Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of determining whether or not a light-receiving portion and a light-emitting portion are at positions opposite to each other.SOLUTION: A printer is equipped with a carrying portion, a holding portion, a supporting portion, a second detecting portion, and a control portion. The carrying portion carries paper. The holding portion has a light-emitting portion that radiates light, and a first detecting portion that detects light reflected on the paper. The supporting portion supports the holding portion so as to move in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to a carrying direction of the paper. The second detecting portion is disposed on the opposite side to the light-emitting portion across a paper carrying path where the carrying portion carries the paper, and detects light radiated by the light-emitting portion. The control portion determines whether or not the light-emitting portion is at a position opposite to the second detecting portion, on the basis of a detection result of the second detecting portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present embodiment relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a printer that has a reflective sensor that detects a mark for identifying the cutting position of the paper by reflecting light off the paper, and a transmission sensor in which a light receiving section and a light emitting section are arranged to face each other across the paper transport path. In such a printer, the position of the reflective sensor can be moved arbitrarily because the position of the mark differs depending on the paper.

[0003] However, when the reflective sensor and the light-emitting unit are arranged on the same substrate, when the position of the reflective sensor changes, the position of the light-emitting unit also changes. When the position of the light-emitting unit is changed, the light-receiving unit and the light-emitting unit of the transmission sensor no longer face each other, and the light-receiving unit cannot detect the light irradiated by the light-emitting unit. This can result in false detection, rather than the intended detection. Therefore, there is a demand for a technology that can determine whether the light-receiving unit and the light-emitting unit of the transmission sensor are in opposing positions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can determine whether a light receiving section and a light emitting section are positioned to face each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printer of the embodiment includes a transport unit, a memory unit, a holding unit, a support unit, a second detection unit, a first determination control unit, and a second determination control unit. The transport unit transports paper. The memory unit stores the length of a mark provided on the paper. The holding unit has a light emitting unit that irradiates light, and a first detection unit that detects light reflected by the paper. The support unit supports the holding unit so that it can move in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper. Then, the first detection unit is disposed at a position corresponding to a mark provided on the paper. The second detection unit is disposed on the opposite side of the light emitting unit across a paper transport path along which the transport unit transports the paper, and detects the light emitted by the light emitting unit. The paper is detected from the paper transport path by determining whether The first determination control unit determines whether or not the light-emitting unit is located opposite the second detection unit based on the detection result of the second detection unit. When the first determination control unit determines that the light-emitting unit is not located opposite the second detection unit, the second determination control unit determines that the paper has run out based on the length of the mark stored in the memory unit and the detection result of the first detection unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of a printer according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line in FIG. 1 as viewed from the X-axis direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a label sheet with a mount. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of paper with black marks. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a printer. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the characteristic functional configuration of the printer. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of the input / output relationship when the light-emitting section is located opposite the light-receiving section. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the input / output relationship when the light-emitting section is not positioned opposite the light-receiving section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printer will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one embodiment of a printer, and is not intended to limit the configuration, specifications, etc. of the printer.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of a printer 1 according to this embodiment. The printer 1 includes a paper holding shaft 11, a platen roller 12, and a print head 13. In Fig. 1, the transport direction of paper 20 is defined as the X-axis direction. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. The vertical direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction.

[0009] The paper holding shaft 11 is a shaft that holds the paper 20 wound in a roll. The platen roller 12 transports the paper 20. The platen roller 12 is an example of a transport section. More specifically, the platen roller 12 is a roller that transports the paper 20 held by the paper holding shaft 11 by rotating. The platen roller 12 also presses the paper 20 against the print head 13. The print head 13 prints on the paper 20 transported by the rotation of the platen roller 12.

[0010] Furthermore, in printer 1, a sensor for detecting paper 20 is disposed in the area surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 1 between paper holding shaft 11 and print head 13. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 1 as viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0011] The printer 1 includes a support unit 14 below the paper transport path along which the paper 20 is transported, which supports a first sensor board 141 having a light emitting unit 142 and a reflective sensor 143. The support unit 14 supports the first sensor board 141 so that it can move in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper 20. For example, the support unit 14 supports the first sensor board 141 so that it can move in the perpendicular direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper 20 by sliding it on a rail (not shown). In other words, the support unit 14 supports the first sensor board 141 so that it can move in the Z-axis direction.

[0012] First sensor board 141 has a light emitting section 142 that irradiates light, and a reflective sensor 143 that detects the light reflected by paper 20. First sensor board 141 is an example of a holder.

