JP2000158680A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record an image based on an image processing suitable for a recording medium by simply setting a package box containing the recording medium. SOLUTION: A recorder comprises a table 6 for removably mounting a package box 1 containing a plurality of sheets of recording medium S of same kind and having means 2 for separating the recording medium S sheet by sheet and means 1c for storing information concerning to the kind and the number of sheets of the recording medium S, a section 3 for feeding the recording medium S from the package box 1 mounted on the table 6, a section 4 for recording an image onto the recording medium S fed from the feeding section 3, means 7 for delivering information to the information memory means 1c and receiving information therefrom, and means 21 for controlling operation of the recorder section 4 depending on the image processing mode. When the package box 1 is set on the mounting table 6, an image processing mode suitable for the kind of the recording medium S is set based on the information concerning to the kind of the recording medium S obtained through the information input/output means 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a recording device such as a printer as an information output device in a word processor, a personal computer or the like, an image forming device such as a copying machine or a facsimile, and various other devices using a recording medium. The images are recorded on various recording media (plain paper for printing, coated paper for high-quality color recording, OHP sheets, envelopes, postcards, cloth sheets, etc.) mounted on the feeding unit based on image data from the host computer. To a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a recording apparatus provided with a feeding section for feeding a recording medium and a recording section for recording on the recording medium, a recording apparatus used for setting a recording medium on the feeding section is used. The medium is set once by pulling it out of a packaging box that keeps the medium isolated from dust and holding the pulled out recording medium at a predetermined place of the apparatus.

There are various recording methods used in this conventional recording apparatus. For example, an ink jet recording method can easily produce a high-quality color image on a surface of various recording media by directly discharging ink onto the surface. Recording method. As a recording medium used in this recording method, a recording medium based on a resin film other than a recording medium based on paper, for example, a recording medium based on an OHP sheet or cloth, a recording medium based on a thin metal plate, or a thin wood , And the types thereof vary widely, and the ink permeability (water absorption in the thickness direction) greatly differs for each type. Therefore, when recording, it is preferable to appropriately select and use an image processing method suitable for the characteristics (such as permeability) of each recording medium.

Conventionally, after setting a recording medium as described above, the user seems to be most suitable for the recording medium from among a plurality of image processing menus input to the host computer and displayed on the display means. Select the image processing method and set it.However, since it is not possible to determine in advance whether the selected image processing method is the best, change the image processing method and perform several test recordings, and select the optimum It was necessary to find a suitable image processing method.

Further, the conventional recording apparatus accepts and executes a print command from a host computer regardless of the presence or absence of a recording medium. At that time, the feeding unit performs a feeding operation and the recording medium is within a predetermined time. By detecting that the recording medium does not come to the recording unit side, it notifies the host computer that there is no recording medium. As a result, the host computer stops the printing operation and informs the user by displaying on the display means that there is no recording medium.

[0006]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional recording apparatus, when an image processing method suitable for a recording medium used by a user is set, it is determined whether or not the selected image processing method is optimal. Therefore, it is necessary to perform some test recordings by changing the image processing method and find the optimum image processing method from among them, so that the recording medium is wasted and time is wasted. There was a problem of getting lost.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional recording apparatus, since the user knows that there is no recording medium after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the printing operation, there is a problem in that the user wastes time. Furthermore, when the recording apparatus is shared with a plurality of persons at a distance, the above-mentioned useless time affects a plurality of persons, which is a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable an image to be recorded based on image processing suitable for the recording medium only by setting a packaging box housing the recording medium, and to provide no recording medium. An object of the present invention is to prevent a waste of time from being received by accepting a print command in such a case.

[0009]

A typical structure of the present invention for achieving the above object is a separating means for accommodating a plurality of recording media of the same type and separating the recording media one by one. Mounting means for removably mounting a packaging box having information storage means for storing information on the type and number of the recording media; and feeding the recording medium from the packaging box mounted on the mounting means. Means, recording means for recording an image on a recording medium fed by the feeding means, information input / output means for inputting / outputting information to / from the information storage means,
Control means for controlling the operation of the recording means in accordance with the image processing mode, and by setting the packaging box on the mounting means, the type information of the recording medium obtained through the information input / output means An image processing mode suitable for the type of the recording medium is set based on the recording medium.

