JP2014177320A - Remaining amount derivation device for rolled recording medium, supply device for rolled recording medium, and remaining amount derivation method and program for rolled recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remaining amount derivation device for a rolled recording medium that is suitable for deriving the remaining amount of a rolled recording medium in an easy method while preventing the recording medium from being damaged, a supply device for the rolled recording medium, and a remaining amount derivation method and a program for the rolled recording medium.SOLUTION: In a remaining amount derivation device for a rolled recording medium, first acquisition means acquires a rotational frequency per unit time of a rotary shaft of holding means in unwinding a recording medium, formed by rolling a recording medium for image formation, from holding means of holding the rolled recording medium rotatably. Derivation means derives the remaining amount of the rolled recording medium held by the holding means based upon the rotational frequency per unit time of the rotary shaft of the holding means acquired by the first acquisition means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a roll-shaped recording medium remaining amount deriving device, a roll-shaped recording medium supply device, a roll-shaped recording medium remaining amount deriving method, and a program.

  As a recording medium on which an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile forms an image, there is a roll-shaped recording medium in which a recording medium such as paper or film is wound into a roll. Since a roll-shaped recording medium can be stored without being cut even if it is large, it is often used when a large area image is formed without breaks.

  In particular, when forming an image with a large area, it is necessary to properly derive the remaining amount of the recording medium on which image formation is possible in order to prevent erroneous processing such as a shortage of recording media during image formation. Become. As a method of deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium, a predetermined lead-out member is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the roll-shaped recording medium and the outer diameter or the peripheral speed is measured, and the roll shape is determined based on the measured outer diameter or the peripheral speed. There is a method for deriving the remaining amount of the recording medium. As another method, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of continuously providing a defective portion at one end of a roll-shaped print medium and deriving the remaining amount of the print medium by sensing the defective portion. Yes.

JP 2012-176522 A

  However, when the lead-out member is brought into contact with the recording medium, the recording medium may become dirty or damaged. Further, in order to derive the remaining amount using the defective portion, a special roll-shaped recording medium provided with the defective portion must be used. Therefore, there has been a demand for a method capable of deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium by a simple method without causing damage such as dirt or scratches on the recording medium.

  The present invention is for solving the above-described problems, and is a roll-shaped recording medium suitable for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium by a simple method while preventing damage to the recording medium. It is an object to provide a remaining amount deriving device, a roll-shaped recording medium supply device, a roll-shaped recording medium remaining amount deriving method, and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, a remaining amount deriving device for a roll-shaped recording medium according to the present invention includes:
While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time First acquisition means for acquiring the rotational speed;
Derivation means for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means acquired by the first acquisition means;
Is provided.
In order to achieve the above object, a roll recording medium supply apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
Holding means for rotatably holding a roll-shaped recording medium in which a recording medium for image formation is wound in a roll;
A transport unit that transports the recording medium unwound from the holding unit along a predetermined transport path, and supplies the recording medium to an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium;
First acquisition means for acquiring the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means while the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means;
Derivation means for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means acquired by the first acquisition means;
Is provided.
In order to achieve the above object, the method for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium according to the present invention includes:
While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time A first acquisition step of acquiring a rotational speed;
A derivation step of deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding unit based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation axis of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition step;
including.
In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention provides:
On the computer,
While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time A first acquisition function for acquiring the rotational speed;
A derivation function for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding unit based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation axis of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition function;
Is realized.

  According to the present invention, a roll recording medium remaining amount deriving device and a roll recording medium supply device suitable for deriving the remaining amount of the roll recording medium by a simple method while preventing damage to the recording medium. It is possible to provide a method and program for deriving the remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the paper feeding apparatus with which the residual amount derivation | leading-out apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is applied. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration related to control of the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the schematic structure of a residual amount derivation | leading-out apparatus. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the residual amount derivation | leading-out which a residual amount derivation | leading-out apparatus performs. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in a residual amount derivation | leading-out apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing related to derivation of the remaining amount of roll paper. It is a figure which shows the example of the correspondence of the comparison result of the rotation speed per unit time, and the residual amount of roll paper. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to adjustment of the conveyance speed of roll paper.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which the following components are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. Further, in the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, description of known unimportant technical matters is appropriately omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a sheet feeding device to which a remaining amount deriving device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The remaining amount deriving device 100 according to the present embodiment is mounted on the paper feeding device 1 for supplying the roll paper 3 as a recording medium for image formation to the image forming device 2. The remaining amount of roll paper 3 that can be supplied to is derived.

  The paper feeding device 1 is a supply device that supplies roll paper 3 to the image forming device 2 as a recording medium for image formation. The paper feeding device 1 continuously unwinds the roll paper 3 in which the paper is wound in a roll shape around a predetermined winding core (paper tube) and conveys the roll paper 3 to the image forming apparatus 2. More specifically, the sheet feeding device 1 includes a holding unit (unwinder) 8 and a conveying unit 10 therein, and further includes a winding unit (rewinder) 9 thereon.

  The holding unit (unwinder) 8 is a member for holding the roll paper 3 to be supplied to the image forming apparatus 2. The holding unit 8 supports a winding shaft (shaft) as a rotatable rotating shaft that passes through the winding core at the winding center of the roll paper 3 and holds the roll paper 3, and the winding shaft as the rotating shaft. The roll paper 3 is rotatably held.

  The holding unit 8 is provided with a rotation sensor 8s. The rotation sensor 8s measures the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 held rotatably by the holding unit 8 (the number of rotations of the rotation axis of the holding unit 8 per unit time). For example, the rotation sensor 8 s measures the encoder that rotates coaxially with the roll paper 3 attached to the winding shaft (shaft) as the rotation shaft that holds the winding core or the winding core of the roll paper 3 with a photo sensor. The angular speed per unit time is detected, and the number of rotations of the roll paper 3 per unit time is acquired.

  The transport unit 10 transports the roll paper 3 unwound from the holding unit 8 along a predetermined transport path and supplies it to the image forming apparatus 2. More specifically, the transport unit 10 includes an unwind roller pair 11, a tension roller 12, a driven roller 13, a paper set unit 14, a paper transport roller pair 15, an auto cutter 16, and a main body entrance transport roller pair 17.

