U.S. patent application number 13/408708 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for printer and printer control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Yuichi Ito, Atsushi Sakai.
Application Number | 20120224202 13/408708 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45808249 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120224202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ito; Yuichi ; et
al. |
September 6, 2012 |
Printer and Printer Control Method
Abstract
A print data conversion area can be created to reflect that all
printed slips are not the same size. A printer includes a
conveyance unit that conveys checks with one edge following a guide
extending in the conveyance direction, a length detection unit that
detects the length of the conveyed check in the conveyance
direction, and a conversion area formation unit that creates a
print data conversion area to which print data for the entire image
to be recorded on the check is written. The conversion area
formation unit determines the range of the conversion area with
reference to a position corresponding to a particular position on
the check using the detected length of the check in the conveyance
direction.
Inventors: |
Ito; Yuichi; (Nagano-ken,
JP) ; Sakai; Atsushi; (Nagano-ken, JP) |
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
45808249 |
Appl. No.: |
13/408708 |
Filed: |
February 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 13/0054 20130101;
G06K 15/1805 20130101; B41J 11/008 20130101; G06K 15/4065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.12 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20060101
G06K015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 2011 |
JP |
2011-045451 |
Claims
1. A printer comprising: a conveyance unit that conveys a slip
through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction; a recording
head that records on the slip while moving in a direction
intersecting the conveyance direction; a guide that extends in the
conveyance direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance
path, the guide being configured to guide one side of the slip
through the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path
being open; a length detection unit that detects the length of the
slip in the conveyance direction; a control unit that produces
converted print data for recording by the recording head; a storage
unit that stores data in a storage area; and a conversion area
formation unit that creates a conversion area in the storage area
for storing the converted print data, determines dimensions of the
conversion area in the storage area based on the detected length of
the slip in the conveyance direction, and determines the movement
range of the recording head; wherein the control unit writes the
converted print data in the conversion area with reference to a
position corresponding to the one, guided side of the slip and
controls the recording head to record the converted print data on
the slip.
2. The printer described in claim 1, wherein: the slip has magnetic
ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and
the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads the
magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being
disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific
distance from the guide.
3. The printer described in claim 2, wherein: the length detection
unit includes a media detection sensor that is disposed to a
position relative to the reading unit on the conveyance direction
and detects if the slip is present; and the length detection unit
detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction based on
the distance the slip is conveyed by the conveyance unit and output
from the media detection sensor.
4. The printer described in claim 1, wherein: the conversion area
is a rectangular area, and of the four vertices defining the
rectangle, the control unit converts and writes the converted print
data to the conversion area using as the origin the vertex
corresponding to a point on the slip that is closest to a trailing
edge of the slip in the conveyance direction and closest to the one
side of the slip relative to corresponding points on the slip of
the other vertices.
5. The printer described in claim 4, wherein: the control unit
writes the converted print data from the origin using the direction
corresponding to the conveyance direction as the write
direction.
6. The printer described in claim 5, wherein: when writing the
converted print data for one line of text to the conversion area,
if part of the line will not fit in a corresponding line in the
conversion area in the write direction, the control unit inserts a
line change and continues writing to the conversion area.
7. The printer described in claim 6, wherein: the recording head is
mounted and moved on a carriage; and the direction in which the
control unit changes the line is the direction of carriage movement
in the direction away from the position corresponding to the one
side of the slip.
8. The printer described in claim 6, wherein: the control unit
writes the converted print data to the conversion area in the
direction enabling reading the text from a position at the one side
of the slip.
9. A printer capable of connecting to a control device, the printer
comprising: a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a
conveyance path in a conveyance direction; a recording head that
records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the
conveyance direction; a guide that extends in the conveyance
direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the
guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the
conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open;
a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the
conveyance direction; and a control unit that controls (i) the
recording head to record on the slip based on data received from
the control device and further to record the received data on the
slip with reference to a position on the one, guided side of the
slip in a range that is defined based on the detected length of the
slip in the conveyance direction, and (ii) the movement range of
the recording head.
10. The printer described in claim 9, wherein: when recording the
received data in the conveyance direction of the slip and the line
changes, the control unit controls the recording unit to record
data in the order received, and changes the line in the direction
of carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the
slip.
11. The printer described in claim 9, wherein: when recording the
received data in the conveyance direction of the slip, the control
unit controls the recording unit to record in the direction
enabling reading the text from a position corresponding to the one
side of the slip.
12. The printer described in claim 9, wherein: the slip has
magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one
side; and the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads
the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being
disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific
distance from the guide.
13. A method of controlling a printer capable of connecting to a
control device, comprising steps of: conveying a slip through a
conveyance path that has a guide on one side and is open on the
other side, the guide extending in the conveyance direction and
arranged to guide one side of the slip as it is conveyed through
the conveyance path; detecting the length of the slip in the
conveyance direction as the slip is conveyed through the conveyance
path; moving a recording head to record on the slip based on data
received from the control device, the recording being referenced to
a position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is
defined based on the length of the slip detected in the length
detecting step; and controlling the movement range of the recording
head.
14. The method of controlling a printer described in claim 13,
wherein: when recording the received data in the conveyance
direction of the slip and the line changes, data is recorded in the
order received, and the line is changed in the direction of
carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the
slip.
15. The method of controlling a printer described in claim 13,
wherein: when recording the received data in the conveyance
direction of the slip, recording proceeds in the direction enabling
reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of
the slip.
16. The method of controlling a printer described in claim 13,
wherein: the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific
distance from the one side; and the magnetic ink characters on the
slip are read by a reading unit disposed to the conveyance path at
a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-045451, filed on
Mar. 2, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a printer that records on
slips, and to a method of controlling the printer.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Printers that record (print) images on, while conveying,
checks or other slips are known from the literature. See, for
example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-H07-244702.
[0006] Checks and similar slips are not all the same size; rather,
they come in many different sizes. Setting and resetting the area
to be recorded (conversion area) on the recording device in order
to record at the desired position on slips of different sizes canbe
time-consuming and difficult for the user because complicated
settings are required to identify the recording area. Because the
size of the conveyed slips is not constant, being able to easily
define the conversion area is necessary in a device that records
images on slips.
SUMMARY
[0007] A printer and printer control method according to the
invention enable easily defining the conversion area even when the
size of the slips is not constant.
[0008] One aspect of the invention is embodied in a printer. Such
printer comprises: a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a
conveyance path in a conveyance direction; a recording head that
records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the
conveyance direction; a guide that extends in the conveyance
direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the
guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the
conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open;
a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the
conveyance direction; a control unit that produces converted print
data for recording by the recording head; a storage unit that
stores data in a storage area; and a conversion area formation unit
that creates a conversion area in the storage area for storing the
converted print data, determines dimensions of the conversion area
in the storage area based on the detected length of the slip in the
conveyance direction, and determines the movement range of the
recording head; wherein the control unit writes the converted print
data in the conversion area with reference to a position
corresponding to the one, guided side of the slip and controls the
recording head to record the converted print data on the slip.
[0009] This aspect of the invention can accommodate slips of
different sizes and can appropriately define the range of the
recordable conversion area formed in the storage area referenced to
a position corresponding to the one side of the slip and can create
a conversion area for different size slips, by conveying the slip
with one edge against the guide, reflecting the actual length of
the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording
head movement. The converted print data can therefore be recorded
to slips of difference sizes referenced to a position corresponding
to one side of the slip. Easily recording to a desired position on
slips of different sizes is therefore possible.
[0010] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance
from the one side; and the printer further comprises a reading unit
that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading
unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated
a specific distance from the guide.
[0011] Because this aspect of the invention conveys checks and
other slips that are recorded in a specific format and have
magnetic ink characters recorded thereon along a guide, reading of
magnetic ink characters can be referenced to the position of the
guide, which is a process applied to such checks and other
slips.
[0012] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
the length detection unit has a media detection sensor that is
disposed to a position relative to the reading unit on the
conveyance direction and detects if the slip is present; and the
length detection unit detects the length of the slip in the
conveyance direction based on the distance the slip is conveyed by
the conveyance unit and output from the media detection sensor.
[0013] This aspect of the invention enables detecting the length of
the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit
while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is
a process applied to slips such as checks; therefore, there is no
need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the
slip, thus making processing more efficient.
[0014] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
the conversion area formed is rectangular area, and of the four
vertices defining the rectangle, the control unit converts and
writes the converted print data to the conversion area using as the
origin the vertex corresponding to a point on the slip that is
closest to a trailing edge of the slip in the conveyance direction
and closest to the one side of the slip relative to corresponding
points on the slip of the other vertices.
[0015] This aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing
converted print data to a conversion area reflecting that all slips
are not the same width, and enables easily recording to the desired
position.
[0016] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
the control unit writes the converted print data from the origin
using the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction as
the write direction of the converted print data.
[0017] This aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing
converted print data to a conversion area reflecting that all slips
are not the same length in the conveyance direction, and enables
easily recording to the desired position.
