JP4616518B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records recording information on a recording medium such as a label sheet having a plurality of labels attached to a mount.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ink jet recording apparatus forms ink discharge droplets by various methods and attaches them to a recording medium such as recording paper for recording. In particular, an ink jet recording apparatus that uses heat as energy for forming discharged droplets can easily arrange a plurality of discharge ports at a high density, and can achieve high resolution and high image quality by increasing the density of the discharge ports. Can be obtained at a high speed and can be easily colored.
[0003]
This recording method performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium in accordance with a recording signal, and is widely used as a quiet recording method with low running cost. Further, in the case of an ink jet recording apparatus compatible with color recording, a color image is formed by superimposing ejected ink droplets by a recording head of a plurality of colors.
[0004]
In general, four kinds of recording heads and ink cartridges corresponding to three primary colors of yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) or four colors including black (K) in these three primary colors are used. Yes.
[0005]
In recent years, a four-color recording head and ink cartridge are integrated, and a seven-color configuration in which light yellow, light cyan, and light magenta are added to YMCK to enable higher image quality. The ink jet recording apparatus made into a product is also commercialized.
[0006]
This type of ink jet recording apparatus includes a serial scan method in which the recording head is serially scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and recording is performed on the recording medium on the platen, and a long recording head There is a line head system that is a recording means that performs recording on a recording medium while fixing the image in the main scanning direction.
[0007]
The line head method has a conveying means capable of continuously conveying a recording medium and performs recording by conveying the recording medium under a fixed long recording head. Although it is possible to perform recording at high speed, the use of a long recording head increases the size, and the long recording head is expensive, resulting in an increase in cost.
[0008]
On the other hand, the serial scan method has a conveying unit that can intermittently convey the recording medium according to the recording width, and performs recording by repeating the conveying unit and the recording unit, so the recording speed is low, Miniaturization is possible and the cost is low.
[0009]
In general, a label printer uses a line head method capable of high-speed recording. However, in recent years, the serial scan method has also increased the recording speed by greatly increasing the number of nozzles of the recording head. In addition, taking advantage of features such as small size and low cost, a serial scan type ink jet recording apparatus is being used as a label printer.
[0010]
FIG. 19 is a top sectional view and a side sectional view of a conventional recording apparatus. The carriage is a carriage 1001 in which YMCK four-color recording heads 1002 and an ink cartridge are integrated.
[0011]
In the feeding section, a label sheet 1007 having a plurality of labels 1009 attached to a mount 1008 is mounted. After the label sheet 1007 is transported to the recording position on the platen, ink is supplied from the recording head 1002. By repeating the operation of scanning the carriage in the main scanning direction while ejecting, recording for a plurality of lines, and transporting the label sheet according to the recording width, the color image for one page is printed. Make a record.
[0012]
There are two methods for label cutting in the conventional method of continuously recording a plurality of pages.
[0013]
First, as a first method, when an instruction to cut one page at a time using the cutting device 1010 attached to the main body is transferred from the host PC or the like, the rear end of the label sheet 1007 is moved to the cutting position of the cutting device 1010. This is a method of carrying out cutting and cutting. In the case of this method, when recording a plurality of pages continuously, after recording for one page, the rear end of the label sheet 1007 is conveyed to the cutting position of the cutting device 1010, and the cutting device 1010 The label sheet is reversely conveyed to the recording start position of the next page, and the recording operation for the next page is performed.
[0014]
Next, as a second method, after all of a plurality of pages are recorded, the recorded label sheet is reversely conveyed to the first page, and is conveyed again to perform a cutting process on all.
[0015]
FIG. 20 shows a conventional recording sequence. A recording sequence in the case where a plurality of pages are continuously recorded using the cutting method 1010 attached to the main body according to the first method so as to separate the pages one by one is shown. In FIG. 20A, a label sheet having a plurality of labels attached to a mount 1008 is fed, and the label sheet is further conveyed, and the leading end of the label 1011 of the first page is detected by a transmission type TOF sensor 1003. In this state, the label sheet is temporarily stopped at the position, and then the label sheet is fed to the recording position. From this state, the recording information received from the host PC is recorded by repeating the conveyance of the label sheet and the recording scanning of the carriage.
[0016]
FIG. 20B shows a state in which the recording of the label 1011 on the first page has been completed and the label 1011 on the first page has been transported to the cutting position, and the labels for several pages have the TOF sensor 1003 attached. It has been transported beyond.
