JP7259672B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and is suitable for application to, for example, an image forming apparatus that supports a long medium provided with marks for position detection.

Conventionally, when a medium is set in an image forming apparatus, a sensor detects the leading edge position of the medium, and an image forming unit forms an image on the medium ( ie printing). Further, in the image forming apparatus, when marks for position detection such as black marks are provided on a long medium at regular intervals along the conveying direction, the marks are detected from the medium, There is a device that controls the transportation of the medium based on the position of the mark to form an image (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200012).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-196237 (Fig. 1, etc.)

By the way, some image forming apparatuses have a cutter for cutting a medium, for example, on the upstream side of the image forming section. In this image forming apparatus, the user is allowed to set the cutting position based on the mark on the medium described above, so that the medium cut at the appropriate position by the cutter is sequentially conveyed, and the medium is cut at the appropriate position in the image forming unit. An image can be formed on the

However, in the image forming apparatus, for example, if the cutting position is changed after the user has set the cutting position and the medium is set, cutting at the correct position may not be possible depending on the positional relationship between the changed cutting position and the cutter. However, there is a problem that paper is wasted in some cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and proposes an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can efficiently use the medium when the cut position with respect to the mark of the medium is changed. .

In order to solve this problem, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, there are provided a conveying section for conveying a medium provided with a plurality of marks, a detecting section for detecting the leading end of the medium and the marks, and a medium downstream of the detecting section. An image forming unit that forms an image, a cut position information acquisition unit that acquires cut position information representing a cut position where the medium should be cut based on the mark, and a cut position information that acquires the cut position information based on the mark detected by the detection unit. and a cut control unit for controlling the medium to be cut by a predetermined cutter at the cut position represented, and the cut control unit changes the cut position information and changes the cut position information to a mark provided on the most leading edge side of the medium. When a new cutting position based on a certain leading edge side mark is downstream of the cutter in the medium conveying direction, the cutting process at the new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark is omitted.

Further, in the image forming method of the present invention, the conveying step of conveying a medium provided with a plurality of marks by the conveying section, the detecting step of detecting the leading end of the medium and the marks by the detecting section, and the image forming section, and an image forming step of forming an image on a medium on the downstream side of a detection unit, wherein the cut position information acquisition unit acquires cut position information representing the cut position where the medium should be cut with reference to the mark. The cutting position information is changed by a cutting position information acquisition step to be acquired and a cutting control unit that controls so that the medium is cut by a predetermined cutter, and the cutting position information is changed to the leading edge, which is a mark provided on the frontmost side of the medium. When the new cutting position based on the side mark is downstream of the cutter in the medium transport direction, the cutting process of the medium at the new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark is omitted, and the medium and a cutting step for performing cutting processing at a new cutting position based on another mark detected by the detection unit in .

In the present invention, when the cutting position information is changed and the new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark is located downstream of the cutter, the cutting process is performed at the new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark. omitted. In this way, the present invention avoids cutting at the wrong position, which prevents normal image formation because the medium is shorter than it should be.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can efficiently use the medium when the cutting position with respect to the mark of the medium is changed.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a long sheet; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conveying section and a detecting section; 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a print processing procedure (1); 10 is a flow chart showing a print processing procedure (2); FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing changes in the position of a long sheet in print processing; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing changes in the position of a long sheet in print processing; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing changes in the position of a long sheet in print processing;

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form (it is mentioned as embodiment below) for implementing invention is demonstrated using drawing.

[1. Appearance Configuration and Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
FIG. 1 shows the external configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. 2 shows the hardware configuration inside the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer that forms (that is, prints) an image on the surface of a long sheet of paper while conveying the long sheet of paper as a medium.

Hereinafter, the side of the image forming apparatus 1 that faces the user is referred to as the front side, the opposite side is referred to as the rear side, the left side and the right side as viewed from the user facing the front side are referred to as the left side and the right side, respectively, and the upper side and the lower side. Define and explain.

Examples of long sheets that the image forming apparatus 1 is compatible with include a long sheet Lp1 shown in FIG. 3A and a long sheet Lp2 shown in FIG. 3B. The long paper Lp1 has black marks Bm marked at regular intervals along the paper transport direction indicated by the arrow Ar1 on the back surface opposite to the surface on which the image is formed. The black mark Bm marked on the long paper Lp1 is a position detection mark (hereinafter referred to as a Q mark) for detecting the conveying position of the long paper Lp1, and is a cutting position for cutting the long paper Lp1. or the reference position for appropriately setting the image forming position for forming an image on the long sheet Lp1.

On the other hand, the long sheet Lp2 has labels Lb attached to the surface on which an image is formed at regular intervals along the sheet conveying direction indicated by the arrow Ar1. This long sheet Lp2 has a structure in which a label Lb is pasted on a mount Mo, and an inter-label mount portion Mob, which is a portion of the mount Mo that is positioned between the labels Lb and Lb, is used for position detection. is treated as a mark (that is, the Q mark). Like the black mark Bm, this inter-label backing paper portion Mob also serves as a reference position for appropriately setting the cutting position, the image forming position, and the like for the long paper Lp2. Further, some of the long sheets Lp2 have black marks Bm marked at regular intervals on the back side. In the following description, long paper Lp1 and long paper Lp2 are collectively referred to as long paper Lp when they are not distinguished from each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is roughly divided into a main body portion 2 on the front side and a sheet feeding portion 3 on the rear side. The body portion 2 is provided with an operation portion 4 and a display portion 5 on the front side of the upper portion. The operation unit 4 is composed of, for example, a plurality of buttons and the like, and serves as a portion that receives operations by the user. The display unit 5 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and serves as a portion for displaying various information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and the like.

