Printing device and printing device control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printing device and a control method for a printing device, which can reduce size. The printing device includes: a conveyor unit that conveys paper; an image recording unit that records an image on the paper; a cutting unit that cuts the paper; a registration sensor that detects the rear end of the paper; and a control unit. The control unit calculates a paper cutting position based on the length of the paper, causes the conveyor unit to convey the paper in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and causes the cutting unit to cut the paper at the cutting position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and a method for controlling the printing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are image forming apparatuses equipped with a cutting unit that cuts a sheet being conveyed for printing. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, then uses the sheet cutting unit to cut the image-formed sheet into two sheets, and discharges the two sheets onto separate discharge trays.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-186448 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the paper with the image formed on it is cut by a paper cutting unit, it is necessary to form the image on the paper and to ensure space within the image forming apparatus for cutting the paper. This results in a problem of increasing the size of the image forming apparatus. The present invention has been developed in response to the above-mentioned problem and aims to reduce the size of a printing apparatus.

[0008] Technical solutions to problems

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned problems, a printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a conveying unit that conveys a print medium; an image recording unit that records an image on the print medium conveyed by the conveying unit in a conveying direction; a dividing unit that divides the print medium, on which an image has been recorded by the image recording unit and which is conveyed by the conveying unit, and is disposed downstream of the image recording unit in the conveying direction; a detection unit that is disposed upstream of the dividing unit in the conveying direction and detects a rear end portion of the print medium; and a control unit that performs the following processing: a calculation process in which the detection unit detects the rear end portion to thereby determine the length of the print medium and calculates a dividing position of the print medium based on the length of the print medium; a conveying process in which, after the calculation process, the print medium is conveyed by the conveying unit in a direction opposite to the conveying direction to move the dividing position toward the position of the dividing unit; and a dividing process in which, after the conveying process, the dividing unit divides the print medium at the dividing position.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the printing device comprises: a conveying section that conveys a printing medium; an image recording section that records an image on the printing medium conveyed by the conveying section in a conveying direction; a processing section that performs one of (i) a cutting process, (ii) a perforation line forming process, and (iii) a fold forming process on the printing medium on which the image is recorded by the image recording section and conveyed by the conveying section, wherein the processing section is disposed downstream of the image recording section in the conveying direction; and a detection section that is disposed upstream of the processing section in the conveying direction and Detecting the rear end portion of the printing medium; and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs the following processing: a calculation processing, detecting the rear end portion by the detection unit, thereby grasping the length of the printing medium, and calculating the processing position of the printing medium based on the length of the printing medium; a conveying processing, after the calculation processing, conveying the printing medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction by the conveying unit, thereby moving the processing position toward the position of the processing unit; and a processing processing, after the conveying processing, performing one of (i), (ii) and (iii) on the printing medium at the processing position by the processing unit.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a printing device includes: a conveying unit that conveys a print medium; an image recording unit that records an image on the print medium conveyed by the conveying unit in a conveying direction; a dividing unit that divides the print medium, after the image is recorded by the image recording unit and conveyed by the conveying unit, and the dividing unit is disposed downstream of the image recording unit in the conveying direction; a detecting unit that is disposed upstream of the dividing unit in the conveying direction and detects a rear end portion of the print medium; and a control unit, the control method comprising: a calculating step of determining a length of the print medium by detecting the rear end portion by the detecting unit and calculating a dividing position of the print medium based on the length of the print medium; a conveying step of, after the calculating step, conveying the print medium by the conveying unit in a direction opposite to the conveying direction to move the dividing position toward the position of the dividing unit; and a dividing step of, after the conveying step, dividing the print medium by the dividing unit at the dividing position.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a control method for a printing device, wherein the printing device comprises: a conveying unit that conveys a printing medium; an image recording unit that records an image on the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit in a conveying direction; a processing unit that performs one of (i) a cutting process, (ii) a perforation line forming process, and (iii) a fold forming process on the printing medium on which the image is recorded by the image recording unit and conveyed by the conveying unit, and the processing unit is arranged downstream of the image recording unit in the conveying direction; and a detection unit that is arranged closer to the conveying direction than the processing unit. upstream of the direction and detecting the rear end portion of the printing medium; and a control portion, the control method comprising: a calculation step, detecting the rear end portion by the detection portion, thereby grasping the length of the printing medium, and calculating the processing position of the printing medium based on the length of the printing medium; a conveying step, after the calculation step, conveying the printing medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction by the conveying portion, thereby moving the processing position toward the position of the processing portion; and a processing step, after the conveying step, performing one of (i), (ii) and (iii) on the printing medium at the processing position by the processing portion.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to a method of the present invention, the size of a printing device can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the electrical configuration of the printing device shown.

[0017] Figure 3 It means by Figure 1 and Figure 2 Flowchart showing the flow of control performed by the control unit included in the printing apparatus shown.

[0018] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show the Figure 1 and Figure 2 A diagram showing the state of paper conveyance in a printing apparatus shown.

[0019] Figure 5A and Figure 5B It means in Figure 1 and Figure 2 A diagram showing paper cutting and other conditions in the printing device shown.

[0020] Figure 6 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining the return amount of paper by a control unit included in the printing apparatus shown.

[0021] Figure 7 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining the remaining conveyance distance of paper by a control unit included in the printing apparatus shown.

