Printer device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a printer device capable of prompting the savings amount of a ribbon. The thermal transfer printer as the printer device includes: a print data pre-reading unit that pre-reads data of a print position when printing is to be performed; a print head position control unit that makes a thermal print head, a ribbon, and a printing paper in a contact state or a non-contact state based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit; a ribbon savings amount calculation unit that calculates the savings amount of the ribbon based on the conveyance amount of the printing paper in the non-contact state; and a ribbon savings amount display unit that displays the savings amount calculated by the ribbon savings amount calculation unit.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from a Japanese application with an application date of November 17, 2021 and an application number of JP2021-186904, and incorporates the content of the above application by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a printer device. Background Art

[0003] In a thermal transfer printer, printing is performed by bringing a thermal print head into contact with a ribbon and a printing paper. Further, in the absence of print data, the travel of the ribbon is temporarily stopped by bringing the thermal print head, the ribbon, and the printing paper into a non-contact state to save the ribbon.

[0004] In such a printer device, although the consumption amount of the ribbon is displayed, the saved amount of the ribbon cannot be known. In order to make the user truly feel the saving effect of the ribbon, visualizing the saved amount of the ribbon is expected. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer device capable of displaying the saved amount of the ribbon.

[0006] To solve the above problems, a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a print data pre-reading unit, a print head position control unit, a ribbon saving amount calculation unit, and a ribbon saving amount display unit. The print data pre-reading unit pre-reads the print position of data when printing is to be performed. The print head position control unit makes the thermal print head, the ribbon, and the printing paper in a contact state or a non-contact state based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit. The ribbon saving amount calculation unit calculates the saved amount of the ribbon based on the conveyance amount of the printing paper in the non-contact state. The ribbon saving amount display unit displays the saved amount calculated by the ribbon saving amount calculation unit.

[0007] According to the above printer device, the user can confirm the saved amount of the ribbon.

[0008] In the above printer device, the print head position control unit makes the thermal print head, the ribbon, and the printing paper in a non-contact state on the condition that the distance between the thermal print head and the print position of the data is greater than or equal to a specified value based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit, and makes the thermal print head, the ribbon, and the printing paper in a contact state on the condition that the distance between the thermal print head and the print position of the data is less than the specified value.

[0009] According to the above printer device, it is possible to reliably and easily determine the timing of the non-contact state and the contact state of the thermal print head.

[0010] In the above-described printer device, the ribbon savings display unit displays the amount of ribbon savings at the end of printing.

[0011] According to the above-described printer device, it is possible to confirm the amount of ribbon savings at the end of each printing.

[0012] In the above-described printer device, the ribbon savings display unit also displays the cumulative value of the savings amount after replacing the ribbon.

[0013] According to the above-described printer device, it is possible to confirm not only the amount of ribbon savings in the current printing but also the amount of ribbon savings after replacing the ribbon.

[0014] In the above-described printer device, the cumulative value of the savings amount is reset when the winding amount of the ribbon reaches a specified value or when the ribbon replacement is completed.

[0015] According to the above-described printer device, since the ribbon savings amount can be reset without performing a special operation, it is possible to prevent forgetting to reset.

[0016] In the above-described printer device, the ribbon savings calculation unit calculates the amount of ribbon savings based on the number of revolutions of the drive motor that conveys the printing paper and the reference conveyance amount of the ribbon corresponding to the drive motor.

[0017] According to the above-described printer device, it is possible to correctly calculate the amount of ribbon savings based on the number of revolutions of the drive motor that conveys the printing paper.

[0018] In the above-described printer device, the ribbon savings calculation unit calculates the conveyance amount of the printing paper based on the number of revolutions of the drive motor that conveys the printing paper, and uses the conveyance amount of the printing paper as the amount of ribbon savings.

[0019] According to the above-described printer device, it is possible to correctly calculate the amount of ribbon savings based on the conveyance amount of the printing paper.

[0020] In the above-described printer device, the ribbon savings calculation unit determines whether it is in the printing operation. In the case of paper conveyance during the printing operation, it calculates the amount of ribbon savings, and in the case of paper conveyance not during the printing operation, it does not calculate the amount of ribbon savings.

