Printing device and printing device control method

Abstract

The present application relates to a printing device and a control method for the printing device. The printing device includes: a conveyor roller for conveying recording paper in a conveying direction; a head for printing on the recording paper; a cutter arranged downstream of the head in the conveying direction and capable of cutting the recording paper; a first sensor arranged downstream of the cutter in the conveying direction and capable of detecting the recording paper; a communication unit capable of receiving print data; and a control unit. The control unit detects the recording paper using the first sensor at least when activated. If recording paper is detected, the recording paper is conveyed by the conveyor roller and cut by the cutter. If recording paper is not detected, the recording paper is not conveyed by the conveyor roller or cut by the cutter. When print data is received via the communication unit, the recording paper is printed by the head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device and a method for controlling the printing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known an apparatus that, upon startup, conveys recording paper as a medium, cuts off the first boarding pass manually or with a cutter, and discards it.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-22733.

[0004] The above device wastes recording paper every time it is activated. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A printing device comprises: a conveying roller for conveying recording paper in a conveying direction; a head for printing on the recording paper; a cutter arranged downstream of the head in the conveying direction and capable of cutting the recording paper; a first sensor arranged downstream of the cutter in the conveying direction and capable of detecting the recording paper; a communication unit capable of receiving printing data; and a control unit, wherein the control unit detects the recording paper through the first sensor at least when started, and when the recording paper is detected, the control unit conveys the recording paper through the conveying roller and cuts the recording paper through the cutter; when the recording paper is not detected, the control unit does not convey the recording paper through the conveying roller or cut the recording paper through the cutter, and when the printing data is received through the communication unit, the control unit prints on the recording paper through the head.

[0006] A method for controlling a printing device, the printing device comprising: a conveying roller for conveying recording paper in a conveying direction; a head for printing on the recording paper; a cutter arranged downstream of the head in the conveying direction and capable of cutting the recording paper; a first sensor arranged downstream of the cutter in the conveying direction and capable of detecting the recording paper; and a communication unit capable of receiving printing data. In the control method, the recording paper is detected by the first sensor at least when the printing device is started; when the recording paper is detected, the recording paper is conveyed by the conveying roller and cut by the cutter; when the recording paper is not detected, the recording paper is not conveyed by the conveying roller and the recording paper is not cut by the cutter; and when the printing data is received by the communication unit, the recording paper is printed by the head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the printing device.

[0009] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the recording paper and each component.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the recording paper and the components whose positions have changed.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a printing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] 1. First Implementation

[0013] 1-1. Configuration of Printing Device

[0014] The following reference Figures 1 to 4 The printing device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the three-dimensional coordinate system is used for description. Figure 2 For the sake of convenience, the positive direction of the Z axis is referred to as upward or simply upward, and the negative direction is referred to as downward or simply downward, the positive direction of the X axis is referred to as right or simply right, and the negative direction is referred to as left or simply left, the positive direction of the Y axis is referred to as rear or simply rear, and the negative direction is referred to as front or simply front for explanation.

[0015] The printing device 1 according to the embodiment is used, for example, in a POS (Point of Sale) system. POS systems are used in retail businesses such as shopping malls, department stores, convenience stores, and in-car sales, as well as in the catering industry such as restaurants, teahouses, and pubs. POS systems have the function of printing receipts, coupons, tickets, labels, and other items for products and services. Receipts, coupons, tickets, labels, and the like are hereinafter referred to as printed materials.

[0016] The user operates the POS system and transmits print data from the computer to the printing device 1. The printing device 1 prints a printed material and delivers it to the customer or affixes it to a product. The printed material is printed in a certain shape and size.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 10 , a storage unit 11 , a head 12 , a conveying roller 13 , a cutter 14 , a first sensor 15 , a second sensor 16 , a third sensor 17 , a cap sensor 18 , and a communication unit 19 .

[0018] The control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls the various components of the printing device 1, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that manages input and output, and logic circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). A CPU is also called a processor.

[0019] When a power switch (not shown) is turned on and power is supplied to the printing device 1, the control unit 10 is activated. More specifically, the CPU of the control unit 10 is activated. Hereinafter, the activation of the control unit 10 is also referred to as the activation of the printing device 1.

[0020] The storage unit 11 is configured to include a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) as a rewritable nonvolatile memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile memory, and the like.

[0021] The CPU of the control unit 10 reads out programs such as firmware and setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the storage unit 11 , and executes them using the RAM of the storage unit 11 as a work area.

[0022] The communication unit 19 includes circuitry capable of wireless or wired communication with external devices such as computers and portable terminals. The communication unit 19 receives print data and commands from the external device. It also transmits error information to the external device if an error occurs. The control unit 10 prints the print data received by the communication unit 19 via the head 12.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, the recording paper 2 is, for example, a long strip of thermal paper. A thermally sensitive material is applied to the first surface 2a. The second surface 2b is printed with a plurality of black rectangular markings, known as black marks. The black marks will be referred to as BM below. It should be noted that, as will be described later, BM can be any color other than black, as long as it absorbs the detection light of the optical sensor, for example, when detected by an optical sensor.

