JP4478397B2 - Printing apparatus and printing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints an image on printing paper, and more specifically, includes a reading unit that reads information stored in a detection object such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag mounted on the printing paper. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, there is a printing apparatus that includes a printing mechanism that prints an image on printing paper using printing ink, and a paper feed tray or paper feeding cassette on which printing paper for feeding the printing mechanism is set. In this type of printing apparatus, printing is performed by setting one or a plurality of printing papers in a paper feeding tray or paper feeding cassette, and feeding the printing paper from the paper feeding tray or paper feeding cassette to a printing mechanism. It has become.
[0003]
On the other hand, conventionally, a transceiver has been proposed that stores an image print and information related to the print image in a memory attached to a print support layer (printing paper) (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
One feature of the above proposal is that the transceiver can read (retrieve) stored information from this memory. That is, detailed information uniquely associated with the print of the image and the printed image is attached to the print paper, so that the detailed information can be automatically read (drawn) from the print paper.
[0005]
One of the further features of the above proposal is that a specific transponder (RFID) is selected from a plurality of transponders (RFID) attached to each of a plurality of printing sheets, and data is transferred to and from the transponder. Be able to. The transferred data is data for identifying a print image or data related to print processing. When the print image covers a plurality of print sheets, the print image can be automatically identified.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-143026 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional printing apparatus, when the user sets the front and back of the printing paper or the top and bottom of the printing paper in the paper feeding unit (paper feeding tray or paper feeding cassette), the place to be printed on the front side of the printing paper is changed to the back side. It was printed or printed with the printing paper upside down. In this case, there is no problem as long as it is plain paper, but printing paper that requires distinction between top and bottom, such as letterhead paper and postcard paper, will result in a printing error and waste printing paper and printing ink. There was a problem that. In particular, when multiple printing papers such as letterhead paper or postcard paper are placed together in the paper feed unit, there is a mix of printing papers that are loaded in the wrong orientation (front and back and top and bottom reversed) There were many cases, and the above-mentioned printing mistake occurred.
[0008]
On the other hand, the proposal described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-143026 described above quickly scans a box containing a plurality of printing papers (printing papers) without an operator handling each printing paper individually. The information about each print sheet in the box can be quickly identified and accessed separately. This facilitates inventory management and storage of processed printing paper. That is, an RFID (memory, transponder) is attached to the printing paper, print information (detailed information uniquely associated with printing) is read, and a specific RFID can be selectively handled from a plurality of RFIDs.
[0009]
However, there is no concept corresponding to “position information on printing paper” in “detailed information uniquely associated with printing”. Further, “selectively handling a specific RFID (transponder)” means that one RFID is mounted on one print sheet and a specific print sheet is selectively handled. There is no concept of selecting a specific RFID from a plurality of RFIDs on a sheet. Therefore, even in the proposal described in the above publication, there is a problem that the front and back sides and top and bottom of the printing paper cannot be accurately identified.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is to enable printing according to the setting state of the printing paper even when the user sets the printing paper upside down or upside down in the printing apparatus, and to eliminate printing mistakes as much as possible. is there.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention is a detection means for detecting the RFID tag from the printing paper in which the RFID tag is arranged at a predetermined position where the orientation of the printing paper can be determined,Reading means for reading out information for specifying an arrangement position where the RFID tag stored in the RFID tag should be arranged;A determination unit that determines an arrangement position of the RFID tag detected by the detection unit on the printing paper; andRJudgmentThe RFID tag placement position, and information identifying the placement position read by the reading means;And determining means for determining the loading state of the front and back sides of the printing paper and the top and bottom, and executing means for executing a printing process based on the loading state of the printing paper determined by the determining means. Features.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment of the present invention, a case where an inkjet printer is used as a printing apparatus and a sheet having an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is used as a printing sheet (printing recording medium) will be described as an example. To do.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ink jet printer as a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0015]
In FIG. 2, an ink jet printer (hereinafter abbreviated as a printer) 1 includes a paper feed tray 14, a movable paper guide 15, and a fixed paper guide 16 on the back side of the housing, and a power switch 17 on the top surface of the housing. A power lamp 18 and a reset button 19, and a paper discharge tray 20 on the front side of the housing.
[0016]
The paper feed tray 14 is set with the upper end of the printing paper facing downward and the printing surface for printing an image facing upward. After the printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14, one side in the width direction of the printing paper is aligned with the paper guide 16, and the other side in the width direction is fixed by the paper guide 15. In order to cope with various paper sizes, the paper guide 15 can be slid in the left-right direction in FIG. The power switch 17 is operated when the printer 1 is turned on / off. The power lamp 18 displays a power on / off state and an error state. The reset button 19 is operated when printing is stopped or resumed. The printed paper 7 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 20. The printed paper 7 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 20 so that the printing surface can be seen with the upper end facing forward.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an enlarged structure of a main part of the printer 1.
[0018]
In FIG. 3, a portion 25 surrounded by a two-dot chain line circle is a carriage as a movable portion. The carriage 25 moves in the horizontal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3), thereby printing on the printing paper conveyed under the carriage 25. Inside the carriage 25, ink tanks 21, 22, 23, and 24 corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are mounted, respectively, and below the carriage 25, an RFID reading unit 2 and a print head described later are installed. 26 is mounted. The initial position of the carriage 25 is set at the right side portion of the printer 1.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer 1. In FIG. 1, only the portion related to the present invention is shown.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes an RFID reading unit 2, a paper transport mechanism 4, a carriage moving mechanism 5, an interface unit 8, a control unit 10, a print engine 11, a display unit 12, and an operation unit 13. In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a printing paper with an RFID tag on which an RFID tag is mounted.
[0021]
The control unit 10 is responsible for overall control of the printer 1, and includes a microcontroller that executes control, a ROM that stores control programs and fixed data, a RAM that provides a work area and a temporary storage area, a timer that measures time, An I / O (Input / Output) unit (not shown) for inputting and outputting signals is used. Moreover, the control part 10 performs the process shown to the flowchart of FIG.6 and FIG.7 based on the control program stored in ROM. The print engine 11 performs an actual printing operation on the printing paper with the RFID tag under the control of the control unit 10. The display unit 12 corresponds to the power lamp 18 in FIG. 2 and the like, and lighting control is performed based on a signal from the control unit 10. The operation unit 13 corresponds to the power switch 17 and the reset button 19 in FIG. 2 and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 10.
