JP2015066935A - Printer, printer control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of components, and then, to determine which one of supply paths a printing medium is located in.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a first supply path K1 to supply a printing medium to a transportation path H; a second supply path K2 to supply the printing medium to the transportation path H; and a tension lever 13 changing its state according to a state of the printing medium located in the first supply path K1. The printer 1 determines the state of the tension lever 13, and then, determines which one of the first supply path K1 and the second supply path K2 the printing medium is supplied through, based on the determined state of the tension lever 13.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints on a printing medium, a control method for the printing apparatus, and a program related to the control of the printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printing apparatus provided with a plurality of supply paths and configured to be able to feed a print medium via any one of the supply paths (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-215389 A

However, an apparatus configured to be able to feed (supply) a print medium via any one of a plurality of supply paths, such as the above-described printing apparatus, accurately detects which supply path is used. There is a need to do. In particular, if the above-described detection can be executed after reducing the number of parts of the printing apparatus, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the merit is great.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to detect in which of a plurality of supply paths a print medium is arranged after reducing the number of parts.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus including a print head that prints an image on a print medium conveyed along a conveyance path, wherein the first supply path supplies the print medium to the conveyance path. A second supply path for supplying the print medium to the transport path, a lever whose state changes according to the state of the print medium located in the first supply path, and detecting the state of the lever And a control unit that detects whether the print medium is supplied to the transport path via the first supply path or the second supply path based on the detected state of the lever. It is characterized by providing.
According to this configuration, the print medium is supplied via the first supply path using the lever whose state changes according to the state of the print medium positioned in the first supply path, or the second It is possible to accurately detect whether it is supplied through the supply path. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a detector such as an optical sensor is provided in each of the first supply path and the second supply path, so that the presence or absence of a print medium in each supply path is detected. The number of parts can be reduced.

In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the first supply path is a supply path in which the print medium comes into contact with the lever and a load is applied to the lever in response to the contact.
According to this configuration, in the first supply path, whether the print medium is supplied through the first supply path by using a load applied to the lever by the print medium and changing the state of the lever, Whether it is supplied through the second supply path can be accurately detected.

In addition, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes a roll paper storage unit that stores roll paper, and the first supply path is a path that supplies the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage part to the transport path. And the lever is a tension lever biased so as to rotate about a shaft in a direction to give tension to the roll paper.
According to this configuration, the tension lever that applies tension to the roll paper is used to accurately determine whether the print medium is supplied via the first supply path or the second supply path. It can be detected. For this reason, the number of parts can be reduced more effectively.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports the roll paper, and a detection unit that detects a rotation state of the lever, and the control unit transports the roll paper to the transport unit, When it is detected on the basis of the detection value of the detection unit that the lever is in a predetermined rotation state with conveyance, the print medium is supplied to the conveyance path via the first supply path. It is characterized by detecting this.
According to this configuration, the print medium is supplied through the first supply path or the second supply path by using the fact that a load is applied to the lever during rotation and the lever rotates. Can be accurately detected.

Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit causes the roll paper to be conveyed to the conveyance unit for a predetermined period, and the detection that the lever is in a predetermined rotation state within the predetermined period. When detected based on the detected value of the part, it is detected that the print medium is supplied to the transport path through the first supply path.
According to this configuration, when the roll paper is supplied via the first supply path, when the roll paper is conveyed, the lever is in a predetermined rotation state within a predetermined period along with the conveyance. By utilizing this, it is possible to accurately detect whether the print medium is supplied via the first supply path or the second supply path. In consideration of the purpose of performing the detection, the value for the predetermined period and the value for the predetermined rotation state are set based on a prior test or simulation.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is configured to be able to set whether to supply the print medium via the first supply path or to supply the print medium via the second supply path. A setting value indicating whether the print medium is disposed in the first supply path and the second supply path; and It is determined whether or not the setting content indicated by the setting value is identical.
According to this configuration, even if an incorrect setting is made, this can be detected.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention can set whether to supply the print medium via the first supply path or to supply the print medium via the second supply path. The control unit stores information indicating which is set, and the control unit determines whether the print medium is arranged in the first supply path or the second supply path. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the detection result and the setting content indicated by the setting value are identical.
According to this control method, whether the print medium is supplied via the first supply path using the lever whose state changes according to the state of the print medium positioned in the first supply path, It is possible to accurately detect whether it is supplied through the two supply paths. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a detector such as an optical sensor is provided in each of the first supply path and the second supply path, so that the presence or absence of a print medium in each supply path is detected. The number of parts can be reduced.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a print head that prints an image on a print medium conveyed through a conveyance path, a first supply path that supplies the print medium to the conveyance path, and the conveyance A control unit that controls a printing apparatus that includes a second supply path that supplies the print medium to the path and a lever that changes state according to the state of the print medium located in the first supply path. A program to be executed, wherein the control unit detects the state of the lever, and based on the detected state of the lever, any of the first supply path and the second supply path is selected. In this case, it is detected whether the print medium is supplied to the transport path.
According to this program, whether the print medium is supplied via the first supply path using the lever whose state changes according to the state of the print medium located in the first supply path, or second It is possible to accurately detect whether it is supplied through the supply path. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a detector such as an optical sensor is provided in each of the first supply path and the second supply path, so that the presence or absence of a print medium in each supply path is detected. The number of parts can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect in which of a plurality of supply paths a print medium is arranged after reducing the number of parts.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a main part illustrating the configuration of each unit related to the conveyance path of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of a printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating two types of roll paper that can be set in the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the main part showing the configuration of each part related to the transport path H of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
The printing apparatus 1 is a line inkjet printer, and prints an image on a print medium by ejecting ink from a print head 10 constituted by a line inkjet head while conveying the print medium on a conveyance path H.
In the printing apparatus 1, two supply paths, a first supply path K1 (first supply path) and a second supply path K2 (second supply path), are formed, and one of the two paths is formed. The print medium is supplied to the conveyance path H via.
The first supply path K1 is a supply path having a large contact area between the print medium and a lever described later. For example, this is a path for supplying the roll paper R stored in the printing apparatus 1 to the transport path H. The roll paper R, which is a printing medium, is a sheet wound in a roll shape. For example, in addition to a sheet of plain paper or fine paper wound in a roll shape, a standard size label with an adhesive on the back surface is provided. In addition, there is a label paper that is rolled up in a roll on a release paper (mounting paper).
When an image is printed on the roll paper R by the printing apparatus 1, the roll-shaped roll paper main body R <b> 1 is stored in a roll paper storage unit 12 formed inside the printing apparatus main body 11. Then, the roll paper R is pulled out from the roll paper main body R1 and supplied to the transport path H through the first supply path K1. Hereinafter, the part pulled out from the roll paper main body R1 and conveyed is expressed as a conveyed roll paper R2.

On the other hand, the second supply path K2 is a supply path in which the contact area between the print medium and a later-described lever is smaller than the first supply path K1 (including a case where no contact occurs). For example, this is a path for supplying a print medium disposed outside the printing apparatus main body 11 to the transport path H. The print medium disposed outside is fanfold paper, continuous paper such as roll paper, or a cut sheet cut to a predetermined size. In this example, it is assumed that the print medium supplied to the conveyance path H via the second supply path K2 is fanfold paper Q.
When an image is printed on the fanfold paper Q by the printing apparatus 1, a fixed-length sheet portion is folded, and a rectangular parallelepiped fanfold paper main body Q <b> 1 is disposed outside the printing apparatus 1. A dedicated tray may be provided, and the fanfold paper body Q1 may be stored in the dedicated tray. Then, the fanfold paper Q is pulled out from the fanfold paper main body Q1, and is supplied to the transport path H through the second supply path K2. Hereinafter, the part pulled out from the fanfold paper body Q1 and transported is expressed as transported fanfold paper Q2.
Hereinafter, a state in which the fanfold paper Q is arranged outside the printing apparatus main body 11 and the transport fanfold paper Q2 pulled out from the fanfold paper main body Q1 can be transported through the transport path H is referred to as “fanfold paper Q is "It is set."
In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, both the roll paper R and the fanfold paper Q are shown in the drawing, but in reality, either one of the print media is set and set. An image is printed on the print medium.
In the following description with reference to FIG. 1, as indicated by an arrow in the figure, the direction toward the right side in the figure is “front” of the printing apparatus 1, and the direction toward the upper side in the figure is “ It is assumed that “upward”.

Hereinafter, first, the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 assuming that the roll paper R is stored in the printing apparatus 1.
As described above, the roll paper main body R1 of the roll paper R is stored in the roll paper storage unit 12. At that time, the roll paper rotating shaft 9 is fitted into a cylindrical core R3 formed at the center of the roll paper main body R1. The roll paper rotating shaft 9 is connected to a motor shaft of a second transport motor 64 described later via a speed reduction mechanism (not shown), and is configured to rotate in accordance with the driving of the second transport motor 64. Then, the roll paper main body R1 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the roll paper rotation shaft 9 fitted in the core R3 of the roll paper main body R1.
When the roll paper R is stored in the printing apparatus 1, the transport roll paper R2 is drawn upward in the transport direction F from the roll paper main body R1. A tension lever 13 (lever) is provided at the upper rear of the axis of the roll paper main body R1. The transported roll paper R2 drawn upward is brought into contact with the tension lever 13, bent by the tension lever 13, and then extended forward.
The tension lever 13 is a lever that prevents the slack by giving tension to the transported roll paper R2. The tension lever 13 is urged to rotate about the shaft 14 in a direction in which the transport roll paper R2 is stretched (direction indicated by an arrow Y1).