[0013] The light emitting unit 142 emits light. For example, the light emitting unit 142 is a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0014] The reflective sensor 143 is a sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The reflective sensor 143 detects an object by receiving reflected light of light emitted by the light emitting element with the light receiving element. For example, the reflective sensor 143 detects light reflected by the paper 20 transported on the paper transport path. The reflective sensor 143 is an example of a first detection unit.

[0015] The printer 1 is provided with a second sensor board 16 having a light receiving unit 161 on the opposite side of the paper transport path. The light receiving unit 161 is disposed on the opposite side of the paper transport path along which the platen roller 12 transports the paper 20 from the light emitting unit 142, and detects the light emitted by the light emitting unit 142. The light receiving unit 161 is an example of a second detection unit. In addition, the light receiving unit 161 outputs a signal indicating the amount of light received.

[0016] The second sensor substrate 16 is covered by the wall 15. That is, the light receiving portion 161 is covered by the wall 15. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the wall 15 has a funnel-shaped opening 151 that narrows toward the light receiving portion 161. This prevents the light receiving portion 161 from detecting light from the light emitting portion 142 when the light receiving portion 161 and the light emitting portion 142 are not disposed in positions facing each other.

[0017] 3, when the light-emitting unit 142 and the light-receiving unit 161 are arranged on the same straight line, the light-emitting unit 142 and the light-receiving unit 161 form a transmission type sensor. The transmission type sensor detects the paper 20 on the paper transport path based on whether the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 142 passes through the opening 151 and is received by the light-receiving unit 161.

[0018] Furthermore, the reflective sensor 143 and the transmission sensor detect the division of the paper 20 according to the type of the paper 20. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a backing label paper 21. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a paper 22 with a black mark.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, in the label paper 21 with mount, labels 212 are placed at regular intervals on a mount 211. The areas where no labels 212 are placed are thin because there are no labels 212. The light receiving unit 161 of the transmission sensor detects the intensity of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 142 to detect the areas on the mount 211 where no labels 212 are placed. The printer 1 then cuts the mount 211 at the areas where no labels 212 are placed. This allows the printer 1 to prevent the labels 212 from being cut off.

[0020] 5, the paper 22 with black marks has a mark called a black mark 221. The black mark 221 is a mark that indicates the cutting position of the strip-shaped paper 20 wound in a roll. The reflective sensor 143 detects the black mark 221 by irradiating the paper 20 with light and detecting the light reflected by the paper 20. When the printer 1 detects the black mark 221, it cuts the paper 20 at the position specified by the black mark 221.

[0021] 5, the black mark 221 is placed on the right side of the paper 20. However, the black mark 221 is not specified and is placed at a different position for each type of paper 20. Therefore, the support section 14 that supports the reflective sensor 143 is made movable in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper 20. As a result, the reflective sensor 143 is placed at a position according to the type of paper 20, and therefore can detect the black mark 221.

[0022] However, the first sensor board 141 supported by the support section 14 has not only the reflective sensor 143 but also the light-emitting section 142 of the transmission sensor. Therefore, when the position of the reflective sensor 143 is moved, the position of the light-emitting section 142 is also moved. This causes the light-emitting section 142 and the light-receiving section 161 to no longer be positioned opposite each other. As a result, regardless of whether or not there is paper 20 on the paper transport path, the light-receiving section 161 cannot receive the light emitted by the light-emitting section 142. Therefore, the printer 1 erroneously detects that there is paper 20 on the paper transport path when there is no paper 20 on the paper transport path.

[0023] Therefore, the printer 1 has an arrangement determination function that determines whether the light emitting unit 142 is arranged at a position facing the light receiving unit 161 or not.

[0024] Next, a description will be given of a hardware configuration for realizing the arrangement determination function of the printer 1. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printer 1.

[0025] The printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 171, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 172, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 173, a memory 174, a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) 175, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 176, a current adjusting unit 180, a first sensor board 141, and a second sensor board 16.

[0026] The CPU 171 comprehensively controls the operation of the printer 1. The ROM 172 is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM 173 is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU 171 executes programs stored in the ROM 172 or memory 174, etc., using the RAM 173 as a work area. In other words, the CPU 171, the ROM 172, and the RAM 173 are a computer that controls the overall operation of the printer 1 and realizes various functions of the printer 1. The CPU 171, the ROM 172, and the RAM 173 are examples of a control unit.

