Recording device and recording method

Abstract

The present invention provides a technology that enables the transmission of information about a subsequent process to a subsequent process device or a subsequent process worker. [Solution] A recording device comprising: a conveying means for conveying a continuous sheet; a recording means for recording on the continuous sheet while the continuous sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying means; a detection means for detecting splices which are connecting parts of the continuous sheet; and a control means for controlling the recording means and the conveying means based on the detection result by the detection means, wherein the control means controls the recording on the continuous sheet to record information about a waste area which is an area of ​​the continuous sheet that is not used as a deliverable and includes the detected splice, when the detection means detects a splice while the recording means is performing recording.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method for performing recording on a continuous sheet supplied from a roll.

Background Art

[0002] In a recording apparatus that performs recording on a continuous sheet supplied from a roll, a splicing process is performed to connect the trailing end and the leading end of the continuous sheet using a splicing tape. The splicing process is performed, for example, for connecting the trailing end of the continuous sheet remaining in the recording apparatus after roll replacement and the leading end of the continuous sheet supplied from a new roll, or for connecting the continuous sheet after cutting out unnecessary portions during jam processing or the like. The splice, which is the connecting portion by the splicing process, is discarded as a waste product not used as a final product. When the splice passes through the conveyance roller during the recording operation, there is a possibility that the conveyance may be disturbed. Also, since the splice is thicker than the normal portion, there is a possibility that the splice and the recording head may collide when the recording head is at the recording position. Therefore, after the continuous sheet is conveyed until the splice reaches the take-up device, the recording operation is executed. The areas before and after the splice conveyed for discharging the splice become waste areas (waste paper areas) that are not used as final products and are discarded. The continuous sheet (final product) on which recording has been performed is wound up by the take-up device. In the post-processing step of the recording process of the final product, a process of cutting the continuous sheet at a predetermined cutting position while conveying (paper feeding) the roll around which the final product is wound, or a process of skipping the waste area is performed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that a print management device transmits information on post-processing such as a cutting position to a post-processing device via a print control device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 assumes that the post-processing equipment is connected to the print management device via a network or the like. Therefore, when using post-processing equipment that is not connected to the print management device, the post-processing equipment cannot acquire post-processing information such as the cutting position. In this case, the operator in the post-processing equipment has to visually check the paper feed button and press it to skip the waste area, resulting in low efficiency in post-processing.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a technology that enables the transmission of information about a subsequent process to a subsequent process device or a subsequent process worker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a conveying means for conveying a continuous sheet, A recording means that records on a continuous sheet while the continuous sheet is being transported in the transport direction by the transport means, A detection means for detecting splices, which are the connecting parts of continuous sheets, A control means that controls the recording means and the transport means based on the detection result by the detection means, A recording device comprising, The control means, when recording is being performed by the recording means, the detection means The recording device is characterized by controlling the recording of information regarding a discard area, which is an area of ​​the continuous sheet that is not used as a deliverable containing the detected splice, on the continuous sheet when a splice is detected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to transmit information about a subsequent process to a subsequent process device or a subsequent process worker. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]This diagram shows the configuration of the recording system in the embodiment. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the functions of the recording system for the examples. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the results of recording on a continuous sheet, including splices, in chronological order. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the contents of the information regarding the waste area. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the control of the recording system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the following embodiments should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] (Example 1) Figure 1 shows the configuration of the recording system in Embodiment 1. The recording system 100 is a device that records images on a continuous sheet (continuous paper, roll paper) 110 that allows for continuous recording (printing, image formation). The recording system 100 includes a control device 101, an operation display unit 102, a paper feeder 120, a paper ejector 117, a first recording device 103, and a second recording device 104.

[0012] The control device 101 is a computer that controls the operation of the recording system 100.

[0013] The operation display unit 102 includes an operation unit such as buttons or a touch panel that allows the user to input commands and information to the recording system 100, and a display unit such as a display that shows the status of the recording system 100.

[0014] The paper feeding device 120 is a paper feeding means for supplying the continuous sheet 110 from the roll 124 around which the continuous sheet 110 is wound in a roll shape to the first recording device 103 and the second recording device 104. The paper feeding device 120 rotates the paper tube around the rotating shaft 116 and pulls out the continuous sheet 110 wound around the paper tube from the roll 124. The paper feeding device 120 conveys the continuous sheet 110 toward the first recording device 103 at a constant speed via a plurality of rollers including the conveying roller pair 121.

[0015] The paper feeding device 120 has a skew correction device 108 and a splice detection unit 107. The skew correction device 108 is a device for correcting the skew of the continuous sheet 110. The splice detection unit 107 detects the splice of the continuous sheet 110.

[0016] A splice is a connecting portion where the ends (the rear end and the front end) of the continuous sheet 110 are connected by a splice tape. The recording system 100 controls so as not to perform recording on the splice. The splice detection unit 107 is a detection means for detecting the splice which is the connecting portion of the continuous sheet 110. The splice detection unit 107 is configured to detect the thickness of the continuous sheet 110 with a transmission type ultrasonic sensor and determine that it is a splice when a portion thicker than the front and rear occurs. Note that the method by which the splice detection unit 107 detects the splice is not limited to this, and C It can be configured to detect the splice by methods such as image analysis with a CCD camera and differential detection of surface attributes with a reflection sensor.

[0017] The paper discharging device 117 is a paper discharging means for winding up the continuous sheet 110 that has been conveyed through the first recording device 103 and the second recording device 104 around the roll 125 with the paper tube as the center. The paper discharging device 117 rotates around the rotating shaft 111 and winds up the conveyed continuous sheet 110 in a roll shape at a constant speed via a plurality of rollers including the conveying roller pair 122 as a product.

[0018] The first recording device 103 has a first recording head 105 (print head) that discharges basic color inks (for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black)) onto the continuous sheet 110, and performs recording of basic colors on the continuous sheet 110. The first recording head 105 records characters, images, etc. on the continuous sheet 110, which is a sheet-like recording medium such as paper. The first recording head 105 has a number of nozzles, and by discharging ink from those nozzles onto the continuous sheet 110, for example, an image of a predetermined pattern is recorded. The first recording device 103 has a drying device 114, a cooling device 118, a scanner device 113, a color measuring device 112, and a timing mark detection device 109.

[0019] The scanner device 113 reads the pattern for ejection defect inspection recorded on the continuous sheet 110 to confirm the presence or absence of ejection defects in the recorded image.

[0020] The color measuring device 112 reads the color measuring pattern recorded on the continuous sheet 110. The color measuring device 112 is movable in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet 110 and in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and can measure colors not only in the images on the continuous sheet 110 but also at arbitrary locations. The color measuring device 112 can measure colors in a square area on the continuous sheet 110 that is 1 cm or more in length and width and is recorded in the same color.

[0021] The second recording device 104 has a second recording head 106 (print head) that discharges special color inks (for example, inks other than basic color inks such as white ink, fixing primer ink, etc.) onto the continuous sheet 110, and performs recording of special features on the continuous sheet 110. The second recording head 106 records characters, images, and a base for recording on the continuous sheet 110, which is a sheet-like recording medium such as paper. The second recording head 106 has a number of nozzles, and by discharging ink from those nozzles onto the continuous sheet 110, for example, a base of a predetermined pattern is recorded. The second recording device 104 has a drying device 115 and a cooling device 119.