[0017]
FIG. 20C shows a state before recording information is recorded on the label 1012 of the second page, and the label sheet is set at the main position by reversely transporting the label sheet from the state shown in FIG. To do. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 20 (d), the sheet is transported to the recording start position and recording is started.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a plurality of pages that are separated one page at a time using the auto cutter attached to the main unit as described above, or when a large number of jobs are recorded, one page is recorded. If the recording sheet is transported to the cutting position and then cut, the label sheet is transported backward to the recording start position of the next page, and the recording operation is continued, there is a problem that the processing speed is remarkably reduced.
[0019]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to perform recording without reducing the processing speed of the recording operation.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention is as follows. Transport that can transport the recording medium in a predetermined transport direction and in the opposite direction of the transport direction means And the conveying means For recording media conveyed by Record Recording means When, Recorded by the recording means And conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying means. Recording media , Every page at a predetermined cut position Cutting means for cutting; A sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium; a recording medium conveying operation by the conveying means based on a detection result of the sensor; and Recording operation And the cutting means, Control means for controlling , The control means includes When it is determined that the distance to the cut position of the first page is shorter than the subsequent page length when the recording operation for the first page ends and the recording operation for the page after the first page starts. Without performing the recording operation for the subsequent page by the recording means, the recording medium is conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying means so that the leading page is positioned at the cut position, and the leading page is determined by the cutting means. After the recording medium is cut, the recording medium is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and then the subsequent page is positioned at a recording position, and the recording means performs a recording operation on the subsequent page. The control means, when the recording operation for the first page is finished and the recording operation for the page after the first page is started, When it is determined that the distance to the cutting position of the head page is longer than the subsequent page length, the recording unit performs a recording operation on the subsequent page, and the cutting unit performs the recording operation until the recording operation is completed. Do not cut the first page It is characterized by that.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording unit in the recording apparatus. The recording unit includes YMCK four-color recording heads 2 as recording means arranged in parallel, a carriage 1 in which an ink cartridge is integrated, and a belt 3 that moves the carriage 1 for recording.
[0022]
The recording head 2 can record a monochrome image or a color image on a recording medium according to the obtained recording information. The recording information is generated by being processed into a data format that can be recorded by the recording head 2.
[0023]
Here, the recording head 2 energizes the electrothermal transducer in accordance with the signal, and ejects ink from the recording head 2 using the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer.
[0024]
Each color recording head 2 has an inkjet head in which 304 ejection openings are arranged in a line at a constant pitch. Since the recording heads 2 for each color are arranged in parallel, the sheet feed amount for one time is usually 304 rasters. After the recording medium 7 such as a label sheet is transported to the recording position on the platen, the carriage 1 is scanned once in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the sheet transport direction while ejecting ink from the recording head 2. Recording is performed for 304 rasters of each color of the head size. The recording head 2 is scanned a plurality of times to complete recording on one label.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the recording operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the label 7a on the first page of the recording medium 7 in which the recording medium 7 is fed by a conveying roller 31 as a feeding means and a plurality of labels are attached to the mount 8 is provided. The recording medium 7 is temporarily stopped at the position where the leading end of the label 7a of the first page is detected by a transmissive TOF (Top Of Form) sensor 4 as a passing detection sensor.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the 304 raster recording is repeated in synchronization with the transport of the 304 raster to the recording medium 7 and the movement of the carriage. Further, the recording apparatus has a cutting apparatus 5 as a cutting means and a cut timing sensor 6 for calculating a cutting timing, and performs a separation process according to an instruction from the host PC. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the host PC, the label 7a on the first page on which recording has been completed is conveyed to the cut position and stopped. In this state, the second and third pages are already recorded.
[0027]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2C, the recording medium 7 is reversely conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 2B to the feeding position where the leading edge of the label of the fourth page is detected by the transmission type TOF sensor 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 2D, the carriage 1 is transported to the recording start position in order to start recording the next page.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the recording apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a processing unit (CPU), which reads and controls a program stored in a memory, which will be described later, in order to control the entire recording apparatus. Reference numeral 11 denotes a program memory, which stores programs executed by the CPU 10 including control procedures as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 18 described later and other programs. If there is another program stored in the external storage device, the program is loaded into a memory (RAM) and executed by the CPU 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes an interface which transmits recording information sent from the host PC 25 to the recording apparatus. Reference numeral 13 denotes various motors such as a transport motor. Reference numeral 14 denotes a motor driver and controls various motors 13.
