Conveying device, printer and control method

Abstract

To provide a conveying device that can distinguish a mark from something other than the mark, a printer and a control method.SOLUTION: A printer receives information on a length LA of a wrist band and on a distance LB from a tip of the wrist band to a mark, through a communication controller. The printer makes a conveying part convey a medium by a distance corresponding to the length LA of the wrist band. The printer obtains a waveform W at the time of conveying the medium. The printer detects peaks, on the basis of the obtained waveform W and a threshold AT1, and memorizes the detected peaks, on a table 110 in which the peaks are set in a line and peak distances and peak levels are set in a row. The printer identifies a specific peak on the basis of the peak distances of the peaks memorized in the table 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device, a printer, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] A description slip issuing device is known that transports a description slip roll paper set in a hopper section along a transport path, detects a black mark with a print positioning sensor, determines the print position with a main control section, aligns the description slip roll paper with the print position and prints with a print head, and issues a printed description slip. The description slip roll paper may have a closing hole for binding the printed description slip into a folder. The description slip issuing device described in Patent Document 1 distinguishes between peaks corresponding to the detection of a closing hole and peaks corresponding to the detection of a black mark based on differences in the output level output by the print positioning sensor when there are multiple peaks in the signal output by the reflective sensor while the description slip roll paper is transported for one description slip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-003748 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The receipt issuing device described in Patent Document 1 is based on the characteristic that the peak output level corresponding to the detection of a closed hole is lower than the peak output level corresponding to the detection of a black mark, and when a closed hole and a black mark cannot be distinguished, the threshold output level for detecting the black mark is raised to enable the distinction. However, a peak may occur in the output level of the reflective sensor due to the detection of something other than a black mark or a closed hole, such as a fold in the receipt roll paper or a change in paper quality. The output level of a peak caused by the detection of something other than a black mark or a closed hole is not necessarily lower than the peak output level when a black mark is detected, and it is possible that simply raising or lowering the threshold output level for detecting black marks will not be able to distinguish between black marks and something other than a black mark.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport device, a printer, and a control method that can distinguish between a mark and something other than a mark. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A conveying device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit for conveying a medium having a mark formed thereon in a conveying direction, an optical sensor for detecting the mark, the optical sensor having an output level that changes in proportion to the intensity of incident light, a receiving unit, a memory unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a receiving process for receiving, via the receiving unit, a medium length of the medium in the conveying direction and a mark distance in the conveying direction from a specific portion of the medium to the mark, an initial conveying process for causing the conveying unit to convey the medium with the specific portion positioned at a predetermined position the distance of the medium received in the receiving process, an initial acquisition process for acquiring a waveform showing the relationship between the conveying distance of the medium and the output level of the optical sensor, and the peak distance, which is the transport distance from the position where transport of the medium started in the initial transport process to the position where the peak was detected, and the peak level, which is the output level of the optical sensor at the position where the peak was detected, are columns; and a mark identification process is performed to identify, from the peaks recorded in the table, a peak whose peak distance matches the mark distance received in the reception process as a specific peak indicating the mark.

[0007] A transport device according to a first aspect performs an initial transport process to transport a medium by the medium length received in the input process. The transport device acquires a waveform showing the relationship between transport distance and output level during the initial transport process. The transport device detects peaks from the acquired waveform and stores a table in which each detected peak is represented as a row and the peak distance from the position where medium transport began during the initial transport process to the position where the peak was detected and the peak level of the optical sensor at the position where the peak was detected are represented as columns. The transport device identifies, among the peaks stored in the table, a peak whose peak distance matches the mark distance received in the input process as a specific peak. Therefore, the transport device can identify a specific peak more accurately than when identifying a specific peak without using the medium length and mark distance received in the input process. This allows the transport device to distinguish between marks and something other than marks.

[0008] A printer according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising the transport device according to the first aspect and a head that prints on the medium.

[0009] A control method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a control method for a conveying device including a conveying unit for conveying a medium having a mark formed thereon in a conveying direction, an optical sensor for detecting the mark, the optical sensor having an output level that changes in proportion to the intensity of incident light, a receiving unit, and a memory unit, the control method including a receiving step of receiving, via the receiving unit, a medium length of the medium in the conveying direction and a mark distance in the conveying direction from a specific portion of the medium to the mark, an initial conveying step of causing the conveying unit to convey the medium with the specific portion positioned at a predetermined position the distance of the medium length received in the receiving step, an initial acquisition step of acquiring, during the initial conveying step, a waveform that indicates the relationship between the conveying distance of the medium and the output level of the optical sensor, and the peak distance, which is the transport distance from the position where transport of the medium started in the initial transport step to the position where the peak was detected, and the peak level, which is the output level of the optical sensor at the position where the peak was detected, are columns; and a mark identification process is performed to identify, from the peaks recorded in the table, a peak whose peak distance matches the mark distance received in the receiving process as a specific peak indicating the mark.

[0010] The printer according to the second aspect and the control method according to the third aspect have the same effects as the conveying device according to the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 100 with the top cover 4 in the closed position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 100 with the top cover 4 in the open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the printer 100. [Figure 4]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an area A shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 100. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a printed surface 221 of the wristband 21. [Figure 7] 2 is a view of the medium 20 as seen from the non-printing surface 222 side. [Figure 8] 1 is a conceptual diagram of conveyance of a medium 20. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between a medium 20 and a waveform W. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a waveform W and a table 110 after the conveyance of the medium 20 has been completed in the initial conveyance process. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 shows the waveform W and the table 110 after the table 110 has been updated. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 shows an edit screen 299. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of an initial process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart of a main transport process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that may be employed by the present invention. The device configurations shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to be limiting. Hereinafter, the upper left, lower right, lower left, upper right, lower, and upper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the left, right, front, rear, lower, and upper of the printer 100, respectively.

[0013] The configuration of printer 100 will be described with reference to Figure 1. Printer 100 is a thermal printer that prints on medium 20 using thermal head 15 (see Figure 2), and is a mobile printer that can be carried by a user. Medium 20 is a long strip of thermal paper, and is configured by continuously lining up wristbands 21 (see Figure 7). Medium 20 is cut by cutter unit 5, which will be described later, to create wristbands 21. Medium 20 and wristbands 21 will be described later.

[0014] The printer 100 comprises a printer body 1 and a cutter unit 5. The printer body 1 comprises a thermal head 15 and a platen roller 11 (see FIG. 2), and has the function of printing on a medium 20. The cutter unit 5 is located at the front of the printer body 1 and is removably attached to the printer body 1. The cutter unit 5 has the function of cutting the printed medium 20. A user may use the printer 100 with the cutter unit 5 attached to the printer body 1, or may use the printer body 1 without attaching the cutter unit 5 to the printer body 1. Below, unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the printer 100 will be described with the cutter unit 5 attached to the printer body 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] The external structure of the printer body 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The printer body 1 includes a printer housing 2. The printer housing 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped box, and houses a thermal head 15 and a platen roller 11. In this embodiment, the printer housing 2 is made up of a lower cover 3 and an upper cover 4. The lower cover 3 is a rectangular parallelepiped that opens upward, and includes a bottom plate 31, a left plate 32, a right plate 33, a front plate 34 (see Figure 3), and a rear plate 35.

[0016] The bottom plate 31 is located at the lower end of the printer housing 2. The bottom plate 31 extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The left plate 32 is located at the left end of the printer housing 2. The left plate 32 extends upward from the left end of the bottom plate 31 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the bottom plate 31. The right plate 33 is located at the right end of the printer housing 2. The right plate 33 extends upward from the right end of the bottom plate 31 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the bottom plate 31.

[0017] The front panel 34 is located at the front end of the printer housing 2. The front panel 34 extends in the left-right direction from the front end of the left panel 32 to the front end of the right panel 33, and also extends in the up-down direction from the front end of the bottom panel 31 to a position lower than the upper ends of the left panel 32 and the right panel 33. The upper end of the front panel 34 is located lower than the center of the printer housing 2 in the up-down direction. Therefore, an opening 37 (see FIG. 3) is formed in the front surface of the lower cover 3. The opening 37 is an area surrounded by the upper end of the front panel 34 and the front ends of the left panel 32 and the right panel 33. When the printer body 1 is used without the cutter unit 5 attached to the printer body 1, a protective cover (not shown) is attached to the opening 37.

[0018] A handle 29 is provided on the lower cover 3. The handle 29 spans from the left plate 32 to the right plate 33 and is rotatably supported by the left plate 32 and the right plate 33. A user carries the printer 100 by holding the handle 29, for example.

[0019] The upper cover 4 is disposed above the lower cover 3. The upper cover 4 is connected to the lower cover 3 so as to be movable between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position (see FIG. 2). In the following, unless otherwise specified, the description will be based on the state in which the upper cover 4 is located in the closed position (see FIG. 1).

