Media transport device, printing device, media processing device, and control method for media transport device

Abstract

The present invention provides a media transport device that shows the user the procedure for feeding paper through the device and prevents paper from being fed into the device in the wrong order. [Solution] The media transport device 200 includes a tension roller 201 that contacts and transports the continuous paper S, a first bar 203 positioned downstream of the tension roller 201 in the transport direction of the continuous paper S and that contacts and transports the continuous paper S, a first display unit 510 that displays the state of the tension roller 201, and a second display unit 520 that displays the state of the first bar 203. When the continuous paper S is not in contact with the tension roller 201 and the first bar 203, the first display unit 510 flashes and the second display unit 520 turns off.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a medium conveying device, a printing device, a medium processing device, and a method for controlling a medium conveying device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a medium conveying device including a conveying mechanism for conveying a long medium is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device including a drying unit for drying a medium after printing by a printing unit. The drying unit has a conveying path including a plurality of conveying rollers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, if the medium is not passed through the conveying unit in the correct order, the medium conveying device may not be able to operate or may damage the medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This disclosure relates to a media transport device for transporting a continuous medium, comprising: an nth (where n is an arbitrary natural number) transport unit that transports the medium in contact with it; an (n+1)th transport unit arranged downstream of the nth transport unit in the transport direction of the medium and transports the medium in contact with it; an nth display unit that displays the state of the nth transport unit; an (n+1)th display unit that displays the state of the (n+1)th transport unit; and, when the medium is not in contact with the nth transport unit and the (n+1)th transport unit, the nth display unit sets its display state to a first display state, and the (n+1)th display unit sets its display state to a second display state different from the first display state.

[0007] This disclosure relates to a printing apparatus comprising a printing unit for printing an image onto the medium and a medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0008] This disclosure relates to a media processing apparatus comprising a processing unit for processing a printed material on which an image has been printed on the medium, and a media transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0009] This disclosure relates to a control method for a media transport device comprising: an nth (where n is an arbitrary natural number) transport unit that transports a continuous medium in contact with the medium; an (n+1)th transport unit arranged downstream of the nth transport unit in the transport direction of the medium and transports the medium in contact with the medium; an nth display unit that displays the state of the nth transport unit; and an (n+1)th display unit that displays the state of the (n+1)th transport unit, wherein, when the medium is not in contact with the nth transport unit and the (n+1)th transport unit, the nth display unit sets its display state to a first display state, and the (n+1)th display unit sets its display state to a second display state different from the first display state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a printing device. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the configuration of the control system for a printing device. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the sensor unit's layout. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the display unit layout. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating a case where continuous paper is not properly fed into the media transport device. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, some descriptions may be omitted to avoid unnecessary detail. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0012] Figures 1, 3, and 4 show the X, Y, and Z axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other. The Z axis is an axis that extends in the vertical direction. The X and Y axes are parallel to the horizontal plane. In the following description, the direction along the X axis is considered the left-right direction, and the direction along the Y axis is considered the front-back direction. More specifically, the positive direction along the Z axis is considered the upward direction, the positive direction along the X axis is considered the rightward direction, and the positive direction along the Y axis is considered the forward direction.

[0013] The printing device 1 is an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium. The printing device 1 is also a so-called serial printer in which the printing method involves moving the printing unit in a direction intersecting the medium transport direction to perform printing. Furthermore, the printing device 1 is a large-format printer that handles long continuous paper S, which is an example of a medium, and comprises a device body 3 supported by a pair of legs 2 placed on the floor.

[0014] The printing apparatus 1 comprises a main support section 20 that supports continuous paper S transported by a transport unit 10, and a printing section 30 that prints on the continuous paper S by ejecting ink onto the continuous paper S in the printing area. The printing section 30 is located within a housing 40 that covers the main support section 20 from above and houses the printing section 30.

[0015] The main body support part 20 is arranged on the opposite side of the print head 33 of the printing part 30 with respect to the conveyance path of the continuous paper S. The main body support part 20 includes a central support part 22 that faces the print head 33 in the conveyance path. An upstream support part 21 is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance path from the central support part 22, and a downstream support part 23 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the central support part 22. A plurality of heaters 25 are arranged in the downstream support part 23 in the direction along the conveyance path. By heating the downstream support part 23, the heater 25 dries the ink of the continuous paper S on which printing has been performed.

[0016] The conveyance unit 10 includes a pay-out shaft 11, a pair of conveyance rollers 15, and a medium conveyance device 200.

[0017] The pay-out shaft 11 is arranged on the upstream side of the conveyance path from the upstream support part 21, supports the roll-shaped continuous paper S, and pays out the supported continuous paper S toward the upstream support part 21. The pay-out shaft 11 is rotationally driven in the direction of paying out the continuous paper S by a pay-out motor (not shown).

[0018] The pair of conveyance rollers 15 is arranged between the upstream support part 21 and the central support part 22. The pair of conveyance rollers 15 sandwiches the continuous paper S conveyed from the upstream support part 21 and conveys the sandwiched continuous paper S to the central support part 22.

[0019] The medium conveyance device 200 is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path and accommodates the continuous paper S on which an image has been printed by winding the continuous paper S conveyed through the conveyance path around a take-up shaft 213.

[0020] The medium conveyance device 200 includes a tension roller 201, a first bar 203, a second bar 205, a tension bar 207, a heat roller 209, a third bar 211, and a take-up shaft 213, and these members are arranged in order along the conveyance path. Hereinafter, when referring to each of the tension roller 201, the first bar 203, the second bar 205, the tension bar 207, the heat roller 209, the third bar 211, and the take-up shaft 213 without distinction, it is called the conveyance unit. The conveyance unit may be a member that conveys the continuous paper S to the downstream side of the conveyance path by rotating actively or passively. Further, the conveyance unit may be a member that applies a tension or the like to the continuous paper S without rotating, for example.