[0018] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
when writing the converted print data for one line of text to the
conversion area, if part of the line will not fit in a
corresponding line in the conversion area in the write direction,
the control unit inserts a line change and continues writing to the
conversion area.
[0019] This aspect of the invention writes to the conversion area
by automatically changing the line of characters contained in the
text string, and can prevent not recording some of the characters
in the text string on the slip.
[0020] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
the recording head is mounted and moved on a carriage; and the
direction in which the control unit changes the line is the
direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the
position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
[0021] When recording an image of a text string on a check, this
aspect of the invention enables recording in the conveyance
direction, which is the same direction as the MICR line, while
appropriately inserting line changes to the text string recorded on
the check or other slip.
[0022] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
the control unit writes the converted print data to the conversion
area in the direction enabling reading the text from a position at
the one side of the slip.
[0023] Reflecting that all slips do not have the same length in the
conveyance direction, this aspect of the invention enables
efficiently writing and recording in a direction that enables
reading referenced to a position on the one side of the slip, and
enables easy reading.
[0024] Another aspect of the invention is embodied in a printer
capable of connecting to a control device. Such printer comprises:
a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a conveyance path in
a conveyance direction; a recording head that records on the slip
while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction;
a guide that extends in the conveyance direction and is arranged on
one side of the conveyance path, the guide being configured to
guide one side of the slip through the conveyance path, the other
side of the conveyance path being open; a length detection unit
that detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction;
and a control unit that controls (i) the recording head to record
on the slip based on data received from the control device and
further to record the received data on the slip with reference to a
position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is
defined based on the detected length of the slip in the conveyance
direction, and (ii) the movement range of the recording head.
[0025] This aspect of the invention can appropriately define the
recording position referenced to a position corresponding to one
side of the slip, and can record to an appropriate position
reflecting that the slip size is not constant, by conveying the
slip with one edge of the slip against a guide extending in the
conveyance direction, reflecting the actual length of the slip in
the conveyance direction and the length of recording head movement.
Because a guide that defines one side is disposed along the
conveyance direction on one side of the conveyance path and the
other side of the conveyance path is open to accommodate slips of
different sizes, large slips that protrude from the conveyance path
can also be loaded and conveyed. The converted print data can
therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes referenced to a
position corresponding to one side of the slip. Easily recording to
a desired position on slips of different sizes is therefore
possible.
[0026] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the
slip and the line changes, the control unit controls the recording
unit to record data in the order received, and changes the line in
the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the
one side of the slip.
[0027] By recording characters in the order received and inserting
line changes at appropriate locations, content can be recorded in a
natural arrangement.
[0028] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the
slip, the control unit controls the recording unit to record in the
direction enabling reading the text from a position corresponding
to the one side of the slip.
[0029] This configuration enables recording with a natural
arrangement that is easy to read from the one side of the slip.
[0030] In a printer according to another aspect of the invention,
the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance
from the one side; and the printer further comprises a reading unit
that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading
unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated
a specific distance from the guide.
[0031] This aspect of the invention enables detecting the length of
the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit
while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is
a process applied to slips such as checks; therefore, there is no
need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the
slip, thereby making processing more efficient.
[0032] Another aspect of the invention is a method of controlling a
printer capable of connecting to a control device, including steps
of: conveying a slip through a conveyance path that has a guide on
one side and is open on the other side, the guide extending in the
conveyance direction and arranged to guide one side of the slip as
it is conveyed through the conveyance path; detecting the length of
the slip in the conveyance direction as the slip is conveyed
through the conveyance path; moving a recording head to record on
the slip based on data received from the control device, the
recording being referenced to a position on the one, guided side of
the slip in a range that is defined based on the length of the slip
detected by the length detecting step; and controlling the movement
range of the recording head.
[0033] The method according to this aspect of the invention enables
appropriately defining the recording position referenced to a
position corresponding to one side of the slip, and recording to an
appropriate position reflecting that the slip size is not constant,
by conveying the slip with one edge of the slip against a guide
extending in the conveyance direction, reflecting the actual length
of the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording
head movement. Because a guide that defines one side is disposed
along the conveyance direction on one side of the conveyance path
and the other side of the conveyance path is open to accommodate
slips of different sizes, large slips that protrude from the
conveyance path can also be loaded and conveyed. The converted
print data can therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes
referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip.
Easily recording to a desired position on slips of different sizes
is therefore possible.
[0034] A control method according to another aspect of the
invention when recording the received data in the conveyance
direction of the slip and the line changes, data is recorded in the
order received, and the line is changed in the direction of
carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the
slip.
[0035] By recording characters in the order received and inserting
line changes at appropriate locations, this control method enables
recording content in a natural arrangement.
[0036] In a control method according to another aspect of the
invention, when recording the received data in the conveyance
direction of the slip, recording proceeds in the direction enabling
reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of
the slip.
[0037] This control method enables recording with a natural
arrangement that is easy to read from the one side of the slip.
[0038] In a control method according to another aspect of the
invention, the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific
distance from the one side; and the magnetic ink characters on the
slip are read by a reading unit disposed to the conveyance path at
a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
[0039] The control method according to this aspect of the invention
enables detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance
direction using a length detection unit while conveying the slip to
read magnetic ink characters, which is a process applied to slips
such as checks, therefore does not need to convey the slip
specifically to detect the length of the slip, and makes processing
more efficient.
Effects of the Invention
[0040] The invention enables forming a print data conversion area
reflecting that all slips are not the same size. Other effects,
attainments, and attributes are described below with reference to
the accompany figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1A is an external oblique view of a printer according
to the invention.
[0042] FIG. 1B schematically shows the face S1 of a check S.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the main unit of the
printer.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows various parts disposed along the media
conveyance path.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional
configuration of the printer.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional
configuration of the host computer.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of printer operation.
[0048] FIG. 7A illustrates the relative physical positions of the
check S and the recordable area 70 of the second printhead 48.
[0049] FIG. 7B illustrates the conversion area 81 created in RAM
103.
[0050] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of printer operation.
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates steps SD4 and SC2 in FIG. 8 in
detail.
[0052] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B describe the operation of the
conversion adjustment unit.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0053] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
below with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0054] FIG. 1A is an external oblique view showing a printer 1
(recording device) rendering printer system 300 (FIG. 4, FIG. 6)
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The printer 1
reads magnetic ink characters S2 (also called MICR (magnetic ink
character recognition) characters) that are recorded on the face S1
(recording surface) of a check S, and records images on the face S1
and/or back S3 of the check S. The printer 1 also stores roll paper
R, which is thermal paper wound in a roll, inside and records to
the roll paper R.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 1A, the printer 1 has a basically
box-shaped main case 2 with a media insertion opening 3 for
inserting checks S formed with a specific width widthwise to the
printer at the front left side of the main case 2. A media exit 4,
from which the processed check S is discharged, is formed with a
specific width, extending widthwise with respect to the printer, in
the top of the main case 2 midway between the front and back ends
of the printer. A media conveyance path 5 that extends from the
media insertion opening 3 towards the back of the printer and then
curves upward is formed between the media insertion opening 3 and
the media exit 4.
[0056] The media insertion opening 3, media exit 4, and media
conveyance path 5 are formed open to the left side of the main case
2 (as seen in FIG. 1A) so that checks S that are wider than the
media insertion opening 3, media exit 4, and media conveyance path
5 can also be conveyed. A guide 5d that extends along the media
conveyance path 5 is formed on the right side of the media
conveyance path 5, and the right side of the media conveyance path
5 is closed off by this guide 5d.
[0057] FIG. 1B schematically describes face S1 of a check S. As
shown in FIG. 1B, magnetic ink characters S2 are recorded near the
bottom edge S5 (one side) of the face S1 of the check S extending
along the bottom edge S5.
[0058] The size (the length of the long side and the length of the
short side (the width herein)) of the checks S processed by the
printer 1 is not constant. However, the distance from the bottom
edge S5 of each check S (one side of the slip) to the magnetic ink
characters S2 is determined according to a known standard, and is
substantially constant.
[0059] As shown in FIG 1A, when a check S is inserted to the media
insertion opening 3 of the printer 1, check S is inserted from the
right end S6 with the front and back positioned so that the face S1
is up and the back S3 is down, and the right and left positioned so
that the top edge S4 is on the left and the bottom edge S5 is on
the right.
[0060] The check S is inserted along the guide 5d with the bottom
edge S5 touching the guide 5d. As a result, when the check S is
conveyed through the media conveyance path 5, the check S can be
conveyed in the conveyance direction (the direction indicated by
arrow Y1 in FIG. 3) or the opposite direction (the direction
indicated by arrow Y2 in FIG. 3) with the bottom edge S5 of the
check S following the guide 5d.
