JP2015189198A - Control device, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique that is advantageous in temporarily collecting a part of a printed matter during a printing operation.SOLUTION: The control device comprises: measuring means that measures the number of recorded media outputted to a tray; specifying means that specifies the presence and absence of the recorded media in the tray; initializing means that initializes the number of the recorded media measured by the measuring means; and determining means that when the specifying means specifies the absence of the recorded media, determines, based on values measured by the measuring means and a predetermined threshold, whether or not the measured number should be initialized by the initializing means, where the initializing means, when the determining means determines the measured number is initialized, initializes the measured number.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program.

  The recording apparatus includes, for example, a recording unit that performs recording on a sheet that is a recording medium, and an output unit that outputs a sheet (printed material) recorded by the recording unit to a stacking tray. Further, in order to prevent overloading of printed materials on the stacking tray, the recording apparatus further includes, for example, a measuring unit that measures the number of printed materials on the stacking tray. According to this configuration, the user can know whether or not the number of printed materials on the stacking tray is smaller than the upper limit value that can be stacked on the stacking tray. Therefore, according to this structure, the output of the printed matter to the overloaded stacking tray is prevented, and for example, sheet jamming, sheet scattering, and the like can be prevented.

  Here, when one recording apparatus is used by a plurality of users, a certain user collects all the printed materials from the stacking tray, and returns a part of them (for example, other users' printed materials) to the stacking tray. The case can be considered. When the user collects all of the printed matter, the measurement value of the measuring means is initialized (cleared). Therefore, in this case, there is a possibility that the printed matter may be output to the overloaded stacking tray.

  In response to this problem, the recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects that there is no printed material on the stacking tray for a predetermined time while the printed material is being transported or when the printed material is output to the stacking tray. Initialize the measurement value of the measurement means. According to this recording apparatus, the situation in which printed matter is output to the overloaded stacking tray described in the above example can be avoided.

JP 2001-199628 A

  However, in the recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, the presence / absence of paper for the counter reset of the cumulative number of sheets is determined only when a predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet was output (see paragraphs 0016 and 0029 of Patent Document 1). ). Therefore, if the user collects a part of the printed material from the stacking tray, confirms the quality and quality of the printed material, and returns that part to the stacking tray after the judgment timing, the printed material on the stacking tray is It cannot be prevented that more than the value is output.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique advantageous for temporarily collecting a part of a printed material during a printing operation.

  One aspect of the present invention is related to a control device, and is measured by a measuring unit that measures the number of recording media output to a tray, a specifying unit that specifies the presence or absence of a recording medium on the tray, and the measuring unit. The initializing means for initializing the number and when the specifying means specifies that there is no recording medium, the initializing means is measured based on the value measured by the measuring means and a predetermined threshold value. Determining means for determining whether or not to initialize the number, and when the determining means determines that the number is to be initialized, the initializing means initializes the measured number.

  According to the present invention, a part of a printed matter can be temporarily collected during a printing operation.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the overall configuration of a recording apparatus. The figure explaining the structural example of a control part. The figure explaining the example of operation | movement in single-sided printing mode and double-sided printing mode. The figure explaining the structural example of a tray unit. The flowchart for measuring the quantity of the sheet | seat on a tray. The figure explaining the 1st case where printed matter is collect | recovered from a tray during printing operation. The figure explaining the 2nd case where printed matter is collect | recovered from a tray during printing operation. The flowchart for initializing a count value. The flowchart for initializing a count value. The flowchart for initializing a count value. The figure explaining the example of the setting method of the parameter for performing initialization. 6 is a flowchart for selecting one from a plurality of trays. The flowchart for notifying a user that the count value is initialized. The figure explaining the example of the notification means to the user using LED.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the overall configuration of a recording apparatus 100 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “apparatus 100”). The apparatus 100 is configured to be able to perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing on a roll sheet using a roll sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as “sheet” in the present specification) as a recording medium. Is adopted. The apparatus 100 includes a recording head for recording on one side of the sheet. The recording head has a so-called full-line configuration, and can perform recording all at once over the entire width direction of the sheet.

  The roll sheet is a long sheet (specifically, a sheet whose length in the transport direction is longer than the length of a unit image for one page), and is installed inside the apparatus 100 in a state of being wound in a roll shape. Is done.

  Note that the unit image refers to a region for one page including these images, characters, blanks, and the like when one or more images, characters, blanks, and the like exist in the region for one page. That is, the unit image refers to an image, a character, a blank, or the like on a printed material for one page (recorded medium on which recording is performed) when, for example, a plurality of pages are sequentially printed on a sheet. The length of the unit image (length in the transport direction) varies depending on the image size. For example, it is 135 mm for an L size photograph and 297 mm for an A4 size.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 includes a sheet supply unit 1, a decurling unit 2, a skew correction unit 3, a printing unit 4, an inspection unit 5, a cutter unit 6, an information recording unit 7, a drying unit 8, an inversion unit. Unit 9, discharge conveyance unit 10, sorter unit 11, discharge unit 12, and control unit 13. The sheet is conveyed along a sheet conveyance path indicated by a solid line in the drawing by a conveyance mechanism formed by a roller or a belt. The units such as the sheet supply unit 1 and the decurling unit 2 described above are arranged in the sheet conveyance path.

  The sheet supply unit 1 includes, for example, two rolls R1 and R2 each holding a sheet, and drives one of these to supply a sheet from the one to the sheet conveyance path. Here, two rolls R1 and R2 are illustrated, but the number of rolls is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more. In this configuration, the sheet is held in a rolled state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sheet is held in a state where the sheet is folded and laminated every predetermined length. It may be a thing. Further, a perforation may be provided for each predetermined length.

  In this specification, at an arbitrary position in the sheet conveyance path, the side close to the sheet supply unit 1 is referred to as “upstream” and the opposite side is referred to as “downstream”. Each unit is appropriately provided with one or a plurality of conveying rollers, and sheets subjected to predetermined processing in the unit are sequentially conveyed downstream.

  The decurling unit 2 reduces the warp (curl) of the sheet from the sheet supply unit 1. For example, the decurling unit 2 curls the sheet so as to give a warp in the opposite direction to the sheet from the sheet supply unit 1 and applies a decurling force to reduce the warp of the sheet from the sheet supply unit 1. . In this configuration, sheet curling is reduced by applying two pinch rollers to one transport roller.

