Recording apparatus

Abstract

To enable a user to easily grasp whether a recording medium set in a recording device is fed or not.SOLUTION: A paper feeding state display part 2a to be lighted according to the paper feeding state is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Recording apparatuses are known that can be loaded with a roll-shaped recording medium.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses that the printer determines whether the roll sheet attached to the platen is set on the upper or lower level, and displays this on the operation panel while waiting before printing begins. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-071194 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, it is conceivable that the display format as disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be sufficient in terms of user convenience.

[0006] When a user accesses a recording medium set in a recording device, it is desirable to more easily know whether the recording medium set in the device is fed in a manner that allows printing.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to make it easier for a user to know whether a recording medium set in a recording device is being fed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of setting units for setting a plurality of roll-shaped recording media, a transport means for transporting the recording media, a recording means for recording an image on the recording media transported by the transport means, a detection means for detecting whether the recording media is fed to a predetermined position where it can be recorded by the recording means, and a display unit provided corresponding to each of the setting units for indicating whether the recording media set in the setting units is being fed, and when the recording means is recording on the recording media, the display unit indicates whether the recording media set in the corresponding setting unit is being fed in accordance with the detection result of the detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible for the user to easily grasp the state of the recording medium set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an indicator unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating other examples of indicator units in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of other indicator unit arrangements and displays on an operation panel in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the display of a paper feed status display unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the display of a remaining paper amount display unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the display of a remaining paper amount display unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the internal configuration and control configuration of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the internal configuration and control configuration of a recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an indicator unit and control in the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a recording device 1 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams of the overall configuration, with FIG. 1(b) showing the state with the door open for loading roll paper. Reference numeral 1 denotes a recording device that prints using an inkjet method. Reference numeral 2 denotes an indicator unit that displays the status of the recording medium being printed on. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation panel for operating the recording device 1, which uses a touch panel display. Reference numeral 4 denotes roll paper, in which a sheet-like recording medium to be printed on is wound around a core in a roll shape. The recording medium is typically, but is not limited to, paper, but for convenience, we will refer to it as paper. The recording device 1 according to this embodiment has two loading sections for loading roll paper 4, with indicator sections 2 provided at positions corresponding to each of the loading sections. However, the number of loading sections is not limited to this and may be one, three, or more. Reference numeral 5 denotes a door that rotates around the bottom to open and close. During normal operation of the recording device 1, the door 5 is closed to prevent contamination, but is opened when loading or replacing the roll paper 4. Here, setting the roll paper 4 means threading the spool 11 onto the core of the roll paper 4 and setting it in a spool holder (not shown) where the spool 11 is placed inside the recording device 1. Feeding the paper means setting the roll paper 4 and then transporting the leading edge of the paper to a position where printing is possible. These expressions will be used in the following explanation. Note that this is not limited to the door 5, and it is also effective for a drawer.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a front view and a cross-sectional side view of the indicator unit 2. As shown in the front view of FIG. 2, the display of the indicator unit 2 consists of a paper feed status indicator 2a, which indicates the paper feed status, and a paper remaining indicator 2b, which indicates the remaining amount of roll paper 4. In this embodiment, the indicators are a paper feed status indicator and a paper remaining indicator, each with an illuminated indicator. The paper feed status indicator and the paper remaining indicator notify the user of the paper loading unit status by their illuminated states. The paper feed status indicator 2a is illuminated when the roll paper 4 is loaded into the recording device 1 and ready to print, and is off when it is not. Specifically, the indicator is off when the roll paper 4 is loaded but not loaded, or when the roll paper 4 is not loaded. Alternatively, the paper feed status may be indicated by changing the illuminated color when the paper is ready to print and when it is not. The paper remaining indicator 2b is composed of multiple indicators, and the remaining amount is indicated by changing the number of illuminated indicators depending on the amount of paper remaining.