A paper guide portion 16 is provided in front of the tension lever 13. The paper guide unit 16 includes a lower paper guide unit 17 and an upper paper guide unit 18. The lower paper guide unit 17 is a table that supports the transported roll paper R2 from below. The shaft 14 of the tension lever 13 is provided in the lower paper guide portion 17. On the other hand, the upper paper guide unit 18 is a member that is positioned above the transport roll paper R2 so as to face the lower paper guide unit 17 and includes the lift of the transport roll paper R2.
In the present embodiment, the transport path H is guided by the paper guiding unit 16 and transported by the transport roll paper R2, and the path H2 communicated with the path H1 and formed along the platen 22 described later. It is configured. The print medium is supplied to the transport path H and is transported on the transport path H regardless of which of the first supply path K1 and the second supply path K2 described above. . In other words, the conveyance path H is a path along which the print medium is conveyed regardless of the supply path through which it is routed.
A paper detector 19 is provided at the rear of the paper guide unit 16. The paper detector 19 is, for example, a transmissive sensor that includes a light emitting unit on the upper paper guide unit 18 side and a light receiving unit on the lower paper guide unit 17 side. Since the output value (detection voltage) indicating the amount of light received by the paper detector 19 varies depending on the presence or absence of the transport roll paper R2 at the position of the paper detector 19, the front and rear ends of the transport roll paper R2 using the paper detector 19 are used. Can be detected.

  A printing unit 21 that prints an image on the transported roll paper R2 is disposed in front of the paper guide unit 16. The printing unit 21 includes a platen 22 and a print head 10. The print head 10 according to the present embodiment ejects ink of four colors, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), to form dots on the printing surface of the transport roll paper R2. . The print head 10 ejects a nozzle section 24 that ejects K (black) ink, a nozzle section 25 that ejects C (cyan) ink, a nozzle section 26 that ejects M (magenta) ink, and a Y (yellow) ink. Nozzle portion 27 is provided. In the nozzle portions 24 to 47, a plurality of nozzles that eject ink are arranged in a row in the width direction of the transport roll paper R2. The print head 10 is a line inkjet head that can eject ink without performing scanning in the width direction of the transported roll paper R2. Accordingly, the nozzle rows of the nozzle portions 24 to 47 are formed to have a width wider than at least the printable range of the transported roll paper R2. In the present embodiment, a configuration example is described in which the nozzle portions 24, 25, 26, and 27 are arranged in this order along the conveyance direction F of the conveyance roll paper R2, but the arrangement order of the nozzles of each color in the conveyance direction F is arbitrary. .

The platen 22 has a plane disposed along the transport direction F. This plane is located below the path H2 and faces the print head 10. The platen 22 is fixed to the frame of the printing apparatus 1 (not shown) and supports the transport roll paper R2 from below. The plane of the platen 22 is substantially horizontal when the printing apparatus 1 is installed and used.
A conveyor belt 30 is disposed on the plane of the platen 22. The conveyor belt 30 is a wide endless belt, and is arranged so as to pass on the plane of the platen 22 and to wrap around the platen 22. Of the surface of the conveyor belt 30, at least the surface facing upward on the plane of the platen 22 is a rough surface having a high friction coefficient. The conveyor belt 30 is preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin. Below the platen 22, a first transport motor 31 and a drive mechanism 32 that moves the transport belt 30 by the rotational force of the first transport motor 31 are arranged. The 1st conveyance motor 31 is constituted by DC motor, for example, and rotates by control of control part 50 mentioned below. The drive mechanism 32 includes various gears that mesh with the output shaft of the first transport motor 31 and rollers that move the transport belt 30. The transport belt 30 is moved by the rotation of the first transport motor 31. R2 is conveyed in the conveyance direction F. The amount of rotation of the first transport motor 31 or the amount of movement of the transport belt 30 accompanying the rotation of the first transport motor 31 is detected by a first rotary encoder 60 (FIG. 2) described later. The transport roll paper R <b> 2 is transported in the transport direction F by driving the transport belt 30 by the rotation of the first transport motor 31 while the tension is adjusted by the tension lever 13. The tension of the transport roll paper R2 is adjusted by the pulling amount of the transport roll paper R2 from the roll paper main body R1 by the second transport motor 64 together with the tension lever 13. In the present embodiment, the motor driver 67, the first transport motor 31, the second transport motor 64, and other accompanying members function together to function as a “transport section”.

A transport roller 34 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction F of the print head 10 so as to face the platen 22. The conveyance roller 34 is a driven roller that is rotatably supported by the frame of the printing apparatus 1, and is urged toward the plane of the platen 22. In the path H <b> 2, the transport roll paper R <b> 2 is sandwiched between the transport roller 34 and the transport belt 30 and is reliably transported in the transport direction F as the transport belt 30 moves. A plurality of rollers 35 that press the transport roll paper R <b> 2 so as not to lift from the transport belt 30 are disposed between the nozzle portions 24, 25, 26, and 27 of the print head 10.
Further, a label detector 36 is disposed on the upstream side of the print head 10 in the platen 22. The label detector 36 is an optical sensor, and is used to detect the position of each label when the printing apparatus 1 prints an image on a label sheet.

