JP2019084695A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a recording device that can shorten a time required for resuming without deterioration in ink discharging performance.SOLUTION: When a CPU (determination means) for determining whether a label exists or not in a recording position where a recording head 201 faces determines that another label exists before a detection sensor 207 for detecting a label to be recorded on a roll sheet 200 detects an objective label, a recording device performs a preliminary discharge operation of discharging ink from the recording head 201 to another label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus which ejects ink onto a recording medium to record.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus, the discharge port of the recording head that discharges the ink may dry up to cause the ink clogging. Therefore, when not discharging, it is moisturizing at the maintenance position. Further, when moving from the maintenance position for discharge, it is desirable to discharge quickly. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-101, the ink discharge performance is degraded when the timing when the target print sheet reaches the sheet detection sensor at the start of printing is delayed and the non-ejection time during which the recording head does not eject ink exceeds a predetermined time. Judge. At this time, conveyance of the sheet is stopped without starting printing, and the recording head is retracted to the maintenance position to recover the ink discharge performance.

JP, 2015-139917, A

  According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-112118, the recording head is retracted to the maintenance position until printing is resumed and then resumed, and then the recording performance is temporarily stopped to recover the ink ejection performance, and then the recording head is returned to the recording position. It takes a long time to resume

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of shortening the time required for resumption without reducing the ink ejection performance.

  A representative configuration of a recording apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a recording head for discharging ink, a conveying means for conveying a recording medium, and a conveyance direction of the recording medium with respect to the recording position of the recording head. A detection unit disposed upstream and detecting a recording area recorded on the recording medium; and a determination unit determining whether the recording area exists at a recording position facing the recording head. The preliminary ejection operation of ejecting the ink from the recording head to the other recording area when it is determined that the other recording area exists by the determination unit before the target recording area is detected by the detection unit. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time required for resumption without reducing the ink ejection performance.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the recording apparatus. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows each label position after printing the printing data for one page. (B) is a figure which shows each label position in the state which reverse-conveyed roll paper for a predetermined amount from the label position after printing shown by (a), and the position of the front-end | tip part of the target label was initialized. is there. (C) is a figure which shows each label position in the timing to which the front-end | tip part of the label for the purpose of forming an image next reaches the recording position which a recording head opposes, and image formation is started. (D) is a figure which shows each label position after printing the printing data for another page again, without a user cutting off the label after printing shown by (a). It is a flow chart explaining control operation of a recording device of a 2nd embodiment. It is a flow chart explaining control operation of a recording device of a 3rd embodiment.

  An embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
The configuration of the first embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

<Recording device>
The configuration of the recording apparatus 101 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a recording apparatus 101 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the printing apparatus 101. As shown in FIG.

<Transporting unit>
In the recording apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG. 1, roll paper 200 serving as a recording medium stored in a roll paper holder 103 is placed on a pair of conveyance rollers 206 a and 206 b. The transport rollers 206a and 206b are rotationally driven by a transport motor 308 as a drive source shown in FIG. The transport rollers 1 and 2 are also rotationally driven by the transport motor 308. As a result, the roll paper 200 delivered by the transport rollers 206a and 206b is nipped and transported by the transport rollers 1 and 2 and supplied into the main body of the recording apparatus 101.

  In the main body of the recording apparatus 101, the roll paper 200 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of an endless conveyance belt 204 rotatably supported by the conveyance rollers 203a and 203b, the pulley 4a of the encoder 4 and the pulley 6a of the motor 6. To be transported. The conveyance rollers 206 a and 206 b, the conveyance rollers 1 and 2, and the conveyance belt 204 are configured as conveyance means for conveying the roll paper 200.

  A recording head 201 held in the recording head unit 202 is provided at a position opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 204 on which the roll paper 200 is placed. The recording head 201 is configured to have a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. Below the transport belt 204, an ink cartridge 205 is provided. The ink cartridge 205 is connected to the recording head 201 by a flexible tube (not shown).

<Detection sensor>
A detection sensor on the downstream side (left side in FIG. 1) of the transport direction of the roll paper 200 with respect to the transport roller 203a stretching the transport belt 204 and on the upstream side (right side in FIG. 1) 207 are provided. A detection sensor 207 serving as a detection unit is disposed upstream of the recording position 701 of the recording head 201 in the conveyance direction of the roll paper 200 (recording medium), and is a label serving as a recording area stuck on a mount 200 a of the roll paper 200 It detects 703. The detection sensor 207 detects the presence or absence of the label 703 attached on the mount 200 a of the roll paper 200.

  The detection sensor 207 of the present embodiment is configured of a light transmission sensor that detects the amount of light passing through the roll paper 200 when light emitted from one side of the roll paper 200 is received by the other side. When the label 703 attached on the mount 200a of the roll paper 200 passes the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207, the position of the label 703 attached on the mount 200a is more light than the position of only the mount 200a. Transmittance decreases.

  When the light transmittance changes from high light transmittance to low light transmittance, it can be determined that the tip of the label 703 has passed. In addition to the light transmission sensor, a light reflection sensor can also be used. In this case, marking is made on the back surface of the backing sheet 200a at a position corresponding to the leading end of the label 703, and light emitted from the back surface of the backing sheet 200a is reflected on the marking to detect reflected light. It can be determined that it has passed.

  The roll paper 200 is set in the roll paper holder 103. Then, the roll paper 200 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Then, the detection sensor 207 detects the amount of light transmitted through the portion of the mount 200 a of the roll paper 200 and the portion of the label 703 attached onto the mount 200 a to sample the light transmittance. From the result, the light transmittance threshold value of each of the portion of the mount 200a and the portion of the label 703 attached onto the mount 200a is automatically calculated.

  On the other hand, based on the detection result of the encoder 4 provided on the conveyance belt 204, the label 703 b (target recording area) for the purpose of forming an image next and the other label 703 a (other recording area) It can be determined to be located at the detection position 702. Furthermore, based on the detection result by the detection sensor 207, it is possible to detect the passage of the tip portion 703b1 of the target label 703b.

