JP3925148B2

JP3925148B2 - Image recording device

Info

Publication number: JP3925148B2
Application number: JP2001318370A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 豊明菅谷
Original assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
Current assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
Priority date: 2001-10-16
Filing date: 2001-10-16
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-16
Also published as: JP2003118939A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、画像記録媒体の種別や特性を検知することができる画像記録装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
コンピュータなどの出力装置として、インクを吐出して記録媒体に画像を記録するインクジェット方式の画像記録装置が知られている。このインクジェット方式の画像記録装置では、記録媒体に画像を記録する方法として、搬送手段により記録媒体を搬送しながら、記録ヘッドからインクを吐出して記録媒体に画像を記録する。
【０００３】
インクジェット画像記録装置に用いる記録媒体は、所定の大きさになっているカット紙や芯材に巻かれたロール紙などがある。記録媒体は、用途に応じて多種多様なものが存在している。例としては、表面に特殊コーティングをしたもの、フィルムをベースにしたもの、光沢処理をしたものなどがある。
【０００４】
インクジェット画像記録装置では、多種多様な記録媒体に対して高画質の記録を行うために、記録媒体の種別や特性に応じてインクの吐出量を増減させたり、紙の厚さにより記録ヘッドの位置を移動させたり、記録媒体の搬送量などを変えたりしている。
【０００５】
上記のような画像記録装置は、記録画像を高画質で記録するためには、記録媒体の種別や特性を正確に入力する必要がある。そこで、ユーザーが記録媒体の情報を識別して入力したり、画像記録装置に記録媒体の情報を検知するために特殊な光学式センサや赤外線センサなどを用いたりしている。
【０００６】
画像記録装置で記録媒体の種別や特性を検知するため、記録媒体の種別や特性を表す情報として、ロール状記録媒体の場合には、ロール状記録媒体の芯材にバーコード等の光学情報を設けておき、これを画像記録装置側に設けたセンサで読取る方法が知られている。
【０００７】
また、特開２０００−３１３５５８に記載の実施例では、ロール状記録媒体の芯材のバーコードより記録媒体に関する情報と初期量を読み取り、使用量計測手段で計測した使用量を初期量から減算することで残量を算出している。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
これらの従来方法では、バーコード等の光学情報を円筒状の芯材の端面に設けるため、比較的肉厚の厚い芯材を用いる必要があり、また、バーコード等の比較的複雑な情報を印刷、または、シール貼付等の方法で設けるため、コストアップの要因となっている。また、バーコード等の比較的複雑な情報を読み取るため、センサも分解能の比較的高いものを用いる必要があり、センサもコストアップの要因となっている。さらに、芯材の端面に設けられた光学情報が読み取り可能な位置にセンサを配置する必要があり、部品配置の自由度が低く、装置の操作性が低下したり大型化してしまうという問題があった。
【０００９】
また、初期量から使用量を減算することにより残量を計算しているため、一度、使用量や残量に関する情報が失われてしまうと、残量が分からなくなってしまうという問題もあった。さらに、複数の記録媒体を交互に使用したり、１つの記録媒体を複数の画像記録装置で交互に使用すると、画像記録装置に記憶している使用量や残量に関する情報が実際の値と食い違ってしまい、残量が正しく検知できないという問題もあった。
【００１０】
本発明の目的は、記録媒体の種別や特性、残量を簡便な方法で低コストで正確に検知できる、画像記録媒体及び画像記録装置の提供にある。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の発明は、画像記録媒体を支持するものであって、コードマークが設けられた記録媒体支持部材と、該記録媒体支持部材上に設けられたコードマークを読み取るコードマーク読み取り手段と、該記録媒体支持部材に支持された記録媒体を保持する記録媒体保持部と、該記録媒体保持部から記録媒体を搬送する記録媒体搬送手段と、該搬送手段により搬送された記録媒体に画像を記録する記録ヘッドを持つ画像記録装置において、前記記録媒体支持部材は、前記画像記録媒体の芯材端部の記録媒体の種別、または、特性に応じた形状上の特徴に対応する特徴を有し、前記記録媒体支持部材上のコードマークは、前記芯材端部の形状上の特徴に対応したコードマークであり、前記コードマーク読み取り手段で読み取った情報から、記録媒体の種別、または、特性を検知することを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項２記載の発明は、前記支持部材は、中間部の鍔部を挟んで対向する一対の柱状部を有し、各柱状部には異なる特徴形状を設け、前記鍔部の表裏面には異なる特徴のコードマークが設けられていることを特徴とする。
【００１４】
請求項３記載の発明は、画像記録媒体を巻回保持する芯材両端に設けられた記録媒体の種別、または、特性に応じた一対の形状上の特徴に係合する係合部と画像記録媒体の特徴を情報として表わしたコードマークとをそれぞれ有する一対の支持部材上に設けられたコードマークをそれぞれ読み取る一対のコードマーク読み取り手段と、該支持部材に支持された記録媒体を保持する記録媒体保持部と、前記記録媒体保持部から記録媒体を搬送する記録媒体搬送手投と、該搬送手投により搬送された記録媒体に画像を記録する記録ヘッドとを有する画像記録装置において、記録媒体記搬送手段による記録媒体の搬送量と、一対のコードマーク読み取り手段で読み取った情報の情報読み取り周期との関係から記録媒体の残量を算出する記録媒体残量算出部とを有することを特徴とする。
【００１６】
請求項４記載の発明は、画像記録媒体に対して記録ヘッドにより画像の記録を行う画像記録装置であって、前記画像記録媒体を巻回保持する芯材の両端に係合する一対の支持部材と、該一対の支持部材上に設けられたマークを各々検知する一対のマーク検知手段と、該一対のマーク検知手段からのマーク検知信号をもとに画像記録媒体の種別または特性を判別する画像記録媒体判別手段を有し、前記一対の支持部材は、前記芯材の両端に設けられた一対の形状上の特徴に係合する形状上の特徴を持つと共に、前記支持部材上のマークは該形状上の特徴より所定の位置に設けられており、画像記録媒体判別手段は、一対のマーク探知手段より入力されるマーク検知信号のタイミングにより前記芯材の両端に設けられた一対の形状上の特徴の位置を検出して画像記録媒体の種別または特性を判別することを特徴とする。
【００１７】
請求項５記載の発明は、画像記録媒体に対して記録ヘッドにより画像の記録を行う画像記録装置に用いられる画像記録媒体判別方法であって、前記画像記録装置は、前記画像記録媒体を巻回保持する芯材の両端に係合する一対の支持部材と、該一対の支持部材上に設けられたマークを各々検知する一対のマーク検知手段と、該一対のマーク検知手段からのマーク検知信号をもとに画像記録媒体の種別または特性を判別する画像記録媒体判別手段を有し、前記一対の支持部材は、前記芯材の両端に設けられた一対の形状上の特徴に係合する形状上の特徴を持つと共に、前記支持部材上のマークは該形状上の特徴より所定の位置に設けられており、画像記録媒体判別手段は、一対のマーク探知手段より入力されるマーク検知信号のタイミングにより前記芯材の両端に設けられた一対の形状上の特徴の位置を検出して画像記録媒体の種別または特性を判別することを特徴とする。
【００１８】
