JPH07154555A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the recorder to detect accurately a pattern indicating sensing of shortage of ink and jammed recording paper recorded at a tail end of the recording paper. CONSTITUTION:In the facsimile equipment comprising a facsimile section 100 sending data in response to received picture data and a printer section 200 jetting drops of ink according to data sent from the facsimile section 100 and recording the picture, a CPU 1 controlling the facsimile section sends data in response to a predetermined pattern at the tail end of the picture data of one page to the printer section and sends a paper discharge command. Upon the receipt of the paper discharge command after recording the prescribed pattern, a CPU 2 of the printer section implements paper discharge and sends a signal to start detecting the prescribed pattern to the CPU 1 after the recording paper is carried up to a predetermined position. The CPU 1 receives a detection signal from the photo sensor 13. The CPU 2 is used to carry the recording paper and sends a signal of end of the prescribed pattern detection to the CPU 1 in an out-equipment discharge timing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording material according to image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of recording devices of this type,
2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet printers that record image data using a recording head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets are known. In recent years, some inkjet printers have been used as a recording unit of a facsimile machine. When an inkjet printer is used as a recording unit of a facsimile machine, there is a risk that the ink will run out during recording of received data and data will be lost. is there. In order to solve this, after recording one page of image data, a predetermined pattern (for example, a black mark) is recorded at a predetermined position on the trailing edge of the recording paper, and the density of this pattern is read by an optical sensor to obtain a read result. It has been proposed that the presence / absence of ink is determined accordingly, and if there is no ink, switching to memory proxy reception is performed.

However, in such an apparatus, the presence / absence of ink is detected by the main control unit which controls communication with the other party and transfer of image data and commands to the recording unit, and this main control unit controls the printing operation. It operates independently of the recording control unit that performs the.

Therefore, even if a print command of a predetermined pattern to be recorded in order to detect the presence or absence of ink is sent, there is a delay before the actual recording, so the relative position between the predetermined pattern on the recording material and the sensor. However, it was difficult for the main control unit to understand. Therefore, the main controller may detect a predetermined pattern with a sensor at a position deviated from the predetermined position.
In some cases, the user cannot perform appropriate error processing because the recording paper jam is determined to be out of ink, or the ink is determined to be a recording paper jam.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
It is an object of the invention to provide a recording apparatus capable of accurately detecting a predetermined pattern recorded on a recording material after recording an image of one page and performing an appropriate process.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a conveying means for conveying an image on a recording material according to image data from a recording position. And a first means for controlling the recording means to record a predetermined pattern on the recording material after the image recording of one page
Control means, detection means for detecting the predetermined pattern, and second control means for controlling the detection means,
The first control means outputs a signal relating to the detection timing of the detection means to the second control means, and the second control means causes the detection operation of the detection means to be executed in response to the signal. To do.

[0007]

As a result, the second control means executes the detection operation of the predetermined pattern in response to the signal relating to the detection timing from the second detection means.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, A is a reading unit that optically reads a document, B is a recording unit that is an inkjet recording device, and C is a recording paper cassette and a recording paper that is a cartridge loaded on the cassette, and is supplied separately to the recording unit. It is a paper feeding unit.

In the figure, first, the flow of recording paper will be briefly described. A series of recording paper conveyance paths is shown by an arrow G. First, the recording paper 12 loaded in the recording paper cassette 50 is picked up by the paper feed roller 51 and the separation claw 52, and is conveyed by the conveyance roller 5 to the recording unit. Sent to. In the recording unit, the recording head 21 reciprocates in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing to perform main scanning for recording, and after conveying within the apparatus for a certain distance, it is discharged and stacked by the discharge roller 9 on the discharge stacker 53. It On the axis of the paper discharge roller 9, the photo sensor 1
3 is arranged, and this sensor is configured to detect the absence of ink in the recording head and the recording paper jam near the discharge roller.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the recording unit B of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a recording head. In this embodiment, an ink tank is built in, and a cartridge-type ink jet recording head that can be replaced with a new one when the ink is exhausted is mounted.