[0021] According to the above-described printer device, it is possible to calculate the amount of ribbon savings associated with the printing operation.

[0022] In the above-described printer device, the ribbon savings calculation unit determines that the conveyance of the printing paper without printing by the operation device is not during the printing operation and does not calculate the amount of ribbon savings.

[0023] According to the above printer device, it is possible to prevent the calculation of the saved amount of the ink ribbon when transporting the printing paper through the operating device.

[0024] In the above printer device, the ink ribbon savings display section shows the amount obtained by converting the length of the saved ink ribbon into the price of the ink ribbon.

[0025] According to the above printer device, it is possible to embody the effect of saving based on the ink ribbon in terms of amount. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 A diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a thermal transfer thermal printer according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 A diagram for explaining the structure for raising and lowering a thermal print head in a thermal transfer thermal printer.

[0028] Figure 3 A hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a thermal transfer thermal printer.

[0029] Figure 4 A functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a thermal transfer thermal printer.

[0030] Figure 5 A diagram for explaining a method of pre-reading print data in a thermal transfer thermal printer.

[0031] Figure 6 A diagram showing an example of the saved amount of the ink ribbon displayed by a thermal transfer thermal printer.

[0032] Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of the process flow of processing performed by a thermal transfer thermal printer.

[0033] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0034] 10 Thermal transfer thermal printer (printer device) 11 Web

[0035] 12 Printing paper 13 Conveyor roller

[0036] 14, 16, 25 Drive motor 15 Pressure roller

[0037] 20, 40 Housing 21 Ink ribbon reel

[0038] 22 Ink ribbon 23 Thermal print head

[0039] 24 Take-up shaft 26 Solenoid

[0040] 27 Paper discharge port 28 Frame

[0041] 29 Plunger 30 First rotating shaft

[0042] 31 Connecting rod component 32 Second rotating shaft

[0043] 33 Cam 34 Frame component

[0044] 35 Pin 36 Gap

[0045] 64, 66 Savings amount 65, 67 Cumulative savings amount

[0046] 71 Print data pre-reading unit 72 Print head position control unit

[0047] 73 Print control unit 74 Ribbon savings amount calculation unit

[0048] 75 Ribbon savings amount display unit Da, Db, Dc, Dd, De, Df Time difference

[0049] Wa, Wb Interval Detailed implementation manner

[0050] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a first embodiment of a thermal thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0051] (Overall configuration of the thermal thermal transfer printer)

[0052] Use Figure 1 The schematic configuration of the thermal thermal transfer printer 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the thermal thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment. In addition, the thermal thermal transfer printer 10 is an example of the printer device of the present disclosure.

[0053] The thermal thermal transfer printer 10 prints while pulling out the printing paper 12 from the web 11 in which the printing paper 12 is wound in a roll shape.

[0054] The thermal thermal transfer printer 10 includes a conveyance roller 13, a paper press roller 15, and a thermal print head 23 inside the housing 20.

[0055] The conveyance roller 13 is formed by a pair of rollers in contact with each other, and one conveyance roller 13 is rotationally driven counterclockwise by a drive motor 14. The conveyance roller 13 conveys the printing paper 12 pulled out from the web 11 toward the paper discharge port 27 along the arrow B.

[0056] The paper press roller 15 is rotationally driven counterclockwise by a drive motor 16. The paper press roller 15 conveys the printing paper 12 sandwiched between it and the thermal print head 23 toward the paper discharge port 27 along the arrow B.

[0057] In addition, the paper pressing roller 15 conveys the printing paper 12 when the thermal printing head 23 and the paper pressing roller 15 are in contact. On the other hand, the conveying roller 13 conveys the printing paper 12 when the thermal printing head 23 and the paper pressing roller 15 are not in contact.

[0058] The thermal printing head 23 has a structure in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row, and printing is performed on the printing paper 12 clamped between the thermal printing head 23 and the paper pressing roller 15 by heating the heating elements corresponding to the printing pattern. In addition, the thermal printing head 23 moves up and down ( Figure 1 in the Z-axis direction therein) by the action of the solenoid 26. Thereby, it is possible to switch between a state where the thermal printing head 23 and the paper pressing roller 15 are in contact and a state where the thermal printing head 23 and the paper pressing roller 15 are not in contact.

