Recording medium conveying device and program

Abstract

To support winding of a recording medium on a roller by a user without providing a device for conveying, etc.SOLUTION: An image reading device 3 according to one aspect of this invention comprises a conveyance control unit 58 for performing control for conveying a roll sheet by the feed amount corresponding to a distance from a starting point to a roller on which the roll sheet is to be wound, in a setting mode in which winding of the roll sheet on a plurality of rollers is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording medium transport device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a recording media transport device that transports a continuous recording media wound around multiple rollers by applying a predetermined tension to the recording media. Examples of continuous media include roll paper, fabric, and film. The recording media is typically loaded into such a recording media transport device by an operator.

[0003] However, if an operator makes a mistake in the winding side or winding order of the recording media around the rollers, there is a possibility that the recording media will not be transported properly in the recording media transport device. If a recording media transport error occurs, the recording media may be damaged, a jam may occur, or the transport load of the recording media may increase. If the transport load of the recording media increases, machine failure may occur.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a web passing device in which a pair of endless chains that transport the web from the entrance to the exit of the passing device are provided on both the left and right sides of a running path. In the passing device described in Patent Document 1, a holding member to which the leading end of the web is attached is disposed between the pair of left and right endless chains. As the pair of left and right endless chains travel, the web attached to the holding member is transported from the entrance to the exit via multiple guide rolls arranged along the running path. The technology described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to properly wind the recording medium around the rollers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-263294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the film supply mechanism described in Patent Document 1 includes a motor that drives a chain, which makes the device complex and large. Furthermore, the film supply mechanism described in Patent Document 1 uses a hand chuck to grip the leading edge of the fabric and transport it. Therefore, if the recording media is thin paper or film, it is difficult to transport the media without damaging it.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to assist the user in winding the recording media around the rollers without providing a transport device or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A recording media transport device according to one aspect of the present invention transports continuous recording media wound around multiple rollers. In a setting mode in which the recording media is wound around multiple rollers, the recording media transport device includes a transport control unit that controls the transport of the recording media by an amount corresponding to the distance from the starting point of the winding to the roller around which the recording media is wound. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to assist the user in winding the recording medium around the roller without providing a transport device or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional recording media transport device provided with a dancer roller. [Figure 2]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the state of a recording medium when a guide member is provided on a conventional linear transport path having a long transport distance. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which roll paper Rp is wound around a winding portion of a conventional roller with a large curvature. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of a detection unit and an irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of a detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of roll paper transport control from a drive unit to a first roller according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of roll paper transport control from one roller to the next roller according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of roller arrangements that do not satisfy the preconditions according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a wrapping support process in a cueing mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure for roll paper winding support processing for the second and subsequent rollers according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing an example in which an irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the far side in the width direction of the roller. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the irradiation unit is disposed at a position where the axis of the roller and the optical axis of the light irradiated from the irradiation unit are substantially perpendicular to each other according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of the direction of reflection of light reflected by a detection unit that also serves as an irradiation unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the direction of reflection of light reflected by a detector that also serves as an irradiator when detecting roll paper according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions or configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] Before describing the embodiments of the present invention, we will first explain the conventional problems that the present invention must solve. One method for preventing the recording media from being wound around the rollers incorrectly is to place a plate-shaped guide (regulating) member between the rollers. However, if a dancer roller for adjusting the tension of the recording media is provided between the rollers, it is not possible to place a guide member between the rollers.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a recording media transportation device 3A equipped with dancer rollers. As shown in Fig. 1, the recording media transportation device 3A is equipped with rollers R11 to R18 that transport recording media Rp. In addition, in the recording media transportation device 3A, dancer rollers Rd1 and Rd2 are provided between rollers R11 and R12, and between rollers R15 and R16, respectively.

[0014] Dancer roller Rd1 moves horizontally in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow in the figure to adjust the tension of the recording medium Rp transported between rollers R11 and R12. Similarly, dancer roller Rd2 also moves horizontally in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow in the figure. Therefore, a guide member Gd1 for guiding the recording medium cannot be installed between rollers R11 and R12, where dancer roller Rd1 is provided. Similarly, a guide member Gd2 cannot be installed between rollers R15 and R16, where dancer roller Rd2 is provided.

[0015] Even in devices that do not have dancer rollers, there is a concern that the recording media may be damaged if a guide member is provided on a straight transport path over a long transport distance. Figure 2 shows an example of the state of the recording media when a guide member is provided on a straight transport path over a long transport distance.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows two parallel plate-shaped guide members Gd11 and Gd12 arranged between rollers R11 and R12. Roll paper Rp is transported between guide members Gd11 and Gd12. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, roll paper Rp may come into contact with guide member Gd11 or Gd12. This contact is likely to occur if the paper Rp transported between rollers R11 and R12 flap, twist, or sags. This flap or twist of roll paper Rp is likely to occur when the transport distance between the rollers is long. If roll paper Rp comes into contact with guide member Gd11 or Gd12, the roll paper Rp may be scratched.

