Printing apparatus and control method for printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus capable of recognizing a replacement time of an ink ribbon, and a control method for the printing apparatus.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus 100 is a printing apparatus 100 that performs printing on recording paper using an ink ribbon 153, and includes: an electromagnetic lock mechanism 161 that locks the ink ribbon 153 mounted on a mounting portion 160 provided in the printing apparatus 100 so that it cannot be removed; and a control unit 200 that counts the number of prints printed by the printing apparatus 100 on the recording paper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and a method for controlling a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing devices that print on a print medium using an ink ribbon are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that includes a head having N ejection units, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1, that eject wires when energized, and a control unit that controls the energization of each of the N ejection units. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-154550 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the ink ribbon is removed from the printing device, for example, the count value that counts the number of prints made on the ink ribbon is reset, which poses a problem in that it is not possible to determine the correct time to replace the ink ribbon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a printing device that prints on a printing medium using an ink ribbon, and that includes an electromagnetic locking mechanism that locks the ink ribbon attached to a mounting section provided in the printing device so that it cannot be removed, and a control section that counts the number of prints that the printing device prints on the printing medium.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a control method for a printing device that includes an attachment section into which an ink ribbon is attached, an electromagnetic locking mechanism that locks the ink ribbon attached to the attachment section so that it cannot be removed, a memory section, a detection section that detects the removal of the ink ribbon from the attachment section, and a processor, wherein the processor operates as a counter that counts the number of prints that the printing device prints on a print medium, and when the detection section detects the removal of the ink ribbon, the counted count value is stored in the memory section as a backup count value and the count value is reset, and when a predetermined operation is received, the backup count value stored in the memory section is set to the counter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a mounting unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a mounting unit. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing device during printing processing. [Figure 5] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing device when replacing the ink ribbon. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a printing system 1. The printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system 1 includes a host device 10 and a printing device 100.

[0010] The host device 10 and the printing device 100 are connected by wire via a cable 30. The host device 10 and the printing device 100 may be connected by wire, or may be connected wirelessly using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are registered trademarks.

[0011] The host device 10 is a host computer that can communicate with the printing device 100. The host device 10 has a printer driver and transmits print data to the printing device 100 in a format that the printing device 100 can read.

[0012] The printing device 100 is a serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) printer that prints by driving multiple printing pins in a print head 151 onto recording paper, which is a print medium, via an ink ribbon 153. The recording paper is, for example, cut sheets made up of multiple overlapping sheets of paper medium, or continuous paper made up of a series of connected cut sheets.

[0013] The printing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, an operation unit 120, a notification LED (Light Emitting Diode) 130, a printing unit 140, and a control unit 200.

[0014] The communication unit 110 includes a connector and an interface board that are compatible with communication standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) and Ethernet, and performs data communication with the host device 10. USB and Ethernet are registered trademarks.

[0015] The operation unit 120 is a reception unit that receives user operations. The operation unit 120 includes switches such as a power switch 121 and a paper feed switch 123, for example.

[0016] The power switch 121 is a switch that turns the power of the printing device 100 on or off. Paper feed switch 123 is a switch that causes recording paper to be transported to transport unit 170. For example, when a paper jam or paper kinks occur, the user presses paper feed switch 123 to transport recording paper to transport unit 170. When paper feed switch 123 is pressed, control unit 200 causes transport unit 170 to transport a predetermined amount of recording paper. Paper feed switch 123 corresponds to an example of a second operation switch.

[0017] The notification LED 130 is an LED used to notify the user when it is time to replace the ink ribbon 153. When the control unit 200 detects that it is time to replace the ink ribbon 153, it turns on the notification LED 130. When the control unit 200 detects that the ink ribbon 153 has been removed from the mounting unit 160, it turns off the notification LED 130.

[0018] The printing unit 140 includes a carriage 150 and a transport unit 170 .

[0019] The carriage 150 carries a print head 151 and an ink ribbon 153. The ink ribbon 153 may be configured to be attached to a main body mounting portion of the device main body.

