JP2796021B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device such as a card printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for prepaid cards in the pachinko and railway fields, a type of thermoreversible material called a rewrite card, which is a composite of a polymer and a low molecule, is used.
Printing media that allows data to be rewritten are being used.

[0003] The thermally reversible material, when heated to a predetermined temperature and transparent state and the opaque state is changed reversibly at ordinary temperature
Also has the unique property that the two forms are maintained as it is, and by using such properties, the printed content on the print medium such as a card can be rewritten many times using heat. it can. Printing on such a card can be performed by a printing device equipped with a thermal head, and the printed card can be collected according to the intended purpose, and can be recycled by changing the printed content. , Is trying to replace the conventional disposable prepaid cards.

[0004]

However, the prepaid card as described above has a printing surface (front surface) on which various characters and the like are printed and a back surface on which it is not printed, and different printing contents on both surfaces of the card. In order to print a card, it is normal for the front and back to be related, and the characters to be printed on the printing surface usually have directionality to the card. If the card is inserted into the printer or inserted in the wrong direction, the card will not be printed in the correct position. When setting the card, it was necessary to align the front and back of the card with the transport direction, which was troublesome.

Further, when the cards are aligned, if the operation of turning over the cards or changing the direction of the cards is performed, the cards frequently rub against each other, and a large amount of static electricity accumulates in the cards. There was a risk of causing. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when performing predetermined printing on a printing medium such as a card, without worrying about the relationship between the front and back of the printing medium and the insertion direction with respect to the printing unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device that can print at a regular position and orientation even when the printer is set and printed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, order to achieve the above object, in a printing apparatus for printing on a print medium monoplane the insertion direction are defined with respect to mark-shaped portion, the printing medium to the deposition conditions a printing medium storage means for storing, conveying means for conveying the printing medium to the printing unit, with respect to the print unit
The print surface of the print medium is specified, and the print of the print medium is performed.
The front, rear, left, and right directions of the print media
So as to print a printing medium insertion direction determination means for determining <br/> insertion direction of the longitudinal and lateral directions with respect to the print portion of the constant has been print medium, the print content corresponding to the discrimination result of the discriminating means on the printing medium Print control means for controlling the printing section.

[0007] Also, a printing device for printing on single sheet of the print medium insertion direction are defined with respect Printout unit may be configured as follows.

Namely, a printing medium storage means for storing the print medium in the deposition conditions, the forward and conveying means capable of conveying it and the opposite direction opposite toward the printing medium to the printing unit, sign
The print surface of the print medium for the character portion is specified and the mark
Before and after the print medium transport direction on the print surface of the character medium
The above-mentioned front with respect to the print part of the print medium whose right and left direction is specified
The printing apparatus is provided with a printing medium insertion direction determining means for determining the insertion direction in the rear left and right directions, and transport direction control means for controlling forward and reverse of the transport direction by the transport means according to the determination result of the determination means. You may.

In the above-mentioned printing apparatus, the printing medium storing means is a first printing medium storing means, and the second printing medium storing means for storing the printing medium conveyed in the reverse direction by the conveying means in a stacked state is provided. It is effective if provided.
In the printing apparatus, the first print medium accommodating means and the second print medium accommodating means are respectively constituted by the same detachable and interchangeable cassette cases, and the respective cassette cases are front and back and the print medium. It is more effective if the front end side and the rear end side in the sending direction are interchangeable so that they can be mounted respectively.

[0010]

According to the printing apparatus constructed as described above, even if a printing medium whose insertion direction with respect to the printing section is defined is inserted into the apparatus without regard to the above-described front-rear, left-right, and insertion directions, the printing medium can be used. The inserted print medium is discriminated in the front, rear, left, and right directions by the print medium insertion direction discriminating means, and the print content corresponding to the discrimination result is printed on the print medium by the print control means. Even when inserted in the opposite direction, printing in a desired position and direction can be performed by performing printing corresponding to that direction.

The printing surface of the printing medium with respect to the printing unit is
The print medium specified and on the print surface of the print medium
A print medium insertion direction discriminating means for discriminating the insertion direction in the front-rear, left-right direction with respect to the printing portion of the print medium in which the front-rear, left-right direction with respect to the conveyance direction is defined; by providing a transport direction control means for controlling the contrary, the longitudinal and lateral direction with respect to the apparatus the print medium inserting direction with respect to the print portion is defined
Even if the insertion is performed without regard to the insertion direction, no problem occurs.

That is, for the printing portion of the printing medium,
If the insertion direction in the front, rear, left and right directions is opposite to the normal direction, the insertion direction is determined by the print medium insertion direction determination means, and the print medium is printed there according to the determination result. The sheet is conveyed in the conveyance direction controlled by the conveyance direction control means without any.

Also, a first method for storing print media in a stacked state is provided.
Print medium storage means and a second print medium storage means for storing the print medium conveyed in the reverse direction by the conveyance means in a stacked state, so that the insertion direction with respect to the front and back or the printing portion is relative to the prescribed direction. The print media returned in the opposite direction because they are reversed can be sequentially stored in the second print medium storage means.

