Image forming device

Abstract

To determine whether a prescribed sheet-like medium is stored at a prescribed position of a feeding roller before starting a feeding operation by a feeding roller in an image formation apparatus which has the feeding tray that can store both of a roll body and a cut medium.SOLUTION: A printer 100 according to an embodiment comprises: a housing 100a; a feeding tray 11 which can be inserted and withdrawn to / from the housing 100a and has a first storage part 11a that can store a roll body R around which a long sheet P1 is wound in a roll shape and a second storage part 11b that can store a plurality of cut sheets P2 in the laminated state; a feeding roller 2 which feeds the sheets toward a conveyance path from the feeding tray 11; a head 5 which forms an image on the sheet in the conveyance path; and one or a plurality of detection units which can detect whether the prescribed sheet is arranged at the prescribed position of the feeding tray 11 before the feeding operation by the feeding roller 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a feed tray that can accommodate both roll media and cut media. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices are known that can accommodate both rolls of sheet-like paper and cut paper. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile (image forming device) that has a paper feed cassette (feed tray) that has a loading section for the roll and a loading section for the cut paper. The paper stored in the feed tray is fed by a roller (feed roller). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 02-264556 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the feeding operation by the feeding roller may start even if the paper to be used for printing is not stored in the feeding tray.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a feed tray that can accommodate both roll bodies and cut media, which can determine whether a specified sheet-like medium is placed in a specified position on the feed tray before the feed roller starts the feed operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming device of the present invention comprises a housing, a feed tray that can be inserted into and removed from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of long sheet media wound in a roll shape, and a second storage section that can store multiple stacked cut media, which are sheet media shorter than the long sheet media, a feed roller that feeds the sheet media from the feed tray toward a transport path, an image forming section that forms an image on the sheet media in the transport path, and one or more detection sections that can detect whether the sheet media is placed in a predetermined position in the feed tray before the feeding operation by the feed roller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in an image forming device having a feed tray that can accommodate both roll bodies and cut media, it is possible to determine whether a specified sheet-like medium is placed in a specified position on the feed tray before the feed roller begins the feeding operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the printer when cut paper is stored. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the roll body detection unit, in which FIG. 10A shows a state where no roll body is stored, and FIG. 10B shows a state where a roll body is stored. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the cut sheet detection unit when no cut sheet is stored, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing when cut sheet is stored. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the paper presence / absence detection unit, in which FIG. 10A shows a state where no paper is set, and FIG. 10B shows a state where paper is properly set. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the first half of an example of a processing procedure executed in the printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is the second half of a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed in the printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the first half of an example of a processing procedure executed in a printer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is the second half of a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed in a printer according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) A printer 100 (image forming apparatus of the present invention) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions shown in Figure 1 are the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions of the printer 100.

[0010] (Overall configuration of the printer 100) As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes a housing 100a, a feed tray 11, a feed roller 2, a pair of transport rollers 3a (the transport rollers of the present invention), a pair of discharge rollers 3b, a cutter mechanism 4, a head 5 (the image forming unit of the present invention), a discharge tray 6, a guide 7, a pair of intermediate rollers 9 (the intermediate rollers of the present invention), and a control unit 10. The feed tray 11 can be inserted into and removed from the lower part of the housing 100a. The insertion and removal of the feed tray 11 into and from the housing 100a is detected by a sensor (not shown). The discharge tray 6 forms a side wall on the front side of the upper part of the housing 100a and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 100a.

[0011] The feed tray 11 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 100a. The feed tray 11 has a first storage section 11a that can store a roll R of long paper P1 (long sheet-like medium of the present invention) wound into a roll, and a second storage section 11b that can store a plurality of stacked cut sheets P2 (see FIG. 2), which are paper shorter than the long paper P1. In addition, a rear end wall section 18 that extends upward is formed at the rear end of the feed tray 11. The rear end wall section 18 is a member that prevents the cut sheets P2 stored in the second storage section 11b from falling out when the feed tray 11 is inserted into or removed from the housing 100a.

[0012] The first storage section 11a has a cylindrical core member Rc, two rollers 14 and 15, and a roll cover 16. The roll body R is formed by winding a long sheet of paper P1 in a roll shape around the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical core member Rc. The roll body R is arranged so that its axial direction (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) along its rotation axis Rx (the central axis of the core member Rc) is parallel to the left-right direction. The axial direction of the rotation axis Rx also corresponds to the width direction of the long sheet of paper P1 and the cut paper P2.

[0013] The two rollers 14, 15 extend longitudinally in the left-right direction and are slightly longer than the width of the roll R. The roller 15 is disposed behind the roller 14. The rotation axes of the rollers 14, 15 are parallel to the rotation axis Rx. These two rollers 14, 15 support the roll R from below while in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the roll R.

[0014] When the long sheet P1 is unwound from the roll R, the two rollers 14, 15 rotate in response to the counterclockwise rotation of the roll R (solid arrow in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the long sheet P1 unwound from the roll R stored in the first storage section 11a is referred to as roll paper P1a (roll medium of the present invention). The roll paper P1a unwound from the roll R stored in the first storage section 11a passes through a path below the bottom surface 17 (described below) of the second storage section 11b and is fed to a position directly below the feed roller 2 or downstream of the feed roller 2 in the conveyance direction. The roll paper P1a is fed by the feed roller 2 toward the conveyance path, passes through the intermediate roller pair 9, the conveyance roller pair 3a, the head 5, and the paper discharge roller pair 3b, and is fed to the paper discharge tray 6. The transport path of the roll paper P1a is defined by the feed roller 2, the pair of intermediate rollers 9, the pair of transport rollers 3a, and the pair of paper discharge rollers 3b.

[0015] The roll cover 16 is a member that covers the roll R stored in the first storage section 11a. The roll cover 16 extends in the left-right direction and is formed to be longer than the width of the rollers 14, 15. The roll cover 16 is also arranged so that it can come into close proximity with the outer peripheral surface of the largest size roll R that can be stored in the first storage section 11a. As a result, even if the roll R loosens and the outer diameter of the roll R attempts to increase, the outer peripheral surface of the roll R comes into contact with the inner surface of the roll cover 16, making it possible to prevent the outer diameter from increasing.

