JP7400650B2 - image recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording device.

Some image recording apparatuses include a first recording section, a second recording section, a plurality of paper feed cassettes, and a control means. The second recording section is arranged above the first recording section. The plurality of paper feed cassettes are arranged below the first recording section. The control means is electrically connected to the first recording section, the second recording section, and the plurality of paper feed cassettes, and controls these based on an image recording instruction from an external device. Under the control of the control means, the recording paper sent out from the plurality of paper feeding cassettes is selectively fed to the first recording section and the second recording section. Each of the first recording section and the second recording section records an image on the fed recording paper (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-3370111

The image recording device requires a communication line from a communication interface with an external device to the first recording section and the second recording section. However, since the second recording section, first recording section, and multiple paper feed cassettes are arranged in the vertical order in the image recording device, the routing of communication lines becomes complicated. , the space occupied by the communication line increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image recording device that can reduce the space occupied by communication lines.

One aspect of the present invention is an image recording apparatus that includes a housing, a first supply tray, a second supply tray, a first passage, a second passage, a first recording engine, and a second recording engine. , a communication interface, a first controller, and a second controller. The first supply tray is disposed within the housing and supports a first recording medium. The second supply tray is arranged below the first supply tray within the housing and supports a second recording medium. The first passage extends from the first supply tray, and the first recording medium passes therethrough. The second passage extends from the second supply tray and passes above the first passage within the casing, through which the second recording medium passes. The first recording engine is disposed above the first supply tray within the housing and forms an image on the first recording medium guided through the first path. The second recording engine is disposed above the first recording engine within the housing and forms an image on the second recording medium guided through the second path. The communication interface is capable of communicating with external devices. The first controller is communicably connected by wire to the first recording engine. A second controller is disposed above the first controller in the housing, and is communicably connected by wire to the communication interface, the first controller, and the second recording engine.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording device that can reduce the space occupied by communication lines.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multifunction device 10. (A) is a front view schematically showing the printer section 100 in FIG. 1, and (B) is a rear view schematically showing the printer section 100. FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a part of a cross section of the multifunction device 10 along the dashed line II-II in FIG. 1(A). 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a printer section 100. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship among recording heads 480A, 480B, controllers 660A, 660B, and communication interface 670 in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of print processing executed by the multifunction device 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing detailed processing procedures of the data distribution process of FIG. 6; 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the data division process of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the image number determination process of FIG. 8;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the installed state in which the multifunction device 10 is usable (the state shown in FIG. 1), and the front-back direction 8 is defined with the front surfaces 201L and 201R (see FIG. 2) as the front side. is defined, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front sides 201L and 201R. The up-down direction 7, the front-back direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other. Further, in the following description, the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the ending point is expressed as the direction, and the coming and going on the line connecting the starting point and the ending point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction.

[Schematic configuration of multifunction device 10]
In FIG. 1, a multifunction device 10 is generally formed into a rectangular parallelepiped. The multifunction device 10 includes a scanner section 800, a printer section 100, and a user interface 560.

The scanner unit 800 is arranged at the top of the multifunction device 10. In addition to the cover 801, the scanner unit 800 includes a contact glass and an optical system (not shown). A document is placed on the contact glass. The cover covers the document on the contact glass from above. An image to be read by the scanner unit 800 (hereinafter also referred to as a "document image") is recorded on the document. The optical system is a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a reduction optical system, which optically reads the original image and outputs image data representing the original image.

The printer section 100 is arranged directly below the scanner section 800 in the multifunction device 10 . The printer section 100 receives the image data output from the scanner section 800, and records the image indicated by the image data on the sheets 1A and 1B (see FIG. 3) using an inkjet recording method. In addition to the scanner unit 800, the printer unit 100 may also receive image data from the information processing device 700 (see FIG. 4) and a removable medium (not shown) connected to the multifunction device 10.

The user interface 560 is located directly above the printer section 100 and in front of the scanner section 800 in the multifunction device 10 . User interface 560 includes a display 561 and a plurality of operation buttons 562. Display 561 displays an image based on display data transmitted by controller 660B (see FIG. 4). The operation button 562 is operated by the operator of the multifunction device 10. User interface 560 outputs an operation signal indicating the function assigned to operation button 562. Note that in FIG. 1, only one operation button is given the reference numeral "562".

Note that the multifunction device 10 may further include a facsimile function or the like. Further, the scanner unit 800 is an example of an external device or a scanner, and the combination of the printer unit 100 and the user interface 560 is an example of an image recording device.

[Printer section 100]
2 and 3, the printer unit 100 includes, within the housing 200, supply trays 410A, 410B, feeding mechanisms 430A, 430B, passages 440A, 440B, a pair of transport rollers 450A, 450B, a pair of ejection rollers 460A, 460B, It includes platens 470A, 470B and recording heads 480A, 480B. The multifunction device 10 includes ejection trays 420A and 420B, an inner guide 510, an outer guide 520, an inner passage cover 530, and an outer passage cover 540.