[0022] The recording system 100 has a transport roller pair 121 and a transport roller pair 122, which are transport means for transporting the continuous sheet 110. The transport roller pair 121 and the transport roller pair 122 transport the continuous sheet 110 by rotating the rollers while the continuous sheet 110 is held between the nip portions of the two rollers. The transport roller pair 121 and the transport roller pair 122 transport the continuous sheet 110 in the transport direction indicated by arrow 123 by rotating the rollers forward, and transport the continuous sheet 110 in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by arrow 123 by rotating the rollers in reverse.

[0023] Before recording begins, the user feeds the continuous sheet 110 from the paper feeder 120 to the paper outputter 117. The user sets the roll in the paper feeder 120, pulls out the continuous sheet 110, and passes the leading edge of the continuous sheet 110 over the skew correction device 108. Next, the user passes the continuous sheet 110 under the splice detection unit 107 and under the second recording head 106 of the second recording device 104. Subsequently, the user passes the continuous sheet 110 over the drying device 115 and over the cooling device 119. The user passes the continuous sheet 110 under the timing mark detection device 109 of the first recording device 103 and under the first recording head 105, and then over the drying device 1 It is passed over 14 and over the cooling device 118. The user passes the continuous sheet 110 through the scanner device 113, under the colorimeter 112, and wraps it around the paper output device 117.

[0024] After the user passes the continuous sheet 110 through the recording system 100, they submit an image forming job to the control device 101 of the recording system 100. After submitting the image forming job, the user presses the recording start button on the operation display unit 102 to start recording in the recording system 100.

[0025] The first recording head 105 and the second recording head 106 form an image by ejecting ink onto the continuous sheet 110. The first recording head 105 and the second recording head 106 are recording means that record on the continuous sheet 110 while the continuous sheet 110 is transported by a transport means in the transport direction indicated by the arrow 123. The first recording device 103 has a plurality of first recording heads 105, each corresponding to a plurality of ink colors (Y, M, C, K).

[0026] Ink is supplied to each color's first recording head 105 from its respective color's buffer tank 105a, and ink is supplied to each color's buffer tank 105a from its respective color's tank 105b. Ink is supplied to the second recording head 106 from buffer tank 106a, and ink is supplied to buffer tank 106a from tank 106b. Tanks 105b and 106b are replaced by the user. When replacing tanks 105b and 106b, the user opens the lid of the relevant part and closes the lid after the tank replacement is complete. The lid is equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent replacement from being performed at times other than when replacement is permitted.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the recording system in Embodiment 1. The recording system 100 includes a storage unit 201, a control unit 202, an operation display unit 102, an image processing unit 204, a recording unit 205, a communication unit 206, a transport unit 207, a paper feeding unit 208, a paper ejection unit 209, an inspection unit 210, and a color measurement unit 211.

[0028] The storage unit 201 is composed of non-volatile semiconductor memory (flash memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 201 stores various programs such as system programs and processing programs executed by the control unit 202, as well as various data necessary for the execution of these programs.

[0029] The control unit 202 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU of the control unit 202 reads various programs such as system programs and processing programs stored in the memory unit 201, loads them into RAM, and executes various processes according to the loaded programs. For example, the control unit 202 can perform image formation processing (recording processing) by executing an image formation job (hereinafter referred to as a job) in response to user instructions. Each function constituting the recording system 100 is controlled based on instructions from the control unit 202.

[0030] The operation display unit 102 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and includes a display unit 203a and an operation unit 203b. The display unit 203a displays various information on the display screen according to the display control signals input from the control unit 202. The operation unit 203b is equipped with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, and accepts various input operations from the user and outputs operation signals to the control unit 202. By operating the operation unit 203b, the user can arbitrarily set recording conditions such as the type of paper to be used, printing speed, number of pages to print, number of copies to print, and printing length. In addition, the display unit 203a displays the ink levels of the buffer tanks 105a and 106a, and the paper feed device 120 It is possible to display the remaining roll quantity, the available roll capacity of the paper output device 117, and information on whether replenishment work is necessary.

[0031] The image processing unit 204 performs image processing such as analysis, rendering, and screen processing on the image data designated for recording, and converts it into a format that can be recorded by the recording system 100.

[0032] The recording unit 205 controls the recording of images onto the continuous sheet 110 by the first recording head 105 and the second recording head 106.

[0033] The communication unit 206 is a communication means composed of, for example, a communication control card such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card. The communication unit 206 transmits and receives various types of data to and from external devices (for example, personal computers) connected to a communication network such as a LAN or WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0034] The transport unit 207 controls the transport mechanism for the continuous sheets 110 inside the recording system 100. The transport unit 207 uses transport roller pairs 121 and 122 to transport the continuous sheets 110 supplied from the paper feeder 120 to the paper discharger 117 via the first recording heads 105 and 106.

[0035] The paper feeding unit 208 controls the paper feeding device 120. The paper output unit 209 controls the paper output device 117.

[0036] The inspection unit 210 controls the scanner device 113 to check whether the continuous sheet 110 is being recorded without any ejection defects. If the scanner device 113 detects an ejection defect, the recording operation of the recording system 100 is stopped. Note that the inspection method is not limited to this, and there are various other methods, such as recording an inspection pattern and reading it with the scanner device 113, directly reading the recorded image with a camera or scanner for inspection, or monitoring the ejection status from the nozzle.

[0037] The colorimeter 211 uses a colorimeter 112 to measure the color of a location on the continuous sheet 110 as instructed by the control unit 202, and acquires color information.

[0038] When the detection unit 212 detects a splice using the splice detection unit 107, it notifies the control unit 202 of a splice detection ON signal. When the detection unit 212 does not detect a splice, it notifies the control unit 202 of a splice detection OFF signal.

[0039] The control unit 202 controls the operation of each of the above parts. In Embodiment 1, the control unit 202 is a control means that controls the first recording head 105 and the second recording head 106 (recording unit 205) and the transport roller pairs 121 and 122 (transport unit 207) based on the detection results from the splice detection unit 107 (detection unit 212).

[0040] The operation of the recording system 100 when recording to a continuous sheet 110 that does not contain splices will be described below.

[0041] First, the user submits a job. An external device creates image data of the job, configures the job recording settings, and transmits this information to the recording system 100 via a communication network.

[0042] Next, the control unit 202 of the recording system 100 transmits data from an external device via the communication unit 206. The system accepts a job ticket containing image data of the submitted job, job recording settings information, and delivery volume information. This completes the job submission process. The submitted job is then processed by the image processing unit 204. Specifically, the image processing unit 204 extracts information from the job ticket and pixel data from the image data, and converts it into recording data that can be recorded by the first recording heads 105 and 106 for each pixel position, so that a deliverable (printed material) reflecting the recording settings can be obtained. This conversion process includes a process of decomposing the pixel data into multiple ink colors ejected by the first recording head 105.

[0043] When recording of a submitted job begins, the continuous sheet 110 is transported along the path described in Figure 1. During transport, the continuous sheet 110 passes under the splice detection unit 107. If a splice is detected here, the control unit 202 is notified; if no splice is detected, no special control is performed. This section describes the case where no splice is detected.

