JPH0459519A - Recording device and kind of medium detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect a kind of a sheet in addition to a sheet size by means of a printer body, to improve operability, and to prevent the occurrence of maloperation by providing a code detecting means, capable of defining a kind of a medium, in addition to a medium size detecting means. CONSTITUTION:A control part 21 receives indication from a host device 10 through an interface part 22, discriminates the sheet size of a cassette, mounted on a printing device 20, by means of a sheet size detector 23, and discriminates a kind of a sheet by means of a kind of sheet detector 24. Members 30A-30D to be detected are disposed to a cassette 16 by means of a magnet, and detecting members 31A-31D are located to the mounting part on the body side where the cassette 16 is mounted in a state to be positioned facing the members 30A-30D to be detected. Namely, a sheet size is specified by the members 30A and 30B to be detected and the detecting members 31A and 31B. Further, the similarly formed members 30C and 30D to be detected and detecting members 31C and 31D are additionally provided, and a kind of the sheet can be discriminated thereby.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] The present invention relates to a recording device and a medium type detection method, which are equipped with a medium size detection means prepared in advance for each size of recording medium, and which are also capable of detecting the type of recording medium. .

The purpose is to enable the printer to detect the paper type as well as the paper size, improving operability and preventing erroneous operations.

A recording apparatus is provided with a code detection means that can define a medium type and is provided in addition to a medium size detection means. In addition, the type of recording medium is set for each cassette of the recording device, and in response to instructions from the host device, the type of recording medium is read by a code detection means that can define the medium type, and recording is performed on the specified recording medium. Alternatively, a method for detecting the medium type of a recording device that reports detection results is configured.

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a recording device equipped with a medium size detection means prepared in advance for each size of recording medium, and a recording device and medium type detection method that are also capable of detecting the type of recording medium. Regarding.

Recording devices such as printing devices that record processing results by computers have become more sophisticated over the past five years, but there is a desire for technology to make them even easier to use.

[Prior Art] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing various conventional cassettes, FIG. 7 is an example of a conventional paper size detection mechanism, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional cassette installation state.

According to FIGS. 6 to 8, an example of conventional paper size detection is explained. In FIG. 0, LA is an A4 size cassette, IB is a B4 size cassette, 2 is a recording device,
3 is the mounting part of the cassette, 4A and 4B are the members to be detected, and 5A
, 5B represents a detection member.

The cassettes IA and IB are used by being attached to the attachment section 3 of the recording apparatus 2, respectively. On the back side of each cassette IA IB, as shown in FIGS.
B are attached in a predetermined arrangement. Although not shown, in the case of an A3 size cassette, one stone is attached only to the position of the detected member 4A.

On the other hand, on the housing side of the recording device 2, a cassette) IA or I
Detecting members 5A and 5B are provided at positions facing the detected members 4A and 4B when B is attached.

In this way, when mounting various cassettes, the detection members 4A, 4B, etc. of each cassette face the detection members 5A, 5B in different patterns, so that the detection members 5A, 4B, etc.
Based on the detection results of 5B.

The paper size can be detected by one detection member for paper size 5, 80 a pick-up roller, 81 a claw provided in the cassette 1 for locking the stored paper, 82 a transport roller, 83 a support plate, 84 is a spring, 85.86 is a guide plate for guiding paper.

87 represents paper.

The paper 87 stored on the support plate 83 of the cassette 1 is pressed against the pickup roller 80 by the pushing force of the spring 84, and the leading end of the paper 87 is pressed against the pick-up roller 80 by the claw 8.
It is locked by 1. When the pickup roller 80 is rotated clockwise during paper processing (recording), the paper 8
7 are fed out in order from the top over the claws 81, and are conveyed to the processing section by the conveyance rollers 82.

For example, in the A4 size cassette 1, as explained in FIG.
They are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction of the page of the figure.

Conventionally, using a paper size detector using a detection member 4 and a detection member 5 as described above, the printer main unit identifies the paper size of the installed cassette and compares it with the specified size of recorded information. It had been taken.

However, regarding the type of paper itself, such as the color of the paper and the type of preprint, rather than the size of the paper,
In printers that do not have automatic identification means and allow the operator to change the cassettes or install multiple cassettes, upper and lower shelves are used differently for each type of paper.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, printers have been provided with paper size detection means, which makes it easier to use different paper sizes, but it also makes it easier to use different paper sizes. This is because it is necessary to detect a paper jam (paper jam) based on the relationship between the paper feeding time depending on the paper size.

Identification of paper type, such as paper color, quality, and preprint content, is not required for printer functions and L7, and was not provided. Therefore, when changing the type of paper, the operator operating the printer has to prepare the paper to be used and replace it in the cassette.

Therefore, there is a problem in that the burden on the operator is heavy, and sheets are often misplaced.