  The skew correction unit 3 corrects the skew of the sheet that has passed through the decurling unit 2 (the inclination of the sheet conveyance path with respect to the traveling direction). In this configuration, the skew of the sheet is corrected by transporting the sheet with one end of the sheet as a reference and applying a guide member (not shown) to the reference end.

  In the printing unit 4, recording is performed on the sheet conveyed from the skew correction unit 3 side by the above-described full line type recording head 14. As a result, an image is formed on the sheet.

  The recording head 14 includes a plurality of recording element arrays. In this configuration, the recording head 14 includes seven recording element arrays (not shown). Each of the seven recording element arrays is formed by arranging a plurality of recording elements in a direction crossing the transport direction, and the seven recording element arrays are arranged in parallel to each other along the transport direction. Yes. The seven recording element arrays include, for example, seven colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), LC (light cyan), LM (light magenta), G (gray), and K (black). Each corresponds. The apparatus 100 drives each recording element of each recording element array while conveying the sheet, and applies ink (recording agent) of a corresponding color to the sheet via the nozzle corresponding to each recording element. By discharging, recording on a sheet is performed.

  Note that the number of printing element arrays is not limited to the above seven, and may be configured to correspond to other colors different from the above seven colors. Also, here, an example of recording by an ink jet method is illustrated, but a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, and other known methods Any recording method may be used.

  The inspection unit 5 inspects the sheet from the print unit 4 and determines whether the recording in the print unit 4 has been properly performed. The inspection is performed by optically reading an image or an inspection pattern formed on the sheet by the printing unit 4 using a scanner composed of, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. Accordingly, for example, the state of each recording element array of the recording head 14, the state of the nozzles that eject ink, the state of conveyance of the sheet, the position of the formed image, and the like are inspected to determine whether the image has been formed correctly. I do.

  The cutter unit 6 cuts the sheet from the inspection unit 5 into a predetermined unit length. If the sheet is cut mechanically by driving an auto cutter 20 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “cutter 20”) in response to the sensor 19 detecting a cut pattern, for example. Good. Further, a trash box 17 is provided in the vicinity of the cutter unit 6, and unnecessary sheet pieces cut off by the cutter unit 6 are accommodated in the trash box 17. Further, the cutter unit 6 is provided with a sorting mechanism that sorts a sheet on which an image is formed (a sheet to be output from the apparatus 100) and a sheet piece that has been cut off.

  The length of the predetermined unit varies depending on the image size to be printed. For example, the length in the transport direction is 135 mm in the L size photograph, and the length in the transport direction is 297 mm in the A4 size. The cutter unit 6 cuts the sheet in page units in the case of single-sided printing, but may not cut depending on the contents of the print job. In the case of double-sided printing, the cutter unit 6 completes recording on the first surface (front surface) of the sheet, and before starting recording on the second surface (back surface), the sheet is transferred to a predetermined unit. The sheet is cut at a position where recording on the first surface (front surface) is completed without cutting in (for example, page units). Thereafter, recording on the second surface is started on the sheet, and the cutter unit 6 cuts the sheet on which recording on the second surface is completed in a predetermined unit.

  The predetermined unit includes, for example, an impression unit including a plurality of pages in addition to a page unit.

  In addition to the auto cutter 20, the apparatus 100 may be provided with a manual cutter 22 (22a to 22d) for a user to manually cut a sheet. The manual cutter 22 is used to cut a sheet and remove the sheet from the sheet conveyance path when a jam occurs and a sheet is jammed, and is manually operated by a user. A manual cutter 22 a is disposed between the decurling unit 2 and the skew correction unit 3. A manual cutter 22 b is disposed between the information recording unit 7 and the drying unit 8. A manual cutter 22 c is disposed between the drying unit 8, the reversing unit 9, and the discharge conveyance unit 10. A manual cutter 22d is disposed between the decurling unit 2 and the reversing unit 9. The manual cutter 22 is not limited to these. For example, the manual cutter 22 may be provided at a position different from the above four locations, and the quantity is not limited to this.

  The information recording unit 7 records print information (specific information such as a serial number and date) on the sheet. Between the cutter unit 6 and the information recording unit 7, for example, an edge sensor 21 that detects the leading end (downstream end portion) of the sheet cut by the cutter unit 6 is provided. For example, the information recording unit 7 records print information on the sheet based on the detection timing of the edge sensor 21.

  The drying unit 8 performs a drying process on the recorded sheet, and dries the applied ink in a short time. Specifically, for example, hot air is blown against the ink application surface of the sheet inside the drying unit 8. The method of drying treatment is not limited to the method using hot air, and a method of irradiating the sheet surface with electromagnetic waves (such as ultraviolet rays and infrared rays) and other known drying methods can be used.

  In the present specification, the sheet conveyance path from the sheet supply unit 1 to the drying unit 8 is referred to as a “first path”.

  In the case of performing double-sided printing, the reversing unit 9 reverses the front and back of a sheet that has been recorded on the first surface (front surface). Specifically, when performing double-sided printing, the continuous sheet recorded by the printing unit 4 is not cut into predetermined units by the cutter unit 6, and the reversing unit 9 temporarily winds the continuous sheet. Then, the front and back of the continuous sheet is reversed. Thereafter, the reversing unit 9 supplies the continuous sheet to the printing unit 4 again through the decurling unit 2 with the front and back sides thereof being reversed.

  Specifically, the reversing unit 9 includes a winding rotary body (drum) for winding the continuous sheet, and the continuous sheet that has been recorded on the first surface is temporarily transferred to the winding rotary body. Then, the winding rotary member is rotated in the reverse direction and conveyed to the printing unit 4 through the decurling unit 2. At this time, the continuous sheet is conveyed to the printing unit 4 in a state where the front and back sides are reversed before being wound, and the printing unit 4 performs recording on the second surface (back surface).

  In the present specification, the route from the drying unit 8 to the printing unit 4 via the decurling unit 2 is referred to as a “second route”.

