Patent Description:
In a thermal printer, a plurality of kinds of sheets may be used as sheets subjected to printing. Further, in a thermal printer, automatic determination of a kind of a sheet that has been set is performed.

For example, in a related art as described in <CIT>, identification of a kind of a sheet that has been set in a printing apparatus is performed, and an operation is performed in accordance with the kind of the sheet. It shows the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In the related-art thermal printer described above, one sensor unit is provided. A sheet is conveyed in a forward direction from its leading edge by an automatic loading method, and a mark provided on the sheet is detected by the sensor unit. Based on a result of the detection, determination is made on whether the sheet is a label sheet or a plain sheet. In this case, in the thermal printer, in order to prevent wasting the first sheet, the sheet is conveyed in a reverse direction so as to return the sheet back to the leading edge thereof.

However, in such related art, a mark provided on the first sheet cannot be detected in some cases due to a positional relationship between an insertion portion of the sheet and the sensor unit. Thus, determination of a kind of a sheet through detection of a mark on the second sheet has been performed. As a result, in the related art, because a sheet corresponding to one sheet is conveyed in the forward direction and the reverse direction, a long time is required for determining a kind of the sheet.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a portable terminal, a printing control method, and a program with which processing of determining a kind of a sheet that has been set can be implemented in a short period of time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal having a thermal head, the portable terminal including: a first sensor unit configured to detect presence or absence of a sheet; a second sensor unit configured to detect information related to a mark provided on the sheet; and a sheet determination unit configured to determine a kind of the sheet, wherein the sheet determination unit is configured to determine a kind of the sheet based on a result of detecting information related to the mark with use of the second sensor unit after the sheet is conveyed in a reverse direction with respect to a direction of discharging the sheet.

In the above-mentioned portable terminal according to the one embodiment of the present invention, preferably the portable terminal has a structure for setting the sheet by a drop-in method.

In the above-mentioned portable terminal according to the one embodiment of the present invention, preferably the portable terminal further includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet, wherein the first sensor unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the sheet at one of a position of the cutter unit or a position in a periphery thereof, and wherein the cutter unit is configured to perform an operation of cutting the sheet when the sheet is present, and is configured to avoid performing the operation of cutting the sheet when the sheet is absent.

In the above-mentioned portable terminal according to the one embodiment of the present invention, preferably the presence or absence of the mark, a length of the mark, and an interval of the mark are detected with use of the second sensor unit.

In the above-mentioned portable terminal according to the one embodiment of the present invention, preferably two or more of a plain sheet having no mark provided thereon, a label sheet without a liner having the mark provided thereon, and a label sheet with a liner having the mark provided thereon are used as the sheet.

In the above-mentioned portable terminal according to the one embodiment of the present invention, the portable terminal preferably further includes a third sensor unit configured to detect information related to the mark provided on the sheet, wherein the second sensor unit and the third sensor unit are configured to detect respective pieces of information related to the marks arranged at different positions on the sheet.

In the above-mentioned portable terminal according to the one embodiment of the present invention, preferably a plain sheet having no mark provided thereon, a label sheet without a liner having the mark provided thereon, and a label sheet with a liner having the mark provided thereon are used as the sheet.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a printing control method to be performed in a portable terminal having a thermal head, the printing control method including: detecting, by a first sensor unit, presence or absence of a sheet; detecting, by a second sensor unit, information related to a mark provided on the sheet; and determining, by a sheet determination unit, a kind of the sheet based on a result of detecting information related to the mark with use of the second sensor unit after the sheet is conveyed in a reverse direction with respect to a direction of discharging the sheet.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer forming a portable terminal having a thermal head to implement the functions of: detecting presence or absence of a sheet based on a result of detection by a first sensor unit; detecting information related to a mark provided on the sheet based on a result of detection by a second sensor unit; and determining a kind of the sheet based on a result of detecting information related to the mark with use of the second sensor unit after the sheet is conveyed in a reverse direction with respect to a direction of discharging the sheet.

Now, referring to the drawings, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is described by way of example only.

<FIG> is a view for illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printing system <NUM> and an example of a schematic appearance of a thermal printer <NUM> in the at least one embodiment. The printing system <NUM> includes a host device <NUM> and a thermal printer <NUM>. The host device <NUM> and the thermal printer <NUM> are connected to each other for communication in a wired or wireless manner. In the at least one embodiment, the thermal printer <NUM> is a portable terminal having a thermal head.

As the wired communication, for example, communication using Universal Serial Bus (USB) may be used. As the wireless communication, for example, communication using Wi-Fi or communication using Bluetooth (trademark) may be used.

The host device <NUM> is a computer, for example, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

In the at least one embodiment, the host device <NUM> includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). In the host device <NUM>, the processor executes a predetermined program, to thereby execute various types of processing. The program may be stored in the memory.

