JP2005170546A - Printing device, printing method and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein the transport error is different according to whether or not a medium to be transported is a last one in a storage part. <P>SOLUTION: A printing device comprises a storage part in which media to be printed are stacked and stored, and a transport member to transport the media from the storage part. When the transport member transports the media from the storage part, the driving quantity of the transport member when transporting the last medium in the storage part is different from the driving quantity of the transport member when other media remain in the storage part. The media can be transported with the target transport quantity by driving the transport member according to the transport error generated when transporting the media. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing system.

A printing apparatus that includes a storage unit that stores stacked media (for example, paper and cloth) and a transport member (for example, a paper feed roller and a transport roller) that transport the medium from the storage unit. Are known. Then, the printing apparatus drives the conveyance member, conveys the medium by the conveyance member from the accommodation unit that stacks and accommodates the media, and prints on the medium.
Here, if there is a transport error when transporting the medium, the image quality of the printed image formed on the medium is degraded.

Therefore, the correction amount is determined according to the individual difference of the printing apparatus, the drive amount is corrected based on the correction amount, the transport member is driven with the corrected drive amount, and the medium is loaded with the target transport amount. Carrying is done.
JP 2003-11474 A

Conventionally, if the same paper type is transported by the same printing apparatus, it has been considered that the transport error that occurs when transporting the medium is the same. For this reason, when the same paper type is conveyed by the same printing apparatus, the correction amount is set to be the same.
However, even when the same paper type is transported by the same printing apparatus, the transport error may be different. Specifically, the transport error differs depending on whether or not the medium to be transported is the last medium in the storage unit.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to drive a conveyance member in accordance with a conveyance error that occurs when a medium is conveyed, and to convey the medium by a target conveyance amount.

A main invention for achieving the above object is a printing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores stacked media to be printed; and a transport member that transports the medium from the storage unit, wherein the transport member When the medium is transported from the storage unit, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage unit is the drive of the transport member when another medium remains in the storage unit It is different from the quantity.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to drive a transport member in accordance with a transport error that occurs when transporting a medium and transport the medium by a target transport amount.

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A storage section for storing stacked media to be printed;
A transport member for transporting the medium from the storage unit;
A printing apparatus comprising:
When the transport member transports the medium from the storage section, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage section is the transport when the other medium remains in the storage section. A printing apparatus characterized by being different from a driving amount of a member.
According to such a printing apparatus, the conveyance member can be driven according to a conveyance error that occurs when the medium is conveyed, and the medium can be conveyed by a target conveyance amount.

  In this printing apparatus, it is preferable that the printing apparatus further includes a sensor for detecting whether or not the medium being conveyed is the last medium in the storage unit. Thereby, the printing apparatus can vary the drive amount based on the detection result of the sensor. In addition, the sensor detects the presence or absence of the medium at a detection position, and the printing apparatus determines that the medium is the last medium in the storage unit when the output of the sensor changes during conveyance of the medium. It is preferable. Thereby, the printing apparatus can recognize whether or not it is the final sheet based on the detection result of the sensor. Further, the sensor may mechanically detect the presence or absence of the medium, or may optically detect the presence or absence of the medium. The sensor may detect a mark formed on the medium, and the printing apparatus may determine that the medium is the last medium in the storage unit when the output of the sensor changes during conveyance of the medium. .

  In this printing apparatus, it is preferable that the transport member is driven based on the set drive amount. Further, it is preferable that a paper detection sensor for detecting the front end of the medium is further provided, and when the paper detection sensor detects the front end of the paper, the printing apparatus sets the drive amount of the transport member. Thereby, the conveyance from the paper detection sensor to the print start position is performed with the target conveyance amount. Further, it is desirable to detect whether or not the medium being transported is the last medium in the storage unit before the leading edge of the paper reaches the paper detection sensor. Thus, after the paper detection sensor detects the leading edge of the paper, the driving amount can be set according to whether or not the paper to be conveyed is the last paper.

  In this printing apparatus, it is preferable that the transport member includes a paper feed roller that transports the medium housed in the housing unit, and a transport roller that transports the medium transported from the paper feed roller. .

  In this printing apparatus, it is preferable to further include a memory that stores a table in which information about the paper type and information about the driving amount are associated with each other. Thereby, the conveying member can be driven with a driving amount corresponding to the paper type. Further, it is preferable that the driving amount included in the information received from the outside is corrected based on the information related to the driving amount stored in the memory, and the conveying member is driven based on the corrected driving amount. Thereby, the target drive amount included in the print data can be corrected according to the individual difference of the printing apparatus itself. However, the conveying member may be driven according to information on the driving amount stored in the memory.

  In this printing apparatus, it is desirable to print a test pattern for acquiring information related to the driving amount. Thereby, the conveyance error based on the individual difference of the printing apparatus itself can be detected.

Driving a conveying member that conveys the medium;
From the storage unit that stores and stacks the medium, the medium is transported by the transport member,
A printing method for printing on the medium,
When the transport member transports the medium from the storage section, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage section is the transport when the other medium remains in the storage section. A printing method characterized by being different from a driving amount of a member.
According to such a printing method, the conveyance member can be driven according to a conveyance error that occurs when the medium is conveyed, and the medium can be conveyed by a target conveyance amount.

A printing system comprising a computer and a printing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
A storage section for storing stacked media to be printed;
A transport member for transporting the medium from the storage unit;
With
When the transport member transports the medium from the storage section, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage section is the transport when the other medium remains in the storage section. A printing system characterized by being different from a driving amount of a member.
According to such a printing system, the conveyance member can be driven according to a conveyance error that occurs when the medium is conveyed, and the medium can be conveyed by a target conveyance amount.

=== Configuration of Printing System ===
Next, an embodiment of a printing system (computer system) will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the description of the following embodiments includes embodiments relating to a computer program and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a printing system. The printing system 100 includes a printer 1, a computer 110, a display device 120, an input device 130, and a recording / reproducing device 140. The printer 1 is a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium such as paper, cloth, or film. The computer 110 is electrically connected to the printer 1 and outputs print data corresponding to the image to be printed to the printer 1 in order to cause the printer 1 to print an image. The display device 120 has a display and displays a user interface such as an application program or a printer driver. The input device 130 is, for example, a keyboard 130A or a mouse 130B, and is used for operating an application program, setting a printer driver, or the like along a user interface displayed on the display device 120. As the recording / reproducing device 140, for example, a flexible disk drive device 140A or a CD-ROM drive device 140B is used.

