.25 mm from the mark cue amount as a new mark cue amount.

  The distance corresponding to the difference between the intermediate value LMTH2 or the intermediate value LMTH3 and the intermediate value LMTH is based on the difference between the mark width counter value of the intermediate value LMTH and the intermediate value LMTH2 or the mark width counter value of the intermediate value LMTH3. Thus, for example, the difference value is obtained by multiplying the sheet conveyance amount per count.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the mark detection process. This process is different from the mark detection process of FIG. 8 in that the minimum value of the mark level is not detected. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

  When the output level of the photo sensor 25 is 87.5% or less of the white level (YES in step S44), the MCU 36 is positioned on the sheet where the output level of the photo sensor 25 is 87.5% of the white level ( Specifically, the number of motor steps at which the output level of the photosensor 25 is 87.5% of the white level is determined as the tip of the mark, and the count of the mark width counter is started (step S61). A mark width counter for measuring the mark width is provided in the MCU 36.

  Next, the MCU 36 determines whether or not the output level of the photosensor 25 has become 87.5% or more of the white level (step S62). In step S62, the end of the mark is detected by determining that the output level is 87.5% or more of the white level. Note that the output level for determining the end of the mark is not limited to 87.5% of the white level. However, the output level for determining the end of the mark is 87.5% of the white level in order to determine the output level for determining the end of the mark at high speed by a shift operation or to eliminate the influence of noise. Is preferably set.

  If it is determined that the output level of the photosensor 25 is 87.5% or more of the white level (YES in step S62), the procedure proceeds to step S53. On the other hand, when the output level of the photosensor 25 is less than 87.5% of the white level (NO in step S62), the MCU 36 increments the mark width counter by 1 (step S63). Thereafter, the MCU 36 determines whether or not the mark width exceeds 8 mm (step S64). If the mark width does not exceed 8 mm (NO in step S64), the procedure returns to step S62. If the mark width exceeds 8 mm (YES in step S64), the procedure proceeds to step S52.

  In step S54 executed after step S53, the MCU 36 determines the position on the sheet when the output level of the photosensor 25 exceeds 87.5% of the white level (specifically, the output level of the photosensor 25 is The number of motor steps when the white level exceeds 87.5% is determined as the end of the mark.

  This processing is particularly effective when the mark width is small, or when the mark density is low and the change in the output level of the photosensor 25 is small. This is because, when the mark width is small or the change in the output level is small, if the minimum value or intermediate value of the mark level is used, an error is likely to occur in the calculation of the mark end.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 stores the output level of the photosensor 25 that has read the non-mark area of the paper as a white level (step S42). The MCU 36 determines the position on the sheet when the output level of the photosensor 25 falls below a predetermined ratio (for example, 87.5%) of the white level as the leading edge of the mark (step S45), and the output level of the photosensor 25 When the value falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level, calculation of the mark width is started (step S45). When the current output level of the photo sensor 25 exceeds the previous output level of the photo sensor 25 as the paper is conveyed, the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 sets the minimum value of the output level at that time as the minimum value of the mark level. Store (step S48). The MCU 36 is configured when the output level of the photosensor 25 is not less than the intermediate value between the white level and the minimum value of the mark level, and the mark width is not less than the first threshold (for example, 2 mm) and not more than the second threshold (for example, 8 mm). Then, the position on the sheet when the output level of the photo sensor 25 exceeds the intermediate value is determined as the trailing edge of the mark (YES in step S50, YES in step S53, step S54). Therefore, even when the output level of the photo sensor changes or when a photo sensor having a difference in output level is used, mark detection can be reliably performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the RAM 40 or the EEPROM 41 stores the output level of the photo sensor 25 that has read the non-mark area of the paper as a white level (step S42). The MCU 36 determines the position on the sheet when the output level of the photosensor 25 falls below a predetermined ratio (for example, 87.5%) of the white level as the leading edge of the mark (step S61), and the output level of the photosensor 25 When the value falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level, calculation of the mark width is started (step S61). Furthermore, the MCU 36 performs photo processing when the output level of the photo sensor 25 is not less than a predetermined ratio with respect to the white level and the mark width is not less than the first threshold (for example, 2 mm) and not more than the second threshold (for example, 8 mm). The position on the paper when the output level of the sensor 25 exceeds the white level at the predetermined rate is determined as the trailing edge of the mark (YES in step S62, YES in step S53, step 54). Therefore, even when the output level of the photo sensor changes or when a photo sensor having a difference in output level is used, mark detection can be reliably performed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal printer 2 Computer 10 Operation panel 20 Mechanical unit 30 Control circuit unit 11 Power switch 12 Paper feed switch 13 LED
21 Thermal Head 22 Paper Feed Motor 25 Photo Sensor 36 MCU
40 RAM
41 EEPROM
42 A / D conversion circuit

