Printing device

Abstract

To shorten the time until the start of conveying a printing medium on the downstream of a processing unit toward the downstream of the processing unit after the processing unit processes the printing medium.SOLUTION: A printer (1) comprises: a conveyance unit which conveys a sheet (P); a printing unit (3); a cutting unit (10) which cuts the sheet (P); and a control unit. The control unit executes cutting processing of executing a cutting operation to the sheet (P) by moving the cutting unit (10) from a first position to a second position, first conveyance processing of conveying the sheet (P) in a conveyance direction by the conveyance unit, and first movement processing of moving the cutting unit (10) toward the first position from the second position after the first conveyance processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to printing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printer equipped with a cutter carriage that cuts paper. The cutter carriage equipped in the printer of Patent Document 1 is capable of reciprocating between two positions, and is configured to return to one of the two positions, a standby position, after cutting the paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3867779 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cutter carriage returns to a standby position after cutting the paper. Therefore, the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the time it takes for the cutter carriage to return to its standby position increases after the cutter carriage cuts the paper, until the paper located downstream of the cutting position starts to be transported downstream of the cutting position. The present disclosure aims to shorten the time it takes for the processing unit to process the print medium, until the print medium located downstream of the processing unit starts to be transported downstream of the processing unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a printing device according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure comprises a transport unit that transports a printing medium, a printing unit that prints an image on the printing medium transported in a transport direction by the transport unit, a processing unit that performs a processing operation on the printing medium by moving a processing member in contact with the printing medium on which the image has been printed by the printing unit and that is transported by the transport unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to perform processes including: a processing process in which the processing operation is performed on the printing medium by moving the processing unit from a first position to a second position along a cross direction that intersects the transport direction; a first transport process in which the printing medium is transported in the transport direction by the transport unit until the upstream end in the transport direction of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed in the processing process moves downstream of the processing unit; and a first movement process in which the processing unit is moved from the second position to the first position after the first transport process.

[0006] The printing device moves the processing unit from the second position to the first position after transporting the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed. This allows the processing time to be shortened compared to when the printing device moves the processing unit from the second position to the first position before transporting the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed. Specifically, the time from when the processing unit processes the print medium until the print medium located downstream of the processing unit starts to be transported downstream of the processing unit can be shortened by the time it takes to move the processing unit from the second position to the first position.

[0007] A printing device according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in aspect 1 above, when the control unit performs the processing operation on a printing medium on which the printing unit has printed an image of the printing data of the final page included in the printing job, the control unit performs the first movement process after the first transport process; and when the control unit performs the processing operation on a printing medium on which the printing unit has printed an image of the printing data of a page other than the final page included in the printing job, the control unit performs the second movement process after the processing process, which moves the processing unit from the second position toward the first position; and after the second movement process, the control unit transports the printing medium in the transport direction by the transport unit until the upstream end of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed in the processing process moves downstream of the processing unit, and the transport unit transports the printing medium transported following the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed.

[0008] When an image of the print data for a page other than the final page is printed on the print medium, that is, when there is a print medium to be transported next, the control unit moves the processing unit from the second position toward the first position, and then transports the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed.The control unit also transports the print medium to be transported following the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed.As a result, since the processing unit has already returned toward the first position, there is no need to move the processing unit from the second position toward the first position between the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the print medium to be transported next.Therefore, when transported by the transport unit, the distance between the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the print medium to be transported next can be set advantageously with respect to the transport time, regardless of the timing of the movement of the processing unit.

[0009] A printing device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure may be configured in the first aspect described above such that, if a first predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit executes the first movement process after the first transport process, and, if a second predetermined condition different from the first predetermined condition is satisfied, executes a second movement process after the processing process, in which the control unit moves the processing unit from the second position toward the first position, and, after the second movement process, in which the control unit transports the printing medium in the transport direction until the upstream end of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed moves downstream of the processing unit. The order of execution of the process of transporting the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the process of moving the processing unit can be switched depending on the condition.

[0010] A printing device according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in aspect 3 above, the first predetermined condition is that the number of dots formed on the surface per unit area of ​​the printing medium by the printing unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of dots, and the second predetermined condition is that the number of dots formed on the surface per unit area is less than the predetermined number of dots.

[0011] When the number of dots formed on the print medium is large, wrinkles may have formed on the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed. In this case, the control unit can prevent the processing unit from being burdened by wrinkles formed on the print medium by moving the processing unit from the second position to the first position after transporting the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed.

[0012] A printing device according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in aspect 3 above, the first predetermined condition is that the amount of ink ejected by the printing unit onto the surface per unit area of ​​the printing medium is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of ink, and the second predetermined condition is that the amount of ink ejected onto the surface per unit area is less than the predetermined amount of ink.

[0013] If a large amount of ink is ejected onto the print medium, wrinkles may have formed on the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed. In this case, the control unit can prevent the processing unit from being burdened by wrinkles formed on the print medium by moving the processing unit from the second position to the first position after transporting the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed.