  A printer driver is installed in the computer 110. The printer driver is a program for realizing the function of displaying the user interface on the display device 120 and the function of converting the image data output from the application program into print data. This printer driver is recorded on a recording medium (computer-readable recording medium) such as a flexible disk FD or a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the printer driver can be downloaded to the computer 110 via the Internet. In addition, this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for implement | achieving various functions.

  The “printing apparatus” means the printer 1 in a narrow sense, but means a system of the printer 1 and the computer 110 in a broad sense.

=== Configuration of Printer ===
<Inkjet printer configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the paper feeding unit. Hereinafter, the basic configuration of the printer of this embodiment will be described.

  The printer of this embodiment includes a paper feed unit 10, a transport unit 20, a carriage unit 30, a head unit 40, a detector group 50, and a controller 60. The printer 1 that has received print data from the computer 110, which is an external device, controls each unit (paper feed unit, transport unit 20, carriage unit 30, head unit 40) by the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the print data received from the computer 110 and forms an image on paper. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by a detector group 50, and the detector group 50 outputs a detection result to the controller 60. The controller 60 that receives the detection result from the detector group 50 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  The paper feed unit 10 is for stacking a plurality of papers and feeding (feeding) them one by one to the transport unit 20. The paper feeding unit 10 includes a paper feeding roller 11, a paper feeding roller shaft 12, a hopper 13, a separation pad 14, and a guide 15. However, in order for the sheet feeding unit 20 to function as a supply unit, all of these components are not necessarily required. The paper feed roller 11 has a substantially D-shaped cross section. The circumferential length of the circumferential portion of the paper feed roller 11 is set to be longer than the transport distance to the transport unit 20. The paper feed roller 11 has a flat portion. The paper feed roller shaft 12 is a rotation shaft for rotating the paper feed roller, and is provided with a cam 17. The paper feed roller shaft 12 rotates using the rotational force of the transport motor 22 via a clutch (not shown). For this reason, the paper feed roller 11 is rotated by using the driving force of a transport motor 22 (described later). The hopper 13 includes a rotating shaft 13A, a hopper spring 13B, and a cam follower 13C. The rotating shaft 13A is located at the upper part of the hopper 13 and enables the hopper 13 to swing around this. The cam follower 13 c drives the hopper 13 in cooperation with the cam 17 of the paper feed roller shaft 12. The separation pad 14 is for preventing a plurality of sheets S accumulated on the hopper 13 from being fed at a time. The guide 15 is for guiding the paper S fed by the paper feed roller 11 to the transport unit 20.

  The operation of the paper feeding unit 10 will be described. A plurality of paper sheets S are stacked and stocked in advance in the hopper 13. When the paper feed roller shaft 12 rotates, the cam 17 also rotates, and the hopper spring 13B pushes up the hopper 13 according to the shape of the cam. Then, the uppermost paper S stacked on the hopper 13 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 11. When the paper feed roller 11 rotates in a state where the paper S is in contact with the paper feed roller 11, the paper S other than the uppermost one also tries to advance downstream. However, the sheet S other than the uppermost sheet S is not fed by the frictional force acting between the sheet S and the separation pad 14, and only the uppermost sheet S is fed by the sheet feeding roller 11. After the uppermost paper S is fed by the paper feed roller 11, the cam follower 13C is pushed down by the cam 17, and the hopper 13 is pushed down. The paper feed roller 11 transports the paper S to the transport roller 23 using the circumferential portion. When the transport roller 23 transports the paper, the flat portion of the paper feed roller 11 faces the paper, and the paper S is not in contact with the paper feed roller. Thereby, when the conveyance roller 23 conveys the paper, no conveyance load is applied.

  The transport unit 20 is for feeding a medium (for example, the paper S) to a printable position and transporting the paper by a predetermined transport amount in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction) during printing. The transport unit 20 includes a transport motor 22 (also referred to as a PF motor), a transport roller 23, a platen 24, and a paper discharge roller 25. However, in order for the transport unit 20 to function as a transport mechanism, all of these components are not necessarily required. The transport motor 22 is a motor for transporting paper in the transport direction, and is constituted by a DC motor. The transport roller 23 is a roller that transports the paper S fed by the paper feed roller 11 to a printable area, and is driven by the transport motor 22. The platen 24 supports the paper S being printed. The paper discharge roller 25 is a roller for discharging the printed paper S to the outside of the printer. The paper discharge roller 25 rotates in synchronization with the transport roller 23.

  The carriage unit 30 is for moving (also referred to as “scanning”) the head in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a moving direction). The carriage unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and a carriage motor 32 (also referred to as a CR motor). The carriage 31 can reciprocate in the moving direction. (Thus, the head moves along the moving direction.) The carriage 31 detachably holds an ink cartridge that stores ink. The carriage motor 32 is a motor for moving the carriage 31 in the movement direction, and is constituted by a DC motor.

  The head unit 40 is for ejecting ink onto paper. The head unit 40 has a head 41. The head 41 has a plurality of nozzles that are ink discharge portions, and discharges ink intermittently from each nozzle. The head 41 is provided on the carriage 31. Therefore, when the carriage 31 moves in the movement direction, the head 41 also moves in the movement direction. Then, by intermittently ejecting ink while the head 41 is moving in the moving direction, dot lines (raster lines) along the moving direction are formed on the paper.

  The detector group 50 includes a linear encoder 51, a rotary encoder 52, a paper detection sensor 53, an optical sensor 54, and the like. The linear encoder 51 is for detecting the position of the carriage 31 in the moving direction. The rotary encoder 52 is for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 23. The paper detection sensor 53 is for detecting the position of the leading edge of the paper to be printed. The paper detection sensor 53 is provided at a position where the front end of the paper can be detected while the paper supply roller 11 is feeding the paper toward the transport roller 23. The paper detection sensor 53 is a mechanical sensor that detects the leading edge of the paper by a mechanical mechanism. More specifically, the paper detection sensor 53 has a lever that can rotate in the transport direction, and this lever is disposed so as to protrude into the paper transport path. For this reason, since the leading edge of the paper comes into contact with the lever and the lever is rotated, the paper detection sensor 53 detects the position of the leading edge of the paper by detecting the movement of the lever. The optical sensor 54 is attached to the carriage 31. The optical sensor 54 detects the presence or absence of paper by the light receiving unit detecting reflected light of light irradiated on the paper from the light emitting unit. The optical sensor 54 detects the position of the edge of the paper while being moved by the carriage 41. Since the optical sensor 54 optically detects the edge of the paper, the detection accuracy is higher than that of the mechanical paper detection sensor 53. The detector group 50 also includes a final sheet detection sensor 56 (see FIGS. 17A and 17B), which will be described later.

