Recording device

Abstract

To make it possible to select and execute any one of fourth processing and fifth recording processing.SOLUTION: A CPU of a printer determines whether or not a length of a sheet in a conveyance direction is a prescribed length or more (S10: third processing), after starting conveyance of the sheet (S5). When it is determined that the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction is the prescribed length or more (S10: YES), the CPU performs recording processing (S11) that further records a second image on the sheet with a first image recorded thereon, and cutting processing (S12) that cuts the sheet so as to divide the same into a first cut sheet and a second cut sheet, thereby generating the first cut sheet with the first image recorded thereon and the second cut sheet with the second image recorded thereon (fourth processing). When it is determined that the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction is less than the prescribed length (S10: NO), the CPU records the second image on a next sheet (S13: fifth processing) after recording the first image on the sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device equipped with a cutting unit that cuts a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a printing device (recording device) equipped with a cutting unit that cuts printing paper (recording medium), A4 size printing paper is cut in half by the cutting unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-094784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technology of Patent Document 1, it is possible to cut an A4 size printing paper in half, but in cases where the size of the recording medium transported to the recording unit is unknown, it is not possible to properly determine whether to perform printing with cutting as described above (fourth process) or printing without cutting (fifth process).

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that can appropriately select and execute either the fourth process or the fifth process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, a recording apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a conveying direction, a recording unit that records an image on the recording medium, a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium, a detection unit that outputs a detection signal for the recording medium, and a control unit, the recording medium including a first recording medium and a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the control unit executes a first process to cause the conveying unit to start conveying the first recording medium in response to receiving a recording command including first image data and second image data, and after the first process, executes a second process to cause the recording unit to start recording a first image based on the first image data on the first recording medium, and after the first process, executes a third process to determine whether or not a length of the first recording medium in the conveying direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined length based on the detection signal from the detection unit, and in the third process, a recording unit for recording the first image on the first recording medium and the second cut medium for recording the second image on the second recording medium, when it is determined that the length in the transport direction of the first recording medium is equal to or greater than the predetermined length, and a fourth process is performed to generate the first cut medium on which the first image is recorded and the second cut medium on which the second image is recorded, by performing (i) a recording process in which the recording unit records the first image on the first recording medium, and then a recording unit records a second image based on the second image data on the first recording medium, and (ii) a cutting process in which the cutting unit cuts the first recording medium to divide it into a first cut medium and a second cut medium; and a recording unit for recording the first image on the first recording medium and the second cut medium, when it is determined that the length in the transport direction of the first recording medium is not equal to or greater than the predetermined length in the third process, the fifth process is performed to record the first image on the first recording medium, and then the recording unit records the second image on the second recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the third process can appropriately select and execute either the fourth process or the fifth process. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart showing control contents executed by a CPU of the printer in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 4. (a) is a schematic diagram showing the process of S7 in Fig. 4. (b) is a schematic diagram showing the processes of S8 to S12 in Fig. 4. (c) is a schematic diagram showing the process of S13 in Fig. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents executed by a CPU of the printer in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment In the following description, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions of the printer 1 are defined based on the state of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 1, where the printer 1 is installed for use.

[0010] 1, the printer 1 has a housing 12 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a paper feed tray 11 provided at the bottom of the housing 12, a paper output tray 13 provided above the paper feed tray 11 in the housing 12, and a display unit 14 provided on the front surface of the housing 12. The paper feed tray 11 is detachable from the housing 12. The display unit 14 is a touch panel display and also functions as an input unit.

[0011] The printer 1 has a transport unit 15, a recording unit 21, a cutting unit 24, and a control device 40 inside the housing 12 (see FIG. 2). The printer 1 further has a manual feed tray 16. The manual feed tray 16 is supported by the housing 12 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 161 that extends in the left-right direction.

[0012] Both the paper feed tray 11 and the manual feed tray 16 are capable of supporting one or more sheets of paper 50. The paper 50 corresponds to the "recording medium" of the present invention.

[0013] The conveying section 15 includes a paper feed roller 17, conveying roller pairs 19, 22, 23, 25, and 29, a paper feed motor 151, and a conveying motor 152 (see FIG. 3). The paper feed roller 17 is rotated by the drive of the paper feed motor 151. The conveying roller pairs 19, 22, 23, 25, and 29 are rotated by the drive of the conveying motor 152.