[0014] The printing device according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure may be configured as in aspect 3 above, further including a reception unit that receives a user's operation to select one of a first mode in which the first movement process is performed after the first transport process and a second mode in which the second movement process is performed after the second transport process, wherein the first predetermined condition is that the reception unit has received the selection of the first mode, and the second predetermined condition is that the reception unit has received the selection of the second mode. The user can easily switch the movement timing of the processing unit while checking the state of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed.

[0015] A printing device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure may be configured in the third aspect as described above, wherein the first and second predetermined conditions are conditions that limit the environment around the printing device, and the movement timing of the processing unit can be appropriately switched based on the environment around the printing device.

[0016] A printing device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured in the third aspect as described above, wherein the first and second predetermined conditions are conditions for specifying the type of print medium. The movement timing of the processing unit can be appropriately switched based on the type of print medium.

[0017] A printing device according to aspect 9 of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in aspect 1 above, the control unit performs the first transport process so that the path along which the processing unit moves is positioned between the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the printing medium transported following that printing medium, and then performs the first movement process after performing a third transport process in which the transport unit transports the printing medium transported following the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed.

[0018] The path along which the processing unit moves is located between the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the print medium being transported following that print medium. Therefore, the processing unit can be moved from the second position to the first position so as not to come into contact with the print medium.

[0019] A printing device according to aspect 10 of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in aspect 9 above, the control unit, when the resolution of the image printed on the printing medium by the printing unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined resolution, performs the first conveying process and then the third conveying process, so that the path along which the processing unit moves is positioned between the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the printing medium that is transported following that printing medium, and then performs the first moving process.

[0020] When the printing unit is printing an image on the print medium, the transport unit transports the print medium in predetermined transport intervals. When the image resolution is high, the predetermined transport interval is smaller than when the image resolution is low. This allows the print medium to be transported little by little, making it easy to realize a configuration in which the path along which the processing unit moves is positioned between the print medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the print medium transported following that print medium.

[0021] A printing device according to aspect 11 of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in aspect 9 or 10 above, the control unit executes the first conveying process and the third conveying process so that the first conveying speed of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed in the processing process is faster than the second conveying speed of the printing medium conveyed following the printing medium.

[0022] Since the distance between the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the printing medium that is transported following that printing medium becomes larger, the control unit can easily move the processing unit from the second position toward the first position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to shorten the time it takes for the printing medium downstream of the processing unit to start being transported downstream of the processing unit after the processing unit processes the printing medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a paper cutting process and a paper transport process executed by the printing device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the cutting process and transport process of the paper sheet in relation to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a paper cutting process and a paper transport process executed by a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams illustrating cutting and transport processes of a paper sheet P. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing a paper cutting process and a paper transport process executed by a printing device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a processing unit that is a modified example of the cutting unit included in the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration of Printer 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of a printing device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the printing device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The printing device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) equipped with multiple functions, such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a fax function. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the direction from the printing unit 3 toward the cutting unit 10, which is an example of a processing unit, is defined as the X-axis direction, the direction from the feed tray 21 toward the printing unit 3 is defined as the Z-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and Z-axis directions is defined as the Y-axis direction.

[0026] The printing device 1 is an inkjet printer that prints print data specified by a print job, for example, by ejecting ink onto paper P, which is an example of a print medium. The printing device 1 may be capable of color printing, or may be dedicated to monochrome printing. The print medium is not limited to paper media, and may also be a resin medium such as an OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet. Furthermore, the printing device 1 may be, for example, a laser printer that records an image on paper P using an electrophotographic method.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, an opening 20 is formed in the front surface of the printing device 1 on the positive side of the X axis. Feed trays 21 and 22 and a discharge tray 23 are detachably arranged in the opening 20. The feed trays 21 and 22 are trays for storing multiple sheets of paper P, and are open on the positive side of the Z axis. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the two feed trays 21 and 22 are arranged side by side in the Z axis direction.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the discharge tray 23 is disposed on the positive Z-axis side of the feed tray 21. The discharge tray 23 is a tray for storing paper P discharged by the transport rollers 66, and is open on the positive Z-axis side. For ease of explanation, the feed tray 22 is not shown in the example shown in Fig. 2.

[0029] 1, a reception unit 124 having a display screen is provided on the front surface of the printer 1 on the positive side of the X axis. The reception unit 124 is, for example, a touch panel, and is configured so that various settings related to printing by the printer 1 can be made by a user's touch operation. Information set by the reception unit 124 is output to the control unit 100 shown in FIG.

[0030] 2, the printing device 1 includes a feed roller 24, a conveying path R1, conveying rollers 60, 62, 64, and 66, a printing unit 3, and a cutting unit 10. Here, the feed roller 24 and the conveying rollers 60, 62, 64, and 66 are an example of a conveying unit. Note that the number of rollers provided on the conveying path R1 can be changed as appropriate.

[0031] The feed roller 24 is a roller for feeding the paper P stored in the feed tray 21 to the transport start position V of the transport path R1. The feed roller 24 is rotatably supported at the front end of the feed arm 25. The feed arm 25 is rotatably supported on a shaft 26 supported on the frame of the printing device 1. The feed roller 24 rotates forward when the feed motor 107 shown in FIG. 3 is driven. As the feed roller 24 rotates forward, the paper P stored in the feed tray 21 is fed one sheet at a time to the transport start position V of the transport path R1.