[0027] The memory 174 is a storage device such as a flash memory, etc. For example, the memory 174 stores various settings of the printer 1.

[0028] The DAC 175 converts the digital signal output from the CPU 171 into an analog signal. Then, the DAC 175 outputs the analog signal to the current adjusting unit 180.

[0029] The current adjusting unit 180 adjusts the current supplied to the light emitting unit 142. For example, the current adjusting unit 180 is a constant current circuit. The current adjusting unit 180 adjusts the current supplied to the light emitting unit 142 based on the analog signal input from the DAC 175.

[0030] The ADC 176 converts the analog signal output from the light receiving unit 161 into a digital signal. Then, the ADC 176 outputs the digital signal to the CPU 171.

[0031] Next, a description will be given of characteristic functions of various devices of the printer 1. Here, Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the characteristic functional configuration of the printer 1.

[0032] The CPU 171 of the printer 1 loads a control program stored in the ROM 172 or memory 174 into the RAM 173, and operates according to the control program to generate each functional unit in the RAM 173. Specifically, the printer 1 includes a sensor position determination unit 1001, a sensor invalidation setting unit 1002, and a paper determination unit 1003 as functional units.

[0033] The sensor position determination unit 1001 executes an arrangement determination process for determining whether or not the light-emitting unit 142 is located opposite the light-receiving unit 161. That is, when the sensor position determination unit 1001 varies the light emission by the light-emitting unit 142, it determines that the light-emitting unit 142 is located opposite the light-receiving unit 161 on condition that the light-receiving unit 161 detects the varied light emission.

[0034] More specifically, when the sensor position determination unit 1001 is instructed to execute the placement determination process while the paper holding shaft 11 is not holding the paper 20, the sensor position determination unit 1001 outputs a current adjustment signal to the DAC 175 to adjust the current supplied to the light emitting unit 142. The DAC 175 converts the current adjustment signal, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal and outputs it to the current adjustment unit 180. The current adjustment unit 180 adjusts the current provided to the light emitting unit 142 based on the current adjustment signal converted into an analog signal. That is, the sensor position determination unit 1001 varies the light emission by the light emitting unit 142 by controlling the current adjustment unit 180. The sensor position determination unit 1001 then determines whether the light emitting unit 142 is located opposite the light receiving unit 161 based on the output signal of the light receiving unit 161 input via the ADC 176.

[0035] Fig. 8 is a graph showing an example of the input / output relationship when the light-emitting unit 142 is located opposite the light-receiving unit 161. Fig. 9 is a graph showing an example of the input / output relationship when the light-emitting unit 142 is not located opposite the light-receiving unit 161.

[0036] Here, the amount of light emitted by light-emitting unit 142 changes with a change in the current supplied thereto. That is, when light-emitting unit 142 is positioned opposite light-receiving unit 161, the amount of light received by light-receiving unit 161 increases with an increase in the amount of light emitted by light-emitting unit 142. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8, the output value output from light-receiving unit 161 fluctuates with an increase in the input value of the current supplied to light-emitting unit 142.

[0037] On the other hand, when the light-emitting unit 142 is not positioned opposite the light-receiving unit 161, even if the amount of light emitted by the light-emitting unit 142 increases, the light-receiving unit 161 cannot receive the light, and so the amount of light received does not change. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9, even if the input value of the current supplied to the light-emitting unit 142 increases, the output value output from the light-receiving unit 161 does not fluctuate. Therefore, the sensor position determination unit 1001 determines whether the light-emitting unit 142 is positioned opposite the light-receiving unit 161 based on the detection result of the light-receiving unit 161.

[0038] The sensor invalidation setting unit 1002 does not use the detection result of the light receiving unit 161 when the light emitting unit 142 is not in a position facing the light receiving unit 161. In other words, the sensor invalidation setting unit 1002 stores in the memory 174 or the like that the transmission type sensor is not to be used.

[0039] Here, if the light-emitting unit 142 is not positioned opposite the light-receiving unit 161, the light-receiving unit 161 does not receive the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 142. Therefore, the printer 1 cannot determine whether the light-receiving unit 161 does not receive light because the paper 20 is present in the paper transport path, or because the light-emitting unit 142 is not positioned opposite the light-receiving unit 161.