[0022] Figure 8A and Figure 8B It means as Figure 1 and Figure 2 A diagram showing the configuration of a processing section of a modified example of a cutting section included in the printing apparatus shown.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the flow of control performed by a control unit included in the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a diagram for explaining control performed by a control unit included in a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 11 Yes Figure 10 A diagram of a printing unit conveying paper is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] (Implementation 1)

[0027] (Structure of Printing Device)

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The printing device 1 is an MFP (multi-function peripheral) having multiple functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. Figure 1 In the diagram, the direction from the image recording unit 3 toward the cutting unit 7 as an example of a dividing unit is defined as the X direction, the direction from the supply tray 21 toward the image recording unit 3 is defined as the Z direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction.

[0029] Printing device 1 has an inkjet printing function that prints print data specified by a print job onto paper P, an example of a print medium, by ejecting, for example, ink. Printing device 1 can be used for color printing or exclusively for monochrome printing. Furthermore, the print medium is not limited to paper; resin media, such as OHP (overhead projector) sheets, may also be used.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1 includes a supply tray 21 , a discharge tray 22 , an image recording unit 3 , guide members 41 to 45 , a conveyance path R1 , a conveyance unit 6 , a cutting unit 7 , a registration sensor 120 , and a media sensor 122 .

[0031] The supply tray 21 is a tray with an open top surface for storing a plurality of paper sheets P. The discharge tray 22 is arranged above the supply tray 21. The discharge tray 22 is a tray for storing paper sheets P discharged by the conveying rollers 66, with an open top surface.

[0032] Here, the conveying section 6 includes a supply roller 23, conveying rollers 60, 62, 64 and 66, a pinch roller 61, toothed rollers 63, 65 and 67, a supply motor 107 and a conveying motor 108. The supply motor 107 and the conveying motor 108 are as shown in FIG. Figure 2 In addition, the number of rollers provided in the transport path R1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the transport roller 66 and the spur roller 67 may not be provided.

[0033] The supply roller 23 is a roller for supplying the paper P stored in the supply tray 21 to the conveyance start position V of the conveyance path R1. The supply roller 23 is rotatably supported by the front end of the supply arm 24. The supply arm 24 is rotatably supported by a shaft 25, which is supported by the frame of the printing device 1. The supply roller 23 is driven by the supply motor 107 to rotate in the forward direction. The forward rotation of the supply roller 23 supplies the paper P stored in the supply tray 21 one by one to the conveyance start position V of the conveyance path R1.

[0034] Conveyor path R1 extends upward from the rear end of supply tray 21, curves in an area defined by guide members 41 and 42, passes through the position of image recording unit 3, and then extends linearly in an area defined by guide members 43, 44, and 45 to reach discharge tray 22. Conveyor direction D1 is the direction in conveyor path R1 from supply tray 21 through image recording unit 3 toward cutting unit 7.

[0035] A conveyor roller 60 is provided upstream of the image recording unit 3 in the conveying direction D1 in the conveying path R1. A pinch roller 61 is provided at a position opposite the lower portion of the conveyor roller 60. The conveyor roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 constitute a conveyor roller pair. The conveyor roller 60 is driven by the conveying motor 108. The pinch roller 61 rotates as the conveyor roller 60 rotates. As the conveyor roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is pinched between the conveyor roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and conveyed to the image recording unit 3.

[0036] The image recording unit 3 is provided between the conveying roller 60 and the conveying roller 62 in the conveying path R1. The image recording unit 3 records an image on the paper P conveyed along the conveying direction D1 by the conveying unit 6. The image recording unit 3 includes a carriage 31, a head 32, a nozzle 33, and a platen 34. The head 32 is mounted on the carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are provided on the lower surface of the head 32. The head 32 ejects ink from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the paper P is placed. While the carriage 31 moves relative to the paper P supported by the platen 34, the nozzles 33 selectively eject ink, thereby recording an image on the paper P.

[0037] because Figure 2 The carriage 31 reciprocates in the Y direction, that is, in the width direction of the paper P, when the driving force of the carriage motor 109 is transmitted. Figure 2 The control unit 100 shown in the figure moves the carriage 31 in the width direction of the paper P while temporarily stopping the conveyance of the paper P, and ejects ink from the nozzles 33, thereby recording an image corresponding to one line on the paper P. Furthermore, the control unit 100 conveys the paper P by a predetermined conveyance distance via the conveyance unit 6. The control unit 100 records an image on the paper P by repeatedly performing these processes.

[0038] A conveyor roller 62 is provided in the conveyance path R1, downstream of the image recording unit 3 in the conveyance direction D1. A spur roller 63 is provided above the conveyor roller 62, facing the upper portion. The conveyor roller 62 and the spur roller 63 form a conveyor roller pair. The conveyor roller 62 is driven by the conveyance motor 108. The spur roller 63 rotates as the conveyor roller 62 rotates. As the conveyor roller 62 and the spur roller 63 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveyor roller 62 and the spur roller 63 and conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction D1.

[0039] Furthermore, a conveyor roller 64 is provided downstream of the conveyor roller 62 in the conveying direction D1 in the conveying path R1. A spur roller 65 is provided above the conveyor roller 64, facing the upper portion. The conveyor roller 64 and the spur roller 65 constitute a conveyor roller pair. The conveyor roller 64 is driven by the conveying motor 108. The spur roller 65 rotates as the conveyor roller 64 rotates. As the conveyor roller 64 and the spur roller 65 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveyor roller 64 and the spur roller 65 and conveyed to the cutting section 7.

