JP7089341B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording device .

Conventionally, there is an image recording device that records an image on a recording medium conveyed by a conveying means. In such an image recording device, a plurality of recording media are supplied in advance from a recording medium integration unit such as a feeder pile board to a transport means, and the supplied recording media are sequentially conveyed by the transport means to record an image. There is something. For example, Patent Document 1 includes an image recording apparatus including a feeder board, an impression cylinder, and the like as a conveying means, and after supplying a recording medium to the feeder board in advance, the recording medium is conveyed by the impression cylinder and the like to record an image. It has been disclosed. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an image recording device that supplies a plurality of recording media to a feeder board in advance when recording an image. With such a configuration, it is possible to smoothly and promptly supply and convey a recording medium to record an image.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-246136 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-199370

However, in particular, in an image recording device that records images by using a plurality of types of recording media properly, when the running image recording operation is stopped, the image is supplied to the transport means in advance and the image is not yet recorded. The medium was being conveyed to the paper ejection section. Therefore, when the next image recording operation is started, it is necessary to supply the recording medium from the recording medium integration unit to the transport means again, and there is a problem that it takes time every time until the next image recording operation is started. rice field.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of more efficiently transporting a recording medium and recording an image.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 is
A transport means for transporting a recording medium supplied from a recording medium integration unit in which recording media are integrated, and a transport means.
A recording means for recording an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, and a recording means.
A recording medium returning means for transporting a recording medium supplied from the recording medium accumulating unit to the transporting means to the recording medium accumulating unit in a transport path separate from the transport path by the transporting means.
A recording control means for causing the recording means to record an image based on an image recording command,
In the current type indicating the type of the recording medium transported by the transport means when the image recording command being executed is canceled by the recording control means, and in the image recording command following the canceled image recording command. A recording medium determination means for determining whether or not the following types indicating the set types of recording media are the same, and
A transport control means that controls the transport operation of the recording medium by the transport means, and
Equipped with
The transport means
A first transport unit that transports a plurality of recording media supplied from the recording medium integration unit in a state where adjacent recording media are staggered by a predetermined amount and stacked.
A second transport unit that transports recording media that have been transported by the first transport unit and delivered one by one from the first transport unit.
Have,
The first transport unit is
The front stage transport section and
A rear-stage transport unit located between the front-stage transport unit and the second-stage transport unit,
The recording position is located between the front-stage transport unit and the rear-stage transport unit and guides the recording medium transported from the front-stage transport unit to the rear-stage transport unit, and the recording medium conveyed from the front-stage transport unit is recorded. A guide member displaced between the discharge position guided to the medium return means, and
Have,
The recording means records an image on a recording medium transported by the second transport unit, and records the image.
The transport control means is
When the current type and the next type are determined to be the same by the recording medium discriminating means , the image by the recording means supplied from the recording medium accumulating unit and conveyed by the first transport unit. The recording medium in the recording ready state before the recording is performed is maintained in the recording ready state.
When it is determined by the recording medium discriminating means that the current type and the next type are different, the guide member is displaced to the discharge position and placed on the front stage transport unit and the rear stage transport unit. Among the recording media in the recording ready state, the recording medium mounted on the front-stage transport unit is discharged to the recording medium return means, and the recording medium is conveyed to the recording medium integration unit by the recording medium return means. It is characterized by letting it.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 1.
The transport control means determines whether or not there is a recording medium maintained in the recording ready state when the recording control means causes the recording means to record an image based on the next image recording command. When there is a recording medium maintained in the recording ready state, the recording medium is conveyed by the transport means, and when there is no recording medium maintained in the recording ready state, the recording medium integration unit supplies the recording medium to the transport means. It is characterized in that the recorded recording medium is conveyed by the conveying means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .
When the recording control means determines that the image recording command is to be stopped and the image is being recorded on the recording medium by the recording means, the recording means records the image on the recording medium. It is characterized in that the recording of the image by the recording means is stopped after the end of the process.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the recording medium can be conveyed more efficiently and an image can be recorded.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus which is an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main functional composition of an inkjet recording apparatus. It is a figure explaining the content example of a job. It is a figure explaining the content example of the setting information which concerns on a job. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of an image recording process. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of a job cancellation process. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the paper feed part and the recording medium return part which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the paper discharge part which concerns on modification 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the image recording apparatus and image recording method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording device 1 which is an embodiment of the image recording device of the present invention.
The inkjet recording device 1 includes a paper feeding unit 10, an image recording unit 20, a paper ejection unit 30, and a control unit 40 (FIG. 2). Under the control of the control unit 40, the inkjet recording device 1 supplies the recording medium P stored in the paper feeding unit 10 to the image recording unit 20, and the image recording unit 20 records (prints) an image on the recording medium P. , The recording medium P on which the image is recorded is conveyed to the paper ejection unit 30. As the recording medium P, various media such as paper, cloth, or sheet-shaped resin capable of fixing the ink (coloring material) ejected to the surface can be used.

The paper feed unit 10 includes a feeder pile board 11 (recording medium integration unit), a feeder board 12 (first transport unit), and a transfer drum 13.
The feeder pile board 11 is a paper feed tray in which a recording medium P of a predetermined type is accumulated and stored. The recording medium P integrated on the feeder pile board 11 is stacked in a state where adjacent recording media P among a plurality of recording media P are shifted by a predetermined amount in the feeding direction of the recording medium P by the unloading roller 11a. It is carried out from the board 11 and supplied to the feeder board 12 in the stacked state. The mode of supplying the recording medium P is not limited to the above, and the plurality of recording media P carried out from the feeder pile board 11 are separately supplied to the feeder board 12 and placed on the feeder board 12 in a state where they do not overlap each other. It may be an embodiment.