The paper feeding unit 3 is a part that mainly supplies the long paper Lp to the main body 2 while appropriately cutting it. A rear surface 3B of the paper feeding unit 3 is provided with an inlet 6 (FIG. 2) for inserting the long paper Lp. A discharge port 7 for discharging the long sheet Lp is provided on the front surface 2A of the main body 2. As shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the long paper Lp is, for example, roll paper wound into a roll, and the user inserts the leading end into the inlet 6 to form an image. It is set in the device 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, inside the image forming apparatus 1, there is a front-rear direction from an inlet 6 provided on the rear surface 3B of the paper feeding section 3 to an outlet 7 provided on the front surface 2A of the main body 2. A transport path R is formed as a path for the elongated paper Lp. The long paper Lp is conveyed with the surface on which an image is formed facing upward.

Specifically, inside the body portion 2 and the paper feeding portion 3, a paper feeding portion 10 is provided in the vicinity of the input port 6 on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction of the feeding path R. An image forming section 11 is provided on the downstream side (that is, the front side) in the direction. Inside the body portion 2, a fixing device 12 is provided on the downstream side of the image forming portion 11 in the paper conveying direction, and a paper discharge portion 13 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 12 in the paper conveying direction.

The paper supply unit 10 is a part that conveys the long paper Lp input from the input port 6 to the image forming unit 11 . As shown in simplified enlarged view in FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. A pair 21, an optical sensor 22, a cutter 23, a second conveying roller pair 24, and a writing sensor 25 are provided. Although the cutter 23 is incorporated in the paper feeder 3 , it is positioned so as to enter the inside of the main body 2 together with a part of the paper feeder 3 .

The paper set detection sensor 20 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the long paper Lp. It means that the paper Lp has been set.

The first conveying roller pair 21 and the second conveying roller pair 24 are each composed of two conveying rollers arranged vertically facing each other with the conveying path R interposed therebetween. transport.

The optical sensor 22 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the long paper Lp at the detection position W0 and the Q mark (black mark Bm and inter-label backing paper portion Mob) provided on the long paper Lp. The optical sensor 22 is, for example, a transmissive photoelectric sensor that emits light from the lower side of the transport path R and receives light from the upper side of the transport path R. As shown in FIG. From the detection result of the optical sensor 22 (that is, the amount of light received), the fact that the leading edge of the long paper Lp has reached the detection position W0 of the optical sensor 22, the fact that one end of the Q mark in the paper transport direction has reached, and the paper of the Q mark The fact that the other end in the conveying direction has arrived can be detected.

The cutter 23 is a component that cuts the long paper Lp along, for example, the short direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction, under the control of a cut control unit, which will be described later. The writing sensor 25 is a sensor that detects the leading edge of the long sheet Lp, and based on the detection result of the writing sensor 25, the image forming timing (that is, writing timing) on the long sheet Lp by the image forming unit 11 is determined. set.

In the paper supply unit 10, a position where the long paper Lp1 should be made to wait is on the transport path R located between the second transport roller pair 24 and the writing sensor 25 and near the second transport roller pair 24. , a first standby position W1 and a second standby position W2 are set. That is, in the paper supply unit 10, when the long paper Lp is made to wait inside, the front end of the long paper Lp is made to wait in the first waiting position W1 or in the second waiting position W2. It has become.

The image forming section 11 (FIG. 2) is located downstream of the paper feeding section 10 in the paper conveying direction, and forms (i.e. prints) an image on the long paper Lp conveyed from the paper feeding section 10. is. A plurality (eg, three) of image forming units 30 (30A to 30C) are provided above the transport path R in the image forming section 11. As shown in FIG. A transfer belt 31 and a plurality (eg, three) of transfer rollers 32 (32A to 32C) are provided below the conveying path R in the image forming section 11. As shown in FIG.

The three image forming units 30A to 30C are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction along the transport path R, and correspond to the three color toners handled by the image forming apparatus 1, respectively. These three image forming units 30 (30A to 30C) form toner images (also called toner images) of respective colors on respective photoreceptor drums 33 (33A to 33C) for transfer onto the long paper Lp. Form.

The transfer belt 31 is an annular belt extending in the front-rear direction along the transport path R, and transports the long paper Lp along the transport path R by running in the front-rear direction. The three transfer rollers 32A to 32C are arranged inside the transfer belt 31 at positions facing the three photosensitive drums 33A to 33C with the transfer belt 31 interposed therebetween. These three transfer rollers 32A to 32C transfer each color formed on the photosensitive drums 33A to 33C when the long paper Lp passes between the transfer rollers 32A to 32C and the photosensitive drums 33A to 33C. is transferred to the surface of the long paper Lp.

The fixing device 12 is positioned on the downstream side of the image forming section 11 in the sheet conveying direction, and has a heating roller and a pressure roller at positions facing each other with the conveying path R interposed therebetween. The fixing device 12 heats and presses the long paper Lp to which the toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner image onto the long paper Lp.