[0022]
The interface unit 8 includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port and a parallel port for connection to a print host device (for example, a personal computer) that transmits predetermined information (paper size information, print information, print instructions, etc.) to the printer 1. Alternatively, a LAN (Local Area Network) port such as Ethernet (registered trademark) is provided. The RFID reading unit 2 (reading unit) reads information stored in the RFID tag in a non-contact manner by communicating with the RFID tag mounted on the printing paper 3 with the RFID tag via the radio wave 9. The paper transport mechanism 4 transports the print paper including the RFID tag-attached print paper 3 set in the paper feed tray 14 (feeding into the printer and discharging to the outside of the printer). The carriage moving mechanism 5 moves the carriage 25 in the width direction of the printer 1 (left and right direction in FIG. 3).
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the RFID reading unit 2 and the print head 26 mounted on the lower part of the carriage 25 of the printer 1. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the RFID reading unit 2 and the print head 26 are viewed from the lower side (printing paper side), and the arrow in the drawing indicates the discharge direction of the printing paper with the RFID tag.
[0024]
In FIG. 4, the print head 26 includes a black printing unit 261 corresponding to black and a color printing unit 262 corresponding to yellow, cyan, and magenta. When printing on a printing paper with an RFID tag, the carriage 25 is moved by the carriage moving mechanism 5 while driving the black printing unit 261 and the color printing unit 262 of the print head 26 under the control of the control unit 10, thereby generating one line. Further, after a predetermined amount of the RFID-tagged printing paper is conveyed in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure by the paper conveyance mechanism 4, the next line is printed. By repeating printing of each line, printing of one page of RFID-tagged printing paper can be executed.
[0025]
As described above, the initial position of the carriage 25 is set at the right side portion of the printer 1 in FIG. 3, so printing is performed from right to left when the printer 1 is considered as a reference (left when considering a printing sheet as a reference). To the right). The RFID reading unit 2 can also be moved in the lateral direction (paper width direction) with respect to the RFID-tagged printing paper by moving the carriage 25 by the carriage moving mechanism 5. Furthermore, the RFID reading unit 2 is relatively moved with respect to the RFID-tagged printing paper by carrying the RFID-tagged printing paper in the forward direction (paper discharge direction, arrow direction in the figure) or the reverse direction by the paper feeding mechanism 4. It is also possible to move in the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the paper width direction).
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing paper with an RFID tag in which the RFID tag is mounted at one corner. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the printing surface of a vertically long printing paper such as “A4 portrait” is viewed from the forward direction. When the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1, the printing paper is shown in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Is set in the paper feed tray 14 in a state in which is set downward.
[0027]
In FIG. 5, 31 is an RFID tag mounted on printing paper, and 32 is an example of a letterhead printed from the beginning on printing paper. In the example of FIG. 5, when the letterhead 32 is oriented correctly, the RFID tag 31 is positioned at the upper left point a on the printing paper, and this is the normal position. On the other hand, when the printing paper is turned upside down with its long side direction as the axis, the printing paper is placed at the upper right b point on the printing paper. Is rotated 180 degrees in a plane, the RFID tag 31 is positioned at the lower right d point on the printing paper.
[0028]
That is, when the printing paper is set on the paper feed tray 14 of the printer 1 without being conscious of the front and back of the printing paper and the top and bottom (paper setting direction), the RFID tag 31 has the points a, b, c, and d described above. There will be four states located anywhere. In addition, the positions of the points a, b, c, and d described above are set to positions L and M from the long side paper end and the short side paper end of the print paper, respectively. The position of the upper RFID tag 31 can be easily specified.
[0029]
Next, a specific operation of the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In this example, a case where a vertically long printing paper with an RFID tag (hereinafter, abbreviated as printing paper) such as “A4 portrait” shown in FIG. 5 is used as an example.
[0030]
6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the printer 1. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the control unit 10 of the printer 1 based on a control program stored in a ROM in the control unit.
[0031]
The processing shown in this flowchart starts when the printer 1 receives a print instruction from a print host device (not shown) such as a personal computer and starts printing (step S100). When receiving the print instruction, the control unit 10 feeds the printing paper set in the paper feed tray 14 from the paper feed tray 14 by the paper transport mechanism 4, and further, the carriage 25 by the carriage moving mechanism 5 and the paper transport mechanism 4, respectively. By moving the printing paper by a predetermined amount, the RFID reading unit 2 is positioned at point a in FIG. 5 (step S101). Next, the control unit 10 detects the presence or absence of the RFID tag 31 in the predetermined region including the point a by reading the predetermined region including the point a on the printing paper using the RFID reading unit 2 (step S102). (Detection means).
[0032]
If the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper can be detected in step S102, this means that the RFID tag 31 is at point a on the printing paper, that is, the printing paper is set in the forward direction (discriminating means). The control unit 10 performs a normal printing operation by the print engine 11 (step S103) (control unit), and then ends the process (step S124). If the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper cannot be detected in step S102, it means that there is no RFID tag 31 at point a on the printing paper, that is, the printing paper is not set in the forward direction (discriminating means). The process branches to step S104.
[0033]
If the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper cannot be detected, the control unit 10 moves the carriage 25 leftward by a predetermined amount by the carriage moving mechanism 5 (see FIG. 3) (step S104), and then uses the RFID reading unit 2. Then, the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper is detected (step S105) (detection means). If the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper cannot be detected in step S105, the control unit 10 checks whether the current position of the carriage 25 is on the left end side of the printer 1 (step S108). If it is not on the left end side of 1, the process returns to step S104.