[0044] Next, the control unit 202 uses the recording unit 205 to record the timing marks and background on the continuous sheet 110 using the second recording head 106. As the continuous sheet 110 is transported, the timing marks and background reach the timing mark detection device 109 via the drying device 115 and the cooling device 119. Based on the timing at which the timing mark detection device 109 detects the timing marks, the control unit 202 determines the timing to start recording and performs recording with the first recording head 105. When the continuous sheet 110 reaches the scanner device 113, the control unit 202 uses the inspection unit 210 to check for any ejection defects. When the continuous sheet 110 reaches the colorimeter 112, the colorimeter 211 measures the color of the area on the continuous sheet 110 instructed by the control unit 202.

[0045] Finally, the continuous sheet 110 is wound onto the paper output device 117.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 202 controls the supply of ink from tanks 105b and 106b, buffer tanks 105a and 106a to the first recording head 105 and the second recording head 106. The control unit 202 also controls the mechanism related to the replacement of tanks 105b and 106b, and provides notifications via the operation display unit 102.

[0047] The splice detection unit 107 detects splices upstream of the first recording head 105 and the second recording head 106 in the transport direction. If a splice exists between the splice detection unit 107 and the paper discharge device 117 in the continuous sheet 110, transport may be disrupted when the splice passes through the transport roller pair 121 and 122. Therefore, the recording system 100 controls the recording so that areas where transport accuracy may be reduced due to the presence of splices are not used as output. Accordingly, in the recording system 100, when a splice is detected by the splice detection unit 107, the area in the continuous sheet 110 containing the detected splice becomes a waste area (waste paper area) that is not used as output.

[0048] The recording system 100 is characterized by controlling the system to record information regarding the discard area on the continuous sheet 110 when a splice is detected by the splice detection unit 107 while recording is being performed by the recording unit 205.

[0049] The information regarding the discard area recorded on the continuous sheet 110 includes at least one of the following: • Information on the starting position of the waste area in the transport direction. • Information on the end position of the waste area in the transport direction. • Information on the length of the waste area in the transport direction • Information on the recorded portion of the image data recorded by the recording unit 205 • Information on the portion of the image data being recorded by the recording unit 205 that was interrupted due to splice detection. • Information on the portion of the image data being recorded by the recording unit 205 that was interrupted due to splice detection and then resumed.

[0050] In Example 1, the control unit 202 records information regarding the waste area at the leading and trailing ends of the waste area in the transport direction.

[0051] Furthermore, if the splice detection unit 107 detects a splice while the recording unit 205 is recording, the control unit 202 controls the recording of statistical information about the discarded area in the roll 124 to be recorded on the continuous sheet 110. After the recording of the image data being recorded by the recording unit 205 is completed, the control unit 202 controls the recording of statistical information to be recorded on the continuous sheet 110. The statistical information includes at least one of the following pieces of information. • Information on the length of the continuous sheet 110 that was transported during the period from the start to the end of recording of the image data being recorded by the recording unit 205. • Information on the length of the continuous sheet 110 on which the image data is recorded. • Information on the length of discarded area generated during the period from the start to the end of image data recording. • Information on the cumulative length of waste areas generated so far in roll 124

[0052] The control unit 202 records information and statistical information regarding the waste area on a continuous sheet 110 using characters or encoded images. The encoded image is, for example, a barcode.

[0053] The control unit 202 controls the recording unit 205 to stop recording (ink ejection) and continue only the transport of the continuous sheet 110 if a splice is present between the splice detection unit 107 and the paper ejector 117. The control unit 202 controls the continuous sheet 110 to continue transporting while interrupting the recording of the image data if a splice is detected by the splice detection unit 107 while recording is being performed by the first recording head 105 and the second recording head 106. The reason for interrupting only the recording (ink ejection) and continuing transport is that if transport is stopped, the recorded continuous sheet 110 will remain in the drying devices 114 and 115, which could lead to excessive heating.

[0054] The control unit 202 interrupts the recording of image data, then records information regarding the discard area on the continuous sheet 110, and after recording the information regarding the discard area on the continuous sheet 110, controls the recording unit 205 to stop recording.

[0055] After interrupting the recording of image data, the control unit 202 transports a predetermined amount of continuous sheets 110 using the transport means (transport roller pairs 121 and 122). After transporting the predetermined amount of continuous sheets 110, the control unit 202 controls the system to resume recording image data while continuing transport by the transport means. Here, the predetermined transport amount is determined based on the amount of transport required for the splice detected by the splice detection unit 107 to reach the paper discharge device 117. Specifically, the predetermined transport amount is the length of the transport path from the splice detection unit 107 to the paper discharge device 117.

[0056] After the transport means has transported a predetermined amount of continuous sheets 110, the control unit 202 records information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheets 110. After recording the information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheets 110, the control unit 202 controls the system to resume recording image data.

[0057] Figure 3 is a time-series diagram showing an example of the recording results when image data is recorded on a continuous sheet 110 including splices using the recording system 100 described above. As an example, we show the case of recording image data for 6 pages. Note that Figure 3 shows only the continuous sheet 110 related to the recording of 6 pages of image data, but in reality, continuous sheets 110 continue before and after this section in the transport direction.

[0058] Figure 3(a) shows that the continuous sheet 110 has splices 302a and 302b. The recording system 100 does not recognize the presence of splices in the continuous sheet 110 until it is detected by the splice detection unit 107.

[0059] Figures 3(b) to 3(e) show the recording and transport of the continuous sheet 110 in chronological order. In each figure, the right side is the upstream side in the transport direction of the continuous sheet 110. Each figure shows the positional relationship between the transported continuous sheet 110, the paper feeder 120, the splice detection unit 107, the first recording head 105, and the paper ejector 117. Here, we will explain using the case of recording image data for 6 pages as an example. In each figure, the numbers 1 to 6 circled in the diagram indicate the page numbers. The length of each page in the transport direction is 1 m.

[0060] Figure 3(b) shows the state when recording of the first page has started. As recording begins, the continuous sheet 110 is supplied from the paper feeder 120, passes under the splice detection unit 107, then passes under the first recording head 105, and recording of the first page has started. At this point, the splice detection unit 107 has not detected the splice 302a, and the control unit 202 has not been notified. At this time, the splice 302a has been discharged from the paper feeder 120, but has not reached the splice detection unit 107. Therefore, the splice detection unit 107 notifies the control unit 202 of a splice detection OFF signal. Since the control unit 202 is unaware of the presence of the splice 302a, it continues to record image data, resulting in the state shown in Figure 3(c).

[0061] Figure 3(c) shows the state when the splice 302a has reached the splice detection unit 107. At this point, the first recording head 105 has completed recording up to the second page and is in the middle of recording the third page. When the splice detection unit 107 detects the splice 302a, it notifies the control unit 202 of a splice detection ON signal, and then, when the splice 302a passes, it notifies the control unit 202 of a splice detection OFF signal. When the control unit 202 detects that the splice 302a has passed the splice detection unit 107, it instructs the recording unit 205 to stop recording. The recording unit 205 stops ejecting ink for recording image data even if it is in the middle of recording a page. In this case, recording is interrupted when 0.6m of the third page has been recorded. The control unit 202 stores in the storage unit 201 the information that two pages have been recorded, and the transport length from the beginning of the area related to the recording of six pages of image data on the continuous sheet 110. The control unit 202 continues to transport the continuous sheet 110, resulting in the state shown in Figure 3(d).