<Control unit>
Next, the configuration of the control unit of the printing apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. A CPU (Central Processing Unit; central processing unit) 301 serving as control means shown in FIG. 2 is configured as a main controller that controls the entire recording apparatus 101. The CPU 301 is connected to a host computer 104 such as a personal computer and can exchange signals with each other.

  The CPU 301 is connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 in which a control program and the like are stored. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 used as a working memory is connected to the CPU 301. The CPU 301 operates the RAM 303 as a work memory in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302. Thus, it has a function as storage means for storing various data, a control means for controlling various data, and a function as setting means for changing the operation of the recording apparatus 101 based on setting data.

  A driver controller 306 is connected to the CPU 301. An image buffer memory 304 is connected to the driver controller 306. The image buffer memory 304 stores image data transmitted from the host computer 104 such as a personal computer via the CPU 301 and the driver controller 306. The head drive circuit 305 drives a heating element (not shown) built in the recording head 201 of each color.

  A driver controller 306 connected to the CPU 301 controls the head drive circuit 305 in accordance with the image data stored in the bitmap format of each color stored in the image buffer memory 304. As a result, the ink of each color is ejected from the recording head 201 of each color, and an image is recorded on the label 703 of the roll paper 200.

  A drive circuit 307 connected to the CPU 301 rotationally drives a transport motor 308 serving as a drive source provided in a transport unit that transports the roll paper 200. The drive circuit 307 is controlled by the CPU 301. The sensor circuit 309 connected to the CPU 301 performs various types of detection such as detection of the presence or absence of the label 703 by the detection sensor 207.

  The CPU 301 configures a determination unit that determines whether a label 703 (recording area) is present at the recording position 701 to which the recording head 201 faces. The space between the labels 703 stuck on the backing sheet 200 a of the roll paper 200 to be used is stored in advance as a data table in the RAM 303 as a storage unit. Further, the distance L1 on the conveyance path between the recording position 701 to which the recording head 201 faces and the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 is also stored in advance in the RAM 303 as a data table. Then, at the timing when the leading end of the label 703 is detected by the detection sensor 207, the CPU 301 can determine whether the label 703 (recording area) is present at the recording position 701 to which the recording head 201 faces.

  In the present embodiment, an example of the roll paper 200 in which a plurality of labels 703 are attached at regular intervals on a roll-like mount 200a is shown. In addition, roll paper in which a roll-like label is stuck on a roll-like backing sheet 200a, roll paper without backing sheet, etc. may be used. In that case, the CPU 301 can determine that the recording area where the recording head 201 is opposed always has a recording area in which the preliminary discharge can be performed. In the case where the backing sheet 200a itself is made of paper or the like that absorbs ink, even when preliminary ejection is possible on the backing sheet 200a, the CPU 301 can perform preliminary ejection at the recording position 701 to which the recording head 201 faces. It can be determined that the area always exists.

<Control action>
Next, the control operation of the printing apparatus 101 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of the printing apparatus 101 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing each label position after printing only one page of print data.

  In FIG. 4B, the roll paper 200 is reversely conveyed by a predetermined amount from the label position after printing shown in FIG. 4A, and the position of the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b is initialized. It is a figure which shows each label position. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing each label position at the timing when the leading end 703b1 of the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next reaches the recording position 701 to which the recording head 201 faces and image formation is started. It is. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing each label position after printing the print data for another page again without the user cutting off the label after printing shown in FIG. 4A.

  When printing is started in step S1 of FIG. 3, the CPU 301 receives the image data for image formation sent from the host computer 104 in step S2. In step S 3, the CPU 301 sets the preliminary ejection for refreshing the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201 to the maintenance position at which the recording head 201 retreats from the recording position 701 facing the roll paper 200 on the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt 204. Conduct in a certain state.

  Next, in step S4, the CPU 301 controls the elevation mechanism 3 to move the recording head 201 from the maintenance position to the recording position 701 facing the roll paper 200 on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 204. Next, in step S5, the CPU 301 detects the presence or absence of the label 703 based on the detection result of the detection sensor 207 before the start of the normal conveyance indicated by the arrow A direction in FIG. 1 of the roll paper 200.

  In step S5, when the label 703 is detected, the CPU 301 further downstream of the target label (target recording area) 703b for forming an image downstream in the normal conveyance direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4A. It is determined that the label (other recording area) 703a is connected. On the other hand, when the label 703 is not detected in step S5, the CPU 301 determines that the other label 703a is not connected downstream of the target label 703b in the normal conveyance direction shown by the arrow A direction in FIG. .

  The fact that the other label 703a is not connected downstream of the target label 703b in the positive conveyance direction may mean that the other label 703a on which the image has been formed may be peeled off from the backing sheet 200a of the roll paper 200. Alternatively, another label 703a on which an image has been formed may be cut upstream of the detection sensor 207 together with the mount 200a. Alternatively, there is a case where the roll paper 200 has not reached the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 just after the new roll paper 200 has been set in the roll paper holder 103.

  Alternatively, an error or the like occurs during conveyance of the roll paper 200 in the reverse direction opposite to the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A during the previous recording operation or before the recording operation, and the conveyance of the roll paper 200 is urgently stopped. There is a case.

  If the label 703 is detected in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6. The CPU 301 starts forward conveyance (hereinafter referred to as “forward conveyance”) of the roll paper 200 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A, and conveys the label 703 in the direction of the recording position 701 where the recording head 201 faces.

  Next, in step S7, the CPU 301 immediately after the start of the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A, onto the other label 703a downstream in the normal conveyance direction than the target label 703b. Start predischarge. That is, before the conveyance of the roll paper 200 (recording medium) is started by the conveyance belt 204 (conveying means), the judgment means (CPU 301) judges that another label 703a (another recording area) exists. In that case, the CPU 301 serving as the control unit discharges the ink from the recording head 201 onto another label 703a before the target label 703b (target recording area) is detected by the detection sensor 207 (detection unit). Start the predischarge operation.