According to the above configuration, by setting the packaging box on the mounting means, image processing suitable for the type of the recording medium can be performed based on the type information of the recording medium obtained through the information input / output means. Since the mode is set, there is no need to find an image processing mode suitable for the recording medium to be used, so that the recording medium and time are not wasted, and the recording medium to be used always has an image suitable for the type. An image based on the processing mode is recorded.

After one recording medium is fed from the packaging box, the number information of the information storage means is changed to one less by the information input / output means, and the changed value becomes zero. In the case of (1), the next recording command is not accepted, so that it is possible to prevent the recording command from being accepted and wasting time when there is no recording medium.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

{Packaging Box} FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a packaging box containing a recording medium therein.
Is an external perspective view showing a state at the time of purchase storage, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state at the time of use.

In FIG. 1, a packaging box 1 in which various recording media are stored for each type is wrapped with a thin and transparent synthetic resin sheet at the time of purchase, and the wrapping sheet is removed before use. I do. The packaging box 1
Is made of cardboard, a rigid synthetic resin plate, or a flexible synthetic resin sheet. A lid 1a that can be opened and closed is provided at the tip of the packaging box 1. Packaging box 1
On the upper surface 1b, the name of the type of the stored recording medium, a description on the handling, a symbol indicating the direction when the recording medium is loaded into the feeding device, and the like are described. Further, on a part of the surface of the packaging box 1, information such as the type and the number of recording media stored in the packaging box 1 and an image processing mode suitable for the recording medium is transmitted to the recording apparatus. Information storage means 1c (for example,
Storage means of a magnetic material readable and writable by magnetism, storage means of a semiconductor electrically readable and writable, storage means of a semiconductor element readable and writable by radio waves, etc.)
The recording apparatus that processes the recording medium automatically performs an image recording process in an appropriate image processing mode based on the read information.

In FIG. 2, a lid 1a of the packaging box 1 is shown.
Is opened, a plurality of recording media S, one part is inserted between the recording media S and the other part is the packaging box 1
The separating means 2 consisting of a plurality of sheet-like strips fixed to a part of the surface appears.

{Recording Apparatus} Next, based on FIGS.
The structure and function of the packaging box 1 constituting a part of the feeding unit of the recording apparatus, the feeding unit for mounting the packaging box 1 and feeding the recording medium S to the recording unit, and the feeding unit The configuration and operation of a recording device that performs recording on the transmitted recording medium will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a recording apparatus including a feeding device section and a recording apparatus section in a state where the packaging box 1 is mounted, FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing the recording apparatus in operation, and FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the feeding device.

The recording apparatus comprises a feeding unit 3 on which the packaging box 1 is mounted, and a recording unit 4. The outside of the main body of the apparatus is provided with a cover 5 and a lid 6b which is opened by rotating about a shaft 6a. Have. The lid 6b also serves as an upper portion of the mounting table 6 as a means for mounting the packaging box 1 in an open state. In the vicinity of the lower portion of the mounting table 6, the mounted packaging box 1
An information input / output unit 7 for reading information such as the type of recording medium and the number of recording media recorded in an information storage unit 1c provided on an outer surface of the unit or writing to the information storage unit 1c;
Are arranged. The packaging box 1 is inserted through an insertion port 5a provided in the cover 5, and the recording medium S inside is discharged from an output port 5b.

When information is recorded in the information storage means 1c by recording means such as magnetic recording, electronic memory recording, magneto-optical recording, or recording by radio waves, the information input / output means 7 Reading or writing of information is performed by a method corresponding to each of the above-described recording means, for example, an optical method, a magnetic method, an electronic method, and a radio wave method.

Inside the side plate 8 provided in the cover 5, a mounting table 6 as a means for mounting the packaging box 1 urged in the direction of the feed roller (upward) by a spring 9;
A feed roller 10 that comes into contact with the uppermost recording medium S stored in the packaging box 1 and a guide member 11 that guides the recording medium S separated by the separating unit 2 into one sheet toward the recording device unit 4. Have.