[0021] The tension roller 201 is disposed between the downstream support portion 23 and the take-up shaft 213 in the conveyance path, and applies a tension to the continuous paper S being conveyed.

[0022] The first bar 203 and the second bar 205 suppress the tension when the continuous paper S is wound around the take-up shaft 213 from being transmitted to the conveyance roller pair 15.

[0023] The tension bar 207 is disposed at a lower position in the Z-axis direction than the first bar 203 and the second bar 205, and makes the tension applied to the continuous paper S when the continuous paper S is wound around the take-up shaft 213 constant.

[0024] The heat roller 209 is at a higher position in the Z-axis direction than the tension bar 207 and is disposed in front of the tension bar 207 in the Y-axis direction. The heat roller 209 heats the continuous paper S and stretches the continuous paper S. Thereby, the winding accuracy of the take-up shaft 213 is improved.

[0025] The third bar 211 is at a lower position in the Z-axis direction than the first bar 203 and the second bar 205 and is disposed in front of the tension bar 207 in the Y-axis direction. The third bar 211 applies a tension to the continuous paper S so that the area of the continuous paper S contacting the heat roller 209 becomes constant.

[0026] The take-up shaft 213 is a take-up shaft that takes up the continuous paper S conveyed via the third bar 211. The take-up shaft 213 is rotationally driven in the direction of taking up the continuous paper S by a take-up motor (not shown).

[0027] The printing unit 30 includes a carriage 31. The carriage 31 is configured to reciprocate in the axial direction. The carriage 31 is equipped with a print head 33 that ejects ink from the tips of multiple nozzles 35.

[0028] The continuous paper S on which the image has been printed by the printing unit 30 is discharged from the paper output port 41 provided in the housing 40, transported along the transport path in the downstream support unit 23, and sent to the media transport device 200.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the printing device 1. The printing device 1 includes a printing control device 100. The print control device 100 is connected to a personal computer 50 via a network 5, such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Hereinafter, the personal computer 50 will be referred to as PC50. PC50 sends print jobs to the printer 1 via the network 5. A print job is data that includes a print instruction to the printer 1 and the print data to be printed by the printer 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the print control device 100 is connected via the bus 105 to the motor drive circuit 310, piezoelectric drive circuit 330, heater drive circuit 350, LED drive circuit 370, operation unit 390, and sensor unit 400.

[0031] The motor drive circuit 310 is a drive circuit that drives the motor that rotates the feed shaft 11, the motor that rotates the transport roller pair 15, and the motor that rotates the winding shaft 213. The piezoelectric drive circuit 330 drives a piezoelectric element (not shown) to eject ink from the tips of multiple nozzles 35. The heater drive circuit 350 drives the heater 25 to heat the continuous paper S on which the image has been printed. The LED driving circuit 370 turns on, blinks, or turns off the LEDs provided in the display unit 500.

[0032] The control unit 390 accepts user input. The control unit 390 may be configured, for example, as a touch panel, or as hardware buttons or switches.

[0033] The sensor unit 400 includes multiple sensors mounted on the media transport device 200. Multiple sensors are mounted on the tension roller 201, the first bar 203, the second bar 205, the tension bar 207, the heat roller 209, the third bar 211, and the winding shaft 213, respectively.

[0034] Figure 3 shows an example of the arrangement of multiple sensors provided by the sensor unit 400. Now, the configuration of the sensor unit 400 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. The sensor unit 400 includes a first sensor 410, a second sensor 420, a third sensor 430, a fourth sensor 440, a fifth sensor 450, a sixth sensor 460, and a seventh sensor 470. For example, the first to seventh sensors 410 to 470 can be sensors that detect light shielding caused by the continuous paper S coming into contact with the transport unit, but any sensor capable of detecting contact between the transport unit and the continuous paper S is acceptable.

[0035] The first sensor 410 includes four sensors: first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D. Hereafter, when referring to the first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D collectively, they will be referred to as the first sensor 410. The first sensor 410 is positioned inside the tension roller 201. The first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D are positioned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the tension roller 201. For example, consider the case where the imaginary line connecting the first sensors 410A and 410C is parallel to the Z-axis direction of the tension roller 201. In this case, the first sensors 410B and 410D are positioned such that the imaginary line connecting them is parallel to the Y-axis direction of the tension roller 201.

[0036] The second sensor 420 includes four sensors: second sensors 420A, 420B, 420C, and 420D. Hereafter, when referring to the second sensors 420A, 420B, 420C, and 420D collectively, they will be referred to as the second sensor 420. The second sensor 420 is located inside the first bar 203. The arrangement of the second sensors 420A, 420B, 420C, and 420D within the first bar 203 is the same as the arrangement of the first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D within the tension roller 201.

[0037] The third sensor 430 includes four sensors: third sensors 430A, 430B, 430C, and 430D. Hereafter, when referring to the third sensors 430A, 430B, 430C, and 430D collectively, they will be referred to as the third sensor 430. The third sensor 430 is located inside the second bar 205. The arrangement of the third sensors 430A, 430B, 430C, and 430D within the second bar 205 is the same as the arrangement of the first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D within the tension roller 201.

[0038] The fourth sensor 440 includes four sensors: fourth sensors 440A, 440B, 440C, and 440D. Hereafter, when referring to the fourth sensors 440A, 440B, 440C, and 440D collectively, they will be referred to as the fourth sensor 440. The fourth sensor 440 is located inside the tension bar 207. The arrangement of the fourth sensors 440A, 440B, 440C, and 440D within the tension bar 207 is the same as the arrangement of the first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D within the tension roller 201.

