CN1106944C - Print-head diagnosis device for printer and diagnosis method for print-head - Google Patents

Print-head diagnosis device for printer and diagnosis method for print-head Download PDF

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Publication number
CN1106944C
CN1106944C CN99111863A CN99111863A CN1106944C CN 1106944 C CN1106944 C CN 1106944C CN 99111863 A CN99111863 A CN 99111863A CN 99111863 A CN99111863 A CN 99111863A CN 1106944 C CN1106944 C CN 1106944C
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
resistive element
heating resistive
resistance value
thermal printer
calculation
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Expired - Fee Related
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CN99111863A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN1243068A (en
Inventor
高野洋明
小林洋一
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Sony Corp
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Sony Corp
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Publication of CN1243068A publication Critical patent/CN1243068A/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • B41J2/35—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads providing current or voltage to the thermal head
    • B41J2/355—Control circuits for heating-element selection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • B41J29/393—Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns

Abstract

In a head diagnosis apparatus and the head diagnosis method for diagnosing the condition of a thermal head, after measuring the resistance value of a plurality of heat generation resistive elements arranged on a head surface of the thermal head, a change amount of the resistance value of each heat generation resistive element is calculated on the basis of the resistance value of each heat generation resistive element measured in the past and the resistance value of each heat generation resistive element measured at the current time. An electrification state of each heat generation resistive element is judged on the basis of the calculation result, and the thermal head is diagnosed to see whether it is good or bad in accordance with the determination result, thereby permitting the diagnosis on the condition of the thermal head before actually entering a printing stage.

Description

The printhead diagnostic device of printer and printhead diagnostic method
The present invention relates to the printhead diagnostic device and the printhead diagnostic method of printer, relate in particular to color printer with thermal recording system.
Above-mentioned this color printer comprises a thermal printer head, and it has a plurality of heaters that are in line on its print head surface perpendicular to the printing paper page orientation.Thermal printer head is pressed on the reel, and colour band and printing paper are between between the two.In this state, each heater electrifies selectively according to predetermined image printing signal, produces heat from selected heater, and the various pigment heat that it will be coated on the colour band are transferred on the printing paper surface.Adopt this method chromatic image can be printed on the printing paper surface.
Yet, in aforesaid traditional color printer, when thermal printer head when on its print head surface, being subjected to outer damage or electric fault during the hot transfer operation, being arranged in the lip-deep a plurality of heaters of thermal printer head has some still to stay open when they should be closed.This can stop flowing of electric current, perhaps causes short circuit, allows electric current continue to flow.
In this case, behind hot transfer operation, on printing paper, can stay white line along its page orientation, on the idle relevant position of heater, form, perhaps stay black line, always flow through electric current and cause and form on the relevant position that connects febrile state at heater along its page orientation.
Therefore, if the operator finds out any printing error on the printing paper, the operator need check the situation of thermal printer head, so substitute bad thermal printer head with a new printhead.Yet when utilizing this traditional color printer to print in enormous quantities automatically, any fault of thermal printer head will cause causing on a large amount of printing papers prints error.This causes that just the manufacturer suffers the loss of a large amount of printing papers.
Consider above-mentioned situation, the purpose of this invention is to provide and a kind ofly can prevent to print the printhead diagnostic device and the printhead diagnostic method of makeing mistakes effectively.
Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention and other purpose are by providing a kind of like this printhead diagnostic device of thermal printer head situation of diagnosing to realize that this device comprises: measure the measurement mechanism that is arranged in the resistance value of a plurality of heating resistive elements on the thermal printer head surface respectively; The storage device of the resistance value of each heating resistive element that storage is recorded by measurement mechanism; The resistance value of each heating resistive element that records according to the resistance value that is stored in each heating resistive element in the storage device that records in the past with by measurement mechanism is calculated the calculation element of variable quantity of the resistance value of each heating resistive element; Judge the diagnostic device that plays electricity condition of each heating resistive element according to the result of calculation of calculation element, according to the situation of judging conclusion diagnosis thermal printer head.
As a result, actual entering can judge that each heating resistive element is in the normal electricity condition that rises at present before the printing stage, still currently presents the unusual electricity condition that rises, and perhaps whether produces fault future probably.
In addition, in the present invention, diagnose the printhead diagnostic method measurement of hot transfer printing situation to be arranged in the resistance value of the lip-deep a plurality of heating resistive elements of thermal printer head, calculate the variable quantity of the resistance value of each heating resistive element then according to the resistance value of the resistance value of each heating resistive element that records in the past and current each heating resistive element that records, judge the electricity condition that rises of each heating resistive element according to result of calculation, according to the situation of judging conclusion diagnosis thermal printer head.
As a result, can judge that actual each heating resistive element is in the normal electricity condition that rises at present before entering the printing stage, still currently present the unusual electricity condition that rises, perhaps whether produce fault future probably.
From the detailed description of doing below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, it is clearer that feature of the present invention, principle and purposes will become, and in the accompanying drawings, similar parts adopt similar reference number or symbolic representation.In the accompanying drawing:
Fig. 1 is the floor map and the sectional view of explanation thermal printer head structure.
Fig. 2 shows that diaphragm suffers the sectional view of the thermal printer head shown in Figure 1 of slight crack.
Fig. 3 is the sectional view of the thermal printer head shown in Figure 1 that shows that diaphragm gets shocked.
Fig. 4 shows the resistance value of heating resistive element and the curve map that concerns between the time.
Fig. 5 is the side schematic view that shows according to the card puncher structure of an embodiment
Fig. 6 is the schematic diagram of explanation colour band.
Fig. 7 is the block diagram that shows the circuit structure of chromatic image print member.
Fig. 8 is the block diagram that shows the internal structure of thermal printer head.
Fig. 9 is the block diagram that shows the structure of the deagnostic package of printhead shown in Fig. 7.
Figure 10 is the block diagram that shows the structure of printhead deagnostic package among Fig. 9 in detail.
Figure 11 shows the resistance value of heating resistive element and based on graph of a relation between the voltage of differential voltage data.