[0062] Figure 3(d) shows the state immediately after Figure 3(c) in which the waste area start information 303a (waste paper start information) is recorded. The waste area start information 303a is an example of information about the waste area recorded at the leading edge of the waste area. Details of the waste area start information 303a will be described later with reference to Figure 4. The control unit 202 interrupts the recording of the third page in the state of Figure 3(c) and generates the waste area start information 303a based on the recording state and the transport state of the continuous sheet 110 at that time. The control unit 202 controls the system to record the waste area start information 303a immediately after the interruption point of the third page. After that, the control unit 202 only transports the continuous sheet 110, resulting in the state of Figure 3(e).

[0063] Figure 3(e) shows the state in which the waste area end information 304a (waste paper end information) is recorded just before the splice 302a reaches the paper output device 117, and immediately after that the splice 302a reaches the paper output device 117. The waste area end information 304a is an example of information about the waste area recorded at the trailing end of the waste area. Details of the waste area end information 304a are shown in Figure 4. More details will be provided later. The control unit 202 determines the recording start timing for the waste area end information 304a based on a predetermined transport amount for the splice 302a to reach the paper output device 117, the transport length of the continuous sheet 110 from Figure 3(c) onward, and the magnitude of the transport direction of the waste area end information 304a. Specifically, the recording start timing for the waste area end information 304a is determined so that the recording of the waste area end information 304a ends when the splice 302a reaches the paper output device 117. In other words, the recording of the waste area end information 304a starts before the splice 302a reaches the paper output device 117. Alternatively, the recording of the waste area end information 304a may start after the splice 302a reaches the paper output device 117. The predetermined transport amount is 10m, which is the length of the transport path from the splice detection unit 107 to the paper output device 117.

[0064] The discard area 305a is the portion of the continuous sheet 110 that is not used as an output, including the splice 302a detected after the start of image data recording. In the example in Figure 3(e), the discard area 305a is the area from the beginning of the third page where recording was interrupted to the end of the discard area end information 304a. Once the control unit 202 has finished recording the discard area end information 304a and the splice 302a has reached the paper ejector 117, it resumes recording the interrupted image data. Here, the control unit 202 resumes recording from the beginning of the third page, which is the portion where recording was interrupted in Figure 3(c). Specifically, the control unit 202 obtains information from the storage unit 201 about the recorded portion of the image data that was being recorded (in this case, information indicating that the page numbers for which recording was completed are 1 and 2), and resumes recording from the third page. As shown in Figure 3(e), at this point, the splice 302b is being discharged from the paper feeder 120 as the continuous sheet 110 is being transported, but, as with the state in Figure 3(b), the control unit 202 is not aware of its presence at this point.

[0065] Figure 3(f) shows the state immediately before the recording of the fourth page begins, after the recording operation resumed in Figure 3(e) has completed recording the third page. At this point, the control unit 202 is still unaware of the presence of the splice 302b, but as the transport and recording of the continuous sheet 110 continues, the splice detection unit 107 detects the splice 302b after a certain period of time. As a result, the control unit 202 recognizes the splice 302b, and processing such as interrupting the recording of image data is performed in the same way as in Figures 3(c) to 3(e).

[0066] Figure 3(g) shows the state after recording 6 pages on the continuous sheet 110 has been completed. Upon detection of splice 302b, the same control as when splice 302a is detected is performed. Then, the recording of 6 pages is completed while waste areas 305a and 305b exist. As shown in Figure 3(g), the control unit 202 controls the system to record waste area statistics information 306 (waste paper statistics information) at the position immediately after the completion of recording 6 pages. Details of the waste area statistics information 306 will be described later with reference to Figure 4. Here, we show an example where, upon detection of splice 302b, recording is interrupted when 0.4m of the 6 pages have been recorded during the recording of the 6th page. Also, the length from the leading edge to the 1st page and the length from the trailing edge to the 6th page of the continuous sheet 110 area related to the recording of 6 pages of image data are both 5m.

[0067] The control unit 202 controls the recording of information regarding the waste area 305 (waste area start information 303, waste area end information 304, waste area statistics information 306) on the continuous sheet 110 using characters or encoded images such as barcodes. In subsequent processing, the worker can visually inspect the information regarding the waste area 305 recorded on the continuous sheet 110 along with the pages of the finished product, thereby obtaining information necessary for subsequent processing, such as the cutting position of the pages of the finished product and the amount to be transported for feeding the waste area. Furthermore, the information regarding the waste area 305 recorded on the continuous sheet 110 as encoded images can be read using a device capable of reading encoded images, such as a barcode reader connected to the subsequent processing equipment. This allows the recording system 1 A downstream device not connected to 00 can obtain the information necessary for the downstream process. Thus, according to the recording system 100 of Embodiment 1, it is possible to transmit the information necessary for the downstream process to a downstream device or a downstream worker.

[0068] Figure 4 shows an example of information regarding the discard area recorded on the continuous sheet 110. This information is created by the control unit 202 using data from the storage unit 201 and recorded on the continuous sheet 110 via the recording unit 205.

[0069] Figure 4(a) shows the contents of the waste area start information 303a, and Figure 4(b) shows the contents of the waste area start information 303b. The length in the transport direction of the continuous sheet 110 for recording the waste area start information 303a and 303b (hereinafter, when neither is distinguished, they may simply be referred to as waste area start information 303) is 0.2m in both cases.

[0070] The waste area start information 303 includes recording information and waste area information (waste paper information). The recording information includes information about recorded pages and pages in progress, and the waste area information includes information about the waste area start position (waste paper start position) and the length to the waste area end (waste paper end).

[0071] "Recorded pages" refers to the recorded portion of the image data that was being recorded by the recording unit 205 at the time the splice 302a was detected. "Pages in progress" refers to the portion of the image data that was being recorded by the recording unit 205 where recording was interrupted due to the detection of the splice 302a. "Discard area start position" refers to the starting position (leading edge position) of the discard area 305a in the transport direction. "Length to end of discard area" refers to the length of the discard area 305a in the transport direction.

[0072] Since the page number of the deliverable to be processed in the subsequent processing step following the waste area can be determined from the recorded information, this information can be used if the method of instructing the transport means of the continuous sheet 110 in the subsequent processing equipment is by specifying the page number. On the other hand, since the length to the deliverable to be processed in the subsequent processing step following the waste area can be determined from the waste area information, this information can be used if the method of instructing the transport means of the continuous sheet 110 in the subsequent processing equipment is by specifying the length. Details of the numerical values ​​of the waste area start information 303a and 303b will be described later.

[0073] Figure 4(c) shows the contents of the waste area completion information 304a, and Figure 4(d) shows the contents of the waste area completion information 304b. The length in the transport direction of the continuous sheet 110 for recording the waste area completion information 304a and 304b (hereinafter, when neither is distinguished, they may simply be referred to as waste area completion information 304) is 0.2m in both cases.

[0074] The waste area end information 402 includes recording information and waste area information. The recording information includes information about the page where recording resumes, and the waste area information includes information about the waste area end position (waste end position) and the length from the waste area start (waste start).

