JP5929178B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus capable of printing on an envelope suppresses occurrence of a paper jam of an envelope in a conveyance path by conveying a sealing flap provided on the envelope with the upstream side in the conveyance direction (for example, patents). Reference 1). That is, in the conventional printing apparatus, the envelope to be printed is transported in a direction along the transport direction on the side orthogonal to the side on which the flap is provided.

JP-A-11-119953

  Depending on the size of the envelope, the length of the side on which the flap is provided, the convenience of the conveyance capability of the printing apparatus, etc., it is conceivable that the envelope is conveyed with the side on which the flap is provided oriented along the conveyance direction.

  However, when the envelope is transported with the side on which the flap is provided being oriented in the transport direction, it is necessary to move the printing position according to the state of the flap. For example, the print position needs to be different between the print position when the flap is opened and the print position when the flap is folded in consideration of whether or not printing is performed on the flap portion. Further, when the flap is opened, the printing position differs depending on whether the flap is provided on the left side or the right side in the main scanning direction. There is also a method for limiting the state of the envelope to be set by the user so that the flap is provided on the right side in the main scanning direction when the flap is opened. Since it may be set as provided, user convenience is poor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an image recording apparatus with improved user convenience when an envelope is conveyed in a direction along the conveyance direction on the side where the flap is provided. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve this object, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a recording medium along a first direction which is a predetermined transport direction, and an image on the recording medium transported by the transport unit. A recording unit that performs recording, a detection unit that detects positions of both ends of a recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a recording medium by the conveyance unit And a controller that controls the recording of the image by the recording unit, and the control unit uses the envelope having a sealing flap on the first side as the recording medium. And the second side of the envelope detected by the detection unit when the second side intersecting the first side is conveyed in a horizontal direction that is a direction orthogonal to the first direction. Based on the position of both ends of the direction, the state of the flap A flap condition detecting means for output, in response to said state of the flap detected by flap state detecting means, and a, a position control means for controlling the print position of an image to be recorded on the envelope.
In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, in the control unit, both ends of the envelope in the second direction conveyed in the lateral direction by the conveyance unit are connected to a first position of the envelope in the first direction, and the envelope In the first direction, a detection control unit that causes the detection unit to detect a second position that is upstream of the first position in the transport direction is provided, and the flap state detection unit includes the first position and the first position. The length of the envelope in the second direction at the first position and the second direction of the envelope at the second position based on the positions of the both ends detected by the detection unit at the second position, respectively. If the length of the flap is different, it may be detected that the state of the flap is an open state.
The image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium with the center of the second direction of the recording medium coincided with a reference position, and the control unit transports the recording medium in the lateral direction. A detection control unit that causes the detection unit to detect both ends of the envelope in the second direction at one end in the first direction of the envelope, and the flap state detection unit is provided at one end in the first direction. Based on the positions of the both ends detected by the detection unit, when the lengths in the second direction from the reference position to each end are different, it may be detected that the state of the flap is an open state. .

  The present invention can be realized in various modes such as a control device that controls an image recording device, an image recording system, an image recording method, and a recording medium that records a control program.

According to the image recording apparatus of the first aspect, an envelope having a sealing flap provided on the first side has a second side that intersects the first side by a transport unit as a recording medium. When transported in a lateral direction that is a direction orthogonal to the first direction (the transport direction of the transport unit), the flap state is detected by the flap state detection means by the second direction of the envelope (first It is detected based on the positions of both ends of the direction orthogonal to the direction. The printing position of the image recorded on the envelope is controlled by the position control means in accordance with the detected flap state. Therefore, when the side on which the flap is provided is transported in the direction along the transport direction, appropriate image recording can be automatically performed according to the state of the flap, and user convenience can be improved ( Effect (A)) .

According to the image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to the above effects (A), the following effects. When the detection unit detects both ends in the second direction of the envelope that is conveyed sideways, the position is set to two locations, the first position and the second position in the first direction of the envelope, by the detection control means. The And based on the position of the both ends detected in the 1st position and the 2nd position, respectively, the length of the 2nd direction of the envelope in the 1st position and the length of the 2nd direction of the envelope in the 2nd position are If they are different, the flap state detection means detects that the flap state is the open state. Therefore, since the positions of both ends in the second direction are detected in two places in the first direction (conveyance direction) and the flap state is detected based on the detection result, the detection accuracy of the flap state can be improved. .

According to the image recording apparatus of claim 2 , in addition to the effect of claim 1 , the following effect is obtained. When it is detected that the flap state is the open state, based on the positions of the both ends detected at the first position and the second position, of the ends, the position of the envelope in the second direction is different. The side is specified by the flap direction specifying means to be the side on which the flap is provided, and the position control means moves the image printing position in the opposite direction to the side specified as being provided with the flap. . Therefore, appropriate image recording can be performed on the envelope regardless of whether the open flap is directed to the left or right in the main scanning direction.

According to the image recording apparatus of the third aspect , in addition to the effect produced by the first or second aspect , the following effect is produced. When the direction of the flap is specified by the flap direction specifying means, if the side provided with the flap is different from the side provided with the flap defined in advance for the image, the image is rotated by the image rotating means. Rotated degrees. Therefore, an appropriate image according to the direction of the flap can be recorded regardless of whether the opened flap is directed to the left or right in the main scanning direction.

According to the image recording apparatus of the fourth aspect , in addition to the effect produced by any one of the first to third aspects, the following effect is produced. After the detection by the detection unit, the envelope is conveyed to the recording start position by the post-detection conveying means. The recording start position acquired by the recording start acquisition unit is a position where colored recording is started in the first direction of the envelope based on the image data of the image recorded on the envelope by the recording unit. It can be positioned as upstream as possible in the transport direction. Therefore, when the detection unit is provided on the upstream side of the recording unit in the transport direction, the possibility of returning the envelope to the upstream side of the transport direction after detection at the second position can be reduced. Can be suppressed.