[0061] As described above, the distance from the bottom edge S5 to
the magnetic ink characters S2 is substantially the same for all
checks S. Therefore, the length of the right-left separation
between the guide 5d and the magnetic ink characters S2 of a check
S conveyed through the media conveyance path 5 with the bottom edge
S5 following the guide 5d is substantially constant regardless of
the size of the check S. A MICR head 42 for reading the magnetic
ink characters S2 is disposed to a position opposite the position
of the magnetic ink characters S2 on a check S conveyed through the
media conveyance path 5. The MICR head 42 is disposed to a position
separated from the guide 5d by the same distance as the distance
from the bottom edge S5 of the check S to the magnetic ink
characters S2.
[0062] A front cover 6 covers the top of the main case 2 in front
of the media exit 4, and an operating panel 7 for operating the
printer 1 is disposed at the front end part of the front cover 6. A
roll paper exit 8 of a specific width from which the printed roll
paper R is discharged is disposed to the top of the main case 2
widthwise to the printer behind the media exit 4.
[0063] An access cover 9 is disposed to the top of the main case 2
behind the roll paper exit 8, and the access cover 9 is pivotably
attached at the back end to the main case 2. When the access cover
9 opens, the roll paper compartment 10 that holds the roll paper R
is exposed, and the roll paper R can be replaced. The roll paper R
is continuous thermal paper wound around a core into a roll.
[0064] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the main unit of the
printer 1. FIG. 2 shows the main unit with outside parts such as
the main case 2, front cover 6, and access cover 9 removed. As
shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 has a main unit 11, and the main
unit 11 includes a slip print unit 12 for printing checks S, and a
roll paper print unit 13 for printing on roll paper R, rendered in
unison.
[0065] The roll paper print unit 13 includes a pair of left and
right side frames, left side frame 14 and a right side frame (not
shown in the figure), and a roll paper holder (not shown in the
figure) that is disposed between these side frames and forms the
the floor, front, and back of the roll paper compartment 10. This
roll paper holder holds the roll paper R freely rotatable, and
enables the roll paper R to roll freely inside the roll paper
compartment 10.
[0066] A platen roller 15 extends freely rotatably between the left
and right side frames near the roll paper exit 8. A thermal head 16
is disposed in front of the platen roller 15 at a position opposite
the platen roller 15, and the thermal head 16 has a plurality of
heating resistors on the surface opposing the platen roller 15. The
leading part of the roll paper R stored in the roll paper
compartment 10 is held between the platen roller 15 and thermal
head 16, and is conveyed toward the roll paper exit 8 when the
platen roller 15 turns. As the roll paper R passes between the
platen roller 15 and thermal head 16, text and images are recorded
on the roll paper R by heat output from the thermal head 16. A roll
paper feed motor 17 is disposed to the left side frame 14, and
rotation from the roll paper feed motor 17 is transferredthroughan
intermediate gear 18 to a drive gear 19 disposed coaxially to the
platen roller 15, and the platen roller 15 turns.
[0067] An automatic cutter unit 21 having an internal movable knife
20 and a cutter drive motor 24 (see FIG. 4) that advances and
retracts the movable knife 20 is disposed above the platen roller
15, and a fixed knife 22 is disposed behind the automatic cutter
unit 21 with the roll paper exit 8 therebetween. The leading end
part of the roll paper R passes between the movable knife 20 and
fixed knife 22 to the roll paper exit 8, and to cut the roll paper
R, the cutter drive motor 24 causes the movable knife 20 to move
back towards the fixed knife 22 and cut the roll paper R together
with the fixed knife 22.
[0068] A remaining roll paper sensor 23 that detects how much roll
paper R is left inside the roll paper compartment 10 is also
disposed to the left side frame 14.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 2, the slip print unit 12 includes a base
frame 31, and a main frame 33 including a left side frame 32 and a
right side frame (not shown in the figure) that rise vertically
from the base frame 31. A pair of top and bottom paper guide
members rendering a bottom guide surface 35 and a top guide surface
36 are disposed to the main frame 33, and the gap between the
bottom guide surface 35 and top guide surface 36 is formed as the
foregoing media conveyance path 5.
[0070] The media conveyance path 5 includes a horizontal conveyance
path portion 5a that extends horizontally from the media insertion
opening 3 toward the back of the printer, a curved conveyance path
portion 5b that curves upward from the back end of the horizontal
conveyance path portion 5a, and a vertical conveyance path portion
5c that extends upward from the top end of the curved conveyance
path portion 5b and continues to the media exit 4.
[0071] A pair of first paper feed rollers 34 is disposed opposite
each other on the bottom guide surface 35 and top guide surface 36
where the horizontal conveyance path portion 5a joins the curved
conveyance path portion 5b, and a pair of second paper feed rollers
37 is disposed to the vertical conveyance path portion 5c opposite
each other on the bottom guide surface 35 and top guide surface 36.
The first paper feed rollers 34 and second paper feed rollers 37
rotate as respectively driven by the slip feed motor 38 (FIG. 4)
and convey a check S. The first paper feed rollers 34 and second
paper feed rollers 37 are also constructed so that one roller
member can move to and away from the other roller member of the
pair, and open and close the media conveyance path 5 as a result of
the advance/retraction operation driven by the roller opening motor
39 (FIG. 4) that is connected to the one roller member. A control
circuit board 40 that controls overall operation of the printer 1
based on a control program is also disposed to the base frame
31.
[0072] FIG. 3 schematically describes members disposed to the media
conveyance path 5. Disposed to the media conveyance path 5 in order
from the media insertion opening 3 end are a BOF (bottom of form)
sensor 41 (media detection sensor), MICR head 42 (reading unit),
first paper feed rollers 34, TOF (top of form) sensor 43, alignment
unit 44, a validation sensor 45 (a sensor that detects insertion of
a check from the media exit 4; used when printing an approximately
one line validation), a first printhead 46, a MOP (middle of paper
pass) sensor 47, the second paper feed rollers 37, the second
printhead 48, and an EJD (slip ejection detection) sensor 49.
[0073] The BOF sensor 41, TOF sensor 43, validation sensor 45, MOP
sensor 47, and EJD sensor 49 may be transmissive or reflective
photodetectors, for example, and contactlessly detect the presence
of a check S at respective positions on the media conveyance path
5.
[0074] The BOF sensor 41 (media detection sensor) detects the
trailing end of the check S inserted from the media insertion
opening 3, and is disposed to the bottom guide surface 35 near the
media insertion opening 3. As described above, in this embodiment
of the invention the check S is inserted from the right end S6 to
the media insertion opening 3 of the printer 1, and the trailing
end of the check S is therefore the left end S7 of the check S.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 3, the BOF sensor 41 is disposed upstream
in the conveyance direction from the MICR head 42 at a position K1
that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes before
the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the
completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S2 by the MICR
head 42. More specifically, when the check S is conveyed in the
conveyance direction and reading the magnetic ink characters S2 on
the check S by the MICR head 42 in conjunction with media
conveyance ends, the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S has
already passed position K1.
[0076] The printer control unit 101 described below detects when
the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S is at position K1 by
detecting a change in BOF sensor 41 output from a state in which
the check S is positioned at position K1 to a state in which the
check S is not positioned at position K1.
[0077] The TOF sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting the leading end
of a check S inserted from the media insertion opening 3. The TOF
sensor 43 is disposed to the top guide surface 36 near the first
paper feed rollers 34 at a position K2 on the media exit side of
the first paper feed rollers 34. Based on output from the TOF
sensor 43, the printer control unit 101 described below detects
when the leading end (right end S6) of the check S is at position
K2 by detecting a change from a state in which the check S is not
positioned at position K2 to a state in which the check S is
positioned at position K2.
[0078] While described in further detail below, a length detection
unit 202 uses the output of the TOF sensor 43 and the BOF sensor 41
to detect the length in the conveyance direction of the check S
being conveyed.
[0079] The EJD sensor 49 detects discharge of a check S processed
by the slip print unit 12 from the media exit 4, and is disposed
near the media exit 4.
[0080] The MOP sensor 47 detects the presence of a conveyed check S
approximately in the middle of the media conveyance path 5, and is
disposed to the top guide surface 36 near the second paper feed
rollers 37 on the media insertion opening side.
[0081] The slip print unit 12 in this embodiment of the invention
is configured to enable validation printing, which prints by the
first printhead 46 and second printhead 48 to a check S inserted
from the media exit 4, and after printing is completed discharges
the check S again from the media exit 4. As a result, a pocket 50
is formed at the top end of the curved conveyance path portion 5b
of the media conveyance path 5 so that the leading end of a check S
inserted from the media exit 4 enters the pocket 50, which thus
holds the check S and corrects check alignment. The validation
sensor 45 detects insertion of the leading end of the check S to
the pocket 50, and is disposed to a position facing the pocket
50.
[0082] The MICR head 42 (reading unit) is for reading magnetic ink
characters S2 recorded on the face S1 of the check S, and is
disposed to the top guide surface 36 in the horizontal conveyance
path portion 5a of the media conveyance path 5. The validity of a
check S is determined based on the data read by the MICR head 42.
Because check S validity is determined before recording on the
check S, the length of the check S can also be efficiently detected
when reading the magnetic ink characters S2 with the MICR head 42
while conveying the check S.