  The discharge conveyance unit 10 conveys the sheet that has been cut by the cutter unit 6 and then dried by the drying unit 8 to the sorter unit 11. The sheet to be output from the apparatus 100 thus obtained is also referred to as “printed material”.

  The sorter unit 11 classifies the printed material based on a predetermined standard, and discharges the sheet from the corresponding discharge unit 12.

  In the present specification, the route from the discharge conveyance unit 10 to the sorter unit 11 is referred to as a “third route”.

  Between the first path, the second path, and the third path, the path switching having a movable flapper is performed to selectively convey the sheet that has passed through the first path to one of the second path and the third path. A mechanism is provided.

  A mark reader 18 is disposed between the skew correction unit 3 and the print unit 4. The mark reader 18 optically reads the reference mark recorded on the surface of the continuous sheet conveyed from the reversing unit 9. The mark reader 18 is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor, and includes a light source (for example, a white LED) that illuminates the surface of the sheet and an image sensor that detects light from the illuminated surface for each RGB component.

  FIG. 2 is a system block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the control unit 13 of the recording apparatus 100 described above. The control unit 13 performs recording control, specifically, controls each unit of the apparatus 100 to control the operation of the entire apparatus 100. The control unit 13 includes a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, HDD 204, image processing unit 207, engine control unit 208, unit control unit 209, external interface (I / F) 205, and operation unit 15. These units are connected by a system bus 210, and data or information is exchanged between the units as appropriate.

  The control unit 13 receives a print job from the host device 16 (a general-purpose or dedicated computer such as a personal computer, an image device such as a camera, or other terminals) via the external I / F 205, and based on the job Each unit of the apparatus 100 is controlled. The operation unit 15 is a user interface and may include an input unit such as a hard key or a touch panel and an output unit such as a display or a sound generator. The operation unit 15 displays information necessary for recording, such as the operation state of the apparatus 100, and the user can set necessary information using the operation unit 15.

  The CPU 201 (central processing unit) performs arithmetic processing for controlling the operation of each unit of the device 100. The ROM 202 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 201 and fixed data necessary for a recording operation by the apparatus 100. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and is also used as a temporary storage area for data such as recording data indicating an image to be recorded and setting information necessary for performing the recording. The HDD 204 (hard disk) stores the above-described program and data, and the program and data are read from the HDD 204.

  The image processing unit 207 performs image processing based on the set information. For example, the input image data is subjected to color conversion from a color space (for example, YCbCr) to a standard RGB color space (for example, sRGB). Generate data for output. In this image processing, resolution conversion, image analysis, image correction, and the like may be performed as necessary. The data obtained in this way is stored in the RAM 203 or the HDD 204.

  The engine control unit 208 controls the operation of the drive unit for driving each unit, and for example, performs drive control of the recording head 14 of the print unit 4 based on a control command from the CPU 201. In addition, the engine control unit 208 performs drive control of the transport mechanism of each unit inside the apparatus 100, for example.

  The unit control unit 209 includes a sheet supply unit 1, a decurling unit 2, a skew correction unit 3, an inspection unit 5, a cutter unit 6, an information recording unit 7, a drying unit 8, a reversing unit 9, a discharge conveyance unit 10, and a sorter unit 11. The units of the discharge unit 12 are controlled. For example, the operations of these units are controlled based on commands from the CPU 201.

  Of the above-described units, the units enclosed by broken lines (CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, HDD 204, image processing unit 207, engine control unit 208, and unit control unit 209) are referred to as “main control unit 13C”. The main control unit 13 </ b> C performs processing for controlling the recording operation based on the print job from the host device 16 and the setting information from the user input via the operation unit 15. In this configuration, the print job includes information for recording and recording data.

  All of the above processing may be performed by software, or a part or all of the processing may be performed by hardware.

  With reference to FIG. 3, a simplex printing mode and a duplex printing mode will be described as examples of operation modes of the recording apparatus 100.

  FIG. 3A illustrates the operation in the single-sided printing mode. In the drawing, a thick line in the sheet conveyance path indicates a sheet. The sheet supply unit 1 supplies a sheet to the sheet conveyance path, and the sheet is conveyed to the printing unit 4 via the decurling unit 2 and the skew correction unit 3. The printing unit 4 performs recording on the first surface (front surface) of the sheet. Specifically, the printing unit 4 sequentially forms unit images for one page or a plurality of pages on the sheet while conveying the sheet. A blank area is provided between adjacent unit images, and a cut pattern, for example, can be formed in the blank area.

  The sheet from the print unit 4 passes through the inspection unit 5, and is cut into unit images by the cutter 20 in response to the sensor 19 detecting the cut pattern in the cutter unit 6.

  The information recording unit 7 receives a sheet cut by the cutter unit 6 (hereinafter referred to as “cut sheet”), and print information (serial number or date) on the second surface (back surface), for example, as necessary. Record unique information). The cut sheets are conveyed one by one to the drying unit 8 and subjected to a drying process. The cut sheets subjected to the drying process in the drying unit 8 are then discharged from the discharge unit 12 via the discharge conveyance unit 10 and the sorter unit 11 and stacked.

  In addition, the sheet cut by the cutter unit 6 and remaining upstream (on the side of the print unit 4 or the like) from the cutter unit 6 is driven by driving the roll R1 or R2 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, Returned to the supply unit 1.

  As described above, in the single-sided printing mode, the sheet is processed through the first path and the third path described above, and does not pass through the second path.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the operation in the duplex printing mode. In the duplex printing mode, after the recording on the first surface (front surface) is completed, the recording on the second surface (back surface) is then performed. The double-sided printing mode is different from the above-described single-sided printing mode mainly in that the sheet on which recording on the front surface is completed is conveyed to the second path (that is, the path on the reversing unit 9 side). When recording on the first surface, the cutter unit 6 does not cut the sheet for each unit image, but cuts the sheet at the position where the recording on the first surface is completed. The sheet cut by the cutter unit 6 and remaining upstream from the cutter unit 6 is returned to the sheet supply unit 1.

  The reversing unit 9 temporarily winds the sheet, which has been recorded on the first surface and subjected to the drying process in the drying unit 8, using a winding rotary member. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed again from the drying unit 8 through the decurling unit 2 to the printing unit 4 and recording on the second surface of the sheet is performed. The sheet on which recording on the second surface has been completed is cut by the cutter unit 6 and then sequentially discharged from the discharge unit 12 in the same procedure as in the single-sided printing mode.