[0017] Furthermore, if a guide member is provided near the winding portion of a roller with a large curvature, the roll paper may come into contact with the guide member. The roll paper is likely to come into contact with the guide member, especially if the roll paper Rp wound around the roller has a high degree of stiffness. Figure 3 shows the state in which the roll paper Rp is wound around the winding portion of a roller with a large curvature.

[0018] In the example shown in Figure 3, a semi-arc-shaped, plate-like guide member Gd3 is provided near the roller R16, following the curve of the roller R16. The illustration shows the state in which roll paper Rp is wound around the roller R16 and transported. If the stiffness of the roll paper Rp is high, the force transporting the roll paper Rp is biased in the direction away from the center of rotation of the roller R16, as indicated by the diagonally shaded arrow in the illustration. As a result, the roll paper Rp is more likely to come into contact with the guide member Gd3.

[0019] When highly rigid roll paper Rp is transported, not only can the roll paper Rp be damaged, but the transport load on the rollers R16 for transporting the roll paper Rp can also increase. If the transport load of the roll paper Rp increases, the mechanism that drives the rollers R16 and other components can also break down. Therefore, in a recording media transport device that transports recording media such as roll paper, it is not desirable to provide guide members between the rollers. This embodiment provides a method for assisting in winding the roll paper Rp without providing guide members or the like.

[0020] <Configuration of image forming system> Next, the configuration of an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the image forming system 100 includes a paper feeder 1, an image forming device 2, an image reading device 3, and a winding device 4.

[0021] The paper feeder 1 feeds roll paper Rp, an example of continuous recording media, to the image forming device 2. The image forming device 2 forms (prints) an image on the roll paper Rp fed from the paper feeder 1 in accordance with a print job input from a terminal device (not shown) or the like. Methods for forming images on the roll paper Rp by the image forming device 2 include, for example, electrophotography and inkjet methods. A drive unit 21 that feeds the roll paper Rp to the image reading device 3 is provided near the paper discharge port (not shown) of the image forming device 2. The drive unit 21 may also be provided near the paper feed port (not shown) within the image reading device 3.

[0022] The image reading device 3 is an example of a recording media transport device of the present invention. The image reading device 3 reads paper on which an image has been printed by the image forming device 2, and acquires various information such as color density. The values acquired by the image reading device 3 are fed back to the image forming device 2 and used to adjust image formation conditions such as maximum density.

[0023] The image reading device 3 is equipped with rollers R1 to R6 that transport roll paper Rp. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between rollers R1 to R6, they will be collectively referred to as rollers R. The image reading device 3 also has detectors 561 to 566 located near the winding surfaces of rollers R1 to R6, respectively. Detectors 561 to 566 are configured, for example, with reflective laser sensors (an example of a reflective photoelectric sensor). Detectors 561 to 566 detect the roll paper Rp wound around roller R. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between detectors 561 to 566, they will be collectively referred to as detectors 56.

[0024] When the detection unit 56 detects the roll paper Rp, the transport control unit 58 (see FIG. 5) of the image reading device 3 controls the drive unit 21 to feed (transport) the required length of the roll paper Rp. The required length is the length equivalent to the distance from the roller R on which the wrapping of the roll paper Rp is detected to the next roller R onto which the roll paper Rp is to be wrapped.

[0025] This type of control by the transport control unit 58 makes it possible to alert the user if they are trying to wrap the roll paper Rp around the wrong roller R. Specifically, if the roll paper Rp does not reach the roller R they are trying to wrap around, the user will realize that the roller R or the wrapping surface they are trying to wrap around is incorrect. Or, if the roll paper Rp is too long for the roller R they are trying to wrap around, the user will also realize that the roller R or the wrapping surface they are trying to wrap around is incorrect.

[0026] Furthermore, the image reading device 3 according to this embodiment is provided with irradiation units 571 to 576 in the vicinity of the winding surfaces of the rollers R1 to R6, respectively, to illuminate the winding surfaces. The irradiation units 571 to 576 are disposed at positions to respectively illuminate the surfaces of the rollers R1 to R6 from the front side to the back side in the width direction (depth direction in the drawing). The irradiation units 571 to 576 are configured with, for example, LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the irradiation units 571 to 576, they will be collectively referred to as the irradiation unit 57.

[0027] When the detection unit 56 detects that roll paper Rp has been wound, the illumination control unit 59 (see FIG. 5) of the image reading device 3 causes the illumination unit 57 located near the next roller R to be wound to illuminate that roller R with orange light. Then, when the detection unit 56 located near the roller R illuminated with orange light detects roll paper Rp, the illumination control unit 59 changes the color of the light illuminated by the illumination unit 57 on the winding surface (an example of an illumination state) to blue. Meanwhile, while the detection unit 56 is not detecting roll paper Rp, the color of the light illuminated by the illumination unit 57 does not change. In other words, the color of the illuminated light remains orange. The brightness of the light illuminated by the illumination unit 57 is, for example, 100 to 150 lux.

[0028] Such control by the illumination control unit 59 allows the user to determine that the roller R whose winding surface is illuminated with orange light is the next roller R to be wound around. Furthermore, when the color of the light illuminating the winding surface changes from orange to blue, the user can determine that the roll paper Rp has been correctly wound around the roller R. The winding device 4 winds up the roll paper Rp output from the image reading device 3.