As shown in FIG. 4, the multifunction device 10 further includes transport motors 551A, 551B, controllers 660A, 660B, and a communication interface 670.

[Housing 200]
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the casing 200 is an exterior body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped external shape, and partitions the internal space of the casing 200 from the external space. The housing 200 is supported by various frames (not shown) inside the housing 200.

In FIGS. 1 and 2(A), the housing 200 has front surfaces 201L, 201R, inner surfaces 202L, 202R, inner surfaces 203A, 203B, and outer surfaces 204L, 204R.

Each of the front surfaces 201L and 201R has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction 9. An opening 201A is formed between the front surfaces 201L and 201R, and an opening 201B is formed below the opening 201A.

The inner surface 202L extends rearward from the right end of the front surface 201L, and the inner surface 202R extends rearward from the left end of the front surface 201R.

In FIG. 2(A), each of the inner surfaces 203A and 203B connects the rear ends of the inner surfaces 202L and 202R. The back surface 203A is located below the back surface 203B. Discharge ports 444A and 444B, which are long in the left-right direction 9, are formed near the lower ends of the inner surfaces 203A and 203B, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2(B), the housing 200 further includes rear surfaces 206L, 206R, and inner surfaces 207L, 207R.

Each of the rear surfaces 206L and 206R has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from behind. The rear surface 206L is located at a distance to the left from the rear surface 206R.

The inner surface 207L extends forward from the right end of the rear surface 206L, and the inner surface 207R extends forward from the left end of the rear surface 206R.

[Supply trays 410A, 410B]
In FIG. 3, supply trays 410A and 410B are installed into the housing 200 through openings 201A and 201B (see FIG. 2(A)). Each of the supply trays 410A and 410B has a thin box-like shape in the vertical direction 7, and supports a plurality of sheets 1A and 1B, respectively. Each sheet 1A, 1B is a paper or an OHP sheet. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the sheets 1A and 1B have the same size.

Note that the supply trays 410A and 410B are examples of a first supply tray and a second supply tray. Sheets 1A and 1B are examples of a first recording medium and a second recording medium.

[Ejection tray 420A, 420B]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the discharge trays 420A and 420B extend from below to the front of the discharge ports 444A and 444B between the inner surfaces 202L and 202R (see FIG. 1), respectively. The discharge trays 420A and 420B support the sheets 1A and 1B discharged from the discharge ports 444A and 444B, respectively. Ejection trays 420A and 420B are examples of a first ejection tray and a second ejection tray. Furthermore, hereinafter, the sheets 1A and 1B discharged from the discharge ports 444A and 444B are also referred to as printed matter 1A and 1B, respectively.

[Feeding mechanism 430A, 430B]
In FIG. 3, the feeding mechanism 430A includes a feeding roller 431A and a feeding arm 432A. ) is transmitted to the feeding roller 431A. As a result, the feed roller 431A rotates and feeds the sheet 1A in the supply tray 410A to the rear.

The feeding mechanism 430B has the same configuration as the feeding mechanism 430A, and feeds the sheet 1B in the supply tray 410B rearward using a conveying motor 551B (see FIG. 4), a feeding roller 431B, and a feeding arm 432B.

Sheets 1A and 1B are fed rearward by feeding mechanisms 430A and 430B in supply trays 410A and 410B. Thereafter, the sheets 1A and 1B are guided backward and upward by guide surfaces 412A and 412B provided at the rear ends of the supply trays 410A and 410B, respectively, toward paths 440A and 440B.

[Aisle 440A, 440B]
As shown in FIG. 3, passages 440A and 440B are formed in the housing 200, respectively. Passages 440A and 440B are so-called U-turn paths. The passage 440A is an example of a first passage or an inner passage, and the passage 440B is an example of a second passage or an outer passage.

The passage 440A is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3, and has a curved portion 441A and a straight portion 442A.

The curved portion 441A has a supply port 443A. The supply port 443A is located just above the upper end of the guide surface 412A. The curved portion 441A extends upward from the supply port 443A while being curved. The curved portion 441A passes through a position spaced forward from the outer passage cover 540 within the housing 200. The curved portion 441A faces forward at approximately the same vertical position as the discharge port 444A.

The straight portion 442A extends generally straight forward from the downstream end of the curved portion 441A. The straight portion 442A passes through a position downwardly away from the upper end of the housing 200 in the up-down direction 7. The straight portion 442A reaches the discharge port 444A.

The passage 440B is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, and the passage 440B has a curved portion 441B and a straight portion 442B.

The curved portion 441B has a supply port 443B. The supply port 443B is located above and slightly behind the upper end of the guide surface 412B. The curved portion 441B extends upward from the supply port 443B while being curved. The curved portion 441B passes outside the passage 440A in the housing 200, specifically between the passage 440A and the outer passage cover 540. The curved portion 441B bends forward above the downstream end of the curved portion 441A and at approximately the same vertical position as the discharge port 444B.

