Recording apparatus and recording method

Abstract

To solve the problem that the conventional printing apparatus has room for improvement in viewpoint of productivity.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit capable of recording on a roll-shaped medium; a transport unit for transporting the medium; a cutter capable of cutting the transported medium; a user interface for receiving an instruction from a user; and a control unit, where the control unit causes the cutter to perform a cutting step in a case where a cutting instruction is received via the user interface, and causes the medium to be transported without causing the cutting step to be performed in a case where a non-cutting instruction is received via the user interface or in a case where there is no instruction from the user to the user interface within reception time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a continuous paper cutting device that includes a cutter that cuts data recorded on the continuous paper for each page. This continuous paper cutting device prohibits the operation of the cutter depending on the time when data is recorded on the continuous paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-155486 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional device, the cutting operation is not performed during the time period when the cutter operation is prohibited, so there is room for improvement in terms of productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device comprises a recording unit capable of recording on a roll-shaped medium, a transport unit for transporting the medium, a cutter capable of cutting the transported medium, a user interface for accepting instructions from a user, and a control unit, and when the control unit receives a cutting instruction via the user interface, it causes the cutter to carry out a cutting process, and when it receives a non-cutting instruction via the user interface or when the user does not give an instruction to the user interface within a reception time period, it causes the medium to be transported without carrying out the cutting process.

[0006] The recording method is a recording method using a recording device that includes a recording unit capable of recording on a roll-shaped medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, a cutter that can cut the transported medium, and a user interface that accepts instructions from a user, and when a cutting instruction is received via the user interface, a cutting process is performed using the cutter, and when a non-cutting instruction is received via the user interface or when no instruction is given by the user to the user interface within a reception time period, the medium is transported without performing the cutting process. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a cut setting image. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of a cut mode recording process. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a cut prompt image. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation waiting image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a printing device 2 and a computer 3. The printing device 2 is an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs on a medium 4, such as paper, by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the medium 4 being transported. The printing device 2 is an example of a recording device. The ink is an example of a printing agent. The medium 4 is an example of a print medium. The printing device 2 includes an inkjet head 5, a carriage 6, and a cutter 7. The inkjet head 5 performs printing by depositing ink on the medium 4. The carriage 6 moves the inkjet head 5 back and forth in the width direction of the medium 4. The cutter 7 cuts the medium 4.

[0009] The printing device 2 is a serial type that performs printing while moving the inkjet head 5 back and forth in the width direction of the medium 4. The printing device 2 also includes a transport motor, which will be described later. The transport motor generates power for transporting the medium 4. In the printing device 2, ink is ejected from the inkjet head 5 toward the medium 4, which is transported by the power of the transport motor, while a carriage 6 is moved back and forth in the width direction of the medium 4. In this way, printing is performed on the medium 4 with ink. The inkjet head 5 may be configured as a line type that is provided across the width direction of the medium 4. The inkjet head 5 is an example of a recording unit.

[0010] The computer 3 supplies print data to the printing device 2. The computer 3 is, for example, a personal computer. The printing device 2 prints on the medium 4 based on the print data received from the computer 3. The printing device 2 prints on the medium 4 by depositing ink on the medium 4 based on the print data. The computer 3 and the printing device 2 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The connection between the computer 3 and the printing device 2 may be wired or wireless. The connection between the computer 3 and the printing device 2 may be communication via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 2 includes a payout spindle 11, a first support unit 12, a conveying unit 13, a second support unit 14, a control unit 15, and a case 16. A long medium 4 is wound up as a roll 18. The payout spindle 11 is a rod-shaped member and is supported by a frame (not shown) or the like. The payout spindle 11 rotatably supports the roll 18 on which the medium 4 is wound. The payout spindle 11 pays out the medium 4 from the roll 18 toward the first support unit 12 by rotating. The payout spindle 11 is an example of a payout unit. The case 16 houses the carriage 6, the inkjet head 5, and the cutter 7. The case 16 further houses the first support unit 12, the conveying unit 13, the second support unit 14, and the control unit 15.