[0020] The top cover 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that opens downward, and includes a top plate 41, a left plate 42, a right plate 43, a front plate 44, and a rear plate 45. The top plate 41 is located at the top end of the printer housing 2. The top plate 41 extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. An operation button 18 is provided on a portion of the top plate 41 that is forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction. A user operates the operation button 18 to input various instructions to the printer 100. A display unit 17 is provided on a portion of the top plate 41 that is rearward of the center in the front-to-rear direction. The display unit 17 includes a touch panel display 171. A user touches the touch panel display 171 to input various instructions to the printer 100. The touch panel display 171 displays various information in response to instructions from the user.

[0021] The left plate 42 is located at the left end of the printer housing 2. The left plate 42 extends downward from the left end of the top plate 41 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the top plate 41. The right plate 43 is located at the right end of the printer housing 2. The right plate 43 extends downward from the right end of the top plate 41 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the top plate 41.

[0022] The front panel 44 is located at the front end of the printer housing 2. The front panel 44 extends in the left-right direction from the front end of the left panel 42 to the front end of the right panel 43, and also extends in the up-down direction from the front end of the top panel 41 to the lower ends of the left panel 42 and right panel 43. A recess 441 (see FIG. 4) is provided in the front panel 44. The recess 441 is recessed upward from the lower end of the front panel 44 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0023] The rear plate 45 is located at the rear end of the printer housing 2. The rear plate 45 extends in the left-right direction from the rear end of the left plate 42 to the rear end of the right plate 43, and also extends in the up-down direction from the rear end of the top plate 41 to the lower ends of the left plate 42 and right plate 43. The lower end of the rear plate 45 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the rear plate 35. The top cover 4 moves between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position (see FIG. 2) by rotating around an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0024] The front panels 34 and 44 form the front panel 19. The front panel 19 is located at the front end of the printer housing 2. The front panel 19 extends in the up-down and left-right directions. The front panel 19 is provided with an outlet 211. The outlet 211 is an opening surrounded by a recess 441, and is connected to the upper end of the opening 37. The outlet 211 ejects the medium 20 printed by the thermal head 15 forward from the printer housing 2.

[0025] The internal structure of the printer body 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower cover 3 further has a storage plate 36. The storage plate 36 extends in an arc shape that bulges downward as it moves forward from near the upper end of the rear plate 35, and then extends linearly to near the rear of the discharge port 211. The storage plate 36 extends in the left-right direction from the left plate 32 to the right plate 33.

[0026] The lower cover 3 is provided with a roll storage space 30A for storing a medium roll 20A (see FIG. 3). The roll storage space 30A is a space surrounded by a left plate 32, a right plate 33, and a storage plate 36, and is open upward. The medium roll 20A is a roll around which a medium 20 to be printed by the thermal head 15 is wound. The roll storage space 30A is covered from above by the upper cover 4 when the upper cover 4 is positioned in the closed position (see FIG. 1). The roll storage space 30A is open upward when the upper cover 4 is positioned in the open position (see FIG. 2). The user attaches or detaches the medium roll 20A to or from the roll storage space 30A when the upper cover 4 is positioned in the open position. The user performs printing using the printer 100 when the upper cover 4 is positioned in the closed position.

[0027] The printer 100 includes a roll support mechanism 13, a platen roller 11, an optical sensor 14, and a thermal head 15. The roll support mechanism 13 includes a pair of adjuster guides 131, 132 and a pair of medium discs 133, 134. The adjuster guide 131 is plate-shaped and extends diagonally upward and rearward from the lower front portion of the roll storage space 30A. The adjuster guide 131 is supported by the storage plate 36 so that it can move left and right. The medium disc 133 is located at the rear end of the adjuster guide 131 and is fixed to the right surface of the adjuster guide 131.

[0028] The adjuster guide 132 has a plate shape and extends diagonally upward and rearward from the front lower part of the roll accommodating space 30A. The adjuster guide 132 is located to the right of the adjuster guide 131 and is supported by the accommodating plate 36 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The medium disc 134 is located at the rear end of the adjuster guide 132 and is fixed to the left surface of the adjuster guide 132.

[0029] The pair of medium disks 133, 134 face each other in the left-right direction. The medium roll 20A is disposed between the pair of medium disks 133, 134 in the left-right direction, with the paper core of the medium roll 20A extending in the left-right direction. The roll support mechanism 13 rotatably supports the medium roll 20A from the left-right direction using the pair of medium disks 133, 134.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, an opening 360 is formed near the front end of the storage plate 36. The opening 360 extends in the left-right direction. The optical sensor 14 fits into the opening 360. The optical sensor 14 is not limited to a specific type of optical sensor, but in this embodiment it is a reflective photosensor. A detailed description of the optical sensor 14 will be given later. A plate 38 is provided above the optical sensor 14 with a gap for the medium 20 to pass through. The plate 38 is provided at the lower end of the upper cover 4 and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions (see FIG. 2). The transported medium 20 passes through the gap between the optical sensor 14 and the plate 38.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the thermal head 15 is located in front of the plate 38 and near the rear of the discharge port 211, and is supported by the upper cover 4. The thermal head 15 is plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The thermal head 15 includes multiple heating elements 151 (see Figure 8). The multiple heating elements 151 are each located on the underside of the thermal head 15 and aligned in the left-right direction. The thermal head 15 selectively generates heat from the multiple heating elements 151 to print on the medium 20.

[0032] The platen roller 11 is cylindrical and located in front of the optical sensor 14 and near the rear of the discharge port 211. The platen roller 11 is rotatably supported by the lower cover 3. The rotation axis of the platen roller 11 extends in the left-right direction. Therefore, the axial direction of the platen roller 11 is the left-right direction. The platen roller 11 is rotated by the drive of a transport motor 16 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 4, when the upper cover 4 is in the closed position, the platen roller 11 is located below the thermal head 15 and faces the thermal head 15 in the vertical direction. At this time, the platen roller 11 sandwiches the medium 20 between itself and the thermal head 15. In this state, the platen roller 11 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right side, thereby transporting the medium 20 forward. In this embodiment, the rear is upstream in the transport direction, and the front is downstream in the transport direction.

[0033] The general structure of the cutter unit 5 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4. The cutter unit 5 includes a unit housing 6, a base 51, a cutter 59, and a cutter motor 58 (see Figure 4). The unit housing 6 has a rectangular box shape and includes a back panel 7A and a front panel 7B. The back panel 7A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and is located at the rear end of the unit housing 6. The front panel 7B extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and is located at the front end of the unit housing 6.

[0034] The left-right length of the unit housing 6 is approximately the same as the left-right length of the printer housing 2. The up-down length of the unit housing 6 is greater than the up-down length from the bottom plate 31 to the discharge port 211, but is less than the up-down length from the bottom plate 31 to the top plate 41. The front-rear length of the unit housing 6 is less than both the up-down length of the unit housing 6 and the left-right length of the unit housing 6.

[0035] The pedestal 51 is attached to the front panel 7B. The pedestal 51 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes forward from the front panel 7B. The pedestal 51 extends in the vertical direction from below a passage opening 61 (described later) to near the lower end of the front panel 7B, and is disposed at the center of the front panel 7B in the left-right direction.

[0036] 4, a passage opening 61 is provided in the unit housing 6. The passage opening 61 is aligned in front of the discharge opening 211. The passage opening 61 penetrates the unit housing 6 in the front-rear direction from the back panel 7A to the front panel 7B, and extends in the left-right direction.

[0037] The cutter 59 is housed in the unit housing 6 and is disposed at the rear end of the unit housing 6. The cutter 59 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction from the optical sensor 14 by a length LZ (see FIG. 8). The cutter 59 includes a fixed blade 59A and a movable blade 59B. The fixed blade 59A is disposed above the passage opening 61 and is fixed to the unit housing 6. The fixed blade 59A extends in the left-right direction. A blade is formed at the lower end of the fixed blade 59A. The blade of the fixed blade 59A is exposed to the passage opening 61 from below.

[0038] The movable blade 59B is disposed below the passage opening 61 and extends in the left-right direction. A blade is formed on the upper end of the movable blade 59B. The movable blade 59B is movably supported by the unit housing 6 between a retracted position where it is retracted below the passage opening 61 and an entry position where it enters the passage opening 61. The cutter motor 58 is housed in the unit housing 6 and moves the movable blade 59B between the retracted position and the entry position. The cutter 59 moves the movable blade 59B from the retracted position to the entry position. The cutter 59 cuts the medium 20 discharged from the discharge opening 211 between the movable blade 59B and the fixed blade 59A.

[0039] 5, the electrical configuration of the printer 100 will be described. The printer 100 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, a storage device 94, a driver 95, a driver 98, and a communication controller 96.

[0040] The CPU 91 controls the printer 100 and functions as a control unit. The ROM 92 stores various setting information and control programs for executing the initial processing (see FIG. 13) and main conveying processing (see FIG. 14) described later. The RAM 93 temporarily stores various information. The storage device 94 is nonvolatile and stores a table 110 (see FIG. 10) described later and the like.

