Recording device and control method

Abstract

To suppress quality degradation of a product.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: conveying means that conveys a recording medium fed to a first position by feeding means, in a first direction; recording means that applies ink to the recording medium conveyed in the first direction; an inverting conveyance path through which the recording medium conveyed in a second direction that is the opposite direction of the first direction by the conveying means is inverted and then guided to the recording means; and control means that controls the conveying means and the recording means so that recording is executed on first surfaces and second surfaces which are the back side of the first surfaces in a first recording medium and in a second recording medium following the first recording medium. The control means makes the second recording medium stand by at the first position for a predetermined time, when starting to perform recording on the first surface in the second recording medium, in accordance with amounts of ink applied to a region which the second recording medium being conveyed in the first direction contacts, in the first recording medium having the recording executed on the first surface that is conveyed through the inverting conveyance path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which, in a recording device capable of recording on both sides of a recording medium, the operation of transporting a fed recording medium to a transport path where recording is performed on the recording medium and the operation of pulling the recording medium after recording on the front side into a transport path for reversing are performed in parallel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-015180 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is an area in the transport path where the recording surface of the recording medium being pulled in contacts the recording medium being transported, and the two recording media move in opposite directions to each other. This can lead to a decrease in the quality of the finished product, as the recording quality on the surface of the recording medium being pulled in may decrease, or ink may be transferred to the recording medium being transported.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a technique capable of suppressing deterioration in the quality of a deliverable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the present invention is a recording device having a feeding means for feeding a recording medium to a first position, a transporting means capable of transporting the recording medium fed to the first position by the feeding means in a first direction, a recording means for applying ink to the recording medium transported in the first direction by the transporting means, a reversing transport path for reversing the recording medium transported in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the transporting means after recording by the recording means and guiding it to the recording means, and a control means for controlling the transporting means and the recording means to perform recording on a first side and a second side behind the first recording medium, the first side being a second side of the first recording medium, the control means being characterized in that when starting recording on the first side of the second recording medium, the control means makes the second recording medium wait at the first position for a predetermined time depending on the amount of ink applied to an area of ​​the first recording medium that is recorded on the first side transported via the reversing transporting path and that comes into contact with the second recording medium being transported in the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the deliverables. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a recording device [Diagram 2] A block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] Diagram showing the behavior of a sheet during single-sided printing [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the behavior of a sheet during second double-sided recording when the amount of ink applied is small. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the behavior of a sheet during second double-sided recording when the amount of ink applied is small. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the contact area of ​​a preceding sheet with a succeeding sheet. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the behavior of a sheet during second double-sided recording when a large amount of ink is applied to area 1. [Figure 8]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the behavior of a sheet during second double-sided recording when a large amount of ink is applied to area 2. [Figure 9] Flowchart showing the processing contents of single-sided recording processing [Figure 10] A flowchart showing the processing contents of the first double-sided recording process. [Figure 11] A flowchart showing the processing contents of the second double-sided recording process. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing the process contents of a subroutine determination process of the second double-sided recording process. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing the processing contents of the feed processing of the subroutine of the second double-sided recording processing [Figure 14] A flowchart showing the processing contents of the first process of the subroutine of the second double-sided recording process. [Figure 15] A flowchart showing the processing contents of the second process of the subroutine of the second double-sided recording process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a recording device and a control method will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are essential to the solution of the present invention. Furthermore, the positions, shapes, and the like of the components described in the embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention to only those.

[0010] (Schematic configuration of the recording device) The recording device in this embodiment is a serial scan type inkjet recording device that ejects ink onto a conveyed recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a "sheet") while moving in the width direction of the sheet, which intersects with the conveying direction, to record. Note that recording devices to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to those equipped with only a recording function. The present invention can also be applied to multifunction devices equipped with a function for scanning documents, a FAX function, etc.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording device 10 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1 and subsequent figures, the path along which the sheet is transported is indicated by different line types for ease of understanding. The recording device 10 includes a storage section 12 for storing the sheet S, a feeding section 14 for feeding the sheet S stored in the storage section 12 to a transport section 16 (described later), and a transport section 16 for transporting the sheet S fed by the feeding section 14. The recording device 10 also includes a recording section 18 for recording on the sheet S transported in the transport section 16, a discharge section 20 capable of discharging the sheet S after recording, and a stacking section 22 capable of stacking the discharged sheet S. The recording device 10 also includes a control section 200 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the overall operation of the recording device 10.

[0012] <Storage section 12 and feeding section 14> More specifically, the storage unit 12 is provided so as to be insertable and removable from the recording device 10, and a plurality of sheets S are stacked and stored inside. The feeding unit 14 includes a feeding roller 24 that picks up the topmost sheet S of the sheets S stacked in the storage unit 12, and a feeding path 26 that guides the sheet S picked up by the feeding roller 24 to the conveying unit 16. The feeding roller 24 is driven by the driving force of a first conveying motor 226 (see FIG. 2). Note that the feeding unit 14 may be provided with a roller pair in the feeding path 26 to assist in feeding the sheet S.

[0013] <Transportation section 16> The conveying section 16 includes a main conveying roller pair 28 that conveys the fed sheet S to the recording section 18, and a sub-conveyor roller pair 30 that conveys the sheet S recorded by the recording section 18. The conveying section 16 also includes a reversing roller pair 32 that can convey the sheet S in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, downstream of the sub-conveyor roller pair 30 in a first direction that is a conveying direction of the sheet S by the main conveying roller pair 28 and the sub-conveyor roller pair 30. The main conveying roller pair 28, the sub-conveyor roller pair 30, and the reversing roller pair 32 are capable of conveying the sheet S in a first conveying path 34.

[0014] The main transport roller pair 28 and the sub-transport roller pair 30 are synchronously driven by a first transport motor 226, and are driven and controlled in accordance with position and speed information acquired based on a signal from a main transport encoder 224 (see FIG. 2). The reversing roller pair 32 is driven by a second transport motor 230 (see FIG. 2) different from the first transport motor 226. When performing double-sided recording on the sheet S, the reversing roller pair 32 reverses the conveying direction of the sheet S by reversing the rotation direction after pulling in the sheet S after recording on one side has been completed.

[0015] The conveying section 16 includes a second conveying path (hereinafter also referred to as a "reverse conveying path") 36 provided below the first conveying path 34. One end of the second conveying path 36 is connected between the sub-conveying roller pair 30 and the reversing roller pair 32 in the first conveying path 34, and the other end is connected to a connection portion between the first conveying path 34 and the feed path 26. In the following description, a portion where one end of the second conveying path 36 and the first conveying path 34 are connected is referred to as a first junction 38, and a portion where the other end of the second conveying path 36 and the connection portion between the first conveying path 34 and the feed path 26 is referred to as a second junction 40.

[0016] The conveying section 16 includes a pair of intermediate rollers 42 capable of conveying the sheet S in the second direction in the second conveying path 36. The pair of intermediate rollers 42 is driven by the second conveying motor 230 together with the pair of reversing rollers 32. A plurality of pairs of intermediate rollers 42 may be provided in the second conveying path 36. The conveying section 16 also includes a first sensor 44 capable of detecting an end of the sheet S between the pair of main conveying rollers 28 and the feeding path 26, and a second sensor 46 capable of detecting an end of the sheet S in the vicinity of the first junction 38 and downstream of the first junction 38 in the first direction.

