Image forming apparatus and image forming system

Abstract

To enable image formation without preparing a new roll medium, when the roll medium is cut.SOLUTION: When a roll body detection part detects that the roll paper is cut, and when a cut paper detection part detects that a cut paper is stored in a cut paper storage part, before start of image formation on a roll paper based on a roll image formation signal, or in the middle of image formation on the roll paper based on the roll image formation signal, a cut image formation signal is generated, which can form, on each cut paper, one or more split images obtained by splitting, in each cut paper, an image not yet formed on the roll paper in the images, and a split image is formed on one or more cut papers based on the cut image formation signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system having a first storage section capable of storing a roll of rolled media and a second storage section capable of storing multiple stacked cut media. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus that can accommodate both a roll of roll paper (a long sheet-like medium) wound into a roll and cut paper (a short sheet-like medium). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile (image forming apparatus) having a paper feed cassette formed with a loading section for the roll and a loading section for the cut paper. [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 the facsimile described in Patent Document 1, when a roll paper image formation signal is received, an image is formed on roll paper unwound from the roll, and when a cut paper image formation signal is received, an image is formed on cut paper. However, when forming an image on roll paper, if the roll paper stored in the paper feed cassette runs out, an image cannot be formed until a new roll is prepared, even though cut paper is stored.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that are capable of forming images when the roll medium runs out without having to prepare a new roll medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a first storage section capable of storing a roll body in which a long sheet medium is wound into a roll, a second storage section capable of storing multiple stacked cut media, which are sheet media shorter than the long sheet medium, a transport section that transports either the roll medium or the cut media, which are the sheet media unwound from the roll body, in a transport direction, an image forming section that forms an image on the media transported by the transport section, a roll medium detection section that detects whether the roll medium stored in the first storage section has run out of roll medium, a cut medium detection section that detects whether the cut medium is stored in the second storage section, and a control section. Then, before starting to form an image on the roll medium based on a roll image formation signal that instructs the formation of an image on the roll medium, or while forming the image on the roll medium based on the roll image formation signal, if the roll medium detection unit detects that the roll medium has run out and the cut medium detection unit detects that the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit, the control unit generates a cut image formation signal that can form one or more divided images on each of the cut media by dividing the images of the image that have not yet been formed on the roll medium for each of the cut media, and forms the divided images on one or more of the cut media based on the cut image formation signal.

[0007] The image forming system of the present invention comprises an image forming apparatus and an external device external to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises a first storage section capable of storing a roll of long sheet media wound into a roll, a second storage section capable of storing multiple stacked cut media, which are sheet media shorter than the long sheet media, a transport section that transports either the roll media or the cut media, which are the sheet media unwound from the roll, in a transport direction, an image forming section that forms an image on the media transported by the transport section, a roll media detection section that detects whether the roll media stored in the first storage section has run out, a cut media detection section that detects whether the cut media is stored in the second storage section, a cutting section that cuts the roll media transported by the transport section, and a control section, and the external device is connected to the image forming apparatus so as to be able to send and receive signals to and from the control section. When the control unit receives a roll image formation signal from the external device to form an image on the roll medium, and the roll medium detection unit detects that the roll medium has run out before starting to form the image on the roll medium or while forming the image, and the cut medium detection unit detects that the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit, the control unit sends a request signal to the external device requesting the generation of a cut image formation signal that can form one or more divided images on each of the cut media, by dividing the images of the image that have not yet been formed on the roll medium, for each of the cut media, and when the control unit receives the cut image formation signal generated based on the request signal from the external device, the control unit forms the divided images on one or more of the cut media based on the cut image formation signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the image forming device of the present invention, even if the roll medium runs out when forming images on the roll medium, if cut media are stored in the second storage unit, divided images can be formed on one or more cut media based on a cut image formation signal. This makes it possible to form images on the cut media without preparing a new roll. As a result, users who do not frequently form images on roll media can avoid the hassle of preparing a new roll. According to the image forming system of the present invention, even if the roll medium runs out when forming images on the roll medium, if cut media are stored in the second storage unit, divided images can be formed on one or more cut media based on a cut image formation signal generated by an external device. This makes it possible to form images on the cut media without preparing a new roll. As a result, users who do not frequently form images on roll media can avoid the hassle of preparing a new roll. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printer of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a roll body is accommodated. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which cut paper is stored in the printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a roll body detection unit, in which FIG. 1A shows a state in which no roll body is housed, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which a roll body is housed. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a cut sheet detection unit, in which FIG. 1A shows a state in which no cut sheet is stored, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which cut sheet is stored. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer system. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed when a printer in the printer system shown in FIG. 1 receives a roll image formation signal. [Figure 7](a) is a diagram showing a state in which an image based on a roll image formation signal is formed on roll paper, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which divided images based on a cut image formation signal are each formed on cut paper, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which a portion of the image based on the roll image formation signal is formed on roll paper, and the remaining image is each formed on cut paper by divided images based on the cut image formation signal. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed when a printer in a printer system according to a modified example of the present invention receives a roll image formation signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