  The unwinding roller pair 11 is installed immediately after the holding unit 8 in the conveyance path of the roll paper 3 and unwinds the roll paper 3 from the holding unit 8 and supplies it to the subsequent conveyance mechanism. The unwinding roller pair 11 is equipped with a motor (not shown) for rotating the roller pair, and is driven to rotate at a rotational speed per unit time instructed by driving of the motor. When the unwinding roller pair 11 unwinds the roll paper 3, the take-up shaft as the rotation shaft of the holding unit 8 and the roll paper 3 remaining on the holding unit 8 are rotated to follow the roll paper 3. The held roll paper 3 is unwound at a constant linear velocity.

  The tension roller 12 is installed between the unwinding roller pair 11 and the driven roller 13 and controls so that the roll paper 3 fed from the holding unit 8 does not sag. The tension roller 12 is installed so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and is moved vertically downward by its own weight or a force of a spring or the like to give a back tension to the roll paper 3 being conveyed. Due to the function of the tension roller 12, the tension applied to the roll paper 3 is kept constant, and the conveyance of the roll paper 3 is stabilized.

  The driven roller 13 is a roller that rotates around a predetermined axis whose position is fixed following the conveyance of the roll paper 3. The driven roller 13 is disposed downstream of the tension roller 12 in the conveyance path, and plays a role of adjusting the conveyance direction of the roll paper 3.

  The driven roller 13 is provided with a rotation sensor 13s that measures the number of rotations of the driven roller 13 per unit time (the number of times the driven roller 13 rotates per unit time). Similarly to the rotation sensor 8s mounted on the holding unit 8, the rotation sensor 13s detects an angular velocity per unit time by measuring an encoder that rotates coaxially with the driven roller 13 with a photosensor, and the unit of the driven roller 13 is detected. Get the number of revolutions per hour.

  The paper setting unit 14 is a unit prepared for an operator to set paper. The paper set unit 14 is integrally formed with a member that holds a roller on one side of the paper transport roller pair 15 and is opened and closed together with the paper transport roller pair 15 by an operator.

  The paper transport roller pair 15 is a member for transporting the roll paper 3 set by the paper set unit 14 to the subsequent transport mechanism. The paper conveyance roller pair 15 is driven by a motor (not shown), conveys the roll paper 3 set by the paper setting unit 14 while being sandwiched, and supplies it to the auto cutter 16 and the main body entry conveyance roller pair 17.

  The auto cutter 16 is a member for cutting the roll paper 3 as necessary. The auto cutter 16 cuts the end of the roll paper 3 when the roll paper 3 having a length necessary for image formation in the image forming apparatus 2 has been transported, for example.

  The main body entering and conveying roller pair 17 is a member for conveying the roll paper 3 into the image forming apparatus 2. The main body entrance conveyance roller pair 17 is driven by a motor (not shown), conveys the roll paper 3 supplied from the paper conveyance roller pair 15 at the time of clamping, and supplies it to the image forming apparatus 2.

  The operation of setting the roll paper 3 will be described in detail. The operator pulls the roll paper 3 out of the holding unit 8, passes under the tension roller 12, and puts the roll paper 3 to the opened paper setting unit 14. Pulled out and sandwiched between the pair of paper transport rollers 15. When the paper setting unit 14 is closed in this state, the set roll paper 3 is detected by an appropriate sensor, and the unwinding roller pair 11 and the paper conveying roller pair 15 are rotationally driven. Then, the set roll paper 3 is sent to the main body entering / conveying roller pair 17 through the auto cutter 16 and is set at a standby position (home position) immediately before entering the image forming apparatus 2.

  On the other hand, a winding unit (rewinder) 9 installed on the sheet feeding device 1 is a member for winding and holding the roll paper 3 discharged from the image forming apparatus 2. The winding unit 9, like the holding unit 8, is a winding shaft (shaft) as a rotatable rotating shaft that holds the roll paper 3 through the winding core (paper tube) at the winding center of the roll paper 3. And a support base that supports the take-up shaft as the rotation shaft, and holds the roll paper 3 rotatably.

  The winding unit 9 is equipped with a motor (not shown) for rotating a winding shaft as a rotating shaft. By driving the motor, the winding unit 9 rotates the winding shaft as the rotating shaft at the specified number of rotations per unit time, and the roll paper fed from the image forming apparatus 2 via the driven roller 18 is rotated. Wind up 3.

  The paper feeding device 1 further includes a remaining amount deriving device 100. The remaining amount deriving device 100 is connected to the rotation sensor 8s and the rotation sensor 13s by a transmission path (not shown), and acquires the number of rotations per unit time measured by each sensor. As will be described in detail later, the remaining amount derivation device 100 is based on the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 held by the holding unit 8 and the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13. The remaining amount of the roll paper 3 held in the holding unit 8 is derived.

  The image forming apparatus 2 is placed on the sheet feeding apparatus 1 and outputs image data to be image-formed on the roll paper 3 supplied from the sheet feeding apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 2 is, for example, a label printer, and can perform image formation of image data over a relatively large area without using a paper break, using the roll paper 3 continuously supplied from the paper feeding apparatus 1 as a recording medium. it can.

  The internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 2 will be described using an electrophotographic and secondary transfer tandem color printer as an example. The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming unit 20, an intermediate transfer belt unit 30, a fixing device 40, and the like.

  The image forming unit 20 has a configuration in which four image forming units 21 (21k, 21c, 21m, 21y) are installed in series. The three image forming units 21c, 21m, and 21y on the upstream side (the right side in FIG. 2) of the four image forming units 21 are subtractive mixed primary colors cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow, respectively. A color image is formed with the color toner (Y). On the other hand, the image forming unit 21k on the downstream side (left side in FIG. 2) forms a monochrome image using black (K) toner mainly used for dark portions of characters and images.

  Each image forming unit 21 includes a photosensitive drum 22 at the bottom. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material. In the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 22, a cleaner 23, a charging roller 24, an optical writing head 25, and a developing roller 27 of the developing device 26 are disposed so as to surround the peripheral surface.

  The developing device 26 stores black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), or yellow (Y) toner in a toner container installed at the upper portion, and supplies toner to the lower portion at the middle portion. A mechanism is provided, and the developing roller 27 described above is provided in the side opening at the lower part. The developing device 26 further includes a toner stirring member, a toner supply roller that supplies toner to the developing roller 27, a doctor blade that regulates the toner layer on the developing roller 27 to a constant layer thickness, and the like.