  As described above, in the duplex printing mode, the sheet is processed by passing through the first path, the second path, the first path, and the third path in the order described above.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the tray unit 301 constituting the sorter unit 11 and the discharge unit 12. In addition, in FIG. 3, the sorter part 11 and the discharge part 12 are simplified and shown conceptually. The tray unit 301 includes a plurality of stacking trays 302 to 305, sheet conveyance paths CP _MAIN and CP _SUB , a driving unit Udrv for conveying the sheet, and a plurality of sensors 306 and 307. Hereinafter, the “stack tray” is simply referred to as “tray”.

The printed matter that has passed through the sorter entrance ₃₀₁ is conveyed to one of the trays 302 to 305 determined by the main control unit 13C through the conveyance paths CP _MAIN and CP _SUB , and loaded on the determined tray. Is done.

  The tray 302 is a small tray group including a plurality of trays for stacking small-size printed materials. The tray 303 is a large tray group including a plurality of trays for stacking large-size printed materials. When the tray 302 cannot be used, it is possible to load small-sized printed materials on the tray 303 instead of the tray 302. The tray 304 is a tray for stacking a printed material having a size larger than that of the large-sized printed material. When the tray 303 cannot be used, it is possible to load a large size printed material on the tray 304 instead of the tray 303. The tray 305 is a tray for discarding unnecessary printed matter (such as a sheet on which an inspection pattern is formed).

  Note that the four types of trays 302 to 305 are illustrated here, but are not limited to these, and may be three types or less, or five or more types.

The conveyance path CP _MAIN is also called a “main line” and is a common path from the sorter entrance in ₃₀₁ to the conveyance path CP _SUB for conveyance to the tray 302 and the like. The conveyance path CP _SUB is also called a “branch line” and is a path from the conveyance path CP _MAIN to the tray 302 and the like, and is provided corresponding to each tray 302 and the like. A switching unit Usw is disposed between the transport path CP _MAIN and each transport path CP _SUB, and the printed material that has been transported is guided to one of the transport paths CP _MAIN and CP _SUB by the switching unit Usw. Hereinafter, the transport path CP _MAIN and the transport path CP _SUB may be collectively referred to as “transport path CP” in some cases.

The drive unit Udrv, for example, drives the transport mechanism of the transport path CP by a predetermined unit (shown by a broken line in the drawing) and transports the printed material on the transport path CP. The drive unit Udrv is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drive unit Udrv may be a structure for driving the transport mechanism separately for each transport path _{CP SUB,} it may be configured to drive the conveying mechanism between every adjacent conveying path _{CP SUB} of the conveying path _{CP MAIN.}

The sensors 306 are arranged at several locations on the transport path CP in the tray unit 301. The sensor 306 detects whether or not the printed material has passed through the conveyance path CP, or whether or not there is a printed material on the conveyance path CP. A printed matter conveyed to each of the trays 302 to 305 is detected by a sensor 306 provided in the conveyance path CP _sub . The sensor 307 is arranged corresponding to each of the trays 302 to 305 (hereinafter, each tray 302 and the like), and detects the presence or absence of printed matter on the corresponding tray.

  FIG. 5 is a flow of processing in which the CPU 201 loads a program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204 to the RAM 203 and executes it, and is a flowchart for explaining a method for measuring the quantity of printed matter on the tray 302 or the like. The measurement of the quantity is performed using the sensor 306, for example.

  In step S001 (hereinafter simply referred to as “S001”. The same applies to other steps), the sensor 306 detects whether the printed material has passed through the corresponding conveyance path CP. If the printed material has passed, the process proceeds to S002.

  In S002, 1 is added to the count value based on the detection result of the sensor 306. That is, it is determined that the printed matter is output to each tray 302 and the number of printed matter on the tray 302 and the like is increased by one.

  In each tray 302 and the like, an upper limit value of the number of printed materials that can be stacked is set in advance. The upper limit value of the number of printed materials that can be stacked may be set to the same value for each tray 302 or the like, or may be set for each tray 302 or the like. The recording apparatus 100 can notify the user so that the number of printed materials stacked on the tray 302 or the like does not exceed the upper limit value.

By the method described above, the number of sheets stacked on each tray 302 and the like is specified.
Here, the configuration in which the printed matter on each tray 302 or the like is detected by the sensor 306 is illustrated, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration. It may be done by other sensors provided.

  Hereinafter, in this specification, the measurement is referred to as “count”, and the quantity or measurement value measured by the measurement is referred to as “count value”. In addition, the upper limit value of the number of prints that can be stacked on each tray 302 or the like is referred to as a “load upper limit value”.

  With reference to FIG. 6, a first case in which printed matter is collected from a tray during a printing operation will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the recording apparatus 100 receives a print job J from the host apparatus 16 and outputs a plurality of printed materials p1 to p70 based on the print job J. That is, the print job J includes data of 70 printed materials p1 to p70. In the present embodiment, each print job is discharged to a different tray, and when the number of printed materials of one print job exceeds the stacking upper limit value of one tray, one job is discharged to a plurality of trays.

Here, the printed matter p1~p70 at least one tray 302 shall be outputted to (the "Tray 302 _1"), the maximum stack height of the tray 302 ₁ to 50.

(A) in FIG. 6, apparatus 100 has completed the recording of up prints p1~p40 receives print job J, and shows a state in which output the printed material p1~p40 the tray 302 _1. Prints p1~p40 is on the tray ₃₀₂₁ is stacked from the lower side (the tray 302 ₁ side) p1, p2, a ... a forward. User u (or operator) before the print quantity on the tray 302 ₁ reaches the tray 302 ₁ maximum stack height (50 sheets), recovering the printed matter p1~p40 that is the stacked from the tray 302 _1. In response to this, the count value of the tray 302 ₁ is initialized (cleared) (i.e., the count value to 0). Thus, device 100 continues, it is possible to output the remaining prints p41~70 tray 302 _1.

(B) in FIG. 6, apparatus 100 shows a state in which to complete the recording of the remaining prints P41～70, and outputs a printed material P41～70 the tray 302 _1. User u recovers prints p41~p70 that is the stacked from the tray 302 _1.