[0029] Note that, in this embodiment, an example has been given in which the recording media transport device of the present invention is applied to an image reading device 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. The recording media transport device of the present invention may also be applied to a paper characteristic detection device, etc., located upstream of the image forming device 2. The paper characteristic detection device is a device that detects paper characteristics such as the thickness, moisture content, and stiffness of the roll paper Rp required for image formation in the image forming device 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the recording medium read by the image reading device 3 (on which the image forming device 2 forms an image) is not limited to roll paper Rp, but may be other materials such as fabric or film as long as it is a roll-shaped recording medium.

[0031] <Configuration of the control system of the image reading device> Next, we will explain the configuration of the control system of the image reading device 3, which is an example of a recording media transport device of the present invention. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image reading device 3. A calculator 50 shown in Figure 5 is hardware used as a so-called computer.

[0032] The computer 50 includes a control unit 51, a nonvolatile storage 52, a display unit 53, an operation input unit 54, and a communication I / F (Interface) 55, which are all connected to the bus B. The computer 50 also includes a detection unit 56, an irradiation unit 57, a transport control unit 58, an irradiation control unit 59, and a notification control unit 60.

[0033] The control unit 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 511, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 512, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 513.

[0034] The CPU 511 reads out program code of software that realizes each function according to this embodiment from the ROM 512, expands it in the RAM 513, and executes it. Variables, parameters, etc. that are generated during the calculation processing by the CPU 511 are temporarily written to the RAM 513.

[0035] The control unit 51 may include a processing device such as an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) instead of the CPU 511. The control unit 51 may also use a CPU and an MPU in combination. The control unit 51 may also be configured with an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like.

[0036] The nonvolatile storage 52 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an optical disk, or a nonvolatile memory card. In addition to an operating system (OS) and various parameters, software programs for implementing the various functions according to this embodiment are also recorded in the nonvolatile storage 52. The programs may be stored in the ROM 512.

[0037] The program is stored in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the CPU 511 sequentially executes operations in accordance with the program code. In other words, the ROM 512 or the non-volatile storage 52 is used as an example of a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores a program to be executed by a computer.

[0038] The display unit 53 is, for example, a monitor configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The operation input unit 54 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and generates an operation signal according to an operation by the user and supplies it to the CPU 511. The display unit 53 and the operation input unit 54 may be integrated into a touch panel device. The recording media transport device of the present invention may also be configured without the display unit 53 and the operation input unit 54.

[0039] For example, a network interface card (NIC) is used as the communication I / F 55. The communication I / F 55 is capable of transmitting and receiving various types of data to and from external devices via a network or a communication line.

[0040] The detection unit 56 is the detection unit 561 to the detection unit 566 shown in Fig. 4, and the irradiation unit 57 is the irradiation unit 571 to the irradiation unit 576 shown in Fig. 4. The detection unit 56 and the irradiation unit 57 have already been described with reference to Fig. 4, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] When the detection unit 56 detects the roll paper Rp, the transport control unit 58 controls the drive unit to feed out the required length of the roll paper Rp.

[0042] When the detection unit 56 detects that roll paper Rp has been wrapped around, the illumination control unit 59 causes the illumination unit 57 located near the next roller R to be wrapped around to illuminate that roller R with orange light. Then, when the detection unit 56 located near the roller R illuminated with orange light detects roll paper Rp, the illumination control unit 59 changes the color of the light illuminated by the illumination unit 57 to blue.

[0043] The notification control unit 60 controls the display of a notification to the user by a message or the like on the screen (display unit 53 in FIG. 5) of the image reading device 3 or the image forming device 2. If the image reading device 3 or the image forming device 2 is equipped with a speaker, the notification control unit 60 may control the notification by voice via the speaker.

[0044] <Example of arrangement of detection unit and irradiation unit> Next, an example of the arrangement of the detection unit 56 and the irradiation unit 57 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of the detection unit 56 and the irradiation unit 57. Fig. 7 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of the detection unit 56. The rollers R11 to R13 shown in Fig. 6 are intended to show an example of the arrangement of the detection unit 56 and the irradiation unit 57. In other words, the respective arrangement relationships of the rollers R11 to R13 do not correspond to the arrangement relationships of any of the rollers R1 to R6 shown in Fig. 4.

[0045] 6, rollers R11, R12, and R13 are arranged in this order from the right side of the figure. An irradiation unit 57a is arranged on the right side of the front end face of roller R11, and an irradiation unit 57b is arranged on the left side of the front end face of roller R12. An irradiation unit 57c is arranged on the right side of the front end face of roller R13.

[0046] The irradiation unit 57a irradiates the side surface of the roller R11 from the front side to the back side in the depth direction of the roller R11. The irradiation unit 57b irradiates the side surface of the roller R12 from the front side to the back side in the depth direction of the roller R12. The irradiation unit 57c irradiates the top surface of the roller R13 from the front side to the back side in the depth direction of the roller R13.