Figure 12 is the flow chart of explanation printhead diagnostic process process.
Figure 13 is the flow chart of explanation printhead diagnostic process process.
Preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Usually, shown in Figure 1A, thermal printer head 1 has a plurality of heater 2A to 2N (N is a predetermined number) that are arranged in delegation on the print head surface 1A perpendicular to printing paper (not shown) page orientation.Each heater 2A to 2N has a heating resistive element 5 on the protruding glassy layer 4 that is layered on the ceramic substrate 3, shown in the sectional view that the line A-A ' along print head surface 1A among Figure 1B intercepts.The diaphragm 7 that heating resistive element 5 is made by glass material with the electrode 6 that forms on the one end and the other end covers.
If there is relatively harder dust etc. to drop between the surperficial 1A and reel (not shown) of thermal printer head 1; can make the heater 2A to 2N on the print head surface 1A slight crack occur; can suffer as shown in Figure 2 slight crack 7A corresponding to the diaphragm 7 of the heater 2A to 2N at slight crack position, heating resistive element changes its resistance value.When any one heater 2A to 2N seriously splits, relevant heating resistive element 5 open circuits, interruptive current flows, and causes staying on printing paper a white line along its page orientation.
On the other hand, if when generation static causes electric shock on the surperficial 1A at thermal printer head 1 during the printing, the diaphragm 7 by heater 2A to 2N forms a pin hole 7B who is run through by electric shock possibly, as shown in Figure 3.In this case, owing to moisture, ion etc. can be in the pin hole 7B of diaphragm 7, heating resistive element 5 changes its resistance values.If produce stronger electric shock, electric current flow in the heating resistive element 5 always, causes staying on printing paper a black line along its page orientation.
Here, Fig. 4 illustrates the resistance value of heating resistive element 5 and the relation between the time variation.In Fig. 4, the characteristic curve F1 of heating resistive element 5 has that heating resistive element 5 resistance values are the feature of R0 when time T 0, once As time goes on reduces, and progressively increases then.
In fact, if any one heater 2A to 2N splits in time T 1, open wide its heating resistive element 5, the resistance value of heating resistive element 5 increases slightly, causes on characteristic curve F1 slightly to move, and causes characteristic curve F1A.On the other hand, if heater 2A to 2N produces electric shock in time T 1, make heating resistive element 5 short circuits, the resistance value of heating resistive element 5 reduces slightly, causes that characteristic curve F1 moves down slightly, causes characteristic curve F1B.
Therefore, the increase of the resistance value by detecting heating resistive element 5 or reduce and to judge whether heating resistive element 5 presents the unusual electricity condition that rises, thereby the situation of diagnosis thermal printer head 1.
(2) ordinary construction of card puncher
In Fig. 5, use card puncher of the present invention and totally represent by reference number 10.From the card slot 11A of shell 11 be inserted into card stock 13 card puncher by rolling barrel 12A, 12B by card vehicle 14 along delivery path CR delivery.
The card stock 13 of Shi Yonging meets the standard of so-called International Organization for Standardization in the present embodiment.Specifically, card stock 13 has magnetic stripe and integrated circuit (IC) memory that embeds in the opposite side of edge one a side formation longitudinally on the close precalculated position of card stock 13 front ends.
Card vehicle 14 is made up of the first and second delivery part 14A, the 14B that are arranged on reel 15 front sides and rear side along delivery path CR.The one the second delivery part 14A, 14B provide four couples of delivery cylinder 16A to 19A and 16B to 19B, and they are installed in respectively along on the rotating shaft of delivery path CR with predetermined interval.
The delivery cylinder 16A to 19A on top is according to rotate on the identical direction of being rotated in of drive motors (not shown) interrelatedly, and the delivery cylinder 16B to 19B of bottom keeps contacting with respective upper delivery cylinder 16A to 19A, so that the delivery cylinder 16B to 19B of bottom rotates on the direction opposite with top delivery cylinder 16A to 19A rotation.Adopt aforesaid structure, the card stock 13 that is inserted between upper and lower delivery cylinder 16A to 19A and the 16B to 19B transports along delivery path CR forward or backward according to the rotation of top delivery cylinder 16A to 19A.
On precalculated position relative above the card vehicle 14, a chromatic image printing portion 20 is set with reel 15.In chromatic image printing portion 20, the printhead clamping device 22 that comprises printhead part 21 can stretch out on the thermal printer head 23 that is supported on printhead part 21 front ends is pressed in the direction of reel 15 and leave at thermal printer head 23 on the direction of reel 15 withdraws.
In fact, printhead clamping device 22 is by forming with the cam 25 of printhead motor (not shown) driving shaft 24 rotations with the linkage of these cam 25 engagements, this linkage comprises shift member 28, connecting elements 29 and supporting member 30, and rotating shaft 26,27 is as fixedly connected.
Therefore, in this printhead clamping device 22, the linkage 26 to 30 that meshes with cam 25 stretches out in response to the driving effect of printhead motor in printing model, so that thermal printer head is pressed on the reel 15.After stopping printing model, withdraw in response to the driving effect of printhead motor with the linkage 26 to 30 of cam 25 engagements, so that thermal printer head is left from reel 15.
In the image printing pattern, chromatic image printing portion 20 drives printhead clamping devices 22 thermal printer head 23 is pressed on the reel 15 with the roll shape colour band 33 that is supported by supply reel 31 and take-up spool 32, is positioned at card stock 13 on the reel 15 between between the two.Then, the image printing signal according to predetermined heated thermal printer head in this stage, and the printing ink heat on the colour band 33 is transferred on the side of card stock 13.
In this case, roll shape colour band 33 is accommodated in the ribbon cartridge 34.By a box insertion groove (not shown) that forms on the sidewall of shell 11 ribbon cartridge 34 of packing into, it can move between chromatic image printing portion 20 and reel 15.