The feeder board 12 includes a ring-shaped belt 12b whose inside is supported by two transport rollers 12a. The feeder board 12 conveys the recording medium P by rotating the conveying roller 12a and moving the belt 12b while the recording medium P is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the belt 12b. The feeder board 12 conveys a plurality of recording media P delivered from the feeder pile board 11 in a stacked state in the stacked state.

The delivery drum 13 delivers the recording medium P conveyed by the feeder board 12 to the transfer device 21 (second transfer unit) of the image recording unit 20. The delivery drum 13 is provided at a position between the feeder board 12 and the transfer device 21, and holds and picks up one end of the recording medium P conveyed by the feeder board 12 and delivers it to the transfer device 21 one by one. A swing arm portion for delivering the recording medium P from the feeder board 12 to the delivery drum 13 may be provided between the feeder board 12 and the delivery drum 13. Further, the mechanism for delivering the recording medium P from the feeder board 12 to the transfer device 21 is not limited to the one using the delivery drum 13, and other known mechanisms may be used.

The image recording unit 20 includes a transport device 21, a heating unit 22, a head unit 23, and a fixing unit 24.

The transport device 21 includes a ring-shaped transport belt 21b whose inside is supported by two transport rollers 21a. The transfer device 21 conveys the recording medium P by rotating the transfer roller 21a and moving the transfer belt 21b in a state where the recording medium P delivered from the transfer drum 13 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 21b. The belt 21b is conveyed in the moving direction (conveying direction).

The heating unit 22 heats the recording medium P placed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport device 21. The heating unit 22 has, for example, an infrared heater, and the infrared heater generates heat in response to energization. The heating unit 22 is provided near the outer peripheral surface of the transport device 21 and is located on the upstream side of the head unit 23 with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P. The heating unit 22 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport device 21 and its heat generation is controlled by the control unit 40 so that the recording medium P passing in the vicinity of the heating unit 22 has a predetermined temperature.

The head unit 23 ejects ink to the recording medium P placed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport device 21 and records an image. The head unit 23 is arranged with the ink ejection surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the transport device 21 at a predetermined distance. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has four head units 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23K (respectively) corresponding to four color inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Hereinafter, it is also simply referred to as a head unit 23), and these four head units 23 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the order of Y, M, C, and K colors from the upstream side along the transport direction of the recording medium P. There is.

Each head unit 23 includes a plurality (for example, four) recording heads 231 (FIG. 2) (recording means) in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged. Each of the recording elements included in the recording head 231 includes a pressure chamber for storing ink, a piezoelectric element provided on the wall surface of the pressure chamber, and a nozzle. When a drive voltage is applied from the drive circuit of the recording head 231 to the piezoelectric element, the pressure in the pressure chamber changes according to the magnitude of the drive voltage, and ink is ejected from a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber. The nozzle of the recording element is provided with an opening on the surface (ink ejection surface) of the head unit 23 on the transport device 21 side. The nozzles of the plurality of recording elements extend the recording width to the recording medium P in the width direction (X direction) orthogonal to the transport direction (Y direction) of the recording medium P on the surface of the recording head 231 facing the transport device 21. Are arranged. The recording elements are arranged at equal intervals in the X direction, for example. The row of nozzles of the recording element may be arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and may not necessarily be arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The arrangement range of the recording element included in the head unit 23 in the X direction covers the width of the region in which the image is recorded in the recording medium P mounted and conveyed on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer device 21 in the X direction. The head unit 23 is used with its position fixed with respect to the transport device 21 when recording an image. That is, the inkjet recording device 1 is a single-pass type inkjet recording device.

As the ink ejected from the recording head 231, an ink having a property of changing its phase into a gel or sol depending on the temperature and being cured by irradiating with energy rays such as ultraviolet rays is used.
The recording head 231 includes an ink heating unit (not shown). The ink heating unit operates under the control of the control unit 40 and heats the ink to a sol-like temperature. The recording head 231 ejects the heated and sol-like ink.

The fixing portion 24 has a light emitting portion arranged over the width of the transport device 21 in the width direction, and energy such as ultraviolet rays is emitted from the light emitting portion with respect to the recording medium P placed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt 21b. The ink ejected on the recording medium P is cured and fixed by irradiating with a line. The fixing portion 24 is arranged on the downstream side of the head unit 23 in the transport direction so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt 21b.

The paper ejection unit 30 has a delivery drum 31, a delivery unit 32, and a paper ejection tray 33.
The delivery drum 31 receives the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer device 21 on the downstream side in the transfer direction of the fixing unit 24 and delivers it to the delivery unit 32. The mechanism for delivering the recording medium P from the transfer device 21 to the delivery unit 32 is not limited to the one using the delivery drum 31, and other known mechanisms may be used.
The delivery unit 32 has a ring-shaped belt 32b whose inside is supported by two transfer rollers 32a, and conveys the recording medium P transferred from the transfer device 21 onto the belt 32b by the transfer drum 31 by the belt 32b. And send it to the output tray 33.
The paper output tray 33 is a plate-shaped member on which the recording medium P conveyed by the delivery unit 32 is placed.

Among the components of the inkjet recording device 1, the delivery roller 11a, the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, the transfer device 21, the transfer drum 31, and the delivery unit 32 constitute the transfer means.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
The inkjet recording device 1 includes a control unit 40 having a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit) (recording control means, recording medium discriminating means, transfer control means), a RAM 42 (Random Access Memory), a ROM 43 (Read Only Memory), and a storage unit 44. , The paper feed unit control circuit 51 connected to the carry-out roller 11a of the paper feed unit 10, the feeder board 12, and the delivery drum 13, the transfer device control circuit 52 connected to the transfer device 21, and the recording head 231. The recording head control circuit 53, the paper ejection unit control circuit 54 connected to the delivery drum 31 and the delivery unit 32 of the paper ejection unit 30, the interface 55 connected to the external device 2, and the operation display connected to the interface 55. A unit 56 and the like are provided. The CPU 41 is connected to the RAM 42, the ROM 43, the paper feed unit control circuit 51, the transfer device control circuit 52, the recording head control circuit 53, the paper discharge unit control circuit 54, and the interface 55 via the bus 57.