[0047] A detector 56a is provided near the center in the depth direction of the roller R11, a detector 56b is provided near the center in the depth direction of the roller R12, and a detector 56c is provided near the center in the depth direction of the roller R13.

[0048] The irradiation unit 57a irradiates the roller R11 when a detection unit (not shown) provided near the roller (not shown) detects that the roll paper Rp has been wrapped around the previous roller (upstream in the conveying direction). If the roller to be wrapped around is the first roller R11 closest to the paper feed slot (not shown), the irradiation unit 57a irradiates the roller R11 when the roll paper Rp is fed by the drive unit 21 (see FIG. 5).

[0049] The irradiation unit 57b irradiates the next roller R12 when the detection unit 56a detects that the roll paper Rp has wrapped around the previous roller R11. Similarly, the irradiation unit 57c irradiates the roller R13 when the detection unit 56b detects that the roll paper Rp has wrapped around the previous roller R12.

[0050] By performing such irradiation control by the irradiation control unit 59, the user can know which roller the roll paper Rp should be wound around next.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows the right side of the roller R11 illuminated by the illumination unit 57a (not shown in FIG. 7). Also in FIG. 7, the roll paper Rp wrapped around the upper surface of the roller R11 is indicated by a dashed line, and the roll paper Rp wrapped around the lower surface of the roller R11 is indicated by a solid line. By illuminating the light as shown in FIG. 7, the user can see that the roll paper Rp should be wrapped around the lower surface of the roller R11, not the upper surface. In other words, the user can see that the roll paper Rp should be wrapped around the lower surface indicated by the solid line, not the upper surface indicated by the dashed line.

[0052] Although not shown in the figure, the winding surface of the roller R12 is the upper surface, so the irradiator 57b irradiates the left surface of the roller R12, allowing the user to understand that the winding surface of the roller R12 on which the roll paper Rp is wound is the upper surface.

[0053] Furthermore, the illumination control unit 59 also controls changing the illumination state of the illumination unit 57. Specifically, before detecting that the roll paper Rp is wrapped around the roller R, the illumination control unit 59 sets the color of the light illuminated by the illumination unit 57 to orange. Then, when the detection unit 56 detects that the roll paper Rp is wrapped around the roller R, the illumination control unit 59 changes the color of the light illuminated by the illumination unit 57 to blue. This allows the user to know that the roll paper Rp has been properly wrapped around the roller R.

[0054] <Transport control overview> Next, an overview of the transport control by the transport control unit 58 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 is a diagram showing an example of transport control of roll paper Rp from drive unit 21 to the first roller R1. In the example shown in Fig. 8, transport control unit 58 transports roll paper Rp by a feed amount LF1 from drive unit 21 (an example of a starting point). Feed amount LF1 is the sum of distance L1 between drive unit 21, which feeds roll paper Rp into image reading device 3, and roller R1, and surplus amount Ls1.

[0055] The surplus amount Ls1 is set to an amount that allows the roll paper Rp to be properly wrapped around the roller R1 and that allows the detection unit 561 to properly detect the roll paper Rp. The surplus amount Ls1 is set based on the outer diameter and material of the roller R1, the installation position of the detection unit 561, and other factors. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the roller R1 is made of aluminum and has an outer diameter of 38 mm. In this case, the surplus amount Ls can be set to, for example, approximately 50 mm to 80 mm.

[0056] A detector 561 is provided 5 to 10 mm above the surface of roller R1 to detect when roll paper Rp is wrapped around roller R1. In this embodiment, the transport control unit 58 begins sending (transporting) the roll paper Rp toward the next roller R2 a predetermined time after the detector 561 detects the roll paper Rp. The "starting point" for transport control targeting the next roller R2 is the roller R1 on which the roll paper Rp has already been wrapped.

[0057] It is possible that the user may not yet be able to grasp the leading edge of the roll paper Rp immediately after the detection unit 561 detects the roll paper Rp. If the roll paper Rp is fed again in this state, the roll paper Rp will become slacker, making it difficult for the user to wrap it around the roll paper Rp. Furthermore, if the roll paper Rp becomes too slack, it may come into contact with other rollers. If the roll paper Rp comes into contact with other rollers R, the roll paper Rp may be scratched.

[0058] Therefore, in this embodiment, the transport control unit 58 starts feeding out the roll paper Rp when it is assumed that the fed-out roll paper Rp has been wrapped around the roller R1. The timing at which it is assumed that the fed-out roll paper Rp has been wrapped around the roller R1 is when a predetermined time has passed since the detection unit 561 detected the roll paper Rp. This "predetermined time" can be set to, for example, 2 to 3 seconds or more.

[0059] The transport control unit 58 feeds the roll paper Rp at a feed speed of, for example, 200 to 300 mm / s. The feed speed of the roll paper Rp by the transport control unit 58 is set to an appropriate speed determined based on experiments or the like.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was given in which the transport control unit 58 starts (resumes) feeding the roll paper Rp after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit 56 detected the leading edge of the roll paper Rp, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even before the predetermined time has elapsed, if the leading edge (edge) of the roll paper Rp is pulled with a force of 20 N (Newtons) or more (an example of a predetermined tension), the transport control unit 58 may start (resume) transport of the roll paper Rp. 20 N is a force that exceeds the holding force of the roll paper Rp when the transport control unit 58 stops transporting the roll paper Rp. Note that the holding force of the roll paper Rp when transporting the roll paper Rp stops is set to a force greater than the tension of the roll paper Rp when the transport control unit 58 is transporting the roll paper Rp.