Further, the first and second print medium storage means are respectively constituted by the same detachable and interchangeable cassette cases, and each cassette case is provided with the front and back sides and the front end side in the print medium sending direction. If the rear end side is replaced so that each can be mounted, the print medium that is returned and stored in the cassette case of the second print medium storage means can be turned over by removing the cassette case, or If the front end side and the rear end side in the sending direction are interchanged and attached to the mounting position of the cassette case of the first printing medium storage means, the printing medium is taken out of the cassette and is not realigned, but is supplied as it is. Paper can.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

This printing apparatus prints on a printing medium C such as a single-leaf card by a thermal head 3 and a platen 4 forming a printing section, and a first printing medium for storing the printing medium C in a stacked state. A cassette case 1 serving as a storage means, a cassette case 2 serving as a second print medium storage means similar to the cassette case 1 disposed immediately below, and a print medium C in a forward direction toward a printing unit and opposite thereto. There is provided a conveying means 18 including various rollers and the like capable of conveying in the opposite direction.

Although a detailed description will be given later, the printing surface of the printing medium with respect to the printing unit is defined, and the printing medium is
The front-back direction of the print surface of
A print medium insertion direction determining means for determining the front-back direction of the insertion direction with respect to a printing portion of the specified print medium, and a print content corresponding to the determination result of the determination means being printed on the print medium. Printing control means for controlling the printing section, printing medium front / back discrimination means for discriminating the front / back relationship of the printing medium in which the front / back relation to the printing section is specified, and conveyance by the conveyance means 18 according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means And a conveyance direction control means for controlling the direction to the forward direction toward the printing unit or the reverse direction opposite thereto.

When the printing medium C is sent out of the cassette case 1 by the printing apparatus, the sending roller 5 provided at a portion of the cassette case 1 where the lower surface on the sending side is opened is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. By rotating the print medium, the print medium C stored in the cassette case 1 is sequentially fed to the left side in the figure from the lower print medium C by the rotation.

The fed print medium C is further conveyed to the left in the figure by the feed roller 6 and at the same time is moved to the lowest position by the reverse roller 7 to which a rotational force is applied in the direction of arrow B. Excess print media C other than the positioned one is returned to the cassette case 1 side opposite to the feeding direction to be separated one by one.

A reverse roller 7 constituting the separation and feeding mechanism is disposed above the feed roller 6 so as to face the feed roller 6, and in a direction indicated by an arrow B opposite to the forward direction toward the printing section up to a predetermined load. The rotational force from the drive system is transmitted via a clutch (torque limiter) (not shown) so as to rotate, and two or more print media C
When the print medium is sandwiched, the print medium in contact with the reverse roller 7 is returned to the cassette case 1 side. When there is only one print medium between the print medium and the feed roller 6, the rotational force of the feed roller 6 reduces the print medium. Through the reverse roller 7
When the clutch idles, it rotates following the feed roller 6 and conveys the print medium toward the print section where the thermal head 3 is located.

The print medium C which has been separated and sent out by one sheet is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 8 and 9 which are arranged in pairs in the vertical direction and are spaced apart in the conveying direction.
The sheet is conveyed through the conveyance path 21 between the thermal head 3 and the platen 4 forming a printing section, where predetermined printing is performed. When the printing is completed, the sheet is discharged to a tray (not shown) and stacked.

The transfer path 21 merges with a branch transfer path 22 leading to the lower cassette case 2 on the way, and a virtual line shown in FIG. 1 formed by a hinge having a very weak spring force at the junction. A guide plate 17 is provided which can rotate to the position shown by. The leading end of the reverse guide plate 17 is brought into contact with the upper conveyance guide plate 23 in FIG. The transport path toward the thermal head 3 is closed so that when the print medium C is transported in the forward direction, the print medium C is pushed and opened by the print medium itself against the spring force.

A photodetector 16, which will be described in detail later, is provided downstream of the reverse feed guide plate 17 in the direction of conveyance, whereby the print medium C conveyed along the conveyance path 21 is detected. The branch transport path 22 is provided with a pair of transport rollers 12 and 14 at intervals. The print medium C transported in the reverse transport path 22 in the reverse direction is sequentially transported to the cassette case 2 and is transported. Store in a stacked state.

The pair of conveying rollers 12 and 14 and the pair of conveying rollers 8 and 9 on the conveying path 21 are arranged at intervals depending on the length of each conveying path and the length of the printing medium to be used in the conveying direction. And the number may be determined appropriately.

