JP2000057384A - Medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform an operator of when the light source part of the medium processor needs to be replaced. SOLUTION: This processor is provided with an attachment/detachment detecting means 13 which detects the light source part 9 being attached or detached, an informing means 15 which informs the operator of information, and a control means 16, which has a replacement history recording means 16a which records the replacement history of the light source part 9 when the light source part 9 is detached and fitted again and an irradiation time recording means 16b which holds the cumulative value of the irradiation time after the replacement of the light source part 9. In the control means 16, the life value indicating the life of the light source part 9 and a set value for deciding that the life nearly ends are recorded in advance; when the difference between the life value and the cumulative value of the irradiation time becomes less than the set value, the operator is informed that the life of the light source part 9 almost comes to the end and when the cumulative value of the irradiation time becomes larger than the life value, the operator is informed that the life of the light source part 9 has come to the end.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus, and more particularly to a ticket issuing printer using a medium for fixing print information by ultraviolet light after thermal printing, or an optical character reading apparatus for reading a medium while irradiating the medium with a light source. And the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a medium processing apparatus, there is a ticket issuing printer that issues a print after processing a medium. At present, those utilizing a thermal transfer printing method using an ink ribbon are dominant. As an apparatus for performing printing without using an ink ribbon, there is an apparatus using a thermal printing method. In this type of apparatus, by using a dedicated medium, printing can be performed directly on the medium without using an ink ribbon.

There is a method of fixing the print information by irradiating ultraviolet rays after performing such thermal printing, and has been put to practical use as a color printer for consumer equipment.

[0004]

In a ticket issuing printer using an ink ribbon, the used ink ribbon becomes an industrial waste, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental problems. Therefore, if a medium that is fixed by ultraviolet light after thermal printing is used for the ticketing printer, it is not necessary to use an ink ribbon and the tamper resistance is extremely small, so it should be used for issuing commuter passes, boarding tickets or various tickets. Is being considered.

However, when used in such an application, the life of the ultraviolet lamp (fluorescent lamp) does not satisfy the life of the apparatus, and it is necessary to replace the ultraviolet lamp at an appropriate time. If the replacement time cannot be properly managed and maintenance cannot be performed, the system cannot be used for a ticketing printer.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a medium processing apparatus having a light source unit for irradiating a medium with light, a detachment detecting unit for detecting attachment and detachment of the light source unit, and a notifying unit for transmitting information to an operator. , Control means, the control means, when the light source unit is removed and re-attached, the exchange history recording means for recording the replacement history, assuming that the light source unit has been replaced, the light source unit Irradiation time recording means for holding an accumulated value of irradiation time after replacement of the light source unit, and the control means previously records a life value indicating the life of the light source unit and a set value for determining that the life is near. In addition, when the difference between the life value and the cumulative value of the irradiation time becomes equal to or less than the set value, the operator is notified by a notification unit that the life of the light source unit is approaching, and the cumulative value of the irradiation time is calculated. Is longer than the life value, the life of the light source As to notify the operator by notifying means that came, the control means is characterized in that to control.

[0007] Further, in a medium processing apparatus that has a print head that prints on a medium and a light source unit that irradiates and fixes the printed medium, and that issues a printed / fixed medium, the light source unit is attached and detached. Provided is a detachment detecting means for detecting, a display means for displaying information, and a control means, and the control means, when the light source unit is removed and reinstalled, assuming that the light source unit has been replaced, An exchange history recording unit that records the exchange history; and an irradiation time recording unit that holds an accumulated value of the irradiation time after the replacement of the light source unit. Is set in advance, and when the difference between the lifetime value and the cumulative value of the irradiation time is less than or equal to the set value, it is determined that the life of the light source unit is approaching. Notify the operator by displaying on the display means , When the accumulated value is equal to or greater than life value, so as to notify the operator by displaying on the display means that the life of the light source unit has come, the control means and controlling.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a ticket issuing printer as a medium processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This ticketing printer 1
Is used for a terminal that issues a medium such as a commuter pass, a boarding pass or various tickets.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a hopper, which previously stores a medium indicated by M, and feeds out the medium M when used. The medium M is a light fixing type heat-sensitive medium. Reference numeral 3 denotes a transport roller, which rotates in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 4 to transport the medium M. In FIG. 1, the transport rollers are denoted by 3a,
An example in which four sets of 3b, 3c, and 3d are provided is shown.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a print head such as a thermal head, and a platen 6 is provided corresponding to the print head 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a solenoid for moving the print head 5 up and down. Reference numeral 8 denotes a sensor for detecting a print start position. Reference numeral 9 denotes an ultraviolet lamp unit as a light source unit, which is, for example, an assembly including three ultraviolet lamps (fluorescent lamps) indicated as 10. 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a trigger sensor, which is provided for controlling lighting of the fluorescent lamp 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes a discharge confirmation sensor which detects whether or not the processed medium M has been correctly discharged.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a light source unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the light source unit 9 in FIG. 1 cut along a plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 (along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp 10). It is a figure. This will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 13 denotes a microswitch as attachment / detachment detection means, which is fixed to a bracket (not shown) of the frame 14 and can detect attachment / detachment of the light source unit 9. This micro switch 13
Is powered by a battery, for example, and the attachment / detachment of the light source unit 9 can be constantly monitored even when the power of the ticket issuing printer 1 is OFF.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing an embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a display means, for example, a liquid crystal display for operation or a CRT or an LED which lights up in red or green. By displaying the information on the display means 15, the operator can be notified of the information. Note that the means for notifying the operator is not limited to the display means 15, but it is also possible to use a voice or to transmit information to another device connected to the network.

