JP2010017995A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a reference mark detecting time in an auxiliary scanning direction in correcting the skew feed of a CD-R tray in CD-R printing and to prevent erroneous detection caused by a pattern that resembles a reference mark. <P>SOLUTION: A CD-R is mounted on an exclusive tray and inserted in a printer. A PE sensor and a PE2 sensor of the printer are arranged in positions through which the reference mark of the CD-R tray passes. The printer measures the reference mark positions of the CD-R tray using the PE sensor and PE2 sensor when conveying the CD-R tray, computes the accurate position of the CD-R from these positions and corrects the position of an image to carry out printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer, and more particularly to an ink jet printer capable of direct recording on a CD-R.

  As a peripheral device for personal computers, inkjet printers have been improved in image quality and functionality. In recent years, inkjet printers that can directly record not only rectangular cut sheets and banner sheets but also CD-Rs are commercially available.

An example of a procedure for printing on a CD-R with these printers will be described. First, the user places the CD-R on a dedicated tray with a reference mark and inserts it from the manual feed port of the printer. Then, the printer conveys the dedicated tray while monitoring the reference mark of the dedicated tray by the optical sensor provided in the carriage for conveying the recording head. When the reference mark is found, the exact position of the CD-R tray is calculated from the position, and the recording reference position with respect to the CD-R is corrected and recorded. By such a procedure, the position error of the CD-R tray is corrected.
JP 2004-42376 A

  However, an ink jet printer that can directly record on a conventional CD-R has a problem that it takes time to start recording in order to increase the accuracy of detection of a reference mark by an optical sensor. Also, in the detection of the reference mark by the optical sensor, if a pattern having a shape similar to the reference mark having a high reflectance exists on the recording medium once recorded on the dedicated tray or the dedicated tray, it is erroneously detected. There was a problem that.

  In order to solve the above problem, the ink jet printer of the present invention has the following features.

  An ink jet printer that performs recording on the recording medium by applying ink from the recording head while reciprocally scanning a recording head on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged with respect to the recording medium.

  The printer has a PE sensor that detects the presence or absence of the recording medium.

  It has a PE2 sensor having the same function as the PE sensor.

  A conveying unit configured to convey a dedicated tray on which a special recording medium different from the recording medium is mounted;

  The carriage for transporting the recording head has an optical sensor that can be used for various purposes.

  The PE sensor and the PE2 sensor are arranged at positions where a reference mark detects the absence of paper when a special tray loaded with a special recording medium is conveyed.

  By conveying the recording medium while monitoring the change of the PE sensor, when the recording medium is a cut sheet, the exact length and position of the recording medium are calculated. When the recording medium is mounted on the dedicated tray, the position of the dedicated tray in the sub-scanning direction is calculated while monitoring the change in the PE2 sensor. Next, the scanning direction position of the dedicated tray is calculated by transporting the carriage while monitoring the change of the optical sensor. It has a position calculating means for calculating an accurate position of the recording medium from the calculated position and the scanning direction position of the dedicated tray.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the reference mark detection of the CD-R tray is performed using the PE sensor and the PE2 sensor in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, when correcting the skew of the CD-R tray, it is possible to shorten the reference mark detection time in the sub-scanning direction and prevent erroneous detection due to a pattern similar to the reference mark.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of the ink jet printer of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view from above. The paper set in the paper feed mechanism 102 of the printer 101 is picked up one by one by the paper feed roller 201. When the position of the paper is confirmed by the PE sensor 203, the paper is fed in the direction of arrow A or arrow B by the paper feed roller 103 and conveyed onto the platen 104. The recording head 105 is mounted on the carriage 106. The carriage 106 is movable in the directions of arrows C and D, and an optical sensor 107 facing the platen 104 is mounted on the side of the carriage 106. By controlling the recording head 105 while moving the carriage 106, an image can be recorded on the paper on the platen 104. Further, during CD-R printing, the CD-R tray is conveyed onto the platen 104 by the paper feed roller 103 from a state in which a later-described CD-R tray is inserted from the manual feed port 202. During conveyance of the CD-R tray, the PE sensor 203 monitors a reference mark on the CD-R tray. A PE2 sensor 204 is provided at a position parallel to the PE sensor 203 in the scanning direction, and monitors a reference mark on the CD-R tray.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the ink jet printer of the present embodiment. First, the personal computer 110 will be described. Upon receiving a print command from the user, the application 311 installed in the personal computer 110 transmits an image to be printed to the printer driver 312. When the printer driver 312 receives an image to be printed, the printer driver 312 prompts the user to input the number of copies to be printed, print quality, and the like, converts the image to be printed into data that can be decoded by the printer, and transmits the data to the communication driver 313. The communication driver 313 transmits the received print data to the printer 101. When the communication driver 313 receives a status such as an error or warning from the printer 101, the communication driver 313 notifies the user of the information.