[0083] The alignment unit 44 is for pausing and positioning the
check S inserted from the media insertion opening 3, and is
disposed near the TOF sensor 43 on the media exit side. The
alignment unit 44 includes a solenoid or other type of stopper
drive unit 44a, and a stopper 44b that moves in and out of the
media conveyance path 5 according to the operation of the stopper
drive unit 44a, and aligns a check S as a result of the leading end
(right end S6) of the check S contacting this stopper 44b.
[0084] The first printhead 46 prints the endorsement information
required by the business, such as a customer verification number,
date, and amount, on the back S3 of the check S conveyed through
the media conveyance path 5, and is a serial impact dot matrix
(SIDM) printhead that prints by impelling recording wires against
an ink ribbon and transferring ink from the ink ribbon to the
slip.
[0085] The first printhead 46 is located at the bottom end of the
vertical conveyance path portion 5c of the media conveyance path 5,
and a first platen 51 is disposed widthwise to the main frame 33
(FIG. 2) at a position opposite the first printhead 46 with the
vertical conveyance path portion 5c therebetween. The first
printhead 46 is mounted on a first carriage 52 on the back side of
the printer from the vertical conveyance path portion 5c. The first
carriage 52 is disposed freely slidably on a first carriage shaft
53 extending substantially horizontally between the side frames of
the main frame 33 (FIG. 2), and moves bidirectionally along the
first carriage shaft 53 when driven by a first carriage drive motor
(drive unit: FIG. 4) 54. The first carriage 52 is connected to the
first carriage drive motor 54 by a timing belt (not shown in the
figure). The first carriage drive motor 54 is a stepper motor, and
can move the first carriage 52 only the distance equal to a desired
number of steps as controlled by the control circuit board 40.
[0086] A first carriage sensor 55 that detects the position of the
first carriage 52 is disposed on the bottom of the first carriage
52. This first carriage sensor 55 is a transmissive photodetector,
and scans a first scale 56 disposed substantially parallel to the
first carriage shaft 53 in conjunction with the bidirectional
movement of the first carriage 52. Multiple slits of a specific
width are formed in this first scale 56, and the first carriage
sensor 55 detects change in the position of the first carriage 52
and detects the location of the first carriage 52 (first printhead
46) by acquiring optical signals passing through these slits while
scanning the first scale 56. Note that in this embodiment of the
invention power is supplied to the first carriage sensor 55 only
while the first carriage drive motor 54 is driven, and because the
power supply to the first carriage sensor 55 is interrupted while
the first carriage drive motor 54 is stopped, power consumption can
be reduced while waiting and energy efficiently can be
improved.
[0087] The second printhead 48 is for printing face information
such as the payee, date, and amount on the face S1 of a check S
conveyed through the media conveyance path 5, and like the first
printhead 46 is a SIDM printhead.
[0088] The second printhead 48 is located above and to the front of
the printer from the first printhead 46 with the vertical
conveyance path portion 5c therebetween. A second platen 57 is
disposed extending widthwise to the main frame 33 (FIG. 2) at a
position opposite the second printhead 48 with the vertical
conveyance path portion 5c therebetween. The second printhead 48 is
carried on a second carriage 58 like the first printhead 46, and
the second carriage 58 moves bidirectionally along a second
carriage shaft 60 as driven by a second carriage drive motor 59. A
second carriage sensor 61 is disposed on the bottom of the second
carriage 58, and this second carriage sensor 61 scans a second
scale 62 disposed substantially parallel to the second carriage
shaft 60 in conjunction with the reciprocal movement of the second
carriage 58. Note that, like the first carriage drive motor 54, the
second carriage drive motor 59 is a stepper motor.
[0089] A first ink ribbon cassette 63 (FIG. 2) and a second ink
ribbon cassette 64 (FIG. 2), which hold ink ribbons respectively
conveyed between the first printhead 46 and first platen 51, and
the second printhead 48 and second platen 57, are removably
installed to the main frame 33.
[0090] FIG. 4 is a block diagram that shows the functional
configuration of a printer system 300 including a printer 1 and a
printer system 300 (control device) that controls the printer 1,
and more particularly shows the printer 1 in detail.
[0091] In this embodiment of the invention the printer 1 and host
computer 200 work together, functioning as a printer system
300.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the printer 1 is
composed of drive units including different motors and various
sensors connected to the control circuit board 40.
[0093] The control circuit board 40 also has a printer control unit
101 that includes a CPU, and the CPU runs a control program to
control parts of the printer 1. The printer control unit 101
includes a conversion adjustment unit 110, and the conversion
adjustment unit 110 is described further below.
[0094] Disposed to the control circuit board 40 are RAM 103
(storage area) for temporarily storing programs executed by the
printer control unit 101 and processed data; flash ROM 105 that
stores the basic control program run by the printer control unit
101 and settings data; a communication interface 107 for exchanging
commands and data with the host computer 200 that controls the
printer 1; a sensor drive circuit 109 that includes an A/D
converter 108 and converts the output values of sensors in the
printer 1 to digital data, and outputs to the printer control unit
101; a head drive circuit 111 that drives the printheads of the
printer 1; and a motor driver 113 that drives the motors of the
printer 1, and these different parts are connected so that they can
communicate with each other. Note, further, that the form in which
the functional parts of the control circuit board 40 are packaged
is not specifically limited, and different functional parts could
be packaged as individual semiconductor devices, or the functions
of plural functional parts could be combined into a
system-on-a-chip (SOC) device, for example.
[0095] A circuit board temperature sensor 115 that detects the
temperature of the motor driver 113 is also mounted on the control
circuit board 40. The circuit board temperature sensor 115 is a
thermistor disposed to the control circuit board 40 on the back
side of where the motor driver 113 is mounted, or near the motor
driver 113.
[0096] Also connected to the printer control unit 101 are a
remaining roll paper sensor 23 that detects if the remaining amount
of roll paper R stored in the roll paper compartment 10 (FIG. 1A)
is greater than or equal to a certain level, a cover open sensor
117 that detects if the access cover 9 is open, and the first
carriage sensor 55 and second carriage sensor 61 described above.
The remaining roll paper sensor 23 is a sensor switch that turns on
when the outside diameter of the roll paper R is greater than or
equal to a specific level, the cover open sensor 117 is a sensor
switch that turns on when the access cover 9 opens, and both
sensors output high/low according to the on/off state of the
switch. The first carriage sensor 55 and second carriage sensor 61
are photointerrupters, for example, and the output value switches
high/low according to whether or not the light detected by the
photodetection unit exceeds an internal threshold value.
[0097] The printer control unit 101 controls parts mounted on the
control circuit board 40 by reading and running a basic control
program stored in flash ROM 105. Based on the sensor output values
input through the sensor drive circuit 109, and the output values
of the remaining roll paper sensor 23, cover open sensor 117, first
carriage sensor 55, and second carriage sensor 61, the printer
control unit 101 monitors operation of the printer 1, drives the
heads using the head drive circuit 111, and operates the motors
using the motor driver 113 to print on the face S1 and back S3 of
the check S, read the MICR line, and perform printing and other
operations on the roll paper R.
[0098] RAM 103 provides working memory for temporarily storing
programs and data used in the operation of the printer control unit
101.
[0099] A receive buffer 104 that temporarily stores commands and
data received by the communication interface 107 from the host
computer 200 is provided in RAM 103. The printer control unit 101
reads and executes the commands stored in the receive buffer 104 in
the order received.
[0100] A conversion area 81 into which the images to be recorded on
the face S1 of the check S are converted is formed in RAM 103. This
conversion area 81 is further described below.
[0101] The sensor drive circuit 109 is connected to the BOF sensor
41, TOF sensor 43, validation sensor 45, MOP sensor 47, EJD sensor
49, and circuit board temperature sensor 115, converts the output
values from these sensors to digital data, and outputs to the
printer control unit 101. The sensor drive circuit 109 is connected
to the MICR head 42, and outputs the output values of the MICR head
42 as digital data to the printer control unit 101 while the
magnetic ink characters S2 recorded on the check S are being read
by the MICR head 42.
[0102] Also connected to the sensor drive circuit 109 are a first
printhead temperature sensor 75, second printhead temperature
sensor 76, and thermal head temperature sensor 77. The first
printhead temperature sensor 75 is mounted on the first printhead
46, and the second printhead temperature sensor 76 is mounted on
the second printhead 48. The first printhead temperature sensor 75
and second printhead temperature sensor 76 are disposed near the
solenoid used to impel the recording wires, and detect the
temperature of and around the solenoid.