[0039] The fifth sensor 450 includes four sensors: fifth sensors 450A, 450B, 450C, and 450D. Hereafter, when referring to the fifth sensors 450A, 450B, 450C, and 450D collectively, they will be referred to as the fifth sensor 450. The fifth sensor 450 is located inside the heat roller 209. The arrangement of the fifth sensors 450A, 450B, 450C, and 450D within the heat roller 209 is the same as the arrangement of the first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D within the tension roller 201.

[0040] The sixth sensor 460 includes four sensors: sixth sensors 460A, 460B, 460C, and 460D. Hereafter, when referring to the sixth sensors 460A, 460B, 460C, and 460D collectively, they will be referred to as sixth sensor 460. The sixth sensor 460 is located inside the third bar 211. The arrangement of the sixth sensors 460A, 460B, 460C, and 460D within the third bar 211 is the same as the arrangement of the first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D within the tension roller 201.

[0041] The seventh sensor 470 includes four sensors: seventh sensors 470A, 470B, 470C, and 470D. Hereafter, when referring to seventh sensors 470A, 470B, 470C, and 470D collectively, they will be referred to as seventh sensor 470. The seventh sensor 470 is located inside the winding shaft 213. The arrangement of the seventh sensors 470A, 470B, 470C, and 470D within the winding shaft 213 is the same as the arrangement of the first sensors 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D within the tension roller 201.

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of the arrangement of the display unit 500. Next, the configuration of the display unit 500 will be described. Figure 4 shows the transport unit and the transport support unit 250 that supports the transport unit, viewed from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction. Note that Figure 4 simplifies the illustration and shows no overlapping transport units in the vertical direction. For example, in Figure 3, the heat roller 209 and the third bar 211 are shown overlapping in the vertical direction, but in Figure 4, they are shown so that there is no overlap in the vertical direction.

[0043] The transport support section 250 supports the transport section in a rotatable state. Alternatively, the transport support section 250 may be configured to support the transport section in a non-rotatable state. In the drawing, the transport support section 250 provided on the left side is denoted as the left support section 250A, and the transport support section 250 provided on the right side is denoted as the right support section 250B. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a display section 500 is provided on the left support section 250A.

[0044] The display unit 500 includes a first display unit 510, a second display unit 520, a third display unit 530, a fourth display unit 540, a fifth display unit 550, a sixth display unit 560, and a seventh display unit 570.

[0045] The first display unit 510 is positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the tension roller 201 in the Y-axis direction. The first display unit 510 includes a first LED 511 and a second LED 513. The first LED 511 and the second LED 513 light up in different colors. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first LED 511 is a blue LED and the second LED 513 is a red LED.

[0046] The second display unit 520 is positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the first bar 203 in the Y-axis direction. The second display unit 520 includes a first LED 521 and a second LED 523. The first LED 521 and the second LED 523 light up in different colors. The explanation will assume that the first LED 521 is a blue LED and the second LED 523 is a red LED.

[0047] The third display unit 530 is positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the second bar 205 in the Y-axis direction. The third display unit 530 includes a first LED 531 and a second LED 533. The first LED 531 and the second LED 533 light up in different colors. The explanation will assume that the first LED 531 is a blue LED and the second LED 533 is a red LED.

[0048] The fourth display unit 540 is positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the tension bar 207 in the Y-axis direction. The fourth display unit 540 includes a first LED 541 and a second LED 543. The first LED 541 and the second LED 543 light up in different colors. The explanation will assume that the first LED 541 is a blue LED and the second LED 543 is a red LED.

[0049] The fifth display unit 550 is positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the heat roller 209 in the Y-axis direction. The fifth display unit 550 includes a first LED 551 and a second LED 553. The first LED 551 and the second LED 553 light up in different colors. The explanation will assume that the first LED 551 is a blue LED and the second LED 553 is a red LED.

[0050] The sixth display unit 560 is positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the third bar 211 in the Y-axis direction. The sixth display unit 560 includes a first LED 561 and a second LED 563. The first LED 561 and the second LED 563 light up in different colors. The explanation will assume that the first LED 561 is a blue LED and the second LED 563 is a red LED.

[0051] The seventh display unit 570 is positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the winding shaft 213 in the Y-axis direction. The seventh display unit 570 includes a first LED 571 and a second LED 573. The first LED 571 and the second LED 573 light up in different colors. The explanation will assume that the first LED 571 is a blue LED and the second LED 573 is a red LED.

[0052] Returning to Figure 2, the configuration of the print control device 100 will be explained. The print control device 100 includes an input / output interface 110, a communication interface 120, and a control unit 130. Hereinafter, interfaces will be abbreviated as I / F.

[0053] The input / output interface 110 includes an interface circuit for the print control device 100 to input and output signals to the drive circuit connected to the bus 105, the operation unit 390, and the sensor unit 400. The drive circuit includes a motor drive circuit 310, a piezoelectric drive circuit 330, a heater drive circuit 350, and an LED drive circuit 370.

[0054] The communication interface 120 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof, and is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via network 5, etc.

[0055] The control unit 130 is a computer device comprising a storage unit 140 and a processor 150.

[0056] The storage unit 140 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 140 stores control programs to be executed by the processor 150, print jobs received via the communication interface 120, various setting data, and the like.