[0059] In addition, an ink ribbon 22 is inserted between the thermal printing head 23 and the paper pressing roller 15. The ink ribbon 22 is wound in an unused state to form an ink ribbon reel 21. The ink ribbon 22 is wound by a take-up shaft 24 rotated and driven by a drive motor 25. The ink coated on the ink ribbon 22 is transferred to the printing paper 12 by the heated thermal printing head 23.

[0060] The printed printing paper 12 is discharged from the paper discharge port 27. Then, the printed printing paper 12 is cut by a cutter (not shown) included in the thermal transfer printer 10. Figure 1 in which is not shown.

[0061] (Vertical movement mechanism of thermal printing head)

[0062] Use Figure 2 to illustrate the structure in which the thermal transfer printer 10 raises and lowers the thermal printing head 23. Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the structure for raising and lowering the thermal printing head in a thermal transfer printer.

[0063] The solenoid 26 includes a frame 28 and a plunger 29.

[0064] The frame 28 includes a coil and a fixed iron core inside.

[0065] The plunger 29 is also called a movable iron core and is attracted by the fixed iron core of the frame 28 when a magnetic field is generated by energizing the coil inside the frame 28.

[0066] A link member 31 capable of rotating around a first rotation axis 30 is provided at the top end of the plunger 29. The link member 31 and the cam 33 are rotatably supported on a second rotation axis 32 together.

[0067] The cam 33 contacts the pin 35 inserted through the gap 36. The pin 35 is fixed to the frame member 34 on which the thermal print head 23 is mounted, and is movable along the gap 36. The thermal print head 23, the frame member 34, the pin 35, and the cam 33 are included in the housing 40.

[0068] When the solenoid 26 is energized, the plunger 29 is attracted to the negative side of the X axis and moves in the direction of the arrow Sa. Then, in conjunction with the movement of the plunger 29 , the link member 31 rotates clockwise around the second rotation axis 32 .

[0069] As the link member 31 rotates clockwise, the cam 33 also rotates clockwise around the second rotation axis 32. At this time, the cam 33 pushes the pin 35 along the gap 36 toward the positive side of the Z axis, that is, in the direction of the arrow Sb.

[0070] Then, as the pin 35 moves, the frame member 34 to which the pin 35 is fixed is also pushed up toward the positive side of the Z axis. As a result, the thermal print head 23 is pushed up in the direction of the arrow Sc, and the print head is in a raised state, and is separated from the platen roller 15.

[0071] When the solenoid 26 is de-energized, the tip of the plunger 29 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow Sa. In response to this, the link member 31 rotates counterclockwise around the second rotation axis 32 .

[0072] As the link member 31 rotates counterclockwise, the cam 33 also rotates counterclockwise around the second rotation axis 32. At this time, the pin 35 moves along the gap 36 toward the negative side of the Z axis, that is, in the direction opposite to the arrow Sb, while maintaining contact with the cam 33.

[0073] Then, as the pin 35 moves, the frame member 34 to which the pin 35 is fixed also moves toward the negative side of the Z axis. As a result, the thermal print head 23 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow Sc, so that the print head is in a lowered state and contacts the platen roller 15 .

[0074] (Thermal transfer printer hardware structure)

[0075] use Figure 3 The hardware configuration of the thermal transfer printer 10 will be described. Figure 3 This is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a thermal transfer printer.

[0076] The thermal thermal transfer printer 10 includes a control unit 51 for controlling each part. The control unit 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 54. The CPU 52 is connected to the ROM 53 and the RAM 54 via an internal bus 60 such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 52 expands various programs stored in the ROM 53 and the storage unit 55 in the RAM 54. The CPU 52 operates through the various programs expanded in the RAM 54 to control the thermal thermal transfer printer 10. That is, the control unit 51 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0077] The control unit 51 is connected to the storage unit 55 and peripheral devices via the internal bus 60. The peripheral devices are a display device 61, an operation device 62, a motor controller 63, a solenoid 26, and a thermal print head 23.