[0034]
When the process formed by the loop of step S104, step S105, and step S108 described above is repeated and the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper can be detected in step S105, the RFID tag 31 exists at point b on the printing paper. That is, the printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with its long side direction turned upside down (axis of discrimination), and the process proceeds to step S106. The controller 10 performs a carriage return that moves the carriage 25 to the initial position by the carriage moving mechanism 5 (step S106), and then performs a printing operation based on the back side paper information (back side information) by the print engine 11 (step S107) ( Control means), this process is terminated (step S124). If it is determined in step S108 that the carriage 25 has reached the left end side of the printer 1, the process proceeds to step S109.
[0035]
When printing on the surface of normal printing paper, printing is performed according to the type of printing paper selected (for example, high-quality paper, glossy paper, etc.). In the state where the paper is turned upside down and set in the paper feed tray 14, printing is performed on the back side of the printing paper, and the type of the selected printing paper does not make sense. Therefore, the printing is forcibly changed to the plain paper. However, in the case of special paper with user designation (back side designation) such as double-sided glossy paper, printing is performed according to the back side paper information.
[0036]
The fact that the carriage 25 has reached the left end side of the printer 1 in step S108 means that there is no RFID tag 31 at point b on the printing paper, and the control unit 10 causes the carriage moving mechanism 5 to move the carriage 25 to the initial position. After moving carriage return (step S109), the process proceeds to step S110. The control unit 10 feeds a predetermined amount of printing paper by the paper transport mechanism 4 (step S110), and detects the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper using the RFID reading unit 2 (step S111) (detection means). If the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper cannot be detected in step S111, the control unit 10 checks whether the current printing paper position is the bottom edge of the paper (step S114). Returns to step S110.
[0037]
When the process formed by the loop of step S110, step S111, and step S114 is repeated and the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper can be detected in step S111, the RFID tag 31 is located at point c on the printing paper. That is, the print paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with its short side direction turned upside down (the discriminating means), and the process proceeds to step S112. The control unit 10 back-feeds the printing paper to the top by the paper transport mechanism 4 (step S112), and then performs a printing operation (described later) in reverse order based on the back-side paper information by the print engine 11 (step S113) (control means). Then, this process ends (step S124). If it is determined in step S114 that the position of the printing paper has reached the lower end of the paper, the process proceeds to step S115.
[0038]
In the state where the printing paper is set on the paper feed tray 14 with the short side direction turned upside down as described above, printing is performed on the back side of the printing paper again. Type does not make sense. Again, the setting is forcibly changed to plain paper and printing is performed, and in the case of special paper with user designation (back side designation) such as double-sided glossy paper, printing is performed according to the back side paper information.
[0039]
The printing paper in this case is also fed in a state where the top and bottom are reversed. If printing is performed in a normal orientation, print information transmitted from the print host device (not shown) to the printer 1 is sequentially printed from the upper left to the lower right of the print paper. In this case (the print paper is upside down) ) Print information is printed in reverse order from the lower right to the upper left of the print paper after spooling the print information for one page. Thereby, it is possible to perform printing in a direction in which the printing result looks right when viewed from the forward direction of the printing paper.
[0040]
The fact that the printing paper has reached the lower end in step S114 means that there is no RFID tag 31 at point c on the printing paper, and the process proceeds to step S115. The control unit 10 moves the carriage 25 leftward by a predetermined amount by the carriage moving mechanism 5 (step S115), and detects the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper using the RFID reading unit 2 (step S116) (detection means). . If the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper cannot be detected in step S116, the control unit 10 checks whether the current position of the carriage 25 is on the left end side of the printer 1 (step S120). If it is not on the left end side of 1, the process returns to step S115.
[0041]
When the process formed by the loop of step S115, step S116, and step S120 described above is repeated and the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper can be detected in step S116, the RFID tag 31 exists at the point d on the printing paper. That is, the printing paper is set on the paper feed tray 14 in a state rotated by 180 degrees on a plane (discriminating means), and the control unit 10 moves the carriage 25 to the initial position by the carriage moving mechanism 5. (Step S117), the process proceeds to step S118. The control unit 10 back-feeds the printing paper to the head by the paper transport mechanism 4 (step S118), and then performs a printing operation in reverse order by the print engine 11 (step S119) (control means), and ends this processing (step S118). S124). If it is determined in step S120 that the carriage 25 has reached the left end side of the printer 1, the process proceeds to step S121.
[0042]
In this case (printing paper is rotated by 180 degrees on a plane), printing is performed on the surface of the printing paper, but the printing paper is fed with the top and bottom reversed. Accordingly, after spooling one page of print information transmitted from the print host device (not shown) to the printer 1, the print information is printed in the reverse order from the lower right to the upper left of the print paper. Thereby, it is possible to perform printing in a direction in which the printing result looks right when viewed from the forward direction of the printing paper.
[0043]
The fact that the carriage 25 has reached the left end side of the printer 1 in step S120 means that there is no RFID tag 31 at the point d on the printing paper, that is, the point a, b, c, or d on the printing paper. Also, there is no RFID tag 31 and the FRID tag 31 is not mounted on the printing paper (determination means). At this time, the control unit 10 performs a carriage return for moving the carriage 25 to the initial position by the carriage moving mechanism 5 (step S121), and back feeds the printing paper to the top by the paper transport mechanism 4 (step S122). A printing operation is performed by the print engine 11 (step S123) (control means), and this processing is terminated (step S124). In this case, since the RFID tag 31 is not mounted on the printing paper, the printing operation of the printer 1 is not different from the conventional one.
[0044]
In the above description, in the loop formed by step S104, step S105, and step S108, or the loop formed by step S115, step S116, and step S120, the carriage 25 is moved by the carriage moving mechanism 5 and the printing paper is moved. The process of detecting the presence or absence of the RFID tag 31 at the points b and d was performed. However, if the paper size information transmitted from the print host device to the printer 1 is used, the position of the RFID tag 31 can be obtained by calculation. For example, if the paper size is “A4 portrait”, “A4 short side length−2L” is calculated by moving the carriage 25 from point a to point b on the printing paper or from point c on the printing paper. This is the moving distance of the carriage 25 to the point.
