JP2001030544A - Scanner printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect positions of a print head and a read head by preventing increase of a size or a cost of this device. SOLUTION: In a scanner printer 1, a carriage 5 having an ink jet head 6 and a read head 4 integrally provided thereon is moved for scanning relatively in a direction X and in a direction Y with respect to a recording face of a recording medium and a reading face of a manuscript, thereby enabling image recording on the recording face and image reading from the reading face. The scanner printer 1 comprises a transparent scale section 3, which is adjacent to the reading face between the manuscript reading face and read head 4 and consists of a substrate part that transmits a light having a wavelength in a visible range and marking sections which are provided in the direction X and direction Y at predetermined intervals, transmits a light having a wavelength in a visible range and reflects or absorbs a light having a wavelength out of a visible range, and a light source and a CCD which are provided to the carriage 5 at the side of the reading face and can optically detect the marking sections.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a scanner printer capable of forming an image on a recording medium and reading an original, and more particularly to a technique for improving the operation accuracy of a carriage section of the scanner printer. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a scanner printer having both an image forming unit (image printing unit) for forming a desired image and a document reading unit for reading image information of a recording medium such as a document is known.

[0003] Various attempts have been made to improve the image forming accuracy of the image forming unit and the image reading accuracy of the image reading unit in the scanner printer, and to improve the print quality.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-317130, a fan for cooling a light source section is provided in order to reduce an adverse effect due to heat generated from a light source when reading an original image. It is disclosed that after cooling the light source, the fan is disposed so that the cooling air passes over the recording medium or the original after image formation (after printing).

According to the scanner printer disclosed in the publication, the rise in heat of the light source can be suppressed by the cooling air from the fan, the amount of heat generated by the light source can be increased, and the wind from the fan becomes hot air through the light source portion. By adopting a configuration in which the recording medium is sprayed on a printing portion, fixing and drying of a printed image can be promoted.

In this publication, a line-type light source substantially parallel to the moving direction of the carrier is provided on the side where the recording medium is discharged via the carrier, so that heat from the line light source is recorded. It is disclosed that the ink is irradiated on a printing portion of a medium to promote fixing and drying of the ink.

[0007]

As described above, in the scanner printer described in the above publication, the arrangement position of the light source and the fan is such that the wind from the fan blows the printed recording medium or the original through the light source. Since this is the position, the cooling of the light source and the fixing of the ink can be performed effectively, and the heat efficiency of the light source can be improved, and the fixing device can be simplified.

However, according to the technique described in the publication, reduction of a transport error when transporting a recording medium is not studied, and it does not improve the quality of a printed image or the quality of a read image.

For example, like a paper fixed type plotter,
When reading or printing an image while fixing the recording medium, if the reading head or the printing head is a two-axis control mechanism in the X and Y directions, X and , A transport error in the Y-axis direction occurs, which causes a decrease in print image quality.

That is, the fluctuation error of the printing section greatly affects the dot formation position of the printed image, and the error of the document conveyance system is caused by the slippage of the driving motor, gear, transmission system, and conveyance roller, etc. In the case of the original fixing system, the problem of the original conveying system is solved, but there is a problem that a two-axis driving system is used and a new error factor is generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing head and a reading head while preventing an increase in size and cost of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a scanner printer capable of detecting a position with high accuracy.

[0012]

According to the present invention, an ink head for ejecting ink to a recording medium to record an image and a reading head comprising an optical contact type reading sensor for reading an image of a document are integrally formed. The carriage provided is caused to scan in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction relative to the recording surface of the loaded recording medium and the reading surface of the document to record an image on the recording surface and read an image on the reading surface. In a scanner printer capable of, a base portion that is provided in parallel with the reading surface between the reading surface and the reading head and transmits light having a wavelength in the visible region,
A position detection scale section, which is provided at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, has a marking section that transmits light having a wavelength within the visible region and reflects or absorbs light having a wavelength outside the visible region, and a carriage. A marking detection unit that is provided on the reading surface side of the device and that can optically detect the marking unit, and the marking detection unit irradiates light outside the visible light region to the position detection scale unit and reflects the light outside the visible region reflected from the marking unit. The position of the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is detected by optically detecting the reflected light.