[0014] The conveying unit 15 conveys the paper 50 along either a first path R1 or a second path R2. The first path R1 is a path that starts at the paper feed tray 11, passes below the recording unit 21, and reaches the paper output tray 13. The second path R2 is a path that starts at the manual feed tray 16, passes below the recording unit 21, and reaches the paper output tray 13.

[0015] The first path R1 and the second path R2 merge between the pair of transport rollers 29 and the pair of transport rollers 19. In other words, a junction A of the first path R1 and the second path R2 is located between the pair of transport rollers 29 and the pair of transport rollers 19. The first path R1 is made up of a first individual section from the paper feed tray 11 to the junction A and a common section from the junction A to the paper discharge tray 13. The second path is made up of a second individual section from the manual feed tray 16 to the junction A and the common section.

[0016] The paper feed roller 17 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface of the uppermost paper 50 among the multiple sheets of paper 50 contained in the paper feed tray 11. When the paper feed motor 151 is driven under the control of the control device 40, the paper feed roller 17 rotates and the paper 50 is sent out to the first path R1. Furthermore, when the transport motor 152 is driven under the control of the control device 40, the transport roller pairs 19, 22, 23, and 25 rotate while holding the paper 50 therebetween, so that the paper 50 is transported in the transport direction D (forward) along the first path R1.

[0017] When the conveying motor 152 is driven under the control of the control device 40 while the paper 50 is supported on the manual feed tray 16, the conveying roller pairs 29, 19, 22, 23, and 25 rotate while clamping the paper 50, thereby conveying the paper 50 in the conveying direction D along the second path R2.

[0018] The recording unit 21 is of an inkjet type and includes an ink flow path having a plurality of nozzles and a driver IC. The plurality of nozzles are open on the bottom surface of the recording unit 21. When the driver IC is driven under the control of the control device 40, pressure is applied to the ink flow path and ink is ejected from the nozzles. As a result, ink dots are formed on the paper 50 and an image is recorded. The recording unit 21 is of a serial type and is supported by a carriage (not shown). When the carriage motor 20 (see FIG. 3) is driven under the control of the control device 40, the recording unit 21 moves in the left-right direction while being supported by the carriage.

[0019] The cutting unit 24 is located downstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D. The cutting unit 24 has a cutting blade and a cutting motor. The cutting blade includes a fixed blade and a rotary blade. When the cutting motor is driven under the control of the control device 40, the rotary blade moves in the left-right direction while rotating. As a result, the paper 50 transported by the transport unit 15 is cut so as to be divided into an upstream portion and a downstream portion in the transport direction D.

[0020] The printer 1 further includes a first paper sensor 31 and a second paper sensor 32. The first paper sensor 31 is located between the junction A and the pair of transport rollers 19, and is located upstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D. The second paper sensor 32 is fixed to the recording unit 21, and is located upstream of the nozzle area of ​​the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D. The first paper sensor 31 and the second paper sensor 32 are, for example, optical sensors, and when they detect the paper P, they output an ON signal that is a detection signal for the paper P. The first paper sensor 31 corresponds to the "detection unit" of the present invention, and is used to determine the length of the paper 50 in the transport direction D. The second paper sensor 32 is used to determine the length (width) of the paper 50 in the left-right direction.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43. The CPU 41 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present invention. The ROM 42 stores programs and data for the CPU 41 to perform various controls. The RAM 43 temporarily stores data used when the CPU 41 executes a program.

[0022] The control device 40 is electrically connected to the display unit 14, the paper feed motor 151, the transport motor 152, the recording unit 21, the cutting unit 24, the carriage motor 20, the first paper sensor 31, and the second paper sensor 32. The control device 40 is also electrically connected to an external device (such as a personal computer) 100.

[0023] The control device 40 is further electrically connected to a manual insertion sensor 33. The manual insertion sensor 33 outputs an ON signal when one or more sheets of paper 50 are supported on the manual insertion tray 16 (see FIG. 2). The manual insertion sensor 33 outputs an OFF signal when no sheet of paper 50 is supported on the manual insertion tray 16 (see FIG. 2).

[0024] The RAM 43 stores the recording command received from the external device 100 and medium size information indicating the size of the paper 50 in the paper feed tray 11. The medium size information is stored in the RAM 43 based on information input by the user via the display unit 14, for example, when attaching or detaching the paper feed tray 11.

[0025] The recording command includes image data and image size information indicating the size of an image based on the image data. The recording command may include image data for one or more pages. For example, image data for two pages includes first image data corresponding to the first of the two pages and second image data corresponding to the second of the two pages.

[0026] In this embodiment, the medium size information and image size information are "A4" or "A5".