The recording head 21 used in this embodiment is an ink jet type recording head and has a resolution of 360d.
pi, has 64 nozzle rows in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow A), and the pressure of film boiling generated in the ink by the heat generation of the electric heat exchange element provided in the nozzle causes ink to be ejected from the ejection port at the tip of the nozzle. It ejects drops.

The recording head 21 is moved by a carriage (not shown) at a right angle to the conveying direction of the recording paper 12 (sub-scanning direction).
That is, reciprocating movement is performed in the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface), and recording scanning is performed during this forward movement and backward movement.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a recording paper conveying roller, which conveys the recording paper with an accuracy of 360 dpi to determine the position in the sub-scanning direction when the recording paper is fed, discharged, and recorded by the recording head 21. . Reference numeral 23 is a recording paper sensor, which is in an ON state when there is a recording paper in the detection unit of this sensor and is in an OFF state when there is no recording paper. The recording paper sensor 23 detects the presence / absence of the recording paper and the leading edge and the trailing edge.
Reference numeral 13 is a reflective photosensor that detects the image density of the recording surface of the recording paper. In this embodiment, the image density of a predetermined pattern (black mark) recorded on the trailing edge of the recording paper after recording one page of image is detected by this sensor, and the presence or absence of ink and the defective conveyance of the recording paper are detected according to the detection result. To check. This photosensor is composed of an LED and a phototransistor, and in a portion having a high black ratio such as a portion where an image is recorded, the phototransistor is in an OFF state because the reflected light of the LED is small, so that the background color of the recording paper is similar. ON in areas with high reflectance
It becomes a state. Since the LED light source absorbs different wavelengths depending on the ink material, it is necessary to select the light source depending on the ink material. In this embodiment, since the ink having a high absorptivity for the red wavelength is used, the red LED is used. Also, the photo sensor is near the discharge port on the mechanism, so
Be careful to place it so that it is not affected by outside light. The paper discharge roller 9 is made of a material such as rubber. When the recording paper is not on the paper discharge roller 9, the photo sensor 13 is turned off.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 focusing on the data flow. The facsimile apparatus in this embodiment comprises a facsimile unit 100 and a printer unit 200, and transfers data from the facsimile unit 100 to the printer unit 200 via a Centronics interface. First, the facsimile unit 100 will be described. In the figure, 101 is a modem for transmitting and receiving image data via a telephone line, 102 is a decoder for decoding the received data,
Reference numeral 103 is an encoder for encoding image data, 104 is an image buffer for storing image data, 105 is a resolution conversion circuit for performing resolution conversion of the image data stored in the image buffer 104, and 106 is for one line. An all-white detection circuit for detecting that all data is white data,
Reference numeral 107 denotes a 4-line buffer capable of storing 4 lines of line data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion circuit 105. 2 lines are for storing data before resolution conversion, and 2 lines are for storing data after resolution conversion. Used. Reference numeral 108 denotes an operation unit including various function key displays, 109 is a reading unit for reading a document image during transmission and copying, and 110 is for sending line data stored in the 4-line buffer 107 to the printer unit 200. Centronics transmission circuit, 111 is a facsimile unit 1
00 is a control unit (CPU 1) for controlling the operation.

Next, the printer section 200 will be described.
Reference numeral 201 denotes a Centronics receiving circuit for receiving the data transmitted from the Centronics transmitting circuit 110,
Reference numeral 202 denotes a receive buffer that temporarily stores the data received by the Centronics receiving circuit 201, 203 a raster buffer that decodes the data stored in the receive buffer 202 by program processing, and stores the decoded line data. 204 is a raster. A horizontal / vertical conversion circuit for converting the line data stored in the buffer 203 into vertical data, and 205 and 206 for the horizontal / vertical conversion circuit 204.
A print buffer that stores the data output from
Each has a data storage capacity corresponding to an area printed by one main scan of the print head.