According to the image recording apparatus of the fifth aspect , in addition to the effect produced by any one of the first to third aspects, the following effect is produced. The second position is the recording start position in the first direction of the envelope (the position where the margin ends in the first direction of the envelope, or the colored recording is started in the first direction of the envelope by the second position setting means. Position) is set at a position upstream of the conveyance direction. That is, the second position is variable according to the recording start position. Therefore, the distance between the first position and the second position can be as wide as possible, and the detection accuracy of the flap state can be increased.

According to the image recording apparatus of the sixth aspect , in addition to the effect (A) , the following effect can be obtained. When the transport mechanism is used to transport the recording medium in the horizontal direction by causing the center of the recording medium in the second direction to coincide with the reference position and to transport the recording medium, and to detect both ends of the second direction in the detection unit. The position is set to one end in the first direction of the envelope by the detection control means. And based on the position of the both ends detected in the end in the 1st direction of an envelope, when the length from a reference position to each end differs, it detects that the state of a flap is an open state by a flap state detection means. Is done. Therefore, if the positions of both ends in the second direction at one end in the first direction of the envelope are detected, the state of the flap can be detected, so that the state of the flap can be detected quickly.

According to the image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, in addition to the effects achieved by the sixth aspect, the following effect. When it is detected that the flap state is the open state, the first length from the reference position to one end (for example, the left end) in the second direction out of the length from the reference position to each end and the reference position to the first position With respect to the second length to the other end (for example, the right end) in the two directions, the shorter end side is specified as the side on which the flap is provided by the flap direction specifying means. Then, the printing position of the image is moved by the position control means in the direction opposite to the side specified as being provided with the flap. That is, the image may be moved to the longer side of the first length and the second length, and the flap in the open state is directed to the left and right in the main scanning direction with respect to the main body portion of the envelope. An appropriate image according to the direction of the flap can be recorded.

According to the image recording apparatus of the eighth aspect , in addition to the effect of the sixth or seventh aspect , the position where detection by the detection unit is performed is the end portion on the downstream side in the transport direction in the first direction of the envelope. Since the possibility of returning the envelope to the upstream side in the transport direction after the detection of the state (detection of the positions at both ends) can be reduced, waste of time required for recording can be suppressed.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the MFP. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an ink jet printer installed in an MFP. It is a figure explaining the printing control with respect to a landscape-oriented envelope. It is a flowchart which shows a printing function process. (A) And (b) is a flowchart which respectively shows a flap state detection process and a flap position detection process. It is a flowchart which shows a printing process. It is a figure explaining the printing control of 2nd Embodiment with respect to a landscape-oriented envelope. It is a flowchart which shows the printing function process of 2nd Embodiment. (A) And (b) is a flowchart which respectively shows the flap state detection process and flap position detection process of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining a modification.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 1 which is an embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention. The MFP 1 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a print function, a scan function, and a copy function. The MFP 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the envelope can be conveyed with its flaps facing sideways, and printing (recording) such as an address can be performed. Note that “flap is sideways” means that the side of the envelope on which the flap is provided is the direction along the transport direction, and hereinafter, this direction is simply referred to as “sideways”. In particular, the MFP 1 is configured to detect the flap state of the envelope that is conveyed sideways, and to control the print position and orientation of the image based on the detection result.

  The MFP 1 is mainly provided with a CPU 10, a flash memory 11, a RAM 12, an operation key 15, an LCD 16, a touch panel 17, a scanner 20, a printer 21, and a USB_I / F (USB interface) 22. The CPU 10, flash memory 11, and RAM 12 are connected to each other via a bus line 23. The operation key 15, the LCD 16, the touch panel 17, the scanner 20, the printer 21, the USB_I / F 22, and the bus line 23 are connected to each other via an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 24.

  The CPU 10 controls each function of the MFP 1 and each unit connected to the ASIC 24 according to fixed values and programs stored in the flash memory 11 and data stored in the RAM 12. The flash memory 11 is a non-volatile memory, and stores a control program 11a for controlling the operation of the MFP 1. Each process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6 described later is executed by the CPU 10 according to the control program 11a.

  The RAM 12 is a rewritable volatile memory that temporarily stores information necessary for the processing of the CPU 10. The RAM 12 has a print data memory 12a. The print data memory 12 a is a buffer area for storing image data (print data) for printing supplied from a PC (personal computer) 500. When printing image data generated by a printer driver installed in the PC 500 is supplied from the PC 500 to the MFP 1, the MFP 1 prints an image based on the image data received from the PC 500 on a recording sheet. The image data stored in the print data memory 12a is erased when printing is executed.

  An operation key 15 is a hard key, and inputs setting information and instructions to the MFP 1. The LCD 16 is a liquid crystal display device. The touch panel 17 is provided so as to overlap the LCD 16 and inputs setting information and instructions to the MFP 1. The USB_I / F 22 is a device for communicably connecting another device (for example, a PC) via a USB cable, and is configured by a known device. In the present embodiment, the PC 500 is connected via the USB_I / F 22. The scanner 20 is a device that reads an original and outputs image data of the read original to the CPU 10.

  The printer 21 is an ink jet printer that prints (records) an image on a recording sheet by ejecting ink. The printer 21 includes a CR motor 21a, an LF motor 21b, a recording head 21c, and a media sensor 21d. Each part 21a-21d is connected to ASIC24.

