JPS5855262A - Protecting device for thermal head overheating - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To lengthen a device life, by a method wherein a larger number of heating elements than that of bits for printing data are aligned in succession, and the position of the heating element is gradually displaced by appropriately shifting the printing data provided to a shift resistor each time a printing is made on one label. CONSTITUTION:If a printing of a bar code on one heat-sensitive label is completed, a label detecting signal A of a succeeding label is inputted to a first counter 14 and a second counter 15, the count value is upped by 1, and simultaneously, it is inputted to a shift terminal of a shift resistor 5 through an OR circuit 9. Then, an AND circuit is in a 0 output condition, and thereby, a bar code data in a shift resistor 5 brings a rightmost bit to a 0 from a state b and shifts it by one full bit as shown in a condition c. This causes a printing position to be shifted by one full bit each time a printing is made on one label, and enables lengthening of a heating resistance element life.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for a thermal printer that prevents trouble caused by overripe of only a specific heating element when labels with the same contents are continuously printed.

Thermal printers have multiple heating elements arranged in a straight line on a thermal head, and a large heat-sensitive label, etc., is run at a predetermined pitch by facing and in contact with the heating elements, and the heating elements selectively generate heat according to the printing data. In this method, a predetermined pattern is colored and printed on a heat-sensitive label, etc. Therefore, this printer may issue labels with the same content continuously. In this case, heat is likely to be generated intensively in a specific heating element according to the print data of 6°C. Then, heat is gradually stored there,
If the temperature is too high, the thermal paper may heat up and develop color. As a result, colored spots with a normal width and thickness are formed on the thermal paper. As a result, in the case of bar printing, one bar is printed with a wider width than the standard @ (usually 0.88 points).

Errors may occur.

In the case of Maku Katsutata printing, the printing in a specific row becomes -< and thicker, making it unclear and 11! There is a way to avoid overheating (overheating) by forcing the thermal head to cool down, but since overheating occurs locally on the thermal head, It is not a perfect solution.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention has been improved.In other words, each time a heat-sensitive label is issued, the print data given to the heating elements arranged in a straight line is shifted one bit at a time. To provide a configuration that prevents specific heat-generating electrons from overheating when input in a state where

Next, the principle by which an average heating amount can be applied to each heating element in the present invention will be explained in detail.

IgB diagram G) is a structured view of a plurality of heating elements (1) arranged in a straight line on a T-truss head. By heating or unheating each of these heating elements, heating points are formed continuously or discontinuously in a row of printing positions on the two heat-sensitive pels. In the case of barcode printing, the printing data is usually composed of a plurality of black bars or white pars (black bars in the drawing) arranged at a fixed pitch, as shown in Figure 8 (b), Black and white (output data is %l#%Q#,%l#) light guide bar C
) and the left guide bar (c), with a plurality of 1 character (IQ (one number expressed as a unit of Washer code) of the demodule sandwiched between them.The number of heat-sensitive elements in one row is usually the same as that of one row. There are more elements than the number of peaks (the number of peaks is greater than the number of channels). The 1 character (T) expressed in the maku demine joule has a white par at one end, and the remaining 67 jiers are a combination of black bars and white bars to represent numbers from O to 9t. (for example, 1
decimal number Of) jl1 go 0001101410 ma 8
(0111111) At least one of the 6 pieces of this remnant is a 1 par, and in the L character, at least one of the two pieces is a white bar. Therefore, 1
By shifting the row of heating elements that generate heat by one bit each time a heat-sensitive label is issued, the number of times each heating element generates heat is averaged, and local overheating is stopped.
Do s.