  A cutter unit 37 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction F of the print head 10, that is, on the front side. The cutter unit 37 includes a fixed blade 38 and a movable blade 39 arranged with the conveyance path H interposed therebetween, and the movable blade 39 is connected to a cutter drive motor 65 via a gear or the like. When the cutter drive motor 65 is driven, the movable blade 39 moves to the fixed blade 38 side and cuts the transport roll paper R2. The cutter unit 37 may cut a part of the transport roll paper R2 in the width direction, or may completely cut the transport roll paper R2. The printing apparatus 1 uses the cutter unit 37 to cut the transport roll paper R2 printed by the print head 10 into a predetermined length and discharges it from the paper discharge port 40.

  A winding unit 42 can be attached to and detached from the front surface of the printing apparatus 1. The winding unit 42 includes a winding drum 43 that winds the transported roll paper R2 discharged from the paper discharge port 40, and a drive unit (not shown) that rotates the winding drum 43. The winding drum 43 is driven by a rotational force transmitted from the first transport motor 31 of the printing apparatus 1 via a gear train (not shown). The winding drum 43 may be configured to be driven by a motor independent of the first transport motor 31. The take-up drum 43 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the drawing to take up the transport roll paper R2. When the winding unit 42 is used, the printing apparatus 1 does not cut the transport roll paper R2 by the cutter unit 37, and discharges the transport roll paper R2 from the paper discharge port 40 in a long state.

Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 assuming that the fanfold paper Q is set.
As shown in FIG. 1, an insertion for introducing a print medium (in this example, fanfold paper Q) arranged outside the printing apparatus main body 11 into the printing apparatus main body 11 is inserted in the rear part of the printing apparatus main body 11. A mouth 44 is provided.
The transport fanfold paper Q2 drawn from the fanfold paper main body Q1 is introduced into the inside of the printing apparatus main body 11 through the insertion port 44. That is, the transport fanfold paper Q2 is supplied to the transport path H via the second supply path K2. The transport fanfold paper Q2 is transported in the transport direction F by driving the transport belt 30 by the rotation of the first transport motor 31.
Here, when the roll paper R is set, a load is applied to the tension lever 13 to rotate the tension lever 13 in the direction of the arrow Y2 opposite to the arrow Y1 during the transport of the transport roll paper R2. As a result, the tension lever 13 rotates about the shaft 14 in the arrow Y2 direction. On the other hand, when the fanfold paper Q is set, no load is applied to the tension lever 13, so the tension lever 13 does not rotate regardless of whether or not the transport fanfold paper Q2 is being transported.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1 is connected to a host PC 5, and a printing system 2 is configured by these apparatuses.
The host PC 5 is installed with an application and a printer driver related to the control of the printing apparatus 1, and controls the printing apparatus 1 by transmitting a control command to the printing apparatus 1 using the functions of these programs.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 50 that controls each unit of the printing apparatus 1. An I / F (interface) 51 and a storage unit 52 connected to the host PC 5 are connected to the control unit 50. The I / F 51 is wired or wirelessly connected to the host PC 5.
The control unit 50 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as a calculation execution unit (not shown). In the ROM of the control unit 50, firmware executable by the CPU, data related to the firmware, and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner. The RAM temporarily stores data related to firmware executed by the CPU. The control unit 50 may include other peripheral circuits. The storage unit 52 stores various programs and data in a nonvolatile manner. The storage unit 52 stores control programs executed by the control unit 50, data related to these control programs, and commands and data received by the printing apparatus 1 from the host PC 5. A setting file SF is stored in the storage unit 52, which will be described later.

An operation detection unit 55 that detects an operation of an operation switch 54 provided on a switch panel (not shown) is connected to the control unit 50. The operation switch 54 is, for example, a paper feed switch for instructing a transport operation of the printing apparatus 1, a cut switch for instructing an operation of the cutter unit 37, a setting switch for performing various settings, and the like.
In addition, a sensor driving unit 56 that acquires a detection value of the paper detector 19 is connected to the control unit 50. Under the control of the control unit 50, the sensor driving unit 56 supplies driving power to the paper detector 19 to emit light, acquires the detection voltage output by the paper detector 19 according to the amount of received light, and detects the detection voltage. Is output to the control unit 50.
The controller 50 is connected to a sensor driving unit 57 that acquires the detection value of the label detector 36. The sensor driving unit 57 supplies driving power to the label detector 36 to emit light, acquires a detection voltage output by the label detector 36 according to the amount of received light, and controls a detection value indicating the detection voltage. Output to 50.
The control unit 50 is connected to a first counter circuit 59 that counts the conveyance amount of the print medium (in this example, the conveyance roll paper R2 or the conveyance fanfold paper Q2). The first counter circuit 59 is connected to a first rotary encoder 60 that detects the amount of movement of the transport belt 30, the amount of rotation of the first transport motor 31, the amount of rotation of the transport roller 34, and the like. The first counter circuit 59 counts pulses output from the first rotary encoder 60 according to the control of the control unit 50, and outputs the count value to the control unit 50.

