JP3454074B2 - Printer device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device equipped with a photo sensor for detecting a recording medium set in a printer, and more particularly to a cleaning mechanism for the photo sensor and its control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printers are widely used as output terminals for POS systems and other computer systems, personal computers, etc., for printing out various specifications and slips. Some printers have a mechanism that prints on cut paper such as validation paper that is individually set by the user, in addition to the type that prints on preset paper such as roll paper. .

Such a printer device is provided with a photo sensor for detecting whether or not the paper is set at an appropriate position of the printer device before printing. The photo sensor uses light from a light emitting element such as an LED,
It is arranged so that a light receiving element such as a phototransistor can receive light, and the paper set in the printer device detects that the paper is set by blocking the optical path.

[0004]

However, in the conventional printer device, dust such as paper dust may be deposited in the vicinity of the photo sensor during many years of use, and the paper dust may block the optical path. there were. When the optical path is blocked by paper dust or the like, the output of the photo sensor becomes a predetermined value or less, so the printer device erroneously detects this as a sheet, and the printer device malfunctions.

An object of the present invention is to periodically remove paper dust and the like accumulated on the optical path of the photosensor,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printer device that realizes stable paper detection by a photo sensor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer device for notifying the user of the status of removal of the paper dust or the like by printing it on a recording medium.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printer device provided with a photosensor for detecting a recording medium set in a printer. A printer device of the present invention includes an optical detection unit that includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects whether a recording medium is set in the printer device based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element; Cleaning means for removing foreign matter deposited so as to block the optical path with the light receiving element, and the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the optical detection means after the recording medium ejection operation is less than a predetermined reference value. In this case, the control means for operating the cleaning means is provided.

In this case, there is further provided a platen opening / closing means for widening a gap between the platen and the print head when the recording medium is set in the printer device, and the optical detecting means, for example, the cleaning means for the photosensor, is provided with the platen opening / closing means. It is desirable to be configured to work with the means. In this case, the operation of the cleaning means is controlled by the control means provided in the printer device. The control means reads the amount of light received by the light receiving element, that is, the output value of the photosensor after the recording medium is ejected, and operates the platen opening / closing means a predetermined number of times when the output value is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value. Then, the cleaning means is operated.

In the present invention, the printer device further has a display means, and the operating status of the cleaning means can be controlled to be displayed on the display means. In this case, it is desirable that the display means is composed of the second recording medium and the printing means for printing on the second recording medium.

Further, the printer device is operated by the following control procedure regarding the cleaning of the photo sensor. That is, the printer device reads the output value of the photosensor after the recording medium is ejected, and when the output value is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, displays a message to start cleaning on the second recording medium. Print it. After printing the message, the cleaning means is operated by driving the platen opening / closing means a predetermined number of times. Then, after the operation of the cleaning means, the output value of the photosensor is read, the output value is compared with the reference value, and a message indicating the suitability of cleaning is displayed on the second recording medium according to the result. Print it.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a printer used in a POS system or the like, and FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a printing section thereof. The printer device shown in the figure is provided with a dot impact type printing unit 1 that selectively prints on two types of recording media, that is, cut paper P such as validation paper and roll paper R. The printing unit 1 includes a print head 3 supported by a carriage 2 and movable with respect to the recording medium, and a platen 4 facing the print head 3.

The platen 4 is fixed to an inner roll paper guide plate 5, and together with the guide plate, a platen opening / closing solenoid 1 is provided.
3 (see FIG. 3) to open and close. That is,
By driving the solenoid 13, the inner roll paper guide plate 5
Rotates in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2 to widen the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 3. The feed roller 6 arranged to face the validation pressing roller 7 is also fixed to the inner roll paper guide plate 5, and the validation feeding roller 6 and the pressing roller 7 are rotated by the rotation of the guide plate.
A gap is formed between the two and the cut sheets P such as validation paper can be inserted. In this example, the inner roll paper guide plate 5 to which the platen 4 is fixed is opened and closed, but the side of the carriage 2 supporting the print head 3 may be opened and closed. In this case as well, it is desirable that the validation conveyance unit constituted by the validation feed roller 6 and the pressing roller 7 be opened and closed in conjunction with this opening and closing operation.