Reference numeral 207 is a text buffer for storing character code data sent from the facsimile unit 100 when a communication management report is output, and 208 is a print buffer 205 after converting the character code stored in the text buffer 207 into a dot image. Or a character generator for sending to 206, 20
Reference numeral 9 is a latch circuit for latching the data read from the print buffer 205 or 206, and 210 is the latch circuit 2.
A recording head (corresponding to the recording head 21 in FIGS. 1 and 2) that ejects ink droplets by being driven according to the data latched in 09.

Further, 211 is a recording paper sensor (corresponding to the recording paper sensor 23 in FIGS. 1 and 2) for detecting the recording paper before the recording position of the recording head, and 212 is the conveying rollers 5, 2.
2. A recording paper transport unit including a pulse motor or the like that generates a driving force for the paper discharge roller 9 and the like, and a carriage driving unit 213 including a pulse motor that generates a driving force for reciprocating the carriage with respect to the recording paper. Reference numeral 214 denotes a photo sensor (corresponding to the photo sensor 13 in FIGS. 1 and 2) for detecting a black mark recorded on the trailing edge of the recording paper. Reference numeral 215 denotes data transfer processing and load operation of the printer unit 200. It is a control unit (CPU 2) for controlling.

From the facsimile section 100 to the printer section 20
The data transfer to 0 is performed by the signal lines PD _{0 to} PD between the Centronics transmission circuit 110 and the Centronics reception circuit 201.
₇ , the timing is synchronized with the pulse signal generated on the signal line PST _B. Further, this data transfer is possible when the signal section BUSY is off. Further, the printer unit 20
0 to CPU 1 of the facsimile unit 100 to send a signal Paper_St according to the position of the recording sheet described later.
s1 and Paper_Sts2 are output. The output of the photo sensor 214 is the CPU 1 of the facsimile unit 100.
Entered in.

Next, the operation will be described. The received data is
After being demodulated by the modem 101, the decoder 102
After decoding with and expanding to dot image data, a communication error is checked. Thereafter, this dot image data is encoded again by the decoder 103 and stored in the image buffer 104. And this image buffer 1
The encoded data stored in 04 is sequentially read again, and the CPU
It is decoded by the program processing of 1 (111), expanded into dot image data of 1 line, and stored in the 4-line buffer 107. The dot image data is sent to the resolution conversion circuit 105, the resolution is converted, and then stored in the remaining two lines of the four-line buffer 107. Here, the all-white detection circuit 106 operates to check whether all the stored data for one line are white data. In the case of all white data, the CPU 1 (111) is notified that it is all white data, and the CPU 1 sends to the Centronics transmission circuit 110 a command indicating that all the data for one line is white data. After that, the data for one line described above in the 4-line buffer 107 is erased so that the next data can be stored. Otherwise, the resolution-converted image data of the 4-line buffer 107 is sent as it is.

At least 1 in the 4-line buffer 107
When the line data is stored, the CPU 1
The signal is checked, and if the BUSY signal is off, the resolution-converted data stored in the 4-line buffer 107 is sent to the receive buffer 202 via the centronics transmission circuit 110 and the centronics reception circuit 201. The BUSY signal is off when the receive buffer 202 has a free space. Therefore, data transfer from the 4-line buffer 107 to the receive buffer 202 is performed if the receive buffer 202 has a free space. Further, the transfer from the image buffer 104 to the 4-line buffer 107 is performed if the 4-line buffer 107 has a vacancy of at least one line.

The resolution conversion is performed in order to match the resolution of the image data with the recording / resolution because the resolution of the received image is different from the recording resolution (360 dpi × 360 dpi).