[0011] 1, a printer system (image forming system of the present invention) 100 according to this embodiment includes a printer 1 (the "image forming apparatus" of the present invention) and a PC 90 (personal computer: the "external apparatus" of the present invention) connected to a control unit 80 (described later) of the printer 1 so as to be able to send and receive information. The up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions shown in FIG. 1 are the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions of the printer 1.

[0012] The printer 1 includes a housing 1a, a first feed tray 10, a second feed tray 20, a transport unit 30, a cutting unit 4, a head 5, a paper discharge tray 6, a roll detection unit 40, a cut paper detection unit 50, a cut paper width detection unit 55 (see FIG. 5), a notification unit 7, and a control unit 80. The paper discharge tray 6 forms one side wall of the upper part of the housing 1a and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 1a.

[0013] The first feed tray 10 is disposed within the housing 1a above the second feed tray 20 and below the head 5. The first feed tray 10 and the second feed tray 20 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 1a in the front-to-rear direction through an opening formed in the front wall of the housing 1a.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the first feed tray 10 has a box-shaped main body 10a consisting of a bottom wall 11 and four side walls 12 erected on the edges of the bottom wall 11 (only two side walls 12 provided on the front and rear edges of the bottom wall 11 are shown in Figs. 1 and 2). As shown in Fig. 2, the first feed tray 10 has a cut-sheet storage section 15 (the "second storage section" of the present invention) that can store multiple stacks of cut sheets Kp. The cut sheets Kp are short sheets of paper (the "sheet-like medium" of the present invention), such as A4 or B5 size paper.

[0015] The cut sheet storage section 15 stores the cut sheet Kp in an orientation in which the longitudinal direction of the cut sheet Kp coincides with the left-right direction and the lateral direction coincides with the front-rear direction. The first feed tray 10 is also provided with a pair of side guides 16 that are configured to be able to sandwich the cut sheet Kp stored in the cut sheet storage section 15 from the left and right. The pair of side guides 16 are arranged so that they can move left and right.

[0016] The cut paper width detection unit 55 (see FIG. 5) is a known sensor capable of detecting the position of the side guide 16 in the left-right direction. Any sensor can be used as long as it is capable of detecting the left-right position of the side guide 16. The cut paper width detection unit 55 outputs a position signal indicating the left-right position of the side guide 16 to the control unit 80. The position signal from the cut paper width detection unit 55 enables the control unit 80 to determine the size of the cut paper Kp (for example, A4 size or B5 size) placed in the cut paper storage unit 15. The control unit 80 and the cut paper width detection unit 55 make up the "width detection unit" of the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the second feed tray 20 has a box-shaped main body 20a made up of a bottom wall 21 and four side walls 22 extending from the edges of the bottom wall 21 (only two side walls 22, one on the front edge and one on the rear edge of the bottom wall 21, are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The second feed tray 20 has a roll storage section 25 (the "first storage section" of the present invention) that can store a roll R. As shown in FIG. 1, the roll R is a sheet of paper (the "sheet-like medium" of the present invention) longer than the cut paper Kp, wound around a core Rc in a roll shape. Note that the roll R in this embodiment is one in which the final end of the roll paper Rp is not connected to the core Rc. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll R and the cut paper Kp, they may be referred to as "paper P."

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the roll storage unit 25 is located below the cut-sheet storage unit 15 and stores the roll R such that the width of the rolled paper Rp unwound from the roll R coincides with the left-right direction. In other words, the roll R is positioned 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. In this embodiment, the roll storage unit 25 can only store rolls R with the same width as the A4 size paper stored in the cut-sheet storage unit 15. However, a configuration capable of detecting the left-right width of the roll R may be used to store rolls R of various widths. In this case, the control unit 80 can determine whether the roll paper width and the cut sheet width are the same based on a signal from the roll width detection unit, which detects the width of the roll R, and a signal from the cut-sheet width detection unit 55. The roll width detection unit, cut-sheet width detection unit 55, and control unit 80 constitute the "width detection unit" of the present invention. Furthermore, if only one size of cut paper Kp can be stored in the cut paper storage section 15, the width size of the cut paper Kp can be determined without providing a cut paper width detection section 55, so the roll body width detection section and the control section 80 may constitute the "width detection section" of the present invention.