[0027] Next, the process executed by the CPU 41 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] First, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a recording command has been received from the external device 100 (S1). If it is determined that a recording command has not been received from the external device 100 (S1: NO), the CPU 41 repeats the process of S1.

[0029] When it is determined that a recording command has been received from the external device 100 (S1: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether the recording command includes image data (first image data and second image data) for two pages of A5 size (S2).

[0030] If it is determined that the recording command includes image data for two pages of A5 size (S2: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether the manual feed sensor 33 is outputting an ON signal (S3).

[0031] When the manual insertion sensor 33 does not output an ON signal, the paper 50 in the paper feed tray 11 is transported to the recording unit 21. In this case, the CPU 40 can obtain the size of the paper 50 from the medium size information stored in the RAM 43.

[0032] When the manual feed sensor 33 outputs an ON signal, the paper 50 supported by the manual feed tray 16 is transported to the recording unit 21. In this case, the size of the paper 50 is unknown because it is not stored in the RAM 43. In other words, the CPU 41 cannot obtain the size of the paper 50.

[0033] In other words, the process (S3) of determining whether the manual feed sensor 33 is outputting an ON signal is a process of determining whether the size of the paper 50 transported to the recording unit 21 is unknown, and corresponds to the "sixth process" of the present invention.

[0034] If it is determined that the recording command does not include image data for two pages of A5 size (S2: NO), or if it is determined that the manual feed sensor 33 does not output an ON signal (S3: NO), the CPU 41 executes normal recording processing (S4). After S4, the CPU 41 ends the routine.

[0035] Normal recording processing refers to processing that controls the paper feed motor 151, the conveying motor 152, the recording unit 21, the cutting unit 24, the carriage motor 20, etc., so that an image based on the recording command is recorded on the paper 50 based on the recording command and other information stored in the RAM 43.

[0036] If it is determined that the manual feed sensor 33 is outputting an ON signal (S3: YES), the CPU 41 drives the transport motor 152 to start transporting one sheet of paper 51 out of the multiple sheets of paper 50 supported on the manual feed tray 16 (S5: first process).

[0037] After S5, when the leading edge of the paper 51 (the downstream edge in the transport direction D) reaches below the recording unit 21, the CPU 41 moves the recording unit 21 in the left-right direction and determines whether the length (width) of the paper 51 in the left-right direction is "A5 width" or not based on the detection signal of the second paper sensor 32 (S6). The A5 size is 148 mm wide and 210 mm long, and the "A5 width" is 148 mm.

[0038] When the width of the paper 51 is "A5 width", it is assumed that the paper 51 is A5 size and is arranged so that the long side is aligned with the conveyance direction D.

[0039] When it is determined that the width of the paper 50 is "A5 width" (S6: YES), the CPU 41 executes a recording process for recording an image on the paper 51, 52 for each page (S7). After S7, the CPU 41 ends this routine.

[0040] In S7, specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(a), a first image 61 based on the first image data of the first page is recorded on a first sheet of paper 51, and then a second image 62 based on the second image data of the second page is recorded on a second sheet of paper 52.

[0041] The paper 51 corresponds to the “first recording medium” of the present invention, and the paper 52 corresponds to the “second recording medium” of the present invention.

[0042] If the width of paper 51 is not “A5 width,” it is inferred that paper 51 is A4 size and arranged with its long side aligned along the conveying direction D, or that paper 51 is A5 size and arranged with its short side aligned along the conveying direction D.

[0043] If it is determined that the width of the paper 51 is not "A5 width" (S6: NO), the CPU 41 starts a recording process (S8) for recording two pages of images on one sheet of paper 51. At this time, first, the CPU 41 starts recording a first image 61 based on the first image data of the first page on the paper 51 (second process).

[0044] In the second process, the orientation of the first image 61 is adjusted as shown in Figures 5(b) and (c) so that the first image 61 can be recorded on an A5 size sheet of paper arranged so that the short side is aligned with the transport direction D. For example, the first image 61 in Figures 5(b) and (c) is obtained by rotating the first image 61 in Figure 5(a) by 90 degrees.

[0045] After S8, the CPU 41 judges whether or not the recording of the first page is completed (S9). If it is judged that the recording of the first page is not completed (S9: NO), the CPU 41 repeats the process of S9.

[0046] When it is determined that recording of the first page is completed (S9: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether the first paper sensor 31 is outputting an ON signal (S10).