[0061] By performing such control by the conveyance control unit 58, an experienced worker who is accustomed to the work can move on to the task of winding the roll paper Rp around the next roller R by pulling the end of the roll paper Rp.

[0062] 9 is a diagram showing an example of transport control of roll paper Rp from roller R1 to the next roller R2. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the transport control unit 58 transports roll paper Rp by a feed amount LF2 from the drive unit 21. The feed amount LF2 is the distance L2 between roller R1 and roller R2 plus an excess amount Ls2.

[0063] Then, a predetermined time after the fed-out roll paper Rp is detected by the detector 562 located near the roller R12, the transport controller 58 starts feeding the roll paper Rp to the next roller R13. The transport controller 58 continues this transport control process until the roll paper Rp has been wrapped around the last roller R16.

[0064] In this embodiment, the transport control unit 58 controls transport based on the following precondition c regarding the distance between the rollers. (Prerequisite c) Distance between roller RN and roller RN+1 < Distance between roller RN and roller RN+2 or more In the above preconditions, N is a natural number equal to or greater than 1.

[0065] When the above preconditions are applied to rollers R1 to R6 shown in FIG. 4 (FIGS. 8 and 9), the following preconditions c1 to c3 are obtained. (Prerequisite c1) Distance between rollers R1 and R2 < Distance between rollers R1 and R3 (Prerequisite c2) Distance between rollers R2 and R3 < Distance between rollers R2 and R4 (Prerequisite c3) Distance between rollers R3 and R4 < Distance between rollers R3 and R5

[0066] When the above preconditions c1 to c3 are met, the transport control unit 58 will feed out an appropriate amount of roll paper Rp for the distance to the next roller, preventing the user from wrapping the roll paper Rp around the wrong roller. For example, suppose that the amount of roll paper Rp that has been transported corresponds to the distance from roller R2 to roller R3, and the user tries to wrap the roll paper Rp around roller R4. In this case, according to precondition c2 above, the fed-out roll paper Rp will reach roller R3 but not roller R4. Therefore, the user will realize that the roller they intended to wrap the roll paper Rp around (roller R4) is the wrong roller.

[0067] It is possible that the rollers R may be positioned in a way that does not satisfy the above prerequisites. In this case, even if the conveyance control unit 58 conveys the appropriate amount of roll paper Rp, the user may still wind the paper incorrectly.

[0068] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a roller arrangement that does not satisfy the precondition c. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the distance between rollers R1 and R2 is greater than the distance between rollers R1 and R4. Also, the distance between rollers R3 and R4 is greater than the distance between rollers R3 and R6. In other words, this is an arrangement that does not satisfy the precondition c.

[0069] With this arrangement, roll paper Rp that should be wound around roller R2 ends up reaching not only roller R2 but also roller R4. In this case, a situation may arise where the user mistakenly winds roll paper Rp that should be wound around roller R2 onto roller R4. Similarly, roll paper Rp that should be wound around roller R4 ends up reaching not only roller R4 but also roller R6. In this case, a situation may arise where the user mistakenly winds roll paper Rp that should be wound around roller R4 onto roller R6.

[0070] 10, block-shaped shields Sh1 and Sh2 are placed in the space between rollers R1 and R4, and in the space between rollers R3 and R6, respectively. The placement of shield Sh1 prevents roll paper Rp that should be wound around roller R2 from being mistakenly wound around roller R4. The placement of shield Sh2 also prevents roll paper Rp that should be wound around roller R4 from being mistakenly wound around roller R6.

[0071] <Wrapping support processing> Next, the wrapping support process by the image reading device 3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the wrapping support process in the cueing mode. The cueing mode is a process for cueing the roll paper Rp by conveying a predetermined amount of the roll paper Rp from the drive unit 21 (see Fig. 4) near the paper feed slot (not shown). Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the roll paper wrapping support process for the second and subsequent rollers.

[0072] The wrapping support process shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12 is performed when "connection mode" (an example of a setting mode) is selected. "Connection mode" is a mode in which the user wraps the roll paper Rp around the roller R. "Connection mode" is performed, for example, when setting up the image reading device 3, when a jam occurs, when the roll paper Rp breaks, or when a maintenance person or the like intentionally cuts the roll paper Rp. A maintenance person or the like cuts the roll paper when, for example, equipment needs to be replaced during maintenance.

[0073] First, we will explain the wrapping support process shown in Fig. 11. In Fig. 11, the roller around which the roll paper Rp fed from the drive unit 21 is first wrapped, i.e., roller R1, will be referred to as the "first roller." Subsequent rollers will be referred to as the Nth roller (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2).

