Patent Grant
10442223
The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-107707 filed on May 31, 2017 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method and a non-transitory recording medium storing the printing program.
There is known a printing apparatus configured to perform printing with respect to a print medium (packaging material, label, etc.) which is conveyed by a conveying apparatus such as a packaging machine, etc. Further, a technique for controlling a conveying velocity at a part or portion, of the print medium, at which printing by the printing apparatus is performed (hereinafter referred to as a “print position velocity”) is also suggested.
There is known a thermal printer which performs printing with respect to an elongated film conveyed by a bag form-fill-sealing machine. The thermal printer is provided with a platen roller, a pinch roller, a pair of moving roller (also referred to as a “moving mechanism”), and a sensor. The platen roller is connected to a motor via a clutch. The platen roller is rotated by allowing the clutch to be in a connected state in a state that the motor is rotating, and conveys the elongated film in a state that the elongated film is pinched between the pinch roller and the platen roller. While the printing is executed by the thermal printer, the moving mechanism is moved along a X direction either toward a X1 side or toward a X2 side, in accordance with a relationship between a conveying velocity of the elongated film by the bag form-fill-sealing machine and a conveying velocity of the elongated film by the rotation of the platen roller. The sensor detects that the moving mechanism is arranged at a reference position X0 which is a position at the end on the X1 side in the X direction.
In a case that the printing is ended, the thermal printer maintains the clutch at the connected state and stops the rotation of the motor. In this case, the moving mechanism is moved toward the X1 side in response to the decrease in the force toward the X2 side which is received by the moving mechanism from the elongated film which is being conveyed. In a case that the sensor detects that the moving mechanism has moved up to the reference position X0, the thermal printer switched the clutch to a non-connected state. By doing so, the thermal printer causes the moving mechanism to stop at the reference position X0.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing apparatus including: a frame; a casing attachable to the frame; a thermal head provided in the casing; a platen supported by the frame and facing the thermal head under a condition that the casing is attached to the frame; a moving mechanism supported by the frame to be movable in a moving range along a specified direction. The moving mechanism has: a first roller positioned upstream of the platen in a conveyance path of a print medium, a second roller positioned downstream of the platen in the conveyance path, and a supporting member rotatably supporting the first roller and the second roller. A part, of the conveyance path, between the platen and the first roller becomes short in a case that the moving mechanism is moved toward one side in the specified direction, and the part, of the conveyance path, between the platen and the first roller becoming long in a case that the moving mechanism is moved toward the other side in the specified direction. The printing apparatus further includes: a motor provided on the frame; a transmitting mechanism connected to the moving mechanism and the motor, the transmitting mechanism being configured to move the moving mechanism with a driving force of the motor; a sensor configured to detect a position of the moving mechanism and to output a signal in accordance with the detected position; a communication interface configured to perform communication with an external apparatus; and a controller configured to execute: perform determination as to whether the moving mechanism is located at a reference position apart from an end, on the one side in the specified direction, of the moving range, based on the signal output from the sensor, perform determination as to whether a print signal, indicating that the print medium is located at a printable position, is received from the external apparatus via the communication interface, and selectively execute one of a first processing and a second processing in accordance with results of the determination as to whether the moving mechanism is located at the reference position and the determination as to whether the print signal is received. The first processing includes: performing transmittance of an error signal, indicating that the moving mechanism is not located at the reference position, to the external apparatus via the communication interface. The second processing includes: moving the moving mechanism toward the one side in the specified direction by controlling the motor, and performing the printing on the print medium by controlling heating of the thermal head, the second processing not including the transmittance of the error signal to the external apparatus via the communication interface. The controller is configured to selectively execute the first processing under a condition that the controller determines that the moving mechanism is not located at the reference position and that the print signal is received, and the controller is configured to selectively execute the second processing under a condition that the controller determines that the moving mechanism is located at the reference position and that the controller determines that the print signal is received.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing method including: performing determination as to whether a moving mechanism, which is configured to be movable in a moving range along a specified direction, is located at a reference position apart from an end, on one side in the specified direction, of the moving range, based on a signal output from a sensor configured to detect a position of the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism includes: a first roller positioned upstream of a platen in a conveyance path of a print medium, the platen facing a thermal head; and a second roller positioned downstream of the platen in the conveyance path. A part, of the conveyance path, between the platen and the first roller becomes short in a case that the moving mechanism is moved toward the one side in the specified direction, and the part, of the conveyance path, between the platen and the first roller becoming long in a case that the moving mechanism is moved toward the other side in the specified direction. The printing method further includes: performing determination as to whether a print signal, indicating that the print medium is located at a printable position, is received from an external apparatus; performing selection of a process from a first processing and a second processing in accordance with results of the determination as to whether the moving mechanism is located at the reference position and the determination as to whether the print signal is received. The first process is selected under a condition that determination is made that the moving mechanism is not located at the reference position and that determination is made that the print signal is received. The second process is selected under a condition that determination is made that the moving mechanism is located at the reference position and that determination is made that that the print signal is received. The first processing includes performing transmittance of an error signal, indicating that the moving mechanism is not located at the reference position, to the external apparatus. The second processing includes: moving the moving mechanism toward the one side in the specified direction; and performing printing on the print medium by controlling the thermal head, the second processing not including the transmittance of the error signal to the external apparatus via the communication interface. The printing method further includes performing the selected process.