[0103] The thermal head temperature sensor 77 is disposed near the
heat elements of the thermal head 16, and detect the temperature of
the heat elements. The first printhead temperature sensor 75,
second printhead temperature sensor 76, and thermal head
temperature sensor 77 are thermistors, and the sensor drive circuit
109 outputs the output values of the first printhead temperature
sensor 75, second printhead temperature sensor 76, and thermal head
temperature sensor 77 as digital data to the printer control unit
101. Based on the temperature obtained from the output values of
the first printhead temperature sensor 75, second printhead
temperature sensor 76, and thermal head temperature sensor 77, the
printer control unit 101 controls the thermal head 16, first
printhead 46, and second printhead 48. More specifically, if the
temperature of the thermal head 16, first printhead 46, or second
printhead 48 exceeds a previously set threshold value, the printer
control unit 101 unconditionally pauses operation of that head. In
this case, the printer control unit 101 resumes operation when the
temperature of the head that was stopped goes below a set
temperature.
[0104] The head drive circuit 111 records on a check S by
energizing the solenoid coil that impels the recording wires of the
first printhead 46 or second printhead 48 as controlled by the
printer control unit 101. In addition, the head drive circuit 111
applies heat to and records on the recording surface of the roll
paper R by energizing the heat elements (not shown in the figure)
of the thermal head 16 as controlled by the printer control unit
101.
[0105] The motor driver 113 outputs drive power and drive pulses as
controlled by the printer control unit 101 to the motors, including
the roll paper conveyance motor 17, cutter drive motor 24, slip
feed motor 38, roller opening motor 39, stopper drive unit 44a,
first carriage drive motor 54, and second carriage drive motor 59,
which are stepper motors. The drive power that the motor driver 113
supplies to the motors is the 24-V DC supply power supplied by the
power supply unit 120.
[0106] In this embodiment of the invention the printer control unit
101 functions as a conveyance unit that drives the slip feed motor
38 and conveys a check S as controlled by the host control unit
201. As described above, the printer control unit 101 that
functions as the conveyance unit conveys a check S after aligning
the bottom edge S5 of the check S to the guide 5d.
[0107] The power supply unit 120 supplies DC power to the drive
units of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 4, including the printheads
(first printhead 46, second printhead 48, thermal head 16), the
motors (cutter drive motor 24, first carriage drive motor 54,
second carriage drive motor 59, slip feed motor 38, roll paper
conveyance motor 17, and roller opening motor 39), the stopper
drive unit 44a, and the control circuit board 40. Power from the
power supply unit 120 is also supplied to the sensors of the
printer 1 through the control circuit board 40 or through the
sensor drive circuit 109 mounted on the control circuit board
40.
[0108] The output voltage of the power supply unit 120 is input to
the sensor drive circuit 109, and the sensor drive circuit 109
outputs the voltage of the power supply voltage from the power
supply unit 120 as a digital value to the printer control unit 101.
The printer control unit 101 determines based on this digital data
if the voltage from the power supply unit 120 is in the normal
range.
[0109] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing in detail the functional
configuration of the host computer 200 in this printer system 300.
As shown in FIG. 5, the host computer 200 has a host control unit
201. The host control unit 201 includes a length detection unit
202, conversion area formation unit 203, and conversion data
generating unit 204, which are further described below.
[0110] A display unit 206 includes a display panel such as an LCD
panel, and presents information on the display panel as controlled
by the host control unit 201.
[0111] The input unit 207 is connected to input devices such as
operating switches or a keyboard, detects operation of the input
device, and outputs to the host control unit 201.
[0112] The storage unit 208 is a hard disk drive, EEPROM, or other
type of nonvolatile memory, and rewritably stores data. The storage
unit 208 stores at least device drives, which is a control program
group, for controlling the printer 1.
[0113] The communication interface 210 communicates with the
printer using a known communication standard as controlled by the
host control unit 201.
[0114] The operation of the printer system 300, and particularly
operation related to check processing, is described next.
[0115] FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing the operation of the
printer system 300 related to check processing, (A) showing the
operation of the printer 1, and (B) showing the operation of the
host computer 200.
[0116] Note that in the following description the functions of the
length detection unit 202, conversion area formation unit 203,
conversion data generating unit 204, and conversion adjustment unit
110 are achieved by the cooperation of hardware and software, such
as by a CPU executing a specific program. More specifically, the
functions of the length detection unit 202, conversion area
formation unit 203, and conversion data generating unit 204 are
rendered by a device driver (printer driver) installed on the host
computer 200.
[0117] Note that for brevity in the description of FIG. 6 an image
is recorded to the face S1 of a check S, and an image is not
recorded to the back S3 of the check S.
[0118] When the power turns on, the printer 1 turns on and enters a
standby mode. In the standby mode, the printer control unit 101
controls the roller opening motor 39, moves the first paper feed
rollers 34 and secondpaper feed rollers 37 to the open positions,
and enables inserting a check S to the media insertion opening 3.
The printer control unit 101 operates the stopper drive unit 44a to
advance the stopper 44b into the media conveyance path 5.
[0119] After entering the standby mode, the printer control unit
101 monitors if a check S was inserted based on the output of the
BOF sensor 41 (step SA1).
[0120] If insertion of a check S is detected (step SA1 returns
Yes), the printer control unit 101 controls the motor driver 113 to
drive the roller opening motor 39 and move the first paper feed
rollers 34 and second paper feed rollers 37 to the closed position,
and hold the check S with the first paper feed rollers 34 (step
SA2).
[0121] With the stopper 44b intervening in the media conveyance
path 5, the printer control unit 101 operates the slip feed motor
38 to rotationally drive the first paper feed rollers 34, and
performs an operation moving the check S forward and reverse plural
times (step SA3). This operation pushes the check S against the
stopper 44b for alignment.
[0122] The printer control unit 101 then checks for the presence of
a check S based on BOF sensor 41 output (step SA4), and if a check
S is not detected, determines that an error occurred or the check S
was removed, and stops the process.
[0123] However, if the BOF sensor 41 detects a check S (step SA4
returns Yes), the printer control unit 101 drives the stopper drive
unit 44a to retract the stopper 44b from the media conveyance path
5 (step SA5).
[0124] After the stopper 44b retracts, the printer control unit 101
controls the slip feed motor 38 and starts conveying the check S in
the conveyance direction by the first paper feed rollers 34 (step
SA6). If immediately after conveyance starts the leading end (right
end S6) of the check S is detected at position K2 based on the
output of the TOF sensor 43 (step SA7), the printer control unit
101 starts counting the number of steps driven by the slip feed
motor 38 (step SA8). Because the slip feed motor 38 is a stepper
motor as described above, the number of steps is proportional to
the number of rotations, and by counting the number of steps, the
number of rotations the slip feed motor 38 has turned and the
distance the check S was conveyed by the slip feed motor 38 can be
detected.
[0125] The printer control unit 101 then conveys the check S by the
first paper feed rollers 34, and reads the magnetic ink characters
S2 on the check S based on MICR head 42 output during this time
(step SA9).
[0126] As described above, the BOF sensor 41 is disposed to a
position (position K1) that the trailing end (left end S7) of the
check S passes before the check S is conveyed in the conveyance
direction to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters
S2 by the MICR head 42. The printer control unit 101 therefore
detects that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S has
passed the position K1 while the MICR head 42 is still reading
magnetic ink character line.
[0127] The printer control unit 101 therefore monitors the output
of the BOF sensor 41 parallel to the MICR head 42 reading the
magnetic ink characters S2, and if the trailing end (left end S7)
of the check S is detected passing the position K1 (step SA10), the
printer control unit 101 stops counting the number of steps driven
by the slip feed motor 38 that started in step SA8 (step SA11), and
controls the communication interface 107 to output the count (the
number of counted steps, referred to below as the "step count") to
the length detection unit 202 of the host control unit 201 of the
host computer 200 (step SA12).
[0128] As shown in (B) in FIG. 6, the length detection unit 202 to
which the step count was input detects the length in the conveyance
direction of the check S based on the step count (step SB1). The
length of the check S in the conveyance direction is more
specifically the distance between the right end S6 and left end S7
of the check S.
[0129] To describe the operation of the length detection unit 202
in step SB1 more specifically, the step count is the total number
of steps the slip feed motor 38 is driven from detection of the
leading end (right end S6) of the check S at position K2 based on
TOF sensor 43 output to detection of the trailing end (left end S7)
of the check S at position K1 based on BOF sensor 41 output. The
conveyance distance of the check S calculated from the number of
steps therefore corresponds to the length in the conveyance
direction of the part of the check S passing position K2 when the
trailing end of the check S is positioned at position K1.
[0130] Based thereon, the length detection unit 202 converts the
number of steps to a conveyance distance in step SB1. Next, the
length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the
conveyance direction by adding the distance on the media conveyance
path 5 between position K1 and position K2 (equal to the length in
the conveyance direction of the portion of the check S that has not
passed position K2 when the trailing end of the check S is at
position K1) to the calculated conveyance distance, and adding an
appropriate correction amount.
[0131] In this embodiment of the invention the length detection
unit 202 uses the output of the BOF sensor 41 to detect the length
of the check S in the conveyance direction, and provides the
following advantage.
[0132] More specifically, the BOF sensor 41 is disposed upstream in
the conveyance direction from the MICR head 42 at a position K1
that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes before
the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the
completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S2 by the MICR
head 42.