[0074] First, the transport control unit 58 determines whether the detection unit 56 has detected the wrapping of the roll paper Rp around the first roller (step S1). If the determination in S1 is YES, the cueing process is unnecessary, and the wrapping support process shown in Fig. 11 ends. Then, if necessary, the process proceeds to the wrapping support process for the second roller and onwards (S10).

[0075] On the other hand, if the wrapping of the roll paper Rp around the first roller is not detected (NO in S1), the cue mode is turned ON (step S2). Here, an example is given in which the cue mode is automatically turned ON when the determination in S1 is NO, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the determination in S1 is NO, a UI (User Interface) or the like that allows the user to select whether or not to turn on the cue mode may be displayed on the screen of the image reading device 3 or the image forming device 2 (the screen of the display unit 53 in FIG. 5). Then, when the user instructs to turn on the cue mode, the processing of S2 may be performed. When the user instructs to turn off the cue mode, the same processing as when the determination in S1 is YES is performed.

[0076] After the cue mode is turned ON in S2, a notification or the like urging the user to open the door of the image reading device 3 is displayed on the screen of the image reading device 3 or the image forming device 2 under the control of the notification control unit 60 (see FIG. 5). Then, based on the display, the user opens the door. The door is the door (not shown) located in front of the image reading device 3 shown in FIG. 4.

[0077] Next, the illumination control unit 59 (see FIG. 5) causes the illumination unit 571 to illuminate the first roller with orange light (S3). Next, the transport control unit 58 transports the roll paper Rp from the drive unit 21 by an amount corresponding to the distance between the drive unit 21 and the first roller (S4). As described above, the amount of roll paper Rp transported by the transport control unit 58 in S4 is the distance between the drive unit 21 and the first roller plus an extra distance of approximately 50 mm to 80 mm. Based on the processes in S3 and S4, the user manually winds the roll paper Rp transported from the drive unit 21 around the first roller, i.e., the roller R1. That is, the user winds the transported roll paper Rp by the required amount around the roller R1 illuminated with orange light.

[0078] Next, the detection unit 561 determines whether or not it has detected that the roll paper Rp has been wound around the first roller (S5). If the detection unit 561 detects that the roll paper Rp has been wound around the first roller (YES in S5), it determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S6). As described above, the predetermined time is the time it is expected that the user will have completed winding the roll paper Rp around the first roller. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S6), the determination in S6 is repeated.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S6), the illumination control unit 59 changes the color of the light irradiating the first roller to blue (S7). This allows the user to know that the roll paper Rp has been properly wrapped around the first roller. After processing in S7, the cueing mode is turned off (S8).

[0080] On the other hand, if wrapping is not detected in S5 (NO in S5), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed without wrapping being detected (S9). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S9), the determination in S9 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed without wrapping being detected (YES in S9), the process of S8 is performed. That is, the cueing mode is turned OFF.

[0081] After the process of S8, or if the determination in S1 is YES, the wrapping support process for the second roller and subsequent rollers is executed (S10). The procedure for the wrapping support process for the second roller and subsequent rollers will be described in detail with reference to the following FIG.

[0082] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, first, the illumination control unit 59 illuminates the (N+1)th roller with orange light (S11). When the wrapping of the roll paper Rp around the first roller is complete, the "N" in N is 1. Therefore, the (N+1)th roller becomes the second roller. Next, the transport control unit 58 transports the roll paper Rp by an amount corresponding to the length between the Nth roller and the (N+1)th roller (S12). The processes of S13 to S16 are the same as the processes of S5, S9, S6, and S7 in FIG. 11, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0083] After the color of the light irradiated on the (N+1)th roller is changed to blue in S15, the transport control unit 58 determines whether there are any rollers for which the wrapping support process has not yet been performed (S17). If there are any rollers for which the wrapping support process has not yet been performed (YES in S17), a process is performed to replace "N" with "N+1" (S18). For example, if the roller for which the wrapping support process had been performed up until now was the N=2 roller, N becomes 3 as a result of the process in S18. After the process in S18, the process returns to S11 and continues.

[0084] On the other hand, if it is determined that there are no rollers for which the wrapping support process has not been performed (NO in S17), it is determined whether or not the closing of the door of the image reading device 3 has been detected (S19). If the door is occupied by a user and a sensor (not shown) detects this, the determination in S19 is YES. While the closing of the door is not detected (NO in S19), the determination in S19 is repeated.

[0085] If the door is detected as closed (YES in S19), the control unit 51 determines whether all of the detection units 56 have detected the wrapping of the roll paper Rp (S20). If there are rollers that have not yet detected the roll paper Rp (NO in S20), the notification control unit 60 notifies the user via the screen of the image reading device 3 or the image forming device 2, etc., that there are rollers around which the wrapping has not yet been performed (S21). By performing the process of S21, the user can wrap the roll paper around the rolls that have not yet been wrapped. After the process of S21, the determination in S20 is repeated.

[0086] On the other hand, if it is determined that all of the detection units 56 have detected the wrapping of the roll paper Rp (YES in S20), the illumination control unit 59 turns off all of the illumination units 57 (S22). Then, the connection mode ends (S23). After processing S23, the wrapping support process for the second roller and onward ends.

