JP5668921B2 - Printer driver, recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer driver that provides a user interface for performing various recording settings. The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus typified by a facsimile or a printer.

  There is a printer driver that accepts a setting change from a user and generates print data according to the changed setting. The printer driver generates the recording data in response to a print instruction from an application program in a computer connected to the recording apparatus. Also, a so-called stand-alone recording device that reads a recorded image independently without receiving information from an external computer, accepts various recording settings, generates recording data, and executes recording. A similar driver program is executed in step (1).

  By the way, as an apparatus configuration, a paper cassette that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body has been widely used. Among them, as shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, one detachable sheet cassette (tray) is known that has a two-stage structure including sheet storage portions at the lower and upper stages. In addition, there are various names such as “cassette” and “tray” as a paper storage unit for storing paper in the recording apparatus. In this specification, an entire unit unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body is referred to as “ The cassette is called a “cassette”, and a plurality of paper storage portions provided in the cassette is called a “tray”.

  A printer driver for a recording apparatus having a paper cassette having such a two-stage structure has a user interface for setting a recording condition as a tray selection item for selecting paper feeding from the upper or lower tray. And the paper is fed from the tray set by the user. For example, when the designated tray runs out of paper, an error warning to that effect is given.

JP 2006-273565 A JP 2007-91445 A

  In the conventional recording apparatus having the paper cassette having the two-stage structure as described above, the printer driver sets the tray selection item for selecting the paper feeding from the upper or lower tray at the position of the upper tray. Regardless of whether the tray is set to either the upper or lower tray, it is necessary to select the tray that the user wants to use each time, and it could not be said that it provided excellent usability.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is, in particular, a user interface for a recording apparatus including a multi-stage recording medium cassette including a lower tray and an upper tray. The purpose is to further improve usability.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a user interface information management function for managing user interface information related to display of a user interface for setting a recording condition, and the user interface information management function includes: A lower tray for storing a recording medium provided in the recording apparatus, and an upper stage for storing a recording medium provided so as to be displaceable between a feedable position and a retreat area at an upper portion of the lower tray. A recording setting screen corresponding to one of the upper and lower usable trays is displayed based on the detection information of the tray detection means for detecting the state of the upper tray among the recording medium cassettes configured to include the side tray. This is a printer driver.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording mechanism unit for recording on a recording medium, a lower tray for storing the recording medium, and a feedable position and a retreat area at an upper portion of the lower tray. In order to set a recording condition, a recording medium cassette provided with an upper tray for accommodating a recording medium provided in a displaceable manner, a tray detection means for detecting the state of the upper tray, and a recording condition Display information of the user interface display unit that displays a user interface display unit capable of displaying the user interface and a recording setting screen corresponding to one of the upper and lower usable trays based on detection information of the tray detection unit And a control unit having user interface information management means for managing the recording device.
The printer driver according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a user interface information management function for managing user interface information related to display of a user interface for setting recording conditions, and the user interface information management function includes A lower tray for storing a recording medium provided in the apparatus, and an upper side for storing a recording medium provided so as to be displaceable between a feedable position and a retreat area at an upper portion of the lower tray. Among the recording medium cassettes having a tray, the tray selection item for selecting whether the recording medium is fed from the upper or lower tray is displayed on the tray detection means for detecting the state of the upper tray. Based on the detection information, the upper and lower trays that can be used are set.

  According to this aspect, the user interface information (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “UI information”) management function provided in the printer driver feeds the recording medium from either the upper or lower tray of the recording medium cassette. The display of the tray selection item to select is set to one of the upper and lower usable trays based on the detection information of the tray detection means for detecting the state of the upper tray, so the tray that the user plans to use is set. It is not necessary to set each time, and usability can be further improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, based on the detection information of the tray detection unit, the upper tray is an area between the feedable position and the retreat area, and the feed If the position is closer to the possible position, the tray selection item display is set to the upper tray, and a first predetermined process for feeding the recording medium from the upper tray is performed. If the upper tray is located between the feedable position and the retreat area and is closer to the retreat area, the display of the tray selection item is set to the lower tray, In addition, the second predetermined process for feeding the recording medium from the lower tray is performed.

