Recording apparatus and control method of recording apparatus

Abstract

To solve a problem in which there is a possibility that correct recording cannot be performed in a case where a position of a mark detected by a sensor is deviated.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a recording sheet with a mark attached thereto in a transport direction, a recording unit that performs recording on the recording sheet, a sensor that is disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and detects the mark, and a control unit, where the control unit acquires a detection position by detecting the mark by the sensor, and determines a recording start position of a next recording region according to a result of comparing a recording end position of a previous recording region and the detection position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a device in which a sensor detects and records a mark affixed to a paper sheet to which a label has been affixed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-99180 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned device may not be able to record correctly if the position of the mark detected by the sensor is shifted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device comprises a transport unit that transports marked recording paper in a transport direction, a recording unit that records on the recording paper, a sensor that is positioned upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and detects the mark, and a control unit, and the control unit detects the mark using the sensor to obtain the detected position, and determines the recording start position of the next recording area based on the result of comparing the recording end position of the previous recording area with the detected position.

[0006] A control method for a recording device having a transport unit that transports marked recording paper in a transport direction, a recording unit that records on the recording paper, and a sensor that is arranged upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and detects the mark, wherein the sensor detects the mark to obtain the detected position, and the recording start position of the next recording area is determined based on the result of comparing the recording end position of the previous recording area with the detected position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the detection position of a mark on a medium and the recording start position and recording end position in a recording area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the detection position of a mark on a medium and the recording start position and recording end position of a recording area according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the detection position of a mark on a medium and the recording start position and recording end position of a recording area according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine for determining a recording start position. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for determining a first recording start position. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for determining the recording start position from the second time onward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] 1. Recording device configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, a recording unit 12, a transport unit 13, and a sensor .

[0009] The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs overall control of each part of the recording device 1, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that manages input and output, and a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) that are logic circuits. The CPU is also called a processor. The storage unit 11 includes a flash ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 10 reads out programs such as firmware stored in the non-volatile memory of the storage unit 11, and executes them using the RAM of the storage unit 11 as a working area.

[0010] 2, the medium W, which is recording paper, is, for example, a long piece of paper. The medium W may also be a film. The medium W has a recording surface facing the recording unit 12 and a transport surface on the opposite side to the recording surface. The transport unit 13 has two roller pairs sandwiching the recording unit 12 therebetween, and is rotated by a transport motor and gears (not shown), etc., to transport the medium W in the transport direction F. Preprinted rectangular marks BM are provided at regular intervals on the transport surface of the medium W. The black marks BM are also called black marks. As described below, the marks BM may be in a color other than black as long as they can be detected by the sensor 14.

[0011] 2 is a so-called die-cut label, in which multiple labels L of a fixed shape are attached to the recording surface. A gap G of a predetermined length is provided between the labels L. Note that there may be no gap G between the labels L, and the labels L may be separated by slits. The medium W may be a so-called linerless label, which is a long piece of paper with glue applied to the conveying surface without the label L. In this case, the surface of the conveying unit 13 is treated with a non-adhesive coating such as silicone resin to prevent glue from adhering to it.

[0012] The sensor 14 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 12 in the transport direction F. The sensor 14 is, for example, a reflective or transmissive optical sensor capable of receiving and emitting detection light such as infrared light absorbed by the mark BM. In the case of the transmissive sensor 14, it is also possible to detect the gap G. The sensor 14 is also called a mark sensor because it detects the mark BM affixed to the medium W. The control unit 10 can detect the mark BM affixed to the medium W by the sensor 14 and obtain the positions of the mark BM, the medium W, and the label L. While detecting the mark BM on the medium W by the sensor 14, the control unit 10 can transport the medium W by the transport unit 13 and transport the medium W to a target position, and can record at the target position by the recording unit.

[0013] The recording unit 12 is a line-type inkjet recording unit in which multiple nozzles are arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction F. The multiple nozzles of the recording unit 12 are selected based on recording data and eject ink onto the recording surface of the medium W. At this time, an image is recorded by the recording unit 12 while the medium W is transported by the transport unit 13. The recording unit 12 may be a serial type inkjet recording unit in which multiple nozzles are arranged in the transport direction F. In this case, the recording unit 12 is mounted on a carriage (not shown) and ejects ink onto the recording surface of the medium W while moving in a direction intersecting the transport direction. The medium W is alternately transported by the transport unit 13 and recorded on by the recording unit 12, and an image is recorded on the medium W.