The recording device section 4 includes a photo sensor 12 for detecting the recording medium S passing downstream of the guide member 11, and a conveying roller for conveying the fed recording medium S at a constant speed. Pair 13 and recorded recording medium S
And a carriage 17 guided by guide shafts 15 and 16 and movable in the width direction of the recording medium S.
And a recording head 18 mounted on the carriage 17 for discharging ink onto a recording medium surface in accordance with image information.

Further, an electric board 20 having a plurality of switch buttons 19 protruding from holes of the cover 5 is disposed inside the cover 5, and a microcomputer and a memory are mounted below the mounting table 6. A control means 21, which is a control electric board for controlling the operation of the present apparatus while communicating with the host computer, is appropriately arranged.

{Mounting Operation of Packaging Box} In FIG. 3, the mounting table in which the packaging box 1 containing the recording medium suitable for the intended use is stopped from the insertion port 5a of the feeding device 3 in a lowered state. 6, the cover 1a is opened as shown in FIG. 2 by a mechanism not shown in the middle of the insertion, and at the final setting position shown in FIG. In the vicinity.

In the process of inserting the packaging box 1 from the insertion slot 5a, the information input / output means 7 reads the information in the information storage means 1c, thereby detecting that the packaging box 1 has been mounted on the apparatus. And the read information is transmitted to the control means.
The information is transmitted to the host computer through 21 so that the host computer sets an image processing mode suitable for the type of the recording medium and displays the number of recording media, while the value indicates the designated number of prints. It is determined whether the number is larger or smaller. If the number is smaller, execution of the print command is stopped. The control means 21 controls the operation of the feeding device 3 and the recording device 4 based on an instruction from the host computer.

{Feeding Operation} In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the control means is controlled by a print start signal generated by pressing the switch button 19 or a print start signal from the host computer.
21 raises the mounting table 6 and starts the feeding operation.

The uppermost recording medium S of the packaging box 1 which has risen together with the mounting table 6 comes into contact with the feeding roller 10 rotating clockwise. The uppermost recording medium S that has come into contact with the recording medium S is separated into one sheet by the separation unit 2, and is conveyed in the direction of the conveying roller pair 13 by the subsequent rotation of the feeding roller 10.

Subsequently, when the photo sensor 12 detects the leading end of the fed recording medium S, the control means 21 rotates the pair of conveying rollers 13 by a predetermined amount to move the recording medium S to a distance L1 (FIG. 4).

Subsequently, the mounting table 6 is lowered to move to the next recording medium S.
Is separated from the feed roller 10, and the recording medium S is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 13 alone.

{Recording Operation} In FIG. 5, the host computer, which has received the type information of the recording medium from the information storage means 1c through the information input / output means 7, sends the information to the recording device unit 4 by image processing according to the type information. Expand the image data to be sent. Subsequently, when the recording operation is started, the control unit 21 controls the movement of the carriage 17 as a recording operation and the conveyance of the conveyance roller pair 13 as a recording operation based on the image processing according to the type information. The recording head 18 ejects ink droplets of each color from a plurality of nozzles controlled by gradation processing (method of overlapping color dots) based on image processing according to the type information, and develops the developed data on the recording medium S. Is recorded.

When the photo sensor 12 detects the trailing edge of the recording medium S during the recording operation, the trailing edge of the recording medium S is transported by the transport roller pair 13 to the printing area of the recording head 18 for recording. When the recording to the rear end is completed, the recording medium S is discharged by the discharge operation of the discharge roller pair 14 to the discharge port 5b.
Is discharged from the outside.

When the recording medium S is discharged, the control means
Numeral 21 changes the number information of the information storage means 1c to information of a value reduced by one through the information input / output means 7. If the changed value is 0, the host computer displays on the display means that the remaining amount of the recording medium in the packaging box 1 is 0, warns the user, and sets a state in which the next print command is not accepted. Become. As a result, it is possible to prevent a case where a print command is accepted when a recording medium is not present and wasteful time is spent.

{Form and Function of Separating Means} FIGS. 2 and 6
The form and function of the separating means in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, the separating means 2 composed of a plurality of sheet-like strips has a structure in which one of the strips 2a has a recording medium S1.
And a portion of each strip is inserted between the plurality of recording media S one after another, such that one portion of the strip 2b is between the recording media S2 and the recording medium S3. Have been. On the other hand, the other part of each of the sheet strips 2 that has come out of the recording medium S is fixed to a part of the inside of the packaging box 1. In the present embodiment, the separating means 2 is disposed on one side end of the packaging box 1 that is substantially parallel to the transport direction of the recording medium S.