[0075] The "Recording Resume Page" is information about the portion of the image data being recorded by the recording unit 205 where recording was resumed after being interrupted due to the detection of splice 302a. The "Discard Area End Position" is information about the end position (rear end position) of the discard area 305a in the transport direction. The "Length from Discard Area Start" is information about the length of the discard area 305a in the transport direction.

[0076] Record information and waste area information allow us to understand the information of the deliverables that were resumed after the waste area. The starting position of the waste area is also known, so the length of the waste area through which the continuous sheet 110 is transported can be determined when performing subsequent processes from the trailing end of the continuous sheet 110. Waste area end information 304a, 30 Details of the values ​​for 4b will be explained later.

[0077] Figure 4(e) shows the contents of the waste area statistics 306. The length in the transport direction of the continuous sheet 110 for recording the waste area statistics 306 is 0.4 m.

[0078] The waste area statistics 306 includes control statistics, job management statistics, and substrate management statistics. The control information includes the number of waste area locations (number of paper waste locations) and information on the recording results. The job management statistics include the total transport length, total output length, and total waste area length (total paper waste length) for the job. The substrate management statistics include the cumulative waste area rate (cumulative paper waste rate) for the substrate. Furthermore, the substrate management statistics include transition information for the waste area rate (paper waste rate), specifically the waste area rates for the most recent period of 0m to less than 1000m, the previous period of 1000m to less than 2000m, and the period before that of 2000m to less than 3000m.

[0079] The control statistics reveal the location and position of the waste area, as well as the location of successful deliverables. This provides an overall picture of which parts are subject to and not subject to subsequent processing. Furthermore, the job management statistics reveal the length of continuous sheets 110 consumed in the recorded job and the waste area rate, allowing for an assessment of the recording efficiency of that job. The substrate management statistics reveal the cumulative waste area rate of the substrate used in the current test and the history of past waste area rates, which can be used as an indicator of the quality of the continuous sheets 110. For example, if the most recent waste area rate is unusually high compared to the cumulative waste area rate, it may indicate that the quality of the roll paper currently being used is poor. Details of the waste area statistics 306 will be described later.

[0080] The contents of the waste area start information 303a corresponding to the example in Figure 3(g) will be explained. "Recorded pages" are up to the second page of a total of six pages. "Page in progress" is the third page. "Waste area start position" is 7.0m, which is the sum of the length from the leading edge of the continuous sheet 110 area related to the recording of six pages of image data to the first page (5.0m) and the length of the two pages of images for which recording has been completed (1.0m × 2 = 2.0m). "Length to end of waste area" is 10.6m, which is the sum of the length of the portion of the third page where recording was interrupted that was recorded up to the point of interruption (0.6m) and a predetermined transport amount (10.0m). The predetermined transport amount is the amount of transport required for the splice 302a to reach the paper output device 117, and in the case of the recording system 100 of Example 1, it is the length of the transport path from the splice detection unit 107 to the paper output device 117 (10.0m).

[0081] The contents of the waste area end information 304a corresponding to the example in Figure 3(g) are explained below. The "recording restart page" is the third page, which follows the second page where recording is completed. The "waste area end position" is 17.6m, which is the sum of the "waste area start position" (7.0m) and the "length to the end of the waste area" (10.6m) in the waste area start information 303a. The "length from the start of the waste area" is 10.6m, the same as the "length to the end of the waste area" in the waste area start information 303a.

[0082] The contents of the waste area start information 303b corresponding to the example in Figure 3(g) are explained below. "Recorded pages" are up to page 5 out of a total of 6 pages. "Page in progress" is page 6. "Waste area start position" is 20.6m, which is the end position of waste area 305a (the "waste area end position" in waste area end information 304a) (17.6m) plus the length of 3 pages of images (3.0m), where each page is 1m. "Length to end of waste area" is 10.4m, which is the sum of the length of the portion of page 6 where recording was interrupted that was recorded up to the point of interruption (0.4m) and the predetermined transport amount (10.0m).

[0083] The contents of the waste area termination information 304b corresponding to the example in Figure 3(g) are explained below. The "restart page" is the 6th page, which follows the 5th page where the recording is complete. The "discard area end position" is 31.0m, which is the sum of the "discard area start position" (20.6m) and the "length to the end of the discard area" (10.4m) from the discard area start information 303b. The "length from the start of the discard area" is 10.4m, the same as the "length to the end of the discard area" from the discard area start information 303b.

[0084] The contents of the discard area statistics 306 corresponding to the example in Figure 3(g) are explained below. In the "Control Statistics," the "Number of Discard Area Locations" is 2, which is equal to the number of times the discard area start information 303 was created. In the "Recording Results," the contents of each length and page information up to successful page 6 are clear from the results described above. The "Rear End Margin" is 32.0-37.0m because one page of image with a length of 1.0m is recorded from the end position of the discard area 305b (the "Discard Area End Position" in the discard area end information 304b) (31.0m). Note that the rear end margin includes the discard area statistics 306.

[0085] In the "Statistical Information for Job Management," the "Total Transport Length" is the length of the 110 continuous sheets consumed in the job, which is 37.0m, as shown in the control statistics. The number in parentheses to the right is the percentage of the total transport length for the job, which is 100% in the case of the total transport length. The "Total Deliverable Length" is the sum of the transport lengths of pages that were recorded correctly without interruption, which is 1.0m × 6 = 6.0m (16.2%). The "Total Waste Area Length" is the sum of the lengths of waste area 305a (10.6m) and waste area 305b (10.4m), which is 21.0m (56.8%). The reason why the sum of "Total Deliverable Length" and "Total Waste Area Length" is 10.0m less than the "Total Transport Length" is due to the leading margin of 5.0m and the trailing margin of 5.0m.

[0086] The "Statistical Information for Substrate Management" is a value based on past record performance. The control unit 202 stores the record history for each roll model number in the storage unit 201 each time a record is made. The record history is stored linked to the recording date and time and the statistical information for job management. Since the capacity of the storage unit 201 is finite, only the most recent data up to 3000m is stored in association with the recording date and time, and data older than that is discarded. Cumulative values ​​are stored separately without being associated with the recording date and time. This mechanism allows the control unit 202 to calculate the cumulative waste area rate. In the example in Figure 4(e), the "cumulative waste area rate" is 5.0%. Similarly, the waste area rate for the most recent 0m to less than 1000m is 5.0%, the waste area rate for the most recent 1000m to less than 2000m is 4.9%, and there is no data for the waste area rate for the most recent 2000m to less than 3000m. From this, it can be seen that the current roll transport performance is less than 2000m, and the waste area rate is stable.

[0087] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the recording system 100. When the control unit 202 receives a job, it executes the process shown in this flowchart. This process is carried out under the direction of the control unit 202, mainly via the storage unit 201, the recording unit 205, the transport unit 207, the detection unit 212, and the operation display unit 102.

[0088] The memory unit 201 stores information on a predetermined transport volume (length of the transport path from the splice detection unit 107 to the paper discharge device 117) (10.0m) and waste area start information 303 as specification information for the recording system 100. The memory unit 201 further stores information on the transport length (0.2m), leading margin length (5.0m), and trailing margin length (5.0m) necessary for recording waste area end information 304.