[0045]
Further, in the loop formed by steps S110, S111, and S114, a process for feeding the printing paper and detecting the presence or absence of the RFID tag 31 at point c on the printing paper was performed. Similarly, if the paper size information transmitted from the print host device to the printer 1 is used, the position of the RFID tag 31 can be obtained by calculation. That is, by feeding the printing paper by a distance of “A4 long side length−2M”, the position of detecting the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper can be moved from point a to point c.
[0046]
As described above, the carriage 25 and the printing paper are fed by the values obtained by the above calculation (“A4 short side length−2L”, “A4 long side length−2M”), respectively, and printing can be easily performed. It is possible to move to each point on the paper. Further, instead of performing calculations such as “A4 long side length−2M” and “A4 short side length−2L”, each calculation result is associated with the paper size in the ROM or the like in the control unit 10. You may remember it.
[0047]
Next, in the above description, a case where a vertically long RFID tag-attached printing paper such as “A4 portrait” is used as an example, but a horizontally long RFID tag-attached printing paper such as “A4 landscape” is used below. Explain the case.
[0048]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a horizontally long RFID tag-attached printing paper. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the printing surface of a horizontally long printing paper such as “A4 landscape” is viewed from the forward direction, and when the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1, the printing paper is shown in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Is set in the paper feed tray 14 in a state in which is set downward.
[0049]
In FIG. 8, as in FIG. 5, 31 is an RFID tag mounted on printing paper, and 32 is an example of a letterhead printed from the beginning on printing paper. In the example of FIG. 8, when the letterhead 32 is oriented correctly, the RFID tag 31 is positioned at the upper right point a on the printing paper, and this is the normal position. The reason why this position is set to the normal position is to match with the case where the vertically long print sheet of FIG. 5 is rotated 90 degrees to the right and set horizontally on the sheet feed tray 14. When the printing paper is turned upside down with respect to the point a on the printing paper, the right side of the printing paper is turned to the position of the upper left point c on the printing paper. When the printing paper is rotated 180 degrees on the plane at the position of the lower point b, the RFID tag 31 is positioned at the position of the lower left point d on the printing paper.
[0050]
That is, when the printing paper is set on the paper feed tray 14 of the printer 1 without being conscious of the front and back of the printing paper and the top and bottom (paper setting direction), the RFID tag 31 has the points a, b, c, and d described above. There will be four states located anywhere. Also, the positions of the points a, b, c, and d described above are set to M and L from the paper edge on the long side and the paper edge on the short side, respectively, on the printing paper. The position of the RFID 31 can be easily specified.
[0051]
In this example, the presence / absence of the RFID tag 31 is checked in the order of c point, a point, d point, and b point on the printing paper. If the RFID tag 31 is at the c point, the printing paper is upside down. When 31 is at point a, the printing paper is forward, when the RFID tag 31 is at point d, the printing paper is upside down, and when the RFID tag 31 is at point b, the printing paper is front and back and top and bottom. On the other hand, when the RFID tag 31 is not at any point, it is determined that the sheet is a normal sheet whose direction cannot be determined. The printing method in each situation (position and presence / absence) of the RFID tag 31 on the printing paper is the same as in the case of the vertically long printing paper shown in FIG.
[0052]
Here, in the case of the vertically long printing paper shown in FIG. 5, the initial position of the RFID tag 31 is upper left, and in the case of the horizontally long printing paper shown in FIG. 8, the initial position of the RFID tag 31 is upper right. Thus, it is necessary to determine the initial position. To determine the initial position of the RFID tag 31, paper size information transmitted from the print host device to the printer 1 may be used. For example, if the paper size information is “A4 portrait”, the initial position of the RFID tag 31 is in the state shown in FIG. 5, that is, the upper left on the printing paper, and if the paper size information is “A4 landscape”, the RFID tag It can be determined that the initial position 31 is in the state shown in FIG.
[0053]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing paper in which the RFID tag is mounted at one corner is used, and the position of the RFID tag on the printing paper set in the printer is used by using the RFID reading unit 2. By detecting whether the print paper is set face-up or face-down or whether the top / bottom is forward or reverse, the print results suitable for both the front and back sides of the print paper and the print paper A printer capable of printing in a normal direction even when the top and bottom are reversed can be realized.
[0054]
As a result, even when the user sets the front and back of the printing paper and the top and bottom of the printing paper in the wrong place, printing according to the setting state of the printing paper can be performed, so that a conventional printing mistake can be eliminated as much as possible. This is particularly effective for papers such as letterhead paper and postcard papers whose printing orientation is important.
[0055]
[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the case where the RFID tag is mounted at one place on the printing paper has been described. However, in the second embodiment, the RFID tag is mounted at two diagonal positions on the printing paper. Will be explained.
[0056]
The configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment (FIG. 1), the appearance of the printer (FIG. 2), the structure of the main part of the printer (FIG. 3), the configuration of the RFID reading unit and the print head of the printer (FIG. 4) Since this is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0057]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing paper with RFID tags in which RFID tags are mounted at two diagonal positions. The state in which the arrow A shown in the figure is upward indicates a state in which the printing surface of a vertically long printing paper such as “A4 portrait” is viewed from the forward direction, and when the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1, The printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with the direction of the arrow A shown in the figure downward.
[0058]
In FIG. 9, 33 and 34 are RFID tags mounted on printing paper. In this example, when the printing paper is viewed from the forward direction, the RFID tags 33 and 34 are located at the upper left a point and the lower left d point on the printing paper, which are the normal positions. However, even if the printing paper is rotated 180 degrees, the two RFID tags are placed in the same state, and the two states cannot be discriminated. Therefore, information such as “upper” is stored in the RFID tag 33 and “lower” is stored in the RFID tag 34. By reading the stored information of the RFID tags 33 and 34 using the RFID reader 2, the two states are discriminated.