  The controller 60 is a control unit (control means) for controlling the printer. The controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, and a unit control circuit 64. The interface unit 61 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 110 which is an external device and the printer 1. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing the program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like, and has storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The CPU 62 controls each unit via the unit control circuit 64 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63.

<About printing operation>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing during printing. Each process described below is executed by the controller 60 controlling each unit in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63. This program has a code for executing each process.

  The controller 60 receives a print command from the computer 110 via the interface unit 61 (S001). This print command is included in the header of print data transmitted from the computer 110. Then, the controller 60 analyzes the contents of various commands included in the received print data, and performs the following paper feed processing, transport processing, ink ejection processing, and the like using each unit.

  First, the controller 60 performs a paper feed process (S001). The paper feed process is a process for supplying paper to be printed into the printer. Specifically, it is a process of pushing up the hopper 13 and feeding the uppermost paper by the paper feed roller 11.

  Next, the controller 60 performs a cueing process (S002). The cueing process is a process of driving the paper feed roller 11 and the transport roller 23 to transport the paper to the print start position. In this process, first, the controller 60 drives the paper feed roller 11 to transport the paper to the transport roller 23. While the paper feed roller 11 transports the paper to the transport roller, the leading edge of the paper contacts the lever of the paper detection sensor 53. Thereby, the paper detection sensor 53 detects the leading edge of the paper. That is, the controller 60 recognizes that the front end of the paper is at the position of the paper detection sensor 53. Then, from this point of time, the controller drives the paper feed roller 11 and the transport roller 23 with the target drive amount, and transports the paper to the print start position. When the paper feed roller 11 and the transport roller 23 are driven by the target drive amount, the paper is positioned at the print start position. At this time, at least some of the nozzles of the head 41 face the paper.

  Next, the controller 60 performs dot formation processing (S003). The dot forming process is a process of forming dots on paper by intermittently ejecting ink from a head that moves in the moving direction. The controller 60 drives the carriage motor 32 to move the carriage 31 in the movement direction. Then, the controller 60 ejects ink from the head based on the print data while the carriage 31 is moving. When ink droplets ejected from the head land on the paper, dots are formed on the paper.

  Next, the controller 60 performs a conveyance process (S004). The conveyance process is a process of moving the paper relative to the head along the conveyance direction. The controller 60 drives the carry motor with the target drive amount and rotates the carry roller to carry the paper in the carrying direction. By this carrying process, the head 41 can form dots at positions different from the positions of the dots formed by the previous dot formation process.

  Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to discharge the paper being printed (S005). If there is still data to be printed on the paper being printed, no paper is discharged. Then, the controller 60 alternately repeats the dot formation process and the conveyance process until there is no data to be printed, and gradually prints an image composed of dots on paper. When there is no more data for printing on the paper being printed, the controller 60 discharges the paper. The controller 60 discharges the printed paper to the outside by rotating the paper discharge roller. The determination of whether or not to discharge paper may be based on a paper discharge command included in the print data.

  Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to continue printing (S006). If printing is to be performed on the next paper, printing is continued and the paper feeding process for the next paper is started. If printing is not performed on the next paper, the printing operation is terminated.

=== Conveyance processing ===
<About transport processing>
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the transport unit 20. In these drawings, the components already described are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

The transport unit 20 drives the transport motor 22 by a predetermined drive amount based on a transport command from the controller. The conveyance motor 22 generates a driving force in the rotation direction according to the commanded driving amount. The transport motor 22 rotates the transport roller 23 using this driving force. Further, the transport motor 22 rotates the paper discharge roller 25 using this driving force. That is, when the transport motor 22 generates a predetermined drive amount, the transport roller 23 and the paper discharge roller 25 rotate by a predetermined rotation amount. When the transport roller 23 and the paper discharge roller 25 are rotated by a predetermined rotation amount, the paper is transported by a predetermined transport amount. Since the transport roller 23 and the paper discharge roller 25 rotate in synchronization, the paper can be transported by the transport unit 20 as long as the paper is in contact with at least one of the transport roller 23 and the paper discharge roller 25.
The carry amount of the paper is determined according to the rotation amount of the carry roller 23. Therefore, if the rotation amount of the conveyance roller 23 can be detected, the conveyance amount of the paper can also be detected. Therefore, a rotary encoder 52 is provided to detect the rotation amount of the transport roller 23.

<About the configuration of the rotary encoder>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the rotary encoder. In these drawings, the components already described are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  The rotary encoder 52 includes a scale 521 and a detection unit 522.

  The scale 521 has a large number of slits provided at predetermined intervals. The scale 521 is provided on the transport roller 14. That is, the scale 521 rotates together when the transport roller 23 rotates. For example, when the transport roller 23 rotates to transport the paper S for 1/1440 inch, the scale 521 rotates by one slit relative to the detection unit 522.

  The detection unit 522 is provided to face the scale 521 and is fixed to the printer main body side. The detection unit 522 includes a light emitting diode 522A, a collimator lens 522B, and a detection processing unit 522C. The detection processing unit 522C includes a plurality of (for example, four) photodiodes 522D and a signal processing circuit 522E. Two comparators 522Fa and 522Fb are provided.

  The light emitting diode 522A emits light when a voltage Vcc is applied through resistances at both ends, and this light enters the collimator lens. The collimator lens 522B converts the light emitted from the light emitting diode 522A into parallel light, and irradiates the scale 521 with the parallel light. The parallel light that has passed through the slit provided in the scale passes through a fixed slit (not shown) and enters each photodiode 522D. The photodiode 522D converts incident light into an electrical signal. The electric signals output from the photodiodes are compared in the comparators 522Fa and 522Fb, and the comparison result is output as a pulse. The pulses ENC-A and ENC-B output from the comparators 522Fa and 522Fb are the output of the rotary encoder 52.

<About rotary encoder signals>
FIG. 9A is a timing chart of the waveform of the output signal when the transport motor 22 is rotating forward. FIG. 9B is a timing chart of the waveform of the output signal when the transport motor 22 is reversed.

  As shown in the figure, the phase of the pulse ENC-A and the pulse ENC-B are shifted by 90 degrees regardless of whether the conveyance motor 12 is rotating forward or reversing. When the transport motor 22 is rotating forward, that is, when the paper S is transported in the transport direction, the phase of the pulse ENC-A is advanced by 90 degrees from the pulse ENC-B. On the other hand, when the transport motor 22 is reversed, that is, when the paper S is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction, the phase of the pulse ENC-A is delayed by 90 degrees from the pulse ENC-B. Yes. One period T of each pulse is equal to a time during which the transport roller 23 rotates by an interval between slits of the scale 521 (for example, 1/1440 inch (1 inch = 2.54 cm)).

