JP2010221603A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology that can easily and inexpensively detect information about paper such as a type and size of the paper. <P>SOLUTION: A bar code for indicating the information such as the type and size of the paper is formed on a back surface of the paper P. Light is emitted from a light-emitting element 60 of a paper-edge detection sensor 57, and the light is reflected by a mirror surface 65. The bar code provided on the back surface of the paper P is irradiated with the reflected light. The light reflected by the bar code is further reflected by the mirror surface 65 and detected by a light-receiving element 61. Then, the mirror image of the detected bar code is decoded, the paper type, size, etc. of the paper P is determined, and print setting corresponding to the type, size, etc. of the paper P is automatically set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints an image on a sheet conveyed by a conveying unit.

  In a conventional printing apparatus, a bar representing information about the paper such as the type (glossy paper, coated paper, postcard, OHP sheet, etc.) and size of the paper formed on the back side of the paper by a bar code reader disposed in the printing apparatus. The code is read to automatically detect the paper type, size, and the like, and appropriate print settings are made according to the detected paper type, size, and the like (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-1002 (paragraphs 0027 to 0030, FIG. 2, etc.)

  By the way, since an image or the like is printed on the front surface of the paper, the barcode is formed on the back surface of the paper in order to prevent reading of the barcode by the printed image or the like. The barcode reader is disposed on the back side of the paper near the print head of the printing apparatus. For this reason, for example, in an ink jet printer, when ink is ejected from a print head disposed on the front side of the paper toward the paper during printing, the ink adheres to the barcode reader and the barcode detection sensitivity decreases. There is a risk of failure. In addition, since the barcode reader is expensive, there is a problem in that it cannot be frequently exchanged in such a case.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can easily and inexpensively detect information on paper such as the type and size of paper.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to reflect a mirror image of a barcode provided on the back surface of the paper to indicate information about the paper such as type and size, and to reflect the paper width detector. And a judging means for judging information related to the paper by decoding a mirror image of the barcode reflected by the reflecting means and detected by the paper width detector.

  In the invention configured as described above, since the mirror image of the barcode is reflected by the reflecting means and the mirror image of the barcode is detected by the paper width detector, it is formed on the back surface of the paper without providing an expensive barcode reader. Bar code can be detected. In addition, since a paper width detector provided in advance in the printing apparatus is used, the apparatus configuration does not have to be significantly changed. Therefore, it is possible to easily detect the mirror image of the barcode formed on the back surface of the paper at low cost and obtain information on the paper such as the paper type and size.

  The printing apparatus may be an ink jet type, and may further include a preventing unit that prevents ink from adhering to the reflecting unit. This prevents ink from adhering to the reflecting means during printing, so the mirror image of the bar code reflected by the reflecting means is accurately detected by the paper width detector, and the paper type, size, etc. It is possible to get information about.

  Further, the preventing means further includes a moving means for moving the reflecting means, and the moving means moves the reflecting means so that the reflecting means does not face the back surface of the paper at least during printing. Good. In this case, since the reflecting means does not face the paper on which ink is ejected, it is possible to prevent ink from adhering to the reflecting means. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the mirror image of the barcode reflected by the reflecting means by the paper width detector and obtain information on the paper.

  Further, the moving means may change the angle with respect to the back surface of the paper by rotating the reflecting means. In this way, since the angle of the reflecting means can be adjusted when detecting the mirror image of the barcode, it is possible to accurately detect the mirror image of the barcode by the paper width detector and obtain information about the paper.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a photo printer that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The block diagram which shows the control system of the photo printer of FIG. The schematic block diagram which shows the back surface of a paper. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic configuration diagram of the photo printer of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for detecting paper information. The schematic block diagram which shows operation | movement of a mirror.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a photo printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the photo printer of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the back side of the sheet. FIG. 4 is a partial schematic configuration diagram of the photo printer of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting paper information. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the operation of the mirror.