[0016] The second storage section 11b is located behind the first storage section 11a and has a bottom surface 17 that supports the cut sheet P2 from below. The bottom surface 17 extends long in the left-right direction and is formed to be slightly longer than the width of the cut sheet P2. The cut sheet P2 stored in the second storage section 11b is fed toward the conveyance path by the feed roller 2, and is sent to the paper output tray 6 via the intermediate roller pair 9, the conveyance roller pair 3a, the head 5, and the paper output roller pair 3b. The conveyance path of the cut sheet P2 is defined by the feed roller 2, the intermediate roller pair 9, the conveyance roller pair 3a, and the paper output roller pair 3b.

[0017] Additionally, a notch is formed in the rear end portion of the bottom surface 17 of second storage section 11b, in the center in the left-right direction. When printing on roll paper P1a, as described above, roll paper P1a is unwound from the roll R and fed to the feed roller 2 through a path below the bottom surface 17 of second storage section 11b. Then, when no cut sheet P2 is stored in second storage section 11b, roll paper P1a comes into contact with the feed roller 2 from the notched portion of bottom surface 17, and is fed toward the conveyance path.

[0018] In this embodiment, when printing on roll paper P1a, cut paper P2 is not stored in second storage section 11b. Furthermore, when printing on cut paper P2, roll paper P1a is not unwound from the roll R stored in first storage section 11a, or the roll R is not stored in first storage section 11a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the feed tray 11 is inserted into the housing 100a, at least a portion of first storage section 11a and all of second storage section 11b are contained within the housing 100a.

[0019] The feed roller 2 is located behind the first storage section 11a, near the rear end of the second storage section 11b. The feed roller 2 is rotated by the drive of the feed motor to feed the roll paper P1a and cut paper P2 from the feed tray 11 to the transport path. As described above, the transport path for both the roll paper P1a and the cut paper P2 are defined by the feed roller 2, the pair of intermediate rollers 9, the pair of transport rollers 3a, and the pair of discharge rollers 3b. Therefore, the feed roller 2 feeds the roll paper P1a and cut paper P2 along the common transport path.

[0020] The printer 100 according to this embodiment also includes a swing arm 20a that rotatably supports the feed roller 2 and a swing shaft 20b that rotatably supports the swing arm 20a on the housing 100a. The rotation axis of the swing shaft 20b is parallel to the left-right direction. The swing shaft 20b may support the swing arm 20a directly or indirectly on the housing 100a. When transporting roll paper P1a, as shown in FIG. 1, the swing arm 20a swings around the swing shaft 20b, causing the feed roller 2 to come into contact with the roll paper P1a unwound from the roll R housed in the first paper storage section 11a. When transporting cut paper P2, as shown in FIG. 2, the swing arm 20a swings around the swing shaft 20b, causing the feed roller 2 to come into contact with the cut paper P2 housed in a stack in the second paper storage section 11b. This allows the feed roller 2 to feed the roll paper P1a and the cut paper P2 to the transport path.

[0021] The cutter mechanism 4 is located downstream of the feed roller 2 in the transport direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "transport direction") along the transport path of the roll paper P1a and cut paper P2, and upstream of the head 5, which will be described later, in the transport direction. The cutter mechanism 4 includes, for example, two rotary blades, a cutter 4a, and a cutting motor (not shown), which drives the cutter 4a back and forth in the axial direction. The roll paper P1a, which has been unwound from the roll R and transported along the transport path, is cut widthwise by the cutter 4a under the control of the control unit 10. This forms a trailing edge on the roll paper P1a that is sent to the paper output tray 6.

[0022] The guide 7 is located behind the feed roller 2 and upstream of the cutter mechanism 4 in the conveying direction. The guide 7 is intended to guide the roll paper P1a and cut paper P2 fed by the feed roller 2 to the cutter mechanism 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide 7 is inclined so that it is positioned higher as it moves from front to rear in the front-to-rear direction. The guide 7 extends long in the left-to-right direction and is formed to be slightly longer than the width of the roll paper P1a and cut paper P2. The surface of the guide 7 is formed with a fine uneven pattern that repeats in the conveying direction. This separates short sheets of paper, such as cut paper P2, to prevent double feeding.

[0023] The intermediate roller pair 9 is located downstream of the cutter mechanism 4 in the transport direction and upstream of the head 5 in the transport direction. The intermediate roller pair 9 transports the roll paper P1a and cut paper P2 to the transport roller pair 3a. The intermediate roller pair 9 is composed of a drive roller that is rotated by an intermediate motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. An intermediate registration sensor 31 is also located near the intermediate roller pair 9, upstream of the intermediate roller pair 9 in the transport direction and downstream of the cutter mechanism 4 in the transport direction. The intermediate registration sensor 31 is a sensor that detects whether the roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 transported along the transport path has reached the intermediate roller pair 9.

[0024] The conveying roller pair 3a is composed of a drive roller that is rotated by the drive of a conveying motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. The paper discharge roller pair 3b is composed of a drive roller that is rotated by the drive of a paper discharge motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. The conveying motor and paper discharge motor (not shown) are driven under the control of the control unit 10, and the conveying roller pair 3a and paper discharge roller pair 3b rotate while sandwiching the rolled paper P1a (or cut paper P2), thereby conveying the rolled paper P1a (or cut paper P2).

[0025] The head 5 forms images on the roll paper P1a and the cut paper P2 and is located downstream of the pair of transport rollers 3a in the transport direction and upstream of the pair of discharge rollers 3b in the transport direction. The head 5 includes multiple nozzles (not shown) formed on its underside and a driver IC. When the driver IC is driven under the control of the control unit 10, ink is ejected from the nozzles. When the roll paper P1a (or the cut paper P2) transported by the pair of transport rollers 3a passes a position facing the underside of the head 5, ink is ejected from the nozzles of the head 5, forming an image on the long paper P1 or the cut paper P2. The head 5 may be either a line type, in which ink is ejected from the nozzles while remaining fixed in position, or a serial type, in which ink is ejected from the nozzles while moving in the axial direction of the rotation axis Rx. The roll paper P1a (or the cut paper P2) on which the image has been formed by the head 5 is received in the paper ejection tray 6, which is open relative to the housing 100a.