[0032] The transport path R1 extends in the positive direction of the Z axis from the end of the feed tray 21 on the negative side of the X axis, and curves in the area defined by the guide members 41 and 42. The transport path R1 also extends linearly from the position of the printing unit 3 in the area defined by the guide members 43, 44, and 45, and reaches the discharge tray 23.

[0033] A transport roller 60 is disposed on the transport path R1 upstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction D1. A pinch roller 61 is disposed opposite the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor 108 shown in FIG. 3. The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. As the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 rotate forward, the paper P is pinched between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and transported to the printing unit 3.

[0034] The printing unit 3 is provided on the transport path R1 between the transport rollers 60 and 62. The printing unit 3 prints an image on the paper P transported in the transport direction D1 by the transport rollers 60, 62, and 64. The printing unit 3 has a carriage 31, a head 32, a nozzle 33, and a platen 34.

[0035] The head 32 is mounted on the carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are provided on the surface of the head 32 on the negative side of the Z axis. The head 32 ejects ink from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the paper P is placed. As the carriage 31 moves relative to the paper P supported by the platen 34, the nozzles 33 selectively eject ink, thereby printing on the paper P.

[0036] 3, the carriage 31 moves back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction D1, i.e., in the width direction of the paper P. The control unit 100 ejects ink from the nozzles 33 while moving the carriage 31 in the width direction of the paper P while the conveyance of the paper P is stopped. The control unit 100 prints on the paper P by repeating a printing process in which a predetermined number of lines are printed on the paper P, and a line feed process in which the conveyance rollers 60, 62 are driven to convey the paper P by a predetermined line feed amount.

[0037] 2, a transport roller 62 is disposed on the transport path R1 downstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction D1. A spur roller 63 is disposed opposite the upper portion of the transport roller 62. The transport roller 62 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 62. As the transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 rotate forward, the paper P is sandwiched between the transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 and transported downstream in the transport direction D1.

[0038] Further, a conveying roller 64 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller 62 in the conveying direction D1 on the conveying path R1. A spur roller 65 is disposed in a position facing the upper part of the conveying roller 64. The conveying roller 64 is driven by a conveying motor 108. The spur roller 65 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying roller 64. As the conveying roller 64 and the spur roller 65 rotate forward, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 64 and the spur roller 65 and conveyed toward the cutting unit 10.

[0039] The cutting unit 10 is disposed between the transport rollers 64 and 66 on the transport path R1. The cutting unit 10 is a well-known cutter mechanism. The cutting unit 10 performs a cutting operation in which a blade 11, which is an example of a processing member, moves in contact with the paper P on which an image has been printed by the printing unit 3 and which is transported by the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66, thereby cutting the paper P. The cutting operation is an example of a processing operation for processing the paper P.

[0040] Specifically, the cutting unit 10 is a well-known cutter mechanism that has a pair of upper and lower blades 11 and a cutter carriage 12, and cuts the paper P with the pair of upper and lower blades 11. Specifically, the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P in the width direction at a cutting position CL with the pair of upper and lower blades 11 by moving the cutter carriage 12 in the width direction of the paper P. The cutting position CL is shown in Figure 5(A).

[0041] Both of the pair of upper and lower blades 11 are circular blades. In this case, both of the pair of upper and lower circular blades are provided on the cutter carriage 12. It is also possible that one of the pair of upper and lower blades 11 is a fixed blade and the other of the pair of upper and lower blades 11 is a circular blade. In this case, the circular blade is provided on the cutter carriage 12, and the fixed blade is fixed to the frame of the printing device 1. It is also possible that the cutting unit 10 has only one of the upper or lower blades 11.

[0042] Furthermore, the cutting unit 10 does not necessarily have to have a cutter carriage 12. In this case, the cutting unit 10 has a fixed blade extending in the Y-axis direction above or below the conveying path R1. The cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P widthwise at the cutting position CL by moving the fixed blade in the Z-axis direction. The fixed blade is an example of a processing member.

[0043] A transport roller 66 is disposed downstream of the cutting section 10 in the transport direction D1 on the transport path R1. A spur roller 67 is disposed opposite the upper portion of the transport roller 66. The transport roller 66 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 67 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 66. As the transport roller 66 and the spur roller 67 rotate forward, the paper P is transported by the transport roller 66 and discharged to the discharge tray 23.

[0044] A registration sensor 120 is provided on the upstream side of the transport roller 60 in the transport path R1. The registration sensor 120 is a sensor that detects when the downstream end or the upstream end of the paper P passes through the contact position with the transport roller 60. As the registration sensor 120, a sensor having an actuator that oscillates when the paper P contacts it, an optical sensor, or the like can be used.

[0045] The conveying roller 60 is provided with a rotary encoder 121 that detects the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 shown in FIG. 3 outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 in accordance with the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 has an encoder disk and an optical sensor. The encoder disk rotates together with the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The optical sensor reads the rotating encoder disk to generate a pulse signal, and outputs the generated pulse signal to the control unit 100.