[0014] 2. Recording start position 3 to 5 show the relationship between a detection position T of a mark BM on a medium W, a recording start position S, a recording end position E, and a recording area P in each embodiment described later. Hereinafter, the recording start position S, the recording end position E, and the recording area P will be simply referred to as the start position S, the end position E, and the area P. In the following description, even when these positions are not specified, they will simply be referred to as the start position S, the end position E, and the region P.

[0015] On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, when describing specific positions, the detection position T, start position S, end position E, and area P are indicated by adding numbers to the reference symbols in the order from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction F. In addition, in the following, for the detection position T, start position S, end position E, and area P relating to two areas P adjacent to each other in the conveying direction F, the one located downstream in the conveying direction F and having a smaller number attached thereto is also referred to as "previous", and the one located upstream in the conveying direction F and having a larger number attached thereto is also referred to as "next". For example, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, they are indicated as previous area P1 and next area P2. In addition, the downstream of the conveying direction F is also referred to as front or front, and the upstream is also referred to as rear or rear. As described above, the transport unit 13 transports the medium W to which the label L is affixed, and the sensor 14 detects the detection position T by the mark BM affixed to the medium W. For ease of explanation, the gap G and the label L are omitted from FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0016] An area P ranges from a start position S to an end position E on the medium W. For convenience, each area P in Figs. 3 to 5 is shown as the same size. Each area P may be of any size. Recording data recorded in an area P is divided and stored in predetermined units of memory in the storage unit 11 called blocks. Each piece of recording data is stored so that adjacent areas P do not overlap. The control unit 10 detects the mark BM with the sensor 14 to obtain the detected position T, and determines the start position S based on the detected position T. The control unit 10 reads the recording data in units of blocks from the memory unit 11, and starts recording from the start position S with the recording unit 12. The control unit 10 records the recording data on the medium W for each area P with the recording unit 12.

[0017] However, as the recording device 1 continues to transport the medium W, the transport unit 13, the transport motor, the gears, etc. wear out, and the transport accuracy decreases. Slippage may occur between the transport unit 13 and the medium W. In addition, the position of the mark BM applied to the medium W during the manufacture of the medium W may shift. As a result of these, the actual detection position T at which the sensor 14 detects the mark BM may be shifted forward or backward in the transport direction F with respect to the original correct detection position T.

[0018] In the following description, the original correct detection position T will be referred to as the theoretical detection position T. On the other hand, each actual area P where the sensor 14 detects the mark BM will be simply referred to as the detection position T. 3 to 5, a detection position T is indicated by adding a one-digit number after the symbol T. For example, detection position T2 is shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, a theoretical detection position T is indicated by adding a number 0 to the first digit of the symbol of the shifted detection position T. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, theoretical detection position T20 is shown corresponding to detection position T2. ​​When detection position T is not shifted and is the same as theoretical detection position T, it is shown with the same symbol as detection position T. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, detection position T2 is also theoretical detection position T2.

[0019] The theoretical detection position T is set in the storage unit 11 by an external computer or the like. The theoretical detection position T may be a value indicating the interval between the marks BM or may be a value indicating the interval between the labels L. Each theoretical detection position T on the medium W can also be calculated by the control unit 10. For ease of explanation, it is assumed below that each theoretical detection position T is stored in the storage unit 11.

[0020] The recording device 1 needs to record on the medium W in such a way that two adjacent areas P do not overlap each other. When the recording unit 12 is a line type, the recording device 1 records on the medium W while transporting it, and therefore cannot record in such a way that the areas P overlap. On the other hand, when the recording unit 12 is a serial type, the recording device 1 records two areas P in an overlapping manner. In this way, when attempting to overlap two areas P, the recording device 1 cannot record correctly. Such a recorded matter cannot be used and is wasted.

[0021] 3 to 5 show various embodiments in which the recording device 1 records on the medium W so that the areas P do not overlap when the detection position T is shifted. Specifically, in the cases where the detection position T is shifted in different ways as shown in Figures 3 to 5, multiple embodiments are shown in which the control unit 10 determines the start position S so that the adjacent areas P do not overlap. As a result, the recording device 1 can correctly record each area P without overlapping.

[0022] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. For convenience, in Fig. 3 to Fig. 5, the detection position T1 first detected by the sensor 14 is set as the origin 0, and the coordinate extending in the opposite direction to the transport direction F is set as X to indicate each position on the medium W. The detection position T, start position S, end position E, and area P each indicate a position in the coordinate X. These are also distances from the origin. In the following description, these will be omitted, omitting the fact that they are distances from the origin.