請求項６記載の発明は、記録媒体搬送手段を有し、さらに該記録媒体搬送手段による記録媒体搬送量と前記一対のマーク検知手段によるマーク検知周期との関係から記録媒体の残量を算出する記録媒体残量算出部とを有することを特徴とする。
【００２１】
請求項７記載の発明は、前記芯材に設けられた特徴は凹凸部であることを特徴とする。
【００２２】
請求項８記載の発明は、前記芯材に設けられた特徴は切り欠きであることを特徴とする。
【００２３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。図１は、本発明にかかる画像記録媒体の実施例を示すものである。図１（ａ）は、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２に記録媒体６の種別や特性を表す形状上の特徴となる被係合部として切り欠き１２ａを設けている。記録媒体支持部材２２は、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両側に用いられ、図示している記録媒体支持部材２２は、前記切り欠き１２ａと係合するために用いられるもので、中央に鍔部２６を設け、両側に筒状体２４，２５を形成し、筒状体２５にロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の切り欠き１２ａと係合する係合部として、凸部２５ａを設けている。ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の切り欠き１２ａと記録媒体支持部材２５の凸部２５ａが係合するように、矢印の方向へ挿入する。
【００２４】
図１（ｂ）は、記録媒体６の情報であるコードマーク２３の例を示している。コードマーク２３は、記録媒体支持部材２２の鍔部２６の前記凸部２５ａが設けられている側とは反対側に設けられている。記録媒体支持部２２は、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の切り欠き１２ａに係合するようになっているために、係合する記録媒体６毎の情報を記録することができる。スタートマーク２３ａは、コードマーク２３を読み取ったときに記録媒体６の情報の始まり位置を表す記号である。
【００２５】
図２は、図１の他の実施形態を示している。この例では、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の被係合部として、内方に凸出する凸部１２ｂを設けている。記録媒体支持部材２２は、係合する側の筒状体２５の係合部に芯材１２の凸部１２ｂに対応して凹部２５ｂを設けている。
【００２６】
図３は、さらに他の実施形態を示している。この例では、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の被係合部として、内面に凹部１２ｃを設けている。記録媒体支持部材２２は、係合する側の簡状体２５の係合部に芯材１２の凹部１２ｃに対応して凸部２５ｃを設けている。
【００２７】
図４は、ロール状記録媒体１を画像記録装置の保持部２に保持したときの概略を示している。図４（ａ）は、ロール状記録媒体１を保持部２で保持したときにコードマーク読み取り手段３側から見たときの図である。図４（ｂ）は、ロール状記録媒体１を保持部２で保持したときに側面から見たときの図である。ロール状記録媒体１は、記録媒体支持部材２２を芯材１２の両側に取り付けて画像記録装置に保持する。このとき、芯材１２の切り欠き１２ａがある側に用いる記録媒体支持部材２２は、芯材１２の切り欠き１２ａに係合させる係合部が設けられたものを用いる。コードマーク読み取り手段３は、ロール状記録媒体１が画像記録装置の保持部２に保持されている状態で、記録媒体支持部材２２に記録されているコードマーク２３を読み取れる位置に取り付けられている。
【００２８】
上記したように、画像記録装置では、ロール状記録媒体１を保持してコードマーク読み取り手段３によりコードマーク２３を読み取る。コードマーク２３は、記録媒体６に関する情報が記録されている。これにより、画像記録装置では、ロール状記録媒体１に巻回されている記録媒体６の種別や特性を検知している。
【００２９】
図５は、画像記録装置の実施形態の概略構成図を示している。ロール状記録媒体１は、記録媒体支持部材２２を取り付け、記録媒体保持部２に保持される。コードマーク読み取り手段３は、ロール状記録媒体１が画像記録装置に保持された状態で、コードマーク２３を正確に読み取れる位置に設置する。
【００３０】
記録媒体６は、モーターに接続された搬送用ローラ１０と従動ローラ１１で搬送され、記録ヘッド４によって画像を記録し、記録媒体カッター７で所定の大きさにカットされて、排紙トレイ２７に画像が記録された記録媒体６が排紙される。
【００３１】
記録画像は、画像データ入力部１８より入力され、色階調変換部１９と誤差拡散処理部２０で処理をされて、ヘッドドライバ２１を介して記録ヘッド４に送られ、記録媒体６に画像記録する。
【００３２】
制御部８は、コードマーク読み取り手段３からの情報を基に、記録画像が高画質になるように、色階調変換部１９、誤差拡散処理部２０、ヘッドドライバ２１を制御し、記録媒体６の搬送量をモータードライバ１６で制御し、図示をしてない手段によって記録ヘッド４の制御もしている。また、ドライバ９を制御することで記録媒体を所定の大きさにカットする。さらに、表示部１５に、必要とする情報を表示させる。
【００３３】
画像記録装置では、コードマーク読み取り手段３で読み取ったコードマーク２３の情報を制御部８に送る。制御部８では、受け取った情報が記録媒体６に関する情報なので、記録媒体６の種別や特性を検知する。この情報を基に制御部８は、画像記録装置の色階調変換部１９、誤差拡散処理部２０、ヘッドドライバ２１、モータードライバ１６、ドライバ９を制御して、記録媒体６に記録する画像が高画質と成るように制御する。
【００３４】
図６は、図１の芯材１２に記録媒体Ａを巻回した状態を示している。
【００３５】
図７は、記録媒体６が図６とは異なった特性の記録媒体Ｂを巻回した係合部、被係合部の形状を示している。ロール状記録媒体１に巻回されている記録媒体６の種別や特性が、記録媒体Ｂのとき、芯材１２の被係合部には、切り欠きが２個設けられている。記録媒体支持部材２２−Ｂの係合部は、凸部を２個設けている。
【００３６】
記録媒体Ｂに係合する記録媒体支持部材２２−Ｂには、記録媒体Ａに係合する記録媒体支持部材２２−Ａとは異なるコードマークが設けられているので、画像記録装置は保持されている記録媒体の種別や特性を正しく検知することができる。
【００３７】
このように、ロール状記録媒体１に巻回している記録媒体６の種別や特性が異なると、芯材１２の被係合部を異ならせたものになる。従って、種別や特性の異なる記録媒体６が何種類かある場合に、記録媒体支持部材２２は、記録媒体６の種類に応じた数量が必要となる。
【００３８】
図８は、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２に被係合部を設けた例を図示している。図８（ａ）は、記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体Ａとした時の被係合部として、芯材１２の内方に凸出する１個の凸部を設けている。図８（ｂ）は、記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体Ｂとした時の被係合部として、芯材１２の内方に凸出する２個の凸部を設けている。
【００３９】
図９は、１つの記録媒体支持部材２２に２つの係合部を設けた例を図示している。図９は、前記図８の（ａ）、（ｂ）に兼用できる記録媒体支持部材２２の形状を示すものであり、鍔部２６を挟んで図示左側は記録媒体Ａ用、右側は記録媒体Ｂ用とするもので、左側には１個の凹部を設け、右側には２個の凹部を設けて、鍔部２６の左面には記録媒体Ｂの情報であるコードマーク２３を記録し、右面には記録媒体Ａの情報であるコードマーク２３を記録している。
【００４０】