Next, the data flow in the printer section 200 will be described. As described above, the facsimile unit 100
The data sent from the Centronics interface is temporarily stored in the receive buffer 202 constituted by the RAM. Here, receive buffer 2
The data stored in 02 is 1-line dot image data and a command converted to a desired resolution (360 dpi) by the resolution conversion circuit 105. CPU2
(215) checks the contents of the receive buffer 202. In the case of image data, it is read from the receive buffer 202 and transferred to the raster buffer 203. In the case of a command, its contents are interpreted. When the command is a command indicating that the data of one line is all white, the data is not stored in the corresponding storage area of the raster buffer 203, and the next image data is stored in the next line.

Here, the raster buffer 203 is a memory having a capacity of 8 lines (8 × 3640 bits).
When data of 8 lines is stored in the raster buffer 203, the data at the left end of the raster buffer 203 is sequentially sent to the horizontal / vertical conversion circuit 204 to perform horizontal / vertical conversion, and then the print buffer 1 (205) or the print buffer Two
(206) Transfer to one side. Print buffer 1, 2
Is a memory having a storage capacity (64 × 3640 bits) corresponding to the amount of data printed by one scan of the print head 21, and while one is used for reading (printing) data, the other is Used to store data for the next scan.

The CPU 2 counts the number of horizontal / vertical conversions of data for 8 lines, and when counting 8 times, that is, 64
When the horizontal / vertical conversion of the data for one line is completed, it is determined that the data for one main scan is complete, a print start signal is output, the movement of the carriage is started, and the print buffer 1
(205) or the recording operation based on the data stored in the print buffer 2 (206) is started. Then, the data is sent to the latch circuit 209 every 64 dots, and the recording head 21 receives the data latched by the latch circuit 209.
The 0 discharge heater is driven to perform recording. During this time,
The next main scan data is stored in the other print buffer.

The CPU 2 detects in advance from which address to which address the black data in the print buffer is stored, and when the data is transferred to the last address, the scanning is terminated, the print buffer is switched, and the data is stored. The print buffer used for recording is used for recording, and the print buffer used for recording is used for storing data.

Next, the actual recording operation and the data transfer timing from the receive buffer 202 to the print buffer 205 or 206 will be described. First, image data is transferred from the facsimile unit 100, and the data is stored in the receive buffer 202. RAM216
In the work area of, a counter 1 for counting the number of lines stored in the raster buffer 203 is set,
The CPU 2 increments the counter 1 every time one line of data is stored in the raster buffer 203,
It is determined whether or not the counter value of the counter 1 has reached 8. Data transfer from the receive buffer 202 to the raster buffer 203 is continued until the count value of the counter 1 reaches 8. When the count value of the counter 1 reaches 8, the receive buffer 202 changes to the raster buffer 2
03 data transfer to the raster buffer 20
The data in 3 is subjected to horizontal / vertical conversion in order from the left end, and then the data is stored in the print buffer 1 (205).
The work area of the RAM also has a counter 2 that counts the number of executions of the horizontal / vertical conversion, and the CPU 2 increments each time the horizontal / vertical conversion of data for 8 lines is performed, and then the count value of the counter 2 becomes 8 To determine whether or not. Until the count value of the counter 2 reaches 8, that is, until the storage of the data of 64 lines is completed, the data transfer of 8 lines from the receive buffer 202 to the raster buffer 203 and the raster buffer 203 are performed.
From the print buffer 1 to the print buffer 1 (205) is repeatedly executed. Here, since the counter 2 needs to count the count value for at most eight times, it is much easier than counting the number of data for one main scanning (64 × 3640).