  At this time, in the preliminary ejection operation, the recording head 201 can eject the ink that does not contribute to the image formation. In normal recording, a dark image is recorded by setting a long time for discharging the ink from the recording head 201 onto the label 703 (a large number of discharges). On the other hand, in the preliminary discharge, the time for discharging the ink from the recording head 201 onto the label 703 is set short (the number of times of discharge is reduced), and the discharge density is low and uniform. As a result, even if the preliminary ejection is performed on the image formed by the normal recording, the trace of the preliminary ejection can hardly be confirmed with the naked eye. In the present embodiment, preliminary ejection is not performed on an image on which a bar code, a photograph, or the like for which image quality must be maintained is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 301 is connected to an image data analysis unit 7 which is an image data analysis unit that analyzes image data formed on a label 703 (recording area). The CPU 301 doubles as determination means for determining whether or not the preliminary ejection operation can be performed on the label 703 with reference to the image data analyzed by the image data analysis unit 7.

  For example, when the image data formed on the label 703 includes image data such as a bar code or a picture that requires maintaining image quality, the CPU 301 determines that the label 703 can not be used for the preliminary ejection operation. If the image data formed on the label 703 does not include image data such as a bar code or a photo, the CPU 301 determines that the label 703 is capable of the preliminary ejection operation, and performs preliminary ejection on the label 703. Execute the action.

  Further, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the other label 703a (other recording area) is a label (recording area) to be discarded. For example, if an error occurs during the recording operation, the recording operation is interrupted, and then the CPU 301 determines that the image quality can not be maintained even if the recording operation is resumed although the error is eliminated, the CPU 301 displays another label 703a ( It is determined that the recording area is a label (recording area) to be discarded. When it is determined by the CPU 301 that the other label 703a (the other recording area) is a label (the recording area) to be discarded, the preliminary ejection operation is performed on the other label 703a (the other recording area).

  Each time the detection sensor 207 detects the label 703, the paper preliminary ejection on the other label 703a downstream in the positive conveyance direction than the target label 703b is performed. As a result, even if the detection of the front end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is delayed, the ink in the nozzles of the print head 201 is continuously refreshed. For this reason, the ink ejection performance of the recording head 201 does not deteriorate.

  Next, proceeding to step S8, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the front end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b has been detected by the detection sensor 207. In step S8, when the front end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is detected by the detection sensor 207, the process proceeds to step S9. The CPU 301 drives and controls the transport motor 308 via the drive circuit 307 shown in FIG. 2 to rotationally drive the transport belt 204 and transport rollers 206a, 206b, 1 and 2 as transport means. Then, the roll paper 200 is positively conveyed by a distance L1 between the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 on the conveyance path of the roll paper 200 shown in FIG. 4A and the recording position 701 of the recording head 201.

  That is, in step S8, detection of the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b by the detection sensor 207 is awaited, and the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b reaches the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207. Then, in step S9, the roll paper 200 is conveyed in the normal direction until the target label 703b for which the leading end 703b1 has been detected reaches the recording position 701 directly below the recording head 201. The transport amount of the roll paper 200 at this time is calculated based on the amount of rotation of the transport motor 308 and the amount of rotation detected by the encoder 4 provided with the pulley 4a that stretches the transport belt 204 shown in FIG. can do.

  When the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b reaches the recording position 701 immediately below the recording head 201 in step S9, the process proceeds to step S10. The CPU 301 controls the recording head 201 via a head drive circuit 305 shown in FIG. Further, the CPU 301 drives and controls the conveyance motor 308 via the drive circuit 307 to rotationally drive the conveyance belt 204 and the conveyance rollers 206 a, 206 b and 1, 2. Then, ink is ejected from the recording head 201 according to the image information to start image formation on the target label 703 b.

  At this time, the roll paper 200 is in the state shown in FIG. At the same time, in step S11, the CPU 301 controls the recording head 201 via the head drive circuit 305 shown in FIG. 2 to stop the paper preliminary ejection. At this time, since the ink is ejected from the recording head 201 and the image is formed on the target label 703b, the ink in the nozzle is continuously refreshed.

  However, the ink ejection performance from the recording head 201 may be degraded even during the image formation on the target label 703b. For example, it is a case of printing a plurality of labels of variable image data simultaneously. The variable image data is used while sharing the reference image data and printing while replacing only the image data of the variable part. In the case of variable image data, since the nozzle to be used is different for each label 703, when trying to use a nozzle whose unused period is long, the discharge performance of the nozzle may be degraded. In such a case, paper preliminary discharge may be performed to discharge ink not contributing to image formation from unused nozzles even during image formation, and paper preliminary discharge may be stopped simultaneously with image formation.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 4B, before the conveyance of the roll paper 200 by the conveyance belt 204 (conveying means) is started, another label 703 a (another recording area) is detected by the detection sensor 207 (detection means). To detect. In that case, the roll paper 200 (recording medium) is conveyed by the conveyance belt 204 or the like, and the direction of the recording head 201 by the distance L1 between the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 on the conveyance path and the recording position 701 of the recording head 201 Transport to After that, before the target label 703 b (target recording area) is detected by the detection sensor 207, the preliminary ejection operation can be started for the other label 703 a.

  Next, in step S12, the CPU 301 determines whether the image data has been exhausted from the image buffer memory 304 or not. Image data transmitted from the host computer 104 shown in FIG. 2 is also received during printing, stored in the image buffer memory 304, and printed on the label 703 conveyed continuously. Then, the image data that has been printed on the label 703 is deleted from the image buffer memory 304.