[0029]
A recording control circuit 15 receives the control from the processing unit 10 and controls the recording head to record on the label of the recording medium. Reference numeral 16 denotes a data control circuit. A sensor 17 is used to detect a label position and the like, and sends a detection signal to the processing unit 10 via an input port. An operation key 18 is used to input commands, parameters, and the like to the recording device. The input port 19 is connected to the operation key 18, the sensor 17 that outputs sensor signals such as the cut timing sensor 6 and the tip recording position sensor 4, the cutter unit 20, and the like, and inputs signals from each. 20 is a cutter unit, which cuts labels attached to the mount. An output port 21 sends a signal for controlling the motor and a signal for controlling the cutter unit 20 via the driver 14. A working memory 22 stores temporary data for controlling the cut management block, the pointer, the leading edge detection flag, the trailing edge detection flag, the counter A, the counter B, the area L, and the like. A data memory 23 has a print buffer 25 area and a page buffer 26 as shown in FIG. A host PC 25 sends information to be recorded to the recording device. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 executes a control program stored in the program memory 11, receives recording data obtained from the host PC 25 via the interface 12, and receives various motors 13 such as a recording unit and a feeding unit. Is driven by controlling the motor driver 14.
[0030]
Further, by controlling the recording head 2 for four colors of black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y by the recording control circuit 15 and the data control circuit 16, the recording medium 7 can be fed, conveyed, discharged, Controls the operation of components related to recording. The sensors 17 related to the operation control and the operation keys 18 of the operator are also connected to the CPU 10 through the input port 19. The cutter unit 20 performs control for separating the recording medium 7 and is controlled by the CPU 10 via the input port 19 and the output port 21.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of data development in the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus is provided with a page buffer 26 and a print buffer 27 in the data memory shown in FIG. 3 as a memory for storing recording data in order to use the CPU 10 efficiently.
[0032]
First, from the host PC 25, a command for drawing a bar code, a character, a diagram, an image and the like is developed in the page buffer 26 for four colors in the recording apparatus. When the recording start command is received from the host PC 25 after the expansion is completed, the image data for 304 rasters are expanded from the head of the expanded page to the print buffer 27 for four colors for one recording scan, and the label sheet is 304 The raster is conveyed, and the carriage 1 is printed and scanned to perform 304 raster printing. After the printing scan, the print buffer 27 is cleared and the next printing scan data is developed.
[0033]
Hereinafter, a recording method using the cutting device 5 of the present invention will be described. 5 is a flowchart of the recording operation, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the feeding roller, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the feeding process, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the recording process, and FIG. 9 is a cut management block. FIG. 10 is a transition diagram of data development in the recording process, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the discharge process.
[0034]
As described above, when data is expanded in the page buffer 26 by the command from the host PC 25 and a recording start command is received, the recording shown in FIG. 5 starts, and the CPU 10 performs the feeding process 101, the recording process 102, and the discharging process. The process proceeds to 103 and the recording is finished.
[0035]
(Feed processing)
The feeding process 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the feeding process 101, the CPU 10 first rotates the transport roller 31 forward via the output port 21 and the driver 14, and the CPU 10 detects the leading edge of the label to be recorded via the TOF sensor 4. In order to move the recording head 2 to the recording start position, every time the transport roller 31 is driven, a check is made to determine whether the trailing edge of the label has been detected by the TOF sensor 4 (determination 116) and the leading edge of the label on the next page is detected. A signal obtained by the TOF sensor 4 is judged by the CPU 10, and the leading edge of the label is conveyed to the recording start position while checking whether the leading edge of the label is detected (determination 112, 147, FIG. 7) (processing) 148, FIG. 7).
[0036]
When the trailing edge of the label is detected during the forward rotation processing of the conveying roller 31 (processing 148, FIG. 7) (processing 116, FIG. 6), the trailing edge detection flag of the label is set (processing 118, FIG. 6). Until the conveying roller 31 stops, a trailing end detection counter (not shown) is incremented by one for each step of the conveying roller 31.
[0037]
Check the label trailing edge detection flag that is set when the trailing edge of the label is detected during the forward rotation process (process 148) while the leading edge of the label is stopped at the recording start position, and the label trailing edge is detected. When the flag is set, the trailing edge detection counter is subtracted from the recording start position from the detection unit of the TOF sensor 4 to calculate the label size. When the calculated label size is compared with the number of effective data lines of the page transferred from the host PC 25 and the effective data is larger, the effective data line is replaced with the calculated value to prevent ink from adhering to the mount 8. .