[0133] As a result, the printer control unit 101 detects when the
trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes position K1 while
the MICR head 42 is reading the magnetic ink characters S2, and in
conjunction therewith the length detection unit 202 detects the
length of the check S in the conveyance direction.
[0134] In other words, in this embodiment of the invention the
length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the
conveyance direction simultaneously and parallel to conveying the
check S to read the magnetic ink characters S2 with the MICR head
42, and conveyance specifically to detect the length of the check S
in the conveyance direction is therefore not necessary. As a
result, processing is more efficient and the length of the process
can be shortened. This effect is achieved by disposing the BOF
sensor 41 to the position described above.
[0135] Referring to (A) in FIG. 6, when reading the magnetic ink
characters S2 in step SA9, and outputting the step count in step
SA12 executed parallel to step SA9, are completed, the printer
control unit 101 executes the following steps to record an image on
the face S1 of the check S.
[0136] More specifically, the printer control unit 101 first
controls the slip feed motor 38 to convey the check S so that the
leading end (right end S6) of the check S goes to the position K3
where the MOP sensor 47 is disposed while monitoring the output
value of the MOP sensor 47 (step SA13).
[0137] Next, an image is recorded on the face S1 of the check S
(steps SA14, SB2) such as by the printer control unit 101 receiving
and recording data sent from the host control unit 201.
[0138] The process related to recording images on the face S1 in
step SA14 is described next.
[0139] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B describe the basic operation of the
printer system 300 for recording an image on the face S1, FIG. 7A
describing the relative physical positions of the check S and the
recordable area 70 of the second printhead 48, and FIG. 7B
describing the conversion area 81 reserved in RAM 103.
[0140] The basic operation for recording an image on the face S1 is
described first with reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.
[0141] In FIG. 7A the recordable area 70 represents the area where
image recording by the second printhead 48 is possible in relation
to the check S. Because the second printhead 48 is a serial head
that records images while scanning in a primary scanning direction
(arrow Y3), the recordable area 70 is defined according to the
range of movement in the primary scanning direction of the second
printhead 48. In addition, because the check S is conveyed with the
bottom edge S5 guided by the guide 5d in this embodiment of the
invention, the check S is positioned in the recordable area 70 so
that side h2 of the recordable area 70 (the side corresponding to
the foregoing guide 5d) and bottom edge S5 overlap in the
recordable area 70.
[0142] In addition, in FIG. 7A, the check recording area 71
(recording area) is the area where an image is actually recorded on
the face S1 (recording surface) of the check S. As shown in FIG.
7A, this check recording area 71 is rectangular. The check
recording area 71 is created for each check S.
[0143] In FIG. 7B, recordable area 80 is a recording area defined
in RAM 103, and is a storage area corresponding to the foregoing
recordable area 70.
[0144] Note that in the following description the recordable area
80 is converted to a virtual coordinate system in RAM 103. The
relationship between the origin of the coordinate system, the
x-axis, the y-axis, and the recordable area 80 is as shown in FIG.
7B, and the recordable area 80 is located in the fourth quadrant of
the coordinate system indicated by the coordinate axes in the top
left part of FIG. 7B. In FIG. 7B the direction to the right is
positive on the x-axis, to the left is negative on the x-axis, to
the top is positive on the y-axis, and to the bottom is negative on
the y-axis.
[0145] The recordable area 80 is a storage area where bitmap data
can be written, and dots (pixels) are defined according to the
resolution of the second printhead 48. The bits defined in the
recordable area 80 are uniquely defined as a relative position from
the origin.
[0146] The coordinates of the recordable area 80 in RAM 103 are
defined so that the shape of the recordable area 80 in RAM 103
corresponds to the shape of the recordable area 70.
[0147] More specifically, vertex P2 is defined so that side H1
extending in the positive direction on the x-axis from vertex P1
corresponds to side h1 of the recordable area 70 shown in FIG. 7A,
which extends in the primary scanning direction and is positioned
at the leading end (right end S6) of the check S.
[0148] Vertex P3 is defined so that side H2 extending in the
negative direction on the y-axis from vertex P2 corresponds to side
h2 of the recordable area 70 shown in FIG. 7A, which extends in the
conveyance direction and is positioned on the bottom edge S5 (one
side) side (guide 5d side) of the check S.
[0149] Vertex P4 is defined so that side H3 extending in the
negative direction on the x-axis from vertex P3 corresponds to side
h3 of the recordable area 70 shown in FIG. 7A, which extends in the
primary scanning direction and is positioned on the trailing end
(left end S7) side of the check S.
[0150] Side h3 is the range of movement of the second printhead 48
mounted on the second carriage 58, and is set and stored in advance
in a recording unit such as flash ROM 105.
[0151] In FIG. 7B, the conversion area 81 is a storage area
corresponding to the check recording area 71. In this embodiment of
the invention, images are recorded to the check recording area 71
based on the data written to conversion area 81 after all image
data to be recorded in the check recording area 71 of the check S
is converted (to bitmap data in this embodiment of the invention)
and written to the conversion area 81 defined in RAM 103.
[0152] This recordable area 80 may correspond to the storage area
to which one page of image data is written in a page mode. In the
page mode the host control unit 201 sends commands to the printer
control unit 101 and reserves the conversion area 81 in page units.
Next, the host control unit 201 sends to the printer control unit
101 the data to be printed, coordinate information for storing the
data in the conversion area 81, and information indicating the
direction in which to array the data. When operating in the page
mode, images can be written freely to the conversion area 81, thus
easily enabling processes such as rotating the image 90 degrees,
and affording a high degree of freedom in image layout. When all
print data has been written to the page range of the conversion
area 81, the data is printed by a print command.
[0153] After a conversion area 81 is created for each check S and
converted data for the entire image to be recorded in the check
recording area 71 is written to the conversion area 81, the image
is recorded on the check S while maintaining the correlation
between the check recording area 71 in the recordable area 70 and
the conversion area 81 in the recordable area 80.
[0154] When recording an image on the face S1 of a check S in this
embodiment of the invention, a suitable conversion area 81 is first
created in the recordable area 80 defined in RAM 103, print data
for the image to be recorded in the check recording area 71 is
written to the conversion area 81, and the image is then
recorded.
[0155] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the process of recording an
image on the face S1 of the check S in detail, (A) indicating the
operation of the printer 1, and (B) indicating the operation of the
host computer 200.
[0156] As shown in FIG. 8 (B), the host control unit 201 of the
host computer 200 first determines the coordinates of vertices P1,
P2, P3, and P4 (see FIG. 7B), which are the four corners of the
recordable area 80 to be formed in RAM 103 (step SD1).
[0157] The coordinates of these four vertices are determined as
follows.
[0158] More specifically, the coordinates of vertex P1 are
predefined as the specific values of the absolute origin of the
recordable area 80. The length on the x-axis of the recordable area
80 is uniquely defined according to the range of second printhead
48 movement in the scanning direction, and the coordinates of
vertex P2 are thus uniquely defined in conjunction with the
coordinates of vertex P1.
[0159] The coordinates of vertex P3 are defined as follows.
[0160] More specifically, the length between vertex P2 and vertex
P3 corresponds to the length of the check S in the conveyance
direction as described above.
[0161] As a result, to define the coordinates of vertex P3, the
host control unit 201 first acquires the length of the check S in
the conveyance direction detected by the length detection unit 202
in step SB1 in FIG. 6.
[0162] Next, the host control unit 201 converts the length of the
check S in the conveyance direction to the number of dots on the
y-axis of the recordable area 80 created in RAM 103. The host
control unit 201 then sets the coordinates of the point offset the
converted dot count from vertex P2 in the negative direction on the
y-axis as the coordinates of vertex P3.
[0163] The host control unit 201 similarly sets the coordinates of
vertex P4 to the coordinates of the point off set in the negative
y-axis direction from vertex P1 the same number of dots in the
conveyance direction of the check S.
[0164] Note that vertices P1, P2, P3, P4 can alternatively be set
by the printer control unit 101 using the length detection unit
202, for example.
[0165] Next, the conversion area formation unit 203 of the host
control unit 201 determines the coordinates of the four vertices of
the conversion area 81, that is, vertex T1, vertex T2, vertex T3
(first vertex), and vertex T4 (SD2).
[0166] Note that of the four corners of the conversion area 81,
vertex T3 is the vertex formed at the opposite end as the end in
the conveyance direction of side q2, which corresponds to the
bottom edge S5 of the check S (the side guided by the guide
5d).
[0167] The conversion area formation unit 203 determines the
coordinates of the four vertices T1 to T4 as follows.
[0168] More specifically, the function of the foregoing conversion
area formation unit 203 can be rendered by a device driver
installed on the host computer 200. To record an image on a check
S, a specific application previously installed on the host computer
200 outputs information about the image to be recorded to the
device driver. The image information input by the device driver
includes information identifying the position of the check
recording area 71 relative to the face S1 of the check S. For
example, the information input to the device driver includes
information denoting the distance between the sides r1, r2, r3, r4
of the check recording area 71 and the corresponding right end S6,
bottom edge S5, left end S7, and top edge S4 of the check S.