[0013] The arrangement and size of the lighting parts of the indicator unit 2 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the paper feed status display unit 2a and the remaining paper amount display unit 2b are arranged in a row at the same position in the X direction. The lighting parts of the two indicator units 2 may be arranged so that they are all at the same position in the X direction. The length of all the lighting parts in one indicator unit is 10 cm in the Z direction, the distance in the Z direction between the paper feed status display unit 2a and the remaining paper amount display unit 2b closest to the paper feed status display unit 2a is 4 cm, and the distance in the Z direction between the lighting parts of the remaining paper amount display units 2b is 1 cm. Furthermore, the length in the Y direction of paper feed status display section 2a is 12 mm, and the length in the Y direction of paper remaining amount display section 2b is 10 mm. The distance between the illuminated sections is not limited to this, and may be such that it is possible to recognize that they indicate the status of the same paper feed tray. Furthermore, by changing the lengths in the Y direction of paper feed status display section 2a and paper remaining amount display section 2b, it is possible to make it easier to recognize that the illuminated sections indicate different states.

[0014] The shape of the illuminated portion is not limited to the shape shown in Fig. 2, and may be round, square, or the like. Furthermore, the paper supply status display section 2a and the paper remaining amount display section 2b may have different shapes. Furthermore, the paper remaining amount display section 2b may not be present, and only the paper supply status display section 2a may be present.

[0015] As shown in the side view of Figure 2, the indicator unit 2 consists of a light-emitting unit 2f, a light guide 2g, and an illumination unit 2h, all electrically mounted on a single board. The light-emitting unit 2f is preferably an LED. The light-emitting unit 2f emits light with a predetermined divergence angle. The light is collimated by the light guide 2g, at least one of whose surfaces is a concave lens, and guided to a surface roughly flush with the exterior of the recording device 1 via the illumination unit 2h. Furthermore, it is preferable that the illumination unit 2h and the light guide 2g have at least one roughened surface to scatter the light and reduce differences in light intensity distribution. The light guide 2g and illumination unit 2h are each molded as a single unit. This reduces the number of parts and costs of the recording device 1, and enables integrated optical axis adjustment during assembly of the recording device 1. In this embodiment, the indicator unit 2 is embedded in a portion of the exterior of the recording device 1. However, an indicator unit consisting of the light-emitting unit 2f, the light guide 2g, and the illumination unit 2h may also be mounted on the recording device 1. The light guide 2g can be omitted. In that case, it is preferable to use a concave lens on the rear side of the light-emitting unit 2h when viewed from the exterior surface. The light-emitting unit 2f emits a color that is easy to distinguish in relation to the exterior color of the recording device 1. For example, if the exterior of the recording device 1 is a light color, such as white, the light-emitting unit 2f can be illuminated in a color other than white, such as blue, green, or red, to make it easier to distinguish whether it is on or off. If the exterior of the recording device 1 is a dark color, such as black, the light-emitting unit 2f can be illuminated in a light color, such as yellow, in addition to blue, green, or red, to make it easier to distinguish. The paper feed status indicator 2a and the remaining paper indicator 2b are also different colors. In this embodiment, the paper feed status indicator 2a emits blue, the remaining paper indicator 2b illuminates green when there is remaining paper, and the remaining paper indicator 2b illuminates red when there is no remaining paper. Changing the illuminated color according to the display function is expected to improve the user's visual recognition.

[0016] By displaying the state of the roll paper 4 on the indicator unit 2 as described above, the user can intuitively grasp the state of the roll paper 4 from a little distance away without having to go all the way to the front of the recording device 1.

[0017] The paper feed status display section 2a and the paper remaining amount display section 2b of the indicator section 2 are not limited to being arranged vertically as in Figure 2. For example, they may be arranged horizontally as in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), and the lighting sections of the paper feed status display section 2a and the paper remaining amount display section 2b may be arranged in either a vertical or horizontal direction. Furthermore, it is also effective to arrange them on an arc as in Figure 3(c).

[0018] Figure 4 shows another arrangement of the indicator unit and the display on the operation panel. As shown in Figure 4(a), the indicator unit 2 may be arranged on the front side of the door 5. Arranging it on the front side of the door 5 makes it easier for the user to see that each indicator unit 2 corresponds to each paper feed tray of the roll paper 4. It may also be arranged on the upper side of the door 5. In Figure 1, the indicator unit 2 is arranged on the right side of the door 5, and the operation panel 3 is also arranged on the upper right side of the recording device 1. The indicator unit 2 and operation panel 3 may also be arranged on the left side of the recording device 1, and by concentrating the information that the user needs to see on one side of the recording device 1, it can be made easier for the user to perceive.