  In FIG. 2, only the configuration of the image forming unit 21k for black (K) is given a reference numeral, but each image forming unit 21 has the same configuration except for the color of the toner stored in the toner container. .

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 30 has an endless transfer belt 31 extending in a flat loop shape from substantially the left and right sides in FIG. A driving roller 32 and a driven roller 33 are provided which circulate and move the transfer belt 31 counterclockwise in FIG. The transfer belt 31 conveys the toner image directly transferred (primary transfer) to the belt surface to a transfer position to the roll paper 3 for transfer (secondary transfer) to the roll paper 3.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 30 includes four primary transfer rollers 34 corresponding to the four image forming units 21k, 21c, 21m, and 21y in the loop of the transfer belt 31. The primary transfer rollers 34 are each composed of a conductive foam sponge that presses against the lower peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22 via the transfer belt 31, and rotates at an instructed rotation period. The drum 22 is brought into contact with or separated from the photosensitive drum 22.

  The standby conveyance roller pair 35 receives the roll paper 3 conveyed from the paper feeding device 1 and conveys the received roll paper 3 to the secondary transfer roller 36. The secondary transfer roller 36 is disposed so as to come into pressure contact with the driven roller 33 via the transfer belt 31, and secondary transfer the toner image transferred on the belt surface of the transfer belt 31 to the roll paper 3. A transfer part is formed.

  The fixing device 40 is disposed downstream (upward in FIG. 2) of the secondary transfer roller 36. The fixing device 40 includes a heating roller 42 with a built-in heater 41, and a pressure roller 43 that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 42.

  Further, on the further downstream side of the fixing device 40, the roll paper 3 on which the toner image has been fixed is carried out from the fixing device 40, and further discharged to a discharge tray formed on the upper surface of the image forming device 2. A roller pair 44 is provided. The roll paper 3 discharged through the paper discharge roller pair 44 is supplied to the winding unit 9 via the driven roller 18 installed on the side of the image forming apparatus 2.

  Next, a configuration related to control of the image generation apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 2 is connected to the host computer 5 and the remaining amount deriving device 100 installed in the paper feeding device 1 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control unit 50 and a printing unit 60. More specifically, the control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a LAN communication unit 52, a USB communication unit 53, a panel control unit 54, an operation panel 55, a storage device 56, a storage device control unit 57, and command analysis. Part 58 is provided. The printing unit 60 includes a printing control unit 61 and a printing mechanism unit 62.

  The CPU 51 is connected to each unit of the image forming apparatus 2 via a system bus that is a transmission path for transferring commands and data, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 2. The CPU 51 reads various programs such as system software stored in the ROM and the storage device 56 and executes them appropriately while using a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) as work memories.

  The LAN communication unit 52 and the USB communication unit 53 communicate with external devices via the LAN and USB, respectively. For example, the CPU 51 communicates with the host computer 5 and the remaining amount derivation device 100 via the LAN communication unit 52 or the USB communication unit 53 to receive a print job transmitted from the host computer 5 or A transport request for the roll paper 3 is transmitted.

  The panel control unit 54 is connected to a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an operation panel 55 including input devices such as various operation buttons. The panel control unit 54 displays various images, characters, symbols, and the like on the operation panel 55 under the control of the CPU 51. Further, the panel control unit 54 accepts various operations from the user input to the operation panel 55 and supplies operation signals corresponding to the accepted various operations to the CPU 51.

  The display device and the input device of the operation panel 55 may be configured by a so-called touch panel (touch screen) arranged so as to overlap each other.

  The storage device 56 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like, and stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 2. The storage device control unit 57 performs data writing to the storage device 56 and reading control of data stored in the storage device 56 under the control of the CPU 51.

  The command analysis unit 58 analyzes commands included in the print data transmitted from the host computer 5 under the control of the CPU 51, and converts the print data into bitmap image data. Then, the command analysis unit 58 develops the converted bitmap image data in the corresponding storage area of the frame memory for each of black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y). The image data expanded in the frame memory is output to the print control unit 61.

  The print control unit 61 controls the print mechanism unit 62 including the image forming unit 20, the intermediate transfer belt unit 30, the fixing device 40 and the like under the control of the CPU 51, and according to the image data generated by the command analysis unit 58. Perform the printing process. For example, the print control unit 61 is driven to rotate the intermediate transfer belt unit 30 up and down and to rotate the transfer belt 31, and the drive roller 32, the standby conveyance roller pair 35, the discharge roller pair 44, and the like. Control for driving the transport mechanism, control for applying a voltage to the rotation drive system, and the like are performed.

  Next, the configuration of the remaining amount deriving device 100 arranged in the paper feeding device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The remaining amount derivation device 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130.

  The control unit 110 includes, for example, a CPU and a RAM that functions as a main memory of the CPU. The control unit 110 is connected to each unit of the remaining amount deriving device 100 via a system bus that is a transmission path for transferring commands and data, and controls the entire remaining amount deriving device 100. The control unit 110 may partially include a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The storage unit 120 includes a storage device such as a ROM or a flash memory. The storage unit 120 stores various programs and data used by the control unit 110 to perform various processes, and various data generated or acquired by the control unit 110 performing various processes. For example, the storage unit 120 stores information on the derived remaining amount of the roll paper 3, information on linear velocity at which the roll paper 3 should be transported in the transport unit 10, and the like.

  The communication unit 130 communicates with the image forming apparatus 2 connected via a LAN, USB, or the like under the control of the control unit 110. For example, the communication unit 130 receives a request for transporting the roll paper 3 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 in response to an image formation instruction, and displays an image to that effect when the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 is insufficient. A transmission process for transmitting to the forming apparatus 2 is performed.

  The control unit 110 functions as, for example, a remaining amount derivation unit 111 and a conveyance control unit 112.

  The remaining amount deriving unit 111 acquires the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 being unwound from the holding unit 8 by the unwinding roller pair 11 by measuring the rotation sensor 8 s, and from the holding unit 8. The number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 that rotates following the roll paper 3 being unwound and being conveyed through the conveyance unit 10 is acquired by measurement of the rotation sensor 13s. Then, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 calculates the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 held by the holding unit 8 based on the acquired number of rotations of the roll paper 3 per unit time and the number of rotations of the driven roller 13 per unit time. To derive.