The paper discharge section 13 is located downstream of the fixing device 12 in the paper transport direction, and has a third transport roller pair 40 and a discharge sensor 41 provided near the discharge port 7 on the transport path R. The third conveying roller pair 40 is composed of two conveying rollers that face each other in the vertical direction with the conveying path R interposed therebetween. By conveying with , it is discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside of the main body 2 .

The discharge sensor 41 is provided between the third conveying roller pair 40 and the discharge port 7 and detects the presence or absence of the long paper Lp. When the discharge sensor 41 detects that the long paper Lp is present, this means that the long paper Lp is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 .

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 transports the long paper Lp by the first transport roller pair 21, the second transport roller pair 24, the third transport roller pair 40, and the transfer belt 31 (hereinafter collectively referred to as transport unit 45). to convey. The image forming apparatus 1 also detects the leading edge of the long paper Lp and the Q mark by means of the paper set detection sensor 20, the optical sensor 22, the writing sensor 25, and the discharge sensor 41 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the detection unit 46). . Then, the image forming apparatus 1 forms and transfers an image by the image forming unit 11 while appropriately cutting the long paper Lp by the cutter 23, and fixes the image on the cut paper by the fixing device 12. to form (i.e. print)

[2. Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described using the block diagram shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a host device 100 such as a PC (personal computer), and includes a main control unit 50, a storage unit 51, a paper control unit 52, an image formation control unit 53, and a fixing control unit 54 as a functional configuration. have.

The main control unit 50 reads out and executes a program stored in the storage unit 51 to control the entire image forming apparatus 1 and perform printing on the long sheet Lp. Specifically, the main control unit 50 receives print setting information and print data sent from the host device 100, and performs various settings for printing based on the print setting information. The controller 53 and the fixing controller 54 are controlled to print an image based on the print data on the long paper Lp.

The storage unit 51 stores programs, print data, cutting positions, image reference positions, various print settings, the position of the leading edge of the long paper Lp, the position of the Q mark, etc., and the distance of each part. Among these, the cut position is information representing a relative position where the paper should be cut with reference to the position of the Q mark. In addition, the cutting position can be set in advance by the user before the long paper Lp is set, or can be changed after the long paper Lp is set by the user.

The paper control unit 52 controls driving of the transport unit 45 (that is, the first transport roller pair 21, the second transport roller pair 24, the third transport roller pair 40, and the transfer belt 31) in accordance with instructions from the main control unit 50. , the long paper Lp is transported along the transport path R. The paper control unit 52 includes a paper set detection unit 61, a leading end detection unit 62, a Q mark detection unit 63, a transport control unit 64, a cut position setting unit 65, a cut control unit 66, and an image reference position setting unit 67. ing.

The paper set detection unit 61 detects that the long paper Lp is set in the image forming apparatus 1 based on the detection result obtained from the paper set detection sensor 20 of the detection unit 46 . Based on the detection result obtained from the optical sensor 22, the leading edge detection unit 62 detects that the leading edge of the long paper Lp has reached the detection position W0. Based on the detection result obtained from the optical sensor 22, the Q mark detection unit 63 detects that the Q mark on the long paper Lp has reached the detection position W0.

Incidentally, in the long paper Lp, as shown in FIG. 3, the Q mark has a certain length in the paper transport direction so that the optical sensor 22 can detect the Q mark without omission. Therefore, in the Q mark detection unit 63, the center of the Q mark in the paper transport direction, that is, the midpoint between one end and the other end of the Q mark detected by the optical sensor 22 is regarded as the position of the Q mark, and the Q mark is detected. Arrival at the position W0 is detected.

The transport control unit 64 controls driving of the first transport roller pair 21, the second transport roller pair 24, the third transport roller pair 40, and the transfer belt 31 of the transport unit 45, respectively. The transport control unit 64 drives a stepping motor (not shown) to drive the first transport roller pair 21 and the like, and stores in advance the transport distance of the long paper Lp per pulse supplied to the stepping motor. It is stored in the unit 51 .

For this reason, the transport control unit 64 grasps the distance over which the long paper Lp is transported based on the number of pulses. The distance to the tip of Lp and the Q mark can be calculated. For example, when the long paper Lp is set, the transport control unit 64 transports the long paper Lp, and based on the leading edge position of the long paper Lp obtained by the leading edge detection unit 62, determines the leading edge position. 2 Stop when it reaches the standby position W2.

The cutting position setting unit 65 sets the cutting position based on the user's operation, and stores the set cutting position in the storage unit 51 . This cutting position is set as a position relative to the Q mark (FIG. 3) in the paper transport direction.

Specifically, the cutting position is determined by the user's operation via the operation unit 4, with the upstream side (right side in FIG. 4) in the paper transport direction being plus (+) and the downstream side (left side in FIG. 4) being minus (-). is set as a numerical value in units of mm. For example, when the user sets the cutting position to "+50 mm", this means that the cutter 23 cuts the paper at a position 50 [mm] upstream (to the right in FIG. 4) of the Q mark on the long paper Lp. It means cutting the long sheet Lp.

The cut control unit 66 controls the cutting process of the long paper Lp by the cutter 23 based on the cut position stored in the storage unit 51 . The storage unit 51 is also provided with a skip flag that instructs not to perform the cutting process even at the cutting position. This skip flag is "off" as an initial state, and is set to "on" by the control of the main control unit 50 or the like.