[0047] If the first paper sensor 31 outputs an ON signal when the recording of the first page is completed, the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is presumed to be "A4 length." The A4 size is 210 mm wide and 297 mm long, and "A4 length" is 297 mm. "A4 length" corresponds to "a specified length or longer" in this invention.

[0048] In other words, the process (S10) of determining whether the first paper sensor 31 is outputting an ON signal is a process of determining whether the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is greater than or equal to a predetermined length, and corresponds to the "third process" of the present invention.

[0049] When it is determined that the first paper sensor 31 is outputting an ON signal (S10: YES), the CPU 41 executes a recording process (S11) for recording a second image 62 based on the second image data of the second page onto the paper 51, and a cutting process (S12) for cutting the paper 51 to divide it into a first cut sheet 511 and a second cut sheet 512, as shown in Fig. 5(b). The recording unit 21 is controlled in S11, and the cutting unit 24 is controlled in S12. After S12, the CPU 41 ends this routine.

[0050] The first image 61 is recorded on the downstream portion of the paper 51 in the transport direction D, and the second image 62 is recorded on the upstream portion of the paper 51 in the transport direction D. By executing S11 and S12, a first cut piece of paper 511 on which the first image 61 is recorded and a second cut piece of paper 512 on which the second image 62 is recorded are generated. The first cut piece of paper 511 corresponds to the "first cut medium" of the present invention, and the second cut piece of paper 512 corresponds to the "second cut medium" of the present invention. In other words, executing S11 and S12 corresponds to executing the "fourth process" of the present invention.

[0051] The recording process (S11) and the disconnection process (S12) may be performed in any order.

[0052] When it is determined that the first paper sensor 31 has not output an ON signal (S10: NO), the CPU 41 ejects the paper 51 to the paper ejection tray 13, as shown in Fig. 5(c), and records a second image 62 based on the second image data of the second page on the next paper 52 (S13: fifth process). After S13, the CPU 41 ends this routine.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, in response to receiving a recording command including the first image data and the second image data (S2: YES), the CPU 41 starts conveying the paper 51 (S5: first process), and then starts recording the first image 61 based on the first image data on the paper 51 (S8: second process). After S5, the CPU 41 also determines whether the length of the paper 51 in the conveying direction D is equal to or longer than a predetermined length based on the detection signal of the first paper sensor 31 (S10: third process). When it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is equal to or greater than the predetermined length (S10: YES), the CPU 41 performs a fourth process of generating the first cut sheet 511 on which the first image 61 is recorded and the second cut sheet 512 on which the second image 62 is recorded by performing a recording process (S11) of recording a second image 62 based on the second image data on the paper 51 and a cutting process (S12) of causing the cutting unit 24 to cut the paper 51 to divide it into a first cut sheet 511 and a second cut sheet 512, as shown in Fig. 5(b). On the other hand, when it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is not equal to or greater than the predetermined length (S10: NO), the CPU 41 ejects the paper 51 on which the first image 61 is recorded, and records the second image 62 on the next paper 52, as shown in Fig. 5(c) (S13: fifth process). In this way, the third process (S10) makes it possible to appropriately select and execute either the fourth process (S11, S12) or the fifth process (S13).

[0054] When the CPU 41 determines that the manual feed sensor 33 outputs an ON signal (S3: YES), it determines whether the first paper sensor 31 outputs an ON signal (S10: third process). When the manual feed sensor 33 outputs an ON signal, the paper 50 supported by the manual feed tray 16 is conveyed to the recording unit 21. In this case, the size of the paper 50 is not stored in the RAM 43 and is unknown. In such a case, it is difficult to appropriately determine whether to execute the fourth process (S11, S12) or the fifth process (S13). In this respect, in this embodiment, even in such a case, it is possible to appropriately select and execute either the fourth process (S11, S12) or the fifth process (S13) by performing the third process (S10).

[0055] After starting recording of the first image 61 on the paper 51 in S8 (second process), the CPU 41 determines whether the first paper sensor 31 is outputting an ON signal (S10: third process). When the third process is executed before the second process, as in the second embodiment described below, it may be necessary to carry out an operation of transporting the paper 51 in the direction opposite to the transport direction D before executing the fourth process (S11, S12) or the fifth process (S13). In contrast, in this embodiment, the above operation is not necessary, and the fourth process or the fifth process can be executed quickly.

[0056] The first paper sensor 31 is located upstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D (see FIG. 2). In this case, the third process (S10) can be executed at an earlier stage than when the first paper sensor 31 is located downstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D.

