JP4844975B2 - Form printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a form printer.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some form printers used in financial institutions, etc., determine the type of a form inserted in a form transport path, and the determination is made based on the form width, thickness, presence / absence of a magnetic stripe, and the like. .
For example, in the form processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the form type is determined based on the width and thickness of the inserted form and the presence or absence of a magnetic stripe. The thickness detection mechanism of this form processing apparatus is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the detection roller 100 that contacts the surface of the form 104 and moves up and down according to the thickness X of the form 104, and the thickness detection signal corresponding to the vertical movement amount of the detection roller 100 are generated. A detection signal generating unit 101, a rotation unit 102 included in the detection signal generating unit 101, which generates a voltage corresponding to the rotation angle θ from the initial position as a thickness detection signal, and a detection roller 100 attached to the tip; The arm 103 is configured to rotate the rotating unit 102 in accordance with the vertical movement amount of the detection roller 100.
In this thickness detection mechanism, when a form arrives, the detection roller 100 rises by the thickness of the form 104, and the rotation unit 102 rotates by an angle θ. At this time, a thickness detection signal corresponding to the rotation angle θ is generated from the detection signal generation unit 101 to detect the thickness of the form 104.
However, a form processing apparatus installed in a store such as a financial institution has a paper dust generated when the form is scraped by conveyance as a result of its operation, a glue residue on a slip-binding portion, a ribbon residue generated by scraping an ink ribbon, cooling The inside of the installation environment is contaminated by floating dust or the like entering from the outside due to the airflow of the fan. These dusts are fixed on every part in the form processing apparatus by having an adhesive component or mixing with oil in the form processing apparatus. Naturally, it also adheres to the form conveyance roller that conveys the form, and causes a failure in which a form conveyance mistake or a form stop position error increases.
Similarly, although dust adheres to the detection roller 100, the detection roller 100 and the form transport roller rotate with the movement of the form, and thus do not rub against the form. Therefore, it is difficult to eliminate dust adhering to the surfaces of the detection roller 100 and the form transport roller unless cleaning is performed during maintenance. Therefore, the thickness detection signal output from the detection signal generation unit 101 includes the thickness of dust, and it is difficult to detect the accurate form thickness.

Further, a passbook slip printer disclosed in Patent Document 2 is known as a means for improving the print quality in a form printer. The configuration is shown in FIG. The passbook slip printer collects data from the inserted slips via the reflection sensor 106, the magnetic head 107, and the transmission sensor 108, and compares the data with the format stored in the storage unit 112 so that the medium identification unit 110 stores the form. If the type is determined and the form is determined to be a passbook, the thickness of the printed page of the passbook, that is, the spread page to be printed, and the thickness of the other pages superimposed on the lower part according to the page mark read result The print quality is improved by changing the electrical drive conditions of the print control unit 109 and increasing the print pressure of the print head 105 in response to a command from the main control unit 111 when it is determined that the print page is thick. It is what I tried.
In general, a thick page of a passbook has a thickness of about 10 pages and is not in a state where the pages are in close contact with each other. Therefore, the print target page on the top surface of the passbook is in a fluffy state. For this reason, the ink of the ink ribbon cannot be uniformly transferred onto the page by the wire of the print head 105, and the print quality is deteriorated by mixing dark dots and thin dots.
In order to eliminate this inconvenience, in the passbook slip printer described in Patent Document 2, the print quality is improved by increasing the pressure of the print head 105 to eliminate thin dots.
However, in recent years, the drive frequency of the print head has been increased for the purpose of improving the processing speed of the printer, so not only the thick pages of the passbook but also the transfer blur to the paper located at the bottom of the copy slip is a problem. It has become. Deterioration in print quality of thick pages in the passbook is caused by weak ink transfer from the ink ribbon, and can be improved by changing the print pressure, but transfer that occurs on the paper located at the bottom of the copy slip Scratch is not a problem of ink transfer from the ink ribbon, and it is difficult to improve by simply increasing the printing pressure. Further, when the printing pressure is increased, the load stress of the wire of the print head increases, and there is a problem that the life of the print head is shortened due to wear of the wire tip or wire breakage.

JP 2003-58931 A JP-A 63-264382

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a form printer that can appropriately perform printing on paper located at the bottom of a copy slip without shortening the life of the print head.

The form printer of the present invention includes a dot impact type print head provided on one side of a form conveyance path, and a perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the form in a plane parallel to the form in the form conveyance path while holding the print head. A carrier that moves in a direction to move, a print head controller that electrically controls the drive mode of the wire in the print head in accordance with preset control parameters, and a form at a position facing the carrier across the form conveyance path In order to achieve the above object, in particular, a form printer provided with a platen that supports the form and a form carrying means for feeding the form within the form carrying path,
Control parameters for general forms that are suitable for high-speed printing on general forms including single forms, and control for copy forms that have the same tapping force as when printing on general forms, and that make the wire push-in time redundant. Parameter storage means for storing parameters;
A form type determining means for determining whether the form inserted into the form transport path is a general form or a copy form;
When the form type determining means determines that the form is a general form, the control parameter for the general form is set as a driving condition in the print head control unit, while the form type determining means copies the form. If it is determined that the document has a parameter selection means for setting said print head control unit controls parameters for copying documents as the driving condition,
The form type determining means operates the platen pressing means that presses the platen with a certain force in a direction approaching the carrier with the form positioned between the carrier and the platen, and the platen pressing means. A thickness measuring means for measuring a separation distance between the carrier and the platen in a state where the carrier is in a closed state, and identifying whether the form is a general form or a copy form based on a measurement result of the thickness measuring means The platen pressing means and the thickness measuring means in a state where the first half portion of the form inserted in the form transport direction is positioned between the carrier and the platen by controlling the type specifying means and the form transport means. A first measurement execution means for actuating and temporarily storing the measurement results; and driving and controlling the form transporting means to control the second half of the inserted form as the carrier. Comprising a second measurement execution means for temporarily storing the results measured by operating the platen pressing means and thickness measuring means in a state of being positioned between the serial platen,
The type specifying means includes a difference between a measurement result obtained by the first measurement execution means and a measurement result obtained by the second measurement execution means within a preset step determination value range, and the first measurement execution means or The measurement result by the second measurement execution means is different from a value equivalent to half the thickness of a passbook used as a form, and at the same time, the first measurement execution means or the second measurement execution The form is characterized in that the form is specified as a copy slip only when the measurement result by the means exceeds a preset single sheet determination value .

The form printer according to the present invention maintains the same tapping force as that when printing on general forms including single sheets when printing on copy slips, and only the wire pressing time is made redundant. Can be appropriately printed on the paper located at the lowermost part of the copy slip.
In addition, since the load acting on the wire does not increase when printing on a copy slip, the durability of the print head is improved.

  Next, an embodiment of the form printer of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a mechanical configuration of a main part of a form printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention from a viewpoint along the conveyance direction of the form, and FIG. 2 is built in the form printer 1. 2 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of the printer control apparatus 2 that has been performed. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the form printer 1 of this embodiment includes a dot impact type print head 4 provided on one side of the form conveyance path 3 and a print head 4 that holds the print head 4 in the form conveyance path 3. A carrier 6 that moves in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the form 5 in a plane parallel to the form 5, that is, the left-right direction in FIG. 1, and a position that faces the carrier 6 across the form conveyance path 3 are supported. A platen 7 is provided.