The present invention solves the problems listed in item L, and provides U7. The purpose is to improve operability and prevent erroneous operations.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a host computer or other host device, 11 is a recording device that records on a designated recording medium, 12 is an interface unit with the host device 10, and 13 is a recording device such as a microcombi, etc. 110 control unit 5
14 is a recording mechanism unit that performs printing, transporting the recording medium, etc.; 15;
a and 15b are cassette storage units; 16a and 16b are cassettes in which recording media are stored; 17a and 17b are medium size detection means for detecting the size of the recording medium; 18a and 18
b represents a medium code detection means for detecting coded information defining the type of recording medium.

Each casseno [storage parts 15a, 15b and casseno] 16a, 16b of the recording device 11 has the prior art and t7 shown in FIG.
A medium size detecting means 17a and a medium size detecting means 17b are provided using the detected member and the detecting member as described above.

In the present invention, medium code detection means 18a, 18b, which can define the medium type, are further provided in addition to the first medium size detection stage 17a, 17b to identify the type of medium stored in the three cassettes 16a, 16b, respectively.

Each cassette 16a, ], 6b or cassette storage section 15
In a and 15b, along with the paper size.

The user can arbitrarily set a code according to the type of medium, and the control unit 13 can read the code using the medium code detection means 18a and 18b.

-4- When a recording command specifying the type of recording medium is input from the device 10, the interface section 12 receives the specification information of the recording medium.

The control unit 13 uses the medium code detection means 18a, 18b to read a code indicating the type of recording medium stored in the cassettes 16a, 16b.

Then, a code indicating the type of recording medium designated by the host device 10 and the medium code detection means 18a or 18b
Compare it with the food read from.

Cassette 16a or cassette 16 with matching code
The recording medium is pulled out from b, and the recording mechanism unit 14 records on the recording medium.

If there are no cassettes 1 to 1 with the code for -i, an error is reported to the host device 10 and the process is terminated without actually recording.

Also, ask about the recording medium from the host device 10! When the cloak is inserted, the control unit 13 uses the medium code detection means 18a and 18b to check the code indicating the type of medium, and reports the detection result to the 8F device 10.

This report is sent to the medium size detection means 17a as necessary.
, 17b can also be combined with the medium size information read in step 17b.

In addition, the number of cassette storage sections may be one or more.
Furthermore, the larger the number of cassettes 16a, 16b, etc., the more sizes and types can be accommodated.

[Effect]

By adding a supplementary detection means to the conventional paper size detection means and assigning thereto a limited number of user-specifiable preliminary codes, it becomes possible to identify the cassette corresponding to the paper type desired by the user.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is an equipment configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an example of the paper size detector and paper type detector shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an example of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. An explanatory diagram of a code that specifies the paper type.

FIG. 5 shows a processing flow of a control section according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, IO is a host computer which is a host computer that issues printing instructions, and 20 is a printing device.

Reference numeral 21 represents a control unit using a microcomputer, 22 represents an interface unit with the host device 10, 23 represents a paper size detector, and 24 represents a paper type detector.

The control unit 21 receives and receives instructions from the host device 10 via the interface unit 22, and uses the paper size detector 23 to identify the paper size of the cassette installed in the printing device N20. The paper type is identified by

The paper size detector 23 and the paper type detector 24 are constructed as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

Detected members 30A to 30 are mounted on the cassette 16 using magnets or the like.
Detecting members 31A to 31D are provided in the mounting portion on the main body side where D is disposed and the cassette 16 is mounted, facing each of the detected members 30A to 30D.

Four detection members 31A to 31D are always provided on the main body side, whereas on the cassette 16 side.

Depending on the paper size and paper type, the detected member 30A
-30D, some combinations are provided.

In this example, the detected members 30A and 30B correspond to the detected members 4A and 4B shown in FIG. 7(A).

The detection members 31A and 31B correspond to the detection members 5A and 5B shown in FIG. 7(A). That is, the detected member 30A
, 30B and the detection members 31A, 31B, the size of the paper is specified.

Furthermore, detected members 30C and 3 having similar configurations
0D and detection members 31C and 31D are additionally provided, thereby making it possible to identify the type of paper.

Detected member 30A facing each detection member 31A to 31D
~30D exists, the corresponding bits a-d of the status register 32 become 1'', and the detected members 30A-30
If D does not exist.

The corresponding bit of the status register 32 becomes 0''.

The control unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 reads the status register 32 to recognize the code indicating the paper size and paper type.

For example, the types of paper for A4 size are shown in Figure 4 (
As shown in b), assume that there are ■regular paper, ■red paper, ■company name paper, and ■cardboard paper.

What paper cassettes are used to set each of these papers?

Each of the detection target members 30A to 30D shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a primary one.

■A4 cassette (normal paper) Detected member 30A, detected member 30B ■A4 cassette (red paper) Detected member 30A, detected member 30B.

Detected member 30C ■A4 cassette (company name paper) Detected member 30A, detected member 30B.

Detected member 30D ■A4 cassette (cardboard paper) Detected member 30A, detected member 30B.

Detected member 30C3 Detected member 30D When each of these cassettes is installed in the cassette storage section,
The status register 32 shown in FIG.
By conducting a current in 1D.