  The CR motor 21a is a motor that provides a driving force for moving the carriage 211 (see FIG. 2) in the main scanning direction. The LF motor 21b is a motor that applies a driving force to a roller that conveys a recording medium, such as a paper feed roller (not shown) arranged upstream in the conveyance direction from the recording head 21d. A drive circuit for controlling the motors 21a and 21b is incorporated in the ASIC 24 for each motor, and based on the drive signal from the CPU 10, the motor corresponding to the drive signal is rotated at a rotational speed corresponding to the drive signal. Roll or reverse. Hereinafter, when the CPU 10 sends a drive signal and controls the rotation of the motor to convey the recording medium, the CPU 10 simply describes that the CPU 10 conveys the recording medium. The recording head 21c is mounted on the carriage 211 and has a large number of nozzles formed on the surface facing the platen 212 (see FIG. 2), and ejects ink from these nozzles as minute ink droplets.

  The media sensor 21d is a sensor that includes a light emitting unit (not shown) made of an LED or the like and a light receiving unit (not shown) made of an optical sensor or the like. The light emitted from the light emitting unit of the media sensor 21d is reflected by the recording medium transported onto the platen 212 or the platen 212, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit, and the media sensor 21d receives the received light amount. The detection value (AD value) corresponding to the above is output to the CPU 10. These operations by the media sensor 21d are executed based on control from the CPU 10. When the surface of the platen 212 is a color having a low reflectance such as black, the detected value by the reflected light of the recording medium and the detected value by the reflected light from the platen 212 are different from each other. The edge of the recording medium can be detected based on the detection value supplied from 21d. The media sensor 21d is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 211 (the surface on the side facing the platen 212). Therefore, the positions of both ends of the recording medium in the main scanning direction can be detected by scanning the media sensor 21d while moving the carriage 211 in the main scanning direction. The media sensor 21d of the present embodiment functions as a sensor that detects the positions of both ends of the envelope to be printed in the main scanning direction when printing is performed on an envelope that is conveyed sideways.

  Here, the printer 21 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of the printer 21, and FIG. 2B is a schematic side sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2A, the printer 21 includes a carriage 211 and a platen 212.

  The carriage 211 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction along the guide rail 213 by forward or reverse rotation of the CR motor 21a. Specifically, the carriage 211 is alternately moved in a forward direction that is a direction away from the home position in the main scanning direction and a reverse direction that is the opposite direction. The recording head 21 c is scanned in the main scanning direction (forward direction or reverse direction) by the movement of the carriage 211, and forms an image by ejecting ink onto an envelope S as a recording medium conveyed on the platen 212. To do. The envelope S is moved from upstream to downstream (in the direction of arrow A) in the transport direction along a transport direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction by a roller (not shown) such as a paper feed roller driven by the LF motor 21b, or , Conveyed in the opposite direction. The platen 212 is a support table that faces the lower surface side of the carriage 211 (the back side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) and supports a recording medium such as an envelope S parallel to the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 21c. . As shown in FIG. 2B, the media sensor 21d is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 211 (the surface facing the platen 212) on the upstream side in the transport direction from the recording head 21c.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the printing control with respect to the landscape-oriented envelope S will be described. The MFP 1 (more specifically, the CPU 10) of the present embodiment detects the positions of both ends in the main scanning direction of the envelope S that is conveyed sideways on the platen 212 by the media sensor 21d, and based on the detection result, detects the flap. Detect state and provided side. Then, the MFP 1 executes print control for the envelope S according to the detected flap state and the provided side.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining detection positions at both ends in the main scanning direction by the media sensor 21d with respect to the envelope S conveyed laterally from the upstream side to the downstream side (arrow A direction) in the conveyance direction. As shown in FIG. 3A, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment first moves the media sensor 21d by moving the carriage 211 at a position P1 at the leading end on the downstream side in the transport direction of the envelope S transported in the arrow A direction. Scanning is performed in the scanning direction, and the left end position PL1 and the right end position PR1 of the envelope S in the main scanning direction are detected. Based on the movement amount of the carriage 211, the CPU 10 acquires position information (Left1) in the main scanning direction with respect to the left end position PL1 and position information (Right1) in the main scanning direction with respect to the right end position RL1. The movement amount of the carriage 211 is detected from the encoder amount of a linear encoder (not shown). That is, in the present embodiment, the position information in the main scanning direction is obtained from the encoder amount of the linear encoder. Further, the CPU 10 obtains the length (Length1) of the envelope S at the position P1 in the main scanning direction from the position information (Left1, Right1).

  Next, the MFP 1 transports the envelope S by a predetermined distance (for example, about 3 mm) toward the downstream side in the transport direction, and scans the media sensor 21d in the main scanning direction at a position P2 upstream of the transport direction from the position P1. The left end position PL2 and the right end position PR2 of the envelope S in the main scanning direction are detected. Based on the movement amount of the carriage 211, the CPU 10 acquires position information (Left2) in the main scanning direction with respect to the left end position PL2 and position information (Right2) in the main scanning direction with respect to the right end position RL2. Further, the CPU 10 obtains the length (Length2) of the envelope S in the main scanning direction at the position P2 from the position information (Left2, Right2).

  FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the state of the flap and the method for detecting the provided side in the present embodiment. As described above, as a result of detecting the left and right ends PL1, PR1, PL2, PR2 in the main scanning direction for the two positions P1, P2 arranged in the transport direction, the lengths 1 and 2 are the lengths in the main scanning direction at the respective positions P1, P2. Is obtained. From these lengths (Length1, Length2), the state of the flap S1 in the sideways envelope S can be determined. Specifically, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 3B, when Length 1 and Length 2 are equal, it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is in a folded state (hereinafter referred to as “closed state”). The On the other hand, as shown in the middle and lower stages in FIG. 3B, when the length S is longer than Length 1, it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is not folded (hereinafter referred to as “open state”). The

  Further, as a result of detecting the left and right ends PL1, PR1, PL2, PR2 in the main scanning direction for each position P1, P2, Left1, Right1, Left2, and Right1 are obtained as position information of both ends at each position P1, P2. . From these position information (Left1, Right1, Left2, Right1), it can be determined whether the flap S1 in the open state is provided on the left side or the right side in the main scanning direction. Specifically, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 3B, in the envelope S in which the flap S1 is in the open state, the position information of the left end in the main scanning direction at the positions P1 and P2 is different (that is, Left1 ≠ Left2), and When the position information on the right end in the main scanning direction at the positions P1 and P2 is the same (that is, Right1 = Right2), it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is provided on the left side in the main scanning direction. The On the other hand, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 3B, in the envelope S with the flap S1 in the open state, the position information on the left end in the main scanning direction at the positions P1 and P2 is the same (that is, Left1 = Left2), and When the position information on the right end in the main scanning direction at the positions P1 and P2 is different (that is, Right1 ≠ Right2), it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is provided on the right side in the main scanning direction. Hereinafter, “left side toward” and “right side toward” are simply referred to as “left side” and “right side”.

  Printing control for the envelope S is performed based on the state of the flap S1 detected as described above and the provided side. The image data generated by the printer driver of the PC 500 includes a print image Q1 (area indicated by hatching) on which an address is printed and a margin Q2 provided around the print image Q1. In the present embodiment, the printer driver of the PC 500 generates image data in which the center of the print image Q1 with respect to the main body S2 coincides with the center of the envelope S in the main scanning direction when the flap S1 is in the closed state. .

  The center of the envelope S in the main scanning direction when the flap S1 is in the closed state is equal to the center of the main body S2, but when the flap S1 is in the open state, the center of the envelope S in the main scanning direction is the main body S2. Deviate from the center of Therefore, when address printing is performed using the image data received from the PC 500 as it is when the flap S1 is in an open state, the position of the print image Q1 is shifted to the right or left with respect to the main body S2. Occurs. Therefore, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the flap S1 is in the open state and the flap S1 is provided on the left side of the envelope S, the position of the print image Q1 in the image data received from the PC 500 is determined. Move to the right (arrow MR direction). On the other hand, when it is determined that the flap S1 is in the open state and the flap S1 is provided on the right side of the envelope S, the position of the print image Q1 in the image data received from the PC 500 is set to the left side (in the direction of the arrow ML). ). By performing such printing control, the above problems can be solved.

  In the present embodiment, the printer driver of the PC 500 generates image data on the assumption that the flap S1 is provided on the left side. That is, the orientation of the print image Q1 is set on the assumption that the flap S1 is provided on the left side. Therefore, when printing is performed using image data generated on the assumption that the flap S1 is provided on the left side with respect to the envelope provided with the flap S1 on the right side, the bottom side of the envelope S1 (the flap S1). A problem arises in that the postal code is located on the opposite side. Therefore, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the flap S1 is in the open state and is provided on the right side, the image data received from the PC 500 is rotated 180 degrees. By performing such printing control, the above problems can be solved.

  In the present embodiment, when the flap S1 is in the closed state, printing is performed without rotating the image data received from the PC 500. Alternatively, when the flap S1 is in the closed state, the image data may be rotated as in the case where the flap S1 is provided on the right side.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating print function processing executed by the CPU 10 of the MFP 1. In the printing function processing of the present embodiment, when the printing instructed from the PC 500 is an envelope setting, the sideways envelope S is conveyed as a printing target, the flap state of the envelope S and the provided side are detected, Printing according to the detection result is executed. This process is started when the MFP 1 receives image data from the PC 500 (that is, when a predetermined print instruction is input to the PC 500). Note that the MFP 1 receives from the PC 500 the image data and the envelope setting indicating that the print target is an envelope and the size of the envelope to be printed.

  First, in step S401 (hereinafter, step is omitted), when printing is not an envelope setting (S401: No), the CPU 10 executes a printing process to be described later with reference to FIG. Is printed (S416), and this process ends. On the other hand, when printing is set as an envelope (S401: Yes), the CPU 10 feeds a lateral envelope set in the paper feed tray or the manual feed tray (S402), and the envelope S is positioned by the media sensor 21d. Transport to a position where P1 can be detected (S403).

  Next, the CPU 10 scans the media sensor 21d while moving the carriage 211, and acquires position information (Left1, Right1) of the left and right ends in the main scanning direction at the position P1 (S404). Based on the acquired position information, the CPU 10 acquires the main scanning direction length (Length1) of the envelope S at the position P1 (S405). When the acquired main scanning direction length (Length1) is larger than the specified size (S406: Yes), the CPU 10 executes a paper size error process for notifying the user of a paper size error (S417), and ends this process. . The specified size is the size of the envelope received from the PC 500 together with the image data.

  On the other hand, when the length (Length1) in the main scanning direction is equal to or smaller than the specified size (S406: No), the CPU 10 conveys the envelope S to a position where the media sensor 21d can detect the position P2 (S407). As described above, the position P2 is a position upstream of the position P1 by a predetermined distance (for example, about 3 mm) in the transport direction. Next, the CPU 10 scans the media sensor 21d while moving the carriage 211, and obtains position information (Left2, Right2) of the left and right ends in the main scanning direction at the position P2 (S408). Based on the acquired position information, the CPU 10 acquires the main scanning direction length (Length2) of the envelope S at the position P2 (S409).

  When the acquired length (Length2) in the main scanning direction is larger than the specified size (S410: Yes), the CPU 10 shifts the process to S417. When the length in the main scanning direction (Length2) is equal to or smaller than the specified size, but also when Length1> Length2 (S410: No, S411: Yes), the CPU 10 shifts the processing to S417.