In the at least one embodiment, for example, the host device <NUM> transmits an instruction for printing to the thermal printer <NUM> to control printing processing performed by the thermal printer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example of an appearance of the thermal printer <NUM>. The thermal printer <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a housing upper part 111a and a housing lower part 111b. The housing upper part 111a may also be referred to as, for example, a top cover.

Further, the thermal printer <NUM> includes a sheet discharge port <NUM>, a pincher <NUM>, a first sensor unit <NUM>, a second sensor unit <NUM>, and a third sensor unit <NUM>. In the at least one embodiment, illustration is given of a configuration in which the first sensor unit <NUM>, the second sensor unit <NUM>, and the third sensor unit <NUM> are provided to the housing lower part 111b. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such configuration. For example, there may be employed a configuration in which the first sensor unit <NUM> is provided to the housing upper part 111a.

<FIG> shows an example of a sheet <NUM> that is to be set in the thermal printer <NUM>. Further, <FIG> shows a leading edge <NUM> of the sheet <NUM> and a direction <NUM> in which the sheet <NUM> is to be dropped into the housing lower part 111b of the thermal printer <NUM>. The sheet <NUM> may have predetermined marks provided thereon, but illustration of such marks is omitted in <FIG>.

In the at least one embodiment, the second sensor unit <NUM> is movable, and can be adjusted with the pincher <NUM> in a width direction in accordance with a sheet width. Meanwhile, in the at least one embodiment, the third sensor unit <NUM> is arranged at a fixed position.

Now, description is made of an overview of an operation of the thermal printer <NUM> according to the at least one embodiment. In the thermal printer <NUM> according to the at least one embodiment, a kind of a sheet is determined from among three kinds of sheets, specifically, a plain sheet (for example, a receipt sheet), a label sheet without a liner, and a label sheet with a liner.

To set a sheet in the thermal printer <NUM>, a user drops a roll sheet in the predetermined direction <NUM>, operates the pincher <NUM> to be adapted to a sheet width, and closes the housing upper part 111a. In the at least one embodiment, the time for determination can be shortened by setting the sheet such that the leading edge <NUM> of the sheet is located within <NUM> from the sheet discharge port <NUM>.

After the housing upper part 111a is closed, in the thermal printer <NUM>, the presence or absence of a sheet is determined by the first sensor unit <NUM>, and the sheet is conveyed. When it is determined that the sheet is present, in the thermal printer <NUM>, the sheet is conveyed in a reverse direction until it is determined that the sheet is absent so that the first label or sheet can be used from its leading edge. During this operation, detection by the second sensor unit <NUM> or the third sensor unit <NUM> is not performed. Such measure is taken for the purpose of allowing the sheet to be used from its leading edge.

Next, in the thermal printer <NUM>, a mark provided on the sheet is detected by the second sensor unit <NUM> or the third sensor unit <NUM>, and a kind of the sheet is automatically determined. In the example of <FIG>, although illustration is omitted, a label sheet without a liner has marks provided at a position corresponding to a position at which the second sensor unit <NUM> is arranged. Meanwhile, in the example of <FIG>, although illustration is omitted, a label sheet with a liner has marks provided at a position corresponding to a position at which the third sensor unit <NUM> is arranged. Further, a plain sheet has no mark provided thereon.

In this manner, in the thermal printer <NUM>, when the mark of the sheet has been detected by the second sensor unit <NUM>, it can be determined that the sheet is a label sheet without a liner. When the mark of the sheet has been detected by the third sensor unit <NUM>, it can be determined that the sheet is a label sheet with a liner. Further, in the thermal printer <NUM>, when no mark has been detected by any one of the second sensor unit <NUM> or the third sensor unit <NUM>, it can be determined that the sheet is a plain sheet. Then, in the thermal printer <NUM>, a cutting position for the sheet that has been automatically detected and a correction amount for a printing start position are set, and the sheet is moved to the cutting position.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of functional blocks of the thermal printer <NUM> according to the at least one embodiment. In the at least one embodiment, illustration is given of a case in which the thermal printer <NUM> is applied to a point-of-sales (POS) terminal. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such case.

<FIG> shows an example of functional blocks of the thermal printer <NUM>. The thermal printer <NUM> includes a functional unit A1, a sheet feeding motor <NUM>, a thermal head <NUM>, a cutter motor <NUM>, a mechanical sensor <NUM>, and a sensor <NUM>. The functional unit A1 includes a CPU <NUM> and peripheral functions of the CPU <NUM>.

The functional unit A1 includes a communication interface <NUM>, a display control circuit <NUM>, a drawer control circuit <NUM>, a switch control circuit <NUM>, a power supply control circuit <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a sheet conveyance control circuit <NUM>, a printing control circuit <NUM>, a cutter control circuit <NUM>, a cover-open detection circuit <NUM>, a sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM>, a taken-state detection circuit <NUM>, a mark detection circuit <NUM>, and a cutter position detection circuit <NUM>.