[0017] The first sensor 44 and the second sensor 46 have the same configuration, and are detection means using, for example, a photointerrupter and a shielding lever. In this embodiment, the first sensor 44 and the second sensor 46 detect the end of the sheet S being conveyed (fed) in the first direction (second direction). Based on the detection results of the first sensor 44 and the second sensor 46, a determination of an error such as a jam and identification of the position of the sheet S are performed.

[0018] The conveying section 16 includes a flapper 48 that is rotatably provided adjacent to the first junction 38 and upstream of the first junction 38 in the first direction. The flapper 48 is displaceable between a first position (a state shown in FIG. 1) at which the sheet S after recording can be conveyed along the first conveying path 34 and a second position (a state shown in FIG. 3(a)) at which the sheet S after recording can be guided to a discharge path 54 (described later) of the discharge section 20. When the flapper 48 is in the second position, it opens one end of the second conveying path 36 at the first junction 38, and when the flapper 48 is in the first position, it closes a part of the opening. In other words, even if the sheet S is conveyed in the second direction in the second conveying path 36 with the flapper 48 in the first position and a part of the sheet S remaining in the first conveying path 34, the sheet S is not restricted from being conveyed in the second direction by the flapper 48. When the flapper 48 is in the second position, the sheet S transported in the second direction by the pair of reversing rollers 32 is guided to the second transport path 36 by the flapper 48.

[0019] Various known configurations can be used for the rotating mechanism of the flapper 48. In addition, the position where the flapper 48 is rotated from the first position to guide the sheet S after recording to the discharge section 20 and the position where the sheet S conveyed in the second direction by the pair of reversing rollers 32 is guided to the second conveying path 36 are the same second position, but they may be different positions.

[0020] <Recording section 18 and ejection section 20> The recording unit 18 includes a recording head 50 that records on the sheet S transported by the main transport roller pair 28 and the sub-transport roller pair 30, and a carriage 52 that can move the recording head 50 in a direction intersecting the first direction. The carriage 52 is configured to be able to reciprocate in a direction intersecting the first direction, for example, in the width direction of the sheet S being transported, by a carriage motor 222 (see FIG. 2). The position, moving direction, and moving speed of the carriage 52 are controlled based on a signal from a carriage encoder 220 (see FIG. 2).

[0021] The recording head 50 is mounted on a carriage 52, has an ink ejection section (not shown) formed by a plurality of nozzles, and performs recording on the sheet S in conjunction with the transport of the sheet S. Specifically, a recording operation is performed in which ink is ejected from the recording head 50 while moving the recording head 50 in the width direction onto the sheet S transported to the recording start position by the transport section 16. Next, a transport operation is performed to transport the sheet S by a predetermined amount, and then a recording operation is performed again. In this manner, the recording device 10 performs recording on the sheet S by repeatedly performing the recording operation and the transport operation alternately.

[0022] The discharge section 20 includes a discharge path 54 that guides the recorded sheet S, which is transported via the flapper 48, to the stacking section 22, and a pair of discharge rollers 56 in the discharge path 54 that discharges the sheet S to the stacking section 22. In this embodiment, when performing single-sided recording on only one side of the sheet S, the sheet is discharged face-down with the recorded side facing downward, but the sheet may also be discharged face-up with the recorded side facing upward.

[0023] (Control configuration of recording device 10) Next, the configuration of the control system of the recording device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the recording device 10. A control unit 200 that controls the overall operation of the recording device 10 includes a CPU 202, a ROM 204, and a RAM 206. The CPU 202 controls the operation of each component in the recording device 10 and processes input image data based on various programs. The ROM 204 functions as a memory that stores various control programs and image data processing programs executed by the CPU 202. The RAM 206 is used as a storage area and work area that stores various data used to control the recording device 10.

[0024] The control unit 200 is connected to an interface 208, and various information including a recording instruction (job) output from an external device such as a host device 210 is input via the interface 208. As the external device, various known devices such as a general-purpose personal computer and a mobile terminal can be used.

[0025] The control unit 200 is connected to a head driver 212, a carriage motor driver 214, a first transport motor driver 216, and a second transport motor driver 218. The head driver 212 drives the recording elements provided in the recording head 50 based on a recording signal output from the control unit 200 to eject ink. The carriage motor driver 214 drives the carriage motor 222 based on a control signal output from the control unit 200 in response to a signal from a carriage encoder 220.

[0026] The first transport motor driver 216 drives the first transport motor 226 based on a control signal output from the control unit 200 in response to signals from the main transport encoder 224, the first sensor 44, the second sensor 46, etc. The main transport encoder 224 acquires information corresponding to the rotation of the main transport roller pair 28, for example. The first transport motor 226 drives the feed roller 24, the main transport roller pair 28, the sub-transport roller pair 30, the discharge roller pair 56, etc. via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). The feed roller 24 may be driven by the first transport motor 226 and the carriage motor 222 in cooperation with each other, for example.

[0027] The second conveying motor driver 218 drives the second conveying motor 230 based on a control signal output from the control unit 200 in response to signals from the encoder 228, the first sensor 44, the second sensor 46, etc. The encoder 228 acquires information corresponding to the rotation of the reversing roller pair 32, for example. The second conveying motor 230 drives the reversing roller pair 32, the intermediate roller pair 42, the flapper 48, etc. via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0028] (Sheet behavior during recording) The recording device 10 is capable of recording in three recording modes. Specifically, it can perform single-sided recording, first double-sided recording, and second double-sided recording. Single-sided recording is a recording mode in which recording is performed only on one side, the first side, of the sheet S. First double-sided recording is a recording mode in which recording is performed on both sides, the first side and the second side, of the sheet S, and after recording on both sides of the sheet S, recording is performed on the subsequent sheet S. Second double-sided recording is a recording mode in which recording is performed on both sides, the first side and the second side, of the sheet S, and recording is performed on the first side of the subsequent sheet S during recording on both sides of the preceding sheet S.

[0029] Hereinafter, the behavior of the sheet S during single-sided recording and second double-sided recording will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] <Sheet behavior during single-sided printing> First, the behavior of the sheet S during single-sided recording will be described. Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) are diagrams showing the behavior of the sheet S during single-sided recording.

[0031] In single-sided recording, the sheet S stored in the storage unit 12 is fed by the feed roller 24 through the feed path 26 to the pair of main transport rollers 28, and then transported along the first transport path 34 by the pair of main transport rollers 28, whereupon the first side is recorded by the recording unit 18 (see FIG. 3(a)). At this time, the flapper 48 is located at the second position.

[0032] Next, the sheet S transported by the main transport roller pair 28 and the sub-transport roller pair 30 is guided to the discharge path 54 by the flapper 48 in the second position. Then, when the trailing end Sb of the transported sheet S is detected by the first sensor 44, the feed roller 24 is driven to feed the next sheet S from the storage unit 12 (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0033] After that, the sheet S on which recording has been completed is discharged to the stacking section 22 by a pair of discharge rollers 56 (see Figure 3 (c)), and the next sheet S fed is similarly recorded on its first side and discharged to the stacking section 22 via the discharge path 54.

[0034] <Sheet behavior during second double-sided printing> Next, the behavior of the sheet S during the second double-sided recording will be described. In this embodiment, the behavior of the sheet S changes depending on the amount of ink applied to the sheet S during the second double-sided recording.