Here, the friction coefficient between the feeding roller 10 and the upper surface of the recording medium S1 (the surface in contact with the feeding roller) is μ1, and the friction coefficient between the lower surface of the recording medium S1 and the upper surface of the strip 2a is μ.
2. Assuming that the friction coefficient between the lower surface of the strip 2a and the upper surface of the recording medium S2 is μ3 and the friction coefficient between the lower surface of the recording medium S1 and the upper surface of the recording medium S2 is μ4, the following equation is established in the present apparatus. Each member is set.

Μ1≫ (μ2, μ3, μ4) (1) μ2> μ4 (2) μ3> μ4 (3)

That is, in the present apparatus, the feed roller 10 having the friction coefficient value μ1 such that the above equation (1) is satisfied, and the above equation (2) according to the friction coefficient value μ4 of each recording medium.
Strips 2 having friction coefficient values μ2 and μ3 that satisfy (3) are set in advance.

Now, the recording medium S1 mounted on the mounting table 6
Abuts on the feed roller 10 with the urging force F1 of the spring 9, the feed roller 10 relatively presses the recording medium S1 with the pressing force F1.

Here, the feed roller 10 is moved from the end of the strip 2a.
If the distance from the end of the strip 2a to the position where the recording medium S1 and the recording medium S2 overlap (contact position) is L3, the pressing force applied to the end of the strip 2a is L2. The pressure F2 is as follows.

[0038]

In order to make the value of the force F2 closer to the force F1, it is preferable to make the value of the distance L2 in the above equation (5) as small as possible. In addition, according to the result of the examination experiment, the distance L2 was set to about 2 mm to
By setting the distance in a range of about 10 mm, it was possible to completely and reliably separate various recording media currently used.

In FIG. 7, the feeding roller 10 rotates to try to feed the recording medium S with a conveying force f1 = μ1 · F1. On the other hand, since a part of the strip 2 is fixed, the strip 2 itself does not move due to an external force, and thus the strip 2 brakes the movement of the recording medium S.

Under the uppermost recording medium S1, a braking force f2 = μ2 · F2 for preventing the movement of the recording medium S1 is applied. A braking force f3 = μ3 · F2 for preventing the movement of the recording medium S2 acts on the upper side of the next recording medium S2. In addition, below the recording medium S2, the recording medium S2 is similar to the recording medium S1.
A braking force f2 acts to prevent the movement of.

Here, assuming that the weight of the recording medium S1 is F3, a force f4 = μ4 · on the upper side of the recording medium S2 apart from the feeding roller 10 to move the recording medium S2 by moving the recording medium S1. F3 works, but f4≪f3 from the relationship of F3≪F2 and the relationship of μ3> μ4 in the above equation (3), and therefore, even when the recording medium S1 moves, the braking force f2 and the braking force f3 are applied. The movement of the recording medium S2 is completely prevented by (f2 + f3).

The inserted strip 2a is inserted between the recording medium S1 and the recording medium S2 near the contact of the feed roller 10.
As a result, a gap layer 22 (see FIG. 6) is formed, so that no frictional force acts on the gap layer 22 portion. The force f5 is not transmitted to the lower recording medium S2, and the force f5
In addition to the effect of the relationship 4≪f2 + f3, only the recording medium S1 is completely and reliably separated and fed from the other recording medium.

{Feeding Operation by Feeding Roller} With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation of the feeding roller 10 in the present embodiment for transporting the recording medium S1 will be described in detail.

When the recording medium S1 is moved by the one feeding roller 10 with the moving force f5, the portion of the recording medium S1 apart from the feeding roller 10 has a resistance -f4 ( (The absolute value is the same as the force f4 and the direction of the force is opposite), so that the moving force f of the separated portion of the recording medium S1 is
6 is f6 = f5-f4.

Therefore, the recording medium S1 tries to rotate in the direction of the arrow 23 while moving due to the difference in the moving force of f5> f6, but this rotation is regulated by the surface of the regulating member 24. It is fed straight along the regulating member 24.