[0046] The printing unit 3 is provided with a media sensor 122. The media sensor 122 is a sensor for detecting whether or not there is paper P on the platen 34. The media sensor 122 is used to detect that the downstream end of the paper P being transported on the transport path R1 has reached the printing unit 3.

[0047] <Electrical configuration of printing device 1> Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device 1 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the printing device 1 includes a control unit 100, a feed motor 107, a transport motor 108, a carriage motor 109, a USB interface (I / F) 110, and a LAN interface (I / F) 111. The printing device 1 also includes a communication interface (I / F) 112, a registration sensor 120, a rotary encoder 121, a media sensor 122, an attachment sensor 123, and a reception unit 124.

[0048] The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an EEPROM 104 (registered trademark), and an ASIC 105. These are connected by an internal bus 106.

[0049] The ROM 102 stores programs and the like for the CPU 101 to control various operations. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 101 executes the programs, or as a work area for data processing. The control unit 100 controls the feed motor 107, the transport motor 108, the carriage motor 109, the head 32, the cutting unit 10, and the like based on the control programs read from the ROM 102.

[0050] The ASIC 105 is connected to a feed motor 107, a transport motor 108, a carriage motor 109, a head 32, a cutting unit 10, a USB interface 110, and a LAN interface 111. The ASIC 105 is also connected to a communication interface 112, a registration sensor 120, a rotary encoder 121, a media sensor 122, a mounting sensor 123, and a reception unit 124.

[0051] The ASIC 105 supplies drive current to the feed motor 107, the carry motor 108, and the carriage motor 109. The control unit 100 controls the rotation of the feed motor 107, the carry motor 108, and the carriage motor 109 by, for example, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.

[0052] The control unit 100 also applies a drive voltage to the vibration elements of the head 32, thereby causing ink to be ejected from the nozzles 33. The control unit 100 detects the state of the printing device 1 based on signals output from the registration sensor 120, the rotary encoder 121, the media sensor 122, and the mounting sensor 123.

[0053] The registration sensor 120 outputs an ON signal when the paper sheet P passes the position of the registration sensor 120, and outputs an OFF signal when the paper sheet P does not pass the position of the registration sensor 120. In other words, the registration sensor 120 outputs an ON signal from the timing when the downstream edge of the paper sheet P reaches the position of the registration sensor 120 until the upstream edge of the paper sheet P passes the position of the registration sensor 120, and outputs an OFF signal at other times. The detection signal by the registration sensor 120 is output to the control unit 100.

[0054] An attachment sensor 123 is provided for each of the feed trays 21, 22, and detects whether or not each of the feed trays 21, 22 is attached to the printing device 1. The attachment sensor 123 outputs an ON signal to the control unit 100 when each of the feed trays 21, 22 is attached to the printing device 1, and outputs an OFF signal to the control unit 100 when each of the feed trays 21, 22 is not attached to the printing device 1.

[0055] A USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a USB cable is connected to the USB interface 110. A PC (Personal Computer) is connected to the LAN interface 111 via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. When the control unit 100 receives a print job via the USB interface 110 or the LAN interface 111, it controls each unit of the printing device 1 to print the print data specified by the print job onto paper P.

[0056] <Cutting Process and Conveying Process Executed by Printing Device 1> Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the cutting process and transport process of paper P executed by the printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the cutting process and transport process of paper P with respect to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. In the explanations of Figs. 4 to 9, the paper P on which the cutting operation is executed will be referred to as paper P1, and the paper P transported following the paper P1 on which the cutting operation has been executed will be referred to as paper P2.

[0057] The control unit 100 transports the paper P1, on which an image has been printed by the printing unit 3, to the position of the cutting unit 10 using the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66 (S1). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 100 transports the paper P1 using the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66 so that the cutting position CL in the transport direction D1 on the paper P1 is located on the path PA along which the cutting unit 10 moves.

[0058] After conveying the paper sheet P1 using the conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66, the control unit 100 executes a cutting process in which the cutting unit 10 performs a cutting operation on the paper sheet P1 (S2). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 10 moves the cutting unit 10 from the first position PB to the second position PD along the intersecting direction D2 that intersects with the conveyance direction D1, thereby cutting the paper sheet P1. The cutting process is an example of a processing process in which a processing operation is performed on the paper sheet P1.

[0059] The intersecting direction D2 is, for example, the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1, but is not limited to this. The intersecting direction D2 may also be, for example, the Z-axis direction. The first position PB is a standby position where the cutting unit 10 waits. The second position PD is a direction change position where the movement direction of the cutting unit 10 is reversed. The first position PB and the second position PD are positions aligned with each other in the Y-axis direction and may be changed depending on the width size of the paper P1. The paper P1 is cut by the cutting unit 10 and divided into a first paper sheet Pa and a second paper sheet Pb.

[0060] When the cross direction D2 is the Z-axis direction, the control unit 100 cuts the paper P1 by moving the cutting unit 10 from the first position to the second position. In this case, the first position and the second position are aligned with each other in the Z-axis direction.

[0061] After the cutting unit 10 cuts the sheet P1, the control unit 100 determines, based on the print job, whether or not there is a sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed (S3). Note that the control unit 100 may use at least one of the register sensor 120 and the media sensor 122 to determine whether or not there is a sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed.