The straight portion 442B extends generally straight forward from the downstream end of the curved portion 441B, and passes outside (that is, above) the straight portion 442A within the housing 200. The straight portion 442B reaches the discharge port 444B.

Moreover, the passage 440B is longer than the passage 440A. Specifically, curved portion 441B is longer than curved portion 441A.

In the passages 440A, 440B, the sheets 1A, 1B are first fed into the supply ports 443A, 443B. Thereafter, sheets 1A and 1B are sent in transport directions 5A and 5B within paths 440A and 440B, respectively.

[Transport roller pair 450A, 450B]
As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of conveyance rollers 450A are two rollers that come into contact with each other at the downstream end of the curved portion 441A (that is, the upstream end of the straight portion 442A) (hereinafter also referred to as "first nip position"). It has a pair of rollers. One of the two rollers serves as a driving roller and is rotated by a driving force generated by a transport motor 551A (see FIG. 4). The other of the two rollers contacts one of the rollers from below and rotates as a driven roller as the drive roller rotates.

The conveyance roller pair 450B is different from the conveyance roller pair 450A, except that it is located at the downstream end of the curved portion 441B (that is, the upstream end of the straight portion 442B) and is rotated by the driving force from the conveyance motor 551B (see FIG. 4). The same is true. Note that the contact position of the conveying roller pair 450B is also referred to as a second nip position.

By rotating, the pair of conveyance rollers 450A and 450B nip the sheets 1A and 1B conveyed within the curved portions 441A and 441B and send them forward, respectively. Thereby, the sheets 1A and 1B are conveyed in the straight portions 442A and 442B.

[Ejection roller pair 460A, 460B]
As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge roller pair 460A includes two rollers that abut each other at a position between the platen 470A and the discharge port 444A in the straight portion 442A. One of the two rollers serves as a driving roller and is rotated by a driving force generated by a transport motor 551A (see FIG. 4). The other of the two rollers is a spur, which contacts one of the rollers from above and rotates as the other roller rotates.

Ejection roller pair 460B is similar to ejection roller pair 460A, except that it is located between platen 470B and ejection port 444B at straight portion 442B. Therefore, a detailed explanation of the discharge roller pair 460B will be omitted.

The discharge roller pair 460A, 460B rotates to nip the sheets 1A, 1B conveyed by the straight portions 442A, 442B and send them forward. Thereby, the sheets 1A and 1B are discharged from the discharge ports 444A and 444B.

[Platen 470A, 470B]
As shown in FIG. 3, the platen 470A is located between the transport roller pair 450A and the discharge roller pair 460A in the front-rear direction 8. The platen 470B is located between the transport roller pair 450B and the discharge roller pair 460B in the front-rear direction 8. The platens 470A and 470B support the sheets 1A and 1B conveyed by the straight parts 442A and 442B, respectively, directly below the straight parts 442A and 442B.

[Recording heads 480A, 480B]
In FIG. 3, recording heads 480A and 480B are arranged along straight portions 442A and 442B, respectively, at positions slightly upwardly away from platens 470A and 470B in the vertical direction 7.

Recording heads 480A and 480B eject ink toward sheets 1A and 1B supported by platens 470A and 470B, respectively. As a result, an image is recorded on each of the sheets 1A and 1B. Hereinafter, recording an image on the sheet 1A with the recording heads 480A and 480B will also be referred to as a first image recording operation, and recording an image on the sheet 1B with the recording head 480B will also be referred to as a second image recording operation. In this embodiment, the recording heads 480A and 480B are serial heads. However, the recording heads 480A and 480B may be line heads. Further, the recording heads 480A and 480B record images using an inkjet method, but are not limited to this, and may also record images using an electrophotographic method, a thermal transfer method, or the like.

Note that the recording heads 480A and 480B are examples of a first recording engine and a second recording engine.

[Inner guide 510, outer guide 520]
In FIG. 3, each of the inner guide 510 and the outer guide 520 is installed on the frame inside the housing 200 at a position between the inner surfaces 207L and 207R (see FIG. 2(B)) in a plan view from the rear. There is.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner guide 510 is located slightly behind the transport roller pair 450A in the front-rear direction 8 and between the supply port 443A and the first nip position in the up-down direction 7. The inner guide 510 has a guide surface 511 that defines the inner side (ie, the front side and the lower side) of the curved portion 441A.

The outer guide 520 is located slightly behind the transport roller pair 450B in the front-rear direction 8, and is located between the second nip position and the upper end of the inner passage cover 530 in the up-down direction 7.

The outer guide 520 has a guide surface 521 that defines an upper portion of the curved portion 441B on the inside (that is, the front side and the lower side) of the curved portion 441B.

[Inner passage cover 530]
In the left-right direction 9, the inner passage cover 530 is attached to the housing 200 between the inner surfaces 207L and 207R at approximately the same position as the inner guide 510. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner passage cover 530 is located outside (that is, at the rear) of the inner guide 510 within the housing 200.