[0057] The processor 150 is an arithmetic processing unit comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The processor 150 may consist of a single processor or multiple processors. Furthermore, the processor 150 may consist of part or all of the memory unit 140, or an SoC integrated with other circuits. The processor 150 may also consist of a combination of a CPU that executes programs and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that performs predetermined arithmetic processing. Additionally, the processor 150 may be configured with all its functions implemented in hardware, or it may be configured using programmable devices.

[0058] The control unit 130 includes, as functional units, a transport control unit 151, a printing control unit 153, a heater control unit 155, and a light emission control unit 157. These functional units are realized by the processor 150 executing a control program.

[0059] The transport control unit 151 generates control signals for the motors of the feed shaft 11, the take-up shaft 213, and the transport roller pair 15 based on the print job received by the communication I / F 120, and outputs the generated control signals to the motor drive circuit 310. The motor drive circuit 310 controls the motors of the feed shaft 11, the take-up shaft 213, and the transport roller pair 15 according to the input control signals. As a result, the continuous paper S is transported along the transport path.

[0060] The print control unit 153 generates a control signal to control the piezoelectric element based on the print job received by the communication I / F 120, and outputs the generated control signal to the piezoelectric drive circuit 330. The piezoelectric drive circuit 330 controls the piezoelectric element according to the control signal. This controls the amount of ink ejected by the multiple nozzles 35, as well as whether or not ink is ejected.

[0061] The heater control unit 155 generates a control signal to control the heater 25 and outputs the generated control signal to the heater drive circuit 350. The heater drive circuit 350 controls the heater 25 according to the control signal. As a result, the continuous paper S on which the image is printed is heated by the heater 25.

[0062] The display control unit 157 receives sensor data from multiple sensors 410 to 470 provided by the sensor unit 400. Based on the input sensor data, the display control unit 157 controls the display state of the first display unit 510 to the seventh display unit 570 provided by the display unit 500.

[0063] The display control unit 157 operates when the user feeds continuous paper S into the media transport device 200. Prior to the start of operation of the display control unit 157, the print control device 100 receives a print job from the PC 50 and starts printing an image onto the continuous paper S based on the received print job. The print control device 100 determines whether or not it has received an operation from the operation unit 390 to temporarily suspend printing of the printing unit 30. When the length of the continuous paper S, which has an image printed on it by the printing device 1, reaches a predetermined length, the user operates the operation unit 390 to temporarily stop printing on the printing unit 30. This predetermined length is the length at which a predetermined amount of the leading edge of the continuous paper S can be wound onto the winding shaft 213 when the continuous paper S is fed through the transport path of the media transport device 200 in the correct order.

[0064] When the print control device 100 receives a request from the operation unit 390 to temporarily suspend the printing operation of the printing unit 30, it temporarily suspends the printing operation of the printing unit 30. In this state, the user begins feeding the leading edge of the continuous paper S, which already has an image printed on it, into the media transport device 200. This reduces the amount of wasted paper compared to feeding the leading edge of the continuous paper S, which does not have an image printed on it, into the media transport device 200. In other words, it prevents the waste of continuous paper S equivalent to the transport distance between the printing unit 30 and the media transport device 200.

[0065] When the printing unit 30 temporarily stops printing and a predetermined button on the operation unit 390 is pressed, the display control unit 157 starts operating and first causes the first LED 511 of the first display unit 510 to blink. In this embodiment, the case in which the first LED 511, which is a blue LED, is blinked will be described. In this case, the second display unit 520 to the seventh display unit 570 remain off without being lit or blinked.

[0066] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the operation of the display control unit 157 is started when the printing operation is temporarily paused. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the operation of the display control unit 157 can also be started after the power to the printing device 1 and the media transport device 200 have been turned on and are in an idle state, and before the printing operation is started. In this case, the user can immediately feed the first sheet of continuous paper S that does not have an image printed on it into the media transport device 200, saving the user the trouble of temporarily pausing the printing operation.

[0067] Next, the display control unit 157 determines, based on the sensor data from the first sensor 410, whether or not the first sensor 410 has detected contact between the continuous paper S and the tension roller 201. When the display control unit 157 detects contact between the continuous paper S and the tension roller 201 via the first sensor 410, it changes the display state of the first LED 511 of the first display unit 510 from blinking to solid. The display control unit 157 also blinks the first LED 521 of the second display unit 520. This indicates that the first bar 203 is the next transport section to be fed after the tension roller 201 in the transport path within the media transport device 200. At this time, the third display unit 530 to the seventh display unit 570 remain off.

[0068] Next, the display control unit 157 determines, based on the sensor data from the second sensor 420, whether or not the second sensor 420 has detected contact between the continuous paper S and the first bar 203. When the second sensor 420 detects contact between the continuous paper S and the first bar 203, the display control unit 157 changes the display state of the first LED 521 of the second display unit 520 from blinking to solid. The display control unit 157 also blinks the first LED 531 of the third display unit 530. This indicates that the second bar 205 is the next transport section to be fed after the first bar 203 in the transport path within the media transport device 200. At this time, the fourth display unit 540 to the seventh display unit 570 remain off.

[0069] Next, the display control unit 157 determines, based on the sensor data from the third sensor 430, whether or not the third sensor 430 has detected contact between the continuous paper S and the second bar 205. When the display control unit 157 detects contact between the continuous paper S and the second bar 205 via the third sensor 430, it changes the display state of the first LED 531 of the third display unit 530 from blinking to solid. The display control unit 157 also blinks the first LED 541 of the fourth display unit 540. This indicates that, in the transport path within the media transport device 200, the next transport section to be passed after the second bar 205 is the tension bar 207. At this time, the fifth display unit 550 to the seventh display unit 570 remain off.

[0070] The display control unit 157 repeats the above process until contact between the continuous paper S and the winding shaft 213 is detected by the seventh sensor 470.