[0026] In this embodiment, the horizontal component of the transport direction of roll paper P1a and cut paper P2 fed by feed roller 2 is from front to back in the front-to-back direction, and the horizontal component of the transport direction of roll paper P1a and cut paper P2 discharged to the outside from the open paper output tray 6 after passing a position facing the underside of head 5 is from back to front in the front-to-back direction. In other words, the printer 100 of this embodiment has a so-called U-turn path configuration in which the transport direction is turned back midway.

[0027] The control unit 10 is connected to the feed motor, intermediate motor, conveying motor, paper discharge motor, driver IC, cutting motor, etc. via an internal bus (not shown). The control unit 10 is also electrically connected to the intermediate registration sensor 31 and sensors 51b, 52b, and 53b (described later). The control unit 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs and data for the CPU to perform various controls. The RAM temporarily stores data used when the CPU executes programs.

[0028] (Roll body detection unit 51) The printer 100 of the first embodiment also includes a roll detection unit 51 that detects whether or not the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a. The roll detection unit 51 is provided below and behind the roller 15 in the first storage unit 11a. As shown in FIG. 3, the roll detection unit 51 includes an actuator 51a and a sensor 51b. The actuator 51a is supported rotatably about a rotation shaft 51a2. The axial direction of the rotation shaft 51a2 is parallel to the left-right direction. The sensor 51b is a sensor that detects the actuator 51a. The sensor 51b is, for example, a photosensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (not shown). When the roll R is not stored in the first storage unit 11a, the actuator 51a does not block the light path and is not detected by the sensor 51b, as shown in FIG. 3(a). When the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the roll paper P1a unwound from the roll R comes into contact with the actuator 51a. The actuator 51a is then pushed by the roll paper P1a to rotate around the rotation axis 51a2 (solid arrow in FIG. 3(b)), blocking the optical path and being detected by the sensor 51b. This allows the roll detection unit 51 to detect whether the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a before the feed roller 2 starts the feeding operation. The actuator 51a and the sensor 51b may be supported by the housing 100a or the feed tray 11. Alternatively, one of the actuator 51a and the sensor 51b may be supported by the housing 100a, and the other may be supported by the feed tray 11.

[0029] (Cut paper detection unit 52) The printer 100 of the first embodiment also includes a cut-sheet detection unit 52 that detects whether or not a cut sheet P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b. The cut-sheet detection unit 52 is attached to the swing arm 20a. As shown in FIG. 4, the cut-sheet detection unit 52 includes an actuator 52a and a sensor 52b. The actuator 52a is supported by the swing arm 20a so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 52a2. The axial direction of the rotation shaft 52a2 is parallel to the left-right direction. The sensor 52b detects the actuator 52a. The sensor 52b is attached to the swing arm 20a. The sensor 52b is, for example, a photosensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (not shown). When the cut sheet P2 is not stored in the second storage unit 11b, the actuator 52a does not block the optical path and is not detected by the sensor 52b, as shown in FIG. 4(a). When cut sheet P2 is stored in second storage section 11b, as shown in FIG. 4(b), cut sheet P2 stacked on bottom surface 17 comes into contact with actuator 52a. Then, actuator 52a is pushed by cut sheet P2 and rotates about rotation axis 52a2 (solid arrow in FIG. 4(b)). This blocks the optical path and is detected by sensor 52b. This allows cut sheet detection section 52 to detect whether cut sheet P2 is stored in second storage section 11b before feed roller 2 starts feeding. Note that actuator 52a and sensor 52b may be supported directly on housing 100a without swing arm 20a, or may be supported on feed tray 11. Alternatively, either actuator 52a or sensor 52b may be supported on housing 100a, and the other may be supported on feed tray 11. In FIG. 4, paper presence / absence detection section 53 is omitted.

[0030] (Paper presence / absence detection unit 53) Furthermore, the printer 100 of the first embodiment includes a paper presence / absence detection unit 53 that detects whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present downstream of the roll body detection unit 51 in the transport direction and downstream of directly below the feed roller 2. The paper presence / absence detection unit 53 is attached to the swing arm 20a. A portion of the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 is located downstream of directly below the feed roller 2 in the transport direction along the transport path. As shown in FIG. 5, the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 includes an actuator 53a and a sensor 53b. The actuator 53a is supported by the swing arm 20a so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 53a2. The axial direction of the rotation shaft 53a2 is parallel to the left-right direction. The sensor 53b is a sensor that detects the actuator 53a. The sensor 53b is attached to the swing arm 20a. The sensor 53b is, for example, a photosensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (not shown). When roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is not located downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2, actuator 53a does not block the optical path and is not detected by sensor 53b, as shown in FIG. 5(a). When roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is located downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2, roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 comes into contact with actuator 53a, as shown in FIG. 5(b). FIG. 5(b) shows the state when roll paper P1a unwound from the roll R is located downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2. When this happens, actuator 53a is pushed by roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 and rotates around rotation axis 53a2 (solid arrow in FIG. 5(b)), blocking the optical path and being detected by sensor 53b. This allows the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 to detect whether or not roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present in a position downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2 before the feed roller 2 starts the feeding operation. The actuator 53a and sensor 53b may be supported directly on the housing 100a without using the swing arm 20a, or may be supported on the feed tray 11. Alternatively, one of the actuator 53a and sensor 53b may be supported on the housing 100a, and the other may be supported on the feed tray 11.In FIG. 5, the cut sheet detection unit 52 is omitted.

[0031] In addition, the distance between the roll body detection unit 51 and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 along the conveying path is greater than or equal to the distance between the feed roller 2 and the intermediate roller pair 9 along the conveying path, and greater than or equal to the distance between the intermediate roller pair 9 and the conveying roller pair 3a along the conveying path.

[0032] 6 and 7, an example of the processing performed by the control unit 10 when recording an image on roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 in the printer 100 will be described. The processing described below begins when the control unit 10 receives a print instruction. The print instruction is input by the user via a terminal such as a PC or smartphone connected to the printer 100, or via an input device (not shown) included in the printer 100.

[0033] First, the control unit 10 determines whether the roll body detection unit 51 has detected that the roll body R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (step S1). If the roll body detection unit 51 has determined that the roll body R is not stored in the first storage unit 11a (S1: NO), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S22, which will be described later. If the roll body detection unit 51 has determined that the roll body R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (S1: YES), the control unit 10 determines whether the cut sheet detection unit 52 has detected that the cut sheet P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b (step S2).