[0057] The cutting unit 24 is located downstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D (see FIG. 2). In a configuration in which the cutting unit 24 is located upstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D, the paper 50 may be cut by the cutting unit 24 while an image is being recorded on the paper 50. In this case, the cutting load acts on the paper 50 during image recording, which may make the image recording unstable. In this regard, the present embodiment is configured in such a way that the cutting unit 24 is located downstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D, and generally, the paper 50 is cut by the cutting unit 24 after an image is recorded on the paper 50. In this case, the cutting load does not act on the paper 50 during image recording, and the image recording does not become unstable. Therefore, a good image can be obtained.

[0058] <Second embodiment> Next, a printer 201 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] The printer 201 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0060] The conveying section 215 of the second embodiment further includes flaps 26 and 27 and a conveying roller pair 28 in addition to the components of the conveying section 15 of the first embodiment.

[0061] The pair of conveying rollers 28 is disposed on the third path R3, and is rotated by the driving of a conveying motor 152 (see FIG. 7).

[0062] The flap 26 is disposed at one end of the third path R3, and the flap 27 is disposed at the other end of the third path R3. The flaps 26 and 27 are disposed at either a first position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6) or a second position (a position indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 6) under the control of the control device 40.

[0063] The first position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6) is a position where the paper 50 transported along the first path R1 or the second path R2 is returned to the starting point of the first path R1 via the third path R3. Specifically, when the paper 50 is transported along the first path R1 or the second path R2 and the rear end (the upstream end in the transport direction D) is located between the transport roller pair 23 and the flap 26, the paper 50 is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction D due to the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair 23, and the flap 26 at the first position guides the paper 50 to the third path R3. Then, at the other end of the third path R3, the flap 27 at the first position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6) guides the paper 50 to the starting point of the first path R1.

[0064] The second position (position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 6) is a position that does not impede the transport of the paper 50 from the start point of the first path R1 or the second path R2 to the end point (the paper discharge tray 13).

[0065] The control device 40 is electrically connected to the flaps 26 and 27 as shown in FIG.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 41 executes the same processes S1 to S7 as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7).

[0067] If it is determined that the width of the paper 51 is not "A5 width" (S6: NO), the CPU 41 determines whether the first paper sensor 31 is outputting an OFF signal (S21). If it is determined that the first paper sensor 31 is not outputting an OFF signal (S21: NO), the CPU 41 repeats the process of S21.

[0068] When it is determined that the first paper sensor 31 is outputting an OFF signal (S21: YES), the CPU 41 calculates the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D based on the transport distance from the time when the first paper sensor 31 most recently output an ON signal to the time when it output an OFF signal in S21, and determines whether the length is "A4 length" (S22: third process). The transport distance may be determined based on a signal from a rotary encoder attached to the transport motor 152, for example.

[0069] If it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is "A4 length" (S22: YES), the CPU 41 places the flaps 26, 27 in the first position (the position shown by the solid line in Figure 6) as described above, returns the paper 51 to the start of the first path R1 via the third path R3, and then transports the paper 51 along the first path (S23).

[0070] After S23, the CPU 41 starts a recording process for recording two pages of images on one sheet of paper 51 (S8: second process). After S8, as shown in FIG. 5(b), a recording process (S24) is executed for recording a first image 61 of the first page and a second image 62 of the second page on the paper 51, and a cutting process (S12) is executed for cutting the paper 51 to divide it into a first cut sheet 511 and a second cut sheet 512. Executing S24 and S12 corresponds to executing a "fourth process" of the present invention. After S12, the CPU 41 ends the routine.

[0071] When it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is not "A4 length" (S22: NO), the CPU 41 determines whether the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is "A5 width" (S25).

[0072] If it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is "A5 width" (S25: YES), the CPU 41 places the flaps 26, 27 in the first position (the position shown by the solid line in Figure 6), as in S23, returns the paper 51 to the starting point of the first path R1 via the third path R3, and then transports the paper 51 along the first path (S26).

[0073] After S26, the CPU 41 records the first image 61 of the first page on the paper 51, and then discharges the paper 51 to the paper discharge tray 13, and records the second image 62 of the second page on the next paper 52 (S27: fifth process), as shown in Fig. 5(c). After S27, the CPU 41 ends the routine.

[0074] When it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is not "A5 width" (S25: NO), the CPU 41 issues a paper size error notification (S28) and ends this routine.