Next, the printing medium C used in the printing apparatus
Will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Printing medium C
As shown in FIG. 3, is a print medium that can repeatedly rewrite print contents using a thermoreversible material of a type in which a polymer and a low molecule are combined, called a rewritable card. A protective layer 25 is formed on the surface heated by the above method, a recording layer 26 made of a thermoreversible material obtained by combining the above-described polymer and low molecule is formed below the protective layer 25, and a black paper or the like is further formed below the recording layer 26. The light reflection layer 27, white polyester film (white PET) 28, a preprint portion 29 to be printed, and a card backing portion 31 of the card are sequentially stacked to form a laminated state.

The recording layer 26 is in a transparent state at normal temperature before printing, and in the case of this printing medium, the light reflecting layer 27 located thereunder is black, so that all the recording layers except for the printed portion are colored. The entire part looks black because the light reflection layer 27 is visible. When the print medium C is heated from the protective layer 25 side to a writing temperature of, for example, 105 ° C. or more by the thermal head 3 (FIG. 1), only the heated portion of the recording layer 26 is located between the transparent state and the cloudy state. Change to a state, it
When cooled to room temperature, it changes to a cloudy state.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, as shown in the appearance of the print medium C, if the entire part becomes clouded by heating the parts other than the bar code 32 and the money amount display unit 33, the bar code 32 and the money amount display unit 33 Only those portions remain in a transparent state, so that those portions become black on the base and can be visually recognized.

The printing medium C may include a printing unit 34 in which a company name, a mark, and the like are previously colored by printing or the like.
35 are provided. The printing units 34 and 35 are sufficiently visible from the outside even if the entire printing medium is heated to the above-mentioned opaque writing temperature and becomes opaque.

[0029] Then, the print medium C of this rewritable card type, then room temperature is heated above the write temperature
When the temperature is returned to white, the liquid crystal becomes cloudy, but does not return to the transparent state unless an erasing temperature (for example, 76 ° C. to 96 ° C.) for returning to the original transparent state is added thereto. Therefore, when an erasing temperature is applied to the print medium C, the white turbid state changes to a transparent state, but the transparent state is maintained even after returning to normal temperature.

As described above, the rewritable card type print medium C using the thermoreversible material is cooled to room temperature.
However, when the writing temperature is applied, the recording layer 26 repeatedly changes from a transparent state to a cloudy state, and when the erasing temperature is added, the recording layer 26 repeatedly changes from a cloudy state to a transparent state. Therefore, in FIG. 1, an erasing heater for heating the printing medium to the above-mentioned erasing temperature is provided in the transport path from the feed roller 6 to the thermal head 3 and is heated, so that the printing medium C reaches the printing section. All print contents except for the print units 34 and 35 (FIG. 4) can be erased before.

It should be noted that even if the erasing heater is not provided,
If the collected printing medium C is heated to the erasing temperature by another heating means such as a constant temperature bath, it is possible to erase them all at once. In the case where the print medium C is a card for holding information magnetically, the light reflection layer 2 shown in FIG.
For example, a magnetic layer is provided between the first polyester film 7 and the white polyester film 28.

As described above, the print medium C is configured so that writing of information (print contents) can be repeatedly changed.
Since information can be written by heating from the surface of the protective layer 25, when printing is performed using the printing apparatus of FIG. 1, the print medium C faces the thermal head 3 with the protective layer 25 facing upward. In addition to the need for a front-to-back relationship in which the device is inserted into the device in a posture in which the device is inserted, the direction of insertion of the device with respect to the thermal head (printing unit) 3 is also the same as the printing unit 3 shown in FIG.
It is necessary to set a certain direction so that the numbers 4 and 35 have a regular positional relationship with the barcode 32 and the money amount display unit.

That is, the printing medium C is transferred to the backing paper 31
Printing cannot be performed even when the thermal head 3 is heated from the side, and the printing medium C ′ having a symmetric structure with respect to the mount 31 is
If different print contents are printed on both sides with different preprint portions (not shown), there is a relationship between the front and back surfaces as a result, and there is a print data order. If the wrong printing side is selected first, the desired printing content cannot be obtained. If the inserting direction to the printing device is wrong unless the pre-printing unit 29 is vertically symmetrical, the desired printing content (character Direction and position) cannot be obtained. Therefore, the printing apparatus includes a detection unit for determining the relationship between the front and back sides of the printing medium C and the insertion direction of the printing medium C in the front-back direction with respect to the printing unit, as shown in FIG.
The photodetector 16 is disposed between the feed roller 6 and the thermal head 3 on the transport path 21 as shown in FIG.

[0034] Then, the detection signal from the photodetector 16, and binarized by the index detecting unit 47 shown in FIG. 5, the front with respect to the print part of the print medium C inserted into the printing apparatus from the signal
The main control unit 40 determines the relationship between the backward insertion direction and the front and back sides, and the print control unit 41 transmits the print content corresponding to the determination result of the front and rear insertion directions via the thermal head driver unit 46 so as to print the print contents. The print controller controls the printing of the thermal head 3, and the transport control unit 42 rotates the platen 4 and the transport roller pairs 8, 9, 12, 14 via the transport motor driver unit 43 in accordance with the discrimination result of front and back. The drive control of the paper feed motor 45 for driving the feed roller 44 and the feed roller 5 and the feed roller 6 is performed including the rotation direction.

