JP6803159B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that prints on label paper.

Conventionally, there are a wide variety of media used in image forming apparatus. In particular, in a printing apparatus, a so-called sensor calibration process for adjusting an optical sensor for detecting a printing position for each of various media is required. Recently, in order to eliminate the troublesomeness of the sensor calibration process after media replacement, the sensor calibration process result is recorded and managed as media setting information on the device side.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-39556 (Patent Document 1), the calculation means calculates the second light quantity characteristic data based on the detection data detected by the detection means. There is disclosed that the discriminating means discriminates the type of recording medium being fed by comparing the calculated second light quantity characteristic data with the first light quantity characteristic data stored in the storage means.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-39556

In the technology of recording and managing the sensor calibration processing result in the prior art as media setting information on the device side, it is necessary to switch to an appropriate sensor calibration processing result according to the medium to be used, which is troublesome for the user. There was a problem. Further, if the switching is not performed correctly, there is a risk that the print quality may be deteriorated.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that does not erroneously set media by a user even when handling a large number of types of media.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 conveys a label affixed to a long mount at predetermined intervals and a roll-shaped medium in which a black mark is arranged at a position corresponding to the label, and the roll. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a shaped medium, which is provided so as to face each other with the roll-shaped medium interposed therebetween, and a light emitting portion that emits light that can be increased or decreased, and the roll from the light emitting portion. The first of the light emitting unit when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit through the roll-shaped medium reaches a predetermined value and the optical sensor including the light receiving unit that receives the transmitted light transmitted through the shape medium. A light emitting amount adjusting unit for obtaining the light emitting amount information of the above, a black mark information acquiring means for acquiring the first black mark presence / absence information from the roll-shaped medium, and a second predetermined medium type of the roll-shaped medium. The same or different from the medium information storage unit that stores the medium information including the light emission amount information and the second black mark presence / absence information and the first light emission amount information obtained by the light emission amount adjustment unit is within a predetermined range. The medium type related to the second light emission amount information is extracted and displayed as a medium candidate, and further, the second light emission amount information having the same difference as the first light emission amount information is the medium information. When a plurality of the first black mark presence / absence information is stored in the storage unit, the first black mark presence / absence information and the second black mark presence / absence information are compared, and the second black mark corresponding to the first black mark presence / absence information is compared. It is characterized in that it has a control unit that displays the medium type having presence / absence information as the medium candidate and accepts a confirmation operation.

According to the present invention, the type of the roll-shaped medium is based on the first light emission amount information obtained by the light emission amount adjusting unit and the second light emission amount information for each type stored in the medium information storage unit. Therefore, even if there are many types of media to be fed, it is possible to reduce errors in media setting by the user.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the cutter IN sensor of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side sectional view which shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the label paper used in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the autocutter used in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the cutter IN sensor of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a control block diagram of the cutter IN sensor of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an operation flowchart from the detection of the medium paper feed in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment to the determination of a medium type. It is an output relationship diagram (1) of the light transmission type sensor of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart (1) of the light emission amount adjustment in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is an output relationship diagram (2) of a light transmission type sensor of an image forming apparatus according to a modified example of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart (2) of the light emission amount adjustment in the image forming apparatus which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the medium setting information of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for selection of the medium in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display example of the operation display part in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the label paper 70 as a roll-shaped medium as described later.
The image forming apparatus 1 is composed of a feeder unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, an operation display unit 14, and a control unit (CPU) 15 that controls each unit. Further, the feeder unit 11, the image forming unit 12, and the fixing unit 13 are connected by the medium transport path 16 and are electrically connected to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 according to an operation program stored in advance, and communicates with a higher-level apparatus (not shown).

The feeder portion 11 has a label paper 70 as a wound roll-shaped medium. The label paper 70 is rotatably supported by a support means (not shown), and its winding tip can be fed out to the medium transport path 16 via the paper feed switch 112. The paper feed switch 112 detects the presence or absence of the label paper 70 by optical means or mechanical means.
The label paper 70 is fed by the paper feed roller 113 and the transport roller 114 arranged upstream of the medium transport path 16, and then transported toward the image forming unit 12 provided downstream in the transport direction indicated by the arrow F. The paper feed roller 113 and the transport roller 114 are formed of a high friction member and are rotatably supported by supporting means (not shown). Then, it is rotationally driven by a motor described later.

A cutter IN sensor 25 and an auto cutter 116 are arranged in the medium transport path 16 in the feeder unit 11. The cutter IN sensor 25 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the auto cutter 116, and is a position sensor for determining the cut position of the auto cutter 116. The cutter IN sensor 25 is composed of a light transmission type sensor 26 as an optical sensor and a light reflection type sensor 27. As a result, the label portion, the mount portion, and the black mark portion constituting the label paper 70 described later are optically identified. The light transmissive sensor 26 identifies the medium type of the label paper 70, which will be described later, by utilizing the difference in light transmittance between the label portion and the mount portion. The light reflection type sensor 27 identifies the presence or absence of the black mark by utilizing the difference in the reflectance of the black mark portion printed on the mount portion. The label portion, mount portion, and black mark portion will be described later.

The auto cutter 116 is provided on the upstream side of the image forming unit 12. The auto cutter 116 is composed of a fixed blade arranged so as to face each other via the medium transport path 16, a movable blade, a motor as a drive source for the movable blade, and the like, and is a portion for cutting the label paper 70 to a predetermined length. The amount of transport from the light reflection type sensor 27 detecting the black mark portion of the label paper 70 to the cut position is controlled by the control unit 15. The cut label paper 70 is conveyed to the image forming unit 12. Further, the cut label paper piece is referred to as a cut medium 7 for ease of explanation.

The image forming unit 12 is composed of a WR (Write) sensor 121 and four image forming units 122a to 122d, and forms an image on the cut medium 7 by an electrophotographic method. The WR sensor 121 is formed by a light transmission type sensor 121a and a light reflection type sensor 121b (see FIG. 5). The WR sensor 121 is a traveling system sensor that detects that the cut medium 7 has reached the position of the sensor, and detects the timing at which the image forming units 122a to 122d are reached.