Even if the cut position reaches the cutter 23 due to the transport of the long paper Lp, the cut control unit 66 does not perform the cutting process if the skip flag is "on" and transports the long paper Lp as it is. . At this time, when the cut position of the long paper Lp passes the cutter 23, the cut control unit 66 switches the skip flag to "OFF". That is, if the skip flag is "on", the cut control unit 66 ignores (ie skips) the Q mark or the cut position based on the Q mark only once, and skips the cut position based on the next Q mark. , the cutter 23 is caused to perform the cutting process.

The image reference position setting unit 67 sets an image reference position, which is a reference position when the image is transferred to the long sheet Lp by the image forming unit 11 , and causes the storage unit 51 to store the image reference position. This image reference position is normally set at the leading edge of the long paper Lp.

The image formation control section 53 has an image output section 71 and an output correction control section 72 . The image output unit 71 receives image data supplied from the main control unit 50, and outputs the image data to the image forming unit in synchronization with the timing at which the writing sensor 25 (FIGS. 2 and 4) detects the leading edge of the long paper Lp. 11. The output correction control section 72 controls the timing of supplying the image data from the image output section 71 to the image forming section 11 according to the image reference position stored in the storage section 51 . That is, when the image reference position is set to a position other than the leading edge of the long sheet Lp, the output correction control section 72 corrects the image data to the image forming section 11 at the timing when the image reference position reaches the position of the writing sensor 25. The image output unit 71 is controlled so that the image is supplied to the .

Thus, the image forming control section 53 controls the image forming section 11 according to instructions from the main control section 50 to form (transfer) an image on the long sheet Lp. The fixing controller 54 controls the fixing device 12 according to instructions from the main controller 50 to fix the image formed (transferred) on the long paper Lp.

With this configuration, for example, when the paper set detection unit 61 detects that the long paper Lp is set, the paper control unit 52 notifies the main control unit 50 to that effect. When the main control unit 50 receives notification that the long sheet Lp has been set, it instructs the image formation control unit 53 and the fixing control unit 54, for example, to start preparation for printing. Further, the paper control unit 52 notifies the main control unit 50 of the position of the leading edge of the long paper Lp and the position of the Q mark obtained by the leading edge detection unit 62 and the Q mark detection unit 63 .

When the main control unit 50 is notified of the position of the leading edge of the long sheet Lp and the position of the Q mark, the main control unit 50 reads out the cut position stored in the storage unit 51, and the cut control unit 66 controls the position of the Q mark as a reference. The cutter 23 is caused to cut the long sheet Lp at the cut position. Further, the main control unit 50 cooperates with the image formation control unit 53 to control each unit so that the image formation is performed in accordance with the timing when the image reference position stored in the storage unit 51 reaches the image formation unit 11 . The image is transferred from the unit 11 to the long sheet Lp.

[3. Print operation]
Next, a specific printing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 and schematic diagrams of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. FIG. 8 to 10 correspond to FIG. 4, and schematically show how the positions of the leading edge of the long sheet Lp and the Q mark in the image forming apparatus 1 change step by step. In FIG. 8, the distance DSC from the detection position W0 where the optical sensor 22 is provided to the cutter 23 and the distance DSW from the detection position W0 to the second standby position W2 are measured in advance and It is assumed that the values are stored in the storage unit 51 .

When the power is turned on, the main control unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 starts the print processing procedure RT1 and proceeds to step SP1. In step SP1, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the long paper Lp has been set in the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, whether or not the leading edge of the long paper Lp has been detected by the paper set detection unit 61 (FIG. 5). determine whether If a negative result is obtained here, the main control section 50 waits for the long sheet Lp to be set by repeating step SP1.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP1, this means that the leading edge of long paper Lp reaches the downstream side (left side in the drawing) of paper set detection sensor 20, as shown as pattern Pt1 in FIG. , indicates that the long paper Lp has been detected by the paper set detection unit 61 . At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP2.

At step SP2, the main control unit 50 reads out the cut position Tcut1 and the image reference position TP1 from the storage unit 51 (FIG. 5), and proceeds to the next step SP3. Here, it is assumed that the cutting position Tcut1 has been set to "+50 mm" in advance by the user's operation. Below, the distance from the Q mark to the cut position Tcut1 is defined as a distance DC1. As for the image reference position TP1, it is assumed that the initial value is set to "0 mm" from the tip, ie, the tip itself.

In step SP3, the main control unit 50 drives the transport unit 45 (that is, the first transport roller pair 21, the second transport roller pair 24, the third transport roller pair 40, and the transfer belt 31) under the control of the transport control unit 64. to start conveying the long paper Lp, and the process proceeds to the next step SP4.

In step SP4, the main control unit 50 detects the leading edge of the long paper Lp based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 22 by the leading edge detecting unit 62 (FIG. 5), as shown as a pattern Pt2 in FIG. Move to the next step SP5. Also at this time, the main control unit 50 starts counting the transport amount (transport distance) of the long paper Lp from this point.

At step SP5, the main control unit 50 detects the Q mark Q1 located on the most tip side based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 22 by the Q mark detection unit 63 (FIG. 5), as shown as a pattern Pt3 in FIG. (hereinafter also referred to as the leading edge side mark) is detected, and the process proceeds to the next step SP6. At this time, the main control unit 50 determines the first position from the leading edge of the long paper Lp (that is, the position closest to the leading edge) based on the amount of transport after the leading edge of the long paper Lp passes the detection position W0 in step SP4. 3) Calculate the distance DHQ to the Q mark Q1 and store it in the storage unit 51. Hereinafter, this distance DHQ is also referred to as the leading edge mark distance.