[0078] The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). In addition, the storage unit 55 can also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 55 stores a control program Pa and pre-read data 56.

[0079] The control program Pa is a program for controlling the overall operation of the thermal thermal transfer printer 10.

[0080] The pre-read data 56 stores the result of pre-reading the position where the actual print data exists as observed from the position of the thermal print head 23. In addition, the pre-read data 56 will be described in detail later (see Figure 5 ).

[0081] The display device 61 displays various screen information related to the thermal thermal transfer printer 10 generated by the control unit 51. The display device 61 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0082] The operation device 62 is a device such as a touch panel or a physical switch that obtains various operation instructions related to the thermal thermal transfer printer 10. Various operations include operations for alignment conveyance when the printing paper is replaced. The operation device 62 outputs the obtained operation instructions to the control unit 51.

[0083] The motor controller 63 independently controls the rotation states of the drive motor 14 that drives the conveyance roller 13, the drive motor 16 that drives the paper feed roller 15, and the drive motor 25 that rotationally drives the take-up shaft 24.

[0084] The solenoid 26 and the thermal print head 23 are as described above.

[0085] (Functional Configuration of Thermal Transfer Printer)

[0086] Use Figure 4 To describe the functional configuration of the thermal transfer printer 10. Figure 4 It is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the thermal transfer printer.

[0087] The control unit 51 of the thermal transfer printer 10 operates by expanding the control program Pa in the RAM 54, and implements Figure 4 the print data pre-reading unit 71, the print head position control unit 72, the print control unit 73, the ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74, and the ribbon saving amount display unit 75 shown as functional units.

[0088] When printing is to be performed, the print data pre-reading unit 71 pre-reads the print position of the data.

[0089] Based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit 71, the print head position control unit 72 makes the thermal print head 23, the ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 in a contact state or a non-contact state.

[0090] The print control unit 73 controls the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer 10. In addition, the print control unit 73 switches the state of the ribbon 22 between the conveying state and the stop state.

[0091] The ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74 calculates the saving amount of the ribbon 22 based on the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 when the thermal print head 23, the ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 are in a non-contact state. Specifically, the ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74 calculates the number of revolutions of the drive motor 14 that drives the conveyance roller 13 during the upward movement of the thermal print head 23. Thus, the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 during the upward movement of the thermal print head 23 is calculated. Then, the ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74 calculates the saving amount of the ribbon 22 based on the assumption that the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 during the upward movement of the thermal print head 23 and the conveyance amount of the ribbon 22 during this period are almost equal.

[0092] A conveyance amount memory is provided, which stores the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 for one rotation of the drive motor 14 that conveys the printing paper 12. The conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 is calculated based on the rotation speed of the drive motor 14 and the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 in the conveyance amount memory. This conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 is taken as the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22. In addition, the conveyance amount of the ink ribbon 22 (reference conveyance amount) corresponding to one rotation of the drive motor 14 may be stored in the conveyance amount memory. The ink ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74 calculates the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 based on the rotation speed of the drive motor 14 that conveys the printing paper 12 and the reference conveyance amount of the ink ribbon 22 in the conveyance amount memory. Even for a printer device in which the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 and the conveyance amount of the ink ribbon 22 are not equal, the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 can be correctly calculated.

[0093] Since the drive motor 14 conveys the printing paper 12, calculating the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 directly based on the rotation speed of the drive motor 14 is equivalent to calculating the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 based on the conveyance amount of the printing paper.

[0094] In addition, the ink ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74 accumulates the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 after replacing the ink ribbon reel 21 wound with a new ink ribbon 22.

[0095] In addition, the ink ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74 can also determine whether it is the control of the printing operation by the printing control unit 73 or the conveyance of the printing paper 12 without printing (such as a paper conveyance operation) by the operation device 62. Then, in the case of controlling the printing operation by the printing control unit 73, the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 can be calculated, and in the case of the conveyance of the printing paper 12 without printing, the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 is not calculated. Thus, the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 accompanying the printing operation can be calculated.

[0096] The ink ribbon saving amount display unit 75 displays the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 calculated by the ink ribbon saving amount calculation unit 74. In addition, the ink ribbon saving amount display unit 75 displays the saving amount of the ink ribbon 22 after replacing the new ink ribbon reel 21.