[0040] The cutter 7 is provided between the conveying rollers 64 and 66 in the conveying path R1. Specifically, the cutter 7 is provided downstream of the image recording unit 3 in the conveying direction D1. The cutter 7 cuts the paper P on which the image recording unit 3 records an image and which is conveyed by the conveying unit 6.

[0041] Specifically, the cutting unit 7 is a well-known cutter mechanism having a pair of upper and lower blades and a blade holder, and cuts the paper P with the pair of upper and lower blades. Specifically, the cutting unit 7 moves the blade holder in the width direction of the paper P, thereby cutting the paper P in the width direction at a cutting position CL, which is an example of a dividing position of the paper P, with the pair of upper and lower blades. The cutting position CL is as shown in FIG. Figure 5A shown.

[0042] The upper and lower blades are both circular blades. In this case, both blades are mounted on a blade holder. Alternatively, one of the blades may be a fixed blade and the other a circular blade. In this case, the circular blade is mounted on the blade holder, while the fixed blade is fixed to the frame of the printing device 1.

[0043] Alternatively, the cutting unit 7 may not include a blade holder. In this case, the cutting unit 7 includes fixed blades extending in the Y direction, located above and below the conveyance path R1. The cutting unit 7 moves the upper and lower fixed blades toward each other, thereby cutting the paper P in the width direction at the cutting position CL. Alternatively, the cutting unit 7 may include only one blade on the upper or lower side.

[0044] A conveying roller 66 is provided in the conveying path R1, downstream of the cutting section 7 in the conveying direction D1. A spur roller 67 is provided above the conveying roller 66, facing the upper portion. The conveying roller 66 and the spur roller 67 form a conveying roller pair. The conveying roller 66 is driven by the conveying motor 108. The spur roller 67 rotates as the conveying roller 66 rotates. As the conveying roller 66 and the spur roller 67 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 66 and the spur roller 67 and discharged onto the discharge tray 22.

[0045] A registration sensor 120, serving as an example of a detection unit, is provided upstream of the conveying roller 60 in the conveying direction D1 in the conveying path R1. The registration sensor 120 detects the leading end FE and trailing end BE of the paper P conveyed along the conveying path R1. The leading end FE and trailing end BE of the paper P are shown in FIG4A . The registration sensor 120 can be a sensor having an actuator that swings by contact with the paper P, or a photosensor.

[0046] The registration sensor 120 outputs an on signal when the paper P passes the registration sensor 120 position, and outputs an off signal when the paper P does not pass the registration sensor 120 position. Specifically, the registration sensor 120 outputs an on signal from the moment the leading end FE of the paper P reaches the registration sensor 120 position until the trailing end BE of the paper P passes the registration sensor 120 position, and outputs an off signal during all other periods. The detection signal from the registration sensor 120 is output to the control unit 100.

[0047] The conveying roller 60 is provided with a rotary encoder 121 that detects the rotation of the conveying roller 60 . Figure 2 The rotary encoder 121 shown outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 according to the rotation of the conveyor roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 includes an encoder disk and an optical sensor. The encoder disk rotates along with the conveyor roller 60. The optical sensor reads the rotating encoder disk, generates a pulse signal, and outputs the generated pulse signal to the control unit 100.

[0048] The image recording unit 3 is provided with a media sensor 122 as an example of a detection unit. The media sensor 122 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the paper P is on the platen 34. The media sensor 122 is used to detect that the leading end FE of the paper P conveyed in the conveyance path R1 has reached the image recording unit 3. Alternatively, the media sensor 122 may detect both the leading end FE and the trailing end BE of the paper P, instead of the registration sensor 120.

[0049] (Electrical Configuration of Printing Device)

[0050] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1The electrical structure of the printing device 1 is shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the printing apparatus 1 includes, in addition to the above-described components, a control unit 100 , a carriage motor 109 , a USB interface (I / F) 110 , a LAN interface (I / F) 111 , a rotary encoder 121 , and a setting unit 123 .

[0051] The control unit 100 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 101 , a ROM (read only memory) 102 , a RAM (random access memory) 103 , an EEPROM 104 (registered trademark), and an ASIC 105 . These are connected via an internal bus 106 .

[0052] The ROM 102 stores programs and other information used by the CPU 101 to control various operations. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing data and signals used by the CPU 101 when executing these programs, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 104 stores, for example, standard lengths for various types of paper P. The control unit 100 controls the feed motor 107, conveyance motor 108, carriage motor 109, head 32, cutting unit 7, and other components based on the control programs read from the ROM 102.

[0053] The ASIC 105 is connected to a supply motor 107 , a transport motor 108 , a carriage motor 109 , the head 32 , the cutting unit 7 , a USB interface 110 , a LAN interface 111 , a registration sensor 120 , a rotary encoder 121 , a media sensor 122 , and a setting unit 123 .

[0054] The ASIC 105 supplies drive current to the feed motor 107, the conveyance motor 108, and the carriage motor 109. The control unit 100 controls the rotation of the feed motor 107, the conveyance motor 108, and the carriage motor 109 by, for example, PWM (pulse width modulation) control.