Here, the printing apparatus 1 is provided with a second rotary encoder 62 that detects the amount of rotation of the tension lever 13. The control unit 50 is connected to a second counter circuit 63 connected to the second rotary encoder 62. The second counter circuit 63 counts the pulses output from the second rotary encoder 62 according to the control of the control unit 50 and outputs the count value to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 detects the rotation state (position) of the tension lever 13 based on the count value input from the second counter circuit 63.
In the present embodiment, the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is expressed as an integer value in a predetermined unit (for convenience, the unit is expressed as “ep”). More specifically, when no load is applied to the tension lever 13 and the tension lever 13 is in a natural state, the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is 0 ep. As the tension lever 13 rotates in the direction of the arrow Y2, the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 increases.
In the present embodiment, the second counter circuit 63, the second rotary encoder 62, and the accompanying members function together to function as a “detection unit”.

The control unit 50 is connected to a first driver motor 31, a second carrier motor 64, a motor driver 67 that drives the cutter driving motor 65, and a head driver 68 that drives the print head 10. The motor driver 67 supplies a drive current to each of the first transport motor 31, the second transport motor 64, and the cutter drive motor 65 under the control of the control unit 50. In the present embodiment, each of the first transport motor 31 and the second transport motor 64 is configured by a brushless DC motor.
The head driver 68 supplies a voltage to a pump (not shown) for supplying ink from an ink tank (not shown) to the print head 10 and to piezoelectric elements (not shown) provided in the nozzle portions 24 to 27 of the print head 10. And make them work. Thereby, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles of the nozzle portions 24 to 27 to form dots.

Here, as described above, the storage unit 52 stores the setting file SF. The setting file SF is a file in which setting values indicating various settings such as printing speed, printing density, and operation mode are described. In particular, in the present embodiment, whether the print medium is supplied to the conveyance path H via the first supply path K1 or the print medium is supplied to the conveyance path H via the second supply path K2 in the setting file SF. Is set (hereinafter referred to as “supply route setting value”). The printing apparatus 1 executes processing corresponding to printing of an image according to the content of the supply path setting value.
Various setting values including the supply route setting value described in the setting file SF can be rewritten by the user. The setting value may be rewritten by a user through a user interface provided by a firmware function. Further, the setting value may be rewritten by the user through a user interface provided by an application installed in the host PC or a function of the printer driver.

By the way, as described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the print medium can be supplied from the first supply path K1 and the second supply path K2 to the transport path H. ing. The printing apparatus 1 enters the transport path H via either the first supply path K1 or the second supply path K2 when the power is turned on, when recovering from the reset, or when an instruction is given from the user. It is configured to automatically detect whether the print medium is supplied. In particular, the printing apparatus 1 uses the existing members to perform the above-described detection, thereby realizing a reduction in the number of components and a reduction in manufacturing cost.
In this example, when the printing medium is supplied to the conveyance path H via the first supply path K1, the roll paper R is set in the printing apparatus 1 and printed on the conveyance path H via the second supply path K2. When the medium is supplied, the fanfold paper Q is set in the printing apparatus 1.
Hereinafter, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus 1.
The printing apparatus 1 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 by using a predetermined event as a trigger when the power is turned on, when recovering from reset, or when there is an instruction from the user.
As a premise of the following description, whether the roll paper R is set or the fanfold paper Q is set, the print medium in the printing apparatus 1 is as follows at the start point: It is assumed that That is, the print medium (the transport roll paper R2 or the transport fanfold paper Q2) drawn out from the main body of the print medium extends on the transport path H via the corresponding supply path, and is at least on the leading end side. A part is assumed to be on the conveyor belt 30 of the platen 22, and the first conveyor motor 31 is stopped and the conveyor belt 30 does not move. In the case of the transport roll paper R <b> 2, a part of the leading end side may be wound around the winding drum 43.

Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 50 of the printing apparatus 1 controls the motor driver 67 to drive the second transport motor 64 to rotate the roll paper rotating shaft 9 (FIG. 1) in the following manner (step) SA1). That is, the control unit 50 drives the second transport motor 64 so that the roll paper rotation shaft 9 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed S1 in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. As the roll paper rotation shaft 9 rotates, the roll paper main body R1 rotates in the arrow B direction around the core R3. Accordingly, the transported roll paper R2 that has been drawn out is drawn into the roll paper main body R1 and transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction F.
Next, the control unit 50 starts counting elapsed time (step SA2).
Next, the control unit 50 monitors whether or not the predetermined period T1 has elapsed from the start of counting the elapsed time in Step SA2 (Step SA4), and determines whether or not the following conditions are satisfied (Step S4). SA3).
The condition is that the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 exceeds a predetermined N1ep (“N1” is an integer). As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is represented by an integer value whose unit is “ep”, and the value increases as the unit rotates in the arrow Y2 direction.
The control unit 50 detects a value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 based on the input value from the second counter circuit 63. The same applies to the following.
Here, when the transported roll paper R2 that has been pulled out is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction F with the rotation of the roll paper rotation shaft 9, the lever is rotated in the direction of the arrow Y2 with respect to the tension lever 13. The load to be applied is added. Thereby, the tension lever 13 rotates in the arrow Y2 direction.
The value of N1 is a value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever within a predetermined period T1 when the roll paper body R1 is rotated in the direction of arrow B at the rotational speed S1 when the roll paper R is set. Is set to ensure that N1ep is exceeded. Therefore, when the roll paper R is set and the roll paper main body R1 rotates in the direction of arrow B at the rotation speed S1, the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever exceeds N1ep within the predetermined period T1. The value of N1 is determined based on prior simulations, tests, and the like based on the relationship between the rotational speed S1 and the predetermined period T1.

  In steps SA3 and SA4, the control unit 50 detects the state of the tension lever 13, and based on the detection result, the print medium passes through either the first supply path K1 or the second supply path K2 along the transport path H. Is detected. More specifically, when the roll paper main body R1 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the control unit 50 performs the detection by using a load applied to the tension lever 13 and the tension lever 13 rotating. That is, the control unit 50 causes the transport unit to transport the roll paper R during the predetermined period T1. Then, when it is detected that the tension lever 13 is in a predetermined rotation state within the predetermined period T1, it is detected that the print medium is supplied via the first supply path K1.

If the above-described condition is satisfied before the predetermined period T1 elapses (step SA3: YES), the control unit 50 shifts the processing procedure to step SA5. If the above-described condition is satisfied before the predetermined period T1 has elapsed, the roll paper R is set, that is, the printing medium is supplied via the first supply path K1.
In step SA5, the control unit 50 determines that the roll paper R is set in the printing apparatus 1.
Next, the control unit 50 accesses the setting file SF stored in the storage unit 52 and refers to the supply route setting value (step SA6).
Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the supply path setting value indicates a setting for supplying the print medium via the first supply path K1 (step SA7). In step SA7, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the detection result and the setting content indicated by the supply route setting value are identical.
When the supply path setting value indicates the setting for supplying the print medium via the first supply path K1 (step SA7: YES), the control unit 50 ends the process.
On the other hand, when the supply path setting value does not indicate the setting for supplying the printing apparatus via the first supply path K1 (step SA7: NO), the control unit 50 shifts the processing procedure to step SA8. When the supply path setting value does not indicate the setting for supplying the printing apparatus via the first supply path K1, the detection result and the setting content indicated by the supply path setting value are identical. Absent.
In step SA8, the control unit 50 notifies the user that the setting content indicated by the supply route setting value is different from the detection result (step SA8). The notification may be performed by display using a panel or LED provided in itself, or may be performed by raising a buzzer or the like. It may communicate with the host PC and display that fact on the host PC. Accordingly, the user can recognize that the setting content indicated by the supply route setting value is different from the detection result, and can execute a corresponding process such as resetting based on the recognition.

On the other hand, when the predetermined period T1 has elapsed without satisfying the above-described conditions (step SA4: YES), the control unit 50 shifts the processing procedure to step SA9. If the predetermined period T1 elapses without the condition being satisfied, the fanfold paper Q is set, that is, the print medium is supplied via the second supply path K2.
In step SA9, the control unit 50 determines that the fanfold paper Q is set in the printing apparatus 1.
Next, the control unit 50 accesses the setting file SF stored in the storage unit 52 and refers to the supply path setting value (step SA10).
Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the supply path setting value indicates a setting for supplying the print medium via the second supply path K2 (step SA11).
When the supply path setting value indicates the setting for supplying the print medium via the second supply path K2 (step SA11: YES), the control unit 50 ends the process.
On the other hand, when the supply path setting value does not indicate the setting for supplying the printing apparatus via the second supply path K2 (step SA11: NO), the control unit 50 shifts the processing procedure to step SA12. When the supply path setting value does not indicate the setting for supplying the printing apparatus via the second supply path K2, the detection result and the setting content indicated by the supply path setting value are identical. Absent.
In step SA12, the control unit 50 notifies the user that the setting content indicated by the supply route setting value is different from the detection result (step SA12).