Below, we will explain the example in Book 1III #i. Figure 1 shows the (b) road side when only barcodes are printed, and (1) to/- has one end connected to the common power terminal (■). Connected heating element %
) driver transistor that selectively conducts heating current to % 13) (13- is the driver transistor +1) (+4) 14)- that conducts the driver transistor +1) with its %lII level output Pot doziperttonister (ri (phantom) and each mu MD circuit (33 (1
) ``-'' is connected to the current control @ lick resistor, (i
) is a shift register that converts the print data for - columns into serial and parallel and outputs it.
(1) is a print control unit that outputs a heat signal (b) to one input terminal of the circuit 13) (3) and performs parvoid printing; The serial data (D) output from (6) is sent to the 77 register (a mum circuit that controls the timing of giving it to Il), and (8) is sent to the print control unit (shift register n, which is also output from 61). to the shift pulse of ) input tst
t + control MD circuit, 1 set is the shift pulse output from the circuit 1) and the label detection signal (which is output once for each label issued) as a shift signal. The 01 circuit that sends to the register (art), the star 1 switch that starts label printing, the start signal P output by the start switch, etc., are controlled by the print control unit! -1 is an OR circuit that is input, 4 is an issue number setting unit that sets the number of thermal labels to be printed continuously, ttl is a line of print data that is input to a line of heating elements 111fl'l...
Add 1 to the number of times to shift from one end to the other (usually the remaining number obtained by subtracting the number of peaks of print data in the - column from the number of Fukushima elements), and calculate the round value by adding 1 to the number of shifts from one end to the other. The shift number setting section is set by the jumper wire etc., and I is the number of issue setting section (provided corresponding to 14, and counts the label detection signal that is generated once every time one cycle of thermal label feeding is completed). The first counter, which is provided corresponding to the shift number setting section 11, is the eighth counter that counts the detection signal for the above-mentioned lape! , -" is the number of issued number setting section 0 trout, 1) I
When the count number of F counter a4 matches, it becomes a match signal)
is output to the printing control unit (-) to stop label printing and clear the 1st kakunta kengyo. When a match occurs, the 8'3 inverter generates a match signal (to), and this match signal (to) is input to the print control unit (ship) via an OR (b) signal, and is input to the print data shift register. While commanding re-input to 1,
Clear the first counter Shizuku to zero.

The operation in the above configuration is as follows.

In the initial state after the power is turned on, the counts of the first counter 4 and the third counter 0 are cleared to zero. t
It is assumed that 9f* (for example, Te) is already set in the t-shift number setting section 11 by adding, for example, the number Kl of the remainder obtained by subtracting the number of print data for one column from the number of heating elements. . In this way, the number of coins to be issued continuously is set in the issue number setting section 0 as, for example, lOOau. Then, the personal barcode 0 numerical data ψ) to be continuously printed is generated by an appropriate means and inputted to the print control unit <i. Press the memate switch for a moment to turn on the start signal)
is input to the print control unit (61) via the 01 circuit (■1).Then, the print control unit (6) inputs the data output control terminal (
6 to 1Ml level and connect the MuIID circuit (71181
is made into a conductive arm, outputs the par;-de data (D) in series to the MD circuit (7), and outputs the shift pulse (B) to the phantom 1 circuit +i for the par;-do data (D1 bit number). Then, in the shift register, the bar code data (P-) is stored in series from the beginning to the end with the tie 2 of the shift pulse (-).Then, the shift register (-) outputs this parallelized code data (D-) to one input terminal of the MMD circuit +31 fat... After this, the print control unit (6)
Connect the data output control terminal (6a) to the -Lll level signal by pasting a heat-sensitive label and synchronizing it with the feed of the nine mounts at a predetermined pitch to generate a heat signal) pulse (usually 1-1) train in the MuMD zone. A number corresponding to the length of the bar code is sent to each one input terminal of the path ill 13+.... This is K, so m) ID circuit 11) 1m) - from current limiting resistor
4) 14) -..., the dotwipert tune register (1- only K
% l l level signal is input and becomes conductive),
Heating current is supplied from the power supply terminal (g) only to the corresponding heating elements (1) (1)-. This causes a perfood consisting of a series of heating points to be printed on the thermal label. When the printing of the barcode on one thermal label is completed in this way, the label detection signal μ is sent from the label feeding mechanism etc. and is output as the label detection signal for the next nine labels. ) is input to the first counter ◆ and the third tI counter @, and their count values are counted up by one, and are also input to the shift terminal of the shift register (-1) via the 011 path (-). At this time M
Since the D circuit (7) has the output state Kl of *QI, the parbood data in the shift register fil is changed from the state shown in Figure 3 (→) to the lowest hit by %O'K, as shown in Figure 1 (C). This label detection signal is simultaneously input to the print control unit (-1) as the next label issue command signal.Then, the print control unit (art)
prints the parvoid on the next thermal label without re-inputting the barcode data to the shift register (i). Once the printing of one thermal label is finished,
The first counter IQ and the first counter IQ count up one by one in response to a label detection signal generated by a label feeding mechanism or the like. Then, the number of heat-sensitive labels issued becomes the number set in the shift number setting section 1, and at the 9th point, the barcode data is indicated by the heating element (1) (in the column 11... in Figure 1) and is output as shown in 9. Then, color development and printing will be performed. When printing with this maximum number of shifts is completed, the count value of the third counter a is the same as the output value of the shift number setting section I. Nana 9, No. 1; Npare! - A matching signal (to) is output from the appetizer. In response to this coincidence signal), the 8th counter ■ is cleared to zero, and -
〇! is input to the print control unit (-)K through the circuit (river).Then, the print control unit (@) performs the same operation as when the first start signal (I) is input. In other words, the barcode data (D) obtained by converting the barcode data (in other words, into numeric data) is transferred to the register (4
) in the state shown in Figure 1A (b). After this, the print control unit +11 uses the label feed mechanism to synchronize with the pitch feed of the label backing paper and send the pulse train of MD a1 path +3) (83"...
outputs to the common input terminal of , and performs 1-per-void printing on thermal labels one after another.Then, the count value of the rattan S counter q, which is counting the label detection signal ■, becomes the set value of the shift number setting section ll field. The contents of the shift pulser (-) are replaced by the operation described above, and the heat-sensitive label issuing operation is repeated. Then, when the number of issued sheets is set in the number of issued number setting section 1 and reaches the number of inputs, the first cow, which counts the number of occurrences of ), is sent to the label detection signal, Tsutaken 4
The count value of will be the same as this. A coincidence signal (9) is output from the comparator, clearing the 1s1 counter #1 to zero, and inputting it as a print stop signal (7) to the print control unit (@), and the print control unit (6) heat signal) to MID (ro) road 111) 13)-・
Stop the label issuing operation sent to