In the at least one embodiment, the thermal printer <NUM> includes a processor (the CPU <NUM> in the at least one embodiment) and a memory such as the ROM <NUM> and the RAM <NUM>. In the thermal printer <NUM>, the processor executes a predetermined program with use of the memory, to thereby execute various types of processing. The program may be stored in the memory. In the at least one embodiment, illustration is given of a case in which a function of a sheet determination unit that determines a kind of a sheet is implemented by functions of the CPU <NUM>. However, as another example, the thermal printer <NUM> may include, separately from the CPU <NUM>, the sheet determination unit that determines a kind of a sheet.

Further, in <FIG>, as devices that are external to the thermal printer <NUM>, there are provided the host device <NUM>, a light-emitting-diode (LED) unit <NUM>, a drawer <NUM>, a switch unit <NUM>, and an alternating-current (AC) adapter <NUM>. The LED unit <NUM> includes LEDs and displays predetermined information through light emission or blinking of the LEDs. The drawer <NUM> is a cash drawer of a POS register. The switch unit <NUM> includes one or more switches, and receives an instruction in accordance with an operation made by a user on the switch. The switch unit <NUM> may include a switch that receives an instruction of, for example, feeding. The AC adapter <NUM> is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply, and converts alternating-current power supply from the commercial power supply into direct-current power supply.

Description is made of each functional unit of the thermal printer <NUM>. The sheet feeding motor <NUM> is a motor for conveying a sheet. The thermal head <NUM> is a head that performs printing on a sheet by heat. The cutter motor <NUM> is a motor for driving a cutter. The mechanical sensor <NUM> detects a state of opening or closing of the housing upper part 111a.

The sensor <NUM> detects values (for example, physical quantities) for detection of information by each of the sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM>, the taken-state detection circuit <NUM>, the mark detection circuit <NUM>, and the cutter position detection circuit <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> includes different sensors for the sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM>, the taken-state detection circuit <NUM>, the mark detection circuit <NUM>, and the cutter position detection circuit <NUM>, respectively. A PI sensor may be used as the sensor <NUM>.

In the at least one embodiment, the taken-state detection circuit <NUM> and a sensor therefor correspond to the first sensor unit <NUM>. The mark detection circuit <NUM> and a sensor therefor correspond to the second sensor unit <NUM>. The sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM> and a sensor therefor correspond to the third sensor unit <NUM>.

The sheet conveyance control circuit <NUM> controls the sheet feeding motor <NUM> in accordance with an instruction from the CPU <NUM>. The printing control circuit <NUM> controls the thermal head <NUM> in accordance with an instruction from the CPU <NUM>. The cutter control circuit <NUM> controls the cutter motor <NUM> in accordance with an instruction from the CPU <NUM>.

The cover-open detection circuit <NUM> detects a cover-open state, in which the housing upper part 111a is opened, based on a result of detection by the mechanical sensor <NUM>, and notifies a result of the detection to the CPU <NUM>. When the cover-open state is not given, the relevant state is a cover-close state in which the housing upper part 111a is closed. The sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM> detects a sheet or a mark based on a result of detection by the sensor <NUM>, and notifies a result of the detection to the CPU <NUM>. The taken-state detection circuit <NUM> detects that a sheet (for example, a sheet that has been cut) has been taken based on a result of detection by the sensor <NUM>, and notifies a result of the detection to the CPU <NUM>. The mark detection circuit <NUM> detects a mark based on a result of detection by the sensor <NUM>, and notifies a result of the detection to the CPU <NUM>. The cutter position detection circuit <NUM> detects a cutter position (position at which a sheet is cut with a cutter) based on a result of detection by the sensor <NUM>, and notifies a result of the detection to the CPU <NUM>.

The communication interface <NUM> is an interface that performs communication to and from the host device <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> performs communication to and from the host device <NUM> via the communication interface <NUM>. In the at least one embodiment, for example, print data or the like is transmitted from the host device <NUM> to the thermal printer <NUM>.

The display control circuit <NUM> controls the LED unit <NUM> in accordance with an instruction from the CPU <NUM> to allow the LED unit <NUM> to display desired information. The drawer control circuit <NUM> performs control on a state of the drawer <NUM> (for example, control of opening the drawer <NUM>) in accordance with an instruction from the CPU <NUM>. The switch control circuit <NUM> receives an instruction corresponding to an operation performed on the switch of the switch unit <NUM>, and notifies the instruction to the CPU <NUM>. The power supply control circuit <NUM> supplies power supply input from the AC adapter <NUM> to the CPU <NUM>. In the at least one embodiment, with such power supply, each functional unit of the thermal printer <NUM> performs an operation.