  When the length (Length2) in the main scanning direction is equal to or smaller than the specified size, Length1 ≦ Length2 (S410: No, S411: No), and the left end position in the main scanning direction at the positions P1 and P2 is the same. (S412: Yes), CPU10 transfers a process to S414. When the positions of the left end in the main scanning direction at the position P1 and the position P2 are different, but also when the position of the right end in the main scanning direction at the position P1 and the position P2 is the same (S412: No, S413: Yes), the CPU 10 performs the process. The process proceeds to S414. On the other hand, when the position of the left end in the main scanning direction at the positions P1 and P2 is different and the position of the right end in the main scanning direction at the positions P1 and P2 is different (S412: No, S413: No), the CPU 10 performs processing. The process proceeds to S417.

  In S414, the CPU 10 executes a flap state detection process for detecting the state of the flap S1 of the envelope S (S414). Next, the CPU 10 executes flap direction detection processing for detecting whether the flap S1 of the envelope S is provided on the right side or the left side (S415). Details of the flap state detection process (S414) and the flap direction detection process (S415) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), respectively. After the flap direction detection process (S415), the CPU 10 executes a print process for printing on the envelope S (S416), and ends this process.

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing the flap state detection process (S414) described above. In the flap state detection process, if Length1 ≠ Length2 (S501: Yes), the CPU 10 determines that the flap S1 is in the open state (S502), and ends this process. On the other hand, if Length1 = Length2 (S501: No), the CPU 10 determines that the flap S1 is in a closed state (S503), and ends this process.

  FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing the flap direction detection process (S415) described above. In the flap direction detection process, if Length1 = Length2 (S521: Yes), since the flap S1 is in the closed state, the CPU 10 ends this process. On the other hand, if Length1 ≠ Length2 and Left1 = Left2 (S522: Yes), it is determined that the flap S1 is provided on the right side (S523), and this process is terminated. Further, when Length1 ≠ Length2 and Left1 ≠ Left2 (that is, Right1 = Right2) (S522: No), it is determined that the flap S1 is provided on the left side (S524), and this processing is performed. finish.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the above-described printing process (S416). In the printing process, first, when the printing is not the envelope setting (S601: No), the CPU 10 executes the printing according to the paper setting (S607), and ends this process.

  On the other hand, when the printing is the envelope setting (S601: Yes), when it is determined that the flap S1 is in the closed state in the flap state detection process (S414) (S602: No), the CPU 10 moves the process to S605. .

  When it is determined in S414 that the flap S1 is in the open state, and it is determined that the flap S1 is provided on the left side in the flap direction detection process (S415) (S602: Yes, S603: No), the CPU 10 The print position of the print image Q1 is moved to the right side (S604). That is, the print area of the print image Q1 is moved to the right side. Thereafter, the CPU 10 moves the process to S605.

  If it is determined in S414 that the flap S1 is in the open state, and it is determined in S415 that the flap S1 is provided on the right side (S602: Yes, S603: Yes), the CPU 10 determines that the print image Q1 is 180 degrees. It is rotated (S608), and the print position of the print image Q1 is moved to the left (S609). That is, the print area of the print image Q1 is moved to the left side. Thereafter, the CPU 10 moves the process to S605. Note that the printing area in S604 and S609 is moved by moving the printing image Q1 so that the center of the printing image Q1 is the center of Left1 and Right1 in the main scanning direction.

  In S605, the CPU 10 acquires the position of the boundary in the transport direction in the print image Q1 as the print start position based on the image data used for printing (S605). The “image data used for printing” is image data stored in the print data memory 12a when the flap S1 is in the closed state, and when the flap S1 is provided on the left side in the open state. Is the image data after the processing of S604, and is the image data after the processing of S609 when the flap S1 is opened and provided on the right side.

  Next, the CPU 10 conveys the envelope S to a position where the recording head 21c can print at the print start position (S606). Next, the CPU 10 executes printing based on the image data used for printing (S607), and ends this processing. As described above, the image data used for printing is image data suitable for the state and orientation of the flap S1. Therefore, the print image Q1 suitable for the state and orientation of the flap S1 can be printed on the envelope S conveyed in the landscape orientation.

  According to the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, when the envelope S is conveyed sideways (the side on which the flap S1 is provided is oriented along the conveyance direction), the positions of both ends of the envelope S in the main scanning direction are detected by the media sensor. It detects by 21d, and detects the state of flap S1 based on the detection result. Then, the MFP 1 controls the printing position of the print image Q1 to be printed (recorded) on the envelope S according to the detected flap direction. Therefore, since the appropriate image printing can be automatically performed on the envelope S conveyed in the landscape direction according to the flap state, the convenience for the user is improved. In particular, since the positions of both ends of the envelope S in the main scanning direction are detected for two positions (positions P1 and P2) aligned in the transport direction, the state of the flap S1 can be detected stably, and the detection accuracy can be improved. it can.

