Printing apparatus and control method of printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a recording device and a control method of the recording device capable of improving convenience of a user.SOLUTION: The recording device includes a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path, a recording unit that performs recording on the medium transported by the transport unit, and a control unit that controls the transport unit and the recording unit. The conveyance path includes a recording path and a reverse path. The recording path is a path for the recording unit to perform recording on the medium. The reverse path is a path for re-transporting the medium transported along the recording path to the recording path in a state where the front and back sides of the medium are reversed. When the transport unit transports the first medium and the second medium in order and the recording unit performs recording on at least both surfaces of the first medium, the control unit transports the second medium on which recording has been performed on the first surface by the recording unit to the inversion path in a state where the first medium on which recording has been performed on the first surface by the recording unit is stopped in the inversion path, and re-transports the first medium from the inversion path to the recording path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device that records on both sides of a medium transported along a transport path. The transport path includes a recording path that records on the medium and a reversing path that retransports the medium in an inverted state back to the recording path. When recording on both sides of a medium in such a recording device, the transport speed of the medium in the reversing path is controlled independently from the transport speed of the medium in the recording path. This allows recording on the medium according to the size of the medium, thereby improving throughput. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-280897 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, it is desirable to further improve the throughput of such a recording apparatus in order to improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A recording device that solves the above problem comprises a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path, a recording unit that records on the medium transported by the transport unit, and a control unit that controls the transport unit and the recording unit, wherein the transport path includes a recording path and an inversion path, the recording path is a path along which the recording unit records on the medium, and the inversion path is a path along which the medium transported along the recording path is re-transported back to the recording path in an inverted state, and when the transport unit transports a first medium and a second medium in sequence and the recording unit records on at least both sides of the first medium, the control unit stops the first medium, on whose first side the recording unit has performed recording, at the inversion path, transports the second medium, on whose first side the recording unit has performed recording, to the inversion path, and re-transports the first medium from the inversion path to the recording path.

[0006] A control method for a recording device that solves the above problem is a control method for a recording device that includes a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path and a recording unit that records on the medium transported by the transport unit, wherein the transport path includes a recording path and an inversion path, the recording path is a path along which the recording unit records on the medium, and the inversion path is a path along which the medium transported along the recording path is inverted and re-transported along the recording path, and when the transport unit transports a first medium and a second medium in sequence and the recording unit records on at least both sides of the first medium, the method includes stopping the first medium, on whose first side has been recorded by the recording unit, at the inversion path, transporting the second medium, on whose first side has been recorded by the recording unit, to the inversion path, and re-transporting the first medium from the inversion path to the recording path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a control pattern of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the third control pattern of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the second control pattern of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the first control pattern of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the double-sided recording control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the double-sided recording control process of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a control pattern of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [First embodiment] An embodiment of a recording device and a control method for the recording device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the recording device is placed on a horizontal plane, and the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to each other.

[0009] <Configuration of Recording Device 11> 1, the recording device 11 is configured to record an image on a medium 99. The recording device 11 may be, for example, an inkjet printer that records an image by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the medium 99.

[0010] The recording device 11 may include one or more medium storage units 12. The medium storage unit 12 can store a plurality of media 99 in a stacked state. The recording device 11 may also include a stacker 13. The stacker 13 receives the recorded media 99.

[0011] The recording device 11 may include a transport path 98. The transport path 98 is a path along which the medium 99 is transported. In the drawings, the transport path 98 is indicated by a dashed line. In this embodiment, the direction along which the medium 99 is transported is also referred to as the transport direction D. The transport direction D is a direction along the transport path 98. In this embodiment, upstream means upstream of the transport direction D, and downstream means downstream of the transport direction D.

[0012] The recording device 11 may include a feeding unit 20, a transport unit 21, a recording unit 22, and a maintenance unit 23. The feeding unit 20 feeds the media 99 stored in the medium storage unit 12 one sheet at a time to a transport path 98. In other words, the feeding unit 20 feeds the media 99 stored in the medium storage unit 12 to the transport unit 21.

[0013] The feeding unit 20 may include a feeding roller 24 and a separating unit 25. The feeding unit 20 may include the same number of feeding rollers 24 and separating units 25 as the number of medium container units 12. The feed roller 24 rotates while in contact with the medium 99 stored in the medium storage unit 12, thereby sending the medium 99 to the transport path 98. The feed roller 24 is located at the upstream end of the transport path 98.

[0014] The separation unit 25 may have a separation drive roller 26 and a separation driven roller 27. The separation drive roller 26 and the separation driven roller 27 contact each other when there is no medium 99 between them.

[0015] A rotational load is applied to the separation driven roller 27 by, for example, a torque limiter. When the separation unit 25 pinches multiple media 99, the separation drive roller 26 is driven to rotate, but the separation driven roller 27 is less likely to rotate. This allows the separation unit 25 to separate the media 99 sent out by the feed roller 24 one by one. The feed unit 20 feeds the media 99 one by one using the separation drive roller 26 and the separation driven roller 27.

[0016] The transport unit 21 is configured to transport a medium 99 along a transport path 98. The transport path 98 may include a supply path 95, a recording path 96, a discharge path 97, and an inversion path 90. The inversion path 90 may include a first inversion path 91, a second inversion path 92, and a third inversion path 93.

[0017] The supply path 95 is a path along which the unrecorded medium 99 passes. The supply path 95 is a path that connects the medium storage unit 12 and the recording unit 22. The supply path 95 is located at the most upstream of the transport path 98. The supply path 95 is located upstream of the recording path 96. The supply path 95 is a path for transporting the unrecorded medium 99 to the recording path 96.

[0018] The recording path 96 is a path along which the recording unit 22 records on the medium 99. The recording path 96 is a path that runs along the recording unit 22. The recording path 96 is a path that transports the medium 99 on which recording is performed by the recording unit 22. The recording path 96 is located downstream of the supply path 95.

[0019] The discharge path 97 is a path for transporting the medium 99 after recording. The discharge path 97 is a path that connects the recording unit 22 and the stacker 13. The discharge path 97 is located downstream of the recording path 96. The discharge path 97 is a path that discharges the medium 99 transported from the recording path 96 to the stacker 13.

[0020] The inversion path 90 is a path connecting the downstream end of the recording path 96 and the upstream end of the recording path 96. The inversion path 90 is a path that returns the medium 99, which has been recorded on one side, upstream from the recording unit 22. The inversion path 90 is a path for inverting the medium 99. Specifically, the inversion path 90 is a path for inverting the medium 99 so that the surface of the medium 99 that has been previously recorded faces downward. As a result, the medium 99 that is re-transported to the recording path 96 is transported so that the unrecorded back side faces the recording unit 22. In this way, the inversion path 90 is a path that re-transports the medium 99, which has been transported along the recording path 96, to the recording path 96 in an inverted state.

[0021] The reversing path 90 is longer than twice the maximum length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 that can be conveyed by the conveying unit 21. The reversing path 90 is longer than three times the minimum length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 that can be conveyed by the conveying unit 21.

[0022] The first reversing path 91 is located downstream of the second reversing path 92 in the reversing path 90. The first reversing path 91 is a path for transporting the medium 99 from the second reversing path 92 to the recording path 96 again.

[0023] The second inversion path 92 is located downstream of the third inversion path 93 on the inversion path 90. The second inversion path 92 is a path for re-transporting the medium 99 from the third inversion path 93 to the recording path 96. The second inversion path 92 is a path for transporting the medium 99 from the third inversion path 93 to the first inversion path 91.

[0024] The third reversal path 93 is a path that transports the medium 99 from the recording path 96 and inverts the medium 99. The third reversal path 93 is a path that transports the medium 99 from the recording path 96 in the first transport direction D1, and then transports the medium 99 in an inverted state in the second transport direction D2 to the second reversal path 92. The third reversal path 93 is a switchback path.

[0025] The first reversal path 91 is longer than the minimum length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 that the conveying unit 21 can convey. The second reversal path 92 is longer than the minimum length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 that the conveying unit 21 can convey. The total length of the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92 is longer than the maximum length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 that the conveying unit 21 can convey. The third reversal path 93 is longer than the maximum length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 that the conveying unit 21 can convey.

[0026] The transport unit 21 includes a supply unit 28, a recording transport unit 29, a discharge unit 30, a first reverse transport unit 31, a second reverse transport unit 32, and a third reverse transport unit 33. The supply unit 28 is configured to transport the medium 99 along a supply path 95. The supply unit 28 includes at least one supply roller pair 34. The supply roller pair 34 is provided at a position along the supply path 95. The supply roller pair 34 rotates by a driving force from a supply drive unit 51 shown in FIG. 2 . As a result, the supply roller pair 34 transports the medium 99 along the supply path 95.

[0027] The recording transport unit 29 is configured to transport the medium 99 along the recording path 96. The recording transport unit 29 includes at least one transport roller pair 35. The recording transport unit 29 may include transport roller pairs 35 upstream and downstream of the recording area of ​​the recording unit 22. The transport roller pair 35 is provided at a position along the recording path 96. The transport roller pair 35 rotates by a driving force from the recording drive unit 52 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the transport roller pair 35 transports the medium 99 along the recording path 96. The transport roller pair 35 may be a registration roller pair that corrects skew of the medium 99.

[0028] The recording transport unit 29 includes a medium support unit 70. The medium support unit 70 is configured to transport the medium 99 while supporting the medium 99 on the recording path 96. The medium support unit 70 is provided at a position facing the recording unit 22 across the recording path 96.

[0029] The medium support unit 70 may include an endless conveyor belt 71 and a pair of pulleys 72. The conveyor belt 71 is stretched over the pair of pulleys 72. The conveyor belt 71 faces the recording unit 22 across the recording path 96. The conveyor belt 71 supports a portion of the medium 99 in a flat state. The conveyor belt 71 rotates while adsorbing the medium 99, thereby conveying the medium 99 along the recording path 96. One of the pulleys 72 rotates due to the driving force from the recording drive unit 52 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the conveyor belt 71 conveys the medium 99 along the recording path 96.

[0030] The recording and conveying unit 29 rotates around one pulley 72 by a driving force from the moving unit 53 shown in Fig. 2. The conveying belt 71 is provided so as to be movable between a support position shown by a solid line in Fig. 1 and a retracted position shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 1 by rotating around one pulley 72. The support position is a position where the medium 99 is supported and faces the recording unit 22. The retracted position is a position away from the recording unit 22.

[0031] The discharge unit 30 is configured to transport the medium 99 along the discharge path 97. The discharge unit 30 includes at least one discharge roller pair 37. The discharge roller pair 37 is provided at a position along the discharge path 97. The discharge roller pair 37 rotates by a driving force from the discharge drive unit 54 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the discharge roller pair 37 transports the medium 99 along the discharge path 97.