[0087] In the embodiment described above, in connection mode, the transport control unit 58 controls the transport of the roll paper Rp by a feed amount equivalent to the distance from the starting point to the roller R onto which the roll paper Rp is to be wound. The starting point is the drive unit 21 located near the paper feed slot for the roll paper Rp, or the previous roller R onto which the roll paper Rp is already wound. Therefore, if the user attempts to wrap the roll paper Rp around the wrong roller R, the roll paper may not reach the correct roller R or may be too long, allowing the user to realize their error. The user can then wrap the fed roll paper Rp around the correct roller R onto which the roll paper Rp can be wound. This embodiment helps the user wrap the roll paper Rp around the roller P without providing a transport device or the like.

[0088] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the transport control unit 58 controls the transport of the roll paper Rp by an amount corresponding to the distance from the starting point to the roller R around which the roll paper Rp is to be wrapped, plus an amount of surplus. This amount of surplus is an amount that allows the roll paper Rp to be properly wrapped around the roller R. The amount of surplus is also an amount that allows the detection unit 56 to adequately detect the roll paper Rp. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user can properly wrap the fed roll paper Rp around the roller R around which it is to be wrapped.

[0089] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, when the detection unit 56 detects roll paper Rp, the transport control unit 58 starts transport control for the roller R next to the roller R on which the wrapping of the roll paper Rp was detected. This prevents transport control of the roll paper Rp from being started for the next roller R before the wrapping of the roll paper Rp is complete. Therefore, this embodiment prevents the roll paper Rp from coming into contact with another roller R or the like due to excessive transport of the roll paper Rp.

[0090] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the transport control unit 58 starts transport control of the roll paper Rp targeted for the next roller R to be wrapped around after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit 56 detected the roll paper Rp. In other words, according to this embodiment, transport control of the roll paper Rp targeted for the next roller R to be wrapped around can be started after the point in time when it is assumed that the user has reliably wrapped the roll paper Rp around it.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, the irradiation unit 57 disposed near the roller R illuminates the winding surface of the roller R onto which the roll paper Rp is to be wound. This allows the user to visually determine which roller R the roll paper Rp should be wound onto next, and which surface it is to be wound onto.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the detection unit 56 detects that the roll paper Rp has been wrapped around, the illumination control unit 59 changes the color of the light illuminating the wrapping surface of the detected roller R from orange to blue. This allows the user to visually understand that the roll paper Rp has been properly wrapped around the target roller Rp.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the illumination control unit 59 changes the color of the illumination unit 57 from orange to blue, but the present invention is not limited to this. The color to which the illumination control unit 59 changes may be a color other than these colors.

[0094] Furthermore, the illumination state changed by the illumination control unit 59 may be a blinking state rather than a color. For example, the illumination control unit 59 may cause the illumination unit 57 to illuminate the roller around which the roll paper Rp is wrapped, at full brightness. On the other hand, the illumination control unit 59 may cause the illumination unit 57 to illuminate the roller on which the roll paper Rp is detected to be wrapped, by blinking. Or the reverse may be possible. In other words, the illumination control unit 59 may cause the illumination unit 57 to illuminate the roller around which the roll paper Rp is wrapped, by blinking. On the other hand, the illumination control unit 59 may cause the illumination unit 57 to illuminate the roller on which the roll paper Rp is detected to be wrapped, by lighting the roller on full brightness.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been given in which the irradiating unit 57 illuminates the roller R from the front side toward the back side in the width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the irradiating unit 57A is disposed on the back side in the width direction of the roller R. By disposing the irradiating unit 57A as shown in Fig. 13, the irradiated light from the irradiating unit 57A may be irradiated from the back side toward the front side in the width direction of the roller R.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the irradiation unit 57 is disposed at a position where the optical axis of the light emitted from the irradiation unit 57 and the axis of the roller R are substantially parallel, but the present invention is not limited to this. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the irradiation unit 57B is disposed at a position where the axis of the roller R and the optical axis of the light emitted from the irradiation unit 57B are substantially perpendicular to each other. By disposing the irradiation unit 57B as shown in Fig. 14, the irradiation unit 57B may illuminate the front side or the center of the side surface of the roller R from above.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the detection unit 56 and the irradiation unit 57 were provided separately, but the present invention is not limited to this. The detection unit 56 may also serve as the irradiation unit 57. For example, the detection unit 56, which is configured with a reflective laser sensor as in the above-described embodiment, is placed in the same position as the irradiation unit 57B shown in FIG. 14. In other words, the detection unit 56 is placed in a position where the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the detection unit 56 and the axis of the roller R are approximately perpendicular. When placed in this manner, the reflection direction of the laser light emitted from the detection unit 56 changes before and after the roll paper Rp is wound around the roller R.