Note that user u, if not recovered prints p1~p40 that is the loading, the count value of the tray 302 ₁ is not initialized. Therefore, until the printed matter p1~p50 is output to tray 302 _1, the remaining prints p51~p70 are then output to another tray (for example, the tray 302 ₂ and tray 303 ₁ etc.).

This example is an example of outputting a printed material having a quantity larger than the upper limit of loading. User u is recovered divided prints twice, first collection is made during printing operations, this time, the count value of the tray 302 ₁ is initialized.

  Note that the user u can appropriately acquire the printed material output based on the print job for outputting a larger number of printed materials than the stacking upper limit value by collecting the printed materials collected each time.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a second case in which the printed material is collected from the tray during the printing operation will be described. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the apparatus 100 outputs a plurality of printed materials p1 and the like based on the print job J, as in FIG.

In this case, the user u, after part of the p1 such as a plurality of printed materials to the tray 302 ₁ is outputted, before the output of p1 such as a plurality of printed material based on the print job J is completed, said portion (here The printed materials p1 and p2) are collected. Then, the user u checks the quality or quality of the printed materials p1 and p2.

While the user u is confirmed workmanship or quality of the printed material p1 and p2, after subsequent prints p3 is outputted and stacked on the tray 302 _1. Thereafter, the user u returns the printed materials p1 and p2 to the tray 302 ₁ (for example, under the printed material p3) again.

Present case, user u, a portion of the plurality of substrates are temporarily withdrawn from the tray 302 ₁ To confirm the quality, etc., then returned to said portion to the tray 302 ₁ is the case that . Here, when the user u is temporarily recovered part of the printed material, the count value of the tray 302 ₁ is initialized, the tray 302 _1, printed matter larger quantity than maximum stack height is stacked End up.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in these first case and second case, the counter is cleared so that the printed matter discharged to the tray does not exceed the stacking upper limit value.

  A first reference example of count value initialization control will be described with reference to FIG.

  In S101, a sensor 307 arranged corresponding to each tray 302 or the like detects whether there is a printed matter on the corresponding tray. If the sensor 307 detects that there is no printed matter on the corresponding tray, the process proceeds to S102.

  In S102, it is determined that the printed material has been collected from the corresponding tray by the user u, and the count value is initialized. In S101, control may be performed so that the process proceeds to S102 when the original state (the state where the printed matter is present on the tray) is not returned for a predetermined time.

  In this reference example, since the count value is initialized in response to the collection of the printed material from the tray 302 or the like, if the printed material is returned to the tray 302 or the like again, as described above, the excess value is exceeded. There is a risk that subsequent printed matter may be output to the stacked tray 302 or the like.

  A second reference example of the count value initialization method will be described with reference to FIG.

  In S201, the sensor 306 arranged corresponding to the transport path CP detects whether the printed material has passed through the transport path CP. When the sensor 306 detects that the printed material has passed through the conveyance path CP, the process proceeds to S202.

  In S202, before the printed material that has passed through the conveyance path CP in S201 is output to each tray 302 or the like, the sensor 307 detects whether there is a printed material on the corresponding tray. If there is no printed material on the corresponding tray, the process proceeds to S203. If there is a printed material on the corresponding tray, the process proceeds to S204.

  In S203, the count value of the corresponding tray is initialized, and the process proceeds to S204.

  In S204, 1 is added to the count value of the corresponding tray.

  In this reference example, when the printed material passes through the conveyance path CP and there is no printed material on the corresponding tray, the count value of the corresponding tray is initialized. Further, when the printed material passes through the conveyance path CP and there is printed material on the corresponding tray, the count value of the corresponding tray is not initialized.

  Therefore, in this reference example, if the temporarily collected printed matter is returned to the corresponding tray before the succeeding printed matter passes the sensor 306, the succeeding printed matter is output to the overloaded tray 302 or the like. Can be avoided. However, if the temporarily collected printed matter is returned to the corresponding tray after the succeeding printed matter passes through the sensor 306, the succeeding printed matter may be output to the overloaded tray 302 or the like.

  Here, a first example of the count value initialization method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows a flow of processing in which the CPU 201 loads a program stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and executes it, and is a flowchart for explaining a first embodiment of the count value initialization method.

  In S301, it is determined whether or not the state where the printed matter is present on the corresponding tray is changed to the state where the printed matter is absent. If the sensor 307 detects that there is a printed material on the corresponding tray and then detects that there is no printed material, the process proceeds to S302.

In S302, the count value of the corresponding tray is compared with a predetermined parameter. This parameter is a parameter for executing initialization of the count value. Hereinafter, the parameter is referred to as “threshold value C _TH ”. The threshold value _CTH is a predetermined value smaller than the stacking upper limit value and is set in advance. The threshold value C _TH may be set by the user u, a fixed value may be set in advance in the apparatus, or may be set based on the user's past log information. Here, the count value of the corresponding tray is a value obtained by counting the number of printed materials detected by the sensor 306 described above.

In S302, the process proceeds to S303 when the count value is greater than the threshold _{C TH,} whereas, the process proceeds to S304 if the count value is equal to or less than the threshold value _{C TH.}

  In S303, the count value of the corresponding tray is initialized.

In S304, it is determined whether the output of the printed material based on the print job has been completed (whether all the printed materials have been output). When the output of the printed material is completed, the process proceeds to S303, and the count value of the corresponding tray is initialized. If the number of printed materials based on the print job is smaller than the threshold value C _{TH in the} first place, the output of printed materials is completed before the count value reaches the threshold value C _TH . In this case, the count value is initialized regardless of the magnitude relationship between the count value and the threshold value _CTH . The initialization may be performed in response to the printed matter being collected by the user u or the like.

  According to the first embodiment, the recording apparatus 100 can perform count value initialization control that can handle both the first case and the second case described above.

Here, assuming that the number of printed materials based on the input print job is 60, the stacking upper limit value of the corresponding tray is 50, and the threshold value C _TH is 9, several cases (Case 1 to Case 6) will be described below. .