[0032] The first reversing conveying section 31 is configured to convey the medium 99 along the first reversing path 91. The first reversing conveying section 31 includes at least one first reversing roller pair 38. The first reversing roller pair 38 is provided at a position along the first reversing path 91. The first reversing roller pair 38 is rotated by a driving force from the first reversing drive section 55 shown in FIG. 2 . As a result, the first reversing roller pair 38 conveys the medium 99 along the first reversing path 91.

[0033] The second reversing conveying section 32 is configured to convey the medium 99 along the second reversing path 92. The second reversing conveying section 32 includes at least one second reversing roller pair 39. The second reversing roller pair 39 is provided at a position along the second reversing path 92. The second reversing roller pair 39 rotates by a driving force from the second reversing drive section 56 shown in FIG. 2 . As a result, the second reversing roller pair 39 conveys the medium 99 along the second reversing path 92.

[0034] The third reverse conveying section 33 is configured to convey the medium 99 along the third reverse path 93. The third reverse conveying section 33 includes at least one third reverse roller pair 40. The third reverse roller pair 40 is provided at a position along the third reverse path 93. The third reverse roller pair 40 rotates by a driving force from the third reverse drive section 57 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the third reverse roller pair 40 conveys the medium 99 along the third reverse path 93.

[0035] The conveying unit 21 may include a sorting unit 41. The sorting unit 41 is provided at a branching position where the recording path 96 branches into the discharge path 97 and the reverse path 90. The sorting unit 41 guides the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to either the discharge path 97 or the reverse path 90. The sorting unit 41 may be a flap.

[0036] The sorting unit 41 can move between a discharge position and an inversion position by a driving force from the sorting drive unit 58 shown in Fig. 2. The discharge position is a position where the sorting unit 41 guides the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to the discharge path 97. The inversion position is a position where the sorting unit 41 guides the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to the inversion path 90. More specifically, the inversion position is a position where the sorting unit 41 guides the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to the third inversion path 93.

[0037] The recording device 11 may include a first medium detection unit 61, a second medium detection unit 62, a third medium detection unit 63, a fourth medium detection unit 64, a fifth medium detection unit 65, and a sixth medium detection unit 66. The first medium detection unit 61, the second medium detection unit 62, the third medium detection unit 63, the fourth medium detection unit 64, the fifth medium detection unit 65, and the sixth medium detection unit 66 are provided along the transport path 98. The first medium detection unit 61, the second medium detection unit 62, the third medium detection unit 63, the fourth medium detection unit 64, the fifth medium detection unit 65, and the sixth medium detection unit 66 may be physical sensors or optical sensors.

[0038] The first medium detection unit 61 is located at the downstream end of the first reversing path 91. The first medium detection unit 61 is configured to detect the leading edge of the medium 99 transported to the first reversing path 91. In other words, the first medium detection unit 61 detects that the medium 99 has been transported to the first reversing path 91. The first medium detection unit 61 detects that the medium 99 has been transported to the downstream end of the first reversing path 91. In other words, the first medium detection unit 61 detects that the medium 99 has been transported to just before the recording path 96.

[0039] The second medium detection unit 62 is located at the downstream end of the second reversing path 92. The second medium detection unit 62 is configured to detect the leading edge of the medium 99 transported to the second reversing path 92. In other words, the second medium detection unit 62 detects that the medium 99 has been transported up to the second reversing path 92. The second medium detection unit 62 detects that the medium 99 has been transported up to the downstream end of the second reversing path 92. In other words, the second medium detection unit 62 detects that the medium 99 has been transported up to just before the first reversing path 91.

[0040] The third medium detection unit 63 is located upstream of the third reversing roller pair 40 on the third reversing path 93. The third medium detection unit 63 is configured to detect the trailing end of the medium 99 transported to the third reversing path 93. In other words, the third medium detection unit 63 is configured to detect the leading end of the medium 99 that is switched back from the third reversing path 93 to the second reversing path 92. In this way, the third medium detection unit 63 detects that the medium 99 has been transported to the third reversing path 93. In other words, the third medium detection unit 63 detects that the medium 99 from the recording path 96 has been accommodated in the third reversing path 93.

[0041] The fourth medium detection unit 64 is provided at the upstream end of the recording path 96. The fourth medium detection unit 64 is located upstream of the upstream transport roller pair 35 on the recording path 96. The fourth medium detection unit 64 is configured to detect the leading edge of the medium 99 transported from the supply path 95 or the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96. In other words, the fourth medium detection unit 64 detects when the medium 99 reaches the transport roller pair 35.

[0042] The fifth medium detection unit 65 is provided at the downstream end of the recording path 96. The fifth medium detection unit 65 is located downstream of the downstream transport roller pair 35 on the recording path 96. The fifth medium detection unit 65 is located upstream of the branching position where the recording path 96 branches into the discharge path 97 and the reversing path 90. The fifth medium detection unit 65 is configured to detect the leading edge of the medium 99 being transported to the branching position. In other words, the fifth medium detection unit 65 detects that the medium 99 has reached the branching position.

[0043] The sixth medium detection unit 66 is located at the upstream end of the third reversing path 93. The sixth medium detection unit 66 is configured to detect the rear end of the medium 99 transported to the third reversing path 93. In other words, the sixth medium detection unit 66 is configured to detect the medium 99 at the branching position from the recording path 96 to the third reversing path 93.

[0044] The recording unit 22 is configured to perform recording on the medium 99 transported by the transport unit 21. The recording unit 22 may include a discharge unit 42 that discharges a liquid onto the medium 99. The discharge unit 42 may have a plurality of nozzles 43 that discharge the liquid. The recording unit 22 may perform recording by discharging the liquid.

[0045] The ejection unit 42 is a line head, but may also be a serial head. A line head is a head that extends in the Y-axis direction and is capable of ejecting liquid simultaneously over the entire Y-axis direction of the medium 99. A serial head is a head that is capable of ejecting liquid onto the medium 99 while moving in the Y-axis direction. In this way, the recording unit 22 is configured to extend along the Y-axis direction that intersects with the transport direction D, but is not limited to this. The Y-axis direction corresponds to an example of the width direction. In the recording unit 22, the transport direction D is along the X-axis direction.

[0046] The maintenance unit 23 is configured to perform maintenance on the recording unit 22. The maintenance unit 23 may be provided so as to be movable with the medium support unit 70 positioned in the retracted position. The maintenance unit 23 may perform maintenance on the recording unit 22 by moving to a position facing or in contact with the recording unit 22.

[0047] The maintenance unit 23 may perform, for example, flushing as maintenance of the recording unit 22. Flushing is a maintenance operation in which droplets of liquid are ejected from the nozzles 43 in a flying manner. The maintenance unit 23 may receive the liquid ejected from the nozzles 43 during flushing. Flushing is performed, for example, before, during, or after recording.

[0048] The maintenance unit 23 may perform, for example, capping as maintenance of the recording unit 22. Capping is maintenance that covers the nozzles 43 to prevent them from drying out. Capping is performed, for example, outside of recording. The maintenance unit 23 may perform, for example, cleaning as maintenance of the recording unit 22. Cleaning is maintenance that sucks liquid from the nozzles 43. The maintenance unit 23 may receive liquid that is discharged from the nozzles 43 during cleaning.

[0049] The recording device 11 includes a control unit 19. The control unit 19 performs overall control of the recording device 11. The control unit 19 controls various operations executed by the recording device 11. The control unit 19 may be configured as a circuit including: α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program; β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least some of the various processes; or γ: a combination thereof. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0050] <Electrical configuration of the recording device 11> As shown in FIG. 2, the recording device 11 includes a display unit 14 and an operation unit 15. The display unit 14 displays various types of information. The control unit 19 causes the display unit 14 to display various types of information. The operation unit 15 can be operated by a user. The control unit 19 receives instructions from the user from the operation unit 15. The recording device 11 may be capable of communicating with a terminal device (not shown). The control unit 19 may receive instructions from the user from the terminal device.

[0051] The transport unit 21 includes a supply drive unit 51, a recording drive unit 52, a moving unit 53, a discharge drive unit 54, a first reversal drive unit 55, a second reversal drive unit 56, a third reversal drive unit 57, and a sorting drive unit 58. That is, the recording device 11 includes the supply drive unit 51, the recording drive unit 52, a moving unit 53, a discharge drive unit 54, a first reversal drive unit 55, a second reversal drive unit 56, a third reversal drive unit 57, and a sorting drive unit 58. The supply drive unit 51, the recording drive unit 52, a moving unit 53, a discharge drive unit 54, a first reversal drive unit 55, a second reversal drive unit 56, a third reversal drive unit 57, and a sorting drive unit 58 may be motors.

[0052] The supply drive unit 51 is provided in the supply unit 28. The supply drive unit 51 is a drive source for rotating the supply roller pair 34. In other words, the supply drive unit 51 causes the medium 99 to be transported in the supply path 95.

[0053] The recording driver 52 is provided in the recording transport unit 29. The recording driver 52 is a drive source for rotating the transport roller pair 35 and one of the pulleys 72. In other words, the recording driver 52 transports the medium 99 along the recording path 96.

[0054] The moving unit 53 is provided in the recording transport unit 29. The moving unit 53 is a drive source for rotating the recording transport unit 29 around one of the pulleys 72. In other words, the moving unit 53 moves the recording transport unit 29 between the support position and the retracted position.

[0055] The discharge drive unit 54 is provided in the discharge unit 30. The discharge drive unit 54 is a drive source for rotating the discharge roller pair 37. In other words, the discharge drive unit 54 causes the medium 99 to be transported in the discharge path 97.

[0056] The first reversal drive unit 55 is provided in the first reversal conveyance unit 31. The first reversal drive unit 55 is a drive source for rotating the first reversal roller pair 38. In other words, the first reversal drive unit 55 transports the medium 99 in the first reversal path 91.

[0057] The second reversal drive unit 56 is provided in the second reversal conveyance unit 32. The second reversal drive unit 56 is a drive source for rotating the second reversal roller pair 39. In other words, the second reversal drive unit 56 transports the medium 99 in the second reversal path 92.

[0058] The third reversal drive unit 57 is provided in the third reversal conveyance unit 33. The third reversal drive unit 57 is a drive source for rotating the third reversal roller pair 40. In other words, the third reversal drive unit 57 transports the medium 99 in the third reversal path 93.

[0059] The sorting drive unit 58 is a drive source for moving the sorting unit 41 between the discharge position and the reversal position. That is, the sorting drive unit 58 sorts the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to either the discharge path 97 or the third reversal path 93.

[0060] The control unit 19 controls the feeding unit 20, the transport unit 21, the recording unit 22, and the maintenance unit 23. The control unit 19 receives detection signals from the first medium detection unit 61, the second medium detection unit 62, the third medium detection unit 63, the fourth medium detection unit 64, the fifth medium detection unit 65, and the sixth medium detection unit 66.