[0059]
That is, if there is an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the storage information of the RFID tag is “up”, the printing paper is forward, and there is an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the storage information of the RFID tag is “ If "down", the printing paper is upside down, and the RFID tag has an RFID tag at point b on the printing paper. If the stored information on the RFID tag is "up", the printing paper is upside down, and the RFID tag is on point b on the printing paper. If the information stored in the RFID tag is "below", the printing paper is reversed for both the front and back sides and the top and bottom. Can do. When the printing paper is upside down, the printing is performed in the reverse order as in the first embodiment.
[0060]
9 shows a state in which the printing surface of a horizontally long printing paper such as “A4 landscape” is viewed from the forward direction, and the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1. When this is done, the printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with the direction of the arrow B shown in the figure downward.
[0061]
In this case, if there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper and the stored information of the RFID tag is “up”, the printing paper is upside down, and there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper and the RFID tag If the stored information is “down”, the printing paper is reversed on both the front and back sides and the top and bottom, and if the RFID tag has an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the stored information on the RFID tag is “up”, the printing paper is forward and on the printing paper. If there is an RFID tag at point a and the information stored in the RFID tag is “down”, the printing paper is upside down, and the direction of the paper cannot be determined without an RFID tag at both points c and a on the printing paper. Judgment can be made. The printing method in each situation (position and presence / absence) of the RFID tag on the printing paper is the same as in the case of the vertically long printing paper shown in FIG.
[0062]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing paper on which the RFID tag is mounted at two diagonal positions is used, and the printer has the RFID tag mounted on which side of the upper side of the loaded printing paper. Using the result of detection and the information stored in the RFID tag ("up", "down"), it is determined whether the print paper is set face up or face down or upside down in the forward or reverse direction. In addition, when the printing paper is upside down, the printing is performed in the reverse order, so that printing suitable for both sides of the printing paper and the printing paper upside down are also in the normal orientation. Can be realized.
[0063]
Further, since the RFID tag position on the printing paper only needs to be detected at two positions on the upper side, the RFID tag position can be detected only by moving the carriage 25, and the printing paper is not required to be transported. RFID tag position detection control can be simplified.
[0064]
[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the case where the RFID tag is mounted at two diagonal positions of the printing paper has been described, but in the third embodiment, the RFID tag is mounted at two positions on the upper side of the printing paper. Will be explained.
[0065]
The configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment (FIG. 1), the appearance of the printer (FIG. 2), the structure of the main part of the printer (FIG. 3), the configuration of the RFID reading unit and the print head of the printer (FIG. 4) Since this is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0066]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing paper with an RFID tag on which RFID tags are mounted at two locations on the upper side. The state in which the arrow A shown in the figure is upward indicates a state in which the printing surface of a vertically long printing paper such as “A4 portrait” is viewed from the forward direction, and when the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1, The printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with the direction of the arrow A shown in the figure downward.
[0067]
In FIG. 10, 35 and 36 are RFID tags mounted on the printing paper. In this example, when the printing paper is viewed from the forward direction, the RFID tag is positioned at the upper left point a and the upper right point b on the printing paper, which is the normal position. However, even if the printing paper is turned upside down, the two RFID tags are placed in the same state, and the two states cannot be determined. Therefore, information such as “left” is stored in the RFID tag 35 and “right” is stored in the RFID tag 36. By reading the stored information of the RFID tags 35 and 36 using the RFID reading unit 2, the two states are discriminated.
[0068]
That is, if there is an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the information stored in the RFID tag is “left”, the printing paper is forward, the RFID tag is at point a on the printing paper, and the information stored in the RFID tag is “ If it is “Right”, the printing paper is upside down, and if there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper and the stored information of the RFID tag is “Left”, then the printing paper will be upside down on both the front and back and top and bottom, If there is an RFID tag and the stored information of the RFID tag is “right”, the printing paper is upside down, and it is determined that the paper is normal paper whose orientation cannot be determined without the RFID tag at both points a and c on the printing paper. Can do. When the printing paper is upside down, the printing is performed in the reverse order as in the first embodiment.
[0069]
Further, the state in which the arrow B is directed upward in FIG. 10 shows a state where the printing surface of a horizontally long printing paper such as “A4 landscape” is viewed from the forward direction, and the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1. When this is done, the printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with the direction of the arrow B shown in the figure downward.
[0070]
In this case, if there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper and the stored information of the RFID tag is “right”, the printing paper is upside down, and there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper and the RFID tag If the stored information is “left”, the printing paper is upside down. If there is an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the stored information on the RFID tag is “right”, the printing paper is upside down and upside down on the printing paper. If there is an RFID tag at point a and the stored information of the RFID tag is “left”, the printing paper is forward, and the normal paper whose orientation cannot be determined if there is no RFID tag at both points c and a on the printing paper. Judgment can be made. The printing method in each situation (position and presence / absence) of the RFID tag on the printing paper is the same as in the case of the vertically long printing paper shown in FIG.
[0071]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing paper on which the RFID tag is mounted on the upper side is used, and the printer has the RFID tag mounted on which side of the long side of the loaded printing paper. Using the detection result and the information stored in the RFID tag (“Left”, “Right”), it is determined whether the print paper is set face-up or face-down, and the top / bottom is forward or reverse. In addition, when the printing paper is upside down, the printing is performed in the reverse order, so that printing suitable for both sides of the printing paper and the printing paper upside down are also in the normal orientation. Can be realized.
[0072]
Further, since the RFID tag can be detected only at two locations on the long side of the printing paper, only the printing paper is transported when the printing paper is placed vertically, and the RFID is only moved by the carriage 25 when the printing paper is placed horizontally. Tag position detection can be realized, and RFID tag position detection control can be simplified.
[0073]
[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the case where the RFID tag is mounted at one place on the printing paper will be described. In the second and third embodiments, the case where the RFID tag is mounted at two places on the printing paper will be described. As described above, in the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which RFID tags are mounted at four locations on the printing paper.
[0074]
The configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment (FIG. 1), the appearance of the printer (FIG. 2), the structure of the main part of the printer (FIG. 3), the configuration of the RFID reading unit and the print head of the printer (FIG. 4) Since this is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0075]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing paper with RFID tags on which RFID tags are mounted at four locations at four corners. The state in which the arrow A shown in the figure is upward indicates a state in which the printing surface of a vertically long printing paper such as “A4 portrait” is viewed from the forward direction, and when the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1, The printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with the direction of the arrow A shown in the figure downward.