  The structure of the form transporting means including a form transporting roller that feeds the form 5 in the form transporting path 3 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 is already known, so that the description is omitted and the drive source is configured. The form transport motor M1 is only described in FIG. Similarly, carrier drive means such as a timing belt and a toothed pulley that feeds the carrier 6 in the lateral direction of FIG. 1 are well known, and are not described. FIG. 1 shows carrier guides 13 and 14. FIG. 2 shows a carrier drive motor M2 constituting a drive source of the carrier drive means.

  The print head control unit in this embodiment, that is, means for electrically controlling the drive mode of the wire of the print head 4 in accordance with the set control parameters constitutes the main part of the printer control device 2 shown in FIG. And a print head drive circuit 11 that drives and controls the print head 4 in response to a command input from the microprocessor 8 via the input / output circuit 10. Yes.

  Further, the non-volatile memory 12 of the printer control device 2 holds control parameters for general forms suitable for high-speed printing on a single form, which is a general form, and a tapping force equivalent to that for high-speed printing on a single form. It functions as a parameter storage means for storing a copy slip control parameter for making only the wire pressing time redundant.

  In this embodiment, the form 5 used in the form printer 1 is assumed to be a booklet-like passbook, a copy slip formed by superposing carbon paper or white paper, and a single form made up of a piece of paper.

  As a general attribute, the thickness of a passbook folded in a booklet is about 2 mm, and the thickness of a single sheet is about 50 μm to 150 μm. Usually, a copy slip is composed of three to seven sheets of paper or carbon paper having a thickness of about 50 μm, and the thickness is about 150 μm to 350 μm. In practice, three sheets of paper having a thickness of 50 μm, Alternatively, there are a copy slip of about 150 μm in which two sheets of 75 μm are stacked, a copy slip of about 200 μm in which four sheets of 50 μm are stacked, or five sheets of 40 μm are stacked.

  Therefore, if a copy slip and a single slip are identified based only on the thickness of the slip 5, it is difficult to identify whether the slip 5 having a thickness of about 150 μm is a copy slip or a single slip. Since the transfer blurring to the paper located at the bottom of the slip is a substantial problem when the number of sheets to be superposed exceeds four, for example, the thickness of 150 μm is used as a threshold and the copy slip is simply used. There is no substantial problem even if the vote is identified. In that case, there is a possibility that a copy slip of around 150 μm consisting of 3 sheets of 50 μm thickness or 2 sheets of 75 μm is judged as a single sheet, but in the case of a copy slip of around 150 μm Since the number of papers to be transferred is four or less, the copy slip inherent to the copy slip, more specifically, a copy slip having a relatively large number of copies (more specifically, a copy of more than 4 sheets of paper or carbon paper stacked) There is no problem of transfer blur inherent to the slip.

  Here, since the transfer blur that occurs in the copy slip is a problem, the type of the form 5 used in the form printer 1 is simply classified into two types of copy slip and general slip. As is obvious, in practice, the general form includes two types, a single form and a passbook.

  Among the general forms, as for the passbook, as explained in the background section, the print head 4 wire cannot uniformly transfer the ink ribbon ink onto the page, and dark dots and light dots are mixed and printed. There is an inconvenience that the quality deteriorates. However, in this regard, as described in the background art section, if the durability of the print head 4 is not questioned, the wire tapping force of the print head 4 is dealt with redundantly. However, when such a method is applied, although there is a demerit that the durability of the print head 4 is lowered, it is possible to obtain a merit such as a high-speed printing operation. Also, if you are prepared to reduce the printing speed somewhat, you can make the wire pressing time redundant while maintaining the same tapping force as high-speed printing performed on a single sheet. In fact, even if the method for preventing the occurrence of transfer scraping that occurs in the copy slip is diverted to the printing of the passbook, the passbook can be printed with the same or better results than when the wire tapping force is made redundant. It is possible to deal with quality improvement. In this embodiment, the form 5 is not only classified into two types, copy form and general form, but the form belonging to the general form can be identified as a single form and a passbook, and the form 5 is copied. In the case of slips, the wire hitting time is always redundant while preventing the occurrence of transfer scraping while maintaining the same tapping force as that for high-speed printing on a single sheet. In the case where the form 5 is a passbook which is a kind of general form, the same printing method as in the case of a copy form is applied if priority is given to the durability of the print head 4 even if the printing speed is somewhat sacrificed. If priority is given to the printing speed even if the durability of the print head 4 is somewhat sacrificed, the wire tapping force of the print head 4 may be made redundant to suppress the variation in the density of dots as in the prior art. Absent.

  In any case, at least when printing on a copy slip, the passbook and copy are made with a configuration in which only the wire push-in time is made redundant while maintaining the same tapping force as high-speed printing performed on a single slip. Compared to the conventional print control in which the printing operation is performed with the wire tapping force of the print head 4 redundant for both of the slips, the quality of the print on the copy slip is improved, and at least to the copy slip Since the load acting on the wire during printing is reduced, the durability of the print head 4 is also relatively improved and the original purpose is achieved.

  That is, in short, when the form 5 is a copy slip, it is indispensable to perform a printing operation with only the wire pressing time redundant while maintaining the same tapping force as that for high-speed printing on a single sheet. Although it is a requirement, when the form 5 is a passbook, the wire tapping force of the print head 4 is made redundant to prevent mixing of dark dots and thin dots, or equivalent to high-speed printing on a single form Whether to mix with thin dots by performing the printing operation with redundant wire pressing time while maintaining the tapping force is an optional matter.

  Here, the print head control parameters stored in the nonvolatile memory 12 will be described.

  In general, when there is a problem in the print quality, it can be improved by changing a parameter for electrically controlling the drive mode of the wire in the print head 4 as already disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-264382. . Usually, in a dot impact printer, the four parameters of initial energization time t1, total energization time t2, PWM control OFF time c1, and PWM control 1 period c2 shown in FIG. Adjustments are made to obtain results.

  For example, when the print quality on a thick page of the passbook is poor with the setting shown in FIG. 3A suitable for high-speed printing on a single form, which is a general form, t1, c1, c2 As shown in FIG. 3B, the input power is increased as t1 ′, c1 ′, and c2 ′, and the tapping force is set to be large so that the entire printing becomes dark.

  However, when the parameters as shown in FIG. 3B are applied, the wire dot striking force in the print head 4 is increased, so that the load stress of the wire is increased, and the life is shortened due to wear of the wire tip or wire breakage. Becomes a problem. Further, in order to improve the print quality of the paper located at the bottom of the relatively thick copy slip, the tapping force of the wire of the print head 4 is not increased at the bottom of the copy paper, instead of increasing the tapping force. In other words, it is important to lengthen the time T for pushing the wire into the form 5 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 4 (a).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the drive frequency of the wire of the print head 4 is lowered, and all parameters t1, t2, c1, c2 are changed to t1 ″, t2 ″, c1 ″, c2 ″. However, it is possible to improve the print quality of the paper located at the bottom of the thick copy slip by increasing the wire pushing time T into the form without increasing the tapping force.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, the initial energization time t1 ″ is shorter than the initial energization time t1 applied to high-speed printing on general forms such as single sheets, and PWM control is performed. 1 cycle t2 "is longer than one frequency t2 of PWM control applied to high-speed printing on a general form such as a single sheet (frequency is 1 / t2" is lower than 1 / t2). The PWM control OFF time c1 "is shorter than the PWM control OFF time c1 applied to high-speed printing on general forms such as a single sheet, and the PWM control ON time c2" -c1 "is a single sheet. It is desirable to make it longer than the ON time c2-c1 of PWM control applied to high-speed printing on general forms such as.