Reference numeral 16 denotes control means for controlling and operating each of the above components. The control means 16 has an exchange history recording means 16a and an irradiation time recording means 16b.
A part of the control means 16 is, for example, driven by a battery, and can operate even when the power of the ticket issuing printer 1 is OFF. The replacement history recording means 16a and the irradiation time recording means 16b are also driven by a battery.

The exchange history recording means 16a is a section for recording the history of attachment / detachment of the light source unit 9, that is, the history of replacement of the fluorescent lamp 10, as described later. The irradiation time recording means 16b
This is a counter that records the irradiation time of the fluorescent lamp 10, and holds the total irradiation time after the replacement of the fluorescent lamp 10 as a cumulative value. The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. Replacement of Fluorescent Lamp When the light source unit 9 is pulled out from the ticket issuing printer 1 in a state where the power is off, the microswitch 13 driven by a battery (not shown) is turned off from on and the control unit 16 is turned off.
Detects that the light source unit 9 has been pulled out.

Then, when the light source unit 9 in which the fluorescent lamp 10 is replaced with a new one is inserted into the ticket issuing printer 1, the micro switch 13 is turned from OFF to ON, and the control unit 16 controls the light source unit 9 to be inserted into the ticket issuing printer 1 again. Is detected.
When the light source unit 9 is removed and then reinserted,
With this, it is determined that the fluorescent lamp 10 of the light source unit 9 has been replaced, and information indicating that the replacement has been performed is recorded in the replacement history recording means 16a.

This series of operations can be executed by a battery (not shown) without using the power supply of the ticket issuing printer 1. Therefore, even if the fluorescent lamp 10 is replaced while the power is off, as described later, the control unit 16 can know that the replacement has been performed by referring to the recorded contents of the replacement history recording unit 16a. it can. Operation at Power ON FIG. 4 is a flowchart at power ON.

When the power of the ticket issuing printer 1 is turned on (Sa)
1) The control means 16 reads the information recorded in the exchange history recording means 16a,
The history of OFF, that is, the history of replacement of the fluorescent lamp 10 is confirmed (Sa2). Here, when the replacement history is recorded, the recorded contents of the irradiation time recording means 16b are cleared (S
After performing a3), the process at the time of turning on the power is completed.
If the replacement history has not been recorded, the processing is terminated while keeping the recorded contents of the irradiation time recording means 16b. Operation at Issuance of Ticket FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of operation.

When a ticket issuing command is issued from the host device (not shown) to the ticket issuing printer 1 (Sb1), the ticket issuing printer 1 draws out the medium M from the hopper 2 (Sb2). At the same time, the motor 4 starts rotating in the direction of transporting the medium M from right to left in FIG. 1 (Sb3). The transport speed at this time is the high-speed mode. When the leading end of the medium M passes through the sensor 8, the ticket issuing printer 1 further conveys the medium M so that the printing start position of the medium M is located at a position pressed by the print head 5 and the platen 6, and the motor 4. Is stopped (Sb4).

The print information is transferred from the host, and the ticket issuing printer 1 edits a signal to be sent to the print head 5. When the editing is completed, the solenoid 7 is turned on and the print head 5 is turned on.
Presses against the platen 6. In the low-speed mode, the motor 4 starts rotating in the direction of transporting the medium M from right to left in FIG. 1, and starts printing (Sb5). During or after the printing, it is monitored that the leading end of the medium M passes through the trigger sensor 11 (Sb6). If the medium M does not pass within a predetermined time, a timeout is set (Sb7), and error processing is performed. If the trigger sensor 11 is turned on within the predetermined time, the fluorescent lamp 10 of the light source unit 9 is turned on (Sb8).

Since a very small current flows through the fluorescent lamp 10 in advance and the discharge portion is heated (preheat), it can be turned on instantaneously. At the time of this lighting, the counter of the irradiation time recording means 16b operates (Sb9). The counter is incremented by one every unit time, and is incremented unless cleared. The medium M is conveyed at a low speed under the fluorescent lamp 10 to be turned on (Sb10), so that the print information of the medium M is fixed.