[0041] The CPU 91 is electrically connected to a ROM 92, a RAM 93, a storage device 94, a driver 95, a thermal head 15, an optical sensor 14, a driver 98, an operation button 18, a touch panel display 171, and a communication controller 96. The driver 95 rotates a conveying motor 16 based on a control signal received from the CPU 91. In this embodiment, the conveying motor 16 is a stepping motor.

[0042] The thermal head 15 generates heat based on control signals from the CPU 91. The thermal head 15 prints on the medium 20 by heating the medium 20 as it is conveyed. The medium 20 is sandwiched between the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 11, and is conveyed in the conveyance direction by the driving force of the conveyance motor 16, which rotates the platen roller 11. The conveyance motor 16 rotates in response to pulse signals output from a driver 95, rotating the platen roller 11 and conveying the medium 20. Hereinafter, the thermal head 15, platen roller 11, conveyance motor 16, and driver 95 that convey the medium 20 will be collectively referred to as a conveyance unit 97.

[0043] The optical sensor 14 is a reflective photosensor for detecting a mark 27 (see FIG. 7), described later, provided on the medium 20. The optical sensor 14 is provided upstream in the transport direction relative to the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 11. The optical sensor 14 has a light-emitting element 141 (see FIG. 8) and a light-receiving element 142 (see FIG. 8). The light-emitting element 141 emits light toward the medium 20 being transported by the transport unit 97. The light-emitting element 141 is, for example, an infrared light-emitting diode that emits infrared light. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 141 reaches the transported medium 20 and is reflected. The light-receiving element 142 detects the light reflected by the medium 20 and outputs a voltage level proportional to the intensity of the detected light. The light-receiving element 142 is, for example, a phototransistor that detects infrared light. The light-receiving element 142 is connected to an AD port of the CPU 91. The CPU 91 detects the mark 27 based on the output of the light-receiving element 142. The CPU 91 acquires the voltage output by the light receiving element 142 by converting it into a digital value using an AD converter provided in the AD port. In this embodiment, the stronger the intensity of light detected by the light receiving element 142, the higher the voltage output by the light receiving element 142. As will be described in detail later, the medium 20 in this embodiment has a black mark 27 provided on a white substrate 22, so the level of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 when the mark 27 is detected is lower than the level of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 when a portion other than the mark 27 is detected. Hereinafter, the level of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 is referred to as the output level.

[0044] The driver 98 rotates the cutter motor 58 of the cutter unit 5 based on a control signal received from the CPU 91. In this embodiment, the cutter motor 58 is a stepping motor. The operation button 18 accepts input operations such as various information and operation instructions from the user and inputs them to the CPU 91. The touch panel display 171 displays an image including various information based on a control signal from the CPU 91. The touch panel display 171 also accepts various information in response to input operations by the user and inputs it to the CPU 91. The communication controller 96 is an interface for performing wired communication via a cable 201.

[0045] In this embodiment, the printer 100 is connected to an external terminal 200 via a cable 201. The cable 201 is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. The external terminal 200 is, for example, a general-purpose PC (personal computer), and includes a CPU 291, operation buttons 298, a display 297, and a communication controller 296.

[0046] The CPU 291 controls the external terminal 200 and functions as a processor. An operation button 298 accepts input operations from the user and inputs them to the CPU 291. A display 297 displays various images, such as an edit screen 272 (described later), based on control signals from the CPU 291. The communication controller 296 is an interface for performing wired communication via a cable 201. The communication controller 296 of the printer 100 and the communication controller 296 of the external terminal 200 perform wired communication in accordance with a known wired communication standard or a proprietary wired communication standard.

[0047] The general structure of medium 20 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Medium 20 is composed of multiple wristbands 21 arranged continuously in the conveyance direction. Wristbands 21 are long and extend in the conveyance direction. The length of wristband 21 in the conveyance direction is LA. Wristbands 21 are created by being cut by cutter unit 5.

[0048] Wristband 21 includes a printing area 25 and an adhesive area 26. The printing area 25 extends in the transport direction and is the area where printing is performed by thermal head 15. The length of printing area 25 in the transport direction is LD. The adhesive area 26 is provided upstream of the printing area 25 in the transport direction. An adhesive layer 23 (see FIG. 8 ), which will be described later, is provided in adhesive area 26. A user puts wristband 21 on by wrapping wristband 21 around their arm or the like and adhering adhesive area 26 to printing area 25. Hereinafter, the downstream end of wristband 21 in the transport direction is referred to as the leading end of wristband 21. The upstream end of wristband 21 in the transport direction is referred to as the trailing end of wristband 21.

[0049] The medium 20 includes a substrate 22, an adhesive layer 23, and a separator 24 (see FIG. 8). The substrate 22 is long and extends in the transport direction, and is the main body of the wristband 21. In this embodiment, the substrate 22 is white thermal paper. The substrate 22 includes a printing surface 221 and a non-printing surface 222. The printing surface 221 is the surface on which printing is performed by the thermal head 15 (see FIG. 6). Note that the substrate 22 is not limited to white thermal paper, and may be thermal paper of a color other than white, paper other than thermal paper, film, fabric, etc.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7 , non-printed surface 222 is the surface opposite to printed surface 221. Mark 27 is provided in printing area 25 of non-printed surface 222. Mark 27 is used for alignment when cutting the end of wristband 21 with cutter unit 5. Mark 27 is a black rectangle extending in the width direction of wristband 21. Mark 27 is provided by being printed in advance with ink on non-printed surface 222. Mark 27 is located in printing area 25, a distance LB upstream from the end of wristband 21. Note that mark 27 is not limited to a black rectangle. For example, the color of mark 27 may be changed appropriately depending on the color of base material 22; if base material 22 is black, mark 27 may be white. Mark 27 may be circular, triangular, or the like instead of rectangular. Mark 27 may also be an opening or the like provided in base material 22.

[0051] An adhesive layer 23 is provided in the adhesive region 26 of the non-printed surface 222. A separator 24 is provided on the surface of the adhesive layer 23 opposite the substrate 22. The separator 24 is, for example, a release paper or release film. In the medium roll 20A, the medium 20 is wound counterclockwise from the center of the medium roll 20A toward the radially outward direction when viewed from the right side, with the adhesive layer 23 and separator 24 facing radially inward.

[0052] In the medium 20, the printed surface 221 side of the base material 22 is flat, and the non-printed surface 222 side of the base material 22 has an uneven shape due to the adhesive layer 23 and the separator 24 (see FIG. 8). The medium 20 is transported by the transport unit 97 with the printed surface 221 facing upward and the non-printed surface 222 facing downward. Therefore, the optical sensor 14 outputs a voltage output level proportional to the intensity of light reflected by the non-printed surface 222 side of the medium 20.

[0053] 4 and 8, the printing operation and cutting operation by printer 100 will be described. The user operates touch panel display 171 or operation buttons 18 to input a print instruction to printer 100. At this time, printer 100 performs a printing operation, and then performs a cutting operation after the printing operation.

[0054] During printing, the printer 100 prints on the medium 20 using the thermal head 15 while transporting the medium 20 using the transport unit 97. In particular, when the printer 100 receives a print instruction via the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18, the CPU 91 outputs a control signal to the driver 95. The driver 95 outputs a drive current according to the control signal received from the CPU 91 to drive the transport motor 16 and rotate the platen roller 11. This causes the medium 20 to be drawn from the medium roll 20A.

[0055] The light-emitting element 141 of the optical sensor 14 emits light toward the non-printing surface 222 of the medium 20 being transported. The light-receiving element 142 receives the light reflected by the medium 20 and outputs a voltage level proportional to the intensity of the received light. The light-receiving element 142 is connected to the AD port of the CPU 91. The CPU 91 acquires the output level of the voltage output by the light-receiving element 142 via an AD converter provided in the AD port. In this way, the printer 100 acquires a waveform W (see FIG. 9) that indicates the relationship between the transport distance and the output level of the voltage output by the light-receiving element 142. A detailed description of the waveform W will be given later.

[0056] The printer 100 controls the thermal head 15 to selectively heat multiple heating elements. The portions of the medium 20 that are heated by the heating elements develop color. The printer 100 repeatedly transports a predetermined amount of the medium 20 using the platen roller 11 and selectively generates heat using the thermal head 15. In this way, printing is performed on the medium 20. The printed medium 20 is ejected from the printer housing 2 through the ejection port 211.

[0057] The medium 20 discharged from the discharge port 211 passes through the passage opening 61. During the cutting operation, the printer 100 cuts the medium 20 with the cutter 59. Specifically, the printer 100 drives the cutter motor 58 to move the movable blade 59B up and down. This cuts the medium 20 at the passage opening 61. The user removes the cut medium 20 from the base 51.