Case 1 is a case where the printed material is temporarily collected from the corresponding tray when five printed materials are output to the corresponding tray. In case 1, since the count value (5) is smaller than the threshold value C _TH (9), the count value is not initialized. Therefore, even if the printed material is returned to the corresponding tray again, a total of 50 printed materials including the returned five printed materials are output to the corresponding tray, and then the remaining 10 sheets are output to the other trays. Printed material is output. Therefore, the user u obtains a total of 60 printed materials including 50 printed materials stacked on the corresponding tray and the remaining 10 printed materials output to the other trays.

Case 2 is a case where, when five printed materials are output to the corresponding tray, the printed materials are collected from the corresponding tray, and the printed materials are not returned to the corresponding tray again. In case 2, as in case 1, since the count value (5) is smaller than the threshold value C _TH (9), the count value is not initialized. Therefore, up to the 50th printed material is continuously output to the corresponding tray, and then the remaining 10 printed materials are output to the other trays. Therefore, the user u has a total of 60 printed materials including 5 printed materials already collected, 45 printed materials loaded in the corresponding tray, and the remaining 10 printed materials output to the other trays. obtain.

Case 3 is a case where, when 20 printed materials are output to the corresponding tray, the printed materials are collected from the corresponding tray, and the printed materials are not returned to the corresponding tray again. In case 3, since the count value (20) is larger than the threshold value C _TH (9), the count value is initialized. However, since the collected printed materials are not returned to the corresponding tray, the remaining 40 printed materials are output to the corresponding tray. Therefore, the user u obtains a total of 60 printed materials, that is, the 20 printed materials already collected and the 40 printed materials stacked on the corresponding tray.

In the case 4, when the five printed materials are output to the corresponding tray, the printed materials are collected from the corresponding tray. After that, when five more printed materials are output, the printed materials are recovered from the corresponding tray. This is the case where these printed materials are not returned to the corresponding tray again. At the time of the second collection, the count value (10) is larger than the threshold value C _TH (9), so the count value is initialized. However, since the collected printed materials are not returned to the corresponding tray, the remaining 50 printed materials are output to the corresponding tray. Therefore, the user u obtains a total of 60 printed materials including 10 printed materials already collected and 50 printed materials loaded on the corresponding tray.

  In the present embodiment, in the cases 1 to 4 described above, it is possible to suppress the number of printed materials exceeding the stacking upper limit value from being stacked on the tray.

Here, when the value of the threshold value C _TH is not an appropriate value (here, the threshold value C _TH is 9), as in the following case, a quantity of printed matter exceeding the stacking upper limit value is stacked on the corresponding tray. May be.

Case 5 is a case where the printed material is temporarily collected from the corresponding tray when 20 printed materials are output to the corresponding tray. In case 5, since the count value (20) is larger than the threshold value C _TH (9), the count value is initialized. Therefore, if the user u returns the printed material to the corresponding tray again, the number of printed materials exceeding the upper stack value is stacked on the corresponding tray.

In the case 6, when five printed materials are output to the corresponding tray, the printed materials are temporarily collected from the corresponding tray, and then when five more printed materials are output, the printed material is removed from the corresponding tray. This is the case when it is temporarily collected. In case 6, since the count value (10) is larger than the threshold value C _TH (9) in the second collection, the count value is initialized. Therefore, if the user u returns the collected 10 printed materials to the corresponding tray again, the number of printed materials exceeding the stacking upper limit value is loaded on the corresponding tray.

However, as described above, the threshold value C _TH is set in advance by the user u like, when the value of the threshold value C _TH is not a proper value may be set or changed threshold C _TH to an appropriate value. Here, as a case where the user collects a part of the printed material from the stacking tray and returns it, for example, the user u can confirm the quality and quality of the printed material by a part of the printed material. When one print job is printing of a plurality of copies, for example, the user u may check the first printed matter. If there are many such usage methods, a relatively large number of sheets may be taken out, so the threshold value C _TH may be set higher (in the case of case 5, the threshold value C _TH is set to 20 or more). Also, as in the case 6, the user is to check several times, even if often return prints, C _TH and may be set higher (in case 6, sets the threshold value C _TH 10 or more) .

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for setting the threshold value _CTH . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user u can set the threshold value C _TH with the above-described operation unit 15 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). A screen 1001 is an example of a display unit of the operation unit 15. The screen 1001 displays a part 1003 indicating the currently set threshold value C _TH and a part 1004 for changing the threshold value C _TH . For example, a message such as “Please set the initialization parameter for the count value” is displayed on the screen 1001 to prompt the user to set the threshold value C _TH . The user u can change the threshold value C _TH by operating the portion 1004. This operation may be performed by input using a keyboard or the like, or may be performed by input using a touch panel or the like. When the determination button is pressed, the threshold value _CTH is set. Note that the screen 1001 may be displayed at a predetermined timing (for example, before printing), or displayed when a user instruction for setting the threshold value C _TH is received from the operation unit 15 or the host device 16. You may make it do.

  As described above, according to the present example, the apparatus 100 can perform the count value initialization control that can handle both the first case and the second case described above.

In the first embodiment described above, the method of changing the threshold value C _TH for executing the initialization for the case 5 and the case 6 is exemplified, but other methods may be used.

  In the second embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 interrupts printing in progress when a printed material is loaded on the corresponding tray after the count value of the corresponding tray is initialized. Accordingly, even when the user u or the like returns the printed material to the corresponding tray after the count value of the corresponding tray is initialized, it is possible to avoid a situation where the printed material is output to the overloaded corresponding tray.

  For example, the apparatus 100 further includes detection means for detecting that a printed material is loaded from the outside on the tray 302 and the like, and stopping means for stopping (or interrupting) output of the printed material in response to the detection. .

  The detection means may be, for example, a sensor (laser sensor or the like) that detects a change in the quantity of printed matter on the tray 302 or the like, or a sensor (pressure-sensitive element) that detects a change in the weight of the printed matter on the tray 302 or the like. Etc.). Further, a sensor (infrared sensor or the like) that detects a user's operation of loading printed materials on the tray 302 or the like may be used.

  The apparatus 100 may further include a means for generating an alarm in place of the stop means or including the stop means.

  In the first embodiment described above, even when the count value is initialized, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the count value may be controlled to be canceled.