[0097] (Method for pre-reading print data)

[0098] Use Figure 5 To describe the method for pre-reading print data performed by the thermal transfer printer 10. Figure 5 It is a diagram for describing the method for pre-reading print data performed by the thermal transfer printer.

[0099] Figure 5 The horizontal axis of represents time t. The print data pre-reading unit 71 of the thermal transfer printer 10 performs pre-reading of print data before actual printing and designates the location where the print data exists. In addition, in Figure 5In the figure, the hatched area indicates the area where the print data exists. On the other hand, the area without hatching indicates the area where the print data does not exist.

[0100] The print data pre-reading unit 71 detects at point Q that print data exists in the entire interval of Wa. That is, there is a time difference Da between the pre-read position and the actual position of the printing paper 12. In addition, the print data pre-reading unit 71 detects at point U that print data exists in the entire interval of Wb. The print data pre-reading unit 71 stores the detected information as pre-read data 56 in the storage unit 55 (refer to Figure 3 ). Then, the print head position control unit 72 calculates the time for the thermal print head 23 to descend and the time for the thermal print head 23 to ascend by reverse-calculating from the conveyance speed of the printing paper 12 while referring to the stored pre-read data 56 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0101] Before the moment t2 when the position of the printing paper 12 corresponding to point Q reaches the thermal print head 23, that is, at the moment t1 corresponding to point R, the print head position control unit 72 lowers the thermal print head 23. Thus, the thermal print head 23, the ink ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 come into contact to be in a print-enabled state.

[0102] At this time, the print head position control unit 72 starts a print head descent timer for an amount corresponding to the time difference Dc from time 0 to time t1 at point Q (t = 0), and lowers the thermal print head 23 at point R (t = t1). The timing for lowering the thermal print head 23 is set at a position that is a predetermined distance ahead of the actual start printing position, that is, ahead of Figure 5 the time difference Db shown.

[0103] When the thermal print head 23 descends, the print control unit 73 conveys the printing paper 12 through the paper feed roller 15 by rotating and driving the drive motor 16. In addition, the print control unit 73 winds up the ink ribbon 22 on the take-up shaft 24 by rotating and driving the drive motor 25.

[0104] Then, when there is a continuous interval without print data for the time difference Dd at the moment t4 corresponding to point S, the print head position control unit 72 starts a print head ascent timer for an amount corresponding to the time difference Df from time t4 to time t6 at point (t = t4), and raises the thermal print head 23 at point T (t = t6). Thus, the thermal print head 23, the ink ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 are in a non-contact state, and it is in a state where only the printing paper 12 is conveyed without printing. In addition, the timing for raising the thermal print head 23 is set at a position that is a predetermined distance behind the actual end of printing position, that is, behind Figure 5 the time difference De shown.

[0105] When the thermal print head 23 rises, the print control unit 73 stops the drive motor 25 and stops winding the ink ribbon 22 through the take-up shaft 24. In addition, the print control unit 73 rotationally drives the drive motor 14 to continue transporting the printing paper 12 through the transport rollers 13.

[0106] In addition, when the print head position control unit 72 detects the existence of print data at the time t7 corresponding to the point U, it starts a print head descent timer for an amount corresponding to the time difference Dc from the time t7 to the time t8 at the point U (t = t7), and causes the thermal print head 23 to descend at the point V (t = t8). The timing for causing the thermal print head 23 to descend is set at a position advanced by a predetermined distance from the actual start printing position, that is, advanced Figure 5 by the time difference Db shown.

[0107] After that, the print head position control unit 72 starts the print head descent timer and the print head ascent timer at any time based on the pre-reading result read by the print data pre-reading unit 71, and performs the lifting control of the thermal print head 23.

[0108] (Example of display of ink ribbon savings amount)

[0109] Use Figure 6 to explain an example of the display of the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the savings amount of the ink ribbon displayed by the thermal transfer printer.

[0110] The ink ribbon savings amount display unit 75 of the thermal transfer printer 10 displays Figure 6 the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 shown.