[0035] When the amount of ink applied is small First, the behavior of the sheet S when the amount of ink applied to the sheet S is small (for example, below a threshold value) will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the behavior of the sheet S during second double-sided recording when the amount of ink applied to the sheet S is small. Note that, for ease of understanding, Figures 4 and 5 omit some of the configuration shown in Figure 1 and focus on the first transport path 34 and the second transport path 36.

[0036] The sheet S stored in the storage section 12 is fed by the feeding roller 24 through the feeding path 26 to the main transport roller pair 28, and then transported along the first transport path 34 by the main transport roller pair 28, and a first side is recorded by the recording section 18. At this time, the flapper 48 is located at the first position, so that the sheet S after recording on the first side is transported along the first transport path 34 toward the reversing roller pair 32 (see FIG. 4(a)). At this time, the reversing roller pair 32 is rotating forward (rotating in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 4(a))), and when it clamps the sheet S, it transports the sheet S in the first direction. At this time, the reversing roller pair 32 rotating forward is driven simultaneously with the main transport roller pair 28 and the sub-transport roller pair 30.

[0037] Thereafter, the sheet S after recording on its first side is transported, and at the timing when the sheet S is transported a predetermined distance after its trailing edge Sb is detected by the first sensor 44, the succeeding sheet Sf to be recorded on next after the sheet S is fed from the storage section 12 (see FIG. 4(a)). Then, when the leading edge Sfa of the fed succeeding sheet Sf is detected by the first sensor 44, recording on the first side of the succeeding sheet Sf is started (see FIG. 4(b)).

[0038] Furthermore, after recording on the first side, the sheet S is transported in the first direction along the first transport path 34 by the pair of reversing rollers 32 and the like. Then, when the trailing end Sb of the sheet S is detected by the second sensor 46, the flapper 48 is moved from the first position to the second position (see FIG. 4(b)). The second sensor 46 is provided on the downstream side in the first direction near the flapper 48. Therefore, the entire sheet S, whose trailing end Sb is detected by the second sensor 46, is located downstream of the second sensor 46 in the first direction.

[0039] When the flapper 48 is moved to the second position, the forward rotation of the reversing roller pair 32 is then stopped and the reversing roller pair 32 is reversed (rotated in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 4(b))). As a result, the sheet S after recording on its first side is transported in the second direction. When the sheet S is transported in the second direction, the sheet S transported in the first transport path 34 is guided to the second transport path 36 by the flapper 48 in the second position, and is transported along the second transport path 36 by the intermediate roller pair 42. Then, after the sheet S is inserted into the second transport path 36, the flapper 48 is moved from the second position to the first position. As a result, the succeeding sheet Sf after recording on its first side can be transported along the first transport path 34. In addition, the sheet S transported in the second direction along the second transport path 36 and the subsequent sheet Sb transported in the first direction along the first transport path 34 are transported overlapping each other downstream in the first direction of the first junction 38 (the second sensor 46 and the flapper 48) (see Figure 4 (c)).

[0040] The sheet S conveyed in the second conveying path 36 is conveyed until its trailing end Sb reaches the second junction 40 (see FIG. 5A), and waits at that position until the trailing end Sfb of the succeeding sheet Sf is detected by the first sensor 44. In the recording device 10, the lengths of the first conveying path 34 and the second conveying path 36 are designed so that the sheet S conveyed in the second conveying path 36 separates from the pair of reversing rollers 32 before its trailing end Sb reaches the second junction 40. When the sheet S after recording on the first side waits in the second conveying path 36, an area including the leading end Sa, that is, a predetermined area on the downstream side in the second direction including the leading end Sa, is located in the first conveying path 34. Therefore, the succeeding sheet Sf is conveyed on the waiting sheet S on the downstream side in the first direction of the first junction 38 (see FIG. 5A).

[0041] When the trailing end Sfb of the succeeding sheet Sf is detected by the first sensor 44, the sheet S waiting in the second conveying path 36 is conveyed to the first conveying path 34, and recording is performed on the second side. Then, when the trailing end Sfb of the succeeding sheet Sf is detected by the second sensor 46, the flapper 48 is moved from the first position to the second position. In addition, the forward rotation of the reversing roller pair 32 is stopped and the reversing roller pair 32 is reversed, the succeeding sheet S is conveyed in the second direction, and the succeeding sheet S is inserted into the second conveying path 36 by the flapper in the second position.

[0042] The conveying speed and the like are controlled so that the rear end Sfb of the succeeding sheet Sf after recording on its first side is located downstream of the flapper 48 in the first direction before the rear end Sb of the sheet S to be recorded on its second side (which is located at the forefront in the first direction at this point) reaches the flapper 48. Therefore, while the succeeding sheet S is conveyed to the second conveying path 36, the sheet S after recording on its second side is guided to the discharge path 54 by the flapper 48 at the second position (see FIG. 5(b)).

[0043] Thereafter, the sheet S guided to the discharge path 54 is discharged to the stacking section 22 by a pair of discharge rollers 56. The succeeding sheet Sf is transported to the first transport path 34 via the second transport path 36, and recording is performed on the second side (see FIG. 5(c)).

[0044] When a large amount of ink is applied Next, the behavior of the sheet S when the amount of ink applied to the sheet S is large (for example, exceeding a threshold value) will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the contact area of ​​a preceding sheet with a succeeding sheet. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the behavior of the sheet S in the second double-sided recording when the amount of ink applied to area 1 of the sheet S is large. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the behavior of the sheet S in the second double-sided recording when the amount of ink applied to area 2 of the sheet S is large. Note that Figs. 7 and 8 mainly show the first transport path 34 and the second transport path 36, similar to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0045] As described above, after recording on the first surface of the subsequent sheet Sf, the sheet S and the subsequent sheet Sf come into contact with each other on the downstream side of the first junction 38 in the first direction. The contact area of ​​the sheet S with the subsequent sheet Sf includes an area 1 where the sheet S and the subsequent sheet Sf may come into contact with each other when they move in the opposite directions, and where the subsequent sheet Sf may come into contact with the sheet S even when the sheet S is waiting in the second conveying path 36 (see FIG. 6). The contact area also includes an area 2 where the sheet S and the subsequent sheet Sf may come into contact with each other when they move in the opposite directions. That is, the area 1 corresponds to an area where the sheet S remains on the first conveying path 34 when the sheet S is conveyed on the second conveying path 36 and its rear end Sb reaches the second junction 40. The area 2 is an area located upstream of the area 1 in the first direction. Therefore, both the area 1 and the area 2 are areas where the sheet Sf may come into contact with and move.

[0046] For this reason, when a large amount of ink is applied in areas 1 and 2 of the sheet S, the recording quality in areas 1 and 2 may be reduced by the sheet Sf moving in contact with the sheet Sf, or the ink applied to areas 1 and 2 may be transferred to the succeeding sheet Sf. This may result in a reduction in the quality of the finished product.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the amount of ink applied in the contact area is large, the fed subsequent sheet Sf is made to wait for a predetermined time (waiting time) before starting recording on the first side. Specifically, when the amount of ink applied to area 1 is large, the subsequent sheet Sf is made to wait before recording on the first side so that the sheet S with the ink applied to area 1 in a dried state comes into contact with the subsequent sheet Sf. Also, when the amount of ink applied to area 2 is large, the subsequent sheet Sf is made to wait before recording on the first side so that the leading end Sfa of the subsequent sheet Sf passes through the first junction 38 after the trailing end Sb of the sheet S conveyed to the second conveying path 36 reaches the second junction 40.