[0024] Alternatively, the recording paper 2 may be a so-called die-cut label recording paper in which a plurality of labels of a certain shape are affixed to a backing paper on the front surface 2a. In this case, the mark BM is affixed to the backing paper on the back surface 2b.

[0025] Alternatively, the recording paper 2 may be a long, continuous strip of recording paper without a liner, known as a linerless label. In this case, the back surface 2b coated with the adhesive is labeled with a marking BM. In the case of a linerless label, the surface of the conveying roller 13 is treated with a non-stick finish, such as a silicone resin finish, to prevent adhesive adhesion.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, the roll paper R wound with the recording paper 2 can be stored in a holder 23 arranged at the bottom of the housing 20. A hinge 22 is provided at the bottom and front of the housing 20. The cover 21 is mounted so as to be rotatable around the hinge 22.

[0027] The cover 21 can open and close the holder 23. When the user opens the cover 21 forward, the holder 23 can be accessed and the roll paper R can be stored in the holder 23.

[0028] A cover sensor 18 capable of detecting the opening and closing of the cover 21 is arranged at the front of the housing 20. The cover sensor 18 is, for example, a mechanical switch or a transmissive or reflective optical sensor.

[0029] The conveyor roller 13, the second sensor 16, and the second blade 14b (described later) constituting the cutter 14 are mounted on the cover 21. Meanwhile, the retaining frame 23, the first sensor 15, the head 12, and the first blade 14a (described later) constituting the cutter 14 are mounted on the housing 20.

[0030] The components mounted on the cover 21 are separated from the components mounted on the housing 20 as the user opens the cover 21 .

[0031] As a result, a large opening is formed between the components mounted on the cover 21 and the components mounted on the housing 20. The user can access the holder 23 through this opening.

[0032] The user opens the cover 21 to store the roll paper R in the holder 23 , pulls out the recording paper 2 from the roll paper R, and then closes the cover 21 to set the recording paper 2 in the printing device 1 .

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, when the user closes cover 21, the transport roller 13 mounted on cover 21 is positioned opposite the head 12 mounted on housing 20, with recording paper 2 interposed therebetween. As a result, transport roller 13 can transport recording paper 2, and head 12 can print on recording paper 2. Furthermore, second blade 14b of cutter 14 mounted on cover 21 is positioned opposite first blade 14a mounted on housing 20, with recording paper 2 interposed therebetween, thereby enabling the cutting of recording paper 2.

[0034] When the user closes the lid 21 , a discharge port 24 , which is a rectangular opening, is formed at the boundary between the lid 21 and the housing 20 .

[0035] The head 12 is a line-type thermal head having a plurality of heating elements arranged horizontally. The plurality of heating elements of the head 12 are selected based on print data and generate heat, thereby printing an image on the recording paper 2 which is thermal paper.

[0036] The transport roller 13 is rotated in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow by a transport motor (not shown) and transports the recording paper 2 in the transport direction indicated by an arrow from the head 12 toward the cutter 14 .

[0037] The transport roller 13 , which is located at a position facing the head 12 with the recording paper 2 interposed therebetween, is also referred to as a platen roller.

[0038] It should be noted that the printing device 1 may include a pressing mechanism that presses the head 12 toward the transport roller 13 .

[0039] The recording paper 2 is pressed by a pressing mechanism at a predetermined pressure between the head 12 and the conveying roller 13. In this state, the conveying roller 13 rotates, generating a predetermined frictional force between the conveying roller 13 and the recording paper 2, thereby conveying the recording paper 2.

[0040] The cutter 14 is arranged downstream in the conveying direction relative to the head 12 and the conveying roller 13. The cutter 14 includes a first blade 14a and a second blade 14b. The recording paper 2 is conveyed by the conveying roller 13 so as to pass between the first blade 14a and the second blade 14b.

[0041] The first blade 14 a is moved toward the second blade 14 b by a cutting motor (not shown), and can cut the recording paper 2 between the first blade 14 a and the second blade 14 b .

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the first sensor 15 is arranged downstream in the conveying direction relative to the cutter 14. The first sensor 15 detects the presence of the recording paper 2 between the cutter 14 and the discharge port 24. When the recording paper 2 is present, the first sensor 15 detects presence.

[0043] The first sensor 15 is, for example, a transmissive or reflective optical sensor. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the first sensor 15 is mounted on the housing 20 , but may be mounted on the cover 21 .

[0044] It should be noted that the first sensor 15 also has the function of detecting whether the user has taken out the printed and cut recording paper 2 , and is therefore also called a taken sensor.