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions, when executed by a controller of a printing apparatus, causing a computer of the printing apparatus to execute operations including: performing determination as to whether a moving mechanism, which is configured to be movable in a moving range along a specified direction, is located at a reference position apart from an end, on one side in the specified direction, of the moving range, based on a signal output from a sensor configured to detect a position of the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism has: a first roller positioned upstream of a platen in a conveyance path of a print medium, the platen facing a thermal head, and a second roller positioned downstream of the platen in the conveyance path. A part, of the conveyance path, between the platen and the first roller becomes short in a case that the moving mechanism is moved toward the one side in the specified direction, and the part, of the conveyance path, between the platen and the first roller becoming long in a case that the moving mechanism is moved toward the other side in the specified direction. The program causes the computer of the printing apparatus to execute operations including: performing determination as to whether a print signal, indicating that the print medium is located at a printable position, is received from an external apparatus; and selectively executing one of a first processing and a second processing in accordance with results of the determination as to whether the moving mechanism is located at the reference position and the determination as to whether the print signal is received. The first processing includes: performing transmittance of an error signal, indicating that the moving mechanism is not located at the reference position, to the external apparatus. The second processing includes: moving the moving mechanism toward the one side in the specified direction, and performing printing with respect to the print medium by controlling the thermal head, the second processing not including the transmittance of the error signal to the external apparatus via the communication interface, selectively executing the first processing, under a condition that determination is made that the moving mechanism is not located at the reference position and that determination is made that the print signal is received, and selectively executing the second processing, under a condition that determination is made that the moving mechanism is located at the reference position and that determination is made that that the print signal is received.
A publicly known printing apparatus executes a printing in accordance with a timing at which a sensor (for example, an eye mark sensor), configured to detect a mark provided on a print medium, detects the mark. The eye mark sensor is generally provided on an external apparatus (for example, a conveying apparatus of the printing medium such as the bag form-fill-sealing machine, etc.). Accordingly, for example, the eye mark sensor is arranged at a position on the upstream side, or downstream side, of the moving mechanism, in some cases. In this case, the distance, in a conveyance path of the printing medium, between the position of the platen roller and the position of the eye mark sensor is changed depending on the position of the moving mechanism. Accordingly, in a case that the printing is executed at the timing at which the eye mark sensor detects the mark, a position (location) of the printing medium at which the printing is to be performed is changed depending on the position of the moving mechanism. Therefore, in order to execute the printing with high precision with respect to a specified position of the print medium, it is preferred that the printing is started in a state that the moving mechanism is arranged at a predetermined position (for example, the reference position X0 in a publicly known thermal printer).
In the publicly known thermal printer, in a case that a next printing is executed before the moving mechanism is moved to the reference position X0, it is not possible to perform the next printing with high precision at the specified position in the print medium. Accordingly, in a case that a print instruction is issued in a state that the moving mechanism is not arranged at the reference position X0, it is preferred that a notice notifying that the printing cannot be performed with high precision is issued from the printing apparatus.
An object of the present disclosure is, for example, to provide a printing apparatus, a printing method and a printing program capable of issuing notice indicating that a print instruction is issued in a state that the moving mechanism is not arranged at a predetermined position, in a case such a state is occurred.
An embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings. A printing apparatus 1 is a printing apparatus of the thermal transfer type. In the following, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, the right side, the front side and the rear side of the printing apparatus 1 will be defined so that the explanation of the drawings will be easily understood. The upper side, the lower side, the left side, the right side, the front side and the rear side of the printing apparatus 1 correspond to the upper side, the lower side, the left obliquely upper side, the right obliquely lower side, the left obliquely lower side and the right obliquely upper side, respectively, as depicted in
<General Configuration of Printing Apparatus 1>
As depicted in
The printing apparatus 1 has a printing section 2 and a conveying section 7. The printing section 2 is arranged on the upper side with respect to (at a position above) the conveying section 7. The printing section 2 controls a printing function with respect to the print medium 8. More specifically, the printing section 2 presses the ink ribbon 9 against the print medium 8 by a thermal head 28 and a platen roller 29, while conveying the ink ribbon 9 in the ribbon assembly 90. The printing section 2 transfers an ink of the ink ribbon 9, which is being conveyed, to the print medium 8 by heating the thermal head 28 in this state. The conveying section 7 controls a function of controlling the conveying velocity, of the print medium 8, which is being conveyed by the external apparatus 100, at a position of the platen roller 29 (also referred to as a “print position velocity”). More specifically, the conveying section 7 moves a moving mechanism 71 arranged in a conveyance path of the print medium 8 (referred to as a “medium path P”) to thereby adjust a length of an upstream part or portion, of the medium path P, on the upstream side of the platen roller 29 in the medium path P, and a length of an downstream part or portion, of the medium path P, on the downstream side of the platen roller 29 in the medium path P. By doing so, the conveying section 7 changes the print position velocity with respect to the conveyance position velocity.
<Frame 10>
As depicted in
Surfaces of the first side walls 11, 13 oriented to face toward the second side walls 12, 14, respectively, are referred to as first facing surfaces 11A, 13A, respectively. A surface of the first side wall 11 on the opposite side to the first facing surface 11A is referred to as a first opposite surface 11B. A surface of the first side wall 13 on the opposite side to the first facing surface 13A is referred to as a first opposite surface 13B. Surfaces of the second side walls 12, 14 oriented to face toward the first side walls 11, 13, respectively, are referred to as second facing surfaces 12A, 14A, respectively. A surface of the second side wall 12 on the opposite side to the second facing surface 12A is referred to as a second opposite surface 12B. A surface of the second side wall 14 on the opposite side to the second facing surface 14A is referred to as a second opposite surface 14B.
An opening 11C penetrating the first facing surface 11A and the first opposite surface 11B therethrough in the front-rear direction is formed in the first side wall 11. An opening 12C penetrating the second facing surface 12A and the second opposite surface 12B therethrough in the front-rear direction is formed in the second side wall 12. Each of the openings 11C and 12C is rectangular-shaped. A guide groove 13C penetrating the first facing surface 13A and the first opposite surface 13B therethrough in the front-rear direction is formed in the first side wall 13. A guide groove 14C (see
The first side walls 11, 13 are connected to each other with attaching members 15A, 15B and non-illustrated screws. The second side walls 12, 14 are connected to each other with attaching members 15C, 15D (see
<Printing Section 2>
As depicted in
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In the following, a part or portion which is different from the casing 2A and the platen roller 29 in the printing apparatus 1 is referred to as a bracket 1C.
