JP2002205827A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically set to the size of paper set into a cassette or the like without setting the size and direction of paper set to a printer, on a printer driver, thereby preventing a setting error in advance. SOLUTION: The position information of paper width and paper length guides of a cassette or ASF is transmitted to a printer body. The positions of stays interlocked with optical position sensors, electric resistance values and the guides are detected, and the data is converted into the size and direction information of paper at the printer body, sent to a computer and displayed on a printer driver to automatically set the size and direction of paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for feeding and printing a print medium such as paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the size and direction of printing paper set in a paper cassette or ASF have been set by a printer driver by the operator himself.

[0003]

Conventionally, since the operator has set the paper size and direction on the printer driver, it is necessary to change the setting when changing the paper size or cassette, and forget the setting. Or incorrect settings. If the name of the paper size is unknown, it is necessary to check the set size.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems As shown in FIG. 1, the width and length of the set paper are detected by sensors for detecting the paper width of the paper feed cassette and the ASF and the set position of the paper length guide. Transmit to host computer. Using the information, the size and direction of the printing paper are displayed on the printer driver screen, automatically set, and notified to the operator.

In this figure, conversion into paper width and length is performed in the printer main body. However, the position information of the sensor may be sent to a computer and converted into paper width and length.

[0006]

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a paper feed cassette for storing printing paper. 2 is a paper width guide for adjusting the paper width. Reference numeral 3 denotes a paper length guide for adjusting the length of the paper. Reference numeral 4 denotes the paper set.

[0007] In all the drawings of the following embodiments, the mechanism for detection is indicated by a solid line, but is arranged below the paper on which 4 is set.

A plurality of light projecting and light receiving elements 10 are mounted on the guides 2 and 3, respectively. In this embodiment, five light receiving elements are provided for each of the paper width and length.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a pattern representing positional information composed of a portion that does not reflect light (black) and a portion that reflects light (white). The output of each light receiving sensor of the paper width guide 2 is, for example, 1 (white). 0 (black), and the position of the paper width guide can be known from the combination.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a specific position information pattern. Examples 1 to 3 show the relationship between the position of the guide, the output of the sensor, and position information (here, numerical values).

Reference numeral 6 denotes a pattern representing the position of the same configuration as that of 5, and the position of the paper length guide can be known by combining the outputs of the light receiving sensors of the paper length guide of 3.

The maximum displayable position in this embodiment is 25.
= 32 possible.

7 is a signal of the paper feed cassette and the printer main body,
It represents an electrical connector for transmitting and receiving power and the like. The power supply for the light emitting element and the light receiving element and the output of each sensor are connected to the connector.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a cable for connecting the paper width guide to the connector of 7, and 9 denotes a cable for connecting the paper length guide to the connector of 7.

Based on the output of each light receiving element sent from the connector 7 to the printer main body, as shown in FIG. 3, the position information is determined from the combination of the I / O of the output of each light receiving element, and the width and length are determined. A standard size such as A4 or B5 is determined. This processing is performed in the printer main body or the host computer.

In this embodiment, the description of the slide mechanism and rail of the paper width guide and paper length guide is omitted. A second embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 by omitting a paper feed roller and a separation mechanism, which are basic mechanisms of the paper feed itself.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a paper cassette for storing printing paper. 11 is a paper width guide for adjusting the paper width.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a paper length guide for adjusting the length of the paper.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a set paper.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an electric resistor.
a and 13b have a predetermined voltage [for example, 13a has V1 (+
5V) and 13b are added to V2 (OV).

Reference numeral 11a denotes a contact which is in contact with and slides on the thirteen electrical resistors and is attached to the eleventh paper width guide. 1
A variable resistor is constituted by the resistor 3 and the contact 11a.

Reference numeral 14 denotes an electric resistor, and a predetermined voltage (14 as in 5) is applied to both ends 14a and 14b as in 5.
a is +5 V, and 14b is OV).

Reference numeral 12a denotes a contact which is in contact with and slides on the electrical resistor 6 and is attached to the paper length guide 12. 1
A variable resistor is constituted by the resistor 4 and the contact 12a.

The output voltage of the contact point of the paper width guide 11a changes depending on the set position of the guide.

Similarly, the output voltage of the contact of the paper length guide 12a also changes depending on the set position of the guide.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an electrical connector for transmitting and receiving a voltage, a power supply, and the like between the sheet cassette and the printer main body.

P1 is connected to 13a and 14a by adding V1 from the printer main body, and P2 is connected to 13b and 14b by adding V2 from the printer main body. Connected to the printer.

The outputs of 11a and 12a are D / A-converted in the printer body based on V1 and V2, the position information is discriminated and transmitted to the host computer.

In this embodiment, the description of the slide mechanism and rail of the paper width guide and paper length guide is omitted. Further, a paper feed roller and a separation mechanism, which are basic mechanisms of the paper feed itself, are also omitted.