[0058] 9, the waveform W acquired by printer 100 when wristband 21 is transported has a periodicity with a cycle equal to length LA of wristband 21. That is, if a peak is detected in waveform W at a position transported a certain transport distance from the start of transport, a similar peak will be detected at a position transported the length LA from that position.

[0059] The output level of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 in this embodiment is proportional to the intensity of light detected by the light receiving element 142. The medium 20 in this embodiment has a white substrate 22 with a black mark 27 formed thereon. Therefore, in the waveform W, the output level of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 when the mark 27 on the medium 20 is detected is lower than the output level of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 when a portion of the medium 20 other than the mark 27 is detected. Hereinafter, the portion of the waveform W where a portion of the medium 20 other than the mark is detected will be referred to as baseline B. The portion of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 that exceeds the threshold value AT1 from baseline B will be referred to as the peak. The peak is the portion from the first conveyance distance to the second conveyance distance, which will be described later. The threshold value AT1 is a value that is smaller than baseline B by a predetermined value.

[0060] Waveform W includes peaks P1, P2, P3, and P4. Peak P1 indicates that mark 27 was detected. Peaks P2, P3, and P4 indicate that something other than mark 27 was detected. A peak indicating that mark 27 was detected is called a specific peak. The something other than mark 27 could be, for example, lifting of medium 20 or a crease on medium 20. Medium 20 may bend due to the uneven shape of medium 20 created by adhesive layer 23 and separator 24, causing it to lift upward relative to optical sensor 14. Furthermore, when medium 20 enters the gap between optical sensor 14 and plate 38, the uneven shape of medium 20 may get caught on storage plate 36 or plate 38, causing a crease on medium 20.

[0061] The smallest output level at each peak is called the peak level. The transport distance traveled by the medium 20 from the start of initial transport when the output level reaches the peak level is called the peak distance. The transport distance at which the output level decreases from baseline B toward the peak value at each peak and reaches threshold value AT1 is called the first transport distance. The transport distance at which the output level increases from the peak value toward baseline B at each peak and reaches threshold value AT1 is called the second transport distance. In other words, the first transport distance and the second transport distance are the two intersections with the threshold value at each peak. Each peak is the portion of the waveform W from the first transport distance to the second transport distance. The peak distance is the transport distance between the first transport distance and the second transport distance.

[0062] The peak levels A2, A3, and A4 of peaks P2, P3, and P4 are not necessarily greater than the peak level A1 of peak P1. In this embodiment, the peak level of peak P4 is smaller than the peak level of peak P1. Therefore, it is difficult to identify peak P1, which indicates mark 27, simply by increasing or decreasing the value of threshold AT1.

[0063] 9 to 11, a method for identifying peak P1 indicating mark 27 and changing the threshold will be described. First, printer 100 communicates with external terminal 200 via communication controller 96. External terminal 200 displays edit screen 299 (see FIG. 12) on display 297. The user operates operation buttons 298 of external terminal 200 to input length LA of wristband 21 on medium 20 and distance LB from the tip of wristband 21 to mark 27 on edit screen 299. CPU 291 transmits length LA and distance LB via communication controller 296. Communication controller 96 receives length LA and distance LB from communication controller 296 and inputs them to CPU 91. Note that while the width of wristband 21 can also be input on edit screen 299, the width of wristband 21 is a parameter for controlling printing on wristband 21 and is not used to identify peak P1.

[0064] The user places the top cover 4 in the open position and sets the medium 20 so that the leading edge of the wristband 21 is positioned at the exit of the outlet 211. Hereinafter, the exit of the outlet 211 is referred to as the "predetermined position." When the top cover 4 is placed in the closed position in this state, the medium 20 passes through the gap between the plate 38 and the optical sensor 14 (see FIG. 4). The user operates the touch panel display 171 or the operation button 18 to start initial transport of the medium 20 by the transport unit 97. During initial transport, the transport unit 97 transports the medium 20 a distance LA, which is the length of one received wristband 21. The printer 100 acquires the output level of the voltage output by the optical sensor 14 while the medium 20 is transported, and acquires a waveform W that indicates the relationship between the acquired output level and the transport distance the medium 20 has been transported since the start of initial transport.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 10, the printer 100 detects peaks that exceed the threshold value AT1 in the waveform W. Peaks P1, P2, P3, and P4 that exceed the threshold value AT1 are detected in the waveform W. The printer 100 stores information about each peak in a table 110 stored in the storage device 94. The table 110 is a table in which one row is assigned to one peak. In the table 110, each peak is assigned a row, and the first conveyance distance, peak distance, second conveyance distance, and peak level are assigned a column. For the waveform W during the initial conveyance, the peak distance and peak level for each peak are stored in the table 110.

[0066] Of all the peaks stored in table 110, printer 100 identifies peak P1, whose peak distance matches distance LB, as a specific peak. Here, "peak distance matches distance LB" does not necessarily mean that the peak distance matches distance LB exactly, but may be within a predetermined range that includes distance LB. For example, "peak distance matches distance LB" may mean that the peak distance is within a range with a lower limit of distance LB multiplied by 0.9 and an upper limit of distance LB multiplied by 1.1. The predetermined range of peak distances may be changed as appropriate.

[0067] Based on the table 110, the printer 100 re-determines the threshold value AT1 for the main conveyance of the medium 20 to a threshold value AT2. Re-determining the threshold value is performed to reduce the number of peaks detected based on the threshold value during the main conveyance of the medium 20, making it easier to identify the specific peak. The printer 100 calculates a corrected peak level (A1-AZ) by subtracting a predetermined output level AZ from the peak level A1 of the specific peak. In this embodiment, the predetermined output level AZ is less than 0, and the corrected peak level (A1-AZ) is greater than the peak level A1 of the specific peak. The printer 100 selects, from all peaks P1, P2, P3, and P4 detected during the initial conveyance, minor peaks whose peak levels do not exceed the corrected peak level (A1-AZ). In this embodiment, the minor peaks are peaks P2 and P3. Among the minor peaks, the printer 100 selects a specific minor peak whose peak level is closest to the corrected peak level (A1-AZ). In this embodiment, the specific minor peak is peak P3.

[0068] 10 and 11, the printer 100 re-determines the threshold value for detecting peaks during main transport as threshold value AT2 based on the peak level (A1) of the specific peak (peak P1) and the peak level (A3) of the specific minor peak (peak P3). In this embodiment, the re-determined threshold value AT2 is the arithmetic mean value of the peak level of the specific peak and the peak level of the specific minor peak (AT2=(A1+A3) / 2).

[0069] Printer 100 deletes from table 110 the rows for peaks P2 and P3 that do not exceed threshold value AT2. Printer 100 stores in table 110 the first conveyance distance, peak distance, second conveyance distance, and peak level for peaks P1 and P4 that remain in table 110 (see FIG. 11). As shown in table 110 in FIG. 11, when conveyance starts from the front of wristband 21, peak P1 is detected first, and peak P4 is detected second. Printer 100 stores in storage device 94 the fact that the specific peak (peak P1) is the first peak detected when conveyance starts from the front of wristband 21.

[0070] 8 and 11, the transport control of medium 20 during the actual transport of medium 20 will be described. During the actual transport of medium 20, printer 100 uses optical sensor 14 to detect mark 27 in order to cut the end of wristband 21 with cutter 59. During the actual transport of medium 20, transport of medium 20 begins either with the leading edge of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position, or with the leading edge of wristband 21 not positioned at a predetermined position.

[0071] First, we will explain the transport control of medium 20 when transport of medium 20 begins with the leading edge of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position. Printer 100 acquires waveform W while transporting medium 20 using transport unit 97. As with the initial transport, transport of medium 20 begins with the leading edge of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position, so peak P1 is detected first in waveform W, and peak P2 is detected second. Printer 100 counts the number of peaks detected. When the peak distance of the first detected peak is peak distance L1 in table 110, printer 100 determines that transport of medium 20 began with the leading edge of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position. Printer 100 then determines that the first detected peak is a specific peak (peak P1) that indicates mark 27.

[0072] Based on the detected specific peak, the printer 100 aligns the end of the wristband 21 for cutting with the cutter unit 5. After detecting the specific peak (peak P1), the printer 100 conveys the wristband 21 until the end reaches the cutter 59. More specifically, the printer 100 conveys the medium 20 a length (LZ-LB) (see FIG. 8). LZ is the distance in the conveyance direction from the optical sensor 14 to the cutter 59. LB is the distance in the conveyance direction from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27. When the specific peak (peak P1) is detected, the optical sensor 14 and the mark 27 are positioned to overlap in the conveyance direction, so LB is the same as the distance from the optical sensor 14 to the tip of the wristband 21. After conveying the medium 20 a length (LZ-LB), the printer 100 stops conveyance by the conveyance unit 97. The end of the wristband 21 is positioned to overlap the cutter 59 in the conveyance direction. The printer 100 cuts the medium 20 with the cutter 59. This completes the creation of the wristband 21. After the medium 20 is cut, the leading edge of the wristband 21 is placed in a predetermined position.

