JP4506069B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer and a printing method using the printer, and more particularly to a printer that detects the width of a sheet and a printing method using the printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are printers that can print on various types of paper such as cut sheets and roll paper. In such a printer, since a sheet of an arbitrary size can be set at an arbitrary position, the right end and the left end (hereinafter abbreviated as “both ends”) of the sheet are detected, and the part other than the sheet ( For example, printing is performed on a platen roller) to prevent the portion from being soiled, and in the serial printer, the print head is prevented from being damaged.
[0003]
By the way, in the process of detecting both ends of the paper, the print head is reciprocated once left and right on the paper, and both ends are detected by the sensor provided in the print head. If such a process is executed, it takes time to print.
[0004]
Therefore, in the case of a cut sheet, the conventional technique detects that the paper has been set after the power is turned on by operating the paper width determining member. Then, when the first (first) cut sheet is inhaled from a large number of cut sheets set, both ends of the paper are detected, and thereafter, the processing for detecting both ends is omitted, The processing is prevented from being delayed due to the processing load.
[0005]
Further, the present applicant has already proposed a method for detecting the paper width of the first cut sheet fed from the paper feeding device after a state in which no print data is continuously detected for a predetermined time or longer. (See Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-328330 (abstract and claims)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in some cases, after the power is turned on and both ends of the sheet are detected by operating the sheet width determining member, the position of the width determining member remains unchanged and the sheet is changed to a small width sheet. In some cases, print requests having different paper sizes are continuously made within an interval shorter than the predetermined time. In such a case, there is a problem that printing may be erroneously performed outside the range of the paper.
[0008]
The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can efficiently detect both ends of a sheet and prevent erroneous printing outside the range of the sheet. It intends to provide a printing method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides an input unit that receives a print job input, a print job detection unit that detects that a new print job has been input via the input unit, and a print job detection unit. When a new print job is detected, a paper width detection unit for detecting the paper width of the print paper, a printing unit for printing information corresponding to the print job input via the input unit on the print paper, have.
[0010]
For this reason, when a new print job is input via the input means, the print job detection means detects this, the paper width detection means detects the paper width, and the printing means detects the paper width based on the detected paper width. Since printing is performed, the paper width can be detected at an appropriate timing.
[0011]
In the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, when the printing range designated by the print job exceeds the paper width detected by the paper width detecting means, the printing means does not print the portion beyond that. I am doing so.
[0012]
For this reason, it is possible to prevent the portion other than the paper from being printed and the portion from being stained or the print head from being damaged.
[0013]
In the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the printing unit may stop printing when the printing range designated by the print job exceeds the paper width detected by the paper width detecting unit. Yes.
[0014]
For this reason, printing can be performed on a portion other than the paper, and the portion can be prevented from being damaged or the print head can be damaged, and an unintended image can be prevented from being printed and wasted paper. .
[0015]
In the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, when the printing paper is a cut sheet, the paper width detection unit detects the paper width of the first cut sheet to be sucked after receiving a new print job. I do it only once.
[0016]
For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of detections of the sheet width and reduce the burden on the apparatus.
[0017]
In the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, when the printing paper is a roll paper, the paper width detection unit detects the paper width after receiving a new print job and before starting printing. I do it only once.
[0018]
For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of detections of the sheet width and reduce the burden on the apparatus.
[0019]
In the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, when the printing paper is a cut sheet, the paper width detection unit detects the paper width every time a print job is input, and the printing paper is roll paper. In some cases, the paper width is detected only once when the roll paper is set or when the first print job for the roll paper is input.
[0020]
For this reason, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of paper at an optimal timing according to the type of paper.
[0021]
In addition to the above-described invention, the present invention further includes a paper detection unit that detects the presence or absence of printing paper, and the printing paper detection unit has a function of 1 when the printing paper to be printed is a cut sheet. The presence or absence of printing paper is detected for each sheet.
[0022]
For this reason, when there is no cut sheet, this can be detected immediately and the user can be urged to replenish paper.
[0023]
In the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the paper detection unit detects the presence or absence of the printing paper every time the paper is fed when the printing paper to be printed is roll paper. .
[0024]
For this reason, it is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of roll paper as printing paper.
[0025]
According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the print job has attribute data indicating print attributes and actual data, and the printing unit includes the attribute data and the value detected by the paper width detection unit. The comparison is referred to, and different processing is executed depending on the comparison result.