When the count value of the counter 2 reaches 8,
The CPU 2 generates a print start signal for printing the data of the first scan stored in the print buffer 1. Print buffer 1 here before recording to CPU 2
Of the data stored in (205), the range from which address the black data exists (see FIG. 3real) is detected in advance and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 216. Here, the print buffers 1 and 2 are The address has a one-to-one correspondence with the position on the scanning area performed by the recording head 20. In addition, the recording head 210
The position is determined based on a home position (not shown) according to a count value of a counter 4 that counts the number of pulses supplied to the carriage driving pulse motor of the carriage driving unit 213. That is, when moving in the direction away from the home position, the counter 4 that counts the number of pulses supplied to the carriage driving pulse motor
In the case of incrementing the count value of and returning to the home position, the count value of the counter 4 is decremented according to the number of pulses supplied to the carriage driving pulse motor. This counter 4 is also R
It is set in a predetermined area of the AM 216. The present position of the recording head 210 can be detected from this count value.

After generation of the recording start signal, the recording head 21
When it is detected that 0 has moved from the home position and reached the position corresponding to the first column position where the black data exists, the data stored in the print buffer 1 is sequentially read from this position by 64 dots. The number of columns is latched by the latch circuit 209, the ink discharge heater of the print head 210 is driven according to the latched data, and printing for the first scan is performed. The counter 3 which can be set is set, data is read from the first column position where black data exists, and is decremented every time recording is performed. This counting operation is also supplied to the pulse motor for driving the carriage. It is performed by counting pulse signals according to the generated pulses. When the count value of the counter 3 becomes 0, it is determined that the first scanning is completed, and the recording head stops at that position. Then, the recording paper conveyance unit 212 is driven according to the end of the first scan, and the paper is fed (sub-scanning) by a distance according to the recording width of the recording head 210.

During the recording of the data of the first scan, the data of the second scan is transferred from the receive buffer 202 to the print buffer 2 (20) in the same manner as the data transfer of the first scan.
It is transferred to 6) and stored. Therefore, before the end of the first scan, the data print buffer 2 (206) of the second scan
If the storage is completed in the first scan, the print buffer 2 (206) is switched to read data and the print buffer 1 (205) is stored to store data at the end of the first scan,
Similar to the case of scanning, the data is read from the print buffer 2 (206) and the second scan is recorded, and the data of the third scan is stored in the print buffer 1 (205).

If the data of the second scan is not stored in the print buffer 2 (206) at the end of the first scan, the recording head 210 is at the print end position of the first scan and the second scan is completed. It waits until the data is collected in the print buffer 2. The recording head 210 once returns to the home position when a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) elapses during standby. When the data for the second scan is complete, the print buffer 2
Print buffer 1 is used for reading data (206)
(205) is switched to data storage, the data is read from the print buffer 2 (206), and the second scan recording is performed. Also, during the printing of the second scan, the data of the third scan is stored in the print buffer 1 (205). Then, the recording head 21
The paper is fed according to the recording width of 0.

In this way, the print buffers 1 and 2 are alternately switched to read (record) data and store data, and the above-described operation is repeated thereafter to record an image of one page.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment has the print buffer 1 (205) or 2 (20).
Among the data stored in 6), it is detected in advance from which position and how wide the black data exists, and it is stored in the RAM.

Therefore, when the next main scan is started after the end of the main scan, the carriage movement distance from the end position is shorter by referring to the recording end position of the current scan and the existence range of the black data of the next scan. The recording is performed by using as a print start position for the next main scan. Therefore, high-speed printing can be realized without unnecessary carriage movement.

However, when there is a continuous line extending over two main scans, such as a key line, when the printing direction is reversed in each main scan, a key line shift occurs. It is controlled to print in the same direction regardless of the print range of the main scan.

After the end of communication or by the user, the operation unit 1
When it is instructed to output the communication management report from 08 CPU
Reference numeral 1 denotes communication management information in the form of character data, which is sent to the printer unit 200 via the Centronics interface. In this case, the image buffer 104 and the 4-line buffer 107 are not used, unlike when recording the received data. In the example of the printer unit 200, the received character data is stored in the receive buffer 202. The data stored in the receive buffer 202 is sequentially leaked, analyzed, and then stored in the text buffer 207. The data character stored in the text buffer 207 is developed into a dot image by the character generator and stored in the print buffer 1 (205) or 2 (206).