[0048] When a large amount of ink is applied to area 1 First, a case where a large amount of ink is applied to the area 1 will be described. As in the case where a small amount of ink is applied, first, the sheet S stored in the storage unit 12 is fed by the feed roller 24 through the feed path 26 to the main transport roller pair 28. The fed sheet S is then transported along the first transport path 34 by the main transport roller pair 28, and the first side is recorded by the recording unit 18 (see FIG. 4(a)). Thereafter, the sheet S after recording on the first side is transported, and at the timing when the sheet S is transported a predetermined amount after the trailing edge Sb is detected by the first sensor 44, the succeeding sheet Sf is fed.

[0049] When the leading edge Sfa of the subsequent sheet Sf being fed is detected by the first sensor 44, the subsequent sheet Sf stops at that position in the feeding path 26 and waits for a predetermined time (see FIG. 7(a)). In the following description, the position where the sheet waits in the feeding path 26 is referred to as the "first waiting position". While the subsequent sheet Sf is waiting at the first waiting position, recording on the first side of the sheet S continues, and then the sheet S is conveyed in the first direction until the trailing edge Sb is detected by the second sensor 46 (see FIG. 7(a)). When the trailing edge Sb is detected by the second sensor 46, the flapper 48 is moved from the first position to the second position. Then, the sheet S is conveyed in the second direction by the reversing roller pair 32, guided to the second conveying path 36 by the flapper 48, and conveyed in the second conveying path 36 (see FIG. 7(b)). After the sheet S is guided to the second conveying path 36, the flapper 48 is moved from the second position to the first position. Thereafter, the sheet S is stopped and waits at a position in the second conveying path 36 where the rear end Sb of the sheet S reaches the second junction 40 (see FIG. 7(c)). In the following description, the position where the sheet waits in the second conveying path 36 is referred to as the "second wait position."

[0050] Furthermore, when the elapsed time at the first waiting position reaches a predetermined time, the subsequent sheet Sf starts recording on the first side. Then, as the recording of the subsequent sheet Sf progresses, the subsequent sheet Sf is conveyed while contacting the area 1 of the sheet S located in the first conveying path 34 on the downstream side of the first junction 38 in the first direction (see FIG. 7(d)). Here, the subsequent sheet Sf starts recording after waiting for a predetermined time at the first waiting position. For this reason, the predetermined waiting time at the first waiting position is set to a time that allows the ink applied to the area 1 of the sheet S to be in a dry state when the sheet S and the subsequent sheet Sf come into contact with each other and are conveyed. The state in which the ink is dry refers to a state in which the recording quality of the sheet S does not decrease and the ink applied to the sheet S is not transferred to the subsequent sheet Sf. As a result, even if the succeeding sheet Sf is transported while being in contact with the area 1 of the sheet S, a decrease in the recording quality in that area and transfer of the ink applied to that area to the succeeding sheet Sf are suppressed.

[0051] When a large amount of ink is applied to area 2 Next, a case where the amount of ink applied to the area 2 is large will be described. As in the case where the amount of ink applied to the area 1 is large, recording is performed on the first side of the fed sheet S, and the following sheet S is fed at the timing when the sheet S is conveyed a predetermined amount after the trailing end Sb of the sheet S after recording is detected by the first sensor 44. Then, when the leading end Sfa of the following sheet Sf is detected by the first sensor 44, the following sheet S is stopped at the first waiting position and is made to wait for a predetermined time (see FIG. 8(a)). During the feeding and waiting of the following sheet Sf, recording on the first side of the sheet S continues. Then, when the trailing end Sb is detected by the second sensor 46, the conveying direction of the sheet S is reversed, and the sheet S is guided to the second conveying path 36 by the flapper 48 at the second position, and is conveyed to the second conveying path 36 (see FIG. 8(b)). Here, the flapper 48 is moved from the second position to the first position. Up to this point, it is the same as the case where the amount of ink applied to the area 1 is large.

[0052] When the amount of ink applied to the area 2 is large, recording on the first side of the succeeding sheet Sf is started while the sheet S is being transported in the second direction by the pair of reversing rollers 32. That is, while the sheet S is being transported in the second direction, the succeeding sheet Sf waiting at the first waiting position reaches a predetermined time, and recording on the first side is started (see FIG. 8B). As the recording on the succeeding sheet Sf progresses, the succeeding sheet Sf is transported while contacting the area 1 of the sheet S remaining in the first transport path 34 on the downstream side of the first junction 38 in the first direction. Here, the succeeding sheet Sf starts recording after waiting for a predetermined time at the first waiting position. For this reason, the predetermined time for waiting at the first waiting position is set to a time that allows the area 2 of the sheet S to be in a state in which it is located in the second transport path 36 when the sheet S and the succeeding sheet Sf are transported in contact with each other. As a result, after area 2 is positioned within the second conveying path 36, the sheet S and the subsequent sheet Sf come into contact (see Figure 8 (c)), thereby preventing a deterioration in recording quality in area 2 and the transfer of ink applied to area 2 to the subsequent sheet Sf.

[0053] In this way, when the amount of ink applied to region 2 is large, the leading edge Sfa of the succeeding sheet Sf may be positioned downstream of the first junction 38 in the first direction immediately after region 2 is positioned in the second transport path 36. On the other hand, when the amount of ink applied to region 1 is large, the ink needs to be dry in region 1 located in the first transport path 34 when the trailing edge Sb of the sheet S transported on the second transport path 36 reaches the second junction 40. For this reason, when the amount of ink applied to region 2 is large, the predetermined time, that is, the waiting time of the succeeding sheet Sf at the first waiting position, can be shortened compared to when the amount of ink applied to region 1 is large.

[0054] (Processing contents of each recording process) Next, a single-sided recording process for performing single-sided recording, a first double-sided recording process for performing first double-sided recording, and a second double-sided recording process for performing second double-sided recording, which are executed by the recording apparatus 10, will be described.

[0055] <Single-sided recording processing> First, a single-sided recording process in which recording is performed only on the first side of a sheet will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing contents of the single-sided recording process. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are performed by the CPU 202 expanding the program code stored in the ROM 204 into the RAM 206 and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 9 may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or an electric circuit. In this specification, the symbol S in the description of each process means a step in the flowchart.

[0056] When the single-sided recording process is started, first, in S902, the CPU 202 feeds the sheet S stored in the storage unit 12 by the feeding roller 24. Then, in S904, the CPU 202 determines whether the flapper 48 is located at the second position. For example, the recording device 10 is provided with a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the position of the flapper 48, and in S904, the determination is made based on the detection result of this sensor. The method of detecting the position of the flapper 48 is not limited to this, and various known techniques can be used.

[0057] If it is determined in S904 that the flapper 48 is not in the second position, the process proceeds to S906, where the CPU 202 moves the flapper 48 to the second position, and the process proceeds to S908, which will be described later. If it is determined in S904 that the flapper 48 is in the second position, the process proceeds to S908, where the CPU 202 starts recording on the first side of the fed sheet S. After recording on the first side, the sheet S is guided by the flapper 48 to the discharge path 54, and then discharged to the stacking unit 22 by the pair of discharge rollers 56.