The CPU 41 performs various arithmetic processes and collectively controls the overall operation of the inkjet recording device 1. For example, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal from the paper feed unit control circuit 51 to the drive circuits of the motors provided on the carry-out roller 11a of the paper feed unit 10, the transfer roller 12a of the feeder board 12, and the delivery drum 13, and the motor. By operating the paper feed unit control circuit 51, each unit of the paper feed unit 10 is operated to carry out the recording medium P from the feeder pile board 11 and convey it to the transfer device 21. Further, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal from the transfer device control circuit 52 to the drive circuit of the motor provided on the transfer roller 21a of the transfer device 21 to operate the motor, whereby the transfer device 21 causes the transfer device control circuit 52 to operate. The transfer operation of the recording medium P is performed. Further, the CPU 41 outputs the image data of the image recorded on the recording medium P from the recording head control circuit 53 to the recording head 231 to discharge the ink from the recording head 231 and causes the recording head 231 to image the image on the recording medium P. Have them record. Further, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal from the paper ejection unit control circuit 54 to the drive circuits of the motors provided on the transfer drum 31 and the transport roller 32a of the delivery unit 32, respectively, to operate the motor to control the paper ejection unit. Each part of the paper ejection part 30 is operated by the circuit 54 to convey the recording medium P to the paper ejection tray 33.

The RAM 42 provides a working memory space to the CPU 41 and stores temporary data. Further, the RAM 42 stores the number data D indicating the number of recording media P in the recording ready state, which will be described later.

The ROM 43 stores various control programs, setting data, and the like executed by the CPU 41. The program includes a job execution program for recording an image on the recording medium P by operating each part of the paper feed unit 10, a transfer device 21, a recording head 231 and the like based on a job (image recording command) described later, and a job execution. It contains a job stop program that stops the operation by the program. Instead of the ROM 43, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory may be used.

The storage unit 44 is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like. The storage unit 44 stores jobs input from the external device 2 via the interface 55. The job includes image data of an image recorded on the recording medium P. The details of the job will be described later.

Based on the signal input from the CPU 41, the paper feed section control circuit 51 transmits control signals for operating the feed roller 11a, the feeder board 12, and the delivery drum 13 of the paper feed section 10, the feed roller 11a, the feeder board 12, and the feeder board 12. Each is output to the delivery drum 13.

The transfer device control circuit 52 outputs a control signal for operating the transfer device 21 to the transfer device 21 based on the signal input from the CPU 41.

The recording head control circuit 53 determines the timing and / or the timing of the drive voltage applied from the drive circuit of the recording head 231 to the piezoelectric element of the recording element based on the signal input from the CPU 41 and the image data stored in the storage unit 44. A control signal (image data) that determines the size is output to the recording head 231.

The paper ejection unit control circuit 54 outputs control signals for operating the delivery drum 31 and the delivery unit 32 of the paper ejection unit 30 to the delivery drum 31 and the delivery unit 32, respectively, based on the signal input from the CPU 41.

The interface 55 is a means for transmitting and receiving data between the external device 2 and the operation display unit 56, and is composed of various serial interfaces, various parallel interfaces, or a combination thereof.

The operation display unit 56 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and an input device such as a light-transmitting touch panel mounted on the display device. The operation display unit 56 receives an input operation from the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation. For example, the operation display unit 56 performs an input operation related to an emergency stop instruction from the user. In addition, the operation display unit 56 displays an operating state of the inkjet recording device 1 and the like.

The external device 2 is, for example, a personal computer, and outputs a job including image data of an image recorded by the inkjet recording device 1 to the control unit 40 via the interface 55.

Next, the image recording operation on the recording medium P in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described.

In the inkjet recording device 1, when a job is supplied from the external device 2 to the control unit 40 via the interface 55 and stored in the storage unit 44, an image recording operation is performed based on the job.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating examples of job contents.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the job 60 includes image data 61 of an image recorded on the recording medium P and setting information 62 related to recording of the image.
The image data 61 is a raster format image such as a bitmap that can be used in the inkjet recording device 1. The image data 61 was obtained by, for example, converting a vector format image described in a predetermined page description language (PDL) into a raster format image (rasterization processing) in an external device 2 and performing a predetermined halftone processing. It is image data. Examples of the halftone processing performed here include screen processing using a dither matrix and error diffusion processing. The rasterization process and / or the halftone process may be performed by the control unit 40 of the inkjet recording device 1.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the contents of the setting information 62 related to the plurality of jobs 60 stored in the storage unit 44. The setting information 62 includes data indicating the type and number of recording media P on which images are recorded based on the job 60 for each job 60. FIG. 3B shows an example in which data “P1” and “P2” that directly specify the type of the recording medium P are stored as data indicating the type of the recording medium P.
In the example of FIG. 3B, data showing the number of sheets of the recording medium P used is shown, but data showing the number of pages of the image data used in the job 60 and data showing the number of copies for recording the image. Is included in the setting information 62, and the number of used recording media P may be acquired by the product of the number of pages and the number of copies.
In addition to the data shown in FIG. 3B, the setting information 62 includes the file name of the image data used in the job 60, the external device in which the job 60 was created, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, and other image recording. Data indicating various conditions and the like may be included.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the plurality of jobs 60 are stored in the storage unit 44 with job IDs set in the order of input to the storage unit 44. In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, jobs 60 are executed in the order indicated by the job ID. In the present embodiment, the job IDs "01" to "06" are set in each job 60 in the order of input to the storage unit 44, and the job 60 is executed in ascending order of the numerical value indicated by the job ID.