[0089] The memory unit 201 includes a recorded page counter, a work-in-progress page counter, a waste area counter (waste paper counter), a final output transport length counter, and a transport length counter at splice detection. The recorded page counter and the work-in-progress page counter store page numbers. The waste area counter stores the number of splices detected. The final deliverable transport length counter stores the transport length of the continuous sheets 110 up to the point when recording is completed in page units, which are independent units as deliverables. The splice detection transport length counter stores the transport length of the continuous sheets 110 up to the point when splice 302 is detected. The storage unit 201 further includes a total job transport length counter, a total job deliverable length counter, and a total job waste area length counter, which serve as source data for the job management statistics. These job counters each store the length of the continuous sheets 110 transported, the length of the deliverables, and the length of the waste area, and are stored in association with date information for use as source data for the substrate management statistics. The storage unit 201 further includes a total substrate transport length counter, a total substrate deliverable length counter, and a total substrate waste area length counter for use as source data for the cumulative waste area rate of the substrate management statistics. A counter for managing this substrate information is provided for each substrate model number, and each counter stores the length of the continuous sheet 110 transported, the length of the output, and the length of the waste area, respectively.

[0090] The memory unit 201 also has an automatic restart flag (initial value is "restart") that switches whether or not to automatically resume recording after the waste area is completed. The control unit 202 adds to the total transport length counter for the job and the total transport length counter for the substrate each time transport is performed. In addition, the control unit 202 adds to the total length counter for the job deliverables and the total length counter for the substrate deliverables each time recording is performed.

[0091] In step S501, the control unit 202 performs initialization and recording start processing. The control unit 202 resets the recorded page counter, the page in progress counter, the waste area counter, the total transport length counter for the job, the total length counter for the job deliverables, and the counter for the total length of the job waste area, all of which are provided in the storage unit 201, to 0. The control unit 202 also resets the final deliverable transport length counter and the transport length counter at splice detection to 0. The control unit 202 does not reset the total transport length counter for each substrate, the total length counter for deliverables, or the total length counter for the waste area. Once the counter resets are complete, the control unit 202 identifies the substrate to be used for recording and the starting page for recording based on the received job data, transports the continuous sheet 110 with the leading margin via the transport unit 207, and executes step S502.

[0092] In step S502, the control unit 202 performs recording processing. The control unit 202 transports the continuous sheet 110 via the transport unit 207 and records images on the continuous sheet 110 sequentially, starting with the image on the first page of recording, via the recording unit 205. As transport and recording progress, the control unit 202 adds the transport length counter, the recorded page counter, and the final output transport length counter. After completing the processing in this step, the control unit 202 executes step S503.

[0093] In step S503, the control unit 202 checks whether it has received a splice detection ON signal from the detection unit 212. If it has received the signal, the control unit 202 executes step S506; otherwise, the control unit 202 executes step S504.

[0094] In step S504, the control unit 202 determines whether or not recording is complete. If it is not complete, the control unit 202 executes step S502 to continue recording; if it is complete, the control unit 202 executes step S505.

[0095] In step S505, the control unit 202 creates and records statistical information. The control unit 202 acquires the waste area count counter stored in the storage unit 201. If the value of the waste area count counter is 1 or greater, the control unit 202 acquires various counter values ​​and creates waste area statistical information 306. The control unit 202 records the waste area statistical information 306 on the continuous sheet 110 via the recording unit 205. In step S508, the control unit 202 aggregates and calculates the values ​​of the control statistical information, the job management statistical information, and the substrate management statistical information based on the information described later. If the waste area counter is less than 1, the control unit 202 determines that there are no waste areas in the job and does not record the waste area statistics information 306. Subsequently, the control unit 202 transports the remaining continuous sheet 110 via the transport unit 207 and completes the process.

[0096] In step S506, the control unit 202 acquires information related to the interruption of recording. The control unit 202 acquires the recorded page counter and the page counter in progress from the storage unit 201, adds 1 to the discard area counter, and executes step S507.

[0097] In step S507, the control unit 202 stops recording the job via the recording unit 205, but the transport continues. The control unit 202 stores the job transport counter at this point in the splice detection transport length counter of the storage unit 201, and then executes step S508.

[0098] In step S508, the control unit 202 creates and records the waste area start information 303. The control unit 202 obtains counter values ​​from the storage unit 201 to create the waste area start information 303 and records the waste area start information 303 on the continuous sheet 110 via the recording unit 205. The control unit 202 generates the value of "recorded pages" in the waste area start information 303 from the recorded page counter and generates the value of "pages in progress" from the page in progress counter. The control unit 202 calculates the value of "waste area start position" from the leading margin length (5m), the number of recorded pages, and the page length. The control unit 202 determines the "length to the end of the waste area" by adding the length of the transport path from the splice detection unit 107 to the paper output device 117 (10m) and the transport length of the pages in progress. The control unit 202 calculates the transport length of the pages in progress from the transport length counter at splice detection and the final output transport length counter. The control unit 202 temporarily stores the information generated for the waste area start information 303 in the storage unit 201 until the processing of the job is completed, in order to generate the waste area statistics information 306. The information generated for the waste area start information 303 includes information on recorded pages, pages in progress, the waste area start position, and the length to the end of the waste area. The control unit 202 further adds the total transport length counter for the substrate, the total length counter for the substrate output, and the total waste area counter for the substrate as appropriate, according to the substrate model number. After recording the waste area start information 303, the control unit 202 stops ink ejection and executes step S509 while transport continues.

[0099] In step S509, the control unit 202 determines the page on which recording will resume. The control unit 202 obtains the recorded page counter from the storage unit 201, determines the next page to be the page to resume recording, and executes step S510. At this time, the control unit 202 controls the device to continue transporting.

[0100] In step S510, the control unit 202 checks whether the splice has reached the paper output device 117. The control unit 202 obtains the length of the transport path from the splice detection unit 107 to the paper output device 117 (10.0m) and the transport length counter at the time of splice detection from the storage unit 201, and defines the sum of these as the record restart reference transport length. The control unit 202 further obtains the transport length required to record the waste area end information 304 (0.2m) and the total transport length counter for the job from the storage unit 201, and defines the sum of these as the waste area transport length (waste paper transport length). At this point, the record restart reference transport length is greater than the waste area transport length, but as time passes, the total transport length counter for the job increases, so eventually the waste area transport length will be greater than or equal to the record restart reference transport length. When the control unit 202 detects that the waste area transport length is greater than or equal to the record restart reference transport length, it determines that the splice 302 has reached the paper output device 117 and executes step S511. As mentioned above, at this point the splice is actually located in front of the paper ejector 117 by the length required in the transport direction for recording the waste area end information 304 (0.2m), and reaches the paper ejector 117 when the recording of the waste area end information 304 is completed in step S511.

[0101] In step S511, the control unit 202 creates and records the waste area end information 304. The control unit 202 obtains a counter value from the storage unit 201 to create the waste area end information 304 and records the waste area end information 304 on the continuous sheet 110 via the recording unit 205. The control unit 202 calculates the "print resume page" using the value of the printed page counter + 1. The control unit 202 calculates the value of the "waste area end position" by adding the value of the "waste area start position" calculated in step S508 and the value of the "length to the end of the waste area". Due to the control in step S510, once the recording of the waste area end information 304 is complete, the splice 302 has reached the paper output device 117, and is ready to resume recording the output. The control unit 202 completes this process and executes step S512.