  The conveyance control unit 112 controls the conveyance of the roll paper 3 in the conveyance unit 10. For example, the transport control unit 112 can drive the roller pair that can be driven in the transport unit 10, that is, the unwinding roller pair 11, the paper transport so that the roll paper 3 fed from the holding unit 8 is transported at a specified transport speed. The driving of the roller pair 15 and the main body entering and conveying roller pair 17 is controlled.

  More specifically, the remaining amount deriving device 100 derives the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 held in the holding unit 8 as shown in FIG.

  When the roll paper 3 is fed out from the holding unit 8 and conveyed to the image forming apparatus 2, the roll paper 3 remaining in the holding unit 8 has a linear velocity at the time of conveyance of V and the roll in the holding unit 8. The paper 3 is rotated at a rotational speed W = V / (π × D) per unit time, where D is the outer diameter (winding diameter) of the paper 3 and π is the circumference ratio. Therefore, as long as the conveyance speed V of the roll paper 3 is kept constant, the rotation speed W per unit time increases as the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 decreases and the outer diameter D decreases.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, when the roll paper 3 is installed in the holding unit 8 and conveyed for a while, but the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 is large, the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 is relatively small. It rotates at the number of rotations W1 per unit time. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 held in the holding unit 8 decreases, the rotation speed per unit time of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 is the rotation number per unit time. Increases to W2. That is, the relationship of W1 <W2 is established.

  On the other hand, the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 is constant regardless of the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 as long as the conveyance speed V of the roll paper 3 is kept constant. That is, the number of rotations of the driven roller 13 per unit time is a constant value Wf in both FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. Therefore, with the rotation speed Wf per unit time of the driven roller 13 as a reference, the magnitude of the rotation speed of the roll paper 3 per unit time is used as an indicator of the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 held in the holding unit 8. be able to.

  For example, the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 and the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 both increase and decrease in proportion to the degree of change in the conveyance speed V of the roll paper 3, and therefore the driven roller 13. The ratio of the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 to the number of rotations Wf per unit time is not affected by the change in the conveyance speed V of the roll paper 3. Therefore, such a ratio of the number of rotations per unit time is suitable as an index for estimating the remaining amount of the roll paper 3. Therefore, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 derives the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 held by the holding unit 8 based on the ratio of the number of rotations per two unit times.

  The processing flow of the image forming apparatus 2 and the remaining amount deriving device 100 as described above will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  First, the flow of processing executed in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The process of the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started in response to the control unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 2 receiving a print job (step S11). For example, the control unit 50 receives a print job including print data and other print setting conditions transmitted from the host computer 5 via the LAN control unit 52 or the USB control unit 53. The control unit 50 analyzes the received print job by the command analysis unit 58, generates image data from the print data included in the print job, develops the image data in the frame memory, and sets setting condition information necessary for the print processing. get.

  When receiving the print job, the control unit 50 subsequently transmits a transport request for the roll paper 3 to the paper feeding device 1 (step S12). That is, the control unit 50 transmits the image data to the paper feeding device 1 via the LAN control unit 52 or the USB control unit 53 so as to supply the roll paper 3 for executing printing.

  This transport request includes information on the amount (length) of the roll paper 3 necessary for printing. That is, the control unit 50 calculates the length of the roll paper 3 necessary for printing from the area of the image data generated based on the received print data, and supplies a transport request including the calculated length of the roll paper 3. Transmit to the paper device 1.

  When the transport request is transmitted to the paper feeding device 1, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a notification indicating that the requested amount of roll paper 3 cannot be transported has been received from the paper feeding device 1 (step S13). When notified that the conveyance is not possible (step S13; YES), the control unit 50 notifies the operator that the instructed printing cannot be performed, and waits until printing is possible (step S14).

  For example, as will be described in detail later, when the amount of roll paper 3 requested to be transported does not remain in the paper feed device 1, the paper feed device 1 indicates that the remaining amount of roll paper 3 is insufficient. The forming apparatus 2 is notified. In step S13, the control unit 50 determines whether or not printing can be started by determining whether or not such a notification has been received.

  When the amount of roll paper 3 necessary for image formation is not in the paper feeding device 1, the control unit 50 sends a message to the operation panel 55 urging the operator to replenish the paper feeding device 1 with the roll paper 3. By displaying or sending the print job to the host computer 5 that is the transmission source of the print job, the operator is informed that printing cannot be performed. The control unit 50 receives the notification from the paper feeding device 1 that the roll paper 3 is replenished to the holding unit 8 of the paper feeding device 1 and the amount of roll paper 3 necessary for printing can be conveyed. Wait without starting execution of printing.

  When there is no notification that the roll paper 3 cannot be conveyed (step S13; NO), or when printing is possible after the process of step S14, the image forming process proceeds to step S15, and the control unit 50 supplies the paper. Image formation is executed on the roll paper 3 supplied from the apparatus 1 (step S15). That is, the control unit 50 uses the image forming unit 20, the intermediate transfer belt unit 30, the fixing device 40, and the like included in the image forming apparatus 2 to roll paper 3 conveyed from the paper feeding device 1 to the image forming device 2. The image data generated by the command analysis unit 58 is sequentially output.

  While executing the image formation, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a notification of the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 has been received from the paper feeding device 1 (step S16). When the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 is notified (step S16; YES), the control unit 50 presents the notified remaining amount of the roll paper 3 to the operator (step S17).

  That is, as will be described in detail later, the sheet feeding device 1 derives the amount of roll paper 3 remaining in the holding unit 8 at an appropriate timing and notifies the image forming device 2 of the amount. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 2, each time the control unit 50 receives a notification of the remaining amount of the roll paper 3, the notified remaining amount is displayed on the operation panel 55, or the host computer that is the transmission source of the print job The remaining amount information of the roll paper 3 is notified to the operator.