[0034] If cut sheet detection unit 52 determines that cut sheet P2 is not stored in second storage unit 11b (S2: NO), the process proceeds to step S8, which will be described later. If cut sheet detection unit 52 determines that cut sheet P2 is stored in second storage unit 11b (S2: YES), control unit 10 determines that both roll paper P1a and cut sheet P2 are stored in feed tray 11. Control unit 10 then determines whether the input print instruction is for roll paper P1a (step S3).

[0035] If the control unit 10 determines that the printing instruction is for roll paper P1a (S3: YES), it notifies the user to remove the cut paper P2 from the second storage unit 11b (step S4). The notification may be made by displaying a message on a display (not shown) provided on the printer 100, by emitting a sound, or by some other method. The same applies to the other steps below in which notifications are made. If the control unit 10 determines that the printing instruction is not for roll paper P1a (S3: NO), it notifies the user to rewind the roll paper P1a (step S5).

[0036] After step S4 or S5, the control unit 10 determines whether a sensor (not shown) has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (step S6). If it is determined that the sensor has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S6: YES), the control unit 10 stops the predetermined notification (step S7) and returns to step S1. Note that the predetermined notification here refers to any of the notifications in steps S4, S5, and steps S17, S18, and S21 described below. If it is determined that the sensor has not detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S6: NO), the control unit 10 continues the predetermined notification until the sensor detects insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a.

[0037] If, in step S2 described above, the cut paper detection unit 52 determines that the second storage unit 11b does not contain cut paper P2 (S2: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 has detected that the roll paper P1a is located downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2 (step S8). If the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 has determined that the roll paper P1a is not located downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2 (S8: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the roll paper P1a is not properly set. "Properly set" of the roll paper P1a means that the roll paper P1a unwound from the roll R contained in the first storage unit 11a is located downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2. The control unit 10 then determines whether the input print command is for roll paper P1a (step S16).

[0038] If the control unit 10 determines that the print instruction is for roll paper P1a (S16: YES), it notifies the user to unwind the roll paper P1a to a position downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2 (step S17). Then, it proceeds to step S6 described above. If the control unit 10 determines that the print instruction is not for roll paper P1a (S16: NO), it determines that the paper stored in the feed tray 11 is incorrect, and notifies the user to rewind the roll paper P1a and set cut paper P2 (step S18). Then, it proceeds to step S6 described above.

[0039] If the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 determines that the roll paper P1a is present downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2 (S8: YES), the control unit 10 determines that the roll R and the roll paper P1a unwound from the roll R are correctly set. The control unit 10 then determines whether the input print instruction is for roll paper P1a (step S9).

[0040] If it is determined that the print instruction is not for roll paper P1a (S9: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the paper stored in the feed tray 11 is incorrect, and notifies the user to rewind the roll paper P1a and set the cut paper P2 (step S18).Then, the process proceeds to step S6 described above.

[0041] If it is determined that the print instruction is for roll paper P1a (S9: YES), the control unit 10 drives the feed motor to start feeding the roll paper P1a using the feed roller 2 (step S10). Then, the control unit 10 controls the feed motor, intermediate motor, transport motor, and paper discharge motor to transport the roll paper P1a a predetermined amount (step S11). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the roll body detection unit 51 has detected that a roll body R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (step S12). Note that the control unit 10 may execute step S12 after stopping the transport of the roll paper P1a, or may execute step S12 while the roll paper P1a is being transported.

[0042] If it is determined that the roll detection unit 51 has not detected that the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (S12: NO), the control unit 10 calculates the remaining unrecorded length of the long paper P1 that constitutes the roll R, and determines whether the remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length of the long paper P1 on which an image will be recorded (step S19). Note that the remaining unrecorded length of the long paper P1 that constitutes the roll R calculated in this embodiment is, for example, the length from the roll detection unit 51 to the head 5.

[0043] If the remaining unrecorded length is equal to or shorter than the required recording length (S19: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the long paper P1 constituting the roll R has run out of paper and ejects the roll paper P1a being transported (step S20).The control unit 10 then notifies the storage of a new roll R and the unwinding of the roll paper P1a (step S21), and proceeds to step S6 described above.

[0044] If the roll body detection unit 51 determines that the roll body R is contained in the first storage unit 11a (S12: YES), or if it determines that the remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length (S19: YES), the control unit 10 controls the driver IC to record a predetermined number of passes (step S13).

[0045] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is no recorded data on the same sheet of paper (step S14). If it determines that there is recorded data on the same sheet of paper (S14: NO), the process returns to step S11. If it determines that there is no recorded data on the same sheet of paper (S14: YES), the control unit 10 ejects the roll paper P1a (step S15) and ends printing.

[0046] In the above-mentioned step S1, if it is determined that the roll body detection unit 51 has not detected that the roll body R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (S1: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether the cut paper detection unit 52 has detected that the cut paper P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b (step S22).

[0047] If cut sheet detection unit 52 determines that cut sheet P2 is stored in second storage unit 11b (S22: YES), the process proceeds to step S28, which will be described later. If cut sheet detection unit 52 determines that cut sheet P2 is not stored in second storage unit 11b (S22: NO), control unit 10 determines that roll R and cut sheet P2 are not stored in feed tray 11. Control unit 10 then determines whether the input print instruction is for cut sheet P2 (step S23).

[0048] If it is determined that the printing instruction is not for cut paper P2 (S23: NO), the control unit 10 notifies the user to store the roll R in the first storage unit 11a and unwind the roll paper P1a from the roll R (step S24).If it is determined that the printing instruction is for cut paper P2 (S23: YES), the control unit 10 notifies the user to set the cut paper P2 (step S25).

[0049] After step S24 or S25, the control unit 10 determines whether a sensor (not shown) has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (step S26). If it is determined that the sensor has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S26: YES), the control unit 10 stops the predetermined notification (step S27) and returns to step S1. Note that the predetermined notification here refers to any of the notifications in steps S24, S25, and steps S37 and S40, which will be described later. If it is determined that the sensor has not detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S26: NO), the control unit 10 continues the predetermined notification until the sensor detects insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a.