[0071] The above actions are generalized and expressed as follows. First, when the continuous paper S is not in contact with the nth transport unit and the (n+1)th transport unit, the nth display unit will blink, and the (n+1)th display unit will be off. n is any natural number. The blinking state of the nth display unit corresponds to the first display state, and the off state of the (n+1)th display unit corresponds to the second display state.

[0072] Here, the nth conveying section corresponds to the tension roller 201, the first bar 203, the second bar 205, the tension bar 207, the heat roller 209, or the third bar 211. Furthermore, the n+1 transport section corresponds to the first bar 203, the second bar 205, the tension bar 207, the heat roller 209, the third bar 211, or the winding shaft 213. Furthermore, the nth display unit corresponds to one of the first to sixth display units 510 to 560, and the (n+1)th display unit corresponds to one of the second to seventh display units 520 to 570.

[0073] Furthermore, when the (n-1) transport unit is in contact with the continuous paper S, and the (n) and (n+1) transport units are not in contact with the continuous paper S, the (n-1) display unit will be lit, the (n) display unit will be blinking, and the (n+1) display unit will remain off. The (n) state of the (n-1) display unit corresponds to the third display state.

[0074] Here, the n-1 transport section corresponds to the tension roller 201, the first bar 203, the second bar 205, the tension bar 207, or the heat roller 209. The nth conveying section corresponds to the first bar 203, the second bar 205, the tension bar 207, the heat roller 209, or the third bar 211. The (n+1)th conveying section corresponds to the second bar 205, tension bar 207, heat roller 209, third bar 211, or winding shaft 213. The (n-1)th display unit corresponds to one of the first to fifth display units 510 to 550. The nth display unit corresponds to one of the second to sixth display units 520 to 560. The (n+1)th display unit corresponds to one of the third display unit 530 to the seventh display unit 570.

[0075] Furthermore, when the nth sensor detects that continuous paper S has come into contact with the nth transport section, the display state of the nth display unit changes from blinking to lit, and the display state of the (n+1)th display unit changes from off to lit or blinking. The (n+1)th display unit being lit or blinking corresponds to the fourth display state. Here, the display state of the (n+1)th display unit may be set to the same blinking state as the display state of the nth display unit before the nth sensor detects that the continuous paper S has come into contact with the nth transport unit. In other words, the first display state and the fourth display state become the same display state. This makes it easier for the user to recognize which transport unit to set the continuous paper S in, as they only need to set the continuous paper S in a manner that follows the display unit with the same display state.

[0076] Here, the nth sensor corresponds to one of the first sensor 410 to the sixth sensor 460.

[0077] Figure 5 illustrates a case where continuous paper is not properly fed into the media transport device. Specifically, it shows the case where continuous paper S is fed through the second bar 205, but then fed through the heat roller 209 without being fed through the tension bar 207.

[0078] The display control unit 157 blinks the first LED 541 of the fourth display unit 540, which corresponds to the tension bar 207 that is passed through the transport path in the media transport device 200 after the second bar 205. At this time, the fifth display units 550 to the seventh display units 570 remain off. Next, the display control unit 157 determines, based on the sensor data from the fourth sensor 440, whether or not the fourth sensor 440 has detected contact between the continuous paper S and the tension bar 207.

[0079] When the display control unit 157 detects contact between the continuous paper S and the heat roller 209 using the fifth sensor 450, rather than the fourth sensor 440, it changes the display state of the fourth display unit 540 and the fifth display unit 550. The display control unit 157 turns off the blinking of the first LED 541 of the fourth display unit 540 and lights up the second LED 543 of the fourth display unit 540. The display control unit 157 also lights up the second LED 553 of the fifth display unit 550. In other words, the display control unit 157 lights up the red LEDs of the fourth display unit 540 and the fifth display unit 550. This allows the user to be notified that the continuous paper S has been fed in the wrong order.

[0080] Furthermore, the display control unit 157 may control the fourth display unit 540 and the fifth display unit 550 so that their display states are different. For example, the display control unit 157 may light up the second LED 543 of the fourth display unit 540 and blink the second LED 553 of the fifth display unit 550. Alternatively, the display control unit 157 may blink the second LED 543 of the fourth display unit 540 and light up the second LED 553 of the fifth display unit 550. This allows the user to be notified that paper has been mistakenly fed to the heat roller 209 instead of the tension bar 207, which is where it should have been fed.

[0081] If it is detected that the continuous paper S has been fed in the wrong order, the display control unit 157 instructs the transport control unit 151 to restrict the winding or unwinding operation of the continuous paper S. The transport control unit 151 controls the motor drive circuit 310 to stop the rotational drive of at least one of the unwinding shaft 11 and the winding shaft 213.

[0082] The above process is generalized and expressed as follows. When the nth sensor does not detect that the continuous paper S has come into contact with the nth transport section, and the (n+1)th detection section detects that the medium has come into contact with the (n+1)th transport section, the display state of the nth display section changes from a blinking blue LED state to a blinking red LED state or a solid red LED state. Furthermore, the display state of the (n+1)th display unit changes from an off state to a state where the red LED is lit or blinking. The blinking or lit state of the red LED corresponds to the fifth display state. The lit or blinking state of the red LED corresponds to the sixth display state. The fifth and sixth display states may be the same when the red LED is lit, or one may be the lit state and the other the blinking state. This allows the user to be notified that the continuous paper S has been fed to the (n+1)th transport unit instead of the (n)th transport unit.

[0083] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 130. The operation of the control unit 130 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 6. The control unit 130 determines whether or not it has received a print job from the PC 50 (step S1). If the control unit 130 has not received a print job (step S1 / NO), it waits to start processing until it receives a print job.