[0055] The control unit 100 applies a driving voltage to the vibrating element of the head 32 to eject ink from the nozzles 33 . The control unit 100 detects the state of the printing apparatus 1 based on signals output from the registration sensor 120 , the rotary encoder 121 , and the media sensor 122 .

[0056] The USB interface 110 is connected to a USB (universal serial bus) memory, a USB cable, or the like. The LAN interface 111 is connected to a PC (personal computer) via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. When the control unit 100 receives a print job via the USB interface 110 or the LAN interface 111, it controls the various components of the printing device 1 to record an image based on the print data specified in the print job on paper P.

[0057] The printing device 1 is also provided with a setting unit 123 having a display screen. The setting unit 123 is comprised of, for example, a touch panel, and is configured to allow the user to perform various settings related to printing on the printing device 1 through touch operations. The setting unit 123 receives settings for the size of the paper P and whether or not to perform a cutting process for cutting the paper P. The information set by the setting unit 123 is output to the control unit 100. The cutting process is an example of a segmentation process and will be described in detail later.

[0058] (Control Flow by Control Unit)

[0059] Figure 3 It means by Figure 1 and Figure 2 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing the flow of control performed by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1 shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating a conveyance state of paper P in the printing apparatus 1 . Figure 5A and Figure 5B It means in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows a state where the paper P is cut in the printing apparatus 1.

[0060] in addition, Figure 3 The flowchart shown is an example and is not limited thereto. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Omitted Figure 1 Some of the components shown. Figure 3 In the flowchart shown, it is assumed that the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned on and the control unit 100 receives a print job via the USB interface 110 or the LAN interface 111 .

[0061] In this case, in step S1, the control unit 100 rotates the supply roller 23 using the supply motor 107, thereby supplying the paper P stored in the supply tray 21 to the conveyance path R1. When the supply roller 23 supplies the paper P and the leading end FE of the paper P reaches the registration sensor 120, in step S2, the control unit 100 detects the leading end FE of the paper P using the registration sensor 120.

[0062] When the control unit 100 detects the leading end FE of the paper P using the registration sensor 120, the control unit 100 conveys the paper P to the image recording unit 3 via the conveying roller 60 in step S3. Next, the control unit 100 records an image for one line on the paper P via the image recording unit 3 in step S4.

[0063] After the control unit 100 records one line of images on the paper P via the image recording unit 3, the control unit 100 determines in step S5 whether there is an instruction to cut the paper P. If the answer is "No" in step S5, that is, if the control unit 100 determines that there is no instruction to cut the paper P, the control unit 100 determines in step S6 whether there is next image recording data. This next image recording data is the image data of the next line of images recorded on the paper P in step S4, within the image recording range set as the range for recording images on the paper P in the print job.

[0064] If the answer is "YES" in step S6, that is, if the control unit 100 determines that the next image recording data exists, the process returns to step S3, and the control unit 100 uses the conveyance unit 6 to convey the paper P at the predetermined conveyance distance. After the control unit 100 conveys the paper P at the predetermined conveyance distance, the process continues from step S4. If the answer is "NO" in step S6, that is, if the control unit 100 determines that the next image recording data does not exist, the process moves to step S12.

[0065] If the answer is "YES" in step S5, that is, if the control unit 100 determines that an instruction to cut the paper P has been issued, the control unit 100 determines in step S7 whether the registration sensor 120 has detected the trailing edge BE of the paper P. If the answer is "NO" in step S7, that is, if the control unit 100 has not detected the trailing edge BE of the paper P by the registration sensor 120, the process returns to step S3, and the control unit 100 causes the conveyance unit 6 to convey the paper P at the predetermined conveyance distance.

[0066] The control unit 100 repeats steps S3 to S7 to execute image recording processing including recording one line of image on the paper P by the image recording unit 3 and conveying the paper P by the conveying unit 6 at the predetermined conveying distance.

[0067] If the answer is "YES" in step S7, that is, if the control unit 100 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P using the registration sensor 120 as shown in FIG4A , in step S8 the control unit 100 determines the length Lp of the paper P and determines the return amount Lb of the paper P. The return amount Lb of the paper P is shown in FIG4B .

[0068] At this time, the control unit 100 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P using the registration sensor 120 to determine the length Lp of the paper P. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines the length Lp of the paper P in the conveyance direction D1 based on the conveyance amount of the paper P detected by the rotary encoder 121 during the period from when the registration sensor 120 detects the leading edge FE of the paper P to when the registration sensor 120 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P.

[0069] Furthermore, consider a case where the media sensor 122 detects both the leading end FE and the trailing end BE of the paper P. In this case, the control unit 100 determines the length Lp of the paper P based on the conveyance amount of the paper P detected by the rotary encoder 121 during the period from when the media sensor 122 detects the leading end FE of the paper P to when the media sensor 122 detects the trailing end BE of the paper P.

[0070] Furthermore, the control unit 100 performs a calculation process of calculating the cutting position CL of the paper P based on the grasped length Lp of the paper P. The cutting position CL is as follows: Figure 5A As shown. For example, when the paper P is cut into two equal parts by the cutting unit 7, the control unit 100 calculates Lp / 2 = 148.5 mm, which is the distance from the front end FE or rear end BE of the paper P to the position at Lp / 2 as the cutting position CL of the paper P. The method for determining the return amount Lb of the paper P by the control unit 100 will be described later.