[0050] If, in step S22 described above, it is determined that cut sheet detection unit 52 has detected that cut sheet P2 is stored in second storage unit 11b (S22: YES), control unit 10 then determines whether paper presence / absence detection unit 53 has detected that cut sheet P2 is located downstream in the transport direction from directly below feed roller 2 (step S28). If paper presence / absence detection unit 53 has not detected that cut sheet P2 is located downstream in the transport direction from directly below feed roller 2 (S28: NO), control unit 10 determines that cut sheet P2 is not set correctly. Setting cut sheet P2 correctly means that cut sheet P2 stored in second storage unit 11b is located downstream in the transport direction from directly below feed roller 2. Then, control unit 10 determines whether the input print command is for cut sheet P2a (step S36).

[0051] If it is determined that the print instruction is for cut sheet P2a (S36: YES), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S26 via step S25 described above. If it is determined that the print instruction is not for cut sheet P2a (S36: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the paper stored in the feed tray 11 is incorrect, and notifies the user to remove the cut sheet P2, store the roll R, and unwind the roll paper P1a (step S37). Then, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S26 described above.

[0052] If the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 determines that the cut sheet P2 is present downstream of the feed roller 2 in the transport direction (S28: YES), the control unit 10 determines whether the input print instruction is for the cut sheet P2a (step S29). If the print instruction is not for the cut sheet P2 (S29: NO), the process proceeds to step S26 via step S37. If the print instruction is for the cut sheet P2 (S29: YES), the control unit 10 drives the feed motor to start the feed operation of the feed roller 2 to feed the cut sheet P2 (step S30). Then, the control unit 10 controls the feed motor, intermediate motor, transport motor, and paper discharge motor to transport the cut sheet P2 a predetermined distance (step S31). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the intermediate registration sensor 31, located downstream of the feed roller 2 in the transport direction, has detected the cut sheet P2 (step S32). Note that the control unit 10 may execute step S32 after stopping the transport of the cut sheet P2, or may execute step S32 while the cut sheet P2 is being transported.

[0053] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has not detected the cut sheet P2 (S32: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the trailing edge of the cut sheet P2 has passed the intermediate registration sensor 31. The control unit 10 then calculates the remaining unrecorded length of the cut sheet P2 and determines whether this remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length of the cut sheet P2 on which an image will be recorded (step S38). Note that the calculated remaining unrecorded length of the cut sheet P2 is, for example, the length from the intermediate registration sensor 31 to the head 5. If the remaining unrecorded length is less than the required recording length (S38: NO), the control unit 10 determines that there is a size error in the set cut sheet P2 and ejects the cut sheet P2 (step S39). The control unit 10 then notifies the user that the cut sheet P2 has been set (step S40) and proceeds to step S26 described above.

[0054] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the cut paper P2 (S32: YES), or if it is determined that the remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length (S38: YES), the control unit 10 controls the driver IC to record a predetermined number of passes (step S33).

[0055] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is no recording data on the same sheet (step S34). If it determines that there is recording data on the same sheet (S34: NO), the process returns to step S31. If it determines that there is no recording data on the same sheet (S34: YES), the control unit 10 ejects the cut sheet P2 (step S35) and ends printing.

[0056] As described above, the printer 100 of the first embodiment includes the feed tray 11 capable of accommodating the roll R and cut paper P2, the feed roller 2, and the roll detection unit 51 that detects whether or not the roll R is accommodated in the first storage section 11a of the feed tray 11 before the feed operation by the feed roller 2. This makes it possible to determine whether or not the roll R is accommodated in the first storage section 11a of the feed tray 11 in the printer 100 that has the feed tray 11 capable of accommodating both the roll R and cut paper P2 before the feed operation by the feed roller 2 begins.

[0057] Furthermore, the printer 100 of the first embodiment further includes a cut sheet detection unit 52 that detects whether or not cut sheet P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b of the feed tray 11. This makes it possible to determine whether or not cut sheet P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b before the feed operation by the feed roller 2 begins.

[0058] The printer 100 of the first embodiment also includes a paper presence / absence detection unit 53 that detects whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2. This makes it possible to determine, before the feed roller 2 starts the feeding operation, whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present downstream in the transport direction from the roll body detection unit 51 along the transport path, and downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2. The paper presence / absence detection unit 53 is also located downstream in the transport direction from the roll body detection unit 51. This makes it possible to determine, before the feed roller 2 starts the feeding operation, whether the leading edge of roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 has reached the position directly below the feed roller 2.

[0059] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the first embodiment, the distance along the transport path between the roll detection unit 51 and the paper presence detection unit 53 is equal to or greater than the distance along the transport path between the feed roller 2 and the pair of intermediate rollers 9, and equal to or greater than the distance along the transport path between the pair of intermediate rollers 9 and the pair of transport rollers 3a. When the roll detection unit 51 detects the roll R and the paper presence detection unit 53 detects the roll paper P1a unwound from the roll R, it is determined that the roll paper P1a is correctly set from the first storage unit 11a to just below the feed roller 2. In this case, the length of the roll paper P1a is determined to be at least equal to or greater than the length from the roll detection unit 51 to the paper presence detection unit 53. For example, if the remaining amount of roll R stored in the first storage unit 11a is low, the roll detection unit 51 may detect the very rear end of the roll paper P1a that has been sent from the first storage unit 11a to the feed roller 2. In this case, the length of the fed roll paper P1a is approximately the same as the distance from the roll body detection unit 51 to the paper presence detection unit 53. In this case, if the distance between the feed roller 2 and the pair of intermediate rollers 9, or the distance between the pair of intermediate rollers 9 and the transport roller 3a, is greater than the distance between the roll body detection unit 51 and the paper presence detection unit 53, the transported roll paper P1a will not be able to reach the next roller and will become stuck between the two rollers. This invention avoids the above problem and ensures that the roll paper P1a fed from the first storage unit 11a is transported along the transport path.

[0060] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, the printer 100 does not necessarily have to include the cut paper detection unit 52 and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53. A second embodiment of the present invention, which includes the roll detection unit 51 but does not include the cut paper detection unit 52 or the paper presence / absence detection unit 53, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The printer of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the printer 100 of the first embodiment, except that it does not include the cut paper detection unit 52 or the paper presence / absence detection unit 53.