That is, in this embodiment, the photodetector 16
The index detecting unit 47 and the main control unit 40 define a printing surface of the printing medium with respect to the printing unit , and
The front-back direction of the print surface with respect to the print medium
The print control unit 41 functions as a print medium insertion direction determination unit that determines the insertion direction of the print medium into the printing unit in the front-rear direction, and prints a print content corresponding to the determination result of the print medium insertion direction determination unit. It functions as print control means for printing on each medium.

Further, the photodetector 16 and the index detecting section 47
And the main control unit 40 function as a print medium front / back discriminating means for discriminating the front / back relation of the print medium in which the front / back relation with respect to the printing unit is defined, and the transport control unit 42 determines the discrimination result of the print medium front / back discriminating means. Functions as a transport direction control means for controlling the transport direction by the transport means 18 (FIG. 1) in the forward direction toward the printing unit or in the reverse direction opposite thereto.

The photodetector 16 uses, for example, a reflection type photosensor which receives light emitted from a light emitting unit on the lower surface side of the print medium C conveyed along the conveying path 21 in FIG. A transmissive photosensor in which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged to face each other so as to straddle the path 21 may be used.

On the other hand, when a reflection type photosensor is used for the photodetector 16 for the print medium C, FIG.
The eye marks 37a to 37c for discriminating the front and back sides of the print medium and the front and back insertion directions are provided by printing or the like by changing the amount of light reflected from the photodetector 16 as shown in FIG. When a transmission type photo sensor is used, as shown in FIG.
Indices such as 38a to 38c are provided, and their positions are set on the mount 31 on the back surface of the print medium corresponding to the photodetector 16, and the photodetector 16 detects them.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the eye marks 37a to 37c provided on the back surface of the print medium C are, as shown in FIG. One eye mark 37a is provided on the rear end side of the left edge portion, and two eye marks 37b and 37c are continuously provided at an interval.

Also, in the case of detection by a combination of a transmission type photosensor and a transmission hole, as shown in FIG. 6B, the transmission holes 38a to 38a are located at the same positions as the eye marks 37a to 37c.
38c are provided respectively.

The photodetector 16 for detecting the eye mark
As shown in FIG. 5, is a reflection type photosensor composed of a light emitting diode 16a and a phototransistor 16b as a light receiving portion in this embodiment, and a light is emitted from the light emitting diode 16a as a detection object. Irradiates the lower surface of one side edge different depending on the insertion direction of the phototransistor, and generates reflected light that changes depending on the presence or absence of an eye mark.
6b receives light, and the eye mark 37a or 37b, 37c is detected based on a change in the output signal.

When a direct current voltage of +5 V is applied, the light emitting diode 16a emits light when a current flows through the resistor R1, and when the light hits a portion other than the eye mark on the back surface of the print medium, the amount of reflected light is large. The current I flowing through the phototransistor 16b receiving the light is large, and the output voltage VSA, which is an analog output signal appearing at both ends of the resistor R2, is large.

When the light from the light emitting diode 16a hits one of the black eye marks 37a to 37c as the print medium is conveyed along the conveyance path, the amount of light reflected from the light is greatly reduced, so that the phototransistor 16b receives the light. The amount decreases rapidly, the current I also decreases, and the output voltage VSA decreases.

The output voltage VSA is compared with a reference voltage VTH (binarization threshold value) predetermined by the index detection unit 47 and binarized (digitized) to obtain a sensor digital signal VSD, which is used as a main control signal. To the unit 40.

The main control section 40 detects the falling edge of the sensor digital signal VSD (rising edge of the output voltage VSA), and from that time until the eye mark monitoring time t (determined by the conveying speed and the position of the eye mark) elapses. Due to the change in the signal, as shown in FIG. 7A, the relationship between the front and back of the printing medium C with the upper surface facing the printing surface is normal, and the insertion direction with respect to the printing unit is also in the normal posture (when the pulse is 1
7B, the relationship between the front and back is normal as shown in FIG. 7B, but the insertion direction is reversed (two pulses).
(C), it can be respectively determined that the relationship between the front and back is opposite (no pulse is output even if the insertion direction is either forward or reverse as shown).

Therefore, in this embodiment, the printing medium C
Front and back of the discrimination can be performed on the basis of a signal of the determination of the longitudinal direction of the insertion direction from one photodetector 16 with respect to the print unit. The main control unit 40 shown in FIG. 5 exchanges signals with the print control unit 41, and the print control unit 41
Is the print surface of the print medium sent from the main control unit 40
7 based on the determination result of the insertion direction in the front-rear direction with respect to the print medium transport direction (determination result of insertion from the front of the printing surface shown in FIG. 7A or insertion from the back of the printing surface shown in b). A signal for printing the print content in a direction corresponding to the insertion direction in the front-rear direction is sent to the thermal head driver 46.