When a print command is input to the control unit 15 from a higher-level device (not shown), the image forming units 122a to 122d are started by the instruction from the control unit 15. In FIG. 2, the image forming units 122a to 122d are configured by providing a developing unit and a toner accommodating unit on the medium transport path 16, respectively. When the image forming units 122a to 122d form a toner image on the cut medium 7, the cut medium 7 is conveyed to the fixing portion 13 provided on the downstream side.
The toner accommodating portion is provided with four color toners corresponding to the image forming units 122a to 122d, the image forming unit 122a stores the black color (B) toner, and the image forming unit 122b has a yellow color. Save the toner of (Y). Further, the magenta (M) toner is stored in the image forming unit 122c, and the cyan (C) toner is stored in the image forming unit 122d. Since the configuration and operation of these image forming units 12 are known techniques, description thereof will be omitted.

The fixing portion 13 is composed of a heat roller 131 and a fixing belt 132. A heater (not shown) is built in the heat roller 131. The cut medium 7 is pressurized and heated by being conveyed between the heat roller 131 and the fixing belt 132, and the toner image on the cut medium 7 is fixed. The cut medium 7 that has passed through the fixing portion 13 is discharged by a discharge roller 123 further downstream.
The operation display unit 14 displays information about the label paper 70, displays a guidance screen for operation input by the user, and enables operation input. Specifically, it is composed of a touch panel, and operation instructions can be selected by lightly touching the display surface. Since these technologies are well known in in-vehicle audio-visual equipment, navigation systems, smartphones, and the like, description thereof will be omitted.

A plurality of transfer rollers 114 and discharge rollers 123 are arranged in the medium transfer path 16. A sufficient distance is secured for the arrangement interval of each of these rollers to convey the cut medium 7. Further, a guide member (not shown) is used in the medium transport path 16 to regulate the positions of the medium to be transported in the width direction and the thickness direction. A medium transporting means is formed including a medium transport path 16, a paper feed roller 113, a transport roller 114, and a discharge roller 123, and their drive sources (motors described later).

Next, the label paper 70 as a roll-shaped medium will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a label paper used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The label paper 70 as a roll-shaped medium has the label 72 peelably attached to the surface side of the long mount 71 at predetermined intervals. FIG. 3A is a side view when the label paper 70 is fed out and conveyed substantially horizontally, and viewed from the side with respect to the conveying direction indicated by the arrow F. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the label paper 70 in the direction of arrow A, that is, as seen from the surface. FIG. 3C is a plan view of the label paper 70 in the direction of arrow B, that is, viewed from the back surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, the label paper 70 has a configuration in which a plurality of labels 72 are attached to the surface of a long mount 71 with a gap 73. The portion consisting of only the mount 71 and the portion where the label 72 is affixed on the mount 71 are repeated. The leading label 72-1 in the transport direction is attached by shifting the tip margin L0 from the mount tip 71t. Further, a black mark 74 is printed on the back surface of the mount 71. The black mark 74 is detected by the light reflection type sensor 27 of the cutter IN sensor 25, and is provided to obtain the operation timing of the auto cutter 116 with respect to the label paper 70 and the timing of adjusting the light emission amount by the light transmission type sensor 26 described later. ..

A plurality of black marks 74 are provided on the back surface of the label paper 70 so as to overlap the label 72 provided on the front surface of the label paper 70. The width Wb of the black mark 74 is a width of 1/3 to 1/4 of the width W of the mount, which will be described later. The length Lb of the black mark 74 is 1/3 to 1/4 of the length L1 of the label 72. The position where the black mark 74 is printed indicates that the label paper 70 is printed on the left end side with respect to the transport direction indicated by the arrow F.
A cut position 75 is set near the black mark 74 at a position indicated by an alternate long and short dash line. The cutter IN sensor 25 and the WR sensor 121 described above optically detect the mount 71 and the black mark 74, respectively, and control the transfer amount to the cut position and the toner image formation position, respectively.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral W indicates the width of the mount 71, and reference numeral W1 indicates the width of the label 72. Further, the dimension L1 indicates the label length. The dimension C1 indicates the cut dimension from the tip portion 71t of the mount to the cut position 75.
The label paper 70 is conveyed in the direction of arrow F (Forward) with the tip end portion 71t side of the mount as the tip end. Further, the width W of the mount is a fixed length, and the width W1 of the label is set smaller than the width W of the mount. The cut position 75 is shown in the case where the label 72 is cut in units of one label, but the cut position 75 is not limited to this.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an autocutter used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the label paper 70 as viewed from the front surface, and FIG. 4B is a side view of the label paper 70 as viewed from the side surface. As described above, the label 72 is detachably attached to the upper surface of the mount 71 at predetermined intervals, and the label 72 is wound outward in a roll shape to form the label paper 70 as the roll-shaped medium described above. Has been done.
As shown in FIG. 4A, a black mark 74 is printed on the back surface side of the mount 71 at a position shown by a broken line. The case where the label 72 is cut in units of two sheets with the cut dimension C2 from the tip portion 71t of the mount is shown. Therefore, when cutting with the cut dimension C2, the auto cutter 116 operates at the position shown in FIG. 4 (b).

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 has a control unit 15, and the control unit 15 includes an I / F unit 151, an image forming control unit 152, an operation display control unit 153, an auto cutter control unit 154, a motor control unit 155, and a heater control unit 156. , A storage unit 34 and a calendar unit 158.
The I / F unit 151 is a portion that receives print data from the host device, and the received print data is converted into image data by the image formation control unit 152. The image formation control unit 152 controls the image formation unit 12 to output (develop) image data on the label 72. The operation display control unit 153 controls the display of various information displayed on the operation display unit 14 and the operation input detected by the touch panel.