<Conveying Section 7>
As depicted in
<Moving Mechanism 71>
The moving mechanism 71 has a first supporting member 72A (see
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<Motor 77, Transmitting Mechanism 6, Clutch 68>
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In a case that the clutch 68 is in the connected state and that the shaft 77B is rotated in accordance with the driving of the motor 77, the driving force of the motor 77 is transmitted to the driving shaft 63 via the second pulley 65, the belt 66, the first pulley 64 and the clutch 68. The pinion gear 62 connected to the driving shaft 63 moves the rack gear 61 in the left-right direction in accordance with the rotation of the driving shaft 63. With this, the moving mechanism 71 is moved in the left-right direction. In a case that the shaft 77B of the motor 77 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the moving mechanism 71 moves leftwardly. In a case that the shaft 77B of the motor is rotated in the clockwise direction, the moving mechanism 71 moves rightwardly.
As depicted in
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<First Sensor 41>
As depicted in
Note that in order to detect, by the first sensor 41, the position of the end part on the second side of the first supporting member 72a, in the case that the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position Sb, it is preferred that a boundary position on the first side of the detecting range of the detector 41A is coincident with the reference position Sb. There is such a possibility, however, that the boundary position on the first side of the detecting range of the first sensor 41A might be fluctuated or varied with respect to the reference position Sb, due to any assembly error of the first sensor 41, any individual difference in the first sensor 41, any noise, etc. In view of this, the position in the left-right direction at which the first sensor 41 is arranged is adjusted such that the reference position Sb is included in the detecting range even in a case that any fluctuation (variation) is occurred. As a result, there is such a case that the boundary position on the first side of the detecting range of the detector 41A is arranged at any position between the reference position Sb and a position which is separated away from the reference position Sb toward the first side by a predetermined length. Namely, in a case that the end part on the second side of the first supporting member 72A is located within a range (detecting range) up to the position which is separated away from the reference position Sb toward the first side by the predetermined length, the first sensor 41 detects the end part on the second side of the first supporting member 72A by the detector 41A.
<Second Sensor 42>
As depicted in
<Guide Roller 76>
As depicted in
In the following, the guide roller 76C is referred to as a “third roller 76C” and the guide roller 76D is referred to as a “fourth roller 76D”, in some cases. As depicted in
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Further, the second rotation axis 29X of the platen roller 29 is arranged in the center in the left-right direction of the moving range S. Accordingly, the distance L11 and the distance L21 are same with each other, and the distance L12 and the distance L22 are same with each other.
As depicted in
On the other hand, as depicted in
<Overview of Printing Operation by Printing Apparatus 1>
An explanation will be given about the overview of a printing operation by the printing apparatus 1, with reference to
As depicted in
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In a case that the printing apparatus 1 receives the print signal, the printing apparatus 1 rotates the shafts 21 and 22 (see
The thermal head 28 is heated. As depicted in
After the print image G(1) is printed, the heating of the thermal head 28 is stopped. As depicted in
The print medium 8 is conveyed, and the next eye mark m(2) is detected by the optical sensor 101 (see
After the print image G(2) is formed, the heating of the thermal head 28 is stopped. As depicted in
<Control of Print Position Velocity Wp by Movement of Moving Mechanism 71>
There is such a case that the conveyance position velocity Wt of the print medium 8 by the external apparatus 100 is decelerated. In this case, in a case that the print position velocity Wp of the print medium 8 becomes not more than a predetermined velocity Vth, there is such a possibility that the printing apparatus 1 might not be able to maintain a satisfactory printing quality. The reason for this is that the ribbon velocity V is adjusted with respect to (based on) the print position velocity Wp; and thus if the print position velocity Wp is not more than the predetermined velocity Vth, a narrower region of the ink ribbon 9 is heated by the thermal head 28 for a long period of time than in another case that the print position velocity Wp is not less than the predetermined velocity Vth. In this case, the temperature of the heated region of the ink ribbon 9 is increased to be higher than an appropriate temperature, and an image is reversely transferred onto the print medium 8 and/or the ink ribbon 9, any bleeding and/or faintness of the ink, etc. is/are easily occurred. The predetermined velocity Vth is a value determined by the characteristics of the thermal head 28 and the ink ribbon 9, and is assumed to be stored in advance in the storing section 32 at a time of shipment of the printing apparatus 1 from the factory. Note that the predetermined velocity Vth may be appropriately set by a user via the operating section 36 (see
Accordingly, in a case that the print position velocity Wp of the print medium 8 becomes not more than the predetermined velocity Vth, the printing apparatus 1 allows the clutch 68 to be in the connected state and causes the motor 77 to rotate toward the one direction. With this, the moving mechanism 77 is moved toward the first side (see
On the other hand, in response to the moving mechanism 71 caused to move from the reference position toward the first side, the medium path P between the platen roller 29 and the second roller 73B becomes long (see
In view of the above-described situation, the printing apparatus 1 moves the moving mechanism 71 toward the second side so as to arrange the moving mechanism 71 at the reference position, after a printing operation for a print image G(i-1) is ended and before a printing operation for a next print image G(i) is started. This is performed specifically in a following manner. For example, the printing apparatus 1 allows the clutch 68 to be in the cutoff state after the printing operation for the print image G(i-1) is ended and before the printing operation for the next print image G(i) is started. Note that even after the clutch 68 is allowed to be in the cutoff state, the print medium 8 is continuously conveyed by the external apparatus 100. In this case, as depicted in
<Electrical Configuration of Printing Apparatus 1>
An explanation will be given about the electrical configuration of the printing section 2 and the conveying section 7 of the printing apparatus 1. As depicted in
The controller 31 includes a CPU controlling the printing section 2 and the conveying section 7; a ROM storing respective kinds of initial parameters; a RAM temporarily storing information; etc. The controller 31 is electrically connected to the storing section 32, the operating section 36, the driving circuit 37, the communication I/F 38 and the connection I/F 39 via a non-illustrated interface circuit.
The storing section 32 stores a program of a processing executed by the controller 31, a print data, a variety of kinds of setting information, etc. The program, the print data, and the variety of kinds of setting information may be read, for example, from a USB memory connected to the communication I/F 38 (to be described later on). Further, in a case that a SD card is connectable to the communication I/F 38 as will be describe later on, the program, print data and variety of kinds of setting information may be read from the SD card connected to the communication I/F 38. The controller 31 may store the read program, print data and variety of kinds of setting information in the storing section 32. The variety of kinds of setting information may be input, for example, via the operating section 36 (to be described in the following). The controller 31 may store the input variety of kinds of setting information in the storing section 32.