Colour band 33 comprises the color pigment of yellow Y, pinkish red M, blue or green C and black K, and each pigment is coated on the colour band of one section predetermined length, as a kind of pigment of a slice card stock 13, then is diaphragm L, as shown in Figure 6.In addition, for each page colour band 33, on print head position, be printed on a predetermined sign (not shown), so that detect the print head position that this sign can be determined colour band 33 by the optical pickocff (not shown) that is arranged on colour band 33 tape paths.
Supply reel provides a torque limiter (not shown), during rotation applies a pre-determined torque, so that apply a back tension always for colour band 33.In addition, an optical pickocff (not shown) is set near supply reel 31, detects the diameter of roll shape colour band 33.By detecting the tension force of colour band 33, can control the reeling condition of take-up spool.
Under the delivery path CR in the second vehicle 14B, a magnetic recording/reconstructing portion 40 is set.Magnetic head 41 is exposed on the delivery path CR, so that only locate shoulder to shoulder with the delivery cylinder 18B of bottom and contact with the delivery cylinder 18A on top at record and return period.Magnetic head At All Other Times 41 beyond between record and reproduction is hidden under the delivery path CR.
Therefore, magnetic recording/reconstructing portion 40 is recorded in information on the magnetic stripe (not shown) that forms on card stock 13 1 sides with the magnetic head 41 that is exposed on the delivery path CR based on the predetermined recording signal.Then, magnetic recording/reconstructing portion 40 is reappeared the information that is write down, and whether finds any record mistake to judge on magnetic stripe.
Along the existence of the card stock 13 of delivery path CR delivery whether chopping the light type optical pickocff 42,43,44 is arranged on the front side of the first delivery part 14A and the place ahead of the rear side and the second delivery part 14B, so that can detect.
After the second vehicle 14B and the card of shell 11 unload near the draw-in groove 11B, along delivery path CR be provided with one the rotation vehicle 45.Rotation vehicle 45 has a rotating mechanism 46 that is bearing on the rotating shaft 47, and it can be at arrow rThe direction of expression or rotation in the opposite direction.Rotating mechanism 46 comprises first couple of kink cylinder 48A, 48B and second couple of kink cylinder 49A, 49B.Each to cylinder can with keep and between them rotating shaft 47 symmetric positions do any rotation.
Kink cylinder 48A, 49A up rotating each spinning on the corresponding to equidirectional with the drive motors (not shown).Kink cylinder 48B, the 49B of below is pressed on corresponding kink cylinder 48A, the 49A of top separately, rotates on the direction opposite with kink cylinder 48A, 49A rotation.Adopt above-mentioned structure, be inserted between first couple of kink cylinder 48A, the 48B and/or second couple of kink cylinder 49A, 49B between card stock 13 transport forward or backward according to being rotated on the CR of vehicle path of kink cylinder 48A, 49A of top.
Adopt this method, rotation vehicle 45 maintains the card stocks 13 that transport from the second delivery part 14B the rotating mechanism 46, and make rotating mechanism 46 with maintain the last card stock 13 of wherein predetermined angular distance according to rotating mechanism 46 location need be by arrow rRotate on the direction of expression or the rightabout, so that on the predetermined direction definite, send card stock 13 by the location.
Near rotation vehicle 45, an IC recording part 50 is set.When the card slot 50A that is inserted into IC recording part 50 from the card stock 13 sent of rotation vehicle 45, the IC memory (not shown) that is arranged on card stock 13 opposite sides contacts with the interface connector (not shown).As a result, IC recording part 50 is reappeared the information that is write down then based on the predetermined recording signal and recorded information, whether finds any record mistake to judge in the IC memory.
The pallet 51 of a unacceptable card is set near rotation vehicle 45.Be determined in magnetic recording/reconstructing portion 40 or in IC recording part 50, find to have the card stock 13 of record mistake to be discharged into the unacceptable card pallet 52 from rotation vehicle 45 by insertion groove 51A.
On the contrary, the rotation vehicle 45 be defined in magnetic recording/reconstructing portion 40 or in IC recording part 50, find no the record mistake card stock 13 by shell 11 unload draw-in groove 11B be sent to the outside card pallet (not shown) in.
In addition, first optical pickocff 52 and second optical pickocff 53, the two is the chopping the light type, be arranged on outside first couple of kink cylinder 48A, the 48B and second pair of kink cylinder 49A, 49B outside (being that the two is all on the centrifugal direction of rotating shaft 47), whether the existence of detection edge delivery path CR transmission card stock 13 so far respectively.
As a reference, in this card puncher 10, card vehicle 14, chromatic image printing portion 20, magnetic recording/reconstructing portion 40, rotation vehicle 45 and IC recording part 50 drive with predetermined state according to the control of CPU 61 separately, CPU will describe below in response to the instruction of master computer 60 (Fig. 7).
(3) print processing in the chromatic image print member
Fig. 7 illustrates the circuit structure of colour print part 20.When by interface (I/F) 62 and computer interface (C/I) driver 63 when master computer 60 provides predetermined image printing data Dp, Memory Controller Hub 64 according to the control of CPU61 a frame image print data part D CPBe written in the corresponding frame memory 65 to 69, as chromatic image print data, D PY(yellow Y), D PM(pinkish red M), D PC(blue or green C) and D PK(black K) is corresponding to corresponding color, and lamination data D PL(diaphragm L).
Then, Memory Controller Hub 64 is read chromatic image print data D according to the control of CPU with scheduled timing from frame memory 65 to 69 separately PY, D PM, D PC, D PKWith lamination data D PLThen, chromatic image is printed number D PY, D PM, D PCSend to adjustment of color part 70 to 72 respectively, chromatic image print data D PKWith lamination data D PLSend to the input separately of selector 73.
Adjustment of color part 70 to 73 provides a color conversion table (not shown) with standard picture print characteristic of every kind of color, they carry out the adjustment of color of every kind of color according to adjustment curve before and after colored matching treatment, with the chromatic image print data D that produces PY1, D PM1, D PC1Send to masked portion 74.
The chromatic image print data D of masked portion 74 from providing PY1, D PM1, D PC1In isolate unwanted data, with the chromatic image print data D that produces PY2, D PM2, D PC2Send to other input of selector 73.