The subsequent recording operation is the same as the recording of the received image.

Further, the CPU 2 of the printer section 200 controls the recording head 21, the recording sheet conveying section 22 and the recording sheet sensor 23 according to the instruction of the control command sent from the CPU 1 of the facsimile section 100.

Next, the black mark detection timing control in this embodiment will be described. As described above, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment, after the recording of the image data for one page is completed, a predetermined pattern (black mark) is recorded at a position where a predetermined margin is provided from the rear end of the recording paper. Then, the image density of this pattern is detected by the photo sensor 13, and the presence or absence of ink and the conveyance failure of the recording paper are checked according to the detection result. When it is detected that there is no ink, the process proceeds to the substitute memory reception, and the received data of the current page or more is stored in the image buffer 104. When a conveyance failure is detected, the operation unit 108 displays a jam.

FIG. 4 shows a recording paper sensor 23 and a photo sensor 13.
27 shows the positional relationship of the black mark and the black mark and its recording position. Here, the sensors 23, 13 and the mark 27
Are arranged in a straight line in the recording paper conveyance direction (direction A, that is, the sub-scanning direction). Further, these are located at the rearmost end of the recordable range of the recording head 21 with respect to the recording paper 26.

The output of the photo sensor 13 is input to the CPU 1. This predetermined pattern is recorded by sending a print command from the CPU 1 to the CPU 2 of the printer unit 207. However, since there is a delay until the print command is actually printed after the print command is sent, the CPU 1 has the predetermined pattern. And the relative position of the photo sensor 13 is difficult to understand. Therefore, in this embodiment, the CPU of the printer unit 200
A signal is output from 2 to the CPU 1 according to the conveyance position of the recording paper so that the predetermined pattern can be detected at an accurate timing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the recording operation control of the CPU 2 of the printer section 200. First, in step S1, the CPU 2 records the data sent from the Centronics transmission circuit 110 as described above. At the end of this image data, the image data of the black mark 27 shown in FIG. 4 is transferred to the CPU 2, and is recorded on the trailing edge of the recording paper as with the image data. Then, in step S2, the CP
U2 waits for the recording paper discharge command to be sent from the Centronics transmission circuit 110. When the recording paper discharge command is sent, the state of the recording paper sensor 23 at this time is checked in step S3. If the recording paper sensor 23 is in the ON state (the recording paper is present), a defective conveyance of the recording paper or the like occurs and the image is not normally recorded.
The signal Paper_Sts2 to is set to H. Step S
In 3, the recording paper sensor 23 is OFF (no recording paper)
If so, it is determined that the black mark 27 has been recorded at the regular position, and the signal Paper_Sts1 remains at L in step S.
Go to 5. In step S5, the paper discharge operation A is executed.
In the paper discharge operation A, the black mark 27 recorded is the photo sensor 13
The CPU 2 carries the recording paper so that it is about 10 mm before. If the paper discharge operation A is completed, step S
At 6, the signal Paper_Sts1 to the CPU1 is set to H, and the CPU1 is prompted to start the detection of the black mark. Then, with the signal Paper_Sts1 to the CPU 1 kept at H, the process proceeds to step S7, and the paper discharge operation B is performed. Paper ejection operation B
Then, the paper discharge operation is further performed so that the recording paper is discharged to the outside of the machine. When this paper discharge operation B is completed, the process proceeds to step S8, and Paper_Sts1, Paper_St
S2 is set to L to notify the CPU 1 of the end of the paper discharge operation.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the CPU 1 of the facsimile unit 100 when the CPU 2 is controlling the recording paper discharge operation.