  According to this aspect, the printer driver determines that the upper tray is in a halfway position (for example, a position where feeding cannot be performed from either the upper tray or the lower tray) based on the detection information of the upper tray detector. In some cases, depending on the position, the display of the tray selection item is set to either the upper or lower optimal tray, and necessary processing for feeding the recording medium from the set tray is performed, which improves usability. Further improvement can be achieved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the first process includes feeding the upper tray to the control unit that drives and controls a motor that displaces the upper tray in the recording apparatus. The second process is a process of giving an instruction to displace the upper tray to the retreat area to the control unit. .

  According to this aspect, when the upper tray is in the halfway position as described above based on the detection information of the upper tray detector, the printer driver sets the upper tray according to the position. Since an instruction to shift to an optimal position is issued, usability can be further improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the recording medium feeding condition when feeding the recording medium is based on the detection information of the tray detection unit. When the display of the selection item is set in the upper tray, the recording apparatus is instructed to select the recording medium feeding condition set for the upper tray, and the tray selection item is displayed in the lower tray. In the case of setting the side tray, the recording apparatus is instructed to select the recording medium feeding condition set for the lower tray.

  According to this aspect, since not only the display of the tray selection item but also the recording medium feeding condition is selected as appropriate conditions according to the position of the upper tray, a more appropriate feeding result can be obtained. Can do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording mechanism section for recording on a recording medium, a lower tray for storing the recording medium, and a position between a feedable position and a retreat area at an upper portion of the lower tray. A recording medium cassette provided with an upper tray that accommodates a recording medium provided in a displaceable manner, a tray detection unit that detects the state of the upper tray, and a user for setting recording conditions A user interface display unit capable of displaying an interface, and a tray selection item for selecting a recording medium to be fed from among upper and lower trays provided in the recording medium cassette are displayed on the tray detection unit. A user interface information management method for managing display information of the user interface display unit, which is set in one of the upper and lower usable trays based on the detection information. Characterized by comprising a control unit having a.

  According to this aspect, the UI information management means provided in the control unit displays a tray selection item for selecting which of the upper and lower trays provided in the recording medium cassette to feed the recording medium from. Based on the detection information of the detection means, the tray is set to one of the upper and lower usable trays. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect, it is not necessary to set the tray that the user plans to use each time, and the usability is further improved. Can be improved.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the control unit is configured such that the upper-side tray is an area between the feedable position and the retraction area based on detection information of the tray detection unit. When the position is close to the feedable position, the tray selection item display is set to the upper tray, and the recording medium is fed in advance from the upper tray. When the first process is performed and the upper tray is located between the feedable position and the retreat area and closer to the retreat area, the tray selection item is displayed on the lower stage side. A second predetermined process is performed for setting the tray and feeding the recording medium from the lower tray.

  According to this aspect, the control unit sets the upper tray to a halfway position (for example, a position where feeding cannot be performed from either the upper tray or the lower tray) based on the detection information of the upper tray detector. In some cases, depending on the position, the display of the tray selection item is set to either the upper or lower optimal tray, and necessary processing for feeding the recording medium from the set tray is performed, which improves usability. Further improvement can be achieved.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the upper tray is displaced by a motor that is driven and controlled by the control unit, and the first process includes driving and controlling the motor. It is a process of displacing the upper tray to the feedable position, and the second process is a process of driving and controlling the motor to displace the upper tray to the retreat area. And

  According to this aspect, when the upper tray is at a halfway position as described above based on the detection information of the upper tray detection means, the control unit can feed the upper tray according to the position. Or since it is displaced to the retreat area, the usability can be further improved.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the recording medium feeding condition when feeding the recording medium is determined based on the detection information of the tray detection unit. When setting the display of the selection item to the upper tray, when selecting the recording medium feeding condition set for the upper tray and setting the display of the tray selection item to the lower tray Is characterized in that the recording medium feeding condition set for the lower tray is selected.

  According to this aspect, since not only the display of the tray selection item but also the recording medium feeding condition is selected as appropriate conditions according to the position of the upper tray, a more appropriate feeding result can be obtained. Can do.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the ninth aspect includes a feeding roller that is driven and controlled by the control unit and feeds the recording medium from the upper tray and the lower tray. The feeding condition is characterized in that the total rotation amount of the feeding roller during feeding of the recording medium differs between the upper tray and the lower tray.