A plain sheet is a sheet without a mark.

<FIG> is a view for illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a label sheet <NUM> without a liner in the at least one embodiment. <FIG> shows a printing region <NUM> and marks <NUM> and <NUM>. The printing region <NUM> is set on an inner side of the label sheet <NUM> without a liner. The marks <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on the label sheet <NUM> without a liner. In the example of <FIG>, the marks <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on a right side with respect to a center of the illustrated label sheet <NUM> without a liner and at predetermined intervals in an up-and-down direction. The plurality of marks may be provided, for example, at fixed intervals over the entirety of one roll. The example of <FIG> is schematic, and a shape of the marks, positions of the marks, an interval of the marks, and the like are not limited to those of this example.

<FIG> is a view for illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a label sheet <NUM> with a liner in the at least one embodiment. <FIG> shows liners <NUM> and <NUM>, printing regions <NUM> and <NUM>, and marks <NUM> and <NUM>. The liners <NUM> and <NUM> are provided at predetermined intervals on the label sheet <NUM> with a liner. The printing regions <NUM> and <NUM> are set on an inner side of the liners <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The marks <NUM> and <NUM> are provided at corresponding locations on the liners <NUM> and <NUM> of the label sheet <NUM> with a liner. The plurality of marks may be provided, for example, at fixed intervals over the entirety of one roll. In the example of <FIG>, the marks <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on a left side with respect to a center of the illustrated label sheet <NUM> with a liner and at predetermined intervals in an up-and-down direction. The example of <FIG> is schematic, and a shape of the liners, an interval of the liners, a shape of the marks, positions of the marks, an interval of the marks, and the like are not limited to those of this example.

With reference to <FIG>, description is made of examples of a positional relationship of sensors and marks when a sheet is set. In the examples of <FIG>, description is made of a case in which a label sheet having a mark interval (label length) of <NUM> is used.

In each of <FIG>, for convenience of description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, which is a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, is shown. In the examples of <FIG>, a positive direction of a Y-axis corresponds to a forward direction of the thermal printer, and a negative direction of the Y-axis corresponds to a rearward direction of the thermal printer. A direction parallel to an X-axis corresponds to a lateral direction that is orthogonal to a front-and-rear direction of the thermal printer. A positive direction of a Z-axis corresponds to an upward direction, and a negative direction of the Z axis corresponds to a downward direction.

<FIG> is a view for illustrating an example of a positional relationship of sensors and marks when a sheet is set in the at least one embodiment. In the example of <FIG>, there is shown a state of a cross section of the thermal printer as viewed in a line of sight from a positive side toward a negative side of the X-axis. The configuration example of the thermal printer illustrated in <FIG> is a specific example of the thermal printer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In <FIG>, as components of the thermal printer, there are illustrated a housing upper part <NUM>, a housing lower part <NUM>, a thermal head <NUM>, a platen <NUM>, a sheet guide <NUM>, a cutter unit <NUM> formed of a cutter blade 624a in an upper part and a cutter blade 624b in a lower part, a taken-state detection sensor <NUM> corresponding to a first sensor unit, and a mark sensor <NUM> corresponding to a second sensor unit. Further, in <FIG>, there are shown a sheet <NUM> set in the thermal printer and marks <NUM> and <NUM> provided on the sheet <NUM>.

The housing upper part <NUM> serves as a cover. The cutter blade 624a in the upper part and the thermal head <NUM> are mounted to the housing upper part <NUM>. Further, the platen <NUM>, the sheet guide <NUM>, the cutter blade 624b in the lower part, the taken-state detection sensor <NUM>, and the mark sensor <NUM> are mounted to the housing lower part <NUM>.

Description is made of an example of dimensions shown in <FIG>. A distance L1 between a leading edge of the sheet <NUM> and a discharge port of the thermal printer is <NUM>. A distance L2 between the leading edge of the sheet <NUM> and a lower end (trailing or upstream edge) of the mark <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L3 between the discharge port of the thermal printer and each of the cutter blades 624a and 624b is <NUM>. A distance L4 between a lower end (upstream end) of the taken-state detection sensor <NUM> and a lower end (upstream end) of the sheet guide <NUM> is <NUM>. When the leading edge of the sheet <NUM> is fed back beyond the distance L4, the sheet <NUM> is caught by the platen <NUM>, resulting in a conveyance error. A distance L5 between each of the cutter blades 624a and 624b and the thermal head <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L6 between the thermal head <NUM> and the mark sensor <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L7 of a mark interval (label length) is <NUM>.