The operating section 36 is an interface (a button, a touch panel, etc.) to which a variety of kinds of information can be input. The driving circuit 37 includes, for example, a circuit, etc., configured to output a signal to each of the motors 33 to 35 and the thermal head 28. The motors 33 to 35 are each a stepping motor which is rotated synchronizing with a pulse signal. The motor 33 rotates the shaft 21. The motor 34 rotates the shaft 22. The motor 35 moves the thermal head 28 between the print position 28A (see
The driving circuit 40 includes a circuit configured to detect a signal output from the controller 31 of the printing section 2 via the connection I/F 39 and the connection I/F 44, and to output the detected signal to the motor 77 and the clutch 68. Further, the driving circuit 40 includes a circuit configured to detect a signal output from each of the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42, and to output the detected signals to the controller 31 via the connection I/F 44 and the connection I/F 39; etc. The connection I/F 44 is an interface element configured to perform communication based on a variety of kinds of universal standard.
In the following, an operation or action in which the controller 31 outputs a signal to the motors 33 to 35 via the driving circuit 37 is simply referred to that “the controller 31 outputs a signal to the motors 33 to 35”; an operation or action in which the controller 31 outputs a signal to the motor 77 and the clutch 68 via the connections I/F 39 and 44 and the driving circuit 40 is simply referred to that “the controller 31 outputs a signal to the motor 77 and the clutch 68”; and an operation or action in which the controller 31 detects a signal output from each of the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 via the driving circuit 40, the connection I/F 44 and the connection I/F 39 is simply referred to that “the controller 31 detects a signal output from each of the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42”.
The first sensor 41 outputs, to the driving circuit 40, a signal in accordance with the presence/absence of detection of the first supporting member 72A by the detector 41A. A signal output from the first sensor 41 in a state that the first supporting member 72A is detected by the detector 41A is referred to as an “ON signal”. A signal output from the first sensor 41 in a state that the first supporting member 72A is not detected by the detector 41A is referred to as an “OFF signal”. In a case that the shaft 422 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the platen roller 29, the second sensor 42 outputs a signal in accordance with the rotation amount of the shaft 422 to the driving circuit 40.
The motor 77 is, for example, a so-called AC speed control motor in which a velocity detecting sensor is built in an AC motor. The motor 77 rotates the shaft 77B toward the one direction or the other direction, in accordance with a driving signal output from the driving circuit 40. A driving signal in a case of rotating the shaft 77B of the motor 77 toward the one direction is referred to as a “driving-toward-one-direction signal”. A driving signal in a case of rotating the shaft 77B of the motor 77 toward the other direction is referred to as a “driving-toward-other-side signal”. Note that it is allowable to use, as the motor 77, a stepping motor configured to rotate synchronizing with a pulse signal. The clutch 68 is switched between the connected state and the cutoff state depending on a switching signal.
<Main Processing>
An explanation will be given about a main processing with reference to
An explanation will be given about the initialization processing with reference to
Timing (1): before the conveyance of the print medium 8 by the external apparatus 100 is started, namely, in a case that both of the print position velocity Wp and the conveyance position velocity Wt are 0; and
Timing (2): before the print signal is received, more specifically, after the power of the printing apparatus 1 is switched ON and before the print signal is received from the external apparatus 100 for the first time and the printing operation is started.
As depicted in
As depicted in
Note that in a case that the end part on the second side of the first supporting member 72A is arranged in the detecting range, the first sensor 41 outputs the ON signal in response to the detection of the first supporting member 72A by the detector 41A. Accordingly, also after the end part on the second side of the first supporting member 72A has been detected by the detector 41A, the moving mechanism 71 is continuously being moved toward the second side while the end part on the second side of the first supporting member 72A is being moved in the detecting range toward the second side. In this case, the platen roller 29 is continuously rotated. On the other hand, in a case that the moving mechanism 71 reaches the reference position, the movement of the moving mechanism 71 toward the second side is stopped. In this case, the rotation of the platen roller 29 is also stopped.
The controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S79). The controller 31 specifies, based on the detected signal, whether the platen roller 29 is continuously rotating after the first supporting member 72A has been detected by the detector 41A of the first sensor 41. More specifically, in a case that the Hi signal and the Low signal are alternately output in a repeated manner from the second sensor 42, the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is continuously rotating. On the other hand, in a case that the Hi signal or the Low signal is continuously output from the second sensor 42, the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is stopped. In a case that the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is rotating, the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 is continuously moving toward the second side (S81: NO). In this case, the controller 31 returns the processing to step S79. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S79), and repeats the determination of step S81.
In a case that the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is not rotating, the controller 31 further determines whether a state that the platen roller 29 is not rotating is continued for a second predetermined time (for example, 100 μs). In a case that the controller 31 determines that the state that a continuous time during which the platen roller 29 is not rotating is continued is less than the second predetermined time (S81: NO), the controller 31 returns the processing to step S79. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S79), and repeats the determination of step S81. In a case that the controller 31 determines that the state that the platen roller 29 is not rotating is continued for the second predetermined time, the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position and has stopped (S81: YES). In this case, the controller 31 stops the output of the driving-toward-other-side signal with respect to the motor 77 which has been started by the processing in step S73. The rotation of the shaft 77B of the motor 77 toward the other direction is stopped (S83). Note that the clutch 68 is maintained to be in the connected state.
As described above, the second sensor 42 outputs the rotation amount of the platen roller 29 in a state that the conveyance of the print medium 8 by the external apparatus 100 is stopped and that the clutch 68 is allowed to be in the connected state and the motor 77 is rotated toward the other direction, thereby functioning as a sensor capable of detecting the movement (or stopping) of the moving mechanism 71.
The controller 31 starts the output of the driving-toward-one-direction signal with respect to the motor 77. The shaft 77B of the motor 77 is started to rotate toward the one direction (S85). Since the clutch 68 is maintained in the connected state, the transmitting mechanism 6 transmits the rotation driving force of the motor 77 to the moving mechanism 71. The moving mechanism 71 is moved from the reference position toward the first side.