[0012] The first support portion 12 and the second support portion 14 are members that support the long medium 4 transported in the transport direction. The medium 4 is transported along the surfaces of the first support portion 12 and the second support portion 14. The direction along the surfaces of the first support portion 12 and the second support portion 14 is the transport direction of the medium 4. The first support portion 12 and the second support portion 14 are fixed to a frame (not shown) or the like that supports the entire printing device 2.

[0013] The first support section 12 supports a portion of the medium 4 that is upstream in the transport direction from a portion facing the inkjet head 5. The first support section 12 often supports a portion before printing is performed by the inkjet head 5. The second support section 14 is located downstream in the transport direction from the first support section 12. The medium 4 supported by the first support section 12 is transported to the second support section 14 by the transport section 13. The transport section 13 is located downstream in the transport direction from the first support section 12. The transport section 13 is also located upstream in the transport direction from the second support section 14.

[0014] The transport unit 13 has a first roller 21 and a second roller 22. The transport unit 13 has a motor (not shown). Power from the motor is transmitted to the first roller 21. The first roller 21 can be rotated by the power from the motor. The medium 4 is sandwiched between the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. The medium 4 can be transported by rotating the first roller 21 with the medium 4 sandwiched between the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. The transport unit 13 transports the medium 4 toward the second support unit 14.

[0015] In the printing device 2, the first roller 21 is a driving roller, and the second roller 22 is a driven roller. The driving roller is rotationally driven by power from a motor. The driven roller is driven by the rotational drive of the driving roller. However, either the first roller 21 or the second roller 22 may be a driving roller or a driven roller. Note that holding the medium 4 between the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 is also expressed as nipping. In the printing device 2, the nipping of the medium 4 by the first roller 21 and the second roller 22 can be released by moving the second roller 22 away from the first roller 21.

[0016] The second support part 14 faces the inkjet head 5. The second support part 14 supports a portion of the medium 4 on which printing is performed by the inkjet head 5. The second support part 14 can apply a suction force to the medium 4. The surface of the second support part 14 facing the inkjet head 5 is flat. The support surface 14A of the second support part 14 extends over a range in which printing by the inkjet head 5 is possible. A plurality of suction holes are formed in the support surface 14A of the second support part 14. The medium 4 can be sucked onto the support surface 14A of the second support part 14 by sucking air from the plurality of suction holes with a suction fan. The second support part 14 is also called a suction platen.

[0017] The second support section 14 facing the inkjet head 5 refers to a state in which the support surface 14A of the second support section 14 faces the nozzle surface 23A of the inkjet head 5. The state in which the support surface 14A faces the nozzle surface 23A is not limited to a state in which the support surface 14A and the nozzle surface 23A face each other parallel to each other. A plurality of nozzles 24 are formed in the nozzle surface 23A. The nozzles 24 are ink ejection ports. When the nozzle surface 23A is projected onto the support surface 14A along the direction in which ink is ejected from the nozzles 24, if the nozzle surface 23A and the support surface 14A have an overlapping area, the support surface 14A faces the nozzle surface 23A.

[0018] The cutter 7 is located downstream of the inkjet head 5. The cutter 7 cuts the medium 4 wound around the roll 18 downstream of the inkjet head 5. The medium 4 cut by the cutter 7 is separated from the roll 18 into single sheets. For example, the cutter 7 can separate multiple printed materials lined up in succession on the long medium 4 into individual printed materials. For example, when printing a large number of posters, the same poster can be printed in succession on the long medium 4, and the cutter 7 can cut each poster into single sheets. In other words, the cutter 7 can cut each poster into page units. In this case, each poster corresponds to one page on the long medium 4.