[0071] As described above, the control unit 100 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P using the registration sensor 120 to determine the length Lp of the paper P and calculates the cutting position CL of the paper P based on the length Lp. This prevents deviations in the cutting position CL of the paper P even when the paper P changes size. Furthermore, when an A4-sized sheet of paper is cut in half, the distance Ls between the position of the registration sensor 120 and the position of the cutter 7 is shorter than the length Lp / 2. Furthermore, when a letter-sized sheet of paper is cut in half, the distance Ls is longer than the length Lp / 2.

[0072] After the control unit 100 determines the return amount Lb of the paper P, the control unit 100 executes an interruption process for interrupting the image recording process performed by the image recording unit 3. Then, in step S9, as shown in FIG4B , the control unit 100 executes a conveying process for conveying the paper P by the return amount Lb in the direction D2 opposite to the conveying direction D1 via the conveying unit 6. The control unit 100 conveys the paper P by the return amount Lb in the opposite direction D2 via the conveying unit 6, thereby moving the cutting position CL of the paper P toward the position of the cutting unit 7.

[0073] After the control unit 100 has conveyed the paper P in the reverse direction D2 by the return amount Lb via the conveying unit 6, in step S10, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A As shown, the control unit 100 executes the above-mentioned cutting process of cutting the paper P at the cutting position CL by the cutting unit 7. For example, when the paper P is cut into two equal parts by the cutting unit 7, the paper P is cut into a first paper P1 and a second paper P2. In addition, when the paper P is of A4 size, a first paper P1 and a second paper P2 of A5 size are generated. In addition, as Figure 5B As shown, in the transport path R1 , the second paper P2 is transported before the first paper P1 .

[0074] After the length Lp of the paper P is determined, as in steps S8 to S10, the paper P is transported in the direction D2 opposite to the transport direction D1 and then cut. Therefore, compared to a case where the paper P is not transported in the direction D2 opposite to the transport direction D1 and the paper P is cut, the distance between the position of the cutter 7 and the position where the registration sensor 120 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P can be reduced. Consequently, the size of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, a configuration is conceivable in which a duplex conveyance path is provided, which separates from conveyance path R1 near conveyance roller 66 and merges with conveyance path R1 at conveyance start position V. In this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the paper P is passed through this duplex conveyance path and an image is recorded on the paper P after the length of the paper P is determined, the time required for image recording can be shortened.

[0076] After the control unit 100 cuts the paper P using the cutting unit 7, the control unit 100 determines the remaining conveyance distance Lf of the paper P before proceeding to step S11. The method by which the control unit 100 determines the remaining conveyance distance Lf of the paper P will be described later. After determining the remaining conveyance distance Lf of the paper P, the control unit 100 causes the conveying unit 6 to convey the paper P in the conveyance direction D1 at the remaining conveyance distance Lf. This returns the paper P to its position prior to being conveyed in the reverse direction D2.

[0077] After the control unit 100 has conveyed the paper P in the conveying direction D1 by the remaining conveying amount Lf via the conveying unit 6 , the control unit 100 determines whether there is next image recording data in step S11 . The process of step S11 is the same as the process of step S6 .

[0078] If the answer is "YES" in step S11, that is, if the control unit 100 determines that there is next image recording data, the process returns to step S3 and executes step S4 again. Specifically, after the cutting process in step S10, the control unit 100, through the image recording unit 3, executes a restart process for the image recording process of steps S3 to S7, which was interrupted in the interruption process executed before step S9, on the paper P that was cut in the cutting process. Through this restart process, the control unit 100 records an image on the remaining portion of the image recording range on the paper P.

[0079] Thus, even when the paper P is cut while being transported in the direction D2 opposite to the transport direction D1, an image can be recorded over the entire image recording range of the paper P. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both reduction in size of the printing apparatus 1 and recording of an image over the entire image recording range of the paper P.

[0080] If the answer is “NO” in step S11 , that is, if the control unit 100 determines that there is no next image recording data, in step S12 , the control unit 100 causes the transport unit 6 to discharge the first paper P1 to the discharge tray 22 .

[0081] (Method for determining the amount of paper returned)

[0082] Figure 6 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a method for determining the return amount Lb of the paper P by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 1. Figure 6 In the figure, two sheets of paper P are repeatedly recorded for the sake of convenience. Figure 6 Omitted Figure 1 Some of the components shown. The upper sheet P represents the sheet P after being conveyed in the reverse direction D2, and the lower sheet P represents the sheet P before being conveyed in the reverse direction D2. The control unit 100 determines the return amount Lb of the sheet P based on the length Lp of the sheet P, the cumulative conveyed amount Lt of the sheet P after the registration sensor 120 detects the leading end FE of the sheet P, and the distance Ls between the position of the registration sensor 120 and the position of the cutting unit 7.

[0083] Specifically, the control unit 100 determines the transport amount of the paper P, as detected by the rotary encoder 121 after the registration sensor 120 detects the leading end FE of the paper P, as the cumulative transport amount Lt. Furthermore, the control unit 100 determines the distance Ls based on information stored in the ROM 102 or the EEPROM 104. The control unit 100 determines the return amount Lb of the paper P using the following equation (1). The return amount Lb is the difference between the distance Lt-Ls between the leading end FE of the paper P and the position of the cutting unit 7 before transport in the reverse direction D2 and half the length of the paper P, Lp / 2.