[0026]
For this reason, the process differs depending on whether the attribute data is matched or not, and if the attribute data is matched, the actual data can be reliably printed on the printing paper in that format.
[0027]
In the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the paper width detection unit determines that the print width is the new print job when attribute data indicating the print attribute in the print job is input, and determines the paper width. To detect.
[0028]
Therefore, by detecting the attribute data, it is possible to reliably detect that a new print job has been input.
[0029]
Further, in the printing method by the printer of the present invention, an input step for receiving a print job input, a print job detection step for detecting that a new print job is input through the input step, and a print job detection step If a print job is detected, a paper width detection step for detecting the paper width of the print paper, and a print step for printing information corresponding to the print job input through the input step on the print paper, Have.
[0030]
Therefore, when a new print job is input through the input step, the print job detection step detects this, the paper width detection step detects the paper width, and the print step is performed based on the detected paper width. Since printing is performed, the paper width can be detected at an appropriate timing.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
FIG. 1 is a principle diagram for explaining the operation principle of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the printer of the present invention comprises an input means 1, a print job detection means 2, a paper width detection means 3, and a printing means 4.
[0033]
Here, the input unit 1 receives an input of a print job transmitted from a personal computer (not shown), for example. A “print job” refers to a job generated when an operation for executing printing is performed in an application program executed on a personal computer or the like, and is mainly composed of attribute data and actual data. Yes.
[0034]
When a new print job is input via the input unit 1, the print job detection unit 2 detects this.
[0035]
The paper width detection unit 3 detects the paper width of the print paper 5 when a new print job is detected by the print job detection unit 2.
[0036]
The printing unit 4 prints information corresponding to the print job input via the input unit 1 on the printing paper 5.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the above principle diagram will be described.
[0038]
First, when the apparatus is powered on, each unit is ready for operation. At this time, the paper width is not detected.
[0039]
Next, it is assumed that an application program is executed in a personal computer (not shown) and, for example, an image and document data are created. If the print button of the application program is operated to print these data, a print job including attribute data and actual data is generated and transmitted to the input unit 1.
[0040]
The input unit 1 receives a print job transmitted from a personal computer (not shown) and supplies it to the print job detection unit 2.
[0041]
For example, the print job detection unit 2 detects that a new print job has been input by detecting attribute data of the data supplied from the input unit 1, and performs a new print on the paper width detection unit 3. Notify that a job has been entered.
[0042]
When notified by the print job detection means 2 that a new print job has been input, the paper width detection means 3 sucks the print paper (in this example, a cut sheet) 5 and then positions the right and left edges thereof. Is detected and notified to the printing means 4.
[0043]
The printing means 4 refers to the positions of both ends of the printing paper 5 detected by the paper width detecting means 3, and the printing range and paper size defined in the attribute information included in the print job are within the paper range ( If it conforms to the printable range, print processing is executed. On the other hand, when the print range and the paper size do not match the paper range, for example, processing is performed so that only actual data that falls within the printable range is printed. Alternatively, a process of displaying a warning on the personal computer side is performed without performing the printing process.
[0044]
When the printing process for the first printing paper 5 is completed, the printing unit 4 ejects the first printing paper 5 and determines whether there is more actual data to be printed. If it exists, the next printing paper 5 is sucked, and the printing process is immediately executed without executing the paper width detection process. If there is no actual data to be printed, the printing paper 5 is discharged and the printing process is terminated.
[0045]
When the next print job is input after the print processing of the first print job is completed, the print job detection means 2 detects that a new print job has been input as described above. Then, the paper width detection means 3 is notified.
[0046]
When the printing paper 5 is sucked, the paper width detection unit 3 detects both ends thereof and notifies the printing unit 4 of it.
[0047]
The printing unit 4 prints the actual data included in the print job on the printing paper 5 based on the detection result of the paper width detection unit 3.
[0048]
As described above, according to the present invention, both ends of the print paper 5 are detected every time a print job is input. For example, this is a case where the paper is changed for each print job. However, it is possible to accurately detect the printable range of the printing paper 5 and prevent erroneous printing.
[0049]
That is, according to the present invention, the type of paper to be printed is unchanged in the same print job, and the paper is changed before the new print job is executed. By detecting the paper width for each print job, the number of paper detection processes is reduced, and the paper width is detected at an appropriate timing to prevent erroneous printing.