  In step S12, when the image data from the image buffer memory 304 is exhausted, the process proceeds to step S13. The CPU 301 stops the image forming operation for discharging the ink from the recording head 201, and proceeds to step S14, and the CPU 301 stops the conveyance of the roll paper 200 at the position shown in FIG. At this time, the roll paper 200 is in the state shown in FIG. Next, in step S15, the CPU 301 controls the lift mechanism 3 to move the recording head 201 from the recording position 701 to the maintenance position. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S16, and the printing operation by the recording apparatus 101 is completed.

  In step S5, when the label 703 is not detected, the CPU 301 determines that the other label 703a is not connected downstream of the target label 703b. If the other label 703a is not connected downstream of the target label 703b, the paper preliminary discharge to the other label 703a can not be performed. For this reason, before the detection sensor 207 detects the leading end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b, it is not possible to start paper surface preliminary ejection for another label downstream on the downstream side.

  Therefore, the process proceeds to step S17, and the CPU 301 drives and controls the transport motor 308 via the drive circuit 307 to rotationally drive the transport belt 204 and the transport rollers 206a, 206b, and 1, and thereby the roll paper 200 is shown in FIG. Forward conveyance is started in the direction of arrow A in a).

  Next, in step S18, the CPU 301 performs preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 before printing in step S3 to refresh the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201. It is determined whether an ink non-ejection time (ejection time interval) which is an elapsed time after refreshing at that time has passed a predetermined time or more set in advance. Connected to the CPU 301 is a timer 8 which is measurement means for measuring a non-ejection time during which the recording head 201 does not eject ink.

  In step S18, if the non-ink ejection time of the recording head 201 is less than the predetermined time set in advance, the process proceeds to step S19 and the CPU 301 determines whether or not the detection sensor 207 detects the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b. Determine if In step S19, when the front end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is detected by the detection sensor 207, the process proceeds to step S9.

  The CPU 301 drives and controls the transport motor 308 via the drive circuit 307 shown in FIG. 2 to rotationally drive the transport belt 204 and the transport rollers 206a, 206b, 1 and 2. Then, the roll paper 200 is positively conveyed by a distance L1 between the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 on the conveyance path of the roll paper 200 shown in FIG. 4A and the recording position 701 of the recording head 201.

  In step S19, when the detection sensor 207 does not detect the tip end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b, the process returns to step S18. If it is determined in step S18 that the ink non-ejection time of the recording head 201 has passed a predetermined time or more, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In steps S18 and S19, the CPU 301 monitors whether the ink non-ejection time of the recording head 201 has elapsed in advance for a predetermined time or more and the ink ejection performance of the recording head 201 is degraded. At the same time, the detection of the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b by the detection sensor 207 is awaited.

  In step S18, monitoring is performed until the non-ink ejection time of the recording head 201 has passed a predetermined time or more set in advance. Then, before the non-ink discharge time of the recording head 201 elapses in advance for a predetermined time or more, the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b is detected by the detection sensor 207 in step S19. In that case, the process returns to step S9, and the roll paper 200 is positively transported in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A by a predetermined distance L1, and then image formation is started in step S10.

  In step S18, when the non-ink discharge time of the recording head 201 has passed a predetermined time or more and the ink discharge performance discharged from the recording head 201 is lowered, the process proceeds to step S20. Then, the recording head 201 is moved to the maintenance position, and the ink discharge surface of the recording head 201 is covered with a cap to perform recovery processing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S21, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the position of the tip end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is initialized.

  The conveyance of the roll paper 200 (recording medium) is started by the conveyance belt 204 (conveying means). Before that, it is considered that the detection sensor 207 can not detect another label 703 (another recording area). In that case, the roll paper 200 is transported by the transport belt 204, and an initialization operation is performed to move the target label 703b (target recording area) to the predetermined position shown in FIG. 4B.

  That is, the CPU 301 determines whether the detection sensor 207 has detected the tip end 703b1 of the target label 703b. When the leading end 703 b 1 of the target label 703 b is detected by the detection sensor 207, the CPU 301 stops the conveyance of the roll paper 200 at the position shown in FIG.

  In step S20, the CPU 301 controls the elevation mechanism 3 to move the recording head 201 from the recording position 701 to the maintenance position. After that, in step S21, the CPU 301 reversely rotates the transport motor 308 via the drive circuit 307 to reversely rotate the transport rollers 206a and 206b and the transport belt 204, and the roll paper 200 is an arrow A in FIG. Start reverse transport in the direction opposite to the direction. As a result, the label 703 is conveyed in the opposite direction to that in printing.

  Next, the CPU 301 determines whether the detection sensor 207 has detected the tip end 703b1 of the target label 703b. When the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b is detected by the detection sensor 207, the CPU 301 adds the roll paper 200 to the distance L3 between the labels 703 and the distance L4 for the spot diameter of the detection sensor 207 (= L3 + L4) Transport only backwards. Thereafter, the CPU 301 stops reverse conveyance of the roll paper 200. At this time, the roll paper 200 is stopped in the state shown in FIG.

  The position of the target label 703b (target recording area) shown in FIG. 4B is initialized to a predetermined position on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the roll paper 200 (recording medium) than the detection sensor 207 (detection means). Ru.

  Thereafter, the conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started by the conveyance belt 204 (conveying means). As shown in FIG. 4B, the position of the target label 703b before the start of conveyance is indicated by the CPU 301 (determination means) upstream of the detection direction of the roll paper 200 (recording medium) than the detection sensor 207 (detection means). It is determined whether it is a predetermined position in the vicinity. Then, when it is determined by the CPU 301 that the target label 703b is at a position other than the predetermined position shown in FIG. 4B, the other label 703 is detected before the target label 703b is detected by the detection sensor 207. Perform preliminary discharge operation.

  After the end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is reversely conveyed to the upstream position in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A than the detection sensor 207 by reverse conveyance of the roll paper 200, as shown in FIG. Stop 200 reverse transport. Thereafter, the process returns to step S3, and after the recording head 201 is moved to the maintenance position, preliminary discharge for refreshing ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201 is performed.