[0019] Figure 4(b) shows the remaining amount of each color ink displayed as a bar graph on the operation panel 3. If the remaining amount displays for the roll paper 4 in Figure 2 are arranged vertically, the remaining ink amount displays can also be aligned vertically, making it easier for the user to grasp the remaining amount.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the display of the paper feed status display unit 2a. Note that the reference numerals explained in FIG. 1 will not be explained again. 6 denotes a transport roller that transports the roll paper 4 onto the platen 17, nipping and transporting the roll paper 4. 7 denotes a carriage that carries an image forming unit (not shown) that prints by ejecting ink while scanning in the vertical direction in FIG. 5. The transport roller 6 is located near the area scanned by the carriage 7. When the transport roller 6 nip the roll paper 4, the roll paper 4 can be transported to a position facing the image forming unit on the platen 17, i.e., it is ready for printing. 8 denotes paper detection sensors that detect the presence or absence of the roll paper 4, and is composed of a platen sensor 8a, an upper paper feed inlet sensor 8b, and a lower paper feed inlet sensor 8c. The paper detection sensors 8 are optical sensors and include a platen sensor 8a located near the transport roller 6, and an upper paper feed inlet sensor 8b and a lower paper feed inlet sensor 8c located on the transport path from the roll of roll paper 4 to the transport roller 6. The upper paper feed port sensor 8b and the lower paper feed port sensor 8c are located upstream of the platen sensor 8a in the transport direction and are provided to correspond to each of the two tiers of roll paper 4 set in the sensor. The upper paper feed port sensor 8b and the lower paper feed port sensor 8c are feed detection sensors that detect whether the roll paper 4 set in each tier has been transported to the sensor position and is ready to be fed. Figure 5 shows the state in which the upper tier of roll paper 4 is nipped by the transport roller 6, i.e., fed and ready to be printed. When the user instructs paper feeding via the operation panel 3, the transport roller 6 and rollers (not shown) provided in the transport path are driven, feeding the roll paper 4 of the tier instructed to be fed into a printable state. When the user instructs printing in this state, the recording device 1 begins printing on the fed roll paper 4.

[0021] In Figure 5, the lower roll paper 4 is set but not fed. In this case, the platen sensor 8a and the upper paper feed slot sensor 8b detect paper, but the lower paper feed slot sensor 8c does not. Reference numeral 9 denotes a control unit that determines whether each roll paper 4 is nipped by the transport rollers 6 based on the detection results of the paper detection sensor 8 and controls the lighting of the paper feed status display 2a of the indicator unit 2. In this embodiment, the platen sensor 8a functions as a nip detection sensor or a paper feed detection sensor, and when the platen sensor 8a detects roll paper, the control unit 9 determines that the roll paper is nipped by the transport rollers 6. In Figure 5, the control unit 9 indicates that the upper roll paper 4 is nipped by the transport rollers 6, and lights up the corresponding paper feed status display 2a, while turning off the paper feed status display 2a for the lower roll paper that is not nipped. The light color of the paper feed status display 2a is blue, but this is not limited to this. When the paper feed status display unit 2a lights up, it indicates that the corresponding roll paper 4 is ready for printing, and also notifies the user that the roll paper 4 cannot be replaced in this state because the transport roller 6 is nipping the roll paper 4. Notification of the paper feed status by the indicator unit 2 is given at least during printing. "During printing" refers to the time when the carriage 7 scans and ink is ejected from the image forming unit onto the recording medium. Notification may also be given during standby when no printing is taking place, or may be given constantly when the power is on.

[0022] If the user replaces the roll paper that is not being recorded on while recording is in progress, the recording operation does not stop. In other words, the recording operation does not stop even when door 5 is opened. Also, if the door 5 containing the roll paper being recorded on is opened while recording is being performed on roll paper 4 that has been fed in a recordable state, recording may be stopped.