  Next, the configuration of the form type determination unit provided in the form printer 1 of this embodiment will be specifically described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the form type determining means of this embodiment presses the platen 7 with a certain force in a direction approaching the carrier 6 with the form 5 positioned between the carrier 6 and the platen 7. A platen pressing means 15 and a thickness measuring means 16 for measuring a separation distance between the carrier 6 and the platen 7 in a state where the platen pressing means 15 is operated.

  Among these, the platen pressing means 15 is applied to a platen guide 17 that regulates the moving direction of the platen 7 in the normal direction of the surface of the form 5, that is, the vertical direction in FIG. A platen that is provided and is slidably in contact with a cam follower 19 that is substantially integrally provided with the platen 7, that is, rotatably fixed to the lower portion of the platen 7, and moves the platen 7 toward the carrier 6 according to the amount of rotation. The raising / lowering cam 20, the platen raising / lowering motor M3 constituting the drive source of the platen raising / lowering cam 20, and the driving torque of the platen raising / lowering cam 20 located on the power transmission path from the platen raising / lowering motor M3 to the platen raising / lowering cam 20 are mechanically applied. It is comprised by the torque limiter 21 restrict | limited to.

  The power transmission path from the platen lifting motor M3 to the platen lifting cam 20 is connected to the primary pulley 22 fixed to the main shaft of the platen lifting motor M3, the secondary pulley 27 fixed to the outer ring 24 of the torque limiter 21, and the primary pulley 22. The wound timing belt 23, the coil spring 26 interposed between the outer ring 24 and the inner ring 25 of the torque limiter 21, and the camshaft 18 to which the inner ring 25 of the torque limiter 21 is fixed.

  Although any configuration of the torque limiter that mechanically limits the driving torque of the platen elevating cam 20 may actually be used, a torque limiter 21 as shown in FIG. 5 will be described here as an example.

  The torque limiter 21 is already known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-230626 and the like, and the main parts thereof are an inner ring 25 fixed to the camshaft 18, an outer ring 24 fixed to the secondary pulley 27 at an end, and A coil spring 26 wound around the inner ring 25 with a constant force and having one end fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 24, and a radial bearing 28 for rotatably supporting the secondary pulley 27 with respect to the camshaft 18. If the driving force acting between the inner ring 25 fixed to the camshaft 18 and the outer ring 24 fixed to the secondary pulley 27 is within a specified range, one end is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 24. The other end of the coil spring 26 holds the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 25 and rotates the camshaft 18 integrally with the secondary pulley 27 to When the driving force acting between the inner ring 25 fixed to the outer ring 18 and the outer ring 24 fixed to the secondary pulley 27 exceeds a specified range, the coil spring 26 having one end fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 24 Slip occurs while maintaining a constant torque between the other end and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 25, so that the camshaft 18, that is, the platen elevating cam 20 is not driven with excessive force.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the platen pressing means 15 is deactivated and the platen 7 is retracted to the lower limit. In this state, the platen elevating motor M3 is driven, and the platen elevating cam 20 is illustrated via the primary pulley 22, the timing belt 23, the secondary pulley 27, the torque limiter 21 (the outer ring 24, the coil spring 26, the inner ring 25), and the cam shaft 18. 6, the distance from the rotation center of the platen elevating cam 20 to the outer peripheral surface of the platen elevating cam 20 in the direction connecting the cam follower 19 of the platen 7 and the rotation center of the camshaft 18 gradually increases. The cam follower 19 slidably in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the platen elevating cam 20 gradually rises and the platen 7 that moves up and down integrally with the cam follower 19 approaches the carrier 6, that is, upward in FIG. 6. Pushed up. When the upper surface of the platen 7 is brought into contact with the form 5 positioned between the platen 7 and the carrier 6 and the form 5 is pressed against the carrier 6, the form 5 supported on the upper surface side by the carrier 6 is transferred to the platen 7. When a reaction force in the direction of hindering the rise is generated and this reaction force, in other words, the force by which the platen 7 pushes up the form 5 reaches a specified value, as described above, the coil spring 26 and the inner ring 25 constituting the torque limiter 21 are generated. And the force that the platen 7 pushes up the form 5 is limited to a certain range. Therefore, by operating the platen pressing means 15, the form 5 can be pressed between the platen 7 and the carrier 6 with a constant force regardless of the thickness of the form 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main part of the thickness measuring means 16 includes a rotation sensor 29 that detects the amount of rotation of the platen lifting cam 20, and the carrier 6 and the platen 7 based on the output from the rotation sensor 29. It is comprised by the rotation amount and linear distance conversion means which calculates | requires the separation distance between.

  The rotation sensor 29 includes a disk 30 with a slit that rotates integrally with the camshaft 18 and the platen elevating cam 20, and an optical sensor 31 such as a photocoupler that is installed on the front and back of the disk 30 at a predetermined interval. The The rotational position of the disk 30 when the platen pressing means 15 is inactive and the platen 7 is retracted to the lower limit is shown in FIG. 7A, and a thick form 5 is sandwiched between the platen 7 and the carrier 6. In FIG. 7B, the rotational position of the disk 30 when the platen 7 reaches the ascent limit and the torque limiter 21 is activated in a state where the platen 7 is moved, and the thin form 5 is placed between the platen 7 and the carrier 6. FIG. 7C shows the rotational position of the disk 30 when the platen 7 reaches the ascent limit and the torque limiter 21 is actuated while being sandwiched. A large number of slits 32 are formed in the disk 30 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. When the thick form 5 is sandwiched, the camshaft 18 and the platen elevating cam as shown in FIG. In a state where the rotation angle θ ′ of 20 is small and the thin form 5 is sandwiched, the rotation angle θ ″ of the camshaft 18 and the platen elevating cam 20 is large as shown in FIG. The rotation amount of the platen elevating cam 20 can be detected by counting the number of slits 32 that cross the optical sensor 31 by the rotation of the disk 30 from the initial position of a). 7 shows an example in which only one layer of the slit 32 is provided, but a commercially available pulse codec is shown. As in the case of an encoder (incremental encoder), the resolution of angle detection can be improved by providing a plurality of layers of slits 32 by shifting the phase.