Inner passage cover 530 has an inner guide surface 533 and an outer guide surface 534. The inner guide surface 533 defines the outside (that is, the rear side) of the curved portion 441A. The outer guide surface 534 defines a lower portion on the inside (ie, front side) of the curved portion 441B.

Note that the inner guide surface 533 and the outer guide surface 534 may be formed of a single curved surface, but may also be formed of tip surfaces of a large number of ribs arranged at intervals in the left-right direction 9. Regarding this point, the same applies to the guide surface 541 described below.

[Outer passage cover 540]
In FIG. 2(B), the outer passage cover 540 covers the space between the inner surfaces 207L and 207R in the left-right direction 9. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the outer passage cover 540 is located above the second nip position, and the lower end of the outer passage cover 540 is located below the upper end of the guide surface 412B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer passage cover 540 is provided at a position facing outward (that is, rearward) from the supply trays 410A, 410B, the outer guide 520, and the inner passage cover 530, except for the upper end.

The outer passage cover 540 has a guide surface 541 and a rear surface 542. The guide surface 541 defines the outside (ie, the front side and the lower side) of the curved portion 441B. The rear surface 542 is exposed to the outside between the rear surfaces 206L and 206R.

[Controller 660A, 660B]
In FIG. 4, controllers 660A and 660B are common to each other in that they are mounted on a control circuit board individually provided in the casing 200, and that they have a CPU, ROM, RAM, I/O, ASIC, etc. do. The CPU, ROM, RAM, I/O, and ASIC are communicably connected to each other by an internal bus. The I/O of the controller 660B is communicably connected to the I/O of the controller 660A via a communication line such as a flat cable.

A transport motor 551A and a recording head 480A are communicably connected to the ASIC of the controller 660A.

A transport motor 551B, a recording head 480B, a scanner unit 800, a user interface 560, and a communication interface 670 are communicably connected to the ASIC of the controller 660B. Specifically, the controller 660B is connected to the optical system of the scanner unit 800 via a communication line 803. Controller 660B is connected to user interface 560 via communication line 563. Controller 660B is connected to communication interface 670 by communication line 683.

The ROM stores programs and the like for controlling each part of the multifunction device 10. The CPU executes programs using RAM and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 660B is arranged above the controller 660A within the housing 200. More specifically, the controller 660A is arranged below the lower end of the straight portion 442B in the up-down direction 7. The controller 660B is arranged above the upper end of the straight portion 442B in the vertical direction 7.

The controllers 660A, 660B are arranged downstream (ie, in front) of the passages 440A, 440B than the recording heads 480A, 480B in the front-rear direction 8.

Note that the controllers 660A and 660B are examples of a first controller and a second controller.

[Communication interface 670]
As shown in FIG. 5, the communication interface 670 is provided in the housing 200 at a position closer to the controller 660B than the controller 660A. Specifically, the communication interface 670 is disposed within the housing 200 above the upper end of the straight portion 442B and near the outer surface 204L (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The communication interface 670 is connected to the information processing device 700 located away from the multifunction peripheral 10 via a communication link 701 in accordance with a communication standard such as wireless LAN, wired LAN, or USB. Communication link 701 is a wireless link or a wired link. The communication interface 670 receives various data transmitted by the information processing device 700 through the communication link 701. The communication interface 670 transfers the received various data to the RAM of the controller 660A through the communication line 671.

[Operation of printer unit 100 and information processing device 700]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, a process in which the printer section 100 records images on the sheets 1A and 1B based on a recording instruction output from the information processing apparatus 700 (see FIG. 4) will be described. Note that the information processing device 700 is an example of an external device, and is a personal computer or a smartphone.

The information processing device 700 generates a recording instruction (also referred to as a “print job”). The recording instruction includes a recording instruction start code, additional information, a plurality of image data, and a recording instruction end code.

Each image data represents an image scheduled to be recorded by the printer unit 100 (hereinafter also referred to as a "recording scheduled image"). The order in which each recording scheduled image is arranged among all recording scheduled images is determined. Specifically, each scheduled recording image is assigned a page number as the order of arrangement. Note that the arrangement order is originally assigned to the images scheduled to be recorded. However, for convenience of explanation, the term "image data in a specific arrangement order" is assumed to mean "image data indicating images to be recorded that are assigned a specific arrangement order." For example, "image data first in the order of arrangement" means image data indicated by the image to be recorded that is first in the order of arrangement.

The additional information includes image number information and copy number information. The number of images information indicates the total number of images to be recorded included in the recording instruction. The number of copies information indicates how many sets (ie, how many copies) of images to be recorded are to be created.

The information processing device 700 first transmits a start code to the printer section 100, and then transmits a plurality of image data to the printer section 100 in the order of arrangement. After transmitting the last image data in the sorted order, the information processing device 700 transmits an end code to the printer unit 100.

[Print processing]
The printer unit 100 executes printing processing in response to receiving the recording instruction. The printing process will be explained in detail below with reference to FIG.