  If the controller counts the number of pulse signals, the rotation amount of the conveyance roller 23 can be detected, so that the conveyance amount of the paper can be detected. Further, if the controller detects one cycle T of each pulse, the rotational speed of the transport roller 23 can be detected, so that the paper transport speed can be detected.

<Conveying by target drive amount>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of conveyance by the target drive amount. Various operations described below are realized by the controller controlling the carry motor based on a program stored in a memory in the printer 1. The program is composed of codes for performing various operations described below.

  First, the controller sets a target drive amount (S041). The target drive amount is a value that determines the drive amount of the transport motor in order to transport the paper S with the target transport amount. The target drive amount is determined based on command data (data related to the target drive amount) included in the print data received from the computer side. The controller sets a counter value based on the data related to the target drive amount. In the following description, it is assumed that the target drive amount is X, and the controller sets the counter value to X without correcting the target drive amount.

  Next, the controller drives the carry motor 22 (S042). The conveyance roller 23 is rotated by driving the conveyance motor 22. And if the conveyance roller 23 rotates, the slit 521 provided in the conveyance roller 23 will also rotate.

  Next, the controller detects the edge of the pulse signal of the rotary encoder (S043). That is, the controller detects a rising edge or a falling edge for the pulse ENC-A or ENC-B. For example, if the controller detects one edge, it means that the transport roller 23 transported the paper S by a transport amount of 1/1440 inch.

  When the controller detects the edge of the pulse signal of the rotary encoder, the controller subtracts the value of the counter (S044). That is, when the counter value is X and the controller detects one edge of the pulse signal, the controller sets the counter value to X-1.

  Then, the controller repeats the operations of S042 to S044 until the counter value becomes zero (S045). That is, the controller drives the carry motor 22 until the number of pulses of the value set in the counter is detected first. As a result, the transport motor transports the paper S in the transport direction with a drive amount corresponding to the value initially set in the counter.

  For example, when the transport unit 20 transports the paper S by 90/1440 inches, the controller sets the counter value to 90 in order to set the target drive amount. The controller subtracts the value of the counter every time the rising edge or the falling edge of the pulse signal of the rotary encoder is detected. Then, when the value of the counter becomes zero, the controller ends the carrying operation. This is because if 90 pulse signals are detected, it means that the transport roller 23 transports the paper S at 90/1440 inches. Therefore, if the controller sets the counter value to 90 as the setting of the target drive amount, the transport unit 20 transports the paper S at 90/1440 inches.

  Note that the edges of both the pulse ENC-A and the pulse ENC-B may be detected. In this case, the controller can detect the rotation amount of the transport roller with an accuracy of 1/5760 inch based on the pulse signal of the rotary encoder. If the controller sets the counter value to 90, the transport unit 20 transports the paper S at 90/5760 inches.

  The above description relates to one transport operation. When the printer intermittently performs a plurality of transport operations, the controller sets a target drive amount (sets a counter value) after each transport operation ends, and the transport roller 23 follows the set target drive amount. The paper S is conveyed. Note that, as will be described later, when performing the transport operation, the target drive amount is corrected before the target drive amount is set.

  Also, during the cueing operation, the counter is set based on the target carry amount as in the case of the carry operation. Specifically, when the paper detection sensor 53 detects the leading edge of the paper, the controller 60 sets a counter with the target drive amount. Thereby, the paper feed roller and the transport roller transport the paper from the paper detection sensor 53 to the print start position according to the set target drive amount. The controller may not set the counter based on data included in the print data received from the computer side. For example, data relating to the target drive amount for the cueing operation may be stored in a memory in the printer, and the counter may be set based on the data stored in this memory. When performing the cueing operation, the target drive amount is corrected before setting the target drive amount.

  By the way, the rotary encoder 52 directly detects the rotation amount of the transport roller 23, and strictly speaking, does not detect the transport amount of the paper S. That is, if there is a slip between the transport roller 23 and the paper S, the rotary encoder 52 accurately detects the transport amount of the paper S because the rotation amount of the transport roller 23 does not match the transport amount of the paper S. Cannot be performed, and a conveyance error (detection error) occurs. As described above, in the case where there is a slip between the transport roller 23 and the paper S, in order for the transport unit 20 to transport the paper S with the target transport amount (target transport amount), the controller is required to set the target drive amount. It is necessary to rotate the transport roller 23 with a larger driving amount. Therefore, the controller corrects the target drive amount in order to carry the paper S by the target carry amount, and sets a counter to a value corresponding to the corrected target drive amount.

=== Method for Determining Correction Amount ===
First, it is necessary to determine a correction amount for the target drive amount in advance before shipping the printer or at the user site. Therefore, a correction amount determination method will be described below.

<About the procedure for determining the correction amount>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a correction amount determination procedure. Various operations of the printer described below are realized by programs stored in the memory 63 in the printer. And this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for performing the various operation | movement demonstrated below.

  First, the printer receives an instruction signal for instructing printing of a test pattern for carrying amount correction (S101). This instruction signal may be received from the computer main body or may be input from a button provided on the printer main body. When instructing printing of a test pattern from the computer main body, a user interface as shown in FIG. 12, for example, is displayed on a display device connected to the computer main body. In the window W1 displayed on the display device, a button for instructing printing of a test pattern for carrying amount correction is displayed. When the user clicks this button, a signal instructing printing of the test pattern is transmitted from the computer main body to the printer 1 side.

  Next, the printer prints a test pattern for driving amount correction (S102). The printer that has received the instruction signal searches the test pattern in the memory 63 for information related to the test pattern for driving amount correction. Then, the printer prints the test pattern on the paper S according to the information related to the driving amount correction test pattern.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a driving amount correction test pattern printed on the paper S. The test pattern printed on paper has a plurality of correction patterns. For example, in the present embodiment, the test pattern printed on paper has five correction patterns. The correction pattern has two strip patterns. Hereinafter, the upper band-shaped pattern of the correction pattern is referred to as a first band pattern, and the lower pattern of the correction pattern is referred to as a second band pattern. The distance between the first band pattern and the second band pattern is different for each correction pattern. As a result, each correction pattern corresponds to a specific correction amount. For example, in the present embodiment, in order from the left correction pattern, the distance between the first band pattern and the second band pattern decreases, and the corresponding correction amount also decreases. Depending on the distance between the first band pattern and the second band pattern, white stripes (also called white banding or light banding) or black stripes (black banding or dark banding) between the first band pattern and the second band pattern. Called banding). However, in the correction pattern corresponding to the optimum correction amount, a striped pattern does not occur so much between the first band pattern and the second band pattern. For example, in the present embodiment, the striped pattern does not occur so much in the correction pattern assigned “number = 2”.