[0061] When the control unit 19 receives a recording job, it controls the feeding unit 20, the conveying unit 21, the recording unit 22, and the maintenance unit 23 so as to record an image on the medium 99. In particular, when the control unit 19 receives a recording job that includes double-sided recording, it controls the feeding unit 20, the conveying unit 21, the recording unit 22, and the maintenance unit 23 so as to record an image on both sides of the medium 99.

[0062] In particular, the control unit 19 controls the recording unit 22 to record an image on the medium 99 by ejecting liquid onto the medium 99, based on the timing when the leading edge of the medium 99 is detected by the fourth medium detection unit 64. When the leading edge of the medium 99 is detected by the fifth medium detection unit 65, the control unit 19 controls the sorting drive unit 58 to guide the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to either the discharge path 97 or the third reversal path 93.

[0063] The control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55 to stop the transport of the medium 99 when the first medium detection unit 61 detects the leading end of the medium 99, thereby stopping the medium 99 on the first reversal path 91. The control unit 19 controls the second reversal drive unit 56 to stop the transport of the medium 99 when the second medium detection unit 62 detects the leading end of the medium 99, thereby stopping the medium 99 on the second reversal path 92. The control unit 19 controls the third reversal drive unit 57 to stop the transport of the medium 99 when the third medium detection unit 63 detects the trailing end of the medium 99, thereby stopping the medium 99 on the third reversal path 93.

[0064] <Control table for double-sided printing> During double-sided recording, the control unit 19 controls the feeding unit 20, the conveying unit 21, and the recording unit 22 based on a control table for double-sided recording. The control table is stored in memory. The control table is referenced by the control unit 19.

[0065] 3, the control table is a data table in which the size of the medium 99 is associated with a control pattern. The size of the medium 99 may be classified into a first size, a second size, and a third size.

[0066] The first size is a size in which the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is a first length. The second size is a size in which the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is a second length. The third size is a size in which the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is a third length.

[0067] The second length is longer than the first length. The third length is longer than the second length. The first length may be, for example, less than 216 mm. The second length may be, for example, 216 mm or greater but less than 297 mm. The third length may be, for example, 297 mm or greater.

[0068] The control pattern is a pattern related to the control of the feeding unit 20, the conveying unit 21, and the recording unit 22. The control pattern is stored in memory. The control unit 19 controls the feeding unit 20, the conveying unit 21, and the recording unit 22 based on the control pattern.

[0069] The control patterns include a first control pattern, a second control pattern, and a third control pattern. The first control pattern is referenced when the medium 99 is a first size. The second control pattern is referenced when the medium 99 is a second size. The third control pattern is referenced when the medium 99 is a third size.

[0070] The control pattern includes a circulation limit number, a standby limit number, a reverse conveying speed, a feeding interval, and a stop time. The circulation limit number is the number of media 99 that can be present on the conveying path 98. More specifically, the circulation limit number is the number of media 99 that can be present on the supply path 95, the recording path 96, the discharge path 97, and the reverse path 90. The standby limit number is the number of media 99 that can be present on the reverse path 90. In other words, the standby limit number is the number of media 99 for which conveyance on the reverse path 90 can be stopped.

[0071] In the first control pattern, the circulation limit is set to 5 and the standby limit is set to 3. In the second and third control patterns, the circulation limit is set to 4 and the standby limit is set to 2. In this way, the circulation limit and standby limit are set to be higher in the first control pattern than in the second and third control patterns.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, in the first control pattern, the first medium 99A can be placed on the first reversing path 91, the second medium 99B on the second reversing path 92, and the third medium 99C on the third reversing path 93.

[0073] 5, in the second control pattern, the first medium 99A can be placed on the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92, and the second medium 99B can be placed on the third reversal path 93. In the second control pattern, the leading edge of the first medium 99A is located at the downstream end of the first reversal path 91, and the trailing edge of the first medium 99A is located midstream of the second reversal path 92. In the second control pattern, when the second medium 99B is transported in the first transport direction D1, the trailing edge of the second medium 99B is located at the upstream end of the third reversal path 93. In other words, in the second control pattern, when the second medium 99B is transported in the second transport direction D2, the leading edge of the second medium 99B is located at the upstream end of the third reversal path 93.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the third control pattern, the first medium 99A can be placed on the first reversing path 91 and the second reversing path 92, and the second medium 99B can be placed on the third reversing path 93. In the third control pattern, the leading edge of the first medium 99A is located at the downstream end of the first reversing path 91, and the trailing edge of the first medium 99A is located at the downstream end of the second reversing path 92. In the third control pattern, when the second medium 99B is transported in the first transport direction D1, the trailing edge of the second medium 99B is located at the upstream end of the third reversing path 93. In other words, in the second control pattern, when the second medium 99B is transported in the second transport direction D2, the leading edge of the second medium 99B is located at the upstream end of the third reversing path 93. Therefore, in the second control pattern, the distance between the trailing edge of the first medium 99A and the leading edge of the second medium 99B is longer than in the third control pattern.

[0075] 3, the reverse conveying speed is the speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed in the reverse path 90. The reverse conveying speed may include a standard speed. The standard speed is the same conveying speed as the supply path 95, the recording path 96, and the discharge path 97.

[0076] In this embodiment, the reverse conveying speed is set as the standard speed in the first, second, and third control patterns. In this way, the same reverse conveying speed is set in the first, second, and third control patterns.

[0077] The feeding interval is the interval at which the medium 99 is fed from the medium storage unit 12 to the transport unit 21 by the feeding unit 20. The stop time includes the time during which the medium 99 is stopped on the first reversing path 91. The stop time may also include the time during which the medium 99 is stopped on the second reversing path 92 when the first control pattern is referenced. The feeding interval and the stop time correspond to each other. Therefore, the stop time is a time based on the feeding interval. The feeding interval is a time based on the stop time.

[0078] <Control pattern> As shown in Figures 7 to 9, feeding of medium 99, transport of medium 99, and recording on medium 99 are performed based on control patterns. Each control pattern is a pattern for transporting multiple media 99, like each transport pattern. The transport pattern is a pattern for transporting medium 99 along transport path 98. In Figures 7 to 9, to facilitate understanding of the invention, the length of each path constituting transport path 98 in transport direction D is shown schematically. Each control pattern is not limited to this. Hereinafter, the control patterns and transport patterns will be described assuming that no maintenance is performed. The front surface of medium 99 corresponds to an example of the first surface, and the back surface of medium 99 corresponds to an example of the second surface.

[0079] <Third control pattern> Referring to FIG. 7, a specific example will be described in which, when the medium 99 is a third size, the first medium 99A, the second medium 99B, and the third medium 99C are transported in this order and recording is performed on both sides.

[0080] 7, when the medium 99 is a third size, feeding of the medium 99, transport of the medium 99, and recording on the medium 99 are performed based on the third control pattern. The third control pattern is a pattern for transporting each of a plurality of media 99, like the third transport pattern.

[0081] The third transport pattern is a pattern in which the medium 99 fed to the transport unit 21 is transported from the supply path 95 to the recording path 96. In this case, an image is recorded on the surface of the medium 99 in the recording path 96. The third transport pattern is a pattern in which the medium 99 with the image recorded on its surface is transported from the recording path 96 to the third reversal path 93.

[0082] The third transport pattern is a pattern in which a medium 99 with an image recorded on its surface is transported to a third inversion path 93, and then the medium 99 is inverted and transported from the third inversion path 93 to a second inversion path 92 and a first inversion path 91 in that order.

[0083] The third transport pattern is a pattern in which the medium 99, with an image recorded on its front side, is stopped on the first reversing path 91 and the second reversing path 92 for a third stop time ST3, and then the medium 99 is re-transported to the upstream end of the recording path 96. In this case, an image is recorded on the back side of the medium 99 on the recording path 96. The third transport pattern is a pattern in which the medium 99, with an image recorded on its back side, is transported from the recording path 96 to the discharge path 97.

[0084] The third control pattern is a pattern in which multiple media 99 are fed to the conveying unit 21 at a third feeding interval FI3. The third control pattern is a control pattern in which an image is recorded in a third recording order each time the leading edge of a medium 99 is detected by the fourth medium detection unit 64. The third recording order is the front surface of the first medium 99A, the front surface of the second medium 99B, the back surface of the first medium 99A, the front surface of the third medium 99C, the back surface of the second medium 99B, and the back surface of the third medium 99C.

[0085] The third control pattern is a pattern in which the feeding unit 20, the supply driving unit 51, the recording driving unit 52, and the discharge driving unit 54 are controlled so that the medium 99 is transported at a standard speed on the supply path 95, the recording path 96, and the discharge path 97.

[0086] The third control pattern is a pattern in which, when the fifth medium detection unit 65 detects the leading edge of the medium 99 upstream of the branch position, the sorting drive unit 58 is controlled to guide the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to either the inversion path 90 or the discharge path 97. The third control pattern is a pattern for guiding a medium 99 that has been recorded on its front side from the recording path 96 to the inversion path 90. The third control pattern is a pattern for guiding a medium 99 that has been recorded on its back side from the recording path 96 to the discharge path 97. The third control pattern is a pattern in which the sorting unit 41 is moved to the inversion position when guiding the medium 99 to the inversion path 90, and is moved to the discharge position in other cases. However, it is also possible to use a pattern in which the sorting unit 41 is moved to the discharge position when guiding the medium 99 to the discharge path 97, and is moved to the inversion position in other cases.

[0087] The third control pattern is a pattern in which, when transporting the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to the third reversal path 93, the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 are not driven, and the third reversal drive unit 57 is controlled to transport the medium 99 in the first transport direction D1 at a standard speed.

[0088] The third control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55, the second reversal drive unit 56, and the third reversal drive unit 57 are controlled so as to transport the medium 99 at a standard speed from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92 and the first reversal path 91 in that order. In particular, the third control pattern is a pattern in which, when transporting the medium 99 from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92, the third reversal drive unit 57 is controlled so as to transport the medium 99 on the third reversal path 93 in the second transport direction D2 at a standard speed.

[0089] The third control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 are controlled to stop the medium 99 on the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92 for a third stop time ST3, and then re-transport the medium 99 to the recording path 96. In particular, the third control pattern defines the third stop time ST3 so that the medium 99 is re-transported to the recording path 96 at the timing when the medium 99 from the recording path 96 is accommodated in the third reversal path 93.

[0090] The third control pattern is a pattern in which the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92 is re-transported to the recording path 96, and the second medium 99B on the third reversal path 93 is transported sequentially to the second reversal path 92 and the first reversal path 91. In particular, the third control pattern is a pattern in which the medium 99 is transported from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92 at the timing when the medium 99 is re-transported to the recording path 96.

[0091] <Second control pattern> 8, a specific example will be described in which the first medium 99A, the second medium 99B, and the third medium 99C are transported in order and recording is performed on both sides when the medium 99 is the second size. Hereinafter, differences from the third control pattern and the third transport pattern will be mainly described, and explanations of the same things as the third control pattern and the third transport pattern will be omitted.