At step SP6, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the leading edge of the long paper Lp has reached the second standby position W2. is equal to or greater than the distance DSW (FIG. 8). If a negative result is obtained here, the main control unit 50 repeats step SP6 to wait for the leading edge of the long paper Lp to reach the second standby position W2.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP6, this means that the leading edge of long sheet Lp has reached second standby position W2, as shown as pattern Pt4 in FIG. At this time, the main control section 50 proceeds to the next step SP7, suspends the driving of the transportation section 45 under the control of the transportation control section 64 to stop the transportation of the long sheet Lp, and proceeds to the next step SP8.

At this time, the main control unit 50 calculates the distance DQS from the position of the Q mark Q1 to the detection position W0 at this time by subtracting the distance DHQ from the distance DSW (FIG. 8) stored in advance in the storage unit 51. do. Further, the main control unit 50 calculates the distance DQC from the position of the Q mark Q1 to the position of the cutter 23 at this time by subtracting the distance DSC stored in advance in the storage unit 51 from the distance DQS.

In step SP8, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to change the cutting position via the operation unit 4 after reading out the cutting position in step SP2. Specifically, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the cutting position read out from the storage unit 51 in step SP2 is different from the cutting position stored in the storage unit 51 at this time.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP8, this means that the cutting position has not been changed, and therefore the value of the cutting position Tcut1 read from the storage unit 51 in step SP2, that is, the distance from the Q mark to the cutting position Tcut1 It indicates that DC1 can be used as it is. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP9.

In step SP9, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the cutting position Tcut1 is positioned upstream of the cutter 23, specifically, whether or not the value obtained by subtracting the distance DC1 from the distance DQC is 0 or less. do. In this case, the distance DC1 is a signed value in which the upstream side is positive, and if the cut position Tcut1 is a negative value, the distance DC1 is assumed to be a negative value in the arithmetic processing.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the cutting position Tcut1 is upstream of the cutter 23, so when the transport of the long paper Lp is resumed after this, the Q mark Q1 on the leading edge side will be used as a reference. , the long paper Lp can be normally cut at the cut position Tcut1. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP14 (FIG. 7).

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP9, this means that the cut position Tcut1 is downstream of the cutter 23, so when the transport of the long paper Lp is resumed after this, the Q mark closest to the leading edge will be cut. This indicates that the long paper Lp cannot be cut normally at the cut position Tcut1 with Q1 as the reference. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP12 in order to avoid the cutting process at the cutting position Tcut1 with reference to the Q mark Q1 on the most tip side.

Also, if a positive result is obtained in step SP8, this means that the cutting position has been changed, and therefore it is necessary to cut the long paper Lp based on the new cutting position after the change. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP10.

In step SP10, the main control unit 50 reads out the changed cut position (hereinafter referred to as cut position Tcut2) from the storage unit 51 (FIG. 5), and proceeds to the next step SP11. Here, as shown as pattern Pt5 in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the cut position Tcut2 changed by the user's operation is set to "-5 mm". Below, the distance from the Q mark to the cut position Tcut2 is defined as a distance DC2. Also, hereinafter, this distance DC2 is also referred to as a mark cut distance.

In step SP11, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the cutting position Tcut2 is positioned upstream of the cutter 23, specifically, whether or not the value obtained by subtracting the distance DC2 from the distance DQC is 0 or less. do. In this case, as in step SP9, the distance DC2 is a signed value with a positive value on the upstream side.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the cut position Tcut2 after the change is upstream of the cutter 23, so when the transport of the long paper Lp is resumed after this, the Q mark closest to the leading edge will be cut. This indicates that the long sheet Lp can be cut normally at the cut position Tcut2 with Q1 as the reference. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP14 (FIG. 7).

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP11, this means that the cut position Tcut2 is downstream of the cutter 23, so when the transport of the long paper Lp is resumed after this, the Q mark closest to the leading edge will be cut. This indicates that the long sheet Lp cannot be cut normally at the cut position Tcut2 with Q1 as the reference. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP12 in order to avoid the cutting process at the cutting position Tcut2 with reference to the Q mark Q1 on the most tip side.

At step SP12, the main control unit 50 sets the skip flag to "ON" so as to skip the cutting process to be performed next, that is, the cutting process at the cutting position with reference to the Q mark Q1 on the most tip side. Then, the process proceeds to the next step SP13. As a result, the main control unit 50 proceeds with the cutting process as if the Q mark Q1 on the leading end side does not exist, that is, ignoring the Q mark Q1, as in the pattern Pt6 shown in FIG. Become.

In step SP13, the main control unit 50 changes the image reference position, and proceeds to the next step SP14. Specifically, the main control unit 50 sets the image reference position to the image reference position TP2 located upstream by the distance DP2 from the image reference position TP1, which is the leading edge of the long paper Lp, as in the pattern Pt6 of FIG. move. This distance DP2 is a value obtained by subtracting the distance DC2 from the distance DHQ calculated in step SP5. Below, this distance DP2 is also referred to as a tip cut distance.

In other words, the main control unit 50 sets the position corresponding to the cut position Tcut2 with reference to the Q mark Q1 on the farthest tip side as the new image reference position TP2. This means that the image reference position TP2, which is not actually the leading edge of the long paper Lp, is regarded as if it were the leading edge of the long paper Lp in the image forming process. This means that it is handled as the leading edge of the virtual long paper Lp.