First, in step S10, a paper discharge command is sent to the CPU 2 of the printer section 200 via the Centronics transmission circuit 110. At the same time, L of the photo sensor 13
Turn on ED. Here, the eject command is the black mark 27.
Is sent from the CPU 1 after sending the image data. Then, in step S11, the CPU waits until the black mark detection start signal Paper_Sts1 from the CPU 2 becomes H. If the black mark detection start signal Paper_Sts1 becomes H, the process proceeds to step S12 and the state of the signal Paper_Sts2 from the CPU 2 is checked. Where Pa
If per_Sts2 is H, the CPU 2 has determined that the recording paper is not properly conveyed, and therefore the CPU 1 does not detect the black mark and proceeds to S13 to perform the jam processing of the recording paper. Specifically, the recording paper jam processing is processing for displaying the recording paper jam or making a sound to notify the user that the recording paper jam has occurred. Pap in step S12
If er_Sts2 is L, the process proceeds to step S14, and black mark detection is started. Here, step S7 in FIG.
The black mark is detected by detecting the density of the black mark 27 at the position of the recording paper by the photo sensor 13 while the recording paper is being discharged by the paper discharge operation. Details of the detection of the black mark will be described later with reference to FIG. In this detection by the photo sensor 13, the signal Paper_Sts1 is L in step S15.
Until, that is, until the CPU 2 completes the recording paper discharge operation as shown in FIG. When the CPU 2 finishes the paper discharge operation, the state of the photo sensor 13 is checked in step S16. Here, when the photo sensor 13 is in the ON state (state with recording paper), the recording paper is not completely ejected even though the CPU 2 has completed the ejection operation, so that the black mark in step S14 is displayed. Regardless of the detection result, the process proceeds to step S13, and the jam processing of the recording paper is performed. In step S16, the output of the photo sensor 13 is L
If so, the process proceeds to step S17 and step S14.
It is determined whether the black mark detection performed in step 2 was normally performed. If the black mark is normally detected, the process directly proceeds to step S19 and the LED of the photo sensor 24 is turned on.
Finish as FF. If the black mark cannot be detected in step S17, there is a possibility that the ink has run out and recording has not been performed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S18, and a process of urging the user to replace the recording head is performed. Then, in step S19, the LED of the photo sensor 13 is turned off, and the recording operation is completed.

Next, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the timing when the black mark is detected.

When the paper discharge command is received in step S2 of FIG. 5 (point X), the CPU 2 performs the paper discharge operation A. (Y-
X) minutes Paper_Sts at the time of feeding the recording paper
When 1 is set to H, the CPU 1 is instructed to start detecting the black mark 27. At this time, in FIG. 6, the black mark 27 is about 10 mm before the photo sensor 13. After instructing to start the detection of the black mark at the point Y, the CPU 2 further performs the paper discharge operation B. During this (Z-Y) period, the black mark 27 passes through the photo sensor 24. However, if the black mark 27 is normally recorded here, the photo sensor 13 detects the black mark 27 in the section of this paper discharge B. L is output when the front blank sheet portion is detected, and H is output when the black mark 27 is detected,
L is output when the trailing edge margin of the recording paper after the black mark 27 is detected. After the recording paper passes under the photo sensor 13, the photo sensor 13 outputs H to detect the black of the paper discharge roller 9. In this series of operations,
The CPU 1 changes the output of the photo sensor 13 from H to L (α point) and L → while Paper_Sts1 is H.
The change point to H (β point) is detected, and Paper_Sts1
It is confirmed that the photo sensor 13 is outputting the H signal at the time point when L becomes L (point Z). If these can be detected, it is determined that the recording is normally performed and the recording paper jam does not occur. If only the change point from L to H (β point) can be detected, it is determined that there is no ink, and if only the change point from H to L (α point) can be detected, at the end of discharge (Z point). ) Also detects the trailing edge margin of the recording paper, so it is determined to be a recording paper jam. If the output of the photo sensor 13 is always H in the section of the paper discharge B, the recording paper does not reach the paper discharge roller 9, and it is determined that the photo sensor 13 continues to detect the paper discharge roller 9, Jam. Further, if Paper_Sts2 is H in the section of the discharged sheet B, it is determined as a recording sheet jam as described in FIG.