As a mode of setting the sheet <NUM>, for example, a range of <NUM>±<NUM> from the discharge port of the thermal printer is optimum. This is because there is a possibility that, when the sheet <NUM> is set at an inner part with respect to the discharge port, the roll of the sheet <NUM> retreats to cause removal of the sheet <NUM> from the platen <NUM>. A range of an upper limit and a lower limit that maximally exerts the effect of the at least one embodiment that detection of a mark can be quickly performed is, for example, an upper limit of <NUM> (it typically takes <NUM> seconds) and a lower limit of <NUM> (it typically takes <NUM> seconds) from the optimum distance. A distance by which the sheet <NUM> is to be returned at the time of returning the sheet <NUM> (in particular, when a receipt sheet is set) can be determined, for example, by returning the sheet <NUM> to the lower end (upstream end) of the taken-state detection sensor <NUM> and then returning the sheet <NUM> by <NUM>.

The taken-state detection sensor <NUM> is arranged at a position that prevents erroneous detection caused by disturbance light. The mark sensor <NUM> is arranged at a position that avoids interference with the platen <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view for illustrating an example of a positional relationship of sensors and marks when a label sheet <NUM> with a liner is set in the at least one embodiment. The label sheet <NUM> with a liner is a specific example of the label sheet <NUM> with a liner illustrated in <FIG>.

In the example of <FIG>, there is shown a state of the thermal printer as viewed in a line of sight from a positive side toward a negative side of the Z-axis (in a line of sight from above toward below). In <FIG>, there is also illustrated a mark sensor <NUM> corresponding to a third sensor unit, which overlaps the mark sensor <NUM> and cannot be seen in the example of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, illustration is given of a case in which the label sheet <NUM> with a liner is used as an example of the sheet <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, there are illustrated the label sheet <NUM> with a liner set in the thermal printer and marks <NUM> and <NUM> provided on the label sheet <NUM> with a liner.

Description is made of an example of dimensions shown in <FIG>. A distance L21 between a leading edge of the label sheet <NUM> with a liner and the discharge port of the thermal printer is <NUM>. A distance L22 between the leading edge of the label sheet <NUM> with a liner and a lower end of the mark <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L23 between the discharge port of the thermal printer and each of the cutter blades 624a and 624b is <NUM>. A distance L24 between the lower end (upstream end) of the taken-state detection sensor <NUM> and the lower end (upstream end) of the sheet guide <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L25 between each of the cutter blades 624a and 624b and the thermal head <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L26 between the thermal head <NUM> and each of the mark sensors <NUM> and <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L27 of a mark interval (label length) is <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view for illustrating an example of a positional relationship of sensors and marks when a label sheet <NUM> without a liner is set in the at least one embodiment. The label sheet <NUM> without a liner is a specific example of the label sheet <NUM> without a liner illustrated in <FIG>.

In the example of <FIG>, there is shown a state of the thermal printer as viewed in the line of sight from the positive side toward the negative side of the Z-axis (in the line of sight from above toward below). In <FIG>, there is also illustrated the mark sensor <NUM> corresponding to the third sensor unit, which overlaps the mark sensor <NUM> and cannot be seen in the example of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, illustration is given of a case in which the label sheet <NUM> without a liner is used as an example of the sheet <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, there are illustrated the label sheet <NUM> without a liner set in the thermal printer and marks <NUM> to <NUM> provided on the label sheet <NUM> without a liner. In the example of <FIG>, the illustration is simplified, and only the marks <NUM> to <NUM> of the plurality of marks are denoted by reference symbols.

Description is made of an example of dimensions shown in <FIG>. A distance L11 between a leading edge of the label sheet <NUM> without a liner and the discharge port of the thermal printer is <NUM>. A distance L12 between the leading edge of the label sheet <NUM> without a liner and a lower end of the mark <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L13 between the discharge port of the thermal printer and each of the cutter blades 624a and 624b is <NUM>. A distance L14 between the lower end (upstream end) of the taken-state detection sensor <NUM> and the lower end (upstream end) of the sheet guide <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L15 between each of the cutter blades 624a and 624b and the thermal head <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L16 between the thermal head <NUM> and the mark sensor <NUM> is <NUM>. A distance L17 of a mark interval (label length) is <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are flowcharts for illustrating an example of a procedure of processing to be performed in the thermal printer <NUM> according to the at least one embodiment. The processing flow illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> is shown in three separate parts for convenience of illustration, but is a series of processing flows in the at least one embodiment. In this flow, illustration is given of an example of sheet automatic detection processing performed in the thermal printer <NUM>. In this flow, an example of operations is illustrated with the functional units illustrated in <FIG> as an example. In the at least one embodiment, a direction of outputting a sheet to the outside of the thermal printer <NUM> (direction of discharging a roll sheet) is referred to as a forward direction, and a direction of returning the sheet into the thermal printer <NUM> (direction of winding back the roll sheet) is referred to as a reverse direction.