[0058] When recording on sheet S is started, next, in S910, the CPU 202 determines whether or not to record on the next sheet S, and if it is determined that the next sheet is to be recorded, the process returns to S902. Also, if it is determined in S910 that the next sheet S is not to be recorded, this single-sided recording process ends.

[0059] <First double-sided recording process> Next, a first double-sided recording process for performing double-sided recording on a subsequent sheet after performing double-sided recording on a sheet will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing contents of the first double-sided recording process. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of Fig. 10 is performed by CPU 202 expanding program codes stored in ROM 204 into RAM 206 and executing them. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 10 may be performed by hardware such as ASIC or electric circuits.

[0060] When the first double-sided recording process is started, first, in S1002, the CPU 202 feeds the sheet S accommodated in the accommodation unit 12 by the feeding roller 24. Then, in S1004, the CPU 202 judges whether or not the flapper 48 is located at the first position. If it is judged in S1004 that the flapper 48 is not at the first position, the process proceeds to S1006, in which the CPU 202 moves the flapper 48 to the first position, and proceeds to S1008, which will be described later. Also, if it is judged in S1004 that the flapper 48 is at the first position, the process proceeds to S1008, in which the CPU 202 judges whether or not recording is to be performed on the second side of the sheet S. As a method of judging whether or not recording is to be performed on the second side of the sheet S in S1008, various known techniques can be used.

[0061] If it is determined in S1008 that recording is not to be performed on the second side, the process proceeds to S1010, where the CPU 202 starts recording on the first side of the sheet S. Then, in S1012, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the trailing end Sb of the sheet S has been detected by the second sensor 46. If it is determined in S1012 that the trailing end Sb has not been detected, it is determined that the entire sheet S is not yet located downstream in the first direction of the second sensor 46, and S1012 is executed again. Note that if it is determined in S1012 that the trailing end Sb has not been detected for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred, and the first double-sided process may be terminated.

[0062] Furthermore, when it is determined in S1012 that the trailing end Sb has been detected, it is determined that the entire sheet S is located downstream of the second sensor 46 in the first direction, and the process proceeds to S1014, where the CPU 202 moves the flapper 48 to the second position. When it is determined that the trailing end Sb has been detected, the CPU 202 stops the forward rotating reversing roller pair 32 to stop the movement of the sheet S in the first direction. Thereafter, in S1016, the CPU 202 reverses the reversing roller pair 32 to convey the sheet S to the second conveying path 36, and the process returns to S1008. By reversing the reversing roller pair 32 in S1016, the sheet S after the first side is recorded is conveyed in the second direction and guided to the second conveying path 36 by the flapper 48 at the second position, and then conveyed in the second conveying path 36 by the intermediate roller pair 42.

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined in S1008 that recording is to be performed on the second side, the process proceeds to S1018, where the CPU 202 starts recording on the second side of the sheet S. Thereafter, in S1020, the CPU 202 determines whether recording on the second side is completed, that is, whether double-sided recording on the sheet S is completed. For example, the recording device 10 is provided with a sensor capable of detecting the discharge of a sheet, and in S1020, it is determined whether the sheet has been discharged based on the detection result of this sensor. Note that the determination of whether recording on the second side is completed is not limited to this, and various known techniques can be used.

[0064] If it is determined in S1020 that recording on the second side is not complete, S1020 is executed again. If it is determined in S1020 that recording on the second side is not complete for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the first double-sided process may be terminated. If it is determined in S1020 that recording on the second side is complete, the process proceeds to S1022, where the CPU 202 determines whether or not to record on the next sheet S, and if it is determined that it is to record on the next sheet, the process returns to S1002. If it is determined in S1022 that it is not to record on the next sheet S, the first double-sided recording process is terminated.

[0065] <Second double-sided recording process> Next, a second double-sided recording process will be described, in which, when recording on both sides of a sheet, recording is performed on the first side of a subsequent sheet between recording on the first side and recording on the second side of a preceding sheet. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing contents of the second double-sided recording process. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 are performed by CPU 202 expanding program codes stored in ROM 204 into RAM 206 and executing them. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 11 may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or an electric circuit.

[0066] When the second double-sided recording process is started, first, in S1102, the CPU 202 executes a determination process to determine a predetermined time that is a time for making the succeeding sheet Sf wait at the first waiting position. The detailed process contents of the determination process will be described later. Next, the process proceeds to S1104, where the CPU 202 executes a feeding process to feed the sheet accommodated in the accommodation unit 12. Also, the process proceeds to S1106, where the CPU 202 executes a first process to record on the first side of the fed sheet. Furthermore, the process proceeds to S1108, where the CPU 202 executes a second process to record on the second side of the sheet after the recording on the first side. That is, after the determination process is completed, S1104, S1106, and S1108 are executed in parallel. The detailed process contents of the feeding process, the first process, and the second process will be described later. After that, in S1110, the CPU 202 determines whether or not all of the feeding process, the first process, and the second process have been completed. If it is determined in S1110 that the feeding process, the first process, and the second process have all been completed, the second double-sided recording process is terminated.

[0067] = Decision process = The determination process executed in the second double-sided recording process will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG 12.

[0068] When the determination process is started, first, in S1202, the CPU 202 determines area 1 and area 2 on the sheet. When the sheet is located at the second waiting position, area 1 located on the first conveying path 34 is determined, for example, according to the size of the sheet and the length from the first junction 38 to the second junction 40. Also, area 2 that may come into contact with a subsequent sheet on which recording is started without waiting at the first waiting position is determined, for example, according to the recording data. Area 1 and area 2 may differ depending on, for example, the type of ink used or the type of sheet used.

[0069] Next, in S1204, the CPU 202 obtains the amount D1 of ink applied to area 1 and the amount D2 of ink applied to area 2. The amounts D1 and D2 are obtained based on the print data. Thereafter, in S1206, the CPU 202 determines whether the amount D1 of ink applied is greater than a threshold E1, that is, whether D1>E1. If it is determined in S1206 that D1>E1, the process proceeds to S1208, where the CPU 202 sets the predetermined time T, which is the waiting time at the first waiting position, to time T1, and proceeds to processing such as S1104.

[0070] Furthermore, if it is determined in S1206 that D1>E1 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S1210, where the CPU 202 determines whether the amount of application D2 is greater than the threshold value E2, that is, whether D2>E2 is satisfied. If it is determined in S1210 that D2>E2 is satisfied, the process proceeds to S1212, where the CPU 202 sets the predetermined time T to time T2, and proceeds to processing such as S1104. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1210 that D2>E2 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S1214, where the CPU 202 sets the predetermined time T to "0", and proceeds to processing such as S1104.

[0071] Here, the threshold value E1 is appropriately set according to, for example, the type of ink used, the type of sheet, the conveying speed, etc. Also, the time T1 is the time required for the ink applied to the area 1 to dry. In other words, the time T1 is the lower limit of the above-mentioned predetermined time at which the deterioration of the recording quality and the transfer of ink do not occur even if the area 1 of the sheet S at the second waiting position comes into contact with the succeeding sheet Sf that has been made to wait for a predetermined time and has started recording on its first side. Alternatively, the time T1 is set to a value that is a certain amount larger than the lower limit. Note that more ink than the threshold value E1 is applied to the area 1 of the sheet S at the above-mentioned second waiting position.