図１０は、図９の記録媒体支持部材２２を用いて画像記録装置にロール状記録媒体１を保持したときを示すもので、図１０（ａ）は図８（ａ）の記録媒体Ａのときに記録媒体支持部材２２を用いて画像記録装置の記録媒体支持部２に保持している状態で、図１０（ｂ）は図８（ｂ）の記録媒体Ｂのときに記録媒体支持部材２２を用いて画像記録装置の記録媒体支持部２に保持している状態を示している。画像記録装置では、記録媒体６に関する情報を記録しているコードマーク２３を、コードマーク読み取り手段３で読み取るため、図９の様に記録媒体６に関する情報が記録されていることにより、それぞれの記録媒体６（記録媒体Ａ、記録媒体Ｂ）の種別や特性の情報を読み取り、保持しているロール状記録媒体１に巻回されている記録媒体６を検知する。
【００４１】
先の例では、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の被係合部毎に対応した記録媒体支持部材２２を使用している。この例では、１つの記録媒体支持部材２２が、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２に設けられている被係合部と係合する係合部を２種類持たせている。従って、記録媒体支持部材２２は、１つで２種類の被係合部に用いられるために使用する数を減らすことができ、コストダウンや記録媒体支持部材２２の保管場所の軽減や紛失等の問題防止になる。
【００４２】
また、１つの記録媒体支持部材２２で２種類の係合部を示しているが、これに限らず、１つの記録媒体支持部材２２で数種類の係合部を持たせても良い。これにより、記録媒体支持部材２２の使用する数量がさらに減らせるため、更なるコストダウンや保管場所の軽減や紛失等の問題防止になる。
【００４３】
図１１は、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両側に被係合部を設け、この両側の被係合部に角度差をつけた実施例を示している。図１１（ａ）では、記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体Ａのときに、芯材１２の両側に切り欠きを設け、この切り欠きに角度差をつけていない状態を示している。図１１（ｂ）では、記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体３のときに、芯材１２の両側に切り欠きを設け、この切り欠きに角度差１８０度つけた状態を示している。図１１（ｃ）は、マーク２３ａの位置が、記録媒体支持部材２２の芯材１２の被係合部に係合する係合部（凸部）に対応した位置に設定されていることを示している。
【００４４】
このように、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両側に被係合部を設け、さらに、この被係合部に角度差を設けることで、記録媒体６の種別や特性に関する情報を増やすことが可能になり、より詳細な記録媒体６の種別や特性に関する情報を提供することができる。
【００４５】
図１２は、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両側に被係合部を設けたときの画像記録装置の概略実施例を示している。ロール状記録媒体１は、芯材１２の両側に切り欠きが設けられており、この両側の切り欠きに係合する記録媒体支持部材２２ａ、２２ｂを両側に取り付け、画像記録装置の記録媒体保持部２に保持する。マーク読み取り手段３ａ、３ｂは、ロール状記録媒体１両側の記録媒体６に関する情報を読み取るために、ロール状記録媒体１が画像記録装置に保持されている状態でロール状記録媒体１の両側に設けている。
【００４６】
図１３は、ロール状記録媒体１の両側の記録媒体６に関する情報を両側のマーク読み取り手段３ａ、３ｂから読み取った結果の例を示す。図１３（ａ）は、図１１（ａ）の記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体Ａの場合で、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２両側の切り欠きに角度差が付いていないときの、マーク読み取り手段３ａ、３ｂでマーク２３を読み取ったときの結果である。図１３（ｂ）は、図１１（ｂ）の記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体Ｂの場合で、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２両側の切り欠きに１８０度の角度差が付いているときの、マーク読み取り手段３ａ、３ｂでマーク２３を読み取ったときの結果である。
【００４７】
図１１（ｃ）に示したように、マーク２３ａは、記録媒体支持部材２２で決められた位置に記録されているため、両側に用いる記録媒体支持部材２２のマーク２３ａの位置を確認することで、芯材１２の被係合部の角度差が検知できる。図１３（ａ）の場合は、マーク読み取り手投３ａ，３ｂで読み取った結果のマーク２３ａの位置は、同じ位置であるため、芯材１２の切り欠きに角度差がないと検知できている。すなわち、画像記録装置では、ロール状記録媒体１が図１１（ａ）の記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体Ａと検知している。
【００４８】
また、図１３（ｂ）の場合は、マーク読み取り手投３ａ，３ｂで読み取った結果のマーク２３ａの位置は、マーク読み取り手段３ａのマーク２３ａの位置より、マーク読み取り手段２３ｂのマーク２３ａが半周期ずれた位置であるため、芯材１２の切り欠きの角度差が１８０度と検知できている。すなわち、画像記録装置では、ロール状記録媒体１が図１１（ｂ）の記録媒体６の種別や特性が記録媒体Ｂと検知している。
【００４９】
このように、記録媒体６に関する情報は、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両端に被係合部を設けて、記録媒体支持部材２２でマーク２３ａ位置を明確に設定して、画像記録装置においてマーク２３ａの位置関係を検知することで、芯材１２の片側にのみ被係合部を設けたときに比べて、記録媒体６に関する情報量を増やすことができる。
【００５０】
次に、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両側の被係合部に角度差をつける利用例について述べる。
【００５１】
記録媒体６に関する特性として、インク吸収量が単位面積あたりＣ［ｍｌ／ｍ^２］のとき、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両側につける被係合部の角度差θ［ｄｅｇ］は、θ＝５Ｃ［ｄｅｇ］と定義する。例えば、記録媒体６の単位面積あたりのインク吸収量が１８［ｍｌ／ｍ^２］とすると、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２両側の被係合部につける角度差θは９０度となる。
【００５２】
このとき、画像記録装置では、マーク読み取り手段３ａ、３ｂより記録媒体６のマーク２３を読み取った結果、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の被係合部についている角度差が９０度と検知すると、記録媒体６に関する特性として、記録媒体６の単位面積あたりのインク吸収量が１８［ｍｌ／ｍ^２］であると検知できる。
【００５３】
他の利用例として、表１に示すように、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２につける被係合部の角度差は、あらかじめ角度差を設定して記録媒体６の種別や特性を詳細に定義する。この例では、表１に示したとおり、あらかじめ芯材１２の被係合部につける角度差は、記録媒体６の面質、厚み、インク吸収量による記録媒体６の特性に合わせて情報内容の定義しておく。例えば、ロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２両側の被係合部につける角度差が９０度のとき、記録媒体６の種別や特性は、表１に示したように、記録媒体６の面質は光沢、厚みは２００［μｍ］以上、単位面積あたりのインク吸収量が２５［ｍｌ／ｍ^２］未満の物と定義する。
【００５４】
また、画像記録装置では、マーク読み取り手段３ａ、３ｂより記録媒体６のマーク２３ａを読み取った結果、芯材１２両側の被係合部に角度差が９０度ついていると検知すると、使用するロール状記録媒体１の記録媒体６の種別や特性が、表１に示した面質が光沢、厚みが２００［μｍ］以上、単位面積あたりのインク吸収量が２５［ｍｌ／ｍ^２］未満と検知できる。
【００５５】
【表１】