In S101 of FIG. 6, the communication interface 670 of the printer unit 100 receives a recording instruction and transfers it to the RAM of the controller 660B. In S101, the controller 660B sequentially acquires a plurality of image data. S101 corresponds to a first acquisition process.

Note that since the printer unit 100 is also capable of communicating with a plurality of information processing apparatuses 700, it may receive a plurality of recording instructions almost simultaneously. That is, multiple recording instructions can be stored in the RAM.

In S102, the controller 660B executes data distribution processing. Controller 660B distributes one or more recording instructions in the RAM to either recording head 480A or 480B through data distribution processing.

[Data sorting process]
The data distribution process will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. In S201 of FIG. 7, the controller 660B determines whether the recording head 480A is in operation. In operation in S201 means that the first image recording operation is in progress. If the controller 660B determines NO, it executes S202, and if it determines YES, it executes S209.

In S202, the controller 660B determines whether the recording head 480B is in operation. In operation in S202 means that the recording head 480B is in the process of recording the second image. The same applies during operation in S209. If the controller 660B determines NO, it executes S203, and if it determines YES, it executes S208.

In S203, the controller 660B determines whether a plurality of recording instructions are stored in the RAM. When the controller 660B determines NO, it executes S204, and when it determines YES, it executes S205.

In S204, the controller 660B performs data division processing on one recording instruction (hereinafter also referred to as "recording instruction to be divided") stored in the RAM. The controller 660B divides each piece of image data included in the recording instruction to be divided into first image data whose image is recorded by the recording head 480A and second image data which is image recorded by the recording head 480B.

[Data division processing]
The data division process will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. In S301 of FIG. 8, the controller 660B determines whether the number of copies information included in the recording instruction to be divided indicates a plurality of copies. When the controller 660B determines YES, it executes S306, and when it determines NO, it executes S302.

In S302, it is determined whether the image number information included in the recording instruction to be divided is less than the image number threshold. When the controller 660B determines YES, it executes S309, and when it determines NO, it executes S303.

In S303, the controller 660B executes image number determination processing. The controller 660B determines the first number of images to be recorded by the recording head 480A and the second number of images to be recorded by the recording head 480B through image number determination processing.

[Image number determination process]
The image number determination process will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. In S401 of FIG. 9, the controller 660B determines a first provisional value and a second provisional value. If the number of images included in the recording instruction to be divided is an even number, the first provisional value and the second provisional value are half of the value indicated by the number of images (that is, the total number of images scheduled to be recorded). The first provisional value is a value larger by 1 than the second provisional value when the image number information is an odd number.

At S402, the controller 660B derives a first total printing time and a second total printing time. The first total printing time is a value obtained by multiplying the first provisional value by the first unit printing time. The second total printing time is a value obtained by multiplying the second provisional value by the second unit printing time. The first unit printing time and the second unit printing time are values that are determined as appropriate through experiments and simulations at the design stage of the printer section 100. The first unit printing time and the second unit printing time are such that the recording head 480A, 480B records a predetermined reference image on the sheet 1A, 1B after the sheet 1A, 1B starts to be conveyed from the supply tray 410A, 410B. This is the time from which the sheets 1A and 1B on which images have been recorded are ejected to the ejection trays 420A and 420B. The first unit printing time and the second unit printing time correspond to the first recording time and the second recording time. The time difference between the first unit printing time and the second unit printing time is mainly due to the difference in path length between the passages 440A and 440B, and the first unit printing time is shorter than the second unit printing time.

In S403, the controller 660B derives a value obtained by subtracting the first total printing time from the second total printing time (hereinafter also referred to as "total printing time difference").

In S404, the controller 660B performs smoothing processing of the total printing time on the first provisional value and the second provisional value to determine the first number of images and the second number of images. In S404, the controller 660B first divides the total printing time difference by the added value of the first unit printing time and the second unit printing time, and derives the integer part of the quotient. Next, the controller 660B derives a value obtained by adding the integer part of the quotient to the first provisional value as the first number of images. Further, the controller 660B derives a value obtained by subtracting the integer part from the second provisional value as the second image number.

After S404 ends, the controller 660B ends the image number determination process of FIGS. 6 and 7, and sequentially executes S304 and S305 of FIG. 8.

[Data division processing (continued)]
In S304, the controller 660B specifies the second image data in the image data to be divided. In S304, the controller 660B further determines a second recording order of the second images based on the second image data.

Specifically, in S304, the controller 660B designates the image data that is closer to the beginning of the list among all the image data to be divided as the second image data. The image data near the beginning is from the first image data in the arrangement order to the image data whose arrangement order corresponds to the second number of images among all the image data to be divided. Further, the controller 660B assigns the first image data as the second recording order to the last image data in the second image data. Thereafter, the controller 660B assigns a second recording order, which is larger by "1", to each second image data each time the arrangement order of the images to be recorded is reduced by "1".