[0073] Next, we will explain the transport control of medium 20 when transport of medium 20 begins without the leading edge of wristband 21 being positioned at a predetermined position. Because the leading edge of wristband 21 is not positioned at a predetermined position when transport of medium 20 begins, it is unclear whether the first peak detected is peak P1 or peak P2.

[0074] Printer 100 begins transporting medium 20 using transport unit 97 and acquires waveform W. Printer 100 counts the number of times peaks are detected. If the peak distance of the first detected peak is not peak distance L1 on table 110, printer 100 determines that transport of medium 20 began without the leading edge of wristband 21 being positioned at the predetermined position. Printer 100 continues transporting medium 20 until a second peak is detected.

[0075] When the second peak is detected, the printer 100 calculates the distance between the first detected peak and the second detected peak. Hereinafter, the distance between the first detected peak and the second detected peak will be referred to as the specific peak-to-peak distance. In this embodiment, the specific peak-to-peak distance is calculated by subtracting the peak distance of the first detected peak from the peak distance of the second detected peak.

[0076] The printer 100 determines whether the first detected peak is peak P1 or peak P4 based on the calculated specific peak-to-peak distance. More specifically, the printer 100 calculates the distance from peak P1 to peak P4 and the distance from peak P4 to peak P1 based on table 110. In this embodiment, the distance from peak P1 to peak P4 is (L4-L1). Here, L4 is the peak distance of peak P4. The distance from peak P1 to peak P4 is (LA-L4+L1). The distance between one peak and the peak detected after the first peak, such as distance (L4-L1) and distance (LA-L4+L1), is called the distance difference.

[0077] The printer 100 determines whether the specific inter-peak distance is the distance difference (L4-L1) or the distance difference (LA-L4+L1). Here, "the specific inter-peak distance is either the distance difference (L4-L1) or the distance difference (LA-L4+L1)" does not necessarily mean that the specific inter-peak distance is exactly the same as the distance difference (L4-L1) or the distance difference (LA-L4+L1). The specific inter-peak distance may be within a predetermined range including the distance difference (L4-L1) or within a predetermined range including the distance difference (LA-L4+L1). The predetermined range including the distance difference (L4-L1) may be changed as appropriate. The predetermined range including the distance difference (LA-L4+L1) may be changed as appropriate.

[0078] When it is determined that the specific inter-peak distance is the distance difference (L4-L1), the printer 100 determines that the first detected peak is peak P1 and the second detected peak is peak P4. When it is determined that the specific inter-peak distance is the distance difference (LA-L4+L1), the printer 100 determines that the first detected peak is peak P4 and the second detected peak is peak P1.

[0079] When printer 100 identifies that the second detected peak is peak P4, printer 100 conveys medium 20 by conveying unit 97 a distance (LA-L4+L1) until it detects peak P1. Printer 100 aligns the end of wristband 21 for cutting with cutter unit 5. Printer 100 conveys medium 20 by length (LZ-LB) (see FIG. 8). After conveying medium 20 by length (LZ-LB), printer 100 stops conveying by conveying unit 97. The end of wristband 21 is positioned so as to overlap cutter 59 in the conveyance direction. Printer 100 cuts medium 20 by cutter 59. This completes wristband 21.

[0080] When printer 100 identifies that the second detected peak is peak P1, optical sensor 14 and mark 27 are positioned so that they overlap in the conveyance direction. Printer 100 performs alignment for cutting the end of wristband 21 with cutter unit 5. Printer 100 conveys medium 20 by length (LZ-LB) with conveyance unit 97 (see FIG. 8) and stops conveyance by conveyance unit 97. Printer 100 cuts medium 20 with cutter 59. This creates wristband 21. After medium 20 has been cut, the beginning of wristband 21 is positioned at a predetermined position.

[0081] The initial processing executed by the CPU 91 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. In the initial processing, specific peaks indicating marks 27 are identified and table 110 is created. The user operates the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18 to input an instruction to execute the initial processing. The touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18 accepts the user's input operation, and the CPU 91 reads out the program for the initial processing from the ROM 92. This causes the CPU 91 to start the initial processing.

[0082] When the initial processing starts, the CPU 91 instructs the display 297 of the external terminal 200 via the communication controller 296 to display an editing screen 299 (see FIG. 12 ) (S1). The CPU 291 of the external terminal 200 receives the instruction via the communication controller 296 and displays the editing screen 299 on the display 297. The user operates the operation buttons 298 of the external terminal 200 to input the length LA of the wristband 21 on the medium 20, the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27, etc. The CPU 291 transmits the length LA of the wristband 21 and the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27 via the communication controller 296. The communication controller 96 receives the length LA of the wristband 21 and the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27 from the communication controller 296 and inputs them to the CPU 91.

[0083] The CPU 91 determines whether the communication controller 96 has received the length LA of the wristband 21 and the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27 (S2). When the CPU 91 determines that the communication controller 96 has not received it (S2: NO), the process returns to S2. When the CPU 91 determines that the communication controller 96 has received it (S2: YES), the CPU 91 stores the received length LA of the wristband 21 and the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27 in the RAM 93 (S3).

[0084] The CPU 91 instructs the touch panel display 171 to display a message indicating that the tip of the wristband 21 should be placed in a predetermined position (S4). The user places the upper cover 4 in the open position and sets the medium 20 so that the leading edge of the wristband 21 is placed in a predetermined position. The user places the upper cover 4 in the closed position and operates the touch panel display 171 or the operation button 18 to input a command to start the initial transport of the medium 20.

[0085] The CPU 91 determines whether the touch panel display 171 or the operation button 18 has accepted an input operation to start initial conveyance (S5). When the CPU 91 determines that the touch panel display 171 or the operation button 18 has not accepted an input operation to start initial conveyance (S5: NO), the process returns to S5. When the CPU 91 determines that the touch panel display 171 or the operation button 18 has accepted an input operation to start initial conveyance (S5: YES), the CPU 91 starts acquiring a waveform W (S6).

[0086] The CPU 91 causes the transport unit 97 to transport the medium 20 by the length of one wristband 21, i.e., the length LA (S7). The optical sensor 14 irradiates the medium 20 with light and detects the light reflected by the medium 20. The optical sensor 14 outputs a voltage output level proportional to the intensity of the detected light, and the CPU 91 acquires a waveform W that indicates the relationship between the transport distance and the output level. When the transport of the medium 20 by one wristband 21 has been completed, the CPU 91 ends the acquisition of the waveform W that began in S6. The CPU 91 detects a peak using the acquired waveform W and threshold value AT1 (S8).

[0087] The CPU 91 stores a table 110 for each detected peak, with the peak being the row and the peak distance and peak level being the column (S9). The CPU 91 identifies a specific peak based on the peak distances of the peaks stored in the table 110 (S10). In the process of S10, the CPU 91 identifies the peak whose peak distance is closest to distance LB as the specific peak. In the waveform W of FIG. 10, the specific peak is identified as peak P1. The peak distance of peak P1 is L1.

[0088] The CPU 91 calculates a corrected peak level by subtracting a predetermined output level AZ from the peak level of the specific peak (S11). The CPU 91 selects, based on table 110, minor peaks whose peak levels do not exceed the corrected peak level (S12). The CPU 91 selects, from the minor peaks, a specific minor peak whose peak level is closest to the corrected peak level (S13). The CPU 91 re-determines the threshold value for peak detection to be threshold value AT2 based on the peak level of the specific peak and the peak level of the specific minor peak (S14).

[0089] The CPU 91 deletes peaks that do not exceed the threshold value AT2 from table 110, and updates table 110 by storing the first conveyance distance, peak distance, second conveyance distance, and peak level associated with each other for the peaks that remain in table 110 (S15, see FIG. 11). Based on the peak distances in table 110, the CPU 91 determines the number of times a specific peak is detected after conveyance begins when conveyance begins with the tip of wristband 21 positioned in a predetermined position (S16). For waveform W shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 91 determines that the specific peak is detected first based on the magnitude relationship of the peak distances. The CPU 91 calculates the distance difference for each peak in table 110 (S17). The CPU 91 ends the initialization process.

[0090] The main conveying process executed by CPU 91 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In this conveying process, wristbands 21 are created based on table 110 created in the initial process. The user operates touch panel display 171 or operation buttons 18 to input an instruction to execute the main conveying process. Touch panel display 171 or operation buttons 18 accepts the user's input operation, and CPU 91 reads out the program for the main conveying process from ROM 92. This causes CPU 91 to start the main conveying process. Before starting the main conveying process, the user specifies the image to be printed on print surface 221 and the number of wristbands 21 to be created.

[0091] When the main transport process is started, the CPU 91 starts acquiring the waveform W (S21). The CPU 91 counts the number of peaks detected based on the threshold value AT2 (S22). The CPU 91 starts transporting the medium 20 by the transport unit 97 (S23).