In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, when the job 60 is stored in the storage unit 44, an image recording process is performed in which the job execution processes related to each job 60 are executed in the order indicated by the job ID. In each job execution process, the number of recording media P of the type shown in the setting information 62 of the job 60 is supplied from the feeder pile board 11 to the feeder board 12 by the number shown in the setting information 62, and the delivery drum is supplied from the feeder board 12. The sheets are conveyed to the transfer device 21 one by one via the 13. Then, an image is recorded by the recording head 231 based on the image data 61 included in the job 60 with respect to the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer device 21, and the recording medium P on which the image is recorded is conveyed to the paper ejection unit 30. Will be done.
As described above, in the job execution process, the number of recording media P indicated in the setting information 62 of the job 60 is carried out from the feeder pile board 11 and supplied to the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, and the transfer device 21. At the end of the job execution process, the recording medium P is not arranged on the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, and the transfer device 21.

On the other hand, when the job execution process being executed is canceled, that is, when the job execution process is stopped before the job execution process is completed and the job 60 related to the job execution process is discarded, the job 60 is supplied from the feeder pile board 11 and recorded. The recording medium P in the state before the image is recorded by the head 231 (recording preparation state) may remain in the feeder board 12, the transfer drum 13, or the transfer device 21. In the inkjet recording device 1 of the present embodiment, in such a case, the type (current type) of the recording medium P indicated by the job 60 whose job execution process is canceled and the execution order are next to the discarded job 60. It is determined whether or not the type (next type) of the recording medium P indicated by the job 60 is the same. When it is determined that the types of the recording media P are the same, the recording medium P in the recording ready state is maintained in the recording ready state without being conveyed or ejected. After that, when the job execution process related to the job 60 following the discarded job 60 is started, the recording medium P in the recording ready state is used.

Hereinafter, the image recording process including the job execution process and the job cancel process performed when the job execution process is canceled will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the image recording process.
This image recording process is executed when, for example, the job 60 is input to the control unit 40 from the external device 2 via the interface 55 and stored in the storage unit 44. Further, the image recording process is started in a state where the recording medium P of the type set in the job 60 having the earliest execution order is integrated on the feeder pile board 11.

The CPU 41 acquires data related to the job 60 having the earliest execution order indicated by the job ID among the jobs 60 stored in the storage unit 44 (step S11).

The CPU 41 determines whether or not the recording medium P in the recording ready state is mounted on the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, or the transfer device 21 (step S12). Specifically, the CPU 41 makes the determination based on the number data D indicating the number of recording media P in the recording ready state stored in the RAM 42.

When it is determined that there is no recording medium P in the recording ready state, that is, when the value indicated by the number of sheets data D stored in the RAM 42 is 0 (“NO” in step S12), the CPU 41 is the paper feed unit. A control signal is output from the control circuit 51 to the carry-out roller 11a, the feeder board 12, and the delivery drum 13 of the paper feed unit 10, and the recording medium P is carried out from the feeder pile board 11 and placed on the feeder board 12 (step S13). ). If the number of recording media P set in the setting information 62 cannot be mounted on the feeder board 12 at one time, the CPU 41 records only the number of sheets that can be mounted on the feeder board 12 by each part of the paper feeding unit 10. The medium P is carried out, and each time the recording medium P is supplied from the feeder board 12 to the transfer device 21 in step S14 described later, the recording medium P is newly carried out from the feeder pile board 11 and placed on the feeder board 12. ..

The CPU 41 operates each of the paper feeding unit 10 and the image recording unit 20 based on the data related to the job 60 acquired in step S11 to record an image on the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer device 21 (step S14). Recording step). Specifically, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal from the paper feed unit control circuit 51 to the feeder board 12 and the transfer drum 13, and transfers the recording medium P from the feeder board 12 to the transfer device 21 one by one by the feeder board 12 and the transfer drum. And place it on the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt 21b. Further, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal from the transfer device control circuit 52 to the transfer device 21 to transfer the recording medium P to the transfer device 21. Then, the CPU 41 outputs the image data 61 of the job 60 from the recording head control circuit 53 to the recording head 231 to eject ink from the recording head 231 onto the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer device 21, and the recording medium. Have P record the image. Further, the CPU 41 conveys the recording medium P on which the image is recorded to the position of the fixing unit 24 by the conveying device 21, and fixes the ink on the recording medium P by the fixing unit 24. Further, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal from the paper ejection unit control circuit 54 to the transfer drum 31 and the delivery unit 32, and causes the transfer drum 31 and the delivery unit 32 to receive the recording medium P on which the ink is fixed from the transfer device 21. It is conveyed to the output tray 33. The CPU 41 repeatedly executes the process of step S14 for the number of sheets set by the setting information 62 of the job 60.

When it is determined in step S12 that there is a recording medium P in the recording ready state, that is, when the value indicated by the number of sheets data D stored in the RAM 42 is other than 0 (“YES” in step S12), the CPU 41 , The process shifts to step S14. In this case, the CPU 41 indicates the number of recording media P newly carried out from the feeder pile board 11 and supplied to the transport device 21 in step S14 in the number data D of the RAM 42 from the value set by the setting information 62. Set to the value obtained by subtracting the value.

The above steps S11 to S14 correspond to the job execution process. When one job execution process is completed (that is, when step S14 is completed), the CPU 41 updates the number of sheets data D stored in the RAM 42 to 0.

The CPU 41 determines whether or not the unexecuted job 60 is stored in the storage unit 44 (step S15). When it is determined that the unexecuted job is stored in the storage unit 44 (“YES” in step S15), the CPU 41 is the recording medium indicated by the job 60 related to the job execution process terminated in step S14. It is determined whether or not the type of P and the type of the recording medium P indicated by the job 60 following the job 60 in the execution order are the same (step S16).