  For example, when the recording medium accommodation space of the upper tray is smaller than that of the lower tray, when the total rotation amount of the feeding roller when feeding the recording medium from the lower tray is applied to the upper tray as it is, There is a risk of sending out to the next paper. However, as described above, since the total rotation amount of the feeding roller is different between the upper tray and the lower tray, the occurrence of double feed as described above can be prevented.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a paper conveyance path of the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a paper conveyance path of the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. 1 is a plan view of a paper cassette of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of a paper cassette of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram including an ink jet printer having a printer driver according to the present invention and an external computer. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface provided by a printer driver according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface provided by a printer driver according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed when a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention feeds paper.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are side cross-sectional views showing a sheet conveyance path of an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 1 which is an embodiment of a “recording apparatus” according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state where the upper tray 60 is in the retreat area.

  3 and 4 are plan views of the paper cassette 100. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the upper tray 60 is in the feedable position, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the upper tray 60 is in the retreat area. Show. 5 is a block diagram including the printer 1 having the printer driver according to the present invention and the external computer 73, FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of a user interface provided by the printer driver according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed when paper is fed.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the print (recording) mechanism 3 (FIG. 5) of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The printing mechanism unit 3 of the printer 1 includes a feeding device 2 at the bottom of the device, and feeds paper (mainly cut sheet paper) as an example of “recording medium” from the feeding device 2 one by one. The recording unit 4 performs recording (inkjet recording) and discharges the paper toward a paper discharge stacker (not shown) provided on the front side of the apparatus (left side in FIG. 1).

Hereinafter, the components on the paper transport path will be described in more detail.
The feeding device 2 includes a paper cassette 100, a pickup roller 16, a guide roller 20, and a separating unit 21.

  The paper cassette 100 capable of setting a plurality of paper sheets P in a stacked state can be attached to and detached from the front side of the apparatus main body of the feeding apparatus 2, and constitutes the base of the paper cassette 100 at the lower part. There are two sheet storage units, namely, a lower tray 50 and an upper tray 60 that is slidable between a feedable position and a retracted position.

  The lower tray 50 is provided with an edge guide 51 slidable in the paper feeding direction (that is, the paper length direction) on the bottom surface 50a, and the position of the trailing edge is regulated by the edge guide 51. ing. Further, an edge guide 52 that is slidable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction (that is, the paper width direction) is also provided, and the position of the side edge is regulated by the edge guide 52.

  Further, a high friction material 53 (FIG. 4) is disposed on the bottom surface 50a at a location corresponding to the contact position between the pickup roller 16 and the paper P1, and the high friction material 53 allows the paper to be fed when the paper is fed by the pickup roller 16. The sheet bundle is held so that the bundle is not sent downstream.

  On the other hand, as with the lower tray 50, the upper tray 60 also has an edge guide 61 slidable in the paper length direction and an edge guide 62 (FIG. 3) slidable in the paper width direction on the bottom surface 60a. It has. A high friction material 63 (FIG. 3) is disposed at a location corresponding to the contact position between the pickup roller 16 and the paper P2.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper accommodated in the lower tray 50 is indicated by reference numeral P <b> 1, and the paper accommodated in the upper tray 60 is indicated by reference numeral P <b> 2 (hereinafter, it is not necessary to distinguish between them). In this case, it is called “paper P”).

  A pickup roller 16 that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) is provided on a swinging member 17 that swings about a swinging shaft 18, and an upper tray 60 is located on the rear side of the apparatus (leftward in FIGS. 1 and 2). 3 and 4, when the upper tray 60 is in the retracted area, ie, when the upper tray 60 is in the retracted area, the uppermost sheet P1 stored in the lower tray 50 By rotating in contact with the object, the uppermost sheet P1 is sent out from the lower tray 50 (FIG. 2).

  Further, when the upper tray 60 is in the abutment position slid to the most front side of the apparatus (rightward in FIGS. 1 and 2, upward in FIGS. 3 and 4: mounting direction side of the paper cassette 100), that is, the upper side. At the feedable position of the tray 60, the uppermost sheet P2 is fed from the upper tray 60 by rotating in contact with the uppermost sheet P2 stored in the upper tray 60 (FIG. 1).

