Printer and program

Abstract

To continue smooth printing control and keep excellent printing accuracy by avoiding the occurrence of temporary stopping of power feeding by a function of a power source.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a thermal head which performs printing by conducting electricity to a resistor to generate heat; a motor which drives a member for conveying a sheet with rotation; a power source which feeds power to the thermal head and the motor; and a power feeding control unit which stops power feeding to the motor and the thermal head when the time of continuation of power feeding exceeds a second threshold after the power source performs power feeding exceeding a first threshold determined for the power source as it requires the temporary stopping of power feeding, and resumes power feeding after the lapse of the prescribed time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, thermal printers that use a thermal head for printing consume a large amount of power to generate heat from the resistors in the thermal head and to drive the motor that rotates the platen roller that transports the paper.

[0003] Some power supplies, such as AC adapters, have built-in protection circuits. To prevent breakdowns due to overload, the protection circuit suspends power supply when a specific event occurs. However, if the power supply to a printer is suspended without warning, this is not desirable as it can have a negative impact on print control and print accuracy. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer and a program that can avoid power supply interruptions due to the power supply function, continue smooth printing control, and maintain good printing accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printer of this embodiment includes a thermal head that prints by passing electricity through a resistor to generate heat, a motor that drives a member that transports paper by rotating, a power supply that supplies power to the thermal head and the motor, and a power supply control unit that stops supplying power to the motor and the thermal head when the power supply has supplied power exceeding a first threshold value set for the power supply, indicating that power supply must be temporarily stopped, and the time during which power supply has continued exceeds a second threshold value, and then resumes power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the structure of the printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional unit included in the control unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing performed by the control unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of another process performed by the control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] (First embodiment) An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system 100 in this embodiment. The system 100 includes a printer 1, an AC adapter 2, and an information processing device 3. The printer 1 operates using power supplied via the AC adapter 2, performs printing based on print data received from the information processing device 3, and ejects printed paper. The information processing device 3 is, for example, a general PC (Personal Computer), and is connected to the printer 1 wirelessly or via a wire so as to be able to send and receive information.

[0008] 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the structure of printer 1. The left side of the figure is the front side of printer 1, i.e., the side that the user mainly faces. Printer 1 includes a housing 4, a paper storage unit 5, a printing unit 6, and a transport unit 7.

[0009] The housing 4 has an upper module 41, a lower module 42, a hinge portion 43, and a paper discharge port 44. The hinge portion 43 connects the rear ends of the upper module 41 and the lower module 42 to each other so that they can rotate freely. The lower module 42 has an opening that opens upward, and this opening is opened and closed by the upper module 41. In other words, the upper module 41 functions as a lid for the lower module 42. The paper discharge port 44 is an opening formed between the front end of the upper module 41 and the front end of the lower module 42, and is used to discharge printed paper 50.

[0010] The paper storage section 5 is a space provided inside the housing 4 for storing paper 50. The paper storage section 5 is opened and closed by rotating the upper module 41 relative to the lower module 42. The paper 50 is wound in a roll.

[0011] In the figure, transport paths 51 to 53 are indicated by imaginary lines. Transport path 52 is the path along which paper 50 with the largest diameter travels toward the printing unit 6. Transport path 53 is the path along which paper 50 with the smallest diameter travels toward the printing unit 6. Transport path 51 is the path along which paper 50 travels after being printed in the printing unit 6 and discharged from the paper discharge port 44.

[0012] The printing unit 6 has a thermal head 61 and a platen roller 62. The thermal head 61 has multiple resistors arranged in a line. The resistors are also called heating elements because they generate heat when electricity is applied. Printing is performed on the paper 50 by selectively applying electricity to these resistors. The platen roller 62 supports the printing position of the paper 50 (the portion sandwiched between the thermal head 61 and the platen roller 62).

[0013] The conveying unit 7 is made up of a motor 71 and a platen roller 62. The motor 71 drives and rotates the platen roller 62. The platen roller 62 conveys the paper 50 sandwiched between it and the thermal head 61 by rotating.

[0014] Here, the AC adapter 2 is a power source that supplies power to the thermal head 61 and the motor 71 .

[0015] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printer 1. The printer 1 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a storage unit 104, a communication I / F (Interface) 81, a power connection unit 82, an operation unit 83, a display unit 84, etc.

[0016] The power supply connection unit 82 is a part to which the AC adapter 2 is connected and receives power from the AC adapter 2. The AC adapter 2 is equipped with a protection circuit 21. To avoid overloading of the AC adapter 2, the protection circuit 21 stops power supply when a predetermined event occurs as a trigger. There are two predetermined events: one is when the AC adapter 2 supplies power exceeding a first threshold, and then the duration of continuous power supply exceeds a second threshold (hereinafter referred to as the first trigger); and the other is when the total amount of power supplied by the AC adapter 2 within a unit time exceeds a third threshold (hereinafter referred to as the second trigger).