【００５６】
このようにロール状記録媒体１の芯材１２の両側の被係合部に角度差を付けることにより、１組の記録媒体支持部材で多数の記録媒体種別や特性を正しく検知することができる。また単純なマークなので低コストで設けることができ、マーク読取手段も分解能でよく安価に構成できる。
【００５７】
画像記録装置では、記録媒体６に対し画像を記録しようとするときには、ロール状記録媒体１の記録媒体６を搬送しているために記録媒体６の搬送量がわかる。コードマーク読み取り手段３では、記録媒体支持部材２２に記録されているコードマーク２３を常に読み取っているため、このコードマーク２３の読み取り間隔をコードマーク２３のスタートマーク２３ａなどから検知できる。記録媒体６の搬送量とコードマーク２３の読み取り間隔を使用して、画像記録装置では記録媒体６の残量を算出できる。
【００５８】
残量算出方法は、ロール状記録媒体１が、記録媒体６を芯材１２に巻回しており、芯材１２に記録媒体支持部材２２を挿入しているため、記録媒体６を使用して残量が減ると、コードマーク読み取り手段３のコードマークの読み取り間隔が、記録媒体６の搬送量が同じでも短くなってくるので、記録媒体６を使用することで変化するコードマーク２３読み取り間隔と記録媒体６の搬送量の関係から残量が導き出される。
【００５９】
例えば、ロール状記録媒体が１回転する間に搬送した記録媒体の長さをＬ[ｍｍ]とすると、ロール状記録媒体の外径Ｄ[ｍｍ]は、Ｄ＝Ｌ／πとなるので、ロール状記録媒体の内径をＤ_０、厚さをｔ[ｍｍ]とすると、残量Ｒ[ｍｍ]は、
Ｒ＝（π／４ｔ）（Ｄ^２−Ｄ_０ ^２）＝（１／４ｔ）（Ｌ^２／π−πＤ_０ ^２）
で計算できる。ここで、πは円周率を示す。
【００６０】
図５は、画像記録装置の実施例の概略構成図を示している。ロール状記録媒体１は、記録媒体支持部材２２を取り付け、記録媒体保持部２に保持される。コードマーク読み取り手段３は、ロール状記録媒体１が画像記録装置に保持された状態で、コードマーク２３を正確に読み取れる位置に設置する。
【００６１】
記録媒体６は、モーターに接続された搬送用ローラ１０と従動ローラ１１で搬送され、記録ヘッド４で画像を記録し、記録媒体カッター７で所定の大きさにカットされて、排紙トレイ２７に画像を記録された記録媒体が排紙される。
【００６２】
記録画像は、画像データ入力部１８より入力され、色階調変換部１９と誤差拡散処理部２０で処理をされて、ヘッドドライバ２１を介して記録ヘッド４に送られ、記録媒体６に画像記録する。
【００６３】
制御部８は、コードマーク読み取り手段３からの情報を基に、記録画像が高画質になるように、色階調変換部１９、誤差拡散処理部２１、ヘッドドライバ２１を制御し、記録媒体６の搬送量をモータードライバ１６で制御し、図示をしてない手段によって記録ヘッド４の制御もしている。また、ドライバ９を制御することで記録媒体を所定の大きさにカットする。さらに、表示部１５に、必要とする情報を表示させる。
【００６４】
画像記録装置では、コードマーク読み取り手段３で読み取ったコードマーク２３の情報を制御部８に送る。制御部８では、受け取った情報が記録媒体６に関する情報なので、記録媒体６の種別や特性を検知する。この情報を基に制御部８は、画像記録装置の色階調変換部１９、誤差拡散処理部２０、ヘッドドライバ２１、モータードライバ１６、ドライバ９を制御して、記録媒体６に記録する画像が高画質と成るように制御する。
【００６５】
さらに、画像記録装置は、コードマーク読み取り手段３で読み取った情報と記録媒体６の搬送信号を、記録媒体残量算出部１７に入力する。記録媒体残量算出部１７では、コードマーク２３のスタートマーク２３ａの読み取り間隔と記録媒体６の搬送量を基に記録媒体６の残量を算出する。
【００６６】
画像記録装置では、記録媒体残量算出部１７で、算出した記録媒体６残量を表示部１５に表示することで、記録媒体６の残量を素早く知ることができる。
【００６７】
画像記録装置では、算出した記録媒体６の残量を基に、記録しようとしている画像の大きさと記録媒体６の残量により、記録画像のほうが記録媒体６の残量より大きい場合に記録媒体６に対して画像記録を行わないように制御する。これにより、画像を記録する時間と記録媒体６の無駄を省ける。
【００６８】
画像記録装置において、表示部１５に、記録画像が記録媒体６の残量より大きいために、画像記録が行えないことを表示することで、記録媒体６の残量不足による画像記録が行えないことを素早く知ることができる。
【００６９】
このように、コードマーク読み取り手段３のコードマーク読み取り間隔と記録媒体６の搬送量から、記録媒体６の残量を算出するため、残量を算出するためのセンサや機構を画像記録装置に具える必要がなくなる。従って、画像記録装置は、コストアップすることなしに記録媒体６の残量を算出し、残量の表示や残量不足の警告などを行える。不揮発メモリ等に使用量や残量を保持する必要がなく、また複数の記録媒体を交互に使用したり、１つの記録媒体を複数の画像記録装置で使用しても、正しい残量を検知することができる。
【００７１】
【発明の効果】
請求項１〜３の画像記録装置によれば簡単な構成で画像記録媒体の特性等を正確に把握することができる。
【００７２】
請求項４に記載した画像記録装置によれば、記録媒体支持部材に記録されている記録媒体に関する情報を確実に読み取ることができ、記録媒体の種別や特性を正確に検知することができる。これにより、記録媒体に対して、記録画像が高画質記録となるように色階調変換部や誤差拡散処理部などの制御を行うことができる。
【００７３】
請求項５又は６に記載した画像記録装置又は画像記録媒体判別方法によれば、残量を算出するために、新たな機構を画像記録装置に付加せずに、記録媒体の残量を容易に確認できる。また、この残量と記録画像のサイズにより、記録媒体への画像の記録の可否を判断できるため記録媒体の無駄をなくせる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】記録媒体芯材に記録媒体の特徴を持たせたものとこれに係合する記録媒体支持部材の斜視図。
【図２】他の実施形態としての記録媒体芯材とこれに係合する記録媒体支持部材の斜視図。
【図３】他の実施形態としての記録媒体芯材とこれに係合する記録媒体支持部材の斜視図。
【図４】前記画像記録媒体を画像記録装置の記録媒体保持部に配置した説明図。
【図５】画像記録装置の概略ブロック図。
【図６】記録媒体芯部に記録媒体を巻回した状態の説明図。
【図７】記録媒体芯部に他の記録媒体の巻回した状態を示す説明図。
【図８】記録媒体芯材の他の実施形態を示す側面図。
【図９】記録媒体支持部材の他の実施形態を示す斜視図。
【図１０】画像記録装置の記録媒体保持部の他の実施形態を示す正面図。
【図１１】記録媒体芯材に記録媒体の特徴に角度差を設けたものの説明図。
【図１２】前記図１１の記録媒体を保持した正面図。
【図１３】記録媒体芯材に角度差が設けられた実施形態の読み取り手段の出力例。
【符号の説明】
１ロール状記録媒体
２記録媒体保持部
３コードマーク読み取り手段
４記録ヘッド
６記録媒体
７記録媒体カッター
８制御部
９ドライバ
１０搬送ローラ
１１従動ローラ
１２記録媒体芯部
１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ記録媒体の種別や特性を表す形状
１５表示部
１６モータードライバ
１７記録媒体残量算出部
１８画像データ入力部
１９色階調変換部
２０誤差拡散処理部
２１ヘッドドライバ
２２記録媒体支持部材
２３コードマーク
２３ａ記録媒体情報用スタートマーク
２４筒状体
２５筒状体（係合側）
２５ａ，２５ｂ，２５ｃ記録媒体の特徴用係合部
２６記録媒体支持部材鍔部
２７排紙トレイ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention can detect the type and characteristics of an image recording medium.ImageThe present invention relates to a recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As an output device such as a computer, an ink jet type image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by discharging ink is known. In this ink jet type image recording apparatus, as a method of recording an image on a recording medium, ink is ejected from a recording head while the recording medium is conveyed by a conveying unit, and an image is recorded on the recording medium.
[0003]
Examples of the recording medium used in the inkjet image recording apparatus include cut paper having a predetermined size and roll paper wound around a core material. There are various types of recording media depending on the application. Examples include a special coating on the surface, a film base, and a gloss treatment.
[0004]
In an inkjet image recording apparatus, in order to perform high-quality recording on a wide variety of recording media, the ink ejection amount is increased or decreased according to the type and characteristics of the recording medium, or the position of the recording head is determined by the thickness of the paper. Or changing the conveyance amount of the recording medium.
[0005]
In order to record a recorded image with high image quality, the image recording apparatus as described above needs to accurately input the type and characteristics of the recording medium. Therefore, the user identifies and inputs information on the recording medium, and uses a special optical sensor, infrared sensor, or the like to detect the information on the recording medium in the image recording apparatus.
[0006]
In order to detect the type and characteristics of the recording medium in the image recording apparatus, as information representing the type and characteristics of the recording medium, in the case of a roll-shaped recording medium, optical information such as a barcode is provided on the core of the roll-shaped recording medium. There is a known method of providing this and reading it with a sensor provided on the image recording apparatus side.
[0007]
In the embodiment described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-31558, information on the recording medium and the initial amount are read from the barcode of the core material of the roll-shaped recording medium, and the usage amount measured by the usage amount measuring unit is subtracted from the initial amount. The remaining amount is calculated.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In these conventional methods, since optical information such as a barcode is provided on the end face of the cylindrical core material, it is necessary to use a relatively thick core material, and relatively complicated information such as a barcode is used. Since it is provided by a method such as printing or sticking a sticker, the cost is increased. In addition, in order to read relatively complicated information such as a barcode, it is necessary to use a sensor having a relatively high resolution, and the sensor is also a factor in increasing the cost. Furthermore, it is necessary to arrange the sensor at a position where the optical information provided on the end face of the core material can be read, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom of component arrangement is low, and the operability of the apparatus is lowered or enlarged. It was.
[0009]