  In a state where the upper tray 60 is positioned at the feedable position, the separation slope 54 of the lower tray 50 protrudes from the front inner wall of the upper tray 60 toward the front end side of the paper stored in the upper tray 60. Thus, the separation slope 54 is used as a separation means when the paper is sent out from the upper tray 60. That is, the separation slope 54 of the lower tray 50 is used as a common separating means for the lower tray 50 and the upper tray 60.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where the upper tray 60 is in the feedable position, and FIG. 4 shows a state where the upper tray 60 is in the retreat area. 3 and 4, reference numerals Y1 to Y4 indicate the leading end position of the upper tray 60, and when the leading end of the upper tray 60 is at the position Y1, the upper tray 60 is in a feedable position. Similarly, when the leading end of the upper tray 60 is between the position Y3 and the position Y4, the upper tray 60 is in the retreat area (indicated by reference numeral A3). Hereinafter, the position of the upper tray 60 will be described using the positions Y1 to Y4 or the areas A1 to A4 shown in FIGS. The position Y2 and the areas A1 and A2 will be described later.

  The lower tray 50 is provided with a gear 55, and the upper tray 60 is displaced when the gear 55 rotates. Reference numeral 11 denotes a gear provided not on the paper cassette 100 side but on the apparatus main body side of the printer 1. When the paper cassette 100 is mounted on the apparatus main body of the printer 1, the gear 11 is connected to the lower tray 50. The provided gear 55 is meshed. The gear 11 provided in the apparatus main body of the printer 1 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and thereby the upper tray 60 is driven.

  Next, referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, a freely rotatable guide roller 20 is provided on the downstream side of the separation slope 54, and a separation roller 22 and a drive roller 23 are provided on the downstream side of the guide roller 20. Separation means 21 configured as described above is provided. The separation roller 22 has an outer peripheral surface formed of an elastic material and is provided so as to be able to press contact with the driving roller 23, and is provided in a state in which a predetermined rotational resistance is given by a torque limiter mechanism. Accordingly, the next and subsequent sheets P to be double fed are stopped between the separation roller 22 and the driving roller 23, that is, double feeding is prevented. The driving roller 23 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) so as to feed the paper P to the downstream side.

  On the downstream side of the separating means 21, a driving roller 26 that is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and an assist roller 27 that is driven to rotate by nipping the paper P between the driving roller 26 are provided. A first intermediate feeding unit 25 is provided, and the first intermediate feeding unit 25 feeds the paper P further downstream. Reference numeral 29 denotes a driven roller that reduces a paper passing load when the paper P passes through the curved inversion path (particularly when the paper trailing edge passes).

  On the downstream side of the driven roller 29, there is provided a second driving roller 32 that is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and an assist roller 33 that is driven to rotate while the paper P is nipped between the driving roller 32. An intermediate feeding unit 31 is provided, and the sheet P is further fed downstream by the second intermediate feeding unit 31.

  The recording unit 4 is disposed on the downstream side of the second intermediate feeding unit 31. The recording unit 4 includes a transport unit 5, a recording head 42, a lower paper guide 39, and a discharge unit 6. The transport means 5 includes a transport drive roller 35 that is rotationally driven by a motor, and a transport driven roller 36 that is pivotally supported by the upper paper guide 37 so as to be driven and rotated against the transport drive roller 35. Yes. The paper P that has reached the transport means 5 is precisely fed to the downstream side when the transport drive roller 35 rotates while being nipped by the transport drive roller 35 and the transport driven roller 36.

  Subsequently, the recording head 42 is provided at the bottom of the carriage 40, and the carriage 40 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by a drive motor (not shown) while being guided by a carriage guide shaft 41 extending in the main scanning direction (front and back direction in FIG. 1). It is driven to move. The carriage 40 is a so-called off-carriage type in which no ink cartridge is mounted, and an ink cartridge (not shown) is provided independently from the carriage 40, and the ink cartridge is connected to the recording head via an ink supply tube (not shown). Ink is supplied to 42.

  A lower paper guide 39 is provided at a position facing the recording head 42, and the distance between the paper P and the recording head 42 is defined by the lower paper guide 39. Discharge means 6 for discharging the recorded paper P is provided on the downstream side of the lower paper guide 39. The discharge means 6 includes a discharge drive roller 44 that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and a discharge driven roller 45 that is driven to rotate in contact with the discharge drive roller 44, and is a sheet on which recording is performed by the recording means 4. P is discharged by the discharge means 6 to a stacker (not shown) provided on the front side of the apparatus.