[0092] 8, when the medium 99 is a second size, feeding of the medium 99, transport of the medium 99, and recording on the medium 99 are performed based on the second control pattern. The second control pattern is a pattern for transporting each of the multiple media 99, like the second transport pattern.

[0093] The second transport pattern is a pattern in which the medium 99 with an image recorded on its surface is stopped in the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92 for a second stop time ST2, and then the medium 99 is re-transported to the upstream end of the recording path 96.

[0094] The second control pattern is a pattern in which multiple media 99 are fed to the conveying unit 21 at a second feeding interval FI2. The second control pattern is a control pattern in which images are recorded in a second recording order every time the leading edge of a medium 99 is detected by the fourth medium detection unit 64. The second recording order may be the same as the third recording order.

[0095] The second control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 are controlled to stop the medium 99 on the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92 for the second stop time ST2, and then re-transport the medium 99 to the recording path 96.

[0096] <First control pattern> 9, a specific example will be described in which, when the medium 99 is a first size, the first medium 99A, the second medium 99B, the third medium 99C, and the fourth medium 99D are transported in order, and recording is performed on both sides. Hereinafter, differences from the third control pattern and the third transport pattern will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same aspects as the third control pattern and the third transport pattern will be omitted. Description of recording on the back side of the fourth medium 99D will be omitted. Description of the fourth medium 99D after stopping on the first reversal path 91 will be omitted.

[0097] 9, when the medium 99 is a first size, feeding, transporting, and recording on the medium 99 are performed based on the first control pattern. The first control pattern is a pattern for transporting each of multiple media 99, like the first transport pattern. The first transport pattern differs depending on whether it is for the first sheet of medium 99 or for the second or subsequent sheets of medium 99.

[0098] The first transport pattern, when targeting the first medium 99A, is a pattern in which the medium 99 with an image recorded on its surface is inverted and transported from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92 and then to the first reversal path 91. The first transport pattern, when targeting the first medium 99A, is a pattern in which the medium 99 with an image recorded on its surface is stopped on the first reversal path 91 for a first stop time ST1, and then the medium 99 is re-transported to the upstream end of the recording path 96.

[0099] The first transport pattern is a pattern in which, when the second or subsequent sheets of media 99 are handled, the medium 99 with an image recorded on its front surface is inverted and transported from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92. The first transport pattern is a pattern in which, when the second or subsequent sheets of media 99 are handled, the medium 99 is stopped on the second reversal path 92 for a fourth stop time ST4, and then the medium 99 is transported to the first reversal path 91. The fourth stop time ST4 may be shorter than the first stop time ST1. The fourth stop time ST4 may be half the first stop time ST1. The first transport pattern is a pattern in which, when the second or subsequent sheets of media 99 are handled, the medium 99 is stopped on the first reversal path 91 for a fourth stop time ST4, and then the medium 99 is re-transported to the upstream end of the recording path 96.

[0100] The first control pattern is a pattern in which multiple media 99 are fed to the conveying unit 21 at a first feeding interval FI1. The first control pattern is a control pattern in which an image is recorded in a first recording order each time the leading edge of a medium 99 is detected by the fourth medium detection unit 64. The first recording order is the front surface of the first medium 99A, the front surface of the second medium 99B, the front surface of the third medium 99C, the back surface of the first medium 99A, the front surface of the fourth medium 99D, the back surface of the second medium 99B, the back surface of the third medium 99C, and the back surface of the fourth medium 99D.

[0101] The first control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55, the second reversal drive unit 56, and the third reversal drive unit 57 are controlled so as to transport the medium 99 at a standard speed from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92 and the first reversal path 91 in that order for the first medium 99A. The first control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55 is controlled so as to stop the medium 99 on the first reversal path 91 for a first stop time ST1, and then re-transport the medium 99 to the recording path 96.

[0102] The first control pattern is a pattern in which, for the second or subsequent sheets of medium 99, the second reversal drive unit 56 and the third reversal drive unit 57 are controlled to transport the medium 99 from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92 at a standard speed without driving the first reversal drive unit 55. The first control pattern is a pattern in which, for the second or subsequent sheets of medium 99, the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 are controlled to stop the medium 99 on the second reversal path 92 for a fourth stop time ST4, and then transport the medium 99 to the first reversal path 91. In particular, the first control pattern is a pattern in which the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91 is re-transported to the recording path 96, and the second medium 99B on the second reversal path 92 is transported to the first reversal path 91.

[0103] The first control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55 is controlled to stop the second or subsequent medium 99 on the first reversal path 91 for a fourth stop time ST4, and then re-transport the medium 99 to the recording path 96. In particular, the first control pattern is a pattern in which the second medium 99B on the first reversal path 91 is re-transported to the recording path 96, and the third medium 99C on the second reversal path 92 is transported to the first reversal path 91.

[0104] In this way, the first control pattern is a pattern in which the second medium 99B is transported from the second reversing path 92 to the first reversing path 91 at the same time that the first medium 99A is re-transported to the recording path 96. The first control pattern is a pattern in which the third medium 99C is transported from the third reversing path 93 to the second reversing path 92 at the same time that the second medium 99B is transported from the second reversing path 92 to the first reversing path 91.

[0105] The first feeding interval FI1 may be shorter than the second feeding interval FI2. The second feeding interval FI2 may be shorter than the third feeding interval FI3. This allows the period from when the medium 99 is reconveyed from the inversion path 90 to the recording path 96 until the next medium 99 is transported from the supply path 95 to the recording path 96 to be longer when the medium 99 is the second size than when the medium 99 is the first size. The period from when the medium 99 is reconveyed from the inversion path 90 to the recording path 96 until the next medium 99 is transported from the supply path 95 to the recording path 96 to be longer when the medium 99 is the third size than when the medium 99 is the second size. The second stop time ST2 may be shorter than the third stop time ST3. The third stop time ST3 may be shorter than the fourth stop time ST4. The third stop time ST3 may be shorter than the first stop time ST1.

[0106] <Double-sided recording control process> Next, the double-sided recording control process will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The double-sided recording control process is a process executed by the control unit 19 when a recording job for double-sided recording is input. The recording job includes image data to be recorded on the medium 99. The recording job includes the size of the medium 99 on which the image is to be recorded. The recording job includes the number of sheets of the medium 99 on which the image is to be recorded.

[0107] 10, in step S10, the control unit 19 executes a medium size acquisition process. In the medium size acquisition process, the control unit 19 acquires the size of the medium 99 from the input recording job. As a result, the control unit 19 acquires whether the size of the medium 99 to be used for double-sided printing is the first size, the second size, or the third size.

[0108] In step S11, the control unit 19 executes a control pattern acquisition process. In the control pattern acquisition process, the control unit 19 acquires the control pattern corresponding to the medium size acquired in step S10 by reading it from memory.

[0109] Specifically, when the size of the medium 99 is a first size, the control unit 19 acquires a first control pattern from among the plurality of control patterns. When the size of the medium 99 is a second size, the control unit 19 acquires a second control pattern from among the plurality of control patterns. When the size of the medium 99 is a third size, the control unit 19 acquires a third control pattern from among the plurality of control patterns.

[0110] In step S12, the control unit 19 executes a transport control process. In the transport control process, the control unit 19 controls the feeding unit 20 and the transport unit 21 based on the control pattern acquired in step S11. In detail, the control unit 19 controls the feeding unit 20, the supply driving unit 51, the recording driving unit 52, the discharge driving unit 54, the first reversing driving unit 55, the second reversing driving unit 56, the third reversing driving unit 57, and the sorting driving unit 58 based on the control pattern and detection signals from the plurality of medium detection units.

[0111] In step S13, the control unit 19 executes a recording process. In the recording process, the control unit 19 controls the recording unit 22 to record an image on the medium 99. More specifically, the control unit 19 controls the recording unit 22 to record an image on the medium 99 based on the control pattern acquired in step S11, using the timing at which the leading edge of the medium 99 is detected by the fourth medium detection unit 64 as a reference.

[0112] In step S14, the control unit 19 determines whether a maintenance condition is met. The maintenance condition may be met when the medium 99 is not on the recording path 96. The maintenance condition may be met at a predetermined interval. The maintenance condition may be met when the medium 99 is not on the recording path 96 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0113] If the control unit 19 determines that the maintenance condition is met, the process proceeds to step S15. If the control unit 19 determines that the maintenance condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0114] In step S15, the control unit 19 executes maintenance processing. In the maintenance processing, the control unit 19 controls the maintenance unit 23 to perform maintenance on the recording unit 22. When the maintenance processing is completed, the control unit 19 proceeds to step S16.

[0115] Specifically, the control unit 19 controls the moving unit 53 to move the medium support unit 70 from the support position to the retracted position, and also moves the maintenance unit 23 so that it faces the recording unit 22. The control unit 19 causes the maintenance unit 23 to perform maintenance on the recording unit 22. The control unit 19 moves the maintenance unit 23 so that it does not face the recording unit 22, and also controls the moving unit 53 to move the medium support unit 70 from the retracted position to the support position.

[0116] In this way, the control unit 19 stops the transport of the medium 99 in the transport path 98 when the maintenance unit 23 performs maintenance on the recording unit 22. In other words, the control unit 19 can stop the transport of the medium 99 in at least a part of the supply path 95, the discharge path 97, and the reversal path 90.

[0117] In particular, when the maintenance unit 23 performs maintenance on the recording unit 22, the control unit 19 stops the transport of the medium 99 on the supply path 95, the discharge path 97, and the reversing path 90. As a result, the control unit 19 extends the stop time for which the medium 99 is stopped on the reversing path 90. In other words, when the control unit 19 stops the transport of the medium 99 on at least one of the supply path 95, the discharge path 97, and the reversing path 90, it changes the stop time for which the medium 99 is stopped on the reversing path 90.

[0118] In step S16, the control unit 19 determines whether the recording job has ended. If the control unit 19 determines that the recording job has ended, it ends the double-sided recording control process. If the control unit 19 determines that the recording job has not ended, it proceeds to step S12.

[0119] In this way, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to transport the second medium 99B, the surface of which has been recorded by the recording unit 22, to the inversion path 90, while stopping the first medium 99A, the surface of which has been recorded, on the inversion path 90. In particular, the control unit 19 stops the first medium 99A on the first inversion path 91 for a stop time based on the feeding interval at which the medium 99 is fed. Thereafter, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to re-transport the first medium 99A from the inversion path 90 to the recording path 96.

[0120] More specifically, when the medium 99 is the second size or the third size, the control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 to stop the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92. With the first medium 99A stopped on the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92, the control unit 19 controls the third reversal drive unit 57 to transport the second medium 99B to the third reversal path 93.

[0121] Thereafter, the control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 to re-transport the first medium 99A from the first reversal path 91 to the recording path 96. The control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55, the second reversal drive unit 56, and the third reversal drive unit 57 to transport the second medium 99B from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92, and to transport the second medium 99B from the second reversal path 92 to the first reversal path 91.