  In this embodiment, the rotation amount / linear distance conversion means constituting the other part of the thickness measuring means 16 includes the microprocessor 8 of the printer control device 2, the ROM 9 storing the control program, and the nonvolatile memory 12. Are constituted by a data conversion table (not shown) stored in FIG. That is, the data conversion table of the nonvolatile memory 12 corresponds to the number of count signals of the slits 32 output from the optical sensor 31 as the disk 30 rotates from the initial position as shown in FIG. The relationship of the separation distance between the carrier 7 and the platen 6, that is, the correspondence between the number of counting signals and the thickness of the form 5 is stored, and the microprocessor 8 is connected to the optical sensor 31 via the input circuit 10. The distance between the carrier 7 and the platen 6, that is, the thickness of the form 5 is obtained by reading the number of counting signals and searching the data conversion table based on the number of counting signals. Instead of storing the data conversion table in the nonvolatile memory 12, an arithmetic expression for obtaining a separation distance between the carrier 7 and the platen 6 based on the rotation amount of the platen elevating cam 20 (the number of count signals from the optical sensor 31). And the distance between the carrier 7 and the platen 6, that is, the thickness of the form 5 may be obtained by substituting the number of count signals into this arithmetic expression.

  Of the form type determining means, the part other than the platen pressing means 15 and the thickness measuring means 16, that is, the form 5 in the form conveying path 3 is a general form based on the measurement result of the thickness of the form 5 by the type specifying means 16. In this embodiment, the type specifying means for specifying whether the document is a copy slip or a copy slip is a microprocessor 8 of the printer control device 2, a ROM 9 storing the control program, and various types of data stored in the nonvolatile memory 12. It is comprised by the judgment value.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a form transport motor M1 constituting a drive source for a form transport means (not shown), a carrier drive motor M2 constituting a drive source for a carrier drive means (not shown), and a drive source for a platen lifting cam 20 are constituted. The platen elevating motor M3 is driven and controlled by the microprocessor 8 via the motor driving circuits 33, 34, and 35 and the input / output circuit 10.

  The form position detection sensor 36 in FIG. 2 is for detecting the position of the form 5 sent through the form conveyance path 3 by the form conveyance means, and is already a well-known component in this type of form printer. Although only one form position detection sensor 36 is illustrated in FIG. 2, actually, the form position detection sensor 36 is provided at various positions in the form conveyance path, and the form position detection sensor 36 at each position is provided. Is read by the microprocessor 8 via the input / output circuit 10 so that the microprocessor 8 can accurately grasp the position of the form 5 in the form transport path 3.

  A magnetic head 37 for reading / writing data from / to a magnetic tape affixed to a form 5 consisting of a passbook and an image sensor 38 used for reading a page mark, etc., are already known in this kind of form printer. Is an element.

  The interface 39 is an interface for connecting the host computer in the row functioning as a host device and the form printer 1 so as to be able to transmit information, and the RAM 40 is used for temporary storage of data in the course of execution of arithmetic processing by the microprocessor 8. used.

  In this embodiment, the microprocessor 8 of the printer control device 2 and the ROM 9 and RAM 40 storing the control program drive and control the form transport motor M1, and the first half of the form 5 inserted in the transport direction of the form 5 is read. The platen pressing means 15 and the thickness measuring means 16 are operated while being positioned between the carrier 7 and the platen 6 to function as first measurement execution means for temporarily storing the measurement results, and also drives the form transport motor M1. Second measurement execution in which the measurement result is temporarily stored by operating the platen pressing means 15 and the thickness measuring means 16 in a state where the latter half of the inserted form 5 is positioned between the carrier 7 and the platen 6 under control. It also functions as a means.

  Further, the ROM 9 storing the microprocessor 8 and its control program has a difference between the measurement result by the first measurement execution means and the measurement result by the second measurement execution means within the range of the step determination value set in advance, and The measurement result by the first measurement execution means or the second measurement execution means is different from a value equivalent to ½ times the thickness when the passbook used as a form 5 is folded. At the same time, the first measurement execution means Alternatively, in addition to functioning as a type specifying means for specifying that the form 5 is a copy slip only when the measurement result by the second measurement execution means exceeds a preset single sheet determination value, the first measurement execution means If the measurement result exceeds the preset self-evident judgment value for passbook, and if the measurement result by the first measurement execution means is less than the preset obvious judgment value for single-sheet, Also functions as a determination process speed means that the non-execution of the operation immediately determined to the second measurement execution means to be the.

  The microprocessor 8 of the printer control device 2 and the ROM 9 storing the control program further print the control parameters for general forms and the control parameters for copy forms according to the determination result of the type specifying means in the form type determining means. It also functions as parameter selection means that is set as a wire driving condition in the head controller.

  8 and 9 show a part of the print head control unit, a rotation amount / linear distance conversion unit, a first measurement execution unit, and a second measurement execution unit, which are part of the thickness measurement unit constituting the form type determination unit. 5 is a flowchart specifically showing a type specifying unit, and a processing operation of the microprocessor 8 functioning as a type specifying unit, a determination processing speed-up unit, and a parameter selection unit.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the processing operation of the microprocessor 8 functioning as each of the means described above will be specifically described.

  When the form 5 is inserted into the form transport path 3 and the insertion of the form 5 is detected by the form position detection sensor 36, the microprocessor 8 first uses the image sensor 38 and the magnetic head 37 as in the prior art. Then, processing such as reading the page mark of the form 5 and reading / writing data on the magnetic tape affixed to the form 5 is executed. Since this point is already publicly known, the description by the flowchart is omitted.

  Next, when a command for a printing operation is input via the interface 39 from a host computer in a row that functions as a host device of the form printer 1 (step a1), first, the first measurement execution that is a part of the form type determination unit is performed. The microprocessor 8 functioning as a means drives and controls a form transport motor M1 constituting a drive source of a form transport means (not shown) via the input / output circuit 10 and the motor drive circuit 33, and controls the form transport rollers of the form transport means. The first half portion of the form 5 that is actuated and inserted in the conveyance direction of the form 5 is positioned between the carrier 7 and the platen 6 (step a2).

  FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the conveyance direction of the form 5, and is the first half of the form 5 in which the position A in FIG. 10, that is, the page located in front of the conveyance direction in the form 5 is inserted. However, the form 5 is not necessarily a passbook, and may be a copy slip or a single slip.

  Next, the microprocessor 8 functioning as first measurement execution means calls a subroutine for thickness measurement processing as shown in FIG. 9 and executes processing related to measurement of the thickness of the form 5 (step a3).

  When a subroutine for thickness measurement processing is called, first, the microprocessor 8 drives and controls the platen lift motor M3 constituting the drive source of the platen lift cam 20 via the input / output circuit 10 and the motor drive circuit 35, and the platen lift The platen pressing means 15 is operated by rotating the cam 20 counterclockwise in FIG. 6, and the platen 7 is moved in a direction approaching the carrier 6, so that the first half of the form 5 is placed between the platen 7 and the carrier 6. Is sandwiched with a constant force (step b1).

  Next, the microprocessor 8 functioning as the thickness measuring means reads the count value of the number of pulses representing the rotation amount of the platen elevating cam 20 from the optical sensor 31 constituting the main part of the rotation sensor 29 via the input / output circuit 10 ( Step b2), referring to the data conversion table stored in the non-volatile memory 12, the distance between the carrier 7 and the platen 6 corresponding to this count value, that is, the thickness of the form 5 is obtained (step b3). After the thickness is temporarily stored in the thickness storage register R0 of the RAM 40 (step b4), the platen lifting motor M3 is driven and controlled to return the platen lifting cam 20 to the initial rotational position, and the platen 7 is returned to the retracted position (step). b5).