  The above is the configuration of the print mechanism unit 3 of the printer 1, and the configuration including the control unit will be described below with reference to FIG. The printer 1 includes a control unit 65 including a storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and the like as a control unit that controls the print mechanism unit 3 described above, and is stored in the storage unit. A program (including a printer driver according to the present invention) can be executed by the control unit 65.

  The printer 1 includes a user interface for setting various recording conditions, an information display unit (including an LCD panel) 66 for displaying various information such as an image to be printed, a power button, a print execution button, In addition, an operation setting unit 67 including operation buttons for setting various recording conditions and a storage medium mounting unit 68 for mounting a storage medium storing image data are provided. And the control unit 65 are connected.

  Further, the printer 1 detects an upper tray detection unit that detects whether the upper tray 60 in the paper cassette 100 is in a displaceable region (region between the positions Y1 and Y4 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). 69, state detection information of the upper tray 60 by the upper tray detector 69 is sent to the controller 65.

  Here, the state detection information of the upper tray 60 is more specifically, in this embodiment, whether the upper tray 60 (front end) is at the position Y1 in FIGS. 3 and 4 or in the area A1. Or information indicating whether it is in the area A2 or in the area A3.

  Therefore, the upper tray detection means 69 is not necessarily constituted by one sensor, and may be constituted by a plurality of sensors. For example, if detection means such as detection sensors and detection switches are arranged at positions Y1, Y2, and Y3 in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper tray 60 can be displaced depending on the combination of detection results of the detection means. It can be detected in any of the areas. Alternatively, the position of the upper tray 60 can be detected by position detection means such as a linear encoder.

  The print mechanism unit 3 is provided with various other sensors, and detection information from the various sensors is sent to the control unit 65, but details thereof are omitted. The print mechanism unit 3 also includes a motor that drives the gear 11 described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, the upper tray 60 is driven and controlled by the control unit 65.

  Next, the printer driver 70A includes a UI information editing unit 71A as a UI information management unit and a display control unit 72A, and the UI information editing unit 71A provides a UI information management function. Here, the UI information defines UI information to be displayed on the information display unit 66, for example, information indicating a print condition setting item, the type, arrangement, size, and action at the time of operation of the GUI widget corresponding to the item. Information.

  The UI information editing unit 71A is a module that causes the control unit 65 to implement a function for editing UI information, and edits user interface information for allowing the user to select and select print condition setting items.

  The UI information includes identifiers for print condition setting items (for example, image selection, image quality selection, print layout selection, print number selection, paper size selection, paper type selection, tray selection (described later)), and a GUI corresponding to the identifier. Includes layout information and initial values of widgets (radio buttons, check boxes, drop-down lists, text indicating printing condition setting items, etc.), path information to program modules that specify actions when operating the GUI widget, etc. It is. The UI information is stored in a storage unit included in the control unit 65 and can be referred to and rewritten by the printer driver 70A.

  The display control unit 72A is a module that causes the information display unit 66 to display a UI based on the UI information edited by the UI information editing unit 71A. As described above, based on the printing conditions set by the user via the UI displayed on the information display unit 66, the printer driver 65 uses the print data for the print mechanism unit 3 to print the image data to be printed. And transmitted to the print mechanism unit 3.

  The printer 1 also has a connection interface with the external computer 73 and can execute printing in accordance with information transmitted from the external computer 73. The external computer 73 includes a printer driver 70B that operates in cooperation with application software. When various applications are instructed to execute printing, the printer driver 70B displays a UI for setting printing conditions and the like. (Display) 74, and accepts user instructions such as setting printing conditions.

  The printer driver 70B includes a UI information editing unit 71B and a display control unit 72B. The basic functions of the printer driver 70B, UI information editing unit 71B, and display control unit 72B are the printer driver described above. Since it is the same as 70A, UI information editing unit 71A, and display control unit 72A, description thereof will be omitted below. However, each of the printer drivers 70A and 70B causes each display unit to display a UI suitable for the corresponding display unit (information display unit 66, display device 74).

  The printer driver 70 </ b> B operating on the external computer 73 receives information (for example, detection of the state of the upper tray 60 by the upper tray detection unit 69) via the interface between the printer 1 and the external computer 73. Information) can be acquired, and is the same as the printer driver 70A in this respect.