In addition, since the remaining amount is calculated by subtracting the usage amount from the initial amount, there is a problem that once the information about the usage amount and the remaining amount is lost, the remaining amount becomes unknown. Furthermore, if a plurality of recording media are used alternately, or if one recording medium is used alternately by a plurality of image recording devices, the information regarding the amount of use and the remaining amount stored in the image recording device may differ from the actual value. There was also a problem that the remaining amount could not be detected correctly.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording medium and an image recording apparatus capable of accurately detecting the type, characteristics, and remaining amount of the recording medium at a low cost by a simple method.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Claim1The described invention supports an image recording medium, a recording medium support member provided with a code mark, code mark reading means for reading the code mark provided on the recording medium support member, and the recording medium A recording medium holding unit for holding a recording medium supported by a medium support member, a recording medium conveying unit for conveying the recording medium from the recording medium holding unit, and a recording for recording an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit In the image recording apparatus having a head, the recording medium support member has a feature corresponding to a shape characteristic according to a type or a characteristic of a recording medium at an end of a core material of the image recording medium, and the recording The code mark on the medium support member is a code mark corresponding to the feature on the shape of the end of the core material, and from the information read by the code mark reading means, Another, or, and detecting the characteristic.
[0013]
  Claim2In the described invention, the support member has an intermediate portion.鍔Having a pair of columnar portions facing each other across the portion, each columnar portion having a different characteristic shape,鍔It is characterized in that code marks having different characteristics are provided on the front and back surfaces of the part.
[0014]
  Claim3The described invention includes an engaging portion that engages with a pair of features according to the type or characteristics of the recording medium provided at both ends of the core material for winding and holding the image recording medium.And paintingA code mark representing the characteristics of an image recording medium as informationWhenA pair of code mark reading means for reading code marks provided on the pair of support members, respectively, and a recording medium supported by the support memberRuIn an image recording apparatus comprising: a recording medium holding unit; a recording medium conveying hand throw that conveys a recording medium from the recording medium holding unit; and a recording head that records an image on the recording medium conveyed by the carrying hand throw. A recording medium remaining amount calculating unit that calculates a remaining amount of the recording medium from a relationship between a conveyance amount of the recording medium by the medium recording and conveying unit and an information reading cycle of information read by the pair of code mark reading units; And
[0016]
  Claim4The invention described is an image recording apparatus that records an image on an image recording medium with a recording head, the pair of supporting members engaged with both ends of a core member that winds and holds the image recording medium, A pair of mark detection means for detecting marks provided on the pair of support members, and an image recording medium determination for determining the type or characteristic of the image recording medium based on a mark detection signal from the pair of mark detection means The pair of support members has a shape feature that engages with a pair of shape features provided at both ends of the core member, and the mark on the support member is on the shape. The image recording medium discriminating means is provided at a predetermined position according to the feature, and the image recording medium determining means has a pair of shape feature positions provided at both ends of the core member at the timing of the mark detection signal input from the pair of mark detecting means. Detect Characterized by determining the type or characteristics of the image recording medium.
[0017]
  Claim5The invention described is an image recording medium discrimination method used in an image recording apparatus for recording an image on an image recording medium by a recording head, wherein the image recording apparatus is a core for winding and holding the image recording medium. Based on a pair of support members engaged with both ends of the material, a pair of mark detection means for detecting marks provided on the pair of support members, and a mark detection signal from the pair of mark detection means It has an image recording medium discriminating means for discriminating the type or characteristic of the image recording medium, and the pair of support members have a shape feature that engages with a pair of shape features provided at both ends of the core member. And the mark on the support member is provided at a predetermined position by the feature on the shape, and the image recording medium discriminating means has the core according to the timing of the mark detection signal inputted from the pair of mark detecting means. Characterized in that it detects the position of the features on the pair of shape provided at both ends of discriminating the type or characteristics of the image recording medium.
[0018]
  Claim6The invention described above further includes a recording medium conveyance unit, and further calculates the remaining amount of the recording medium from the relationship between the recording medium conveyance amount by the recording medium conveyance unit and the mark detection period by the pair of mark detection units. And a quantity calculation unit.
[0021]
  Claim7The described invention is characterized in that the feature provided on the core is an uneven portion.
[0022]
  Claim8The described invention is characterized in that the feature provided in the core material is a notch.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image recording medium according to the present invention. In FIG. 1A, a cutout 12 a is provided in the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 as an engaged portion serving as a shape feature representing the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6. The recording medium support member 22 is used on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1, and the illustrated recording medium support member 22 is used to engage with the notch 12a. A flange portion 26 is provided,