[0076]
In FIG. 11, reference numerals 37, 38, 39 and 40 denote RFID tags mounted at four corners on the printing paper. In this case, since RFID tags are mounted at all four corners on the printing paper, the orientation of the printing paper cannot be determined by the position of the RFID tag. Therefore, information such as “upper left” is stored in the RFID tag 37, “upper right” in the RFID tag 38, “lower left” in the RFID tag 39, and “lower right” in the RFID tag 40. The four states are discriminated by reading the stored information of the RFID tags 37 to 40 using the RFID reader 2.
[0077]
That is, if there is an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the storage information of the RFID tag is “upper left”, the printing paper is forward, and there is an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the storage information of the RFID tag is “ If it is “upper right”, the printing paper is upside down, and if the RFID tag has an RFID tag at point a on the printing paper and the stored information of the RFID tag is “lower left”, then the printing paper is upside down on the front and back and top and bottom. If there is an RFID tag and the stored information of the RFID tag is “bottom right”, the printing paper is upside down, and it can be determined that the paper cannot be determined as an ordinary paper if there is no RFID tag at point a on the printing paper. . When the printing paper is upside down, the printing is performed in the reverse order as in the first embodiment.
[0078]
Further, the state in which the arrow B is directed upward in FIG. 11 shows a state where the printing surface of a horizontally long printing paper such as “A4 landscape” is viewed from the forward direction, and the printing paper is actually supplied to the printer 1. When this is done, the printing paper is set in the paper feed tray 14 with the direction of the arrow B shown in the figure downward.
[0079]
In this case, if there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper and the stored information of the RFID tag is “upper left”, the printing paper is upside down, and there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper and the RFID tag If the stored information is “upper right”, the printing paper is upside down, and if there is an RFID tag at point c on the printing paper, and if the stored information on the RFID tag is “lower left”, the printing paper is forward and point c on the printing paper. If the RFID tag has an RFID tag and the stored information of the RFID tag is “bottom right”, the printing paper is reversed on both the front and back sides and the top and bottom. be able to. The printing method in each situation (position and presence / absence) of the RFID tag on the printing paper is the same as in the case of the vertically long printing paper shown in FIG.
[0080]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, printing paper using RFID tags mounted at four locations at the four corners is used, and the printer uses the information stored in the RFID tag at the upper left of the set printing paper to perform printing. Suitable for both sides of the printing paper because it is configured to determine whether the paper is set up front or back or whether the top and bottom is forward or reverse, and when the printing paper is upside down, the printing is done in reverse order. Thus, a printer capable of printing in the normal direction even when the printing paper is upside down can be realized.
[0081]
Further, it is not necessary to detect the position of the RFID tag that detects where the RFID tag is located in the four corners on the printing paper, and only by reading the information stored in the RFID tag at one of the four corners on the printing paper. It is possible to realize the set state detection.
[0082]
[Fifth Embodiment]
In the fifth embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a double-sided printer having a double-side mechanism for turning over a printing paper and capable of printing on both the front and back sides of the printing paper.
[0083]
The configuration of the double-sided printer according to this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment except that the above-described double-side mechanism (not shown) is provided, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0084]
In the first to fourth embodiments, since a double-sided printer is not assumed as the printer, printing is performed on the back side of the printing paper even when the printing paper is set face down on the paper feed tray. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a method for printing in the forward direction of the surface of the printing paper even when the printing paper is set face down on the paper feed tray (or even when set upside down) in the duplex printing printer. To do. Any one of the discrimination methods described in the first to fourth embodiments can be used for discriminating the front / back and top / bottom direction of the printing paper, and a description thereof will be omitted here.
[0085]
In the double-sided printer, first, when the printing paper is set in the forward direction in the paper feed tray, of course, normal printing is performed. Next, when the print sheet is set upside down on the paper feed tray, the print information is spooled for one page, and then the print information is printed in the reverse order from the lower right to the upper left. Accordingly, it is possible to perform printing in a direction in which the printing result is correctly viewed when viewed from the forward direction of the printing paper. Up to this point, the operation is the same as in the first to fourth embodiments.
[0086]
Next, when the printing paper is set upside down on the paper feed tray, the printing paper is first turned over by the double-side mechanism and then printed on the surface of the printing paper. At this time, in the normal double-sided mechanism of an inkjet printer, the top and bottom are also reversed together, so after spooling one page, the print information is printed in the reverse order from the lower right to the upper left. Finally, when the printing paper is set on the paper feed tray so that the front and back sides and the top and bottom are reversed, the printing paper is also turned over by the double-sided mechanism and then printed on the surface of the printing paper. In this case, since the top and bottom are reversed to the correct orientation by the double-side mechanism, normal printing is performed as it is. When performing double-sided printing, the printing paper is further turned over by the double-sided mechanism, and printing is performed on the back side of the printing paper.
[0087]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the RFID tag is used to determine whether the printing paper is set face-up or face-down or whether the top / bottom is forward or reverse. Is turned over once, and when printing paper is upside down, printing is done in the reverse order, so it is possible to print in the forward direction on the surface of the printing paper no matter how the printing paper is set in the printer A simple duplex printer can be realized.
[0088]
In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the number of RFID reading units mounted on the printer is one, and the number of RFID tags on the printing paper is changed to one, two, and four. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the same effect can be obtained even when the RFID tag on the printing paper is fixed to one and the number of RFID reading units mounted on the printer is changed to two or four. In addition, when an RFID reading unit that can detect the direction in which the RFID tag exists is used, even if there is one RFID tag on the printing paper, once detection is performed from the center of the printing paper, the front and back of the printing paper and the top and bottom of the printing paper It is possible to grasp the state of
[0089]
Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the printing method of the printer is the ink jet method has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other printing methods such as an electrophotographic method, a thermal transfer method, and a thermal method are used. It is also possible to apply to a printer that has been used.