  In step S17, the front end 703b1 of the target label 703b is detected by the detection sensor 207 during forward conveyance of the roll paper 200, and the front end 703b1 of the target label 703b is detected by the detection sensor 207 during reverse conveyance of the roll paper 200. Do. At this time, the detection sensor 207 detects the same tip 703 b 1 of the label 703 b for the same purpose.

  In step S21, as shown in FIG. 4B, after the position of the tip end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is initialized, the tip end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b corresponds to that of the detection sensor 207 shown in FIG. It is located near the upstream in the direction of arrow A. Therefore, in step S18, the ink non-ejection time of the recording head 201 is less than the predetermined time, and in step S19, the time until the detection sensor 207 detects the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b shown in FIG. Become.

  As a result, in step S18, the ink non-ejection time of the recording head 201 does not elapse for a predetermined time or more, and the process does not proceed from step S18 to step S20, and can proceed from step S18 to step S19 through step S19. In step S18, the predetermined time for determining the non-ink ejection time of the recording head 201 is a fixed value stored in advance in the ROM 302.

  Further, the temperature and the humidity in the main body of the recording apparatus 101 affect the decrease in the ink discharge performance of the recording head 201. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the temperature and humidity are acquired by the temperature and humidity sensor 5 provided in the main body of the recording apparatus 101 shown in FIG. From the acquired temperature and humidity, a predetermined time (threshold) for determining the non-ink discharge time of the recording head 201 is obtained. An ink non-ejection time calculation table in which such a predetermined time (threshold value) is set may be stored in the ROM 302 in advance.

  Alternatively, the predetermined time (threshold) for determining the non-ink discharge time of the recording head 201 from the temperature and the humidity acquired by the temperature and humidity sensor 5 may be determined by arithmetic. In step S18, when the ink non-ejection time measured by the timer 8 (measuring means) has passed a predetermined time, the preliminary ejection operation may be started for another label 703.

<Label position>
Next, the position of the label 703 conveyed by the recording apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the position of the label 703 conveyed by the recording apparatus 101 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the position of each label 703 after printing when only print data for one page is printed on the other label 703a. In FIG. 4A, since only one page is printed on the other label 703a, the labels 703 upstream in the transport direction than the other label 703a are not printed. The printed other label 703 a is discharged to the outside of the machine than the discharge position 700 of the recording device 101. The user can cut off the other labels 703 a using a cutting line or the like formed on the backing sheet 200 a between the labels 703.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the other label 703a on which the image is formed by discharging the ink from the recording head 201 is temporarily moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A than the discharge position 700 of the recording apparatus 101. It is transported to the downstream. At this time, the middle point 200a1 on the mount 200a of another label 703a on which an image has been formed and a target label 703b which is located immediately after the other label 703a and which is located upstream in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Consider When the middle point 200a1 reaches the discharge position 700, the normal conveyance in the arrow A direction in FIG. 4A is stopped.

  In FIG. 4B, the roll paper 200 is reversely conveyed by a predetermined amount from the position of the other label 703a after printing shown in FIG. 4A, and the position of the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b is initially set. It is a figure which shows the state which changed. At this time, the distance L2 between the discharge position 700 on the transport path of the roll paper 200 and the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 is considered. Further, half (L3 / 2) of the distance L3 between the labels 703 on the transport path of the roll paper 200 is taken into consideration. The reverse conveyance amount of the roll paper 200 is the sum of the distances L2 and L3 / 2 and the distance L4 for the spot diameter of the detection sensor 207 (= L2 + (L3 / 2) + L4).

  The distance L4 for the spot diameter of the detection sensor 207 of this embodiment is 3 mm. Further, the distance L3 between the labels 703 is taken as distance information between the labels 703 received together with the image data from the host computer 104.

  The distance L2 between the discharge position 700 on the transport path of the roll paper 200 and the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 is taken into consideration. The roll paper 200 shown in FIG. 4A is reversely conveyed by a distance L2 or more in the direction opposite to the normal conveyance direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A). The purpose is to detect another label 703a downstream in the positive conveyance direction than the target label 703b shown in FIG. 4B by the detection sensor 207 in step S5 of FIG. Further, the position of the tip end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b shown in FIG. 4 (b) is the position after initialization.

  The detection sensor 207 detects the tip end 703b1 of the target label 703b shown in FIG. 4 (b). Thereafter, the roll paper 200 is reversely conveyed by the total of the distance L3 between the labels 703 and the distance L4 for the spot diameter of the detection sensor 207 (= L3 + L4). Thereafter, the reverse transport is stopped. As a result, the roll paper 200 is at the position where the leading end 703 b 1 of the target label 703 b shown in FIG. 4B is initialized.

  When printing starts at the label position shown in FIG. 4 (b), another label 703a after printing is detected by the detection sensor 207 in step S5, and the process proceeds to step S6. The sheet is positively transported in the direction of arrow A in (a). Thereafter, in step S7, the paper preliminary ejection from the print head 201 is started for the other label 703a after printing.

  In FIG. 4C, the label position of the roll paper 200 at the timing when the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b reaches the recording position 701 to which the recording head 201 faces and image formation is started in step S10 of FIG. Indicates FIG. 4D shows the label position of the roll paper 200 at the timing when the normal conveyance is stopped in step S14 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4D, after printing of the target label 703b is finished, the target label 703b becomes another label 703a at the time of next printing, and the label 703c immediately after that becomes the next image. It becomes the label 703b for the purpose of forming.

  According to the present embodiment, after releasing the cap (not shown) covering the ink ejection surface of the recording head 201, it is considered that the time required to start the image formation is longer than a predetermined time. Even in this case, the image forming operation can be quickly performed without reducing the ink ejection performance of the recording head 201 without performing the recovery operation for covering the ink ejection surface of the recording head 201 with the cap to recover the ink ejection performance again. Can be started.