[0019] Cutting of the poster is not limited to one page at a time, but it can also be cut in multiple page units, such as two or three pages. Cutting a printed material in multiple page units is called panel cutting. It is also possible for the user to cut manually without using the cutter 7. Cutting manually by the user is called manual cutting. When the user selects manual cutting, a cut line is printed at the boundary of the pages by the inkjet head 5. The cut line allows the user to understand the boundary between the pages. The printed object is not limited to a poster. The printed object may be text, an image, or a mixture of these.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 2 includes a communication interface 31, a control unit 15, a memory 32, a conveying motor 33, a carriage motor 34, a cutter motor 35, and an input receiving unit 36. The control unit 15 is an example of a control unit. In FIG. 3, the interface is indicated as I / F. The communication interface 31 is communicatively connected to the computer 3. The communication interface 31 communicates with the computer 3 according to a predetermined communication protocol. The form of communication may be either wired or wireless. The communication interface 31 includes, for example, a connection port for wired communication, an antenna for wireless communication, and an interface circuit. The communication interface 31 receives print data from the computer 3. The communication interface 31 transmits various data to an external device such as the computer 3. The communication interface 31 outputs the print data received from the computer 3 to the control unit 15.

[0021] The control unit 15 is a controller that controls the printing device 2. The control unit 15 executes a control program stored in the memory 32 to centrally control the operation of the printing device 2. The control unit 15 is a processor. For example, a CPU or an MPU can be used as the processor. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. MPU is an abbreviation for Micro Processing Unit. The memory 32 is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. RAM is used for temporary storage of various data, etc., and ROM stores the control program for controlling the operation of the printing device 2, various setting data, etc. Setting data 37 is stored in the memory 32.

[0022] The conveying motor 33 generates power to drive the first roller 21. The carriage motor 34 generates power to drive the carriage 6. The cutter motor 35 generates power to drive the cutter 7. The cutter 7 is driven by the power generated by the cutter motor 35. The input receiving unit 36 ​​receives various inputs from the user. The input receiving unit 36 ​​is an example of a user interface. The input receiving unit 36 ​​can be an input device such as a touch panel. The input receiving unit 36 ​​receives various settings related to the cutting operation.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows an example of a cutting setting image 38 of the input receiving unit 36 ​​that receives various settings related to the cutting operation. As shown in Fig. 4, the cutting setting image 38 includes an automatic cutting instruction section 41, a cutting line printing instruction section 42, and an acceptance time input section 43. The automatic cutting instruction section 41 receives a setting for enabling or disabling the automatic cutting mode. The automatic cutting mode is a mode in which the medium 4 is cut in units of one page. The cutting line printing instruction section 42 receives an instruction as to whether or not to print the above-mentioned cutting line.

[0024] The reception time input unit 43 receives input of the time for receiving input of a cutting mode instruction. The reception time is input by the user as a numerical value between 30 seconds and 180 seconds, for example. The user can instruct whether to enable or disable the auto-cut mode via the cutting setting image 38 of the input reception unit 36. The user can also instruct whether to enable or disable printing of a cut line via the cutting setting image 38 of the input reception unit 36. The user can also set the time for receiving input of a cutting mode instruction via the cutting setting image 38 of the input reception unit 36.

[0025] The cut mode is a mode that is accepted when the auto cut mode is disabled. The cut modes include a manual cut mode and a panel cut mode. The manual cut mode is a mode in which the manual cut described above is performed. The panel cut mode is a mode in which the panel cut described above is performed. The reception time is a time during which a cut mode instruction from a user is accepted when the auto cut mode is disabled. When the auto cut mode is disabled, the user can instruct the manual cut mode or the panel cut mode within the reception time via the input reception unit 36. If the reception time has elapsed without an instruction from the user, neither cut mode will be implemented.

[0026] 3, the control unit 15 functions as various functional units by executing a control program stored in the memory 32. The control unit 15 includes, as functional units, a conveyance control unit 51, a carriage control unit 52, a discharge control unit 53, and a cutter control unit 54. The control unit 15 functions as the conveyance control unit 51, the carriage control unit 52, the discharge control unit 53, and the cutter control unit 54 by executing a control program stored in the memory 32.