[0084] When the control unit 130 receives a print job (step S1 / YES), it executes the printing process (step S2). The control unit 130 controls the printing unit 30 to print the image based on the print job onto continuous paper S.

[0085] Next, the control unit 130 determines whether or not it has received an operation to temporarily suspend the printing process from the operation unit 390 (step S3). If the control unit 130 has not received an operation to temporarily suspend the printing process (step S3 / NO), it continues the printing process.

[0086] When the control unit 130 receives a request from the operation unit 390 to temporarily suspend the printing process (step S3 / YES), it instructs the printing unit 30 to stop the printing process (step S4). The user temporarily suspends the printing process when the length of the continuous paper S on which the image has been printed by the printing unit 30 reaches a predetermined length.

[0087] Next, the control unit 130 sets the variable n to "1" (step S5). The variable n is a variable that identifies the sensor that will detect contact in order to correctly feed the continuous paper S along the transport path. That is, when the value of variable n is set to "1", the control unit 130 determines whether or not contact has been detected by any of the first sensors 410.

[0088] Next, the control unit 130 blinks the first LED of the nth display unit (step S6). That is, it blinks the blue LED.

[0089] Next, the control unit 130 determines whether or not contact with the continuous paper S has been detected by the nth sensor (step S7). If contact with the continuous paper S has not been detected by the nth sensor (step S7 / NO), the control unit 130 determines whether or not contact with the continuous paper S has been detected by other sensors located behind the nth sensor in the transport path (step S8).

[0090] If the control unit 130 has not detected contact of the continuous paper S by any other sensor (step S8 / NO), it returns to the determination in step S7 and determines whether or not contact of the continuous paper S has been detected by the nth sensor.

[0091] Furthermore, when the control unit 130 detects contact with the continuous paper S by another sensor (step S8 / YES), it flashes the second LED of the nth display unit corresponding to the nth sensor (step S9). That is, it flashes the red LED of the nth display unit. After that, the control unit 130 lights up the second LED of the display unit 230 corresponding to the other sensor that detected contact (step S10). Then, the control unit 130 returns to the determination in step S7 to determine whether or not the nth sensor detected contact with the continuous paper S.

[0092] Furthermore, when the nth sensor detects contact with the continuous paper S (step S7 / YES), the control unit 130 changes the display state of the nth display unit corresponding to the nth sensor from blinking to solid (step S11). In addition, the control unit 130 blinks the first LED of the (n+1)th display unit (step S12).

[0093] Subsequently, the control unit 130 adds "1" to the value of variable n (step S13). For example, if the value of variable n set in step S5 was "1", then in step S12, the value of variable n is changed to "2".

[0094] Next, the control unit 130 determines whether the value of the variable n has reached the upper limit of n + 1 (step S14). In this embodiment, the sensor unit 400 is equipped with seven sensors, from the first sensor 410 to the seventh sensor 470. Therefore, the upper limit of n is "7", and the upper limit + 1 is "8".

[0095] If the value of variable n has not reached the upper limit + 1 (step S14 / NO), the control unit 130 returns to step S7 and determines whether the nth sensor has detected contact with the continuous paper S. Also, if the value of variable n reaches the upper limit + 1 (step S14 / YES), the control unit 130 determines whether it has received an operation to instruct the printer to resume printing (step S15).

[0096] If the control unit 130 has not received an operation to instruct the printer to resume printing (step S15 / NO), it waits until it receives an operation to instruct the printer to resume printing. Furthermore, when the control unit 130 receives an operation to instruct the resumption of printing (step S15 / YES), it controls the printing unit 30 to resume the printing process (step S16).

[0097] Next, the control unit 130 determines whether the printing process of the image based on the print job received in step S1 has been completed (step S17). If the printing process of the image based on the print job has not been completed (step S17 / NO), the control unit 130 continues the printing process. If the printing process of the image based on the print job has been completed (step S17 / YES), the control unit 130 terminates the printing process.

[0098] The embodiments described above represent one aspect of the present invention and can be modified and applied as needed. For example, the processing units in the flowchart shown in Figure 6 are divided according to their main processing content in order to make the processing of the printing device 1 easier to understand. The present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or named as shown in the flowchart in Figure 6. Furthermore, the processing of the printing device 1 can be divided into even more processing units depending on the processing content, or it can be divided so that one processing unit contains even more processing. Also, the processing order in the flowchart above is not limited to the example shown.

[0099] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained the case in which the media transport device 200 receives continuous paper S after the printing of an image by the printing unit 30 has been completed, it can also be applied to a paper feed device that feeds continuous paper wound on the feed shaft 11 and causes the printing unit 30 to print an image.

[0100] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment was explained using the example where the printing apparatus 1 is equipped with a media transport device 200, the media processing apparatus may also be configured to be equipped with a media transport device 200. The media processing apparatus applies processing such as lamination or foil stamping to the continuous paper S after printing by the printing unit 30. Alternatively, the media processing apparatus may be configured to cut the continuous paper S stored in the media transport device 200 using a processing unit.

[0101] Furthermore, although Figure 3 illustrates the case where the first sensor 410 is equipped with four sensors, 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D, the number of first sensors 410 is arbitrary and may be just one. Also, the first sensors 410 may be provided around the entire circumference of the tension roller 201. The same applies to the second sensor 420 through the seventh sensor 470. It should be noted that the installation of sensors is not mandatory. For example, the printing device 1 can receive information from the user regarding whether or not the medium is in contact with each transport unit, that is, information regarding the progress of the paper feeding sequence, for each operation via an input device such as a touch panel that displays an image. In this case, the control unit 130 determines whether or not contact with the continuous paper S has been detected based on the user's input to the input device.