  When the subroutine for the thickness measurement process is completed in this way and the measurement result of the thickness of the first half of the form 5 is stored in the thickness storage register R0 which is a part of the first measurement execution means, the form type determination is performed. The microprocessor 8 functioning as a determination processing speed-up means constituting a part of the means has the thickness of the first half of the form 5 stored in the thickness storage register R0 having a passbook obvious determination value Z1 (for example, half or more of the passbook) It is determined whether or not the thickness exceeds 1 mm (step a4).

Here, when the determination result of step a4 is true and it is clear that the thickness of the first half of the form 5 exceeds the self-determined determination value Z1 for the passbook, this form 5 is included in the general form. Since it means a bankbook, the microprocessor 8 functioning as parameter selection means reads out control parameters suitable for printing the bankbook from the control parameters for general forms from the non-volatile memory 12 which is parameter storage means, and prints them out. A wire driving condition is set in the print head driving circuit 11 that electrically controls the driving mode of the wire in the head 4 (step a5).
Specifically, the parameter as shown in FIG. 3B suitable for preventing the mixing of dark dots and thin dots by redundancy of the tapping force of the wire of the print head 4 is selected (print speed is prioritized). 4) or parameters suitable for performing the printing operation with redundancy of the wire pressing time while maintaining the same tapping force as that for high-speed printing on a single sheet. Select (when durability is a priority).

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step a4 is false, the microprocessor 8 functioning as a determination processing speed-up unit that constitutes a part of the form type determination unit is the first half of the form 5 stored in the thickness storage register R0. It is determined whether or not the thickness of the portion is less than a single-sheet obvious determination value Z2 (for example, 50 μm, which is a thickness corresponding to the thickness of a thin single sheet) (step a6).

  If the determination result in step a6 is true and it is clear that the thickness of the first half of the form 5 is less than the obvious determination value Z2 for single form, this form 5 is a single form of the general form. This means that the microprocessor 8 functioning as parameter selection means reads out control parameters suitable for single-sheet printing out of the control parameters for general forms from the nonvolatile memory 12 which is parameter storage means, and print head 4 is set as a wire drive condition in the print head drive circuit 11 that electrically controls the drive mode of the wire 4 (step a7). Specifically, parameters as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A suitable for high-speed printing performed on a single sheet are selected.

  As described above, when the determination result in step a4 or step a6 is true and it is obvious that the form 5 is a passbook or a single form, it is necessary to perform the thickness measurement again by the second measurement execution unit. Since there is not, the process of step a10 is not executed. In this case, since it is not necessary to drive the platen pressing means 15 again, the time required for the form processing as a whole can be greatly shortened and the processing speed can be increased.

  On the other hand, if both the determination results of step a4 and step a6 are false, the type of the form 5 cannot be specified yet at this point, and the microprocessor 8 is part of the first measurement execution means. The measurement result of the thickness of the first half of the form 5 stored in the thickness storage register R0 is transferred to the thickness storage register R1 that newly functions as part of the first measurement execution means (step a8), and the form type is determined. The microprocessor 8 functioning as the second measurement execution means, which is a part of the means, drives and controls a form transport motor M1 that constitutes a drive source of the form transport means (not shown) via the input / output circuit 10 and the motor drive circuit 33. Then, the latter half of the form 5 inserted at the present time is positioned between the carrier 7 and the platen 6 by operating the form carrying roller of the form carrying means (step). a9).

  The position B in FIG. 10, that is, the latter half of the form 5 in which the page located at the rear of the form 5 in the front in the transport direction is inserted. However, the form 5 is not necessarily a passbook, and may be a copy slip or a single slip.

  Next, the microprocessor 8 functioning as second measurement execution means calls a subroutine for thickness measurement processing as shown in FIG. 9 and executes processing related to measurement of the thickness of the form 5 (step a10).

  When a subroutine for thickness measurement processing is called, first, the microprocessor 8 drives and controls the platen lift motor M3 constituting the drive source of the platen lift cam 20 via the input / output circuit 10 and the motor drive circuit 35, and the platen lift The platen pressing means 15 is operated by rotating the cam 20 counterclockwise in FIG. 6, and the platen 7 is moved in the direction approaching the carrier 6, so that the latter half of the form 5 is placed between the platen 7 and the carrier 6. Is sandwiched with a constant force (step b1).

  Next, the microprocessor 8 functioning as the thickness measuring means reads the count value of the number of pulses representing the rotation amount of the platen elevating cam 20 from the optical sensor 31 constituting the main part of the rotation sensor 29 via the input / output circuit 10 ( Step b2), referring to the data conversion table stored in the non-volatile memory 12, the distance between the carrier 7 and the platen 6 corresponding to this count value, that is, the thickness of the form 5 is obtained (step b3). After the thickness is temporarily stored in the thickness storage register R0 of the RAM 40 (step b4), the platen lifting motor M3 is driven and controlled to return the platen lifting cam 20 to the initial rotational position, and the platen 7 is returned to the retracted position (step). b5).

  In this way, the subroutine of the thickness measurement process is completed, and the thickness measurement result of the latter half of the inserted form 5 is stored in the thickness storage register R0 newly functioning as a part of the second measurement execution means. Then, the microprocessor 8 functioning as a type specifying unit constituting a part of the form type determining unit is stored in the thickness storage register R1 functioning as a part of the first measurement execution unit at this time. Difference between the thickness of the first half of the form 5 and the thickness of the second half of the form 5 stored in the thickness storage register R0 functioning as part of the second measurement execution means at this time | R1-R0 | Is determined, and it is determined whether or not this difference is within a preset step determination value ε1 (for example, a thickness range corresponding to one page of the passbook) (step a11).

Here, when the determination result in step a11 is true and it is clear that the difference | R1-R0 | between the thicknesses of the first half and the second half of the inserted form 5 exceeds the step determination value ε1. The form 5 inserted in the form transport path 3 at this time is not a single copy sheet or a plurality of carbon papers or flat copy slips of paper, but a page to be printed as shown in FIG. Since it is clear that a passbook with different numbers of pages in the first half and the second half is inserted at the boundary, the microprocessor 8 functioning as the type specifying means has the form 5 as a general form. The microprocessor 8 that functions as parameter selection means is a parameter storage means for controlling parameters suitable for passbook printing out of the control parameters for general forms. Read from the volatile memory 12, is set as a wire drive condition to the print head driving circuit 11 for electrically controlling the wire drive mode in the print head 4 (Step a5).
Specifically, the parameter as shown in FIG. 3B suitable for preventing the mixing of dark dots and thin dots by redundancy of the tapping force of the wire of the print head 4 is selected (print speed is prioritized). 4) or parameters suitable for performing printing operation with redundant wire pressing time while maintaining the same striking force as high-speed printing for single sheets. Yes (when durability is a priority).

  If the determination result in step a11 is false, there is no substantial difference in thickness between the first half and the second half of the form 5, that is, the form 5 is the first half with the page to be printed as the boundary. This means that it may be a passbook with the same number of pages in the second half and the second half, or it may be a thick copy slip.