  Next, the printer 101 will be described. Image data to be recorded is input from the personal computer 110 to the reception buffer 301 of the printer 101. Further, data for confirming whether the data is correctly transferred and data for notifying the operation state of the printer 101 are transmitted from the printer 101 to the host computer. The data in the reception buffer 301 is transferred to the memory unit 303 under the control of the CPU 302 and temporarily stored in the RAM (random access memory) of the memory unit 303. A mechanical control unit 304 drives and controls a mechanical unit 305 such as a carriage motor or a paper feed motor in response to a command from the CPU 302. The sensor / SW control unit 306 sends a signal from the sensor / SW unit 307 including various sensors and SW (switch) to the CPU 302. The display element control unit 308 controls the display element unit 309 made up of LEDs, liquid crystal elements, and the like of the display panel group according to a command from the CPU 302. The recording head control unit 310 controls the recording head 105 according to a command from the CPU 302. In addition, the recording head control unit 310 detects temperature information indicating the state of the recording head and sends them to the CPU 302.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing when the printer 101 records on a cut sheet.

  When printing is started, in step 401, the paper feed roller is rotated to slightly feed the paper (paper feed).

  In step 402, it is determined whether the PE sensor has detected the presence of paper. As a result, if the presence of paper is detected, the process proceeds to step 403, and if not, the process returns to step 401.

  In step 403, the paper feed roller is rotated to feed the paper by the length La shown in FIG.

  In step 404, the paper feed roller and paper feed roller are rotated to feed the paper to the print start position.

  In step 405, feeding and scanning (recording scanning) are repeated according to the print data to complete the image.

  In step 406, the paper feed roller is rotated to slightly feed the paper.

  In step 407, it is determined whether or not the PE sensor detects no paper. As a result, if no paper is detected, the process proceeds to step 408, and if not, the process returns to step 406.

  In step 408, the paper feed roller is rotated to feed the paper by the length Lb shown in FIG. 1, thereby discharging the paper and completing the printing.

  FIG. 5 is a top view of the ink jet printer for explaining the procedure for setting and printing the CD-R on the CD-R tray, and FIG. 6 is a side view thereof.

  The user sets the CD-R 501 in a CD-R size recess formed on the CD-R tray 502 and inserts it from the manual feed port 202 of the printer 101.

  In the CD-R tray 502, reference marks 503 and 504 are arranged in a square concave shape, and the concave portion is a reflective surface having a high reflectance.

  When the printer 101 pulls in the CD-R tray 502, the PE sensor 203 passes over the reference mark 503 and the PE2 sensor 204 passes over the reference mark 504.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing when the printer 101 records on a CD-R.

  When printing is started, in step 701, the paper feed roller is reversed to slightly feed the CD-R tray in the reverse direction.

  In step 702, it is determined whether the PE sensor and the PE2 sensor have detected the presence of paper. As a result, if the presence of paper is detected, the process proceeds to step 703, and if not, the process returns to step 701.

  In step 703, the paper feed roller is reversed to feed the CD-R tray in a slightly reverse direction.

  In step 704, it is determined whether the PE sensor and the PE2 sensor have detected the absence of paper (reference mark). As a result, if no paper is detected, the process proceeds to step 705, and if not, the process returns to step 703.

  In step 705, the paper feed roller is reversed to feed the CD-R tray in a slightly reverse direction.

  In step 706, it is determined whether the PE sensor and the PE2 sensor have detected the presence of paper. As a result, if the presence of paper is detected, the process proceeds to step 707, and if not, the process returns to step 705.

  In step 707, the center positions of the two position detection marks are calculated.

  In step 708, the CD-R tray is fed so that the optical sensor on the carriage is positioned at the center position in the sub-scanning direction of the position detection mark on the PE sensor side.

  In step 709, the carriage is scanned while monitoring the two reference marks with the optical sensor, and the center position in the scanning direction of the position detection mark is calculated.