If it is determined in step S16 that the types of the recording media P are the same (“YES” in step S16), the CPU 41 shifts the process to step S11 and performs the job execution process related to the unexecuted job 60. conduct.

If it is determined in step S16 that the type of the recording medium P is different (“NO” in step S16), the recording medium P integrated in the feeder pile board 11 is executed in the execution order of the unexecuted jobs 60. It is replaced with the recording medium P of the type set in the earliest job 60 (next job 60) (step S17). Step S17 may be performed manually by the user, or a predetermined replacement in which recording media P of different types are integrated in advance on a plurality of feeder pile boards 11 and the feeder pile boards 11 are replaced under the control of the CPU 41. It may be performed by executing the process.
When step S17 is completed, the CPU 41 shifts the process to step S11 and performs job execution processing related to the unexecuted job 60.

If it is determined in step S15 that the unexecuted job 60 is not stored in the storage unit 44 (“NO” in step S15), the CPU 41 stops the inkjet recording device 1 (step S18). .. Here, the CPU 41 shifts each part of the inkjet recording device 1 to a predetermined state set as a state at the start of the image recording process.
When the step S18 is completed, the CPU 41 ends the image recording process.

Next, the job cancellation process executed in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for job cancellation processing.
This job cancellation process is an interrupt request related to a job 60 stop instruction in response to an input operation from the user on the external device 2 or the operation display unit 56 in the inkjet recording device 1 in which the job execution process is performed in the image recording process. Executed when a signal is transmitted. In addition to this, in this job cancellation process, an interrupt request signal related to a job 60 cancellation instruction is sent to the CPU 41 based on an operation error that occurs in a predetermined component that may cause a problem in image recording by the inkjet recording device 1. The external device 2 is transmitted, or when a specific condition such as the occurrence of an earthquake or the opening of the door of the vault when the interrupt recorder 1 is stored in the vault for safety is satisfied. This is executed when an interrupt request signal related to a job 60 cancellation instruction is transmitted from the interface 55 to the CPU 41.

When the above interrupt request signal is input, the CPU 41 stops the operation when the paper feed unit 10, the transfer device 21, and the recording head 231 are performing the operation related to the job execution process (step S21; recording). Stop step).

The CPU 41 determines whether or not the recording medium P in the recording ready state is arranged on the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, or the transfer device 21 (step S22). Specifically, the CPU 41 has already transferred the transfer device 21 in the job execution process from the number of recording media P set in the job 60 (the canceled job 60) in which the operation related to the job execution process is stopped in step S21. When the value obtained by subtracting the number of recording media P supplied to the image and recording the image is a value other than 0, it is determined that the recording medium P in the recording ready state is mounted.

When it is determined that there is a recording medium P in the recording ready state (“YES” in step S22), the CPU 41 stores the job 60 (next job 60) in the execution order next to the canceled job 60 in the storage unit 44. It is determined whether or not it is stored in (step S23).

When it is determined that the next job 60 is stored in the storage unit 44 (“YES” in step S23), the CPU 41 determines the type (current type) of the recording medium P indicated by the canceled job 60. It is determined whether or not the type (next type) of the recording medium P indicated by the next job 60 is the same (step S24; recording medium determination step).

When it is determined that the current type and the next type are the same (“YES” in step S24), the CPU 41 records the recording preparation state mounted on the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, or the transfer device 21. The medium P is maintained in the recording ready state without being conveyed (step S25; transfer control step). In step S25, the CPU 41 updates the number of sheets data D stored in the RAM 42 to a value indicating the number of sheets of the recording medium P in the recording ready state. Specifically, the CPU 41 supplies the number data D from the number of recording media P set in the canceled job 60 to the transfer device 21 in the job execution process related to the canceled job 60, and the recording head 231 uses the recording head 231. The value is updated by subtracting the number of recording media P on which the image was recorded.

When it is determined in step S23 that the next job 60 is not stored in the storage unit 44 (“NO” in step S23), or when it is determined in step S24 that the current type and the next type are different (). “NO” in step S24), the CPU 41 conveys the recording medium P in the recording ready state to the paper ejection tray 33 of the paper ejection unit 30 and ejects the paper (step S26).

When step S25 or step S26 is completed, the CPU 41 stops the inkjet recording device 1 (step S27). Here, the CPU 41 shifts each part of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 to a state set as a state at the start of the image recording process, similar to the operation of step S16 of the image recording process.
If it is determined in step S22 that there is no recording medium P in the recording ready state (“NO” in step S22), the CPU 41 shifts the process to step S27.
When the process of step S27 is completed, the CPU 41 ends the job cancel process.

As described above, the inkjet recording device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a carry-out roller 11a, a feeder board 12, a delivery drum 13, and a transfer for conveying the recording medium P supplied from the feeder pile board 11 in which the recording medium P is integrated. A device 21 (conveying means), a recording head 231 for recording an image on the recording medium P transported by the transport device 21, and a CPU 41 are provided, and the CPU 41 records an image on the recording head 231 based on the job 60. (Recording control means) The current type indicating the type of the recording medium P conveyed by the feeder board 12, the transfer drum 13, and the transfer device 21 when the job 60 being executed is canceled by the CPU 41 as the recording control means. And, it is determined whether or not the next type indicating the type of the recording medium P set in the job 60 next to the canceled job 60 is the same (recording medium determination means), and the current type and the next type are used. When it is determined that the media are the same, at least a part of the recording medium P supplied from the feeder pile board 11 and in the recording ready state before the image is recorded by the recording head 231 is the feeder board 12 and the delivery drum. 13 and the transport device 21 maintain the record ready state (transport control means). As a result, when the job 60 is canceled and the current type and the next type of the recording medium P are the same, the recording medium P set in the next job 60 is the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, and the transfer device. It will be in a state of being arranged in at least a part of 21. Therefore, by using the recording medium P when executing the next job 60, the recording medium P can be efficiently conveyed and an image can be recorded. Further, since the recording medium P maintained in the recording ready state can be used for recording an image based on the next job 60, the loss of the recording medium P can be suppressed and the waste paper can be reduced. .. Further, when the job execution process related to the next job 60 is performed, the image is recorded using the recording medium P in the recording ready state without supplying the recording medium P from the feeder pile board 11 to the feeder board 12. Since it can be started, the waiting time until the start of image recording can be shortened. Further, the unused recording medium P on which the image is not recorded is maintained in the recording ready state, so that the recording medium P on which the image is recorded and the unused recording medium P are placed on the paper ejection tray 33. It is possible to reduce the possibility of mixing in.