[0045] When the cover 21 is opened, the head 12 and the conveying roller 13, which were sandwiching the recording paper 2, separate. The position of the recording paper 2 changes because it is no longer sandwiched between the head 12 and the conveying roller 13. The user opens the cover 21 to change to another roll of paper R.

[0046] Thus, when the cover 21 is opened, the position of the recording paper 2 changes. Then, when the cover 21 is closed, the recording paper 2 is sandwiched between the head 12 and the conveying roller 13 in the changed position.

[0047] At this time, the recording paper 2 exists between the cutter 14 and the discharge port 24 , and the first sensor 15 detects the recording paper 2 .

[0048] When setting the recording paper 2 , the user closes the cover 21 while pinching the recording paper 2 with their fingers and pulling it out of the paper roll R. As a result, the recording paper 2 is extended from the discharge port 24 .

[0049] On the other hand, when the recording paper 2 is at a head-up position (described later), the first sensor 15 does not detect the recording paper 2 because there is no recording paper 2 between the cutter 14 and the discharge port 24 .

[0050] Furthermore, the recording paper 2 is printed by the head 12 based on the print data, cut by the cutter 14, and discharged from the discharge port 24. In this case, there is no recording paper 2 between the cutter 14 and the discharge port 24, so the first sensor 15 does not detect the recording paper 2. In these cases, the position of the recording paper 2 does not change.

[0051] When the first sensor 15 detects the recording paper 2 at startup, the control unit 10 can determine that the cover 21 was opened or closed while the power switch was off, and the position of the recording paper 2 has changed.

[0052] Furthermore, after activation, the control unit 10 can determine that the position of the recording paper 2 has changed when the cover sensor 18 detects the opening or closing of the cover 21. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may determine that the position of the recording paper 2 has changed when the first sensor 15 detects the recording paper 2 after the cover sensor 18 detects the opening or closing of the cover 21.

[0053] The second sensor 16 detects the mark BM on the back side 2b of the recording paper 2 between the holder 23, the head 12, and the transport roller 13. When the mark BM is present, the second sensor 16 detects the mark BM.

[0054] The second sensor 16 is, for example, a reflective optical sensor capable of receiving and emitting detection light such as infrared light absorbed by the mark BM, and is mounted on the cover 21 .

[0055] Note that the second sensor 16 is also called a mark sensor because it detects the mark BM attached to the recording paper 2 .

[0056] The control unit 10 can detect the mark BM attached to the recording paper 2 using the second sensor 16 and determine the position of the recording paper 2. While the control unit 10 detects the mark BM on the recording paper 2 using the second sensor 16, the recording paper 2 can be transported by the transport roller 13 to the target position.

[0057] The third sensor 17 detects the presence or absence of the recording paper 2 between the holder 23, the head 12, and the transport roller 13. When the recording paper 2 is present, the third sensor 17 detects the presence.

[0058] The third sensor 17 is, for example, a mechanical switch, or a transmissive or reflective optical sensor. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the third sensor 17 is mounted on the housing 20 , but may be mounted on the cover 21 .

[0059] Note that the third sensor 17 is also called a paper sensor because it detects the presence or absence of the recording paper 2 .

[0060] When the third sensor 17 detects the recording paper 2, the control unit 10 can determine that the roll paper R is housed in the holder 23 and that the recording paper 2 is sandwiched between the head 12 and the transport roller 13. In other words, the control unit 10 can determine that the recording paper 2 can be printed on by the head 12, transported by the transport roller 13, and cut by the cutter 14.

[0061] On the other hand, when the third sensor 17 does not detect the recording paper 2 , the control unit 10 can determine that there is an error in that there is no recording paper 2 in the printing device 1 .

[0062] Here, refer to Figure 2 , the positional relationship of each component of the printing device 1 along the conveyance direction of the recording paper 2 is described.

[0063] The third sensor 17 is disposed at a position E downstream of the holder 23 in the conveyance direction and upstream of the head 12 and the conveyance roller 13 , and detects the presence of the recording paper 2 .

[0064] The second sensor 16 is arranged at a position D downstream of the holder 23 in the conveyance direction and upstream of the head 12 and the conveyance roller 13 , and detects the mark BM on the back side 2 b of the recording paper 2 .

[0065] It should be noted that in Figure 2 In the embodiment, the second sensor 16 is located downstream of the third sensor 17 in the conveying direction, but may be arranged upstream of the third sensor 17 .

[0066] The head 12 and the transport roller 13 are located at position C, downstream in the transport direction relative to the second sensor 16 and the third sensor 17, and upstream relative to the cutter 14, to print on and transport the recording paper 2. As described above, when the cover 21 is closed, the head 12 and the transport roller 13 are positioned facing each other.