In S305, the controller 660B designates each piece of image data that is not designated as the second image data (that is, the image data that is closer to the end of the list) as the first image data. In S305, the controller 660B further determines the first recording order of each piece of first image data. Specifically, the controller 660B assigns "1" (ie, the earliest) as the first recording order to the image data that is the last in the arrangement order among all the first image data. Thereafter, the controller 660B assigns a second recording order, which is increased by 1, to each first image data each time the arrangement order of the images to be recorded is decreased by "1".

In S306, the controller 660B copies the image data included in the recording instruction to be divided by the number of copies indicated by the number of copies information. Controller 660B further assigns a copy number, which is a sequential number, to each copy of the image data.

In S307, the controller 660B sets the image data whose copy number is odd as the first image data.

In S308, the controller 660B sets the image data with an even copy number as the second image data.

In S309, the controller 660B sets the image data included in the recording instruction to be divided as first image data.

After completing S305, S308, and S309, the controller 660B ends the data division processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[Data sorting process (continued)]
In S205 of FIG. 7, the controller 660B designates the image data included in the recording instruction with the highest priority among the plurality of recording instructions stored in the RAM as the first image data. The priority is predetermined in the program, and is, for example, the order in which recording instructions are received by the printer unit 100. In this case, the controller 660B designates the image data included in the recording instruction received earliest as the first image data.

In S206, the controller 660B designates the image data included in the recording instruction with the next highest priority among the plurality of recording instructions in the RAM as second image data.

In S207, the controller 660B leaves the remaining recording instructions in the RAM. The remaining recording instructions are recording instructions that include image data that is not specified as either first image data or second image data among the recording instructions in the RAM. Note that if there are no remaining recording instructions in the RAM, S207 is skipped.

After completing S207 or skipping S207, the controller 660B ends the data distribution processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In S208, the controller 660B designates the image data included in the recording instruction with the highest priority among the recording instructions in the RAM as the first image data.

In S209, the controller 660B executes the same process as S202. If the controller 660B determines NO in S209, it executes S210.

In S210, the controller 660B designates the image data included in the recording instruction with the highest priority among the recording instructions in the RAM as second image data.

Note that the controller 660B executes S207 after executing S208 and S210, or when determining YES in S209.

[Print processing (continued)]
After completing the data distribution process, the controller 660B executes S103B to S105B and S103A. Controller 660A executes S104A to S106A. The series of processes from S103A to S106A and the series of processes from S103B to S105B are examples of the first recording process and the second recording process, and are parallel processes.

In S103B of FIG. 6, the controller 660B executes the second printing process. In S103B, the controller 660B first controls the second cueing process (a part of the second conveyance). Specifically, controller 660B outputs a control signal to transport motor 551B. As a result, the feed roller 431B and the pair of transport rollers 450B rotate and transport the sheet 1B on the supply tray 410B until it stops at the second recording start position. At the second recording start position, the leading portion of the image recording area on the sheet 1B faces the ink ejection ports (not shown) of the recording head 480B.

In S103B, the controller 660B further performs a second image recording operation and a second intermittent conveyance (a part of the second conveyance). In the second image recording operation, the controller 660B causes the recording head 480B to eject ink toward the stopped sheet 1B based on one piece of first image data. As a result, a part of the second image based on the second image data is recorded in the partial image recording area of the sheet 1B. After that, in the second intermittent conveyance, the controller 660B outputs a control signal to the conveyance motor 551B to rotate the conveyance roller pair 450B and the discharge roller pair 460B to move the sheet 1B in the conveyance direction 5B by a second specific distance. After conveying, stop. The second specific distance is a distance corresponding to the width of the partial image area in the transport direction 5B. By repeating the second image recording operation and the second intermittent conveyance, a second image based on the second image data is recorded on the sheet 1B.

In S103B, the controller 660B controls the second discharge process after the final second image recording operation on the sheet 1B is completed. Controller 660B outputs a control signal to transport motor 551B to rotate transport roller pair 450B and discharge roller pair 460B until sheet 1B is discharged onto discharge tray 420B.

In S103B, the controller 660B repeats a series of processes including a second cueing process, a second intermittent conveyance and a second image recording operation, and a second ejection process for the second number of images. In the second image recording operation for the second number of images, the controller 660B records images based on the image data on the sheet 1B for the second number of images in order from the smallest second recording order.

In S104B, the controller 660B ends the second printing process.

Next, in S105B, the controller 660B determines whether the stock data of the recording instruction is stored in the RAM. If the controller 660B determines YES, it executes S102, and if the controller 660B determines NO, it ends the process of FIG.

In S103A, the controller 660B transmits each first image data in the RAM and the first recording order assigned to each first image data to the controller 660A from its own I/O through the communication line. Note that S103A is executed slightly before or after the start of the second cueing process in the second printing process (S103B).

In S104A, the controller 660A receives each first image data and the first recording order through its own I/O, and transfers it to its own RAM.

In S105A, the controller 660A executes a first print process. The first print process is similar to the second print process, so the description thereof will be simplified.