  In step 710, the exact position of the CD-R is calculated based on the center positions of the two position detection marks in the sub-scanning direction and the scanning direction. Details will be described later.

  In step 711, the printing position is changed based on the exact position of the CD-R calculated in step 710, and the image is completed.

  In step 712, the paper feed roller is rotated and fed until the CD-R tray passes through the paper feed roller to eject the paper and complete printing.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the exact position of the CD-R in step 710 of FIG.

  The CD-R tray 502 drawn into the printer is inclined with respect to the coordinate axis 801 of the printer. The sub-scanning direction is the Y axis, and the scanning direction is the X axis. The coordinates (X1, Y1) of the reference mark 504 are obtained with the coordinates of the center point of the reference mark 503 obtained in steps 707 and 709 in FIG. 7 as the origin (0, 0). Here, the distance L1 between the center point of the reference mark 503 arranged on the CD-R tray 502 and the center point of the reference mark 504 is always constant. Similarly, the distance L2 between the center point of the reference point 503 and the center point of the CD-R 501 and the angle θ between L1 and L2 are always constant. Therefore, the center point (A, B) of the CD-R 501 can be calculated by using the ratio of the distances L1, L2, the rotation matrix of the angle θ, and the coordinates (X1, Y1) of the reference mark 504.

以上のような実施形態において、まずカット紙に印刷される過程を説明する。

In the embodiment as described above, a process of printing on a cut sheet will be described first.

  9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are diagrams for explaining the process in which the printer prints on the cut sheet 1001 according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the user sets a cut sheet 1001 in advance in the paper feed mechanism 102 of the printer before printing.

  When the printer starts printing, in step 401, the paper feed roller is rotated to slightly feed the paper. In step 402, since the PE sensor does not detect the presence of paper, the process returns to step 401. Repeat step 401 for a while.

  Eventually, when the leading edge of the paper reaches the PE sensor 203 as shown in FIG. 10, the PE sensor detects the presence of paper in step 402, so the process proceeds to step 403.

  In step 403, the paper feed roller is rotated to feed the paper by La.

  In step 404, the paper feed roller and paper feed roller are rotated to feed the paper to the print start position. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 11 is obtained.

  In step 405, the feed and scan are repeated according to the print data to complete the image. The progress is shown in FIG.

  When the image is completed, in step 406, the paper feed roller is rotated to slightly feed the paper.

  In step 407, since the PE sensor has not yet detected no paper, the process returns to step 406. Step 406 is repeated for a while.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the trailing edge of the paper reaches the PE sensor 203, the PE sensor detects that there is no paper in step 407, and the process proceeds to step 408.

  In step 408, the paper feed roller is rotated to feed the paper by Lb. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the paper discharge is completed and the printing is completed.

  Next, a process for printing on a CD-R will be described.

  15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 are diagrams for explaining the process in which the printer prints on the CD-R 501 in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the user sets the CD-R 501 on the CD-R tray 502 in advance and opens the manual slot 202 before printing.

  When the printer starts printing, in step 701, the paper feed roller is reversed to feed the CD-R tray slightly in the reverse direction. In step 702, since the PE sensor 203 and the PE2 sensor 204 do not detect the presence of paper, the process returns to step 701. Step 701 is repeated for a while.

  Eventually, when the CD-R tray 502 reaches the PE sensor 203 and PE2 sensor 204 as shown in FIG. 16, the PE sensor 203 and PE2 sensor 204 detect the presence of paper in step 702, and therefore the process proceeds to step 703.

  In step 703, the paper feed roller is reversed to feed the CD-R tray in a slightly reverse direction. In step 704, since the PE sensor 203 and the PE2 sensor 204 do not detect the absence of paper, the process returns to step 703. Step 703 is repeated for a while.

  Eventually, when the reference mark reaches the PE sensor 203 and PE2 sensor 204 as shown in FIG. 17, the PE sensor 203 and PE2 sensor 204 detect the absence of paper in step 704, and the process proceeds to step 705. When proceeding to step 705, the position at which the PE sensor 203 has changed from the presence of paper to the absence of paper is stored. Also, before and after the timing when the PE sensor 203 runs out of paper, the PE2 sensor 204 also passes over the reference mark, and the position where the PE2 sensor 204 has run out of paper is also stored.

