JP2005288906A - Adjustment method of printer and print position detection sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer excellent in work efficiency and maintenance at the manufacturing stage, by which the light intensity of a light emitting element and the light receiving sensitivity of a light receiving element can be adjusted more accurately.
The printer emits light from a light emitting means, a phototransistor that generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of received light, a setting means that sets a collector load of the phototransistor, and a light emitting means. The setting means 21 and 22 for setting the intensity of light and the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor that has received the light reflected from the area not provided with the print position detection mark on the back surface of the mount or sheet is within a predetermined range. The setting means 21 to 23 change the collector load sequentially while increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means sequentially when the collector load is sequentially changed so that the voltage does not fall within a predetermined range. And control means for controlling.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing on a label temporarily attached to a mount or a belt-like sheet for tag manufacture. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for adjusting a print position detection sensor in such a printer.

  For example, in a label printer, a label for a label printer in which labels are pasted on a mount (separator) at regular intervals is used. Normally, a print position detection mark (also called an eye mark) is provided on the back surface of the mount in order to recognize the label position and interval. When printing on a label, in order to determine the printing position, an eye mark is detected by a light reflection sensor during label transport, or an area between labels (a mount sheet only) by a light transmission sensor (gap sensor). ) To detect the starting position of the label. In such a sensor, the detection voltage of the sensor varies depending on the type of label and mount used, the light intensity of the light emitting element, and the variation in the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element. Therefore, in general, the light intensity and the light receiving sensitivity are adjusted to be within a predetermined range by manually moving a volume (variable resistor).

  However, manually adjusting the light intensity and light receiving sensitivity of the sensor is inferior in production efficiency and easily causes an adjustment error by the operator. In addition, various types of labels may be used in one label printer depending on the application. Depending on the type of the label, the color of the mount may be different or the surface may be uneven, causing reflected light or transmitted light. Since the light levels are different, readjustment may be required for each label. There is a problem that it is very difficult for a user who is not used to such work to make adjustments.

  As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a label position detection device for a printer that can more reliably determine a label and a mount for various types of label paper. The label position detecting device includes a light amount adjusting unit (automatically adjusting a light amount of irradiation light) in order to set a difference between a voltage value for the mount and a voltage value corresponding to the label to a predetermined value or more and a maximum value. CPU). The CPU changes the light emission amount of the light emitting element in 32 steps, compares the light reception data values of the mount and the label with respect to each voltage data for setting the light emission amount, and thereby the voltage when the difference between the two parts is the largest. Find data.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a label printer that facilitates adjustment regarding sheet detection of a recording apparatus that uses various sheets. This label printer tries to convey a long label paper, first detects the leading edge, and then determines the sensor output at a position approximately half the minimum label length that can be used in the recording device as the label part, Further, the label sheet is conveyed, the output when light is transmitted most is measured, and the average value of the two output values is automatically set as the comparison reference level.
JP-A-9-325008 (first and fourth pages, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-170632 (first and second pages, FIG. 1)

  However, if only the light amount of the irradiation light is automatically adjusted as described in Patent Document 1 or only the reference level of the sensor output is automatically set as described in Patent Document 2, a label to be used is used. In some cases, the type of mount cannot be fully accommodated. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to more accurately adjust the light intensity of the light emitting element and the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element, thereby making the work in the manufacturing stage more efficient, and the type of label or mount used, or the sheet for tag production It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer with excellent maintenance that can be used in a wide range of types.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printer according to a first aspect of the present invention is a belt-like mount on which a label is detachably attached and a print position detection mark is attached to the first surface, or the first surface. A printer that conveys a belt-like sheet with a print position detection mark attached thereto to print on a label or sheet, and a light emitting means for irradiating light on the first surface of the mount or sheet; A phototransistor that receives reflected light generated by the light emitted from the light emitting means being reflected by the first surface of the mount or sheet, and generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of the received light; First setting means for setting the collector load of the transistor, second setting means for setting the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means, and a print position detection mark on the first surface of the mount or sheet. Receives reflected light from areas not covered The collector load is sequentially changed so that the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor falls within a predetermined range, and when the voltage does not fall within the predetermined range, the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means is sequentially increased. Control means for controlling the first and second setting means so as to sequentially change the collector load.