[0023] 3 to 5, the control unit 10 detects the first mark BM1 with the sensor 14 and obtains the detected position T1. The first detected position T1 is assumed to be in the correct position without any deviation. In other words, the detected position T1 is also the theoretical detected position T1. The control unit 10 normally determines the detection position T as the start position S, including other cases. In this case, the control unit 10 determines the detection position T1 as the start position S1. The control unit 10 executes recording from the start position S1 to the end position E1, and records the area P1. The following describes the process after the control unit 10 detects the next detection position T2 by the sensor 14.

[0024] 2-1. Recording start position in the first embodiment 3, the detection position T2 corresponding to the theoretical detection position T20 becomes shorter and shifts forward. In the first embodiment, the detection position T4 corresponding to the theoretical detection position T40 becomes longer and shifts backward upstream of the detection position T2 in the conveying direction F. It is assumed that the detection position T3 is the same position as the theoretical detection position T3 and is not shifted.

[0025] While the medium W in the region P1 is being transported, the control unit 10 detects the mark BM2 with the sensor 14 and acquires the detection position T2. ​​The control unit 10 reads out the theoretical detection position T20 from the memory unit 11, compares it with the detection position T2, and determines that the detection position T2 is shorter than the theoretical detection position T20. The control unit 10 can determine that the detection position T2, the mark BM2, and the position of the medium W have shifted so as to jam forward during transport.

[0026] That is, the control unit 10 determines, including other cases, that the theoretical detection position T is larger or longer than the detection position T obtained from the mark BM detected by the sensor 14. In this case, the control unit 10 can determine that the detection position T, the mark BM, and the position of the medium W have shifted so as to be jammed forward. Also, in this case, the control unit 10 can determine that the detection position T is downstream in the transport direction F from the theoretical detection position T. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the theoretical detection position T is smaller or shorter than the detection position T, it can determine that the detection position T, the mark BM, and the positions of the medium W have shifted so as to extend backward. In this case, the control unit 10 can determine that the detection position T is upstream of the theoretical detection position T in the transport direction F.

[0027] Incidentally, the control unit 10 can also determine the deviation of the detection position T without using the theoretical detection position T. As shown in Fig. 3, the relationship between the end position E1 of the area P1 and the detection position T2 is E1>T2. When E1>T2, the control unit 10 can determine that the detection position T2 is short, and can also determine that the positions of the detection position T2, the mark BM2, and the medium W have deviated forward. As described above, each piece of recording data for an area P is stored in the storage unit so as not to overlap with the previous and next areas P. Therefore, in each piece of recording data, the end position E of the previous recording area P and the start position S of the next area P do not overlap.

[0028] That is, the control unit 10 determines, including other cases, that the end position E of the previous recording area P is greater than or longer than the detection position T obtained from the mark BM detected by the sensor 14. In this case, the control unit 10 can determine that the detection position T, the mark BM, and the position of the medium W have shifted forward. Also, in this case, the control unit 10 can determine that the detection position T is downstream in the transport direction F of the end position E of the previous recording area P. On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the previous end position E is smaller or shorter than the next detection position T, it can determine that the positions of the mark BM and the medium W have shifted so as to extend backward. In this case, the control unit 10 can also determine that the detection position T is upstream of the end position E of the previous recording area P in the transport direction F.

[0029] If the control unit 10 in FIG. 3 were to set the detection position T2 as the start position S2 of the next region P2, the two adjacent regions P1 and P2 would overlap. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines E1+1, which is the position following the end position E1 of the region P1, as the start position S2 of the next region P2. Note that the "1" added to the end position E1 indicates one pixel recorded on the medium W. Following the end position E1 of the area P1, the control unit 10 records the area P2 from the start position S2. The control unit 10 can record the areas P1 and P2 so that they do not overlap.

[0030] In other words, if the control unit 10 determines that the detection position T, the mark BM, and the position of the medium W have shifted forward, including in other cases, if the next detection position T is set as the start position S of the next area P, the two adjacent areas P will overlap. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines E+1, which is the position following the end position E of the previous region P, as the start position S of the next region P. In this way, the control unit 10 determines the start position S of the next recording area P according to the result of comparing the end position E of the previous recording area P with the detection position T.

[0031] When the control unit 10 determines that the detection position T1 or the like has shifted forward, it adds a difference (E1-T2), which is the difference between the end position E1 of the region P1 and the detection position T2, to the cumulative error M, and stores the result in the storage unit 11. The initial value of the cumulative error M is "0." The difference (E1-T2) is also the distance between the end position E1 and the detection position T2. ​​The difference (E1-T2) also indicates the distance over which the two regions P1 and P2 would have overlapped if they were to have been in the past. The cumulative error M indicates the cumulative amount of the distance over which the two adjacent regions P would have overlapped if they were to have been in the past.