[0067] The cutter 14 is located at position B downstream of the head 12 in the conveying direction and upstream of the first sensor 15. The first blade 14a moves toward the second blade 14b to cut the recording paper 2. As described above, when the cover 21 is closed, the first blade 14a and the second blade 14b are in opposing positions.

[0068] The first sensor 15 is located at position A downstream of the cutter 14 in the conveyance direction and upstream of the discharge port 24 to detect the presence of the recording paper 2. It should be noted that the first sensor 15 may also be mounted outside the discharge port 24, such as on the surface of the housing 20 or cover 21.

[0069] Figure 3 1 shows the positional relationship between the recording paper 2 and the various components when the recording paper 2 is in a protruding position described later. The recording paper 2 is in a state where it has been cut by the cutter 14. It should be noted that the arrows in the figure indicate the conveying direction.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the components are arranged from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction to include position E of the third sensor 17 for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper 2, position D of the second sensor 16 for detecting the mark BM on the back side 2b of the recording paper 2, position C of the head 12 for printing on the surface 2a of the recording paper 2, position B of the cutter 14 for cutting the recording paper 2, and position A of the first sensor 15 for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper.

[0071] Figure 3 The print area P shown is an area where the head 12 prints a printed matter of a certain shape and size on the surface 2a of the recording paper 2. The print area P is assumed to include a print area P1 and a print area P2 positioned from downstream toward upstream in the conveyance direction.

[0072] In addition, the downstream end of the printing area P in the conveyance direction is referred to as the front end of the printing area P hereinafter.

[0073] The head 12 is located at a position C with a margin M provided from the front end of the printing area P1 and is located at a position capable of starting printing on the printing area P1.

[0074] The position where the head 12 starts printing on the print area P1, which is the target position of the recording paper 2 by the control unit 10, is called the so-called overhang position. Also, the operation of the control unit 10 to transport the recording paper 2 to the overhang position using the transport roller 13 is called the so-called overhang operation.

[0075] Since there is no recording paper 2 at position A of the first sensor 15 , the first sensor 15 does not detect the recording paper 2 .

[0076] Note that the printing area P1 may not include the margin M. In this case, the front end of the printing area P1 is the position where the head 12 starts printing.

[0077] Since the first sensor 15 does not detect the recording paper 2, the control unit 10 can determine that the position of the recording paper 2 has not changed. Figure 4 Unlike the case of , the control unit 10 does not convey the recording paper 2 by the conveying roller 13. In addition, the control unit 10 does not cut the recording paper 2 by the cutter 14.

[0078] Note that, because the third sensor 17 can detect the recording paper 2 at position E, the control unit 10 executes processing on the recording paper 2 without causing an error due to the absence of the recording paper 2 in the printing device 1 .

[0079] The function of third sensor 17 will be described in detail. When mark BM is located at the position of second sensor 16, the detection light from second sensor 16 is absorbed by mark BM and not reflected. This state is similar to the case where there is no recording paper 2 at the position of second sensor 16 and the detection light is not reflected.

[0080] Therefore, using only the second sensor 16 may not always determine whether there is recording paper 2 in the printing device 1. Therefore, the control unit 10 can determine whether there is recording paper 2 in the printing device 1 by detecting the recording paper 2 with the third sensor 17.

[0081] On the back side 2b of the recording paper 2, marks BM are provided between the printing areas P. Figure 3 In the figure, regarding the mark BM, a mark BM1 and a mark BM2 are positioned from downstream toward upstream in the conveying direction. Hereinafter, the downstream end of the mark BM in the conveying direction is referred to as the leading end of the mark BM.

[0082] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the second sensor 16 is located at a position halfway along the length, in the conveying direction, of the mark BM2 of the recording paper 2. The second sensor 16 detects the mark BM2 at the position D.

[0083] The head 12 prints the print area P1 and the print area P2 in that order, each as a single printed product. The cutter 14 cuts the area between the print area P1 and the print area P2. The mark BM2 is located between the print area P1 and the print area P2.

[0084] When receiving the print data through the communication unit 19, the control unit 10 prints the print data in the print area P1 of the recording paper 2 via the head 12, and cuts the recording paper 2 at the position of the mark BM2 via the cutter 14 to issue it as a printed matter printed in the print area P1.

[0085] Figure 4 2 shows the positional relationship between the recording paper 2 and the components after the user opens and closes the cover to store the roll paper R in the holder 23. The arrows in the figure indicate the conveyance direction.

[0086] Regarding the printing area P, it is assumed that the printing area P0, the printing area P1, and the printing area P2 are positioned from downstream to upstream in the conveyance direction. Furthermore, regarding the marks BM, it is assumed that the marks BM0 and BM1 are positioned from downstream to upstream in the conveyance direction.

[0087] like Figure 4 As shown, the front end of the printing area P0 downstream in the conveyance direction has already passed the position C of the head 12. Therefore, the head 12 cannot print the printing area P0 in a targeted shape and size.