The present invention, in addition to the above configuration, further comprises a correcting means for correcting a read signal read from the reading surface based on the detected position signals of the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Features.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the maximum feed error of the feed pitch of the carriage in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction is smaller than the image forming width of the ink head or the read image width of the reading head. Features.

Still further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the marking portion may be constituted by a member that reflects infrared rays, or the base portion may be constituted by a member that absorbs infrared rays. Is also good.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view of a scanner printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This device 1
A document table 2 on which a document S as a recording medium is placed, and a transparent scale 3 that transmits visible light and reflects infrared light are provided on the bottom of the document table 2. The image reading operation of the document S placed on the document table 2 is performed by the movement of the reading head 4 provided inside the apparatus 1. The technique relating to the transparent scale 3 is one of the points of the present invention, and the detailed technical content will be described later.

A reading head 4 for reading image information of a document S placed on a document table 2 and an ink jet for discharging ink to form a visible image on a print sheet P carried into the bottom of the apparatus 1 A recording type inkjet head 6 is provided integrally with the carriage 5. Further, the printer paper P carried into the bottom portion of the apparatus 1 has a configuration in which a desired visible image can be recorded by moving the carriage 5 in the same manner as the document S.

The scanner printer 1 described in the above embodiment may be a clamshell type scanner printer as shown in FIGS. That is, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the left side of the housing portion of the scanner printer 1 in the drawing rotates upward about the right side as an axis.

In FIG. 3, a paper discharge tray 40 is mounted on the left side of the scanner printer 1 in the drawing, and a paper supply tray 41 is mounted on the right side. The paper is fed one by one from the paper supply roller 41. The print paper P is formed with a visible image by an image recording unit located at a substantially central portion, and is discharged onto a discharge tray 40 by a discharge roller 42. A well-known mechanism may be used for the other transport units.

Next, depending on the reading position and the printing position of the original S, the carriage 5 moves in the X direction (the front-back direction penetrating the paper surface as viewed in the drawing) and the Y direction (the left-right direction as viewed in the drawing).
The mechanisms that move independently will be described below with reference to FIG. 4 which is a top view of the apparatus 1 and FIG. 5 which is a side view.

The carriage 5 is independently controlled in the X direction and the Y direction. First, the driving mechanism in the Y direction will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The rotation of the Y motor 8 is
By transmitting to the Y wires 9a and 9b via a
The Y rollers 7a and 7b can move in the Y direction in the figure, and the Y rollers 7a and 7b and the carriage 5
, The carriage 5 is driven in the Y direction.

Y drive rollers 18a and 18b are pivotally supported near both ends of the rotation shaft 8a of the Y motor 8, and a winding roller 19 is provided on the opposite side in the Y direction via the Y rollers 7a and 7b.
a and 19b are rotated by Y drive rollers 18a and 18b.
Are arranged side by side so as to be parallel to the rotating shaft connecting the two (i.e., the drive shaft 8a and the Z direction in the drawing), and the Y wire 9a is wound around the Y drive roller 18a and the winding roller 19a. The Y wire 9b is provided so as to wind the Y drive roller 18b and the winding roller 19b in the same manner, and the Y wires 9a and 9b are arranged in parallel in the Z direction in the drawing. Have been.

Next, the driving of the carriage 5 in the X direction will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The rotation of the X motor 11 is transmitted to the X rollers 12 to 17, and the carriage 5 is moved to a designated position on the X wire 10. By being fixed, the carriage 5 is driven in the X direction.

The positions where the carriage 5 is fixed on the X wire 10 are only points A and C shown in FIG. The points A and C correspond to the points A and C in FIG.
When the X motor 11 rotates clockwise (direction E in the drawing), the carriage 5 is moved to the X roller 12 on the near side.
Move to the side.

The drive shaft 11a of the X motor 11 has an X
A drive roller 20 is supported by a shaft, and a winding roller 21 is disposed on the opposite side of the X drive roller 20 via the X rollers 12, 17, 14, and 15 with the rotation axis parallel to the drive shaft 11a. ing.