[0062] Consider the case where the control unit 100 determines that there is a sheet P2 being transported following the sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed (S3: YES). In this case, the control unit 100 transports the first sheet Pa, the second sheet Pb, and the sheet P2 using the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66 so that the path PA is positioned between the first sheet Pa and the sheet P2 being transported following the first sheet Pa, as shown in Fig. 5C (S4).

[0063] In step S4, the control unit 100 executes a first conveying process in which the first sheet Pa and the second sheet Pb are conveyed in the conveying direction D1 by the conveying rollers 62, 64, and 66 until the upstream end UE of the first sheet Pa in the conveying direction D1 moves downstream of the cutting unit 10. Furthermore, the control unit 100 executes a third conveying process in which the conveying rollers 62, 64, and 66 convey the sheet P2, which is conveyed following the first sheet Pa.

[0064] Furthermore, in step S4, the control unit 100 executes the first transport process and the third transport process so that the first transport speed of the first sheet Pa and the second sheet Pb is faster than the second transport speed of the sheet P2 transported following the first sheet Pa. In this case, the control unit 100 controls the transport motor 108 to make the rotation speed of the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66 that contact the first sheet Pa and the second sheet Pb faster than the rotation speed of the transport rollers that contact the sheet P2 transported following the first sheet Pa.

[0065] This increases the distance between the first paper sheet Pa and the paper sheet P2 that is transported following the first paper sheet Pa, allowing the control unit 100 to easily move the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB in step S5, which will be described later.

[0066] After executing the first transport process and the third transport process, the control unit 100 executes a first movement process (S5) to move the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB, as shown in (D) of Fig. 5. As described above, the path PA along which the cutting unit 10 moves is located between the first sheet Pa and the sheet P2 that is transported following the first sheet Pa. Therefore, the cutting unit 10 can be moved from the second position PD toward the first position PB so that the cutting unit 10 does not come into contact with the first sheet Pa or the sheet P2.

[0067] After step S5, control unit 100 causes conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66 to discharge first sheet Pa and second sheet Pb onto discharge tray 23, and also conveys next sheet P2 using conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66 (S6). After step S6, control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S1.

[0068] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that there is no sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed (S3: NO), the control unit 100 discharges the first sheet Pa and the second sheet Pb onto the discharge tray 23 by the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66 (S7). That is, the control unit 100 discharges the second sheet Pb onto the discharge tray 23 by the transport rollers 66, and discharges the first sheet Pa onto the discharge tray 23 by the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66.

[0069] After the control unit 100 discharges the first paper Pa and the second paper Pb onto the discharge tray 23 using the conveying rollers 62, 64, and 66, it executes a first movement process to move the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB (S8), similar to step S5.

[0070] As described above, after the printer 1 has transported the paper sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed, it moves the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD to the first position PB. This allows the processing time to be shortened compared to when the printer 1 moves the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD to the first position PB before transporting the paper sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed. Specifically, the time it takes for the cutting unit 10 to move from the second position PD to the first position PB after the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper sheet P1 until the second paper sheet Pb, which is downstream of the cutting unit 10, starts to be transported downstream of the cutting unit 10 can be shortened by the time it takes for the cutting unit 10 to move from the second position PD to the first position PB.

[0071] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the cutting process and transport process of paper P executed by the printing device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the cutting process and transport process of paper P.

[0072] 4, the control unit 100 causes the conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66 to convey the paper P1, on which an image has been printed by the printing unit 3, to the position of the cutting unit 10 (S21). After conveying the paper P1 with the conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66, the control unit 100 executes a cutting process in which the cutting unit 10 performs a cutting operation on the paper P1, as in step S2 (S22).

[0073] After the cutting unit 10 cuts the sheet P1, the control unit 100 executes a second movement process to move the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB (S23), as shown in (A) of Fig. 7. After executing the second movement process, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been executed (S24), similar to step S3 of Fig. 4.

[0074] Consider the case where the control unit 100 determines that there is a sheet P2 being transported following the sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed (S24: YES). In this case, the control unit 100 transports the first sheet Pa and the second sheet Pb in the transport direction D1 by the transport rollers 62, 64, 66, and executes a second transport process in which the transport rollers 62, 64, 66 transport the sheet P2 transported following the first sheet Pa (S25).

[0075] Specifically, the control unit 100 causes the transport rollers 66 to transport the second sheet Pb in the transport direction D1 and discharge it onto the discharge tray 23. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 100 causes the transport rollers 66 to transport the first sheet Pa in the transport direction D1 and discharge it onto the discharge tray 23 until the upstream end UE of the first sheet Pa moves downstream of the cutting unit 10. Furthermore, the control unit 100 causes the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66 to transport the sheet P2, which is transported following the first sheet Pa.

[0076] On the other hand, the control unit 100 may determine that there is no sheet P2 to be conveyed following the sheet P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed (S24: NO). In this case, the control unit 100 causes the conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66 to discharge the first sheet Pa and the second sheet Pb onto the discharge tray 23 (S26).