The roll paper R is set in the printer in advance, and when the cut paper P is not inserted, the roll paper R can be printed. The leading end of the roll paper R is guided to the gap between the platen 4 and the print head 3 while being guided by the feeding roller 8, the roll paper feed roller 9 and the roll paper guide plate 10 to enable printing. In the figure, the roll paper sensor 19 is a micro switch, and when the roll paper R is consumed and disappears,
It is for detecting the end. In the present invention, as the printing method in the printing unit 1, various printing methods such as a thermal transfer method and an inkjet method can be adopted in addition to the dot impact method.

The printing unit 1 is provided with a validation sensor 11 for detecting whether or not the cut-sheet paper P is properly set. As shown in FIG. 3, the validation sensor 11 includes an LED 11 as a light emitting element.
a known photointerrupter in which a and a phototransistor 11b as a light receiving element are arranged to face each other.
D11a and phototransistor 11b have openings 12
It is fixed to the housing of the printer by a substantially U-shaped support member 12 having a. When the cut sheet P is set in the printing unit 1, its insertion end, that is, the front end is positioned inside the opening 12a of the validation sensor 11. Therefore, the light from the LED 11a is blocked by the cut paper P, and the light receiving level of the phototransistor 11b is lowered, so that the cut paper P
Is set is detected.

The printing unit 1 further includes a cleaning device 14 for the validation sensor 11. Figure 3
The perspective view of the cleaning device 14 is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the cleaning device 14 is configured to include a cleaning plate 15, a drive lever 16, and a spring 17 that is a biasing means for positioning the drive lever 16 at a predetermined position. The cleaning plate 15 is
It is linked to the solenoid 13 for opening and closing the platen via a drive lever 16, and as the solenoid 13 is driven in the A and C directions, the solenoid 13 moves in the B and D directions orthogonal thereto. The drive lever 16 swings horizontally about a fulcrum 16a fixed to the printer casing. One ends of the solenoid 13 and the cleaning plate 15 are respectively separated from the fulcrum 16a at a position apart from the driving lever 16
Is associated with.

When the solenoid 13 projects in the direction A in the figure, the drive lever 16 rotates clockwise around the fulcrum 16a, whereby the cleaning plate 15 retracts in the direction B in the figure. On the other hand, when the solenoid 13 moves backward in the C direction, the cleaning plate 15 moves in the D direction. The spring 17 acts to assist the drive lever 16, and thus the cleaning plate 15, in returning to the initial position.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the operation of the cleaning device 14. As is clear from the drawing, the tip portion 15a of the cleaning plate 15 is located in the opening 12a of the validation sensor 11 at the initial position, that is, when the platen 4 is closed. In other words, the tip portion 15a of the cleaning plate has the LED 11a and the phototransistor 11
It is located below the optical path of the opening 12a so as not to block the optical path connecting with b. Since foreign matter such as paper dust may be accumulated on the upper surface of the tip portion 15a,
Ideally, it is preferable that a sufficient clearance be secured between the optical path and the upper surface of the cleaning plate 15.

When the cleaning plate 15 is retracted in the direction B in FIG. 4 (A) along with the operation of opening the platen 4 of the solenoid 13 for opening and closing the platen, the tip 15a thereof has an opening portion of the phototransistor 11b. 1
Exit from 2a. Here, above the cleaning plate, there is provided a stopper 18 against which the front end of the cut paper P is abutted, and the cleaning plate 15 is provided with this stopper 1.
Move along 8. At this time, the cleaning plate 1
As shown in FIG. 2B, the paper dust 20 accumulated on the tip 15a of the sheet 5 is pushed by the end 18a of the stopper 18 as the cleaning plate 15 moves backward, and falls into the opening 12a. From this state, when the solenoid 13 is returned to the initial position in accordance with the operation of closing the platen 4 of the solenoid 13 for opening and closing the platen, as shown in FIG. 1
The paper dust 20 that has fallen into 2a is pushed out of the opening 12a. By the series of operations described above, the paper dust 20 in the opening 12a is
Are removed.