This flow is performed at a predetermined timing in the thermal printer <NUM>. The predetermined timing is, for example, a timing at which a sheet is set in the thermal printer <NUM> and a cover (housing upper part 111a) is closed. In this case, the fact that the cover has been closed can be detected by the cover-open detection circuit <NUM>. Further, as the predetermined timing, there may be used one or both of, for example, a timing at which a power supply button of the thermal printer <NUM> is operated so that the power supply is switched from OFF to ON and a timing at which the thermal printer <NUM> receives the reset. The reset may be received by, for example, pressing the power supply button for a long time.

First, a user sets a sheet in the thermal printer <NUM> by a drop-in method. In the at least one embodiment, the sheet is any one of a plain sheet, a label sheet without a liner, and a label sheet with a liner. Further, a plurality of kinds of label sheets without a liner may be used, or alternatively, a plurality of kinds of label sheets with a liner may be used. In the at least one embodiment, for example, the sheet is set such that the leading edge of the sheet is located roughly within <NUM> from the sheet discharge port <NUM>.

(Step S1) The CPU <NUM> checks a result of detection by the taken-state detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the first sensor unit. Then, the process proceeds to Step S2.

(Step S2) The CPU <NUM> determines the presence or absence of a sheet (whether the sheet is present) set in the thermal printer <NUM> with use of the taken-state detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the first sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the sheet is present (YES in Step S2), the process proceeds to Step S3. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the sheet is absent (NO in Step S2), the process proceeds to Step S7. In the at least one embodiment, this case corresponds to a case in which the sheet is set such that the leading edge of the sheet is located on a far side (inner side of the thermal printer <NUM>) with respect to a detection position of the taken-state detection circuit <NUM>.

(Step S3) The CPU <NUM> causes the sheet to be conveyed in the reverse direction. Then, the process proceeds to Step S4.

(Step S4) The CPU <NUM> checks a result of detection by the taken-state detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the first sensor unit. Then, the process proceeds to Step S5.

(Step S5) The CPU <NUM> determines the presence or absence of the sheet (whether the sheet is absent) set in the thermal printer <NUM> with use of the taken-state detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the first sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the sheet is present (NO in Step S5), the process proceeds to Step S6. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the sheet is absent (YES in Step S5), the process proceeds to Step S11.

(Step S6) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not a conveyance amount of the sheet in the reverse direction has reached a predetermined specific amount. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the conveyance amount of the sheet in the reverse direction has reached the predetermined specific amount (YES in Step S6), the process proceeds to Step S9. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the conveyance amount of the sheet in the reverse direction has not reached the predetermined specific amount (NO in Step S6), the process proceeds to Step S3.

(Step S7) The CPU <NUM> causes the sheet to be conveyed in the forward direction. Then, the process proceeds to Step S8.

(Step S8) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the forward direction has reached a predetermined specific amount. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the forward direction has reached the predetermined specific amount (YES in Step S8), the process proceeds to Step S9. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the forward direction has not reached the predetermined specific amount (NO in Step S8), the process proceeds to Step S1.

(Step S9) The CPU <NUM> determines that an error is present. The CPU <NUM> then terminates the processing of this flow.

(Step S11) The CPU <NUM> causes the sheet to be conveyed in the reverse direction. Then, the process proceeds to Step S12.

(Step S12) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not a mark of the sheet has been detected by the mark detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the second sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the mark of the sheet has been detected (YES in Step S12), the process proceeds to Step S19. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the mark of the sheet has not been detected (NO in Step S12), the process proceeds to Step S13.

(Step S13) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not a mark of the sheet has been detected by the sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the third sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the mark of the sheet has been detected (YES in Step S13), the process proceeds to Step S19. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when it is determined that the mark of the sheet has not been detected (NO in Step S13), the process proceeds to Step S14.

The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the reverse direction has reached the predetermined specific amount.

As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the reverse direction has reached the predetermined specific amount (YES in Step S14), the process proceeds to Step S15. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the reverse direction has not reached the predetermined specific amount (NO in Step S14), the process proceeds to Step S11.

(Step S15) The CPU <NUM> causes the sheet to be conveyed in the forward direction. Then, the process proceeds to Step S16.

(Step S16) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not a mark of the sheet has been detected by the mark detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the second sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the mark of the sheet has been detected (YES in Step S16), the process proceeds to Step S19. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the mark of the sheet has not been detected (NO in Step S16), the process proceeds to Step S17.

(Step S17) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not a mark of the sheet has been detected by the sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the third sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the mark of the sheet has been detected (YES in Step S17), the process proceeds to Step S19. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the mark of the sheet has not been detected (NO in Step S17), the process proceeds to Step S18.