  A printer according to a second aspect of the present invention is a printer that prints on a label or a sheet by transporting a strip-like backing sheet or a belt-like sheet on which a label is detachably attached. The light emitting means for irradiating light on one surface of the mount or sheet and the transmitted light generated by the light emitted from the light emitting means being transmitted to the other surface of the mount or sheet are received and received. A phototransistor that generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of the emitted light, a first setting unit that sets a collector load of the phototransistor, and a second setting unit that sets the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting unit The collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor receiving the transmitted light from the area where the label of the mount is not attached or the area where the light transmittance of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value is set within a predetermined range. collector When the load is changed sequentially and the voltage does not fall within a predetermined range, the first and second setting means are controlled to change the collector load sequentially while increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means. Control means.

  Furthermore, the adjustment method of the print position detection sensor according to the first aspect of the present invention is a strip-like mount in which a label is detachably attached and a print position detection mark is attached to the first surface, or A method for adjusting a print position detection sensor in a printer that transports a belt-like sheet with a print position detection mark on its surface and prints on a label or a sheet, comprising: A step (a) of initializing the intensity of light in the light emitting means for irradiating light on one surface, and reflected light generated by the light irradiated from the light emitting means being reflected on the first surface of the mount or sheet. Step (b) for initializing a collector load of a phototransistor that receives and generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of the received light, and a print position detection mark is attached to the first surface of the mount or sheet For areas that are not A step (c) of irradiating light from the light emitting means and receiving reflected light from the region to the phototransistor, and sequentially changing the collector load so that the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor falls within a predetermined range. Step (d) in which step (c) is repeated, and steps (b) to (b) while sequentially increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means when the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor does not fall within a predetermined range. and d) repeating step (e).

  The adjustment method of the print position detection sensor according to the second aspect of the present invention is a method for transporting a strip-like backing sheet or a strip-like sheet on which a label is peeled off to a label or sheet. (A) a method of adjusting a print position detection sensor in a printer for performing printing, the step (a) of initializing light intensity in a light emitting means for irradiating light on one surface of a mount or sheet; Initializing the collector load of the phototransistor that receives the transmitted light generated by the light emitted from the base sheet or the other surface of the sheet and generates the collector current corresponding to the intensity of the received light. (B) and irradiating light from the light emitting means toward an area area where the label of the mount is not attached or an area where the light transmittance of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value, and transmitted light from the area The photo Step (c) for receiving light in the transistor, step (d) for repeating step (c) while sequentially changing the collector load so that the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor falls within a predetermined range, And (e) repeating steps (b) to (d) while sequentially increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means when the emitter voltage does not fall within a predetermined range.

  According to the present invention, since the light intensity of the light emitting element and the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element can be adjusted more accurately, the variation in the print position detection sensor, the light reflectance of the mount, or the light transmittance of the mount and the label can be controlled. Improve printer quality by ensuring optimal sensor levels at all times for variations, variations in light transmittance of tag manufacturing sheets, and variations in mechanical dimensions such as the position of the print position detection mark. It becomes possible to make it. In addition, since it is not necessary to manually adjust the volume and the like, it is possible to improve work efficiency in the printer manufacturing stage and maintainability in after-sales service.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the internal structure of the printer with the printer housing removed. In this embodiment, a case where printing is performed on a label temporarily attached to a mount will be described as an example.

  A continuous label body 13 is wound around a supply reel 14 of the printer 10. The label continuum 13 is configured by temporarily attaching the label 11 to the mount 12 so as to be peelable. As the label 11, for example, thermal paper that develops a specific color (for example, black or red) when a certain temperature region is reached is used.

Here, the label continuum 13 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2A, in the label continuum 13, the labels 11 are arranged on the surface of the mount 12 at equal intervals. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B or 2C, the label position detection mark (eye mark) 1 is printed on the back surface of the mount 12 at a position where it overlaps with the leading end portion or the trailing end portion of each label 11. Has been. The eye mark 1 has a light reflection characteristic different from that of other areas on the back surface of the mount 12 and is used for determining a printing start position in the label continuum 13. In the present embodiment, the eye mark 1 is printed with black ink or the like so that the light reflectance is lower than the surrounding area.