  In the third embodiment, after the printed material is collected by the user u during the printing operation and the count value is initialized, the printed value is returned to the tray 302 or the like again within a predetermined time. Initialization is canceled.

The predetermined time may be determined based on a threshold value C _TH for executing initialization. As described above, the threshold value _CTH is a predetermined value smaller than the stacking upper limit value, and is set in advance by the user u or the like. As the above-mentioned predetermined time, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the threshold value C _TH by a constant may be used. The determination as to whether or not the predetermined time has passed may be made using a measuring means such as a timer.

Accordingly, when the printed material is collected, even when the count value is initialized due to the unexpected reason of the user u, a situation in which the printed material is output to the overloaded tray 302 or the like can be avoided. Note that the reason for the unexpected is, for example, that the threshold value _CTH has been changed by another user, or that it is mistakenly collected by another user.

  Canceling the initialization of the count value may be performed, for example, by adding the count value at the time of collection to the count value when the printed material once collected is returned to the tray 302 or the like. The count value at the time when the printed material is collected may be held in, for example, the RAM 203 (see FIG. 2) at the time when the printed material is collected, and may be deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In order to detect that the printed material is loaded from the outside on the tray 302 or the like by the user u, the apparatus 100 may further include, for example, a detection unit similar to that of the second embodiment described above.

  The apparatus 100 may further include other detection means for detecting the user u who has collected the printed material. Thereby, for example, it is also possible to detect whether or not the user u who collected the printed material is the same as the user who loads the printed material on the tray 302 or the like. When another user different from the user u who collected the printed material stacks another printed material on the tray 302 or the like, the apparatus 100 may be configured to be able to interrupt printing that is being executed, or to generate an alarm. It may be possible to generate it.

  The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. In each of the above examples, the case where the recording apparatus 100 receives one print job has been described, but the same applies to the case where two or more print jobs are received. For example, when the cover and contents are output to the same tray 302 or the like and combined into one product, the cover and contents are different in size and type of paper, and different print jobs are used. May be managed. Therefore, when outputting the cover and the contents to one tray, the printed matter may be output to the same tray 302 or the like by a plurality of print jobs. The same applies to printing a plurality of copies in one print job (for example, outputting 40 copies of 30 pages per copy). In this way, the count value initialization control can be applied regardless of the number of jobs and the number of copies.

  Here, a tray selection method when executing printing based on a print job will be described. FIG. 12 shows a flow of processing in which the CPU 201 loads a program stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204 to the RAM 203 and executes it, and is a flowchart for explaining a method of selecting one from a plurality of trays 302 and the like. As described above (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), the printed material conveyed to the tray unit 301 is conveyed to one of the trays 302 to 305 determined by the main control unit 13C, for example, and is placed on the determined tray. Loaded.

  In S401, the sensors 306 and 307 are used to determine whether there is a usable tray among the trays 302 and the like. If there is a usable tray, one of them is selected and the process proceeds to S402. If there is no usable tray, the process proceeds to S405.

  The selected tray can be used based on a predetermined standard such as the size of the printed material among the trays 302 and the like. In addition, priorities may be set in advance for each tray 302 and the like, and when a plurality of trays 302 and the like can be used, a priority may be selected. Further, among the trays 302 and the like, the one having a count value of 0 (or one that has not reached the stacking upper limit value) may be preferentially selected.

  In S402, one printed material is output to the selected tray and 1 is added to the count value, and it is determined whether the output of the printed material based on the print job is completed (whether all printed materials are output). If the output of the printed material is not completed, the process proceeds to S403.

  In S403, it is determined whether or not the count value of the selected tray (the count value obtained by adding 1 in S402) has reached the stacking upper limit value. If the count value is equal to or greater than the stacking upper limit value, the process proceeds to S404. If the count value is smaller than the stacking upper limit value, the process returns to S402.

  In S404, it is determined that the selected tray has become unusable, another tray is newly selected, and the process returns to S402.

  In S405, it is assumed that all of the plurality of trays 302 and the like are unusable (tray full error), and waits until one of the trays becomes usable. Thereafter, when any tray becomes usable, the error is canceled and the process returns to S401.

  The method for selecting one from the plurality of trays 302 and the like is not limited to the above-described method, and a part of the method may be changed according to the function or the like, or another method may be used.

FIG. 13 is a flow of processing in which the CPU 201 loads a program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204 to the RAM 203 and executes the program. In order to explain a notification method to the user when the count value becomes larger than the threshold value C _TH. It is a flowchart of. As described above, when the printed matter after the count value is greater than the threshold C _TH from the tray 302 or the like is recovered, the count value of such the tray 302 is initialized.

In S501, the sensor 306 disposed corresponding to the conveying path _{CP SUB} is, prints the conveying path _{CP SUB} detects whether passed. When the sensor 306 detects that the printed material has passed through the transport path CP _SUB , the process proceeds to S502.

  In S502, 1 is added to the count value of the corresponding tray, and the process proceeds to S503.

In S503, the count value of the corresponding tray is compared with the threshold value _CTH . If the count value is larger than the threshold value _CTH , the process ends. If the count value is smaller, the process proceeds to S504.

  In step S504, the user u is notified that the count value of the corresponding tray is not initialized even if the printed matter is collected from the corresponding tray. The notification may be made, for example, by displaying that fact on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, or by turning on or blinking an LED or the like.

  An example of notification means for notifying the user of the state of the recording apparatus 100 (each tray 302, etc.) will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus 100 includes predetermined notification means, and notifies the user that the count value is initialized by collecting printed matter. Here, as an example of the notification method, an example of a display method by lighting or blinking of an LED is shown.

  Illumination of the green LED 1301 indicates that, for example, the output of printed matter to the tray 302 or the like has been completed. Further, the blinking of the green LED 1301 indicates that the printed matter is being output to the tray 302 or the like, for example.

  Illumination of the red LED 1302 indicates that, for example, a selection error has occurred in the tray 302 or the like. Further, the blinking of the red LED 1302 indicates that, for example, a printed matter cannot be output to the tray 302 or the like due to a jam or the like.