[0032] Next, while the medium W in the region P2 is being transported, the control unit 10 detects the mark BM3 with the sensor 14 and acquires the detected position T3. The control unit 10 reads out the theoretical detected position T3 from the memory unit 11, compares it with the detected position T3, and determines that the detected position T3 coincides with the theoretical detected position T3. The control unit 10 can determine that the positions of the mark BM2 and the medium W are not misaligned during transport. At this time, the relationship between the end position E2 of the area P2 and the detection position T3 is E2=T3. When E2=T3, the control unit 10 can also determine that the positions of the mark BM2 and the medium W are not misaligned.

[0033] Since the two regions P2 before and after and the region P3 do not overlap, the control unit 10 determines the end position E2 of the region P2 as the start position S3 of the next region P3. The control unit 10 may determine E2 + 1 as the start position S3 of the next region P3. Following the end position E2 of the region P2, the control unit 10 can record the region P3 starting from the start position S3 so as not to overlap. Note that the cumulative error M remains unchanged.

[0034] Next, while the control unit 10 is transporting the medium W related to the region P3, the sensor 14 detects the mark BM4 and obtains the detection position T4. The control unit 10 reads the theoretical detection position T40 from the storage unit 11, compares it with the detection position T4, and determines that the detection position T4 is longer than the theoretical detection position T40. The control unit 10 can determine that in the transportation, the detection position T4, the mark BM4, and the position of the medium W are shifted so as to extend backward.

[0035] At this time, the relationship between the end position E3 of the region P3 and the detection position T4 is E3 < T4. When E3 < T4, the control unit 10 can also determine that the positions of the mark BM3 and the medium W are shifted backward. Since there is a gap between the two consecutive regions P3 and the region P4, they do not overlap. The control unit 10 can record the regions P3 and P4 without overlapping. Also, based on the fact that the detection position T4 and the like are shifted backward, the control unit 10 can reduce the cumulative error M. Hereinafter, the reduction of the cumulative error M is also referred to as the elimination of the cumulative error M.

[0036] The difference (T4 - E3) is the difference between the detection position T4 and the end position E3 of the region P3. The difference (T4 - E3) is also the distance between the detection position T4 and the end position E3. The difference (T4 - E3) indicates the distance by which two regions P that should originally be adjacent are separated. The control unit 10 compares the difference (T4-E3) with the cumulative error M read from the storage unit 11. If (T4-E3)≦M, that is, if the difference (T4-E3) is equal to or smaller than the cumulative error M, the control unit 10 executes the first process included in the first embodiment. On the other hand, when (T4-E3)>M, that is, when the difference (T4-E3) exceeds the accumulated error M, the control unit 10 executes a second process included in the second embodiment described later. Compared to the first process, the second process creates a wider gap between the two adjacent regions P3 and P4. In the first and second processes, the control unit 10 reduces the current accumulated error M to calculate a new accumulated error M, and determines the start position S4 of the region P4.

[0037] 3 shows a case where the control unit 10 performs a first process based on the detected position T4. For convenience, the difference (T4-E3) is taken as a temporary variable, variable D. Hereinafter, variable D will be simply referred to as D. D=T4-E3. In the first process, D≦M. The control unit 10 determines that D is equal to or smaller than the cumulative error M. In other words, the control unit 10 determines that the distance between the next detection position T4, which is shifted backward, and the end position E3 of the region P3 is equal to or smaller than the cumulative error M of the distance at which the two regions P overlap over the past.

[0038] The control unit 10 calculates MD, that is, subtracts the difference (T4-E3) from the accumulated error M. The control unit 10 can eliminate at least a part of the current accumulated error M based on the fact that the next detection position T4 has shifted backward. The control unit 10 sets the remaining part that could not be eliminated as a new accumulated error M. That is, the control unit 10 sets M=MD and calculates a new accumulated error M. Thereafter, the control unit 10 uses the new accumulated error M.

[0039] The control unit 10 calculates S4=T4-D to determine the start position S4. Specifically, the control unit 10 calculates S4=T4-D=T4-(T4-E3)=E3. That is, the control unit 10 determines the end position E3 of the region P3 as the start position S4. The control unit 10 may also determine E3+1 as the start position S4 of the next region P4. The control unit 10 determines the position following the end position E3 of the region P3 as the start position S4 of the region P4. The control unit 10 records the region P4 from the start position S4 following the end position E3 of the region P3.