[0020] Print head 151 is made up of a plurality of printing pins, a guide member that supports the plurality of printing pins, a motor (not shown) that drives the plurality of printing pins, and the like. The plurality of printing pins may be any number, such as 24 printing pins, 12 printing pins, 9 printing pins, or 8 printing pins. Control unit 200 causes print head 151 to execute a printing process that prints on recording paper based on the received print data.

[0021] The carriage 150 is equipped with a print head 151 and an ink ribbon 153, and is movable in the main scanning direction by a stepping motor (not shown) along a shaft (not shown) provided in the printing device 100. The control unit 200 controls the movement of the carriage 150 based on the received print data.

[0022] Here, the ink ribbon 153 mounted on the carriage 150 will be described. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the configuration of the mounting unit 160. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the ink ribbon 153 is locked by the electromagnetic locking mechanism 161. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 is unlocked. Note that the ink ribbon 153 in the present invention refers to an ink ribbon cassette in which the ink ribbon is stored in a folded state. The ink ribbon supplied from the ink cassette may be configured to be set so as to pass between the print head 151 and the support unit that supports the recording paper.

[0023] The mounting unit 160 includes an electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 , an unlocking switch 165 , and a detection unit 167 .

[0024] The electromagnetic lock mechanism 161 is configured by an electromagnetic lock equipped with a solenoid, for example. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 includes a rod-shaped member 163 that engages with a recess (not shown) provided in the ink ribbon 153 to secure the ink ribbon 153 to the mounting portion 160. The rod-shaped member 163 is configured so that its sliding movement is restricted and it is not released from its engagement with the ink ribbon 153. When the printing device 100 is powered on and an unlock switch 165 is pressed, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 releases the restriction on the sliding movement of the rod-shaped member 163.

[0025] The unlock switch 165 is a switch that is pressed to unlock the electromagnetic locking mechanism 161. By using a tactile switch as the unlock switch 165, a current flows through the electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 while the unlock switch 165 is pressed. As a result, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 is unlocked while the printing device 100 is powered on and the unlock switch 165 is pressed.

[0026] Furthermore, when the user presses the unlock switch 165, it outputs a notification signal notifying the control unit 200 that the unlock switch 165 has been pressed. By receiving the notification signal, the control unit 200 can recognize that the electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 has been unlocked.

[0027] The detection unit 167 detects the removal of the ink ribbon 153 from the mounting unit 160 and the attachment of the ink ribbon 153 to the mounting unit 160. The detection unit 167 can be configured using, for example, a microswitch. When the detection unit 167 detects that the ink ribbon 153 has been removed, it outputs a first detection signal to the control unit 200. When the detection unit 167 detects that the ink ribbon 153 has been attached, it outputs a second detection signal, which is different from the first detection signal, to the control unit 200. Furthermore, the detection unit 167 may be configured to output the same detection signal to the control unit 200 when it detects the removal of the ink ribbon 153 and the installation of the ink ribbon 153. In this case, the control unit 200 stores in the storage unit 210 the state of whether the ink ribbon 153 is installed in the installation unit 160 or the state of the ink ribbon 153 removed from the installation unit 160, based on the detection signal input from the detection unit 167.

[0028] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 1, the transport unit 170 transports the recording paper in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in accordance with printing by the print head 151. The transport unit 170 has multiple transport rollers 175 provided on the transport path of the recording paper. The multiple transport rollers 175 transport the recording paper by pinching the recording paper between them and rotating. The control unit 200 controls the paper feed by the transport unit 170 based on the received print data.

[0029] The control unit 200 is a computer device that includes a memory unit 210 and a processor 230 .

[0030] The storage unit 210 includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The storage unit 210 stores a control program 215 executed by the processor 230 and setting values ​​such as threshold values ​​preset in the printing device 100.

[0031] The processor 230 is an arithmetic processing device configured from a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 230 executes the control program 215 to control each part of the printing device 100. The processor 230 may be configured from a single processor or multiple processors.