[0111] Specifically, the ink ribbon savings amount display unit 75 displays Figure 6 the savings amount 64 of the ink ribbon 22 and the cumulative savings amount 65 of the ink ribbon 22 shown.

[0112] The savings amount 64 represents the length of the ink ribbon 22 that has been saved in this printing operation.

[0113] The cumulative savings amount 65 represents the cumulative length of the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 after replacing the ink ribbon 22 (ink ribbon reel 21).

[0114] In addition, the ink ribbon savings amount display unit 75 may also display, as shown in Figure 6 the savings amount 66 of the ink ribbon 22 and the cumulative savings amount 67 of the ink ribbon 22.

[0115] The savings amount 66 represents the amount obtained by converting the length of the ink ribbon 22 that has been saved in this printing operation into the price of the ink ribbon 22.

[0116] The cumulative savings amount 67 represents the amount obtained by converting the cumulative length of the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 after replacing the ink ribbon 22 (ink ribbon reel 21) into the price of the ink ribbon 22.

[0117] (Process flow of the thermal transfer thermal printer)

[0118] Using Figure 7 , the process flow of the thermal transfer thermal printer 10 is described. Figure 7 It is a diagram showing an example of the process flow of the thermal transfer thermal printer.

[0119] The print control unit 73 obtains a print instruction (step S11).

[0120] The print data pre-reading unit 71 performs pre-reading processing of the print data (step S12). The pre-reading processing of the print data is performed, for example, by the above method (refer to Figure 5 ).

[0121] The print head position control unit 72 determines whether there is print data within a specified distance with reference to the pre-reading result of the print data (step S13). When it is determined that there is print data within the specified distance (step S13: Yes), it proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when it is not determined that there is print data within the specified distance (step S13: No), it proceeds to step S17.

[0122] In step S13, when it is determined that there is print data within the specified distance, the print head position control unit 72 lowers the thermal print head 23 (step S14).

[0123] The print control unit 73 sets the ink ribbon 22 to the conveying state (step S15).

[0124] The print control unit 73 performs printing (step S16). Thereafter, it proceeds to step S20.

[0125] On the other hand, in step S13, when it is not determined that there is print data within the specified distance, the print head position control unit 72 raises the thermal print head 23 (step S17).

[0126] The print control unit 73 stops the conveyance of the ink ribbon 22 (step S18).

[0127] The ink ribbon savings amount calculation unit 74 accumulates the conveyance amount of the print paper 12 during the period when the thermal print head 23 rises (step S19). The conveyance amount of the print paper 12 can be calculated based on, for example, the time when the thermal print head 23 rises and the number of rotations of the conveyance roller 13 during that time.

[0128] The printing control unit 73 determines whether printing has ended (step S20). When it is determined that printing has ended (step S20: Yes), the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, when it is not determined that printing has ended (step S20: No), the process returns to step S13.

[0129] When it is determined in step S20 that printing has ended, the printing control unit 73 raises the thermal print head 23 (step S21). Here, raising the thermal print head 23 is to prevent the ink of the ink ribbon 22 heated by the thermal print head 23 from solidifying due to the continuous contact of the thermal print head 23, the ink ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 for a long time, resulting in the adhesion of the thermal print head 23, the ink ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 to each other.

[0130] The ink ribbon savings calculation unit 74 calculates the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 (step S22).

[0131] The ink ribbon savings calculation unit 74 accumulates the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 after replacing the ink ribbon 22 (ink ribbon reel 21) (step S23).

[0132] The ink ribbon savings display unit 75 displays the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 on the display device 61 (step S24). Thereafter, the thermal transfer printer 10 ends Figure 7 the process.

[0133] In addition, although not described in Figure 7 , the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 accumulated in step S19 is reset when it is determined in step S20 that printing has ended. In addition, the accumulated value of the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 is reset when the ink ribbon 22 (ink ribbon reel 21) is replaced. In addition, the accumulated value of the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 can also be reset when the remaining amount sensor (not shown in Figure 1 ) that detects the remaining amount of the ink ribbon 22 detects that the remaining amount of the ink ribbon 22 is lower than the specified value.