[0038]
(Recording process)
The recording process 102 will be described with reference to FIG. In the recording process 102, the CPU 10 creates a cut management block in the memory 22 before starting recording, and adds a block created at the rear end of the cut management block queue to the memory 22 (process 150).
[0039]
The cut management block created in the memory 22 will be described with reference to FIG. The cut management block 900 creates one page for each page to be recorded, and continues management until the cut is completed. The configuration consists of a pointer 901 to the previous block indicating the start address of the cut management block structure of the previous page, a pointer 902 to the subsequent block indicating the start address of the cut management block structure of the subsequent page, and whether or not this page is to be separated A cut valid / invalid parameter 903 for judging whether there is a cut, a cut timing sensor passing flag 904 to be set when a managed page reaches the cut timing sensor 6, and a number 905 of inter-label steps used for cutting the center between labels. A cut timing counter 906 indicating the number of transport steps up to the cutting position, and a total transport step number 907 indicating the total number of transport steps from the time when the block is created.
[0040]
The cut management block queue is managed by a pointer 901 to the previous block of each block and a pointer 902 to the subsequent block. When connecting blocks, the head block A is obtained from the matrix head pointer 914 and the head block A is followed. The block pointer 902 is referred to, and a block in which the pointer 902 to the subsequent block is 0 is searched. That is, it is the rear end block D, the head address E of the created block is written to the pointer 902 to the rear block of the rear end block, and the pointer 901 to the front block of the created block is the head address of the old rear end block D. , And 0 is written in the pointer 902 to the subsequent block of the created block E, the created block is changed to the rear end block, and each parameter is set to complete the creation.
[0041]
When the leading block reaches the cutting position and the cutting process is finished, the cut management block finishes its role and performs the leading block deletion process. The deletion process is completed by clearing the pointer 901 to the previous block of the next page block from the pointer 902 to the subsequent block of the top block to 0 and rewriting the matrix top pointer 914 to B. As a matter of course, the pointer is also formed in a predetermined area of the memory 22.
[0042]
After the cut management block is created by the above procedure (process 150 in FIG. 8), the number of valid data lines is confirmed (decision 151). If the number of head nozzles is larger than 304, each color is read from the page buffer 26 for each color. 304 lines of data are transferred to the print buffer 27 (process 152 in FIG. 8, FIGS. 10B and 10C), and 304 lines of data are added to the data transfer start address of the print buffer 27 (see FIG. 8). Process 153 in FIG.
[0043]
If the number of effective data lines is smaller than the number of nozzles 304 of the head, the data W1 corresponding to the number of effective data lines (see FIG. 10D) is transferred from the page buffer 26 for each color to the print buffer 27 for each color. Transfer is performed (process 158 in FIG. 8, FIG. 10D).
[0044]
Next, it is confirmed whether or not it is at the recording start position (decision 154 in FIG. 8). Only when the recording has already started, the transport roller 31 is rotated forward by 304 rasters, and the label is printed at the recording scanning (recording scan) position. Move. Subsequently, the 304 raster recording scan is performed. After the recording, the print buffer 27 for each color is cleared. If the final recording scan (final scan) is not reached, the recording is continued according to the flow of FIG. If it is determined that the printing scan is final, the printing process is terminated.
[0045]
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the conveyance roller rotation process, which is a process performed for each normal rotation of the conveyance motor when the recording medium is fed, will be described in detail.
[0046]
First, in the feeding process 101, the TOF sensor 4 detects the leading edge of the label (determination 112, determination 130), the trailing edge detection of the label (determination 116, determination 133), and the trailing edge detection of the label (determination 116, determination 133). The judgment 123 and the judgment 140) and the management of the cut management block are performed, and the processing differs depending on the forward conveyance and the reverse conveyance in the conveyance direction (decision 111).
[0047]
When the leading edge of the label is detected by the TOF sensor 4 during forward rotation, it is confirmed whether or not the leading edge of the label is detected at a block higher than the block connected to the cut management block queue (decision 113), and connected to the cut management block queue. When the number of detected blocks is exceeded, the counter A is incremented to count the number of blocks (process 125), and the label leading edge detection flag is set (process 115). The counter A is used for the number management of the feeding process other than the recording time and the reverse feeding process. In other cases, the counting of the number of steps 905 between labels of the trailing edge block of the cut management block is terminated (processing 114), and the label leading edge detection flag is set (processing 115).
[0048]
When the leading edge of the label is detected by the TOF sensor 4 during reverse conveyance by the conveyance roller 31, it is determined whether or not the counter A is 0 (determination 131), and the counter A is counted down only when it is not 0 (processing 142). Then, a label leading edge detection flag is set (process 132).
