JP2006256097A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which correctly grasps the residual amount of a roll sheet to avoid waste to users. <P>SOLUTION: An RFID tag 103 with a storage element for storing the residual amount of a roll sheet is added to the roll sheet, while a specified residual amount identifying mark 201 is added to a position in front by a specified length from the terminal of the roll sheet. The specified residual amount identifying mark 201 is detected by a specified amount identifying mark detection means. The residual amount stored in the storage element is corrected corresponding to the specified residual amount identifying mark with the specified residual amount identifying mark detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing using roll paper.

  In recent years, inkjet printers have been widely used as one of computer output devices for both home use and business use. Particularly recently, large format printers are being widely used for business purposes such as posters. In this case, roll paper is often used as the recording paper.

  When printing using a large-format printer, the printed material is often cut one by one, but on the other hand, a plurality of image data is continuously printed and the printed material output is a paper winding called a rewinder (rewinder). In many cases, the take-up mechanism is used for winding. The winding device is used not only for the overnight operation but also in the case of so-called “several printing” in which the same image is output many times. The winding device is often mounted on a stand unit of the printing apparatus.

  When printing is performed using roll paper, the problem is whether or not printing can be performed using roll paper in which the number of prints or the length to be printed is set. If the roll paper is new, the total length can be known, so the number of sheets that can be printed can be assumed, but in the case of a roll paper used halfway, printing is based on rough predictions in many cases. For this reason, the roll paper may be lost during printing, and printing may be wasted.

  In particular, when performing long printing in which the image data is 10,000 mm or more, the roll paper may be lost in the middle. In this case, the time required for printing is completely wasted and ink is also wasted. Therefore, managing the remaining amount of roll paper is a big problem for users.

  As a means to know the remaining amount of roll paper, an element that can write and read information by wireless communication such as RFID is attached to the paper tube of the roll paper temporarily attached with the label, and the printed number is subtracted from the initial number each time. Thus, a method for managing the remaining number of labels has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  In another example, a method for storing and managing the remaining amount by adding a recording element near the paper tube of the roll paper and subtracting the printed amount from the initial length of continuous paper is also proposed (Patent Document 2). .

In yet another example, a technique has been proposed in which an RFID tag is attached to a storage portion from which a part of a cushion material has been removed around the paper tube body (Patent Document 3).
JP 2003-145899 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-058033 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-210432

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the remaining number can be easily managed as long as the initial number at the time of production can be accurately managed, such as a roll-shaped label paper. It is not always easy to manage. Furthermore, if a paper jam occurs in the middle, or if there is an operation that intentionally cuts some sheets, the remaining amount is distorted.

  On the other hand, according to the method of Patent Document 2, it is considered that the remaining amount can be managed temporarily. However, there is still room for improvement in the following respects. That is, in a large recording medium or the like, the actual length is usually set slightly longer than the nominal value in order to ensure an initial nominal value at the time of roll production. For example, if the nominal value is 30.5 [m], it falls within the range of 32.5 to 31.0 [m] at the time of manufacture. Therefore, when it is near the end of the sheet, it looks as if the actual remaining amount has become distorted. Therefore, for example, when the remaining amount generated according to the nominal value is determined to be slightly less than the desired print length and the roll paper is replaced with a new one, the actual remaining amount can correspond to the print length. Can occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that accurately grasps the remaining amount of roll paper and is less wasteful to the user.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a roll paper supply unit that supplies roll paper, a paper conveyance unit that conveys the roll paper from the roll paper supply unit, and a storage element that stores a remaining value of the roll paper. The printing apparatus further includes a predetermined remaining amount identification mark detecting unit that adds a predetermined remaining amount identification mark to a position a predetermined length before the end of the roll paper and detects the predetermined remaining amount identification mark. Features. Since the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is added to a position a predetermined length before the end of the roll paper, how much roll paper remains (when the roll paper remaining) is detected when the mark is detected. Amount) can be accurately recognized.