Claims (11)

A sensor for reading paper,
First determining means for determining a position on the paper as the leading edge of the mark when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level that is the output level of the sensor that has read the non-mark area of the paper;
Calculation means for starting the calculation of the mark width when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level;
The output level of the sensor is greater than or equal to an intermediate value between the white level and the minimum value of the mark level that is the minimum value of the output level when the output level of the current sensor exceeds the output level of the previous sensor. When the mark width calculated by the calculating means is not less than the first threshold and not more than the second threshold, the position on the paper when the output level of the sensor exceeds the intermediate value is used as the trailing edge of the mark. Second determining means for determining;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The second determining means determines that there is no sheet when the output level of the sensor is less than the intermediate value and the mark width calculated by the calculating means is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The second determining means determines that noise is detected when the output level of the sensor is not less than the intermediate value and the mark width calculated by the calculating means is less than the first threshold value. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. After determining the trailing edge of the mark, conveying means for conveying the paper by the mark cue amount;
Correction means for detecting a difference between a reference intermediate value corresponding to the end position of the mark stored in advance in the storage means and an intermediate value obtained from the output level of the sensor, and correcting the mark cue amount in accordance with the difference. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   When the second determining unit determines that there is no paper, the threshold used for determining the mark reading state and the paper out state in the process of determining whether the state of the printing apparatus has changed is the mark The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus has an intermediate value when the rear end of the printing apparatus is determined.   In the process of determining whether or not the state of the printing apparatus has changed, if there is no threshold used for determining the mark reading state and the paper out state, it is determined that there is no paper recorded in the storage unit in advance. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a threshold value for detection is used. A sensor for reading paper,
First determining means for determining a position on the paper as the leading edge of the mark when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level that is the output level of the sensor that has read the non-mark area of the paper;
Calculation means for starting the calculation of the mark width when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level;
The output level of the sensor after the first determining means determines the tip of the mark is not less than the predetermined ratio, and the mark width calculated by the calculating means is not less than the first threshold and not more than the second threshold. A second determining means for determining a position on the paper when the output level of the sensor exceeds the predetermined ratio as a trailing edge of the mark;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The second determining unit determines that there is no sheet when the output level of the sensor is less than the predetermined ratio and the mark width calculated by the calculating unit is equal to or larger than the second threshold value. The printing apparatus according to claim 7.   The second determination means determines that noise is detected when the output level of the sensor is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio and the mark width calculated by the calculation means is less than the first threshold value. The printing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The position on the paper when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level that is the output level of the sensor that has read the non-mark area of the paper is determined as the leading edge of the mark,
Start calculating the mark width when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined percentage of the white level,
The output level of the sensor is greater than or equal to an intermediate value between the white level and the minimum value of the mark level that is the minimum value of the output level when the output level of the current sensor exceeds the output level of the previous sensor. When the mark width is not less than the first threshold and not more than the second threshold, the position on the paper when the output level of the sensor exceeds the intermediate value is determined as the trailing edge of the mark.
A mark detection method for a printing apparatus. The position on the paper when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined ratio of the white level that is the output level of the sensor that has read the non-mark area of the paper is determined as the tip of the mark,
Start calculating the mark width when the output level of the sensor falls below a predetermined percentage of the white level,
When the output level of the sensor after the leading edge of the mark is determined is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio and the mark width is greater than or equal to a first threshold value and less than or equal to a second threshold value, the output level of the sensor is greater than the predetermined level. Determining the position on the paper when the ratio is exceeded as the trailing edge of the mark,
A mark detection method for a printing apparatus.

Images