[0017] In this embodiment, the first threshold determines the peak current, for example, 13 A (amperes). In this embodiment, the second threshold is, for example, 10 seconds. In this embodiment, the third threshold is the power supply rating, for example, 60 W (watts).

[0018] The communication I / F 81 mediates communication with an external device (information processing device 3). The operation unit 83 is an operation device such as a button, and receives input operations from an operator. The display unit 84 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays information for the operator.

[0019] The storage unit 104 stores programs, various files, various setting values, etc. The storage unit 104 may be any storage device, and may be realized by, for example, a flash memory. The programs stored in the storage unit 104 are executed by the CPU 101. The storage unit 104 also stores constants, thresholds, etc. used by the programs described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0020] ROM 102 stores programs executed by CPU 101. RAM 103 is used to expand the programs executed by CPU 101 and temporarily store the values ​​of various variables. CPU 101 executes programs stored in ROM 102 and storage unit 104 to function as control unit 110 and realize various functional units (see FIG. 4, described below).

[0021] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of functional units included in the control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes a receiving unit 111, a print control unit 112, and a power supply control unit 113.

[0022] The receiving unit 111 receives print data from the information processing device 3. The print control unit 112 controls the thermal head 61 and the motor 71 based on the print data.

[0023] When a first trigger event occurs, that is, when the AC adapter 2 supplies power exceeding a first threshold (e.g., 13 A) and then continues to supply power for a period of time exceeding a second threshold (e.g., 10 seconds), the power supply control unit 113 stops supplying power to the motor 71 and thermal head 61 and resumes supplying power after a predetermined time (e.g., 500 μs) has elapsed.

[0024] Furthermore, when a second trigger event occurs, that is, when the total amount of power supplied by the AC adapter 2 within a unit time (e.g., 10 seconds) exceeds a third threshold (e.g., 60 W), the power supply control unit 113 stops supplying power to the motor 71 and the thermal head 61, and resumes supplying power after a predetermined time (e.g., 500 μs) has elapsed.

[0025] The power supply control unit 113 clears the value indicating the total power supply amount when power supply from the AC adapter 2 is stopped. The power supply stop here is not limited to the stop of printing and transport under the control of the power supply control unit 113, but may also be a stop due to the completion of a printing operation based on print data, etc. In other words, the power supply control unit 113 clears the value indicating the total power supply amount when printing and transport are stopped for some reason. Also, clearing means, for example, setting the value of a variable used in the control program to zero to add up the value indicating the total power supply amount. The value indicating the total power supply amount does not have to be the total power supply amount itself, but may also be a value related to the total power supply amount, such as a value proportional to the total power supply amount among values ​​used to calculate the total power supply amount.

[0026] 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing performed by control unit 110. This processing is processing for responding to an event that serves as a first trigger.

[0027] When the receiving unit 111 receives print data (step S1), the control unit 110 sets an ON dot for each line based on the print data using the print control unit 112 (step S2). The ON dot is a resistor that is energized.

[0028] Next, the control unit 110, functioning as the power supply control unit 113, determines whether the number of ON dots on each line is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S3). This threshold value is, for example, the number of dots that exceeds a peak current of 13 A (an example of a first threshold value).

[0029] If it is determined that the number of ON dots on each line is less than the threshold value (step S3; No), the power supply control unit 113 proceeds to step S6. If it is determined in step S3 that the number of ON dots on each line is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S3; Yes), the power supply control unit 113 determines whether the timer value, which indicates the elapsed time since the number of ON dots became equal to or greater than the threshold value, is 0 (step S4).

[0030] If the timer value is 0 (step S4; Yes), the power supply control unit 113 starts the timer (step S5) and proceeds to step S6. The timer can be started using a timing function such as an RTC (Real Time Clock) provided in the printer 1.

[0031] If the timer value is not 0 in step S4 (step S4; No), power supply control unit 113 determines whether the timer value is equal to or greater than 10 seconds, which is an example of a second threshold value (step S9). If the timer value is equal to or greater than 10 seconds (step S9; Yes), power supply control unit 113 cooperates with print control unit 112 to temporarily (for example, 500 μs) stop conveyance by conveyance unit 7 (step S10).