Selector 73 according to the control of CPU 61 in turn will offer it from each chromatic image print data D PY2, D PM2, D PCAnd D PKWith lamination data D PLSelected as required data send to gamma correction part 75.Gamma correction part 75 is used the predetermined thermal correction coefficient of having set to carry out the intensity of colour time of electrifying based on the control of CPU 61 and is changed, the print image data D that produces by conversion TOffer print head controller 76.
Be arranged on print head controller 76 in the printhead clamping device 22 with print image data D TBe converted to current signal D I, provide it to thermal printer head 23 then.As a result, be arranged in a plurality of heating resistive elements on the thermal printer head 23 head surface (not shown) according to current signal D IBe heated.Therefore, chromatic image printing portion 20 can be according to image printing data D PMake the head surface heating of thermal printer head 23, according to the printhead through heating on card stock 13 1 sides or the opposite side, according to image printing data D PPrint required chromatic image.
By the driving of control mechanical control device 77, comprise cam 25 and linkage 26 to 30 described in Fig. 5, CPU 61 can make in the printhead part 22 thermal printer head 23 near or move away from reel 15.CPU 61 also delivers to each circuit by bus 78 with control instruction.
Except above-mentioned structure, the chromatic image printing portion also provides a printhead diagnosis part 80 between CPU 61 and thermal printer head 23.Printhead diagnosis part 80 is measured the resistance value of each heating resistive element that is arranged at a plurality of heater (not shown) on thermal printer head 23 head surfaces seriatim successively, thereby can judge whether the resistance value of each heating resistive element is normal according to measurement result.
CPU 61 at first delivers to switching signal S1 printhead diagnosis part 80, selectively printhead is diagnosed part 80 to switch to printing model or printhead diagnostic mode.In this case, selective printing head diagnostic mode, the print head controller 76 setting data D that will electrify EDeliver to thermal printer head 23, measure resistance value seriatim successively corresponding to the heating resistive element of each thermal printer head 23 heaters according to the control of CPU 61.
As shown in Figure 8, thermal printer head 23 has a plurality of heater 23H on head surface 1To 23H N(N for example equals 640).Heater 23H 1To 23H NBe connected to a plurality of register 91R by latch circuit 90 1To 91R N, they constitute a tandem type shift register.
Image printing data D IBe stored in 91R in a plurality of registers seriatim successively 1To 91R N, with the clock CL synchronised of input.As image printing data D IAll register 91R have been stored in 1To 91R NWhen middle, 91R 1To 91R NWhole output-parallels offer latch circuit 90.
Each heater 23H 1To 23H NBy heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NBe connected to a common source 94, heating resistive element comprises transistor 92Q separately 1To 92Q N, each transistor has a colelctor electrode that is connected to loading resistor.All emitter stages are connected to the common port (not shown) in the printhead diagnosis part 80.Base stage is respectively by loading resistor 95R 1To 95R NBe connected to each output stage of latch circuit 90.
The setting data D that electrifies that is provided by print head controller 76 is being provided latch circuit 90 EIn time, in turn electrifies and is connected heater 23H seriatim I(1≤I≤N) and register 91R IBetween, conducting heater 23H in turn thus IIn transistor 92Q IThis makes the voltage of power supply 94 be added to each heater 23H I, collector-emitter current is by corresponding heating resistive element 93R IFlow in the printhead diagnosis part 80.
Printhead diagnosis part 80 has the structure based on operational amplifier 100, as shown in Figure 9, it has an input to be connected to thermal printer head 23, to the drain electrode of power metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) field-effect transistor (FET) 101 with to loading resistor 102R, another input is connected to reference voltage source 103.
The source electrode of MOS FET 101, loading resistor 102R and reference voltage source 103 are grounded GND.MOS FET 101 is used as on-off circuit, and it switches on and off in response to " H " or " L " level of the switching signal S1 that offers its grid from CPU 61.
More particularly, in printing model, when CPU 61 provides switching signal S1 to cause MOS FET 101 conductings for MOS FET 101 with " H " level, from each heater 23H IThe electric current that provides flow into ground GND as drain electrode-source current of MOS FET 101.For this reason, from each heater 23H IThe electric current that provides is mobile with the intermediate connection point P1 between the loading resistor 102R by input of operational amplifier 100.
On the other hand, in the printhead diagnostic mode, when CPU 61 provides switching signal S1 to cause that MOS FET 101 ends for MOS FET101 with " L " level, from each heater 23H IThe electric current that provides does not flow through drain electrode-source electrode of MOS FET 101, enters an input of operational amplifier 100 and flows through loading resistor 102R and ground connection GND but flow through intermediate connection point P1.
Correspondingly, the potential difference that operational amplifier 100 calculates between an input and another input, then differential voltage is converted to digital form, product of numbers is delivered to CPU 61, as differential voltage data D by analog to digital (A/D) converter circuit 104 VS
Operational amplifier 100 is made up of differential amplifier circuit 110 and connected matrix current adjustment circuit 111 as primary element, as shown in figure 10.Differential amplifier circuit 110 has a pair of PNP transistor Q1, Q2 respectively, and their base stage is by heater 23H IHeating resistive element 93R I(it has and heating resistive element 93R with a loading resistor 113R IIdentical resistance value) is connected to power supply 94.
Intermediate connection point P2 between the base stage of transistor Q2 and the loading resistor 113R is connected to the end of voltage grading resistor 114R, and voltage grading resistor has the resistance value identical with loading resistor 102R, its other end ground connection GND.Above in conjunction with the described reference voltage source 103 of Fig. 9 in fact by be connected on power supply 94 and ground between the GND resistor 113R, 114R and the difference amplifier that is connected in intermediate connection point P2 between resistor 113R and the 114R form.
The grounded collector GND of transistor Q1, and the colelctor electrode of transistor Q2 is by voltage grading resistor 115R ground connection GND.Intermediate connection point P3 between the colelctor electrode of transistor Q2 and the resistor 115R is connected to A/D change-over circuit 104.