As shown in FIG. 8, the print control unit 41 includes a memory (RAM) 51, a print data analysis unit 52,
Print image developing means 53 and print image sending means 5
4 from the print data supply means 55 to the memory 51.
Print data analysis means 52 from print data sent to
Performs a command analysis, and the print image developing means 53 develops the bitmap of the print image into an image buffer in the memory 51 based on the format and image to be printed, and the print image sending means 54 matches the print image line by line with the print image. The print data is sent to the thermal head driver section 46 as image data to be actually printed.

Next, by using this printing apparatus, a large number of printing media C are previously aligned only in front and back so that the protective layer 25 (FIG. 3) on the printing surface side is on the upper side. The case where predetermined printing is sequentially performed by storing in the upper cassette case 1 shown in FIG. As described above, when a large number of print media C are housed in the cassette case 1 so that only the front and back sides are aligned so that the print surface side faces upward and paper feeding is started, the delivery roller 5 shown in FIG. The print medium C is rotated in the direction of the arrow A, and is fed from the cassette case 1 to the left side in the figure sequentially from below.

The fed print medium C is separated into one sheet by the feed roller 6 and the reverse roller 7 and is conveyed to the left on the conveyance path 21, and when the leading end reaches the reverse conveyance guide plate 17. Since the guide plate 17 for reverse feeding is a hinge urged in a direction to close the transport path 21 with a very weak spring force, it is pushed open by a load that does not hinder the transport and further proceeds.

The rear end of the printing medium C is the guide plate 1 for reverse feeding.
After passing through 7, the spring returns to the original position shown by the solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the printing medium C conveyed toward the printing unit reaches the photodetector 16, the detection is performed there, and any of the signals described in FIG. 7A or FIG. Output from the printer 16, it is automatically determined whether or not the print medium C passing therethrough is in the normal insertion direction.

When the main controller 40 outputs a determination result regarding the insertion direction of the print medium based on the signal detected by the photodetector 16, the information to be printed on the print medium is still developed in the image buffer. If it does not exist, insert the information into the device by selecting either to develop the image to be written into the image at the regular position or simply rotate the image 180 ° from the regular position to develop the image. It is possible to print on a printed medium in a correct positional relationship irrespective of the direction of insertion into the apparatus.

However, in a general printing apparatus, it is common to start the transport control of the printing medium after the contents to be actually printed are developed in the image buffer.
When the discrimination result of the insertion direction of the print medium into the device comes out,
After it has already been loaded into the image buffer.

Therefore, when the image development is always performed on the assumption that the print medium is inserted in the normal direction into the apparatus, the result of discrimination of the insertion direction is reversed. In some cases, the time is lost, but it is necessary to take a method such as re-developing the image again or reading out the image data developed in the image buffer from the opposite direction and transmitting the print image.

In the latter case, if the operation of reading out an image from the opposite direction and sending it out is realized mainly by hardware so that the printing cycle for each line is not extended, re-deployment and printing can be performed. Since the speed is not reduced, it is possible to obtain a print according to the insertion direction of the print medium without lowering the throughput at all. By doing so, even when the print medium is inserted into the device in the opposite direction, the print content corresponding to the insertion direction can be printed on the print medium.

[0055] In the above description, for describing the case where the print medium is in the form of a rectangle for example, interpolation before and after with respect to the print medium conveying direction in the print surface to the device
For print media input direction is inserted in the opposite direction, has been mentioned that it corresponds to image data by rotating 180 degrees when image development information to be written on the printing surface, the printing medium is a square in this case, before with respect to the print medium conveying direction in the print surface to the printing medium side
It is possible to determine the insertion direction in the left and right direction as well as after
The eye marks 48a to 48c shown in FIG.
If Kere set indicators, such as 48d, but the 180 ° rotation of image data, it is possible to cope with a rotating 90 °.

Further, trays (not shown) for storing print media after printing are provided in two upper and lower stages, and a print medium inserted in the normal direction and a print medium inserted in the reverse direction are separated from each other. If a mechanism for storing the sheets separately in the trays (for example, a sorter mechanism used in a copying machine or the like) is provided, the printing direction is aligned for each tray, and the printing media are stacked, thereby further improving usability. Will be better.

Next, a case where the printing medium is stored in the cassette case 1 and sequentially fed while ignoring the relationship between the front and back sides will be described. In this case, the print medium C shown in FIG.
When the back side (the backing part 31 side) is conveyed in a posture facing the thermal head 3, printing cannot be performed on the backing part 31 side, so that the printing operation needs to be stopped.

In this printing apparatus, when the printing medium C is stored in the cassette case 1 in a storage state ignoring the above-mentioned front-back relationship and feeding is started, the front-back relationship and the front- back direction with respect to the printing portion are obtained. The printing medium conveyed in the normal posture (the state shown in FIG. 7A) and the front-back relationship is normal, and the front-back insertion direction with respect to the printing unit is
Reversed posture by inserting from the rear part ((b) of FIG. 7)
As described above, on the print medium conveyed in the state (1), information for writing at a regular position is developed as an image, or the development is rotated 180 ° from the regular position and developed. The predetermined information is printed on the print surface of the print medium C.