[0050]
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0051]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, an embodiment of the present invention includes a platen roll (hereinafter simply referred to as “platen”) 10, a print head 11, a sensor 12, a guide shaft 14, a DC (Direct Current) motor 15, Belt 16, both ends detection unit 17, control unit 18, position monitoring unit 19, main control unit 20, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, sensor group 24 and A PC (Personal Computer) 26 is connected to the outside.
[0052]
Here, the platen 10 is made of hard rubber or the like, holds the printing paper 30 so that the interval between the print head 11 and the printing paper 30 is appropriate, and rotates the printing paper 30 by itself rotating. Transport.
[0053]
The print head 11 serving as the printing unit 4 includes, for example, an ink cartridge, an ink cartridge holder, an ink jet nozzle, and the like. The ink stored in the ink cartridge is passed through the ink jet nozzle according to the control of the main control unit 21. Are ejected onto the printing paper 30 to draw a predetermined figure or the like.
[0054]
The sensor 12 is a reflective optical sensor such as a photodiode, for example, and detects both ends of the printing paper 30 and notifies the position monitoring unit 19 of it.
[0055]
The guide shaft 14 plays a role as a guide so as to move along a predetermined path when the print head 11 moves left and right.
[0056]
The DC motor 15 is controlled by the control unit 18 and drives the belt 16 to move the print head 11 in the left-right direction in the figure.
[0057]
The belt 16 is driven by a DC motor 15 to move the print head 11 in the left-right direction in the figure.
[0058]
The both-end detection unit 17 as the sheet width detection unit 3 includes the sensor 12, the control unit 18, the position monitoring unit 19, and the like, detects both ends of the print sheet 30, and notifies the main control unit 20.
[0059]
The control unit 18 drives the DC motor 15 according to the control of the main control unit 20 and controls the position of the print head 11.
[0060]
The position monitoring unit 19 refers to a detection signal from the sensor 12 provided in the print head 11 and a signal from a linear encoder (not shown) arranged along the guide shaft 14 to determine the current state of the print head 11. Detect position.
[0061]
The main control unit 20 as the input unit 1 and the print job detection unit 2 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23. Print.
[0062]
The CPU 21 controls each unit of the apparatus according to a program stored in the ROM 22 and executes various arithmetic processes.
[0063]
The ROM 22 stores basic programs and data executed by the CPU 21.
[0064]
The RAM 23 temporarily stores programs to be executed, data being calculated, and the like when the CPU 21 executes various processes.
[0065]
The sensor group 24 as a paper detection unit is configured by a plurality of sensors including a paper detection sensor, for example, and supplies data detected by each sensor to the main control unit 20.
[0066]
The input unit 25 includes, for example, a power button, a paper supply / discharge button, a cleaning button for cleaning the print head 11, and the like arranged on the operation panel. 20 is supplied.
[0067]
The PC 26 generates print data such as an image or a document by executing an application program stored in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) (not shown), and prints when the print button of the application program is operated. Generate and output a job. The PC 26 and the main control unit 20 are connected via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.
[0068]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the roll paper 31 or the cut sheet 32 that is the printing paper and each unit. 3A is a view when the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is viewed from the front in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. FIG. 3B is a view showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 on the paper surface. It is a figure at the time of seeing from the horizontal direction right side. Further, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are drawn so that the positional relationship of each part corresponds.
[0069]
As shown in this figure, the roll paper 31 is nipped by paper feed rollers 50 and 51, respectively, and is rotated from the left side to the right side in the figure. The cut sheet 32 is similarly conveyed from the left side to the right side.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the upper portion of the belt 16 is connected to a part of the print head 11, so that when the DC motor 15 rotates, the print head 11 moves in the vertical direction of FIG. Move to.
[0071]
The print head 11 is given a driving force by the belt 16 and moves in the vertical direction of FIG.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the roll paper 31 is sucked in via the paper feed roller 50 and sent out by the paper feed roller 51 via the platen 10.
[0073]
The cut sheets 32 are placed on the sheet feeder 34, taken out one by one by the pickup roller 33, sucked through the paper feed roller 50, and sent out by the paper feed roller 51 through the platen 10.
[0074]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
[0075]
When an application program is executed on the PC 26 and, for example, an image, a document, or the like is created, and a print button of the application program is operated, it is adapted to the apparatus by a printer driver incorporated in an OS (Operation System). Converted to format data. Further, attribute data for controlling the printer is also generated at the same time, and these are combined to generate a print job.