[0169] Based on this information, of the four vertices, vertex U1,
vertex U2, vertex U3, and vertex U4, of the check recording area
71, the conversion area formation unit 203 calculates distance d1
from vertex U3 to the bottom edge S5 of the check S (FIG. 7A), and
the distance d2 (FIG. 7A) from vertex U3 to the left end S7 of the
check S.
[0170] The conversion area formation unit 203 then calculates the
length in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning
direction from vertex U3 to the other three vertices U1, U2, U4
based on the input information.
[0171] Note that the information input to the device driver could
include information denoting the distance dl from vertex U3 to
bottom edge S5 of the check S, and the distance d2 to the left end
S7 of the check S, and could also include information denoting the
distance in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning
direction from vertex U3 to the other three vertices U1, U2,
U4.
[0172] By thus determining distances d1 and d2, and the distances
in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning direction
fromvertex U3 to vertices U1, U2, U4, the position of vertex U3 on
the check S is determined by the relationship to the bottom edge S5
and left end S7 of the check S, and the positions of vertices U1,
U2, U4 on the check S are determined in relationship to vertex
U3.
[0173] Information related to vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 can be
received by the printer 1 from the host computer 200 and acquired
by the printer control unit 101. In addition, information denoting
the distances between sides r1, r2, r3, r4 of the check recording
area 71 and the right end S6, bottom edge S5, left end S7, and top
edge S4 of the check S could be received by the printer 1 from the
host computer 200, and distances d1, d2 and the positions of
vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 could be determined by a calculation on the
printer control unit 101 side.
[0174] Of the four vertices T1, T2, T3, T4 of the conversion area
81 to be formed in RAM 103, the conversion area formation unit 203
sets the coordinates of vertex T3 to the coordinates of the point
that is separated from vertex P3 of the recordable area 80 the
number of dots corresponding to the above distance d1 negatively on
the x-axis, and the number of dots corresponding to the above
distance d2 from vertex P3 positively on the y-axis. The conversion
area formation unit 203 in this embodiment of the invention thus
sets the coordinates of vertex T3 as a position relative to vertex
P3 of the recordable area 80. Because the coordinates of vertex P3
of the recordable area 80 are determined using the length of the
check S in the conveyance direction detected by the length
detection unit 202, the conversion area formation unit 203
determines the coordinates of vertex T3 using the length of the
check S in the conveyance direction detected by the length
detection unit 202 referenced to a position corresponding to the
bottom edge S5 of the check S (the side against the guide 5d) in
RAM 103. Because the length of the check S in the conveyance
direction can be detected using the BOF sensor 41 in this
embodiment of the invention, the coordinates of vertex P3 can be
determined according to the actual check S, and the coordinates of
vertex T3 can be determined using this vertex P3.
[0175] In addition, after setting vertex T3, the conversion area
formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of vertices T1, T2,
T4 of the conversion area 81 so that the relationship between
vertex T3 and vertices T1, T2, T4 of the conversion area 81 matches
the relationship between vertex U3 and vertices U1, U2, U4 of the
check recording area 71 in the check S.
[0176] The printer control unit 101 could alternatively calculate
the vertices T1, T2, T3, T4 of the conversion area 81 based on
information related to the vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 and d1, d2.
[0177] The coordinates of vertices T1 to T4 of conversion area 81
in this embodiment of the invention are determined by positions
relative to vertex T3 referenced to the coordinates of vertex T3.
This has the following advantages.
[0178] More specifically, in this embodiment as shown in FIG. 1B,
recording a line of text in the check recording area 71 of the
check S starts the line at side r3 at the left end S7 of the check
S and proceeds towards right end S6. It is therefore desirable for
the distance between the left end S7 of the check S and side r3 of
the check recording area 71 to be as close as possible to the
output of the above application so that the line starts as close as
possible to the expected position. By setting the coordinates of
vertices T1, T2, T4 referenced to the coordinates of vertex T3
(first vertex), the distance between side H3 of recordable area 80
(the side corresponding to the left end S7 of the check S) and side
q3 of conversion area 81 (the side corresponding to side r3 of
check recording area 71) will correspond to the value (a value
related to distance d2) output by the application as the distance
between the left end S7 of the check S and side r3 of check
recording area 71, and this need can be appropriately met.
[0179] In addition, because magnetic ink characters S2 are recorded
between the bottom edge S5 of the check S and side r2 of check
recording area 71 as shown in FIG. 1B, the distance between bottom
edge S5 of the check S and side r2 of the check recording area 71
is preferably a value as close as possible to the output of the
application. By setting the coordinates of vertices T1, T2, T4
referenced to the coordinates of vertex T3 (first vertex), the
distance between side H2 of recordable area 80 (the side
corresponding to the bottom edge S5 of the check S) and side q2 of
conversion area 81 (the side corresponding to side r2 of check
recording area 71) will correspond to the value (a value related to
distance d1) output by the application as the distance between the
bottom edge S5 of the check S and side r2 of check recording area
71, and this need can be appropriately met.
[0180] Returning to FIG. 8, after the coordinates of vertices U1 to
U4 of conversion area 81 are determined in step SD2, the conversion
area formation unit 203 outputs a command to the printer control
unit 101 of the printer 1 to create recordable area 80 in RAM 103
according to the coordinates of the above vertices P1 to P4, and
create conversion area 81 according to the coordinates of the above
vertices T1 to T4 (step SD4). Note that the printer control unit
101 could determine the coordinates of vertices T1 to T4 based on
information related to vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 and d1, d2, and
create the recordable area 80 and conversion area 81 accordingly.
In this case this command is not needed.
[0181] The conversion area formation unit 203 thus has a function
for determining the coordinates of the four vertices of the
conversion area 81, and outputting a command to create the
conversion area 81 in RAM 103 according to the coordinates of the
four determined vertices.
[0182] When this command is input, the printer control unit 101
creates the recordable area 80 in RAM 103 and creates the
conversion area 81 (step SC1).
[0183] The conversion area formation unit 203 of the host computer
200 and the printer control unit 101 of the printer 1 thus work
together to create a conversion area 81 to which the print data
recorded by the recording head (second printhead 48) to the
recording surface of the slip (check S) is written in the storage
space of the storage unit (RAM 103).
[0184] Next, the conversion data generating unit 204 of the host
control unit 201 outputs to the printer control unit 101 of the
printer 1 the data to be printed based on information input from an
application (information related to the image to be recorded on the
check S), and a command for converting the input data to print data
for the image to be recorded in the check recording area 71 of the
check S and writing the print data to conversion area 81 using a
specific conversion method (step SD4).
[0185] More specifically, the conversion data generating unit 204
sends the data and command, and the printer 1 converts the received
data to print data for the image to be recorded in the check
recording area 71 of the check S according to a specific conversion
method, and writes the resulting print data to the conversion area
81.
[0186] When this data and command are input, the printer control
unit 101 converts and writes the print data for the image to be
recorded in the check recording area 71 of the check S based on the
content of the command in conversion area 81 (step SC2).
[0187] The conversion data generating unit 204 of the host computer
200 and the printer control unit 101 of the printer 1 thus
cooperate to create and write the print data to the conversion area
81.
[0188] A specific example of the operation of step SD4 and step SC2
is described below.
[0189] FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C are referred to below to describe
the operation of step SD4 and step SC2.
[0190] FIG. 9A shows an example of the final image recorded on the
check S. The operation of step SD4 and step SC2 is described below
using an example in which a string of four characters ABCD is
printed on one line and another string of four characters 1234 is
printed on the next line as shown in FIG. 9A.
[0191] In this case in step SD4, the conversion data generating
unit 204 outputs to the printer control unit 101 based on input
from the application data representing the content as shown in FIG.
9B (content indicating recording the string of four characters ABCD
starting with the letter A, starting a new line, and recording the
string of four characters 1234 starting with the number 1) and a
command for converting this data to print data according to a
specific method described below and writing the print data to
conversion area 81. Note that a new line is determined by detecting
a code (CR, LF) indicating a new line.
[0192] The printer control unit 101 to which this data and command
are input converts the input data to print data written to
conversion area 81 as described below.
[0193] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9C, the printer control
unit 101 converts the input data and commands to print data by
starting from the origin at vertex T3 of conversion area 81 and
writing (converting) the converted print data from vertex T3 to
vertex T2 (the direction in line with the conveyance direction).
More specifically, following the input data and commands, the
printer control unit 101 determines the string 1234 to be recorded
on the bottom line of the plural text strings, and writes bitmap
data for the image of the first character (1) in this string
rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to the position at vertex T3
(FIG. 9C (C-1)). The printer control unit 101 then writes bitmap
data for the next character (2) to the position adjacent in the
conveyance direction to the bitmap data for the character (1). The
printer control unit 101 thus sequentially converts and writes
bitmap data for the characters contained in the string 1234 in a
specific conversion direction (the direction corresponding to the
conveyance direction) (FIG. 9C (C-2)).