  Further, when it is detected that the state of the flap S1 is the open state, the positions at both ends (positions PL1, PR1, PL2, PR2) respectively detected at two positions (positions P1, P2) arranged in the transport direction. ) Of both ends, the end having a different position in the main scanning direction is identified as the side on which the flap S1 is provided. The printed image Q1 is moved in the direction opposite to the side where the flap S1 faces. Therefore, appropriate image printing can be performed on the envelope S regardless of whether the opened flap S1 is directed to the left or right in the main scanning direction.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment described above, when the envelope S is conveyed sideways, the positions of both ends in the main scanning direction of the envelope S are detected by the media sensor 21d at two positions (positions P1 and P2) aligned in the conveyance direction. It was the structure which detects and detects the state and direction of a flap. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the state and orientation of the flap are detected from the positions of one end in the main scanning direction. Note that in the second embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  First, with reference to FIG. 7, the printing control of 2nd Embodiment with respect to the envelope S facing sideways is demonstrated. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating detection positions at both ends in the main scanning direction by the media sensor 21d with respect to the envelope S that is transported laterally from the upstream side to the downstream side (in the direction of arrow A) in the transport direction. In the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, the transport mechanism matches the center position of the recording medium (envelope S or the like) transported onto the platen 212 with the center in the left-right width direction (virtual center line C) in the transport path. It is set as the structure made to convey. Such a transport mechanism is also called a center register.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the MFP 1 moves the media sensor 21d in the main scanning direction at the leading end position P1 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the envelope S transported in the direction of arrow A, as in the first embodiment. Scanning is performed to detect the left end position PL1 and the right end position PR1 of the envelope S in the main scanning direction. Then, the MFP 1 acquires position information (Left1) in the main scanning direction with respect to the left end position PL1 and position information (Right1) in the main scanning direction with respect to the right end position RL1. Next, the MFP 1 acquires a main scanning direction length (LLLength) from Left 1 to the virtual center line C and a main scanning direction length (RL Length) from Right 1 to the virtual center line C.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining a flap state and direction detection method according to the present embodiment. As described above, as a result of detecting the left and right ends PL1 and PR1 in the main scanning direction at the leading end position P1 in the envelope S, the length in the main scanning direction from Left 1 to the virtual center line C, and Rigth1 LLlength and Rigth1 are obtained as the lengths in the main scanning direction from to the virtual center line C, respectively. From these lengths (LLength, RLlength), the state of the flap S1 in the sideways envelope S can be determined.

  Specifically, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7B, when LLlength and RLlength are equal, it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is in a closed state. On the other hand, as shown in the middle and lower stages in FIG. 7 (b), when LLLength and RLLength are different, it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is in an open state. Further, when LLlength <RLLength, it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is provided on the left side in the main scanning direction. On the other hand, when LLlength> RLLength, it is determined that the flap S1 of the envelope S is provided on the right side in the main scanning direction.

  Also in the second embodiment, the printing control for the envelope S is performed based on the state and orientation of the flap S1 detected as described above. Specifically, when it is determined that the flap S1 is open and provided on the right side, the image data received from the PC 500 is rotated 180 degrees. On the other hand, when it is determined that the flap S1 is in the closed state, or when it is determined that the flap S1 is in the open state and is provided on the left side, the image data received from the PC 500 is not rotated.

  When it is determined that the flap S1 is provided on the left side in the opened state, the print position of the print image Q1 in the image data received from the PC 500 is moved to the right side. That is, the print area of the print image Q1 is moved to the right side. On the other hand, if it is determined that the flap S1 is open and provided on the right side, the print position of the print image Q1 in the image data received from the PC 500 is moved to the left side. That is, the print area of the print image Q1 is moved to the left side. That is, in the present embodiment, the print image Q1 is moved to the shorter side of LLlength and RLLength. Also in this embodiment, the print area of the print image Q1 is moved so that the center of the print image Q1 is the center of Left1 and Right1 in the main scanning direction, as in the first embodiment. This is done by moving Q1.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating print function processing according to the second embodiment executed by the CPU 10 of the MFP 1. This processing is started when the MFP 1 receives image data from the PC 500, as in the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the MFP 1 receives from the PC 500 the image data and the envelope setting indicating that the print target is an envelope and the size of the envelope to be printed.

  If the printing is not envelope setting (S401: No), the CPU 10 executes the printing process to print the recording medium to be printed (S416), and ends this process. On the other hand, when printing is set as an envelope (S401: Yes), the CPU 10 feeds a horizontally-facing envelope (S402), and the envelope S is moved downstream in the conveyance direction by the media sensor 21d (position P1). (S801).

  Next, the CPU 10 scans the media sensor 21d while moving the carriage 211, and acquires position information (Left1, Right1) of the left and right ends in the main scanning direction at the position P1 (S802). The CPU 10 acquires the main scanning direction length (Length1) of the envelope S at the position P1 based on the acquired position information (S803). When the acquired length (Length1) in the main scanning direction is larger than the specified size (S804: Yes), the CPU 10 executes a paper size error process (S417) and ends this process.

  On the other hand, when the main scanning direction length (Length 1) is equal to or smaller than the specified size (S804: No), the CPU 10 acquires the main scanning direction length (LL Length, RL Length) from the virtual center line C to the left and right ends (S805). ). Next, the CPU 10 executes the flap state detection process of the second embodiment (S806), and executes the flap direction detection process of the second embodiment (S807). Details of the flap state detection process (S806) and the flap direction detection process (S807) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), respectively. After the flap direction detection process (S807), the CPU 10 executes a print process (S416) and ends the process.

  FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing the flap state detection process (S806) of the second embodiment. The flap state detection process (S806) is also a process for detecting the state of the flap S1, similarly to the flap state detection process (S414) of the first embodiment. In the flap state detection process, if LLlength ≠ RLLength (S901: Yes), the CPU 10 determines that the flap S1 is in the open state (S902), and ends this process. On the other hand, when LLlength = RLLength (S901: No), the CPU 10 determines that the flap S1 is in a closed state (S903), and ends this process.

  FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing the flap direction detection processing (S807) of the second embodiment. The flap direction detection process (S807) is also a process for detecting whether the flap S1 is provided on the right side or the left side, similarly to the flap direction detection process (S414) of the first embodiment. In the flap direction detection process, if LLlength = RLLength (S921: Yes), since the flap S1 is in the closed state, the CPU 10 ends this process. On the other hand, if LLlength ≠ RLLength and LLlength> RLLength (S922: Yes), it is determined that the flap S1 is provided on the right side (S923), and the process is terminated. If LLlength ≠ RLLength and LLlength <RLlength (S922: No), it is determined that the flap S1 is provided on the left side (S924), and the process is terminated.