In the following description, it is assumed that the cutting position is changed to the downstream side of the cutter 23, that is, the cutting position Tcut2 is set, the affirmative result is obtained in step SP8, and the negative result is obtained in step SP11. Mainly explained.

In step SP14 (FIG. 7), when the main control unit 50 receives the print data from the host device 100 (FIG. 5), it generates image data by performing predetermined conversion processing, etc., and sends it to the image formation control unit 53. supply, and move to the next step SP15. At step SP15, the main control unit 50 drives the transport unit 45 to start transporting the long paper Lp under the control of the transport control unit 64, and proceeds to the next step SP16.

At step SP16, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the writing sensor 25 (FIG. 4) has detected the leading edge of the long paper Lp. If a negative result is obtained here, the main control unit 50 waits for detection of the leading edge of the long paper Lp by repeating step SP16. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP16, this means that the leading edge of long sheet Lp has reached the position of writing sensor 25, as in pattern Pt10 shown in FIG. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP17.

In step SP17, the main control unit 50 transfers the image (that is, the toner image) to the long paper Lp in accordance with the image reference position by the image output unit 71 and the output correction control unit 72 (FIG. 5) of the image formation control unit 53. and move to the next step SP18. At this time, for example, when the image reference position TP2 is set, the main control unit 50 does not at the time when the leading edge of the long paper Lp reaches the image forming unit 11 like the pattern Pt11 in FIG. 9, but like the pattern Pt12. When the image reference position TP2 reaches the image forming section 11, image transfer is started. The main control unit 50 also returns the image reference position to the original position, the leading edge of the long paper Lp, that is, the image reference position TP1.

At step SP18, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the Q mark detection unit 63 has detected the second Q mark Q2. If a negative result is obtained here, the main control unit 50 waits for detection of the Q mark Q2 by repeating step SP18. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP18, this means that the Q mark Q2 has reached the detection position W0 as in the pattern Pt7 shown in FIG. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP19.

In step SP19, the main control unit 50 executes the cutting process with reference to the Q mark Q2, and proceeds to the next step SP20. Specifically, the main control unit 50 causes the cut control unit 66 to cause the cutter 23 to move when the cut position Tcut2 based on the Q mark Q2 reaches the position of the cutter 23, as in the pattern Pt8 shown in FIG. Let the cutting process be performed. At this time, the leading edge of the newly formed long sheet Lp becomes the new image reference position TP1.

At step SP20, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the leading edge of the long sheet Lp has reached the second standby position W2, as at step SP6 (FIG. 6). If a negative result is obtained here, the main control section 50 waits for the leading edge of the long paper Lp to reach the second standby position W2 by repeating step SP20.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP20, this means that the leading edge of long sheet Lp has reached second standby position W2, as shown as pattern Pt9 in FIG. At this time, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP21, suspends the driving of the transport unit 45 under the control of the transport control unit 64 to stop the transport of the long sheet Lp, and proceeds to the next step SP22.

At step SP22, the main control unit 50 ejects the paper on which the image is printed from the ejection opening 7 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Specifically, under the control of the transport control unit 64, the main control unit 50 controls the image formed by the image forming unit 11 on the sheet of paper that is the portion of the long paper Lp cut downstream of the cut position Tcut2 by the cutter 23. is transferred, and the image is fixed by the fixing device 12 (that is, the image is printed), and the paper is discharged by the paper discharging section 13 . After that, the main control unit 50 proceeds to the next step SP23 and ends the print processing procedure RT1.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown by pattern Pt25 in FIG. 10 corresponding to pattern Pt5 in FIG. , and may be set to a cutting position Tcut12 downstream of the cutter 23 .

In such a case, the main control unit 50 reads the changed cut position Tcut12 from the storage unit 51 (FIG. 5) in step SP10 of the print processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 6) described above. Below, the distance from the Q mark to the cut position Tcut12 is defined as a distance DC12.

Further, since a negative result is obtained in the following step SP11, the main control unit 50 sets the skip flag to "ON" as indicated by pattern Pt26 in step SP12, and shifts the image reference position upstream by a distance DP12 in step SP13. to the image reference position TP12. In this case, the distance DP12 is the sum of the length of the distance DHQ calculated in step SP5 and the length of the distance DC12.

After that, when the main control unit 50 detects the Q mark Q2 as shown as a pattern Pt27 in FIG. , the cutter 23 is caused to cut the long sheet Lp.

[4. effects, etc.]
In the above configuration, when the cutting position is changed after starting the printing process (step SP8 in FIG. 6), the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the leading edge reached the second standby position W2 ( In the pattern Pt4) of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the post-change cutting position Tcut2 is upstream of the cutter .

In particular, when the image forming apparatus 1 passes the cutting position while the long paper Lp is being conveyed and the cutting process is not performed, the cutting process at the cutting position fails due to the malfunction of the cutter 23 or the like. In order to recover from this, the cutting process is instructed immediately. Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus 1, even when the cutting position Tcut1 on the upstream side of the cutter 23 is changed to the cutting position Tcut2 on the downstream side of the cutter 23, the cutting process at the cutting position Tcut2 fails. There is a possibility that the cut processing will be instructed immediately. In this case, in the image forming apparatus 1, there is a possibility that the cutting process is performed at a position greatly different from the cutting position Tcut2, that is, at an erroneous position, such as the state shown by pattern Pt6 in FIG. 8, for example.