[0032] This allows the control unit 110 to temporarily suspend the power supply after a predetermined event occurs and before the power supply is stopped by the protection circuit 21, thereby avoiding an unexpected power supply stop for the control unit 110. This also makes it possible to continue smooth printing control and maintain good printing accuracy.

[0033] Following step S10, the power supply control unit 113 stops the timer and clears the timer value (step S11), and proceeds to step S6. If the timer value is less than 10 seconds in step S9 (step S9; No), the timer continues to measure time and proceeds to step S6.

[0034] In step S6, print control unit 112 generates a strobe signal for one line based on the settings made in step S2, and outputs the strobe signal to print unit 6, thereby printing one line (step S6).

[0035] In step S6, the control unit 110 supplies power to the conveying unit 7 (motor 71) in addition to the printing unit 6 (thermal head 61), and rotates the platen roller 62 by an amount sufficient to convey the paper S by one line.

[0036] Next, print control unit 112 determines whether output of all lines has been completed (step S7). If print control unit 112 determines that output of all lines has not been completed (step S7; No), print control unit 112 returns the process to step S3. If print control unit 112 determines that output of all lines has been completed (step S7; Yes), power supply control unit 113 stops the timer and clears the timer value (step S8), and ends this process.

[0037] According to the process of FIG. 5 described above, if an event occurs that may cause the power supply function to temporarily halt the power supply, the power supply is temporarily halted by the printer's own control before the power supply function causes the power supply function to halt the power supply. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of a power supply function halting the power supply. This also makes it possible to eliminate the adverse effects on print control and print accuracy that would be caused by a power supply halt without preparation on the printer 1 side. Furthermore, by systematically halting the power supply under the control of the printer 1 side, smooth print control can be continued and good print accuracy can be maintained.

[0038] Next, another process will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of another process performed by the control unit 110. This process is a process for responding to an event that serves as a second trigger. Note that the control unit 110 of this embodiment performs both the process shown in Fig. 5 and the process shown in Fig. 6, but in practice, the control unit 110 may perform only one of the process shown in Fig. 5 or the process shown in Fig. 6.

[0039] When the receiving unit 111 of the control unit 110 receives the print data (step S21), the print control unit 112 sets on-dots for each line based on the print data (step S22).

[0040] The power supply control unit 113 determines whether the timer value, which indicates the elapsed time since the print data was received and the on-dot setting, is 0 (step S23). Note that the timer in the process of FIG. 6 is a different timer from the timer in the process of FIG. 5.

[0041] If the timer value is 0 in step S23 (step S23; Yes), the power supply control unit 113 starts counting time on the timer (step S24), and proceeds to step S25.

[0042] In step S25, the power supply control unit 113 calculates the total number of ON dots within the past 10 seconds, that is, the total number of resistors that have been energized within the past 10 seconds (step S25). Note that "10 seconds" in step S25 is an example of a "unit time."

[0043] In the next step S26, the print control unit 112 generates a strobe signal for one line based on the settings made in step S2, and outputs the strobe signal to the print unit 6, thereby printing one line (step S26).

[0044] In step S26, the control unit 110 supplies power to the conveying unit 7 (motor 71) in addition to the printing unit 6 (thermal head 61), and rotates the platen roller 62 by an amount sufficient to convey the paper S by one line.

[0045] Next, print control unit 112 determines whether output of all lines has been completed (step S27). If print control unit 112 determines that output of all lines has not been completed (step S27; No), print control unit 112 returns the process to step S23. If print control unit 112 determines that output of all lines has been completed (step S27; Yes), power supply control unit 113 stops the timer and clears the timer value (step S28), and further clears the total number of on dots (step S29), and ends this process.

[0046] If the timer value is not 0 in step S23 (step S23; No), the power supply control unit 113 determines whether the timer value is 10 seconds or more (step S30). Note that the "10 seconds" described in step S30 is an example of a "unit time," just like in step S25. If the timer value is less than 10 seconds in step S30 (step S30; No), the timer continues counting, and the process proceeds to step S25.

[0047] If the timer value is 10 seconds or more in step S30 (step S30; Yes), the power supply control unit 113 calculates the average number of ON dots (step S31). This average number of ON dots is calculated by dividing the total number of ON dots calculated in step S25 by the number of lines printed within the past 10 seconds.

[0048] Next, the power supply control unit 113 determines whether the average value calculated in step S31 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S32). This threshold value is, for example, the number of dots that causes the total amount of power supplied by the AC adapter 2 within a unit time (for example, within the past 10 seconds) to exceed 60 W, which is an example of a third threshold value.

[0049] In step S32, if the average value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S32; Yes), the power supply control unit 113 cooperates with the print control unit 112 to temporarily (for example, 500 μs) stop the conveyance by the conveyance unit 7 (step S33).