[0040] 2-2. Recording start position in the second embodiment Fig. 4 shows a case where the control unit 10 performs the second process included in the second embodiment based on the detection position T4. Note that the detection positions T1, T2, and T3 are the same as those in Fig. 3, and the control unit 10 also performs the same process as in the first embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted here. In the second process, (T4-E3)>M. The control unit 10 determines that the difference (T4-E3) exceeds the cumulative error M. In other words, the control unit 10 determines that the distance between the next detection position T4, which is shifted backward, and the end position E3 of the area P3 exceeds the cumulative error M of the distance at which the two areas P overlap over the past.

[0041] Since (T4-E3)>M, the control unit 10 can eliminate the entire current accumulated error M based on the fact that the next detection position T4 has shifted backward. Here, the control unit 10 sets D=M and saves the accumulated error M as a temporary variable D. This is because the accumulated error M will be a new accumulated error M, as will be described later.

[0042] The control unit 10 can eliminate all of the current accumulated error M, and further shift the start position S4 forward of the detection position T4. Specifically, the control unit 10 calculates S4=T4-D as in the first process, and determines it as the start position S4. The control unit 10 calculates S4=T4-D=T4-(E1-T2). That is, the control unit 10 determines, as the start position S4, a position shifted forward from the detection position T4 by D, which is the cumulative error M of the distance at which the two regions P overlap in the past. The control unit 10 can provide a gap between the region P3 and the region P4.

[0043] The control unit 10 records the area P4 from the start position S4. At this time, a gap, which is a blank area where no recording is performed, is provided in the area S4-E3, which is from the end position E3 of the area P3 to the start position S4. The distance of this gap is S4-E3=T4-D-E3=T4-(E1-T2)-E3. The control unit 10 resets M to a new accumulated error M. For convenience of calculation, the control unit 10 sets M=0 to satisfy M≧0. As described above, in the second process, the control unit 10 eliminates and resets all of the accumulated error M based on the next detection position T4, and then determines the start position S4 by leaving a gap from the end position E3, and begins recording of area P4.

[0044] 2-3. Recording start position in the third embodiment The third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 shows a case where detection positions T2 to T4 corresponding to theoretical detection positions T20 to T40 are all shortened and shifted forward. In these cases, the control unit 10 performs the same process as in the case of the detection position T2 in the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 3 above, until the cumulative error M becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value TH described below. That is, the control unit 10 records the subsequent area P following the previous area P so that the two adjacent areas P do not overlap, and adds the difference (ET) to the cumulative error M.

[0045] 5, the differences, which are the deviations at the detection positions T2, T3, and T4, are (E1-T2), (E2-T3), and (E3-T4), respectively. At the detection position T4, the cumulative error M is M=(E1-T2)+(E2-T3)+(E3-T4). At the detection position T4, the control unit 10 determines that the cumulative error M is greater than the predetermined threshold TH, i.e., M>TH. In this case, for example, the resolution of the recording unit 12 is 1200 dpi (dots per inch), and the predetermined threshold TH is 0.5 mm. Hereinafter, the predetermined threshold TH will be simply referred to as the threshold TH. In the above-described first and second embodiments, it is assumed that the control unit 10 has determined that the cumulative error M is equal to or smaller than the threshold value TH, that is, M≦TH.

[0046] When the control unit 10 determines that the accumulated error M exceeds the threshold value TH and M>TH, it adopts the next detection position T5 instead of the detection position T4 and determines it as the start position S4. The control unit 10 executes recording from the start position S4, which is the detection position T5, to the end position E4, and records the area P4. The control unit 10 skips the detection position T4 and sets the next detection position T5 as the start position S4. The control unit 10 can record the area P3 and the area P4 so that they do not overlap. The control unit 10 also resets the accumulated error M to M=0. In this way, when the cumulative error M exceeds the threshold value TH, which is an allowable range, the control unit 10 does not record the subsequent area P following the previous area P, but skips the detection position T and adopts the next detection position T, and determines it as the start position S. The control unit 10 can record the two adjacent areas P without overlapping each other.

[0047] 3. Control method of the recording device 6 to 8, the following mainly describes a control method in which the recording device 1 determines the start position S. Specifically, the following describes a control method in which the control unit 10 determines the start position S so that two adjacent regions P do not overlap, in correspondence with each of the embodiments shown in FIGS.

[0048] 6 to 8, for convenience of explanation, the detection position T, start position S, and end position E are expressed by specifying the positions using arguments in parentheses. n is an argument indicating the position related to the detection position T, and m is an argument indicating the positions of the start position S, end position E, etc. related to the region P, including the region P. For convenience, arguments corresponding to each position in Figures 3 to 5 are shown in parentheses in Figures 6 to 8. For example, T(1) in Figures 6 to 8 indicates T1 in Figures 3 to 5. Note that although arguments in parentheses are not shown for region P in Figures 6 to 8, in the following explanation they will be shown in parentheses like the others. m and n are natural numbers, and the initial values ​​of m and n are set to 1. The initial value of the accumulated error M is set to 0.