It will automatically have the code value shown in FIG. 4 (b). This allows the paper size and paper type to be determined.

Regarding the paper size, the code is fixed because the printer body needs to identify it in order to detect a paper feed jam. FIG. 4(c) shows the code. Ab in the figure is bit a of the status register 32 shown in FIG.

Corresponds to b.

The printer main body detects paper using a paper detection sensor according to a predetermined paper length, and reports an alarm if the paper detection sensor does not operate within a predetermined time.

Code indicating paper type other than paper size.

How the user allocates is arbitrary.

The code indicating the type of paper to be printed is specified by a program that performs print processing in the host device 110 shown in FIG. 2 based on a predetermined definition.

Here, codes corresponding to the values of bits c and d as shown in FIG. 4(d) are determined according to the paper types (1) to (4).

The control unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 performs the processing shown in FIG. 5. (a) to (j) in the following description correspond to processes (a) to 0) shown in FIG.

(a) Wait for a request from the higher-level device.

(1)) If there is a command from a higher-level device, check the command type. If it is a status inquiry command, proceed to process (C1); if it is a print command, proceed to process (
Proceed to d).

(C) In response to the status inquiry command, the contents of the status register 32 shown in FIG. 3 for the specified cassette storage unit or full-power cent storage unit are read out and reported to the requesting host device. After that, return to process (a) 1
Wait for next request.

(d) Determine whether it is a normal print command or a print command specifying a paper type. In the case of a normal print command, the process advances to process (j) and normal print control similar to the conventional one is performed.

(e) In the case of a print command that specifies the paper type.

Read the status register for each installed cassette.

(f) Determine whether the paper type specified by the host device matches the paper type indicated by the status register. If the paper types match, processing (
Proceed to i), and if they do not match, proceed to processing (dirty).

((To) If the paper types do not match, check whether another cassette is installed for the number of cassette compartments. If another cassette is installed, return to process (e) and process in the same way. repeat.

If the paper types do not match even after checking all the cassettes, the process proceeds to step (5).

(c) Return error information indicating that the paper type is incorrect to the requesting host device. After that, the process returns to process (a).

(i) If the paper types match, select that cassette for printing.

(j) Pull out paper from the selected cassette and perform normal printing control as before. When printing is completed, the process returns to process (a) and waits for the first request.

For example, when a print command is executed with the same code specified as 2 for regular paper, even if red paper is set, the printer control unit uses that code to specify only the size and does not care about the type of paper. If you just judge and detect the size, you can print normally.

When printing is started using a red code, if the red paper is not sent, an error can be presented to the requester.

In this way, it becomes possible to use the device according to the user's convenience. That is, when the paper size is not specified, that is, when only the normal paper size setting is performed, the user can set the cassette that he or she wants to use and use the same size cassette as before.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, the operator can
By setting paper in a cassette that corresponds to a predetermined paper type and replacing the paper cassette when necessary, you can easily record on the correct type of paper. become. Furthermore, since the main body of the recording apparatus can detect whether or not a predetermined paper cassette is installed, misplacement of paper can be prevented.

For example, when applied to a printer that can install multiple cassettes at a time, one cassette contains regular paper,
It is also incorrect to set red paper in another cassette, insert the red paper for each printing unit on several sheets of regular paper, and use the red paper as a separator for the printing units.
You will be able to do it easily.

In the figure, 10 is a host device, 11 is a recording device, 12 is an interface section, 13 is a control section, 14 is a recording mechanism section, and 15a
, 15b is a cassette storage section, 16a and 16b are cassettes, 17a and 17b are medium size detection means, 18a and 18
b represents a medium code detection means.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the equipment configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of the paper size detector and paper type detector shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a code for specifying the type of paper according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a processing flow of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing various conventional cassettes. FIG. 7 shows an example of a conventional paper size detection mechanism. FIG. 8 shows an explanatory diagram of a conventional cassette mounting situation.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In a recording device (11) equipped with a medium size detection means (17) prepared in advance for each size of recording medium, a medium type definition provided in addition to the medium size detection means. A recording device characterized in that it is equipped with code detection means (18) capable of detecting codes. 2) Cassette (16) set in recording device (11)
For each type of recording medium stored in the cassette, the type of recording medium to be stored in the cassette is set, and in response to a recording instruction by specifying the recording medium from the host device (10), the code detection means (18) that can define the medium type is used to set the type of recording medium in the cassette. The system reads the type of recording medium specified by the host device, compares the type of recording medium specified by the host device with the type of recording medium set in the cassette, and records to the specified recording medium. A method for detecting the media type of a recording device. 3) Cassette (16) set in recording device (11)
For each cassette, the type of recording medium to be stored in the cassette is set, and in response to a recording medium inquiry instruction from the host device (10), a code detecting means (18) that can define the medium type sets the type of recording medium set in the cassette. A method for detecting a medium type in a recording device, characterized by reading the type of recording medium and reporting the detection result to a host device.