[0102] A summary of this disclosure is provided below. (Note 1) A media transport device for transporting a continuous medium, comprising: an nth (where n is an arbitrary natural number) transport unit that transports the medium in contact with it; an (n+1)th transport unit arranged downstream of the nth transport unit in the transport direction of the medium and transports the medium in contact with it; an nth display unit that displays the state of the nth transport unit; an (n+1)th display unit that displays the state of the (n+1)th transport unit; and, when the medium is not in contact with the nth transport unit and the (n+1)th transport unit, the nth display unit sets its display state to a first display state, and the (n+1)th display unit sets its display state to a second display state different from the first display state.

[0103] In this configuration, when the medium is not in contact with the nth and n+1th transport units, the nth display unit is in a first display state, and the n+1th display unit is in a second display state that is different from the first display state. Therefore, by making the display state of the display unit that shows the status of the transport unit different for each transport unit, it is possible to show the user the procedure for feeding paper through the media transport device, and it is possible to prevent paper from being fed into the media transport device in the wrong order.

[0104] (Note 2) A media transport device as described in Appendix 1, comprising: an n-1 transport unit provided upstream of the n transport unit in the transport direction and transporting the medium in contact with the medium; and an n-1 display unit that displays the state of the n-1 transport unit, wherein when the n-1 transport unit is in contact with the medium and the n transport unit and the n+1 transport unit are not in contact with the medium, the n-1 display unit is in a third display state different from the first and second display states, the n display unit is in the first display state, and the n+1 display unit is in the second display state.

[0105] In this configuration, when the n-1 transport unit is in contact with the medium, and the n and n+1 transport units are not in contact with the medium, the nth display unit is in a first display state, and the n+1st display unit is in a second display state that is different from the first display state. Therefore, the user can be notified that the n-1 transport unit has already fed paper, that the next transport unit to be fed paper is the nth transport unit, and that the next transport unit to be fed paper is not the n+1th transport unit.

[0106] (Note 3) A media transport device according to Appendix 1 or 2, comprising an nth detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the nth transport unit, wherein when the nth detection unit detects that the medium has come into contact with the nth transport unit, the nth display unit changes its display state from the first display state to a third display state different from the first and second display states, and the n+1 display unit changes its display state from the second display state to a fourth display state different from the second display state.

[0107] With this configuration, when the nth detection unit detects that the medium has come into contact with the nth transport unit, the display state of the nth display unit changes from the first display state to the third display state, and the display state of the (n+1)th display unit changes from the second display state to the fourth display state. This allows the user to be notified that the medium has been fed through the nth transport unit and that the next transport unit to which the medium will be fed is the (n+1)th transport unit.

[0108] (Note 4) The media transport device described in Appendix 3, wherein the fourth display state is the same as the first display state.

[0109] With this configuration, the media can be fed into the media transport device in the correct order by feeding the media through the display unit according to the display state of the first display state.

[0110] (Note 5) A media transport device according to Appendix 1 or 2, comprising: an nth detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the nth transport unit; and an n+1th detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the n+1th transport unit, wherein when the nth detection unit does not detect that the medium has come into contact with the nth transport unit, the nth display unit changes its display state from the first display state to a fifth display state different from the first and second display states, and the n+1 display unit changes its display state from the second display state to a sixth display state different from the first and second display states.

[0111] With this configuration, if it is detected that the medium has come into contact with the (n+1)th transport unit while the medium is not in contact with the (n)th transport unit, the display state of the (n)th display unit changes from the first display state to the fifth display state, and the display state of the (n+1)th display unit changes from the second display state to the sixth display state. Therefore, the user can be notified that the medium was not fed through in a way that it came into contact with the (n)th transport unit, but rather in a way that it came into contact with the (n+1)th transport unit.

[0112] (Note 6) A media transport device according to Appendix 1 or 2, comprising: an nth detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the nth transport unit; and an n+1th detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the n+1th transport unit, wherein when the nth detection unit does not detect that the medium has come into contact with the nth transport unit, the n+1th detection unit detects that the medium has come into contact with the n+1th transport unit, the nth transport unit and the n+1th transport unit restrict the winding or unwinding operation of the medium.

[0113] In this configuration, if the medium is detected to be in contact with the (n+1)th transport unit while it is not in contact with the (n)th transport unit, the winding or unwinding operations of the medium in both the (n)th and (n+1)th transport units are restricted. Therefore, damage to the medium can be suppressed if it is mistakenly fed into the medium transport device.

[0114] (Note 7) A printing apparatus comprising a printing unit for printing an image on the aforementioned medium, and a medium transport device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6.

[0115] With this configuration, since the printing device is equipped with a media transport device, when the printing unit places printed media into the media transport device, the user can be shown the procedure for feeding the media into the media transport device, and it is possible to prevent the media from being fed into the media transport device in the wrong order.

[0116] (Note 8) A media processing apparatus comprising: a processing unit for processing printed materials on which an image has been printed on the aforementioned medium; and a media transport device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6.

[0117] With this configuration, since the media processing device is equipped with a media transport device, when the processed media is placed in the media transport device, the user can be shown the procedure for feeding the media into the media transport device, and it is possible to prevent the media from being fed into the media transport device in the wrong order.

[0118] (Note 9) A control method for a media transport device comprising: an nth (where n is an arbitrary natural number) transport unit that transports a continuous medium in contact with the medium; an (n+1)th transport unit arranged downstream of the nth transport unit in the transport direction of the medium and transports the medium in contact with the medium; an nth display unit that displays the state of the nth transport unit; and an (n+1)th display unit that displays the state of the (n+1)th transport unit, wherein when the medium is not in contact with the nth transport unit and the (n+1)th transport unit, the nth display unit sets its display state to a first display state, and the (n+1)th display unit sets its display state to a second display state different from the first display state.