[0049] 6, the control unit 10 starts a process of determining a start position S. The control unit 10 conveys the medium W by the conveying unit 13, detects the mark BM affixed to the medium W by the sensor 14, and acquires the detection position T(n) (S100). The control unit 10 judges whether n=1 (S101), and judges whether it is the first T(1), which is T1 shown in Figs. 3 to 5. If the control unit 10 judges that n=1 (S101: YES), it executes the process of subroutine SUBA that determines S(1), which is the start position of the first time (S102). Hereinafter, the subroutine SUBA will be simply referred to as SUBA.

[0050] When the control unit 10 determines that n is not 1 (S101: NO), it executes the process of the subroutine SUBB to determine S(m) (S110). In this case, n≧2, and S(m) is the starting position for the second or later times. Hereinafter, the subroutine SUBB will be simply referred to as SUBB. After executing the process of SUBA or SUBB, the control unit 10 increments n to n=n+1 (S103), and ends the process. Thereafter, the control unit 10 can repeatedly execute the above-mentioned process shown in Fig. 6. That is, the control unit 10 detects the next mark BM, obtains the next detection position T(n), and determines the next start position S(m).

[0051] Next, the processing of the subroutine SUBA will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The control unit 10 determines the start position S for the first time. The control unit 10 determines the detection position T(n) as the start position S(m), and sets S(m) = T(n) (S200). Here, since n = m = 1, the control unit 10 determines that S(1) = T(1). For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the detection position T1 is set as the start position S1. The control unit 10 increments m, sets m = m + 1 (S201), and returns to the process.

[0052] Next, referring to FIG. 8, the process of the subroutine SUBB will be described. The control unit 10 determines the start position S after the second time. The control unit 10 compares the next detection position T(n) and the end position E(m - 1) of the previous recording area P(m - 1) (S300). The control unit 10 can determine the start position S(m) of the next area (m) as follows according to the result of comparing the next detection position T(n) and the end position E(m - 1) of the previous area P(m - 1). If the control unit 10 determines that T(n) < E(m - 1) is not true (S300: NO), then it compares the value obtained by subtracting the end position E(m - 1) from the detection position T(n) and the cumulative error M (S320).

[0053] The case where T(n) < E(m - 1) is not true (S300: NO) is, for example, the case where there is no shift like the detection position T3 in FIGS. 3 and 4, where T(n) = E(m - 1), such as T3 = E2. Or, for example, the detection position T4 in FIGS. 3 and 4, the detection position T5 in FIG. 5, etc., which are shifted so as to extend rearward, where T(n) > E(m - 1), such as T4 > E3, T5 > E3, etc.

[0054] If the control unit 10 determines that (T(n) - E(m - 1)) > M is not true (S320: NO), it calculates D = T(n) - E(m - 1) and M = M - D (S330). D is a temporary variable and is the difference between the detection position T(n) and the end position E(m - 1).

[0055] If (T(n)-E(m-1))>M is not true (S320: NO), then, for example, there is no deviation like the detection position T3 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and T(n)=E(m-1), T3=E2. In this case, the control unit 10 calculates D=T(n)-E(m-1)=0, M=MD=M (S330). The accumulated error M does not change. Next, the control unit 10 calculates S(m)=T(n)-D, which is the next start position S(m) (S322). Since D=0, the control unit 10 sets S(m)=T(n). For example, the detection position T3 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 becomes the next start position S3. The control unit 10 increments m by setting m=m+1 (S323), and returns to the process.

[0056] If (T(n)-E(m-1))>M is not satisfied (S320: NO), this means, for example, that the detection position is shifted backward as in the case of detection position T4 in Fig. 3, and (T(n)-E(m-1))≦M, (T4-E3)≦M. The control unit 10 executes the first process which is the first embodiment described above. At this time, the control unit 10 calculates D=T(n)-E(m-1)=T4-E3, M=MD (S330). The control unit 10 sets the difference (T4-E3) as D. The control unit 10 eliminates at least a part of the current accumulated error M, and sets the remaining part that could not be eliminated as a new accumulated error M. Next, the control unit 10 calculates S(m)=T(n)-D and determines it as the next start position S(m) (S322). In the case of the detection position T4 in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 calculates S4=T4-D=T4-(T4-E3)=E3 and sets S4=E3. The end position E3 in FIG. 3 becomes the next start position S4. The control unit 10 increments m by setting m=m+1 (S323) and returns to the process.