[0077] [Embodiment 3] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the cutting process and transport process of paper P executed by the printing device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] 4, the control unit 100 causes the conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66 to convey the paper P1, on which an image has been printed by the printing unit 3, to the position of the cutting unit 10 (S31). After conveying the paper P1 with the conveyance rollers 62, 64, and 66, the control unit 100 executes a cutting process in which the cutting unit 10 performs a cutting operation on the paper P1 (S32), as in step S2 of FIG.

[0079] After the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P1, the control unit 100 determines, based on the print job, whether or not a cutting operation has been performed on the paper P1 on which the image of the print data of the final page included in the print job has been printed by the printing unit 3 (S33).

[0080] Consider a case where the control unit 100 determines that the cutting operation has been performed on the paper P1 on which the printing unit 3 has printed an image of print data other than the final page included in the print job (S33: NO). In this case, the control unit 100 executes a second movement process (S34) to move the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB, similar to step S23 in Fig. 6. After the second movement process, the control unit 100 executes a second transport process (S35), similar to step S25 in Fig. 6.

[0081] On the other hand, consider a case where the control unit 100 determines that the cutting operation has been performed on the paper P1 on which the image of the print data of the final page included in the print job has been printed by the printing unit 3 (S33: YES). In this case, the control unit 100 executes the first conveying process to discharge the first paper Pa and the second paper Pb onto the discharge tray 23 (S36), similar to step S4. Specifically, the control unit 100 discharges the first paper Pa and the second paper Pb onto the discharge tray 23, as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0082] After the first transport process, the control unit 100 executes a first movement process (S37) to move the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB, as shown in (D) of FIG. 7, similar to step S5 of FIG. 4.

[0083] As described above, when an image of print data for a page other than the final page is printed on paper P1, that is, when there is paper P2 to be transported next, the control unit 100 moves the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB, and then transports the first paper Pa and the second paper Pb. The control unit 100 also transports paper P2, which is transported following the first paper Pa.

[0084] As a result, since the cutting unit 10 has already returned to the first position PB, there is no need to move the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD toward the first position PB between the first sheet Pa and the next sheet P2 to be transported. Therefore, in transport by the transport unit, the distance between the first sheet Pa and the next sheet P2 to be transported can be set advantageously for the transport time, regardless of the movement timing of the cutting unit 10.

[0085] The present disclosure is also applicable to a printing device having a configuration in which a double-sided conveying path is provided that separates from conveying path R1 near conveying roller 64 and joins conveying path R1 at conveying start position V. The double-sided conveying path is a path along which paper P is conveyed in order to print images on both sides of the paper P.

[0086] [Embodiment 4] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate members having the same functions as those described in the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0087] 8, the control unit 100 may determine whether a first predetermined condition or a second predetermined condition is satisfied. If the first predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 100 executes the process of step S36 and then the process of step S37. If a second predetermined condition different from the first predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 100 executes the process of step S34 and then the process of step S35. This makes it possible to switch the execution order of the process of transporting the paper P1 that has been cut and the process of moving the cutting unit 10 depending on the conditions.

[0088] In the fourth embodiment, if there is a sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the processing operation has been performed after step S34, the control unit 100 executes the same process as step S35. If there is no sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the processing operation has been performed after step S34, the control unit 100 ejects the sheet P1 on which the processing operation has been performed onto the ejection tray 23 by the transport rollers 62, 64, and 66, as in step S7 of FIG.

[0089] Furthermore, if the first predetermined condition is met and there is a sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the processing operation has been performed, the control unit 100 sequentially executes the same processes as steps S4 to S6 in Fig. 4. If the first predetermined condition is met and there is no sheet P2 to be transported following the sheet P1 on which the processing operation has been performed, the control unit 100 sequentially executes the same processes as steps S36 and S37. Below, first to sixth examples of the first predetermined condition and the second predetermined condition will be described.

[0090] <First example of the first and second specified conditions> The first predetermined condition may be a condition that the resolution of the image printed on paper P1 by printing unit 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined resolution. In this case, the second predetermined condition is a condition that the resolution of the image printed on paper P1 by printing unit 3 is less than the predetermined resolution. The control unit 100 compares the resolution of the image in the print data included in the print job with the predetermined resolution stored in EEPROM 104 to determine whether the first predetermined condition or the second predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0091] When the first predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 100 performs the first conveying process and the third conveying process so that the path PA is positioned between the paper P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed and the paper P2 which is conveyed following the paper P1, and then performs the first movement process.

[0092] When the printing unit 3 is printing an image on the paper P1, the paper P1 is transported by the transport rollers 60, 62, and 64 in predetermined transport intervals. When the image resolution is high, the predetermined transport interval is smaller than when the image resolution is low. As a result, the paper P1 and P2 are transported little by little, making it easy to realize a configuration in which the paper P1 and P2 are transported so that the path PA along which the cutting unit 10 moves is positioned between the paper P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed and the paper P2 transported following the paper P1.

[0093] <Second example of the first and second specified conditions> The first predetermined condition may be a condition that the number of dots formed on the surface per unit area of ​​paper P1 by the printing unit 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of dots. In this case, the second predetermined condition is a condition that the number of dots formed on the surface per unit area of ​​paper P1 by the printing unit 3 is less than the predetermined number of dots.