Matrix current adjustment circuit 111 has a pair of PNP transistor Q3, Q4, and their emitter stage is connected to power supply 94 jointly by loading resistor 116R, 117R.The base stage of transistor Q3, Q4 is connected to the end of capacitor C1, and the other end of capacitor is connected to power supply 94, also by loading resistor 118R ground connection GND.Therefore, configuration matrix current adjustment circuit 111 is for making identical among electric current and the inflow transistor Q3 among the inflow transistor Q4.
The colelctor electrode of transistor Q3 is connected to transistor Q1, Q2 in the differential amplifier circuit 110 respectively by loading resistor 119R, 120R.
In structure shown in Figure 10, MOS FET 101 is in cut-off state in the printhead diagnostic mode, and electric current is by heater part 23H here IHeating resistive element 93R IFlow into intermediate connection point P1 from power supply 94, cause the potential difference V that on intermediate connection point P1, produces thus I, represent by following formula (1): V I = r M ( r I + R M ) × V M - - - - ( 1 ) Here the magnitude of voltage of power supply 94 is V HHeating resistive element 93R IResistance value be r IThe resistance value of loading resistor 102R is r M
In this case, if heating resistive element 93R IResistance value r IDrop in one group of preassigned scope, so, the two has identical potential difference intermediate connection point P1, P2, so that the differential voltage value of exporting from differential amplifier circuit 110 by intermediate connection point P3 is applied to A/D converter circuit 104.
Here, if heating resistive element 93R IResistance value be r IBe higher than this group critical field to reduce the current potential on the intermediate connection point P1, the electric current of inflow transistor Q1 base stage reduces, and causes that emitter stage-collector current of transistor Q1 reduces.At this moment, because the electric current that flows into from matrix current adjustment circuit 111 is regular, this part the transistor Q1 emitter stage-collector current that reduces is increased in emitter stage-collector current of transistor Q2 equally.As a result, increase and be applied to A/D converter circuit 104 in the potential difference of intermediate connection point P3.
On the other hand, if heating resistive element 93R IResistance value be r IBe lower than this group critical field to increase the current potential on the intermediate connection point P1, the electric current of inflow transistor Q1 base stage increases, and causes that emitter stage-collector current of transistor Q1 increases.At this moment, because the electric current that flows into from matrix current adjustment circuit 111 is regular, this part transistor Q1 emitter stage-collector current of increase is deducted by equivalent from emitter stage-collector current of transistor Q2.As a result, reduce and be applied to A/D converter circuit 104 in the potential difference of intermediate connection point P3.
Adopt this method, when the setting data D that electrifies being provided for thermal printer head 23 EThe time, electric current is by being arranged on each heater 23H in the thermal printer head 23 IIn heating resistive element 93R IFlow, at heating resistive element 93R ITwo ends produce voltage drop V I Printhead diagnosis part 80 calculating voltage V IVoltage V with reference voltage source 103 MBetween difference and the difference of calculating is converted to digital form, produce the differential voltage data D that is sent to CPU 61 VS
CPU 61 also comprises a predetermined conversion table (not shown), so that according to characteristic curve F2, can retrieve from conversion table corresponding to differential voltage data D VSHeating resistive element 93R IResistance value r I, characteristic curve F2 represents and differential voltage data D VSThe heating resistive element 93R that is directly proportional of voltage IResistance value r I, as shown in figure 11.
Therefore, CPU 61 is according to differential voltage data D VSThe differential voltage data D that provides successively corresponding to from printhead diagnosis part 80 in turn is provided from conversion table VSHeating resistive element 93R IResistance value r I, then with the resistance value r that retrieves IBe stored in the flash memory 81.
Flash memory 81 had been stored all heating resistive element 93R in the past IInitial resistance value r 0I(resistance value of measuring when making them) also stored all heating resistive element 93R that measure in the former printhead diagnostic mode IResistance value r I
Here, if the differential voltage data D that provides corresponding to from printhead diagnosis part 80 is provided CPU 61 VSHeating resistive element 93R IResistance value r IThe preset range that exceeds characteristic curve F2 shown in Figure 11, so, CPU 61 delivers to master computer 60 (Fig. 7) by C/I driver 63 and interface 62 printing reference signal S2 as required.
Master computer 60 basis when receiving printing reference signal S2 is treated the image printing data D in the print image PJudge and in fact present the unusual heater 23H that plays electricity condition in the thermal printer head 23 IWhether be used as the image printing district, and by interface and C/I driver diagnostic annunciation signal S3 delivered to CPU 61 according to result of determination.
In this case, master computer 60 is delivered to mistake display part 82 to the out of order error signal S4 of expression thermal printer heads, when result of determination is when negating, causes that thus mistake display part 82 shows that on its display screen thermal printer head 23 has been out of order.
(4) processing procedure of diagnosis thermal printer head
CPU 61 in the chromatic image printing portion 20 carries out printhead diagnostic process process RT1 according to the control of master computer 60, shown in Figure 12,13, by measuring each heater 23H successively seriatim 1To 23H NIn heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NResistance value, diagnosis is arranged in thermal printer head 23 lip-deep each heater 23H 1To 23H NWhether present the unusual electricity condition that rises.
At first, before the beginning printing or after finishing printing, when promptly not being in printing model, CPU 61 enters printhead diagnostic process process RT1 shown in Figure 12 according to the control of master computer 60 from step SP0.At next step SP1, CPU 61 ends MOS FET 101, sets the printhead diagnostic mode.Then, CPU 61 continues step SP2, and CPU 61 in turn makes a plurality of heater 23H in the thermal printer head 23 here 1To 23H NIn heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NElectrify seriatim.
Then, CPU 61 continues step SP3, here for a heater 23H I(1≤I≤N), pass through heating resistive element 93R from power supply 94 IFlow into the electric current of intermediate connection point P1 and be applied to an input and another input of operational amplifier 100 diagnosis unit 80 of printhead shown in Fig. 9 respectively, force operational amplifier 100 to calculate the voltage V of intermediate connection point P1 from the electric current that reference voltage source 103 flows out IVoltage V with reference voltage source 103 MBetween difference.Then, CPU 61 receives this difference voltage.