[0194] The printer control unit 101 then finds the text string ABCD
to be recorded on the line above the string 1234, and converts this
string ABCD to the line above the string 1234 in the same
conversion direction (FIG. 9C (C-3)).
[0195] Converting the print data from vertex T3 of the conversion
area 81 as described above has the following advantages.
[0196] As noted above, all checks S are not the same size, and the
width of the check S is not constant. Referring to FIG. 7A, the
position of top edge S4 in the recordable area 70 is therefore not
constant. However, because the check S is conveyed with the bottom
edge S5 following the guide 5d in this embodiment, the position of
the bottom edge S5 of the recordable area 70 always overlaps side
h2 of the recordable area and is constant. Therefore, by writing
the converted print data from the origin at vertex T3, plural lines
of text will be sequentially converted to an image of that text
from the bottom edge S5 side to the top edge S4 side of the
conversion area 81, and the text string images can be efficiently
recorded in the check recording area 71.
[0197] As described above, this embodiment of the invention assumes
that a line of text will be recorded in the check recording area 71
of the check S with each line starting at side r3 corresponding to
the left end S7 of the check S and proceeding toward the right end
S6 side. As a result, by converting the print data starting from
the origin at vertex T3, images related to each character in the
string will be sequentially converted and written from the left end
S7 side to the right end S6 side of the conversion area 81, and
images of the text strings can be recorded efficiently to the check
recording area 71 regardless of the length of the check S in the
conveyance direction. In addition, text strings can be recorded in
the same direction as the line of magnetic ink characters S2 while
automatically changing the line.
[0198] The conversion adjustment unit 110 of the printer control
unit 101 runs the following process to write print data to the
conversion area 81.
[0199] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B describe the operation of the
conversion adjustment unit 110, and schematically show the
conversion area 81 and text strings to be written to the conversion
area 81.
[0200] As shown in FIG. 10, the length of the text string to be
converted without inserting a new line may be greater than the
length of the conversion area 81 in the direction corresponding to
the conveyance direction.
[0201] For each string to be written to the conversion area 81, the
conversion adjustment unit 110 compares the length of the
conversion area 81 in the direction corresponding to the conveyance
direction with the length of the print data related to the string,
and if the length of the print data related to the string is
greater, inserts a new line at an appropriate position in the
string before converting the string to print data so that the print
data for the string all fits in the conversion area 81 as shown in
FIG. 10B. As shown in FIG. 10B, the direction in which the
conversion adjustment unit 110 changes the line is the direction in
which the second carriage 58 moves, and is the direction
corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the conveyance
direction. By writing the string in this direction to the
conversion area 81, print data for the string can be appropriately
written in the conversion area 81.
[0202] Referring again to FIG. 8 (A), after the print data is
written to the conversion area 81 in step SC2, the printer control
unit 101 controls the slip feed motor 38 and conveys the check S
while controlling the second printhead 48 to record an image on the
check S based on the print data written to the conversion area
81.
[0203] The printer control unit 101 and host control unit 201 thus
work together to record an image on the face S1 of the check S.
[0204] Returning to FIG. 6, after recording an image to the face S1
of the check S in step SA14, the printer control unit 101 drives
the slip feed motor 38 and discharges the check S from the media
exit 4 using the second paper feed rollers 37 (step SA15).
[0205] The check S has reached a position protruding from the media
exit 4 at this time, but the trailing end of the check S is inside
the media exit 4 and the presence of a check S is detected by the
EJD sensor 49. The printer control unit 101 waits until the
operator removes the check S (step SA16), and when the check S is
removed and change in the output of the EJD sensor 49 is detected
(step SA17 returns Yes), drives the roller opening motor 39 and
stopper drive unit 44a and resumes the standby mode (step SA18).
When a check S is inserted, this operation thus reads the magnetic
ink characters S2 and prints on the face S1 of the check S.
[0206] As described above, the printer system 300 according to this
embodiment of the invention has a conveyance unit (printer control
unit 101) that conveys a check S with the bottom edge S5 (one side)
of the check S following a guide 5d that extends in the conveyance
direction; a length detection unit 202 that detects the length of
the check S in the conveyance direction; and a conversion area
formation unit 203 that creates a conversion area 81, which is an
area where converted print data for the entire image to be recorded
in a rectangular area formed on the recording surface of the check
S is written, in RAM 103 used as a storage area. The conversion
area formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of the vertices
of the conversion area 81 in RAM 103 referenced to a position
corresponding to the bottom edge S5 (one side) of the check S in
RAM 103 by using the length of the check S in the conveyance
direction detected by the length detection unit 202.
[0207] Because the check S is conveyed with the bottom edge S5 (one
side) of the check S against a guide 5d extending in the conveyance
direction, the range of the conversion area 81 in RAM 103 can be
appropriately defined to reflect the actual length of the check S
in the conveyance direction, and the conversion area 81 can be
created to reflect the fact that all checks S are not the same
size.
[0208] In this embodiment of the invention magnetic ink characters
S2 are recorded on the check S, a MICR head 42 (reading unit) reads
the line of magnetic ink characters S2 on the check S conveyed in
the conveyance direction, and a BOF sensor 41 (media detection
sensor) that is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction from
the MICR head 42 at a position K1 that the trailing end (left end
S7) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed to the
completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S2 by the MICR
head 42 detects if a check S is present at the position K1. A
length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the
conveyance direction based on the distance the check S is conveyed
by the conveyance unit (printer control unit 101) and BOF sensor 41
output.
[0209] As a result, the length detection unit 202 can detect the
length of the check S in the conveyance direction while the check S
is conveyed to read the magnetic ink characters S2, conveying the
check S specifically to detect the length of the check S is
unnecessary, and process efficiency is improved.
[0210] This embodiment also has a conversion data generating unit
204 that writes converted print data to a conversion area 81
referenced to vertex T3, which of the four vertices of the
conversion area 81 is the vertex on the side corresponding to the
bottom edge S5 (one side) of the check S at the opposite end as the
end in the conveyance direction.
[0211] As a result, the print data is written to the conversion
area 81 from the side corresponding to the bottom edge S5 of the
check S (the side that follows the guide 5d when the check S is
conveyed), and the print data can be efficiently written to the
conversion area 81 to reflect that the width of all checks S is not
the same.
[0212] The conversion data generating unit 204 in this embodiment
writes the print data to conversion area 81 starting from the
origin at vertex T3 and proceeding in a write direction that is the
same as the conveyance direction.
[0213] As a result, print data can be written to the conversion
area efficiently while reflecting that the length of all checks S
in the conveyance direction is not the same.
[0214] The printer system 300 according to this embodiment of the
invention also has a conversion adjustment unit 110 that, when
writing the print data for one line of text in the write direction
of the conversion area 81 and the line will not fit in the
conversion area 81, inserts a new line code so that the entire line
will fit in the conversion area 81.
[0215] Text strings are thus converted character by character in
the conversion area 81, and failure to record a portion of the
characters contained in the string on the check S can be
prevented.
[0216] The foregoing embodiment is one example of an embodiment of
the invention, and can be varied in many ways without departing
from the scope of the invention.
[0217] For example, the length detection unit 202, conversion area
formation unit 203, and conversion data generating unit 204 are
part of the host control unit 201 of the host computer 200 in the
embodiment described above. However, a configuration in which these
functions are rendered by the printer control unit 101 of the
printer 1 is also conceivable, enabling the printer 1 alone to
perform the operation of the invention described above. More
specifically, the printer 1 in this case is a device that can
connect to the host computer 200 as a control device, and includes
a second printhead 48 that records on checks S and other slips; a
guide 5d that extends in the conveyance direction; a conveyance
unit that conveys checks S with one side of the check S slip
following the guide 5d; a length detection unit (a unit with the
same function as the length detection unit 202 above) that detects
the length of the check S in the conveyance direction; RAM 103; and
a conversion area formation unit (a unit with the same function as
the conversion area formation unit 203 above) that creates a
conversion area in RAM 103.
[0218] The printer 1 could also store font data corresponding to
font codes in flash ROM 105, read the font data from flash ROM 105
when font codes are received from the host computer 200, and write
print data to the conversion area 81 in the order the font codes
were received. When the printer 1 receives image data from the host
computer 200, the image data can be written as the print data
directly to conversion area 81 in the order received. The print
data can also be data in a form that can be used to directly drive
the thermal head 16.
[0219] The foregoing embodiment describes the invention using an
example in which the second printhead 48 records an image on the
face S1 of the check S, but the invention can also be used when
recording an image on the back S3 of the check S using the first
printhead 46. More specifically, the invention can be broadly
adapted to devices having a function that forms a conversion area
81 in a storage area and records images based on print data written
to the conversion area 81.
[0220] The invention having been thus described, it will be
apparent to one skilled in the art based on such disclosure that
the invention may be varied in many ways. Any such variation is
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention to the
extent such variation falls within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *