JP2005111863A - Recorder and recording control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select image data by an order sheet at a low cost without enlarging a recorder which has a direct printing function but does not have a scanner. <P>SOLUTION: In an order sheet PS in which a user has carried out marking, a marking state by the user is detected by means of a marking state detecting control means 104. An operation of conveying the order sheet PS in a sub-scanning direction Y and an operation of detecting a marking area M by means of an optical sensor 64 by reciprocating a carriage 61 in a main scanning direction X and detecting the marking state of the detected marking area M are repeated. A recording data selecting means 105 selects a piece of image data recorded in a plurality of pieces of image data stored in a recording data region 231 based on the marking state of the marking area M detected by the optical sensor 64. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a main scanning in which a recording head for forming dots on a recording material, a head driving means for driving the recording head, and a carriage mounted with the recording head are reciprocated in the main scanning direction with respect to the recording material. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a driving unit and a sub-scanning driving unit that conveys a recording material in a sub-scanning direction, and a recording control program for controlling the recording apparatus.

  As an example of a recording apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus, a digital camera and a recording apparatus are directly connected by a cable or the like, and a digital image captured by a digital camera stored in a memory in the digital camera is directly read to a recording sheet. A recording apparatus having a so-called direct print function for recording or writing a digital image taken by a digital camera to a removable memory card in the digital camera and directly reading the digital image from the memory card and recording it on a recording sheet is known. It is.

  Since such a recording apparatus does not require a personal computer to be interposed between the digital camera or the memory card and the recording apparatus, the act of recording a digital image taken by the digital camera onto a recording sheet can be performed quickly and easily. There is an advantage that you can. On the other hand, there is a demerit that a GUI (Graphical / User / Interface) by a personal computer cannot be used in the settings at the time of recording such as selection of a digital image, size and type of recording paper, and the number of recording sheets. become. Therefore, in a recording apparatus having such a direct print function, it is general that a corresponding digital camera or a recording apparatus is provided with a GUI for performing settings at the time of recording execution.

  However, there is a limit to the GUI function that can be installed in a digital camera or a recording device, and it cannot be said that the GUI is always easy to use. In particular, when selecting image data to be recorded from a plurality of image data, it is necessary to check and select an image while switching display of the plurality of image data one by one on a small liquid crystal display having a low resolution. In other words, there was no function for displaying an image on a liquid crystal display, and it was simply necessary to specify the file name or number of the image data. Therefore, it is cumbersome and time consuming, and operation errors are likely to occur, and the advantage of direct printing that can easily and quickly perform the act of recording digital images taken with a digital camera on recording paper cannot be fully utilized. It was.

  As an example of the prior art that solves such a problem, an order sheet that records thumbnail images of a plurality of image data directly read from a digital camera or a memory card on a recording sheet in an inkjet multifunction peripheral to which a direct print function is added. The order sheet selected by the mark sheet method is read by the scanner installed in the inkjet multifunction device, and the marking state of the order sheet is detected to detect the selected image. Those having a function of executing the recording are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The ink jet multifunction peripheral is a known recording apparatus in which an ink jet recording apparatus is combined with a scanner (image input apparatus), a copying apparatus, and other functions. Select a desired image from the thumbnail images recorded on the order sheet (proof sheet in Patent Document 1) using the mark sheet method, select the number of sheets to be recorded, image size, paper size, etc., and scan the marked order sheet with a scanner. By simply doing so, a desired image can be selected and recorded. Here, the thumbnail is a small display of an image of an image or document file data.

  In the order sheet, a list of thumbnail images in which images of a plurality of image data are displayed in a small size and a mark sheet field corresponding to each thumbnail image are recorded, and the user marks a mark sheet field corresponding to the thumbnail image of desired image data. (For example, fill a mark with a pencil or a ballpoint pen). The inkjet multifunction peripheral detects the marking state in the mark sheet column by reading the order sheet that has been marked, and selects image data from a plurality of image data based on the marking state to record paper. To record.

  In this way, by selecting image data using an order sheet in which thumbnail image lists of a plurality of image data are recorded, desired image data can be selected quickly and easily, and the selection information can be quickly and easily selected. It becomes possible to input to the recording device. Therefore, the advantage of direct printing that the action of recording a digital image taken by a digital camera on a recording sheet can be easily and quickly performed can be fully utilized.

JP 2002-305701 A

  However, in a recording device that has a direct print function but does not have a scanner, the order sheet can be created, but the order sheet marking state cannot be read by the scanner. The choice of could not be realized. In addition, an inkjet multifunction device equipped with a scanner is considerably larger than a general inkjet recording device, and if the scanner is mounted on the recording device only to realize selection of image data by an order sheet, Since the recording apparatus is greatly increased in size and cost is significantly increased, it is not very realistic.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the problem is that a recording apparatus that has a direct print function but does not include a scanner does not increase the size of the recording apparatus and is low in cost. The purpose is to realize selection of image data by an order sheet.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head for forming dots on a recording material, a head driving means for driving the recording head, and a carriage on which the recording head is mounted. Main scanning driving means for reciprocating the recording material in the main scanning direction, sub-scanning driving means for conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction, and detecting an end of the recording material in the main scanning direction. Main scanning direction end detecting means, sub scanning direction end detecting means for detecting the end of the recording material in the sub scanning direction, recording data input means for inputting recording data from the outside, and the recording data input means A data storage unit for storing the recording data inputted in the step, an end position in the main scanning direction of the recording material detected by the main scanning direction end detecting unit, and the sub-scanning direction end detecting unit Recorded detected at The recording execution area for the recording material is determined based on the end position in the sub-scanning direction, and the head driving unit, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scanning driving unit are controlled to control the recording head. An operation of forming dots in the recording execution area based on recording data while reciprocating in the scanning direction and an operation of conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined conveyance amount are alternately repeated. A recording control unit that executes recording on a recording material, wherein the main scanning direction end detection unit is disposed in the carriage, and the main scanning direction of the recording material in the main scanning direction during the main scanning by the main scanning driving unit A recording apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting an end portion and a marking state of the marking area, wherein the recording control unit receives a plurality of recording data input by the recording data input unit. Recording data storage means for storing in the data storage section, thumbnail recording data generation means for generating thumbnail recording data indicating the recording data for each recording data stored in the data storage section, and all the thumbnail recording data Order sheet creation means for creating an order sheet by arranging and recording marking areas individually corresponding to all the thumbnail recording data in a predetermined format on the recording material, and thumbnail recording data of user-desired recording data Marking state detection control for detecting the marking state of the marking area by the main scanning direction end detection means while the order sheet in the state marked in the marking area corresponding to is conveyed in the sub scanning direction by the sub scanning driving means And a plurality of means stored in the data storage unit Recording data selecting means for selecting recording data based on the marking state detected by the marking state detection control means, and recording based on the recording data selected by the recording data selecting means The recording apparatus includes a selective recording data recording unit.

  The recording control unit first stores a plurality of recording data input by the recording data input unit in the data storage unit, and generates thumbnail recording data indicating the recording data for each recording data stored in the data storage unit. Subsequently, all the thumbnail recording data and marking areas individually corresponding to all the thumbnail recording data are arranged and recorded on the recording material in a predetermined format to create an order sheet. Subsequently, after marking the marking area corresponding to the thumbnail recording data of the recording data that the user wants to execute recording on the created order sheet, the recording apparatus is scanned again. The recording control means detects the marking state of the marking area by the main scanning direction end detection means while conveying the ordered sheet after marking in the sub scanning direction by the sub scanning driving means. Main scanning direction end detection means for detecting an end of the recording material in the main scanning direction provided for determining a recording execution area for the recording material is disposed in the carriage, and main scanning by the main scanning driving means. Sometimes, it has a configuration capable of detecting the end of the recording material in the main scanning direction and the marking state of the marking area. Then, based on the detected marking state, the recording data marked by the user is selected from the plurality of recording data stored in the data storage unit, and recording is performed.

  As described above, the main scanning direction end detection means for detecting the end of the recording material in the main scanning direction provided for determining the recording execution area for the recording material is disposed on the carriage, and the main scanning driving means. The main scanning direction of the recording material and the marking state of the marking area can be detected during main scanning. Then, since the marking state of the order sheet is detected by the main scanning direction end detection means, the order sheet is created in the recording apparatus having the direct print function but not including the scanner, and the order sheet It is possible to read the marking state. Therefore, in a recording apparatus that has a direct print function but does not include a scanner, it is possible to achieve selection of image data using an order sheet at a low cost without increasing the size of the recording apparatus. It is done.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, the marking state detection control means is configured such that the marking area is a main scanning direction end detection means based on a predetermined format of the order sheet. The order sheet is conveyed to the position arranged on the scanning line by the sub-scanning driving means, the carriage is moved in the main scanning direction to detect the presence or absence of the marking area, and the marking state of the detected marking area is detected. This is a recording apparatus characterized by that.

  Since the order sheet is created based on a predetermined format, the recording control means includes an end portion in the main scanning direction of the order sheet detected by the main scanning direction end detecting means and a sub scanning direction end detecting means. The position of the marking area on the order sheet can be specified from the end portion in the sub-scanning direction of the order sheet detected in (1). Then, the order sheet is carried by the sub-scanning driving means to the position where the marking area is arranged on the main scanning line of the main scanning direction end detection means, and the carriage is moved in the main scanning direction to be mounted on the carriage. The main scanning direction end detection means can detect the marking area and the marking state of the detected marking area.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect described above, the recording data storage unit preliminarily adds an identification number to a plurality of input recording data, and the recording data selection unit includes: An identification number of recording data selected based on the marking state detected by the marking state detection means is stored as selection information, and the selected recording data recording means stores the recording data with reference to the identification number of the selection information. A recording apparatus for determining recording data to be recorded from a plurality of recording data stored in the means.

  Add identification numbers to multiple recorded data stored in the data storage unit in advance, and select the identification number of the recorded data corresponding to the marked thumbnail recording data from the marking status information obtained by detecting the marking status of the order sheet Store as information. Then, recording is performed by selecting recording data corresponding to the identification number of the selection information from among a plurality of recording data stored in the data storage unit. In this way, by adding an identification number to a plurality of recording data stored in the data storage unit in advance, the thumbnail recording data recorded on the order sheet and the plurality of recording data stored in the data storage unit are associated with the identification number. The plurality of recorded data stored in the data storage unit can be managed by the identification number. This also eliminates the need to hold thumbnail recording data in the data storage unit after the order sheet is created, so that the data capacity of the marking state information (selection information by identification number) occupying the data storage unit can be reduced. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect described above, the selected record data recording means performs recording of the record data corresponding to the identification number of the selection information, and then executes the recording of the record data that has been recorded. The recording apparatus is characterized in that identification numbers are sequentially deleted from the selection information.
As described above, after the recording of the recording data corresponding to the identification number of the selection information is executed, the identification numbers of the selection information are all erased by sequentially erasing the identification number of the recording data that has been recorded from the selection information. At that time, the recording of all the recording data marked on the order sheet is finished.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, the main scanning direction end detection means measures the light reflectance of the surface of the recording material in a non-contact manner. The recording apparatus includes an optical sensor.
Thus, by using the optical sensor that measures the light reflectance of the surface of the recording material in a non-contact manner as the main scanning direction end detection means, detection and marking of the end of the recording material in the main scanning direction are performed. It becomes possible to detect the marking state of the area and the marking area.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, the recording data input means includes a memory slot having a configuration in which a nonvolatile memory can be attached and detached, and the memory slot. A recording apparatus comprising: means for reading out recording data stored in the mounted non-volatile memory.
As described above, by providing a memory slot having a configuration in which the nonvolatile memory can be attached and detached, and a means for reading the recording data stored in the nonvolatile memory mounted in the memory slot, for example, image data photographed by a digital camera. Is stored in a memory slot, and image data in the memory card can be recorded on a recording material by the above-described direct printing function.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a recording head for forming dots on a recording material, a head driving means for driving the recording head, and a carriage on which the recording head is mounted are mainly connected to the recording material. Main scanning driving means for reciprocating in the scanning direction, sub scanning driving means for conveying the recording material in the sub scanning direction, and main scanning direction end detection means for detecting an end of the recording material in the main scanning direction Sub-scanning direction end detection means for detecting the end of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction, recording data input means for inputting recording data from the outside, and recording data input by the recording data input means A main storage direction end detection unit disposed on the carriage, and a main scanning direction end of the recording material during main scanning by the main scanning driving unit, and a data storage unit for storing, The marking area In the recording apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting the marking state of the recording material, the end position in the main scanning direction of the recording material detected by the main scanning direction end detecting unit, and the sub scanning direction end detecting unit A recording execution area for the recording material is determined based on the detected end position of the recording material in the sub-scanning direction, and the head driving unit, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scanning driving unit are controlled. An operation of forming dots in the recording execution area based on recording data while reciprocating the recording head in the main scanning direction, and an operation of conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined conveyance amount. A recording control program for causing a computer to execute control to execute recording on the recording material by alternately repeating the recording data input by the recording data input means. A recording data storing procedure for storing data in the recording data storage unit, a thumbnail recording data generating procedure for generating thumbnail recording data indicating the recording data for each recording data stored in the data storage unit, and all the thumbnail recording data An order sheet creating procedure for creating an order sheet by arranging and recording marking areas individually corresponding to all the thumbnail recording data in a predetermined format on the recording material, and thumbnail recording data of user-desired recording data Marking state detection control for detecting the marking state of the marking area by the main scanning direction end detection means while the order sheet in the state marked in the marking area corresponding to is conveyed in the sub scanning direction by the sub scanning driving means Stored in the data storage unit A recording data selection procedure for selecting recording data from a plurality of recording data based on the marking status detected by the marking status detection control procedure, and recording based on the recording data selected by the recording data selection procedure A recording control program characterized in that the recording control program includes:

  According to the recording control program described in the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as the invention described in the first aspect described above, and any one capable of executing this recording control program This recording apparatus can provide the same effects as those of the invention described in the first aspect.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect described above, the marking state detection control procedure is such that the marking area is the main scanning direction end detection means based on a predetermined format of the order sheet. A procedure for conveying the order sheet to a position arranged on a scanning line by the sub-scanning driving means; a procedure for detecting the presence or absence of the marking area by moving the carriage in the main scanning direction; and marking of the detected marking area A recording control program characterized by having a procedure for detecting a state.

  According to the recording control program described in the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the invention described in the second aspect described above, and any one capable of executing this recording control program This recording apparatus can provide the same effects as the invention described in the second aspect.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect described above, the recording data storage procedure includes a procedure of adding an identification number to a plurality of input recording data in advance. The selection procedure includes a procedure for storing, as selection information, an identification number of the recording data selected based on the marking state detected in the marking state detection control procedure, and the selection recording data recording procedure includes identifying the selection information. A recording control program comprising a procedure for determining recording data to be recorded from a plurality of recording data stored in the recording data storage means with reference to a number.

  According to the recording control program described in the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same function and effect as the invention described in the third aspect described above, and any one capable of executing this recording control program This recording apparatus can provide the same effects as the invention described in the third aspect.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect described above, the selective recording data recording procedure includes the step of recording the recording data after recording the recording data corresponding to the identification number of the selection information. A recording control program characterized by having a procedure for sequentially deleting identification numbers from the selection information.

  According to the recording control program described in the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same functions and effects as those of the invention described in the fourth aspect described above, and it is possible to execute this recording control program This recording apparatus can provide the same effects as the invention described in the fourth aspect.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
The ink jet recording apparatus 50 is supported by the carriage guide shaft 51 and moves in the main scanning direction X as a “main scanning driving unit” that performs a main scanning operation on the recording paper P as a “recording material”. A carriage 61 is provided. A recording head 62 that performs recording by ejecting ink onto the recording paper P is mounted on the carriage 61. A platen 52 that defines the gap between the head surface of the recording head 62 and the recording paper P is provided facing the recording head 62. Further, a conveyance driving roller 53 and a conveyance driven roller 54 are provided between the carriage 61 and the platen 52 as “sub-scanning drive means” for conveying the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y by a predetermined conveyance amount. The conveyance driving roller 53 is rotated by the rotation driving force of a conveyance driving motor (not shown) such as a stepping motor, and the recording paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller 53. . A plurality of transport driven rollers 54 are provided and are individually urged by the transport driving roller 53, and the recording paper P is in contact with the recording paper P when the recording paper P is transported by the rotation of the transport driving roller 53. Rotates following the transport of A film having a high frictional resistance is applied to the surface of the transport driving roller 53. The recording paper P pressed against the surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the transport driven roller 54 comes into close contact with the surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the frictional resistance of the surface, and is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation of the transport driving roller 53. The

  The paper feed tray 57 is configured to feed recording paper P such as plain paper or photo paper, for example, and automatically feeds the recording paper P toward the transport driving roller 53 and the transport driven roller 54. An ASF (auto sheet feeder) is provided as a sheet feeding means. The ASF is an automatic paper feed mechanism having two paper feed rollers 57b provided on the paper feed tray 57 and a separation pad (not shown). One of the two paper feed rollers 57b is disposed on one side of the paper feed tray 57, and the other paper feed roller 57b is attached to the recording paper guide 57a. The rotational driving force is transmitted and rotates. The recording paper guide 57a is provided on the paper feed tray 57 so as to be slidable in the width direction in accordance with the width of the recording paper P. When a plurality of recording sheets P placed on the sheet feeding tray 57 are fed by the rotational driving force of the sheet feeding roller 57b and the frictional resistance of the separation pad, the plurality of recording sheets P are fed at a time. The paper is automatically fed to the transport driving roller 53 and the transport driven roller 54 accurately one by one without being performed. As means for discharging the recorded recording paper P, a paper discharge driving roller 55 and a paper discharge driven roller 56 are provided. The paper discharge driving roller 55 is rotationally controlled by a rotational driving force such as a stepping motor, and the recording paper P is discharged in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. The paper discharge driven roller 56 is a toothed roller having a plurality of teeth around it and sharply sharpened so that the tip of each tooth makes point contact with the recording surface of the recording paper P. The plurality of paper discharge driven rollers 56 are individually urged by the paper discharge driving roller 55, and come into contact with the recording paper P when the recording paper P is discharged by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. Rotates following paper discharge.

  Between the paper feed roller 57b and the conveyance drive roller 53, a paper detector 63 is disposed as “sub-scanning direction end detection means” for detecting the end of the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y. . The paper detector 63 is given a self-restoring behavior to a standing posture and protrudes into the conveyance path of the recording paper P so as to be able to rotate only in the sub-scanning direction Y that is the conveyance direction of the recording paper P. The detector has a pivoted lever, and the lever rotates when the tip of the lever is pushed by the recording paper P, whereby the recording paper P is detected. The paper detector 63 having such a configuration detects the start and end positions (both ends in the sub-scanning direction Y) of the recording paper P. In addition, an optical sensor 64 is mounted on the carriage 61 as “main scanning direction end detection means” for detecting the end of the recording paper P in the main scanning direction X. The optical sensor 64 is disposed upstream of the recording head 62 in the sub-scanning direction Y. By reciprocating the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X, the end of the recording paper P before recording is performed, and This is a sensor that can detect a marking state of a marking area, which will be described later, in a non-contact manner. The optical sensor 64 includes a light emitting unit composed of a light emitting diode and a light receiving unit composed of a phototransistor, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the recording paper P or the platen 52 to be detected, and the reflected light is received. This is a reflection type photointerrupter having a configuration in which the output voltage changes according to the amount of received light. The optical sensor 64 having such a configuration detects both side ends (both ends in the main scanning direction X) of the recording paper P while the carriage 61 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X.

  The recording control unit 100 as “recording control means” includes both end positions in the main scanning direction X of the recording paper P detected by the optical sensor 64 and the sub-scanning direction of the recording paper P detected by the paper detector 63. A recording execution area for the recording paper P is determined based on the positions of both ends of Y, a head driving means (not shown) for driving the recording head 62, and a main scanning direction X of the carriage 61 by a carriage driving motor (not shown). By controlling the amount of rotation of the transport drive roller 53 by a transport drive motor (not shown) based on the recording data while reciprocating the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X. The operation of ejecting ink from the head 62 to form dots and the operation of transporting the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y by a predetermined transport amount by the drive rotation of the transport drive roller 53 are interchanged. Repeatedly to perform the recording on the recording paper P in.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the recording control unit 100.
A non-volatile memory 21 is mounted in a memory slot 22 as “recording data input means” for inputting image data as “recording data” from the outside, and a plurality of image data read from the non-volatile memory 21 is recorded data. An identification number is individually added in advance by the storage means 101 and stored in the recording data area 231 of the RAM 23 as a “data storage unit”. Thumbnail image data as “thumbnail recording data” is generated for each image data from a plurality of image data stored in the recording data area 231 by the thumbnail recording data generation means 102 and stored in the thumbnail recording data area 232 of the RAM 23. A plurality of thumbnail image data stored in the thumbnail recording data area 232 is recorded on the recording paper P in a predetermined format with a marking area corresponding to each thumbnail image data added by the order sheet creating means 103. Specifically, the order sheet creating unit 103 generates recording data in which all thumbnail image data and marking areas corresponding to all thumbnail image data are arranged in a predetermined format, and main scanning driving is performed based on the recording data. Recording is performed on the recording paper P by controlling the means 501, the sub-scanning driving means 502, and the head driving means 24 for driving the recording head 62. Thereby, an order sheet PS in which a plurality of thumbnail images S and marking areas M corresponding to the thumbnail images S are arranged in a predetermined manner is created. In this embodiment, the marking area M is used for marking by painting a circle or an elliptical mark portion called a so-called mark sheet with a pencil or a ballpoint pen. Any form may be used as long as it can be detected.

  The user refers to the created order sheet PS, selects a thumbnail image S of image data to be recorded from a plurality of thumbnail images S recorded on the order sheet PS, and corresponds to the selected thumbnail image S. Marking is performed on the marking area M, and the ordered sheet PS after marking is placed at a predetermined position on the paper feed tray 57. The order sheet PS is directed to the sub-scanning drive unit 502 having the above-described transport driving roller 53 and the transport driven roller 54 by an ASF (auto sheet feeder) as a paper feeding unit that automatically feeds the above-described recording paper P. Are automatically fed. In the order sheet PS, the marking state by the user is detected by the marking state detection control unit 104. Specifically, the sub-scanning drive unit 502 is controlled based on the start position of the order sheet PS by the paper detector 63 to convey the order sheet PS in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the main scanning drive unit 501 is controlled. Then, the carriage 61 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction X, the marking area M is detected by the optical sensor 64 using the optical sensor 64 as a reference, and the marking state of the detected marking area M is detected. The marking state of the marking area M is detected by repeating the operation of detecting.

  The recording data selection unit 105 performs image data recording from a plurality of image data stored in the recording data area 231 of the RAM 23 based on the marking state of the marking area M detected by the optical sensor 64. Select. Specifically, the identification number of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user by marking is stored as selection information. For example, if the identification number of the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image S is associated with each marking area M in advance, the identification number of the marked marking area M may be stored as it is. Then, the selected record data recording unit 106 refers to the identification number of the selection information, determines image data to be recorded from a plurality of image data stored in the record data area 231 of the RAM 23, and executes the recording. To do. In addition, after the recording of the image data corresponding to the identification number of the selection information is executed, the selection recording data recording means 106 sequentially deletes the identification number of the recorded image data from the selection information, thereby identifying the selection information. When all the numbers are erased, the recording of all the image data marked on the order sheet PS is finished.

Next, a recording control procedure by the recording control unit 100 will be described.
In this embodiment, the recording control unit 100 is configured as a microcomputer control device having a microcomputer, and the control function of the recording control unit 100 is realized by executing the “recording control program” according to the present invention with the microcomputer. Is done. The recording control procedure by the “recording control program” according to the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure until the order sheet PS is created.
First, a plurality of image data stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 mounted in the memory slot 22 is read out and stored in the recording data area 231 of the RAM 23, and an identification number is added to each image data stored in the recording data area 231. (Step S1: recording data storage procedure). A random number may be added to the identification number, but it is preferable to add a sequential number in the order of storing image data in order to avoid duplication of the identification number. Subsequently, the recording paper P is fed from the paper feed tray 57 (step S2), and it is determined whether or not there is the recording paper P (step S3). Specifically, the recording paper P is fed from the paper feed tray 57 by the ASF described above, and the recording paper P is disposed on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction Y of the transport driving roller 53 during feeding. It is determined whether or not it has been detected by the detector 63. Alternatively, it may be determined whether the recording paper P is detected by the optical sensor 64 by reciprocating the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X after feeding.

  If there is no recording paper P (No in step S3), that is, if paper feeding by ASF is not performed normally, a paper feeding error is assumed. On the other hand, if there is the recording paper P (Yes in step S3), that is, if paper feeding by ASF is performed normally, then thumbnail image data of each image data is generated (step S4: Thumbnail recording data generation procedure). Specifically, this is a procedure for generating thumbnail image data from image data according to a predetermined data conversion processing procedure or the like. For example, image conversion processing of the original image data by setting the size, resolution, number of colors, etc. of the image data small To generate thumbnail image data by generating reduced image data of the original image data. Subsequently, all the thumbnail image data is recorded on the recording paper P in a predetermined format to create an order sheet PS (step S5: order sheet creating procedure). Specifically, as described above, recording data in which all thumbnail image data and marking areas corresponding to all thumbnail image data are arranged in a predetermined format is generated, and recording is performed on the recording paper P based on the recording data. Execute. Thereby, an order sheet PS in which a plurality of thumbnail images S and marking areas M corresponding to the thumbnail images S are arranged in a predetermined manner is created.

  After the recording sheet (order sheet PS) after recording is discharged (step S6), it is determined whether there is any remaining thumbnail image data for which recording has not been performed (step S7). If there is any remaining thumbnail image data that has not been recorded (Yes in step S7), the process returns to step S2 to create an order sheet PS for the remaining thumbnail image data. If there is no remaining thumbnail image data for which recording has not been performed (No in step S7), a selection display for stopping the feeding of the (order sheet PS) or (direct printing by the order sheet PS) is performed. Then, the procedure is finished (step S8). The paper feed or stop selection display is displayed by providing an LED indicator or a liquid crystal display panel or the like (not shown) on the ink jet recording apparatus 50.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting the marking state of the order sheet PS after the user selects and marks the desired thumbnail image S.
The user refers to the created order sheet PS, selects a thumbnail image S of image data to be recorded from a plurality of thumbnail images S recorded on the order sheet PS, and corresponds to the selected thumbnail image S. Marking is performed on the marking area M, and the ordered sheet PS after marking is placed at a predetermined position on the paper feed tray 57. At this point, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 has a selection display for stopping the feeding (of the order sheet PS) or (direct printing by the order sheet PS) (step S8 in FIG. 4). In order to select feeding of the sheet PS, a sheet feeding SW (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is pressed. Further, in order to select cancellation, a cancellation SW (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is pressed. First, it is determined whether or not the paper feed SW is pressed (step S11). If the paper feed SW is not pressed (No in step S11), it is determined whether or not the stop SW is pressed (step S12). . If the stop SW has been pressed (Yes in step S12), the procedure is terminated as it is, and direct printing by the order sheet PS is stopped. If the stop SW has not been pressed (No in step S12), step Return to S11. On the other hand, when the paper feed SW is pressed (Yes in step S11), the order sheet PS (recording paper) is fed (step S13). Specifically, the order sheet PS is fed from the paper feed tray 57 by the ASF described above. Subsequently, it is determined whether the fed recording sheet is an order sheet PS (step S14). Specifically, for example, a mark or the like serving as a mark is recorded in advance at a predetermined position when the order sheet PS is created, and the recording sheet fed by detecting the mark with the optical sensor 64 is the order sheet PS. It is determined whether or not. If the fed recording sheet is not the order sheet PS (No in step S14), the recording sheet is discharged (step S15), and the process returns to step S11.

  On the other hand, if the fed recording sheet is the order sheet PS (Yes in step S14), the order sheet is placed until the marking area M is positioned on the main scanning line of the optical sensor 64 based on the order sheet PS format. PS (recording paper) is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y (step S16), the carriage 61 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction X, and the presence or absence of the marking area M is detected by the optical sensor 64 (step S17). When the marking area M is detected (Yes in step S17), the marking state of the detected marking area M is detected (step S18), and the identification number of the marked thumbnail image S is stored as selection information ( Step S19) and return to step S16. By repeating the steps S16 to S18 (marking state detection control procedure) and the step S19 (recording data selection procedure), the marking states in the marking area M of the order sheet PS are detected one by one. . If there is no marking area M (No in step S17), that is, when the marking state of all the marking areas M has been detected, the order sheet PS (recording paper) is discharged (step S20). The recording execution or stop selection display of direct printing (sheet PS) is performed, and the procedure ends. The recording execution or stop selection display (for direct printing using the order sheet PS) is similar to the paper feeding or stop selection display (for the order sheet PS), such as an LED indicator or a liquid crystal display panel. (Not shown) is provided and displayed. Since the order sheet PS is created based on a predetermined format, the order sheet PS detected by the optical sensor 64 and the end of the order sheet PS detected by the paper detector 63 are detected. The position of the marking area M on the order sheet PS can be specified from the end in the sub-scanning direction Y. Then, the order sheet PS is conveyed by the conveyance driving roller 53 and the conveyance driven roller 54 to the position where the marking area M is arranged on the main scanning line of the optical sensor 64, and the carriage 61 is moved in the main scanning direction X, The optical sensor 64 mounted on the carriage 61 can detect the marking area M and the marking state of the detected marking area M.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing recording of image data selected based on the marking state of the order sheet PS.
At this time, the recording execution or stop selection display (direct printing by the order sheet PS) is performed on the ink jet recording apparatus 50 (step S21 in FIG. 5), and the user performs direct printing by the order sheet PS. In order to select execution of recording, a paper feed SW (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is pressed. Further, in order to select cancellation of direct printing by the order sheet PS, a stop SW (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is pressed. First, it is determined whether or not the paper feed SW is pressed (step S31). If the paper feed SW is not pressed (No in step S31), it is determined whether or not the stop SW is pressed (step S32). . If the cancel SW has been pressed (Yes in step S32), the procedure is terminated as it is, and direct printing by the order sheet PS is cancelled. If the cancel SW has not been pressed (No in step S32), step Return to S31. On the other hand, when the paper feed SW is pressed (Yes in step S31), the recording paper P is fed (step S33), and it is determined whether or not there is the recording paper P (step S34). Specifically, the recording paper P is fed from the paper feed tray 57 by the ASF described above, and the recording paper P is disposed on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction Y of the transport driving roller 53 during feeding. It is determined whether or not it has been detected by the detector 63. Alternatively, it may be determined whether the recording paper P is detected by the optical sensor 64 by reciprocating the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X after feeding.

  If there is no recording paper P (No in step S34), that is, if paper feeding by ASF is not performed normally, a paper feeding error is assumed. On the other hand, when there is the recording paper P (Yes in step S34), that is, when the paper feeding by ASF is performed normally, the recording of the image data of the identification number stored as the selection information is continued. Is executed (step S35), and the recording paper P on which image data has been recorded is discharged (step S36). Then, the identification number of the recorded image data is deleted from the selection information (step S37), and it is determined whether or not the identification number of unrecorded image data remains in the selection information. When the identification number of the unrecorded image data remains in the selection information (Yes in step S38), the process returns to step S34 to record the image data of the remaining identification number on the recording paper P and not recorded in the selection information. If the image data identification number does not remain (No in step S38), that is, when the recording of all the image data selected by the user by the order sheet PS has been executed, the procedure ends. In this way, by repeatedly executing the procedures of steps S33 to S37, the image data of the identification number of the selection information is sequentially recorded on the recording paper P one by one (selected recording data recording procedure).

  In this manner, in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 having the direct print function but not including the scanner, the image data is selected by the order sheet PS at a low cost without increasing the size of the ink jet recording apparatus 50. Thus, recording on the recording paper P can be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention relates to a main scanning in which a recording head for forming dots on a recording material, a head driving means for driving the recording head, and a carriage mounted with the recording head are reciprocated in the main scanning direction with respect to the recording material. The present invention can be implemented in a recording apparatus that includes a driving unit and a sub-scanning driving unit that conveys a recording material in the sub-scanning direction.

1 is a schematic plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of a recording control unit. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure until it produces an order sheet. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure which detects a marking state. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure which performs recording of selection image data.

Explanation of symbols

50 Inkjet recording device, 51 Carriage guide shaft, 52 Platen,
53 Conveyance drive roller, 54 Conveyance driven roller, 55 Discharge drive roller,
56 paper discharge driven roller, 57 paper feed tray, 57b paper feed roller, 61 carriage,
62 recording head, 63 paper detector, 64 optical sensor, 100 recording control unit,
P recording paper, PS order sheet, X main scanning direction, Y sub-scanning direction

Claims (10)

A recording head for forming dots on a recording material, a head driving means for driving the recording head, and a main scanning drive for reciprocating a carriage on which the recording head is mounted in the main scanning direction with respect to the recording material Means, sub-scan driving means for transporting the recording material in the sub-scanning direction, main-scanning-direction end detection means for detecting the end of the recording material in the main scanning direction, and sub-scanning of the recording material A sub-scanning direction end detection unit for detecting a direction end, a recording data input unit for inputting recording data from the outside, a data storage unit for storing the recording data input by the recording data input unit,
The end position in the main scanning direction of the recording material detected by the main scanning direction end detection means, and the end position in the sub scanning direction of the recording material detected by the sub scanning direction end detection means The recording execution area for the recording material is determined based on the recording medium, and the head driving unit, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scanning driving unit are controlled to perform recording while reciprocating the recording head in the main scanning direction. Recording on the recording material is executed by alternately repeating an operation of forming dots in the recording execution area based on data and an operation of conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined conveyance amount. Recording control means,
The main scanning direction end detection unit is disposed on the carriage and can detect the marking state of the recording material in the main scanning direction and the marking area at the time of main scanning by the main scanning driving unit. A recording device comprising:
The recording control means includes recording data storage means for storing a plurality of recording data input by the recording data input means in the data storage section;
Thumbnail recording data generating means for generating thumbnail recording data indicating recording data for each recording data stored in the data storage unit;
Order sheet creation means for creating an order sheet by arranging all the thumbnail recording data and marking areas individually corresponding to all the thumbnail recording data in a predetermined manner and recording them on the recording material;
While the order sheet is marked in the marking area corresponding to the thumbnail recording data of the desired recording data, the marking sheet is conveyed by the sub-scanning driving means in the sub-scanning direction while the marking area is detected by the main scanning direction end detection means. Marking state detection control means for detecting the marking state of
Recording data selection means for selecting recording data based on the marking state detected by the marking state detection control means from among a plurality of recording data stored in the data storage unit,
A recording apparatus comprising: selected recording data recording means for executing recording based on the recording data selected by the recording data selection means. 2. The marking state detection control unit according to claim 1, wherein the marking state detection control unit moves the order sheet to a position where the marking area is arranged on a main scanning line of the main scanning direction end detection unit based on a predetermined format of the order sheet. A recording apparatus transported by the sub-scanning drive unit, moving the carriage in the main scanning direction to detect the presence or absence of the marking area, and detecting the marking state of the detected marking area. 3. The recording data storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the recording data storage unit adds an identification number to a plurality of input recording data in advance, and the recording data selection unit selects based on the marking state detected by the marking state detection unit. The recorded data identification number is stored as selection information, and the selected recording data recording means records the recording data from the plurality of recording data stored in the recording data storage means with reference to the identification information identification number. A recording apparatus for determining recording data to be executed. 4. The selective recording data recording means according to claim 3, wherein after the recording of the recording data corresponding to the identification number of the selection information is executed, the identification number of the recording data that has been recorded is sequentially deleted from the selection information. A recording device characterized by. 5. The main scanning direction end detection unit according to claim 1, further comprising an optical sensor that measures the light reflectance of the surface of the recording material in a non-contact manner. Recording device. 6. The recording data input means according to claim 1, wherein the recording data input means includes a memory slot having a configuration in which a nonvolatile memory can be attached and detached, and a recording stored in the nonvolatile memory mounted in the memory slot. And a recording device for reading data. A recording head for forming dots on a recording material, a head driving means for driving the recording head, and a main scanning drive for reciprocating a carriage on which the recording head is mounted in the main scanning direction with respect to the recording material Means, sub-scan driving means for transporting the recording material in the sub-scanning direction, main-scanning-direction end detection means for detecting the end of the recording material in the main scanning direction, and sub-scanning of the recording material A sub-scanning direction end detection unit for detecting a direction end, a recording data input unit for inputting recording data from the outside, and a data storage unit for storing the recording data input by the recording data input unit Prepared,
The main scanning direction end detection unit is disposed on the carriage and can detect the marking state of the recording material in the main scanning direction and the marking area at the time of main scanning by the main scanning driving unit. In a recording apparatus having
The end position in the main scanning direction of the recording material detected by the main scanning direction end detection means, and the end position in the sub scanning direction of the recording material detected by the sub scanning direction end detection means The recording execution area for the recording material is determined based on the recording medium, and the head driving unit, the main scanning driving unit, and the sub-scanning driving unit are controlled to perform recording while reciprocating the recording head in the main scanning direction. Recording on the recording material is executed by alternately repeating an operation of forming dots in the recording execution area based on data and an operation of conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined conveyance amount. A recording control program for causing a computer to execute control,
A recording data storage procedure for storing a plurality of recording data input by the recording data input means in the data storage unit;
A thumbnail recording data generation procedure for generating thumbnail recording data indicating recording data for each recording data stored in the data storage unit;
An order sheet creating procedure for creating an order sheet by recording all the thumbnail recording data and marking areas individually corresponding to all the thumbnail recording data in a predetermined manner on the recording material;
While the order sheet is marked in the marking area corresponding to the thumbnail recording data of the desired recording data, the marking sheet is conveyed by the sub-scanning driving means in the sub-scanning direction while the marking area is detected by the main scanning direction end detection means. Marking state detection control procedure for detecting the marking state of
A recording data selection procedure for selecting recording data based on a marking state detected by the marking state detection control procedure from a plurality of recording data stored in the data storage unit;
A recording control program comprising: a selected recording data recording procedure for executing recording based on the recording data selected in the recording data selection procedure. 8. The marking state detection control procedure according to claim 7, wherein the marking state detection control procedure moves the order sheet to a position where the marking area is arranged on a main scanning line of the main scanning direction end detection means based on a predetermined format of the order sheet. A procedure of conveying by the sub-scanning driving means, a procedure of detecting the presence or absence of the marking area by moving the carriage in the main scanning direction, and a procedure of detecting the marking state of the detected marking area, A recording control program characterized by that. 9. The recording data storage procedure according to claim 7, wherein the recording data storage procedure includes a procedure of adding an identification number to a plurality of input recording data in advance, and the recording data selection procedure is the marking detected by the marking state detection control procedure. A procedure for storing the identification number of the recording data selected based on the state as selection information, and the selected recording data recording procedure is stored in the recording data storage means with reference to the identification number of the selection information A recording control program comprising a procedure for determining recording data to be recorded from a plurality of recording data. 10. The selective recording data recording procedure according to claim 9, wherein after the recording of recording data corresponding to the identification number of the selection information is executed, the identification number of the recording data that has been recorded is sequentially deleted from the selection information. A recording control program characterized by having.

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