[0019] The roll storage section 25 has two rollers 14a and 14b. The two rollers 14a and 14b each extend in the left-right direction and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The rollers 14a and 14b are both rotatable around a rotation axis that extends in the left-right direction. The rollers 14a and 14b support the roll R from below while in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the roll R.

[0020] The conveying section 30 has a first feeding section 31, a second feeding section 34, two pairs of intermediate rollers 37a and 37b, a pair of conveying rollers 38, and a pair of paper discharge rollers 39. The first feeding section 31 includes a feeding roller 32, an arm 33, and a first feeding motor 31M (see FIG. 5). The feeding roller 32 feeds cut paper Kp from the first feeding tray 10. The feeding roller 32 is disposed above the bottom wall 11. The feeding roller 32 is axially supported at the tip of the arm 33 and rotates when driven by the first feeding motor 31M. The arm 33 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 33a. The support shaft 33a is supported by the housing 1a. The arm 33 is urged by a urging member (not shown) so that the feeding roller 32 approaches the bottom wall 11. The arm 33 rotates by a rotation mechanism (not shown) so that the feed roller 32 is positioned above the upper end of the rear side wall 12 of the first feed tray 10 when the first feed tray 10 is inserted into or removed from the housing 1a.

[0021] When there is no cut sheet Kp on the bottom wall 11, the feed roller 32 comes into contact with the upper surface of the bottom wall 11. When there is cut sheet Kp on the bottom wall 11, the feed roller 32 comes into contact with the uppermost cut sheet Kp. When the first feed motor 31M is driven under the control of the control unit 80 while the feed roller 32 is in contact with the cut sheet Kp, the feed roller 32 rotates, and a conveying force is applied from the front to the rear to the cut sheet Kp in contact with the feed roller 32. As a result, the cut sheet Kp is sent out of the first feed tray 10 and guided diagonally upward by the rear side wall 12.

[0022] The second feed unit 34 includes a feed roller 35, an arm 36, and a second feed motor 34M (see FIG. 5). The feed roller 35 feeds the roll paper Rp from the second feed tray 20. The feed roller 35 is disposed above the bottom wall 21. The feed roller 35 is axially supported at the tip of the arm 36 and rotates when driven by the second feed motor 34M. The arm 36 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 36a. The support shaft 36a is supported by the housing 1a. The arm 36 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) so that the feed roller 35 approaches the bottom wall 21. Note that the arm 36 is rotated by a rotation mechanism (not shown) so that the feed roller 35 is positioned above the upper end of the side wall 22 behind the second feed tray 20 when inserting or removing the second feed tray 20 into or from the housing 1a.

[0023] When there is no roll paper Rp on the bottom wall 21, the feed roller 35 comes into contact with the upper surface of the bottom wall 21. When there is roll paper Rp on the bottom wall 21, the feed roller 35 comes into contact with the roll paper Rp. When the second feed motor 34M is driven under the control of the control unit 80 while the feed roller 35 is in contact with the roll paper Rp, the feed roller 35 rotates and a conveying force is applied to the roll paper Rp in a direction from front to rear. As a result, the roll paper Rp is sent out of the second feed tray 20 and guided diagonally upward by the rear side wall 22.

[0024] Each of the two intermediate roller pairs 37a, 37b has a drive roller that rotates forward and backward when driven by an intermediate motor 37M (see FIG. 5), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. When the intermediate motor 37M is driven under the control of the control unit 80, the intermediate roller pair 37a, 37b rotates while sandwiching the paper P to transport the paper P. The intermediate roller pair 37a is located above the rear end of the first feed tray 10. The intermediate roller pair 37a sandwiches and transports the paper P sent out from the first feed tray 10 and the second feed tray 20. The intermediate roller pair 37b is located above the rear side wall 22 of the second feed tray 20, between the cutter 4a and the partition plate 1b. The partition plate 1b separates the space in which the first feed tray 10 and the second feed tray 20 are disposed within the housing 1a. Furthermore, a through-hole 1c is formed in the partition plate 1b at a position facing the intermediate roller pair 37b. The intermediate roller pair 37b sandwiches the roll paper Rp sent out from the second feed tray 20 and transports it upward while passing through the through-hole 1c.