  If there is no notification of the remaining amount of roll paper 3 (step S16; NO), or if the notified remaining amount of roll paper 3 is presented, the control unit 50 determines whether or not printing is finished (step S18). If the printing is not finished (step S18; NO), the image forming process returns to step S15. That is, the control unit 50 is instructed to perform a process of forming an image on the roll paper 3 supplied from the paper feeding device 1 and presenting the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 notified from the paper feeding device 1. Repeat until data printing is complete. When printing is finally finished (step S18; YES), the image forming process in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is finished.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 2 performs image formation on the roll paper 3 sequentially supplied from the paper feeding apparatus 1 and is notified of the remaining amount information of the roll paper 3 remaining in the paper feeding apparatus 1, The remaining amount information is presented to the operator.

  Next, a flow of processing executed in the remaining amount derivation device 100 provided in the paper feeding device 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  The process of the flowchart of FIG. 7 starts in response to the control unit 110 of the remaining amount deriving device 100 receiving a transport request for the roll paper 3 from the image forming apparatus 2 (step S21). That is, the control unit 110 receives the transport request transmitted by the image forming apparatus 2 through the process of step S12 in the flowchart of FIG.

  When receiving the transport request, the control unit 110 subsequently extracts information on the amount (length) of the roll paper 3 necessary for printing from the transport request, and whether or not the requested amount of roll paper 3 can be transported. Is determined (step S22). If it is determined that conveyance is not possible (step S22; NO), the control unit 110 notifies the image forming apparatus 2 to that effect and waits until conveyance is possible (step S23).

  In order to determine whether or not the requested amount of roll paper 3 can be conveyed, the control unit 110 stores in the storage unit 120 information on the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 derived in the past by a remaining amount derivation method described later. Keep it. Then, in response to receiving the transport request from the image forming apparatus 2, the control unit 110 reads information on the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 from the storage unit 120 and compares it with the amount of roll paper requested to be transported. Thus, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 included in the holding unit 8 is equal to or greater than the amount of roll paper to be conveyed.

  When the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 included in the holding unit 8 is insufficient, the control unit 110 notifies the image forming apparatus 2 to that effect, and the holding unit 8 is replenished with the roll paper 3 and can be transported. It waits without starting conveyance of the roll paper 3 until it becomes. Since conveyance of the roll paper 3 is started after confirming that it can be conveyed in this way, a printing error caused by a shortage of the roll paper 3 during printing of a particularly large area is prevented. can do.

  When it is determined that the roll paper 3 can be transported (step S22; YES), or when the roll paper 3 can be transported after the process of step S23, the remaining amount derivation process proceeds to step S24, and the transport control unit 112 However, the roll paper 3 is transported at the designated transport speed (step S24). That is, the conveyance control unit 112 drives the rotation-driveable roller pair installed in the sheet feeding device 1, that is, the unwinding roller pair 11, the sheet conveyance roller pair 15, and the main body entry conveyance roller pair 17, and holds the holding unit 8. The roll paper 3 wound around is wound up and sequentially delivered to the image forming apparatus 2.

  At this time, the conveyance control unit 112 rotationally drives the plurality of roller pairs so as to convey the roll paper 3 at a constant linear velocity so that the conveyed roll paper 3 is not loosened or pulled too much. For example, in order to convey the roll paper 3 at the linear velocity V, it is necessary to rotate a roller having a diameter d at a rotational speed w = V / (π × d) per unit time. Considering the relationship between the diameter of the roller and the number of rotations per unit time, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the number of rotations per unit time for each roller pair to be driven, so that a constant conveyance speed is obtained. Then, the roll paper 3 is conveyed.

  Note that the information on the speed at which the roll paper 3 should be transported is included in the transport request transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2, and in response to receiving the transport request, the control unit 110 receives the transport request. Alternatively, information on the speed at which the roll paper 3 should be conveyed may be extracted. Alternatively, the information on the speed at which the roll paper 3 should be transported is stored in advance in the storage unit 120 provided in the paper feeding device 1, and the control unit 110 receives information from the storage unit 120 in response to receiving the transport request. Information on the speed at which the roll paper 3 should be conveyed may be read.

  While the roll paper 3 is being conveyed, the control unit 110 determines whether or not it is time to derive the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 (step S25). This timing may be determined in advance as a timing suitable for acquiring the remaining amount and conveying it to the operator while the roll paper 3 is being conveyed. Alternatively, for example, an instruction from an operator may be received via the image forming apparatus 2, and the timing at which the instruction is received may be set as a timing at which the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 should be derived.

  When it is time to derive the remaining amount of roll paper 3 (step S25; YES), the remaining amount deriving unit 111 in the control unit 110 derives the remaining amount of roll paper 3 (step S26). Details of the process for deriving the remaining amount of roll paper 3 in step S26 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 first acquires the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 being unwound from the holding unit 8 (step S261), and secondly Then, the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 that rotates following the roll paper 3 being unwound from the holding unit 8 and being conveyed is acquired (step S262). That is, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 rotates the roll paper 3 held by the holding unit 8 measured by the rotation sensor 8s per unit time and the rotation per unit time of the driven roller 13 measured by the rotation sensor 13s. Get the number and.

  Note that either the acquisition of the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 in step S261 or the acquisition of the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 in step S262 may be earlier, or the order may be reversed. That is, the control unit 110 may acquire the rotation number per unit time of the roll paper 3 after acquiring the rotation number per unit time of the driven roller 13.

  When the rotation number per unit time is acquired, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 compares the two acquired rotation numbers per unit time, and derives the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 based on the comparison result (step). S263). For example, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 follows the correspondence as shown in FIG. 9 and the rotation speed W per unit time of the roll paper 3 in the acquired holding unit 8 and the rotation speed Wf per unit time of the driven roller 13. And the amount of the roll paper 3 remaining in the holding unit 8 is evaluated.