[0023] The recording device 1 may be configured with a locking mechanism that prevents the user from opening the door 5. In this case, the door 5 of the row in which the roll paper being recorded is set is locked by the locking mechanism while recording is in progress. On the other hand, even if the user tries to replace the roll paper being recorded, the door 5 of the row in which the roll paper being recorded is set is locked by the locking mechanism, so the user cannot replace it.

[0024] By notifying the user of the paper feed status as described above, the user can see from a distance from the recording device 1 which tray of roll paper is ready for printing, without having to open the door 5 or move directly in front of the recording device 1. Because paper feed status notification is provided even during printing, this prevents the user from accidentally opening the door 5 containing the roll paper 4 being printed on, thereby reducing the risk of malfunctions. For example, in FIG. 5, if the upper door 5 is open, the leading edge of the roll paper 4 may get caught on the door 5, causing a paper jam. By preventing the user from accidentally opening the door 5 with the above configuration, paper jams caused by opening and closing the door 5 to check the paper feed status of the roll paper 4 can be prevented. Therefore, the locking mechanism that prevents the user from accidentally opening the door 5 and its control can be eliminated from the configuration of the recording device 1. Furthermore, since it is possible to know which tray is not ready for printing, it is possible to prepare for replacement during printing, or to open the door 5 of the tray that is not ready for printing and load the roll paper 4.

[0025] [Second embodiment] The remaining paper amount display section 2b will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0026] Reference numeral 10 denotes a remaining amount detection sensor for detecting the remaining amount of paper roll 4, and is provided for each paper roll 4. Remaining amount detection sensor 10 is either an optical or mechanical sensor, and detects the remaining amount by measuring the distance from the sensor to the paper roll 4. Based on the detection results of remaining amount detection sensor 10, control unit 9 converts the remaining amount of each paper roll 4 into a value and controls the lighting of paper feed status display 2a and remaining paper amount display 2b of indicator unit 2. In Figure 6, control unit 9 converts the remaining amount of the installed paper roll 4, i.e., the remaining length, into five levels and controls the lighting of four green lights and the bottom red light of remaining paper amount display 2b. For example, when the remaining paper amount of the paper roll 4 is longer than 90 m, all four green lights are lit and the red light is off, as shown in Figure 7(a). When the remaining paper amount is between 90 m and 40 m, the top green light is off, the other green lights are on, and the red light is off, as shown in Figure 7(b). When the paper remaining amount is between 40m and 10m, the two upper green dots are turned off, the two lower green dots are lit, and the red dot is turned off, as shown in Figure 7(c). When the paper remaining amount is 10m or less, the three upper green dots are turned off, the one lower green dot is lit, and the red dot is turned off, as shown in Figure 7(d). When the paper remaining amount is zero, all four green dots are turned off and the one red dot is turned on, as shown in Figure 7(e). The remaining amount detection sensor 10 also detects when roll paper is not set, so it also functions as a set detection sensor. Even when the roll paper 4 is not set, the one red dot in the remaining paper amount display section 2b is lit, as shown in Figure 7(e). Therefore, the light indicating no paper also functions as a set status light indicating whether or not the roll paper 4 is set.

[0027] While the luminous colors are not limited to these, it is preferable that the paper feed status indicator 2a, the remaining paper indicator 2b, and the out-of-paper indicator color of the remaining paper indicator 2b described in the first embodiment be different colors. Furthermore, when paper runs out, only the bottom red indicator of the remaining paper indicator 2b lights up. However, all remaining paper indicators 2b may be configured to light up green, and all remaining paper indicators 2b may be turned off when paper runs out. However, as described above, lighting a different color (here, red) when paper runs out can emphasize to the user that there is no paper remaining. Also, in FIG. 7, among the multiple lighting elements visible from the front side of the exterior of the recording device 1, all remaining paper indicators 2b are the same length, but this may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7(f), the longer the indicator, the longer the remaining paper amount. The number of remaining paper indicators 2b is not limited to five. Furthermore, the conditions for the remaining paper length described above are merely examples and are not limiting. In particular, the red light indicating no paper remaining means that the paper is significantly depleted. The red light should be lit when the amount of paper remaining is below a predetermined amount, and it is preferable that the red light be lit before the paper reaches zero.