[0084] Lb=Lt-Ls-Lp / 2……(1)

[0085] (Method for determining the remaining paper feed amount)

[0086] Figure 7 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a method for determining the remaining transport distance Lf of the paper P by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 1. Figure 7 In the figure, two sheets of paper P are repeatedly recorded for the sake of convenience. Figure 7 Omitted Figure 1 Some of the components shown. The upper sheet P represents the sheet P after being conveyed in the conveying direction D1, and the lower sheet P represents the sheet P before being conveyed in the conveying direction D1. The control unit 100 determines the remaining conveying amount Lf of the sheet P using the following equation (2). The remaining conveying amount Lf is a value obtained by reversing the sign of the return amount Lb.

[0087] Lf=Ls+Lp / 2-Lt……(2)

[0088] (Variation 1)

[0089] The printing device 1 described above divides the paper P into multiple sheets by cutting the paper P with the cutting unit 7, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The printing device 1 may also include a processing unit that forms perforations on the paper P in place of the cutting unit 7, as an example of a dividing unit. In this case, the control unit 100 uses the processing unit to process the paper P, forming perforations at a processing position, which is an example of a dividing position for the paper P. This processing position is the same as the cutting position CL.

[0090] Specifically, the processing unit includes a perforation cutter with blades formed at equal intervals along the circumference of a disk, and the aforementioned cutter holder. The processing unit moves the cutter holder in the width direction of the paper P, and the perforation cutter forms multiple cuts at intervals along the processing positions of the paper P, thereby forming perforations in the paper P.

[0091] (Variation 2)

[0092] Figure 8A and Figure 8B It means as Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of processing units 7A and 7B of a modified example of the cutting unit 7 provided in the printing apparatus 1. The printing apparatus 1 may also include a processing unit 7A and 7B in place of the cutting unit 7. Figure 8A As an example of a dividing unit, the processing unit 7A is shown as performing a folding process on the paper P. In this case, the control unit 100 performs a processing process on the paper P by the processing unit 7A, which performs a folding process on the paper P at a processing position CL1.

[0093] The processing unit 7A includes a knife holder 71, a blade 72, and a clamping member 73. The blade 72 is a circular blade mounted on the knife holder 71. The blade 72 is formed to prevent it from cutting the paper P even when it comes into contact with it. The clamping member 73 has a recess 74 positioned opposite the blade 72. The processing unit 7A moves the knife holder 71 in the width direction of the paper P, thereby pressing the blade 72 against the recess 74. This creates a fold along the processing position CL1 of the paper P.

[0094] In addition, the printing device 1 may also include the following in place of the cutting unit 7: Figure 8B The processing unit 7B shown in the figure is used as an example of a splitting unit. The processing unit 7B includes a clamping member 73 and a pusher member 75. The pusher member 75 is used to push the paper P in the negative Z direction at the processing position CL1. For example, it is a rectangular blade extending in the Y direction and formed to a degree that does not cut the paper P even if it abuts the paper P. A recess 74 formed in the clamping member 73 is located at a position opposite the pusher member 75.

[0095] The processing unit 7B moves the push-out member 75 in the negative Z direction, causing the push-out member 75 to abut against the processing position CL1 of the paper P, thereby pushing the paper P in the negative Z direction at the processing position CL1. Furthermore, the processing unit 7B grips the paper P pushed out by the push-out member 75 with the recessed portion 74 of the gripping member 73, thereby forming a fold on the paper P at the processing position CL1.

[0096] (Variation 3)

[0097] The control unit 100 may also perform the following processing between steps S7 and S8. Specifically, the control unit 100 may also perform a decision process to determine whether to interrupt the image recording process of steps S3 to S7 based on the image recorded on the paper P by the image recording unit 3. If the control unit 100 determines to interrupt the image recording process during this decision process, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0098] If the control unit 100 determines not to interrupt the image recording process in the above-mentioned determination process, the control unit 100 performs the process of step S11 before the process of step S8, and does not perform the process of step S11 after step S10. In this configuration, if the answer is "No" in step S11, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control unit 100 determines the return amount Lb of the paper P using the following equation (3).

[0099] Lb=Lt-Ls……(3)

[0100] After all images are recorded on the paper P without interrupting the image recording process, the paper P is transported in the reverse direction D2 by the transport unit 6 in step S9 and cut by the cutter 7 in step S10 .

[0101] As described above, when the image recording process is interrupted and the conveying and cutting processes are executed, the conveying and cutting processes are performed before the entire image is recorded on the paper P. Therefore, the amount of conveyance in the direction D2 opposite to the conveying direction D1 is suppressed, thereby shortening the processing time. On the other hand, when the image recording process is not interrupted and the conveying and cutting processes are executed, the image recorded on the paper P is prevented from being interrupted, and the image can be clearly recorded on the paper P. By executing the decision process for determining whether to interrupt the image recording process, the control unit 100 can determine, based on the image, whether to prioritize shortening the processing time or improving image clarity.

[0102] Furthermore, regarding the above-mentioned determination process, for example, the control unit 100 may grasp the image recorded on the paper P based on the image data included in the print job and determine whether a line of the image corresponding to the cutting position CL of the paper P is blank. If the control unit 100 determines that the line of the image corresponding to the cutting position CL of the paper P is blank, the control unit 100 may decide to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process in the above-mentioned determination process. If the control unit 100 determines that the line of the image corresponding to the cutting position CL of the paper P is not blank, the control unit 100 may decide not to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process in the above-mentioned determination process.