[0032] The control unit 200 includes a counter and counts the number of prints made on recording paper by the printing unit 140. The control unit 200 may count the number of prints based on print data received from the host device 10, or may use the counter to count the number of times the multiple print pins in the print head 151 are driven. When the count value of the counter reaches or exceeds a preset threshold value, the control unit 200 turns on the notification LED 130. Furthermore, when the detection unit 167 removes the ink ribbon 153 from the mounting unit 160, the control unit 200 turns off the notification LED 130.

[0033] Furthermore, when the detection unit 167 detects that the ink ribbon 153 has been removed from the mounting unit 160, the control unit 200 stores the counter count value in the memory unit 210 as a backup count value. Thereafter, the control unit 200 resets the counter count value. Furthermore, if the paper feed switch 123 is pressed when the ink ribbon 153 is removed from the mounting unit 160, the control unit 200 controls the transport unit 170 to perform a paper feed operation without resetting the counter count value.

[0034] Furthermore, if the power switch 121 of the operation unit 120 is pressed while the unlock switch 165 is being pressed and held, and the count value of the counter has been reset, the control unit 200 reads out the backup count value from the storage unit 210. The control unit 200 sets the read backup count value as the count value of the counter. The unlock switch 165 corresponds to an example of a tactile switch and a first operation switch.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing device 100 during printing processing. The operation of the printing device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The control unit 200 determines whether or not print data has been received from the host device 10 (step S1). If print data has not been received (step S1 / NO), the control unit 200 waits until print data is received.

[0036] When the control unit 200 receives the print data (step S1 / YES), it controls the printing unit 140 based on the received print data and executes a print process for printing on a print medium (step S2).

[0037] Next, the control unit 200 increments the count value of the counter (step S3). For example, the control unit 200 counts the number of times the multiple printing pins of the print head 151 are driven by the counter.

[0038] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether the count value of the counter is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value (step S4). If the count value of the counter is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S4 / YES), the control unit 200 turns on the notification LED 130 (step S5) and stops the printing process (step S6).

[0039] Furthermore, if the count value of the counter is less than the threshold value (step S4 / NO), the control unit 200 determines whether the printing process has ended (step S7). If the printing process has not ended (step S7 / NO), the control unit 200 returns to step S2 and causes the printing unit 140 to execute the printing process. If the printing process has ended, the control unit 200 ends this processing flow.

[0040] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing device 100 when replacing the ink ribbon 153. The operation of the printing device 100 when replacing the ink ribbon 153 will be further described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the power switch 121 is pressed and the power of the printing device 100 is turned on (step S11), the control unit 200 determines whether the unlock switch 165 has been pressed (step S12).

[0041] If the unlock switch 165 is not pressed (step S12 / NO), the control unit 200 ends this processing flow. If the unlock switch 165 is pressed (step S12 / YES), the control unit 200 determines whether the unlock switch 165 is pressed and held down (step S13).

[0042] If the unlock switch 165 is not pressed long (step S13 / NO), the control unit 200 unlocks the lock mechanism (step S15).

[0043] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the detection unit 167 has detected that the ink ribbon 153 has been removed from the mounting unit 160 (step S16). If the control unit 200 does not detect that the ink ribbon 153 has been removed from the mounting unit 160 (step S16 / NO), the control unit 200 waits until the removal of the ink ribbon 153 is detected.

[0044] When the control unit 200 detects that the ink ribbon 153 has been removed (step S16 / YES), it determines whether the paper feed switch 123 is pressed (step S17). If the paper feed switch 123 is pressed (step S17 / YES), the control unit 200 does not reset the count value of the counter, and controls the transport unit 170 to perform the paper feed operation (step S18). After that, the control unit 200 returns to the determination in step S12.

[0045] If the paper feed switch 123 is not pressed (step S17 / NO), the control unit 200 turns off the notification LED 130 (step S19) and stores the count value of the counter as a backup count value in the memory unit 210 (step S20). Thereafter, the control unit 200 resets the count value of the counter (step S21) and returns to the determination in step S12.