Embodiment 3 is shown in FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a paper feed cassette for storing printing paper. 52 is a paper width guide for adjusting the paper width. Reference numeral 53 denotes a paper length guide for adjusting the length of the paper. Reference numeral 4 denotes the paper set. 55 denotes a slide rail of a paper width guide, and 56 denotes a slide rail of a paper length guide. A stay 57 attached to the paper width guide 52 has a leading end reaching the printer main body.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a rack gear attached to the paper length guide 53, and when the paper length guide is moved, the gear 59 rotates. The gear 60 is directly connected to the gear 59 and is transmitted to the gear 62 by the cogged belt 61. The gear 62 and the gear 63 are directly connected, and the gear 63 moves the rack gear 64 left and right. The rack gear 64 has a stay 6
5 is attached and has a length that reaches the printer body. Reference numeral 66 denotes a light emitting / receiving element array provided in the printer main body and having a plurality of light emitting / receiving elements arranged in a straight line. Reference numeral 67 denotes a light-shielding plate attached to the tip of the stay 57 of the paper width guide, which has a transmittance of 0%.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a light-shielding plate attached to the tip of the stay 65 to which the movement of the paper length guide has been transmitted, and has a transmittance of 50%.

Assuming that the output of the non-light-shielded light-receiving element of the light-receiving element array is 1, the sensor output light-shielded by the light-shielding plate 67 connected to the paper width guide becomes 0.
The sensor output light-shielded by the light-shielding plate 68 connected to the paper length guide becomes 0.5.

Therefore, the position of the sensor where the sensor output is 0 indicates the position of the paper width guide, and the position where the sensor output is 0.5 indicates the position of the paper length guide.

The above is an example of a transmission type light emitting / receiving sensor. However, by using a reflection type light emitting / receiving sensor as the sensor, it is also possible to attach a reflector to the end of the stay and detect the position of the guide based on the amount of reflected light. It is possible. In this case, the position of the sensor whose output is obtained by the reflected light represents the position of each guide. (A location without a guide is represented as output 0, a paper width guide location is represented as 1, a paper length guide location is represented as 0.5, etc.) The detected position information is sent to the host computer.

In the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a sensor for each of a plurality of prepared cassettes, and a means for transmitting the position of each guide may be provided on the cassette side.

Although the above embodiment has been described using a cassette as an example, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to an ASF (auto sheet feeder).

On the basis of the position information sent from the printer, the host computer displays A4, postcards and the like which are determined to be of a fixed size close to a fixed size, such as A4 portrait.
(For example, a standard size within ± 3 mm is determined to be a standard type in consideration of detection accuracy, paper size variation, and guide set variation.) If the size is out of the standard size, the size is displayed.

In the first embodiment, it is necessary to increase the number of light emitting / receiving sensors in order to increase the size detection accuracy.

For a sheet of a standard size, for example, A4 length, B5 width, and the like need only be known, and it is not necessary to accurately detect the size itself. In addition, non-standard-size sheets require dimension detection accuracy.

As described above, FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a method for easily detecting whether or not the sensor is the standard size even if the number of sensors is the same and improving the accuracy of detecting dimensions other than the standard size.

By lengthening the pattern at the position corresponding to the standard size among the position detection patterns shown in the first embodiment (in consideration of the above-described detection accuracy, paper size variation, guide set variation, etc.). ) It is possible to easily detect whether or not it is a standard size.

As a result, if the number of patterns is the same, the detection accuracy of a place other than the standard size is improved.

The size of a print medium other than the standard size, for example, sticker paper, cloth, etc., is stored in the driver in advance, so that the size (for example, 200 mm × 20
(0 mm is stored as a cloth sheet, and 170 mm × 240 mm is stored as a sticker, etc.) It is also possible to determine the print medium from the paper size sent from the printer.

Since it is possible to automatically determine the size, direction, type, etc. of the print medium, it is possible to automatically set all of the printer drivers automatically without setting the printer driver by just inserting the medium to be printed. It becomes possible.

[0046]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a mistake in setting the paper size and direction by the operator. The paper size and direction settings themselves are not required. Since there is no setting error, it is possible to prevent printing on the platen which prints with a width larger than the paper width. It is also possible to automatically set a printer driver when a special print medium is used.

Conventionally, since the operator has set the paper size and direction on the printer driver, it is necessary to change the setting if the paper size or cassette is changed, or if the setting is forgotten or incorrectly set. was there.

If the name of the paper size is unknown, it is necessary to check the set size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a position information pattern according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a pitch pattern according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 paper cassette 2 paper width guide 3 paper length guide

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus comprising a mechanism for detecting information on a print medium set in a paper feed cassette or an ASF (auto sheet feeder). 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the print medium is detected and the information is transmitted to a printer or a printer driver. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a type of the print medium is detected from a size of the print medium. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the print medium can be directly digitized. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pattern for directly digitizing the size of the print medium has an irregular pitch.