cylindrical bodies

24 and 25 are formed on both sides, and a convex portion 25a is provided on the cylindrical body 25 as an engaging portion that engages with the notch 12a of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1. ing. The roll recording medium 1 is inserted in the direction of the arrow so that the notch 12a of the core 12 of the roll recording medium 1 and the projection 25a of the recording medium support member 25 are engaged.
[0024]
FIG. 1B shows an example of a code mark 23 that is information of the recording medium 6. The code mark 23 is provided on the opposite side of the flange portion 26 of the recording medium support member 22 from the side on which the convex portion 25a is provided. Since the recording medium support portion 22 is adapted to engage with the notch 12a of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1, information for each recording medium 6 to be engaged can be recorded. The start mark 23 a is a symbol that represents the start position of information on the recording medium 6 when the code mark 23 is read.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of FIG. In this example, a protruding portion 12 b protruding inward is provided as an engaged portion of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1. The recording medium support member 22 is provided with a concave portion 25 b corresponding to the convex portion 12 b of the core member 12 at the engaging portion of the cylindrical body 25 on the engaging side.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment. In this example, a concave portion 12 c is provided on the inner surface as an engaged portion of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1. The recording medium support member 22 is provided with a convex portion 25 c corresponding to the concave portion 12 c of the core member 12 at the engaging portion of the simplified body 25 on the engaging side.
[0027]
FIG. 4 shows an outline when the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held by the holding unit 2 of the image recording apparatus. FIG. 4A is a diagram when the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is viewed from the code mark reading unit 3 side when held by the holding unit 2. FIG. 4B is a view when the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is viewed from the side when it is held by the holding unit 2. The roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held by the image recording apparatus with the recording medium support members 22 attached to both sides of the core material 12. At this time, the recording medium support member 22 used on the side where the notch 12a of the core material 12 is provided is provided with an engaging portion to be engaged with the notch 12a of the core material 12. The code mark reading means 3 is attached to a position where the code mark 23 recorded on the recording medium support member 22 can be read in a state where the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held by the holding unit 2 of the image recording apparatus.
[0028]
As described above, in the image recording apparatus, the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held and the code mark reading unit 3 reads the code mark 23. In the code mark 23, information regarding the recording medium 6 is recorded. As a result, the image recording apparatus detects the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 wound around the roll-shaped recording medium 1.
[0029]
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the image recording apparatus. The roll-shaped recording medium 1 is attached to a recording medium support member 22 and is held by the recording medium holding unit 2. The code mark reading means 3 is installed at a position where the code mark 23 can be read accurately in a state where the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held by the image recording apparatus.
[0030]
The recording medium 6 is conveyed by a conveying roller 10 and a driven roller 11 connected to a motor, records an image by the recording head 4, is cut into a predetermined size by the recording medium cutter 7, and is transferred to a discharge tray 27. The recording medium 6 on which the image is recorded is discharged.
[0031]
The recorded image is input from the image data input unit 18, processed by the color gradation conversion unit 19 and the error diffusion processing unit 20, sent to the recording head 4 via the head driver 21, and recorded on the recording medium 6. To do.
[0032]
The control unit 8 controls the color gradation conversion unit 19, the error diffusion processing unit 20, and the head driver 21 so that the recorded image has high image quality based on the information from the code mark reading unit 3, and the recording medium 6. Is controlled by a motor driver 16 and the recording head 4 is also controlled by means not shown. Further, the recording medium is cut into a predetermined size by controlling the driver 9. Further, necessary information is displayed on the display unit 15.
[0033]
In the image recording apparatus, the information of the code mark 23 read by the code mark reading means 3 is sent to the control unit 8. Since the received information is information related to the recording medium 6, the control unit 8 detects the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6. Based on this information, the control unit 8 controls the color gradation conversion unit 19, the error diffusion processing unit 20, the head driver 21, the motor driver 16, and the driver 9 of the image recording apparatus, so that an image to be recorded on the recording medium 6 is recorded. Control to achieve high image quality.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows a state in which the recording medium A is wound around the core member 12 of FIG.
[0035]
FIG. 7 shows the shapes of the engaging portion and the engaged portion in which the recording medium 6 is wound with the recording medium B having characteristics different from those in FIG. When the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 wound around the roll-shaped recording medium 1 are the recording medium B, the notched portion of the core member 12 is provided with two notches. The engaging portion of the recording medium support member 22-B is provided with two convex portions.
[0036]
Since the recording medium support member 22-B that engages with the recording medium B is provided with a code mark different from that of the recording medium support member 22-A that engages with the recording medium A, the image recording apparatus is held. The type and characteristics of the existing recording medium can be detected correctly.
[0037]
As described above, when the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 wound around the roll-shaped recording medium 1 are different, the engaged portions of the core member 12 are different. Accordingly, when there are several types of recording media 6 having different types and characteristics, the recording medium support member 22 needs to have a quantity corresponding to the type of the recording medium 6.
[0038]
FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which an engaged portion is provided on the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1. In FIG. 8A, as the engaged portion when the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 are the recording medium A, one protruding portion protruding inward of the core member 12 is provided. In FIG. 8B, as the engaged portion when the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 are the recording medium B, two convex portions projecting inward of the core material 12 are provided.
[0039]
FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which two engaging portions are provided on one recording medium support member 22. FIG. 9 shows the shape of the recording medium support member 22 that can also be used in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The left side of the recording medium A is shown for the recording medium A and the right side is the recording medium B with the collar 26 interposed therebetween. One concave portion is provided on the left side, two concave portions are provided on the right side, and the code mark 23 which is information of the recording medium B is recorded on the left surface of the collar portion 26, and the right surface is recorded. Records a code mark 23 which is information of the recording medium A.
[0040]
FIG. 10 shows a state in which the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held in the image recording apparatus using the recording medium support member 22 of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 (a) is for the recording medium A of FIG. 8 (a). 10B is held by the recording medium support portion 2 of the image recording apparatus using the recording medium support member 22, and FIG. 10B shows the recording medium support member 22 when the recording medium B is FIG. 8B. It shows a state of being used and held by the recording medium support 2 of the image recording apparatus. In the image recording apparatus, the code mark 23 in which information relating to the recording medium 6 is recorded is read by the code mark reading means 3, so that information relating to the recording medium 6 is recorded as shown in FIG. Information on the type and characteristics of the medium 6 (recording medium A, recording medium B) is read, and the recording medium 6 wound around the roll-shaped recording medium 1 being held is detected.
[0041]
In the previous example, the recording medium support member 22 corresponding to each engaged portion of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is used. In this example, one recording medium support member 22 has two types of engaging portions that engage with engaged portions provided on the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1. Accordingly, the number of recording medium support members 22 used for two types of engaged portions can be reduced, so that the number of recording medium support members 22 can be reduced. It will prevent problems.
[0042]
Further, although two types of engaging portions are shown by one recording medium support member 22, the present invention is not limited to this, and several types of engaging portions may be provided by one recording medium support member 22. As a result, the quantity used of the recording medium support member 22 can be further reduced, so that problems such as further cost reduction, reduction in storage location, and loss can be prevented.
[0043]
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which engaged portions are provided on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 and an angular difference is provided between the engaged portions on both sides. FIG. 11A shows a state in which when the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 are the recording medium A, notches are provided on both sides of the core material 12 and no angular difference is given to the notches. FIG. 11B shows a state in which when the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 are the recording medium 3, notches are provided on both sides of the core material 12 and an angular difference of 180 degrees is given to the notches. FIG. 11C shows that the position of the mark 23 a is set to a position corresponding to the engaging portion (convex portion) that engages with the engaged portion of the core member 12 of the recording medium support member 22. ing.
[0044]
As described above, by providing the engaged portions on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 and further providing an angle difference between the engaged portions, information on the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 can be increased. This makes it possible to provide more detailed information on the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6.
[0045]
FIG. 12 shows a schematic embodiment of an image recording apparatus in which engaged portions are provided on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1. The roll-shaped recording medium 1 is provided with notches on both sides of the core member 12, and recording