Then, it is monitored that the medium M passes through the discharge confirmation sensor 12 (Sb11). If the discharge confirmation sensor 12 is not turned on within a predetermined time, a timeout is set (Sb12), and error processing is performed. I do. After the discharge confirmation sensor 12 is turned on within the predetermined time,
When the discharge confirmation sensor 12 is turned off (Sb13),
Assuming that the rear end of the medium M has passed the discharge confirmation sensor 12, the motor 4 is stopped (Sb14), the fluorescent lamp 10 is turned off (Sb15), and at the same time, the counter of the irradiation time recording means 16b of the control means 16 is stopped. (Sb16). As a result, the time during which the fluorescent lamp 10 was lit is accumulated and recorded in the irradiation time recording means 16b. Life Determination FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the life determination.

The value of the life time of the fluorescent lamp 10 (life time value) is set in the control means 16 in advance. This value is determined by obtaining the luminance at which the fixing becomes unstable by an experiment. For example, here, the irradiation time during which the luminance of the fluorescent lamp 10 decreases by 30% is set as the life value thereof.
When the ticketing operation is repeated, the counter of the irradiation time recording means 16b is incremented in accordance with the irradiation time of the fluorescent lamp 10, but if this accumulated value is several hours before the life value (Sc1), the control is started. The means 16 displays on the display means 15 that the life of the fluorescent lamp 10 is near (Sc2), and prompts the operator for replacement.

That is, a predetermined time until the life is determined to determine that the life is near is determined in advance as a set value, and the set value is recorded in the control means 16.
Then, during operation, when (lifetime value) − (cumulative value) ≦ (set value), it is notified that the life is near.

Next, when the cumulative value becomes equal to or longer than the life value (Sc3), the control means 16 displays that the life of the fluorescent lamp 10 has come (Sc4), stops the ticketing operation, and operates the apparatus. The system is brought down (Sc5), and the operator is prompted for replacement. That is, when (life value) − (cumulative value) ≦ 0, the end of the life is notified.

As described above, the attachment / detachment detecting means 13 and the control means 16 having the exchange history recording means 16a and the irradiation time recording means 16b are provided, and the cumulative value of the irradiation time after the replacement of the fluorescent lamp 10 is determined by the life value. As compared to the above, the operator is notified that the life of the fluorescent lamp 10 is near and that the life has come, so that stable operation can always be realized.

Normally, in order to detect the life of the fluorescent lamp 10, a special sensor for detecting ultraviolet rays must be used. In the present embodiment, as described above, the special sensor is used. Without using an inexpensive sensor such as a microswitch as the attachment / detachment detection means 13 and performing a comparison operation between the accumulated value and the life value by the control means 16, the life of the fluorescent lamp 10 can be detected at low cost. Is possible.

Further, since the replacement time of the fluorescent lamp 10 can be properly notified, the fluorescent lamp 10 can be used as the ticket issuing printer 1. In this case, the ink ribbon becomes unnecessary and
It becomes possible to publish media with extremely low tamper resistance. In the above description, the ticketing printer has been described as an example of the medium processing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to an optical character reading device or the like to display the replacement cycle of the light source.

[0028]

As described in detail above, the provision of the attachment / detachment detection means and the control means makes it possible to appropriately notify the operator of the replacement time of the light source unit with a low-cost configuration, and to always perform stable operation. It has the effect that it becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a light source unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart when power is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a life determination.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 medium processing device (ticket issuing printer) 5 print head 9 light source unit 15 display means (notification means) 16 control means 16a exchange history recording means 16b irradiation time recording means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A medium processing apparatus provided with a light source unit for irradiating a medium with light, comprising: a detachment detecting unit for detecting attachment and detachment of the light source unit; a notifying unit for transmitting information to an operator; and a control unit. When the light source unit is removed and reinstalled, the control unit determines that the light source unit has been replaced, and records the replacement history with the replacement history recording unit, and the cumulative irradiation time after the replacement of the light source unit. Irradiation time recording means for holding a value, a life value indicating the life of the light source unit, and a set value for determining that the life is close to the control means, are recorded in advance, the life value And the difference between the cumulative value of the irradiation time and the set value or less, when the life of the light source unit is approaching is notified to the operator by the notification means, the cumulative value of the irradiation time is the life value If this happens, the life of the light source To notify the operator by the notification unit that was, medium processing device characterized by said control means controls. 2. A medium processing apparatus having a print head that prints on a medium and a light source unit that irradiates and fixes the printed medium, and issues a print / fixed medium. A detachment detecting means for detecting, a display means for displaying information, and a control means are provided, and the control means determines that the light source section has been replaced when the light source section is removed and reinstalled. An exchange history recording unit that records the exchange history, and an irradiation time recording unit that holds a cumulative value of the irradiation time after the replacement of the light source unit, a life value indicating the life of the light source unit, A set value for determining that the life is short is recorded in advance, and when the difference between the life value and the cumulative value of the irradiation time becomes equal to or less than the set value, the life of the light source unit approaches. Is displayed on the display means. The control unit controls the control unit to notify the operator when the cumulative value is equal to or longer than the life value, and to notify the operator by displaying the life of the light source unit on the display unit. Characteristic media processing device.