After this, if you want to continuously issue multiple heat-sensitive labels with different parcodes or the same barcode, set the number of copies to be issued in the issue number setting section HK, and then press the start switch - Press - momentarily to generate the start signal). In this case, the Mg counter a@ has not been cleared to zero, so the maximum value of the initial shift count will be higher than the setting value of the shift number setting section -. becomes smaller. However, once the 8th Count 19@ was the 2nd Combaret! After being cleared to zero by the match signal output by (), the maximum value of the shift number will be the same as the shift number setting @aS by subtracting 1 from the setting value. State 11 at the time of (Fig. 8←)
1) and when shifted by the maximum number (as shown in Figure 2), the printed barcode pattern is horizontally 114
The width of one module is 0.88.
Since it is fog, the length of this shift is 0.118 x 6-
Of course, when reading sl with m L9g-, the user etc. will hardly feel this deviation, and it will not affect the reading with a light pen.

The circuit configuration shown in item 111 above is compatible with printing only a barcode on a thermal label, and there is no need to change the contents of the shift pulse while one label is being issued. Ta. In addition to the barcode, characters such as those shown in No. 411g1 may also be printed on the heat-sensitive label. In this case, while printing one thermal label, the contents of the shift register must be changed, such as printing the - line of print data. Therefore, the character only t9 is suitable for the case where a large print date is marked 14 on one heat-sensitive board k by mixing a middle printer and a bar code, and the circuit configuration of another embodiment of the present invention is I
Figure 3 will be explained.

Fig. 3 shows a part of the nine-way configuration shown in Fig. 1 that has been changed, and shows the surroundings of the changed part (6/ is a printing control section, 1-' is the same function as in Fig. 1). start switch, 9
The shift pulse generator is a newly added shift pulse generator in this configuration. The third shift pulse generating section Q receives the print control section (the company receives the print data for one column (n is used as a shift pulse) and the shift end signal Q generated after the shift register III K sending round), and the third The shift pulse of the count part of the kakunta α groan is sent to the shift register (easy IK) via the 01 circuit tel.In the sP Hatake diagram, the 9th one with the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 is #s1 diagram. indicates the same thing as.