[0072] The threshold value E2 is set to an upper limit of the amount of ink to be applied that does not cause a decrease in recording quality or transfer of ink even if the subsequent sheet Sf, which has started recording after waiting at the first waiting position for the time T2 determined in S1212, comes into contact with the sheet S being transported to the second waiting position. Alternatively, the threshold value E2 is set to a value that is smaller than the upper limit by a certain amount. The time T2 is determined as follows. The time from the point when the subsequent sheet Sf starts recording without waiting time until the sheet S, which has been previously recorded, is moved along the second transport path 36 and its rear end Sb reaches the second junction 40 is set to t1. The time from the point when the subsequent sheet Sf starts recording without waiting time until the sheet S reaches the first junction 38 from the first waiting position is set to t2. In the recording device 10, if t2≦t1, the time T2 is set to a value larger than the absolute value (|t1-t2|) of the difference between the time t1 and the time t2. In other words, the time T2 is set to a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the difference between t1 and t2. The predetermined value may be a fixed value, or may be a value that changes according to the value of the difference. Furthermore, in the recording device 10, if t2>t1, the time T2 is set to "0".

[0073] =Feeding process= Next, a feeding process that is executed in parallel with the first process and the second process in the second double-sided recording process will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

[0074] When the feeding process is started, first, in S1302, the CPU 202 feeds the sheet S stored in the storage unit 12 to the first standby position. In S1302, the sheet S is fed to the feeding path 26 by the feeding roller 24 to a position where the leading edge Sa of the sheet S is detected by the first sensor 44. Next, in S1304, the CPU 202 starts counting the elapsed time. That is, in S1304, the time elapsed since the sheet S was conveyed to the first standby position is counted.

[0075] Thereafter, in S1306, the CPU 202 determines whether or not recording has been started on the sheet S at the first standby position. If it is determined in S1306 that recording has been started on the sheet S at the first standby position, the process proceeds to S1308, in which the CPU 202 determines whether or not the trailing end Sb of the sheet S on which recording has been started has been detected by the first sensor 44. If it is determined in S1308 that the trailing end Sb of the sheet S has been detected by the first sensor 44, the process proceeds to S1310, in which the CPU 202 determines whether or not the sheet S has been transported by a predetermined amount after the trailing end Sb has been detected by the first sensor 44.

[0076] If it is determined in S1310 that the sheet S has been conveyed by a predetermined amount, the process proceeds to S1312, where the CPU 202 determines whether or not there is recording on the next sheet S (subsequent sheet Sf). If it is determined in S1312 that there is recording on the next sheet S, the process returns to S1302. If it is determined in S1312 that there is no recording on the next sheet S, the process proceeds to S1314, where the CPU 202 ends this feeding process, and proceeds to S1110.

[0077] If it is determined in S1306 that recording on the sheet S at the first standby position has not started, S1306 is executed again. If it is determined that recording on the sheet S at the first standby position has not started for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated. Also, if it is determined in S1306 that recording on the sheet S at the first standby position has started, the count value that was started in S1304 is initialized.

[0078] If it is determined in S1308 that the trailing end Sb of the sheet S has not been detected by the first sensor 44, S1308 is executed again. If it is determined that the trailing end Sb of the sheet S has not been detected by the first sensor 44 for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated. Furthermore, if it is determined in S1310 that the sheet S has not been transported by a predetermined amount, S1310 is executed again. If it is determined that the sheet S has not been transported by a predetermined amount for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated.

[0079] =First process= Next, a first process that is executed in parallel with the feeding process and the second process in the second double-sided recording process will be described below. Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the detailed processing contents of the first process.

[0080] When the first process starts, which records on the first side of the sheet fed by the feeding process, first, in S1402, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the sheet S, which has been recorded on its second side in the second process, has been guided to the discharge path 54. In S1402, it is determined that the sheet S has been guided to the discharge path 54, or if there is no sheet S that has been previously recorded (i.e., the sheet S to be recorded on will be the first to be recorded on), it is determined that the sheet S has been guided. Whether or not the sheet S has been guided to the discharge path 54 can be determined by using various known detection methods, such as providing a sensor that detects the presence of the sheet S in the discharge path 54.

[0081] If it is determined in S1402 that the sheet S has been guided to the discharge path 54, the process proceeds to S1404, where the CPU 202 determines whether or not the flapper 48 is in the first position, and if it is determined that the flapper 48 is in the first position, the process proceeds to S1408, which will be described later. If it is determined in S1404 that the flapper 48 is not in the first position, the process proceeds to S1406, where the CPU 202 moves the flapper 48 to the first position, and then the process proceeds to S1408.

[0082] In S1408, CPU 202 determines whether the waiting time of sheet S in the first waiting position has reached a predetermined time T. In S1408, the determination is made using the predetermined time T determined in the determination process in S1102 and the count value of the count started in S1104. That is, in S1408, it is determined whether the count value has reached the predetermined time T. Note that this process may be omitted for the sheet S to be recorded first.

[0083] When it is determined in S1408 that the waiting time of the sheet S at the first waiting position has reached the predetermined time T, in S1410, the CPU 202 starts recording on the first side of the sheet S at the first waiting position. That is, in S1410, the sheet S is transported in the first direction from the first waiting position in the first transport path 34, and the recording unit 18 performs recording based on the recording data on the first side of the sheet S facing the recording head 50.

[0084] Next, in S1412, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the trailing end Sb of the sheet S, which has been recorded on its first side, has been detected by the second sensor 46. If it is determined in S1412 that the trailing end Sb of the sheet S has been detected by the second sensor 46, the process proceeds to S1414, in which the CPU 202 moves the flapper 48 to the second position. Also, at this time, the forward rotation of the pair of reversing rollers 32 is stopped. Furthermore, at this time, if there is recording on the next sheet S (the subsequent sheet Sf), the sheet S to be next recorded is being fed or has already been fed to the first standby position by the feeding process.

[0085] Thereafter, in S1416, the CPU 202 reverses the pair of reversing rollers 32 to transport the sheet S after recording on its first side in the second direction to the second transport path 36. Then, in S1418, the CPU 202 determines whether the sheet S after recording on its first side has been inserted into the second transport path 36. In S1418, the determination is made based on, for example, the amount of rotation of the pair of reversing rollers 32 after reversal. The sheet S inserted into the second transport path 36 is transported until its rear end Sb reaches the second junction 40.

[0086] If it is determined in S1418 that the sheet S after recording on the first side has been inserted into the second conveying path 36, the process proceeds to S1420, where the CPU 202 determines whether or not there is a sheet S (subsequent sheet Sf) waiting at the first waiting position. In S1420, for example, it is determined whether or not the sheet S is detected by the first sensor 44, and if detected, it is determined that the sheet S is waiting at the first waiting position.

[0087] If it is determined in S1420 that there is a sheet S waiting at the first waiting position, the process returns to S1402. If it is determined in S1420 that there is no sheet S waiting at the first waiting position, the process proceeds to S1422, where the CPU 202 determines whether or not the sheet S in the second conveying path 36 has reached the second waiting position. Note that, as a method for detecting the arrival of the sheet S at the second waiting position, that is, the arrival of the trailing end Sb at the second junction 40, in S1422, various known techniques can be used. For example, a sensor may be provided to detect the arrival of the sheet S at the second waiting position, or the arrival may be detected based on the amount of rotation of the reversing roller pair 32, the intermediate roller pair 42, etc. If it is determined in S1422 that the sheet S has reached the second waiting position, the process proceeds to S1424, where the CPU 202 ends this first process, and the process proceeds to S1110.