[0103] If one line of the image corresponding to the cutting position CL of the paper P is blank, even if the image recording process is interrupted, the clarity of the image recorded on the paper P will not be affected. Conversely, if one line of the image corresponding to the cutting position CL of the paper P is not blank, the clarity of the image recorded on the paper P can be prioritized by not interrupting the image recording process.

[0104] Furthermore, regarding the above-mentioned determination process, the control unit 100 may also determine whether to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process based on, for example, a setting made by the user via the setting unit 123. In this case, the user may select whether to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process via the setting unit 123. If the setting unit 123 selects to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process, the control unit 100 determines to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process in the above-mentioned determination process. If the setting unit 123 does not set to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process, the control unit 100 determines not to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process in the above-mentioned determination process.

[0105] Furthermore, regarding the above-mentioned determination process, the control unit 100 may determine whether to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process based on, for example, the type of the paper P. If the type of the paper P is plain paper, the control unit 100 determines in the above-mentioned determination process to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process. If the type of the paper P is glossy paper, the control unit 100 determines in the above-mentioned determination process not to interrupt the above-mentioned image recording process.

[0106] (Implementation Method 2)

[0107] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the sake of convenience, components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the flow of control performed by the control unit 100 included in the printing device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] exist Figure 9 In the flowchart shown, the processing of steps S21 to S26 is respectively Figure 3 The processing in steps S1 to S6 shown is the same. Consider the case where the answer is "YES" in step S25, that is, the control unit 100 determines that an instruction to cut the paper P has been issued.

[0109] In this case, in step S27, the control unit 100 determines whether the registration sensor 120 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P while the paper P is being transported at the predetermined transport distance. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether the value obtained by adding the predetermined transport distance to the current cumulative transport distance Lt in the cumulative transport distance Lt is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is the length of the paper P set in the print job.

[0110] If "No" in step S27, that is, if the control unit 100 determines not to detect the trailing edge BE of the paper P, the process returns to step S23. In this case, in step S23, the control unit 100 conveys the paper P by the conveying unit 6 at the predetermined conveying distance.

[0111] Consider the case where the answer is "Yes" in step S27, meaning the control unit 100 determines that the trailing edge BE of the paper P should be detected. In this case, in step S28, the control unit 100 conveys the paper P to a set position. This set position is the position of the paper P when the cumulative conveyed amount Lt reaches the predetermined threshold. At this point, the registration sensor 120 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P, and the control unit 100 determines that the registration sensor 120 has detected the trailing edge BE of the paper P. The control unit 100 then stops the conveyance unit 6 from conveying the paper P.

[0112] In other words, when the cumulative transport amount Lt, which represents the transport amount of the paper P conveyed by the conveying unit 6 in the transport direction D1, reaches the predetermined threshold, the control unit 100 executes a process to stop the conveying unit 6 from conveying the paper P. Furthermore, the predetermined threshold is the upper limit of the cumulative transport amount Lt required to maintain the paper P between the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61. This maintains the paper P between the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, thereby improving the conveyance accuracy of the paper P and preventing paper jams.

[0113] The control unit 100 records an image on the paper P by the image recording unit 3 in step S29 while conveying the paper P to the set position. Figure 3 The image recording processing of steps S3 to S7 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as that of steps S30 to S34. Figure 3 The processes in steps S8 to S12 shown are the same.

[0114] (Implementation 3)

[0115] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the sake of convenience, components having the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Figure 10 This is a diagram for explaining control performed by the control unit 100 included in the printing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 Yes Figure 10 FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a paper P being transported by the printing device 1. Figure 10 Omitted Figure 1 Some of the components shown.

[0116] In embodiment 3, Figure 9 In step S29 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 , the control unit 100 executes a first image recording process for recording an image in the first area A1 of the paper P by the image recording unit 3. The first area A1 of the paper P is as shown in FIG. Figure 11 This first image recording process is performed by Figure 3The image recording process of steps S3 to S7 shown above is a process of recording an image in the first area A1 of the paper P in the same manner.

[0117] In addition, considering Figure 9 After the cutting process of step S32 shown in FIG. 1 , if the answer is “Yes” in step S33, that is, if the control unit 100 determines that there is next image recording data. In this case, in steps S23 to S27, the control unit 100 executes a second image recording process in which the image recording unit 3 records an image in the second area A2 included in the area other than the first area A1 on the paper P. This second image recording process is performed by Figure 3 The image recording process of steps S3 to S7 shown above is a process of recording an image in the second area A2 of the paper P in the same manner.

[0118] The first area A1 and the second area A2 constitute the image recording range of the paper P described in Embodiment 1. When the control unit 100 executes the transport process of step S30, the first area A1 is included in the area outside the nip area A3. The nip area A3 is the area of the paper P that is pinched between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61.

[0119] The first area A1 is included in the area outside the nip area A3 of the paper P, so that the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 are prevented from niped in the first area A1 and contamination of the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 is prevented.

[0120] In addition, when the return amount Lb determined in step S30 becomes the maximum value estimated in advance, the first area A1 is also included in the area outside the clamping area A3. Figure 6 In the figure, the distance between the end of the image recording unit 3 on the negative side in the X direction and the position of the rotation axis of the conveying roller 60 is defined as L1. In this case, the first area A1 satisfies the condition of L1>Lb.