[0076]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of a print job. As shown in this figure, the print job 60 is composed of attribute data 61 and actual data 62. The attribute data 61 indicates the size of paper such as A4 and B5 and the type of paper such as postcards and address stickers. Show. It includes information indicating the sheet type 61a indicating the actual printing range, the sheet thickness 61b, the printing range 61c, and the number of printed sheets 61d. That is, the attribute data 61 is data necessary for setting the printer when executing the printing process, and the actual data 62 is data to be actually printed.
[0077]
The print job 60 generated in this way is added to the print spool queue managed by the OS, and is sent to the printer in the order in which requests are made, and print processing is executed. The print spool queue contains the print jobs to be sent to the printer, information about each print job (request status, user name of the user who is sending the request, host name of the system to which the request is to be sent, and job number. Etc.).
[0078]
When the print job 60 stored in the print spool queue is transmitted to the printer, the main control unit 20 receives the print job 60 and executes the following print processing. In the following, the case where the printing paper 30 is the cut sheet 32 and the case of the roll paper 31 will be described separately.
[0079]
(1) When the printing paper 30 is a cut sheet 32
[0080]
When the printing paper 30 is the cut sheet 32, the CPU 21 controls the pickup roller 33, the paper feed rollers 50 and 51, and the platen 10 to suck only one cut sheet 32 from the sheet feeder 34 first. If the cut sheet 32 is not detected even by the suction operation, it is determined that the sheet is out of paper and a warning message is displayed on the PC 26 to prompt the user to replenish the cut sheet 32. When the cut sheet 32 is replenished, the following processing is executed.
[0081]
Next, the CPU 21 starts moving the print head 11 located at the home position (the right end in FIG. 2) to the left side. The CPU 21 refers to the output from the position monitoring unit 19, detects the right end of the cut sheet 32 (the cut sheet 32 is sucked from the upper side, and the left end when the cut sheet 32 is used as a reference), and is stored in the RAM 23. To do.
[0082]
Subsequently, the CPU 21 refers to the output from the position monitoring unit 19, detects the left end of the cut sheet 32 (for the same reason as described above, the right end with respect to the cut sheet 32), and stores it in the RAM 23. . In this way, both ends of the cut sheet 32 are detected, and the printable range and the paper size are specified.
[0083]
Subsequently, the CPU 21 executes a printing process for printing one image or the like on one cut sheet 32. At this time, if the print range and the paper size specified by the paper type 61a and the print range 61c stored in the attribute data 61 are compatible with the printable range, print processing is executed. . On the other hand, if the print range and the paper size do not match, printing is stopped for the exceeding range, and only the portion within the range is printed. Alternatively, if the print range exceeds the printable range or the paper size is not suitable, a warning message is displayed on a display device (not shown) of the PC 26 and printing is stopped.
[0084]
By doing so, when the cut sheet 32 is used as the printing paper 30, it is possible to prevent the platen 10 from being soiled or the print head 11 from being damaged.
[0085]
When the printing of the first cut sheet 32 is completed, it is determined whether or not the second sheet needs to be printed. If the second sheet is necessary, the second cut sheet 32 is sucked to the above case. The print process is executed in the same manner as described above. Note that the detection of the paper width is not executed in the second and subsequent printing.
[0086]
Then, when all the printing has been completed for the number of cut sheets 32 designated by the print job, the process is terminated. In other cases, the same process as described above until the printing is completed. repeat. If the cut sheet 32 stored in the sheet feeder 34 is lost during printing, for example, a warning message is displayed on the PC 26 and the printing process is temporarily stopped and the cut sheet 32 is replenished. The printing process is continued.
[0087]
Since the above processing is executed for each print job, when another print job is executed after a certain print job is executed, when the print processing for each print job is started, Both ends of the paper are detected. Therefore, for example, after A4 size paper is used in a certain print job, B5 size paper is placed on top of the remaining A4 size paper, and then B5 size paper is used in another print job. Even when “” is designated, the printing process can be executed without mistaken printable range.
[0088]
(2) When the printing paper 30 is a roll paper 31
[0089]
The CPU 21 refers to the output from the paper detection sensor included in the sensor group 24 and detects whether the roll paper 31 is set or not out of paper. If the sheet is out of paper, a warning message is displayed on the PC 26 to replenish the roll paper 31. As a result, when the roll paper 31 is replenished, the following processing is executed.