[0122] When the medium 99 is the first size, the control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55 to stop the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91. With the first medium 99A stopped on the first reversal path 91, the control unit 19 controls the second reversal drive unit 56 to transport the second medium 99B to the second reversal path 92.

[0123] The control unit 19 controls the third reversal drive unit 57 to transport the third medium 99C to the third reversal path 93 while stopping the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91 and stopping the second medium 99B on the second reversal path 92.

[0124] Thereafter, the control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55 to re-transport the first medium 99A from the first reversal path 91 to the recording path 96. The control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55, the second reversal drive unit 56, and the third reversal drive unit 57 to transport the second medium 99B from the second reversal path 92 to the first reversal path 91, and to transport the third medium 99C from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92.

[0125] In particular, when the medium 99 is the first size, the control unit 19 sets a higher circulation upper limit number than when the medium 99 is the second or third size. When the medium 99 is the first size, the control unit 19 sets a higher standby upper limit number than when the medium 99 is the second or third size.

[0126] <Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment> The operation and effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) The control unit 19 transports the second medium 99B, which has been recorded on its front side, to the inversion path 90 while the first medium 99A, which has been recorded on its front side, is stopped at the inversion path 90. The control unit 19 transports the first medium 99A again from the inversion path 90 to the recording path 96. With this configuration, before the first medium 99A, which has been recorded on its front side, is transported again to the recording path 96, the second medium 99B, which has been recorded on its front side, can be transported to the inversion path 90 while the first medium 99A is stopped at the inversion path 90. Therefore, the second medium 99B, which has been recorded on its front side, can be transported smoothly to the inversion path 90 between the time when recording is performed on the front side of the first medium 99A and the time when recording is performed on the back side of the first medium 99A. This improves throughput. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

[0127] (1-2) The control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 to stop the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91, and then controls the third reversal drive unit 57 to transport the second medium 99B to the third reversal path 93. According to this configuration, by controlling the first reversal drive unit 55, the second reversal drive unit 56, and the third reversal drive unit 57, the control unit 19 can smoothly transport the second medium 99B to the third reversal path 93 while stopping the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91. This improves throughput and user convenience.

[0128] (1-3) When the medium 99 is the first size, the control unit 19 controls the second reversal drive unit 56 and the third reversal drive unit 57 to transport the second medium 99B from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92 while stopping the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91. With this configuration, the control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55, the second reversal drive unit 56, and the third reversal drive unit 57, thereby smoothly transporting the second medium 99B to the second reversal path 92 while stopping the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91. This improves throughput and user convenience.

[0129] (1-4) When the medium 99 is the first size, the control unit 19 controls the third inversion drive unit 57 to stop the first medium 99A on the first inversion path 91, stop the second medium 99B on the second inversion path 92, and then transport the third medium 99C to the third inversion path 93. With this configuration, the control unit 19 can smoothly transport the third medium 99C to the third inversion path 93 while stopping the first medium 99A on the first inversion path 91 and the second medium 99B on the second inversion path 92. This improves throughput and user convenience.

[0130] (1-5) The control unit 19 stops the first medium 99A on the first reversing path 91 for a stop time based on the feeding interval at which the medium 99 is fed. With this configuration, the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 can be re-conveyed to the recording path 96 at a timing based on the feeding interval of the medium 99 fed from the feeding unit 20 to the transport unit 21. This makes it possible to prevent contact between the medium 99 being fed and the medium 99 being re-conveyed. This makes it possible to improve throughput while increasing the reliability of transporting the medium 99. This therefore improves user convenience.

[0131] (1-6) The control unit 19 can stop the transport of the medium 99 in at least part of the supply path 95, the recording path 96, the reversing path 90, and the discharge path 97. With this configuration, the transport of the medium 99 can be stopped at any timing in at least part of the supply path 95, the recording path 96, the reversing path 90, and the discharge path 97. This makes it possible to control the transport of the medium 99 depending on the situation.

[0132] (1-7) When the control unit 19 stops the transport of the medium 99 on at least one of the supply path 95, the recording path 96, and the discharge path 97, the control unit 19 changes the stop time for the medium 99 on the reversing path 90. With this configuration, the timing for re-transporting the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96 can be changed in response to the transport of the medium 99 being stopped on at least one of the supply path 95, the recording path 96, and the discharge path 97.

[0133] (1-8) When the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is a first length, the control unit 19 increases the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the transport path 98 compared to when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is a second length. With this configuration, the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the transport path 98 can be changed depending on the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D. Therefore, by providing variety in the transport of the medium 99 on the transport path 98 depending on the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D, throughput can be improved. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

[0134] (1-9) When the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is a first length, the control unit 19 increases the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the inversion path 90 compared to when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is a second length. With this configuration, the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the inversion path 90 can be changed depending on the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D. Therefore, by providing variety in the conveyance of the medium 99 on the conveying path 98 depending on the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D, throughput can be improved. This can improve user convenience.

[0135] (1-10) The length of the reversing path 90 in the conveying direction D is longer than twice the maximum length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D that can be conveyed by the conveying unit 21. With this configuration, at least two sheets of medium 99 can be present on the reversing path 90.

[0136] (1-11) The length of the reversing path 90 in the conveying direction D is longer than three times the minimum length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 that can be conveyed by the conveying unit 21. According to this configuration, if the length in the conveying direction D of the medium 99 is the minimum length, at least three sheets of the medium 99 can be present on the reversing path 90.

[0137] (1-12) When performing maintenance on the recording unit 22, the control unit 19 stops the transport of the medium 99 on the inversion path 90 and changes the stop time for the medium 99 on the inversion path 90. With this configuration, the timing for re-transporting the medium 99 on the inversion path 90 to the recording path 96 can be changed in conjunction with maintenance on the recording unit 22.

[0138] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as in the already described embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and only the configuration different from the already described embodiment will be described.

[0139] In the second embodiment, when the sixth medium detector 66 detects the rear end of the medium 99, the medium 99 may be re-transported from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96. In other words, the medium 99 does not have to be stopped for a predetermined stopping time on the reversing path 90. The sixth medium detector 66 may be an example of a medium detector.

[0140] <Double-sided recording control process> As shown in FIG. 11 , in step S17, the control unit 19 determines whether the sixth medium detection unit 66 has detected the rear end of the target medium 99. The target medium 99 is a medium 99 for which the number of sheets of media 99 placed on the inversion path 90 is the upper limit of waiting sheets. Specifically, if the medium 99 is the second or third size, the target medium 99 is a medium 99 that is transported to the third inversion path 93 and thereby causes the number of sheets of media 99 placed on the inversion path 90 to be the upper limit of waiting sheets, 2. If the medium 99 is the first size, the target medium 99 is a medium 99 that is transported to the third inversion path 93 and thereby causes the number of sheets of media 99 placed on the inversion path 90 to be the upper limit of waiting sheets, 3.

[0141] If the control unit 19 determines that the sixth medium detection unit 66 has not detected the rear end of the target medium 99, it skips step S18 and proceeds to step S14. If the control unit 19 determines that the sixth medium detection unit 66 has detected the rear end of the target medium 99, it proceeds to step S18.

[0142] In step S18, the control unit 19 executes a re-conveyance control process. In the re-conveyance control process, the control unit 19 stores in memory data indicating that the medium 99 is to be re-conveyed from the first reversal path 91 to the recording path 96. As a result, in step S12, the control unit 19 controls the first reversal drive unit 55 to re-convey the medium 99 from the first reversal path 91 to the recording path 96. In this embodiment, the control unit 19 may execute steps S17 and S18 before steps S12 and S13.

[0143] In this way, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to stop the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 until the sixth medium detection unit 66 detects the rear end of the target medium 99.

[0144] More specifically, if the medium 99 is the second size or the third size, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to stop the first medium 99A on the first reversing path 91 until the sixth medium detection unit 66 detects the rear end of the second medium 99B. After the sixth medium detection unit 66 detects the rear end of the second medium 99B, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to re-transport the first medium 99A from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96.

[0145] When the medium 99 is the first size, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to stop the first medium 99A on the first reversal path 91 until the sixth medium detection unit 66 detects the rear end of the third medium 99C. The control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to stop the second medium 99B on the second reversal path 92 until the sixth medium detection unit 66 detects the rear end of the third medium 99C.

[0146] After the sixth medium detection unit 66 detects the rear end of the third medium 99C, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to transport the first medium 99A again from the first reversal path 91 to the recording path 96. After the sixth medium detection unit 66 detects the rear end of the third medium 99C, the control unit 19 controls the transport unit 21 to transport the second medium 99B from the second reversal path 92 to the first reversal path 91.

[0147] <Actions and Effects of the Second Embodiment> The operation and effects of the second embodiment will be described. (2-1) The control unit 19 stops the first medium 99A on the first inversion path 91 until it detects the rear end of the target medium 99 at the branching position to the inversion path 90. After detecting the rear end of the target medium 99 at the branching position to the inversion path 90, the control unit 19 re-conveys the first medium 99A from the first inversion path 91 to the recording path 96. With this configuration, it is possible to re-convey the first medium 99A to the recording path 96 after recognizing that the target medium 99 has been transported from the recording path 96 to the inversion path 90. This makes it possible to prevent contact between the medium 99 being transported from the recording path 96 to the third inversion path 93 and the medium 99 being re-conveyed from the first inversion path 91 to the recording path 96. This increases the reliability of transporting the medium 99 while improving throughput. This, in turn, improves user convenience.

[0148] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. 12, in the third embodiment, the reverse conveying speed may include a standard speed and a high speed. The high speed is a conveying speed that is faster than the supply path 95, the recording path 96, and the discharge path 97. In the second control pattern, the reverse conveying speed may be defined as the high speed.

[0149] In detail, the second control pattern is a pattern in which, when transporting the medium 99 from the recording path 96 to the third reversal path 93, the third reversal drive unit 57 is controlled so as to transport the medium 99 at high speed in the first transport direction D1 without driving the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56.

[0150] The second control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55, the second reversal drive unit 56, and the third reversal drive unit 57 are controlled to transport the medium 99 at high speed from the third reversal path 93 to the second reversal path 92 and the first reversal path 91 in that order.

[0151] The second control pattern is a pattern in which the first reversal drive unit 55 and the second reversal drive unit 56 are controlled to stop the medium 99 on the first reversal path 91 and the second reversal path 92 for a third stop time ST3, and then re-transport the medium 99 at high speed to the recording path 96. Here, the third stop time ST3 may be the same as or different from the third stop time ST3 in the first embodiment.

[0152] In this way, the control unit 19 slows the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed along the inversion path 90 when the medium 99 is the first size or the third size compared to when the medium 99 is the second size. The control unit 19 sets the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed along the inversion path 90 to be the same when the medium 99 is the first size and when the medium 99 is the third size. The control unit 19 may also set the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed along the inversion path 90 to be the same as the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed along the recording path 96 both when the medium 99 is the first size and when the medium 99 is the third size.