1. Device Configuration As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a photo printer 1 as a “printing device” of the present invention has a print mechanism 5 (see FIG. 2) built in the photo printer 1. Printing on the paper P is executed in response to an operation command from a controller 10 (see FIG. 2) that controls the entire printer 1. Then, the printed paper P is discharged to the front surface of the photo printer 1.

  The photo printer 1 is an ink jet printer that prints images in a serial manner, and a front door 11 is attached to the front surface of the photo printer 1 so as to be opened and closed as shown in FIG. The front door 11 is a lid for opening and closing the front surface of the photo printer 1. When it is in the open state, it functions as a paper discharge tray for receiving the paper P discharged from the printing mechanism 5 which is the printing means in the present invention. Further, when the front door 11 is in an open state, various memory card slots 13 provided on the front surface of the photo printer 1 can be used. That is, in this state, the user can insert the memory card M storing the image file to be printed into the memory card slot 13. Note that the external medium for storing the image file data is not limited to the memory card, and may be another one such as a USB memory or a disk medium.

  Further, when the front door 11 is in an open state, the IrDA communication unit 15 provided on the entire surface of the photo printer 1 can be used, and an electronic device such as a digital camera or a mobile phone storing images is used for the photo printer 1 with infrared rays. It is also possible to connect by performing communication and function as an external medium. That is, in this state, the user can perform a communication operation such as file transfer from the electronic device to the photo printer 1 by the IrDA communication method provided in the electronic device such as a mobile phone.

  An operation panel 20 is provided on the upper surface of the photo printer 1, and a cover 21 is attached to the inner side of the upper surface of the photo printer 1 so as to be freely opened and closed. The cover 21 is a resin plate formed in a size that can cover the upper surface of the photo printer 1, and exposes the surface of the operation panel 20 to the outside in the open state (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, when the cover 21 is closed, the entire operation panel 20 is covered.

  The operation panel 20 includes a display unit 22 configured by, for example, an LCD display for displaying characters, graphics, symbols, and the like, and a button group 23 arranged around the display unit 22. The button group 23 includes a power button for turning on / off the power, a menu button for calling a main menu screen, a cancel button for canceling the operation in the middle or printing on the paper P in the middle, a paper A print button for instructing execution of printing on P, a save button for saving an edited image or the like in the memory card M inserted in the memory card slot 13, and a plurality of options displayed on the display unit 22 are desired. The up, down, left, and right arrow buttons that are operated when selecting an option or moving the cursor, and the choices selected by the arrow buttons that are arranged in the center of the up, down, left, and right arrow buttons An OK button for instructing, a display switching button for switching the screen display on the display unit 22, and displayed on the display unit 22 A left guide selection button for selecting a guide, a right guide selection button for selecting a right guide displayed on the display unit 22, a discharge tray open button for opening the front door 11 having a function as a discharge tray, and the like. Yes.

  Further, in order to confirm the display contents of the display unit 22, the cover 21 is provided with a window 24 having the same size as the display unit 22. That is, when the cover 21 is in the closed state, the user can check the display content of the display unit 22 through the window 24. On the other hand, when the cover 21 is in the open state, the display unit 22 can be adjusted to a desired angle as shown in FIG.

  Thus, when the cover 21 is in the open state, the cover 21 is held in a state inclined obliquely rearward with respect to the operation panel 20 and can be used as a tray for supplying the paper P to the print mechanism 5. . Further, at the back of the operation panel 20, a paper feed port 58 of the print mechanism 5 is provided, and a pair of paper guides 59 that are slid in the left-right direction so that the guide width matches the paper width are provided. .