[0046] Furthermore, when the unlock switch 165 is pressed and held (step S13 / YES), the control unit 200 sets the count value stored in the storage unit 210 to the counter to restore it (step S14), and ends this processing flow.

[0047] The above-described embodiment and each modified example are preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the unlock switch 165 is used as an example of the first operation switch and the tactile switch is described. That is, when the unlock switch 165 is pressed and held, the backup count value stored in the memory unit 210 is set in the counter, but a configuration in which a switch corresponding to the first operation switch is separately provided may also be used.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which an electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 is provided that locks the ink ribbon 153 attached to the attachment portion 160 so that it cannot be removed. As another example, the ink ribbon 153 may be housed in the attachment portion 160, and an electromagnetic locking mechanism 161 may be provided that locks the open / close cover of the attachment portion 160 so that it cannot be opened or closed.

[0049] 4 and 5 are divided according to the main processing content in order to make the processing of the printing device 100 easier to understand. The present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. Furthermore, the processing of the printing device 100 can be divided into even more processing units depending on the processing content, or one processing unit can be divided so that it includes even more processes. Furthermore, the processing order of the above flowcharts is not limited to the example shown in the drawings.

[0050] 1 indicates a functional configuration realized by cooperation between hardware and software, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. Therefore, it is not necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each functional unit individually, and it is of course possible to implement a configuration in which a single processor executes a program to realize the functions of multiple functional units. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above embodiment may be realized by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.

[0051] 6. Summary of the Disclosure A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0052] (Appendix 1) A printing device that prints on a printing medium using an ink ribbon, comprising: an electromagnetic locking mechanism that locks the ink ribbon attached to a mounting section provided in the printing device so that it cannot be removed; and a control section that counts the number of prints that the printing device prints on the printing medium.

[0053] According to this configuration, an electromagnetic locking mechanism is provided that locks the ink ribbon when it is attached to the attachment section. Therefore, when power is not supplied to the printing device, the electromagnetic locking mechanism cannot be unlocked. This prevents the ink ribbon from being replaced when the printing device is turned off. This prevents the control unit from counting the number of prints without recognizing that the ink ribbon has been replaced, making it possible to determine the correct time to replace the ink ribbon.

[0054] (Appendix 2) A printing device as described in Appendix 1, comprising a printing unit and a detection unit that detects the removal of the ink ribbon from the mounting unit, wherein the control unit comprises a counter that counts the number of prints printed by the printing process executed by the printing unit, and when the detection unit detects that the ink ribbon has been removed from the mounting unit, the control unit resets the count value of the counter, and when a preset condition is met, the control unit does not reset the count value of the counter.

[0055] According to this configuration, when removal of the ink ribbon from the mounting portion is detected, the count value of the counter is reset. Also, if a preset condition is met, the count value of the counter is not reset. For example, by preventing the count value of the counter from being reset when the ink ribbon is removed from the mounting portion due to a paper jam or paper kinks, it is possible to determine the correct time to replace the ink ribbon.

[0056] (Appendix 3) 3. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a tactile switch that, when pressed while the printing device is powered on, energizes the electromagnetic locking mechanism and unlocks the electromagnetic locking mechanism.

[0057] With this configuration, pressing the tactile switch energizes the electromagnetic locking mechanism, thereby unlocking the ink ribbon. Therefore, for example, when removing the ink ribbon from the mounting portion due to a paper jam or paper kinks, pressing the tactile switch can unlock the ink ribbon.

[0058] (Appendix 4) A printing device as described in Appendix 2, comprising a memory unit and a first operation switch, wherein when the detection unit detects that the ink ribbon has been removed, the control unit stores the count value of the counter in the memory unit as a backup count value and resets the count value, and when the first operation switch is pressed, sets the backup count value stored in the memory unit to the counter.

[0059] With this configuration, when removal of the ink ribbon is detected, the counter's count value is stored in the memory as a backup count value. Even if the counter's count value is accidentally reset, the backup count value backed up in the memory can be set in the counter by operating the first operation switch. This makes it possible to determine the correct time to replace the ink ribbon.