[0153] The control unit 19 may set the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed in the inversion path 90 to be equal to or higher than the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed in the recording path 96, both when the medium 99 is the first size and when the medium 99 is the second size. In other words, when the medium 99 is the first size, the second size, or the third size, the control unit 19 may set the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed in the inversion path 90 to be equal to or higher than the conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed in the recording path 96.

[0154] <Actions and Effects of the Third Embodiment> The operation and effects of the third embodiment will be described. (3-1) When the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is a first length, the transport speed at which the medium 99 is transported in the inversion path 90 is slower than when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is a second length. With this configuration, when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the second length, the medium 99 can be transported faster in the inversion path 90 than when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the first length. This makes it possible to adjust the transport speed of the medium 99 in the inversion path 90 depending on the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D.

[0155] (3-2) When the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the third length, the transport speed at which the medium 99 is transported in the inversion path 90 is slower than when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the second length. With this configuration, when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the second length, the medium 99 can be transported faster in the inversion path 90 than when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the third length. This makes it possible to adjust the transport speed of the medium 99 in the inversion path 90 depending on the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D.

[0156] (3-3) The conveying speed at which the medium 99 is conveyed in the inversion path 90 is the same when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is the first length and when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is the third length. With this configuration, when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is the first length and the third length, the medium 99 can be conveyed at the same conveying speed, which is slower than when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D in the inversion path 90 is the second length. This makes it possible to adjust the conveying speed of the medium 99 in the inversion path 90 depending on the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D.

[0157] (3-4) In both cases where the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the first length and the second length, the transport speed at which the medium 99 is transported in the inversion path 90 is equal to or greater than the transport speed at which the medium 99 is transported in the recording path 96. With this configuration, when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the first length or the second length, the medium 99 can be transported faster in the inversion path 90 than in the recording path 96. This makes it possible to adjust the transport speed of the medium 99 depending on the type of transport path 98 of the medium 99. Furthermore, the spacing between the media 99 can be maintained.

[0158] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0159] In the first embodiment, the stop time based on the feeding interval may be set according to the timing at which the rear end of the third medium 99C passes the pair of transport rollers 35. In the second embodiment, when the fifth medium detector 65 detects the rear end of the medium 99, the medium 99 may be re-transported from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96. The fifth medium detector 65 may be an example of a medium detector. In such a case, the controller 19 may control the transport unit 21 to stop the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 until the fifth medium detector 65 detects the rear end of the target medium 99.

[0160] In the second embodiment, the detection of the trailing edge of the medium 99 by the fourth medium detection unit 64 may trigger the medium 99 to be re-conveyed from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96. In such a case, the control unit 19 may control the conveying unit 21 to stop the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 until the fourth medium detection unit 64 detects the trailing edge of the target medium 99. This makes it possible to adjust the gap between the trailing edge of the target medium 99 and the leading edge of the first medium 99A being re-conveyed to the recording path 96 to be small. The fourth medium detection unit 64 may be an example of a medium detection unit.

[0161] In the second embodiment, the medium 99 may be re-transported from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the fourth medium detection unit 64 detected the rear end of the medium 99. In such a case, the control unit 19 may control the transport unit 21 to stop the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the fourth medium detection unit 64 detected the rear end of the target medium 99. The predetermined time may vary depending on the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D and the transport speed of the medium 99. The predetermined time may be the time required for a predetermined distance to be between the rear end of the target medium 99 and the leading edge of the first medium 99A being re-transported to the recording path 96. The predetermined distance may be the minimum distance suitable for recording on the medium 99.

[0162] As described above, when the trailing edge of the medium 99 is detected by the fourth medium detection unit 64, the medium 99 is re-transported from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96, which allows recording to be performed on the medium 99 at the appropriate timing on the recording path 96. This improves throughput.

[0163] In the first and second embodiments, when the medium 99 is re-transported from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96 based on the detection of the rear end of the medium 99 by the fourth medium detection unit 64, the reversing transport speed may be changed depending on the size of the medium 99, as in the third embodiment.

[0164] Specifically, the maximum standby number is the same when the medium 99 is the second size and when the medium 99 is the third size. However, when the medium 99 is the second size, the time it takes for the medium 99 to pass through the recording path 96 is shorter than when the medium 99 is the third size. This may result in a difference in the distance between the leading edge of the second medium 99B and the trailing edge of the first medium 99A being re-transported to the recording path 96. For example, when the medium 99 is re-transported from the first reversing path 91 to the recording path 96 based on the detection of the trailing edge of the medium 99 by the fourth medium detection unit 64, the first medium 99A is re-transported at a different timing than in the second embodiment. This may result in a large difference in the distance between the leading edge of the second medium 99B and the trailing edge of the first medium 99A being re-transported to the recording path 96. For example, when the medium 99 is the second size, the first medium 99A is re-transported at an earlier timing than when the medium 99 is the third size. For this reason, the distance between the leading edge of the second medium 99B and the trailing edge of the first medium 99A being re-transported to the recording path 96 tends to become long. In such a case, when the medium 99 is the second size, the timing at which the second medium 99B reaches the downstream end of the first reversing path 91 can be made earlier by increasing the reversing transport speed compared to when the medium 99 is the third size. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the leading edge of the second medium 99B and the trailing edge of the first medium 99A being re-transported to the recording path 96. Therefore, it is possible to further improve throughput.

[0165] In particular, if the reverse conveying speed is the same when the medium 99 is the second size and the third size, there is a risk that the leading edge of the second medium 99B will not be able to reach the downstream end of the first reverse path 91 when the fourth medium detection unit 64 detects the trailing edge of the third medium 99C. This situation may occur depending on the length of the second-size medium 99 in the conveying direction D. Therefore, by setting the reverse conveying speed faster when the medium 99 is the second size than when the medium 99 is the third size, the second medium 99B can be re-conveyed from the first reverse path 91 to the recording path 96 at the optimal timing. This allows for a further improvement in throughput.

[0166] In the third embodiment, the reverse conveying speed may be set to be high even in the first control pattern. The reverse conveying speed may be set to be faster in the order of the first control pattern, the second control pattern, and the third control pattern. The reverse conveying speed may be slower than the recording conveying speed based on the control pattern.

[0167] In the third embodiment, when the reverse conveying speed is set to high speed, the control unit 19 may convey the medium 99 at high speed in parts of the first reverse path 91, the second reverse path 92, and the third reverse path 93. This reduces the load and power consumption of the drive units when parts of the first reverse drive unit 55, the second reverse drive unit 56, and the third reverse drive unit 57 are driven at high speed compared to when the first reverse drive unit 55, the second reverse drive unit 56, and the third reverse drive unit 57 are driven at high speed. For example, because the third reverse drive unit 57 needs to switch the rotation direction to switch back the medium 99, the load and power consumption of the drive units may be reduced by driving it at a standard speed.

[0168] The feeding interval differs between the first, second, and third control patterns, but may be the same depending on the control pattern. Specifically, the feeding interval may be the same between the second and third control patterns.

[0169] The control unit 19 may increase the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the transport path 98 when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the second length compared to when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the third length. The control unit 19 may set the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the transport path 98 to be the same both when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the first length and when the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D is the second length.

[0170] The control unit 19 may increase the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the reversing path 90 when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is the second length compared to when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is the third length. The control unit 19 may set the number of sheets of medium 99 that can be present on the reversing path 90 to be the same both when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is the first length and when the length of the medium 99 in the conveying direction D is the second length.

[0171] In the first control pattern, when the second or subsequent medium 99 is being processed, the stop time on the second reversing path 92 may be different from the stop time on the first reversing path 91. In other words, in the first control pattern, when the second or subsequent medium 99 is being processed, the stop time on the first reversing path 91 may be a fifth stop time that is different from the fourth stop time ST4. The fifth stop time may be longer or shorter than the fourth stop time ST4.

[0172] The control pattern was a pattern in which the medium 99 was transported at a standard speed on the supply path 95, the recording path 96, and the discharge path 97 regardless of whether the medium 99 was present or not, but it may also be a pattern in which there is a period in which the transport of the medium 99 is stopped in response to the detection of the medium 99.

[0173] The first feeding interval FI1 may be longer than or equal to the second feeding interval FI2. The second feeding interval FI2 may be longer than or equal to the third feeding interval FI3. The second stop time ST2 may be longer than or equal to the third stop time ST3. The third stop time ST3 may be longer than or equal to the fourth stop time ST4.

[0174] The first feed interval FI1, the second feed interval FI2, and the third feed interval FI3 may each include multiple feed intervals. For example, the first feed interval FI1 may include two different feed intervals. The third feed interval FI3 may include three different feed intervals. Furthermore, the first feed interval FI1, the second feed interval FI2, and the third feed interval FI3 may be arbitrarily set by the control unit 19 based on the length of the medium 99 in the transport direction D and the intervals between the media 99.

[0175] When the medium 99 is the second size or the third size, the control unit 19 may cause the first medium 99A in the first inversion path 91 to be re-transported to the recording path 96 before the second medium 99B is accommodated in the third inversion path 93. When the medium 99 is the first size, the control unit 19 may cause the first medium 99A in the first inversion path 91 to be re-transported to the recording path 96 before the third medium 99C is accommodated in the third inversion path 93. This makes it possible to prevent contact between the medium 99 transported from the supply path 95 and the medium 99 transported from the inversion path 90 in the recording path 96.

[0176] The maintenance condition may be met at a cycle set by a user's instruction. The maintenance condition may be met by a user's instruction. The maintenance condition may be met when the medium 99 is transported from the recording path 96 to the reversing path 90 or the ejection path 97. The maintenance condition may also be met while the medium 99 is on the recording path 96.

[0177] In this way, when the maintenance unit 23 performs maintenance on the recording unit 22, the control unit 19 may stop the transport of the medium 99 on the supply path 95, the recording path 96, the discharge path 97, and the reversing path 90. In other words, the control unit 19 can stop the transport of the medium 99 on at least a portion of the supply path 95, the recording path 96, the discharge path 97, and the reversing path 90.

[0178] When the maintenance condition is met, the control unit 19 may move the recording unit 22 away from the transport path 98 and move the maintenance unit 23 to face the recording unit 22. In this case, the medium support unit 70 does not need to move between the support position and the retracted position. The medium support unit 70 does not need to move.

[0179] The control unit 19 may stop the transport of the medium 99 on the transport path 98 regardless of whether the maintenance condition is met. The control unit 19 may also stop the transport of the medium 99 when an error occurs. In such a case, the control unit 19 may extend the stop time of the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 by the time it takes to recover from the error.

[0180] The control unit 19 may stop the transport of the medium 99 in the transport path 98 when suspending recording on the medium 99 by the recording unit 22, even when a maintenance condition is not met. In this way, the control unit 19 may stop the transport of the medium 99 in the supply path 95, the recording path 96, the discharge path 97, and the reversing path 90 when suspending recording on the medium 99 by the recording unit 22. In other words, the control unit 19 can stop the transport of the medium 99 in at least part of the supply path 95, the recording path 96, the discharge path 97, and the reversing path 90.