Therefore, the X wire 10 is first supplied from the X drive roller 20 by the X roller 17, the X roller 16a, the X roller 16b, the X roller 15, the winding roller 21, and the X roller 1.
4. Each roller is wound around an X roller 13b, an X roller 13a, and an X roller 12 so as to become an X drive roller.

In this embodiment, the X wire 1 shown in FIG.
Although points A and C on 0 are configured to be fixed to the carriage 5, it is also possible to fix points B and D in FIG.

However, in this case, the shape of the carriage 5 shown in FIG. 6 is configured so that each of the points B and D can be easily fixed to the carriage 5, and the X motor 11 can be driven in the X direction. , And points A and C are fixed.

Next, description of the transparent scale 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
Is shown below. The transparent scale 3 is provided with X-axis markings 21 and Y-axis markings 22 at a predetermined pitch on the surface of an infrared absorbing glass member 32 that is transparent and absorbs infrared rays. Here, as each marking, a material that transmits visible light and reflects or absorbs infrared light, such as indium oxide, titanium oxide, or tin oxide, is used.

Therefore, when the original image is read, visible light is used, and when it is desired to read each marking, infrared light is used as a light source. The number of markings can be easily calculated based on the moving direction. That is, when the carriage 4 moves, X
Axis marking 21 and Y-axis marking 22 are detected at any time,
By counting the number of each marking, the absolute position of the carriage 5 can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the X-axis marking 21
And the Y-axis marking 22 are provided in the same shape. However, for example, in order to reliably detect the home position and overrun of the carriage 5, marking at specific positions such as the starting point and the ending point of carriage movement is performed. May be provided widely, narrowly provided, or the density may be changed.

In FIG. 9, the marking is realized in two axes, one for the X axis and the other for the Y axis. However, in order to make the marking cheaper and easier, for example, the X axis and the Y axis are used. Both are provided diagonally as a single marking, X axis and Y
You may comprise so that both axes may be recognized.

When a plurality of ink nozzles are formed in the Y-axis direction of the inkjet head 6, the maximum feed amount of the printing pitch in the Y-axis direction of the inkjet head 6 (carriage 5) is By setting the width smaller than the recording image width corresponding to the nozzle, Y
Overlapping printing is performed so that no gap is formed between the printing lines in the axial direction.

FIG. 12 (a) schematically shows the printing state at this time. In the overlapping dot 23, the overlapping of the printing dots at the n-line head position and the (n + 1) -line head position does not occur. Occurs. If the printing is performed as it is, the printing dots are united and partially increased by the overlap dots 23 (FIG. 12B), and in some cases, printing omission occurs (FIG. 12C).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the overlap dots 23 are corrected so as to reduce the print dot size as shown in FIG. 12C (FIG. 12D).
By doing so, the printing accuracy between the printing lines is improved.

In FIG. 12, overlapping dots 2
As the third correction method, the print dot size is adjusted. However, instead of changing the print dot size, changing the density of the print dots can also solve the problem that the density changes at the overlap portion. It is possible. Further, both the dot size and the dot density may be adjusted simultaneously, or may be appropriately used.

Further, it is possible to correct not only the printing dots at the time of printing but also the overlapping dots at the time of reading the original image. That is, as for the reading of the overlapping dots, as shown in FIG. 12D, the reading accuracy between the reading lines can be improved by correcting the reading dot size.

Further, it is possible to correct not only correction of printing / reading dots in the Y-axis direction but also correction of reading / printing in the X-axis direction by detecting a marking.

Based on the above description, a processing procedure from reading processing of a document and a marking to printing will be described below with reference to a block diagram of FIG. 10 and a flowchart showing a processing procedure of marking detection and the like of FIG.

First, when the user instructs reading and printing of a document from an operation unit or the like of the apparatus main body 1 (not shown),
3 is started, and in step S1 (), the marking of the transparent scale 3 is marked on the read head 4 by the read signal processing unit 25 in the control unit 24 of the main body composed of a microprocessor or the like. A detection request for detection is made, and the light source unit 26 of the reading head 4 and the CCD (photoelectric conversion element) 27 change to a state where the marking can be detected as needed.