  Therefore, the microprocessor 8 functioning as the type specifying unit constituting a part of the form type determining unit further processes the form 5 stored in the thickness storage register R1 functioning as a part of the first measurement execution unit. Whether or not the difference between the thickness of the first half of the sheet and the half of the thickness Z3 when the bankbook is folded (for example, 1 mm) is within the range of the allowable determination value ε2, that is, the thickness of the first half of the form 5 is It is determined whether or not the value is equal to a value equivalent to 1/2 the thickness when the bankbook is folded (step a12).

If it is determined that the thickness of the first half portion of the inserted form 5 with the determination result of step a12 being true is substantially equal to a value equivalent to ½ the thickness when the passbook is folded, Since it is clear that the form 5 is a passbook in which the number of pages in the first half and the latter half of the page to be printed is the same, the microprocessor 8 functioning as the type specifying means has the form 5 as a general form. The microprocessor 8 that functions as parameter selection means reads out control parameters suitable for printing the passbook from the non-volatile memory 12 that is parameter storage means. The wire driving condition is set in the print head drive circuit 11 that electrically controls the drive mode of the wire in the print head 4 (step a5).
Specifically, the parameter as shown in FIG. 3B suitable for preventing the mixing of dark dots and thin dots by redundancy of the tapping force of the wire of the print head 4 is selected (print speed is prioritized). 4) or parameters suitable for performing printing operation with redundant wire pressing time while maintaining the same striking force as high-speed printing for single sheets. Yes (when durability is a priority).

  In this embodiment, the determination process based on the thickness R1 of the first half of the form 5 is performed in the process of step a12. As is clear from the determination result of step a11, the values of R1 and R0 are substantially different. Therefore, the value of the thickness R0 of the latter half of the form 5 may be used instead of the value of R1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the thickness of the first half of the inserted form 5 with the determination result of step a12 being false is different from a value equivalent to 1/2 the thickness when the passbook is folded, It is clear that this form 5 is not a passbook, and there remains a possibility that it is a single form or a copy form that is thicker than the single form obvious determination value Z2 (for example, 50 μm).

  Therefore, when the determination result in step a12 is false, the microprocessor 8 functioning as the type specifying unit is further stored in the thickness storage register R1 functioning as a part of the first measurement execution unit. It is determined whether the thickness of the first half of the form 5 exceeds a single sheet determination value Z4 (for example, 150 μm) (step a13).

  If the determination result in step a13 is false and it is clear that the thickness of the first half of the inserted form 5 is within the range of the single sheet determination value Z4 (for example, 150 μm), this form 5 There remains a possibility that it is a single slip exceeding 50 μm and 150 μm or less, or a copy slip of 150 μm or less.

  However, as described above, the transfer blur to the paper located at the bottom of the copy slip is a substantial problem when the number of sheets to be superposed exceeds four, so the thickness is about 150 μm. Even if a copy slip within the range of, for example, a copy slip of about 150 μm with three sheets of 50 μm thickness or two sheets of 75 μm overlapped is determined as a single sheet, the transfer slip unique to the copy slip There is almost no effect on the problem of scumming.

  Accordingly, when it becomes clear that the thickness of the first half of the inserted form 5 is within the range of the single sheet determination value Z4 when the determination result in step a13 is false, it functions as a type specifying means. The microprocessor 8 considers the form 5 to be a single form of the general form, and the microprocessor 8 functioning as parameter selection means is suitable for printing a single form among the control parameters for the general form. The control parameter is read from the nonvolatile memory 12 as the parameter storage means, and set as a wire drive condition in the print head drive circuit 11 that electrically controls the wire drive mode in the print head 4 (step a7). Specifically, parameters as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A suitable for high-speed printing performed on a single sheet are selected.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in step a13 is true, that is, the difference | R1-R0 | between the thickness of the first half and the thickness of the second half of the inserted form 5 is within the range of the step determination value ε1. Yes (judgment result in step a11 is false), and the thickness of the first half of the form 5 is clearly different from a value equivalent to half the thickness when the passbook is folded (judgment result in step a12 is false) At the same time, when it becomes clear that the thickness of the first half of the form 5 exceeds the single-sheet determination value Z4 (for example, 150 μm), the microprocessor 8 functioning as the type specifying means Is a relatively thick copy slip, that is, a copy slip that may cause a transfer blur problem, and the microprocessor 8 functioning as a parameter selection means has a tapping force equivalent to that for single-sheet high-speed printing. Protection A print head drive for reading out the control parameters for the copy slip for making only the wire pressing time in the held state from the nonvolatile memory 12 as the parameter storage means and electrically controlling the drive mode of the wire in the print head 4 A wire driving condition is set in the circuit 11 (step a14). Specifically, in order to make the wire pushing time T redundant, the initial energization time t1, the total energization time t2, the PWM control OFF time c1, and the PWM control cycle c2 are set to t1 ″, t2 ″, c1 ″, c2 ″. The parameter as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the determination process based on the thickness R1 of the first half of the form 5 inserted in the process of step a13 is performed. As is apparent from the determination result of step a11, the values of R1 and R0 are Since they are substantially equal, the value of the thickness R0 of the latter half of the form 5 may be used instead of the value of R1.

  After the parameters corresponding to the type of the form 5 are set in the print head drive circuit 11 in the processing of step a5, step a7 or step a14 in this way, the microprocessor 8 responds to a command from the host computer functioning as the host device. Accordingly, the wire protruding operation of the print head 4 is electrically driven and controlled. However, since the printing process excluding the parameter selection process is the same as the conventional one, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the form 5 is printed on a copy slip, particularly on a copy slip having a relatively large number of copies (or a copy slip on which four or more sheets of paper or carbon paper are superimposed). When performing, the parameters as shown in FIG. 4 (b) obtained by modifying the parameter settings as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 4 (a), which are used for printing on the single form 5 are used. Setting, that is, a parameter that maintains the tapping force equivalent to that for single sheet printing and lowers the wire driving frequency to make the wire pushing time T redundant is set in the print head drive circuit 11 as a wire driving condition. Thus, the print quality of the paper located at the bottom of the thick copy slip can be improved.

  Also, when printing on a single sheet, since the parameter setting with a high driving frequency as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A is used as it is, a single sheet or a thick copy is used. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the printing processing speed in a usage environment where slips are mixed.

  As already described, when the form 5 is a passbook, the same parameter setting as shown in FIG. 3B is applied to make the wire tapping force redundant and to mix dark dots and thin dots. Alternatively, it is possible to smooth the dot density by applying the parameter setting as shown in FIG. 4B to make the wire pushing time T redundant.

  In particular, the thickness of the first half and the latter half of the inserted form 5 are measured, the difference between the two is compared with the step judgment value ε1 (see step a11), the thickness of the first half or the latter half of the form 5 is measured. Comparison of substantially coincidence / disagreement with the thickness and 1/2 of the thickness when the passbook is folded (see step a12), comparison of the thickness of the first half or the latter half of the form 5 with the single sheet judgment value Z4 ( By performing step a13), it is possible to accurately identify whether the form 5 is a single form, a copy form, or a passbook. Therefore, the parameters corresponding to the type of the form 5 are accurately selected. Can be set.