[0025] The conveying roller pair 38 is composed of a drive roller that rotates forward and backward when driven by a conveying motor 38M (see FIG. 5), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. The leading edge of the sheet P conveyed by the intermediate roller pair 37a, 37b comes into contact with the conveying roller pair 38, thereby correcting skew of the sheet P. The paper discharge roller pair 39 is composed of a drive roller that rotates forward and backward when driven by a paper discharge motor 39M (see FIG. 5), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. Note that instead of these three motors 37M, 38M, and 39M, a single motor may transmit driving force to each of the roller pairs 37-39 via a transmission mechanism. When the conveying motor 38M and the paper discharge motor 39M are driven under the control of the control unit 80, the conveying roller pair 38 and the paper discharge roller pair 39 rotate while sandwiching the sheet P, thereby conveying the sheet P.

[0026] The conveying roller pair 38 is located behind the head 5, and the paper discharge roller pair 39 is located in front of the head 5. The conveying roller pair 38 sandwiches and conveys forward the paper P that has been conveyed upward by the intermediate roller pair 37a and then guided forward by a guide (not shown). Before the conveying roller pair 38 sandwiches and conveys the paper P, the conveying roller pair 38 is stopped or rotated in the reverse direction, and the leading edge of the paper P conveyed by the intermediate roller pair 37 is brought into contact with the conveying roller pair 38, thereby correcting skew of the paper P. After correcting skew of the paper P, the conveying roller pair 38 sandwiches and conveys the paper P. The paper discharge roller pair 39 sandwiches and conveys the paper P that has been conveyed forward by the conveying roller pair 38.

[0027] The cutting unit 4 includes a cutter 4a and a cutting motor 4M (see FIG. 5). The cutter 4a is located above the rear end of the second feed tray 20 and below the pair of intermediate rollers 37b. The cutter 4a is made up of, for example, a disk-shaped rotary blade and a driven blade. Alternatively, the cutter 4a may be made up of a rotary blade and a fixed blade. The rotary blade of the cutter 4a is rotated by the driving of the cutting motor 4M and moves back and forth in the left-right direction. The roll paper Rp that has been unwound from the roll R and transported is cut widthwise by the cutter 4a when the cutting motor 4M is driven under the control of the control unit 80. This forms a trailing edge on the roll paper Rp that is sent to the paper output tray 6.

[0028] The head 5 (the "image forming unit" of the present invention) includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown) formed on its underside and a driver IC 8 (see FIG. 5). The head 5 records an image on paper P transported by a transport unit 30. When the driver IC 8 is driven under the control of the control unit 80, ink is ejected from the nozzles, and an image is recorded on paper P when the paper P transported by the transport unit 30 passes a position facing the head 5. The head 5 may be either a line type in which ink is ejected from nozzles while remaining in a fixed position, or a serial type in which ink is ejected from nozzles while moving left and right.

[0029] The paper output tray 6 forms a side wall on the front side of the upper part of the housing 1a and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 1a. The paper P on which an image has been recorded by the head 5 is transported forward by the transport unit 30 and received in the open paper output tray 6. This causes the paper P to be ejected from the printer 1 (inside the housing 1a).

[0030] When setting cut sheets Kp in the first feed tray 10, first the first feed tray 10 is pulled out from the housing 1a, and a stack of cut sheets Kp is placed on the bottom wall 11 of the cut sheet storage section 15. Then the first feed tray 10 is inserted into the housing 1a. This sets the cut sheets Kp in the first feed tray 10, and the feed roller 32 comes into contact with the cut sheets Kp, making it possible to feed the cut sheets Kp. Note that the cut sheets Kp are stored in the cut sheet storage section 15 with their short sides aligned with the front-to-rear direction, and are therefore transported by the transport section 30 with their short sides aligned with the transport direction.

[0031] When setting the roll R on the second feed tray 20, first pull the second feed tray 20 out of the housing 1a and support the roll R on the rollers 14a and 14b of the roll accommodation section 25. Next, feed the roll Rp rearward until the leading edge of the roll Rp unwound from the roll R reaches the vicinity of the rear side wall 22. Then, insert the second feed tray 20 into the housing 1a. This sets the roll Rp on the second feed tray 20, and the feed roller 35 comes into contact with the roll Rp, making it possible to feed the roll Rp.