The auto-cutter control unit 154 monitors the detection result of the cutter IN sensor 25 and controls to drive the auto-cutter 116 when the label paper 70 reaches a preset cut position. Specifically, when the cut position 75 of the label paper 70 reaches the auto cutter 116, the cutter motor 116M is driven and the movable blade described above is moved to cut the label paper 70. When the cutting is completed, the movable blade returns to the standby position.
The motor control unit 155 controls a paper feed motor 113M that rotationally drives the paper feed roller 113, a transport motor 114M that rotationally drives the transport roller 114, and a discharge motor 123M that rotationally drives the discharge roller 123. Further, the motor control unit 155 controls the rotation of the heat roller motor 13M that conveys the cut medium 7 in order to fix the toner image on the cut medium 7 by the fixing unit 13.

The heater control unit 156 controls the temperature of the heat roller 131 (see FIG. 2) of the fixing unit 13. By transporting the cut medium 7 between the heat roller 131 and the fixing belt 132, the cut medium 7 is pressurized and heated, and the toner image on the label 72 of the cut medium 7 is fixed. The heater control unit 156 conveys the cut medium 7 after the surface temperature of the heat roller 131 reaches an appropriate value.

The storage unit 34 has a medium information storage unit 35, and the medium information storage unit 35 records and stores medium setting information 50 related to the label paper 70 as a roll-shaped medium to be used. The medium setting information 50, which will be described later in FIG. 13, is medium name information, external size information, presence / absence information of black marks, etc. as a medium type. Further, as will be described later in step S105, the storage unit 34 temporarily stores the first light emission amount information which is the adjustment result obtained by the light emission amount adjustment unit 203. Further, the storage unit 34 stores an operation program of the image forming apparatus 1 and a control program related to communication with the host device.
The calendar unit 158 measures the date and time information, and provides the date and time information when the medium setting registration is performed. The control unit 15 is also connected to a paper feed switch 112, a cutter IN sensor 25, and a WR sensor 121 composed of a light transmission type sensor 121a and a light reflection type sensor 121b, and processes the information detected by them to process operation control information. And process it as stored information. The details of the cutter IN sensor 25 will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cutter IN sensor of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a state when the label paper 70 conveyed in the direction of arrow F reaches the arrangement position of the cutter IN sensor 25. As described above, the cutter IN sensor 25 is composed of a light transmission type sensor 26 provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the label paper 70 and a light reflection type sensor 27 provided on the downstream side of the light transmission type sensor 26.
The light transmission type sensor 26 is for specifying the medium type of the label paper 70 by transmitting the irradiation light Pa to the portion where the label 72 is attached on the mount 71. The light reflection type sensor 27 is for detecting the black mark 74 to obtain the timing of controlling the transport of the label paper 70.

In the light transmissive sensor 26, a light emitting element (Light emitting diode) 26D as a light emitting unit is arranged on the surface of the label paper 70, that is, on the label 72 side. Then, a light receiving element (Phtotransistor) 26T as a light receiving portion is arranged on the back surface of the label paper 70, that is, on the mount 71 side. Since the light emitting element 26D and the light receiving element 26T are provided so as to face each other with the label paper 70 interposed therebetween and their optical axes are opposed to each other as shown in FIG. 1, the irradiation light Pa emitted by the light emitting element 26D is sent to the light receiving element 26T. Received light. When the label paper 70 is present, the light receiving element 26T receives the transmitted light transmitted through the label paper 70 from the light emitting element 26D. The control unit 15 detects the label paper 70 as a medium by utilizing the change in the light receiving level of the light receiving element 26T when the label paper 70 passes through. There is a difference in the amount of light received (light receiving level) between the portion of the mount 71 alone and the portion of the mount 71 and the label 72.

Further, the light emitting current applied to the light emitting element 26D of the light transmissive sensor 26 can be increased or decreased, and as a result, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 26D can be increased or decreased.
In the light reflection type sensor 27, both the light emitting element 27D and the light receiving element (Phtotransistor) 27T as means for detecting the black mark 74 are arranged on the back surface of the label paper 70, that is, on the mount 71 side. The irradiation light Pb emitted by the light emitting element 27D is refracted and reflected on the surface of the mount 71 and attenuated, but a part of the irradiation light Pb is received by the light receiving element 27T. The black mark 74 is detected by utilizing the difference in the light receiving level (difference in reflectance) between the unprinted portion of the black mark 74 and the printed portion of the black mark 74 of the mount 71.

As shown in FIG. 1, the light transmission type sensor 26 and the light reflection type sensor 27 are installed at intervals in the arrow F direction as the transport direction. It is desirable that the sensor interval C be as short as possible. By shortening the length, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the mount 71 reaches the light reflection type sensor 27 and detects the black mark 74 after the mount 71 is detected by the light transmissive sensor 26.
Further, from the sensor interval C and the transport speed, the time for the mount 71 to reach the light reflection type sensor 27 after the mount 71 is detected by the light transmission type sensor 26 can be known. Therefore, the timing for monitoring the presence or absence of the black mark 74 is the transport time of the tip margin L0 + the margin of 10 mm from the time when the light reflection type sensor 27 detects the tip portion 17t of the backing sheet of the label paper 70.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cutter IN sensor of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The light transmissive sensor 26 of the cutter IN sensor 25 is arranged at a position substantially at the center with respect to the width W of the backing sheet of the label paper 70. The light reflection type sensor 27 is arranged at a position approximately 1/4 from the left end portion where the black mark 74 is provided with respect to the width W of the mount. As shown in the figure, the light transmissive sensor 26 is substantially in the center of the width W of the mount of the label paper 70, and the width Wb of the black mark 74 is 1/3 to 1/4 of the width W of the mount. It shows that the irradiation light Pa of the light transmission type sensor 26 does not overlap with the black mark 74 in the width direction of the mount 71.
The irradiation light Pa of the light transmission type sensor 26 may be arranged so as to overlap the black mark 74. This is because the light transmission type sensor 26 detects the change in the transmittance of the irradiation light Pa by the label 72, so that there is no effect on detecting the tip portion 17t of the backing sheet of the label paper 70.