[0061] In the printer of the second embodiment, the distance between the roll body detection unit 51 and the feed roller 2 along the conveying path is greater than or equal to the distance between the feed roller 2 and the intermediate roller pair 9 along the conveying path, and is greater than or equal to the distance between the intermediate roller pair 9 and the conveying roller pair 3a along the conveying path.

[0062] An example of the processing performed by the control unit 10 when recording an image on roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 in the printer of the second embodiment will be described below. The processing described below begins when the control unit 10 receives a print instruction.

[0063] First, the control unit 10 determines whether the roll detection unit 51 has detected that the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (step S101). If the roll detection unit 51 has determined that the roll R is not stored in the first storage unit 11a (S101: NO), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S121, which will be described later. If the roll detection unit 51 has determined that the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (S101: YES), the control unit 10 determines whether the input print instruction is for roll paper P1a (step S102).

[0064] If it is determined that the print instruction is not for roll paper P1a (S102: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the paper stored in the feed tray 11 is incorrect and notifies the user to rewind the roll paper P1a and set the cut paper P2 (step S103).

[0065] The control unit 10 determines whether a sensor (not shown) has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (step S104). If it is determined that the sensor has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S104: YES), the control unit 10 stops the predetermined notification (step S105) and returns to step S101. Note that the predetermined notification here refers to any of the notifications in step S103 and steps S109, S114, and S117 described below. If it is determined that the sensor has not detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S104: NO), the control unit 10 continues the predetermined notification until the sensor detects insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a.

[0066] If it is determined that the print instruction is for roll paper P1a (S102: YES), the control unit 10 drives the feed motor to start the feed operation of the feed roller 2 to feed the roll paper P1a (step S106). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the intermediate registration sensor 31, which is located downstream of the feed roller 2 in the transport direction, has detected the roll paper P1a (step S107).

[0067] If the control unit 10 determines that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has not detected the roll paper P1a (S107: NO), it determines whether the drive amount of the feed roller 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S108). Here, the predetermined threshold is a predetermined threshold value used to determine whether the roll paper P1a is empty, and is set in advance, for example. If the control unit 10 determines that the drive amount of the feed roller 2 is less than the predetermined threshold (S108: NO), it returns to step S107. If the control unit 10 determines that the drive amount of the feed roller 2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (S108: YES), it determines that the roll paper P1a is not correctly set, and notifies the user to unwind the roll paper P1a from the roll R (step S109). Then, it proceeds to step S104 described above.

[0068] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the roll paper P1a (S107: YES), the control unit 10 controls the feed motor, intermediate motor, transport motor, and discharge motor to transport the roll paper P1a a predetermined amount (step S110). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the roll body detection unit 51 has detected that the roll body R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (step S111). Note that the control unit 10 may execute step S111 after stopping the transport of the roll paper P1a, or may execute step S111 while the roll paper P1a is being transported.

[0069] If it is determined that the roll detection unit 51 has not detected that the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (S111: NO), the control unit 10 calculates the remaining unrecorded length of the long paper P1 that constitutes the roll R, and determines whether the remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length of the long paper P1 on which an image will be recorded (step S112). Note that the remaining unrecorded length of the long paper P1 that constitutes the roll R calculated in this embodiment is, for example, the length from the roll detection unit 51 to the head 5.

[0070] If the remaining unrecorded length is equal to or shorter than the required recording length (S112: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the long paper P1 constituting the roll R has run out of paper and ejects the roll paper P1a being transported (step S113).The control unit 10 then notifies the storage of a new roll R and the unwinding of the roll paper P1a (step S114), and proceeds to step S104 described above.

[0071] If the roll detection unit 51 determines that the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (S112: YES), or if the control unit 10 determines that the remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length (S111: YES), the control unit 10 determines whether the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the roll paper P1a (step S115). Whether the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the roll paper P1a depends on whether the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the trailing edge of the paper. More specifically, when the cut paper P2 is being transported, the intermediate registration sensor 31 switches from a state in which it detects paper to a state in which it does not detect paper. At this time, the intermediate registration sensor 31 determines that it has detected the trailing edge of the cut paper P2, i.e., that it has not detected the roll paper P1a. On the other hand, when the roll paper P1a is being transported, the intermediate registration sensor 31 maintains its state in which it detects paper. At this time, the intermediate registration sensor 31 does not detect the trailing edge of the cut sheet P2, that is, it is determined that the rolled sheet P1a has been detected.

[0072] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has not detected the roll paper P1a (S115: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the cut paper P2 has been set by mistake and ejects the cut paper P2 being transported (step S116).The control unit 10 then notifies the removal of the cut paper P2 from the second storage unit 11b (step S117) and proceeds to step S104 described above.

[0073] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the roll paper P1a (S115: YES), the control unit 10 controls the driver IC to record a predetermined number of passes (step S118).

[0074] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is no recorded data on the same sheet of paper (step S119). If it determines that there is recorded data on the same sheet of paper (S119: NO), the process returns to step S110. If it determines that there is no recorded data on the same sheet of paper (S119: YES), the control unit 10 ejects the roll paper P1a (step S120) and ends printing.

[0075] In step S101 described above, if it is determined that the roll detection unit 51 has not detected that the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a (S101: NO), the control unit 10 determines that cut paper P2 is set in the feed tray 11 or that neither the roll R nor cut paper P2 is stored in the feed tray 11. Then, the control unit 10 determines whether the input print instruction is for cut paper P2 (step S121).

[0076] If it is determined that the printing instruction is not for cut paper P2a (S121: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the paper stored in the feed tray 11 is incorrect, and notifies the user to remove the cut paper P2, store the roll body R, and unwind the roll paper P1a (step S122).

[0077] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether a sensor (not shown) has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (step S123). If it is determined that the sensor has detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S123: YES), the control unit 10 stops the predetermined notification (step S124) and returns to step S101. Note that the predetermined notification here refers to any of the notifications in step S122, or steps S128 and S133 described below. If it is determined that the sensor has not detected insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a (S123: NO), the control unit 10 continues the predetermined notification until the sensor detects insertion or removal of the feed tray 11 into or from the housing 100a.

[0078] If it is determined that the print instruction is for cut sheet P2a (S121: YES), the control unit 10 drives the feed motor to start the feed operation of the cut sheet P2 by the feed roller 2 (step S125). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the intermediate registration sensor 31, which is located downstream of the feed roller 2 in the conveying direction, has detected the leading edge of the cut sheet P2 (step S126).