[0121] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0122] Description of labels

[0123] 1…printing device, 3…image recording unit, 6…conveying unit, 7…cutting unit, 100…control unit, 120…registration sensor (detection unit), 122…media sensor (detection unit), A1…first area of paper, A2…second area of paper, A3…clamping area, CL…cutting position, D1…conveying direction, D2…opposite direction, BE…rear end of paper.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that have: a conveying portion for conveying a printing medium; an image recording unit configured to record an image on the printing medium transported in a transport direction by the transport unit; a dividing portion that divides the print medium on which an image is recorded by the image recording portion and is conveyed by the conveying portion, and is provided downstream of the image recording portion in the conveying direction; a detection unit provided upstream of the dividing unit in the conveying direction and configured to detect a rear end portion of the printing medium; as well as Control Department, The control unit performs the following processing: a calculation process of detecting the rear end portion by the detection unit to thereby grasp the length of the print medium and calculating a split position of the print medium based on the length of the print medium; a conveying process of conveying the print medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction by the conveying unit after the calculation process, thereby moving the dividing position toward the position of the dividing unit; as well as The dividing process is to divide the print medium at the dividing position by the dividing unit after the conveying process.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The transport section includes a transport roller pair that is provided upstream of the image recording section in the transport direction and transports the print medium. When the rear end portion is detected by the detection unit, the control unit executes a stop process of stopping the conveyance of the printing medium by the conveyance unit when the conveyance amount of the printing medium conveyed in the conveyance direction reaches a predetermined threshold value, and executes the conveyance process after the stop process. The predetermined threshold value is an upper limit value of the transport amount for maintaining a state in which the transport roller pair sandwiches the print medium.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit performs the following processing: a first image recording process of recording an image in a first area of the print medium by the image recording unit; as well as a second image recording process of recording an image in a second area included in an area other than the first area on the print medium by the image recording unit after the segmentation process; When the conveyance process is executed by the control unit, the first area is included in an area of the print medium other than a nip area between the conveyance roller pair.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit performs a decision process for deciding whether to interrupt an image recording process of recording an image on the printing medium by the image recording unit, which is performed before the conveying process and the dividing process, based on the image to be recorded on the printing medium by the image recording unit.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit performs the following processing: an image recording process, executed before the conveying process and the dividing process, in which the image recording unit records an image on the printing medium; an interruption process of interrupting the image recording process executed before the conveying process and the dividing process; as well as Restart processing, after the division processing, restarts the image recording processing interrupted in the interrupt processing on the printing medium divided in the division processing by the image recording unit, thereby recording an image on the remaining part within the image recording range of the printing medium.

6. A printing device, characterized in that: have: a conveying portion for conveying a printing medium; an image recording unit configured to record an image on the printing medium transported in a transport direction by the transport unit; a processing section that performs one of (i) a cutting process, (ii) a perforation line forming process, and (iii) a folding process on the print medium on which the image is recorded by the image recording section and conveyed by the conveying section, and is provided downstream of the image recording section in the conveying direction; a detection unit disposed upstream of the processing unit in the conveying direction and configured to detect a rear end portion of the printing medium; as well as Control Department, The control unit performs the following processing: a calculation process for detecting the rear end portion by the detection unit to grasp the length of the printing medium and calculating a processing position of the printing medium based on the length of the printing medium; a conveying process of conveying the printing medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction by the conveying unit after the calculation process, thereby moving the processing position toward the position of the processing unit; as well as A processing process is performed by the processing unit on the printing medium at the processing position after the conveying process.

7. A method for controlling a printing device, the printing device comprising: a conveying portion for conveying a printing medium; an image recording unit configured to record an image on the printing medium transported in a transport direction by the transport unit; a dividing portion that divides the print medium on which an image is recorded by the image recording portion and is conveyed by the conveying portion, and is provided downstream of the image recording portion in the conveying direction; a detection unit disposed upstream of the dividing unit in the conveying direction and configured to detect a rear end portion of the printing medium; as well as Control Department, The control method is characterized by comprising: a calculating step of detecting the rear end portion by the detecting unit to thereby determine the length of the print medium, and calculating a dividing position of the print medium based on the length of the print medium; a conveying step of conveying the print medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction by the conveying unit after the calculating step, thereby moving the dividing position toward the position of the dividing unit; and A dividing step is performed after the conveying step, wherein the printing medium is divided at the dividing position by the dividing unit.

8. A method for controlling a printing device, the printing device comprising: a conveying portion for conveying a printing medium; an image recording unit configured to record an image on the printing medium transported in a transport direction by the transport unit; a processing section that performs one of (i) a cutting process, (ii) a perforation line forming process, and (iii) a folding process on the print medium on which the image is recorded by the image recording section and conveyed by the conveying section, and is provided downstream of the image recording section in the conveying direction; a detection unit disposed upstream of the processing unit in the conveying direction and configured to detect a rear end portion of the printing medium; as well as Control Department, The control method is characterized by comprising: a calculating step of detecting the rear end portion by the detecting unit to thereby grasp the length of the printing medium, and calculating a processing position of the printing medium based on the length of the printing medium; a conveying step of conveying the printing medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction by the conveying unit after the calculating step, thereby moving the processing position toward the position of the processing unit; and A processing step, after the conveying step, performing one of the steps (i), (ii) and (iii) on the printing medium at the processing position by the processing unit.

Images