[0090]
In the above embodiment, the case where the printing apparatus is a printer has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copying machine or a multifunction machine.
[0091]
The present invention supplies a software program (flowcharts in FIGS. 6 and 7) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer or CPU, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the supplied program. Can be achieved.
[0092]
In this case, the program is directly supplied from a storage medium storing the program, or downloaded from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like. Supplied.
[0093]
The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.
[0094]
The present invention also supplies a computer or CPU with a storage medium storing a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. Can also be achieved.
[0095]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0096]
As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, ROM, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk (registered trademark), magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD -RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, etc.
[0097]
The function of the above-described embodiment is not only by executing the program code read from the computer, but the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Can also be realized.
[0098]
Examples of embodiments of the present invention are listed below.
[0099]
[Embodiment 1] In a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on a printing paper including a printing paper on which a detection target is mounted,
Reading means for detecting a detected object in the loaded printing paper, and loading of the orientation of the front and back and the top and bottom of the loaded printing paper based on the detection result of the detected object by the reading means A printing apparatus comprising: a discriminating unit that discriminates a state; and a control unit that executes printing according to the loaded state of the printing paper discriminated by the discriminating unit.
[0100]
[Embodiment 2] The printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the detected object is an RFID tag.
[0101]
According to this embodiment, the loading state of the printing paper can be determined by detecting the RFID tag on the printing paper in a non-contact manner.
[0102]
[Embodiment 3] In a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted,
Reading means for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper, detection means for detecting the position of the RFID tag on the printing paper when the reading means detects the RFID tag on the printing paper, and the detection means Determining means for determining the loading state of the front and back and the top and bottom of the loaded printing paper based on the detection position of the RFID tag by the; and loading of the printing paper determined by the judging means A printing apparatus comprising: control means for executing printing according to a state.
[0103]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to perform printing according to the loading state of whether the printing paper is face up or face down or whether the top and bottom of the printing paper is in the forward direction or the reverse direction, and it is possible to eliminate conventional printing errors.
[0104]
[Embodiment 4] In a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on a printing paper including a printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted,
Reading means for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper, and when the RFID tag is detected in the printing paper by the reading means, the loaded printing based on the content of the RFID tag read by the reading means A discriminating unit that discriminates the loading state of the front and back of the paper and the top and bottom, and a control unit that executes printing according to the loading state of the printing paper discriminated by the discriminating unit. Characteristic printing device.
[0105]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to perform printing according to the loading state of whether the printing paper is face up or face down or whether the top and bottom of the printing paper is in the forward direction or the reverse direction, and it is possible to eliminate conventional printing errors.
[0106]
[Embodiment 5] In a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on a printing paper including a printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted,
Reading means for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper, detection means for detecting the position of the RFID tag on the printing paper when the reading means detects the RFID tag on the printing paper, and the detection means Discriminating means for discriminating the loading state of the front and back and the top and bottom of the loaded printing paper based on the detected position of the RFID tag and the content of the RFID tag read by the reading means; And a control unit that executes printing according to the loaded state of the printing paper determined by the determination unit.
[0107]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to perform printing according to the loading state of whether the printing paper is face up or face down or whether the top and bottom of the printing paper is in the forward direction or the reverse direction, and it is possible to eliminate conventional printing errors.
[0108]
[Embodiment 6] Embodiment 1 is characterized in that, when the determination unit determines that the loading state of the printing paper is reverse, the printing unit executes printing using the back surface information of the printing paper. , 3-5 printing apparatus.
[0109]
According to this embodiment, even when the printing paper is loaded upside down, printing without a printing error is possible.
[0110]
[Embodiment 7] When the loading state of the printing paper is determined to be reversed upside down by the determination unit, the control unit turns the printing paper over to execute printing. The printing apparatus according to claim 5.
[0111]
According to this embodiment, even when the printing paper is loaded upside down, printing without a printing error is possible.
[0112]
[Embodiment 8] Embodiment 1, wherein, when the determination unit determines that the loading state of the printing paper is reversed upside down, printing is executed in reverse order from the end of the printing paper. The printing apparatus in any one of 3-5.
[0113]
According to this embodiment, even when the printing paper is loaded upside down, printing without a printing error is possible.
[0114]
[Embodiment 9] The printing apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein a single RFID tag is mounted on the printing paper.
[0115]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine the loading state of the printing paper by detecting the RFID tag on the printing paper.
[0116]
[Embodiment 10] The printing apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of the RFID tags are mounted on the printing paper.
[0117]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine the loading state of the printing paper by detecting the RFID tag on the printing paper.
[0118]
[Embodiment 11] The printing apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein a single RFID tag is mounted on the printing paper, and a plurality of reading units are provided.
[0119]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine the loading state of the printing paper by detecting the RFID tag on the printing paper.
[0120]
[Embodiment 12] The printing apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 and 3 to 5, comprising a double-sided mechanism for turning over the printing paper and having a double-sided printing function for printing on both front and back sides of the printing paper. .
[0121]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to perform printing in the forward direction of the surface of the printing paper regardless of the orientation of the printing paper loaded in the printing apparatus.
[0122]
[Embodiment 13] In a printing control method executed by a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which a tag is mounted,
Based on a reading step for detecting a tag in the loaded printing paper and a tag detection result in the reading step, a loading state indicating the orientation of the front and back and the top and bottom of the loaded printing paper is determined. A printing control method comprising: a determining step; and a control step of executing printing according to the loaded state of the printing paper determined in the determining step.
[0123]
[Embodiment 14] In a printing control method executed by a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted,
A reading step for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper, a detection step for detecting a position of the RFID tag on the printing paper when the RFID tag is detected in the printing paper by the reading step, and the detection step A determination step of determining a loading state of the front and back of the loaded printing paper and a top-and-bottom orientation based on the detection position of the RFID tag, and loading of the printing paper determined by the determination step And a control step for executing printing according to the state.