[0092] The CPU 91 determines whether the first peak has been detected since conveyance of the medium 20 began in S23 (S24). If the CPU 91 determines that the first peak has not been detected (S24: NO), the process returns to S24. If the CPU 91 determines that the first peak has been detected (S24: YES), the CPU 91 determines whether the first peak is a specific peak (S25). In the process of S25, the CPU 91 compares the first conveyance distance, peak distance, and second conveyance distance of the first peak with the first conveyance distance, peak distance, and second conveyance distance of the specific peak in table 110. If the CPU 91 determines that the first peak is a specific peak (S25: YES), the CPU 91 determines that the first peak is a specific peak and that conveyance of the medium 20 began with the leading edge of the wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position, and proceeds to S30.

[0093] If the CPU 91 determines that the first peak is not a specific peak (S25: NO), it assumes that transport of the medium 20 was started without the leading edge of the wristband 21 being positioned at the predetermined position, and continues transport of the medium 20 that began in S23. The CPU 91 determines whether a second peak has been detected (S26). If the CPU 91 determines that a second peak has not been detected (S26: NO), the process returns to S26.

[0094] When the CPU 91 determines that a second peak has been detected (S26: YES), it calculates the specific inter-peak distance (S27). In the processing of S27, the CPU 91 calculates the specific inter-peak distance by subtracting the peak distance of the first detected peak from the peak distance of the second detected peak. The CPU 91 identifies which of the peaks in the table 110 the first detected peak corresponds to based on the specific inter-peak distance and the distance difference calculated in S16 of the initial processing (S28). By identifying the first detected peak, it is also possible to identify which of the peaks in the table 110 the second detected peak corresponds to. The CPU 91 transports the medium 20 until a mark 27 is detected (S29). In the processing of S29, the CPU 91 transports the medium 20 until a specific peak is detected based on the table 110.

[0095] When it is determined that the peak distance at the first peak is the peak distance L1 at the specific peak of table 110 (S25: YES), or when medium 20 has been conveyed until mark 27 is detected (S29), medium 20 is in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 8. CPU 91 conveys medium 20 by a predetermined length (LZ-LB) using conveying unit 97 (S30). Printer 100 stops conveying by conveying unit 97 and cuts medium 20 using cutter 59 (S31). After medium 20 has been cut, the leading edge of wristband 21 is positioned at a predetermined position, and medium 20 is aligned with thermal head 15 and cutter 59.

[0096] The CPU 91 starts producing the wristbands 21 (S32). In the processing of S32, the CPU 91 prints using the thermal head 15 while transporting the medium 20 using the transport unit 97. When printing on the medium 20 is complete, the CPU 91 transports the wristband 21 until the end of the medium 20 is positioned at the cutter 59, and then cuts the medium 20 using the cutter 59. This creates the wristband 21. The CPU 91 determines whether or not production of the specified number of wristbands 21 has been completed (S33). If the CPU 91 determines that production of the specified number of wristbands 21 has not been completed (S33: NO), the process returns to S33. If the CPU 91 determines that production of the specified number of wristbands 21 has been completed (S33: YES), the CPU 91 ends this transport processing.

[0097] As described above, the printer 100 receives the length LA of the wristband 21 and the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27 via the communication controller 96 (S2). The printer 100 then transports the medium 20 by the distance of one wristband 21 using the transport unit 97 (S7). The printer 100 acquires a waveform W as the medium 20 is transported (S6). The printer 100 detects peaks using the acquired waveform W and the threshold value AT1, and stores the peak distances and peak levels of the detected peaks in association with each other in a table 110 (S9). The printer 100 identifies specific peaks based on the peak distances of the peaks stored in the table 110 (S10). According to this, the printer 100 transports the medium 20 by the length LA. The printer 100 acquires a waveform W that indicates the relationship between transport distance and output level. The printer 100 detects peaks from the acquired waveform W and stores each peak in a table 110, with detected peaks as rows and peak distances and peak levels as columns. The printer 100 identifies a peak stored in the table 110 whose peak distance matches the received distance LB as a specific peak. Therefore, the printer 100 can identify a specific peak more accurately than when identifying a specific peak without using the received length LA and distance LB. Therefore, the printer 100 can distinguish between the mark 27 and something other than the mark 27.

[0098] The printer 100 executes a main transport process for transporting the medium 20 based on the table 110 created in the initial process. According to this, the table 110 stores the peak distance and peak level of each peak detected in the main transport process. Because the printer 100 controls the transport of the medium 20 based on the table 110 in the main transport process, it can accurately control the transport of the medium 20.

[0099] The printer 100 calculates a corrected peak level by subtracting a predetermined output level AZ from the peak level of the specific peak (S11). Based on the table 110, the printer 100 selects minor peaks whose peak levels do not exceed the corrected peak level (S12). Among the minor peaks, the printer 100 selects a specific minor peak whose peak level is closest to the corrected peak level (S13). The printer 100 re-determines the threshold value AT2 for detecting peaks based on the peak level of the specific peak and the peak level of the specific minor peak (S14). This allows the printer 100 to re-determine the threshold value based on the peak level of the specific peak. The re-determined threshold value AT2 is closer to the peak level A1 of the specific peak than the threshold value AT1 before the re-determination. Therefore, by determining the peak using the re-determined threshold value AT2 in this conveyance process, the printer 100 can more easily identify the specific peak. This allows the printer 100 to further distinguish between the mark 27 and something other than the mark 27.

[0100] The printer 100 deletes from the table 110 any peaks whose peak levels do not exceed the threshold AT2, and updates the table 110 (S15). By doing so, the printer 100 deletes from the table 110 any peaks whose peak levels do not exceed the threshold AT2, and thus the printer 100 can further distinguish between the mark 27 and something other than the mark 27.

[0101] Based on the peak distances on table 110, printer 100 determines the number of peaks detected since the start of conveyance when conveyance begins with the leading end of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position (S16). Printer 100 starts conveying medium 20 using conveying unit 97 (S23). Printer 100 starts acquiring waveform W (S21). Printer 100 counts the number of peaks detected based on threshold value AT2 (S22). When printer 100 determines that the first peak has been detected (S24: YES), it determines that the first peak is a specific peak (S25: YES). Printer 100 conveys medium 20 by a predetermined length (LZ-LB) using conveying unit 97 (S30). This allows printer 100 to detect the specific peak based on table 110 and convey medium 20 to a predetermined position when conveyance of medium 20 begins with the leading end of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position.

[0102] The printer 100 calculates the distance difference for each peak in the table 110 (S17). The printer 100 starts transporting the medium 20 using the transport unit 97 (S23). The printer 100 starts acquiring the waveform W (S21). The printer 100 detects the first and second peaks after starting transport of the medium 20 (S25, S26). The printer 100 identifies which peak in the table 110 is the first detected peak based on the specific inter-peak distance and the calculated distance difference (S28). The CPU 91 transports the medium 20 until a mark 27 is detected (S29), and then transports the medium 20 a predetermined length (LZ-LB) using the transport unit 97 (S30). After transport, the leading edge of the wristband 21 is positioned at a predetermined position. According to this, when printer 100 starts transporting medium 20 with the leading end of wristband 21 positioned at an arbitrary position, it can identify the detected peak based on table 110 and transport medium 20 until the leading end of wristband 21 reaches a predetermined position. As a result, the next time printer 100 transports medium 20, it can start transporting medium 20 with the leading end of wristband 21 positioned at the predetermined position, and transport medium 20 to the predetermined position.

[0103] The printer 100 stores the table 110 in association with the first transport distance and the second transport distance (S15). The printer 100 determines whether the first peak in the main transport process is a specific peak (S25). In the process of S25, the printer 100 compares the first transport distance, peak distance, and second transport distance of the first peak with the first transport distance, peak distance, and second transport distance of the specific peak in the table 110. This allows the printer 100 to control the transport of the medium 20 based on the first transport distance and the second transport distance in the main transport process. This makes it easier for the printer 100 to detect peaks in the main transport process. Therefore, the printer 100 can further distinguish between the mark 27 and something other than the mark 27.

[0104] The printer 100 includes a communication controller 96. In the printer 100, the communication controller 96 receives the length LA of the wristband 21 and the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27. Accordingly, the printer 100 performs transport based on the length LA and distance LB received from the external terminal 200. Therefore, the printer 100 can distinguish between the mark 27 and something other than the mark 27 on any medium 20.

[0105] The printer 100 includes a transport unit 97. The transport unit 97 includes a thermal head 15, a platen roller 11, a transport motor 16, and a driver 95. The transport unit 97 transports the medium 20 in the transport direction by rotating the transport motor 16, with the medium 20 sandwiched between the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 11. The transport motor 16 is a stepping motor. The driver 95 outputs a drive current to drive the transport motor 16 based on a control signal received from the CPU 91. The transport motor 16 transports the medium 20 a distance corresponding to the drive current. In this way, the CPU 91 outputs a control signal, which causes the driver 95 to control the transport motor 16, which is a stepping motor, to transport the medium 20. As a result, the printer 100 can accurately transport the medium 20 with a simple configuration.