As depicted in
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The controller 31 calculates the rotating velocity of the shaft 77B based on the driving-toward-other-side signal output to the motor 77 within the third predetermined time after the rotation of the shaft 77B of the motor 77 toward the one direction has been started by the processing of step S85. The controller 31 multiplies the calculated rotation velocity of the shaft 77B by an outputting time during which the driving-toward-other-side signal is output, thereby calculating the rotation amount of the shaft 77B toward the other direction. The controller 31 calculates the rotation amount of the driving shaft 63 based on the calculated rotation amount of the shaft 77B and the ratio of the diameter of the first pulley 64 to the diameter of the second pulley 65. The controller 31 calculates a moving amount (referred to as a “second moving amount M2”) of the moving mechanism 71, based on the calculated rotation amount of the driving shaft 63 and the gear ratio of the rack gear 61 and the gear ratio of the pinion gear 62 (S89).
The controller 31 determines whether the difference between the first moving amount M1 calculated by the processing in step S87 and the second moving amount M2 calculated by the processing in step S89 is not more than a predetermined value (S91). In a case that the controller 31 determines that the difference between the first moving amount M1 and the second moving amount M2 is more than the predetermined value (S91: NO), the controller 31 advances the processing to step S93. In this case, for example, there is possibility that any one of the following phenomena (a) to (c) might occur. Namely:
(a) the motor 77 steps out (provided that the motor 77 is a stepping motor);
(b) a phenomenon that the print medium 8 is slipped with respect to the platen roller 29 to thereby cause idle turning; and
(c) the belt 66 is detached from the first pulley 64 and the second pulley 65.
The controller 31 outputs an error signal, indicating that the moving mechanism 71 is not moved to an intended position, to the external apparatus 100 via the communication I/F 38 (S93). The controller 31 ends the initialization processing and returns the processing to the main processing (see
As depicted in
In a case that the detected signal is the ON signal, the controller 31 determines that the first supporting member 72A is detected by the detector 41A of the first sensor 41 (S105: YES). In this case, the controller 31 advances the processing to step S107. The controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S107). Based on the detected signal, the controller 31 specifies whether or not the platen roller 29 is rotating after the first supporting member 72A has been detected by the detector 41A of the first sensor 41. In a case that the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is rotating, the controller 31 determines that the end part on the second side of the first supporting member 72A of the moving mechanism 71 is continuously moving in the detecting range toward the second side (S109: NO). In this case, the controller 31 returns the processing to step S107. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S107), and repeats the determination of step S109.
In a case that the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is not rotating, the controller 31 further determines whether the state that the platen roller 29 is not rotating is continued for the second predetermined time. In a case that the controller 31 determines that the state that the continuous time during which the platen roller 29 is not rotating is continued is less than the second predetermined time (S109: NO), the controller 31 returns the processing to step S107. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S107), and repeats the determination of step S109. In a case that the controller 31 determines that the state that the platen roller 29 is not rotating is continued for the second predetermined time, the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position and has stopped (S109: YES). In this case, the controller 31 stops the output of the driving-toward-other-side signal with respect to the motor 77 which has been started by the processing in step S101. The rotation of the shaft 77B of the motor 77 toward the other direction is stopped (S111). The controller 31 ends the initialization processing, and returns the processing to the main processing (see
As depicted in
The controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S17), and determines whether the moving mechanism 71 is stopped at the reference position (S19). Note that the controller 31 determines, by the processing of step S109 (see
The controller 31 outputs the switching signal to the clutch 68, so as to allow the clutch 68 to be in the connected state (S21). Note that the controller 31 has already output, to the clutch 68, the switching signal for allowing the clutch 68 to be in the connected state by the processing of step S71 (see
The controller 31 determines whether the controller 31 receives the print signal, output from the external apparatus 100, via the communication I/F 38 (S23). In a case that the controller 31 determines that the controller 31 does not receive the print signal (S23: NO), the controller 31 returns the processing to step S23. The controller 31 repeats the determination whether the controller 31 has received the print signal. The conveyance of the print medium 8 is started by the external apparatus 100. In response to the start of the conveyance of the print medium 8, the eye mark m is detected by the optical sensor 101. The external apparatus 100 outputs the print signal to the printing apparatus 1. In a case that the controller 31 determines that the controller 31 has received the print signal via the communication I/F 38 (S23: YES), the controller 31 starts the printing operation for one block (S25).
The specific of the printing operation is as follows. The controller 31 drives the motors 33 and 34 (see
While the controller 31 is executing the printing operation, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S27). The controller 31 calculates a rotation amount per unit time of the shaft 422 of the rotary encoder 42A based on the detected signal. The controller 31 calculates the rotating velocity of the platen roller 29 based on the calculated rotation amount per unit time of the shaft 422 and the ratio of the diameter of the rotating plate 42B to the diameter of the platen roller 29. The controller 31 calculates the moving velocity at a position, of the print medium 8, at which the print medium 8 makes contact with the platen roller 29, namely the print position velocity Wp, based on the calculated rotation velocity of the platen roller 29 and the diameter of the platen roller 29.
The controller 31 determines whether the calculated print position velocity Wp is not more than the predetermined velocity Vth (S29). In a case that the controller determines that the calculated print position velocity Wp is not more than the predetermined velocity Vth (S29: YES), the controller 31 advances the processing to step S31. The controller 31 starts the output of the driving-toward-one-direction signal to the motor 77 so as to accelerate the print position velocity Wp. The shaft 77B of the motor 77 starts to rotate toward the one direction (S31). Since the clutch 68 is maintained at the connected state (see S21), the transmitting mechanism 6 transmits the rotation driving force of the motor 77 to the moving mechanism 71. The moving mechanism 71 is moved from the reference position toward the first side. Note that the controller 31 adjusts the driving-toward-one-direction signal which is output to the motor 77 such that the moving velocity of the moving mechanism 71 in the case that the moving mechanism 71 is moved toward the one direction becomes not less than ½ the predetermined velocity Vth. The print position velocity Wp becomes greater than the conveyance position velocity Wt, and is accelerated until the print position velocity Wp becomes not less than the predetermined velocity Vth. The controller 31 advances the processing to step S33. On the other hand, in a case that the controller 31 determines that the calculated print position velocity Wp is greater than the predetermined velocity Vth (S29: NO), the controller 31 advances the processing to step S33.