  Then, the paper P is fed into the print mechanism 5 through the paper feed port 58. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the print mechanism 5 includes a transport mechanism including a paper feed motor 34, a paper feed roller (not shown), a loading roller 35, and a transport roller 56. The paper feed motor 34 is driven by the roller drive circuit 33 based on the control step from the print controller 28. The paper feed motor 34 is rotationally driven according to the drive amount commanded from the roller drive circuit 33, and by this drive force, the paper feed roller, the loading roller 35, and the transport roller 56 are rotated by a predetermined rotational amount, and the paper is fed. P is conveyed by a predetermined feed amount.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 53 is driven by the timing belt 51 that is looped in the left-right direction and reciprocates left and right along the guide 52. The carriage 53 is provided with a paper end detection sensor 57. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper edge detection sensor 57 includes a light emitting element 60 configured by a light emitting diode and the like, and a light receiving element 61 configured by a light receiving sensor such as a phototransistor. Then, the light emitted from the light emitting element 60 is reflected by the paper P, the reflected light is received by the light receiving element 61, and is converted into an electric signal by the CPU 25 described later. Based on the magnitude of the converted electric signal, the presence or absence of the paper sheet P is detected at the left and right edges and the upper and lower edges of the paper sheet P, and the paper width can be recognized. The presence of paper and the absence of paper are detected, and the paper length can be recognized. The paper edge detection sensor 57 corresponds to the paper width detector in the present invention.

  The carriage 53 is mounted with an ink cartridge 54 that individually accommodates ink of each color such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each of these ink cartridges 54 is connected to a print head 55. The print head 55 applies pressure to the ink from the ink cartridge 54 and ejects the ink from the nozzle (not shown) toward the paper P. In this embodiment, the print head 55 employs a method in which a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. However, a voltage is applied to the heating resistor (for example, a heater) to apply the ink. You may employ | adopt the system which pressurizes ink with the bubble generated by heating. The printed paper P is sent out to the opened front door (discharge tray) 11 by the transport roller 56.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a reflection mechanism 63 is disposed at a position facing the paper edge detection sensor 57 on the back side of the paper P, and the upstream side and the downstream side in the discharge direction of the paper P across the reflection mechanism 63. On the side, platens 64a and 64b for guiding the conveyance of the paper P are disposed. As shown in the figure, the reflection mechanism 63 has a triangular prism shape having a substantially equilateral triangle shape when viewed from the side, and a mirror surface 65 and protective surfaces 66 and 67 are provided on each surface of the equilateral triangle. Each is formed. Then, the light emitted from the light emitting element 60 of the paper edge detection sensor 57 is reflected by the mirror surface 65 and is applied to the barcode 70 disposed on the back surface 69 of the paper P described in detail later. The light reflected by is further reflected by the mirror surface 65 and detected by the light receiving element 61.

  Further, a shaft 68 is disposed as the central axis of the triangular prism of the reflection mechanism 63, and the shaft 68 is configured to rotate and move in conjunction with the drive of the paper feed motor 34. Accordingly, the reflection mechanism 63 is rotated by driving the paper feed motor 34 so that the angle of the mirror surface 65 is adjusted when the barcode 70 is detected, or the mirror surface 65 is rotated so as not to face the back surface 69 of the paper P during printing. The ink is prevented from adhering to the mirror surface 65 by the protection surfaces 66 and 67 and the platens 64a and 64b. The mirror surface 65 corresponds to the reflecting means in the present invention, the protective surfaces 66 and 67, the platens 64a and 64b correspond to the preventing means in the present invention, and the paper feed motor 34 and the shaft 68 correspond to the moving means in the present invention.

  Although not shown, a battery pack can be mounted on the back of the photo printer 1 so that the photo printer 1 can be operated by a battery without being connected to a commercial power source. Because of this point and the fact that the photo printer 1 is a stand-alone printer that can be used without being connected to a host computer, the photo printer 1 is easy to carry and can be used anywhere.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 10 is configured to be communicably connected to the host computer PC via an interface 20 configured by a USB interface, a parallel interface, or the like. Further, a CPU 25, a ROM 26, a RAM 27, a print controller 28, a nonvolatile memory 29, and the like are connected to the system bus 21 of the controller 10 connected to the interface 20. Further, the controller 10 converts the light received by the light receiving element 61 into an electrical signal as described above, and outputs a control signal to the print head 55 of the print mechanism 5 and a control signal to the display unit 22 of the operation panel 20. It is the composition to output.