[0060] (Appendix 5) A printing device as described in Appendix 2, comprising a transport unit that transports the printing medium and a second operation switch that receives an instruction to have the transport unit transport the printing medium, wherein when the second operation switch is pressed after the ink ribbon is removed from the mounting unit, the control unit determines that the predetermined condition has been met and does not reset the count value of the counter.

[0061] According to this configuration, if the second operation switch is pressed after the ink ribbon is removed from the mounting portion, it is determined that the preset condition is met and the count value of the counter is not reset. Therefore, for example, when removing the ink ribbon from the mounting portion due to a paper jam or paper twist, by pressing the second operation switch, the count value of the counter can be prevented from being reset even if the ink ribbon is removed from the mounting portion.

[0062] (Appendix 6) A control method for a printing device comprising: a mounting section into which an ink ribbon is mounted; an electromagnetic locking mechanism that locks the ink ribbon mounted in the mounting section so that it cannot be removed; a memory section; a detection section that detects when the ink ribbon is removed from the mounting section; and a processor, wherein the processor operates as a counter that counts the number of prints that the printing device prints on a print medium; when the detection section detects that the ink ribbon has been removed, the counted count value is stored in the memory section as a backup count value and the count value is reset; and when a specified operation is received, the backup count value stored in the memory section is set in the counter.

[0063] With this configuration, when removal of the ink ribbon is detected, the counter's count value is stored in the memory as a backup count value. Even if the counter's count value is accidentally reset, the backup count value backed up in the memory can be set in the counter by operating the first operation switch. This makes it possible to determine the correct time to replace the ink ribbon. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...printing system, 10...host device, 30...cable, 100...printing device, 110...communication unit, 120...operation unit, 121...power switch, 123...paper feed switch, 130...notification LED, 140...printing unit, 150...carriage, 151...print head, 153...ink ribbon, 160...mounting unit, 161...electromagnetic locking mechanism, 163...rod-shaped member, 165...unlock switch, 167...detection unit, 170...conveying unit, 175...conveying roller, 200...control unit, 210...memory unit, 215...control program, 230...processor.

Claims

1. A printing device that prints on a print medium using an ink ribbon, an electromagnetic locking mechanism that locks the ink ribbon attached to a mounting portion of the printing device so that it cannot be removed; a control unit that counts the number of characters printed on the print medium by the printing device; A printing device comprising:

2. A printing department; a detection unit that detects removal of the ink ribbon from the mounting unit; Equipped with the control unit includes a counter that counts the number of prints made by the printing process executed by the printing unit, the control unit resets the count value of the counter when the detection unit detects that the ink ribbon has been removed from the mounting unit; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the count value of said counter is not reset when a preset condition is met.

3. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a tactile switch that, when pressed while the printing device is powered on, energizes the electromagnetic locking mechanism to unlock the electromagnetic locking mechanism.

4. A memory unit; A first operation switch; Equipped with when the detection unit detects that the ink ribbon has been removed, the control unit stores the count value of the counter in the storage unit as a backup count value and resets the count value; When the first operation switch is pressed, the backup count value stored in the storage unit is set in the counter.

3. The printing device according to claim 2.

5. a conveying unit that conveys the print medium; a second operation switch that receives an instruction to cause the transport unit to transport the print medium; Equipped with when the second operation switch is pressed after the ink ribbon is removed from the mounting portion, the control unit determines that the preset condition is met and does not reset the count value of the counter.

5. The printing device according to claim 4.

6. A control method for a printing device including a mounting unit in which an ink ribbon is mounted, an electromagnetic locking mechanism that locks the ink ribbon mounted in the mounting unit so that it cannot be removed, a storage unit, a detection unit that detects removal of the ink ribbon from the mounting unit, and a processor, comprising: the processor: The printing device operates as a counter that counts the number of prints on the printing medium, When the detection unit detects that the ink ribbon has been removed, the count value is stored in the storage unit as a backup count value, and the count value is reset. When a predetermined operation is received, the backup count value stored in the storage unit is set in the counter. A method for controlling a printing device.

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