In S105A, the controller 660A first controls the first cueing process (part of the first conveyance). As a result, the feeding roller 431A and the pair of transport rollers 450A are rotated by the driving force from the transport motor 551A. As a result, the sheet 1A on the supply tray 410A is conveyed to a first recording start position where the leading portion of its image recording area faces the ink ejection openings (not shown) of the recording head 480A, and then stopped.

In S105A, the controller 660A further performs a first image recording operation and a first intermittent conveyance (a part of the first conveyance). The first image recording operation and the first intermittent conveyance are similar to the second image recording operation and the second intermittent conveyance, so the description thereof will be simplified.

In the first image recording operation, the controller 660A causes the recording head 480A to eject ink to the partial recording area of the stopped sheet 1A based on the first image data. Thereafter, in the first intermittent conveyance, the conveyance roller pair 450A and the discharge roller pair 460A convey the sheet 1A in the conveyance direction 5A by a first specific distance corresponding to the width of the partial recording area, and then stop the sheet 1A. By repeating the first image recording operation and the first intermittent conveyance, one first image based on the first image data is recorded on the sheet 1A.

In S105A, the controller 660A controls the first ejection process after the first image recording operation on one sheet 1A is completed. In the first discharge process, the transport roller pair 450A and the discharge roller pair 460A rotate until the sheet 1A is discharged onto the discharge tray 420A. Further, the linear speed of the feeding roller 431A and the pair of conveying rollers 450A in the first printing process may be approximately the same as the linear speed of the feeding roller 431B and the pair of conveying rollers 450B in the second printing process.

In S105A, the controller 660A repeats a series of processes including a first cue process, a first intermittent conveyance and a first image recording operation, and a first ejection process for the first number of images. In the first image recording operation for the first number of images, the controller 660A records images based on the first image data on the sheet 1A for the first number of images in descending order of first recording order.

In this embodiment, the recording heads 480A and 480B eject ink from above the sheets 1A and 1B. Further, the sheets 1A and 1B with images recorded on their upper surfaces are conveyed within the straight sections 442A and 442B without being reversed in the vertical direction 7, and then the printed matter 1A is transferred from the discharge ports 444A and 444B to the discharge trays 420A and 420B. , 1B. Therefore, the images on the printed matter 1A, 1B face upward on the discharge trays 420A, 420B. That is, the printer unit 100 discharges the printed matter 1A, 1B onto the discharge trays 420A, 420B in a face-up state.

In S106A, the controller 660A ends the first printing process. Further, the controller 660A notifies the controller 660B that the first printing process has been completed through mutual I/O.

In response to the notification from the controller 660A, the controller 660B determines in S107A whether the stock data of the recording instruction is stored in the RAM. If the controller 660B determines YES, it executes S102, and if the controller 660B determines NO, it ends the process of FIG.

[Actions and effects of embodiment]
In the embodiment, within the housing 200, the supply tray 410A is arranged above the supply tray 410B. The recording head 480A is arranged above the supply tray 410A. Recording head 480B and controller 660B are arranged above recording head 480A and controller 660A, respectively. Further, since the multifunction device 10 is generally required to have a low profile, the supply trays 410B, 410A and the recording heads 480A, 480B are arranged with high density in the vertical direction 7. Therefore, there is relatively little space between the recording heads 480A and 480B. On the other hand, although the scanner section 800 is arranged above the recording head 480B, there is relatively more space above the straight section 442B.

Furthermore, if the communication line 671 is wired so as to cross the passages 440A, 440B or pass directly near the passages 440A, 440B, there is a risk that the communication line 671 may interfere with the sheets 1A, 1B conveyed within the passages 440A, 440B. There is.

In the embodiment, a communication interface 670 is wired to the controller 660B via a communication line 671. Therefore, the communication line 671 does not need to be routed in a crowded place below the controller 660B and above the controller 660A. This avoids complicating the communication line 671. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the communication line 671 from interfering with the sheets 1A, 1B conveyed within the passages 440A, 440B.

The controller 660B is preferably arranged above the upper end of the straight portion 442B. According to this configuration, it is possible to further avoid complication of the communication line 671.

The controller 660A is preferably arranged below the upper end of the straight portion 442B. According to this configuration, interference between the controller 660A itself, the wiring of the controller 660A, and the communication line 671 can be avoided. That is, the communication line 671 does not need to be routed through a complicated place such as the controller 660A. This makes it possible to further avoid complication of the communication line 671.

By arranging the controllers 660A, 660B downstream of the straight portions 442A, 442B from the recording heads 480A, 480B, the controllers 660A, 660B can be connected to the recording heads 480A, 480B themselves, and the communication lines and ink tubes connected to the recording heads 480A, 480B. , interference with the communication line 671 can be avoided. This makes it possible to further avoid complication of the communication line 671.

Since the controller 660B is located closer to the communication interface 670 than the controller 660A, the communication line 671 that connects the controller 660B and the communication interface 670 to each other can be further prevented from becoming complicated.

The controller 660B is wired via a communication line 803 to a scanner unit 800 disposed above the controller 660B. This makes it possible to avoid complicating the communication line 803.