  In the CPU 25, arithmetic processing for executing operation control of the printing mechanism 5 is performed. Further, the CPU 25 is configured to output a command or the like necessary for print control to the print controller 28 by executing a program stored in the ROM 26. The ROM 26 stores programs (firmware) necessary for the control of the CPU 25, and the RAM 27 temporarily stores data such as print data input from the outside. Further, the nonvolatile memory 29 stores various data necessary for the control of the CPU 25.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 25 decodes the barcode 70 data detected by the light receiving element 61 disposed in the paper edge detection sensor 57, and the decoded barcode 70 data. And a determination unit 25b for determining the type, size, and the like of the paper P. In addition, the nonvolatile memory 29 is provided with a storage unit 29a that stores information about the paper such as the type and size of the paper P. The determination unit 25b determines the type, size, and the like of the paper P from the data decoded by the barcode decoding unit 25a and the information related to the paper P stored in the storage unit 29a. Print settings corresponding to the type and size of the paper P are automatically set, and a predetermined image is printed on the paper P. Therefore, the barcode decoding unit 25a and the determination unit 25b correspond to the determination unit in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, barcodes 70 a, 70 b, 70 c, and 70 d are formed at the four corners of the back surface 69 of the paper P as the barcode 70. As shown in the figure, the barcodes 70a and 70c are formed in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the paper (Y direction in FIG. 4), and the barcodes 70b and 70d are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the paper P (see FIG. 4 in the X direction). The bar codes 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d are recorded with the same information regarding the type and size of the paper P such as glossy paper, coated paper, postcard, and OHP sheet, respectively. By providing a plurality of barcodes with different formation directions at the four corners of the same surface in this way, it is possible to read at least one of the barcodes 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d even when paper P is fed from any side. Is formed. Since printing is performed on the surface of the paper P, the barcodes 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d are not formed.

2. Sheet Information Detection Procedure FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sheet information detection procedure. First, the sheet P is fed from the leading Q side of the sheet P shown in FIG. 4 to the sheet feeding port 58 of the printing mechanism 5 of the photo printer 1 (step S10), and the leading end Q of the sheet P is detected by the sheet end detection sensor 57. The paper P is fed by the loading roller 35 and the transport roller 56 until the image is detected. When the head Q of the paper P is detected, a predetermined distance is further set so that the barcode 70b formed on the back surface 69 of the paper P is disposed at the barcode reading position R shown in FIG. Only the paper P is conveyed and the position of the paper P is adjusted (step S11).

  Next, the reflection mechanism 63 is rotated by driving the paper feed motor 34, and the angle of the mirror surface 65 is adjusted. As for the angle of the mirror surface 65, an optimum angle for reading the barcode 70 is stored in the storage unit 29a in advance, and the CPU 25 reads the angle and adjusts the angle of the mirror surface 65 (step S12). .

  As shown in FIG. 6A, light is emitted from the light emitting element 60 of the paper edge detection sensor 57 toward the barcode 70b by the paper edge detection sensor 57 mounted on the print head 55. The emitted light is reflected by the mirror surface 65 and applied to the barcode 70b disposed on the back surface 69 of the paper P, and the light reflected by the barcode 70b is further reflected by the mirror surface 65 and detected by the light receiving element 61. Is done. Further, the paper edge detection sensor 57 is moved left and right while performing the above-described operation, and the barcode 70b formed in a predetermined range is scanned (step S13). At this time, if the barcode 70b is not scanned accurately and the mirror image of the barcode 70b is not detected accurately (step S14), the drive of the paper feed motor is controlled to adjust the angle of the mirror surface 65 (step S14). In step S12, the barcode 70b is scanned again (step S13).