Therefore, when the post-change cut position Tcut2 is downstream of the cutter 23, the image forming apparatus 1 sets the skip flag to "ON", skips the cutting process based on the Q mark Q1, and cuts the long paper. Lp was conveyed without being cut in the vicinity of the Q mark Q1. In other words, in this case, the image forming apparatus 1 regards the Q mark Q1 on the most upstream side as invalid for the cutting process, and proceeds with subsequent processes.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 may erroneously determine that the setting of the cutting position has been changed as if the cutting process at the cutting position has failed. Processing can be prevented in advance.

As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1, waste such as discarding after forming an image on a sheet cut shorter than originally intended, which may occur when the long sheet Lp is cut at an incorrect position, is prevented. can be prevented. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, there is no need to force the user to perform troublesome work such as resetting the long paper Lp in order to correctly perform the processing corresponding to the first Q mark Q1. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 is able to use consumables such as the long paper Lp and toner efficiently by suppressing wasteful consumption, while avoiding user's trouble and waste of time. .

By the way, in the image forming apparatus 1, if the cutting process based on the Q mark Q1 is skipped in this way, the cutting position Tcut2 based on the Q mark Q1 should be positioned near the leading edge of the paper. It is conveyed to the downstream side in a state where unnecessary parts are connected.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, if the image forming section 11 prints an image with the actual leading edge as a reference, the position of the image with respect to the Q mark Q1 is shifted. In particular, in the case of the long paper Lp2 (FIG. 3B) to which the label Lb is pasted, the position of the image with respect to the label Lb is shifted, and part of the image is positioned on the inter-label backing paper portion Mob and normally It is not transcribed and may be missing.

Therefore, when skipping the cutting process based on the Q mark Q1, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts the image reference position from the image reference position TP1, which is the leading edge of the long paper Lp, to the image reference position TP2 downstream by the distance DP2. (Fig. 6, step SP13). This image reference position TP2 corresponds to the cut position Tcut2 when the Q mark Q1 is used as a reference (patterns Pt5 and Pt6 in FIG. 8).

As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can form an image in the same manner as in the case where the cut position Tcut2 with reference to the Q mark Q1 is the leading edge of the paper. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 can perform image forming processing assuming that the imaginary leading edge of the long sheet Lp is located at the image reference position TP2. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 can form an image on the long sheet Lp2 (FIG. 3B) to which the labels Lb are pasted, while avoiding the inter-label mount portion Mob and aligning the image with the labels Lb.

Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, even if the cutting position has not been changed, if the cutting position Tcut1 is downstream of the cutter 23, the changed cutting position Tcut2 is downstream of the cutter 23. In the same way as in the case of 1, the cutting process based on the Q mark Q1 is skipped (FIG. 6, step SP9). Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, even if the cutting position is not changed, it is possible to avoid wastefully discarding part of the long paper Lp and the user's trouble.

According to the above configuration, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the cutting position is changed after the printing process is started, the changed cutting position Tcut2 is moved from the cutter 23 when the leading edge reaches the second standby position W2. is on the downstream side, the skip flag is set to "on" to skip the cut processing based on the first Q mark Q1. At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 also changes the image reference position to the image reference position TP2 corresponding to the cut position Tcut2. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can avoid cutting the long paper Lp at an incorrect position, thereby preventing wasteful production and forming an image at an appropriate position.

[5. Other embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, in step SP11 (FIG. 6) of the print processing procedure RT1, the cutting position Tcut2 is determined from the cutter 23 based on whether or not the value obtained by subtracting the distance DC2 from the distance DQC is 0 or less. The case of determining whether or not is located upstream is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be determined whether or not it is located upstream of the cutter 23 . Further, this determination process is not limited to when the leading edge of the long sheet Lp reaches the second standby position W2. are aligned, it may be performed at an arbitrary timing before restarting the transport of the long paper Lp. The same applies to step SP9.

In the above-described embodiment, in step SP13 (FIG. 6) of the print processing procedure RT1, the image reference position is changed from the image reference position TP1, which is the leading edge of the long paper Lp, to the cut position Tcut2 based on the Q mark Q1. The case of changing to the image reference position TP2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined that the long paper Lp1 (FIG. 3A) is provided by an operation instruction of the user or the like, the image reference position TP1 may remain unchanged.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, every time the Q mark is detected, the cutting process is performed at the cutting position based on the Q mark, and one image is printed on one cut sheet of paper. . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a cutting process may be performed every predetermined number of Q marks, and a plurality of images may be printed on one cut sheet.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the Q mark is used as the black mark Bm of the long paper Lp1 (FIG. 3A) or the inter-label backing paper portion Mob of the long paper Lp2 (FIG. 3B) has been described. rice field. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when notches or holes are formed at predetermined intervals in the long sheet Lp in the sheet conveying direction, these may be used as the Q marks. In short, by providing the long paper Lp with a physical feature that allows the optical sensor 22 to detect the difference from other portions, this can be used as the Q mark.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the long paper Lp, which is roll paper, has been described (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an image may be formed on long paper Lp such as folded fanfold paper.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 in which the paper feeding section 3 is attached to the main body section 2 and both are integrated (FIGS. 1 and 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the paper feeding section 3 may be configured as an optional component that can be attached to and detached from the main body section 2 . Further, in this case, for example, the paper feeding unit 3 may not be fixed to the main body 2 and may be placed so as to be adjacent to the rear side of the main body 2 . However, in this case, by electrically connecting the paper feeding unit 3 to the main body 2 by a cable or the like, detection signals from various sensors can be supplied to the main body 2 and supplied by the main control unit 50 of the main body 2 or the like. It is sufficient if the first conveying roller pair 21 and the like of the paper section 3 can be controlled.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming unit 30 provided in the image forming section 11 of the main body 2 is of a so-called direct transfer system, and the toner image is directly transferred from the photosensitive drum to the long sheet Lp. (Fig. 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming unit is of a so-called intermediate transfer system, and after the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, the toner image is transferred again from the intermediate transfer belt to the long sheet Lp. You may make it transfer.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the three image forming units 30 are provided in the image forming section 11 of the main body 2 has been described (FIG. 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or less image forming units 30 or four or more image forming units 30 may be provided in the image forming section 11 .