[0059] Further, when the print medium C was determined that the insertion direction of how Kakawawa Razz front and back relationship with respect to the print portion is inserted in a posture is impossible printed in the normal state and the reverse, the When the photodetector 16 detects the trailing end of the print medium C, the platen drive motor 44 (FIG. 5) is stopped at that time, and then the print medium C is reversely rotated to convey the print medium C backward rightward in FIG. .

At this time, the transport path 21 is located on the guide plate 1 for reverse feeding.
7, the printing medium C conveyed in the reverse direction is guided to the branch conveyance path 22 side by the reverse conveyance guide plate 17, and is stored in the lower cassette case 2. As described above, when the printing apparatus determines that the printing medium C has been inserted on the opposite side to the normal front-back relationship based on the detection signal from the photodetector 16, based on the determination result, FIG. The illustrated transport control unit 42 stops the platen drive motor 44 and the paper feed motor 45, and then controls the platen drive motor 44 to rotate in the reverse direction.

As a result, the printing medium C inserted with the front and back sides reversed is returned to the cassette case 2 and collected without the printing being performed between the thermal head 3 and the platen 4. . If the next print medium is not yet started to be fed at the time when the print medium front / back discrimination result is obtained, the paper feed motor 45 is stopped at that time. Feed motor 45
Only keeps its stopped state.

As described above, in the printing apparatus according to this embodiment, the upper cassette case 1 serving as the first print medium storage means for storing the print medium for paper feed in a stacked state, and the transport direction control means are used to transport the print medium. Transport means 18 with controlled direction
And a lower cassette case 2 which is a second print medium storage means for storing print media conveyed in the reverse direction in a stacked state.

Then, the upper and lower cassette cases 1 and 2
Are cassette cases of the same shape, which are detachable from the apparatus and which can be exchanged with each other, and the cassette cases are front and back, and the front and rear ends in the print medium sending direction are illustrated in FIG. 1, the left and right are interchanged so that they can be attached to the respective devices.

That is, the cassette case 1 is
As shown in FIG. 0, guide grooves 1b and 1c are formed on both sides of the cassette case main body 1a at predetermined depths along upper and lower edges, respectively, and both ends of the guide grooves 1b and 1c, respectively. Is slightly inclined to extend to the upper and lower ends of the front wall 1d and the rear wall 1e, respectively.

A pair of movable lids 10 and 11 are engaged with the guide grooves 1b and 1b on both side surfaces so as to be movable in the direction of arrow F along the groove direction, and similarly, the lower guide grooves 1c and 1b. 1c
A pair of movable lids 13, 15 similar to the movable lids 10, 11 are also provided.
Are movably engaged in an arrow F direction along the groove direction.

Since the movable lids 10 and 11 and 13 and 15 are all the same, FIG.
1, the movable lid 10 is constituted by a flat plate portion 10a and a turning portion 10b on the distal end side, and the flat plate portion 10a and the turning portion 10b are rotatably connected by a hinge portion 10c. .

The projecting plate 1 is provided on both side edges of the flat plate 10a.
0d and 10d are formed, and the portions are slidably engaged with the guide grooves 1b and 1b of the cassette case main body 1a. Further, projecting pin portions 1e, 1e are slidably engaged with the guide grooves 1b, 1b on both side edges of the rotating portion 10b.

Then, the other movable lids 11, 13 and 1
Similarly, with respect to 5, the protruding plate portion of each flat plate portion and the protruding pin portion of the rotating portion are slidably engaged with the respective guide grooves, and the upper and lower movable lids 10 and 13 and 11 and 15 are vertically moved. And the left and right movable lids 10 and 11 and 13 and 15 are arranged symmetrically in the left-right direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, in the cassette case 1 and the cassette case 2,
By appropriately moving 0,13,11,15,
The upper and lower tiers can be used in common.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7C, the print medium C inserted into the apparatus with the front and back sides reversed.
In a state in which the print medium C is returned to the lower cassette case 2 and deposited, the relation between the front and the back is aligned in a state where the print medium C is completely turned over. Then, remove the cassette case 2 from the device and turn it upside down (the print side faces up)
Then, the upper cassette case 1 is pulled out, attached thereto, and the movable lids 10, 13, 11, 15 are appropriately moved to the positions shown in the cassette case 1 in FIG. The sent print medium C is conveyed with the print surface side facing upward (front).