  When the mirror image of the barcode 70b is detected (step S14), the detected mirror image of the barcode 70b is decoded by the barcode decoding unit 25a. Further, the determination unit 25b determines the type, size, and the like of the paper P from the data of the barcode 70b decoded by the barcode decoding unit 25a and the information regarding the paper P stored in the storage unit 29a in advance (step S15). ). Then, the CPU 25 performs print settings corresponding to the type, size, and the like of the paper P for the print controller 28 (step S16).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the paper feed motor 34 is driven and the reflection mechanism 63 is rotated so that the protective surface 67 of the reflection mechanism 63 faces the back surface 69 of the paper P (step S17). ). Therefore, it is protected by the protective surface 67 and the platens 64a and 64b, thereby preventing ink from adhering to the mirror surface 65 during printing. Then, ink is ejected onto the paper P to print a predetermined image or the like (step S18), the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge port 11 (step S19), and the printing operation ends. The reflection mechanism 63 may be rotated so that the protective surface 66 faces the back surface 69 of the paper P.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the mirror image of the barcode 70 is reflected by the mirror surface 65 and the mirror image of the barcode 70 is detected by the paper edge detection sensor 57, the paper is not provided with an expensive barcode reader. The barcode 70 formed on the back surface 69 of P can be detected. In addition, since the paper edge detection sensor 57 provided in advance in the photo printer 1 is used, the apparatus configuration of the photo printer 1 does not have to be significantly changed. Therefore, it is possible to easily detect the mirror image of the barcode 70 formed on the back surface 69 of the paper P at low cost and obtain information on the paper P such as the type and size of the paper P.

  Further, in the invention configured as described above, it is possible to prevent ink from adhering to the mirror surface 65 during printing, so that the mirror image of the barcode 70 reflected by the mirror surface 65 is accurately detected by the paper edge detection sensor 57. It is possible to detect the information about the paper P such as the type and size of the paper P by detecting it well.

  Further, since the reflection mechanism 63 is rotated at least during printing by the paper feed motor 34 and the shaft 68, the mirror surface 65 does not face the back surface 69 of the paper P from which ink is ejected, and ink adheres to the mirror surface 65. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the mirror image of the barcode 70 reflected by the mirror surface 65 by the paper end detection sensor 57 and obtain information on the paper P such as the type and size of the paper P.

  Further, the paper feed motor 34 and the shaft 68 rotate the mirror surface 65 to change the angle with respect to the back surface 69 of the paper P, so that the angle of the mirror surface 65 can be adjusted when a mirror image of the barcode 70 is detected. In addition, it is possible to accurately detect the mirror image of the barcode 70 by the paper edge detection sensor 57 and obtain information on the paper P such as the type and size of the paper P.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the photo printer 1, and may be a printing apparatus as a multifunction machine including a FAX and a scanner. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet printing apparatus, and may be another type of printing apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mirror surface 65 and the protective surfaces 66 and 67 are arranged on the reflection mechanism 63 to prevent the ink from adhering to the mirror surface 65 by rotating the reflection mechanism 63. For example, the mirror surface and the protective surface may be arranged in separate mechanisms to prevent ink from adhering to the mirror surface by a configuration in which the mirror surface is covered by the protective surface.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photo printer (printing apparatus), 25a ... Barcode decoding part (determination means), 25b ... Judgment part (determination means), 34 ... Paper feed motor (moving means), 55 ... Print head, 57 ... Paper end detection sensor (Paper width detector), 64a, 64b ... platen (preventing means), 65 ... mirror surface (reflecting means), 66, 67 ... protective surface (preventing means), 68 ... shaft (moving means), 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d Bar code

Claims (4)

In a serial type printing apparatus equipped with a paper width detector for detecting the paper width of the paper in the print head,
Reflecting means for reflecting a mirror image of a bar code provided on the back surface of the paper to indicate information on the paper such as type and size to the paper width detector;
A printing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that decodes a mirror image of the barcode reflected by the reflection unit and detected by the paper width detector to determine information about the paper.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is of an ink jet type, and further includes a preventing unit that prevents ink from adhering to the reflecting unit. The preventing means further includes a moving means for moving the reflecting means,
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the moving unit moves the reflecting unit so that the reflecting unit does not face the back surface of the sheet at least during printing. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the moving unit is configured to rotate the reflecting unit to change an angle with respect to a back surface of the paper.

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