  Also, at the time of image formation start, before the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image reaches the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207, ink is ejected from the recording head 201 to another label 703a to perform paper preliminary ejection. I do. As a result, the ink ejection performance of the recording head 201 is not reduced. Further, by avoiding the temporary interruption of printing and conveyance, it is possible to complete printing in a short time since interruption of printing and conveyance and time required for resuming printing and conveyance become unnecessary.

Second Embodiment
Next, the configuration of a second embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals even if they are different, and the description will be omitted. Steps S31 and S32 in FIG. 5 are the same as steps S1 and S2 in FIG. Steps S34 and S35 in FIG. 5 are the same as steps S3 and S4 in FIG. 3, and steps S36 to S46 in FIG. 5 are the same as steps S6 to S16 in FIG. .

  In the recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, after the preliminary discharge before printing is performed with the recording head 201 at the maintenance position in step S3 of FIG. 3, the position of the recording head 201 is set to FIG. Move to the recording position 701 shown in a). Thereafter, in step S5, the detection sensor 207 determines the presence / absence of another label 703a located downstream in the positive conveyance direction with respect to the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next.

  In the recording apparatus 101 of the present embodiment, the CPU 301 receives the image data to be subjected to image formation sent from the host computer 104 in step S32 of FIG. Thereafter, in step S33, the detection sensor 207 determines the presence / absence of another label 703a located downstream in the positive conveyance direction with respect to the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next.

  In step S33, the detection sensor 207 detects another label 703a located downstream in the positive conveyance direction from the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next. Then, the process proceeds to step S34, the preliminary ejection of the ink is performed from the recording head 201 at the maintenance position before printing to refresh the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201, and then the process proceeds to step S35. Then, after the recording head 201 is moved to the recording position 701, in step S36, the roll paper 200 is positively conveyed.

  In step S33 in FIG. 5, as in step S5 in FIG. 3, the detection sensor 207 detects the presence or absence of another label 703a located downstream in the normal conveyance direction of the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next. Here, in step S33, it is considered that the other label 703a located downstream in the normal conveyance direction from the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image can not be detected.

  In that case, the other label 703a is not connected downstream in the normal transport direction of the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next. For this reason, it is not possible to perform preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703a before detecting the leading end 703b1 of the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next. Therefore, it is not possible to start paper surface preliminary ejection for refreshing the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201.

  Therefore, in step S33, when the other label 703a can not be detected, the process proceeds to step S47 in FIG. 5, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the position of the tip 703b1 of the target label 703b is initialized. . At this time, the recording head 201 is in the maintenance position. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S48 to perform preliminary discharge before printing, and then proceeds to step S49 to move the recording head 201 to the recording position 701. In step S50, the forward conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started. Go to

  After the position of the end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is initialized in step S47 of FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. 4B, the end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b is detected by the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207. In the normal transport direction and in the vicinity of.

  Therefore, in step S38, the time until the detection sensor 207 detects the tip end 703b1 of the target label 703b is shortened. As a result, it is not necessary to perform preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703a before detecting the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b. For this reason, the ink ejection performance of the recording head 201 does not deteriorate even if the paper surface preliminary ejection for refreshing the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201 is not performed. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained.

Third Embodiment
Next, the configuration of a third embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that components configured in the same manner as the above-described embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals or the same member names even if the reference symbols are different, and the description will be omitted. Steps S61 to S66 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S1 to S6 in FIG. Further, steps S68 to S77 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S7 to S16 in FIG. 3. Further, steps S65, S78 to S80, and S70 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S5, S17 to S19, and S9 in FIG. Further, steps S79, S81, S82, and S63 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S18, S20, S21, and S3 in FIG. Therefore, duplicate explanations are omitted.

  In the recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, in step S5, the detection sensor 207 detects another label 703a located downstream in the positive conveyance direction with respect to the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next. In that case, the process proceeds to step S6, and the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started. Then, in step S7, the paper preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 to the other label 703a is started.

  In the recording apparatus 101 of the present embodiment, after the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started in step S66, the process proceeds to step S67, and the CPU 301 detects ON / OFF of a sheet position determination flag not shown. If it is determined in step S67 that the sheet position determination flag (not shown) is OFF, the process proceeds to step S68. Then, the CPU 301 starts paper surface preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection of ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703 a.

  On the other hand, if the sheet position determination flag (not shown) is ON at step S67, the process proceeds to step S69. Then, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the detection sensor 207 detects the leading end 703 b 1 of the label 703 b for the purpose of forming an image next.

  In step S69, when the detection sensor 207 detects the leading end 703b1 of the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next, the process proceeds to step S70. Then, the CPU 301 drives and controls the transport motor 308 via the drive circuit 307 shown in FIG. 2 to rotationally drive the transport belt 204 and the transport rollers 206a, 206b, 1 and 2. Then, the roll paper 200 is conveyed forward by the distance L1 (the distance) between the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 on the conveyance path of the roll paper 200 shown in FIG. 4A and the recording position 701 of the recording head 201. Do.

  In step S67, the case where the sheet position determination flag (not shown) is ON is considered. In that case, as shown in FIG. 4B, if the roll paper 200 is located at a position where the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b can be detected in a short time by the CPU 301 as shown in FIG. It can be determined before the start. Therefore, in this case, step S68 is omitted, and the paper preliminary ejection for performing the preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 to the other label 703a is not started.

  In step S67 of FIG. 6, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the data of a sheet position determination flag (not shown) stored in the RAM 303 serving as storage means is OFF. If it is determined in step S67 that the sheet position determination flag is OFF, the process advances to step S68, and the CPU 301 starts paper surface preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection of ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703a. If it is determined in step S67 that the sheet position determination flag is not OFF, the process proceeds to step S69, and paper preliminary ejection for performing preliminary ejection of ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703a in step S68 is not started.

<Paper position confirmation flag>
Next, the sheet position determination flag will be described. The sheet position determination flag is set to ON if at least one of the following conditions (1-1) and (1-2) is satisfied.

  (1-1) As shown in FIG. 4B, when initializing the position of the tip end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b.

  (1-2) When carrying out reverse conveyance before printing.

  If the sheet position determination flag is ON, the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b is at the position shown in FIG. 4 (b). Therefore, in step S66, after the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started, the leading end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b can be detected by the detection sensor 207 in a short time. For this reason, the paper preliminary ejection for performing the preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 to the other label 703 a is not necessary.

  In addition, the sheet position determination flag is turned OFF if at least one of the following conditions (2-1) to (2-3) is satisfied.

  (2-1) When an error or the like occurs during conveyance operation of the roll paper 200 including during printing, and conveyance of the roll paper 200 is urgently stopped.

  (2-2) When the user moves the position of the roll paper 200 by pulling the roll paper 200 or the like.

  (2-3) When the main body of the recording apparatus 101 or the transport path of the roll paper holder 103 is released in order to exchange the roll paper 200 and to perform jam processing of the roll paper 200.

  If the sheet position flag is OFF, the position of the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b is unknown. Therefore, in step S66, there is a case where the leading end 703b1 of the target label 703b can not be detected in a short time by the detection sensor 207 after the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started. Therefore, the ink non-ejection time, which is the elapsed time from the preliminary discharge of the ink from the recording head 201 at the maintenance position before printing and the refreshing of the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201, has passed a predetermined time or more set in advance. there's a possibility that. Therefore, in step S68, paper preliminary ejection is required to perform preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703a.

  In condition (2-2), the CPU 301 constantly monitors the detection result of the encoder 4 shown in FIG. 1, and when the encoder 4 is rotationally driven even though the conveyance motor 308 shown in FIG. 2 is not rotationally driven, It is determined that the position of the roll paper 200 has been moved by user operation. The position of the roll sheet 200 is changed by the user operation, and the CPU 301 determines that the target label 703b (target recording area) is outside the predetermined position shown in FIG. 4B. In that case, the preliminary ejection operation is performed on another label 703 before the target label 703 b is detected by the detection sensor 207 (detection means). The other configuration is configured in the same manner as each of the above-described embodiments, and the same effect can be obtained.

[Other embodiments]
Next, another embodiment will be described. In the recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, in step S5 shown in FIG. 3, the detection sensor 207 detects another label 703a located downstream in the normal conveyance direction than the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next. Thereafter, in step S6, normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started. Immediately after that, in step S7, the preliminary ejection of the ink is performed from the recording head 201 to the other label 703a with respect to the other label 703a located downstream in the positive conveyance direction than the label 703b for the next image formation. Paper preliminary discharge was started.

  However, there is no proof that the other label 703 a is present at the recording position 701 directly below the recording head 201 downstream in the positive conveyance direction than the label 703 b for the purpose of forming an image next. Therefore, in step S5 shown in FIG. 3, the detection sensor 207 may not be able to detect another label 703a. At that time, while the roll paper 200 is monitored by the encoder 4 and the detection sensor 207, the roll paper 200 is conveyed forward by the distance L1 between the detection position 702 of the detection sensor 207 and the recording position 701 of the recording head 201. . In the meantime, the detection sensor 207 can detect the label 703. Thereafter, the paper preliminary ejection may be started to perform preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 to the label 703.

  Further, in the recording apparatus 101 of the first embodiment, the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started in step S6 shown in FIG. Immediately after that, in step S7, preliminary ejection of ink from the recording head 201 is performed on another label 703a located downstream in the positive conveyance direction with respect to the label 703b for the purpose of forming an image next. Thus, the paper preliminary ejection for refreshing the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 201 has been started.

  However, immediately after the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started, the ink non-ejection time of the recording head 201 has not elapsed for a predetermined time or more, so the ink ejection performance of the recording head 201 is not degraded.

  Therefore, it is considered that the detection sensor 207 can not detect the leading end portion 703b1 of the target label 703b even if the non-ink ejection time of the recording head 201 has passed a predetermined time or more. In that case, the paper preliminary ejection may be started in which the preliminary ejection of the ink is performed from the recording head 201 to the other label 703 a with respect to the other label 703 a positioned downstream of the target label 703 b in the positive conveyance direction. .

  Further, in the recording apparatus 101 of the first embodiment, the ink is ejected from the recording head 201 to the target label 703b in step S10 of FIG. 3 to start the image forming operation. At the same time, at the timing of step S11 in FIG. 3, the preliminary ejection of the ink is performed from the recording head 201 to the other label 703a with respect to the other label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the normal conveyance direction. The preliminary ejection operation was stopped.

  That is, there is a possibility that preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head 201 is performed also on the backing sheet 200 a between the target label 703 b and the other label 703 a.

  However, depending on the material of the backing sheet 200 a, the ink may not be fixed, and the transport path may be soiled by the ink pre-discharged from the recording head 201. Therefore, the timing at which the rear end 703a2 of the other label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the normal conveyance direction passes the recording position 701 directly below the recording head 201 is considered. At this timing, the paper preliminary ejection may be stopped, in which preliminary ejection of the ink is performed from the recording head 201 to the other label 703a with respect to the other label 703a.

  Alternatively, the timing before the trailing end 703a2 of another label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the normal conveyance direction passes the recording position 701 immediately below the recording head 201 is considered. At this timing, the paper preliminary ejection may be stopped, in which preliminary ejection of the ink is performed from the recording head 201 to the other label 703a with respect to the other label 703a. By stopping the paper preliminary ejection at such timing, the paper preliminary ejection is not performed on the mount 200 a.

  Further, in the recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, in step S5 of FIG. 3, the detection sensor 207 detects another label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the positive conveyance direction. Thereafter, in step S6, the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started. Immediately after that, in step S7, paper preliminary ejection is performed to perform preliminary ejection of ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the normal conveyance direction. It was

  However, an error occurs during the previous printing, that is, while printing on another label 703a located downstream in the normal conveyance direction than the target label 703b. Alternatively, an external print stop instruction is received. Then, the roll paper 200 is stopped. At that time, the paper preliminary ejection may be started for another label 703 a located downstream in the normal conveyance direction of the target label 703 b only when resuming after printing is interrupted.