[0088] As described above, when the first sensor 15 detects the recording paper 2 or the cover sensor 18 detects the opening or closing of the cover 21 at startup, the control unit 10 can determine that the position of the recording paper 2 has changed.

[0089] Since the position of the recording paper 2 has changed, the control unit 10 can determine that it is impossible to print the target shape and size in the print area P0.

[0090] It should be noted that Figure 3 Similarly, in the case of , since the third sensor 17 detects the recording paper 2 at the position E, the control unit 10 executes the process on the recording paper 2 without setting an error.

[0091] The control unit 10 conveys the recording paper 2 via the conveyor rollers 13 so that the head 12 starts printing from the leading edge of the printing area P1 following the printing area P0. At this time, the control unit 10 conveys the recording paper 2 via the conveyor rollers 13 while detecting the mark BM on the recording paper 2 via the second sensor 16.

[0092] The marker BM0 is already at a position beyond the position D of the second sensor 16. Therefore, the second sensor 16 detects the next marker BM1.

[0093] Note that, in order to print on the print area P0 located beyond the position C of the head 12 , the control unit 10 may cause the transport roller 13 to transport the recording paper 2 in the direction opposite to the transport direction.

[0094] However, the control unit 10 does not know the position of the leading end of the recording paper 2 when the position of the recording paper 2 changes. Therefore, the control unit 10 may cause the recording paper 2 to return too far in the opposite direction, causing the recording paper 2 to escape from the position sandwiched between the head 12 and the transport roller 13. If the recording paper 2 escapes from the head 12 and the transport roller 13, the transport roller 13 may be unable to transport the recording paper 2.

[0095] Therefore, when the recording paper 2 is in Figure 4 When the recording paper 2 is in the position shown, the control unit 10 causes the conveying roller 13 to convey the recording paper 2 in the conveying direction.

[0096] While the recording paper 2 is being conveyed by the conveying roller 13, the second sensor 16 detects the leading edge of the mark BM1. When the second sensor 16 detects the leading edge of the mark BM1, the control unit 10 further conveys the recording paper 2 via the conveying roller 13 by half the length of the mark BM1 in the conveying direction. The control unit 10 then stops the conveying roller 13.

[0097] As a result, the recording paper 2 arrives at Figure 3 The control unit 10 cuts the recording paper 2 at position B using the cutter 14. The cut recording paper 2 is discharged from the discharge port 24. Therefore, there is no recording paper 2 at position A of the first sensor 15, and the first sensor 15 does not detect the recording paper 2.

[0098] The head 12 is located at a position C with a margin M provided from the front end of the printing area P1 and is located at a position where printing can start on the printing area P1 .

[0099] Here, the control unit 10 is used to convey the recording paper 2 via the conveying roller 13 so that the recording paper 2 Figure 4 The location shown to Figure 3 The control of the positions shown is described in detail.

[0100] The storage unit 11 stores positional information about the components, including information about the positional relationship between the third sensor 17 position E, the second sensor 16 position D, the head 12 position C, the cutter 14 position B, and the first sensor 15 position A along the conveyance direction. Furthermore, the storage unit 11 stores positional information about the recording paper 2, including information about the positional relationship between the mark BM, the print area P, and the margin M.

[0101] The control unit 10 conveys the recording paper 2 via the conveying roller 13 and detects the leading end of the mark BM via the second sensor 16. The control unit 10 reads the positional information of the components and the positional information of the recording paper 2 from the storage unit 11 and can determine or calculate the respective positions based on the detected position of the leading end of the mark BM on the recording paper 2.

[0102] The control unit 10 can transport the recording paper 2 with the transport roller 13 based on the detected position of the leading end of the mark BM on the recording paper 2 , and can transport the recording paper 2 to a target position relative to the component.

[0103] For example, the control unit 10 uses the conveying roller 13 to Figure 4 When the second sensor 16 detects the position of the leading end of the mark BM1 on the recording paper 2, the control unit 10 conveys the recording paper 2 based on this position so that the position where the margin M is provided from the leading end of the printing area P1 reaches the position C of the head 12. The head 12 can start printing from the position where the margin M is provided from the leading end of the printing area P1 on the recording paper 2.

[0104] In addition, from Figure 4 From the state of , the control unit 10 can convey the recording paper 2 by the conveying roller 13 based on the position of the front end of the mark BM1 of the recording paper 2 detected. Figure 3 As shown, the position of the mark BM1 reaches the position B of the cutter 14. Figure 3 As shown, the cutter 14 can cut the recording paper 2 at the position of the mark BM1 between the print area P0 and the print area P1 .

[0105] The length of the printing area P in the conveying direction of the recording paper 2 and the interval between the marks BM can be arbitrary. Figure 3 In the example shown, when the position where the margin M is provided from the front end of the printing area P1 is at position C of the head 12 , the position of the mark BM1 is at position B of the cutter 14 , and the position of the mark BM2 is at position D of the second sensor 16 .