[0181] At this time, the control unit 19 may extend the stop time for which the transport of the medium 99 is stopped on the reversing path 90. In other words, the control unit 19 may change the stop time for which the transport of the medium 99 is stopped on the reversing path 90 when the recording unit 22 suspends recording on the medium 99.

[0182] The interruption of recording on the medium 99 by the recording unit 22 may include the stopping of conveyance of the medium 99 to promote drying of the medium 99. In addition, the interruption of recording on the medium 99 by the recording unit 22 may also be an example of the interruption of recording on the medium 99 by the recording unit 22 when the maintenance unit 23 performs maintenance on the recording unit 22.

[0183] When recording to the medium 99 by the recording unit 22 is interrupted, this may include a case where, when a post-processing device is connected to the recording device 11, recording is interrupted to ensure time for post-processing of the medium 99 in the post-processing device.

[0184] The control unit 19 may stop the transport of the medium 99 in response to a command from the user. The control unit 19 may stop the transport of the medium 99 for a desired period of time in response to a command from the user. In such a case, the control unit 19 may change the time for which the medium 99 is stopped on the first reversing path 91.

[0185] The control unit 19 may stop the medium 99 on the first reversing path 91 for a predetermined stop time regardless of the feeding interval. The control unit 19 may keep the feeding interval the same but vary the stop time depending on each control pattern. The control unit 19 may keep the stop time the same but vary the feeding interval depending on each control pattern.

[0186] The recording driver 52 may rotate the pair of transport rollers 35 and one of the pulleys 72 using separate drivers. The recording driver 52 may include a first recording driver that rotates the pair of transport rollers 35 and a second recording driver that rotates one of the pulleys 72.

[0187] At least one of the supply roller pair 34, the transport roller pair 35, the discharge roller pair 37, the first reversing roller pair 38, the second reversing roller pair 39, and the third reversing roller pair 40 may be configured with a drive roller and a driven roller. At least one of the supply roller pair 34, the transport roller pair 35, the discharge roller pair 37, the first reversing roller pair 38, the second reversing roller pair 39, and the third reversing roller pair 40 may be configured with a drive roller.

[0188] The transport unit 21 does not have to include at least any one of the supply drive unit 51, the recording drive unit 52, and the discharge drive unit 54. At least any combination of the supply drive unit 51, the recording drive unit 52, and the discharge drive unit 54 may be shared.

[0189] The second reversal path 92 may be a switchback path. The first reversal path 91 may be a switchback path. The third reversal path 93 does not have to be a switchback path.

[0190] The reversing path 90 does not have to include either the second reversing path 92 or the third reversing path 93. The reversing path 90 may include paths other than the first reversing path 91, the second reversing path 92, and the third reversing path 93. The first reversing path 91 and the second reversing path 92 may correspond to an example of a first reversing path, and the third reversing path 93 may correspond to an example of a second reversing path. In other words, the second reversing path may be a switchback path.

[0191] The medium 99 may be paper, a resin film or sheet, a resin-metal composite film, a laminate film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a metal foil, a metal film, a ceramic sheet, clothing, or the like.

[0192] The media 99 that are the subject of control in this embodiment may include all media 99 that are recorded on by the recording device 11. The media 99 that are the subject of control in this embodiment may be, among the media 99 that are recorded on by the recording device 11, media 99 on which the recording device 11 can execute recording jobs including double-sided recording. The media 99 that are the subject of control in this embodiment may be, among the media 99 that are recorded on by the recording device 11, media 99 of a specific size. For example, the media 99 that are the subject of control in this embodiment may be media 99 of a standard size.

[0193] The liquid may be any liquid that can be applied to the medium 99 to record on the medium 99. For example, ink may include particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent, and may include various compositions such as water-based ink, oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

[0194] A lateral printer may be used as the recording device 11. A lateral printer is a printer in which the carriage can move in two directions, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The recording device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may be a dot impact printer. The recording device 11 may also be a laser printer.

[0195] The phrase "at least any" used herein means one or more of the desired options. As an example, when the number of options is two, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or both options. As another example, when the number of options is three or more, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or any combination of two or more options.

[0196] [Note] The technical concepts and their effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. The technical concepts and their effects can be combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent.

[0197] [1] A recording device includes a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path, a recording unit that records on the medium transported by the transport unit, and a control unit that controls the transport unit and the recording unit, wherein the transport path includes a recording path and an inversion path, the recording path is a path along which the recording unit records on the medium, and the inversion path is a path along which the medium transported along the recording path is inverted and re-transported to the recording path, and when the transport unit transports a first medium and a second medium in sequence and the recording unit records on at least both sides of the first medium, the control unit stops the first medium, on the first side of which the recording unit has recorded, in the inversion path, transports the second medium, on the first side of which the recording unit has recorded, to the inversion path, and re-transports the first medium from the inversion path to the recording path.

[0198] According to this configuration, before the first medium, on whose first side data has been recorded, is re-transported to the recording path, the second medium, on whose first side data has been recorded, can be transported to the reversing path while the first medium is stopped in the reversing path. Therefore, the second medium, on whose first side data has been recorded, can be smoothly transported to the reversing path between when the first medium is recorded on its first side and when the second medium is recorded on its second side. This improves throughput. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

[0199] [2] In the above recording device, the inversion path includes a first inversion path and a second inversion path, the first inversion path is located downstream of the second inversion path on the inversion path, the transport unit has a first inversion drive unit for transporting the medium on the first inversion path and a second inversion drive unit for transporting the medium on the second inversion path, and the control unit may control the second inversion drive unit to transport the second medium to the second inversion path while controlling the first inversion drive unit to stop the first medium on the first inversion path.

[0200] According to this configuration, the control unit controls the first reverse drive unit and the second reverse drive unit to smoothly transport the second medium to the second reverse path while the first medium is stopped on the first reverse path. This improves throughput and user convenience.

[0201] [3] In the above-described recording device, the inversion path includes a first inversion path, a second inversion path, and a third inversion path, the first inversion path being located downstream of the second inversion path and serving as a path for re-transporting the medium from the second inversion path to the recording path, the second inversion path being located downstream of the third inversion path and serving as a path for transporting the medium from the third inversion path to the first inversion path, and the third inversion path being a path for transporting the medium from the recording path and inverting the medium, the transport unit having a first inversion drive unit for transporting the medium on the first inversion path, a second inversion drive unit for transporting the medium on the second inversion path, and a third inversion drive unit for transporting the medium on the third inversion path, and the control unit may control the first inversion drive unit to stop the first medium on the first inversion path, and then control the third inversion drive unit to transport the second medium to the third inversion path.

[0202] This configuration can achieve the same effect as [2]. In addition, by controlling the first reverse drive unit, the second reverse drive unit, and the third reverse drive unit, the control unit can stop the first medium on the first reverse path and smoothly transport the third medium to the third reverse path while stopping the second medium on the second reverse path. This can improve throughput. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

[0203] [4] The above recording device may further include a feeding unit that feeds the medium to the transport unit, and the control unit may stop the first medium on the first inversion path for a stop time based on a feeding interval at which the medium is fed by the feeding unit.

[0204] According to this configuration, the medium in the first reversing path can be re-transported to the recording path at a timing based on the feeding interval of the medium fed from the feeding unit to the transport unit. This makes it possible to prevent contact between the fed medium and the medium being re-transported. This improves the reliability of medium transport while also improving throughput. This improves user convenience. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a medium detection unit to determine the timing of re-transport, costs can be reduced.

[0205] [5] The above-mentioned recording device may further include a medium detection unit that detects the medium at a branch point from the recording path to the inversion path, and the control unit may control the transport unit to stop the first medium on the first inversion path until the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium, and to re-transport the first medium from the first inversion path to the recording path after the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium.

[0206] With this configuration, the control unit can re-transport the first medium to the recording path after recognizing that the second medium has been transported from the recording path to the inversion path. This makes it possible to prevent contact between the medium being transported from the recording path to the inversion path and the medium being re-transported from the inversion path to the recording path. This makes it possible to improve throughput while increasing the reliability of medium transport. This, in turn, improves user convenience.

[0207] [6] In the above-mentioned recording device, the transport path may include a discharge path for discharging the medium transported from the recording path, and the control unit may be capable of stopping the transport of the medium in at least a portion of the recording path, the reversal path, and the discharge path.

[0208] With this configuration, the transport of the medium can be stopped at any time in at least a portion of the printing path, the reverse path, and the ejection path. This allows control of the medium transport depending on the situation. For example, the transport of the medium can be stopped to dry the medium or to perform maintenance on the printing unit.

[0209] [7] In the above recording device, the transport path includes a discharge path that discharges the medium transported from the recording path, and the control unit may change the stop time for stopping the medium in the reversal path when stopping the transport of the medium in at least one of the recording path and the discharge path.

[0210] According to this configuration, when the transport of the medium is stopped on at least one of the print path and the discharge path, the timing for re-transporting the medium on the first reversal path to the print path can be changed.

[0211] [8] In the above recording device, the control unit may increase the number of sheets of media that can be present on the transport path when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a first length compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a second length that is longer than the first length.

[0212] This configuration allows the number of media that can be present on the transport path to be changed depending on the length of the media in the transport direction. This allows for greater versatility in media transport on the transport path depending on the length of the media in the transport direction, thereby improving throughput and user convenience.

[0213] [9] In the above recording device, the control unit may increase the number of sheets of media that can be present in the inversion path when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a first length compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a second length that is longer than the first length.

[0214] This configuration allows the number of media that can be present in the inversion path to be changed depending on the length of the media in the transport direction. Therefore, by providing more diversity in the transport of media in the transport path depending on the length of the media in the transport direction, throughput can be improved, thereby improving user convenience.

[0215]

[10] In the above recording device, the length of the reversing path in the transport direction may be longer than twice the maximum length of the medium that can be transported by the transport unit in the transport direction. This configuration allows at least two media to be present in the reversing path.

[0216]

[11] In the above recording device, the length of the reversing path in the transport direction may be longer than three times the minimum length of the medium that can be transported by the transport unit in the transport direction. According to this configuration, if the length of the medium in the transport direction is the minimum, at least three sheets of the medium can be present in the reversing path.

[0217]

[12] In the above recording device, the control unit may slow down the transport speed of the medium in the reversal path when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a first length compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a second length that is longer than the first length.

[0218] According to this configuration, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the second length, the medium can be transported faster in the reverse path than when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the first length. This makes it possible to adjust the transport speed of the medium in the reverse path depending on the length of the medium in the transport direction.

[0219]

[13] In the above recording device, the control unit may slow down the transport speed of the medium in the reversal path when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a third length that is longer than the second length, compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the second length.