  The predetermined remaining amount identification mark can be added to the reverse side opposite to the printed side of the roll paper. Thereby, the image printed on the printing surface is not damaged.

  It is desirable to have remaining amount correcting means for correcting the remaining amount value stored in the storage element in response to detection of the predetermined remaining amount identifying mark by the predetermined remaining amount identifying mark detecting means. As a result, even if the remaining amount of roll paper that has been recorded and managed has an error from the actual remaining amount of roll paper, the remaining amount of roll paper at the time of detection of the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is accurately grasped. The remaining amount of roll paper can be managed more accurately.

  Since there is sufficient paper remaining at the beginning of using a new roll paper, it is not always necessary to accurately grasp the remaining amount, but as the roll paper is used, the paper becomes closer to the end of the roll paper. The remaining amount becomes important. In the present invention, by adding a predetermined remaining amount identification mark at a predetermined remaining amount position before the end of the roll paper, it becomes possible to meet the practical requirement for using such roll paper.

  The storage element can be disposed near the paper tube of the roll paper. By disposing it in the vicinity of the paper tube, it is possible to associate the storage element with each roll and to avoid troubles in the printing process.

  The storage element is preferably written and read by wireless communication means built in the printing apparatus main body. Accordingly, data can be written / read out in a non-contact state with respect to the device including the memory element.

  When the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is not detected, by correcting the remaining amount value, the printing apparatus of the present invention can be used even if a roll having the predetermined remaining amount identification mark and a roll having no other are mixed. .

  More specifically, it is preferable to further include a conveyance amount detection unit that detects a conveyance amount of the paper, and the remaining amount correction unit conveys the roll paper from the start of printing when the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is detected. The amount is confirmed, and the remaining amount value stored in the storage element is updated based on the roll paper conveyance amount, the printing length of the printing, and the predetermined remaining amount. Thus, the length of the roll paper that has been sent out when the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is detected can be reflected in the accurate remaining amount of paper.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the roll paper having a storage element for storing the remaining amount of paper and having a predetermined remaining amount identification mark added in front of a predetermined amount from the end, and the roll paper are conveyed. A sheet conveying unit; a predetermined remaining amount identifying mark detecting unit that detects the predetermined remaining amount identifying mark; and an alarm unit that outputs an alarm when printing with a print length exceeding the predetermined remaining amount occurs. Features. This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not the current amount of roll paper can meet the target print length, and if this is not possible, output an alarm to inform the user and execute wasteful printing. Can be prevented.

  In the present invention, a storage element is added to the roll paper to manage the remaining amount of the roll paper, and a predetermined remaining amount identification mark is added in front of the end of the roll paper to detect this, thereby detecting the remaining amount of the roll paper. Can be corrected to an accurate value. As a result, it is possible to effectively use the remaining amount of roll paper and avoid wasteful consumption of paper.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus as an example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a serial printer type ink jet recording apparatus will be described as an example, but a so-called line printer type ink jet recording apparatus in which recording elements are arranged over the entire width of the paper may be used.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a carriage 110 that reciprocates left and right by the driving force of the carriage motor 109. The carriage 110 ejects a plurality of types of ink (not shown). , And a plurality of ink cartridges 111 are detachably mounted.

  Further, a sheet (recording medium) 108 is intermittently conveyed to the recording apparatus 100 as the carriage 110 moves.

  An RFID tag 103 including a storage element capable of writing and reading information by wireless communication is added to the paper tube 102 of the roll 101 in which the paper 108 is wound in a roll shape, and the storage element is connected via the communication antenna 107. The remaining amount of paper can be rewritten wirelessly. In this example, it is added to the surface of the inner cylindrical cavity at one end of the paper tube 102. As a specific method for this addition, other arbitrary methods such as embedding the RFID tag 103 in the paper tube 102 and attaching a label incorporating the RFID tag 103 to the paper tube 102 can be used.