With reference to FIG. 1 again, the configuration of the printer 10 will be described.
As the stepping motor 16 rotates the platen roller 15 via the belt 17, the mount 12 is conveyed from the right side to the left side in the figure. The conveyance of the mount 12 is controlled based on the detection result of the sensor 19, and the thermal head 18 prints on the label 11. The sensor adjustment unit 20 adjusts the light intensity and light reception sensitivity of the sensor 19. The control unit 30 is configured by, for example, a CPU and software, and controls the operation of each unit. The display unit 40 performs error display and various displays based on the signal supplied from the control unit 30. The power supply unit 50 supplies power to each unit.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 19 and the sensor adjustment unit 20 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the label position is detected using the eye mark 1 printed on the back surface of the mount 12 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a print position detection sensor using such a method is also referred to as an eye mark sensor.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 19 receives a light emitting diode (LED) 19 a that irradiates the back surface of the mount 12 with light having a set intensity, and light that is irradiated from the LED 19 a and reflected from the back surface of the mount 12. and a phototransistor (PTR) 19b for generating a collector current _{I C} in accordance with the strength. Phototransistor (PTR) the collector-emitter voltage of _{19b) V CE} is used as a detection voltage.

The sensor adjustment unit 20 includes a light intensity switching unit 21, a constant current circuit 22, and a detection voltage adjustment unit 23.
The light intensity switching unit 21 is configured by, for example, an analog switch, an electronic volume, or a D / A converter. A plurality of types of reference voltages REF1, REF2,... Are supplied to the light intensity switching unit 21, and based on the control signal S1 supplied from the control unit 30 shown in FIG. One of REF2,... Is selected. Thereby, the light intensity of LED is set.

  The constant current circuit 22 includes an operational amplifier 22a, a transistor 22b, and a resistor 22c having a resistance value R, and drives the LED 19a with a constant current. Since the light intensity of the LED is proportional to the current, the light intensity can be stabilized by driving the LED at a constant current. The constant current circuit 22 controls the current flowing through the LED 19a based on the reference voltage selected by the light intensity switching unit 21. The current value is obtained by dividing the selected reference voltage by the resistance value R.

Detection voltage adjusting unit 23, for example, is constituted by an electronic volume having a variable resistance value R _V, to change the variable resistance R _V based on the control signal S2 supplied from the control unit 30. Thus, the collector load of PTR19b is set, the collector-emitter voltage of PTR19b (detection _{voltage) V CE} is changed.

When detecting the label position, the constant current circuit 22 causes the LED 19a to emit light by passing a current through the LED 19a, and the light emitted from the LED 19a is reflected by the back surface of the mount 12 and is incident on the PTR 19b. The detection voltage V _CE output from the PTR 19b is monitored. In such a state, the conveyance of the label continuous body 13 is started. When the eye mark 1 on the back surface of the backing sheet 12 comes to the detection position of the sensor 19, the reflectance of the irradiated light is reduced, the collector current I _C decreases, the value of the detected voltage V _CE rises. In this way, the start position or end position of the label 11 in the label continuum 13 can be detected.

Next, a method for adjusting the print position detection sensor (eye mark sensor) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the operation lines (1) and (4) of the sensor, the curve (2) indicating the reflected light level of the mount, and the curve (2) indicating the reflected light level of the eye mark in the static characteristics of the PTR 19b shown in FIG. The relationship with 3) is shown. 4, the vertical axis represents the collector current I _C, the horizontal axis represents the detection voltage V _CE. Here, the operation straight line of the sensor is expressed by I _C = (V _CC −V _CE ) / R _V. Further, the detection voltage Low at the intersection of the operation line (1) and the curve (2) indicating the reflected light level of the mount represents the voltage when the reflected light of the mount is detected. The detection voltage High at the intersection with the curve (3) indicating the reflected light level of the mark represents the voltage when the reflected light of the eye mark is detected.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the static characteristic of the PTR 19b, the value of the detection voltage V _CE when the slopes of the curves (2) and (3) change rapidly is A. Further, a value larger than the voltage value A by a predetermined value (or a predetermined ratio) is set as B. When the detection voltage V _CE is smaller than the voltage value A, the change amount of the detection voltage V _CE with respect to the change of the collector current I _C is small, and when the detection voltage V _CE is larger than the voltage value A, the collector current I The change amount of the detection voltage V _CE with respect to the change of _C is large. Thus for when performing detection mount and eye mark by using a photo transistor having a characteristic, it is desirable to utilize a detected voltage V variation is large range of _CE with respect to a change in the collector current I _C maximally.

Specifically, in the range in which the detection voltage V _CE becomes the voltage values A to B, the detection voltage adjustment unit 23 is variable so that the operation line (1) intersects the curve (2) representing the reflected light level of the mount. it is desirable to adjust the resistance value R _V. The reason will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the reflected light level of the mount and the eye mark is high, if the reflected light is detected in a range where V _CE <A (operation straight line (4)), the detection voltage Low of the mount is Although it does not decrease so much, the eye mark detection voltage High greatly decreases. As a result, the difference between the detection voltage High and the detection voltage Low becomes small.