  Next, a UI display example by the processing of the printer driver 70A or 70B will be described with reference to FIGS. The UI display examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 do not particularly indicate any one of the printer drivers 70A and 70B, but are displayed on the display device 74 connected to the external computer 73 as an example. It will be described as a thing.

  A print setting window 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a window that is displayed when, for example, a printer property is selected when printing is performed, and is a window for allowing the user to select various print settings.

  The print setting window 100 includes tabs for basic settings, page settings, and utilities. The basic settings tab includes a print setting group 101 for setting a print type, quality, and the like as illustrated, and a paper feed. A paper feed setting group 102 for setting the method and paper size is displayed.

  Among these, the “paper feed method” drop-down list 103 belonging to the paper feed setting group 102 is a part related to the present invention. This drop-down list 103 includes “upper tray” as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the user selects one of the “lower trays”. The “upper tray” means the upper tray 60, and the “lower tray” means the lower tray 50.

  Here, the display of the drop-down list 103 is set as follows according to the state detection information of the upper tray 60 by the upper tray detector 69. The UI information editing unit 71B of the printer driver 70B indicates that the state detection information of the upper tray 60 by the upper tray detector 69 indicates that the upper tray 60 is in the feedable position Y1 (FIGS. 1 and 3). At this time, the display of the drop-down list 103 is set to “upper tray” as shown in FIG.

  Conversely, the state detection information of the upper tray 60 by the upper tray detector 69 indicates that the upper tray 60 is in the retreat area A3 (FIGS. 2 and 4), that is, the sheet is fed from the lower tray 50. Is displayed, the display of the drop-down list 103 is set to “lower tray” as shown in FIG.

  As described above, for example, the display of the drop-down list 103 is prevented from being displayed in the “lower tray” even though the user sets the upper tray 60 to the feedable position (FIGS. 1 and 3). That is, the drop-down list 103 is displayed corresponding to the paper setting state by the user, and the usability can be further improved.

  Note that the upper tray 60 is in a halfway position and paper cannot be fed from either the upper tray 60 or the lower tray 50, that is, the upper tray 60 is retracted by a predetermined amount from the feedable position Y1. In this state, the pickup roller 16 is not retracted to a position where it can come into contact with the paper stored in the lower tray 50 (the upper tray 60 is in the area A1 or A2 in FIGS. 3 and 4). For example, the drop-down list 103 can be displayed as follows.

  For example, when the upper tray 60 is located closer to the position Y1 than the intermediate point Y2 between the position Y1 and the region A3 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (in the region A1), the user can Since it is considered that paper feeding from 60 is planned, the display of the drop-down list 103 is set to “upper tray”.

  Conversely, when the upper tray 60 is closer to the area A3 than the intermediate point Y2 between the position Y1 and the area A3 (in the area A2), the user feeds paper from the lower tray 50. Since it is considered to have been scheduled, the display of the drop-down list 103 is set to “lower tray”.

  However, in any of the above cases, paper cannot be fed from either the lower tray 50 or the upper tray 60. Therefore, if the display of the drop-down list 103 is set to “upper tray”, the required second When the first process is performed and the display of the drop-down list 103 is set to “lower tray”, the necessary second process is performed.

  The first process and the second process can be variously considered. For example, as the first process, a motor that is a power source of the upper tray 60 is driven and controlled to bring the upper tray 60 into a feedable position. To move. Similarly, as a second process, a motor that is a power source of the upper tray 60 is driven and controlled to move the upper tray 60 to the retreat area. By such processing, even when the upper tray 60 is in a halfway position, the display of the drop-down list 103 can be finally matched with the actual state of the upper tray 60.

  Note that the display of the drop-down list 103 is switched from the “upper tray” state to the “lower tray” by the user from the state of the “upper tray” in spite of performing the optimum processing according to the position of the upper tray 60 as described above. In such a case, the upper tray 60 can be moved to the retreat area by driving the motor, or an error message indicating that the position of the upper tray 60 is not appropriate is displayed on the display device 74. You can also. The same applies to the reverse case.

  However, this is merely an example. For example, as another example of the first process, a display that prompts the user to set the upper tray 60 to a feedable position can be displayed on the display device 74. Similarly, as another example of the second process, a display that prompts the user to set the upper tray 60 in the retreat area can be displayed on the display device 74. Alternatively, as the first and second processing, a warning message such as “please check the position of the upper tray” can be displayed on the display device 74.