The label paper 70 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow F by the medium conveying portion 16 in the feeder portion 11 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1. The label paper 70 is conveyed to the place where the light receiving element 26T directly receives the irradiation light Pa emitted by the light emitting element 26D of the light transmitting sensor 26. Then, the irradiation light Pa is blocked by the label paper 70. At this time, the black mark 74 faces the light reflection type sensor 27. Therefore, the irradiation light Pb emitted by the light emitting element 27D is reflected by the black mark 74 and enters the light receiving element 27T. When the light transmission type sensor 26 detects the medium (step S102 described later), the control unit 15 detects the output of the black mark 74 by the light reflection type sensor 27 (step S103 described later).

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a cutter IN sensor of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The light emitting element 26D of the light transmissive sensor 26 and the light emitting element 27D of the light reflecting type sensor 27 constituting the cutter IN sensor 25 are connected to the first light emitting amount adjusting circuit 201 and the second light emitting amount adjusting circuit 202, respectively. There is. The first light emitting amount adjusting circuit 201 and the second light emitting amount adjusting circuit 202 are connected to a light emitting current adjusting unit 203 as a light emitting amount adjusting unit. The light emitting current adjusted unit 203 determines the light emitting current applied to the light emitting elements 26D and 27D.

Regarding the present embodiment, as will be described later, the light emitting current adjusting unit 203 gradually increases the light emitting current applied to the light emitting element 26D. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 26D increases. As will be described later, when the amount of light received by the light receiving element 26T passing through the label paper 70 matches the reference level Ys as a predetermined value, the light emitting current applied to the light emitting element 26D is the first light emission. It is the amount of light emitted as quantity information. The light emission amount as the first light emission amount information is the adjustment result performed by the light emission current adjustment unit 203.

The light receiving element 26T of the light transmitting type sensor 26 and the light receiving element 27T of the light reflecting type sensor 27 constituting the cutter IN sensor 25 are connected to the amplifier circuits 204 and 205, respectively. The light receiving outputs of the light receiving elements 26T and 27T are amplified by the amplifier circuits 204 and 205, respectively, and converted into digital values by the A / D conversion unit 206.
The light receiving level determination unit 207 is connected to the A / D conversion unit 206, and the converted digital value can be compared with various predetermined threshold values. In the present embodiment, as will be described later in FIG. 9, the light receiving level Yn as the light receiving amount of the light receiving element 26T of the light transmissive sensor 26 is compared with the reference level Ys as the reference light receiving amount. The light receiving level determination unit 207 notifies the medium setting information comparison unit 208 of the result of the comparison.

The medium setting information comparison unit 208 is connected to the light receiving level determination unit 207 and also to the above-mentioned light emission current adjustment unit 203. When the medium setting information comparison unit 208 receives a notification from the light receiving level determination unit 207 that the light receiving level Yn has not reached the reference level Ys, the light emitting current adjusting unit 203 steps the light emitting current applied to the light emitting element 26D. Instruct to gradually increase. In this way, it is performed until the light receiving level Yn reaches the reference level Ys. Then, when the medium setting information comparison unit 208 receives a notification from the light receiving level determination unit 207 that the light receiving level Yn has reached the reference level Ys, the light emitting current adjusting unit 203 receives the notification of the light emitting current applied to the light emitting element 26D. It is instructed to notify the value, that is, the light emission amount as the first light emission amount information.

The medium setting information comparison unit 208 uses the medium setting information 50 stored in the medium information storage unit 35 shown in FIG. 5 based on the light emission amount as the first light emission amount information which is the adjustment result from the light emission current adjustment unit 203. Search for a matching media type in. That is, the medium setting information 50 stored in the medium information storage unit 35 includes various registration information related to the label paper 70 used as will be described later in FIG. As a result, it is possible to search whether or not the medium setting information 50 corresponds to the medium detected this time.
The first light emission amount adjustment circuit 201 and the second light emission amount adjustment circuit 202, the light emission current adjustment unit 203, the amplifier circuits 204 and 205, the A / D conversion unit 206, the light reception level determination unit 207, and the medium setting information comparison unit. Each part of 208 is formed as a printed wiring board in the control part 15.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart from the detection of the medium paper feed in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment to the determination of the medium type. More specifically, it is a step of taking in the label paper 70 loaded in the feeder unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 and acquiring the light emission amount information and the light reception level information for determining the medium type by the cutter IN sensor 25. The operation control of each unit described below is executed by the control unit 15 according to an operation program stored in advance in the storage unit 34.

S100: The image forming apparatus 1 is in a standby state waiting for paper feeding. Here, the user loads the label paper 70 as a roll-shaped medium, pulls out the tip portion thereof, and pushes the label paper 70 into the medium transport path 16. The control unit 15 monitors the detection of the medium by the paper feed switch 112. If it is detected, move to the next step.

S101: When the paper feed switch 112 detects the medium, the control unit 15 drives the paper feed motor 113M and the transfer motor 114M in the forward rotation by the motor control unit 155. When the paper feed motor 113M and the transfer motor 114M are driven, the label paper 70 is conveyed by the paper feed roller 113 and the transfer roller 114. The label paper 70 pressed and sandwiched by the paper feed roller 113 is conveyed while being fed, and reaches the arrangement position of the transfer roller 114. After that, the label paper 70 is conveyed by the paper feed roller 113 and the transfer roller 114 in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG.

S102: The control unit 15 monitors whether or not the light transmissive sensor 26 has detected the tip 17t of the backing sheet of the label paper 70. When there is a change in the output of the light transmissive sensor 26, the control unit 15 determines from "without label paper" to "with label paper", and proceeds to the next step S103.
If the "label paper available" information cannot be obtained even after rotating the paper feed motor 113M and the transport motor 114M for a predetermined time, the control unit 15 stops the operation as a timeout error. In this case, error information, confirmation means, and the like are displayed on the operation display unit 14 to encourage the user to take action, but the description thereof will be omitted because it is a well-known technique.