  In step 705, the paper feed roller is reversed to feed the CD-R tray slightly in the reverse direction. In step 706, since the PE sensor 203 and the PE2 sensor 204 do not detect the presence of paper, the process returns to step 705. Repeat step 705 for a while.

  Eventually, when the reference mark passes the PE sensor 203 and PE2 sensor 204 as shown in FIG. 18, the PE sensor 203 and PE2 sensor 204 detect the presence of paper in step 706, and the process proceeds to step 707. When the process proceeds to step 707, the position where the PE sensor 203 has changed from the absence of paper to the presence of paper is stored. Also, before and after the timing when the PE sensor 203 becomes paper present, the PE2 sensor 204 has also passed over the reference mark, and the position where the PE2 sensor 204 has become paper present from the absence of paper is also stored.

  In step 707, the center position in the sub-scanning direction of the reference mark is calculated from the position where the PE sensor 203 stored in step 704 is out of paper and the position where the PE sensor 203 stored in step 706 is out of paper. Similarly, the center position in the sub-scanning direction of the reference mark is calculated from the position where the PE2 sensor 204 stored in step 704 is out of paper and the position where the PE2 sensor 204 stored in step 706 is out of paper.

  In step 708, the CD-R tray is fed so that the optical sensor 107 mounted on the side of the carriage 106 is positioned at the center position of the reference mark on the PE sensor 203 side calculated in step 707.

  In step 709, the carriage 106 is scanned while monitoring the reference mark by the optical sensor 107, and the center position of each reference mark in the scanning direction is calculated.

  In step 710, the exact position of the CD-R is calculated from the reference mark sub-scanning direction and scanning direction center coordinates calculated in steps 707 and 709 using the method described in FIG.

  In step 711, the printing position is changed based on the calculated exact CD-R position, and the image is completed.

  When the image is completed, in step 712, the paper feed roller is rotated and fed until the CD-R tray comes out of the paper feed roller. As a result, the paper discharge is completed and the printing is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when correcting the skew of the CD-R tray, the reference mark detection time in the sub-scanning direction is shortened and erroneous detection due to a pattern similar to the reference mark is prevented. I can do it.

It is a side view of the inkjet printer of this embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the ink jet printer of this embodiment from the top. It is a block diagram of the inkjet printer of this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the recording control with respect to a cut sheet. It is the figure which looked at the time of CD-R printing of the inkjet printer of this embodiment from the top. It is a side view at the time of CD-R printing of the inkjet printer of this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the recording control with respect to CD-R. It is a figure explaining the method of calculating the exact position of CD-R. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to a cut sheet. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to a cut sheet. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to a cut sheet. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to a cut sheet. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to a cut sheet. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to a cut sheet. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to CD-R. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to CD-R. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to CD-R. It is a side view for demonstrating the recording control with respect to CD-R.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Printer 102 Paper feed mechanism 103 Paper feed roller 104 Platen 105 Recording head 106 Carriage 107 Optical sensor 201 Paper feed roller 202 Manual feed port 203 PE sensor 204 PE2 sensor 501 CD-R
502 CD-R tray 503 Reference mark 504 Reference mark 1001 Cut sheet

Claims (2)

An inkjet printer that performs recording on the recording medium by applying ink from the recording head while reciprocally scanning a recording head on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged with respect to the recording medium,
The printer includes a PE sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium;
A PE2 sensor having the same function as the PE sensor;
Transport means for transporting a dedicated tray mounted with a special recording medium different from the recording medium;
It has an optical sensor that can be used for various purposes in a carriage for conveying the recording head,
The PE sensor and the PE2 sensor are arranged at a position where a reference mark detects the absence of paper when a special tray loaded with a special recording medium is conveyed.
When the recording medium is cut paper, the exact length and position of the recording medium are calculated by conveying the recording medium while monitoring the change of the PE sensor, and when the recording medium is mounted on a dedicated tray. Calculates the sub-scanning direction position of the dedicated tray while monitoring the change in the PE2 sensor, and then calculates the scanning direction position by transporting the carriage while monitoring the change in the optical sensor. An ink jet printer comprising position calculating means for calculating an accurate position. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein
The reference mark of the dedicated tray used for recording on a special recording medium has a recessed shape, and the recessed portion is a reflecting surface that is a mirror surface having a predetermined reflectance or more. Item 10. The inkjet printer according to Item 1.

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