The controller 31 determines whether the printing operation for one block has been ended (S33). In a case that the controller 31 determines that the printing operation for one block has not been ended (S33: NO), the controller 31 returns the processing to step S27. After the first predetermined time has passed, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S27), and repeats the determination of step S29.
In a case that the printing operation for one block has been ended (S33: YES), the controller 31 stops the heating of the thermal head 28. The controller 31 moves the thermal head 28 from the print position 28A up to the print stand-by position 28B. The controller 31 stops the rotations of the shafts 21 and 22 to thereby stop the conveyance of the ink ribbon 9 (see
As depicted in
The controller 31 obtains the print position velocity Wp calculated during the execution of the printing processing. Here, idealistically, the print position velocity Wp becomes a value obtained by adding, to the conveyance position velocity Wt, a value obtained by doubling the moving velocity of the moving mechanism 71 (hereinafter referred to as an “assumed velocity”). The controller 31 determines whether the obtained print position velocity Wp is not less than the assumed velocity (S53). In a case that the controller 31 determines that the print position velocity Wp is less than the assumed velocity (S53: NO), the controller 31 advances the processing to step S61. In this case, the moving velocity of the moving mechanism 71 calculated based on the signal output from the second sensor 42 consequently does not correspond to the moving velocity of the moving mechanism 71 calculated based on the rotating velocity of the motor 77. In this case, for example, there is possibility that any one of the above-described phenomena (a) to (c) might occur. In such a case, the controller 31 outputs the error signal, indicating that the moving mechanism 71 is not moved to the intended position, to the external apparatus 100 via the communication I/F 38 (S61). The controller 31 returns the processing to step S13 (see
On the other hand, in a case that the controller 31 determines that the obtained print position velocity Wp is not less than the assumed velocity (S53: YES), the controller 31 advances the processing to step S55.
The controller 31 outputs the switching signal to the clutch 68 and allows the clutch 68 to be in the cutoff state (S55). In a case that the controller 31 has started the rotation of the shaft 77B of the motor 77 by the processing of step S31 (see
The controller 31 determines whether an operation for switching off the power source of the printing apparatus 1 is executed (S59). In a case that the controller 31 determines that the operation for switching off the power source of the printing apparatus 1 is executed (S59: YES), the controller 31 ends the main processing. In a case that the controller 31 determines that the operation for switching off the power source of the printing apparatus 1 is not executed (S59: NO), the controller 31 returns the processing to step S13 (See
As depicted in
The controller 31 detects the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S17). The controller 31 specifies, based on the detected signal, whether or not the platen roller 29 is rotating after the first supporting member 72A has been detected by the detector 41A of the first sensor 41. In a case that the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is not rotating (S19: NO), the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 is continuously moving toward the second side (S19: NO). Namely, the moving mechanism 71 has not reached the reference position. In this case, the controller 31 advances the processing to step S43. An explanation about step S43 will be given later on.
In a case that the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is rotating, the controller 31 further determines whether the state that the platen roller 29 is rotating is continued for the second predetermined time. In a case that the controller 31 determines that the state that a continuous time during which the platen roller 29 is rotating is continued is less than the second predetermined time (S19: NO), the controller 31 advances the processing to step S43. The explanation about step S43 will be given later on.
In a case that the controller 31 determines that the state that the platen roller 29 is rotating is continued for the second predetermined time, the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position and has stopped (S19: YES) (see
On the other hand, in a case that the controller 31 determines that the first supporting member 72A is not detected by the detector 41A of the first sensor 41 (S15: NO), or a continuous time during which the state that the platen roller 29 is rotating after the first supporting member 72A has been detected by the detector 41A is continued is less than the second predetermined time (S19: NO), the controller 31 determines whether the controller 31 has received the print signal, output from the external apparatus 100, via the communication I/F 38 (S43). In a case that the controller 31 determines that the controller 31 has not received the print signal (S43: NO), the controller 31 returns the processing to step S13.
On the other hand, in a case that the controller 31 determines that the controller 31 has received the print signal via the communication I/F 38 (S43: YES), the controller 31 advances the processing to step S45. In this case, consequently, the eye mark m is detected by the external apparatus 100 in a state that the moving mechanism 71 is not arranged at the reference position. In this case, there is such a possibility that it might not be possible to print the print image at a desired position in the print medium 8. The controller 31 outputs an error signal, indicating that the moving mechanism 71 is not arranged at the reference position, to the external apparatus 100 via the communication I/F 38 (S45). The controller 31 returns the processing to step S13.
<Main Effects of the Embodiment>
The printing apparatus 1 controls the print position velocity Wp, which is the moving velocity of the print medium 8 at a position of the platen roller 29, by moving the moving mechanism 71 toward the first side or the second side along the left-right direction. The printing apparatus 1 is provided with the first sensor 41 having the detector 41A and the second sensor 42 outputting a signal in accordance with the rotation amount of the platen roller 29. The controller 31 is capable of determining whether the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position, based on the signals output from the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42, respectively (S15: YES, S19: YES). In a case that the printing apparatus 1 receives the print signal from the external apparatus 100 in the state that the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position, the printing apparatus 1 causes the printing section 2 to start the printing operation (S25). Accordingly, the printing apparatus 1 is capable of printing an image at a desired position of the print medium 8, with a high precision.
On the other hand, in a case that the moving mechanism 71 is not arranged at the reference position (S15: NO, S19: NO), there is such a possibility that, if the printing operation is executed in such a state, the print image G might be printed at a position deviated or shifted from the desired position of the print medium 8. In view of this, the printing apparatus 1 transmits the error signal in a case that the printing apparatus 1 receives the print signal from the external apparatus 100 (S45). In such a manner, the printing apparatus 1 notifies the user of the state that the moving mechanism 71 is not arranged at the reference position so as to make it possible to notify the user of such a state that the printing cannot be executed at the desired position of the print medium 8.