  In addition, for example, when the upper tray 60 is in a halfway position, it is possible to follow a predetermined initial value (displaying either the upper tray or the lower tray), or the upper tray or the lower tray. Instead of displaying either one, for example, non-selection display such as “−” can be performed. Furthermore, when the user selects either “upper tray” or “lower tray” from the state of non-selection display such as “−” in this way, “Please set the upper tray to an appropriate position”, etc. A warning display can also be issued.

  As described above, when the upper tray 60 is at a halfway position (areas A1 and A2) based on the detection information of the upper tray detector 69, the controller 65 performs an appropriate process according to the position. As a result, usability can be further improved.

  Next, other features of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed at the start of sheet feeding, and is stored as a program in a storage unit included in the control unit 65 and is executable. When the sheet feeding is started, the control unit 65 acquires again the state detection information of the upper tray 60 by the upper tray detector 69.

  As a result, when the upper tray 60 is in the position Y1 (feedable position) as set by the driver (Yes in step S101), the upper tray feed mode (suitable for feeding from the upper tray 60) The process proceeds to the sheet feeding method set in the condition, and sheet feeding is executed (steps S105 and S108). If the upper tray 60 is at position Y1 (feedable position) but the driver setting is “lower tray”, a warning message such as “Please check the tray position” is issued. May be.

  Next, when the upper tray 60 is in the area A3 (retraction area) as set by the driver, that is, when paper can be fed from the lower tray 50 (Yes in step S102), the lower tray feeding mode is set. The process proceeds to (paper feeding method set to conditions suitable for paper feeding from the lower tray 50), and paper feeding is executed (steps S107 and S108). If the upper tray 60 is in the area A3 but the driver setting is “upper tray”, a warning message such as “Please check the tray position” may be issued.

  Next, when the upper tray 60 does not belong to either the position Y1 or the region A3 (No in step S102), the process is changed depending on the region of the upper tray 60 (step S103). Specifically, the upper tray 60 is closer to the position Y1 than the intermediate point Y2 between the position Y1 and the area A3, as in the case of the UI display before the print execution command is issued. In this case (when it is in the area A1), since it is considered that the user is scheduled to feed paper from the upper tray 60, the controller 65 drives the motor to move the upper tray 60 to the position Y1 ( Step S104). Then, the process shifts to the upper tray paper feed mode, and paper feed is executed (steps S105 and S108).

  Conversely, when the upper tray 60 is located closer to the area A3 than the intermediate point Y2 between the position Y1 and the area A3 (when in the area A2), the user plans to feed from the lower tray 50 Therefore, the control unit 65 drives the motor to move the upper tray 60 to the position Y4, that is, the retreat area (step S106). After that, the process shifts to the lower tray feeding mode, and feeding is performed (steps S107 and S108).

  When the process proceeds to step S103, that is, when the upper tray 60 is in a halfway position, a warning such as “Check the tray position” is given without automatically displacing the upper tray 60. A message may be issued and the subsequent processing may be stopped. Further, when the tray selection on the driver is “lower tray” at the time of execution of step S104, a confirmation message may be issued just in case before the upper tray 60 is moved to the position Y1. Similarly, when the tray selection on the driver is “upper tray” at the time of execution of step S106, a confirmation message may be issued just in case before the upper tray 60 is moved to the position Y4. .

  One of the differences between the upper tray feeding mode shown in step S105 and the lower tray feeding mode shown in step S107 is the total rotation amount of the pickup roller 16 as a feeding roller. . That is, in this embodiment, since the paper storage space of the upper tray 60 is smaller than that of the lower tray 50, the total rotation amount of the pickup roller 16 when feeding the paper from the lower tray 50 is used as it is. When applied to No. 60, there is a possibility that the next paper will be sent out.

  Accordingly, in the upper tray feeding mode shown in step S105, the total rotation amount of the pickup roller 16 is set to be smaller than the total rotation amount of the pickup roller 16 in the lower tray feeding mode shown in step S107. Thereby, the occurrence of the double feed problem as described above can be prevented.