[0102] In step S512, the control unit 202 determines whether to resume recording. The control unit 202 obtains the value of the automatic recording resume flag from the storage unit 201. The value of the automatic recording resume flag can be changed by the user via the operation display unit 102. If the value of the automatic recording resume flag is "restart", the control unit 202 executes step S502 and resumes recording from the recording resume page determined in step S509. If the value of the automatic recording resume flag is "do not resume", the control unit 202 executes step S505. If recording is not resumed, the control unit 202 generates discard area statistics based on the information up to that point. For example, the control statistics when recording is terminated in the state shown in Figure 3(e) are as follows. • Number of waste disposal areas: 2 ·Print results Leading margin: 0-5.0m Success Pages: 1-2 Waste area 1: 7.0-17.6m

[0103] Here, we will explain an example of a subsequent process. When the continuous sheet 110 is passed to the subsequent process in the state shown in Figure 3(g), the worker uses the subsequent process equipment to perform the subsequent process from the beginning of the continuous sheet 110 shown in Figure 3(g). If the worker performs the subsequent process from the first page without knowing that information about the waste area is recorded on the continuous sheet 110, they will see the waste area start information 303a. The worker reads the "length to the end of the waste area" written in the waste area start information 303a and specifies to the subsequent process equipment the length to skip. When the subsequent process equipment skips the specified length, the waste area 305a is skipped, and the worker can resume the subsequent process from the third page. Similarly, the worker sees the waste area start information 303b, skips the waste area 305b, and resumes from the sixth page to complete the subsequent process.

[0104] According to the recording method of the recording system 100 of Example 1, in a continuous sheet where multiple pages of deliverables are recorded dispersed across a waste area due to the presence of splices, information regarding the waste area is recorded. Therefore, information necessary for the subsequent process, such as the location and length of the waste area, can be transmitted to offline downstream equipment or workers that are not connected to the recording system 100. This can contribute to improving the efficiency of downstream work.

[0105] (Example 2) In the recording system 100 of Example 1, if a splice is detected during recording, the control unit 202 records information regarding the waste area (waste area start information 303, waste area end information 304, waste area statistics information 306) on the continuous sheet 110 in character via the recording unit 205. In the recording system 100 of Example 2, if a splice is detected during recording, the control unit 202 records information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheet 110 as an encoded image such as a barcode via the recording unit 205. By recording information regarding the waste area as a barcode on the continuous sheet 110, information necessary for the subsequent process, such as the location and length of the waste area, can be obtained by reading the barcode in a subsequent process device equipped with a barcode reader. Therefore, information necessary for the subsequent process can be obtained for offline subsequent process devices that are not connected to the recording system 100. It can transmit the necessary information. The encoded image is not limited to a barcode. Also, the information to be encoded can be, for example, a string of numbers (the numbers to the right of the colon (:) in the text in Figure 4) separated by commas, but is not limited to this.

[0106] (Example 3) In the recording systems 100 of Examples 1 and 2, if a splice is detected during recording, the control unit 202 records information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheet 110 in the form of characters or encoded images via the recording unit 205. In the recording system 100 of Example 3, if a splice is detected during recording, the control unit 202 controls the communication unit 206 to transmit information regarding the waste area to an external device. An example of an external device is a Management Information System (MIS). By notifying the MIS of waste area statistics, the MIS can determine the work efficiency and cost of the job based on the waste area rate of the job. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether the work efficiency and cost of the job are significantly lower or higher than past performance based on the cumulative waste area rate of the media. In addition, by understanding the transition of the media's waste area rate from the waste area rate of the media over a specific past period, it is possible to seize opportunities to request improvements in media quality or to consider changing to other media.

[0107] (Example 4) In Example 1, an example was described in which the recording results are recorded in the order they are recorded on the continuous sheet 110 in the control statistics of the waste area statistics information 306. However, the recording results may also be recorded in the reverse order of the recording order on the continuous sheet 110. If the roll 125 wound onto the paper discharge device 117 after recording is fed directly to the next processing device, the waste area statistics information 306 will be located at the beginning of the continuous sheet unwound from the roll 125 set in the next processing device. Therefore, by recording the results in the waste area statistics information 306 in the reverse order of the recording order, the page information and waste area information of the output will be recorded in the order in which the worker in the next processing step works, thereby improving work efficiency. In the example of Figure 3(g), the description of "printing results" in the control statistics of the waste area statistics information 306 is as follows. Leading margin: 0-5.0m, Success Page: 6 Waste area 1: 6.0-16.4m Success Page: 5-3 Waste area 2: 19.4-30.0 m Success Page: 2-1 Rear margin: 32.0-37.0m

[0108] (Example 5) In Example 1, an example was described in which the control unit 202 terminates recording if the value of the automatic restart flag is "Do not restart" in step S512, but the example is not limited to this. Specifically, if the value of the automatic restart flag is "Do not restart", the control unit 202 may control the user via the operation display unit 102 to confirm whether they really do not want to restart. This allows for automatic restart of recording even if the user has not unintentionally set the automatic restart flag to "Restart".

[0109] (Example 6) Although the recording system 100 of Example 1 describes a case where the image recording method in the first recording device 103 and the second recording device 104 is a method of ejecting ink onto a continuous sheet 110, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to electrophotographic or other recording methods in the first recording device 103 and the second recording device 104.