[0049]
When the trailing edge of the label is detected by the TOF sensor 4 during normal rotation conveyance by the conveyance roller 31, it is confirmed whether or not the label trailing edge of the block connected to the cut management block queue is detected (judgment 117). When it is detected that the number of blocks connected to the management block queue is exceeded, the counter B is counted up to count the number of the blocks (process 126), and the label trailing edge detection flag is set (process 119). Similarly to the counter A, the counter B is used for the number management of the feeding process other than the time of recording and the reverse feeding process. In other cases, the label trailing edge detection flag is set (process 119), and the counting of the number of label steps 905 in the trailing block of the cut management block is started (process 118).
[0050]
When the trailing edge of the label is detected by the TOF sensor 4 during reverse conveyance, it is determined whether or not the counter B is 0 (determination 134). If not, the counter B is counted down (processing 143) to detect the label leading edge. A flag is set (process 132). In other cases, the label trailing edge detection flag is set (process 136), and the count of the step 905 between labels of the trailing edge block of the cut management block is set to zero. (Process 135).
[0051]
When the trailing edge of the label is detected by the cut timing sensor 6 during normal conveyance, the cut timing sensor passing flag 904 of the first block in the cut management block queue is set, and a cut timing counter 906 indicating the number of conveyance steps to the cut position Then, a value obtained by adding a fixed value C, which is the distance from the detection unit of the cut timing sensor 6 to the cut position, and a half value of the step number 905 between labels is set (process 124).
[0052]
When the trailing edge of the label is detected by the cut timing sensor 6 during reverse conveyance, the cut timing sensor passing flag 904 in the first block of the cut management block queue is cleared, and the cut timing counter 906 indicating the number of conveyance steps to the cut position is set. Clearing is performed (process 141).
[0053]
Regarding the management of the cut management block during forward conveyance, the subtraction processing (process 120) of the cut timing counter 906 indicating the number of conveyance steps up to the cutting position of the first block in the cut management block queue, the cut management block queue Addition processing of the number of steps 905 between the labels of the rear end block (processing 121), and addition processing of the total number of transport steps 907 indicating the total number of transport steps from the time when all blocks of the cut management block queue are created Perform (Process 122).
[0054]
Regarding the management of the cut management block during reverse conveyance, after the addition processing (process 137) of the cut timing counter 906 indicating the number of conveyance steps up to the cutting position of the first block of the cut management block queue or after the cut management block queue Subtracting the number of steps 905 between the labels of the end blocks (processing 138), subtracting the total number of transport steps 907 indicating the total number of transport steps from the time when all blocks in the cut management block queue are created. (Processing 139).
[0055]
(Discharge processing)
The discharge process 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11. In the discharge processing 103, the CPU 10 determines the distance from the label leading edge position to the cut position managed by the first block of the cut management block queue from the physical distance 915 from the recording start position to the cut position, and the parameters in the cut management block. A value L obtained by subtracting the total number of transport steps 907 is obtained (process 161).
[0056]
Thereafter, the presence / absence of recording data for the next page is confirmed (decision 162). If there is recording data for the next page, L obtained in the above step (processing 161) is compared with the page length of the next page (decision 163). If the page length is shorter, the discharge process is terminated to record the next page, and the process again proceeds to the feeding process. When the page length of the next page is long, the cut process is performed during the recording of the next page, so the cut process is performed.
[0057]
Forward conveyance is performed until the parameter cut timing counter 906 in the cut management block becomes 0, and the label is moved to the cut position (process 164). Next, the presence / absence of a cut designated by the host PC 25 is confirmed by the cut valid / invalid parameter 903 of the parameter in the cut management block (process 165), and the cut process is performed only when there is a cut (process 166). Thereafter, the top block of the cut management block queue is deleted, and the discharge process is terminated.
[0058]
The presence or absence of recording data for the next page is checked (decision 162). If there is no recording data for the next page, the label is moved to the cutting position, and the normal cut conveyance is performed, and the parameter cut timing counter 906 in the conveyance cut management block The label is moved to 0, that is, to the cut position (process 168).
[0059]
The presence / absence of a cut designated by the host PC 25 is confirmed by the cut valid / invalid parameter 903 of the parameter in the cut management block (process 169), and the cut process is performed only when there is a cut (process 170). Thereafter, the head block of the cut management block queue is deleted (process 171), the presence or absence of another cut management block is confirmed (decision 172), and if there is no other cut management block, the discharge process is terminated. If there are other cut management blocks, the discharge process flow is repeated until all the blocks disappear, and when all the blocks disappear, the discharge process 103 ends.