[0090]
When the printing paper 30 is the roll paper 31, the CPU 21 starts to move the print head 11 located at the home position (the right end in FIG. 2) to the left side. Then, the CPU 21 refers to the output from the position monitoring unit 19 and detects the right end of the roll paper 31 (the roll paper 32 is sucked from the upper side. To do.
[0091]
Subsequently, the CPU 21 refers to the output from the position monitoring unit 19, detects the left end of the roll paper 31 (for the same reason as described above, the right end when the roll paper 31 is used as a reference), and stores it in the RAM 23. . In this way, both ends of the roll paper 31 are detected, and the printable range is specified.
[0092]
Note that the process of detecting both ends of the paper is executed only once before printing is started.
[0093]
Subsequently, the CPU 21 executes a printing process for continuously printing images or the like on the roll paper 31. At this time, if the printing range specified by the paper type 61a and the printing range 61c stored in the attribute data 61 exceeds the printable range, printing is stopped for the exceeding range. Only the part that is within the range is printed. Alternatively, if the print range exceeds the printable range, a warning message is displayed on a display device (not shown) of the PC 26, and printing is stopped.
[0094]
In the printing process, the CPU 26 detects the paper out of the roll paper 31, and the paper detection sensor included in the sensor group 24 when the paper feeding process is performed after printing for one line is completed. Referring to the output from, it is determined whether or not the sheet is out of paper. If the sheet is out of paper, a warning message is displayed on the PC 26. As a result, when the roll paper 31 is replenished, the printing process is continued, and otherwise it waits until the roll paper 31 is replenished.
[0095]
As a result of the above processing, even when roll paper 32 is used as the printing paper 30, the platen 10 is soiled or the print head is detected by detecting the paper width for each print job, as in the case of the cut sheet 32 described above. 11 can be prevented from being damaged.
[0096]
Next, an example of processing executed in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0097]
First, FIG. 5 shows processing executed when a print job 60 is received from the PC 26. When this flowchart is started, the following steps are executed.
[0098]
Step S10:
The CPU 21 determines whether or not the print job 60 has been received from the PC 26. If the print job 60 has been received, the process proceeds to step S11. Otherwise, the same processing is repeated.
[0099]
Step S11:
The CPU 21 refers to the paper type 61a stored in the attribute data 61 of the print job 60, determines whether or not the cut sheet 32 is selected, and if the cut sheet 32 is selected, step S12. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S70 of FIG.
[0100]
Step S12:
The CPU 21 executes setting processing for setting each part of the printer with reference to the paper type 61a, the paper thickness 61b, the printing range 61c, the number of paper sheets 61d, and the like stored in the attribute data 61.
[0101]
Step S13:
The CPU 21 sucks only one cut sheet 32 that is a sheet by rotating the pickup roller 33, the sheet feeding rollers 50 and 51, and the platen 10.
[0102]
Step S14:
The CPU 21 executes a paper detection process (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6) for detecting the presence or absence of paper.
[0103]
Step S15:
The CPU 21 executes a paper width detection process (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 7) for detecting the paper width, and specifies the printable range of the paper.
[0104]
Step S16:
The CPU 21 executes a printing process for printing one sheet of actual data 62 for one cut sheet.
[0105]
Step S17:
The CPU 21 determines whether or not the print job has ended. If it has not ended, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S18. Otherwise, the process ends. Note that whether or not the print job has ended can be determined by referring to the number of printed sheets 61d stored in the attribute data 61, for example.
[0106]
Step S18:
The CPU 21 sucks only the next cut sheet 32 by rotating the pickup roller 33, the sheet feeding rollers 50 and 51, and the platen 10.
[0107]
Step S19:
The CPU 21 executes a paper detection process (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6) for detecting the presence or absence of paper. And it returns to step S16 and repeats the process similar to the above-mentioned case.
[0108]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the details of the paper detection process shown in steps S14 and S19 of FIG. 5 will be described. When the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is started, the following steps are executed.
[0109]
Step S30:
The CPU 21 refers to the output from the sheet detection sensor included in the sensor group 24 to determine whether there is a sheet. If there is a sheet, the CPU 21 returns to the original processing, and otherwise. Advances to step S31. In step S30, the failure is detected even when roll paper is set despite the setting of the cut sheet, and error processing is performed in the next step S31.