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 when detecting the end of the roll paper R when the roll paper R is set will be described.
Here, in the roll paper R, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), the end is fixed to the core R3 by glueing or the like, and in the core R3 as shown in FIG. 4 (B). On the other hand, there is a case where the end is not fixed.
The printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment accurately detects the end using the tension lever 13 regardless of which type of roll paper R is set.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus 1.
The printing apparatus 1 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 while driving the first conveyance motor 31 to convey the print medium in the conveyance direction F in order to print an image on the print medium.
Here, the printing apparatus 1 monitors the rotation state of the tension lever 13 while the print medium is being conveyed in the conveyance direction F in accordance with image printing. Then, the conveyance speed is adjusted so that the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is maintained at N2ep. The value of N2 is determined in advance from the viewpoint of giving an appropriate tension to the print medium for printing an image.
Note that roll paper R is set in the printing apparatus 1.

While the transport roll paper R2 is transported in the transport direction F, the control unit 50 determines whether the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is less than N3ep (N3 <N2) (step SB1) or N4ep (N4). > N2) is monitored (step SB2).
When N3ep is not reached (step SB1: YES), the control unit 50 adjusts the conveyance speed of the conveyance roll paper R2 for a certain period so that the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is N2ep ( Step SB3).
Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 exceeds N3ep by adjusting the conveyance speed (step SB4).
When the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 exceeds N3ep by adjusting the conveyance speed for a certain period in step SB3 (step SB4: YES), the control unit 50 returns the processing procedure to step SB1.
On the other hand, if the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 does not exceed N3ep even after adjusting the conveyance speed for a certain period in step SB3 (step SB4: NO), the control unit 50 Judgment is made (step SB5). That is, the control unit 50 determines that the set roll paper R is of a type whose end is not fixed to the core R3, and that the roll paper R is almost out of paper.
The reason why such a determination can be made is as follows.
That is, as the roll paper R is consumed, when the end of the transport roll paper R2 is separated from the core R3, the load applied to the tension lever 13 is reduced, and the degree of rotation of the tension lever 13 is reduced. This state does not change no matter how the transport speed of the transport roll paper R2 is adjusted. Based on this, if the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 does not exceed N3ep even after adjusting the conveyance speed for a certain period, it can be determined as described above. Note that the value of N3 is set through prior simulations, tests, and the like from the viewpoint of performing the determination in step SB5.
After the determination in step SB5, the control unit 50 executes a corresponding process based on the determination (step SB6). For example, the control unit 50 stops the processing related to printing, and the roll paper R is of a type in which the end of the roll paper R is not fixed to the core R3. To inform.

On the other hand, when the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 exceeds N4ep while transporting the transported roll paper R2 in the transport direction F (step SB2: YES), the control unit 50 performs the following processing. . That is, the control unit 50 adjusts the conveyance speed of the conveyance roll paper R2 for a certain period so that the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is N2ep (step SB7).
Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 has fallen below N4ep by adjusting the conveyance speed (step SB8).
When the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 is less than N4ep (step SB8: YES) by adjusting the transport speed for a certain period in step SB7, the control unit 50 returns the processing procedure to step SB1.
On the other hand, if the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 does not fall below N4ep (step SB8: NO) even after adjusting the transport speed for a certain period in step SB7, the control unit 50 Judgment is made (step SB9). That is, the control unit 50 is a type in which the set roll paper R is fixed to the core R3, and the end of the roll paper R is fixed, and all the roll paper R is drawn from the core R3. It is determined that the conveyance of R should be stopped.
The reason why such a determination can be made is as follows.
That is, when the roll paper R whose end is fixed to the core R3 is transported in the transport direction F of the roll paper R in a state where all the roll paper R has been pulled out, it is applied to the tension lever 13. The load increases and the degree of rotation of the tension lever 13 increases. This state does not change as long as the transport roll paper R2 is transported in the transport direction F side. Based on this, if the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever 13 does not fall below N4ep even after adjusting the conveyance speed for a certain period, it can be determined as described above. Note that the value of N4 is set through prior simulations, tests, and the like from the viewpoint of performing the determination in step SB9.
After the determination in step SB9, the control unit 50 executes a corresponding process based on the determination (step SB10). For example, the control unit 50 stops processing related to printing and notifies the user that the roll paper R is of a type in which the end is fixed to the core R3.