[0134] (Function and effect of the embodiment)

[0135] As described above, the thermal transfer printer 10 (printer device) of the embodiment includes: a print data pre-reading unit 71 that pre-reads data at the print position where printing is to be performed, a print head position control unit 72 that makes the thermal print head 23, the ink ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 in a contact state or a non-contact state based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit 71, an ink ribbon savings calculation unit 74 that calculates the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 based on the conveyance amount of the printing paper 12 in the non-contact state, and an ink ribbon savings display unit 75 that displays the savings amount calculated by the ink ribbon savings calculation unit 74. Therefore, the user can confirm the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22.

[0136] In addition, in the thermal thermal transfer printer 10 (printer device) of the embodiment, based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit 71, the print head position control unit 72 makes the thermal print head 23, the ink ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 in a non-contact state on the condition that the distance between the thermal print head 23 and the printing position of the data is greater than or equal to a specified value, and makes the thermal print head 23, the ink ribbon 22, and the printing paper 12 in a contact state on the condition that the distance between the thermal print head 23 and the printing position of the data is less than the specified value. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and easily determine the timing of the lifting of the thermal print head 23.

[0137] In addition, in the thermal thermal transfer printer 10 (printer device) of the embodiment, the ink ribbon savings display unit 75 displays the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 at the end of printing. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 each time printing is completed.

[0138] In addition, in the thermal thermal transfer printer 10 (printer device) of the embodiment, the ink ribbon savings display unit 75 also displays the cumulative value of the savings amount after replacing the ink ribbon 22 (ink ribbon reel 21). Therefore, it is possible to confirm not only the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 in this printing but also the savings amount after replacing the ink ribbon reel 21.

[0139] In addition, in the thermal thermal transfer printer 10 (printer device) of the embodiment, the cumulative value of the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 is reset when the winding amount of the ink ribbon 22 reaches a specified value or when the ink ribbon 22 (ink ribbon reel 21) is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to reset the savings amount of the ink ribbon 22 without performing special operations, and thus it is possible to prevent forgetting to reset.

[0140] As described above, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, these embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A printer device, characterized in that, Comprising: A print data pre-reading unit that pre-reads the print position of data when printing is to be performed; A print head position control unit that makes the thermal print head, the ink ribbon, and the printing paper in a contact state or a non-contact state based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit; An ink ribbon savings calculation unit that calculates the savings of the ink ribbon based on the conveyance amount of the printing paper in the non-contact state; And An ink ribbon savings display unit that displays the savings calculated by the ink ribbon savings calculation unit, wherein the ink ribbon savings calculation unit calculates the savings of the ink ribbon based on the number of revolutions of the drive motor that conveys the printing paper and the reference conveyance amount of the ink ribbon corresponding to the drive motor.

2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein, Based on the pre-reading result of the print data pre-reading unit, the print head position control unit makes the thermal print head, the ink ribbon, and the printing paper in a non-contact state on the condition that the distance between the thermal print head and the print position of the data is greater than or equal to a specified value, And makes the thermal print head, the ink ribbon, and the printing paper in a contact state on the condition that the distance between the thermal print head and the print position of the data is less than the specified value.

3. The printer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The ink ribbon savings display unit displays the savings of the ink ribbon at the end of printing.

4. The printer device according to claim 3, wherein, The ink ribbon savings display unit also displays the cumulative value of the savings after replacing the ink ribbon.

5. The printer device according to claim 4, wherein, The cumulative value of the savings is reset when the winding amount of the ink ribbon reaches a specified value or when the ink ribbon is replaced.

6. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein, The ink ribbon savings calculation unit determines whether it is in a printing operation. In the case of paper conveyance during a printing operation, it calculates the savings of the ink ribbon. In the case of paper conveyance that is not during a printing operation, it does not calculate the savings of the ink ribbon.

7. The printer device according to claim 6, wherein, The ink ribbon savings calculation unit determines that the conveyance of the printing paper without printing by the operating device is not during a printing operation and does not calculate the savings of the ink ribbon.

8. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein, The ink ribbon savings display unit shows the amount of money obtained by converting the length of the saved ink ribbon into the price of the ink ribbon.

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