In the case of a printing apparatus in which only the front and back sides of the printing medium need to be aligned when the printing medium is placed in the cassette case 1, the printing medium insertion direction determining means as in the above-described embodiment is used. Even if there is no print control means for controlling the printing section so that the print content corresponding to the result of the determination is printed on the print medium, when it is determined that the insertion direction is the reverse direction, the conveyance means 18
Is driven in the reverse direction to transfer the print medium to the lower cassette case 2.
When the printing medium is completely returned to the cassette case 2, the cassette case 2 is removed from the apparatus, and the front end side and the rear end side in the printing medium sending direction are exchanged (FIG. 1). If it is mounted at the position of the upper cassette case, then all the print media C sent out from the cassette case 2 will have the normal insertion direction with respect to the printing portion.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the printing medium is inserted into the apparatus with the front and back sides reversed (back side), it is automatically returned to the lower cassette case 2 and collected. Therefore, as seen in the conventional printing device, when the back side is detected on the printing surface side, the conveyance of the printing medium is stopped at that point and an alarm is issued to notify the operator of the abnormality. Saves time.

By the way, the cassette case 1 has a power supply unit and an electric unit disposed below the transport path 21 of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. Since it is better to arrange it away from the surface, it is arranged at a position as shown in the figure. Therefore,
Under the cassette case 1, there is often a so-called dead space in a normal case, but in this embodiment, the cassette case 2 is disposed there by effectively utilizing the space. There is no need to increase the size by providing a new space for 2.

As in the case where the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is used as a device for simply aligning the front and back of a card or the like, the printing medium does not have a printing section such as a preprint section and the insertion direction to the printing section is low. If there is no print medium, the print medium only needs to be able to distinguish between the front and back sides. In this case, the eye marks 37a and 37a shown in FIG.
Indices such as “b” are placed on both side edges in the transport direction.
If they are provided individually at, for example, diagonal positions, it can be determined.

That is, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the sensor digital signal V between the time of insertion (front insertion) and the case of back insertion (back insertion) with the print surface facing upward is shown in FIG.
Since SD (abbreviated as VSD signal in FIGS. 12 to 14) is different, the relationship between front and back can be determined.

Further, when using a printing medium in which the insertion direction with respect to the printing section is specified, the printing medium is used under the condition that the printing medium is stored in a cassette case with only the front and back sides aligned in advance. In FIG. 13A, only one index 37a is provided only on one side edge of the printing medium C in the transport direction of the print medium C as shown in FIG. Since the sensor digital signal VSD is different at the time of insertion, the insertion direction can be determined.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, since only one photodetector 16 is provided to determine the insertion direction of the printing medium into the printing portion and the relationship between the front and back of the printing medium, the printing medium It is necessary to devise the position and the number of indices such as eye marks provided in the photodetectors 16 and 1 as shown in FIG.
If two 6 'are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the print medium C, one index 3 is provided on one side edge side of the print medium C.
7a, the insertion direction of the printing medium C and the discrimination between the front and back sides are determined by the sensor digital signal V as shown in FIG.
It can be determined by the difference in SD.

As described above, the number of photodetectors used or the positions and numbers of indices are appropriately determined according to the use conditions and the like. Further, in this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5, a case has been described in which the printing medium transport means has two motors, a platen drive motor 44 and a paper feed motor 45, as drive sources. 45, and only one platen drive motor 44 is provided.
If an electromagnetic clutch is attached to the drive shaft of each roller such as the feed roller 6 and the rotational force from the platen drive motor 44 is transmitted via the electromagnetic clutch, the delivery roller 5 and the feed roller 6 can be connected. When the sheet is stopped for feeding at a predetermined interval, the driving force from the platen drive motor may be cut off by the electromagnetic clutch, so that the number of transport motors can be reduced.

Although the printing medium has been described by taking a special printing medium called a rewritable card described in FIG. 3 as an example, the printing apparatus according to the present invention can be used for general business cards such as business cards and postcards. The present invention can be similarly applied to a printing apparatus in which printing is performed on a single-leaf print medium using a thermal transfer ribbon.

Further, in the above embodiment, an index such as an eye mark is provided on the print medium side, and the index is detected by a photodetector to determine the insertion direction of the print medium in the front-back, left-right direction and the front-back relationship. However, the required number of dedicated sensors that can determine the pre-printing section that can determine the insertion direction in the front, back, left, and right directions without providing an index on the print medium and the required number of dedicated sensors that can determine the relationship between the front and back are provided. The present invention also includes a device provided with such a dedicated sensor as a discriminating means.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, the printing medium in which the insertion direction with respect to the printing portion is defined is moved forward and backward with respect to the printing medium transport direction on the printing surface.
Even if it is inserted and fed into the device without aligning the left and right directions , if the insertion direction is reversed, the corresponding print content is printed on the print medium, so that the insertion direction of the print medium is troublesome. Eliminates the need for work,
In particular, it is possible to greatly improve the workability in the case where the used print medium is collected, the contents of the print are rewritten and reused, and a large amount of static electricity which is likely to be generated when the orientation of the print medium is aligned. Paper feed failure due to the above.