On the other hand, when the reflected light level of the mount and the eye mark is low as shown in FIG. 4B, when the reflected light is detected in a range where V _CE > B (operation straight line (5) or (6)), The eye mark detection voltage High does not rise so much, but the mount detection voltage Low rises significantly. As a result, the difference between the detection voltage High and the detection voltage Low becomes small.

For this reason, in this embodiment, in order to obtain sufficient detection sensitivity, the operation line (1) and the curve (2) representing the reflected light level of the mount intersect in the range of A <V _CE <B. Thus, the sensor 19 is adjusted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the print position detection sensor according to the present embodiment.
First, in step S10, the operator sets the label continuum 13 in the printer so that the eye mark 1 does not reach the detection position of the sensor 19, as shown in FIG. Thereafter, automatic adjustment of the eye mark sensor is started from step S11.

In step S11, the light intensity switching unit 21 sets the reference voltage REF to the minimum value. As a result, the LED current value I _LED is initialized to the minimum value. Next, in step S12, the detection voltage adjustment unit 23 initializes the variable resistance value _RV to a minimum value. At this time, in FIG. 4B, the sensor operation straight line is the straight line (5) having the largest absolute value of the inclination.

In step S <b> 13, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the detection voltage V _CE output from the sensor 19 satisfies the condition A <V _CE <B. If the detection voltage V _CE does not satisfy the above condition, the process proceeds to step S14. If the detection voltage V _CE satisfies the above condition, the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S14, the detection voltage adjusting unit 23, under the control of the control unit 30 increases the variable resistance R _V. As a result, the absolute value of the inclination of the operation straight line of the sensor 19 becomes small (for example, the straight line (6) shown in FIG. 4B). In step S15, the control unit 30, a variable resistance R _V is equal to or a maximum value, when the variable resistance value R _V is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to step S13. In this way, the control unit 30, while gradually increasing the variable resistance _{R V,} determines whether or not the detected voltage _{V CE} satisfies the condition A _{<V CE} <B.

If the variable resistance value _RV reaches the maximum value in step S15, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the control unit 30 is to cause switching of the reference voltage to the light intensity switching unit 21 increases the LED current _{I LED.} For example, when the light reflectance of the back surface of the mount 12 is low, the condition A <V _CE <B can be satisfied by increasing the LED current value I _LED to increase the light intensity.

In step S17, the control unit 30, the LED current value _{I LED} is determined whether the maximum value and the LED current _{I LED} is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to step S12. In this way, the control unit 30, while gradually increasing the LED current _{I LED,} by changing the variable resistance _{R V,} the detection voltage _{V CE} is whether satisfies the condition A _{<V CE} <B judge.

When the LED current value I _LED reaches the maximum value, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the control unit 30 determines that an error has occurred in the automatic adjustment of the eye mark sensor, and displays an error on the display unit. In this case, in the initial setting stage of step S12, it is considered that V _CE <A, that is, the reflected light level was too high (the straight line (A) in FIG. 4)).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S13 that the detection voltage V _CE satisfies the condition A <V _CE <B, in step S19, the control unit 30 controls each unit to convey the label continuum 13. To start. In step S20, when the eye mark 1 of the label continuum 13 reaches the detection position of the sensor 19, the peak value (eye mark level) of the detection voltage V _CE is detected.

  In step S21, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the eye mark level is within a specified range. If it is determined that the eye mark level is within the specified range, the process proceeds to step S22, and the control unit 30 stops the conveyance of the label continuum 13 and ends the automatic adjustment of the eye mark sensor. . On the other hand, if it is determined that the eye mark level is not within the specified range, the process proceeds to step S18, and the control unit 30 determines that an error has occurred in the automatic adjustment of the eye mark sensor, and the display unit. Error display.

  Next, a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The printer according to the present embodiment has a sensor 60 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 instead of the sensor 19 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. About another structure, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment.

  In the printer according to the present embodiment, the label position is detected using an area (gap) where the label 11 is not arranged in the label continuum 13 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the print position detection sensor using such a method is also referred to as a gap sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 60 receives a light emitted from the LED 60a and transmitted through the label continuum 13 and radiates a predetermined amount of light toward the mount 12, and receives the amount of light. And a phototransistor (PTR) 60b that outputs a detection signal according to the above. The operations of the LED 60a and the PTR 60b are the same as the operations of the LED 19a and the PTR 19b in the first embodiment.