[0088] If it is determined in 1402 that the sheet S has not been guided to the discharge path 54, then 1402 is executed again. If the determination that the sheet S has not been guided to the discharge path 54 continues for a certain period of time, then it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated. If it is determined in S1408 that the waiting time of the sheet S at the first standby position has not reached the predetermined time T, then S1408 is executed again. If the determination that the waiting time of the sheet S at the first standby position has not reached the predetermined time T continues for a certain period of time, then it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated.

[0089] Furthermore, if it is determined in S1412 that the trailing end Sb of the sheet S has not been detected by the second sensor 46, S1412 is executed again. If it is determined that the trailing end Sb of the sheet S has not been detected by the second sensor 46 for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated. Furthermore, if it is determined in S1418 that the sheet S after recording on the first side has not been inserted into the second conveying path 36, S1418 is executed again. If it is determined that the sheet S after recording on the first side has not been inserted into the second conveying path 36 for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated. Furthermore, if it is determined in S1422 that the sheet S has not reached the second waiting position, S1422 is executed again. If it is determined that the sheet S has not reached the second waiting position for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated.

[0090] =Second process= Next, a second process executed in parallel with the feeding process and the first process in the second double-sided recording process will be described below. Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing the detailed processing contents of the second process.

[0091] When the second process of recording on the second side of the sheet conveyed to the second waiting position by the first process is started, first, in S1502, the CPU 202 determines whether or not there is a sheet S at the second waiting position. If it is determined in S1502 that there is a sheet S at the second waiting position, the process proceeds to S1504, in which the CPU 202 determines whether or not the trailing edge Sfb of the sheet (subsequent sheet Sf) that has been recorded on its first side following the sheet S has been detected by the first sensor 44.

[0092] If it is determined in S1504 that the trailing end Sfb of the succeeding sheet Sf has been detected by the first sensor 44, the process proceeds to the following S1508. If it is determined in S1504 that the trailing end Sfb of the succeeding sheet Sf has not been detected by the first sensor 44, the process proceeds to S1506, in which the CPU 202 determines whether the first process has been completed. If it is determined in S1508 that the first process has been completed, the process proceeds to S1508. Then, in S1508, the CPU 202 starts recording on the second side of the sheet S at the second waiting position. That is, in 1508, the sheet S is conveyed in the first direction from the second waiting position in the first conveying path 34, and the recording unit 18 performs recording based on the recording data on the second side of the sheet facing the recording head 50. In addition, while recording is being performed on the second side of the sheet S, the flapper 48 is moved to the second position in the first process that is being performed in parallel, so that the sheet being recorded on its second side is guided to the discharge path 54 by the flapper 48 in the second position as the recording progresses.

[0093] Next, in S1510, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the subsequent sheet Sf has been inserted into the second conveying path 36, and if it is determined that the subsequent sheet Sf has been inserted into the second conveying path 36, the process returns to S1502. If it is determined in S1510 that the subsequent sheet Sf has not been inserted into the second conveying path 36, the process proceeds to S1512, in which the CPU 202 determines whether or not a set time has elapsed. That is, in S1512, it is determined whether or not a set time has elapsed since it was determined in S1510 to which the process proceeded from S1508 that the subsequent sheet Sf has not been inserted into the second conveying path 36.

[0094] If it is determined in S1512 that the set time has not elapsed, the process returns to S1510. If it is determined in S1512 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S1514, where the CPU 202 determines whether the sheet S has been discharged after recording on the second side. If it is determined in S1514 that the sheet S has been discharged, the process proceeds to S1516, where the CPU 202 ends the second process, and the process proceeds to S1110.

[0095] If it is determined in S1502 that sheet S is not present at the second waiting position, S1502 is executed again. If it is determined that sheet S is not present at the second waiting position for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated. If it is determined in S1506 that the first process has not been completed for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated.

[0096] Furthermore, in S1512, if it is determined that the set time has not elapsed a certain number of times, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated. Furthermore, if it is determined in S1514 that the sheet S after recording on the second side has not been discharged, S1514 is executed again. If it is determined in S1514 that the sheet S after recording on the second side has not been discharged for a certain period of time, it may be determined that an error has occurred and the second double-sided recording process may be terminated.

[0097] (Action and effect) As described above, in the recording device 10 according to the present embodiment, between recording on the first side of a preceding sheet and recording on the second side of the preceding sheet, the succeeding sheet is made to wait for a predetermined time before starting recording on the first side of the succeeding sheet. This allows time for the ink applied to the preceding sheet to dry, and shifts the timing of contact between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the recording quality of the preceding sheet, and also to suppress the transfer of ink to the succeeding sheet.

[0098] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (4).

[0099] (1) In the above embodiment, the times T1 and T2 are set to fixed values ​​for the amounts D1 and D2 to be provided in the determination process, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the times T1 and T2 may be changed depending on the values ​​of the amounts D1 and D2 to be provided.

[0100] (2) In the above embodiment, the recording device 10 is a serial scan type recording device, but is not limited to this. For example, the recording device may be a full line type recording device that performs recording using a recording head having an ink ejection portion formed with a length corresponding to the length of the sheet S in the width direction.

[0101] (3) In the above embodiment, the amount of ink applied in area 1 and area 2 is acquired in the determination process executed by the control unit 200, and the predetermined time, which is the waiting time at the first waiting position, is determined in accordance with the acquired amounts of ink applied. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the determination process may be executed by an external device such as the host device 210.

[0102] (4) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for realizing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for realizing one or more of the functions.

[0103] (5) The above embodiment and the various configurations shown in (1) and (4) above may be combined as appropriate.