As described above, the feeding device section 3 of the present embodiment is capable of performing a high-precision feeding operation while having a configuration mainly including one feeding roller 10 and one spring 9. Since only a small number of components are required, an inexpensive feeding device can be provided.

{Image Processing for Each Recording Medium} Based on FIG. 5, the information input / output means 7 reads from the information storage means 1c of the packaging box 1, and based on the read image processing information,
The process until the recording head 18 records image data in the host computer and the operation of each unit of the recording apparatus will be described in detail.

As a method for giving gradation to the color density of the recorded image, an area gradation method for changing the size of the dot area, a dither method for changing the color and number of dots per unit area, There are frog density gradation methods and the like, and these methods are used alone or in combination.

In the ink jet recording method used in the present recording apparatus in which the main solvent of the ink agent is water, a combination of a dither method and a density gradation method is used.

The recording head 18 of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment
High density black (dark B), yellow (dark Y), magenta (dark M), cyan (dark C) and low density yellow (light Y), magenta (light M), cyan (light C) It has seven color inks and nozzles for discharging these inks. By superimposing the dots of the basic colors (Y, M, C) of these inks, the basic color dots of red (Y + M), blue (M + C), and green (C + Y) are obtained. Concerning red, density 1 red (light Y + light M),
Density 2 red (dark Y + dark M), density 3 red (light Y + dark Y + light M)
+ Dense M), density 4 red (dense Y + dense Y + dense M + dense M), and dots of four gradations can be generated by superimposing the dots.

By combining the dots of the gradation color with image processing such as a dither method, various colors can be further expressed, or the density of the expressed color can be changed so as to approximate a silver halide photograph. This is to create a high gradation color image.

On the other hand, the amount of water absorbed by the surface layer of the recording medium in the thickness direction varies greatly depending on the type of the recording medium. For example, the moisture absorption rate of plain paper for printing used in copiers of the electrophotographic recording system and the like is low, and when a large number of dots such as the density 4 red are superimposed on such paper, the ink overflows from the surface and becomes Spreading, the diameter of the printed dot becomes abnormally large, and jagged around the dot, so that the recorded image is greatly deteriorated.

In order to eliminate the deterioration, image processing in which the number of overlapping color dots is reduced in accordance with the water absorption in the thickness direction of the plain paper, for example, for red, a density of 1 red (light Y + light M), It is necessary to record by image processing using only two gradations of density 2 red (dark Y + dark M).

On the other hand, a coated paper for high-quality color recording is an ink-receiving layer in which a base polymer is coated with a special polymer or the like so as to have high water absorption in the thickness direction and control the permeability so as not to spread in the plane direction. Therefore, even if the four-gradation image processing obtained by superimposing the four color dots is used, the above-described image degradation does not occur, and a high-gradation image close to a silver halide photograph is obtained. It is obtained.

{Conventional Image Processing Settings} The ink jet recording method is a recording method in which ink can be directly ejected onto various recording medium surfaces to easily produce a high-quality color image on the surface. Are those based on resin films other than those based on paper, such as OHP
There are a wide variety of types, such as those based on sheets and cloth, those based on thin metal plates, and those made of thin wood, and the ink permeability of each type varies greatly. Therefore, when recording, an image processing method suitable for the characteristics of each recording medium is required.

The conventional setting process mainly uses a method in which the user selects and sets the most appropriate one from a plurality of image processing menus input to the host computer and displayed on the display means. But
At this time, it is not possible to determine in advance whether the selected image processing is the optimal one, so it is necessary to perform several test records with different image processing methods and find the optimal image processing method from among them Accordingly, there is a problem in that the recording medium is wastefully used or time is wasted.

{Image processing setting in the present invention} The feeding device unit 3 shown in FIG. 5 includes an information storage unit 1c that records the type information of the recording medium in a part of the packaging box 1, and reads the information. An information input / output unit 7 for writing new information is provided. On the other hand, the user can use image processing control software suitable for various recording media, such as a floppy disk or CDR.
It is set in the host computer in advance through a storage medium such as OM. If the recording medium is a new type that has not been on the market until now, image processing software tailored to the characteristics of the new recording medium will be provided on a floppy disk or the like, together with the packaging box containing the new recording medium. Therefore, by inputting it to a computer, the user can always record an image by image processing suitable for a recording medium to be used.