Further, since it is not necessary to align the orientations of the printing media, there is no need to take any special measures for removing static electricity, and the operation of the apparatus is conventionally performed when the inserting direction of the printing media is reversed. Since there is no need to temporarily stop and warn of the occurrence of an abnormality, the operator does not need to operate the apparatus every time an alarm is issued, so that the burden on the work surface is reduced and the apparatus is operated continuously. And no time loss.

[0083] In the printing apparatus according to claim 2, the print medium inserting direction with respect to the print portion is defined, the printing
Even if the paper is inserted into the device and fed without aligning the front, back, left, and right directions with respect to the print medium transport direction on the surface, if the insertion direction is reversed, it is automatically detected and printed there. Before and after the print media
It is not necessary to perform the operation of aligning the insertion directions in the left and right directions, and it is possible to prevent a paper feeding failure due to static electricity that is likely to occur when the alignment is performed, thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

In the printing apparatus according to the third aspect , the printing medium having the reversed front-back relationship or the insertion direction is conveyed in the reverse direction without interruption of the printing operation and automatically stored in the second printing medium. Since the print media are stored in a stacked state in the stacking means, and the front and back relations and the insertion direction are sequentially printed, the operation of the apparatus is not temporarily stopped, so that time loss can be eliminated. In addition, it is possible to minimize the trouble of the operator.

In the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect , the first and second printing medium storage means are formed of the same detachable and interchangeable cassette case, respectively, and each cassette case is connected to the front and back and the printing medium. Since the front end side and the rear end side in the sending direction can be interchanged and mounted, respectively, they are returned to the second printing medium storage means and stored in a stacked state because the front-back relationship and the insertion direction are opposite. The print medium is removed from the apparatus together with the cassette case, and it is turned upside down, or the front end and the rear end in the print medium sending direction are exchanged, and the print medium is inserted into the cassette case insertion position on the first print medium storage means side. With a simple operation of merely attaching, the printing medium in the cassette case can be fed again in a normal posture without reloading. Further, by making the cassette cases of the first and second printing medium storage means have the same shape, the cost can be reduced.

[0086]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a print medium used in the printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the print medium.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1 and its related configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining each index of an eye mark and a through hole formed on the print medium of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing different sensor digital signals VSD when the printing medium is completely inserted into the printing apparatus of FIG. 1, when the inserting direction is reversed, and when the back side is inserted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print control unit provided in the control system of FIG. 5 and its related configuration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an index provided when a print medium is a square.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cassette case 1 provided in the printing apparatus of FIG.

11 is a perspective view showing a movable lid 10 slidably attached to the cassette case 1 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index formed on a print medium having no insertion direction with respect to a print unit, together with a sensor digital signal VSD.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 12, showing an example of an index formed on the print medium when the print medium is used in advance with only the front and back relations together with the sensor digital signal VSD.

FIG. 14 shows an example of an index formed on a print medium when two photodetectors for detecting the index are provided.
It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 12 shown with it.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 cassette case (first print medium storage means) 2 cassette case (second print medium storage means) 3 thermal head 4 platen 16 photodetector 18 transfer means 37a to 37c, 48a to 48d eye mark 40 main control unit 41 Print control unit (print control unit) 42 Transport control unit (transport direction control unit) C Print medium

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 21/00 B41J 21/16 B41J 13/00 B41J 2/32 B41J 3/20 109

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for printing on a single-leaf print medium in which an insertion direction with respect to a print section is defined, a print medium storage means for storing the print medium in a stacked state, and conveying the print medium to the print section. Transport means, and the printing unit
The printing surface of the printing medium is defined, and the printing medium is
Front, back, left and right with respect to the print medium transport direction on the print surface of
Wherein with respect to the printing portion of the direction it is defined the printing medium
A print medium insertion direction discriminating means for discriminating the insertion direction in the front, rear, left and right directions, and a print control means for controlling the printing unit so as to print on the print medium a print content corresponding to the discrimination result of the discrimination means. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A printing apparatus for printing on a single-leaf print medium in which an insertion direction with respect to a print section is defined, wherein said print medium is stored in a stacked state, and said print medium is directed toward said print section. Transport means capable of transporting in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite thereto, and a printing medium for the printing unit.
The printing surface of the body is defined and the printing surface of the printing medium
A print medium insertion direction determining means for determining an insertion direction of the print medium in the front, rear, left and right directions with respect to the printing portion, wherein the front, rear, left and right directions with respect to the print medium transport direction are defined; And a transport direction control means for controlling the forward / reverse of the transport direction by the transport means according to the result of the determination. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said print medium storage means is a first print medium storage means, and said print medium storage means is configured to store print media conveyed in a reverse direction by said conveyance means in a stacked state. A printing device comprising a printing medium storage means. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first printing medium storage means and said second printing medium storage means are respectively constituted by the same detachable and interchangeable cassette cases, and A printing apparatus, wherein each cassette case is configured such that the front and rear sides and the front end side and the rear end side in the print medium sending direction are interchangeable.