[0050] This allows the control unit 110 to temporarily suspend the power supply after a predetermined event occurs and before the power supply is stopped by the protection circuit 21, thereby avoiding an unexpected power supply stop for the control unit 110. This also makes it possible to continue smooth printing control and maintain good printing accuracy.

[0051] Following step S33, the power supply control unit 113 stops the timer and clears the timer value (step S34). Furthermore, the power supply control unit 113 clears the already printed on-dots set in step S22 so that they are not included in the calculation in step S25 (step S35). Then, the power supply control unit 113 proceeds to step S25.

[0052] In this way, the printer 1 of this embodiment can prevent the power supply from being stopped by the protection circuit 21 of the AC adapter 2 when the first or second trigger event occurs. In other words, if printing continues after power supply exceeds the peak current or if the total power supply amount within a unit time exceeds the rated value, the control unit 110 controls the printer 1 to temporarily halt conveyance and printing before the protection circuit 21 is activated, thereby stopping the power supply in a planned manner.

[0053] In this embodiment, both the control shown in FIG. 5 and the control shown in FIG. 6 are performed, but in practice, only one of the control shown in FIG. 5 or the control shown in FIG. 6 may be performed, rather than both.

[0054] The programs executed by the printer 1 of this embodiment are provided in advance in a ROM or the like.

[0055] The program executed by the printer 1 of this embodiment may be configured to be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0056] Furthermore, the program executed by the printer 1 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the program executed by the printer 1 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0057] The program executed by the printer 1 of this embodiment has a modular configuration including the above-mentioned units (receiving unit 111, print control unit 112, and power supply control unit 113). The CPU (processor) loads the above-mentioned units onto the main memory device by reading and executing the program from the storage medium. As a result, the receiving unit 111, print control unit 112, and power supply control unit 113 are generated on the main memory device.

[0058] Although several 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. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...printer, 101...CPU, 102...ROM, 103...RAM, 104...Storage unit, 110...control unit, 111...receiving unit, 112...printing control unit, 113...power supply control unit, 2...AC adapter, 21...protection circuit, 3...information processing equipment, 4...casing, 41 ... upper module, 42 ... lower module, 43 ... hinge portion, 44 ... paper discharge port, 5...paper storage section, 50...paper, 51-53...transport path, 6...printing unit, 61...thermal head, 62...platen roller, 7...Transport unit, 71...Motor, 81...Communication I / F, 82...Power supply connection section, 83...Operation section, 84...Display section, 100...System. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0060] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-212826

Claims

1. a thermal head that prints by passing electricity through a resistor to generate heat; a motor that rotates to drive a member that transports paper; a power source that supplies power to the thermal head and the motor; a power supply control unit that stops power supply to the motor and the thermal head when the power supply has continued to supply power for a period of time exceeding a second threshold value after the power supply has supplied power exceeding a first threshold value that is set for the power supply as a temporary stop of power supply, and resumes power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed; A printer comprising:

2. When the total amount of power supplied by the power source within a unit time exceeds a third threshold value set for the power source as a value that requires temporary suspension of power supply, the power supply control unit stops power supply to the motor and the thermal head, and resumes power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed. The printer of claim 1 .

3. a thermal head that prints by passing electricity through a resistor to generate heat; a motor that rotates to drive a member that transports paper; a power source that supplies power to the thermal head and the motor; a power supply control unit that stops power supply to the motor and the thermal head when a total amount of power supply from the power source within a unit time exceeds a third threshold value that is set for the power source as a value that requires temporary suspension of power supply, and resumes power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed; A printer comprising:

4. The power supply control unit clears the value indicating the total amount of power supply when the power supply stops supplying power.

4. The printer according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A computer for a printer including a thermal head that prints by passing electricity through a resistor to generate heat, a motor that rotates to drive a member that transports paper, and a power source that supplies power to the thermal head and the motor, A program for causing the power supply control unit to stop supplying power to the motor and the thermal head and resume supplying power after a predetermined time has elapsed when the power supply has supplied power exceeding a first threshold value set for the power supply, indicating that power supply must be temporarily stopped, and the duration of continued power supply exceeds a second threshold value.

6. A computer for a printer including a thermal head that prints by passing electricity through a resistor to generate heat, a motor that rotates to drive a member that transports paper, and a power source that supplies power to the thermal head and the motor, A program for causing the power supply control unit to function as a power supply control unit that stops power supply to the motor and the thermal head and resumes power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed when the total amount of power supplied by the power supply within a unit time exceeds a third threshold value set for the power supply, which indicates that power supply must be temporarily stopped.

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