  Further, when the thickness of the first half of the inserted form 5 exceeds the preset self-determined determination value Z1 for passbook, that is, when it is clear that the form 5 is a passbook (see step a4), the inserted form In the case where the thickness of the first half portion of 5 is less than the preset obvious determination value Z2 for a single sheet, that is, when it is clear that the form 5 is a single sheet (see step a6), the unnecessary form 5 Since the thickness measurement of the latter half (see step a10) is not performed, the time required for the form processing as a whole can be greatly shortened and the processing speeded up.

  In addition, when the thickness of the form 5 is measured, the upper surface of the platen 7 frequently rubbed by the form 5 moving in the form conveyance path 3 and the carrier 6 frequently rubbed against the form 5 by the movement of the form 5 and the print head 4 are used. Since the form 5 is sandwiched between the bottom surface and the bottom surface with a certain force, the thickness of the form 5 is measured based on the distance between the carrier 6 and the platen 7. Therefore, the thickness of the form 5 can be accurately measured by eliminating the influence of the dirt and dirt.

FIG. 11 is a front view schematically showing the mechanical configuration of the main part of the form printer 1 ′ according to another embodiment from the viewpoint along the conveyance direction of the form.
This form printer 1 'replaces the primary pulley 22, the timing belt 23 and the secondary pulley 27 of the form printer 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 with gears 22', 23 'and 27' as the power of the platen pressing means 15 '. This is used as a transmission path, and other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS.
Although the overall function is the same as that of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus because troubles such as the adjustment of the tension of the timing belt can be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a front view schematically showing the mechanical configuration of the main part of a form printer 1 ″ according to another embodiment from the viewpoint along the conveyance direction of the form.
This form printer 1 ″ is obtained by omitting the torque limiter 21 of the form printer 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. The secondary pulley 27 is fixed integrally with the camshaft 18, and the platen elevating cam 20 is always connected to the secondary pulley 27. The form contact detection sensor 41 fixed to the carrier 6 constitutes a part of the platen pressing means 15 ″, and contacts the platen 7, the form 5 and the carrier 6. In other words, the platen pressing means 15 "presses the platen 7 against the form 5 by detecting that the form 5 is sandwiched between the platen 7 and the carrier 6 and immediately stopping the driving of the platen lifting motor M3. The force is made substantially constant.
In this embodiment, the platen elevating motor M3 does not need to perform step management of the rotation of the camshaft 18, and therefore can be replaced with a DC motor instead of a stepping motor.
Further, since the torque limiter 21 is not required, the power of the platen elevating motor M3 is transmitted to the camshaft 18 by the secondary pulley 27 fixed to the timing belt 23 and the camshaft 18. In this case, the thickness detection operation is performed by controlling the platen elevating motor M3 to rotate the camshaft 18 to push the platen 7 vertically upward, and when the form 5 is sandwiched between the platen 7 and the carrier 6, The mounted form contact detection sensor 41 is adjusted so as to detect the upper surface of the form 5, and the rotation angle of the camshaft 18 up to this point is determined between the disk 30 with the slit fixed to the camshaft 18 and the rotation sensor 29. By detecting with the optical sensor 31 constituting the main part, the thickness of the form 5 can be detected.
In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to perform step management for the control of the platen lifting motor M3, there is an effect that the control can be simplified.

  The three embodiments in which the platen 7 presses the form 5 against the carrier 6 with a constant force using a mechanical configuration has been described above. However, the platen lift motor M3 includes a position loop, a speed loop, and a current loop. When a motor capable of feedback control is used, a torque limit circuit is installed between the current amplification circuit that amplifies the output from the current loop and the platen lift motor M3, and the drive torque of the platen lift motor M3 is increased. It is also possible to press the platen 7 against the form 5 with a certain force by limiting.

  In all the embodiments described above, the type of the form 5 is determined by the form type determining means including the platen pressing means 15, the thickness measuring means 16, and the type specifying means including the microprocessor 8 provided in the form printer 1. Therefore, the print head 4 is driven and controlled by determining the type of the form 5 by using the function of the single form printer 1 and selecting an appropriate control parameter independently of the host computer functioning as the host device. Therefore, there is an advantage that compatibility with a host computer functioning as a host device is excellent (medium type information from the host device is not required).

  Further, during regular maintenance of the form printer 1, a known thickness of paper or a resin plate is set to detect the thickness, and the detection error is corrected. Thereby, since the thickness detection error due to wear of the platen 7 and the carrier 6 can be corrected, there is an effect that it is possible to detect the thickness stably over a long period of time.

As still another embodiment, medium type information indicating the type of the form 5 via the interface 39 from the host computer functioning as a host device of the form printer, that is, whether the form 5 is a single form or a passbook is a copy form Only when it receives information that the form 5 is a copy slip with a large number of copies, and information such as the thickness of the entire slip in the case of a copy slip and the number of sheets to be superimposed are obtained. The print head 4 may be driven by lowering the drive frequency by a predetermined amount and changing the parameters related to the drive of the print head 4 as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. In this case, for example, for a copy slip having a total thickness of 210 μm, which is composed of three sheets of 70 μm, the number of transferred sheets is small, so that it can be processed at high speed without lowering the drive frequency.
This has the effect of reducing the reduction in processing capacity of the apparatus.