  According to the MFP 1 of the second embodiment, when the envelope S is conveyed sideways by the center register, the positions of both ends of the envelope S in the main scanning direction are detected at the position P1 of the leading end on the downstream side in the conveying direction. The state of the flap S1 is detected on the basis of the detected length in the main scanning direction from the virtual center line C to each end. Since the MFP 1 of the present embodiment can also detect the state of the flap S1, similarly to the first embodiment, appropriate image printing can be automatically performed according to the state of the flap, and the convenience of the user is improved. Is done. Moreover, since the detection position of both ends for detecting the state of the flap S1 is one place at the end in the transport direction of the envelope S, the state of the flap S1 can be detected quickly. In particular, in the present embodiment, the detection positions at both ends for detecting the state of the flap S1 are the leading ends on the downstream side in the transport direction of the envelope S. Therefore, after detecting the state of the flap S1, the envelope S is upstream in the transport direction. The possibility of returning to the side can be reduced, and waste of time required for recording can be suppressed.

  When it is detected that the state of the flap S1 is an open state, the length from the virtual center line C to the left end in the main scanning direction (LL Length) among the length from the virtual center line C to each end. Then, the shorter end side of the length (RLLength) from the virtual center line C to the right end in the main scanning direction is specified as the side where the flap is provided. As in the first embodiment, the print image Q1 is moved in the direction opposite to the side identified as having the flap S1. That is, it is only necessary to move the image to the longer side of LLlength and RLlength, and appropriate image printing can be performed on the envelope S regardless of whether the flap S1 in the open state is directed to the left or right in the main scanning direction. .

  In the above embodiment, the MFP 1 is an example of an image recording apparatus. The LF motor 21b is an example of a transport unit. The CR motor 21a and the recording head 21c are examples of a recording unit. The media sensor 21d is an example of a detection unit. The CPU 10 is an example of a control unit. CPU10 which performs S414, S806 is an example of a flap state detection means. The CPU 10 that executes S6014 and S609 is an example of a position control unit. The CPU 10 that executes S403, S404, S407, and S408 is an example of the detection control means of claim 2. CPU10 which performs S415 is an example of the flap direction specific | specification means in Claim 3, 4. The CPU 10 that executes S608 is an example of an image rotation unit. The CPU 10 that executes S605 is an example of a recording start position acquisition unit. The CPU 10 that executes S606 is an example of a post-detection conveying unit. The CPU 10 that executes S801 and S802 is an example of the detection control means of claim 7. The CPU 10 that executes S807 is an example of the flap orientation specifying means in claim 8.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 having a function other than the printing function has been described as an example of the image recording apparatus. However, a recording apparatus specialized for the printing function may be an example of the image recording apparatus. Further, not only an ink jet printer but also a laser printer or a thermal transfer printer can be an example of an image recording apparatus. For example, when the present invention is applied to a laser printer, a line sensor that can detect both ends of the envelope S in the main scanning direction upstream of the print position on the transport path for transporting the envelope S to the print position. The sensor may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the media sensor 21d provided on the lower surface of the carriage 211 is used. However, instead of the media sensor 21d, an image sensor such as a CCD may be used. The position where the media sensor 21d is provided is not limited to the upstream side of the recording head 21c, but may be the downstream side of the recording head 21c, one side in the main scanning direction, or the like. Further, the media sensor 21d may be separated from the carriage 211 and movable independently of the carriage 211.

  In the said embodiment, although the envelope in which the flap S1 was provided in the short side was illustrated, this invention is applicable also when conveying the envelope S in which the flap S1 was provided in the long side sideways. Note that, as in the above-described embodiment, the MFP and the recording apparatus that convey the envelope S provided with the flap S1 on the short side in the horizontal direction contribute to space saving and downsizing of the apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print start position is the boundary in the transport direction in the print image Q1, but in the print image Q1, a position where colored recording is first started in the transport direction may be set as the print start position. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining this modification. In the example shown in FIG. 10, when the envelope S is conveyed in the direction of arrow A, the first position in the conveying direction is the position P3 in the printed image Q1, which is the position where colored recording is first started in the conveying direction. Colored recording is performed. By setting the position P3 as the print start position, the print start position can be positioned as far upstream as possible in the transport direction. Accordingly, in S606 of the printing process (FIG. 6), the possibility that the envelope S is reversely conveyed from the downstream side in the conveyance direction to the upstream side after the detection of the state and orientation of the flap S1 can be reduced. Waste can be suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, the position P2 is a fixed position, but the position P2 may be variable according to the print start position. In particular, when the position P2 is set upstream of the printing start position in the transport direction, the envelope S is downstream in the transport direction after detection of the state and orientation of the flap S1 in S606 of the printing process (FIG. 6). Since it is possible to reduce the possibility of reverse conveyance from the side to the upstream side, waste of time required for recording can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to increase the distance between the position P1 and the position P2, and the distance between the positions P1 and P2 can be increased, so that the state of the flap S1 can be detected more stably, thereby detecting accuracy. Can be increased. Further, when the position P2 is set as the print start position, the envelope S can start printing without carrying the envelope S after the flap direction detection processing is executed, and thus is required for recording. Time waste can be suppressed. In this case, as described above, the print start position may be the print start position in the print image Q1 where color recording is first started in the transport direction.

  In the first embodiment, the tip of the envelope S on the downstream side in the transport direction is defined as the position P1, and the position separated by a predetermined distance from the position P1 on the upstream side in the transport direction is defined as the position P2. It can be changed. For example, a position separated by a predetermined distance from the leading end on the upstream side in the transport direction in the envelope S may be defined as the position P1, and a leading end on the upstream side in the transport direction in the envelope S may be defined as the position P2. However, by positioning the positions P1 and P2 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the envelope S, the possibility that the envelope S is reversely transported from the downstream side in the transport direction to the upstream side after detecting the state and orientation of the flap S1 is reduced. It is preferable because it is possible.