S103: When the light transmission type sensor 26 detects the mount tip portion 17t of the label paper 70 in step S102, the control unit 15 receives a confirmation signal for the presence or absence of the black mark 74 from the light reflection type sensor 27. Specifically, the control unit 15 determines the presence or absence of the black mark 74 from the output value of the light receiving element 27T of the light reflection type sensor 27 by the light receiving level determination unit 207. The control unit 15 stores the presence / absence of the black mark 74 as a result of this determination by the storage unit 34.

Since the sensor distance C between the light transmissive sensor 26 and the light reflective sensor 27 is fixed, the light transmissive sensor 26 detects the tip portion 71t of the backing sheet of the label paper 70, and then the label is placed at the position of the light reflective sensor 27. The time required for the tip end portion 71t of the paper 70 to reach can be obtained from the sensor interval C and the transport speed.
Therefore, the timing for detecting the presence or absence of the black mark 74 monitors the section in which the front margin L0 and the label paper 70 having a margin of 10 mm are conveyed from the timing when the front end portion 71t of the label paper 70 reaches the light reflection type sensor 27. do it. Generally, the tip margin L0 from the tip of the mount 71t to the top label 72-1 is about 1 to 5 mm.
As a result, the light reflection type sensor 27 can reliably perform the presence or absence of the black mark 74. Further, when the label paper 70 on which the black mark 74 is not printed is used, the light receiving level of the light reflection type sensor 27 is significantly different from that on the label paper 70 on which the black mark 74 is printed. 15 can be easily identified.

S104: The control unit 15 conveys the label paper 70 by a predetermined amount and stops it. The reason why the predetermined amount is conveyed is that in the next step S105, the irradiation light Pa of the light transmission type sensor 26 is transmitted to the label 72. At this time, the light transmissive sensor 26 must not exceed the end of the leading label 72-1.

Generally, since the length of the label 72 is 40 mm, it is preferable to secure a margin and set the predetermined transport amount to 20 mm. If the length L1 of the label 72 is short and the predetermined transport amount exceeds the end of the leading label 72-1 at a predetermined transport amount of 20 mm, the light transmissive sensor 26 should not exceed the end of the leading label 72-1. This predetermined transport amount is set in.

S105: The control unit 15 adjusts the light emission amount of the light transmission type sensor 26 by the light emission amount adjustment unit 203, and temporarily stores the first light emission amount information which is the obtained adjustment result in the storage unit 34. The method of adjusting the amount of light emitted will be described with reference to FIG.

S106: The motor control unit 155 reversely rotates the paper feed motor 113M and the transfer motor 114M. As a result, the label paper 70 is conveyed in the direction of arrow R (Reverse) shown in FIG. That is, the light transmissive sensor 26 is retracted in the direction of "no label paper".

S107: The control unit 15 monitors that the light transmissive sensor 26 detects “no label paper”. If it has not been detected, the process returns to step S106. If detected, move to the next step.

S108: When the light transmissive sensor 26 detects "no label paper", the reverse rotation operation of the paper feed motor 113M and the transport motor 114M is stopped. Specifically, when "no label paper" is detected, the motor control unit 155 starts the deceleration process and stops at a predetermined time.
By the above operation, the label paper 70 enters a standby state in the vicinity of the light transmissive sensor 26, in which the light transmissive sensor 26 detects "no label paper". When a print instruction is received from the host device in this state, each process is performed by the auto cutter 116, the image forming unit 12, and the fixing unit 13, and printing is executed, but detailed description thereof will be omitted. ..

FIG. 9 is an output relationship diagram (1) of the light transmission type sensor of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The output relationship diagram shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of two types of media, that is, high-quality label paper 1 and high-quality label paper 2. The horizontal axis of the graph is the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 26D of the light transmissive sensor 26 (related to the light emitting current), and the vertical axis of the graph is the light receiving level of the light receiving element 26T.
Since the light receiving level increases in proportion to the increase in the amount of light emitted and the light transmittance differs depending on the medium type (particularly the paper quality) of the label paper 70, the inclination differs depending on the medium type. The adjustment of the light emission amount is to gradually increase the light emission amount and obtain the light emission amount when the light receiving level reaches the reference level Ys. In this way, the light emitting amounts X1 and X2 are stored in the medium information storage unit 35 of the storage unit 34, respectively, in association with the high-quality label paper 1 and the high-quality label paper 2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart (1) of adjusting the amount of light emitted in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The flow chart (1) for adjusting the amount of light emitted is the details of step S105 described above. The control described below is executed by the control unit 15 according to an operation program stored in advance in the storage unit 34. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG.

S200: The control unit 15 sets the light emission amount of the light emitting element 26D of the light transmission type sensor 26 to 0 (zero) by the first light emission amount adjustment circuit 201. That is, the light emitting element 26D of the light transmissive sensor 26 is set to the quenching state.

S201: After setting the light emission amount to 0 (zero) in step S200, the control unit 15 sequentially increases the light emission amount stepwise (+1) by the first light emission amount adjustment circuit 201.

S202: Whether or not the light receiving level Yn as the light receiving amount of the light receiving element 26T of the light transmitting sensor 26 has reached the reference level Ys as the reference light receiving amount by the light receiving level determination unit 207, that is, whether the control unit 15 matches. Please monitor. When the amount of light emitted is gradually increased in step S201, the light receiving level determination unit 207 determines that the light receiving level of the light receiving element 26T has reached the reference level Ys. When the reference level Ys is reached, the control unit 15 stops and maintains the increase in the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 26D at that time by the light emitting current adjusting unit 203. Then, move to the next step. If the reference level Ys has not been reached, the process returns to step S201.

S203: The control unit 15 temporarily records the maintained light emission amount as the first light emission amount information in the storage unit 34. The amount of luminescence is linearly increased as shown in FIG. 9, but specifically, it is increased stepwise in a subdivided manner.

(Modification example)
Next, a modified example of adjusting the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 26D of the light transmissive sensor 26 will be described. FIG. 11 is an output relationship diagram (2) of the light transmission type sensor of the image forming apparatus according to the modified example of the first embodiment. The feature of this modification is that the light emission amount is not gradually increased from 0 (zero), but is started from a predetermined light emission amount, and the light emission amount is gradually increased or gradually increased. It is to reduce.