[0028] By displaying the remaining paper amount on the indicator unit as described above, the user can easily check the remaining amount of paper even from a position a short distance away from the recording device 1, without having to go to the front of the recording device 1 or check the remaining amount of roll paper 4 directly. Because the user can check the remaining amount at a glance, if the remaining amount is low, they can replace the roll paper 4 before sending a large number of print jobs to the recording device 1, reducing the number of print interruptions caused by running out of roll paper 4 in the middle of printing. In addition, because the user can prepare the roll paper 4 for replacement while printing, the user can print efficiently.

[0029] Furthermore, the remaining paper amount indicator 2b is not limited to the paper length. For example, as shown in FIG. 7(g), the control unit 9 can calculate how many remaining pages can be printed by converting the remaining length into a commonly used paper size, and light up the remaining paper amount indicator 2b accordingly. This allows the user to check how many remaining pages can be printed. Therefore, the user can more accurately determine whether there is enough roll paper 4 based on the number of pages to be printed.

[0030] [Third embodiment] So far, we have explained how to display the paper feed status and remaining paper amount. The indicator unit of this embodiment can display the width of the roll paper 4. Using Figure 8, we will explain the configuration for displaying the width of the roll paper set in the recording device 1. Note that explanations of parts that are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment will be omitted.

[0031] 8 is a diagram showing the internal configuration and control configuration of the recording device 1. Reference numeral 12 denotes a holder that is located inside the recording device 1 and holds the spool 11. The holder 12 is provided with a mechanical sensor 12a that detects the presence or absence of the spool 11.

[0032] When the roll paper 4 is set in the holder 12 via the spool 11 and transported, it is nipped by the transport rollers 6 (not shown in FIG. 8). The transport rollers 6 have the same configuration as shown in FIG. 1. Once the control unit 9 determines that the roll paper 4 is nipped by the transport rollers 6 using the method described in the first embodiment, it drives the scanning unit 7a to scan the carriage 7. At this time, the optical sensor 7b mounted on the carriage 7 detects the left and right edges of the fed roll paper 4. The control unit 9 then obtains the paper width of the roll paper 4 from the scanning distance of the carriage 7 and the left and right edges detected by the optical sensor 7b. Based on the obtained paper width, the control unit 9 controls the illumination of the paper width display 2c of the indicator unit 2, lighting the illumination corresponding to the detected paper width. The paper width display 2c (width illumination unit) is configured, like the indicator unit 2 in FIG. 2, to include a light-emitting unit, a circuit board, a light guide, and an illumination unit.

[0033] In FIG. 8 , the upper roll paper 4 is nipped by the conveyance roller 6 (not shown). If the width of the nipped roll paper 4 is determined to be, for example, 24 inches, the control unit 9 lights up the 24-inch indicator in the paper width display 2c of the indicator unit 2 corresponding to the upper roll. The paper width display 2c of the indicator unit 2 corresponding to the lower roll paper 4, which was previously fed and whose paper width was detected, lights up "A0." In this embodiment, the indicator unit 2 is located in the same location as the indicator unit 2 in FIG. 1. Once the paper width of the roll paper 4 is determined, the paper feed tray and paper width information are associated and stored in the memory unit 13, and the control unit 9 continues to display the information on the paper width display 2c of the indicator unit 2 until the mechanical sensor 12a detects that the spool 11 has been removed. By displaying the paper width on the indicator unit 2 in this way, the user can easily know the paper width of the roll paper 4 loaded in the recording device 1, regardless of the paper feeding status, even when the door 5 (not shown) is closed. Furthermore, by combining it with the paper feed status display unit 2a described in the first embodiment, even while the recording device 1 is printing, the user can open the door 5 of the tray that is not nipped by the conveying roller 6 and set or replace the roll paper 4 of the desired width.