  The lighting of the orange LED 1303 indicates that, for example, the tray 302 or the like is a tray to which a printed matter based on a print job being executed is to be output. Thereby, even when the printed material is not stacked on the tray 302 or the like at that time, the user u can know that the printed material of another user is output to the tray 302 or the like thereafter. The blinking orange LED 1303 indicates that the tray corresponds to the print job selected by the user u on the user interface, for example. Accordingly, the user u can confirm to which tray of the tray 302 or the like the print job is assigned.

  Illumination of the blue LED 1304 indicates that, for example, an interrupt job is being executed. The lighting continues until the printed material is removed from the tray. For example, the blinking blue LED 1304 indicates that the count value is not initialized even when the printing unit is collected from the tray 302 or the like.

  Therefore, the user u temporarily collects the printed material from the tray 302 or the like while the blue LED 1304 is blinking, and after confirming the quality or the like, returns the printed material to the tray 302 or the like. It can be recognized that the counter is not cleared. On the other hand, when the blue LED 1304 is not blinking, the user u can recognize that the count value of the tray 302 and the like is initialized by collecting the printed matter.

  The display by simultaneous blinking (combo 1305) of the two to four color LEDs may be used for notifications other than the above. For example, you may make it use when notifying the user of the tray which should take out printed matter. Further, when the user u collects the printed matter from the tray 302 or the like, the LED corresponding to the collected tray is turned off.

  The display method by lighting or blinking of the LED is not limited to the above example, and each display may indicate another state. For example, the blinking of the blue LED 1304 does not indicate that the count value is not initialized even when the printing unit is collected from the tray 302 or the like, but the printed value is collected from the corresponding tray. You may make it show that it is initialized. Further, instead of the notification method and the notification means, a configuration of another notification method or other notification means may be adopted.

  The count control and count value initialization control described above may be performed by the main control unit 13C, or may be performed by a dedicated unit provided separately. In the above-described control method, a program (or software) that realizes the function of each unit of the recording apparatus 100 is read and executed by a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) via a network or a storage medium. It may be done by. Further, the program may be executed by one computer or may be executed in conjunction with a plurality of computers. Also, it is not necessary to implement all of the above processing by software, and part or all of the processing may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC. Further, the CPU is not limited to the one that performs all the processing by one CPU, and a plurality of CPUs may perform the processing while appropriately cooperating.

  In the above, the present invention has been described by exemplifying the configuration of a recording apparatus (or printing apparatus) that discharges a recording agent to a recording medium by an inkjet method, but the recording apparatus is not limited to the above-described one. . For example, the concept of the recording apparatus includes a single function printer having only a recording function and a multi-function printer having auxiliary functions (FAX function, scanner function, etc.) other than the recording function. The invention of the present application is for manufacturing not only an apparatus mainly for recording but also an apparatus having an auxiliary recording function, a color filter, an electronic device, an optical device, a microstructure, etc. by a predetermined recording method. It can also be applied to manufacturing equipment.

  Note that “recording” includes not only a record that forms significant information such as characters and figures but also a record in a broad sense regardless of significance. For example, “recording” does not have to be manifested so that humans can perceive it visually, and recording that forms an image, pattern, pattern, structure, etc. on a recording medium, or processing of the medium It can also include recording to be performed.

  In addition to “ink”, “recording agent” may include consumables used for recording. The “recording agent” is applied to the recording medium, for example, to be used for forming an image, a pattern, a pattern, etc., as well as processing of the recording medium and ink processing (for example, applying to the recording medium) It may also include a liquid that is subjected to solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink to be made. Further, the configuration may not be such that the ink is directly applied to the recording medium. For example, the recording may be performed by applying the ink to the intermediate transfer member and then transferring the ink to the recording medium. . In addition, a configuration for performing color recording using a plurality of types of inks may be omitted, and a configuration for performing monochrome recording using one type of ink (for example, black) may be used.

  In addition to paper used in general recording equipment, “recording medium” includes cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, resin, wood, leather, and the like that can accept recording agents. sell.

  12: discharge unit, 13: control unit, 13C: main control unit, 301: tray unit, 306: sensor, 307: sensor, CP: transport path.

Claims (12)

A measuring means for measuring the number of recording media output to the tray;
Specifying means for specifying the presence or absence of a recording medium in the tray;
Initialization means for initializing the number measured by the measurement means;
When it is determined by the specifying unit that there is no recording medium, it is determined whether or not to initialize the number measured by the initializing unit based on the value measured by the measuring unit and a predetermined threshold. A determination means;
With
When it is determined that the initialization is performed by the determination unit, the initialization unit initializes the measured number. The determining means initializes the number measured by the initializing means when the specifying means specifies that there is no recording medium and the value measured by the measuring means is larger than the predetermined threshold value. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is determined. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is preset by a user. 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit measures the number of recording media that have passed through a conveyance path to the tray. 5. There are a plurality of the trays,
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures the number of recording media output to each of the plurality of trays for each tray. The control apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a selection unit that selects a tray for outputting a recording medium from the plurality of trays based on a measurement value for each tray of the measurement unit. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the initialization unit initializes a measurement value of the measurement unit after printing based on a print job is completed. Detecting means for detecting that a recording medium is loaded from the outside on the tray;
When the detection unit detects that a recording medium is loaded from the outside after the measurement value of the measurement unit is initialized by the initialization unit, the output of the recording medium to the tray is stopped. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising stop means for stopping. Detecting means for detecting that a recording medium is loaded from the outside on the tray;
A second measuring means for measuring a time elapsed since the initialization when the measurement value of the measuring means is initialized by the initialization means;
When the detection unit detects that a recording medium is loaded from the outside before the time measured by the second measurement unit exceeds a predetermined time, the measurement unit at that time The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an adding unit that adds the measurement value of the measurement unit to the measurement value before being initialized. The control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that performs printing on the recording medium. A measurement process for measuring the number of recording media output to the tray;
A specifying step of specifying the presence or absence of a recording medium on the tray;
An initialization step of initializing the number measured in the measurement step;
When it is specified that there is no recording medium in the specifying step, it is determined whether or not to initialize the number measured in the initialization step based on the value measured in the measuring step and a predetermined threshold value. A determination step,
The control method characterized by initializing the measured number in the said initialization process, when it determines with initializing in the said determination process.   The program for functioning a computer as each means with which the control apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 10 is provided.

Images