[0094] If the printing device 1 is an inkjet printer, the number of dots formed on the surface of the paper P1 is the number of ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 33. If the printing device 1 is a laser printer, the number of dots formed on the surface of the paper P1 is the number of toner dots transferred to the paper P1 from a photosensitive drum provided in the printing device 1. The control unit 100 compares the number of dots indicated by the print data included in the print job with the predetermined number of dots stored in EEPROM 104, thereby determining whether the first predetermined condition or the second predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0095] If the number of dots formed on the paper P1 is large, there is a possibility that wrinkles have formed in the paper P1 after the cutting operation has been performed. In this case, the control unit 100 moves the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD to the first position PB after transporting the paper P1 after the cutting operation has been performed, thereby preventing the cutting unit 10 from being burdened by wrinkles formed in the paper P1.

[0096] <Third example of the first and second specified conditions> The first predetermined condition may be that the amount of ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P1 per unit area by the printing unit 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of ink. In this case, the second predetermined condition is that the amount of ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P1 per unit area by the printing unit 3 is less than the predetermined amount of ink.

[0097] When the printing device 1 is an inkjet printer, the amount of ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P1 is the amount of ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P1 from the nozzles 33. The control unit 100 compares the amount of ink indicated by the print data included in the print job with the above-mentioned predetermined ink amount stored in the EEPROM 104, thereby determining whether the first predetermined condition or the second predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0098] If a large amount of ink is ejected onto the paper P1, wrinkles may have formed in the paper P1 after the cutting operation. In this case, the control unit 100 moves the cutting unit 10 from the second position PD to the first position PB after transporting the paper P1 after the cutting operation has been performed, thereby preventing the cutting unit 10 from being burdened by wrinkles formed in the paper P1.

[0099] <Fourth example of the first and second specified conditions> The receiving unit 124 may receive a user operation to select one of a first mode in which the first movement process is performed after the first transport process, and a second mode in which the second movement process is performed after the second transport process. In this case, the first predetermined condition is a condition in which the selection of the first mode is received by the receiving unit 124, and the second predetermined condition is a condition in which the selection of the second mode is received by the receiving unit 124.

[0100] This allows the user to easily switch the movement timing of the cutting unit 10 while checking the state of the paper P1 on which the cutting operation has been performed. Note that instead of the reception unit 124, the USB interface 110 or the LAN interface 111 may function as a reception unit that receives, from the PC, a user's operation to select one of the first mode and the second mode.

[0101] <Fifth example of the first and second specified conditions> The first and second predetermined conditions may be conditions that limit the environment surrounding the printing device 1. For example, the first predetermined condition may be a condition that the humidity detected by a humidity sensor that is provided in the printing device 1 and detects the humidity around the printing device 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined humidity. In this case, the second predetermined condition is a condition that the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is less than the predetermined humidity.

[0102] The control unit 100 compares the humidity detected by the humidity sensor with the predetermined humidity stored in the EEPROM 104 to determine whether the first predetermined condition or the second predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0103] In this way, it is possible to appropriately switch the movement timing of the cutting unit 10 based on the surrounding environment. Furthermore, when the humidity around the printing device 1 is high, wrinkles are more likely to occur in the paper P1, so by setting the first and second predetermined conditions as the above conditions, it is possible to prevent the cutting unit 10 from being burdened by wrinkles that occur in the paper P1.

[0104] <Sixth Example of the First and Second Prescribed Conditions> The first and second predetermined conditions may be conditions for specifying the type of print medium. For example, the first predetermined condition may be a condition that the type of print medium corresponds to one of predetermined print medium types. In this case, the second predetermined condition is a condition that the type of print medium does not correspond to any of the predetermined print medium types.

[0105] Specifically, the control unit 100 checks whether the type of print medium accepted by the accepting unit 124 corresponds to any of the above-mentioned predetermined types of print medium stored in the EEPROM 104. In this way, the control unit 100 determines whether the first predetermined condition or the second predetermined condition is satisfied. Note that the control unit 100 may also check whether the type of print medium set in the print job corresponds to any of the above-mentioned predetermined types of print medium stored in the EEPROM 104.

[0106] In this way, the movement timing of the cutting unit 10 can be appropriately switched based on the type of print medium. Furthermore, when the type of print medium is a specific type, the print medium may be made of a hard material, and by setting the first and second predetermined conditions as described above, it is possible to prevent the hard print medium from placing a strain on the cutting unit 10.

[0107] <Variation 1> In the above description, the printing device 1 is described as dividing the paper P1 into multiple pieces by cutting the paper P1 with the cutting unit 10, but this is not limited to this. The printing device 1 may also include a processing unit that performs perforation processing on the paper P1 instead of the cutting unit 10. In this case, the control unit 100 executes processing by the processing unit to perform perforation processing on the paper P1 at a processing position on the paper P1. This processing position is the same position as the cutting position CL.