[0106] The present invention can be modified in various ways from the above-described embodiment. The various modifications described below can be combined with each other as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the optical sensor 14 outputs a voltage output level that increases as the intensity of light detected by the light receiving element 142 increases. In contrast, the optical sensor 14 may output a voltage output level that increases as the intensity of light detected by the light receiving element 142 decreases. The output level when the mark 27 is detected exceeds the threshold. In this way, exceeding the threshold set to a value greater than the baseline B depending on the type of optical sensor 14 is also included in the term "exceeding the threshold" of the present invention.

[0108] The optical sensor 14 may have a configuration that changes as appropriate as long as its voltage output level changes in proportion to the intensity of incident light. The light-emitting element 141 is not limited to emitting infrared light, and may emit visible light such as red light or blue light. The light-emitting element 141 is not limited to emitting infrared light, and may emit visible light such as red light or blue light. The light-receiving element 142 may change the type of light to be captured as appropriate depending on the type of light emitted by the light-emitting element 141. The light-receiving element 142 may be either a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor. In the above embodiment, the optical sensor 14 is a reflective photosensor, but it may also be, for example, a transmissive photosensor.

[0109] In the above embodiment, in the initial process, medium 20 is transported with the tip of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position. However, medium 20 may be transported with a portion of medium 20 other than the tip of wristband 21 positioned at a predetermined position. The portion of medium 20 other than the tip of wristband 21 is, for example, mark 27. The predetermined position is not limited to the exit of discharge port 211, and may be, for example, the exit of passage port 61.

[0110] Waveform W is not limited to that shown in Fig. 10 etc. In waveform W of the above embodiment, the first peak is the specific peak, but the second or subsequent peaks may be specific peaks depending on the distance from the tip of wristband 21 to mark 27, the type of medium 20, etc.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the peak level is the smallest output level at the peak. However, the CPU 91 may set the output level at a conveyance distance intermediate between the first conveyance distance and the second conveyance distance as the peak level. In this case, the CPU 91 may set the peak distance as the intermediate distance between the first conveyance distance and the second conveyance distance.

[0112] The CPU 91 may control the transport unit 97 without referring to the table 110 in the main transport process, provided that the initial process is performed.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the threshold for detecting a peak is redetermined from threshold AT1 to threshold AT2. However, the threshold need not be redetermined. The method for redetermining threshold AT2 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the corrected peak level need not be calculated. The corrected peak level may be calculated by multiplying the peak level of the specific peak by a predetermined value, rather than by subtracting a predetermined output level from the peak level of the specific peak. For example, the corrected peak level may be calculated by multiplying the peak level of the specific peak by 0.8. The CPU 91 may redetermine the corrected peak level as threshold AT2. The CPU 91 may determine the peak in table 110 that has the next lowest peak level after the specific peak as a specific minor peak. In the above embodiment, the arithmetic mean of the peak levels of the specific peak and the specific minor peak is used as threshold AT2. Alternatively, the geometric mean of the peak levels of the specific peak and the specific minor peak may be used as threshold AT2. The arithmetic mean of the peak level of the specific peak, the peak level of the specific minor peak, and threshold AT1 may be used as threshold AT2. The threshold value AT2 may be calculated by multiplying the arithmetic mean value of the peak level of the specific peak and the peak level of the specific minor peak by a predetermined value.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the printer 100 deletes from the table 110 peaks whose peak level does not exceed the re-determined threshold value AT2. However, it is not necessary to delete peaks from the table 110.

[0115] In the above embodiment, after detecting the first peak in the main transport process, the CPU 91 determines whether the detected first peak is a specific peak. However, it is not necessary to determine whether the first peak is a specific peak. In this case, the process of S25 may be omitted in the main transport process. Although the CPU 91 transported the medium 20 by the length (LZ-LB) after determining that the first peak is a specific peak in the main transport process, it is not necessary to transport the medium 20. The distance by which the CPU 91 transports the medium 20 after determining that the first peak is a specific peak in the main transport process is not limited to the length (LZ-LB), and may be changed as appropriate.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the CPU 91 calculated the distance difference from the peak level of a first peak and the peak level of the peak detected after the first peak. Alternatively, the CPU 91 may calculate the distance difference from the first conveyance distance of a first peak and the first conveyance distance of the peak detected after the first peak. The CPU 91 may calculate the distance difference from the second conveyance distance of a first peak and the second conveyance distance of the peak detected after the first peak. The CPU 91 may identify a peak based on the peak distance of the second peak detected and the peak distance of the third peak detected after the start of conveyance of the medium 20 in this conveyance process. In other words, when conveyance of the medium 20 is started in this conveyance process without the tip of the wristband 21 being positioned at a predetermined position, the peak may be identified based on the peak distance of the peak detected the pth time (p≧1) and the peak distance of the peak detected the p+1th time.

[0117] The columns of table 110 may include peak distances and peak levels. The columns of table 110 may not include the first transport distance. The columns of table 110 may not include the second transport distance. The rows and columns of table 110 may be interchanged. In the process of S9 of the initial processing, the CPU 91 may store the first transport distance in a column of table 110, or may associate the first transport distance with the second transport distance and store it in a column of table 110. In the process of S15 of the initial processing, the CPU 91 may update table 110 without including the first transport distance in the column of table 110, or may update table 110 without including the second transport distance in the column of table 110. The CPU 91 may not transport the medium 20 based on the first transport distance and the second transport distance in the main transport processing. In other words, the CPU 91 may determine whether or not a specific peak is detected in the process of S25 of the main transport processing without using the first transport distance and the second transport distance. In the process of S25 of the main transport process, the CPU 91 may determine whether or not the peak is a specific peak using the first transport distance and the second transport distance, without using the peak distance.

[0118] In the above embodiment, during the initial processing, the communication controller 96 received the length LA of the wristband 21 and the distance LB from the tip of the wristband 21 to the mark 27. Alternatively, during the initial processing, the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18 may receive an input operation indicating the length LA and the distance LB. In this case, the printer 100 may not have the communication controller 96, and may not communicate with the external terminal 200. The printer 100 may not have the touch panel display 171. The printer 100 may not have the operation buttons 18.

[0119] The printer 100 does not necessarily have to include the thermal head 15. The printer 100 may also be an inkjet printer. In this case, instead of the thermal head 15, the printer 100 includes an inkjet head that prints on the medium 20 by, for example, ejecting ink. The printer 100 may also be a laser printer. In this case, the printer 100 includes an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, a charging unit that charges the image carrier with or without contact, an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier using a laser semiconductor or the like, a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge that supplies toner to the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed, a transfer unit such as a transfer roller or a transfer belt that transfers the toner image developed on the image carrier directly to a print medium, and a fixing unit such as a fixing roller or a fixing belt that thermally fixes the toner transferred to the print medium.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the carry motor 16 is a stepping motor, but is not limited to this. The carry motor 16 may also be a servo motor, for example. In this case, the carry motor 16 may be provided with an encoder that outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational position of the carry motor 16, and the driver 95 may perform feedback control of the carry of the medium 20 based on the signal output by the encoder. The carry unit 97 may also be provided with rollers provided in the carry path of the medium 20 and an encoder that outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational position of the rollers. In this case, the driver 95 may perform feedback control of the carry of the medium 20 based on the signal output by the encoder.

[0121] The printer 100 is an example of a "conveying device" or "printer" of the present invention. The mark 27 is an example of a "mark" of the present invention. The medium 20 is an example of a "medium" of the present invention. The conveying unit 97 is an example of a "conveying unit" of the present invention. The output level is an example of an "output level" of the present invention. The optical sensor 14 is an example of an "optical sensor" of the present invention. The thresholds AT1 and AT2 are examples of a "threshold" of the present invention. The touch panel display 171 and the operation button 18 are examples of an "accepting unit" or "operating unit" of the present invention. The communication controller 96 is an example of an "accepting unit" or "receiving unit" of the present invention. The storage device 94 is an example of a "storage unit" of the present invention. The CPU 91 is an example of a "control unit" of the present invention. The length LA is an example of a "medium length" of the present invention. The tip of the wristband 21 is an example of a "specific portion" of the present invention. The distance LB is an example of a "mark distance" of the present invention. The processing of S2 is an example of a "receiving process" or "receiving step" of the present invention. The exit of the discharge port 211 is an example of a "predetermined position" of the present invention. The processing of S7 is an example of an "initial transport processing" or "initial transport step" of the present invention. The processing of S6 is an example of an "initial acquisition processing" of the present invention. Peaks P1, P2, P3, and P4 are examples of "peaks" of the present invention. The processing of S8 is an example of an "initial detection processing" or "initial detection step" of the present invention. The peak distance is an example of a "peak distance" of the present invention. The peak level is an example of a "peak level" of the present invention. Table 110 is an example of a "table" of the present invention. The processing of S9 is an example of a "storage processing" or "storage step" of the present invention. The processing of S10 is an example of a "mark identification processing" or "mark identification step" of the present invention.