[0034] Furthermore, there are many different paper widths for roll paper 4, and providing multiple paper width display sections 2c accordingly would result in a larger surface area for the indicator section 2 relative to the recording device 1. However, the width of the roll paper 4 actually used is often limited to a certain extent for each user. Therefore, it is possible to set in advance which paper width is to be displayed on the paper width display section 2c of the indicator 2. This setting is performed by operating the operation panel 3, so that the paper widths that are commonly used are displayed on the paper width display section 2c of the indicator section 2. Figure 8 shows an example of how the table is set, with 24 inch, 36 inch, A1, and A0 selected, as indicated by the black dots in the table.

[0035] As described above, the paper width of the roll paper 4 that the user normally uses can be displayed on the paper width display section 2c with a small display area.

[0036] [Fourth embodiment] In the third embodiment, the paper width display section 2c of the indicator section 2 was described, whereas here the paper type display will be described using Fig. 9. Note that the description of the same parts as in the above-mentioned embodiments will be omitted.

[0037] When the roll paper 4 is set in the holder 12 via the spool 11 and transported, it is nipped by the transport rollers 6 (not shown in FIG. 9). The transport rollers 6 have the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1. After the roll paper 4 is nipped by the transport rollers 6, the control unit 9 prompts the user via the operation panel 3 to set the paper type of the roll paper 4. Typical paper types include glossy paper, coated paper, and plain paper. Once the user inputs and sets the paper type, the control unit 9 acquires the set paper type and controls the lighting of the paper type display unit 2d (type lighting unit) on the indicator unit 2 so that the lighting unit corresponding to the acquired paper type lights up. The paper type display unit 2d is configured to include a light-emitting unit, a circuit board, a light guide, and a lighting unit, similar to the indicator unit 2 in FIG. 2. Since there may be cases where the user does not select a typical paper type, the paper type display section 2d of the indicator section 2 is configured to also light up "Etc.", indicating that a roll paper 4 of another paper type has been loaded. In this embodiment, the indicator section 2 is located in the same place as the indicator section 2 in Figure 1. By displaying the paper type on the indicator section 2 as described above, the user can easily know the paper width of the roll paper 4 loaded in the recording device 1 even when the door 5 (not shown) is closed.

[0038] In FIG. 9 , the upper roll paper 4 is nipped by the transport roller 6 (not shown), and the user has selected glossy paper, lighting up the paper type display 2d to indicate that the upper roll paper 4 is glossy. Similarly, the paper type display 2d of the indicator unit 2 corresponding to the lower roll paper 4, which was previously fed and had its paper type set to plain paper, lights up the paper type display 2d of the indicator unit 2. Once the paper type of the roll paper 4 is entered and set, the paper feed tray and paper type information are associated and stored in the memory unit 13, and the control unit 9 continues to display the information on the paper type display 2d of the indicator unit 2 until the mechanical sensor 12a detects that the spool 11 has been removed. By displaying the paper type on the indicator unit 2 in this way, the user can easily know the paper type of the roll paper 4 loaded in the recording device 1, regardless of the paper feeding status, even when the door 5 (not shown) is closed.

[0039] Furthermore, by combining it with the paper feed status display unit 2a described in the first embodiment, even while printing, the user can open the door 5 of the shelf that stores the roll paper 4 that is not nipped by the transport roller 6, and set or replace the roll paper 4 of the desired paper type.

[0040] Furthermore, if the paper thickness can be identified by the paper type, a more accurate remaining paper amount can be obtained by combining this with the detection value by the remaining amount detection sensor 10 described in the second embodiment 2. This allows a more accurate remaining amount display on the remaining paper amount display unit 2b.

[0041] [Fifth embodiment] In the embodiments described up to this point, the status of the roll paper 4 is displayed on the indicator unit 2. In this embodiment, the time remaining until printing is completed is displayed on the indicator unit 2. Note that the description of the same parts as in the above embodiments will be omitted.

[0042] Figure 10 is a block diagram of the recording device. The recording device 1 receives print information, including image information to be recorded, from the host device via the network via the communication unit 14 and stores it in the memory unit 13. The control unit 9 extracts the print information from the memory unit 13, analyzes it, calculates an estimated print time, and acquires the time. Then, as shown in Figure 11(b), this estimated time is displayed as the time until printing is completed in the print completion time display unit 2e (time lit unit) of the indicator unit 2 shown in Figure 11(a). Furthermore, the control unit 9 ejects ink from the image forming unit 7c mounted on the carriage 7 while scanning the carriage 7, thereby printing onto the roll paper 4.