  The sheet 108 can be conveyed before and after the sheet conveyance direction substantially orthogonal to the carriage movement direction via the conveyance roller shaft 105 by the driving force of the conveyance motor 104. With the rotary encoder 106 coupled to the motor shaft of the transport motor 104, the front and rear transport amount of the paper can be accurately measured.

  On the other hand, the current position of the carriage 110 can be measured by a linear encoder using a linear scale 113 and a sensor (not shown).

  Although not directly related to the present invention, reference numeral 114 in the figure denotes a recording head cap mechanism, and reference numeral 115 denotes a wiper blade for cleaning the recording head.

  In this embodiment, the initial value is written to the RFID tag 103 before the roll paper is shipped. For example, when the initial value of the roll paper length is 30 m, a numerical value of 30000 [mm] is input. In a computer, since data is generally processed in hexadecimal, the data actually stored in the memory has a value of 7530h. However, since the description may be complicated, in the following description, only 10 is used. Treat as a decimal number.

  On the other hand, when the resolution of the rotary encoder 106 is 1200 dpi, the used paper length is a value of (30000 mm / 25.4 mm) × 1200 dpi = 1417323, but there is no problem even if the lower digits are omitted. Absent.

  Next, a characteristic feature of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 in which a predetermined remaining amount identification mark is added a predetermined length before the end of the roll paper. The degree to which the “predetermined length” is set is not particularly limited.

  In addition to being attached to the inside of the paper tube 102, the RFID tag 103 is further printed with a predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 on the back surface of the paper 108 opposite to the recording surface. This mark is shown, for example, at a position 2 m from the end of the paper 108. In addition, it is possible to make a certain length (for example, more than 10000 mm) so as to be compatible with long printing. Since the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 is marked at an accurate position, if detected by a sensor such as a photo interrupter (not shown), the remaining amount of paper is small (for example, 2 m), and the storage element in the RFID tag 103 The remaining paper value written in the can be accurately corrected at this point.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic hardware configuration of the recording apparatus 100.

  The recording apparatus 100 has a CPU 302, and the operation of the recording apparatus is performed by the CPU 302 controlling each part of the apparatus by program control. In this example, the program executed by the CPU 302 is stored in a flash ROM 303 which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

  A RAM 304 is also prepared as a working memory for the CPU 302. Further, the CPU 302 receives key inputs from the operation panel 311 and controls a display device such as an LCD on the operation panel 311.

  When image data is received from an external host PC (Personal Computer) 300 to the interface controller 301 of the recording apparatus, the CPU 302 controls the interface controller 301 and stores the image data in the image memory (VRAM) 307 via the memory controller 306. Are temporarily stored as bitmap data.

  When the necessary recording data is set in the image memory 307, the CPU 302 first accesses the servo logic circuit 316, drives the conveyance motor 104 via the motor drive unit 309, conveys the paper 108 to the print start position, and stops. Let

  Subsequently, the carriage logic 109 side of the servo logic circuit 316 is also accessed, and driving of the carriage motor 109 is started via the motor drive unit 309.

  The output of the linear encoder obtained according to the transmitted light of the linear scale by the movement of the carriage 110 is fed back to the servo logic circuit 316. In synchronization with the output of the rotary encoder 106, after the carriage 110 reaches the recording start position on the paper 108, reading of the image memory 307 is started, and recording data is sent from the memory controller 306 to the recording head 310 via the recording head control circuit 308. Is transferred.

  Writing to and reading from the RFID tag 103 attached to the paper tube 102 of the roll 101 is performed from the RFID reader / writer 317 using the communication antenna 107 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 302. A temperature sensor 312 indicates the internal temperature of the recording apparatus 100 or the internal sensor of the recording head 310. In the present embodiment, the predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 314 is a photo interrupter as an example of an identification mark detection unit that detects the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 on the roll paper.

  The paper leading edge detection sensor 315 detects the leading edge (or trailing edge) of the roll paper. In some cases, the predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 314 may be shared with the paper leading edge detection sensor 315.