[0079] If the control unit 10 determines that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has not detected the leading edge of the cut sheet P2 (S126: NO), it determines whether the amount of drive of the feed roller 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S127). Here, the predetermined threshold is a predetermined threshold value used to determine whether the cut sheet P2 is empty, and is set in advance, for example. If the control unit 10 determines that the amount of drive of the feed roller 2 is less than the predetermined threshold (S127: NO), it returns to step S126. If the control unit 10 determines that the amount of drive of the feed roller 2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (S127: YES), it determines that the cut sheet P2 is not set correctly or that neither the roll R nor the cut sheet P2 is stored, and notifies the control unit 10 that the cut sheet P2 has been set (step S128). Then, it proceeds to step S123 described above.

[0080] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the leading edge of the cut sheet P2 (S126: YES), the control unit 10 controls the feed motor, intermediate motor, transport motor, and discharge motor to transport the cut sheet P2 a predetermined amount (step S129). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the cut sheet P2 (step S130). Note that the control unit 10 may execute step S130 after stopping the transport of the cut sheet P2, or may execute step S130 while the cut sheet P2 is being transported.

[0081] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has not detected the cut sheet P2 (S130: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the trailing edge of the cut sheet P2 has passed the intermediate registration sensor 31. The control unit 10 then calculates the remaining unrecorded length of the cut sheet P2 and determines whether this remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length of the cut sheet P2 on which an image will be recorded (step S131). Note that the calculated remaining unrecorded length of the cut sheet P2 in this embodiment is, for example, the length from the intermediate registration sensor 31 to the head 5. If the remaining unrecorded length is less than the required recording length (S131: NO), the control unit 10 determines that there is a size error in the set cut sheet P2 and ejects the cut sheet P2 (step S132). The control unit 10 then notifies the user that the cut sheet P2 has been set (step S133) and proceeds to step S123 described above.

[0082] If it is determined that the intermediate registration sensor 31 has detected the cut paper P2 (S130: YES), or if it is determined that the remaining unrecorded length is greater than the required recording length (S131: YES), the control unit 10 controls the driver IC to record a predetermined number of passes (step S134).

[0083] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is no recording data on the same sheet (step S135). If it is determined that there is recording data on the same sheet (S135: NO), the process returns to step S129. If it is determined that there is no recording data on the same sheet (S135: YES), the control unit 10 ejects the cut sheet P2 (step S136) and ends printing.

[0084] As described above, the printer of the second embodiment includes the roll detection unit 51. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a of the feed tray 11 before the feed roller 2 starts the feed operation.

[0085] Furthermore, in the printer of the second embodiment, the distance along the transport path between the roll detection unit 51 and the feed roller 2 is equal to or greater than the distance along the transport path between the feed roller 2 and the pair of intermediate rollers 9, and equal to or greater than the distance along the transport path between the pair of intermediate rollers 9 and the pair of transport rollers 3a. For example, if the remaining amount of roll R stored in the first storage unit 11a is low, the roll detection unit 51 may detect the very end of the roll paper P1a that has been sent from the first storage unit 11a to the feed roller 2. The roll R that has been detected by the roll detection unit 51 and sent to the feed roller 2 continues to be transported. In this case, if the distance between the pair of intermediate rollers 9 and the pair of transport rollers 3a, or the distance between the feed roller 2 and the pair of intermediate rollers 9, is greater than the distance between the roll detection unit 51 and the feed roller 2, the transported roll paper P1a will not reach the next roller and will become stuck between the two rollers. According to the present invention, the above problem can be avoided, and the roll paper P1a sent out from the first storage section 11a can be reliably transported along the transport path.

[0086] (Variation) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0087] The printer 100 of the first embodiment includes a roll body detection unit 51, a cut paper detection unit 52, and a paper presence / absence detection unit 53. The printer of the second embodiment includes only the roll body detection unit 51 out of the roll body detection unit 51, cut paper detection unit 52, and paper presence / absence detection unit 53. However, the printer according to the present invention may include only the cut paper detection unit 52 out of the roll body detection unit 51, cut paper detection unit 52, and paper presence / absence detection unit 53. With this configuration, it can be determined whether or not cut paper P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b of the feed tray 11 before the feed operation by the feed roller 2.

[0088] Furthermore, the printer according to the present invention may include only the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 out of the roll body detection unit 51, cut paper detection unit 52, and paper presence / absence detection unit 53. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present directly below the feed roller 2 or downstream of the feed roller 2 in the transport direction before the feed operation by the feed roller 2.

[0089] Furthermore, the printer according to the present invention may include only the roll detection unit 51 and the cut paper detection unit 52 out of the roll detection unit 51, the cut paper detection unit 52, and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53. With this configuration, before the feeding operation by the feed roller 2, it can be determined whether the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a of the feed tray 11, and whether the cut paper P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b.

[0090] Furthermore, the printer according to the present invention may include only the roll detection unit 51 and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 out of the roll detection unit 51, the cut paper detection unit 52, and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the roll R is stored in the first storage unit 11a of the feed tray 11 before the feed roller 2 starts the feeding operation, and to determine whether the roll paper P1a or the cut paper P2 is present directly below the feed roller 2 or downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2. In this case, it is preferable that the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 is located downstream in the transport direction along the transport path from the position directly below the feed roller 2. This makes it possible to determine whether the leading edge of the roll paper P1a or the cut paper P2 has reached the position directly below the feed roller 2 before the feed roller 2 starts the feeding operation. Furthermore, the distance along the transport path between the roll body detection unit 51 and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 is preferably equal to or greater than the distance along the transport path between the feed roller 2 and the intermediate roller pair 9, and equal to or greater than the distance along the transport path between the intermediate roller pair 9 and the transport roller pair 3a. With this configuration, the roll paper P1a sent out from the first storage unit 11a can be reliably transported along the transport path.

[0091] In a printer configured to include only the roll detection unit 51 and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 among the roll detection unit 51, the cut paper detection unit 52, and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53, if the roll detection unit 51 does not detect the roll R, it is determined that the feed tray 11 contains cut paper P2 or that neither the roll R nor the cut paper P2 is contained. In this case, whether or not the cut paper P2 is correctly set is determined, for example, by whether or not the intermediate registration sensor 31, which is located downstream of the feed roller 2 in the transport direction, detects the cut paper P2 after the feeding operation has started.