In the output relationship diagram shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the two types of media, that is, the high-quality label paper 1 and the high-quality label paper 2, the output relationship diagram of the reference medium is shown. The horizontal axis of the graph is the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 26D of the light transmissive sensor 26 (related to the light emitting current), and the vertical axis of the graph is the light receiving level of the light receiving element 26T. Since the light receiving level increases in proportion to the increase in the amount of light emitted and the light transmittance differs depending on the medium type of the label paper 70, the inclination differs depending on the medium type.
The center of the three graph lines shows the sensor output relationship in the reference medium. In the reference medium, it means that a predetermined reference emission amount (emission current) Xs is required to obtain a light reception level of the reference level Ys.

When adjusting the amount of light emitted from the high-quality label paper 1, first, light is emitted at a predetermined reference amount of light Xs, and the light receiving level Y2 is acquired. Comparing the light receiving level Y2 with the light receiving level Ys in the reference medium, it can be understood that the light receiving level Y2 is higher. Therefore, the amount of light emitted is gradually reduced from Xs. As the amount of light emitted is reduced, the light receiving level Yn coincides with the reference level Ys, so that the amount of light emitted X1 at that time can be obtained.

Similarly, when adjusting the light emission amount for the high-quality label paper 2, the light receiving level Y1 at the light emission amount Xs can be first obtained. Comparing the light receiving level Y1 with the light receiving level Ys in the reference medium, it can be understood that the light receiving level Y1 is lower. Therefore, the amount of light emitted is gradually increased from Xs. As the amount of light emitted is increased, the light receiving level Yn coincides with the reference level Ys, so that the amount of light emitted X2 at that time is obtained. These light emission amounts X1 and X2 are stored in the medium information storage unit 35 of the storage unit 34 in association with the high-quality label paper 1 and the high-quality label paper 2, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (2) of adjusting the amount of light emitted in the image forming apparatus according to the modified example of the first embodiment. The flow chart (2) for adjusting the amount of light emitted is also the details of step S105 described above. Further, the operation control of each unit described below is executed by the control unit 15 according to the operation program stored in advance in the storage unit 34. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG.

S300: The control unit 15 causes the first light emission amount adjusting circuit 201 to emit light at the light emission amount Xs of the light emitting element 26D of the light transmission type sensor 26.
S301: When the light emission amount = Xs in step S300, the control unit 15 compares the light reception level Yn acquired by the light reception level determination unit 207 with the reference level Ys as the reference light reception amount.

S302: As a result of comparing the acquired light receiving level Yn and the reference level Ys, when there is no difference (Ys = Ys), the light emitting amount of the light emitting element 26D is set to the next step S303. When the acquired light receiving level Yn is larger than the reference level Ys, the process proceeds to step S304, and when the acquired light receiving level Yn is smaller than the reference level Ys, the process proceeds to step S305.

S303: Since the light receiving level Yn and the reference level Ys match, the amount of light emitted at that time becomes the reference level Xs. The control unit 15 temporarily records the maintained light emission amount in the storage unit 34 as the first light emission amount information. The amount of light emitted is increased or decreased linearly as shown in FIG. 11, but specifically, it is subdivided and increased or decreased stepwise. Therefore, the amount of light emitted by adding the number of increases and decreases to the amount of light emitted Xs at the start of step S300 is recorded for each medium.

S304: Since the acquired light receiving level Yn is larger than the reference level Ys, the first light emitting amount adjusting circuit 201 gradually reduces the light emitting amount. Then, the comparison (step S301) between the light receiving level Yn acquired by the light receiving level determination unit 207 in step S301 and the reference level Ys is re-executed for each step.

S305: Since the acquired light receiving level Yn is smaller than the reference level Ys, the first light emitting amount adjusting circuit 201 gradually increases the light emitting amount. Then, the comparison (step S301) between the light receiving level Yn acquired by the light receiving level determination unit 207 in step S301 and the reference level Ys is re-executed for each step. According to the modification described above, there is an effect that the stepwise switching time of the light emission amount can be shortened.

(Media setting information of the first embodiment)
Next, returning to the description of the first embodiment, the medium setting information 50 will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing medium setting information of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The medium setting information 50 is stored in the medium information storage unit 35 of the storage unit 34.

The medium setting information 50 includes various registration information related to the label paper 70 to be used. That is, for each control number information 500, the medium name information 501 as the medium type, the light emission amount information 502 as the second light emission amount information, the presence / absence information 503 of the black mark, and the like are registered. The medium name information 501 and the presence / absence information 503 of the black mark are registered by the user at the time of the sensor calibration process or are registered as initial settings in advance. The sensor calibration process is executed for the medium used for the first time, the light emission amount and the threshold value are adjusted during the sensor calibration process, and are registered in the medium setting information 50.

The medium name information 501 as the medium type indicates that two types of "high quality label paper 1" and "high quality label paper 2" are recorded as shown in FIG. 13, but additional registration is possible. is there. In the case of additional registration, a management number will be assigned. It is also possible to urge the user to avoid registration with the same name if the characteristics are different.

The light emitting amount information 502 as the second light emitting amount information is used as a predetermined light receiving unit by changing the light emitting amount of the light emitting element 26D as a predetermined light emitting unit in the same device as the configuration of the cutter sensor shown in FIG. It shows the amount of light emission (light emission current) of the light emitting element 26D as a predetermined light emitting unit obtained when the light receiving level Yn received by the light receiving element 26T of the above reaches the reference level Ys. The light emission amount information 502 is predetermined information for each medium type of the label paper 70. For example, 7.5 mA and 9.0 mA are recorded in the light emission amount information 502. The presence / absence information 503 of the black mark is pre-registered by the user. The label detection threshold information 504 is threshold information for determining medium (label) detection by the light transmissive sensor 26. For example, 2.0 V is recorded in the label detection threshold information 504. The black mark detection threshold information 505 is threshold information for detecting and determining the black mark 74 by the light reflection type sensor 27. For example, 1.6 V is recorded as the black mark detection threshold information 505.