The operation in the configuration shown in FIG.
Similar to the circuit configuration shown in the figure, with the number of sheets to be issued consecutively set in the number of sheets issued setting section, the start switch is momentarily pressed. In addition, at this time, the 16th Kunta Ken Rumor and the 2nd Kai Unta (+@ are each zero tarrier -
To be. Print control unit (@1 is data for one column (114
(1)) in the figure is input to the shift register in the nine steps explained in Figure 1 by controlling the MMD circuit (M), and then the shift end signal (B) becomes the shift pulse. The generation part (nK large input is received, but the count value of the 3rd counter II is zero, so the shift pulse generation part - does not generate a shift pulse, and the contents of the shift register tit do not change. Print here. Control unit (1m MD circuit)
(II) -K Output 7 signals (b) and -
Printing for the column ((1) in Figure 4) is carried out.Next, at 9 o'clock, when the thermal label is advanced by -pitch and the printing position is at position (r) in Figure 4, the printing control unit is turned off. ■Circuit 17) I)
The print data of this - column ((ri) in Figure 4) is controlled by
is input into the shift register. In this case, the count value of the 4th building, 3rd kakunta 9@ is zero, so the shift pulse generator σ field does not generate a shift pulse, and one row of print data input from the print control section +@r is then shifted. Printed without being printed. Similarly, Fig. 4 11) (
41 . . . - (te) is printed on the matching sheet, and printing and issuing of one label is completed. and label detection signal body)
The label feeding] mechanism is also output, and the first counter I and the eighth counter II@ are counted up by one. Issuance of heat-sensitive hupel after jin is performed by shifting the printing pattern only by the counting function of the third counter ll@. That is, the print control section nf inputs the print data for one line into the shift register il+, and the print control section t1! When the shift end signal outputted by + is input to the shift pulse generator I, the shift pulse of the count function valve at the time of the second counter lI is sent out to the shift register (@)K via the OR@ path 191. Therefore, the contents of the shift register fIl are printed with a 1% gel-gold difference on the second heat-sensitive label to be issued. As a result, as a result of the above operation, the count value of the third counter (II) increases each time a label is printed, and as a result, the entire print pattern is printed one after another, such as ! peak zier on the third label and 8 gram zier on the fourth label. Then, when the count value of the third counter (II) reaches the set value of the shift number setting section al, it is zeroed by the coincidence signal (to) output from the first contorter η. Therefore, the shift number is returned to zero and the above operation is repeated.Then, when the number of labels to be printed remains at the set value, the print stop signal () is output in the same operation as explained in Figure 1. , the printing operation stops 0 As explained above, the present invention provides a thermal head in which a number of heating elements, which are larger in number than the number of print data, are arranged consecutively in a straight line, and each of the heating elements. It is provided in correspondence with the bits and includes a shift register that outputs print data for - columns to a heating element, and a print control unit that inputs print data for - columns to the shift register and controls printing. , we have provided a multi-head overheating prevention device that appropriately shifts the print data given to the shift register each time one label is issued, and gradually shifts the printing position of the print data on the heating element, so the same Even when printing thermal labels with print data are issued continuously, the thermal energy of each heating element is averaged, preventing problems and printing defects due to localized overheating of the gnarl head, improving print quality. can.

Failures due to overheating of the head are reduced, and the life of the fk can be extended.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plotter showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure B) (B) (→) is a peach-shaped diagram of heating elements to explain how print data is shifted on a row of heating elements, and Figure 8 of stripes shows the configuration of another screen embodiment of the present invention. Figure #g4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of character data printed according to the present invention. +l+...heating element, (l)...driver transistor, (l)...mu MD circuit, 14)...tlX limiting resistor, (-)...shift register, (-), i...
・Print control unit, [7), till... mu ID1
g1 road, tlil-0 凰路, clear, m'-, (1-)
J (tch, -...issue number setting section, -field...shift number setting section, 14-...compilation counter, 9...second counter, 111...first comparator, η・・
・Sth punno < v-fi, 0 o'clock...shift pulse generation section, ni)...label detection signal, ni)...start signal, (C))...coincidence signal, ψ)・...Numeric data, (To)...Printing stop signal, p>-...Shift end number 61, (To) - He) (1 to number, (B) - Shift pulse % (DB) - Par food data , ni)・
...Light guide bar, (to)...Left guide bar, (to)...Character, (to)--Residue element. Figure 1 Figure 2 (d) QO・O・QO・Ol・O・IO・DO‐I・l
・0・1IIIO111/l1l-]lFigure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) The number of bits of the print data is greater than the number of bits of the print data.Heat-generating elements are arranged continuously in a straight line, and a large thermal head is provided corresponding to each bit of the heat-generating elements, and the print data for the -column can be stored. It is equipped with a shift register that outputs to the heating element, and a print control section that inputs printing data for - columns into the shift register to control printing, and supplies it to the shift register when one label is printed. A thermal head overheating prevention device characterized by appropriately shifting print data and gradually shifting the print position of the print data on a heating element.