  The output of the predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 314 or the like can be read out via the AD converter 318. Another rewritable non-volatile memory EEPROM 305 stores values unique to the apparatus, such as a minute registration adjustment value and ink remaining amount between the recording heads, and a paper type and a paper remaining amount related to the present embodiment.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, a procedure example of the remaining paper amount detection process according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the program representing the execution procedure of this process is stored in the flash ROM 303, and this process is realized by the CPU reading it, interpreting it and executing it.

  When receiving the command for the recording operation, the CPU 302 reads the remaining sheet value (referred to as L1) stored in the storage element of the RFID tag 103 via the RFID reader / writer 317 and the communication antenna 107, and this value L1 is read. Copy to RAM 304 and save (step 401).

  Next, the value of the paper transport position counter indicating the paper transport position is cleared to zero (S402). The paper transport position counter is an Up / Down counter provided in the servo logic circuit 316, and can detect the paper transport amount by counting UP or DOWN according to the output of the rotary encoder 106 of the paper transport unit. it can.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the remaining sheet value L1 is longer than the printing length L3 used for printing. If L1 is larger (S403-Yes), printing is possible and sheet conveyance is started (S404). If the remaining sheet value L1 is insufficient (S403-No), the operation is temporarily interrupted and an alarm 1 is sent from the operation panel 311 (S415). This alarm 1 is a display and / or sound that is output in order to inform the user that the print length to be printed cannot be covered with the current remaining amount of paper. In addition to text display, the display may be light emission of an indicator such as an LED. The “sound” may be a predetermined voice message such as “roll paper is not long enough”.

  Every predetermined time (S405-Yes), it is checked whether the predetermined remaining amount detection mark 201 is detected by the predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 314. If not (S406-No), it is subsequently determined whether the print start position has been reached. Determine (S407) and repeat until it reaches.

  When the print position is reached (S407-Yes), printing for one line is performed (S408). If printing is not completed after printing one line (S409-No), the process returns to S405.

  The above series of processing is repeated until printing is completed. If a predetermined remaining amount identification mark is detected during this time (S406-Yes), the value of the sheet transport position counter is immediately read (S411), and this value L4 is set. The data is stored in the RAM 304 (S412).

  Subsequently, the predetermined remaining amount L2 is compared with the remaining print length (L3-L4) after conveyance (S413). FIG. 5 shows the relationship among the predetermined remaining amount L2, the printing length L3, and the carry amount L4. (This example shows a case where the print length L3 can be covered by the predetermined remaining amount L2.) If the remaining portion of the print can be printed with the current remaining amount of paper (S413-Yes), the remaining amount correction flag is set (ON). ) (S414), the process returns to S407 to continue printing. Setting the remaining amount correction flag means that the remaining amount of the sheet needs to be corrected by detecting the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201. If the remaining amount of paper is insufficient (S413-No), an alarm 2 is sent and the operation stops (S416). The alarm 2 at this time can be the same as the alarm 1 described above, but is preferably made different so that the user is informed of that the predetermined remaining mark is detected. In S413, even when the condition of L2> (L3-L4) is satisfied, an alarm 3 for notifying the user that only the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 has been detected may be generated.

  Returning again, when all printing is completed (S409-Yes), the CPU 302 checks whether the remaining amount correction flag is set, and if not (S410-No), the remaining sheet amount value L1 in the RAM 304 is set to (L1). -L3), the data is written to the storage element of the RFID tag 103 (S417), and the process is terminated.

  If the remaining amount correction flag is set in S409 (S410-Yes), the remaining sheet value L1 in the RAM 304 is updated to L2- (L3-L4) and written to the storage element of the RFID tag 103 (S418). . By this update, the remaining amount of paper that has been updated and managed with the use of the roll paper is corrected to an accurate remaining amount of paper including not only the initial error but also the accumulated error that has occurred thereafter. Finally, the remaining amount correction flag is cleared (S419), and the process ends.

  Since the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 can be accurately marked a predetermined amount before the end of the roll paper, for example, at a position of 2 m, the remaining paper amount value after the actual mark is detected becomes a more precise value.