Further, the CPU 41 as the transport control means determines whether or not there is a recording medium P maintained in the recording ready state when the CPU 41 as the recording control means causes the recording head 231 to record an image based on the next job 60. If there is a recording medium P maintained in the recording ready state, the recording medium P is conveyed by the transfer device 21, and if there is no recording medium maintained in the recording ready state, the feeder board 11 to the feeder board. The recording medium P supplied to the 12 is conveyed by the feeder board 12 (transport control means). As a result, the recording medium P can be efficiently conveyed and the image can be recorded by using the recording medium P in the recording ready state.

(Modification 1)
Next, a modification 1 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification 1 may be combined with other modifications.
In the first modification, an example in which the recording medium P mounted on the feeder board 12 among the recording media P in the recording ready state in step S26 is returned to the feeder pile board 11 will be described. Since other points are the same as those of the above embodiment, the differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a paper feeding unit 10 and a recording medium returning unit 70 (recording medium returning means) according to the first modification.
The paper feeding unit 10 according to the first modification has a transport unit 15 arranged between the feeder board 12 and the delivery drum 13, and a guide member 14 arranged between the transport unit 15 and the feeder board 12. Has.
The guide member 14 is a plate-shaped member that is displaced between the transport position shown by the broken line and the discharge position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 by rotating around a predetermined rotation axis. The guide member 14 supports the recording medium P so that the recording medium P conveyed from the feeder board 12 is conveyed onto the transfer unit 15 when it is in the transfer position, while the support is provided when it is in the discharge position. The recording medium P is guided so that the recording medium P conveyed from the feeder board 12 is discharged to the recording medium return unit 70.
The transport unit 15 includes a ring-shaped belt supported by a pair of transport rollers, and transports the recording medium P by rotating the transport roller and moving the belt while the recording medium P is placed on the belt. .. The recording medium P conveyed by the transfer unit 15 is delivered to the delivery drum 13.

The recording medium return unit 70 has a plurality of transfer rollers 71 and a transfer unit 72. The recording medium return unit 70 sandwiches the recording medium P discharged from the paper feeding unit 10 by the set of the transport rollers 71 when the guide member 14 is set to the discharge position, and the transport path corresponds to the rotation of the transport rollers 71. Transport along 73. In FIG. 6, the transport path 73 is drawn by one solid line for convenience, but the transport path 73 includes a support member that supports a portion of the recording medium P that is not sandwiched by the transport roller 71. May be good. The recording medium P conveyed along the transfer path 73 is placed on the transfer unit 72.
The transport unit 72 includes a ring-shaped belt supported by a pair of transport rollers, and transports the recording medium P by rotating the transport roller and moving the belt while the recording medium P is placed on the belt. .. The transport unit 72 transports the recording medium P to the feeder pile board 11 and sends it to the feeder pile board 11 for stacking.

In the present modification 1, when the step S26 of the job cancellation process is started, the guide member 14 is set to the discharge position under the control of the CPU 41. Then, the recording medium P in the recording ready state mounted on the feeder board 12 is discharged from the paper feed unit 10 to the recording medium return unit 70, and is returned to the feeder pile board 11 via the transport path 73 of the recording medium return unit 70. Will be done.
Instead of returning the recording medium P to the feeder pile board 11 by the recording medium returning unit 70 as described above, the transport roller 12a of the feeder board 12 is placed in a state where the recording medium P is placed on the feeder board 12. The mode may be such that the recording medium P is returned to the feeder pile board 11 by rotating the recording medium P in the direction opposite to the rotation direction in the image recording process and transporting the recording medium P in the direction toward the feeder pile board 11. In this case, the feeder board 12 constitutes a recording medium return means.

As described above, the inkjet recording device 1 according to the present modification 1 includes a recording medium return unit 70 that conveys the recording medium P supplied from the feeder pile board 11 to the feeder board 12 to the feeder pile board 11, and the CPU 41 includes a recording medium return unit 70. When the CPU 41 as a recording medium discriminating means determines that the current type and the next type of the recording medium P are different, at least a part of the recording media P in the recording ready state that can be conveyed by the recording medium return unit 70 is It is conveyed to the feeder pile board 11 by the recording medium return unit 70 (transfer control means). As a result, the recording medium P in the recording ready state can be easily reused without being selected from the paper ejection tray 33 and taken out.