[0092] Furthermore, the printer according to the present invention may include only the cut paper detection unit 52 and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 out of the roll body detection unit 51, the cut paper detection unit 52, and the paper presence / absence detection unit 53. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not cut paper P2 is stored in the second storage unit 11b of the feed tray 11 before the feed roller 2 starts feeding, and to determine whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present directly below the feed roller 2 or downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2. In this case, it is preferable that the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 be located downstream in the transport direction along the transport path from the position directly below the feed roller 2. This makes it possible to determine whether or not the leading edge of roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 has reached the position directly below the feed roller 2 before the feed roller 2 starts feeding.

[0093] In a printer according to the present invention that does not include a paper presence / absence detection unit 53, determining whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present directly below feed roller 2, i.e., whether it is correctly loaded, may be performed, for example, as follows. For example, determining whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is correctly loaded is performed by determining whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 unwound from a roll R stored in feed tray 11 is detected by intermediate registration sensor 31, which is located downstream of feed roller 2 in the transport direction, after the start of the feeding operation. Alternatively, determining whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is correctly loaded may be performed by detecting the current generated in a feed motor (not shown) that drives the rotation of feed roller 2. If roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is not correctly loaded, feed roller 2 will come into contact with the bottom of feed tray 11. In this case, feed roller 2 will be locked and unable to rotate, and the maximum current will flow through the feed motor. By detecting the current at this time, it is possible to determine whether the roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is set correctly.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the roll detection unit 51, cut paper detection unit 52, and paper presence detection unit 53 each comprise an actuator and a photosensor. However, each detection unit may not have an actuator, but may be a photosensor with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that directly detects paper by irradiating it with light. In this case, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are attached to the housing. Alternatively, the sensor may detect the presence or absence of paper by pressing an actuator that comes into contact with paper and contacts a switch or the like.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 detects whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present in a position downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller 2. However, the paper presence / absence detection unit 53 may also detect whether roll paper P1a or cut paper P2 is present in a position directly below the feed roller 2.

[0096] In the first and second embodiments, the feed tray is insertable and removable in the front-rear direction relative to the housing. However, the feed tray may be insertable and removable in the left-right direction relative to the housing.

[0097] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a multifunction machine, a copier, etc. in addition to the printer 100. The printer is not limited to an inkjet type, but may be a laser type. Furthermore, the sheet medium according to the present invention may be a cloth, a label, etc., in addition to paper. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 2 Feeding roller 3a Discharge roller pair 3b Paper ejection roller pair 5 Head (image forming unit) 9 Intermediate roller pair 11 Feeder tray 11a First storage section 11b Second storage section 51 Roll body detection unit 52 Cut paper detector 53 Paper presence detection unit 100 printers 100a housing P1 Long paper P1a roll paper P2 cut paper R roll body

Claims

1. The housing and a feeding tray that is insertable into and removable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of long sheet media wound in a roll, and a second storage section that can store cut media, which are sheet media shorter than the long sheet media, in a stacked state; a feed roller that feeds the sheet medium from the feed tray toward a transport path; an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet medium in the transport path; one or more detection units capable of detecting whether or not a sheet medium is placed at a predetermined position on the feed tray before the feed roller performs a feed operation; an intermediate roller disposed between the feed roller and the image forming unit in the transport path; a conveying roller disposed between the intermediate roller and the image forming unit in the conveying path, the one or more detection units include a roll detection unit that detects whether the roll is accommodated in the first accommodation unit of the feed tray, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the distance between the roll body detection unit and the feed roller along the transport path is equal to or greater than the distance between the feed roller and the intermediate roller along the transport path, and is equal to or greater than the distance between the intermediate roller and the transport roller along the transport path.

2. The image forming device described in claim 1, characterized in that the one or more detection units further include a sheet medium presence / absence detection unit that is downstream in the transport direction along the transport path from the roll body detection unit and detects whether the sheet medium is present at a position directly below the feed roller or at a position downstream in the transport direction from directly below the feed roller.

3. The housing and a feeding tray that is insertable into and removable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of long sheet media wound in a roll, and a second storage section that can store cut media, which are sheet media shorter than the long sheet media, in a stacked state; a feed roller that feeds the sheet medium from the feed tray toward a transport path; an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet medium in the transport path; one or more detection units capable of detecting whether or not a sheet medium is placed at a predetermined position on the feed tray before the feed roller performs a feed operation; an intermediate roller disposed between the feed roller and the image forming unit in the transport path; a conveying roller disposed between the intermediate roller and the image forming unit in the conveying path, the one or more detection units include a roll detection unit that detects whether the roll is accommodated in the first accommodation unit of the feed tray, and a sheet medium presence / absence detection unit that detects whether the sheet medium is present at a position immediately below the feed roller or at a position downstream of the roll detection unit in the transport direction along the transport path in the transport direction, An image forming device characterized in that the distance between the roll body detection unit and the sheet medium presence / absence detection unit along the conveying path is greater than or equal to the distance between the feed roller and the intermediate roller along the conveying path, and greater than or equal to the distance between the intermediate roller and the conveying roller along the conveying path.

4. The housing and a feeding tray that is insertable into and removable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of long sheet media wound in a roll, and a second storage section that can store cut media, which are sheet media shorter than the long sheet media, in a stacked state; a feed roller that feeds the sheet medium from the feed tray toward a transport path; an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet medium in the transport path; one or more detection units capable of detecting whether or not a sheet medium is placed at a predetermined position on the feed tray before the feed roller performs a feed operation; The image forming device is characterized in that the one or more detection units are capable of detecting whether or not sheet-like media unwound from the roll body stored in the first storage unit is present at the predetermined position on the feed tray, and include a sheet-like media presence / absence detection unit that is capable of detecting whether or not cut media is present at the predetermined position on the feed tray.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the one or more detection units include a roll detection unit that detects whether the roll is accommodated in the first accommodation unit of the feed tray.

6. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the one or more detection units include a cut medium detection unit that detects whether the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit of the feed tray.

7. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the sheet medium presence / absence detection unit is arranged downstream in the transport direction along the transport path from a position directly below the feed roller.

Images