medium support members

22a and 22b that engage with the notches on both sides are attached to both sides, and a recording medium holding portion of the image recording apparatus is provided. Hold at 2. The mark reading means 3a and 3b are provided on both sides of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 in a state where the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held by the image recording apparatus in order to read information on the recording medium 6 on both sides of the roll-shaped recording medium 1. ing.
[0046]
FIG. 13 shows an example of a result obtained by reading information about the recording medium 6 on both sides of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 from the

mark reading units

3a and 3b on both sides. FIG. 13A shows the case where the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 in FIG. 11A are the recording medium A, and the notch on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 has no angular difference. This is the result when the mark 23 is read by the mark reading means 3a, 3b. FIG. 13B shows the case where the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 in FIG. 11B are the recording medium B, and the notch on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 has an angular difference of 180 degrees. This is a result when the mark 23 is read by the mark reading means 3a and 3b when the mark 23 is being read.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 11C, since the mark 23a is recorded at a position determined by the recording medium support member 22, the position of the mark 23a of the recording medium support member 22 used on both sides is confirmed. The angle difference of the engaged portion of the core material 12 can be detected. In the case of FIG. 13A, since the position of the mark 23a as a result of reading by the mark reading

hand throw

3a, 3b is the same position, it can be detected that there is no angular difference in the notch of the core material 12. That is, in the image recording apparatus, the roll-shaped recording medium 1 detects that the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 in FIG.
[0048]
In the case of FIG. 13B, the position of the mark 23a as a result of reading by the mark reading

hand throw

3a, 3b is such that the mark 23a of the mark reading means 23b is a half cycle from the position of the mark 23a of the mark reading means 3a. Since the position is shifted, the angle difference between the cutouts of the core material 12 can be detected as 180 degrees. That is, in the image recording apparatus, the roll-shaped recording medium 1 detects that the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 in FIG.
[0049]
As described above, the information relating to the recording medium 6 is obtained by providing the engaged portions at both ends of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 and clearly setting the position of the mark 23a by the recording medium support member 22. By detecting the positional relationship of the marks 23a, the amount of information relating to the recording medium 6 can be increased compared to when the engaged portion is provided only on one side of the core material 12.
[0050]
Next, an application example in which an angle difference is applied to the engaged portions on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 will be described.
[0051]
As a characteristic relating to the recording medium 6, the ink absorption amount is C [ml / m per unit area.²], The angle difference θ [deg] between the engaged portions attached to both sides of the core 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is defined as θ = 5C [deg]. For example, the ink absorption amount per unit area of the recording medium 6 is 18 [ml / m.²], The angle difference θ applied to the engaged portions on both sides of the core 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is 90 degrees.
[0052]
At this time, in the image recording apparatus, as a result of reading the mark 23 of the recording medium 6 from the mark reading means 3a and 3b, if the angle difference with respect to the engaged portion of the core 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is detected as 90 degrees. As a characteristic relating to the recording medium 6, the ink absorption amount per unit area of the recording medium 6 is 18 [ml / m.²] Can be detected.
[0053]
As another example of use, as shown in Table 1, the angle difference of the engaged portion attached to the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is set in advance so that the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 are detailed. Define. In this example, as shown in Table 1, the angle difference applied to the engaged portion of the core material 12 in advance depends on the characteristics of the recording medium 6 according to the surface quality, thickness, and ink absorption amount of the recording medium 6. Define it. For example, when the angle difference applied to the engaged portions on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is 90 degrees, the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 are as shown in Table 1, and the surface quality of the recording medium 6 is as follows. Is gloss, thickness is 200 [μm] or more, and ink absorption per unit area is 25 [ml / m²] Is defined as less than.
[0054]
Further, in the image recording apparatus, when the mark 23a of the recording medium 6 is read by the mark reading means 3a and 3b and it is detected that the angle difference is 90 degrees between the engaged portions on both sides of the core material 12, the roll shape to be used is used. As for the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6 of the recording medium 1, the surface quality shown in Table 1 is glossy, the thickness is 200 [μm] or more, and the ink absorption amount per unit area is 25 [ml / m.²] Can be detected.
[0055]
[Table 1]