[0104] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A feeding means for feeding a recording medium to a first position; a conveying means capable of conveying the recording medium fed to the first position by the feeding means in a first direction; a recording means for applying ink to a recording medium transported in the first direction by the transport means; a reversing conveying path that reverses the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in a second direction opposite to the first direction after recording by the recording means and guides the recording medium to the recording means; a control means for controlling the conveying means and the recording means to perform recording on a first side and a second side behind a first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium, The recording device is characterized in that the control means makes the second recording medium wait at the first position for a predetermined time when starting recording on the first surface of the second recording medium, depending on the amount of ink applied to an area of ​​the first recording medium recorded on the first surface transported via the reverse transport path with which the second recording medium contacts while being transported in the first direction. (Configuration 2) The recording device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the control means transports the second recording medium in the first direction while contacting the first recording medium after recording on the first surface transported in the second direction downstream of the recording means. (Configuration 3) The recording apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means further controls the feeding means to feed the second recording medium to the first position during recording on the first side of the first recording medium. (Configuration 4) The control means An acquisition means for acquiring an amount of ink applied to the region; 4. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising: a determination unit that determines the predetermined time period in accordance with the amount of application acquired by the acquisition unit. (Configuration 5) the region includes a first region located downstream in the first direction and a second region located upstream in the first direction, the acquiring means acquires the amount of the applied ink in the first region and the amount of the applied ink in the second region, The determining means is When the amount of application in the first region exceeds a first threshold, the predetermined time is determined according to the amount of application in the first region; When the amount of application in the first region is equal to or less than the first threshold value and the amount of application in the second region exceeds a second threshold value, the predetermined time is determined according to the amount of application in the second region; The recording device according to configuration 4, characterized in that when the amount of toner applied in the first area is equal to or less than the first threshold value and the amount of toner applied in the second area is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the predetermined time is determined to be "0". (Configuration 6) the reverse conveying path merges with a conveying path for the recording medium conveyed in the first direction at a first junction on a downstream side of the recording device in the first direction and at a second junction on an upstream side of the recording device in the first direction, The recording device described in configuration 5, characterized in that the control means causes the first recording medium to wait at a second position in the reverse transport path where the first recording medium reaches the second junction, and performs recording on the second side of the first recording medium after recording on the first side of the second recording medium. (Configuration 7) The recording device described in configuration 6, characterized in that the predetermined time determined according to the amount of application in the second area is a value that is a predetermined value greater than the absolute value of the difference between time t1 and time t2 if the relationship between a time t1 from the time the second recording medium starts recording without waiting at the first position to the time the first recording medium reaches the second position on the reverse transport path and a time t2 from the first position to the time the second recording medium reaches the first junction is t2≦t1, and is "0" if t2>t1. (Configuration 8) 8. The recording device according to any one of configurations 5 to 7, wherein the predetermined time period according to the amount of toner applied in the first region is longer than the time period according to the amount of toner applied in the second region. (Configuration 9) The recording device according to any one of configurations 5 to 7, wherein the predetermined time according to the amount of toner applied in the first area and the predetermined time according to the amount of toner applied in the second area are fixed values. (Configuration 10) the predetermined time period according to the amount of application in the first region varies according to the amount of application in the first region, 8. The recording device according to any one of configurations 5 to 7, wherein the predetermined time period according to the amount of toner applied in the second region varies according to the amount of toner applied in the second region. (Configuration 11) The recording device according to configuration 6, further comprising a flapper at the first junction that is displaceable between a first position that enables the recording medium to be transported in the first direction on the transport path and a second position that guides the recording medium transported in the second direction to the reverse transport path. (Configuration 12) a discharge path for discharging the recording medium; The recording device described in configuration 11, characterized in that when the flapper is located at the second position, the recording medium transported in the first direction is guided to the discharge path, and the recording medium transported in the second direction is guided to the reverse transport path. (Configuration 13) A feeding means for feeding a recording medium to a first position; a conveying means for conveying the recording medium fed to the first position by the feeding means in a first direction; a recording means for applying ink to a recording medium transported in the first direction by the transport means; a reversing conveying path that reverses a recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in a second direction opposite to the first direction after recording by the recording means and guides the recording medium to the recording means, and a control method for controlling a recording device that performs recording on a first side and a second side behind the first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium, the control method comprising: A control method characterized by making the second recording medium wait at the first position for a predetermined time when starting recording on the first side of the second recording medium, depending on the amount of ink applied to an area of ​​the first recording medium recorded on the first side transported via the reverse transport path with which the second recording medium contacts while being transported in the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10 Recording Device 14 Feeding section 16 Conveyor section 18 Recording Section 200 Control section

Claims

1. A feeding means for feeding a recording medium to a first position; a conveying means capable of conveying the recording medium fed to the first position by the feeding means in a first direction; a recording means for applying ink to the recording medium transported in the first direction by the transport means; a reversing conveying path that reverses the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in a second direction opposite to the first direction after recording by the recording means and guides the recording medium to the recording means; a control means for controlling the conveying means and the recording means to perform recording on a first side and a second side behind a first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium, The recording device is characterized in that the control means makes the second recording medium wait at the first position for a predetermined time when starting recording on the first surface of the second recording medium, depending on the amount of ink applied to an area of ​​the first recording medium recorded on the first surface transported via the reverse transport path with which the second recording medium contacts while being transported in the first direction.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means transports the second recording medium in the first direction while contacting the first recording medium after recording on the first surface transported in the second direction downstream of the recording means in the first direction.

3. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means further controls the feeding means to feed the second recording medium to the first position during recording on the first side of the first recording medium.

4. The control means An acquisition means for acquiring an amount of ink applied to the region; The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a determination unit that determines the predetermined time period in accordance with the amount of application acquired by the acquisition unit.

5. the region includes a first region located downstream in the first direction and a second region located upstream in the first direction, the obtaining means obtains the amount of the applied ink in the first region and the amount of the applied ink in the second region; The determining means is When the amount of application in the first region exceeds a first threshold, the predetermined time is determined according to the amount of application in the first region; When the amount of application in the first region is equal to or less than the first threshold value and the amount of application in the second region exceeds a second threshold value, the predetermined time is determined according to the amount of application in the second region; 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined time is determined to be "0" when the amount of toner applied in the first area is equal to or less than the first threshold value and when the amount of toner applied in the second area is equal to or less than the second threshold value.

6. the reverse conveying path merges with a conveying path for the recording medium conveyed in the first direction at a first junction on a downstream side of the recording device in the first direction and at a second junction on an upstream side of the recording device in the first direction, The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means causes the first recording medium to wait at a second position in the reversing transport path where the first recording medium reaches the second junction, and performs recording on the second side of the first recording medium after recording on the first side of the second recording medium.

7. The recording device described in claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined time determined according to the amount of application in the second area is a value that is a predetermined value greater than the absolute value of the difference between time t1 and time t2 if the relationship between a time t1 from the time the second recording medium starts recording without waiting at the first position to the time the first recording medium reaches the second position on the reverse transport path and a time t2 from the first position to the time the second recording medium reaches the first junction is t2≦t1, and is "0" if t2>t1.

8. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined time period corresponding to the amount of toner applied in the first area is greater than the time period corresponding to the amount of toner applied in the second area.

9. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined time period according to the amount of toner applied in the first area and the predetermined time period according to the amount of toner applied in the second area are fixed values.

10. the predetermined time period according to the amount of application in the first region varies according to the amount of application in the first region, 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined time period according to the amount of toner applied in the second area varies according to the amount of toner applied in the second area.

11. 7. The recording device according to claim 6, further comprising a flapper at the first junction that can be displaced between a first position that enables the recording medium to be transported in the first direction on the transport path and a second position that guides the recording medium transported in the second direction to the reverse transport path.

12. a discharge path for discharging the recording medium; The recording device according to claim 11, characterized in that, when the flapper is located at the second position, the recording medium transported in the first direction is guided to the discharge path, and the recording medium transported in the second direction is guided to the reverse transport path.

13. A feeding means for feeding a recording medium to a first position; a conveying means for conveying the recording medium fed to the first position by the feeding means in a first direction; a recording means for applying ink to the recording medium transported in the first direction by the transport means; a reversing conveying path that reverses a recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in a second direction opposite to the first direction after recording by the recording means and guides the recording medium to the recording means, and a control method for controlling a recording device that executes recording on a first side and a second side behind the first recording medium of a first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium, the control method comprising: A control method characterized by making the second recording medium wait at the first position for a predetermined time when starting recording on the first surface of the second recording medium, depending on the amount of ink applied to an area of ​​the first recording medium recorded on the first surface transported via the inversion transport path with which the second recording medium contacts while being transported in the first direction.

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