(Step S18) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the forward direction has reached the predetermined specific amount. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the forward direction has reached the predetermined specific amount (YES in Step S18), the process proceeds to Step S21. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the amount of conveyance of the sheet in the forward direction has not reached the predetermined specific amount (NO in Step S18), the process proceeds to Step S15.

(Step S19) The CPU <NUM> measures (detects) a length of the mark and an interval of the marks for the marks that have been detected by the second sensor unit or the third sensor unit. Then, the process proceeds to Step S21.

(Step S21) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not there is given a result that the mark of the sheet has been detected by the mark detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the second sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that there is given the result that the mark of the sheet has been detected (YES in Step S21), the process proceeds to Step S22. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that there is given a result that the mark of the sheet has not been detected (NO in Step S21), the process proceeds to Step S24.

(Step S22) The CPU <NUM> determines that the sheet is a label sheet without a liner. Then, the process proceeds to Step S23.

(Step S23) The CPU <NUM> moves a cutting position so as to be adapted to the label sheet without a liner. Then, the process proceeds to Step S27.

(Step S24) The CPU <NUM> determines whether or not there is given a result that the mark of the sheet has been detected by the sheet/mark detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the third sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that there is given the result that the mark of the sheet has been detected (YES in Step S24), the process proceeds to Step S25. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that there is given a result that the mark of the sheet has not been detected (NO in Step S24), the process proceeds to Step S26.

(Step S25) The CPU <NUM> determines that the sheet is a label sheet with a liner. Then, the process proceeds to Step S27.

(Step S26) The CPU <NUM> determines that the sheet is a plain sheet. Then, the process proceeds to Step S27.

(Step S27) The CPU <NUM> determines the presence or absence of the sheet (whether the sheet is present) with use of the taken-state detection circuit <NUM> corresponding to the first sensor unit. As a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the sheet is present (YES in Step S27), the process proceeds to Step S28. Meanwhile, as a result of the determination, when the CPU <NUM> has determined that the sheet is absent (NO in Step S27), the CPU <NUM> terminates the processing of this flow.

In this example, in the processing step of Step S27, the presence or absence of the sheet at the position of the cutter unit <NUM> (or a position in the periphery thereof) is determined. Further, in this example, when it is determined that the sheet is absent, the operation of cutting can be omitted, thereby improving the efficiency. For example, there may be given such settings that the cutting is not performed in the case of a label sheet without a liner or a label sheet with a liner and the cutting is performed in the case of a plain sheet.

(Step S28) The CPU <NUM> causes the sheet to be cut. The CPU <NUM> then terminates the processing of this flow.

When the cutting for each sheet is to be performed, for example, before the cutting, operations of setting a distance by which each sheet is moved to the cutting position, setting a distance by which each sheet is moved to the printing start position, and setting energy (in the at least one embodiment, energization time that enables variation in density of printing) are performed. In the thermal printer <NUM>, when the printing is to be performed, for example, a mark search command is issued, and the printing is started from a location corresponding to the operation by a printing-start-position moving distance that has been automatically set, thereby being capable performing printing without wasting an upper margin.

As described above, the thermal printer <NUM> according to the at least one embodiment has a printer structure employing a drop-in method. In the thermal printer <NUM>, the presence or absence of a sheet is determined with use of the first sensor unit after the top cover has been set, and, depending on the determination, the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction or the reverse direction. After that, in the thermal printer <NUM>, the mark is detected with use of the second sensor unit and the third sensor unit, and the sheet is automatically detected based on the mark length and the mark interval. Then, in the thermal printer <NUM>, after the sheet has been automatically detected, for example, a cutting position moving distance, the printing-start-position moving distance, and the energy settings of the sheet are changed, and the sheet is moved to the cutting position. At this time, in the thermal printer <NUM>, the presence or absence of the sheet is determined with use of the first sensor unit. When the sheet is absent, the cutting is not performed. When the sheet is present, the cutting is performed. After that, the operation is terminated.

In this example, illustration is given of the case in which the length of the mark and the interval of the marks are detected in the processing step of Step S19, thereby being capable of, for example, differentiating (distinguishing) a plurality of kinds of label sheets without a liner or differentiating (distinguishing) a plurality of kinds of label sheets with a liner. As another example, when a plain sheet, one kind of a label sheet without a liner, and one kind of a label sheet with a liner are used, the processing step of Step S19 may be omitted, and differentiation (distinguishing) of those sheets can be performed.

As described above, in the printing system <NUM> in the at least one embodiment, in the thermal printer <NUM>, the processing of determining a kind of a sheet that has been set can be implemented in a short period of time. In the at least one embodiment, for example, with a leading edge of a sheet being set by a user within a predetermined distance (for example, <NUM>) from the sheet discharge port <NUM>, as compared to the related art which requires time for the operation of moving the sheet back and forth, for example, the time for automatically distinguishing a sheet can be shortened significantly.