[0056]
In this way, by providing an angle difference between the engaged portions on both sides of the core material 12 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1, a large number of recording medium types and characteristics can be correctly detected by one set of recording medium support members. Further, since the mark is simple, it can be provided at low cost, and the mark reading means can be constructed with low resolution and low cost.
[0057]
In the image recording apparatus, when an image is to be recorded on the recording medium 6, since the recording medium 6 of the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is conveyed, the conveyance amount of the recording medium 6 can be known. Since the code mark reading means 3 always reads the code mark 23 recorded on the recording medium support member 22, the reading interval of the code mark 23 can be detected from the start mark 23a of the code mark 23 or the like. Using the conveyance amount of the recording medium 6 and the reading interval of the code mark 23, the image recording apparatus can calculate the remaining amount of the recording medium 6.
[0058]
The remaining amount calculation method uses the recording medium 6 because the roll-shaped recording medium 1 has the recording medium 6 wound around the core material 12 and the recording medium support member 22 is inserted into the core material 12. When the amount decreases, the code mark reading interval of the code mark reading means 3 becomes shorter even if the conveyance amount of the recording medium 6 is the same, so that the code mark 23 reading interval and recording that change by using the recording medium 6 are reduced. The remaining amount is derived from the relationship of the transport amount of the medium 6.
[0059]
For example, if the length of the recording medium conveyed during one rotation of the roll-shaped recording medium is L [mm], the outer diameter D [mm] of the roll-shaped recording medium is D = L / π. D is the inner diameter of the recording medium₀When the thickness is t [mm], the remaining amount R [mm] is
R = (π / 4t) (D²-D₀ ²) = (1 / 4t) (L²/ Π-πD₀ ²)
It can be calculated with Here, π represents the circumference ratio.
[0060]
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the image recording apparatus. The roll-shaped recording medium 1 is attached to a recording medium support member 22 and is held by the recording medium holding unit 2. The code mark reading means 3 is installed at a position where the code mark 23 can be read accurately in a state where the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is held by the image recording apparatus.
[0061]
The recording medium 6 is conveyed by a conveying roller 10 and a driven roller 11 connected to a motor, records an image by the recording head 4, is cut into a predetermined size by the recording medium cutter 7, and is transferred to a discharge tray 27. The recording medium on which the image is recorded is discharged.
[0062]
The recorded image is input from the image data input unit 18, processed by the color gradation conversion unit 19 and the error diffusion processing unit 20, sent to the recording head 4 via the head driver 21, and recorded on the recording medium 6. To do.
[0063]
The control unit 8 controls the color gradation conversion unit 19, the error diffusion processing unit 21, and the head driver 21 so that the recorded image has high image quality based on the information from the code mark reading unit 3, and the recording medium 6. Is controlled by a motor driver 16 and the recording head 4 is also controlled by means not shown. Further, the recording medium is cut into a predetermined size by controlling the driver 9. Further, necessary information is displayed on the display unit 15.
[0064]
In the image recording apparatus, the information of the code mark 23 read by the code mark reading means 3 is sent to the control unit 8. Since the received information is information related to the recording medium 6, the control unit 8 detects the type and characteristics of the recording medium 6. Based on this information, the control unit 8 controls the color gradation conversion unit 19, the error diffusion processing unit 20, the head driver 21, the motor driver 16, and the driver 9 of the image recording apparatus, so that an image to be recorded on the recording medium 6 is recorded. Control to achieve high image quality.
[0065]
Further, the image recording apparatus inputs the information read by the code mark reading unit 3 and the conveyance signal of the recording medium 6 to the recording medium remaining amount calculation unit 17. The recording medium remaining amount calculation unit 17 calculates the remaining amount of the recording medium 6 based on the reading interval of the start mark 23 a of the code mark 23 and the transport amount of the recording medium 6.
[0066]
In the image recording apparatus, the remaining amount of the recording medium 6 can be quickly known by displaying the calculated remaining amount of the recording medium 6 on the display unit 15 by the remaining amount of recording medium calculating unit 17.
[0067]
In the image recording apparatus, based on the calculated remaining amount of the recording medium 6, when the recorded image is larger than the remaining amount of the recording medium 6 due to the size of the image to be recorded and the remaining amount of the recording medium 6, the recording medium 6. Is controlled not to perform image recording. Thereby, time for recording an image and waste of the recording medium 6 can be saved.
[0068]
In the image recording apparatus, the fact that the image cannot be recorded because the recorded image is larger than the remaining amount of the recording medium 6 is displayed on the display unit 15, so that the image cannot be recorded due to the insufficient remaining amount of the recording medium 6. Can know quickly.
[0069]
As described above, the image recording apparatus includes a sensor and a mechanism for calculating the remaining amount in order to calculate the remaining amount of the recording medium 6 from the code mark reading interval of the code mark reading unit 3 and the conveyance amount of the recording medium 6. There is no need to Therefore, the image recording apparatus can calculate the remaining amount of the recording medium 6 without increasing the cost, and can display the remaining amount and warn of the remaining amount. There is no need to store the amount used or remaining amount in a non-volatile memory, and the correct remaining amount is detected even when a plurality of recording media are used alternately or a single recording medium is used by a plurality of image recording apparatuses. be able to.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
  Claim1~3According to this image recording apparatus, it is possible to accurately grasp the characteristics of the image recording medium with a simple configuration.
[0072]
  Claim4According to the image recording apparatus described above, it is possible to reliably read information relating to the recording medium recorded on the recording medium support member, and to accurately detect the type and characteristics of the recording medium. Thereby, it is possible to control the color gradation conversion unit, the error diffusion processing unit, and the like so that the recorded image is recorded with high quality on the recording medium.
[0073]
  Claim5Or6According to the image recording device or the image recording medium discrimination method described in the above, the remaining amount of the recording medium can be easily confirmed without adding a new mechanism to the image recording device in order to calculate the remaining amount. In addition, since it is possible to determine whether or not an image can be recorded on the recording medium based on the remaining amount and the size of the recording image, it is possible to eliminate the waste of the recording medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording medium core having a recording medium characteristic and a recording medium support member engaged therewith.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording medium core member and a recording medium support member engaged therewith as another embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording medium core as another embodiment and a recording medium support member engaged with the recording medium core.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram in which the image recording medium is arranged in a recording medium holding unit of an image recording apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an image recording apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a recording medium is wound around a recording medium core.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which another recording medium is wound around the recording medium core.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing another embodiment of the recording medium core material.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the recording medium support member.
FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating another embodiment of a recording medium holding unit of the image recording apparatus.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a recording medium core material provided with an angle difference in the characteristics of the recording medium.
12 is a front view holding the recording medium of FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 13 is an output example of a reading unit according to an embodiment in which an angle difference is provided in a recording medium core.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Roll recording medium
2 Recording medium holder
3 Code mark reading means
4 Recording head
6 Recording media
7 Recording medium cutter
8 Control unit
9 Driver
10 Transport roller
11 Followed roller
12 Recording medium core
12a, 12b, 12c Shapes representing the type and characteristics of the recording medium
15 Display section
16 Motor driver
17 Recording medium remaining amount calculation unit
18 Image data input section
19 color gradation converter
20 Error diffusion processing section
21 Head driver
22 Recording medium support member
23 Code mark
23a Recording media information start mark
24 Tubular body
25 Cylindrical body (engagement side)
25a, 25b, 25c Recording medium feature engaging portion
26 Recording medium support member collar
27 Output tray

Claims

Supporting an image recording medium, a recording medium support member provided with a code mark, code mark reading means for reading a code mark provided on the recording medium support member, and supported by the recording medium support member Recording medium having a recording medium holding unit for holding the recorded recording medium, a recording medium conveying unit for conveying the recording medium from the recording medium holding unit, and a recording head for recording an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit In the device
The recording medium support member has a feature corresponding to a shape characteristic corresponding to a type or a characteristic of a recording medium at an end of a core material of the image recording medium, and the code mark on the recording medium support member is An image recording apparatus that is a code mark corresponding to a feature on the shape of the end of the core material, and detects a type or characteristic of the recording medium from information read by the code mark reading means.

The support member has a pair of columnar portions opposed to each other with a flange portion in the middle, and each columnar portion is provided with a different characteristic shape, and code marks having different features are provided on the front and back surfaces of the flange portion. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

The type of recording medium provided an image recording medium to the core ends to retain the wound, or, represents the characteristic of the engaging portion and the images recording medium to be engaged with the pair of features on shapes according to the characteristics as information a pair of code mark reading means for reading each code mark provided on the pair of support members having code marks and a respectively,
A record medium holding unit that holds the recording medium supported on the support member, and the recording medium conveying Teto for conveying the recording medium from said recording medium holding unit,
In an image recording apparatus having a recording head for recording an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying hand throwing,
A recording medium remaining amount calculating unit that calculates the remaining amount of the recording medium from the relationship between the amount of conveyance of the recording medium by the recording medium recording and conveying unit and the information reading cycle of the information read by the pair of code mark reading units. A characteristic image recording apparatus.

An image recording apparatus for recording an image on an image recording medium by a recording head,
A pair of support members engaged with both ends of a core member that winds and holds the image recording medium, a pair of mark detection means for detecting marks provided on the pair of support members, and the pair of mark detections Image recording medium discriminating means for discriminating the type or characteristic of the image recording medium based on the mark detection signal from the means,
The pair of support members have a shape feature that engages with a pair of shape features provided at both ends of the core member, and the mark on the support member is positioned at a predetermined position from the shape feature. It is provided in
The image recording medium discriminating means detects the positions of a pair of features on both ends of the core material at the timing of mark detection signals input from the pair of mark detecting means, and determines the type or characteristic of the image recording medium An image recording apparatus characterized by discriminating.

An image recording medium discrimination method used for an image recording apparatus for recording an image on an image recording medium by a recording head,
The image recording apparatus includes:
A pair of support members engaged with both ends of a core member that winds and holds the image recording medium, a pair of mark detection means for detecting marks provided on the pair of support members, and the pair of mark detections Image recording medium discriminating means for discriminating the type or characteristic of the image recording medium based on the mark detection signal from the means,
The pair of support members have a shape feature that engages with a pair of shape features provided at both ends of the core member, and the mark on the support member is positioned at a predetermined position from the shape feature. It is provided in
The image recording medium discriminating means detects the positions of a pair of features on both ends of the core material at the timing of mark detection signals input from the pair of mark detecting means, and determines the type or characteristic of the image recording medium A method for discriminating an image recording medium, wherein:

A recording medium conveying unit, and a recording medium remaining amount calculating unit that calculates a remaining amount of the recording medium from a relationship between a recording medium conveying amount by the recording medium conveying unit and a mark detection cycle by the pair of mark detecting units. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 4 or 6, wherein provided in the core material is characterized by an uneven portion.

The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 4 or 6, characterized in that it lacks the features provided cut into the core material.