[0098] Fig. 15 shows an example of the reflection direction of reflected light from detection unit 56A, which also functions as irradiation unit 57, when roll paper Rp is not detected by detection unit 56A. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the reflection direction of reflected light from detection unit 56A, which also functions as irradiation unit 57, when roll paper Rp is detected.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 15, when roll paper Rp is not detected, the light emitted from the detection unit 56A hits the surface of the roller R and is specularly reflected back toward the detection unit 56A. On the other hand, when roll paper Rp is caught, the light emitted from the detection unit 56A hits the surface of the roll paper Rp wound around the roller Rp and is diffusely reflected, as shown in FIG. 16. In other words, the angle of the reflected light of the light emitted from the detection unit 56A differs depending on whether the target of irradiation is the roller R or the roll paper Rp. Therefore, the user can tell that the roll paper Rp has been wound around the corresponding roller R by the change in the reflected light of the light emitted from the detection unit 56A.

[0100] When the detection unit 56 also functions as the irradiation unit 57, the amount and color of light irradiated from the detection unit 56 may be adjusted to be easily recognized by the user.

[0101] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and variants provide detailed and specific descriptions of the configurations of the devices and systems in order to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described.

[0102] 5, the control lines or information lines shown by solid lines are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all control lines or information lines in the product. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are interconnected.

[0103] Furthermore, in this specification, processing steps describing chronological processing include not only processing that is performed chronologically in the order described, but also processing that is not necessarily performed chronologically but is performed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or processing by objects). [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1...paper feeding device, 2...image forming device, 3...image reading device, 4...winding device, 21...driving unit, 56...detecting unit, 57...irradiation unit, 58...conveyance control unit, 59...irradiation control unit, 60...notification control unit, 100...image forming system

Claims

1. A recording media transport device that transports continuous recording media wound around a plurality of rollers, In a setting mode in which the recording medium is wound around a plurality of rollers, a transport control unit is provided that controls the transport of the recording medium by an amount corresponding to the distance from the winding start point to the roller onto which the recording medium is wound. Recording media transport device.

2. The starting point is a drive unit that feeds the recording medium into the recording media transport device, or the preceding roller around which the recording medium is already wrapped.

2. The recording media transport device according to claim 1.

3. The feeding amount corresponds to the distance from the starting point to the roller around which the recording medium is wound plus an excess distance.

3. The recording media transport device according to claim 2.

4. The recording medium further includes a plurality of detectors disposed near the rollers, each of which detects whether the recording medium is wrapped around the roller.

4. The recording media transport device according to claim 3.

5. The transport control unit controls the transport of the recording medium by an amount corresponding to the distance from the roller on which the detection unit detects that the recording medium is wrapped to the next roller to be wrapped around.

5. The recording media transport device according to claim 4.

6. The transport control unit transports the recording medium after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit detected the recording medium.

6. The recording media transport device according to claim 5.

7. a plurality of illuminating units disposed near the rollers, respectively, for illuminating a winding surface of the roller on which the recording medium is wound; an irradiation control unit that controls irradiation operations by the plurality of irradiation units.

7. The recording media transport device according to claim 6.

8. The illumination control unit causes the illumination unit to illuminate the winding surface of the roller onto which the recording medium is wound.

8. The recording media transport device according to claim 7.

9. The roller onto which the recording medium is wrapped is the roller onto which the recording medium fed from the drive unit is first wrapped, or the roller onto which the recording medium is next wrapped after the roller onto which the wrapping of the recording medium is detected by the detection unit.

9. The recording media transport device according to claim 8.

10. The irradiation control unit changes the irradiation state of the light irradiated by the irradiation unit onto the winding surface of the roller on which the detection unit detects that the recording medium is wound.

10. The recording media transport device according to claim 9.

11. The illumination state that is changed by the illumination control unit is the color or blinking state of the illumination light. The recording media transport device according to claim 10.

12. the irradiation unit is configured by the detection unit, The detection unit is composed of a reflective photoelectric sensor, the change in the irradiation state of the light emitted from the reflective photoelectric sensor is a change in the angle of the reflected light of the emitted light, The angle of the reflected light differs depending on whether the target of the irradiation light is the roller or the recording medium wound around the roller.

8. The recording media transport device according to claim 7.

13. When the transport control unit detects that an end of the recording medium has been pulled with a predetermined tension even before a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit detected the recording medium, the transport control unit controls the transport of the recording medium by an amount equivalent to the distance to the roller around which the recording medium will next be wound.

7. The recording media transport device according to claim 6.

14. The holding force of the recording medium when the transport control unit stops transport of the recording medium is equal to or greater than the tension of the recording medium during transport, and the predetermined tension is a force that exceeds the holding force.

14. The recording media transport device according to claim 13.

15. The recording media transport device is an image reading device that is arranged downstream of an image forming device that forms an image on the recording media and reads the recording media on which the image has been formed, or a paper characteristic detection device that is arranged upstream of the image forming device and detects the paper characteristics of the recording media that are transported to the image forming device. The recording medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A program executed by a computer constituting a recording media transport device that transports continuous recording media wound around a plurality of rollers, comprising: In a setting mode in which the recording medium is wound around a plurality of rollers, the computer is caused to execute a procedure for controlling the transport of the recording medium by an amount corresponding to the distance from the winding start point to the roller around which the recording medium is wound. program.

Images