(Modification 2)
Next, a modification 2 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification 2 may be combined with other modifications.
In the second modification, the recording medium P on which the image is recorded in the image recording process and the recording medium P in the recording ready state to be ejected in step S26 of the job cancellation process are transferred to different output trays (ejection destinations). Will be done. Since other points are the same as those of the above embodiment, the differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described below.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the paper ejection unit 30 according to the modified example 2.
The paper ejection unit 30 according to the first modification is a delivery unit 32 composed of transport units 321 and 322, 323, and a guide member 34 (switching means) arranged between the transport unit 321 and the transport unit 322. It has paper ejection trays 33a and 33b.
Each of the transport units 321, 322, and 323 is provided with a ring-shaped belt supported by a pair of transport rollers, and recording is performed by rotating the transport rollers and moving the belt while the recording medium P is placed on the belt. The medium P is conveyed. The transport unit 321 transports the recording medium P delivered from the transport device 21 by the transfer drum 31 to the transport unit 322 or the transport unit 323.
The guide member 34 is a plate-shaped member that is displaced between the first position shown by the broken line and the second position shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 by rotating around a predetermined rotation axis. The guide member 34 supports the recording medium P so that the recording medium P conveyed from the transfer unit 321 is conveyed onto the transfer unit 322 when it is in the first position, while the support member 34 supports the recording medium P when it is in the second position. The recording medium P is guided so that the recording medium P conveyed from the transfer unit 321 is conveyed onto the transfer unit 323.
The transport unit 322 transports the recording medium P to the paper discharge tray 33a and stacks the recording medium P on the paper discharge tray 33a. Further, the transport unit 323 transports the recording medium P to the paper discharge tray 33b and stacks the recording medium P on the paper discharge tray 33b.

In the second modification, when the image recording process is started, the guide member 34 is set to the first position under the control of the CPU 41, and the recording medium P on which the image is recorded in step S14 of the image recording process is conveyed. It is conveyed by the portions 321 and 322 and laminated on the paper ejection tray 33a. On the other hand, when the job canceling process is started and the recording medium P in the recording ready state is ejected in step S26 of the job canceling process, the guide member 34 is set to the second position under the control of the CPU 41, and the recording medium P is set. Is conveyed by the conveying units 321 and 323 and laminated on the paper ejection tray 33b.

As described above, the inkjet recording device 1 according to the second modification includes a guide member 34 for switching the discharge destination of the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer device 21, the delivery drum 31, and the delivery unit 32, and the CPU 41 is the recording medium. When the CPU 41 as the determination means determines that the current type and the next type of the recording medium P are different, the guide member 34 switches the discharge destination, and the recording head 231 records the recording medium P. And the recording medium P in the recording ready state are conveyed to different discharge destinations (paper discharge trays 33a, 33b) by the transfer device 21, the transfer drum 31, and the delivery unit 32 (convey control means). As a result, all the recording media P in the recording ready state can be transported to a discharge destination different from the discharge destination of the recording medium P on which the image is recorded. Therefore, the recording medium P in the recording ready state can be easily reused without being selected from the paper ejection tray and taken out.

(Modification 3)
Next, a modification 3 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification 3 may be combined with other modifications.
In the third modification, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the image is being recorded by the recording head 231 prior to the job canceling process step S21 shown in FIG. Then, when it is determined that the image is not recorded by the recording head 231, the process is shifted to step S21, and when it is determined that the image is being recorded by the recording head 231, recording is in progress. After the recording of the image on the recording medium P is completed, the process proceeds to step S21. Other points are the same as those in the above embodiment.

As described above, in the inkjet recording device 1 according to the third modification, when the CPU 41 determines that the job 60 is to be canceled and the recording head 231 is recording an image on the recording medium P, the image is recorded. After the recording of the image on the recording medium P by the recording head 231 is completed, the recording of the image by the recording head 231 is stopped (recording control means). As a result, the recording of the image performed when the job 60 is canceled can be completed, and the loss of the recording medium P can be suppressed.

(Modification example 4)
Next, a modification 4 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification 4 may be combined with other modifications.
In the present modification 4, in step S25 of the job cancellation process shown in FIG. 5, only a part of the recording media P in the recording ready state, that is, the recording medium P mounted on the feeder board 12 is not conveyed and recorded. The recording medium P in the recording ready state located in the delivery drum 13 and the transport device 21 is transported to the paper ejection unit 30 and discharged while being maintained in the ready state. Other points are the same as those in the above embodiment.

As described above, the transfer means of the inkjet recording device 1 according to the present modification 4 conveys the feeder board 12 that conveys the recording medium P supplied from the feeder pile board 11 and the recording medium P conveyed by the feeder board 12. The recording head 231 records an image on the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer device 21, and the CPU 41 determines that the current type and the next type of the recording medium P are the same. In this case, the recording medium P in the recording ready state, which was conveyed by the feeder board 12, is maintained in the recording ready state (transport control means). As a result, by controlling the operation of the feeder board 12, the recording medium P can be maintained in the recording ready state regardless of the operation of the transfer drum 13, the transfer device 21, and the like. Therefore, for example, when the job 60 is canceled, the recording medium P in which the ink has not been fixed in the fixing portion 24 is conveyed to the position of the fixing portion 24 by the conveying device 21 to fix the ink. , The recording medium P mounted on the feeder board 12 can be maintained in the recording ready state. Further, the transfer of the recording medium P from the feeder pile board 11 to the transfer device 21 and the transfer of the recording medium P in a mode suitable for image recording by the transfer device 21 can be realized at the same time, and the recording can be performed smoothly. The medium P can be conveyed to record the image related to the job 60.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and each modification, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the above embodiment and each modification, when the next job 60 is present in the job cancellation process shown in FIG. 5, it is determined and recorded whether or not the current type and the next type of the recording medium P are the same. An example of determining whether or not to maintain the medium P in the recording ready state has been described, but the purpose is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined that the next job 60 does not exist, the recording medium P in the recording ready state is maintained in the recording ready state, and when the next job 60 is input from the external device 2, the current recording medium P is displayed. It may be an embodiment in which it is determined whether or not the type and the next type are the same, and whether or not the recording medium P is maintained in the recording ready state is determined.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, a single feeder pile board 11 is provided in the paper feed section 10 to carry out the recording medium P from the feeder pile board 11, and the types of the set recording media P are different. An example of replacing the recording medium P integrated in the feeder pile board 11 or the feeder pile board 11 itself when performing the job execution process related to the job 60 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of feeder pile boards 11 in which different types of recording media P are integrated are provided in the paper feed section 10, and the recording medium P is provided from the feeder pile board 11 in which the recording media P of the types set by the job are integrated. It may be carried out and supplied to the transport device 21 via the feeder board 12.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, an example in which the CPU 41 specifies the number of recording media P in the recording ready state by referring to the number data D stored in the RAM 42 has been described, but the recording medium in the recording ready state has been described. The number of Ps may be specified by other methods. For example, the number of recording media P in the recording ready state may be directly specified by various known sensors provided on the feeder board 12, the delivery drum 13, the transfer device 21, and the like.