[0110]
Step S31:
For example, the CPU 21 notifies the PC 26 that the paper has run out, and executes a process of notifying the user (error process).
[0111]
Step S32:
The CPU 21 refers to the output from the sheet detection sensor included in the sensor group 24 to determine whether or not the sheet is replenished. When the sheet is replenished, the CPU 21 returns to the original processing, and otherwise In this case, the same processing is repeated.
[0112]
Next, details of the sheet width detection process shown in step S15 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. When the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is started, the following steps are executed.
[0113]
Step S50:
The CPU 21 sends a control signal to the control unit 18 to start moving the print head 11 located at the home position (the right end in FIG. 2) toward the left side in the drawing.
[0114]
Step S51:
The CPU 21 refers to the output from the position monitoring unit 19 to determine whether or not the right edge of the printing paper has been detected. If the right edge is detected, the process proceeds to step S52, and otherwise the same processing is performed. repeat.
[0115]
Step S52:
The CPU 21 stores the detected right end position of the paper in the RAM 23.
[0116]
Step S53:
The CPU 21 refers to the output from the position monitoring unit 19 to determine whether or not the left edge of the printing paper has been detected. If the left edge is detected, the process proceeds to step S54, and otherwise the same processing is performed. repeat.
[0117]
Step S54:
The CPU 21 stores the detected left end position of the paper in the RAM 23.
[0118]
Step S55:
The CPU 21 sends a control signal to the control unit 18 to return the print head 11 to the home position. The print head 11 may be returned to the print start position instead of the home position. In the detection of the right and left edges of the paper, when the print head 11 advances from the home position to the left side, the left and right edges of the paper are not detected, but the left edge of the paper is first detected when returning to the home position. Thereafter, the right edge of the paper may be detected and then returned to the home position. Further, both ends may be detected for each of going and returning, and an average thereof may be taken. Furthermore, when the difference between the detected values is within a certain range, the return value is adopted, and when the difference exceeds the certain range, the paper width is detected again. You may do it.
[0119]
Next, a process executed when it is determined that the roll paper 31 is selected in the process of step S11 shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.
[0120]
Step S70:
The CPU 21 executes setting processing for setting each part of the printer with reference to the paper type 61a, the paper thickness 61b, the printing range 61c, the number of paper sheets 61d, and the like stored in the attribute data 61.
[0121]
Step S71:
The CPU 21 executes the paper detection process for detecting the presence / absence of paper as described above with reference to FIG. At this time, it is also detected whether or not the set paper is roll paper. If the paper is roll paper, the process proceeds to step S72. If the paper is not roll paper, the CPU 21 displays a warning message on the PC 26, and the roll paper is detected. Stop processing until it is detected that it has been set.
[0122]
Step S72:
The CPU 21 executes the paper width detection process for detecting the paper width described above with reference to FIG. 7 and specifies the printable range of the paper.
[0123]
Step S73:
The CPU 21 executes a printing process for printing the actual data 62 on the roll paper 31 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 9).
[0124]
Step S74:
The CPU 21 determines whether or not the print job has ended. If it has not ended, the CPU 21 returns to step S73, and otherwise ends the process. Whether or not the print job has ended can be determined by referring to, for example, a symbol EOF (End Of File) added to the end of the actual data 62.
[0125]
Next, details of the printing process shown in step S73 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. When this flowchart is started, the following steps are executed.
[0126]
Step S90:
The CPU 21 controls the print head 11 and the DC motor 15 to print on the roll paper 31 for one line.
[0127]
Step S91:
The CPU 21 rotates the paper feed rollers 50 and 51 and the platen 10 to execute paper feed control for feeding the roll paper 31 by a predetermined amount.
[0128]
Step S92:
The CPU 21 executes the paper detection process described above with reference to FIG. 6 and returns to the original process.
[0129]
According to the above processing, the above-described functions can be realized using the printers of FIGS.
[0130]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be variously modified in addition to this. For example, in the above embodiment, the input unit 1 newly receives the print job 60 supplied from the externally connected PC 26 every time the processing is completed, but the print job 60 is received inside the printer. It is also possible to create and enter this. As an example, there is a case where a print job is generated when a portable recording medium on which an image photographed by a digital camera is recorded is inserted into a printer and an image to be printed is designated.