The detector 41A of the first sensor 41 detects the proximity or the contact of the first supporting member 72A in the detecting range. There is such a case that the boundary position on the first side of the detecting range of the detector 41A is arranged at any position between the reference position Sb and a position which is separated away from the reference position Sb toward the first side by a predetermined length. Due to this, in a case that the moving mechanism 71 is moved to the second side, there is such a possibility that even after the first detector 41A detects the end on the second side of the first supporting member 72A, the moving mechanism 71 has not reached the reference position and might be still moving toward the second side. On the other hand, in a case that the moving mechanism 71 is determined to be not moving, based on the signal output from the second sensor 42, this indicates that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position and is stopped at the reference position. Accordingly, by using the first and second sensors 41 and 42, the printing apparatus 1 is capable of detecting, with a higher precision, that the moving mechanism 71 is located at the reference position. Accordingly, the printing apparatus 1 is capable of printing the print image G at the desired position of the print medium 8, with high precision.
The printing apparatus 1 is capable of specifying the rotation amount of the platen roller 29 and of specifying the movement (the moving amount, the moving velocity, the presence or absence of the movement) of the moving mechanism 71, based on the signal which is output from the second sensor 42 in accordance with the movement of the moving mechanism 71.
The transmitting mechanism 6 has the clutch 68 interposed between the motor 77 and the driving shaft 63. The clutch 68 is switched between the connected state in which the rotation driving force of the motor 77 is transmitted to the driving shaft 63 and the cutoff state in which the rotation driving force of the motor 77 is not transmitted to the driving shaft 63. Accordingly, for example, the printing apparatus 1 is capable of providing the state that the movement of the moving mechanism 71 is allowed by allowing the clutch 68 in the connected state, and of providing the state that the moving mechanism 71 is freely movable by allowing the clutch 68 to be in the cutoff state. Accordingly, the printing apparatus 1 cuts off the clutch 68 (allows the clutch 68 to be in a cutoff state) to thereby allows the moving mechanism 71 to be in a freely movable state (S55), thereby making it possible to move the moving mechanism 71 toward the second side with the force received by the moving mechanism 71 from the print medium 8 (see
The controller 31 obtains the print position velocity Wp which is calculated while the controller 31 is executing the printing processing. Here, there is such a possibility that the print position velocity Wp becomes not more than the predetermined velocity Vth, under a condition that the print position velocity Wp does not become a value which is not less than the value (assumed velocity) which is obtained by adding, to the conveyance position velocity Wt, the value obtained by doubling the moving velocity of the moving mechanism 71 (S53: NO). In this case, there is such a possibility that the printing apparatus 1 might not be able to print the print image G with a satisfactory quality, due to occurrence of any bleeding and/or faintness of the ink, etc. Accordingly, the controller 31 outputs the error signal indicating the occurrence of such a state that the control of the movement of the moving mechanism 71 is not performed appropriately and that any printing with a satisfactory quality cannot be performed, to the external apparatus 100 via the connection I/F 38 (S61). By doing so, the printing apparatus 1 is capable of notifying the external apparatus 100 of the occurrence of the state that the printing cannot be performed at the specified position of the print medium 8.
<Modifications>
The present disclosure is not limited to or restricted by the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made to the present disclosure. A plate-shaped platen may be provided, instead of the platen roller 29. In this case, in order that intermittent printing can be performed, it is desired that a guide configured to guide the thermal head 28 in the left-right direction, and a moving mechanism and a motor configured to move the thermal head 28 along the guide are provided on the inside of the casing 2A. For example, a linear encoder capable of directly specifying the position in the left-right direction of the moving mechanism 71 may be provided, instead of the second sensor 42. The linear encoder may have a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element, and a scale having a linear shape. For example, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element may be provided on a front surface of the first supporting member 72A, namely, a surface, of the first supporting member 72A, which faces the first facing surface 13A of the first side wall 13. The scale may be provided on the first facing surface 13A of the first side wall 13. A light emitted from the light-emitting element may be reflected off the scale, and may be received by the light-receiving element. The linear encoder may specify the moving amount, of the first supporting member 72A, from the reference position with respect to the first side wall 13, based on the reflected light received by the light-receiving element. The controller 31 may specify the position of the moving mechanism 71, based on the specified moving amount from the reference position. The optical sensor 101 of the external apparatus 100 may be arranged to be adjacent to at any one of: a part or portion, of the medium path P, on the upstream side with respect to a position at which the medium path P makes contact with the guide roller 76A (see
The transmitting mechanism 6 may rotate the platen roller 29 by transmitting the rotation driving force to the platen roller 29. In this case, the conveying section 7 preferably has a nip roller making contact with the platen roller 29. For example, as depicted in
In a case that the controller 31 specifies that the platen roller 29 is rotating based on the signal output from the second sensor 42, the controller 31 further determines whether or not the state that the platen roller 29 is rotating is continued for the second predetermined time. In a case that the controller 31 determines that the state that a continuous time during which the platen roller 29 is rotating is continued for the second predetermined time (S19: YES), the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position and has stopped (S19: YES). In view of this, in a case that the platen roller 29 is rotating, the controller 31 may determine that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position and has stopped, regardless of the continuous time during which the state that the platen roller 29 is rotating is continued.
The controller 31 may execute the determining processings as to whether the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position (steps S15 to S19), in response to the receipt of the print signal from the external apparatus 100. In this case, the controller 31 may cause the printing section 2 to execute the printing operation (S25), under a condition that the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position (S15: YES, S19: YES); the controller 31 may output the error signal to the external apparatus 100 (S45), under a condition that the controller 31 determines that the moving mechanism 71 is not arranged at the reference position (S15: NO, S19: NO).