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming section 11 transfers an image to a sheet of paper by electrophotography and the fixing device 12 fixes the image on the sheet of paper has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and images may be formed on paper by various methods such as an inkjet method, a thermal method, or a dot impact method.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and other embodiments. In other words, the scope of the present invention extends to embodiments obtained by arbitrarily combining part or all of each of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments described above, and to embodiments in which a part is extracted. is.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the conveying unit 45 as the conveying unit, the detecting unit 46 as the detecting unit, the image forming unit 11 as the image forming unit, and the cutting position setting unit 65 as the cutting position information acquiring unit. Also, the case where the image forming apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus is configured by the storage unit 51 and the cut control unit 66 as a cut control unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by a conveying section, a detecting section, an image forming section, a cutting position information acquisition section, and a cutting control section having various configurations.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used, for example, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image while cutting a long paper with the Q mark as a reference.

1 image forming apparatus 2 main unit 3 paper feeding unit 4 operation unit 5 display unit 10 paper supply unit 11 image forming unit 12 fixing Device 13 Paper discharge unit 20 Paper set detection sensor 21 First conveying roller pair 22 Optical sensor 23 Cutter 24 Second conveying roller pair 25 Writing Sensors 30 Image forming unit 31 Transfer belt 32 Transfer roller 33 Photoreceptor drum 40 Third conveying roller pair 41 Discharge sensor 45 Conveying section 46 Detecting section 50 Main control section 51 Storage section 52 Paper control section 53 Image formation control section 54 Fixing control section 61 Paper set detection section 62 ... leading edge detection section 63 ... Q mark detection section 64 ... conveyance control section 65 ... cut position setting section 66 ... cut control section 67 ... image reference position setting section 71 ... image output section , 72... output correction control section, Lp... long paper, Q1, Q2... Q mark, TP1, TP2... image reference position, Tcut1, Tcut2... cutting position, W0... detection position, W1... First standby position, W2 . . . second standby position.

Claims (7)

a transport unit that transports a medium provided with a plurality of marks;
a detection unit that detects the tip of the medium and the mark;
an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium downstream of the detection unit;
a cut position information acquisition unit that acquires cut position information representing a cut position where the medium should be cut with reference to the mark;
a cut control unit that performs control to cut the medium with a predetermined cutter at the cut position indicated by the cut position information with reference to the mark detected by the detection unit;
The cutting control unit changes the cutting position information so that a new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark, which is the mark provided on the most leading edge side of the medium, is set downstream of the cutter in the medium conveying direction. an image forming apparatus, wherein control is performed so as to omit the cutting process at a new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark when the cutting position is on the side. A conveyance control section that controls the conveyance section so that the leading edge of the medium is set at an image reference position that is a reference position when the image is formed by the image forming section. Item 1. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. The transport control unit positions the leading edge of the medium at a standby position set downstream of the cutter,
When the cutting position information is changed while the leading edge of the medium is positioned at the standby position, and the new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark is downstream of the cutter. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein control is performed so as to omit the cutting process at a new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark. The cutting position information is changed, a new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark is located downstream of the cutter, and cutting of the medium at the new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark is omitted. If
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transport control unit sets a new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark as the new image reference position. The transport control unit performs tip cutting by subtracting a mark cut distance, which is the distance between the mark and the new cut position, from a tip mark distance, which is the distance between the tip of the medium and the tip mark. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a position downstream of the leading edge of the medium by a distance is set as the image reference position. When the cutting position based on the most distal side mark, which is the mark provided on the most leading edge side of the medium, is downstream of the cutter, the cutting control unit uses the most distal side mark as a reference. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to omit the cutting process at a cutting position. a conveying step of conveying a medium provided with a plurality of marks by a conveying unit;
a detection step of detecting the tip of the medium and the mark by a detection unit;
an image forming step of forming an image on the medium downstream of the detecting unit by an image forming unit, the image forming method comprising:
a cut position information acquisition step of acquiring cut position information representing a cut position where the medium should be cut with reference to the mark by a cut position information acquisition unit;
The cutting position information is changed by a cutting control unit that controls cutting processing of the medium by a predetermined cutter, and the cutting position information is changed based on the leading edge side mark, which is the mark provided on the leading edge side of the medium. When the cutting position is downstream of the cutter in the medium transport direction, the cutting process of the medium at the new cutting position based on the leading edge side mark is omitted, and the detection unit of the medium and a cutting step of performing the cutting process at a new cutting position based on the other detected mark.

Images