When the packaging box 1 to be used is inserted into the feeding device section 3, the host computer, based on the type information of the recording medium S obtained through the information input / output means 7, causes the plurality of image processing software to execute Since the image processing mode optimal for the type of the recording medium S is automatically set, according to the present apparatus, the recording medium and time are not wasted for the setting.

<< Process of Image Processing Setting in the Present Invention >> Based on FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the information input / output means 7 reads from the information storage means 1c of the packaging box 1, and the read recording medium information The process of automatically setting the image processing method to be used based on the above, and the process until the recording head 18 records the image data in the host computer based on the image processing method, and the operation of each unit of the recording apparatus will be described in detail. . FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a recording medium and a recording operation of the recording apparatus.

In FIGS. 4 and 8, when printing is instructed, it is first checked in steps 51 and 52 whether or not the packaging box 1 is mounted on the mounting table 6, and if not, step 51 is performed. At 53, it is displayed that it is not mounted, and the user is prompted to mount the packaging box 1.

If the packaging box 1 is already mounted in step 52, the information in the information storage means 1c provided in the packaging box 1 in step 54 (information on the type and number of recording media) is used as information input / output means. The operation read by 7 is:
The printing is completed before the instruction is given, and the read information is stored in the control means 21.

In steps 55 and 56, the type information and the number information of the recording medium S are sent to the host computer.

In step 57, it is confirmed that the remaining number of recording media (remaining number) is not 0, and if it is 0, in step 58, it is indicated by the display means that the recording medium is not left in the packaging box 1. In step 59, the print mode is temporarily released.

If the remaining number of the recording media is not 0 in step 57, the recording media S to be printed at one time in step 60
After confirming that the number of sheets (specified number) is smaller than the number of sheets remaining in the packaging box 1 (remaining number), the process proceeds to step 67. If the specified number is larger than the remaining number, the fact is displayed in step 61. To instruct the user to reduce the specified number.

On the other hand, the host computer proceeds to step 52
In, the most suitable image processing method is selected from a plurality of image processing methods (image processing modes) already input to the host computer based on the sent recording medium type information.

If the optimum image processing method has not been input to the host computer in step 62, step 63
When you indicate that in the purchase of the recording medium to the user,
The user instructs the user to input the attached new image processing software into the host computer.

At step 64, it is again confirmed whether or not there is an optimal image processing method. If not, at step 65, the fact is displayed and one of the plurality of image processing methods which the user has already input is displayed. Instruct to select and set one.

In step 66, the image processing method set by the above-mentioned progress is sent to the control means 21, and
In, the control means 21 controls the recording operation of the recording head and the like based on the sent image processing method.

5 and 8, when the recording operation is started in step 68, the data developed based on the image processing method set in step 69 is sent to the recording apparatus, and the recording head 18 Each color ink is ejected from a nozzle controlled by gradation processing based on the set image processing, and a color image of the data developed in step 69 is recorded on the recording medium S.

In step 70, when the recording up to the trailing end of the recording medium S is completed, the recording medium S
Is discharged outside through the discharge port 5b.

In step 71, the discharge roller pair 14
Simultaneously with the start of the discharging operation, the control means 21 inputs the value obtained by reducing the number of recording media by one into the information storage means 1c provided in the packaging box 1 through the information input / output means 7 and outputs the number information. And in step 56 control means
The number information held by 21 is changed to the same number to prepare for the next recording operation.

When the discharging operation is completed in step 72, if the number of sheets specified in step 60 is plural, the printing apparatus and the host computer immediately return to step 51 to control the printing operation in steps 51 to 72 described above. Is repeated by the same number as the specified number. On the other hand, when the designated number is one, the recording apparatus enters a state (standby state) shown in FIG.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the packaging box 1 containing the recording medium to be used is mounted on the mounting table 6.
Is set to the image processing mode suitable for the type of recording medium based on the type information of the information storage means 1c provided in the packaging box, so that the image processing mode suitable for the recording medium to be used is set. This eliminates the need for the operation of finding the information, and eliminates waste of recording media and time. That is,
The optimum image processing mode for the type of recording medium to be used is automatically set, and an image based on the image processing mode suitable for the type is always recorded on the recording medium.