  After printing the driving amount correction test pattern, the user selects an optimal correction pattern from a plurality of correction patterns printed as test patterns (S103). This optimum pattern selection may be performed on the computer main body side or on the printer main body side. When an optimum pattern is selected on the computer main body side, a user interface as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on a display device connected to the computer main body. In the window W2 displayed on the display device, a plurality of buttons are displayed so as to correspond to the plurality of printed correction patterns. When the user clicks this button, the correction pattern corresponding to the clicked button is selected as the optimum pattern. For example, in the present embodiment, the user clicks a button corresponding to “number = 2”.

  Next, the correction amount for correcting the drive amount is stored (stored) in the printer (S104). When the optimum pattern is selected on the computer main body side, information on the correction amount corresponding to the optimum pattern (information on the carry amount) is transmitted from the computer main body side to the printer side. Then, the printer stores the received information regarding the correction amount in the memory 63 in the printer.

  When the stored correction amount is α, processing is performed as follows. First, the computer transmits print data having a target drive amount A to the printer. The printer reads the stored correction amount α and corrects the target drive amount A to A + α. A counter is set based on the corrected target drive amount A + α, and the transport unit transports the paper until the counter reaches zero. As a result, the transported paper is transported by the target transport amount A. These processes will be described later in detail.

=== Correction amount of the final paper ===
<Special characteristics of the final paper>
FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of a conveyance state when paper is stacked on the hopper 13. In the figure, the components already described are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
When a plurality of sheets are stacked on the hopper 13, when the uppermost sheet S is fed, other sheets remain in the hopper 13. Therefore, the lower surface of the uppermost paper S is fed while rubbing against the upper surface of the paper remaining on the hopper 13. That is, in this case, the paper S is fed while rubbing the paper.

FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of the state of conveyance of the last paper remaining in the hopper 13.
When the last paper is fed, no other paper remains in the hopper 13. Therefore, the lower surface of the fed paper is fed while rubbing against the hopper 13. That is, in this case, the paper S is fed while the paper S and the hopper 13 are rubbed.
The hopper 13 is made of a material different from paper, and is made of plastic, for example. Therefore, the hopper 13 has a friction coefficient different from that of paper. For this reason, the frictional force applied to the uppermost paper in FIG. 15A is different from the frictional force applied to the last paper in FIG. 15B.

  FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram of the carry amount when paper remains in the hopper 13. As shown in the figure, the frictional force applied to the paper acts as a back tension when the transport roller 23 transports the paper. That is, the transport roller 23 transports the paper S on which the back tension is applied. Therefore, when the transport roller 23 transports the paper S, a slip occurs between the transport roller 23 and the paper S. Even if the transport roller 23 rotates for one inch, the paper S is transported with a transport amount smaller than one inch due to slippage between the transport roller 23 and the paper S. Therefore, the above test pattern is created and the correction amount is stored in advance in the printer. Then, the target driving amount is corrected, and the transport roller is driven with the corrected target driving amount. Thereby, the paper S is transported by the target transport amount.

  FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram of the transport amount of the last sheet of the hopper 13. Compared with FIG. 16A, in FIG. 16B, the frictional force applied to the paper is larger. This means that the slip between the transport roller 23 and the paper S is increased. Therefore, even if the transport roller is driven with the same drive amount A + α (corrected target drive amount), the paper is transported with a transport amount A−x that is smaller than the target transport amount A. As described above, when the last unit of the hopper 13 is transported by the transport unit in the same manner as normal paper, the position of the transported paper is different.

  For this reason, when the last paper of the hopper 13 is conveyed, it is necessary to correct the target drive amount with a correction amount different from that of normal paper. Therefore, the printer according to the present embodiment conveys the paper in the hopper 13 as follows.

<Final paper detection sensor 1>
17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams of the final sheet detection sensor. FIG. 17A shows the state of the final paper detection sensor 56 when other paper remains in the hopper 13. FIG. 17B shows the state of the final paper detection sensor 56 when the last paper of the hopper 13 is conveyed.

  The final paper detection sensor 56 includes a rotatable lever. One end of the lever in the figure is attached to the hopper 13 so as to be rotatable. When there is no paper in the hopper 13, the lower end of the lever jumps up with respect to the hopper 13. That is, a force is applied to the lever in the direction of jumping up with respect to the hopper 13. However, the force applied to the lever is weak, and the lever returns to the hopper 13 side due to the weight of one sheet of paper. Such a lever is provided near the lower side of the hopper 13 in the drawing. The final paper detection sensor 56 detects whether or not paper remains in the hopper 13 by detecting the movement of the lever. Note that the lever movement detection method is the same as that of the paper detection sensor 53.

  As described above, after the hopper 13 feeds the uppermost paper, the hopper 13 is pushed down. When other paper remains in the hopper 13 when the hopper 13 is pushed down, the paper remaining in the hopper 13 continues to push down the lever (see FIG. 17A). In this case, the controller recognizes that the paper being conveyed is not the final paper.

  On the other hand, when the hopper 13 is pushed down, if no paper remains in the hopper 13, the lever jumps up from the hopper (see FIG. 17B). That is, when the last paper of the hopper 13 is fed, the lever jumps up, so that the controller recognizes that the paper being transported is the last paper of the hopper 13.

<Final paper detection sensor 2>
18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams of another final sheet detection sensor. In any of the figures, the hopper for accommodating paper is viewed from above. FIG. 18A shows the state of the final paper detection sensor 56A when other paper remains in the hopper 13. FIG. 18B shows the state of the final paper detection sensor 56 when the last paper of the hopper 13 is conveyed.

The final paper detection sensor 56A is a sensor that optically detects the presence or absence of paper at a position facing the sensor. This final paper detection sensor 56 </ b> A is provided in the hopper 13 and is located near the upper end of the paper S accommodated in the hopper 13.
When paper is stored in the hopper 13, the stored paper is located at a position facing the final paper detection sensor 56A. When the uppermost paper is fed, if other paper remains in the hopper 13, the remaining paper is located at a position facing the final paper detection sensor 56 (see FIG. 18A). Therefore, the final paper detection sensor outputs a signal that the paper being conveyed is not the final paper.
On the other hand, when the last sheet of the hopper 13 is conveyed, the trailing end of the sheet passes through the final sheet detection sensor 56A during the conveyance of the sheet. At this time, the final paper detection sensor 56A detects that there is no paper at the facing position. In this way, when the final paper detection sensor 56A detects that there is no paper at the opposite position during paper conveyance, the controller recognizes that the paper being conveyed is the last paper of the hopper 13.