Further, in the related art, there has been given a configuration in which the presence or absence of a sheet and a mark are detected with use of one sensor unit. Thus, kinds of sheets that can be determined are limited to two kinds (a plain sheet and a label sheet). In contrast, according to the at least one embodiment, with use of three sensor units, at least three kinds of sheets (a plain sheet, a label sheet without a liner, and a label sheet with a liner) can be determined.

Further, as another configuration example, in the thermal printer <NUM> according to the at least one embodiment, there may be implemented a configuration in which only one of the second sensor unit and the third sensor unit is used for distinguishing of a sheet. In this case, kinds of sheets that can be determined may be two kinds (a plain sheet and a label sheet), but there can be obtained an effect that the time for automatically distinguishing a sheet can be shortened significantly.

For example, the thermal printer <NUM> includes: the first sensor unit <NUM> that detects the presence or absence of a sheet; the second sensor unit <NUM> that detects information related to a mark provided on the sheet; and the sheet determination unit (for example, CPU <NUM>) that determines a kind of the sheet. The sheet determination unit determines a kind of a sheet based on a result of detecting information related to a mark with use of the second sensor unit <NUM> after the sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction with respect to the direction of discharging the sheet.

For example, the thermal printer <NUM> has a structure for setting a sheet by a drop-in method. For example, the thermal printer <NUM> includes the cutter unit <NUM> that cuts a sheet. The first sensor unit <NUM> detects the presence or absence of the sheet at the position of the cutter unit <NUM> or at a position in a periphery thereof. The cutter unit <NUM> performs the operation of cutting a sheet when the sheet is present. The cutter unit <NUM> does not perform the operation of cutting a sheet when the sheet is absent.

For example, the thermal printer <NUM> detects the presence or absence of a mark, a length of the mark, and an interval of marks with use of the second sensor unit <NUM>. A mode of detecting only one of a length of a mark and an interval of marks may be used, or a mode of detecting both may be used.

For example, in the thermal printer <NUM>, two or more of a plain sheet having no mark provided thereon, a label sheet without a liner having a mark provided thereon, and a label sheet with a liner having a mark provided thereon are used as the sheet.

For example, the thermal printer <NUM> further includes the third sensor unit <NUM> that detects information related to a mark provided on a sheet. The second sensor unit <NUM> and the third sensor unit <NUM> detect respective pieces of information related to marks arranged at different positions on the sheet.

For example, in the thermal printer <NUM>, a plain sheet having no mark provided thereon, a label sheet without a liner having a mark provided thereon, and a label sheet with a liner having a mark provided thereon are used as the sheet.

A program for implementing the function of any component of any device described above may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium so that the program is read by a computer system to be executed. The "computer system" here includes an operating system or hardware including peripheral devices. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" is a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or a storage device built in the computer system, such as a hard disk drive. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a medium which holds a program for a fixed period of time, for example, a volatile memory included in a computer system serving as a server or a client in a case in which a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet, or a communication line such as a telephone line. The volatile memory may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The recording medium may be, for example, a non-transitory recording medium.

The above-mentioned program may be transmitted from the computer system in which the program is stored in, for example, the storage device, to another computer system via a transmission medium or through a transmission wave in a transmission medium. The "transmission medium" here through which a program is transmitted refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, for example, a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

Further, the above-mentioned program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. Further, the above-mentioned program may be a program which enables the functions described above to be implemented when being combined with a program that is already recorded in the computer system, which is what is called "differential file. " The differential file may also be referred to as "differential program.

The function of any component of any device described above may be implemented by a processor. For example, each procedure of processing in the at least one embodiment may be implemented by a processor which operates based on information such as a program and a computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon the information such as a program. For example, functions of respective parts of the processor may be implemented by individual pieces of hardware, or the functions of the respective parts may be implemented by integrated hardware. For example, the processor includes hardware, and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit which processes a digital signal or a circuit which processes an analog signal. For example, the processor may be formed through use of one or both of: one or a plurality of circuit devices mounted on a circuit board; and one or a plurality of circuit elements mounted thereon. An integrated circuit (IC) or the like may be used as the circuit device(s), and a resistor, a capacitor, or the like may be used as the circuit element(s).

Claim 1:
A portable terminal (<NUM>) having a thermal head (<NUM>), comprising:
a first sensor unit (<NUM>) configured to detect presence or absence of a sheet;
a second sensor unit (<NUM>) configured to detect information related to a mark provided on the sheet; and
a sheet determination unit (<NUM>) configured to determine a kind of the sheet,
characterised in that
the sheet determination unit (<NUM>) is configured to determine a kind of the sheet based on a result of detecting information related to the mark with use of the second sensor unit (<NUM>) after the sheet is conveyed in a reverse direction with respect to a direction of discharging the sheet.