It is the front view which simplified and showed from the viewpoint along the conveyance direction of a form about the mechanical structure of the principal part of the form printer of one Example to which this invention is applied. It is the block diagram which simplified and showed the structure of the printer control apparatus incorporated in the form printer of the Example. FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram showing print head control parameters. FIG. 3A is an example of setting parameters suitable for high-speed printing on general forms such as single sheets, and FIG. 3B is suitable for thick passbooks. This is an example of setting parameters. FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram showing control parameters of the print head. FIG. 4A is a parameter setting example suitable for high-speed printing on a general form such as a single sheet, and FIG. It is an example of parameter setting suitable for a transfer slip. It is sectional drawing which showed the structure of the torque limiter of the form printer of the Example. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the principle of operation of the platen press means of the form printer of the Example. FIGS. 7A and 7B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the operation principle of the rotation sensor of the form printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 7A shows a state when the platen is retracted to the lower limit, and FIG. 7B shows a thicker space between the platen and the carrier. FIG. 7C shows a state in which a thin form is sandwiched between the platen and the carrier. Part of print head controller in form printer of same embodiment, part of thickness measuring means in form type determining means, rotation amount / linear distance conversion means, first measurement execution means and second measurement execution means type specification 3 is a flowchart specifically showing the processing operation of the microprocessor of the printer control device functioning as the means, the type specifying means, the determination processing speed-up means, and the parameter selection means. It is a continuation of the flowchart specifically showing the processing operation of the microprocessor of the printer control apparatus. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between a form conveyance direction and a first half part and a second half part of a form. It is the front view which simplified and showed from the viewpoint along the conveyance direction of a form about the mechanical structure of the principal part of the form printer of other one Example to which this invention is applied. FIG. 10 is a front view schematically showing a mechanical configuration of a main part of a form printer according to still another embodiment to which the present invention is applied, from a viewpoint along the conveyance direction of the form. It is the principle of action which simplified and showed the thickness detection mechanism arranged in the conventional form processing device. It is the block diagram which showed the outline of the structure of the conventional passbook slip printer which tried to improve the deterioration of the print quality which arises in a thick passbook by the redundancy of printing pressure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Form printer 1 'Form printer 1 "Form printer 2 Printer control apparatus 3 Form conveyance path 4 Print head 5 Form 6 Carrier 7 Platen 8 Microprocessor (A part of print head control part, A part of rotation amount and linear distance conversion means , Part of the type identification means, part of the first measurement execution means, part of the second measurement execution means, part of the judgment processing speed-up means, part of the parameter selection means)
9 ROM (part of print head control unit, part of rotation amount / linear distance conversion means, part of type identification means, part of first measurement execution means, part of second measurement execution means, determination processing high speed Part of the parameterization means, part of the parameter selection means)
10 Input / output circuit 11 Print head drive circuit (part of print head controller)
12 Non-volatile memory (parameter storage means, part of rotation / linear distance conversion means, part of type identification means)
13, 14 Carrier guide 15 Platen pressing means (part of form type determining means)
15 'platen pressing means 15 "platen pressing means 16 thickness measuring means (part of form type determining means)
17 Platen guide 18 Camshaft (part of the power transmission system)
19 Cam follower 20 Platen lifting cam 21 Torque limiter 22 Primary pulley (part of the power transmission path)
22 'gear 23 timing belt (part of the power transmission system)
23 'gear 24 outer ring (part of power transmission path)
25 Inner ring (part of power transmission system)
26 Coil spring (part of power transmission system)
27 Secondary pulley (part of power transmission system)
27 'gear 28 radial bearing (part of power transmission system)
29 Rotation sensor 30 Disc (part of the rotation sensor)
31 Optical sensor (part of rotation sensor)
32 Slits 33, 34, 35 Motor drive circuit 36 Form position detection sensor 37 Magnetic head 38 Image sensor 39 Interface 40 RAM (part of first measurement execution means, part of second measurement execution means)
41 Form Contact Detection Sensor 100 Detection Roller 101 Detection Signal Generation Unit 102 Rotation Unit 103 Arm 104 Form 105 Print Head 106 Reflection Sensor 107 Magnetic Head 108 Transmission Sensor 109 Print Control Unit 110 Medium Identification Unit 111 Main Control Unit 1112 Storage Unit X Form thickness M1 Form transport motor (part of form transport means)
M2 carrier drive motor (part of carrier drive means)
M3 Platen elevating motor Z1 Self-evident judgment value Z2 for passbook Self-evident judgment value Z3 for single slip Thickness Z4 when folding passbook Single-cut decision value R0, R1 Thickness storage register ε1

Claims (5)

A dot impact type print head provided on one side of the form transport path, and a carrier that holds the print head and moves in a direction perpendicular to the form transport direction in a plane parallel to the form in the form transport path; A print head controller that electrically controls the drive mode of the wire in the print head according to preset control parameters, a platen that supports the form at a position facing the carrier across the form conveyance path, and the form In a form printer equipped with a form conveying means for feeding a form in a conveyance path,
Control parameters for general forms that are suitable for high-speed printing on general forms including single forms, and control for copy forms that have the same tapping force as when printing on general forms, and that make the wire push-in time redundant. Parameter storage means for storing parameters;
A form type determining means for determining whether the form inserted into the form transport path is a general form or a copy form;
When the form type determining means determines that the form is a general form, the control parameter for the general form is set as a driving condition in the print head control unit, while the form type determining means copies the form. If it is determined that the document has a parameter selection means for setting said print head control unit controls parameters for copying documents as the driving condition,
The form type determining means operates the platen pressing means that presses the platen with a certain force in a direction approaching the carrier with the form positioned between the carrier and the platen, and the platen pressing means. A thickness measuring means for measuring a separation distance between the carrier and the platen in a state where the carrier is in a closed state, and identifying whether the form is a general form or a copy form based on a measurement result of the thickness measuring means The platen pressing means and the thickness measuring means in a state where the first half portion of the form inserted in the form transport direction is positioned between the carrier and the platen by controlling the type specifying means and the form transport means. A first measurement execution means for actuating and temporarily storing the measurement results; and driving and controlling the form transporting means to control the second half of the inserted form as the carrier. Comprising a second measurement execution means for temporarily storing the results measured by operating the platen pressing means and thickness measuring means in a state of being positioned between the serial platen,
The type specifying means includes a difference between a measurement result obtained by the first measurement execution means and a measurement result obtained by the second measurement execution means within a preset step determination value range, and the first measurement execution means or The measurement result by the second measurement execution means is different from a value equivalent to half the thickness of a passbook used as a form, and at the same time, the first measurement execution means or the second measurement execution A form printer configured to specify that the form is a copy form only when a measurement result by the means exceeds a preset single sheet determination value . The type specifying means includes a case where the measurement result by the first measurement execution means exceeds a preset self-determined determination value for passbook, and a case where the measurement result by the first measurement execution means is set to a preset single-cut obvious determination value. 2. The form printer according to claim 1, further comprising a determination processing speeding-up unit that immediately determines that the form is a general form when the condition is not satisfied and disables the operation of the second measurement execution unit. . The platen pressing means is provided on a platen guide for restricting the moving direction of the platen and a camshaft arranged in parallel with the platen, and is slidably contacted with the platen or a component substantially integrated with the platen to rotate the platen. A platen elevating cam for moving the platen toward the carrier according to the amount; a motor constituting a drive source for the platen elevating cam; and a power transmission path from the motor to the platen elevating cam. Consists of a torque limiter that mechanically limits the drive torque of the platen lifting cam,
The thickness measuring means includes a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation amount of the platen lifting cam, and a rotation amount / linear distance conversion means for obtaining a separation distance between the carrier and the platen based on an output from the rotation sensor. The form printer according to claim 1 , wherein the form printer is configured as described above. The platen pressing means is provided on a platen guide for restricting the moving direction of the platen and a camshaft arranged in parallel with the platen, and is slidably contacted with the platen or a component substantially integrated with the platen to rotate the platen. A platen elevating cam for moving the platen toward the carrier according to the amount; a motor constituting a drive source of the platen elevating cam; and a contact between the platen, the form, and the carrier to detect the motor It consists of a form contact detection sensor that outputs a signal that immediately stops the drive of
The thickness measuring means includes a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation amount of the platen lifting cam, and a rotation amount / linear distance conversion means for obtaining a separation distance between the carrier and the platen based on an output from the rotation sensor. The form printer according to claim 1 , wherein the form printer is configured as described above. The platen pressing means is provided on a platen guide for restricting the moving direction of the platen and a camshaft arranged in parallel with the platen, and is slidably contacted with the platen or a component substantially integrated with the platen to rotate the platen. A platen elevating cam that moves the platen toward the carrier according to the amount, a motor that constitutes a drive source of the platen elevating cam, and a torque limiter that limits the driving force transmitted from the motor to the camshaft. And
The thickness measuring means includes a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation amount of the platen lifting cam, and a rotation amount / linear distance conversion means for obtaining a separation distance between the carrier and the platen based on an output from the rotation sensor. The form printer according to claim 1 , wherein the form printer is configured as described above.

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