  Note that the hopper 13 may store papers of different sizes. Therefore, a plurality of final paper detection sensors 56A to 56C are provided according to the size of the paper to be stored. For example, when A4 size paper is stored in the hopper 13, the final paper detection sensor 56A detects whether or not the paper being conveyed is the final paper. When B5 size paper is stored in the hopper 13, the final paper detection sensor 56B detects whether or not the paper being conveyed is the final paper. Further, when L-size paper is stored in the hopper 13, the final paper detection sensor 56C detects whether or not the paper being conveyed is the final paper.

<Final paper detection sensor 3>
FIG. 19A is an explanatory diagram of another final sheet detection sensor. This figure is the figure which looked at the hopper 13 which accommodates paper from the upper surface. However, paper is not yet stored in the hopper 13 in the drawing. The hopper 13 is provided with a final paper detection sensor 56D. The final paper detection sensor 56D can detect a pattern formed on the paper.

FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of the back side of the paper stored in the hopper 13. A mark is formed on the back surface of the paper stored in the hopper 13. This mark is formed by arranging a plurality of lines parallel to the moving direction in the transport direction. When the paper is stored in the hopper 13, there is a mark on the back surface of the lowermost paper at a position facing the final paper detection sensor 56D.
When the uppermost paper is fed and other paper remains in the hopper 13, the mark on the back of the lowermost paper among the remaining paper moves relative to the final paper detection sensor 56D. Not. Therefore, the final paper detection sensor 56D outputs a signal indicating that the paper being conveyed is not the final paper.
On the other hand, when the last paper of the hopper 13 is conveyed, the mark on the back surface of this paper moves relative to the final paper detection sensor 56D. At this time, when the final paper detection sensor 56D detects a change in the presence or absence of a mark, the controller recognizes that the paper being conveyed is the last paper of the hopper 13.

<About the correction amount table>
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a correction amount table according to the present embodiment. This correction amount table is stored in a memory in the printer.
The correction amount table is a table in which the paper type and the correction amount are associated with each other. Examples of the paper type include “plain paper”, “glossy paper”, and “OHP paper”. As types of correction amounts, there are “normal correction amount” and “correction amount during final sheet conveyance”. Here, “normal time” refers to the time when the uppermost paper is fed and other paper remains in the hopper. “At the time of final paper conveyance” is when the paper being conveyed is the final paper. That is, in the present embodiment, the correction amount differs depending on whether or not the paper being transported is the final paper. Further, the correction amount differs depending on the paper type. This is because the frictional force acting between paper and the paper and the frictional force acting between paper and plastic differ depending on the paper type.

  Each correction amount is determined based on the test pattern described above. Specifically, first, two plain papers are put in an empty hopper. First, the first test pattern is printed. Since two sheets of paper are initially placed in the hopper, when the first test pattern is printed, the other sheet remains in the hopper. The optimum pattern of the first test pattern is selected, and the corresponding correction amount α is determined. As a result, “plain paper” and “normal correction amount α” are stored in the corresponding memory. Next, a second test pattern is printed. This paper will be the last paper in the hopper. The optimum pattern of the second test pattern is selected, and the corresponding correction amount α + x is determined. Accordingly, “plain paper” and “correction amount α + x at the time of transporting the final paper” are stored in the corresponding memory. Subsequently, for other paper types, two sheets of paper are put in an empty hopper and the same operation is performed. Thereby, the correction amount table of the present embodiment is completed.

  There are two types of correction amount tables for cueing processing and conveyance processing. Here, the correction amount table for the conveyance process has been described, but the correction amount table for the cueing process is the same. However, when determining the correction amount in the correction amount table for cueing processing, the test pattern for cueing processing is printed instead of printing the test pattern for carrying processing.

<About correction of target drive amount>
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining a flow when an image is formed on paper. Various operations of the printer described below are realized by programs stored in the memory 63 in the printer. Various operations of the computer main body described below are realized by a printer driver which is a program stored in the computer main body. These programs are composed of codes for performing various operations described below.

First, the user turns on the printer and puts the printer in a print standby state (S211).
Then, the user gives a print instruction from an application operating on the computer side (S201). When the user gives a print instruction to the computer, settings such as a printing method are made via the user interface of the printer driver. Then, the printer driver determines the paper type and the target drive amount based on the set contents (S202). The printer driver converts the image data sent from the application into pixel data according to the set contents. Then, the printer driver transmits print data including data relating to the paper type, data relating to the target drive amount, and pixel data to the printer side (S203).

The printer that has received the print data reads information regarding the correction amount stored in the memory (S212). Since the print data includes data related to the paper type, the correction amount corresponding to the paper type is read from the memory. For example, in the case of plain paper, “normal correction amount α” and “final paper transport correction amount α + x” are read from the correction amount table stored in the memory.
The printer that has received the print data starts paper feed processing (S213). By starting the paper feeding process, the uppermost paper of the hopper 13 is conveyed. Then, the printer determines whether the paper being conveyed is the final paper based on the detection result of the final paper detection sensor 56 (S214). The final paper detection sensor 56 detects whether or not the paper being transported is the final paper before the leading edge of the paper reaches the paper detection sensor 53. If the paper being transported is not the final paper (NO in S214), the printer corrects the target drive amount with the normal correction amount (for example, the correction amount α in the case of plain paper) (S215). If the paper being transported is the final paper (YES in S214), the printer corrects the target transport amount with the correction amount at the time of final paper transport (for example, the correction amount α + x in the case of plain paper) (S216). .
Then, the printer sets the counter value with the corrected target drive amount, and performs printing processing (cue processing and conveyance processing) (S217).

  In the case of the cueing operation, the controller first feeds paper by the paper feed unit. When the paper feed roller conveys the paper and the paper detection sensor detects the leading edge of the paper, the controller sets the target drive amount based on the target drive amount and the correction amount stored in advance in the memory in the printer. Is corrected and the counter is set. Then, the carry motor is driven until the counter value becomes zero, and the paper feed roller and the carry roller rotate. The correction amount for correcting the target drive amount for the cueing operation differs depending on whether the conveyed paper is the final paper. Thereby, even when the last paper of the hopper is transported, the paper can be transported to the target print start position.