[0122] The main transfer processing executed by the CPU 91 is an example of the "main transfer processing" of the present invention. The predetermined output level AZ is an example of the "predetermined output level" of the present invention. The corrected peak level is an example of the "corrected output level" of the present invention. The processing of S11 is an example of the "corrected peak level calculation processing" of the present invention. The small peak is an example of the "small peak" of the present invention. The processing of S12 is an example of the "first selection processing" of the present invention. The specific small peak is an example of the "specific small peak" of the present invention. The processing of S13 is an example of the "second selection processing" of the present invention. The processing of S14 is an example of the "re-determination processing" of the present invention. The processing of S15 is an example of the "update processing" of the present invention. The processing of S16 is an example of the "counting judgment processing" of the present invention. The processing of S23 is an example of the "specific transfer start processing" and the "optional transfer start processing" of the present invention. The processing of S21 is an example of the "specific transfer acquisition processing" and the "optional transfer acquisition processing" of the present invention. The processing of S22 is an example of the "counting processing" of the present invention. The processing of S24 is an example of the "detection judgment processing" of the present invention. The processing of S30 is an example of the "first positioning processing" of the present invention. The distance difference is an example of the "distance difference" of the present invention. The processing of S17 is an example of the "distance difference calculation processing" of the present invention. The processing of S24 and S26 is an example of the "arbitrary transport detection processing" of the present invention. The processing of S28 is an example of the "peak identification processing" of the present invention. The processing of S29 and S30 is an example of the "second positioning processing" of the present invention. The first transport distance is an example of the "first transport distance" of the present invention. The second transport distance is an example of the "second transport distance" of the present invention. The printer housing 2 is an example of the "housing" of the present invention. The thermal head 15 is an example of the "head" or "thermal head" of the present invention. The platen roller 11 is an example of the "platen roller" of the present invention. The transport motor 16 is an example of the "stepping motor" of the present invention. The driver 95 is an example of the "motor driver" of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 14 Optical Sensor 18 Operation buttons 20 Medium 27 marks 91 CPU 94 Storage device 96 Communication Controller 97 Transport section 100 printers 110 Tables 171 Touch Panel Display

Claims

1. a conveying unit for conveying the medium having the mark in a conveying direction; an optical sensor for detecting the mark, the output level of which changes in proportion to the intensity of incident light; The reception department and A memory unit; a control unit, The control unit a receiving process for receiving, via the receiving unit, a medium length of the medium in the transport direction and a mark distance in the transport direction from a specific portion of the medium to the mark; an initial transport process in which the transport unit transports the medium with the specific portion disposed at a predetermined position by the length of the medium accepted in the acceptance process; an initial acquisition process for acquiring a waveform indicating a relationship between a transport distance of the medium and the output level of the optical sensor in the initial transport process; an initial detection process for detecting a peak at which the output level of the optical sensor exceeds a threshold in the waveform acquired by the initial acquisition process; a storage process for storing a table for the peaks detected in the initial detection process, the table having rows for each peak and columns for a peak distance, which is the transport distance from the position where transport of the medium started in the initial transport process to the position where the peak was detected, and a peak level, which is the output level of the optical sensor at the position where the peak was detected; and executing a mark identification process for identifying a peak, among the peaks recorded in the table, whose peak distance matches the mark distance received in the reception process, as a specific peak indicating the mark. A conveying device characterized by the above.

2. The control unit Further, a main transport process is performed by driving the transport unit based on the table and transporting the medium.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The control unit a corrected peak level calculation process for calculating a corrected peak level by subtracting a predetermined output level from the peak level of the specific peak; a first selection process for selecting, from the peaks in the table, small peaks whose peak levels do not exceed the corrected peak level; a second selection process for selecting a specific small peak whose peak level is closest to the corrected peak level from the small peaks selected in the first selection process; and further executing a redetermining process of redetermining the threshold value based on the peak level of the specific peak and the peak level of the specific minor peak.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The control unit further performing an update process to update the table by deleting from the table the peaks whose peak levels do not exceed the threshold redetermined by the redetermining process; 4. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein:

5. The control unit further performing a counting and determining process to determine whether the specific peak is the n-th (n≧1) peak detected since conveyance starts from the specific portion, based on the peak distance of each of the peaks in the table; In the main transport process, a specific transport start process for starting transport of the medium with the specific portion disposed at the predetermined position; a specific transfer acquisition process for acquiring the waveform during transfer started by the specific transfer start process; a counting process of counting the peaks detected when the output level exceeds the threshold in the waveform acquired by the specific carrier acquisition process; a detection and determination process for determining, when the peak counted in the counting process is the nth peak, that the nth peak is the specific peak; When it is determined in the detection and determination process that the n-th peak is the specific peak, a first positioning process is executed in which the wafer is transported a predetermined distance after the specific peak is detected.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein:

6. The control unit further executing a distance difference calculation process for calculating a distance difference for each of the peaks in the table by subtracting the peak distance of the peak detected at the (m-1)th time from the peak distance of the peak detected at the mth time (m≧2) since conveyance started from the specific portion; In the main transport process, an optional conveyance start process for starting conveyance of the medium; an optional transfer acquisition process for acquiring the waveform during the transfer started by the optional transfer start process; an optional transfer detection process for detecting the first and second peaks after the optional transfer start process is started in the waveform acquired by the specific transfer acquisition process; a peak identification process for identifying whether the peak detected the first time is one of the peaks in the table, based on the distance between the peak detected the first time in the optional transport detection process and the peak detected the second time, and the distance difference calculated by the distance difference calculation process; and performing a second positioning process of transporting the next medium until the specified portion of the medium is located at the predetermined position based on the peak distance of the peak identified by the peak identification process.

6. The conveying device according to claim 5,

7. The control unit In the storage process, for each of the peaks, a first transport distance and a second transport distance, which are the transport distances from the position where transport of the medium started in the initial transport process to two intersections with the threshold value at the peak, are further stored as the columns in the table; In the main transport process, the medium is transported based on the first transport distance and the second transport distance of the peak indicated in the table.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein:

8. a housing that houses the transport unit and the optical sensor; the reception unit is an operation unit provided in the housing and configured to receive an input operation from a user; The control unit In the reception process, the input operation indicating the medium length and the mark distance is received by the operation unit.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein:

9. the reception unit is a reception unit that receives data transmitted from an external terminal, The control unit In the reception process, the receiving unit receives the data indicating the medium length and the mark distance from the external terminal.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein:

10. The conveying device according to claim 1; a head for printing on the medium; A printer characterized by:

11. the head is a thermal head that prints by heating the medium, the conveying unit includes the thermal head, a platen roller, a stepping motor for rotating the platen roller, and a motor driver for controlling the stepping motor; the conveying unit is capable of conveying the medium in the conveying direction by rotating the platen roller with the stepping motor while the medium is sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen roller, The motor driver rotates the stepping motor in response to a control signal received from the control unit, thereby conveying the medium by a conveying length.

11. The printer according to claim 10,

12. the head is a thermal head that prints by heating the medium, the conveying unit includes the thermal head, a platen roller, a servo motor for rotating the platen roller, and a motor driver for controlling the servo motor; the conveying unit is capable of conveying the medium in the conveying direction by rotating the platen roller with the servo motor while the medium is sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen roller, The motor driver rotates the servo motor in response to a control signal received from the control unit, thereby conveying the medium by a conveying length.

11. The printer according to claim 10,

13. A control method for a conveying device including a conveying unit for conveying a medium having a mark provided thereon in a conveying direction, an optical sensor for detecting the mark, the optical sensor having an output level that changes in proportion to the intensity of incident light, a receiving unit, and a memory unit, a receiving step of receiving, via the receiving unit, a medium length of the medium in the transport direction and a mark distance in the transport direction from a specific portion of the medium to the mark; an initial transport step of transporting the medium, with the specific portion disposed at a predetermined position, by the transport unit by the length of the medium accepted in the accepting step; an initial acquisition step of acquiring a waveform indicating a relationship between a transport distance of the medium and the output level of the optical sensor in the initial transport step; an initial detection step of detecting a peak at which the output level of the optical sensor exceeds a threshold in the waveform acquired in the initial acquisition step; a storage process for storing a table for the peaks detected in the initial detection process, the table having rows for each peak and columns for a peak distance, which is the transport distance from the position where transport of the medium started in the initial transport process to the position where the peak was detected, and a peak level, which is the output level of the optical sensor at the position where the peak was detected; a mark identifying step of identifying a peak, among the peaks recorded in the table, whose peak distance matches the mark distance received in the receiving step, as a specific peak indicating the mark. A control method characterized by:

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