Then, at step SP4, CPU 61 is according to being stored in wherein intended conversion table (not shown) retrieval corresponding to the heating resistive element 93R of this reception difference voltage 1Resistance value r I
At step SP5, the heating resistive element 93R that CPU 61 deterministic retrievals are arrived 1Resistance value r IWhether within the preset range of the characteristic curve F2 shown in above-mentioned Figure 11.
If in step SP5, return negative decision, so, this means heating resistive element 93R IBe in open-circuit condition or be in short-circuit condition, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP6, further judges resistance value r here IThe preset range that whether is higher than characteristic curve F2.
If in step SP6, return positive result, so, this means heating resistive element 93R IBe in short-circuit condition, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP7 (Figure 13), will describe below, and it notifies master computer 60 heating resistive element 93R here IPresent the unusual fact that plays electricity condition.
On the other hand, if in step SP6, return negative decision, so, this means heating resistive element 93R IBe in open-circuit condition, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP8, and here, CPU 61 forces master computer 60 according to the image printing data D that treats in the print image PJudge this heating resistive element 93R IWhether drop on the heater 23H in the image printing district IHeating resistive element 93R I
If in step SP8, return positive result, so, this means heater 23H IDo not influence the content of waiting to be printed on the card stock 13, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP7, and here, as mentioned above, it notifies master computer 60 heating resistive element 93R 1Present the unusual fact that plays electricity condition.
On the other hand, if return negative decision in step SP8, so, CPU 61 determines heating resistive element 93R IThe content of waiting to be printed on the card stock 13 is in the normal electricity condition that rises, because will not be subjected to heating resistive element 93R 1Influence, even it is in open-circuit condition.Then, CPU 61 continues step SP9 (Figure 13), will describe below.
At step SP5,, so, this means the heating resistive element 93R that from conversion table, retrieves if return positive result IResistance value in the preset range of characteristic curve F2, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP10, here, the heating resistive element 93R that measures in the printhead diagnostic mode before it reads out in from flash memory 81 IResistance value r I' and heating resistive element 93R during fabrication IInitial resistance value r 0I
Then, at step SP11, CPU 61 calculates the heating resistive element 93R that measures this moment IResistance value r IHeating resistive element 93R for previous measurement IResistance value r I' rate of change A I, represent as shown in the formula (2): A I = | r I - r I ′ | r I ′ - - - - ( 2 )
Then, CPU 61 continues step SP12, and here, it determines rate of change A IWith the rate of change A that calculates in the printhead diagnostic mode formerly I' between difference whether be equal to or less than predetermined value.If return negative decision, so, this means heating resistive element 93R IFall into the unusual electricity condition that rises probably.CPU 61 continues the step SP13 shown in Figure 13, and here, it judges rate of change A IWhether surpass the predetermined value that is set at the ANOMALOUS VARIATIONS rate.
If step SP13 returns negative decision, this means rate of change A IRate of change A with former calculating I' between difference be to be equal to or greater than and to be equal to or less than the predetermined value of regarding as the ANOMALOUS VARIATIONS rate.At this moment, CPU 61 continues step SP14, and here, it sets the mark that a representative reports to the police (below be called " warning label ") in flash memory 81, so that register heating resistive element 93R IThis moment, less may falling into played electricity condition unusually.
Then, CPU 61 continues step SP15, and it judges the heating resistive element 93R in the printhead diagnostic mode formerly here 1Warning label whether be set in the flash memory 81.
If step SP15 returns positive result, this means heating resistive element 93R 1Not only former time but also dropped on the unusual electricity condition that rises probably in the current time.At this moment, CPU 61 continues step SP7, and here, it judges heating resistive element 93R in the above described manner IBe in a unusual electricity condition and notified master computer 60 this fact.
On the other hand, if step SP15 returns negative decision, this means heating resistive element 93R 1Present the unusual electricity condition that rises in current printhead diagnostic mode first, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP9.
Turn back to the step SP12 shown in Figure 12,, so, this means rate of change A if return positive result IWith at heating resistive element 93R IPrevious printhead diagnostic mode in the rate of change A that calculates I' between difference be equal to or less than predetermined value, so, heating resistive element 93R IPresent the normal electricity condition that rises, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP16 (Figure 13), and here, it rewrites heating resistive element 93R in the flash memory 81 ICurrent resistance value r IWith rate of change A I
Then, even rate of change A IWithin preset range, if heating resistive element 93R IResistance value r IValue with respect to initial resistance r 0IPreset range outside, thermal printer head 23 is out of order possibly.Therefore, CPU 61 continues step SP17, and here, it judges resistance value r IWith initial resistance value r 0IBetween difference whether be equal to or less than predetermined value.
If SP17 returns negative decision in step, so, CPU 61 continues step SP7, and it notifies master computer 60 heating resistive element 93R to be similar to above-mentioned ground here IPresent the unusual fact that plays electricity condition.As a result, master computer 60 shows on the display screen of mistake display part 82 that when receiving the notice of CPU 61 thermal printer head 23 is out of order or is out of order probably.
On the other hand, if return positive result, this means heating resistive element 93R at step SP17 IBe in the normal electricity condition that rises, in this case, CPU 61 continues step SP9, and it judges heating resistive element 93R here IWhether be the heating resistive element 93R that electrifies at last N
If SP9 returns positive result in step, so, CPU 61 judges for all heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NFinish them and whether presented the unusual diagnosis that plays electricity condition, then, entered step SP18 immediately, stopped printhead diagnostic process process RT1.
On the other hand, if return negative decision at step SP9, so, CPU 61 turns back to step SP3 once more, and it is according to as mentioned above for the next one heating resistive element 93R that electrifies here I+1The process of execution from step SP3 to step SP17 repeats such process till returning positive result at step SP9.