  In the case of the conveyance operation performed intermittently between the dot formation operations, the printer receives information on the target drive amount from the computer side. The controller corrects the target carry amount and sets a counter each time each carrying operation is completed. Then, the carry motor is driven until the counter value becomes zero, and the paper feed roller and the carry roller rotate. The correction amount for correcting the target drive amount for the transport operation differs depending on whether the transported paper is the final paper. Accordingly, even when the last paper of the hopper is transported, the paper can be transported with a target transport amount, and dots are formed at a target position on the paper during the dot forming operation. be able to.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present embodiment, when the last paper of the hopper 13 is conveyed, the target drive amount can be corrected with a correction amount different from that of normal paper. Thereby, even when the last paper of the hopper 13 is transported, the paper can be transported by a target transport amount.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiment is mainly described for a printer. Among them, a printing apparatus, a recording apparatus, a liquid ejection apparatus, a printing method, a recording method, a liquid ejection method, a printing system, a recording system, and a computer system are included. Needless to say, the disclosure includes a program, a storage medium storing the program, a display screen, a screen display method, a printed material manufacturing method, and the like.

  Moreover, although the printer etc. as one embodiment were demonstrated, said embodiment is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and is not for limiting and interpreting this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

<About Hopper>
In the above-described embodiment, the hopper 13 is used as a storage unit that stores and stacks paper. However, the accommodating portion is not limited to this. A so-called tray may be used as the accommodating portion.

<About the printer>
In the above-described embodiment, the printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, color filter manufacturing apparatus, dyeing apparatus, fine processing apparatus, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, surface processing apparatus, three-dimensional modeling machine, liquid vaporizer, organic EL manufacturing apparatus (particularly polymer EL manufacturing apparatus), display manufacturing apparatus, film formation The same technique as that of the present embodiment may be applied to various recording apparatuses to which an ink jet technique is applied such as an apparatus and a DNA chip manufacturing apparatus. These methods and manufacturing methods are also within the scope of application. Even if this technology is applied to such a field, the liquid can be directly ejected (directly drawn) toward the object. You can go down.

<About ink>
Since the above-described embodiment is an embodiment of a printer, dye ink or pigment ink is ejected from the nozzle. However, the liquid ejected from the nozzle is not limited to such ink. For example, liquids (including water) including metal materials, organic materials (especially polymer materials), magnetic materials, conductive materials, wiring materials, film-forming materials, electronic inks, processing liquids, gene solutions, etc. are ejected from nozzles. May be. If such a liquid is directly discharged toward the object, material saving, process saving, and cost reduction can be achieved.

<About nozzle>
In the above-described embodiment, ink is ejected using a piezoelectric element. However, the method for discharging the liquid is not limited to this. For example, other methods such as a method of generating bubbles in the nozzle by heat may be used.

=== Summary ===
(1) The above-described printer (printing apparatus) includes a hopper (accommodating unit) that stacks and stores paper (medium to be printed), a paper feed roller and a transport roller (transport member) that transport paper from the hopper, It has. Then, this printer drives a conveyance roller or the like, conveys the paper by a conveyance roller or the like from a hopper that stores and stacks the paper, and prints the paper.
Here, if there is a transport error when transporting the paper, the image quality of the printed image formed on the paper is degraded. Therefore, the above-described printer corrects the target drive amount according to individual differences of the printing apparatus, drives the transport roller or the like with the corrected target drive amount, and transports the paper with the target transport amount. .

However, even when the same paper type is transported by the same printing apparatus, the transport error differs depending on whether the transported paper is the last paper of the hopper. That is, when the paper to be conveyed is the last paper of the hopper, the paper to be conveyed is conveyed while being rubbed against the plastic hopper. On the other hand, when other paper remains in the hopper, the transported paper is transported while being rubbed with the other paper. For this reason, depending on whether or not the paper to be transported is the last paper of the hopper, the frictional force acting on the paper to be transported differs and the transport error differs.
Therefore, in the printer described above, when the transport roller or the like transports the paper from the hopper, the drive amount when transporting the last paper of the hopper is the normal drive amount (transport when other paper remains in the storage unit). The driving amount of the member). As a result, the conveyance roller or the like is driven according to a conveyance error that occurs when the paper is conveyed, and the paper can be conveyed by a target conveyance amount.

(2) The printer described above further includes a final paper detection sensor for detecting whether or not the paper (medium) being conveyed is the last paper in the hopper (container). Accordingly, the printer can vary the drive amount based on the detection result of the sensor.

(3) In the printer described above, the final paper detection sensor detects the presence or absence of paper at the detection position. The printer determines that the paper is the last paper of the hopper when the output of the final paper detection sensor changes during paper conveyance. Accordingly, the printer can recognize whether or not the sheet is the final sheet based on the detection result of the sensor.
However, detection of whether or not the conveyed paper is the last paper is not limited to this method. For example, it is possible to detect whether or not the paper to be conveyed is the last by recognizing the number of paper stored in the hopper in advance and counting the number of printed sheets.

(4) The final paper detection sensor shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B mechanically detects the presence or absence of paper by detecting the movement of the lever. Thereby, the presence or absence of paper can be detected.

(5) Final paper detection sensors 56A to 56C shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B optically detect the presence or absence of paper at a position opposed to the sensors. Thereby, the presence or absence of paper can be detected.

(6) The final paper detection 56D sensor shown in FIG. 19A detects a mark formed on the paper. The printer determines that the paper is the last paper of the hopper when the output of the final paper detection sensor changes during the paper transport. Accordingly, the printer can recognize whether or not the sheet is the final sheet based on the detection result of the sensor.
However, in this case, it is necessary to form a mark on the back side of the paper. Therefore, the paper to be printed is limited.

(7) In the above-described printer, the conveyance roller or the like (conveyance member) is driven based on the driving amount set in the counter. Therefore, the counter value to be set differs depending on whether or not the paper to be conveyed is the last paper.

(8) The printer described above further includes a paper detection sensor that detects the leading edge of the conveyed paper. When the paper detection sensor detects the leading edge of the paper, the printer sets the driving amount of the transport member. Thereby, the conveyance from the paper detection sensor to the print start position is performed with the target conveyance amount.

(9) In the above-described printer, before the leading edge of the paper reaches the paper detection sensor, it is detected whether or not the paper being conveyed is the last paper in the hopper. As a result, after the paper detection sensor detects the leading edge of the paper, the drive amount can be set depending on whether or not the paper being transported is the last paper, so printing of the paper at the target transport amount is started. It can be transported to a position.

(10) The above-described printer includes, as members for transporting paper, a paper feed roller that transports paper stored in a hopper (storage unit) and a transport roller that transports paper transported from the paper feed roller. . Accordingly, the paper can be transported by driving the paper feed roller and the transport roller.

(11) The above-described printer further includes a memory that stores a table in which information about the paper type and information about the driving amount are associated with each other. Thereby, a conveyance roller etc. can be driven with the drive amount according to the paper type.