In this example, the cleaning plate 15 is connected to the photo sensor 11 in conjunction with the opening operation of the platen 4.
The cleaning plate 15 retreats from the opening 12a, and the cleaning plate 15 pushes out the foreign matter in the opening 12a in conjunction with the closing operation of the platen 4. This is because when the platen 4 is closed, the platen 4 and the print head 3
This is because the foreign matter sandwiched between and may fall due to the opening of the platen 4, and in this case, the foreign matter can be discharged according to the closing operation of the platen 4, which is convenient.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning plate 15 enters the opening 12a of the photosensor 11 in association with the opening operation of the platen 4 to remove foreign matters existing in the opening 12a. The cleaning plate 15 may be pushed out and retracted from the opening 12a in conjunction with the closing operation of the platen 4. As a result, during printing performed with the platen 4 in the closed state, the cleaning plate 15 keeps the opening 12a of the photo sensor 11 open.
Since it is in the position retracted from the cleaning plate 1
A space corresponding to the size of the tip portion 15a of No. 5 is formed in the opening 12a, and a larger space for foreign matter that falls below the printing unit 1 due to the printing operation and accumulates. Can be secured. That is, the erroneous detection by the photosensor does not occur until the space is filled with the foreign matter.

The opening / closing operation of the platen 4 and the cleaning of the photo sensor 11 are interlocked because the opening / closing operation of the platen 4 is always performed when the photo sensor 11 needs to detect the validation paper. This is because it is possible to effectively avoid erroneous detection by linking. For example, while waiting for the insertion of the validation paper, it is necessary to continue to detect the presence or absence of the insertion by the photosensor 11, but since the platen 4 is always opened before the insertion waiting state is entered. is there. However, the present invention is not limited to the interlocking relationship.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of initial control performed when the power of the printer is turned on. As will be described below, in this printer device, when the power is turned on, the validation sensor 11 by the cleaning device 14 is turned on.
And the printout of the cleaning status are executed.

When the power of the printer is turned on, the mechanical section is initialized such as moving the print head 3 to the home position (S501). At this point, the validation feed roller is driven to eject the paper from the printing unit 1. This is done in order to surely initialize the printing unit 1 to the paper-free state because some paper may already be inserted in the printing unit 1 when the power is turned on and the state is indefinite. Therefore, when a cut sheet such as a validation sheet is set, the sheet is ejected.

The printer device determines the operation mode (S5
02), if the normal mode (normal printing mode) is set, the sheet is detected by the validation sensor 11 (S503). On the other hand, when the printer is set to a mode other than the normal mode (for example, the self-test mode), the sheet detection is not performed and the process proceeds to each mode (S504). The selection of the process according to the mode of the printer device is not essential to the present invention, and the cleaning process of the present invention may be executed regardless of the mode of the printer device.

As a result of the sheet detection in S503, if the output level of the validation sensor 11 is higher than the reference value, that is, if a sufficient amount of light is input from the LED 11a to the phototransistor 11b, the validation sensor 11 is detected. It is determined that there is no need to perform the cleaning of (1), and the process proceeds to the process when the normal mode is set (S510). On the other hand, when the output level of the validation sensor 11 is less than or equal to the reference value, it is determined that the paper dust 20 or the like exists on the optical path of the validation sensor 11, and the following operation is executed. That is, first, a message to start cleaning by the cleaning device 14 is printed (S505). The message is printed
This is performed on the roll paper R set in advance. Next, the cleaning of the validation sensor 11 by the cleaning device 14 is executed (S506). As mentioned above,
The cleaning device 14 is driven by driving the solenoid 13 of the platen opening / closing means. When performing the cleaning, it is preferable to reliably remove the paper dust 20 by controlling the drive of the solenoid 13 a plurality of times. In one example, when the solenoid was controlled to repeat the cleaning five times, the paper dust 20 was completely removed.