[0075] As described above, according to this embodiment, in response to receiving a recording command including the first image data and the second image data (S2: YES), the CPU 41 starts conveying the paper 51 (S5: first process), and then starts recording the first image 61 based on the first image data on the paper 51 (S8: second process). After S5, the CPU 41 also determines whether the length of the paper 51 in the conveying direction D is "A4 length" based on the detection signal of the first paper sensor 31 (S22: third process). When it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the conveying direction D is "A4 length" (S22: YES), the CPU 41 performs a recording process (S24) of recording a first image 61 based on the first image data on the paper 51 and then a second image 62 based on the second image data, as shown in FIG. 5(b), and a cutting process (S12) of causing the cutting unit 24 to cut the paper 51 so as to divide it into a first cut sheet 511 and a second cut sheet 512, thereby executing a fourth process of generating the first cut sheet 511 on which the first image 61 is recorded and the second cut sheet 512 on which the second image 62 is recorded. On the other hand, when it is determined that the length of the paper 51 in the conveying direction D is not "A4 length" (S22: NO), the CPU 41 performs a fourth process of recording the first image 61 on the paper 51 and then recording the second image 62 on the next paper 52, as shown in FIG. 5(c) (S27: fifth process). In this way, the third process (S22) can appropriately select and execute either the fourth process (S24, S12) or the fifth process (S27).

[0076] Before starting recording of the first image 61 on the paper 51 in S8 (second process), the CPU 41 determines whether the length of the paper 51 in the transport direction D is "A4 length" (S22: third process). When executing the third process after the second process (after recording starts) as in the first embodiment described above, it is necessary to process the first image data, execute the third process, and then process the second image data. In other words, it is necessary to process the image data in two separate steps. In contrast, in this embodiment, the third process is performed before recording starts, so it is only necessary to process the first image data and the second image data at once, and control is simple.

[0077] Additionally, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained by using the same configuration.

[0078] <Modification> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0079] For example, the first paper sensor 31 may be located downstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D. The cutting unit 24 may be located upstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D.

[0080] In the second embodiment (see FIG. 6), the flaps 26 and 27, the conveying roller pair 28, and the third path R3 may be omitted. In this case, in S23 and S26, the conveying roller pairs 19, 22, 23, and 25 may be rotated in the reverse direction to convey the paper 51 in the opposite direction to the conveying direction D until the leading edge of the paper 51 is located upstream of the recording unit 21 in the conveying direction D.

[0081] The recording medium is not limited to paper, but may be cloth, a resin material, or the like.

[0082] The recording unit is not limited to an inkjet type, but may be a laser type, a thermal transfer type, or the like.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to printers, but may also be applied to facsimiles, copiers, multifunction machines, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1;201 Printer (recording device) 15;215 Transport section 21 Recording Section 24 Cut section 31 First paper sensor (detection unit) 41 CPU (control unit) 50 Paper (recording media) 51 Paper (first recording medium) 511 1st cutting paper (1st cutting medium) 512 2nd cutting paper (2nd cutting medium) 52 Paper (secondary recording medium) 61 1st image (image) 62 2nd image (image) D Conveying direction

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction; a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium; a cutting unit for cutting the recording medium; A detection unit that outputs a detection signal of the recording medium; A control unit, the recording medium includes a first recording medium and a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, The control unit is execute a first process to cause the conveying unit to start conveying the first recording medium in response to receiving a recording command including the first image data and the second image data; After the first process, a second process is executed to cause the recording unit to start recording a first image based on the first image data on the first recording medium; After the first process, a third process is executed to determine whether or not a length of the first recording medium in the transport direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined length based on the detection signal from the detection unit; when it is determined in the third process that the length of the first recording medium in the transport direction is equal to or longer than the predetermined length, a fourth process is executed to generate the first cut medium on which the first image is recorded and the second cut medium on which the second image is recorded by performing the following steps: (i) a recording process in which the recording unit records the first image on the first recording medium, and then the recording unit records a second image based on the second image data on the first recording medium; and (ii) a cutting process in which the cutting unit cuts the first recording medium to divide it into a first cut medium and a second cut medium; A recording device characterized in that, if it is determined in the third process that the length of the first recording medium in the transport direction is not greater than the specified length, a fifth process is executed in which the recording unit records the first image on the first recording medium, and then the recording unit records the second image on the second recording medium.

2. The control unit is execute a sixth process for determining whether the size of the recording medium to be conveyed to the recording unit is unknown; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third process is executed when it is determined in the sixth process that the size of the recording medium to be conveyed to the recording unit is unknown.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes the third process after the second process.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes the third process before the second process.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is located upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction.

6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting section is located downstream of the recording section in the transport direction.

Images