[0060]
As described above, since the CPU 10 performs control, even if a plurality of pages that are to be separated one page at a time using the cutting device 5 are continuously recorded, the conventional cut management means for managing the cut for each page can be used. The amount of reverse transport operation is much smaller than that of the recording medium, and recording information can be recorded at the correct position on the recording medium without reducing the processing speed.
[0061]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in the recording apparatus that records on the recording medium 7 conveyed by the conveying roller 31 by the recording head 2, the cutting device that cuts the recording medium 7 recorded by the recording head 2. 5 and a CPU 10 for controlling the recording operation. The CPU 10 determines whether or not to start recording of the next page after recording of one page based on the determination of whether or not the recording device 7 is cut by the cutting device 5. Is determined, the conveyance amount of the recording medium is calculated before recording the next page, and the number of effective printing dots is calculated before recording the next page.
[0062]
If the CPU 10 determines that there is a cut process during the next page recording, the CPU 10 executes a process for performing the cut process without recording, re-executes the recording after the cut process, and performs the cut process during the next page recording. If it is determined that there is no, the recording is continued.
[0063]
In addition, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the cutting device 5 performs the recording medium cutting process for each step of the conveying roller 31 based on the TOF sensor 4 and the cut timing sensor 6.
[0064]
For this reason, recording can be performed without reducing the processing speed of the recording operation.
[0065]
(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, such as the configuration of the recording head 2, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the recording operation of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 12A, the label 7a on the first page of the recording medium 7 in which the recording medium 7 is fed by a conveying roller 31 as a feeding means and a plurality of labels are attached to the mount 8 is provided. The recording medium 7 is temporarily stopped at a position where the leading end of the label 7a of the first page is detected by a TOF (Top Of Form) sensor 4 as a transmissive type passage detection sensor.
[0067]
As shown in FIG. 12B, the 304 raster recording is repeated in synchronization with the transport of the 304 raster to the recording medium 7 and the movement of the carriage. Further, the recording apparatus has a cutting apparatus 5 and a cut timing sensor 6 for calculating the cutting timing, and performs a separation process according to an instruction from the host PC 25. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the host PC, the label 7a on the first page on which recording has been completed is conveyed to the cut position and stopped. In this state, the second and third pages are already recorded, and the fourth page is stopped during recording.
[0068]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, the remaining four pages were recorded from the state of FIG. 12B, and the leading end of the label of the fifth page was detected on the recording medium 7 by the transmission type TOF sensor 4. Transport to the feeding position. Then, as shown in FIG. 12D, the carriage 1 is transported to the recording start position in order to start recording the next page.
[0069]
Hereinafter, a recording method using the cutting device 5 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the feeding process, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the cut management block, FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the recording operation, FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation of the feeding roller, and FIG. FIG. 16 is a transition diagram of data development in the recording process, FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the discharge process, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the cut process.
[0070]
When data is expanded in the page buffer 26 by a command from the host PC 25 and a recording start command is received, the recording shown in FIG. 13 is started, and the recording process proceeds in the order of feeding process 201, recording process 202, and discharging process 203. finish.
[0071]
(Feed processing)
The feeding process 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. In the feeding process 201, the CPU 10 first rotates the transport roller 31 and detects the leading edge of the label to be recorded by the TOF sensor 4. In order to move the recording head 2 to the recording start position, each time the transport roller 31 is driven, a check is made to determine whether the trailing edge of the label has been detected by the TOF sensor 4 (determination 216) and the leading edge of the label on the next page is detected. While performing the check (determination 212) as to whether or not the TOF sensor 4 has detected, the leading end of the label is transported to the recording start position (process 148).
[0072]
When the trailing edge of the label is detected during the forward rotation processing of the conveying roller 31 (processing 148) (processing 216), the trailing edge detection flag of the label is set (processing 218). The rear end detection counter shown in the figure is incremented by 1 for each step of the conveying roller 31.
[0073]
Check the label trailing edge detection flag that is set when the trailing edge of the label is detected during the forward rotation process (process 148) while the leading edge of the label is stopped at the recording start position, and the label trailing edge is detected. When the flag is set, the trailing edge detection counter is subtracted from the recording start position from the detection unit of the TOF sensor 4 to calculate the label size. When the calculated label size is compared with the number of effective data lines of the page transferred from the host PC 25 and the effective data is larger, the effective data line is replaced with the calculated value to prevent ink from adhering to the mount 8. .