The second sensor 42 may be disposed in the vicinity of the third roller 76C or the fourth roller 76D. The circumferential end part or portion of the rotating plate 42B of the second sensor 42 may make contact with the circumferential surface of the third roller 76C or the fourth roller 76D. The second sensor 42 may output a signal in accordance with the rotation of the third roller 76C or the fourth roller 76D to the controller 31. Note that the each of the third roller 76C and the fourth roller 76D is located between the first roller 73A and the second roller 73B in the medium path P. Accordingly, in a case that the print medium 8 is moved by the movement of the moving mechanism 71, each of the third roller 76C and the fourth roller 76D is rotated by the friction between itself and the print medium 8. Accordingly, even in a case that the second sensor 42 is attached to the third roller 76C or the fourth roller 76D, the second sensor 42 is capable of outputting the signal in accordance with the movement of the moving mechanism 71. Further, the ratio of the diameter of the third roller 76C or the fourth roller 76D to the diameter of the platen roller 29 is already known. Thus, it can be said that, even in a case that the second sensor 42 is attached to the third roller 76C or the fourth roller 76D, the second sensor 42 is capable of indirectly detecting the rotation amount of the platen roller 29 to thereby output the signal in accordance with the rotation amount of the platen roller 29.
The second sensor 42 outputs the signal in accordance with the rotation amount of the platen roller 29, thereby functioning as a sensor capable of detecting the movement (the moving amount, the moving velocity, the presence or absence of the movement) of the moving mechanism 71. Namely, the second sensor 42 indirectly specifies the movement of the moving mechanism 71 by detecting the rotation amount of the platen roller 29. In view of this, for example as depicted in
As described above, the rotary encoder 43 outputs the signal in accordance with the rotation of the driving shaft 63. Since the rotation of the driving shaft 63 corresponds to the movement of the moving mechanism 71, it can be said that the signal from the rotary encoder 43 is a signal corresponding to the movement of the moving mechanism 71. Accordingly, the printing apparatus 1 is capable of specifying the movement of the moving mechanism 71 by specifying the rotating amount of the driving shaft 63, based on the signal from the rotary encoder 43.
Further, the controller 31 may calculate a displacing amount of the displacement of the moving mechanism 71, from a case with the reference position as the reference, based on the signal output from any one of the second sensor 42 and the rotary encoder 43. The controller 31 may specify the position of the moving mechanism 71 within the moving range S, based on the calculated displacement amount. The controller 31 may determine whether the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position, based on the specified position of the moving mechanism 71. Further in this case, a position which is different from the end on the second side in the moving range S (for example, the center in the left-right direction of the moving range S) may be made to be the reference position. The controller 31 may determine whether or not the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position, based on the specified position of the moving mechanism 71 (S45). In this case, it is allowable that the detector 41A of the first sensor 41 is not arranged at the end on the second side of the moving range S.
The controller 31 may determine whether the moving mechanism 71 is in the state of being arranged at the reference position, based only on the signal output from the first sensor 41. In this case, for example, the controller 31 may execute the processing in each of steps S13 and S15, as follows. Namely, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the first sensor 41 (S13); in a case that the output signal is the ON signal (S15: YES), then after the second predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 31 may determine that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position (S19: YES). Further, the controller 31 may execute the processing in each of steps S75 and S77, as follows. Namely, the controller 31 detects the signal output from the first sensor 41 (S75); in a case that the output signal is the ON signal (S77: YES), then after the second predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 31 may determine that the moving mechanism 71 has reached the reference position (S81: YES). Note that in a case that the end on the second side of the first supporting member 72A is detected by the detector 41A of the first sensor 41 while the moving mechanism 71 is being moved toward the second side, there is a high possibility that the moving mechanism 71 might reach the reference position after elapse of the second predetermined time. Accordingly, by performing the determination as described above, the printing apparatus 1 is capable of easily detecting that the moving mechanism 71 is arranged at the reference position, without using the second sensor 42.
It is allowable that the printing apparatus 1 does not have the clutch 68. It is allowable that the driving shaft 63 and the first pulley 64 are always in a state of being connected to each other. Namely, the printing apparatus 1 may be in such a state that the moving mechanism 71 is always in the movable state by the rotation driving force of the motor 77 via the transmitting mechanism 6 (the rack gear 61, the pinion gear 62, the driving shaft 63, the first pulley 64, the second pulley 65, and the belt 66). Further, after the ending of the printing operation for the print image G(i-1) and until the start of the printing operation for the print image (G) which is to be printed next to the print image G(i-1), the printing apparatus 1 may move the moving mechanism 71 toward the second side by rotating the motor 77 toward the other direction.
After the ending of the printing operation (S33: YES) the controller 31 determines the relationship between the moving velocity of the moving mechanism 71 calculated based on the driving-toward-one-direction signal output to the motor 77 (S51) and the print position velocity Wp calculated based on the signal output from the second sensor 42 (S53). In view of this, the controller 31 may determine the relationship between the moving amount of the moving mechanism 71 calculated based on the driving-toward-one-direction signal output to the motor 77 and the moving amount of the print medium 8 calculated based on the signal output from the second sensor 42.
The controller, the storing section, the operating section and the connection I/F may be provided, on the printing apparatus 1, as a control unit as a separate body from the casing 2A. In this case, a connection I/F may be provided also on the casing 2A, and may communicate with the connection I/F of the above-described control unit. Namely, the controller of the control unit may control the printing section 2 and the conveying section 7 which are connected to the control unit via the connection I/F. Further, the communication I/F 38 configured to communicate with the external apparatus 100 may be provided on the conveying section 7.
The first sensor 41 is provided on the end on the second side of the moving range S of the moving mechanism 71. More specifically, the first sensor 41 is provided at such a position that the reference position Sb is included within the detecting range of the detector 41A. In view of this, the position at which the first sensor 41 is arranged may be appropriately changed within the range satisfying the condition that the reference position Sb is included in the detecting range of the detector 41A. Accordingly, it is allowable that for example, a part or portion, of the first sensor 41, which is different from the detector 41A is not arranged at the end on the second side of the moving range S of the moving mechanism 71.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-107707 | May 2017 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4100012 | Meihofer | Jul 1978 | A |
| 6036382 | Middleton | Mar 2000 | A |
| 7226226 | Troman | Jun 2007 | B2 |
| 8454251 | Bhatia et al. | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8801306 | Lakin | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 20180354279 | Hojo | Dec 2018 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2001-270205 | Oct 2001 | JP |
| 2015-199205 | Nov 2015 | JP |
| 5935042 | Jun 2016 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180345699 A1 | Dec 2018 | US |