Next, a method for adjusting the print position detection sensor (gap sensor) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the print position detection sensor according to the present embodiment.
First, in step S30, the operator sets the label continuum 13 in the printer so that the area of only the mount is located at the detection position of the sensor 60 as shown in FIG. When printing is performed on a strip-shaped sheet for tag manufacture, the strip-shaped sheet is set in the printer so that an area where the light transmittance is larger than a predetermined value is at the detection position of the sensor 60. Thereafter, automatic adjustment of the gap sensor is started from step S31.

In step S31, the light intensity switching unit 21 sets the reference voltage REF to the minimum value. As a result, the LED current value I _LED is initialized to the minimum value. Next, in step S32, the detection voltage adjusting unit 23 initializes the variable resistance value _RV to a minimum value.

In step S33, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the detected voltage V _CE output from the sensor 60 satisfies the condition A <V _CE <B. If the detection voltage V _CE does not satisfy the above condition, the process proceeds to step S34. If the detection voltage V _CE satisfies the above condition, the process proceeds to step S39.

In step S34, the detection voltage adjusting unit 23, under the control of the control unit 30 increases the variable resistance R _V. As a result, the absolute value of the inclination of the operation straight line of the sensor 60 becomes small (for example, the straight line (6) shown in FIG. 4B). In step S35, the control unit 30, a variable resistance R _V is equal to or a maximum value, when the variable resistance value R _V is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to step S33. In this way, the control unit 30, while gradually increasing the variable resistance _{R V,} determines whether or not the detected voltage _{V CE} satisfies the condition A _{<V CE} <B.

When the variable resistance R _V reaches the maximum value in step S35, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the control unit 30 is to cause switching of the reference voltage to the light intensity switching unit 21 increases the LED current _{I LED.} For example, when the light transmittance of the mount 12 is low, the condition A <V _CE <B can be satisfied by increasing the light intensity by increasing the LED current value I _LED .

In step S37, the control unit 30, the LED current value _{I LED} is determined whether the maximum value and the LED current _{I LED} is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to step S32. In this way, the control unit 30, while gradually increasing the LED current _{I LED,} by changing the variable resistance _{R V,} the detection voltage _{V CE} is whether satisfies the condition A _{<V CE} <B judge.

When the LED current value I _LED reaches the maximum value, the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the control unit 30 determines that an error has occurred in the automatic adjustment of the eye mark sensor, and displays an error on the display unit.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S33 that the detection voltage V _CE satisfies the condition A <V _CE <B, the control unit 30 controls each unit in step S39, thereby causing the label continuum 13 to be changed. For example, 10 mm is conveyed. Here, it is assumed that the length of the gap between the labels 11 is 10 mm or less, and the length of the label 11 is 10 mm or more. In step S40, the label 11 of the label continuum 13 when comes to the detection position of the sensor 60, the peak value of the detected voltage V _CE (transmitted light level of the mount + label) is detected. When printing is performed on a strip-shaped sheet for tag manufacture, the strip-shaped sheet is conveyed so that a region where the light transmittance is smaller than a predetermined value reaches the detection position of the sensor 60.

  In step S41, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the transmitted light level of the mount + label is within a specified range. When it is determined that the transmitted light level of the mount + label is within the specified range, the process proceeds to step S42, and the control unit 30 stops the conveyance of the label continuum 13 and automatically operates the eye mark sensor. Finish the adjustment. On the other hand, when it is determined that the eye mark level is not within the specified range, the process proceeds to step S38, and the control unit 30 determines that an error has occurred in the automatic adjustment of the eye mark sensor, and the display unit. Error display.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a printer that performs printing on a label temporarily attached to a mount or a belt-like sheet for tag manufacture.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the label continuous body shown in FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the sensor and sensor adjustment part which are shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the static characteristic of PTR, and the reflected light level of a label continuous body. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting a print position detection sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the main structures of the printer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the sensor shown in FIG. 6, and a sensor adjustment part. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment method of the printing position detection sensor which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Print position detection mark (eye mark)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer 11 Label 12 Mount 13 Label continuous body 14 Supply reel 15 Platen roller 16 Stepping motor 17 Belt 18 Thermal head 19, 60 Sensor 19a, 60a Light emitting diode (LED)
19b, 60b phototransistor (PTR)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Sensor adjustment part 21 Light intensity switching part 22 Constant current circuit 22a Operational amplifier 22b Transistor 22c Resistance 23 Detection voltage adjustment part 30 Control part 40 Display part 50 Power supply part

Claims (7)