(12) The above-described printer corrects the target drive amount included in the print data (information received from the outside) based on the information related to the drive amount stored in the memory, and based on the corrected target drive amount. The conveying member is driven. An external device that generates print data transmits information about a target drive amount to the printer as print data without considering individual differences between the printers. Then, the printer corrects the target drive amount included in the print data according to the individual difference of the printer itself. As a result, the paper can be transported by a target transport amount. In the above-described printer, in the transport process performed during the dot formation process, the target drive amount included in the print data is corrected, and the transport roller is driven.

(13) The printer described above drives the conveying member according to the information related to the driving amount stored in the memory. In the above-described printer, in the cueing process, a counter is set based on the drive amount stored in the memory, and the paper feed roller is driven. In this way, the counter need not be set based on the data included in the received print data.

(14) The printer described above prints a test pattern for acquiring information relating to the correction amount (drive amount). Thereby, the target drive amount can be corrected according to the transport error based on the individual difference of each printer.

It is explanatory drawing of the whole structure of a printing system. 1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration of a printer. 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a printer. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of a printer. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a paper feed unit. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of printing. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a conveyance unit. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a rotary encoder. FIG. 9A is a timing chart of the waveform of the output signal during normal rotation. FIG. 9B is a timing chart of the waveform of the output signal at the time of inversion. It is a flowchart of a conveyance process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the determination procedure of a correction amount. It is an instruction screen for printing a test pattern. It is an example of the test pattern for conveyance amount correction | amendment. This is a screen for selecting an optimum pattern. FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of a conveyance state when paper is stacked on the hopper 13. FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of the state of conveyance of the last paper remaining in the hopper 13. FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram of the carry amount when paper remains in the hopper 13. FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram of the transport amount of the last sheet of the hopper 13. 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams of the final sheet detection sensor. 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams of another final sheet detection sensor. FIG. 19A is an explanatory diagram of another final sheet detection sensor. FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of the back side of the paper stored in the paper hopper. It is explanatory drawing of a correction amount table. It is a flowchart when forming an image on paper.

Explanation of symbols

1 printer,
10 paper feed unit, 11 paper feed roller, 12 paper feed roller shaft, 13 hopper,
14 separation pad, 15 guide, 20 transport unit, 22 transport motor (PF motor),
23 transport roller, 24 platen, 25 discharge roller,
30 Carriage unit, 31 Carriage,
32 Carriage motor (CR motor),
40 head units, 41 heads,
50 detector groups, 51 linear encoder, 52 rotary encoder,
521 scale, 522 detector,
53 Paper detection sensor, 54 Optical sensor,
60 controller, 61 interface unit, 62 CPU,
63 memory, 64 unit control circuit 100 printing system 110 computer,
120 display device,
130 input device, 130A keyboard, 130B mouse,
140 recording / reproducing apparatus,
140A flexible disk drive device, 140B CD-ROM drive device

Claims (17)

A storage section for storing stacked media to be printed;
A transport member for transporting the medium from the storage unit;
A printing apparatus comprising:
When the transport member transports the medium from the storage section, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage section is the transport when the other medium remains in the storage section. A printing apparatus characterized by being different from a driving amount of a member. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A printing apparatus, further comprising a sensor for detecting whether or not the medium being conveyed is the last medium in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The sensor detects the presence or absence of the medium at a detection position;
The printing apparatus is characterized in that when the output of the sensor changes during conveyance of the medium, the medium is determined to be the last medium in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
The printing apparatus, wherein the sensor mechanically detects the presence or absence of the medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
The printing apparatus, wherein the sensor optically detects the presence or absence of the medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The sensor detects a mark formed on the medium,
The printing apparatus is characterized in that when the output of the sensor changes during conveyance of the medium, the medium is determined to be the last medium in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A printing apparatus that drives the conveying member based on the set driving amount. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
A paper detection sensor for detecting the leading edge of the medium;
The printing apparatus, wherein when the paper detection sensor detects the leading edge of the paper, the printing apparatus sets the drive amount of the transport member. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
Before the leading edge of the paper reaches the paper detection sensor, it is detected whether or not the medium being conveyed is the last medium in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport member includes a paper feed roller that transports the medium accommodated in the housing unit, and a transport roller that transports the medium transported from the paper feed roller. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A printing apparatus, further comprising a memory that stores a table in which information relating to paper type and information relating to the driving amount are associated with each other. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
A printing apparatus that corrects a drive amount included in information received from the outside based on information about the drive amount stored in the memory and drives the transport member based on the corrected drive amount. . The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
The printing apparatus, wherein the conveying member is driven according to information on the driving amount stored in the memory. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
A printing apparatus for printing a test pattern for acquiring information relating to the driving amount. A storage section for storing stacked media to be printed;
A transport member for transporting the medium from the storage unit;
A printing apparatus comprising:
When the transport member transports the medium from the storage section, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage section is the transport when the other medium remains in the storage section. Unlike the drive amount of the member,
A sensor for detecting whether or not the medium being transported is the last medium in the container;
The sensor detects the presence or absence of the medium at a detection position, and the printing apparatus determines that the medium is the last medium in the storage unit when the output of the sensor changes during conveyance of the medium.
The sensor optically detects the presence or absence of the medium,
Based on the set driving amount, the conveying member is driven,
A paper detection sensor for detecting the leading edge of the medium; and when the paper detection sensor detects the leading edge of the paper, the printing apparatus sets the driving amount of the conveying member;
Before the leading edge of the paper reaches the paper detection sensor, it is detected whether the medium being transported is the last medium in the storage unit,
The transport member includes a paper feed roller that transports the medium accommodated in the housing unit, and a transport roller that transports the medium transported from the paper feed roller,
A memory for storing a table associating information on the paper type and information on the driving amount;
Based on the information about the driving amount stored in the memory, the driving amount included in the information received from the outside is corrected, and the transport member is driven based on the corrected driving amount.
A printing apparatus for printing a test pattern for acquiring information on the driving amount. Driving a conveying member that conveys the medium;
From the storage unit that stores and stacks the medium, the medium is transported by the transport member,
A printing method for printing on the medium,
When the transport member transports the medium from the storage section, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage section is the transport when the other medium remains in the storage section. A printing method characterized by being different from a driving amount of a member. A printing system comprising a computer and a printing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
A storage section for storing stacked media to be printed;
A transport member for transporting the medium from the storage unit;
With
When the transport member transports the medium from the storage section, the transport amount of the transport member when transporting the last medium of the storage section is the transport when the other medium remains in the storage section. A printing system characterized by being different from a driving amount of a member.

Images