[0074]
(Recording process)
The recording process 202 will be described with reference to FIG. In the recording process 202, the CPU 10 creates a cut management block before starting recording, and adds the created block to the rear end of the cut management block queue (process 250).
[0075]
Since the cut management block has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted (see FIG. 9).
[0076]
After creating the cut management block by the above procedure (process 250), the head cut timing counter M in the cut management block queue is compared with the number of head nozzles 304. The number of valid data lines is confirmed (decision 251).
[0077]
When the number of nozzles of the head is larger than 304, data of 304 lines is transferred from the page buffer 26 of each color to the print buffer 27 of each color (process 252, FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C), and the print buffer 27. Is added to the data transfer start address of 304 line data (process 253). If the number of effective data lines is smaller than the number of nozzles 304 of the head, the data W2 corresponding to the number of effective data lines is transferred from the page buffer 26 for each color to the print buffer 27 for each color (process 258, FIG. 16 (d)).
[0078]
Next, it is confirmed whether or not it is at the recording start position (decision 254). Only when the recording has already started, the transport roller is rotated forward by 304 rasters and the label is moved to the recording scanning (recording scan) position (processing 255). ). Subsequently, the 304 raster recording scan is performed. After the recording is completed, the print buffer 27 of each color is cleared, and if it is not the final recording scan (final scan), the recording is continued according to the flow of FIG. When the final scan is determined, the recording process is terminated.
[0079]
The cut timing counter M of the head block of the cut management block queue is compared with the number of nozzles 304 of the head (decision 259), and if the number of nozzles of the head is smaller than 304, the page buffer 26 for each color to the print buffer 27 for each color. The data transfer of the cut timing counter M line is performed (process 260, FIGS. 16B and 16C), and the M line data is added to the data transfer start address of the print buffer 27 (process 261). Next, it is confirmed whether or not it is at the recording start position (determination 262). Only when the recording has already started, the transport roller is rotated forward by M rasters and the label is moved to the recording scan position. Subsequently, 304 raster recording scan is performed, and after the recording is finished, each color print buffer is cleared and cut processing is performed.
[0080]
The cutting process will be described with reference to FIG. The cut valid / invalid parameter 903 of the first block of the cut management block queue is confirmed (process 270), and if it is valid, the cutter device is driven to perform the cut process (process 271). Thereafter, the head of the head block of the cut management block queue is deleted (process 272), and the cut process is terminated.
[0081]
If it is not the final scan after the cutting process, the recording is continued according to the flow shown in FIG. If the final scan is determined, the recording process is terminated (process 257).
[0082]
With reference to FIGS. 9 and 14, the conveyance roller rotation process, which is a process performed for each normal rotation of the conveyance motor when the recording medium is fed, will be described in detail.
[0083]
First, the conveyance processing includes the TOF sensor 4 to detect the leading edge of the label (determination 212, determination 230), the trailing edge detection of the label (determination 216, determination 233), and the cutting edge sensor 6 to detect the leading edge of the label (processing 223, Judgment 240) and the management of the cut management block are performed, and the processing differs depending on the forward conveyance and the reverse conveyance in the conveyance direction (decision 211).
[0084]
Since the label leading edge detection process by the TOF sensor 4, the label trailing edge detection process by the TOF sensor 4, and the management of the cut management block are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.
[0085]
When the leading edge of the label is detected by the cut timing sensor 6 during the forward conveyance, the cut timing sensor passing flag 904 of the first block of the cut management block queue is set and a cut timing counter 906 indicating the number of conveyance steps to the cut position is displayed. Then, a value obtained by adding the effective data line which is the page length and a half value of the number of steps 905 between labels is set (process 224).
[0086]
When the leading edge of the label is detected by the cut timing sensor 6 during reverse conveyance, the cut timing sensor passing flag 904 of the first block in the cut management block queue is cleared and the cut timing counter 906 indicating the number of conveyance steps to the cut position is cleared. (Process 241).
[0087]
(Discharge processing)
The discharge process 203 will be described with reference to FIG. In the discharge process 203, the CPU 10 confirms the presence or absence of the next page recording data (decision 273). If there is no next page recording data, the parameter cut timing counter 906 in the first block of the cut management block queue is set to 0. The forward rotation is carried out until it is, and the label is carried to the cut position (process 274).