[0027] The transport control unit 51 controls the driving of the transport motor 33. The transport motor 33 generates power for transporting the medium 4. The carriage control unit 52 controls the driving of the carriage motor 34. The carriage motor 34 generates power for reciprocating the carriage 6. The ejection control unit 53 controls the driving of the inkjet head 5. The cutter control unit 54 controls the driving of the cutter motor 35. The printing operation of the printing device 2 is controlled by the functions of the transport control unit 51, the carriage control unit 52, the ejection control unit 53, and the cutter control unit 54.

[0028] Fig. 5 shows the flow of the cut mode recording process. The cut mode recording process is performed when the user sets the auto cut mode to disabled via the cut setting image 38 shown in Fig. 4. The cut mode recording process is performed by the control unit 15 shown in Fig. 3 executing the cut mode recording method in accordance with the cut mode recording program.

[0029] The cutting mode recording process is performed when the printing device 2 receives a print job from the computer 3 while the auto-cutting mode is disabled. A print job is a collection of data for causing the printing device 2 to perform one printing operation. A print job is a print command issued by a user. A print job includes print data that specifies the characters, images, etc. to be printed on the medium 4. A print job also includes data that specifies the number of pages to be printed. The "page" referred to here is synonymous with the previously described "page."

[0030] 5, the cut mode recording process includes twelve processes from step S1 to step S12. In step S1, the control unit 15 executes printing based on a print job. The control unit 15 executes printing based on the print job on the medium 4 by controlling the driving of the transport motor 33, the carriage motor 34, and the inkjet head 5 shown in FIG.

[0031] 5, the control unit 15 determines whether printing is to be performed on the last page of the number of pages specified by the print job. If it is determined that it is the last page, that is, if the determination in step S2 is YES, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that it is not the last page, that is, if the determination in step S2 is NO, the process proceeds to step S1.

[0032] In step S3, the control unit 15 causes the input receiving unit 36 ​​to display a cutting prompt image 61 shown in FIG. 6. The cutting prompt image 61 is an image that prompts the user to select a panel cutting mode or a manual cutting mode. The cutting prompt image 61 includes a cut button 62 and a print cut line button 63. The user can select either the cut button 62 or the print cut line button 63 displayed on the input receiving unit 36. The cut button 62 is a button that accepts the selection of the panel cutting mode. The print cut line button 63 is a button that accepts the selection of the manual cutting mode. When the manual cutting mode is selected, a cut line is printed on the medium 4.

[0033] 5, in step S4, the control unit 15 determines whether or not a user has made an input. The user's input refers to an input from either the cut button 62 or the print cut line button 63 of the cut prompt image 61. When it is determined that a user has made an input, that is, when step S4 is determined as YES, the process proceeds to step S6. When it is determined that a user has not made an input, that is, when step S4 is determined as NO, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0034] In step S5, the control unit 15 judges whether or not the reception time has elapsed. The reception time is the reception time specified via the reception time input section 43 of the cut setting image 38 shown in Fig. 4. When it is judged in step S5 shown in Fig. 5 that the reception time has elapsed, that is, when it is judged as YES in step S5, the cut mode recording process ends. When it is judged that the reception time has not elapsed, that is, when it is judged as NO in step S5, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0035] In step S6, the control unit 15 determines whether the user's input indicates the manual cut mode. If it indicates the manual cut mode, i.e., if step S6 is judged as YES, the process proceeds to step S8. If it does not indicate the manual cut mode, i.e., if step S6 is judged as NO, the process proceeds to step S7. The fact that the user's input does not indicate the manual cut mode means that the user's input indicates the panel cut mode. An instruction for the manual cut mode is an example of a non-cut instruction. An instruction for the panel cut mode is an example of a cut instruction.

[0036] In step S7, the control unit 15 causes the cutter 7 to cut the panel, and then ends the cut mode recording process. In step S7, the control unit 15 controls the drive of the cutter motor 35 shown in Fig. 3 to cut the panel. The panel cutting in step S7 is an example of a cutting process.