Further, after one recording medium is fed from the packaging box 1, the number information of the information storage means 1c is changed to one less value through the information input / output means 7 and the changed value is obtained. If the value is 0, the next recording command is not accepted, so that there is no wasteful time when it is recognized that there is no recording medium only after executing the printing command.

The separating means 2 provided on the packaging box 1
Is made of sheet-like strips having a coefficient of friction suitable for each type of recording medium, so that any type of recording medium can be completely separated one by one.

Since it is not necessary to pull out the recording medium from the packaging box 1 at the time of use, the recording surface of the recording medium is not stained by hand.

Further, since the recording medium is always isolated from the outside air and light in the packaging box 1, the surface does not discolor or warp.

In the above-described embodiment, a printer is exemplified as the recording device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another recording device such as a copying machine or a facsimile may be used. A similar effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the recording apparatus.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By setting the packaging box on the mounting means, an image processing mode suitable for the type of the recording medium is set based on the type information of the recording medium obtained through the information input / output means. There is no need to find an image processing mode suitable for the recording medium, and the recording medium and time are not wasted. That is, an image processing mode optimal for the type of recording medium to be used is automatically set, and an image based on the image processing mode suitable for the type is always recorded on the recording medium.

Further, after one recording medium is fed from the packaging box, the number information of the information storage means is changed to a value reduced by one through the information input / output means, and the changed value is set to 0. In the case of (1), the next recording instruction is not accepted, so that there is no wasteful time that is recognized only after the recording instruction is executed and that there is no recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a packaging box.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a packaging box.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus equipped with the packaging box.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus equipped with the packaging box.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus equipped with the packaging box.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus equipped with the packaging box.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus equipped with the packaging box.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of image processing setting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S ... recording medium S1 ... recording medium S2 ... recording medium S3 ... recording medium 1 ... packaging box 1a ... lid 1b ... upper surface 1c ... information storage means 2 ... separation means 2a ... strip 2b ... strip 3 ... feeding device Unit 4 ... Recording unit 5 ... Cover 5a ... Insert 5b ... Discharge 6 ... Mounting base 6a ... Shaft 6b ... Lid 7 ... Information input / output means 8 ... Side plate 9 ... Spring 10 ... Feeding roller 11 ... Guide member 12 ... Photo sensor 13… Convey roller pair 14… Discharge roller pair 15, 16… Guide shaft 17… Carriage 18… Recording head 19… Switch button 20… Electrical board 21… Control means 22… Void layer 24… Regulator

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C056 EA01 EA09 EA12 EA20 EB04 EB13 EB45 EC03 EC08 EC79 EE09 FB02 FB03 2C057 AF05 AF39 AF91 AJ02 AJ03 AL04 AL21 AM03 AM18 AM28 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB03 FB04 GA01 GB01 MA01 MA26 MA27 MB03 MB10 MC21 MC30

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A packaging box for accommodating a plurality of recording media of the same type, separating the recording media one by one, and having an information storage unit for storing information on the type and number of the recording media. Mounting means for detachably mounting the body, feeding means for feeding a recording medium from a packaging box mounted on the mounting means, and recording for recording an image on the recording medium fed by the feeding means Means, information input / output means for inputting / outputting information to / from the information storage means, and control means for controlling the operation of the recording means in accordance with an image processing mode; A recording apparatus which sets an image processing mode suitable for the type of the recording medium based on the type information of the recording medium obtained through the information input / output means. 2. After feeding one recording medium from the packaging box body, the number information of the information storage means is changed to a value reduced by one through the information input / output means, and the changed value is 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the value is 0, the next recording instruction is not accepted. 3. The recording means is capable of performing image processing with different gradations according to the number of superimposed colors, and the color means is adapted to the water absorption in the thickness direction of the recording medium obtained through the information input / output means. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing mode is set to an image processing mode in which the number of overlapping images is adjusted. 4. An image processing mode in which the number of colors overlapped is reduced when the water absorption in the thickness direction of the recording medium is low, and the color is set when the water absorption in the thickness direction of the recording medium is high. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing mode is set to an image processing mode in which the number of overlapping images is increased. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is an ink jet printing system in which printing means performs printing by ejecting ink in accordance with a signal. Recording device.