[0043] FIG. 11(a) shows the indicator unit 2 of this embodiment. The indicator unit 2 includes a print completion time display unit 2e. Similar to the indicator unit 2 of FIG. 2, the print completion time display unit 2e includes a light-emitting unit, a substrate, a light guide, and a lighting unit. In this embodiment, the remaining print completion time is notified by flashing the print completion time display unit 2e. FIGS. 11(c) to 11(f) show the flashing patterns of the print completion time display unit 2e. As shown in FIG. 11(c), the print completion time display unit 2e flashes at a higher frequency when the print completion time is long, and then the frequency decreases as the remaining time until print completion becomes shorter, and finally turns off. This allows the user to know that the print is approaching completion as the flashing cycle becomes longer.

[0044] The display of the print completion time is not limited to this. Examples of other forms are shown below. As shown in Figure 11(d), when the remaining time until the print is completed is long, the frequency of the flashing is low, and as the remaining time until the print is completed becomes shorter, the frequency of the flashing increases, and finally the light is turned on. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11(e), the times of lighting and extinguishing in FIGS. 11(c) and 11(d) may be reversed to produce a blinking pattern as shown in FIGS. 11(e) and 11(f).

[0045] As described above, the print completion time display section 2e of the indicator section 2 has only one lighting section, and the time remaining until printing is completed is notified by frequency modulation of the blinking of the lighting section. This makes it possible to display the print completion time in a single color using the smallest possible area. By making it easy to know the time remaining until printing is complete, it is expected that the stress felt by users due to not knowing how much time remains until printing is complete can be reduced.

[0046] Furthermore, although the above example shows the display by flashing a single color, multiple colors may be used to notify the time remaining until printing is complete. In addition to flashing, the print completion time display unit 2e may change color, as shown in FIG. 11(g), such that when the print completion time is long, it lights up red, then yellow, and finally green. This display method also makes it possible to display the print completion time in the smallest possible area. However, the colors and the order in which they light up are not limited to those described above.

[0047] Additionally, the print completion time display section 2e may have multiple lighting sections. In the case of three channels as shown in Figure 11(h), when the print completion time is long, all channels are lit, then ch1, ch2, and finally all channels are lit. By having multiple lighting sections in the print completion time display section 2e in this way, the print completion time can be displayed more intuitively. Furthermore, by gradually narrowing the width of the print completion time display section 2e from ch1 to ch3, the print completion time can be more clearly displayed. Note that while the method of sequentially turning off the lights as the print completion time decreases has been described here, the opposite method of turning off all the lights first and then lighting them in order may also be used. Similarly, the width of the print completion time display section 2e may be gradually widened.

[0048] So far, the display method for notifying the remaining time until printing is completed has been described, but the number of sheets remaining to be printed may also be displayed on the indicator section 2.

[0049] Furthermore, the recording device 1 can be connected to a network as shown in Fig. 10, allowing multiple users to send their own print information to the recording device 1. The control unit 9 may display the time it takes to print according to one piece of print information when the print is complete, or may cause the indicator unit 2 to display the total print time for all print information currently being received. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Recording device 2 Indicator section 2a Paper feed status display 2b Paper remaining indicator 2c Paper width display 2d Paper type display area 2e Print completion time display 2f Light-emitting part 2g Light Guide 2h lighting section 3 Operation Panel 4 rolls of paper 5 doors 6 Conveyor roller 7 Carriage 7c Image forming section 8 Paper detection sensor 9 Control Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] a plurality of setting units for setting a plurality of roll-shaped recording media; a conveying means for conveying the recording medium; a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means; a detecting means for detecting whether or not a recording medium is fed to a predetermined position where the recording means can record; a display unit provided corresponding to each of the setting units, the display unit indicating whether the recording medium set in the setting unit is being fed; and A recording device characterized in that, when the recording means is recording on a recording medium, the display unit indicates whether the recording medium set in the corresponding setting unit is being fed or not, depending on the detection result of the detection means.

Images