After the cleaning of the validation sensor 11 by the cleaning device 14, the output level of the validation sensor 11 is read again (S50).
7). As a result, when the output level of the validation sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the reference value, the validation sensor 1
Assuming that the paper dust 20 in the interval 1 has been removed, a message (for example, "normal end") indicating that cleaning has been normally performed is printed on the roll paper R (S508).
On the other hand, if the output level of the validation sensor 11 is still below the reference value, a message indicating that cleaning was not performed normally (for example,
“Cleaning failed. Call a service person.”) Is printed on the roll paper R (S50).
9). After the printing, the control shifts to the normal mode processing (S510).

The output level of the validation sensor 11 set in advance as the reference value may be set higher than the output level at the time of sheet detection. As a result, the presence of the paper dust 20 can be detected before the paper dust 20 is erroneously detected, and the reliability of the apparatus can be further enhanced. In other words, the difference between the reference value used for detecting the paper dust 20 and the reference value used for detecting the paper detection serves as a noise margin in the paper detection. Also,
The control of the cleaning device 14 can be realized by applying a technique known to those skilled in the art by a microprocessor installed in the printer device and a program executed by the processor.

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the embodiment, and claims and detailed description of the invention, and It includes a range in which those skilled in the art can make changes and applications based on well-known techniques. For example,
In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning status is printed out. However, the present invention may be configured without such an output, and in a printer device including a display display device, etc. It is also possible to configure so that the cleaning status is displayed and output. Further, in the present embodiment, the printer device that prints out the cut paper and the roll paper by one printing unit is shown, but the present invention is also applicable to the printer device in which the printing unit is independently provided for each paper. Can be applied.

Further, the configuration of the cleaning device shown in the above embodiment is only an example of the cleaning means in the present invention, and the cleaning means can be constructed by other configurations. For example, the cleaning unit may be configured by moving a brush material between the openings or blowing air between the openings. Further, in the embodiment, the validation sensor 11 is composed of a photo interrupter in which an LED and a phototransistor are arranged to face each other. However, in the present invention, this is used as a photosensor of another known type, for example, an LED and a phototransistor. May be connected in series, and may be constituted by a photoreflector or the like in which light from the LED reflected by the object is detected by a phototransistor.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning device is operated when the power of the printer device is turned on. However, the cleaning device is operated at an arbitrary timing after the cut sheet P is discharged. It is possible to carry out the above processing. Further, in the present invention, the cleaning device may be driven by a method other than the control shown in FIG. For example, in step S506 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the output level of the validation sensor 11 may be read every time cleaning is performed, and this may be repeated until the value becomes equal to or higher than the reference value. Further, after the output level becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value, the cleaning operation may be further performed a plurality of times, and then the processing may be ended.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the paper dust or the like accumulated on the optical path of the photosensor can be regularly removed by the cleaning means, and the stable paper detection by the photosensor can be realized. In this case, since the cleaning means is driven by the power source of the platen opening / closing means, it is not necessary to separately prepare a drive source for driving the cleaning means, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified.

By printing the cleaning status on a recording medium, this can be notified.
The user can take appropriate measures according to the output content.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a printing unit of the printer device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the cleaning device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of initial control performed when the printer apparatus is powered on.