(5) operation of embodiment and effect
Adopt said structure, in the chromatic image printing portion 20 of card puncher 10, make to be arranged in thermal printer head 23 lip-deep a plurality of heater 23H 1To 23H NHeating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NElectrify seriatim successively, measure heating resistive element 93R respectively 1To 93R NResistance value, with according to during the printhead diagnostic mode its resistance value r IDetermine each heating resistive element 93R I(whether 1≤I≤N) opens a way or short circuit.
If each heating resistive element 93R INot open circuit or short circuit, so, based on the heating resistive element 93R that measures in previous moment IResistance value r I' the resistance value r of the respective resistive elements measured with current time ICalculate heating resistive element 93R IRate of change A IActual enter the printing stage before, according to this rate of change A ICan determine the heating resistive element 93R that is correlated with ICurrent being in normal played electricity condition or broken down probably future.
In this case, even determine heating resistive element 93R at present IBe normal, still, according to heating resistive element 93R IRate of change A ICorresponding heating resistive element 93R with former calculating I' rate of change A I' between poor, can judge whether thermal printer head 23 has fault or may be out of order.
When according to determining that as mentioned above thermal printer head 23 has fault or may be out of order the time, this fact is displayed on the display unit 82 of makeing mistakes, and allows the operator to confirm the situation of thermal printer head 23 intuitively thus before entering the printing stage.
Even at a plurality of heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NIn some heating resistive element 93R are arranged XDuring (X is an Any Digit) open circuit, according to the image printing data D that treats in the print image PIf, heating resistive element 93R XIn fact not corresponding to the heating resistive element in the image printing district, also can be heating resistive element 93R XIt is normal being used as, because they do not influence the content that is printed on the card stock 13.Adopt this method, at heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NIn the middle of heating resistive element 93R only XDuring open circuit, thermal printer head does not need with new replacement, can further improve the utilization ratio of thermal printer head 23 thus.
According to said structure, in the chromatic image printing portion 20 of card puncher 10, before the beginning printing or after finishing printing, in turn make to be arranged in the lip-deep a plurality of heater 23H of thermal printer head 1To 23H NIn heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NElectrify one by one.Then, according to each the heating resistive element 93R that recorded in the past I(the resistance value r of 1≤I≤N) I' and the corresponding resistance value r that records of current time I, calculate rate of change A IThen, according to this rate of change A IDetermine corresponding heating resistive element 93R IPlay electricity condition, can before entering the actual printing stage, judge the situation of thermal printer head 23 thus earlier.Therefore, can prevent effectively that printing from makeing mistakes.
(5) other embodiment
In the above-described embodiments, as heating resistive element 93R IPresent unusually when playing electricity condition, this fact that CPU 61 notice master computers 60 are handled according to predetermined mistake is so that master computer 60 forces mistake display part 82 to show that on its display screen thermal printer head 23 makes mistakes or make mistakes possibly.The invention is not restricted to this.On the other hand, as heating resistive element 93R IPresent unusually when playing electricity condition, CPU 61 can bring chromatic image printing portion 20 into the printing halted state, and replace by or add notice master computer 60 these facts.In this case, even chromatic image printing portion 20 is switched to printing model, also can avoid the printing mistake on the card stock 13, because chromatic image printing portion 20 is in the printing halted state.
In addition, in the above-described embodiments, as a plurality of heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NIn the middle of a specific heating resistive element 93R is arranged XDuring (X counts arbitrarily) open circuit, CPU 61 will print reference signal S2 and deliver to master computer 60, so that master computer 60 is according to the image printing data D that treats in the print image PJudge heating resistive element 93R XWhether be actually corresponding to the heating resistive element in the image printing district.Yet, the invention is not restricted to this.On the other hand, a frame memory (not shown) can be provided, according to image printing data D in chromatic image printing portion 20 shown in Figure 7 PBe used for memory image, so that CPU 61 is according to the image printing data D that reads from frame memory PMake and above-mentionedly determining, need not master computer 60 and get involved.
In addition, in the above-described embodiments, measuring each heating resistive element 93R 1To 93R NResistance value the time, CPU 61 adopts the differential voltage data D that predetermined conversion table is retrieved to be provided corresponding to from printhead diagnosis part 80 VSEach heating resistive element 93R I(the resistance value of 1≤I≤N).Yet, the invention is not restricted to this.On the other hand, CPU 61 backwards calculation are from the differential voltage data D of printhead diagnosis part 30 outputs VS, to derive each heating resistive element 93R IResistance value.In fact, the multiple different structure that can use other is as measurement means, as long as it can measure the heating resistive element 93R that each electrifies IResistance value just can.
In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the CPU 61 that plays the calculation element effect is according to each the heating resistive element 93R that records in the past in the printhead diagnosis part 80 IResistance value r I' and this moment each heating resistive element 93R of recording IResistance value r ICalculate each heating resistive element 93R IThe rate of change A of resistance value IYet, the invention is not restricted to this.In addition, can use other multiple structure as the calculating means.
In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the CPU 61 that plays the diagnostic device effect relies on each heating resistive element 93R IResistance value r IRate of change A IJudge corresponding heating resistive element 93R IPlay electricity condition, adopt this result of determination to judge the situation of thermal printer head 23.Yet, the invention is not restricted to this.In fact, master computer 60 can be used as diagnostic device, and perhaps other various structures can be used as diagnostic device, as long as they can judge each heating resistive element 93R before entering the printing stage actual ICurrently whether be in the normal electricity condition that rises, perhaps whether currently make mistakes, perhaps make mistakes possibly in the future.
In addition, in the above-described embodiments, adopt flash memory 81 as being stored in each heating resistive element 93 R that measures in the printhead diagnosis part 80 IResistance value r IStorage device.Yet the present invention is not limited to this, but can adopt various structures, comprises for example EEPROM (EEPROM), static random memory (static RAM (SRAM)) etc.
In addition, though in the above-described embodiments, employing card stock 13 according to the ISO standard the invention is not restricted to this as printed media.On the other hand, can adopt the card stock that meets Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS).In addition, the present invention can also be applied on the various card stocks with IC-card and/or magnetic stripe.