The light source 26 of the reading head 4 has light emitting elements 26b to 26b for detecting the RGB components of the original image.
6d is provided, the light of each wavelength is irradiated to the original, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving section 27a of the CCD 27.

In order to detect the RGB components, the light-emitting elements 26b to 26d themselves may emit light for each component. A filter member that transmits the wavelength range may be provided near the irradiation unit.

The light emitting element 26a is separately provided for irradiating light for detecting the transparent scale. For example, the light emitting element 26a irradiates light including at least infrared light to the transparent scale side.
The infrared light reflected from the transparent scale is received by the light receiving section 27b of the CCD 27.

In this embodiment, since the light source 26 and the CCD 27 in the reading head 3 are configured to recognize both image reading and marking detection of a document, the apparatus can be manufactured at low cost. Further reduction in size and weight can be realized.

Next, at S2, in order to move the carriage 5 to the reading start position, the reading signal processing unit 25 causes the X-direction feed control processing unit 28 and the Y-direction feed control processing unit 2 to move.
9, the X motor 11 and the Y motor
After the carriage 5 is moved by driving the motor 8, a correction amount based on an absolute reading start position is calculated from the number of detected markings in S3 and a specific marking (difference in width, density, etc.), and correction is performed. The carriage 5 is moved by an amount.

In S4, the read signal processing unit 25 sends X
By instructing the direction feed processing unit 28, the carriage 5 is moved in the X-axis direction, and image data for one line of the document is transmitted to the image processing unit 30. In step S6, the print control processing unit 31 corrects the read one-line image.
Is transmitted to the ink jet head 6, and the ink jet 6 prints on the printer paper P.

In S7, the read signal processing section 21
By instructing the Y-direction feed control processing unit 29 to move the carriage 5 by one pitch in the Y-axis direction, the amount of actual movement of the carriage 5 is calculated from the number of markings detected in S7 in S8. When the moving amount is larger than the read image width of the carriage 4, the carriage 5 is returned to an appropriate position by the larger amount.

The following S9 and S10 are the same as S4 and S5. In S11, the image read on the current line is compared with the image read on the previous line, and as shown in FIG. When the correction is necessary, the image read on the current line is corrected, and then in S12, printing is performed on the printer paper P in the same manner as in S6.

As shown in FIG. 11, the correction contents in S11 are the correction table 3 for obtaining corrected print data by inputting the number of overlap dots and print data.
2 can be easily realized by providing it with storage means such as an existing RAM or ROM.

According to this configuration, there is no need to mount an X drive motor or the like on the Y carriage, interference between the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction can be prevented, and the size and cost of the apparatus can be reduced. Accurate carriage scanning becomes possible.

[0051]

According to the present invention, a carriage, in which an ink head and a reading head are integrally provided, is scanned in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction relative to a recording surface of a recording medium and a document reading surface. In a scanner printer capable of image recording and image reading, a base portion that is arranged in parallel with the reading surface between the reading surface and the reading head and transmits light having a wavelength in the visible region, a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction. A position detection scale section, which is provided at predetermined intervals in the direction and is composed of a marking section that transmits light having a wavelength in the visible region and reflects or absorbs light having a wavelength outside the visible region, and is provided on the reading surface side of the carriage. The marking detection part that can optically detect the marking part and the marking detection part irradiates the light outside the visible light area to the position detection scale part, and the reflection outside the visible area reflected from the marking part The By optically detecting is characterized by detecting the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the position of the carriage.

Therefore, by detecting the marking portion,
The position of the read head can be recognized immediately and directly,
Further, since the marking portion and the base portion are made of a member that transmits visible light, it is possible to provide the marking portion at a portion corresponding to the image area, and it is possible to read the image while positioning the image with high accuracy. .

Further, the image reading section and the marking detecting section can be provided integrally, and it is not necessary to provide the marking section in an area different from the image reading area, so that the apparatus structure can be simplified without increasing the size of the apparatus. It can be realized in a small, lightweight and inexpensive manner.