[0106] However, the markers BM1 and BM2 may not be Figure 3 The printing area P1 may not be Figure 3Since the control unit 10 can determine the position of the print area P to be printed by the head 12 and the position of the recording paper 2 to be cut by the cutter 14 based on the detected position of the leading end of the mark BM on the recording paper 2, it can print and cut the recording paper 2 at the target position.

[0107] As above use Figure 4 As described above, when the recording paper 2 is detected by the first sensor 15 at startup, or when the cover 21 is opened or closed by the cover sensor 18, the Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 10 can determine that the position of the recording paper 2 has changed.

[0108] At this time, the control unit 10 performs a leading action on the recording paper 2, and the conveying roller 13 is used to feed the recording paper 2 to the recording paper 2. Figure 3 The recording paper 2 is fed to the top position shown.

[0109] Then, the control unit 10 waits until the communication unit 19 receives the print data. This state is referred to as a so-called standby state.

[0110] When the communication unit 19 receives the print data, the control unit 10 starts printing the print data from the top position of the recording paper 2 via the head 12. As a result, the printing device 1 can print a printed material of a certain shape and size in the printing area P1 of the recording paper 2.

[0111] On the other hand, as above, Figure 3 As described above, when the recording paper 2 is not detected by the first sensor 15, the control unit 10 can determine that the position of the recording paper 2 has not changed. Figure 4 Unlike the case of , the control unit 10 does not convey the recording paper 2 by the conveying roller 13. In this case, the control unit 10 does not waste the recording paper 2.

[0112] 1-2. Printing Device Control Method

[0113] When the power switch is turned on and power is supplied to the printing device 1 , the printing device 1 starts up and the control unit 10 of the printing device 1 starts control.

[0114] like Figure 5 As shown, the control unit 10 determines whether the cover sensor 18 has detected something (S100).

[0115] When the cover sensor 18 detects ( S100 : YES) and determines that the cover 21 is closed, the control unit 10 determines whether the third sensor 17 detects ( S101 ).

[0116] On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the cover 21 is open because the cover sensor 18 does not detect anything ( S100 : NO), it sets an error ( S109 ).

[0117] At this time, the control unit 10 transmits an error message indicating that the lid 21 is open to the external device via the communication unit 19. The control unit 10 may also notify the external device of the error message indicating that the lid 21 is open via a notification device such as a display device or a speaker (not shown). The control unit 10 then terminates the process.

[0118] When the third sensor 17 detects ( S101 : YES) and determines that the recording paper 2 is present at position E of the third sensor 17 in the printing device 1 , the control unit 10 determines whether the first sensor 15 detects ( S102 ).

[0119] Note that, when the control unit 10 determines that there is no recording paper 2 at the position E of the third sensor 17 in the printing device 1 because the third sensor 17 does not detect ( S101 : NO), an error is generated ( S109 ).

[0120] At this time, the control unit 10 transmits an error message indicating that there is no recording paper 2 in the printing device 1 to the external device via the communication unit 19. The control unit 10 may also notify the error message via a notification device. Then, the control unit 10 ends the process.

[0121] If the first sensor 15 does not detect anything ( S102 : NO) and the control unit 10 determines that there is no recording paper 2 at position A of the first sensor 15 , the control unit 10 enters a standby state for receiving print data via the communication unit 19 ( S107 ) and then ends the process.

[0122] When the control unit 10 determines that there is no recording paper 2 at the position A of the first sensor 15, it can be determined that the position of the recording paper 2 has not changed and is in Figure 3 In other words, the control unit 10 can determine that the head 12 is at position C with a margin M from the front end of the printing area P1 and is at a position where printing can start in the printing area P1. In other words, the control unit 10 can determine that the recording paper 2 is at the protruding position.

[0123] The control unit 10 does not convey the recording paper 2 with the conveying roller 13 or cut the recording paper 2 with the cutter 14. Note that, when the control unit 10 receives print data via the communication unit 19 in the standby state, it prints on the recording paper 2.

[0124] On the other hand, when the control unit 10 detects the recording paper 2 at position A of the first sensor 15 ( S102 : YES), the recording paper 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying roller 13 ( S103 ).

[0125] When the control unit 10 determines that the recording paper 2 is present at the position A of the first sensor 15, it can determine that Figure 4 The position of the recording paper 2 shown has changed. In other words, the control unit 10 can determine that the recording paper 2 is no longer at the protruding position.

[0126] Therefore, the control unit 10 performs a leading action on the recording paper 2, and the recording paper 2 is fed to the recording paper 2 by the conveying roller 13. Figure 3 The recording paper 2 is fed to the top position shown.