As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first supply path K1 that supplies the print medium to the transport path H and the second supply path K2 that supplies the print medium to the transport path H. ing. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 includes a tension lever 13 whose state changes according to the state of the print medium (in this example, the transport roll paper R2) located in the first supply path K1. Then, the control unit 50 detects the state of the tension lever 13, and based on the detected state of the tension lever 13, whether the print medium is supplied via the first supply path K1 or the second supply path K2. Is detected.
Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 includes a roll paper storage unit 12, and the first supply path K <b> 1 is a path for supplying the roll paper R stored in the roll paper storage unit 12 to the transport path H. The tension lever 13 is a tension lever that is urged to rotate about the shaft 14 in a direction in which the roll paper R is tensioned.
According to the above configuration, whether the print medium is supplied via the first supply path K1 using the tension lever 13 whose state changes according to the state of the print medium positioned in the first supply path K1. Whether it is supplied via the second supply path K2 can be accurately detected. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a detector such as an optical sensor is provided in each of the first supply path K1 and the second supply path K2, so that the presence or absence of a print medium in each supply path is detected. The number of parts can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, when the control unit 50 causes the roll paper R to be conveyed to the conveyance unit and detects that the tension lever 13 is in a predetermined rotation state along with the conveyance, the print medium is supplied to the first supply path. It is detected that the signal is supplied via K1.
More specifically, the control unit 50 rotates the roll paper main body R1 in the arrow B direction at the rotation speed S1. When the value indicating the rotation state of the tension lever exceeds N1ep within the predetermined period T1, the control unit 50 detects that the print medium is supplied via the first supply path K1.
According to this configuration, the existing member called the tension lever 13 can be used to execute the determination related to the supply path, and the number of parts can be more effectively reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the detection result of the supply route is identical to the setting content indicated by the supply route setting value.
According to this configuration, even if an incorrect setting is made, this can be detected.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the tension lever 13 is the lever whose state changes in accordance with the state of the print medium positioned in the first supply path K1. However, the lever is not limited to the tension lever 13 and may be any lever whose state changes according to the conveyance of the print medium.
In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is a line inkjet printer. However, the printing format of the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a printer having a serial head, a thermal printer, or a dot impact printer. In other words, the present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus having a plurality of supply paths.
Each functional block shown in FIG. 2 can be arbitrarily realized by cooperation of hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration. Further, each function of the printing apparatus 1 may be provided to another apparatus externally connected to the apparatus. The printing apparatus 1 may execute various processes by executing a program stored in an externally connected storage medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 2 ... Printing system, 10 ... Print head, 12 ... Roll paper storage part, 13 ... Tension lever (lever), 14 ... Shaft, 31 ... 1st conveyance motor (conveyance part), 50 ... Control part, 62 ... second rotary encoder (detection unit), 63 ... second counter circuit (detection unit), 64 ... second conveyance motor (conveyance unit), 67 ... motor driver (conveyance unit), Q ... fanfold paper (print medium) ), R ... roll paper (print medium), SF ... setting file, K1 ... first supply path (first supply path), K2 ... second supply path (second supply path).

Claims (8)

A printing apparatus including a print head that prints an image on a print medium conveyed along a conveyance path,
A first supply path for supplying the print medium to the transport path;
A second supply path for supplying the print medium to the transport path;
A lever whose state changes according to the state of the print medium located in the first supply path;
The state of the lever is detected, and based on the detected state of the lever, whether the print medium is supplied to the transport path through the first supply path or the second supply path A control unit for detecting
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first supply path is a supply path in which the print medium comes into contact with the lever and a load is applied to the lever in response to the contact. A roll paper storage unit for storing roll paper is provided.
The first supply path is a path for supplying the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit to the transport path;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lever is a tension lever biased to rotate about a shaft in a direction in which the roll paper is tensioned. A transport unit that transports the roll paper, and a detection unit that detects a rotation state of the lever,
The controller is
When the roll paper is conveyed to the conveyance unit, and it is detected based on the detection value of the detection unit that the lever is in a predetermined rotation state along with the conveyance, the The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a printing medium is detected to be supplied to the conveyance path. The controller is
When the roll paper is transported to the transport unit for a predetermined period, and it is detected based on the detection value of the detection unit that the lever is in a predetermined rotation state within the predetermined period, the first The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus detects that the print medium is supplied to the conveyance path via the supply path. A setting value indicating whether the print medium is supplied via the first supply path or the print medium is supplied via the second supply path is settable. Remember
The controller is
Whether the detection result indicating whether the print medium is arranged in any of the first supply path and the second supply path is identical to the setting content indicated by the setting value. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is discriminated. A print head that prints an image on a print medium conveyed through a conveyance path; a first supply path that supplies the print medium to the conveyance path; and a second supply path that supplies the print medium to the conveyance path. A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a lever whose state changes according to the state of the print medium positioned in the first supply path,
The state of the lever is detected, and based on the detected state of the lever, whether the print medium is supplied to the transport path through the first supply path or the second supply path A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: A print head that prints an image on a print medium conveyed through a conveyance path; a first supply path that supplies the print medium to the conveyance path; and a second supply path that supplies the print medium to the conveyance path. A program that is executed by a control unit that controls a printing apparatus that includes a lever whose state changes according to the state of the print medium positioned in the first supply path,
In the control unit,
The state of the lever is detected, and based on the detected state of the lever, the print medium is supplied to the transport path through either the first supply path or the second supply path. A program characterized by detecting whether or not.

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