[Explanation of symbols]

P cut sheet R roll paper 1 printing section 2 carriage 3 print head 4 Platen 5 Inside roll paper guide plate 6 Validation feed roller 7 Presser roller 8 Feeding roller 9 Roll paper feed roller 10 Roll paper guide plate 11 Validation sensor 11a LED 11b Phototransistor 12 Support member 12a opening 13 Platen open / close solenoid 14 Cleaning device 15 Cleaning plate 15a tip of cleaning plate 16 Drive lever 16a fulcrum 17 spring 18 stopper 18a End of stopper 19 Roll paper sensor 20 paper dust

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-9-86001 (JP, A) JP-A-7-69488 (JP, A) JP-A-6-155852 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 255984 (JP, A) JP-A-8-328323 (JP, A) JP-A-2-519 (JP, A) JP-A-58-172570 (JP, A) JP-A-9-39317 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 7/14 B41J 29/00

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer device comprising a print head and a platen facing the print head, wherein the platen is opened to insert a recording medium, and the platen is closed to print on the recording medium. And a member for removing foreign matter existing in the detection range of the detector according to opening and closing of the platen. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising a plunger for opening and closing the platen, and a lever connected to the plunger and rotated in response to protrusion and retreat of the plunger, A member is connected to the lever and reciprocates according to the rotation of the lever. 3. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein a comparison circuit compares the output of the detector with first and second predetermined values, and the detector based on the output of the comparison circuit. And a control circuit that causes the member to remove foreign matter when the output of the printer is between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. In the above, the first predetermined value is a value that is determined that the recording medium is inserted when the first predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value, and the second predetermined value is greater than the second predetermined value. When the recording medium is large, it is determined that the recording medium is not inserted, and is larger than the first predetermined value. 4. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the detector is a photodetector in which a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion are arranged to face each other. 5. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the member passes in the vicinity of the detector according to opening / closing of the platen. 6. The printer device according to claim 5, wherein the member passes below a detection range of the detector. 7. The printer device according to claim 5, wherein the member is separated from the detector when the platen is opened and approaches the detector when the platen is closed. Characteristic printer device. 8. The printer device according to claim 5, wherein the member approaches the detector when the platen opens and separates from the detector when the platen closes. Characteristic printer device. 9. The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays an operation status of the member. 10. The printer device according to claim 9, wherein the display comprises a second recording medium and a printing mechanism that prints on the recording medium. 11. A method for controlling a printer device, comprising: a print head; a platen facing the print head; and a detector for detecting a print medium inserted between the print head and the platen. The opening of the platen in preparation for insertion of the recording medium, the step of detecting the insertion of the recording medium, the step of closing the platen after the recording medium is detected in the detecting step, and the platen in the platen closing step. A method for controlling a printer device, comprising: a step of printing on the recording medium after closing the printer; and a step of removing foreign matter in a detection range of the detector according to opening and closing of the platen. 12. The method of controlling a printer device according to claim 11, wherein a step of comparing the output of the detecting step with first and second predetermined values, and the detecting step based on a comparison result of the comparing step. And a control step of removing the foreign matter when the output of the above is between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. In the above, the first predetermined value is a value that is determined that the recording medium is inserted when the first predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value, and the second predetermined value is greater than the second predetermined value. When the recording medium is large, it is determined that the recording medium is not inserted,
Is larger than the predetermined value of. 13. The method of controlling a printer device according to claim 12, wherein the foreign matter removing operation in the control step is an opening / closing operation of the platen a predetermined number of times. 14. The method for controlling a printer device according to claim 11, further comprising a step of conveying the recording medium in a discharge direction, and a step of detecting the recording medium after the conveying step. Then, the method of controlling a printer device, wherein the foreign matter removing step is executed when the recording medium is detected in the detecting step. 15. The method of controlling a printer device according to claim 14, wherein the foreign matter removing step is an opening / closing operation of the platen a predetermined number of times. 16. The method for controlling a printer device according to claim 14, wherein a step of displaying a message that the foreign matter removal is started prior to the foreign matter removal step, and the recording medium being re-loaded after the foreign matter removal step are displayed. A method of controlling a printer device, further comprising the step of detecting and displaying whether or not the foreign matter removal is appropriate.