[0220] According to this configuration, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the second length, the medium can be transported faster in the inversion path than when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the third length. This makes it possible to adjust the transport speed of the medium in the inversion path depending on the length of the medium in the transport direction.

[0221]

[14] In the above recording device, the control unit may set the transport speed of the medium in the reversal path to be the same when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the first length and when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the third length.

[0222] According to this configuration, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the first length or the third length, the medium can be transported in the inversion path at a faster transport speed than when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the second length, and at the same transport speed. This makes it possible to adjust the transport speed of the medium in the inversion path depending on the length of the medium in the transport direction.

[0223]

[15] The above recording device may further include a recording drive unit for transporting the medium in the recording path, and the control unit may set a transport speed for transporting the medium in the reversal path equal to or greater than the transport speed for transporting the medium in the recording path in both cases where the length of the medium in the transport direction is the first length and where the length of the medium in the transport direction is the second length.

[0224] According to this configuration, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the first length or the second length, the medium can be transported faster in the reverse path than in the recording path, thereby making it possible to adjust the medium transport speed depending on the type of medium transport path.

[0225]

[16] In the above-mentioned recording device, when interrupting recording by the recording unit, the control unit may stop transport of the medium in the reversing path and change the stop time for which the medium is stopped in the reversing path.

[0226] According to this configuration, when it is necessary to interrupt recording by the recording unit, it is possible to change the timing at which the medium on the reversing path is conveyed back to the recording path.

[17] The above-mentioned recording device may further include a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the recording unit, and the control unit may stop the transport of the medium in the inversion path when the maintenance unit performs maintenance on the recording unit, and change the stop time for stopping the medium in the inversion path.

[0227] According to this configuration, when maintenance is performed on the recording unit, the timing at which the medium in the reversing path is retransported to the recording path can be changed.

[18] A control method for a recording device includes a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path and a recording unit that records on the medium transported by the transport unit, the transport path including a recording path and an inversion path, the recording path being a path along which the recording unit records on the medium, and the inversion path being a path for re-transporting the medium transported along the recording path in an inverted state, the transport unit sequentially transporting a first medium and a second medium, and the recording unit recording on at least both sides of the first medium, the control method includes stopping the first medium, whose first side has been recorded by the recording unit, in the inversion path, transporting the second medium, whose first side has been recorded by the recording unit, to the inversion path, and re-transporting the first medium from the inversion path to the recording path. This configuration can achieve the same effect as [1].

[0228]

[19] The control method for the recording device may include a feeding unit that feeds the medium to the transport unit, the reversing path including a first reversing path and a second reversing path, the first reversing path being located downstream of the second reversing path, the transport unit having a first reversing drive unit for transporting the medium in the first reversing path and a second reversing drive unit for transporting the medium in the second reversing path, and stopping the first medium on the first reversing path for a stop time based on a feeding interval at which the medium is fed by the feeding unit. This configuration can achieve the same effect as [4].

[0229]

[20] The control method for the recording device may include a medium detection unit that detects the medium at a branch point from the recording path to the reverse path, the reverse path including a first reverse path and a second reverse path, the first reverse path being located downstream of the second reverse path on the reverse path, the transport unit having a first reverse drive unit for transporting the medium on the first reverse path and a second reverse drive unit for transporting the medium on the second reverse path, and controlling the transport unit to stop the first medium on the first reverse path until the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium, and then, after the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium, to re-transport the first medium from the first reverse path to the recording path. This configuration can achieve the same effect as [5]. [Explanation of symbols]

[0230] 11...recording device, 12...medium storage section, 13...stacker, 14...display section, 15...operation section, 19...control section, 20...feed section, 21...transport section, 22...recording section, 23...maintenance section, 24...feed roller, 25...separation section, 26...separation drive roller, 27...separation driven roller, 28...supply section, 29...recording transport section, 30...discharge section, 31...first reverse transport section, 32...second reverse transport unit, 33...third reversing and conveying unit, 34...supply roller pair, 35...conveying roller pair, 37...discharge roller pair, 38...first reversing roller pair, 39...second reversing roller pair, 40...third reversing roller pair, 41...sorting unit, 42...discharge unit, 43...nozzle, 51...supply driving unit, 52...recording driving unit, 53...moving unit, 54...discharge driving unit, 55...first reversing driving unit, 56...second reversing driving unit, 5 7...Third reversing drive unit, 58...Sorting drive unit, 61...First medium detection unit, 62...Second medium detection unit, 63...Third medium detection unit, 64...Fourth medium detection unit, 65...Fifth medium detection unit, 66...Sixth medium detection unit, 70...Medium support unit, 71...Conveyor belt, 72...Pulley, 90...Reversing path, 91...First reversing path, 92...Second reversing path, 93...Third reversing path, 95...Supply path, 96...Recording path Path, 97...discharge path, 98...conveying path, 99...medium, 99A...first medium, 99B...second medium, 99C...third medium, 99D...fourth medium, D...conveying direction, D1...first conveying direction, D2...second conveying direction, FI1...first feeding interval, FI2...second feeding interval, FI3...third feeding interval, ST1...first stop time, ST2...second stop time, ST3...third stop time, ST4...fourth stop time.

Claims

1. a transport unit that transports the medium along a transport path; a recording unit that records on the medium transported by the transport unit; a control unit that controls the conveying unit and the recording unit; Equipped with the transport path includes a recording path and a reversing path, the recording path is a path for the recording unit to record on the medium, the inversion path is a path for re-transporting the medium transported along the recording path in a state in which the medium is inverted, When the transport unit transports the first medium and the second medium in order and the recording unit records on both sides of at least the first medium, the control unit, while stopping the first medium, on a first side of which recording has been performed by the recording unit, in the inversion path, causes the second medium, on a first side of which recording has been performed by the recording unit, to be transported to the inversion path, and causes the first medium to be re-transported from the inversion path to the recording path. A recording device characterized by:

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the inversion path includes a first inversion path and a second inversion path, the first reversing path is located downstream of the second reversing path in the reversing path, the transport unit includes a first reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the first reversal path and a second reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the second reversal path; the control unit controls the first reversal drive unit to stop the first medium on the first reversal path, and controls the second reversal drive unit to transport the second medium to the second reversal path. A recording device characterized by:

3. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the inversion path includes a first inversion path, a second inversion path, and a third inversion path, the first reversing path is located downstream of the second reversing path in the reversing path, and is a path for re-transporting the medium from the second reversing path to the recording path, the second reversing path is located downstream of the third reversing path in the reversing path, and is a path for transporting the medium from the third reversing path to the first reversing path, the third inversion path is a path for transporting the medium from the recording path and inverting the medium, the transport unit includes a first reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the first reversal path, a second reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the second reversal path, and a third reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the third reversal path; the control unit controls the first reversal drive unit to stop the first medium on the first reversal path, and controls the third reversal drive unit to transport the second medium to the third reversal path. A recording device characterized by:

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a feeding unit that feeds the medium to the transport unit, the control unit stops the first medium on the first reversing path for a stop time based on a feeding interval at which the medium is fed by the feeding unit. A recording device characterized by:

5. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a medium detection unit that detects the medium at a branch position from the recording path to the reversing path, the control unit stops the first medium on the first reversing path until the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium, and controls the transport unit to re-transport the first medium from the first reversing path to the recording path after the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium. A recording device characterized by:

6. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the transport path includes a discharge path through which the medium transported from the recording path is discharged; the control unit is capable of stopping the transport of the medium in at least a part of the printing path, the reversing path, and the ejection path. A recording device characterized by:

7. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the transport path includes a discharge path through which the medium transported from the recording path is discharged; the control unit changes a stop time for stopping the medium on the reversing path when stopping the transport of the medium on at least one of the printing path and the discharging path. A recording device characterized by:

8. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control unit increases the number of sheets of the medium that can be present on the transport path when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a first length compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a second length that is longer than the first length. A recording device characterized by:

9. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control unit increases the number of sheets of the medium that can be present on the reversing path when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a first length compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a second length that is longer than the first length. A recording device characterized by:

10. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a length of the reversing path in the transport direction that is longer than twice the maximum length of the medium that can be transported by the transport unit in the transport direction; A recording device characterized by:

11. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a length of the reversing path in the transport direction that is longer than three times the minimum length of the medium that can be transported by the transport unit in the transport direction; A recording device characterized by:

12. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control unit, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a first length, slows down the transport speed at which the medium is transported in the reversing path compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a second length that is longer than the first length; A recording device characterized by:

13. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is a third length that is longer than the second length, the control unit slows down the transport speed at which the medium is transported in the reversing path compared to when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the second length. A recording device characterized by:

14. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, the control unit sets the transport speed at which the medium is transported in the reversing path to be the same when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the first length and when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the third length. A recording device characterized by:

15. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, a recording drive unit for transporting the medium in the recording path; the control unit sets a transport speed at which the medium is transported in the reversing path to be equal to or greater than a transport speed at which the medium is transported in the recording path both when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the first length and when the length of the medium in the transport direction is the second length. A recording device characterized by:

16. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control unit, when suspending recording by the recording unit, stops transport of the medium in the reversing path and changes a stop time for which the medium is stopped in the reversing path. A recording device characterized by:

17. 17. The recording apparatus according to claim 16, a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the recording unit, the control unit, when the maintenance unit performs maintenance on the recording unit, stops transport of the medium in the reversing path and changes a stop time for which the medium is stopped in the reversing path. A recording device characterized by:

18. A control method for a recording device including a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path and a recording unit that records on the medium transported by the transport unit, the transport path includes a recording path and a reversing path, the recording path is a path for the recording unit to record on the medium, the inversion path is a path for re-transporting the medium transported along the recording path in a state in which the medium is inverted, When the transport unit transports the first medium and the second medium in order and the recording unit records on both sides of at least the first medium, a first medium having been recorded on a first surface by the recording unit is stopped in the inversion path, the second medium having been recorded on a first surface by the recording unit is transported to the inversion path, and the first medium is transported again from the inversion path to the recording path. A method for controlling a recording apparatus.

19. 20. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 18, The recording device a feeding unit that feeds the medium to the transport unit, the inversion path includes a first inversion path and a second inversion path, the first reversing path is located downstream of the second reversing path in the reversing path, the transport unit includes a first reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the first reversal path and a second reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the second reversal path; stopping the first medium on the first reversing path for a stop time based on a feeding interval at which the medium is fed by the feeding unit; A method for controlling a recording apparatus.

20. 20. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 18, the recording device includes a medium detection unit that detects the medium at a branch position from the recording path to the reversing path, the inversion path includes a first inversion path and a second inversion path, the first reversing path is located downstream of the second reversing path in the reversing path, the transport unit includes a first reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the first reversal path and a second reversal drive unit for transporting the medium in the second reversal path; controlling the transport unit to stop the first medium on the first reversing path until the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium, and to re-transport the first medium from the first reversing path to the recording path after the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the second medium. A method for controlling a recording apparatus.

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