[0127] In order to execute the pop-up operation, the control unit 10 conveys the recording paper 2 by the conveying roller 13 ( S103 ) while determining whether the second sensor 16 has detected something ( S104 ).

[0128] When the second sensor 16 detects ( S104 : YES) and the control unit 10 determines that the leading end of the mark BM on the recording paper 2 has reached the position D of the second sensor 16 , the control unit 10 conveys the recording paper 2 by the second conveyance amount using the conveying roller 13 ( S105 ).

[0129] The second conveying amount is the amount by which the recording paper 2 is conveyed to the leading end position from the time when the leading end of the mark BM of the recording paper 2 reaches the position D of the second sensor 16. Figure 4 In the case of , the second transport distance is a transport distance equal to half the length of the mark BM1 in the transport direction. Then, the control unit 10 stops the transport roller 13.

[0130] As a result, the recording paper 2 reaches the leading position. Figure 3 The control unit 10 cuts the recording paper 2 at position B using the cutter 14 (S106). The cut recording paper 2 is discharged from the discharge port 24. At this time, there is no recording paper 2 at position A of the first sensor 15, and the first sensor 15 does not detect the recording paper 2.

[0131] The head 12 is in position C, with a margin M provided from the front end of the printing area P1, and is in a position capable of starting printing on the printing area P1. The control unit 10 enters a standby state (S107), and the process ends. It should be noted that when the control unit 10 receives print data via the communication unit 19 during the standby state, it prints on the recording paper 2.

[0132] When the recording paper 2 is conveyed by the conveying roller 13 ( S103 ), if the second sensor 16 does not detect anything ( S104 : NO), the control unit 10 determines whether the recording paper 2 has been conveyed by a first conveying distance or more ( S108 ).

[0133] When the control unit 10 determines that the recording paper 2 has not been conveyed by more than the first conveyance distance ( S108 : No), the conveyance roller 13 continues to convey the recording paper 2 ( S103 ).

[0134] That is, when the control unit 10 detects the mark BM1 through the second sensor 16 within the range of the conveying amount less than the first conveying amount while conveying the recording paper 2 through the conveying roller 13 (S104: Yes), as described above, the recording paper 2 is conveyed by the second conveying amount through the conveying roller 13 (S105) so that the recording paper 2 is in the protruding position.

[0135] On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the conveyance amount is greater than the first conveyance amount (S108: YES), an error is generated (S109). The first conveyance amount is, for example, an amount exceeding the length from the mark BM0 to the mark BM1 in the conveyance direction.

[0136] Since the length from the mark BM0 to the mark BM1 is shorter than the first transport amount, the second sensor 16 should be able to detect the mark BM1 before the recording paper 2 is transported by the first transport amount by the transport roller 13 .

[0137] If the second sensor 16 cannot detect the mark BM1 even though the recording paper 2 has been conveyed by more than the first conveying amount, the control unit 10 can determine that an abnormality has occurred with the recording paper 2. For example, this may be because the recording paper 2 is set without a mark BM such as the mark BM1, or because the recording paper 2 is stuck in the conveying roller 13, preventing it from being conveyed, or a so-called paper jam has occurred.

[0138] Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that an abnormality has occurred with the recording paper 2 and sets an error (S109). The control unit 10 stops the conveying roller 13. The control unit 10 then transmits an error message to an external device via the communication unit 19, indicating that the wrong recording paper 2 has been set in the printing device 1 or that a paper jam has occurred. The control unit 10 may also notify the external device of this error message via a notification device. The control unit 10 then terminates the process.

[0139] It should be noted that, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 11, the control unit 10 may execute Figure 5 Controls shown.

[0140] Specifically, the control unit 10 refers to the storage unit 11. If the storage unit 11 stores the setting information, the control unit 10 starts with the control (S100) to determine whether the cover sensor 18 has detected a signal. If the setting information is stored in the storage unit 11, the control unit 10 can detect the presence of the recording paper 2 using the first sensor 15 if the cover sensor 18 detects that the cover 21 is closed. If the setting information is stored in the storage unit 11, the control unit 10 can execute the pop-up operation including the setting information.

[0141] On the other hand, when the setting information is not stored in the storage unit 11 , the control unit 10 does not execute a series of controls starting from the determination of whether the cap sensor 18 has detected ( S100 ).

[0142] The control unit 10 can store the setting information in the storage unit 11 based on a command received from the communication unit 19. Alternatively, the setting information may be stored in the storage unit 11 via an input device such as a touch panel (not shown) included in the printing apparatus 1.

[0143] In this way, the user can select whether to store the setting information in the storage unit 11, and the control unit 10 can select whether to execute the pop-up operation based on the setting information.

[0144] In addition, the control unit 10 may also be started after the Figure 3 For example, the control unit 10 may determine an error (S109), end the process, and then return to the beginning, continuing with the control (S100) for determining whether the cover sensor 18 has detected something. This is because there are cases where the user, upon receiving the error message, eliminates the cause of the error.