[0110] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Composition 1) A conveying means for transporting continuous sheets, A recording means that records on a continuous sheet while the continuous sheet is being transported in the transport direction by the transport means, A detection means for detecting splices, which are the connecting parts of continuous sheets, A control means that controls the recording means and the transport means based on the detection result by the detection means, A recording device comprising, The recording device is characterized in that, when the recording means is performing recording and the detection means detects the splice, the control means controls the recording of information regarding a discard area, which is an area of ​​the continuous sheet that is not used as a deliverable containing the detected splice, on the continuous sheet. (Configuration 2) The recording device according to Configuration 1, wherein the control means controls the recording of image data being recorded by the recording means to be interrupted while the transport means continues transporting when the recording means is performing recording. (Configuration 3) The information regarding the aforementioned waste area is, Information on the starting position of the waste area in the aforementioned transport direction, Information on the end position of the waste area in the transport direction, and Information on the length of the waste area in the aforementioned transport direction A recording device according to configuration 1 or 2, which includes at least one of the following. (Composition 4) The information regarding the aforementioned waste area is, In the image data recorded by the aforementioned recording means, Information from the recorded portion, Information on the portion of the recording that was interrupted due to the detection of the aforementioned splice, and Information on the portion of the recording that was interrupted due to the detection of the aforementioned splice and then resumed. A recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, which includes at least one of the above. (Composition 5) The control means is a recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, which records information relating to the waste area at the leading edge of the waste area in the transport direction. (Composition 6) The control means is a recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, which records information relating to the waste area at the rear end of the waste area in the transport direction. (Composition 7) The control means is a recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, which records information regarding the waste area in characters on a continuous sheet. (Composition 8) The control means is a recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, which records information relating to the waste area on a continuous sheet using an encoded image. (Composition 9) The recording device according to configuration 2, wherein the control means controls the recording means to interrupt the recording of the image data, record information regarding the discard area on a continuous sheet, and then stop recording by the recording means after recording information regarding the discard area on the continuous sheet. (Composition 10) The control means interrupts the recording of the image data, then transports a predetermined amount of continuous sheets using the transport means, and after the transport means has transported the predetermined amount of continuous sheets, resumes recording the image data while continuing transport by the transport means. A recording device according to configuration 2 or 9 that controls the recording device. (Composition 11) The recording device according to configuration 10, wherein the control means controls the transport means to transport a predetermined amount of continuous sheets, record information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheets, and then resume recording the image data after recording the information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheets. (Composition 12) A paper feeding means that supplies continuous sheets from a roll in which the continuous sheets are wound into a roll shape to the recording means, A paper discharge means for winding the continuous sheet that has passed through the recording means into a roll shape, Furthermore, The detection means detects the splice upstream of the recording means in the transport direction, The recording device according to configuration 10 or 11, wherein the predetermined transport amount is determined based on the transport amount required for the splice detected by the detection means to reach the paper discharge means. (Composition 13) The recording device according to configuration 12, wherein the control means controls the recording device to record statistical information about the waste area generated in the roll on the continuous sheet when the detection means detects the splice while the recording means is performing recording. (Composition 14) The recording device according to configuration 13, wherein the control means controls the recording of the image data being recorded by the recording means to record the statistical information on a continuous sheet after the recording of the image data has finished. (Composition 15) The aforementioned statistical information is, Information on the length of the continuous sheet transported during the period from the start to the end of recording the image data recorded by the aforementioned recording means, Information on the length of the continuous sheet on which the aforementioned image data is recorded, Information on the length of the waste area generated during the aforementioned period, and Information on the cumulative length of waste areas generated so far in the aforementioned roll A recording device according to configuration 13 or 14, which includes at least one of the following. (Composition 16) It further includes a means of communication for communicating with external devices, The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein the control means controls the transmission of information regarding the waste area to the external device via the communication means. (Composition 17) A conveying means for transporting continuous sheets, A recording means that records on a continuous sheet while the continuous sheet is being transported in the transport direction by the transport means, A detection means for detecting splices, which are the connecting parts of continuous sheets, A means of communication for communicating with an external device, A control means that controls the communication means based on the detection result by the detection means, A recording device comprising, The recording device is characterized in that, when the recording means is performing recording and the detection means detects the splice, the control means controls the transmission of information regarding a discard area, which is an area of ​​the continuous sheet that is not used as a deliverable containing the detected splice, to the external device via the communication means. (method) A recording method for recording images on a continuous sheet, A process for detecting splices, which are the connecting parts of continuous sheets, If the splice is detected while recording images on a continuous sheet, the continuous sheet A step of recording information on the continuous sheet about the discard area, which is the area of ​​the sheet that is not used as an output product including the detected splice, A recording method characterized by having the following features. (program) A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the recording method described in Configuration 18. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 100: Recording system, 110: Continuous sheet, 121: Transport roller pair, 122: Transport roller pair, 105: First recording head, 107: Splice detection unit, 202: Control unit

Claims

1. A conveying means for transporting continuous sheets, A recording means that records on a continuous sheet while the continuous sheet is being transported in the transport direction by the transport means, A detection means for detecting splices, which are the connecting parts of continuous sheets, A control means that controls the recording means and the transport means based on the detection result by the detection means, A recording device comprising, The recording device is characterized in that, when the recording means is performing recording and the detection means detects the splice, the control means controls the recording of information regarding a discard area, which is an area of ​​the continuous sheet that is not used as a deliverable containing the detected splice, on the continuous sheet.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the recording means to interrupt the recording of image data being recorded by the recording means while the transport means continues transporting when the recording means is performing recording.

3. The information regarding the aforementioned waste area is, Information on the starting position of the waste area in the aforementioned transport direction, Information on the end position of the waste area in the transport direction, and Information on the length of the waste area in the aforementioned transport direction A recording device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one of the following.

4. The information regarding the aforementioned waste area is, In the image data recorded by the aforementioned recording means, Information from the recorded portion, Information on the portion of the recording that was interrupted due to the detection of the aforementioned splice, and Information on the portion of the recording that was interrupted due to the detection of the aforementioned splice and then resumed. A recording device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one of the following.

5. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means records information relating to the waste area at the leading edge of the waste area in the transport direction.

6. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means records information relating to the waste area at the rear end of the waste area in the transport direction.

7. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means records information regarding the waste area in characters on a continuous sheet.

8. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means records information relating to the waste area on a continuous sheet using an encoded image.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls the recording means to interrupt the recording of the image data, record information regarding the discard area on a continuous sheet, and then stop recording by the recording means after recording information regarding the discard area on the continuous sheet.

10. The control means interrupts the recording of the image data, then the transport means transports a predetermined amount of continuous sheets, and the transport means transports the predetermined amount of continuous sheets. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein after performing the above, the device is controlled to resume recording the image data while continuing transport by the transport means.

11. The recording device according to claim 10, wherein the control means controls the transport means to transport a predetermined amount of continuous sheets, record information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheets, and then resume recording the image data after recording the information regarding the waste area on the continuous sheets.

12. A paper feeding means that supplies continuous sheets from a roll in which the continuous sheets are wound into a roll shape to the recording means, A paper discharge means for winding the continuous sheet that has passed through the recording means into a roll shape, Furthermore, The detection means detects the splice upstream of the recording means in the transport direction, The recording device according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined transport amount is determined based on the transport amount required for the splice detected by the detection means to reach the paper discharge means.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control means controls the recording means to record statistical information about the waste area generated in the roll on the continuous sheet when the detection means detects the splice while the recording means is performing recording.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control means controls the recording of the image data being recorded by the recording means to record the statistical information on a continuous sheet after the recording of the image data being recorded by the recording means has finished.

15. The aforementioned statistical information is, Information on the length of the continuous sheet transported during the period from the start to the end of recording the image data recorded by the aforementioned recording means, Information on the length of the continuous sheet on which the aforementioned image data is recorded, Information on the length of the waste area generated during the aforementioned period, and Information on the cumulative length of waste areas generated so far in the aforementioned roll The recording device according to claim 13, comprising at least one of the following.

16. It further includes a means of communication for communicating with external devices, The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means controls the transmission of information regarding the waste area to the external device via the communication means.

17. A conveying means for transporting continuous sheets, A recording means that records on a continuous sheet while the continuous sheet is being transported in the transport direction by the transport means, A detection means for detecting splices, which are the connecting parts of continuous sheets, A means of communication for communicating with an external device, A control means that controls the communication means based on the detection result by the detection means, A recording device comprising, The recording device is characterized in that, when the recording means is performing recording and the detection means detects the splice, the control means controls the transmission of information regarding a discard area, which is an area of ​​the continuous sheet that is not used as a deliverable containing the detected splice, to the external device via the communication means.

18. A recording method for recording images on a continuous sheet, A process for detecting splices, which are the connecting parts of continuous sheets, If a splice is detected while recording images on a continuous sheet, the process includes recording information on the continuous sheet about a discard area, which is an area of ​​the continuous sheet that is not used as a deliverable containing the detected splice, A recording method characterized by having the following features.

19. A program for causing a computer to perform each step of the recording method described in claim 18.

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