According to the present invention as described hereinbefore, the printhead diagnostic device of diagnosis thermal printer head situation comprises: measure the measurement mechanism that is arranged in the resistance value of a plurality of heating resistive elements on the thermal printer head surface respectively; The storage device of the resistance value of each heating resistive element that storage is recorded by measurement mechanism; The resistance value of each heating resistive element that records according to the resistance value that is stored in each heating resistive element in the storage device that records in the past with by measurement mechanism is calculated the calculation element of variable quantity of the resistance value of each heating resistive element; Judge the electricity condition that rises of each heating resistive element according to the result of calculation of calculation element, according to the situation of result of determination diagnosis thermal printer head diagnostic device; Before entering the printing stage, might diagnose the situation of thermal printer head thus.Therefore, can to prevent to print the printhead diagnostic device of makeing mistakes effectively be possible in realization.
In addition, in the present invention, the printhead diagnostic method of diagnosis thermal printer head situation is measured the resistance value that is arranged in a plurality of heating resistive elements on the thermal printer head surface at first respectively; The resistance value of each heating resistive element that records according to the resistance value and the current time of each heating resistive element that records in the past then, calculate the variable quantity of the resistance value of each heating resistive element, determine the electricity condition that rises of each heating resistive element according to result of calculation, according to the situation of result of determination diagnosis thermal printer head; Before entering the printing stage, might diagnose the situation of thermal printer head thus.Therefore, can to prevent to print the printhead diagnostic device of makeing mistakes effectively be possible in realization.
Though described the present invention in conjunction with preferred embodiment, but, obviously can make various changes and modifications for one of skill in the art, therefore, appending claims has been contained all these changes and improvements in spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. printhead diagnostic device of diagnosing the situation of thermal printer head is characterized in that described device comprises:
Measure the measurement mechanism of the resistance value of a plurality of heating resistive elements on the head surface that is arranged in described thermal printer head respectively;
The storage device of the described resistance value of each described heating resistive element that storage is recorded by described measurement mechanism;
The resistance value of each the described heating resistive element that records according to the resistance value that is stored in each the described heating resistive element in the described storage device that records in the past with by described measurement mechanism is calculated the calculation element of variable quantity of the resistance value of each described heating resistive element; And
Judge the diagnostic device that plays electricity condition of each described heating resistive element according to the result of calculation of described calculation element, diagnose the situation of described thermal printer head according to described judgement conclusion.
2. printhead diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:
According to the result of calculation of described calculation element, when diagnosing out described thermal printer head that fault is arranged or breaking down probably, described diagnostic device is carried out predetermined mistake and is handled.
3. printhead diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:
According to the result of calculation of described calculation element, do not influence the locational described heating resistive element of print image and present unusually when playing electricity condition when being positioned at, described diagnostic device is not carried out predetermined mistake and is handled.
4. printhead diagnostic method of diagnosing the situation of thermal printer head is characterized in that described method comprises:
Measure the first step of the resistance value of a plurality of heating resistive elements on the head surface that is arranged in described thermal printer head respectively;
Calculate second step of variable quantity of the resistance value of each described heating resistive element according to the resistance value of the resistance value of each the described heating resistive element that records in the past and each described heating resistive element of current time; And
Judge the electricity condition that rises of each described heating resistive element according to result of calculation, diagnose the third step of the situation of described thermal printer head according to described judgement conclusion.
5. printhead diagnostic method as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that:
Described third step comprises carries out the step that predetermined mistake is handled when diagnosing out described thermal printer head that fault is arranged based on result of calculation or breaking down probably.
6. printhead diagnostic method as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that:
Do not influence the locational described heating resistive element of print image and present unusually when playing electricity condition when being positioned at based on result of calculation, described third step is not carried out predetermined mistake and is handled.
7. printer with printhead diagnostic function of diagnosis thermal printer head situation is characterized in that described printer comprises:
Measure the measurement mechanism of the resistance value of a plurality of heating resistive elements on the head surface that is arranged in described thermal printer head respectively;
The storage device of the described resistance value of each described heating resistive element that storage is recorded by described measurement mechanism;
The resistance value of each the described heating resistive element that records according to the resistance value that is stored in each the described heating resistive element in the described storage device that records in the past with by described measurement mechanism is calculated the calculation element of variable quantity of the resistance value of each described heating resistive element; And
Judge the electricity condition that rises of each described heating resistive element according to the result of calculation of described calculation element, diagnose the diagnostic device of the situation of described thermal printer head according to described judgement conclusion.
8. the printer with printhead diagnostic function as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that:
According to the result of calculation of described calculation element, when diagnosing out described thermal printer head that fault is arranged or breaking down probably, described diagnostic device is carried out predetermined mistake and is handled.
9. the printer with printhead diagnostic function as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that:
According to the result of calculation of described calculation element, do not influence the locational described heating resistive element of print image and present unusually when playing electricity condition when being positioned at, described diagnostic device is not carried out predetermined mistake and is handled.
10. printer port of printer diagnostic method with printhead diagnostic function of diagnosis thermal printer head situation is characterized in that described method comprises:
Measure the first step of the resistance value of a plurality of heating resistive elements on the head surface that is arranged in described thermal printer head respectively;
Calculate second step of variable quantity of the resistance value of each described heating resistive element according to the resistance value of the resistance value of each the described heating resistive element that records in the past and each described heating resistive element of current time; And
Judge the electricity condition that rises of each described heating resistive element according to result of calculation, diagnose the third step of the situation of described thermal printer head according to described judgement conclusion.
11. printer port of printer diagnostic method as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that:
Described third step comprises carries out the step that predetermined mistake is handled when diagnosing out described thermal printer head that fault is arranged based on result of calculation or breaking down probably.
12. printer port of printer diagnostic method as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that:
Do not influence the locational described heating resistive element of print image and present unusually when playing electricity condition when being positioned at based on result of calculation, described third step is not carried out predetermined mistake and is handled.
CN99111863A 1998-07-29 1999-07-29 Print-head diagnosis device for printer and diagnosis method for print-head Expired - Fee Related CN1106944C (en)

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