[0124]
[Embodiment 15] In a printing control method executed by a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted,
A reading step for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper, and when the RFID tag is detected in the printing paper by the reading step, the loaded printing is performed based on the content of the RFID tag read in the reading step. A discriminating step for discriminating the loading state of the front and back of the paper and the top and bottom, and a control step for executing printing according to the loading state of the printing paper discriminated by the discriminating step. A printing control method.
[0125]
[Embodiment 16] In a printing control method executed by a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted,
A reading step for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper, a detection step for detecting a position of the RFID tag on the printing paper when the RFID tag is detected in the printing paper by the reading step, and the detection step A determination step of determining a loading state indicating the orientation of the front and back of the loaded printing paper and the top and bottom based on the detected position of the RFID tag and the content of the RFID tag read by the reading step; And a control step of executing printing according to the loaded state of the printing paper determined by the determining step.
[0126]
[Embodiment 17] In a program for causing a computer to execute a printing control method of a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on a printing paper including a printing paper on which a tag is mounted.
A reading module for detecting a tag in the loaded printing paper, and a loading state indicating the orientation of the front and back and the top and bottom of the loaded printing paper is determined based on the tag detection result by the reading module. A program comprising: a determination module; and a control module that executes printing according to a loading state of the printing paper determined by the determination module.
[0127]
[Embodiment 18] In a program for causing a computer to execute a printing control method of a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted.
A reading module for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper; a detection module for detecting a position of the RFID tag on the printing paper when the reading module detects the RFID tag on the printing paper; and the detection module And a determination module for determining the loading state of the front and back of the loaded printing paper and the top and bottom based on the detection position of the RFID tag, and loading of the printing paper determined by the determination module And a control module for executing printing according to the state.
[0128]
[Embodiment 19] In a program for causing a computer to execute a printing control method of a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted.
A reading module for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper, and when the RFID tag is detected in the printing paper by the reading module, the loaded printing is performed based on the content of the RFID tag read by the reading module. A determination module that determines the loading state of the front and back of the paper and the top and bottom, and a control module that executes printing according to the loading state of the printing paper determined by the determination module. A featured program.
[0129]
[Embodiment 20] In a program for causing a computer to execute a printing control method of a printing apparatus capable of printing an image on printing paper including printing paper on which an RFID tag is mounted.
A reading module for detecting an RFID tag in the loaded printing paper; a detection module for detecting a position of the RFID tag on the printing paper when the reading module detects the RFID tag on the printing paper; and the detection module A discriminating module for discriminating the loading state of the front and back and the top and bottom of the loaded printing paper based on the detected position of the RFID tag and the content of the RFID tag read by the reading module; A control module for executing printing according to the loading state of the printing paper determined by the determination module.
[0130]
[Embodiment 21] A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to any one of Embodiments 17 to 20.
[0131]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce printing mistakes when the user loads the printing paper with the wrong side upside down or upside down in the printing apparatus.In particular, the loading state of the front and back sides of the printing paper and the top and bottom of the printing paper is determined based on the arrangement position on the printing paper in which the RFID tag is detected and the information that specifies the arrangement position where the RFID tag should be arranged read from the RFID tag. Since the discriminating configuration is provided, it is possible to efficiently discriminate the loading state of the front and back of the printing paper and the top and bottom.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ink jet printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an enlarged structure of a main part of the ink jet printer.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view illustrating a configuration of an RFID reading unit and a print head mounted on a lower part of a carriage of an inkjet printer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing paper (portrait) with an RFID tag on which an RFID tag is mounted at one corner.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ink jet printer.
FIG. 7 is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing paper (landscape) with an RFID tag on which an RFID tag is mounted at one corner.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing paper with an RFID tag in which RFID tags according to a second embodiment of the present invention are mounted at two diagonal positions.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing paper with an RFID tag on which RFID tags according to a third embodiment of the present invention are mounted at two locations on the upper side.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing paper with RFID tags in which RFID tags according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention are arranged at four corners.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer
2 RFID reader
3 Printing paper with RFID tag
4 Paper transport mechanism
5 Carriage moving mechanism
10 Control unit
11 Print engine
14 Paper tray
25 Carriage
26 Print head
31, 33-40 RFID tags
32 Letterhead

Claims (8)

Detecting means for detecting the RFID tag from the printing paper in which the RFID tag is arranged at a predetermined position where the orientation of the printing paper can be determined;
Reading means for reading out information for specifying an arrangement position where the RFID tag stored in the RFID tag should be arranged;
Determination means for determining an arrangement position of the RFID tag detected by the detection means on the printing paper;
And positions of the determined RFID tag Ri by said determining means, based on the information specifying the position read by the reading means, and determining means for determining the loading state of the front and back and top and bottom of the printing paper ,
A printing apparatus comprising: an execution unit that executes a printing process based on the loading state of the printing paper determined by the determination unit.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes a predetermined printing process when an RFID tag is not detected by the detection unit. 3. The printing according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the loading state of the printing paper is reversed, the execution unit executes a printing process using back surface information of the printing paper. apparatus. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the loading state of the printing paper is reversed, the execution unit turns the printing paper over and executes a printing process. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the loading state of the printing paper is reversed, the execution unit changes a print setting and executes a printing process. 4. If the determination means top-bottom of the printing paper is judged to reverse, in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the execution means is characterized in that printing in a direction opposite to the case vertical of the printing paper is not reversed The printing apparatus as described. The execution means, the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to perform the determination by said discriminating means, the print processing based on the print settings. In a printing method in a printing apparatus,
A detection step of detecting the RFID tag from the printing paper in which the RFID tag is arranged at a predetermined position where the orientation of the printing paper can be determined;
A reading step of reading out information for specifying an arrangement position where the RFID tag stored in the RFID tag should be arranged;
A determination step of determining an arrangement position of the RFID tag detected in the detection step in the printing paper;
The arrangement position of the RFID tags determined have you on the determination step, on the basis of the position read out in the reading step on the information for specifying a determination step of determining the loading state of the front and back and top and bottom of the printing paper ,
An execution step of executing a printing process based on the loading state of the printing paper determined in the determination step.

Images