  An error occurs during the recording operation on the label 703 (recording area) or the conveyance operation of the roll paper 200 (recording medium). Alternatively, an emergency stop command from the outside is received. Thus, the transport operation of the roll paper 200 is stopped. In that case, the CPU 301 determines that the target label 703b (target recording area) is at a position other than the predetermined position shown in FIG. 4 (b).

  The interruption of the printing means that the image formation on another label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the positive conveyance direction is not completed, and it becomes an unnecessary label of the printing defect. Therefore, there is no problem even if the image quality of the other label 703a is lowered by the paper preliminary ejection.

  Further, in the recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, in step S5 of FIG. 3, the detection sensor 207 detects another label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the positive conveyance direction. Thereafter, in step S6, the normal conveyance of the roll paper 200 is started. Immediately after that, in step S7, paper preliminary ejection is performed to perform preliminary ejection of ink from the recording head 201 to another label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the normal conveyance direction. It was

  However, an image formed on another label 703a located downstream of the target label 703b in the positive conveyance direction considers an image in which the image quality may be deteriorated due to the paper preliminary ejection. Only in the case of the image, the paper preliminary ejection may be started with respect to another label 703 a positioned downstream in the normal conveyance direction than the target label 703 b.

  Generally, in the case of a picture or a bar code image, the image quality is degraded when the paper preliminary ejection is performed. Therefore, when a photograph or a bar code is printed on another label 703a located on the downstream side of the target label 703b in the positive conveyance direction, it is not preferable to perform paper preliminary ejection on the other label 703a.

  Therefore, mode selection information capable of selecting the image quality priority mode or the speed priority mode is added to the image data. Then, only when the image data recorded on the other label 703a positioned downstream of the target label 703b in the positive conveyance direction is in the speed priority mode, the paper preliminary ejection may be started for the other label 703a. . Even if the paper preliminary ejection is performed on the image printed on the other label 703a in the speed priority mode, the image quality is not affected. The low-resolution image in the speed priority mode is rough in its original image, and the image not containing a photograph or a bar code generally does not require high image quality. Therefore, the paper preliminary ejection may be performed on the image printed on the other label 703a.

  Further, the image data analysis unit 7 analyzes whether the image data received from the host computer 104 includes picture data or bar code data. Then, the paper preliminary ejection may be started for the other label 703a only when these data are not included. If the image printed on the other label 703a is not a photograph or a bar code image, even if the paper preliminary discharge is performed on the other label 703a, there is no problem in the image quality.

  Alternatively, the resolution of the image data received from the host computer 104 is analyzed by the image data analysis unit 7. Then, only in the case of low-resolution image data, paper preliminary ejection may be started for another label 703a. Even if a low resolution image is printed on the other label 703a, the image quality may not be impaired even if the paper preliminary ejection is performed on the other label 703a.

200: Roll paper (recording medium)
201 ... recording head 207 ... detection sensor (detection means)
301 ... CPU (determination means, second and third determination means)
701 ... recording position 703 ... label (recording area)
703a ... other labels (other recording areas)
703b: Target label (target recording area)

Claims (11)

A recording head that ejects ink;
Transport means for transporting the recording medium;
A detection unit disposed upstream of the recording position of the recording head in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and detecting a recording area recorded on the recording medium;
A determination unit that determines whether the recording area exists at a recording position facing the recording head;
Have
The preliminary ejection operation of ejecting the ink from the recording head to the other recording area when it is determined that the other recording area exists by the determination unit before the target recording area is detected by the detection unit. A recording apparatus characterized by performing.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary ejection operation ejects ink not contributing to image formation from the recording head. The determination unit determines whether the other recording area is a recording area to be discarded.
The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the preliminary ejection operation is performed when the determination unit determines that the other recording area is a recording area to be discarded. In order to discharge the ink from the recording head and perform recording in the target recording area, the position of the target recording area before the conveyance of the recording medium is started by the transport unit is more than the detection unit is the recording medium A second determination unit that determines whether or not the predetermined position is on the upstream side in the transport direction of
If it is determined by the second determination unit that the target recording area is outside the predetermined position, the preliminary ejection operation may be performed before the target recording area is detected by the detection unit. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:   When the position of the recording medium is changed by the user and the second determination unit determines that the target recording area is other than the predetermined position, the target recording area is detected by the detection unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the preliminary ejection operation is performed before.   The second determination unit generates an error during recording on the recording area or during conveyance of the recording medium, or receives an emergency stop command from the outside, and conveys the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein it is determined that the target recording area is other than the predetermined position when the recording medium is stopped.   If it is determined that the other recording area is present by the determination unit before the conveyance unit starts the conveyance of the recording medium, the detection unit detects the target recording area by the detection unit. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the preliminary ejection operation is started.   Before the conveyance of the recording medium is started by the conveyance means, when the other recording area is detected by the detection means, the recording medium is detected by the conveyance means, the detection means and the recording head on the conveyance path 8. The preliminary ejection operation is started before the target recording area is detected by the detection means after being transported in the direction of the recording head by the distance between The recording device according to any one of the items.   If the recording unit can not detect the other recording area by the detection unit before the conveyance unit starts conveying the recording medium, the conveyance unit conveys the recording medium to set the target recording area to the predetermined recording region. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein an initialization operation for moving to the position of is performed. It has a measuring means for measuring a non-ejection time during which the recording head does not eject ink.
The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the preliminary ejection operation is started when the non-ejection time measured by the measuring unit becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Image data analysis means for analyzing image data formed in the recording area;
A third determination unit that determines whether the preliminary ejection operation is possible in the recording area with reference to the image data analyzed by the image data analysis unit;
Have
The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the preliminary ejection operation is performed when the third determination unit determines that the preliminary ejection operation is possible.

Images