[0119] In this configuration, when the medium is not in contact with the nth and n+1th transport units, the nth display unit is in a first display state, and the n+1th display unit is in a second display state that is different from the first display state. Therefore, by making the display state of the display unit that shows the status of the transport unit different for each transport unit, it is possible to show the user the procedure for feeding paper through the media transport device, and it is possible to prevent paper from being fed into the media transport device in the wrong order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0120] 1…Printing device, 2…Legs, 3…Device body, 5…Network, 10…Transport unit, 11…Feed shaft, 15…Transport roller pair, 20…Main body support, 21…Upstream support, 22…Central support, 23…Downstream support, 25…Heater, 30…Printing unit, 31…Carriage, 33…Print head, 35…Nozzle, 40…Housing, 41…Paper output slot, 50…Personal computer, 50…PC, 100…Print control device, 105…Bus, 11 0... Input / Output Interface, 120... Communication Interface, 130... Control Unit, 140... Memory Unit, 150... Processor, 151... Transport Control Unit, 153... Printing Control Unit, 155... Heater Control Unit, 157... Light Emission Control Unit, 200... Media Transport Device, 201... Tension Roller, 203... First Bar, 205... Second Bar, 207... Tension Bar, 209... Heat Roller, 211... Third Bar, 213... Winding Shaft, 250... Transport Support 250A…Left support part, 250B…Right support part, 310…Motor drive circuit, 330…Piezoelectric drive circuit, 350…Heater drive circuit, 370…LED drive circuit, 390…Operation part, 400…Sensor part, 410…First sensor, 420…Second sensor, 430…Third sensor, 440…Fourth sensor, 450…Fifth sensor, 460…Sixth sensor, 470…Seventh sensor, 510…First display part, 511…First LED, 5 13...Second LED, 520...Second display section, 521...First LED, 523...Second LED, 530...Third display section, 531...First LED, 533...Second LED, 540...Fourth display section, 541...First LED, 543...Second display section 2LED, 550...5th display section, 551...1st LED, 553...2nd LED, 560...6th display section, 561...1st LED, 563...2nd LED, 570...7th display section, 571...1st LED, 573...2nd LED.

Claims

1. A media transport device for transporting continuous media, An nth (where n is an arbitrary natural number) transport unit that contacts the medium and transports the medium, An (n+1) conveying unit is positioned downstream of the nth conveying unit in the conveying direction of the medium, and contacts the medium to convey it, An nth display unit that displays the status of the nth transport unit, The (n+1)th display unit that displays the status of the (n+1) transport unit, In a state where the medium is not in contact with the nth transport unit and the n+1th transport unit, The n-th display unit sets the display state to the first display state, The n+1 display unit sets the display state to a second display state that is different from the first display state. Media transport device.

2. An n-1 transport unit is provided upstream of the n-th transport unit in the transport direction, and is in contact with the medium to transport the medium, The n-1 display unit displays the status of the n-1 transport unit, Equipped with, In a state where the n-1 transport unit is in contact with the medium, and the n transport unit and the n+1 transport unit are not in contact with the medium, The n-1 display unit is set to a third display state that is different from the first display state and the second display state. The n-th display unit is set to the first display state, The n+1 display unit is set to the second display state. The media transport device according to claim 1.

3. The system includes an nth detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the nth transport unit, When the nth detection unit detects that the medium has come into contact with the nth transport unit, The n-th display unit changes the display state from the first display state to a third display state that is different from the first and second display states. The n+1 display unit changes its display state from the second display state to a fourth display state that is different from the second display state. The media transport device according to claim 1.

4. The fourth display state is the same display state as the first display state. The media transport device according to claim 3.

5. An nth detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the nth transport unit, The n+1 detection unit detects contact of the medium with the n+1 transport unit, Equipped with, When the nth detection unit does not detect that the medium has come into contact with the nth transport unit, and the n+1 detection unit detects that the medium has come into contact with the n+1 transport unit, The n-th display unit changes the display state from the first display state to a fifth display state that is different from the first and second display states. The n+1 display unit changes its display state from the second display state to a sixth display state that is different from the first and second display states. The media transport device according to claim 1.

6. An nth detection unit for detecting contact of the medium with the nth transport unit, The n+1 detection unit detects contact of the medium with the n+1 transport unit, Equipped with, When the nth detection unit does not detect that the medium has come into contact with the nth transport unit, and the n+1 detection unit detects that the medium has come into contact with the n+1 transport unit, The nth transport unit and the n+1th transport unit restrict the winding or unwinding operation of the medium. The media transport device according to claim 1.

7. A printing unit for printing an image onto the aforementioned medium, A media transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A printing device equipped with the following features.

8. A processing unit for processing printed materials on which images have been printed on the aforementioned medium, A media transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A media processing apparatus equipped with the following features.

9. An nth (where n is an arbitrary natural number) transport unit that transports the medium by contacting it in a continuous medium, An (n+1) conveying unit is positioned downstream of the nth conveying unit in the conveying direction of the medium, and contacts the medium to convey it, An nth display unit that displays the status of the nth transport unit, A control method for a media transport device comprising: an n+1 display unit that displays the status of the n+1 transport unit; In a state where the medium is not in contact with the nth transport unit and the n+1th transport unit, The n-th display unit sets the display state to the first display state, The n+1 display unit sets the display state to a second display state that is different from the first display state. A method for controlling a media transport device.

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