In this embodiment, in addition to the normal mode in which the input record data is printed as it is, there is a case in which there is a mode called the draft mode in which the print data is thinned out and printed according to a certain law (cycle). .
This is to reduce the ink consumption amount by thinning out dots in a checkered pattern for each dot, or to shorten the recording cycle because adjacent dots are not continuously ejected, thereby enabling high-speed printing.

When this draft mode is provided, only the black mark, regardless of the print mode for image recording,
You may print in draft mode. On the contrary, if you want to improve the footer mark detection accuracy, print only the black marks in the normal mode and increase the print density of the marks even when the image recording is set in the draft mode. Is also possible.

As described above, the recording control side knows the position of the black mark for detecting the remaining amount of ink and notifies the detection start signal so that more accurate detection of the remaining amount of ink and jamming of the recording paper can be detected. Will be possible.

In the above embodiment, the ink jet method in which flying energy droplets are formed by utilizing thermal energy and recording is performed among the ink jet recording methods has been described as an example.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and No. 47407.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in the '96 patent is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, a rapid temperature rise corresponding to the recorded information and exceeding nucleate boiling is applied. , It is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter, causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, can form bubbles in the liquid (ink) that correspond one-to-one to this drive signal. Is. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be immediately and appropriately grown and contracted, so that liquid (ink) ejection with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. A configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 or US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which the heat-acting surface is arranged in a bending region, may be used.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. A configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening corresponds to the ejection portion, may be adopted.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recording medium width that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification provides the length. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided with an ink tank is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. to the recording head because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and recording. It is also effective to perform a stable recording by performing a preliminary discharge mode in which another discharge is performed.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned. In the inkjet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form.

In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. In some cases, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to a recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or one that has already started to solidify when it reaches a recording medium. It is also possible to use an ink that has the property of being liquefied only by heat energy. In such a case, the ink is retained as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. It may be configured to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may take the form of a facsimile as described above, or may be integrally or separately provided as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a word processor or a computer. It may be in the form of a copying machine combined with a thing or a reader.

Further, the ink droplet is not limited to be ejected by using thermal energy, and the ink droplet may be ejected by using a piezo element or the like.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect a predetermined pattern recorded on a recording material at an accurate timing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a recording unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a recording paper sensor and a photo sensor.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control of a recording paper discharge operation by a control unit of the printer unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a black mark detection operation control by a control unit of a facsimile unit.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart when a black mark is detected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Paper Ejection Roller 13 Photo Sensor 21 Recording Head 22 Recording Paper Conveying Section 23 Recording Paper Detection Sensor 27 Black Mark 111 CPU 215 CPU

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Shinada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Makoto Kobayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Within the corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording means for recording an image on a recording material according to image data, a conveying means for conveying the recording material from a recording position, and a predetermined pattern to be recorded on the recording material after image recording of one page. A first control unit for controlling the recording unit; a detection unit for detecting the predetermined pattern; and a second control unit for controlling the detection unit, wherein the first control unit is the second control unit. As opposed to
A recording apparatus which outputs a signal relating to the detection timing of the detection means, and causes the second control means to execute the detection operation of the detection means in response to the signal. 2. A recording material detecting means for detecting the recording material upstream of the recording position of the recording means in the conveying direction of the recording material by the conveying means, wherein the first control means detects the recording material. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal relating to the detection timing is output to the second control unit according to the output of the unit. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records an image by ejecting ink droplets according to image data. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second control unit determines the presence or absence of ink according to the detection result of the detection unit. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second control unit further determines a conveyance failure of the recording paper according to a detection result of the detection unit. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit ejects an ink droplet by causing a state change in the ink by using thermal energy.