Specifically, when the roll paper 3 is fed out from the holding unit 8 and conveyed to the image forming apparatus 2, the peripheral speed V when the roll paper 3 remaining in the holding unit 8 is conveyed is It is determined by π × D × W where D is the outer diameter (rolling diameter) of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8, W is the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 8, and π is the circumference.
On the other hand, the peripheral speed V of the driven roller 13 is determined by π × Df × Wf, where Df is the outer diameter of the driven roller 13, Wf is the rotational speed per unit time of the driven roller 13, and π is the circumferential ratio.
Therefore, since V = π × D × W = π × Df × Wf, W / Wf = Df / D.
Accordingly, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 performs the following operations per unit time of the four roll papers Wmin, W1, W2, and Wmax (Wmin <W1 <W2 <Wmax) and the unit time of the driven roller 13 as follows. A ratio with the number of rotations Wf per unit is calculated, and the degree of the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 is estimated stepwise.
(1) When Wmin / Wf ≦ W / Wf <W1 / Wf, the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 is sufficiently satisfied.
(2) When W1 / Wf ≦ W / Wf ≦ W2 / Wf, the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 is medium.
(3) When W2 / Wf <W / Wf ≦ Wmax / Wf, the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 is small.
Here, Wmin / Wf = Df / Dmax, Wmax / Wf = Df / Dmin, and Wmin per unit time of the corresponding roll paper 8 immediately after the roll paper 3 is placed in the holding unit 8 and starts rotating. The minimum rotation speed, Dmax is the maximum outer diameter of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 at that time. Wmax is the maximum number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 8 immediately before the roll paper 3 is completely conveyed from the holding unit 8, and Dmax is the minimum outside of the roll paper 3 in the holding unit 8 at that time. This is the diameter and coincides with the outer diameter of the roll core of the roll paper 3. W1 and W2 (W1 <W2) may be, for example, the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 that divides (Wmax−Wmin) into three equal parts.

  In this way, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 uses the number of rotations of the roll paper 3 per unit time based on the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 as an indicator of the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 included in the holding unit 8. That is, the ratio of the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 to the number of rotations Wf per unit time of the driven roller 13 is calculated, and the holding unit 8 holds so that the remaining amount decreases as the calculated ratio increases. The remaining amount of roll paper 3 is determined.

  In order to facilitate understanding, the estimation of the remaining amount is described in three stages in FIG. 9, but depending on the accuracy of the number of revolutions per unit time that can be detected by the two rotation sensors 8s and 13s. It is also possible to determine the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 precisely by dividing into more stages.

  Further, the correspondence between the ratio of the number of rotations per unit time and the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 is obtained when roll paper or other roll-shaped recording media having different paper thicknesses or winding core diameters are used. Can change. For example, when roll paper with a large core diameter is used, the roll diameter of the roll paper is larger even when the remaining amount is the same as when using roll paper with a small core diameter. Overrated. Therefore, a plurality of correspondence relationships between the ratio and the remaining amount as shown in FIG. 9 are prepared and stored in the storage unit 120 in advance according to the thickness of the sheet and the type of the winding core. Then, by reading out the necessary correspondence from the storage unit 120 according to the recording medium used by the remaining amount deriving unit 111, it is possible to derive the remaining amount with respect to many types of roll-shaped recording media with high accuracy.

  When the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 is estimated, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 updates the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 stored in the storage unit 120 with the derived remaining amount of the roll paper 3 (step S264). After the remaining amount is updated in this way, when the control unit 110 receives a request for transporting the roll paper 3 from the image forming apparatus 2, the control unit 110 determines the amount required for image formation based on the updated new remaining amount. It is determined whether or not the roll paper 3 can be supplied.

  Then, when the remaining amount deriving unit 111 transmits the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 derived through the communication unit 130 to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S265), the remaining amount deriving process illustrated in FIG. The transmitted information on the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 is presented to the operator by display on the operation panel 55 of the image forming apparatus 2 or the like. Thereby, the operator can know an appropriate timing when the roll paper 3 should be replenished.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the remaining amount is derived by the remaining amount deriving unit 111 in step S26, the conveyance control unit 112 next adjusts the conveyance speed of the roll paper 3 (step S27). Details of the adjustment processing of the conveyance speed of the roll paper 3 in step S27 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the conveyance control unit 112 calculates the peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 determined by the number of rotations of the driven roller 13 per unit time measured by the rotation sensor 13s, and the calculated peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 is calculated. Is compared with the designated transport speed for transporting the roll paper 3 (step S271). More specifically, the peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 is determined by π × Df × Wf where Df is the outer diameter of the driven roller 13, Wf is the rotational speed of the driven roller 13 per unit time, and π is the circumferential ratio. It is done. The conveyance control unit 112 calculates the peripheral speed from the measured rotation speed Wf of the driven roller 13 per unit time, and compares it with the speed at which the roll paper 3 should be conveyed.

  Then, as a result of comparing the two speeds, the conveyance control unit 112 determines whether or not the speed difference is within an allowable range (step S272). If the speed difference is not within the allowable range (step S272; NO), the transport control unit 112 adjusts the transport speed of the roll paper 3 so that the peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 approaches the designated transport speed. (Step S273).

  That is, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the motors of the roll pair that can be driven to convey the roll paper 3 unwound from the holding unit 8 to the image forming apparatus 2 at a predetermined conveyance speed. Ideally, the peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 should match the designated transport speed. However, in reality, there are deformations of parts such as expansion / contraction due to temperature changes, and variations in shapes among parts, so the speed at which the roll paper 3 is actually conveyed is specified. This is different from the transport speed.

  Therefore, based on the comparison result between the two speeds, the conveyance control unit 112 reduces the conveyance speed when the peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 is larger than the designated conveyance speed, and the peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 is designated. When the speed is lower than the transport speed, the transport speed of the roll paper 3 is adjusted so as to increase the transport speed. In this way, the peripheral speed of the driven roller 13 is used as an index for estimating the speed when the roll paper 3 is actually transported, and the transport control unit 112 is configured to transport the roll paper 3 at a specified transport speed. The conveyance speed is adjusted so as not to greatly deviate from the above.

  When the conveyance speed of the roll paper 3 is adjusted in step S273, or when the speed difference is within the allowable range in step S272 (step S272; YES), the conveyance control unit 112 adjusts the conveyance speed shown in FIG. The process ends.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the conveyance speed is adjusted by the conveyance control unit 112 in step S27, or when it is not time to derive the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 in step S25 (step S25). (S25; NO), the conveyance control unit 112 determines whether or not the conveyance is finished (step S28). That is, the transport control unit 112 transports the amount of roll paper 3 requested to be transported from the image forming apparatus 2 and determines whether or not the roll paper 3 is in a state immediately before being cut by the auto cutter 16. .