[0131]
In the above embodiment, the processing is made different depending on whether the print range specified by the print job and the paper size match the detected printable range. Subsequent processing may be made different only by comparing the print range with the printable range, or only by comparing the paper size in the print job with the detected printable range.
[0132]
In the above embodiment, when the attribute data 61 is detected as the print job detection unit 2, it is determined that a new print job 60 has been received. For example, EOF or the like is added at the end of the print data. May be stored, and a print job input after this is detected may be determined to be a new print job.
[0133]
In the above-described embodiment, the paper width is detected for each print job in both the cut sheet 32 and the roll paper 31. In the case of the cut sheet 32, the paper width is detected for each print job. In the case of the roll paper 31, the paper width may be detected only for the first time when the roll paper 31 is set, instead of detecting the paper width for each print job.
[0134]
Also, compare the paper type in the attribute data of the print job, and if it is the same as that in the previous print job, it is determined that the same paper is loaded and the paper width is not detected. May be. This control can be incorporated into the control of the above-described embodiment, or can be incorporated into a process in which only the roll paper 31 is processed.
[0135]
Further, as the paper width detecting means 3, the print header 11 is provided with the optical sensor 12, and the paper width is detected optically. However, it is also possible to detect the paper width by a mechanical sensor. . Further, the sensor 12 may be attached to the belt 16 instead of the print head 11.
[0136]
In the above embodiment, an ink jet printer has been described as an example of the printing unit 4, but the present invention can also be applied to a laser printer or a sublimation printer.
[0137]
In the above embodiment, as the paper detection means, the presence or absence of paper is detected by the optical sensor included in the sensor group 24. However, as in the case of the paper width detection means 3 described above, It is also possible to detect the presence or absence of a sheet by a mechanical sensor.
[0138]
Further, in the above embodiment, the print job is accumulated in the print spool queue on the PC 26 side and is sequentially transmitted to the printer side. However, it is also possible to provide a print spool queue on the printer side for sequential processing. . According to such a configuration, it is possible to sequentially process print jobs received from a plurality of PCs.
[0139]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when a new print job is input via the input means, the print job detection means detects this, the paper width detection means detects the paper width, and based on the detected paper width. Since the printing unit performs printing, it is possible to detect the paper width at an appropriate timing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a principle diagram for explaining an operation principle of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a roll paper or a cut sheet, which is a printing paper used in the printer illustrated in FIG. 2, and each unit.
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a print job executed by the printer illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing executed when the printer of FIG. 2 receives a print job from a PC.
6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a sheet detection process shown in FIG. 5;
7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a sheet width detection process shown in FIG.
8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing executed when roll paper is selected in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a printing process shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Input means
2 Paper width detection means
3 Print job detection means
4 Printing means
5 Printing paper
10 Platen
11 Print head (printing means)
12 sensors
14 Guide shaft
15 DC motor
16 belt
17 Both end detection part (paper width detection means)
18 Control unit
19 Position monitoring unit
20 Main control unit (input means, print job detection means)
21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 sensor group (paper detection means)
25 Input section
26 PC
30 printing paper
31 roll paper
32 cut paper
33 Pickup roller
34 Sheet feeder
50, 51 Paper feed roller

Claims (4)

An input means for receiving a print job input;
Print job detection means for detecting that a new print job has been input via the input means;
Paper width detection means for detecting the paper width of the printing paper;
Printing means for printing information corresponding to the print job on the printing paper;
Have
The paper width detecting means is
When the print paper is a cut sheet and information corresponding to the print job is printed on a plurality of the cut sheets, the print job is input every time the print job is input. The paper width of the cut sheet sucked on the first sheet is detected, the paper width of the cut sheet sucked on the second sheet and thereafter is not detected,
When the printing paper is roll paper, the printer detects the paper width of the roll paper only once when a first print job for the roll paper is input.   2. The printing unit according to claim 1, wherein when the print range specified by the print job exceeds the paper width detected by the paper width detection unit, the portion beyond the print range is not printed. Printer.   The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit stops printing when a printing range designated by the print job exceeds the paper width detected by the paper width detecting unit. The print job has attribute data indicating print attributes and actual data,
The printing unit compares and refers to the attribute data and the value detected by the paper width detection unit, and executes different processes depending on the comparison result.
The printer according to claim 1.

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