[0057] On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that (T(n)-E(m-1))>M is satisfied (S320: YES), the control unit 10 calculates D=M, M=0 (S321). The control unit 10 saves the accumulated error M to D, which is a temporary variable, and then resets the accumulated error M. If (T(n)-E(m-1))>M (S320: YES), it means, for example, that the position is shifted backward as in detection position T4 in FIG. 4, where (T(n)-E(m-1))>M, (T4-E3)>M. In the case of detection position T4, M=(E1-T2). The control unit 10 executes the second process which is the second embodiment described above.

[0058] The control unit 10 sets D=M, M=0 (S321) and eliminates all of the current accumulated error M. As described above, the control unit 10 calculates S(m)=T(n)-D, which is the next start position S(m) (S322). At the detection position T4 in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 calculates S(m)=T(n)-D, S4=T4-D=T4-(E1-T2). The control unit 10 determines a start position S(m) as a position shifted forward from the detected position T(n) by D, which is the accumulated error M of the distance at which the two regions P overlap over the past. The control unit 10 eliminates the current accumulated error M entirely, based on the backward shift of the detected position T4 in Fig. 4, and then shifts the next start position S4 forward. The control unit 10 increments m by m=m+1 (S323), and returns to the process.

[0059] Furthermore, if (T(n)-E(m-1))>M (S320: YES), it means, for example, that the position is shifted backward as in the case of detection position T5 in Fig. 5, where (T(n)-E(m-1))>M and (T5-E3)>M. In the case of detection position T5, M=(E1-T2)+(E2-T3)+(E3-T4). The process of the detection position T5 in Fig. 5 will be described in detail later when the control unit 10 sets the start position S(m) to pending at the detection position T4 in Fig. 5, and then sets n=n+1 and executes the process of SUBB (S110) in Fig. 6 again. In this case, the control unit 10 does not adopt the detection position T4, but adopts the next detection position T5.

[0060] Here, the description continues by returning to the process (S300) in which the control unit 10 compares the next detection position T(n) and the end position E(m-1) of the previous recording area P(m-1). When the control unit 10 determines that T(n) < E(m-1) (S300: YES), next, it saves the value obtained by subtracting the detection position T(n) from the end position E(m-1) in a temporary variable Temp, and calculates Temp = E(m-1) - T(n) (S301). The variable Temp is simply referred to as Temp.

[0061] The case where T(n) < E(m-1) (S300: YES) is, for example, a case where it is shifted forward so as to be clogged, such as the detection position T2 in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the detection positions T2, T3, T4 in FIG. 5. Temp is the difference between the end position E(m-1) of the previous area P(m-1) and the next detection position T(n). Temp is the distance at which the previous area P(m-1) and the next area P(m-1) would overlap if the detection position T(n) were to shift.

[0062] The cumulative error M indicates the cumulative amount of Temp, which is the distance at which two consecutive areas P overlap in the past. The control unit 10 compares the value obtained by adding the next Temp to the cumulative error M with a predetermined threshold TH, and determines whether (M + Temp) > TH (S302). When the control unit 10 determines that (M + Temp) > TH is not true (S302: NO), it adds Temp to the past cumulative error M, sets M = M + Temp (S310), and sets it as the new cumulative error M including the next part. The case where (M + Temp) > TH is not true (S302: NO) is, for example, the case of the detection position T2 in FIGS. 3 and 4, the detection positions T2, T3 in FIG. 5, and the like.

[0063] Then, the control unit 10 determines the start position S(m) so that the two consecutive regions P do not overlap. Specifically, the control unit 10 determines the position following the end position E(m - 1) of the previous region P(m - 1), which is E(m - 1)+1, as the start position S(m) of the next region P(m), and calculates it as S(m)=E(m - 1)+1 (S310). The control unit 10 increments m, sets m=m + 1 (S311), and returns the process.

[0064] On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that (M + Temp)>TH (S302: YES), it sets the start position S(m) as pending (S303). Also, the control unit 10 resets the cumulative error M, sets M = 0 (S304), and returns the process. The case where (M + Temp)>TH (S302: YES) is, for example, the case of the detection position T4 in FIG. 5.

[0065] When the start position S(m) is set as pending, the control unit 10 returns after the process of SUBB in FIG. 6 (S110), sets n=n + 1 (S103), and ends the process. Subsequently, the case where the control unit 10 starts the processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 again will be described. The control unit 10 acquires the next detection position T(n) (S100), determines that n is not 1 (S101: NO), and executes the process of SUBB again (S110).