  The embodiment described above is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that there are various other embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to both printer drivers that operate on the printer 1 and the external computer 73, but either one may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer, 2 Feeding device, 3 Printing mechanism part, 4 Recording means, 5 Conveying means, 6 Ejecting means, 10 Paper cassette, 16 Pickup roller, 17 Oscillating member, 18 Oscillating shaft, 20 Followed roller, 21 Separation Means, 22 Separating roller, 23 Driving roller, 25 First intermediate feeding unit, 26 Driving roller, 27 Assist roller, 29 Followed roller, 31 Second intermediate feeding unit, 32 Driving roller, 33 Assist roller, 35 Conveying driving roller, 36 Conveyance driven roller, 37 Upper paper guide, 39 Lower paper guide, 40 Carriage, 41 Carriage guide shaft, 42 Recording head, 44 Ejection drive roller, 45 Ejection driven roller, 50 Lower tray, 50a Bottom surface, 51, 52 Edge guide, 53 High friction material, 54 minutes Separate slope, 60 Upper tray, 60a Bottom, 61, 62 Edge guide, 63 High friction material, 65 Control unit, 66 Information display unit, 67 Operation setting unit, 68 Storage medium mounting unit, 69 Tray position detection sensor, 70A, 70B printer driver, 71A, 71B UI information editing unit, 72A, 72B display control unit, 73 external computer, 74 display device, P, P1, P2 recording paper

Claims (7)

A user interface information management function for managing user interface information related to display of a user interface for setting recording conditions is provided.
The user interface information management function is provided in the recording apparatus so as to be displaceable between a lower tray that accommodates a recording medium, and a feedable position and a retreat area at an upper portion of the lower tray. Among the recording medium cassettes configured to include the upper tray for storing the recording medium, the upper and lower trays that can be used are detected based on the detection information of the tray detection unit that detects the state of the upper tray. Display the corresponding recording setting screen.
A printer driver characterized by that. 2. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the upper tray is an area between the feedable position and the retreat area and is closer to the feedable position based on detection information of the tray detection unit. If so, display a recording setting screen corresponding to the upper tray, and perform a predetermined first process for feeding the recording medium from the upper tray,
When the upper tray is located between the feedable position and the retreat area and closer to the retreat area, a recording setting screen corresponding to the lower tray is displayed, and the lower stage Performing a predetermined second process for feeding the recording medium from the side tray;
A printer driver characterized by that. 3. The printer driver according to claim 2, wherein the first process moves the upper tray to the feedable position with respect to a control unit that drives and controls a motor that displaces the upper tray in the recording apparatus. It is a process to give instructions to displace,
The second process is a process of giving an instruction to the control unit to displace the upper tray to the retreat area.
A printer driver characterized by that. A recording mechanism for recording on a recording medium;
A lower tray for storing a recording medium, and an upper tray for storing a recording medium provided so as to be displaceable between a feedable position and a retreat area at an upper portion of the lower tray. A recording medium cassette,
Tray detection means for detecting the state of the upper tray;
A user interface display unit capable of displaying a user interface for setting recording conditions;
A control unit including user interface information management means for managing display information of the user interface display unit, which displays a recording setting screen corresponding to one of the upper and lower usable trays based on detection information of the tray detection unit; ,
A recording apparatus comprising: 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured such that the upper tray is an area between the feedable position and the retreat area based on detection information of the tray detection unit, and the feeding If it is located closer to the possible position, a recording setting screen corresponding to the upper tray is displayed, and a first predetermined process for feeding the recording medium from the upper tray is performed. ,
When the upper tray is located between the feedable position and the retreat area and closer to the retreat area, a recording setting screen corresponding to the lower tray is displayed, and the lower stage Performing a predetermined second process for feeding the recording medium from the side tray;
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a configuration in which the upper tray is displaced by a motor that is driven and controlled by the controller.
The first process is a process of driving and controlling the motor to displace the upper tray to the feedable position,
The second process is a process of driving and controlling the motor to displace the upper tray to the retreat area.
A recording apparatus. The recording setting screen according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a recording medium feeding condition when feeding the recording medium is determined based on detection information of the tray detection unit. When the display of the tray selection item for selecting whether the recording medium is to be fed from the upper or lower tray is set to the upper tray, the recording medium feeding condition set for the upper tray is selected. When the display of the tray selection item is set to the lower tray, the recording medium feeding condition set for the lower tray is selected,
A feeding roller that is driven and controlled by the control unit to feed a recording medium from the upper tray and the lower tray;
The recording medium feeding condition is that the total rotation amount of the feeding roller at the time of feeding the recording medium is different between the upper tray and the lower tray.
A recording apparatus.

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