Further, in the third modification, when the recording head 231 is recording the image on the recording medium P when the job 60 is canceled, after the recording of the image on the recording medium P being recorded is completed. An example of stopping the image recording operation by the recording head 231 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image recording operation by the recording head 231 is immediately stopped when the job 60 is stopped for safety reasons. You may.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the transport device 21 having the transport belt 21b as the transport device for transporting the recording medium P when the image is recorded on the recording medium P has been described as an example. The type of the device is not limited to this, and various known transfer devices can be used. For example, a drum-type transport device that transports the recording medium P by rotating the transport drum while holding the recording medium P on the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 that heats and ejects ink that is gel-like at room temperature and becomes sol-like by being heated into sol-like ink is described as an example, but the purpose is not limited to this. Various known inks may be used, including inks that are sol-like or liquid at room temperature.

Further, in the above embodiment, the single-pass type inkjet recording apparatus 1 has been described as an example, but an inkjet that records an image while scanning the recording head in the main scanning direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium P). The present invention may be applied to a recording device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the inkjet recording device 1 of the inkjet method has been described as an example of the image recording device, but the image recording method is not limited to the inkjet method, and for example, an electrophotographic method or an offset printing method. Other methods such as may be used.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. ..

The present invention can be used for an image recording device .

1 Inkjet recording device 2 External device 10 Paper feed section 11 Feeder pile board 11a Carry-out roller 12 Feeder board 12a Transport roller 12b Belt 13 Delivery drum 14 Guide member 15 Transport section 20 Image recording section 21 Transport device 21a Transport roller 21b Transport belt 22 Heating Section 23, 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23K Head unit 231 Recording head 24 Fixing section 30 Paper ejection section 31 Delivery drum 32 Delivery section 32a Transport roller 32b Belt 321, 322, 323 Transport section 33, 33a, 33b Paper ejection tray 34 guide Member 40 Control unit 41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM
44 Storage unit 51 Paper feed unit control circuit 52 Transfer device control circuit 53 Recording head control circuit 54 Paper discharge unit control circuit 55 Interface 56 Operation display unit 57 Bus 60 Job 61 Image data 62 Setting information 70 Recording medium return unit 71 Transfer roller 72 Transport unit 73 Transport path D Number of sheets Data P Recording medium

Claims (3)

A transport means for transporting a recording medium supplied from a recording medium integration unit in which recording media are integrated, and a transport means.
A recording means for recording an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, and a recording means.
A recording medium returning means for transporting a recording medium supplied from the recording medium accumulating unit to the transporting means to the recording medium accumulating unit in a transport path separate from the transport path by the transporting means.
A recording control means for causing the recording means to record an image based on an image recording command,
In the current type indicating the type of the recording medium transported by the transport means when the image recording command being executed is canceled by the recording control means, and in the image recording command following the canceled image recording command. A recording medium determination means for determining whether or not the following types indicating the set types of recording media are the same, and
A transport control means that controls the transport operation of the recording medium by the transport means, and
Equipped with
The transport means
A first transport unit that transports a plurality of recording media supplied from the recording medium integration unit in a state where adjacent recording media are staggered by a predetermined amount and stacked.
A second transport unit that transports recording media that have been transported by the first transport unit and delivered one by one from the first transport unit.
Have,
The first transport unit is
The front stage transport section and
A rear-stage transport unit located between the front-stage transport unit and the second-stage transport unit,
The recording position is located between the front-stage transport unit and the rear-stage transport unit and guides the recording medium transported from the front-stage transport unit to the rear-stage transport unit, and the recording medium conveyed from the front-stage transport unit is recorded. A guide member displaced between the discharge position guided to the medium return means, and
Have,
The recording means records an image on a recording medium transported by the second transport unit, and records the image.
The transport control means is
When the current type and the next type are determined to be the same by the recording medium discriminating means , the image by the recording means supplied from the recording medium accumulating unit and conveyed by the first transport unit. The recording medium in the recording ready state before the recording is performed is maintained in the recording ready state.
When it is determined by the recording medium discriminating means that the current type and the next type are different, the guide member is displaced to the discharge position and placed on the front-stage transport unit and the rear-stage transport unit. Among the recording media in the recording ready state, the recording medium mounted on the front-stage transport unit is discharged to the recording medium return means, and the recording medium is conveyed to the recording medium integration unit by the recording medium return means. An image recording device characterized by the displacement. The transport control means determines whether or not there is a recording medium maintained in the recording ready state when the recording control means causes the recording means to record an image based on the next image recording command. When there is a recording medium maintained in the recording ready state, the recording medium is conveyed by the transport means, and when there is no recording medium maintained in the recording ready state, the recording medium integration unit supplies the recording medium to the transport means. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is conveyed by the conveying means. When the recording control means determines that the image recording command is to be stopped and the image is being recorded on the recording medium by the recording means, the recording means records the image on the recording medium. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recording of the image by the recording means is stopped after the end of the process.

Images