In addition, the present invention includes, in addition to the above configuration, a correcting means for correcting the read signal read from the read surface based on the detected position signals of the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Can be adjusted to adjust the shape of the print image (dot) or the density according to the interval between the print lines of the ink head, and to make the overlap or shift between the print lines inconspicuous. Printing becomes possible.

Further, since the servo is not used, disturbance of the transmission system is not received, and the influence of the position error of the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is suppressed by simple correction of only signal processing.
Even if the read head is misaligned, the read image can be corrected and good image recording can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the maximum feed error of the feed pitch in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction of the carriage is smaller than the image forming width of the ink head or the read image width of the reading head. Because it features
The position error can be corrected without deteriorating the accuracy of the joint portion between the reading line and the printing line, and good image quality can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, if the marking section is formed of a member that reflects infrared rays, it is possible to perform marking in an image area without increasing the size of the apparatus. If the base portion is made of a member that absorbs infrared rays, image reading errors can be reduced and the S / N ratio can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view of a scanner printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall sectional view for explaining a clamshell structure of the scanner printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall cross-sectional view for explaining a paper supply / discharge structure in the scanner printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus for describing a driving mechanism of a carriage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus for explaining a driving mechanism of the carriage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an apparatus cross-sectional view showing a connection point between a carriage unit and an X wire according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a Y-axis drive mechanism of a carriage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an X-axis driving mechanism of the carriage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a transparent scale according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit block for performing position recognition of a carriage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a drying table for correcting a Y-axis error according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a Y-axis print dot correction result according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining processing contents according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 scanner printer 2 platen 3 transparent scale (position detection scale section) 4 reading head (reading head) 5 carriage 6 inkjet head (ink head) 7, 7a, 7b Y roller 8 Y motor 8a drive shaft 9 Y wire 10 X wire 11 X motor 11a Drive shaft 12-17 X roller 18a, 18b Y drive roller 19a, 19b Winding roller 20 X drive roller 21 X axis marking (marking part) 22 Y axis marking (marking part) 23 Overlap 24 control part ( Correction means) 25 Read signal processing unit 26, 26a to 26b Light source unit 27, 27a, 27b CCD 28 X-direction feed processing unit 29 Y-direction feed processing unit 30 Image processing unit 31 Print control processing unit 32 Glass member (base)

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C055 EE00 EE02 2C056 EA07 EB11 EB36 EB58 EC03 EC11 EC70 EC77 EC79 FA02 FA10 FB08 KD06 KD10 2C480 CA09 CA36 CB02 CB10 CB31 CB40 DA05 DA10 DB02 EB01 EC05 5A07 A05 A05 A05 A05 A05 MB04 MB08 SA03 VA07 XA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A carriage in which an ink head that discharges ink to a recording medium to record an image and a reading head that is composed of an optical contact reading sensor and reads an image of a document is provided integrally. In a scanner printer capable of relatively scanning in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction with respect to the recording surface of the recorded recording medium and the reading surface of the original to record an image on the recording surface and read an image on the reading surface. A base portion that is provided in parallel with the reading surface between the reading surface and the reading head and transmits light having a wavelength in the visible region;
A position detection scale unit comprising a marking unit provided at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction and transmitting light having a wavelength in the visible region and reflecting or absorbing light having a wavelength outside the visible region; A marking detection unit provided on the reading surface side of the carriage and capable of optically detecting the marking unit; and the marking detection unit irradiates the position detection scale unit with light outside the visible light region, and from the marking unit. A scanner printer wherein the position of the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is detected by optically detecting the reflected light outside the visible region. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit configured to correct a read signal read from the reading surface based on the detected position signals of the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Scanner printer as described. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a maximum feed error of a feed pitch of the carriage in a main scanning direction or a sub-scanning direction is smaller than an image forming width of the ink head or a read image width of the reading head. The scanner printer according to 1. 4. The scanner printer according to claim 1, wherein the marking section is made of a member that reflects infrared rays. 5. The scanner printer according to claim 1, wherein said base portion is made of a member that absorbs infrared rays.