  In addition, when the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 is not detected in the above processing, only the branch processing of S411 to S416 and S418 to S419 is not executed, and there is no problem in the processing of FIG. The recording apparatus of the embodiment can be used even when the roll paper to be used has a predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 and a roll paper that does not.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made in addition to those mentioned above.

  For example, the detection of the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 is always performed regardless of the remaining amount of the roll paper, but since the position of the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 (predetermined remaining amount L2) is known, the predetermined remaining amount identification mark 201 The approximate time at which 201 is detected can be estimated based on the remaining amount value L1, and at a predetermined time point when the remaining amount value L1 approaches L2 (for example, the remaining amount value L1 becomes equal to or less than a value Lx larger than L2 by a predetermined amount). Until the time), the function of the predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 314 may be stopped, and after reaching the time point, the predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 314 may function. Thereby, useless detection operation of the predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 314 can be omitted.

  Although an example in which reading and writing of the storage element for storing the remaining amount value of the roll paper is performed in a non-contact manner is shown, a contact type interface may be used.

  The printing apparatus has been described by way of example of performing ink jet recording, but the recording method is not limited to ink jet.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention can be used as a business recording apparatus that prints on large roll paper, particularly in fields where high image quality is required.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an image figure of the roll paper used in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of a procedure of the paper remaining amount detection process by embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the predetermined residual amount L2, the printing length L3, and the conveyance amount L4 in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Inkjet recording apparatus 110 ... Carriage 101 ... Roll 102 ... Paper tube 103 ... RFID tag 104 ... Conveyance motor 105 ... Conveyance roller shaft 106 ... Rotary encoder 107 ... Communication antenna 108 ... Paper 109 ... Carriage motor 110 ... Carriage 111 ... Ink cartridge 113 ... Linear scale 201 ... Predetermined remaining amount identification mark 301 ... Interface controller 303 Flash ROM
305 EEPROM
306 ... Memory controller 307 ... Image memory 308 ... Recording head control circuit 309 ... Motor drive unit 310 ... Recording head 311 ... Operation panel 312 ... Temperature sensor etc. 314 ... Predetermined remaining amount detection sensor 315 ... Paper leading edge detection sensor 316 ... Servo logic circuit 317: RFID reader / writer 318 ... A / D converter

Claims (8)

In a printing apparatus comprising a roll paper supply unit for supplying roll paper, a paper conveyance means for conveying the roll paper from the roll paper supply unit, and a storage element for storing the remaining value of the roll paper,
A printing apparatus, further comprising: a predetermined remaining amount identification mark detecting unit that adds a predetermined remaining amount identification mark to a position a predetermined length before the end of the roll paper and detects the predetermined remaining amount identification mark.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is attached to a back surface opposite to a print surface of the roll paper.   The remaining amount correcting means for correcting the remaining amount value stored in the storage element in response to detection of the predetermined remaining amount identifying mark by the predetermined remaining amount identifying mark detecting means. Printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage element is disposed in the vicinity of a paper tube of the roll paper.   The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage element performs writing and reading by wireless communication means built in the printing apparatus main body.   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is not detected, the remaining amount value is not corrected.   And further comprising a conveyance amount detecting means for detecting a conveyance amount of the paper, wherein the remaining amount correcting means confirms the conveyance amount of the roll paper from the start of printing when the predetermined remaining amount identification mark is detected, and the storage element The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the remaining amount value stored in is updated based on the roll paper conveyance amount, the printing length of the printing, and the predetermined remaining amount. A roll paper having a storage element for storing the remaining amount of paper and having a predetermined remaining amount identification mark added in front of a predetermined amount from the end;
A paper conveying means for conveying the roll paper;
Predetermined remaining amount identifying mark detecting means for detecting the predetermined remaining amount identifying mark;
And a warning unit that outputs a warning when printing of a printing length exceeding the predetermined amount occurs.