[0088]
Next, a cut process (process 275, FIG. 17) is performed. Thereafter, the presence / absence of another cut management block is confirmed (decision 276), and if there is no block, the discharge process is terminated. If there are other cut management blocks, the discharging process flow is repeated until all the blocks are eliminated, and the discharging process is terminated when all the blocks are eliminated.
[0089]
This embodiment can be realized by the above control method. As described above, even if a plurality of pages that are to be cut one page at a time using the cutting device 5 are continuously recorded, the cut management means that manages the cut for each page, reverse transport than the conventional one Since the operation amount is very small, it is possible to realize recording information at the correct position on the recording medium without reducing the processing speed.
[0090]
(Other embodiments)
Although this invention has demonstrated the case where the cutting device attached to a main body is used, it is not restricted to this, You may use the auto cutter which can be removed with respect to a main body.
[0091]
In the above-described embodiment, the information is obtained from the host PC 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Recording information from the operation panel may be obtained, and the host PC 25 and the operation panel are selected. It is good.
[0092]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the serial scan type inkjet label printer having a plurality of recording heads 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording head 2 may be a single one, so-called line type. It is also good.
[0093]
【The invention's effect】
Cutting means for cutting the recording medium recorded by the recording means, and control means for controlling the recording operation, the control means based on the determination of whether or not the recording medium is cut by the cutting means In order to determine whether or not to start recording the next page after recording one page, calculate the conveyance amount of the recording medium before recording the next page, and calculate the number of effective recording dots before recording the next page. Recording can be performed without reducing the processing speed of the recording operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording unit in a recording apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a recording operation of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a simplified electrical block diagram of the recording apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of data development in the recording apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a recording operation.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of a feeding roller.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a feeding process.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a recording process.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a cut management block.
FIG. 10 is a transition diagram of data development in the recording process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of discharge processing.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a recording operation of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a recording operation.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation of the feeding roller.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a recording process.
FIG. 16 is a transition diagram of data development in the recording process.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of discharge processing.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of cut processing.
FIG. 19 is a top sectional view and a side sectional view of a conventional recording apparatus.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a conventional recording sequence.
[Explanation of symbols]
W1 Data
W2 Data
1 Carriage
2 ... Recording head
3 ... Belt
4 ... TOF sensor
5 ... Cut device
6 ... Cut timing sensor
7: Recording medium
7a ... 1st page label
8 ... Mount
10 ... CPU
11… Program memory
12… Interface
13… Various motors
14… Motor driver
15… Recording control circuit
16 ... Data control circuit
17… Sensors
18… Operation keys
19… Input port
20… Cutter unit
21… Output port
22… working memory
23… Data memory
25… Host PC
26… Page buffer
27… Print buffer
31… Conveying roller
101 ... Feed processing
102… Recording process
103… Discharge treatment
131… Judgment
201… Feed processing
202… Recording process
203… Discharge treatment
900… Cut management block
901 ... Pointer to the previous block
902 ... Pointer to the next block
903 ... Valid / Invalid parameter
904 ... Cut timing sensor passage flag
905… Number of steps between labels
906 ... Cut timing counter
907 ... Total number of transport steps
914 ... Matrix head pointer
915… Distance

Claims (2)

Transport means capable of transporting the recording medium in a predetermined transport direction and in a direction opposite to the transport direction ;
Recording means for recording on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means ;
Cutting means for cutting the recording medium recorded by the recording means and transported in the transport direction by the transport means at a predetermined cut position ;
A sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium;
Based on the detection result of the sensor has a conveying operation of the recording medium by the conveying means, the recording operation by the recording means, the cutting means, and control means for controlling, and
When the recording operation for the first page is finished and the recording operation for the subsequent page of the first page is started , the control unit may determine that the distance to the cut position of the first page is shorter than the subsequent page length. When the determination is made, the recording unit does not perform the recording operation for the subsequent page, and the conveyance unit conveys the recording medium in the conveyance direction so that the leading page is positioned at the cut position, and the cut unit After cutting the first page by the above, the recording unit transports the recording medium in the direction opposite to the transport direction, and then positions the subsequent page at a recording position and moves the recording page to the subsequent page. For the recording operation,
When the recording operation for the first page is completed and the recording operation for the page after the first page is started, the control means may determine that the distance to the cut position of the first page is longer than the subsequent page length. When the determination is made, the recording unit performs a recording operation on the subsequent page, and the cutting unit does not cut the leading page until the recording operation is completed . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol placement, the recording means recording apparatus, which comprises printing by discharging ink in response to the signal.

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