The loading registration date information 506 is date and time information measured by the calendar unit 158, and the date and hour / minute information at the time when the medium type is determined by the user's operation is recorded. The most recently loaded label paper 70 can be identified by the loading registration date information 506.
The paper feed count information 507 as the usage frequency information is the number of times information that the paper feed switch 112 is turned on, and is counted when the label paper 70 is loaded and detected by the user, and the medium type is determined by the user's operation. It will be counted up when it is done. The number of print information 508 is information that records the number of printed sheets of the label 72 of the label paper 70. Instead of the paper feed count information 507, the print number information 508 may be preset so as to be positioned as the usage frequency information.

The label size information 509 indicates the vertical and horizontal dimensions (W1 and L1 in FIG. 3) of the label 72, and is used when developing into a print format. For example, a width of 40 mm and a length of 40 mm are recorded. The width W of the mount 71 is a fixed dimension.
The label pitch information 510 indicates the spacing between the labels 72 to be affixed on the mount 71, and is manufactured with predetermined dimensions. The cut position information 511 is basically a value obtained by adding the length of the gap 73 to the label length L1 (see FIG. 3) of the label 72.

In FIG. 13, characters and numbers (decimal numbers) are used for easy understanding, but specifically, the presence / absence information 503 of the black mark is registered in binary numbers (0,1). Further, the control unit 15 registers and manages the paper feed count information 507, the print number information 508, etc. in a plurality of hexadecimal digits (0 to F), and converts them into character display and a decimal number when displayed on the operation display unit 14. To do.

(Media selection operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation of selecting the medium, which is the main part of the invention of the present application, will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of selecting a medium in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Further, the operation control of each unit described below is executed by the control unit 15 according to the operation program stored in advance in the storage unit 34.

S400: The control unit 15 is in the light emission amount as the first light emission amount information acquired from the light emitting element 26D of the light transmission type sensor 26 and the medium setting information 50 stored in the medium information storage unit 35 of the storage unit 34. The light emission amount information 502 as the second light emission amount information of the above is compared.

S401: As a result of comparing the light emission amount as the first light emission amount information from the light transmission type sensor 26 and the light emission amount as the second light emission amount information in the medium setting information 50, the difference in the light emission amount is within ± 15%. If the medium of is present, the process proceeds to the next step S402. If there is no medium having a difference in the amount of light emission within ± 15%, for example, + 25%, the process proceeds to step S409.

S402: When there is a medium having a difference in light emission amount within ± 15%, the control unit 15 extracts this as a medium candidate and stores the extracted medium candidate in the storage unit 34 in ascending order of difference in light emission amount. To do. If the differences are the same, they are stored in the order of the latest date and time of the loading registration date information 506.

S403: When the amount of light emitted is the same, the control unit 15 sorts the media with the black mark into the higher-ranking candidates. When there is no difference in the amount of light emitted, for example, when the amount of light emitted from the medium is 7.5 mA and the amount of light emitted information 502 on the high-quality label paper 1 of the control number 1 of the medium setting information 50 is 7.5 mA. Corresponds to. In this case, the result of the presence or absence of the black mark in step S103 of FIG. 8 described above is read from the storage unit 34. As a result, if the medium has a black mark, the presence / absence information 503 of the black mark in the medium setting information 50 is searched, and the order of the corresponding medium candidate is set as a higher candidate.

S404: Further, in addition to step S403, when a medium having the same difference exists, the control unit 15 selects the medium that has been used most recently as a high-ranking candidate. This extracts the latest date and time in the loading registration date information 506 from the medium setting information 50 and sets it as a high-ranking candidate. The "most recent" is within the past 30 days in the loading registration date information 506, but since it is affected by the usage environment of the device, it is appropriately determined at the time of installation and the operation stage.

S405: In addition to step S404, when there is no record of recent use, the control unit 15 searches the paper feed count information 507 and sets the frequently used medium as a high-ranking candidate. It is also possible to extract the most printed number information 507 from the medium setting information 50 and use it as a high-ranking candidate.

S406: The control unit 15 displays the upper candidates of the medium extracted from various conditions on the operation display unit 14 in steps S402 to S405.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an operation display unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15A shows an operation unit display example in which media candidates extracted from various conditions are displayed on the operation display unit 14. As shown in the figure, "The loaded paper is assumed to be the following paper" is displayed as the guidance word 141, and "Media name: High-quality label paper 2, Black mark: Yes" is displayed as the medium information 142 determined to be a medium candidate. , Media size: Length 4 cm, Width 5 cm, Usage record: Yes, Last registration date: August 2016 "is displayed. Then, "Please press the OK button if you like" is displayed as the operation guidance wording 143. Further, the OK button 144 and the reconfirmation button 145 are displayed as operation buttons for causing the user to take an action.

When a plurality of media candidates exist, the next candidate button 146 is displayed. If the user agrees according to the operation guidance display 143, the user presses the selection input, that is, the OK button 144.
If the user disagrees for some reason, the reconfirmation button 145 is selected. When the reconfirmation button 145 is selected, the control unit 15 re-executes the operation shown in FIG. 8 for the medium in the standby state.

S407: The control unit 15 monitors the input of the OK button 144 performed by the user by the operation display unit 14. When the control unit 15 receives the selection input of the next candidate button 146, the control unit 15 returns to step S406 and displays the next medium information 142.
S408: When the user selects the OK button 144 in step S407, the control unit 15 sets and registers the media information for which the OK button 144 is selected as the loaded media information. In this way, it is possible to reduce erroneous settings regarding media settings by the user.

S409: When, as a result of comparing the light emission amount of the light transmissive sensor 26 and the light emission amount in the medium setting information 50 in step S401, it is determined that there is no medium having a difference in light emission amount within ± 15%. , The control unit 15 determines that there is no corresponding medium in the medium setting information 50. The control unit 15 gives an instruction for inspection (cleaning, etc.) of the cutter IN sensor 25 and a display recommending a retry operation of the sensor calibration process.