A belt-like mount on which a label is detachably attached and a print position detection mark is attached on the first surface, or a belt-like sheet on which the print position detection mark is attached on the first surface is conveyed to A printer for printing on a label or the sheet,
A light emitting means for irradiating light on the first surface of the mount or the sheet;
A phototransistor that receives reflected light generated by the light emitted from the light emitting means being reflected by the first surface of the mount or the sheet, and generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of the received light; ,
First setting means for setting a collector load of the phototransistor;
Second setting means for setting the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means;
The collector is arranged such that the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor receiving the reflected light from the area where the print position detection mark is not provided on the first surface of the mount or the sheet falls within a predetermined range. When the load is sequentially changed and the voltage does not fall within a predetermined range, the first and second settings are made so that the collector load is sequentially changed while sequentially increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means. Control means for controlling the means;
A printer comprising:   When the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor that receives the reflected light from the region where the print position detection mark is not attached on the first surface of the mount or the sheet enters a predetermined range, The control means controls to transport the mount or the sheet, and reflects reflected light from a region where the print position detection mark is attached on the first surface of the mount or the sheet. It is determined whether or not the collector-emitter voltage of the received phototransistor falls within a second predetermined range, and an error is displayed on the display unit when the voltage does not fall within the second predetermined range. The printer according to claim 1. A belt-like mount on which a label is detachably attached, or a printer that conveys a belt-like sheet and prints on the label or the sheet,
A light emitting means for irradiating light on one surface of the mount or the sheet;
A phototransistor that receives transmitted light generated when light emitted from the light emitting means is transmitted to the other surface of the mount or the sheet, and generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of the received light;
First setting means for setting a collector load of the phototransistor;
Second setting means for setting the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means;
The collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor receiving the transmitted light from the region where the label is not attached on the mount or the region where the light transmittance of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value is within a predetermined range. The collector load is sequentially changed to enter, and when the voltage does not fall within a predetermined range, the collector load is sequentially changed while sequentially increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means. And control means for controlling the second setting means;
A printer comprising:   The collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor receiving the transmitted light from the region where the label is not attached on the mount or the region where the light transmittance of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value is within a predetermined range. When entering, the control means controls to transport the mount or the sheet, and the light transmittance of the area where the label is pasted on the mount or the sheet is predetermined. It was determined whether or not the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor that received the transmitted light from a region smaller than the value was in the second predetermined range, and the voltage did not enter the second predetermined range The printer according to claim 3, wherein an error is displayed on the display unit. The light emitting means includes a light emitting diode;
The second setting means includes a constant current circuit for supplying a constant current to the light emitting diode based on a set reference voltage;
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A belt-like mount on which a label is detachably attached and a print position detection mark is attached on the first surface, or a belt-like sheet on which the print position detection mark is attached on the first surface is conveyed to A method of adjusting a print position detection sensor in a printer that prints on a label or the sheet,
Initializing the intensity of light in the light emitting means for irradiating the first surface of the mount or the sheet;
The collector of the phototransistor that receives the reflected light generated when the light emitted from the light emitting means is reflected by the first surface of the mount or the sheet and generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of the received light. Step (b) for initializing the load;
Light is emitted from the light emitting means toward an area where the print position detection mark is not attached on the first surface of the mount or the sheet, and reflected light from the area is received by the phototransistor. Step (c);
Repeating step (c) while sequentially changing the collector load so that the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor falls within a predetermined range;
Step (e) of repeating steps (b) to (d) while sequentially increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means when the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor does not fall within a predetermined range;
A method for adjusting a print position detection sensor comprising: A method of adjusting a print position detection sensor in a belt-like mount on which a label is peeled off or a printer that transports a belt-like sheet and prints on the label or the sheet,
Initializing the intensity of light in the light emitting means for irradiating light on one surface of the mount or the sheet;
The collector load of the phototransistor that receives the transmitted light generated when the light emitted from the light emitting means is transmitted to the other surface of the mount or the sheet and generates a collector current corresponding to the intensity of the received light. Initializing step (b);
Light is emitted from the light emitting means toward an area area where the label of the mount is not attached or an area where the light transmittance of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value, and the transmitted light from the area is also emitted. Receiving (c) light in the phototransistor;
Repeating step (c) while sequentially changing the collector load so that the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor falls within a predetermined range;
Step (e) of repeating steps (b) to (d) while sequentially increasing the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting means when the collector-emitter voltage of the phototransistor does not fall within a predetermined range;
A method for adjusting a print position detection sensor comprising:

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