[0108] Specifically, the processing unit has a perforation cutter with blades formed at equal intervals on the circumference of a disk, and a cutter carriage 12. The processing unit moves the cutter carriage 12 in the width direction of the paper P1, and forms perforations in the paper P1 by using the perforation cutter, which is an example of a processing member, to form multiple slits at intervals along the processing position of the paper P1. Perforation forming processing is an example of a processing operation for processing the paper P1.

[0109] <Variation 2> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a processing unit 10A, which is a modified example of the cutting unit 10 provided in the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Instead of the cutting unit 10, the printing device 1 may be provided with a processing unit 10A that performs fold forming processing on the sheet of paper P1, as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, the control unit 100 performs processing to cause the processing unit 10A to perform fold forming processing on the sheet of paper P1 at a processing position CL1 on the sheet of paper P1. The fold forming processing is an example of a processing operation for processing the sheet of paper P1. When the processing unit 10A performs fold forming processing on the sheet of paper P1, a first portion Pc and a second portion Pd are formed on the sheet of paper P1.

[0110] The processing unit 10A has a cutter carriage 81, a blade 82, and a clamping member 83. The blade 82, which is an example of a processing member, is a round blade and is provided on the cutter carriage 81. The blade 82 is formed so as not to cut the paper sheet P1 even when it comes into contact with the paper sheet P1. A recess 84 is formed in the clamping member 83, and the recess 84 is positioned opposite the blade 82. The processing unit 10A moves the cutter carriage 81 in the width direction of the paper sheet P1, causing the blade 82 to press the paper sheet P1 against the recess 84. This forms a fold in the paper sheet P1 along the processing position CL1.

[0111] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 Printing device 3 Printing Department 10 Cut section 24 Feeding roller 60, 62, 64, 66 Conveyor rollers 100 control section 124 Reception Department D1 Conveying direction D2 Cross direction P, P1, P2 paper PB 1st position PD 2nd position

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys the print medium; a printing unit that prints an image on a print medium that is transported in a transport direction by the transport unit; a processing unit that performs a processing operation of processing the print medium by moving a processing member in contact with the print medium on which an image is printed by the printing unit and which is transported by the transport unit; and a control unit, The control unit a processing process in which the processing unit is moved from a first position to a second position along a direction intersecting the transport direction, thereby performing the processing operation on the print medium; a first transport process in which the transport unit transports the printing medium in the transport direction until an upstream end of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed in the processing process moves downstream of the processing unit; a first movement process of moving the processing unit from the second position toward the first position after the first transport process.

2. The control unit When the processing operation is performed on the print medium on which the image of the print data of the final page included in the print job has been printed by the printing unit, the first movement process is performed after the first transport process; When the processing operation is performed on a print medium on which an image of print data of a page other than the final page included in the print job has been printed by the printing unit, a second movement process of moving the processing unit from the second position toward the first position after the processing process; The printing device described in claim 1, characterized in that after the second movement process, the printing medium is transported in the transport direction by the transport unit until the upstream end of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed in the processing process moves downstream of the processing unit, and a second transport process is performed in which the printing medium transported following the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed is transported by the transport unit.

3. The control unit If a first predetermined condition is satisfied, the first movement process is performed after the first transport process; If a second predetermined condition different from the first predetermined condition is satisfied, a second movement process of moving the processing unit from the second position toward the first position after the processing process; The printing device described in claim 1, characterized in that after the second movement process, a second transport process is performed in which the transport unit transports the printing medium in the transport direction until the upstream end of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed in the processing process moves downstream of the processing unit.

4. the first predetermined condition is a condition that the number of dots formed on the surface of the printing medium per unit area by the printing unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of dots; 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second predetermined condition is that the number of dots formed on the surface per unit area is less than the predetermined number of dots.

5. the first predetermined condition is a condition that the amount of ink ejected by the printing unit onto the surface of the printing medium per unit area is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of ink; 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second predetermined condition is that the amount of ink ejected onto the surface per unit area is less than the predetermined ink amount.

6. a receiving unit configured to receive a user's operation for selecting one of a first mode in which the first movement process is executed after the first transport process and a second mode in which the second movement process is executed after the second transport process, the first predetermined condition is a condition that the selection of the first mode is accepted by the accepting unit, 4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein the second predetermined condition is that the selection of the second mode has been accepted by the accepting unit.

7. 4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second predetermined conditions are conditions that limit the environment surrounding the printing device.

8. 4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second predetermined conditions are conditions that specify the type of print medium.

9. The control unit The printing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first transport process is performed so that the path along which the processing unit moves is positioned between the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the printing medium transported following that printing medium, and the first movement process is performed after performing a third transport process in which the transport unit transports the printing medium transported following the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed.

10. The control unit A printing device as described in claim 9, characterized in that when the resolution of the image printed on the printing medium by the printing unit is a predetermined resolution or higher, the first conveying process and the third conveying process are performed, and then the first moving process is performed so that the path along which the processing unit moves is positioned between the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed and the printing medium that is transported following that printing medium.

11. The control unit A printing device as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the first conveying process and the third conveying process are performed so that the first conveying speed of the printing medium on which the processing operation has been performed in the processing process is faster than the second conveying speed of the printing medium conveyed following the printing medium.

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