[0037] In step S8 shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 15 causes a cut line to be printed on the medium 4. Next, in step S9, the control unit 15 causes the medium 4 to be fed to a manual cutting position. The manual cutting position is a position where the cut line printed on the medium 4 is discharged outside the case 16 of the printing device 2 shown in FIG. 2. Next, in step S10, the control unit 15 causes the input receiving unit 36 ​​to display a confirmation waiting image 65 shown in FIG. 7. The confirmation waiting image 65 is an image that prompts the user to input that the user has finished manually cutting the medium 4. After the user has finished manually cutting the medium 4, the user can press a confirmation button 66 on the confirmation waiting image 65.

[0038] Next, in step S11 shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 15 determines whether or not a user input has been made. A user input refers to input of the confirmation button 66 of the confirmation waiting image 65. When it is determined that a user input has been made, that is, when step S11 is determined as YES, the process proceeds to step S12. When it is determined that a user input has not been made, that is, when step S11 is determined as NO, the process waits.

[0039] Next, in step S12, the control unit 15 backfeeds the medium 4, and then ends the cut mode recording process. Backfeeding refers to moving the medium 4, which has been fed to the manual cutting position, back to a position suitable for new printing.

[0040] According to this embodiment, when the auto cut mode is set to disabled, the user can select either the panel cut mode or the manual cut mode. Also, since the user can set the reception time, the recording process can be terminated even if the state in which either the panel cut mode or the manual cut mode is not selected continues.

[0041] The cut mode recording process is effective, for example, in a configuration in which a maintenance process for the inkjet head 5 is performed each time a print job ends. The maintenance process for the inkjet head 5 is a process unique to inkjet printers. The maintenance process for the inkjet head 5 includes, for example, a wiping process for the nozzle surface 23A, a suction of ink from the nozzles 24, and a capping process for the nozzle surface 23A. When a maintenance process for the inkjet head 5 is started, other processes, such as a feeding process for the medium 4, may not be accepted.

[0042] Maintenance processing of the inkjet head 5 may be performed every time a print job is executed. In the printing device 2, when maintenance processing of the inkjet head 5 is started, the user is unable to perform panel cutting or manual cutting. The user is unable to separate the printed material from the roll 18 until the maintenance processing of the inkjet head 5 is completed. This reduces productivity.

[0043] According to the cut mode recording process of this embodiment, the user can perform panel cutting or manual cutting before the start of the maintenance process of the inkjet head 5. As a result, it is possible to easily suppress a decrease in productivity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1...printing system, 2...printing device, 3...computer, 4...medium, 5...inkjet head, 6...carriage, 7...cutter, 11...feed shaft, 12...first support section, 13...transport section, 14...second support section, 14A...support surface, 15...control unit, 16...case, 18...roll, 21...first roller, 22...second roller, 23A...nozzle surface, 24...nozzle, 31...communication interface, 32...memory, 33...transport motor, 34...carriage motor, 35...cutter motor, 36...input acceptance section, 37...setting data, 38...cut setting image, 41...autocut instruction section, 42...cut line print instruction section, 43...acceptance time input section, 51...transport control section, 52...carriage control section, 53...ejection control section, 54...cutter control section, 61...cut prompt image, 62...cut button, 63...cut line print button, 65...confirmation waiting image, 66...confirmation button.

Claims

1. A recording unit capable of recording on a roll-shaped medium; A conveying unit that conveys the medium; a cutter capable of cutting the transported medium; a user interface for receiving instructions from a user; A control unit, The control unit is When a cutting instruction is received via the user interface, a cutting step is performed by the cutter; when a non-cutting instruction is received via the user interface, or when the user does not give an instruction to the user interface within a reception time, the medium is conveyed without performing the cutting process. Recording device.

2. The cutting instruction includes a manual cutting mode and a panel cutting mode. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The reception hours can be changed by the user. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. A recording method using a recording device including a recording unit capable of recording on a roll-shaped medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, a cutter that can cut the transported medium, and a user interface that accepts instructions from a user, comprising: When a cutting instruction is received via the user interface, a cutting step is performed by the cutter; when a non-cutting instruction is received via the user interface, or when the user does not give an instruction to the user interface within a reception time, the medium is conveyed without performing the cutting step. Recording method.

Images