FIG. 15B is a display example for instructing the inspection (cleaning, etc.) of the cutter IN sensor 25 and recommending the retry operation of the sensor calibration process. "There is no setting information for the paper that has been fed" is displayed as the guidance word 141. Then, as the operation guidance wording 143, "Clean the sensor part because it may be dirty, etc." and "It may become normal by calibrating and readjusting the judgment part, so please re-execute." Display and display the re-execute button 147. When the re-execution button 147 is selected, the operation shown in FIG. 8 is re-executed on the label paper 70 in the standby state.

In step S401, as a result of comparing the light emission amount of the light transmission type sensor 26 and the light emission amount in the medium setting information 50, the difference in the light emission amount was within ± 15%, but the difference is not limited to this. The value should be set as appropriate according to the conditions used. For example, when a medium having a large variation in transmittance is used, the result of adjusting the amount of light emission varies, so it may be about ± 30%.

As described above, a plurality of light emission amounts as the first light emission amount information adjusted by the light emission amount adjustment unit 203 when the label paper 70 is fed, and medium setting information 50 stored in the medium information storage unit 35 of the storage unit 34. It is possible to determine the type of the fed label paper 70 by comparing it with the amount of light emission (information) as the second light emission information of the type, and display it on the operation display unit 14 so as to be selectable. As a result, even when handling a large number of types of media, those having the same or similar medium characteristics are preferentially notified to the user as a high-ranking candidate, so that erroneous setting regarding the medium setting by the user can be reduced.

On the other hand, the medium type of the fed label paper 70 is automatically selected by comparing the light emission amount as the first light emission amount information and the light emission amount (information) as the second light emission information of a plurality of types. You can also do it. This can be done by determining the media type of the highest candidate among the plurality of media candidates as the fed label paper 70 after passing through steps S402 to S405. As a result, the setting information of the light transmissive sensor or the like for the fed medium can be automatically updated, and the convenience is improved.
Further, when the corresponding medium candidate does not exist in the medium setting information 50, the execution of the sensor calibration for the fed medium is urged. As a result, various operations for shifting to the sensor calibration process can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and can be used, for example, in a drug label issuing apparatus used in a health notebook or the like used in a pharmacy or the like, or a product label issuing machine in a supermarket or the like. Further, the medium used is not limited to the roll-shaped label paper, and can be diverted to a fan hold type medium.

1 Image forming device 12 Image forming unit 14 Operation display unit 50 Media setting information 25 Cutter IN sensor 26 Light transmission type sensor 27 Light reflection type sensor 70 Label paper 71 Mount 72 Label 74 Black mark 116 Auto cutter 502 Light emission amount information 503 Black mark Presence / absence information

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus capable of transporting a label affixed to a long mount at predetermined intervals and a roll-shaped medium in which a black mark is arranged at a position corresponding to the label to form an image on the roll-shaped medium. And
An optical sensor comprising a light emitting unit that emits light that can increase or decrease the amount of light emitted and a light receiving unit that receives light transmitted through the roll medium from the light emitting unit, which are provided so as to face each other with the roll medium in between.
A light emitting amount adjusting unit that obtains first light emitting amount information of the light emitting unit when the light receiving amount received by the light receiving unit reaches a predetermined value through the roll-shaped medium.
A black mark information acquisition means for acquiring the first black mark presence / absence information from the roll-shaped medium , and
A medium information storage unit that stores medium information including a predetermined second light emission amount information and a second black mark presence / absence information for a plurality of medium types of the roll-shaped medium.
The medium type related to the second light emission amount information having the same or different difference from the first light emission amount information obtained by the light emission amount adjusting unit is extracted, displayed as a medium candidate, and further. When a plurality of the second light emission amount information having the same difference as the first light emission amount information is stored in the medium information storage unit, the first black mark presence / absence information and the second light emission amount information are stored. The control unit that compares the black mark presence / absence information, displays the medium type having the second black mark presence / absence information corresponding to the first black mark presence / absence information as the medium candidate, and accepts the confirmation operation. A featured image forming apparatus. The first light-emitting amount information obtained by the light emission quantity adjustment unit, by changing the light emission amount of the light emitting portion, when the light receiving portion has reached the reference amount of received light the light receiving amount is determined in advance for receiving the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said light emitting amount of said light emitting portion of the. It has an operation display unit that can display and input information related to the roll-shaped medium.
The control unit displays the medium type as the medium candidate on the operation display unit, and when the operation display unit performs the confirmation operation for the predetermined medium type, the confirmed medium type is described. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the medium information is set and registered. Wherein the control unit, by the light emitting amount adjusting unit, the light emission amount of the light emitting portion starts light irradiation from the quenching state, to increase the light emission amount so that the light receiving amount acquired reaches the reference amount of light received, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein as a result, the first light emission amount information is obtained. Wherein the control unit, by the light emitting amount adjusting unit, acceleration is adjusting the light emission amount to start the irradiation, the light receiving amount acquired is equal to the reference amount of light received by the reference emission amount determined in advance, as a result, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first light emission amount information is obtained. The control unit has a calendar unit and has a calendar unit.
The medium information storage unit stores the registration date and time information indicating the time when the medium type is stored in the medium information storage unit.
Further, as a result of comparing the first light emission amount information and the second light emission amount information, the control unit finds a plurality of the second light emission amount information having the same difference, the first light emission amount information . In addition to the comparison of the black mark presence / absence information and the second black mark presence / absence information, the registration date / time information is compared, and the medium type most recently registered date / time information is displayed as the medium candidate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The front Symbol medium information storage unit stores including the use frequency information of a plurality of the media type of the roll-shaped medium,
Prior Symbol controller, the first light-emitting amount information and a result of comparing the second light-emitting amount information, when the difference was more than the same of the second light-emitting amount information, the first in addition the black mark Yes No information on the comparison of the second black mark presence information, by comparing the frequency of use information, and displaying frequently used the medium type as the medium candidate The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images