[0040] Therefore, the printer 1 cannot identify the cutting position of the backing-attached label paper 21. Furthermore, when determining whether or not the paper 20 is present on the paper transport path based on the detection result of the light receiving unit 161, the printer 1 will erroneously detect that the paper 20 is present when the paper 20 is not actually present. Therefore, the sensor invalidation setting unit 1002 stores in the memory 174 or the like that the transmission sensor will not be used. This allows the printer 1 to prevent erroneous detection of the paper 20 when the light emitting unit 142 is not positioned opposite the light receiving unit 161.

[0041] When the light emitting unit 142 is not positioned opposite the light receiving unit 161, the paper determination unit 1003 determines whether or not the paper 20 is present on the paper transport path based on the detection result of the reflective sensor 143. Here, the reflective sensor 143 is used to detect the black mark 221 on the paper 20. The black mark 221 absorbs light, so the amount of light reflected is reduced. Therefore, the reflective sensor 143 detects the black mark 221 based on the amount of light received.

[0042] When the paper 20 runs out from the paper transport path, the amount of light received by the reflective sensor 143 decreases, just as when the black mark 221 is detected. Therefore, it may be difficult for the printer 1 to determine whether the paper 20 runs out from the paper transport path or whether the black mark 221 has been detected.

[0043] Therefore, the paper determination unit 1003 stores the length of the black mark 221 in the memory 174 or the like. Then, when the amount of light received by the reflective sensor 143 is decreasing for a period longer than the length of the black mark 221, the paper determination unit 1003 determines that the paper 20 has run out on the paper transport path.

[0044] The paper sheet determination unit 1003 may measure the length of the black mark 221 by any method. For example, the paper sheet determination unit 1003 executes a measurement process to measure the length of the black mark 221 while the paper sheet holding shaft 11 is holding the paper sheet 20. For example, the paper sheet determination unit 1003 measures the time during which the amount of light received by the reflective sensor 143 is decreasing. Then, the paper sheet determination unit 1003 multiplies the measured time by the transport speed of the paper sheet 20 to calculate the length of the black mark 221.

[0045] As described above, in the printer 1 according to this embodiment, the support section 14 supports the first sensor board 141 having the light emitting section 142 of the transmission sensor and the reflective sensor 143 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper 20. The light receiving section 161 of the transmission sensor is disposed on the opposite side of the paper transport path. The printer 1 determines whether the light emitting section 142 is positioned opposite the light receiving section 161 based on the detection result of the light receiving section 161 when the light emitting section 142 is caused to emit light. Thus, the printer 1 can determine whether the light emitting section 142 and the light receiving section 161 are positioned opposite each other.

[0046] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0047] The programs executed by each device in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications are provided by being pre-installed in a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) included in each device, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the programs may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of the computer or embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted via a LAN, the Internet, or the like is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

[0048] In addition, the programs executed by each device in the above embodiments and modified examples may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network, or may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Printer 11 Paper holding shaft 12 Platen roller 13 Print Head 14 Support part 141 First sensor board 142 Light-emitting part 143 Reflective Sensor 15. Wall 151 Aperture 16 Second sensor board 161 Light receiving part 171 CPU 172 ROM 173 RAM 174 Memory 175 DAC 176 ADC 180 Current adjustment section 20 Paper 21 Label paper 22 Paper with black mark 211 Mount 212 Label 221 Black Mark 1001 Sensor position determination unit 1002 Sensor disable setting section 1003 Paper judgment unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0050] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-172173 A

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys paper; a storage unit that stores the length of the mark provided on the paper; a holder having a light emitting unit that irradiates light and a first detector that detects the light reflected by the paper; a support section that supports the holding section so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the paper and that positions the first detection section at a position corresponding to the mark provided on the paper; a second detection unit that is disposed on the opposite side of the light emitting unit across a paper transport path along which the transport unit transports the paper, and detects the paper from the paper transport path based on whether or not the second detection unit detects light emitted by the light emitting unit; a first determination control unit that determines whether or not the light emitting unit is located opposite the second detection unit based on a detection result of the second detection unit; a second determination control unit that determines that the paper has run out based on the length of the mark stored in the memory unit and the detection result of the first detection unit when the first determination control unit determines that the light emitting unit is not in a position facing the second detection unit; and A printer comprising:

2. the first determination control unit, when varying the light emission by the light emission unit, determines that the light emission unit is located in a position facing the second detection unit on condition that the second detection unit detects the varied light emission; The printer of claim 1 .

3. A current adjusting unit that adjusts a current supplied to the light emitting unit, The first determination control unit varies the light emission by the light emitting unit by controlling the current adjusting unit. The printer of claim 2.

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