  More specifically, assuming that the length of the roll paper 3 requested to be conveyed from the image forming apparatus 2 is L, and the distance along the conveyance path from the auto cutter 16 to the main body entry conveyance roller pair 17 is L0, When the roll paper 3 set in the home position is conveyed by the distance L-L0, the roll paper 3 is to be cut by the auto cutter 16. Therefore, the conveyance control unit 112 determines whether or not the conveyance is finished by determining whether or not the roll paper 3 has been conveyed by the distance L−L0. In this embodiment, since the conveyance speed of the roll paper 3 is adjusted based on the measurement of the number of rotations of the driven roller 13 per unit time, the conveyance distance of the roll paper 3, that is, the roll paper to be cut by the auto cutter 16. 3 can be determined with high accuracy.

  If the conveyance control unit 112 determines that the conveyance is not finished (step S28; NO), the process of the remaining amount deriving device 100 returns to step S24. That is, the conveyance control unit 112 continues to convey the roll paper 3 unwound from the holding unit 8, and when the remaining amount derivation timing comes during that time, the remaining amount derivation processing and the conveyance speed adjustment processing are executed. The

  When the conveyance is finally finished (step S28; YES), the control unit 110 cuts the roll paper 3 by the auto cutter 16 (step S29). Then, the control unit 110 drives the main body entering and conveying roller pair 17 to send the cut roll paper 3 to the image forming apparatus 2 to the end. Thereafter, the processing in the flowchart of FIG. 7 ends.

  As described above, the remaining amount deriving device 100 according to the present embodiment follows the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 being unwound from the holding unit 8 and the roll paper 3 being conveyed. The number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 rotating in this manner is obtained, and the remaining amount decreases as the number of rotations per unit time of the roll paper 3 increases with reference to the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13. Thus, the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 held by the holding unit 8 is derived.

  There is no need to contact the roll paper 3 with the rotation sensors 8s and 13s for acquiring the rotation speed per unit time, and the remaining amount of the roll paper 3 is indirectly derived. Can be prevented from giving. Further, the number of rotations per unit time of the holding unit 8 and the driven roller 13 can be obtained by attaching a rotation sensor to an existing sheet feeding device, and the conventional members can be used as they are, so that the remaining roll paper 3 remains. Space and cost for deriving the quantity can be saved.

(Modification)
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is an example, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the embodiments of the present invention can be applied in various ways, and all the embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the remaining amount deriving unit 111 acquires the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller 13 installed between the tension roller 12 and the sheet setting unit 14 in the transport path of the roll paper 3. It was used as a standard for derivation of the remaining amount. However, if the remaining amount deriving device according to the present invention is a roller that rotates following the recording medium being transported, the rotational speed per unit time of the driven roller installed at another position on the transport path is acquired. However, it may be used as a reference for deriving the remaining amount.

  In the above embodiment, the unwinding roller pair 11 is installed immediately after the holding unit 8 in the conveyance path of the roll paper 3 in order to efficiently unwind the roll paper 3 held by the holding unit 8. However, if the roll paper 3 held by the holding unit 8 can be rotated and unwound, the unwinding roller pair 11 is not limited to the position immediately after the holding unit 8, and may be installed downstream of the tension roller 12, for example. Good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the roll paper 3 was the object of derivation | leading-out of residual amount. However, the target from which the remaining amount deriving device according to the present invention derives the remaining amount is not limited to a paper medium, and is wound and accommodated in a roll shape so that it can be unwound from the holding unit 8 of the sheet feeding device 1. As long as it is a recording medium, it may be a recording medium of other materials such as a film-shaped recording medium.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 is an electrophotographic and secondary transfer tandem type color printer. However, the remaining amount deriving device and supply device for a roll-shaped recording medium according to the present invention are other types of printers, or other image forming apparatuses for forming an image on a roll-shaped recording medium such as a copying machine and a facsimile machine. It is also possible to configure so as to execute the above-described processing by connecting to the network.

  The remaining amount deriving device according to the present invention can be provided not only by providing a configuration for realizing the function according to the present invention as a remaining amount deriving device, but also by applying a program to an existing personal computer or information terminal device. It can also function as a device. That is, by applying a program for realizing each functional configuration by the remaining amount derivation device 100 exemplified in the above embodiment so that a CPU that controls an existing personal computer, an information terminal device, and the like can be executed, It can function as a remaining amount deriving device according to the invention. The remaining amount derivation method according to the present invention can be implemented using a remaining amount derivation device.

  Moreover, the application method of such a program is arbitrary. The program can be applied by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk, a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM, or a memory card. Furthermore, the program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin Board System) on a communication network and distributed. The program may be started and executed in the same manner as other application programs under the control of an OS (Operating System) so that the above-described processing can be executed.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment which concerns, This invention includes the invention described in the claim, and its equivalent range It is. Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.

(Appendix 1)
While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time First acquisition means for acquiring the rotational speed;
Derivation means for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means acquired by the first acquisition means;
Comprising
An apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium.

(Appendix 2)
Second acquisition means for acquiring the number of rotations per unit time of a driven roller that is unwound from the holding means and is rotated by the recording medium conveyed to the image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium. Further comprising
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

(Appendix 3)
The deriving unit calculates a ratio of the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition unit to the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller acquired by the second acquisition unit. Calculating, based on the calculated ratio, deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means;
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein:

(Appendix 4)
A conveyance control unit that controls conveyance of the recording medium such that the recording medium unwound from the holding unit is conveyed to the image forming unit at a designated conveyance speed;
Comparison means for comparing the designated transport speed with the peripheral speed of the driven roller determined by the number of rotations of the driven roller per unit time acquired by the second acquisition means;
Further comprising
The conveyance control unit adjusts the conveyance speed of the recording medium based on the result of the comparison by the comparison unit so that the peripheral speed of the driven roller approaches the designated conveyance speed.
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein:

(Appendix 5)
The conveyance control means reduces the conveyance speed of the recording medium when the peripheral speed of the driven roller is larger than the designated conveyance speed based on the result of the comparison by the comparison means, and the driven roller When the peripheral speed of the recording medium is smaller than the designated conveyance speed, the conveyance speed of the recording medium is adjusted so as to increase the conveyance speed of the recording medium.
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein:

(Appendix 6)
The holding means derived by the derivation means whether or not the recording medium in an amount to be conveyed to the image generation means can be conveyed in response to receiving the conveyance request for the recording medium from the image generation means Determining means for determining based on the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by
When the determination unit determines that the amount of the recording medium to be transported to the image generation unit cannot be transported, the image generation unit is notified that the amount of the recording medium to be transported cannot be transported to the image generation unit. Notification means;
Further comprising
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to any one of appendices 2 to 5, characterized in that:

(Appendix 7)
The recording medium is unwound from the holding unit by an unwinding unit installed immediately after the holding unit in a path along which the recording medium is conveyed from the holding unit to the image forming unit.
The first acquisition means acquires the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means that rotates by unwinding of the unwinding means.
The remaining amount derivation device for a roll-shaped recording medium according to any one of Supplementary notes 2 to 6, characterized in that:

(Appendix 8)
Holding means for rotatably holding a roll-shaped recording medium in which a recording medium for image formation is wound in a roll;
A transport unit that transports the recording medium unwound from the holding unit along a predetermined transport path, and supplies the recording medium to an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium;
First acquisition means for acquiring the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means while the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means;
Derivation means for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means acquired by the first acquisition means;
Comprising
An apparatus for supplying a roll-shaped recording medium.

(Appendix 9)
While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time A first acquisition step of acquiring a rotational speed;
A derivation step of deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding unit based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation axis of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition step;
including,
A method for deriving the remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium.

(Appendix 10)
On the computer,
While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time A first acquisition function for acquiring the rotational speed;
A derivation function for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding unit based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation axis of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition function;
To realize,
A program characterized by that.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Paper feeding apparatus, 2 ... Image forming apparatus, 3 ... Roll paper, 5 ... Host computer, 8 ... Holding part (unwinder), 8s ... Rotation sensor, 9 ... Winding part (rewinder), 10 ... Conveying part, 11 ... unwinding roller pair, 12 ... tension roller, 13 ... driven roller, 13s ... rotation sensor, 14 ... paper set unit, 15 ... paper transport roller pair, 16 ... auto cutter, 17 ... main body entrance transport roller pair, 18 ... driven Roller, 20 ... Image forming unit, 21 (21k, 21c, 21m, 21y) ... Image forming unit, 22 ... Photosensitive drum, 23 ... Cleaner, 24 ... Charging roller, 25 ... Optical writing head, 26 ... Developer, 27 ... developing roller, 30 ... intermediate transfer belt unit, 31 ... transfer belt, 32 ... drive roller, 33 ... driven roller, 34 ... primary transfer roller, 35 ... standby transport roller 36 ... Secondary transfer roller, 40 ... Fixing device, 41 ... Heater, 42 ... Heating roller, 43 ... Pressure roller, 44 ... Paper discharge roller pair, 50 ... Control unit, 51 ... CPU, 52 ... LAN communication 53, USB communication unit, 54 ... Panel control unit, 55 ... Operation panel, 56 ... Storage device, 57 ... Storage device control unit, 58 ... Command analysis unit, 60 ... Printing unit, 61 ... Print control unit, 62 ... Printing mechanism unit, 100 ... remaining amount deriving device, 110 ... control unit, 111 ... remaining amount deriving unit, 112 ... transport control unit, 120 ... storage unit, 130 ... communication unit

Claims (10)

While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time First acquisition means for acquiring the rotational speed;
Derivation means for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means acquired by the first acquisition means;
Comprising
An apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium. Second acquisition means for acquiring the number of rotations per unit time of a driven roller that is unwound from the holding means and is rotated by the recording medium conveyed to the image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium. Further comprising
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to claim 1. The deriving unit calculates a ratio of the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition unit to the number of rotations per unit time of the driven roller acquired by the second acquisition unit. Calculating, based on the calculated ratio, deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means;
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to claim 2. A conveyance control unit that controls conveyance of the recording medium such that the recording medium unwound from the holding unit is conveyed to the image forming unit at a designated conveyance speed;
Comparison means for comparing the designated transport speed with the peripheral speed of the driven roller determined by the number of rotations of the driven roller per unit time acquired by the second acquisition means;
Further comprising
The conveyance control unit adjusts the conveyance speed of the recording medium based on the result of the comparison by the comparison unit so that the peripheral speed of the driven roller approaches the designated conveyance speed.
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to claim 2 or 3. The conveyance control means reduces the conveyance speed of the recording medium when the peripheral speed of the driven roller is larger than the designated conveyance speed based on the result of the comparison by the comparison means, and the driven roller When the peripheral speed of the recording medium is smaller than the designated conveyance speed, the conveyance speed of the recording medium is adjusted so as to increase the conveyance speed of the recording medium.
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to claim 4. The holding means derived by the derivation means whether or not the recording medium in an amount to be conveyed to the image generation means can be conveyed in response to receiving the conveyance request for the recording medium from the image generation means Determining means for determining based on the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by
When the determination unit determines that the amount of the recording medium to be transported to the image generation unit cannot be transported, the image generation unit is notified that the amount of the recording medium to be transported cannot be transported to the image generation unit. Notification means;
Further comprising
The apparatus for deriving a remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The recording medium is unwound from the holding unit by an unwinding unit installed immediately after the holding unit in a path along which the recording medium is conveyed from the holding unit to the image forming unit.
The first acquisition means acquires the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means that rotates by unwinding of the unwinding means.
The remaining amount deriving device for a roll-shaped recording medium according to any one of claims 2 to 6. Holding means for rotatably holding a roll-shaped recording medium in which a recording medium for image formation is wound in a roll;
A transport unit that transports the recording medium unwound from the holding unit along a predetermined transport path, and supplies the recording medium to an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium;
First acquisition means for acquiring the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means while the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means;
Derivation means for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding means based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation shaft of the holding means acquired by the first acquisition means;
Comprising
An apparatus for supplying a roll-shaped recording medium. While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time A first acquisition step of acquiring a rotational speed;
A derivation step of deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding unit based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation axis of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition step;
including,
A method for deriving the remaining amount of a roll-shaped recording medium. On the computer,
While the recording medium is being unwound from the holding means for rotatably holding the roll-shaped recording medium on which the image-forming recording medium is wound in a roll shape, the rotation axis of the holding means per unit time A first acquisition function for acquiring the rotational speed;
A derivation function for deriving the remaining amount of the roll-shaped recording medium held by the holding unit based on the number of rotations per unit time of the rotation axis of the holding unit acquired by the first acquisition function;
To realize,
A program characterized by that.

Images