  Similarly, in the second embodiment, the leading end of the envelope S on the downstream side in the transport direction is set to the position P1, but the position P1 may be a position where LLLength and RLLength are different when the flap S1 is in the open state. That's fine. For example, a slightly upstream side in the transport direction from the front end of the envelope S on the downstream side in the transport direction may be set as the position P1. In this case, the position P1 is connected to the side of the envelope S where the flap S1 is provided and the side of the flap S1 opposite to the side (the envelope S in the flap S1) from the leading end of the envelope S on the downstream side in the transport direction. It is good to be provided between the conveyance direction downstream ends of the sides facing the sides. Further, for example, the tip of the envelope S on the upstream side in the transport direction may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the image based on the image data received from the PC 500 is printed on the envelope S. However, the present invention is also applicable to the case where an image based on the image data stored in the flash memory 11 is printed on the envelope S. Is applicable. The present invention can also be applied to a case where an image based on image data stored in the memory card is printed on the envelope S when the MFP 1 is configured so that a memory card can be attached.

  Although the said embodiment demonstrated the example by which the process shown to FIGS. 4-6, 8, 9 was performed by CPU10, these processes may be performed not only by CPU10 but by ASIC24 or another logic integrated circuit. However, these processes may be executed by the cooperation of the CPU 10, the ASIC 24, and other logic integrated circuits.

1 MFP (image recording device)
11a Control program

Claims (8)

A transport unit for transporting the recording medium along a first direction which is a predetermined transport direction;
A recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
A detection unit for detecting positions of both ends of a recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A control unit that controls conveyance of a recording medium by the conveyance unit and recording of an image by the recording unit;
The controller is
An envelope in which a sealing flap is provided on the first side is a direction in which a second side intersecting the first side is perpendicular to the first direction by the transport unit as the recording medium. When the paper is conveyed sideways, both ends of the envelope in the second direction are conveyed from the first position in the first direction of the envelope and the first position in the first direction of the envelope. Detection control means for causing the detection unit to detect the second position on the upstream side in the direction;
When the envelope is transported in the horizontal by the transport unit based on the position of said end detected by each of the detecting portion in said first position and said second position, said at the first position Flap state detection means for detecting that the state of the flap is an open state if the length of the envelope in the second direction is different from the length of the envelope in the second position at the second position ;
An image recording apparatus comprising: position control means for controlling a printing position of an image to be recorded on the envelope according to a flap state detected by the flap state detection means. The controller is
When the flap state detection means detects that the state of the flap is an open state, based on the positions of the both ends detected by the detection unit at the first position and the second position, Flap direction specifying means for specifying, as the side on which the flap is provided, the side of the end where the position in the second direction of the envelope is different among both ends,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the position control unit moves an image printing position in a direction opposite to a side on which the flap specified by the flap direction specifying unit is provided. The controller is
When the flap state detection means detects that the state of the flap is an open state, based on the positions of the both ends detected by the detection unit at the first position and the second position, Flap direction specifying means for specifying the end of the envelope in which the position in the second direction is different as the side on which the flap is provided;
Image rotation means for rotating the image by 180 degrees when the side on which the flap specified by the flap orientation specifying means is provided is different from the side on which the flap defined in advance for the image is provided. the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there. The detection unit is provided on the upstream side of the recording unit in the transport direction,
The controller is
Recording start position acquisition means for acquiring a recording start position of the image by the recording unit in the first direction of the envelope;
A post-detection transport means for transporting the envelope to the recording start position by the transport section after detection by the detection section;
The recording start position acquisition unit acquires, as the recording start position, a position at which colored recording starts in the first direction of the envelope based on image data of an image recorded on the envelope by the recording unit. An image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The detection unit is provided on the upstream side of the recording unit in the transport direction,
The controller is
Based on the image data of the image recorded on the envelope by the recording unit, a color recording is started in a position where a preset margin ends in the first direction of the envelope or in the first direction of the envelope. Recording start position acquisition means for acquiring the position to be recorded as the recording start position;
Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second position, the second position setting means for setting the recording start position from the said upstream side position in the first direction of the envelope, the 4. The image recording device according to any one of items 1 to 3 . A transport unit for transporting the recording medium along a first direction which is a predetermined transport direction;
A recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
A detection unit for detecting positions of both ends of a recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A control unit that controls conveyance of a recording medium by the conveyance unit and recording of an image by the recording unit;
A transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium with the center in the second direction of the recording medium being aligned with the reference position;
The controller is
An envelope in which a sealing flap is provided on the first side is a direction in which a second side intersecting the first side is perpendicular to the first direction by the transport unit as the recording medium. A detection control means for causing the detection unit to detect both ends of the envelope in the second direction with respect to one end of the envelope in the first direction when being conveyed in a horizontal direction ,
When the envelope is transported in the lateral direction by the transport unit, in the second direction from the reference position to each end based on the positions of the both ends detected by the detection unit at one end in the first direction. if put What is Do different length, a flap state detecting means state of the flap is detected to be open,
An image recording apparatus comprising: position control means for controlling a printing position of an image to be recorded on the envelope according to the flap state detected by the flap state detection means . The controller is
The first length from the reference position to one end in the second direction among the lengths from the reference position to each end when the flap state detection means detects that the flap state is an open state. And, with respect to the second length from the reference position to the other end in the second direction, there is provided a flap orientation specifying means for specifying the shorter end side as the side on which the flap is provided,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the position control unit moves an image printing position in a direction opposite to a side on which the flap specified by the flap direction specifying unit is provided. The detection unit is provided on the upstream side of the recording unit in the transport direction,
Wherein one end in a first direction, the image recording apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said a downstream end of the conveying direction.

Images