[0066] In this case, for example, it is the case of the detection position T5 in FIG. 5, so n = 5 and m = 4. n is incremented from 4 and becomes 5. At the detection position T5, T(5)>E(4 - 1), that is, T5>E3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 10 can determine that T(n)<E(m - 1) is not true (S300: NO). Since M = 0 and (T(5)-E(4 - 1))>M = 0, the control unit 10 determines that (T(n)-E(m - 1))>M (S320: YES).

[0067] The control unit 10 sets D=M, M=0 (S321). As mentioned above, M=0, so D=0. The control unit 10 calculates S(m)=T(n)-D=T(n) (S322). At the detection position T5 in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 calculates S(4)=T(5), that is, S4=T5.

[0068] In this way, in the processing of SUBB, if the control unit 10 has determined in the previous processing that the starting position S(m) is pending, including other cases, the control unit 10 can, in the next processing, set the next detected position T(n) with n incremented as the starting position S(m). That is, when the control unit 10 determines that M>TH in the process of SUBB at the detection position T4 shown in Fig. 5, it does not adopt the detection position T4. Next, when the control unit 10 determines that the next detection position T5 is the next detection position T5 in the process of SUBB shown in Fig. 5, it decides it as the start position S4. The control unit 10 executes recording from the start position S4 to the end position E4, and records the area P4.

[0069] The recording device 1 according to the above-described embodiment comprises a transport unit 13 that transports a medium W bearing a mark BM in a transport direction F, a recording unit 12 that records on the medium W, a sensor 14 that is arranged upstream of the recording unit 12 in the transport direction F and detects the mark BM, and a control unit 10. The control unit 10 detects the mark BM with the sensor 14 to obtain the detected position T, and determines the start position S of the next area P based on the result of comparing the detected position T with the end position E of the previous area P. As a result, the recording device 1 can record correctly on the medium W without overlapping the previous area P and the next area P.

[0070] Although these embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and may be modified, substituted, deleted, etc. without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0071] In the above description, the control unit 10 detects the next mark BM by the sensor 14 during transport of the previous region P, and obtains the next detection position T. If the distance between the sensor 14 and the recording unit 12 is longer, the control unit 10 may detect any of the rear marks BM by the sensor 14 during transport of any of the front regions P, determine the detection position T corresponding to this mark BM, and store it in the memory unit 11. When determining the start position S, the control unit 10 can read out the corresponding detection position T from the memory unit 11 and use it. Furthermore, the mark BM may be applied to the recording surface instead of the transport surface of the medium W. In this case, the reflective sensor 14 is disposed so as to face the recording surface. Furthermore, the recording unit 12 does not have to be of the inkjet type, and may be of the thermal type or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1...recording device, 10...control unit, 11...memory unit, 12...recording unit, 13...transport unit, 14...sensor, BM...mark, D...variable, E...recording end position, F...transport direction, M...accumulated error, P...recording area, S...recording start position, T...detection position, TH...threshold value, W...medium.

Claims

1. a conveying section that conveys the recording paper on which the mark is provided in a conveying direction; A recording unit for recording on the recording paper; a sensor disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and detecting the mark; A control unit, The control unit is Detecting the mark with the sensor to obtain a detection position; A recording apparatus which determines a recording start position of a next recording area according to a result of comparing the recording end position of a previous recording area with the detected position.

2. The control unit is If it is determined that the detection position is downstream of the recording end position of the previous recording area in the transport direction, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position following the recording end position of the previous recording area is determined as the recording start position of the next recording area.

3. The control unit is 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a difference between the detected position and the recording end position of the previous recording area is added as an accumulated error that is an accumulated amount of a distance that the two preceding and succeeding recording areas could overlap.

4. The control unit is If it is determined that the detection position is upstream of the recording end position of the previous recording area in the transport direction, 4. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein when the difference is equal to or smaller than the accumulated error, a position following the recording end position of the previous recording area is determined as the recording start position of the next recording area, thereby eliminating at least a part of the accumulated error.

5. The control unit is 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the difference exceeds the accumulated error, a position shifted downstream in the transport direction by an amount corresponding to the accumulated error from the detected position is determined as the recording start position, thereby eliminating all of the accumulated error.

6. The control unit is 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein if the accumulated error exceeds a predetermined threshold, the next detected position after skipping the detected position is determined as the recording start position.

7. A control method for a recording device including a conveying unit that conveys a recording paper with a mark in a conveying direction, a recording unit that records on the recording paper, and a sensor that is disposed upstream of the recording unit in the conveying direction and detects the mark, comprising: Detecting the mark with the sensor to obtain a detection position; A method for controlling a recording device, comprising: determining a recording start position of a next recording area according to a result of comparing a recording end position of a previous recording area with the detected position.

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