[0145] For example, when the printing apparatus 1 is activated, the user may receive an error message indicating that the cover 21 is open and close the cover 21 .

[0146] Even if an error is temporarily set at startup (S109), the control unit 10 can then determine whether the cover sensor 18 has detected (S100). If it is determined that the cover 21 is closed, it will continue to operate from the next control (S101) to determine whether the third sensor 17 has detected.

[0147] Alternatively, when the control unit 10 determines that the error has been resolved, it may transmit normal information indicating that the printing device 1 has resolved the error and is in a normal state to an external device via the communication unit 19 or notify the external device of the normal information via a notification device.

[0148] According to the printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the first sensor 15 is arranged downstream of the cutter 14 in the transport direction.

[0149] If the first sensor 15 does not detect recording paper 2, the control unit 10 determines that the position of recording paper 2 has not changed and does not convey recording paper 2 via conveyor roller 13. In other words, the control unit 10 does not perform the ejection operation. As a result, the printing device 1 can prevent the waste of recording paper 2 each time it is started.

[0150] Although these embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and changes, replacements, deletions, etc. may be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0151] While the head 12 is described using a thermal head as an example, the printing method is not limited. For example, the head 12 may also be an inkjet head. In this case, because the inkjet head cannot contact the transport roller 13 to clamp the recording paper 2, a driven roller that faces the transport roller 13 and clamps the recording paper 2 can be mounted on the housing 20.

[0152] While the second sensor 16 is described using a reflective optical sensor as an example, a transmissive optical sensor may also be used. In the case of a transmissive optical sensor, the light emitting unit and light receiving unit may be separately mounted on the cover 21 and the housing 20. A transmissive optical sensor can detect die-cut labels by transmitting detection light through the backing paper between the labels, and can be used as a replacement for the marker BM.

[0153] In addition, when punching labels, a peeling mechanism for peeling the labels from the backing paper may be provided at the discharge port 24 instead of the cutter 14 .

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that have: A conveying roller for conveying the recording paper in a conveying direction; A head for printing the recording paper; a cutter, arranged downstream of the head in the conveying direction and capable of cutting the recording paper; a first sensor, arranged downstream of the cutter in the conveying direction and capable of detecting the recording paper; a communication unit capable of receiving printing data; as well as Control Department, The control unit detects the recording paper by the first sensor at least when it is activated. When the recording paper is detected, the control unit conveys the recording paper by the conveying roller and cuts the recording paper by the cutter. The control unit does not convey the recording paper by the conveying roller and does not cut the recording paper by the cutter when the recording paper is not detected. When the control unit receives the print data through the communication unit, the control unit prints on the recording paper through the head. A plurality of marks are attached to the recording paper, The printing device includes a second sensor capable of detecting the mark. When the recording paper is detected by the first sensor, the control unit detects the mark by the second sensor while conveying the recording paper by the conveying roller. When the second sensor detects the mark within a range less than the first conveyance distance, the control unit causes the conveyance roller to convey the recording paper by a second conveyance distance.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The printing device comprises: a holder capable of accommodating the roll paper on which the recording paper is wound; a cover capable of opening and closing the retaining frame; and a cover sensor capable of detecting the opening and closing of the cover, The control unit detects the recording paper using the first sensor when the cover sensor detects that the cover is closed.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The printing device includes a storage unit capable of storing setting information. When the setting information is stored in the storage unit, the control unit detects the recording paper using the first sensor when the cover sensor detects that the cover is closed.

4. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The printing device includes a third sensor, which is arranged upstream of the head in the conveying direction and can detect the recording paper. The control unit generates an error when the recording paper is not detected by the third sensor.

5. A method for controlling a printing device, characterized in that: The printing device comprises: A conveying roller for conveying the recording paper in a conveying direction; A head for printing the recording paper; a cutter, arranged downstream of the head in the conveying direction and capable of cutting the recording paper; a first sensor, arranged downstream of the cutter in the conveying direction and capable of detecting the recording paper; as well as The communication unit is capable of receiving printing data, In the control method, detecting the recording paper by the first sensor at least when the printing device is started; When the recording paper is detected, the recording paper is conveyed by the conveying roller and the recording paper is cut by the cutter; when the recording paper is not detected, not conveying the recording paper by the conveying roller and not cutting the recording paper by the cutter; When the communication unit receives the print data, the head prints on the recording paper. A plurality of marks are attached to the recording paper, The printing device includes a second sensor capable of detecting the mark. The control method detects the mark by the second sensor while the recording paper is conveyed by the conveying roller when the recording paper is detected by the first sensor. The control method conveys the recording paper by a second conveyance amount by the conveying roller when the second sensor detects the mark within a range less than a first conveyance amount.

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