The user interface 560 is located directly above the printer section 100 and in front of the scanner section 800 in the multifunction device 10 . The user interface 560 arranged in this manner and the controller 660B are connected by wire through a communication line 563. This makes it possible to avoid complicating the communication line 563.

The communication interface 670 is arranged outside the passage 440B in the housing 200. This also prevents the communication line 671 from becoming complicated.

In embodiments, controller 660B is in data communication with communication interface 670. Further, since the passage 440A is shorter than the passage 440B, by making the linear speed of the feeding roller 431A and the like and the feeding roller 431B substantially the same, the sheet 1A passes through the passage 440A and reaches below the recording head 480A. The time it takes for the sheet 1B to pass through the path 440B and reach the position below the recording head 480B can be shorter than the time it takes for the sheet 1B to pass through the path 440B and reach below the recording head 480B. Therefore, the FPOT, which is the time from receiving the recording instruction until the first printed matter 1A is ejected to the ejection tray 420A, can be shortened.

In addition, by executing S304 and S305 in FIG. 8, the user stacks the stack of sheets 1B on the output tray 420B on the stack of sheets 1A on the output tray 420A, and the user can stack the stack of sheets 1B on the output tray 420A on the stack of sheets 1A on which all images are arranged in order. , 1B can be obtained.

[Other variations]
In the embodiment, the printer unit 100 is illustrated as an image recording device. However, the image recording device is not limited to this, and the multifunction device 10 may be used.

In the embodiment, the printer unit 100 executes the printing process shown in FIG. 6 on image data transmitted from the information processing device 700. However, instead of the information processing device 700, the printer unit 100 may perform print processing on image data acquired from the scanner unit 800 or a removable medium.

In the embodiment, passages 440A, 440B were U-turn paths. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the passages 440A and 440B may be a so-called S path or a straight path.

Furthermore, the description has been made assuming that the linear speeds of the feeding roller 431A and the like and the feeding roller 431B and the like are substantially the same. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the linear speeds of the feeding roller 431A and the like may be different from that of the feeding roller 431B.

In the embodiment, the communication interface 670 was provided in the housing 200 at a position closer to the controller 660B than the controller 660A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the communication interface 670 may be provided inside the housing 200 at a location near at least one of the outer surfaces 204L, 204R and the rear surfaces 206L, 206R. Alternatively, the communication interface 670 may be provided on the outer surface of the housing 200. Furthermore, the communication interface 670 may be provided at a position farther from the controller 660B than the controller 660A, for example, at a lower position within the housing 200. In these cases, communication line 671 is routed from communication interface 670 along the inner or outer surface of housing 200 and leads to controller 660B. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the communication line 671 from interfering with the sheets 1A and 1B conveyed within the passages 440A and 440B.

Further, in the embodiment, the controller 660B stored stock data in its own RAM. However, the stock data is not limited to this, and the stock data may be stored in the RAM of the controller 660A.

10...Multifunction machine 100...Printer section (image recording device)
200... Housing 410A, 410B... Supply tray (first supply tray, second supply tray)
420A, 420B... Ejection tray 440A, 440B... Passage (first passage, second passage)
470A, 470B...Platen (first recording engine, second recording engine)
480A, 480B... Recording head (first recording engine, second recording engine)
551A, 551B...Transport motor 560...User interface 660A, 660B...Controller 670...Communication interface 700...Information processing device (external device)
800...Scanner section

Claims (10)

A casing and
a first supply tray disposed within the housing and supporting a first recording medium;
a second supply tray disposed below the first supply tray in the housing and supporting a second recording medium;
a first path extending from the first supply tray, through which the first recording medium passes;
a second passage extending from the second supply tray and passing above the first passage within the housing, through which the second recording medium passes;
a first recording engine that is disposed above the first supply tray in the housing and forms an image on the first recording medium that is guided through the first path;
a second recording engine that is disposed above the first recording engine in the housing and forms an image on the second recording medium that is guided through the second passage;
a communication interface capable of communicating with an external device;
a first controller communicatively connected by wire to the first recording engine;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a second controller disposed above the first controller in the housing and communicatively connected by wire to the communication interface, the first controller, and the second recording engine. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second controller is arranged above an upper end of the second passage. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first controller is arranged below an upper end of the second passage. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first controller is disposed downstream of the first passageway from the first recording engine. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second controller is disposed downstream of the second passageway from the second recording engine. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second controller is located closer to the communication interface than the first controller. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second controller is connected by wire to a scanner arranged above the second controller. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a user interface connected by wire to the second controller. a first ejection tray that is disposed at the downstream end of the first passage and supports the first recording medium on which an image has been recorded by the first recording engine;
a second discharge tray disposed at the downstream end of the second passage and supporting the second recording medium on which an image has been recorded by the second recording engine;
9. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first controller is arranged below the second ejection tray, and the second controller is arranged above the first ejection tray. The second passage passes outside the first passage within the housing,
10. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface is arranged outside the casing with respect to the second passage.

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