[0032] The roll detection unit 40 (the "roll medium detection unit" of the present invention) can detect whether or not a roll R is stored in the roll storage unit 25 of the second feed tray 20. More specifically, the roll detection unit 40 detects that the roll R is stored in the roll storage unit 25 by detecting roll paper Rp that has been unwound from the roll R. In other words, the roll detection unit 40 can detect whether the roll R has run out of roll paper. As shown in FIG. 3, the roll detection unit 40 is located below and behind the roller 14b of the roll storage unit 25.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the roll detection unit 40 includes an actuator 41a and a sensor 41b. The actuator 41a is supported rotatably around a rotation shaft 41a2. The axial direction of the rotation shaft 41a2 is parallel to the left-right direction. The sensor 41b detects the actuator 41a. The sensor 41b is, for example, a photosensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (not shown). The actuator 41a is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by a biasing member (not shown). When no external force is applied, the actuator 41a is located on the path of the roll paper Rp from the roll accommodation unit 25, as shown in FIG. 3(a). At this time, the actuator 41a does not block the optical path of the sensor 41b. This allows the roll detection unit 40 to detect when the roll R runs out of roll paper. In other words, it can detect when the roll accommodation unit 25 does not contain the roll R.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the roll R is not stored in the roll storage unit 25, no external force is applied to the actuator 41a, and the actuator 41a is positioned so as not to block the optical path of the sensor 41b. On the other hand, when the roll R is stored in the roll storage unit 25 and the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll R comes into contact with the actuator 41a, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the actuator 41a is pushed downward by the roll paper Rp. The actuator 41a rotates clockwise in FIG. 3 around the rotation axis 41a2, blocking the optical path of the sensor 41b. This allows the roll detection unit 40 to detect that the roll R is stored in the roll storage unit 25.

[0035] Cut sheet detection unit 50 ("cut medium detection unit" of the present invention) can detect whether or not cut sheet Kp is stored in cut sheet storage unit 15 of first feed tray 10. More specifically, by detecting cut sheet Kp placed on bottom wall 11, it can detect that cut sheet Kp is stored in cut sheet storage unit 15. Cut sheet detection unit 50 is attached to arm 33, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the cut-sheet detection unit 50 includes an actuator 51a and a sensor 51b. The actuator 51a is supported by the arm 33 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 51a2. The axial direction of the rotation axis 51a2 is parallel to the left-right direction. The sensor 51b detects the actuator 51a. The sensor 51b is attached to the arm 33. The sensor 51b is, for example, a photosensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (not shown). When the cut sheet Kp is not stored in the cut-sheet storage unit 15, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the actuator 51a does not block the optical path and is not detected by the sensor 51b. When the cut sheet Kp is stored in the cut-sheet storage unit 15, the cut sheet Kp stacked on the bottom wall 11 comes into contact with the actuator 51a, as shown in FIG. 4(b). Then, actuator 51a is pushed by cut sheet Kp and rotates around rotation axis 51a2 (solid arrow in FIG. 4(b)), blocking the optical path and being detected by sensor 51b. This enables cut sheet detection unit 50 to detect whether cut sheet Kp is stored in cut sheet storage unit 15.

[0037] The notification unit 7 is for performing a notification operation to notify the user of information. The notification unit 7 is, for example, a display provided in the printer 100, and performs the notification operation to the user by displaying the information to be notified to the user. Alternatively, the notification unit 7 is a speaker provided in the printer 100, and performs the notification operation to the user by emitting the information to be notified to the user by voice.

[0038] The control unit 80 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 by the CPU when executing programs. The control unit 80 is also connected to a driver IC 8, cutting motor 4M, first feed motor 31M, second feed motor 34M, intermediate motor 37M, conveyance motor 38M, discharge motor 39M, roll body detection unit 40, cut paper detection unit 50, notification unit 7, etc. via an internal bus (not shown).

[0039] Next, the operation of the printer system 100 when a roll image formation signal for forming an image on the roll paper Rp of the printer 1 is received will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0040] First, the control unit 80 determines whether or not it has received a roll image formation signal input by the user to form an image on roll paper Rp (S1). In this embodiment, the user sends the roll image formation signal to the printer 1 using the PC 90, and the control unit 80 receives the roll image formation signal, but the control unit 80 may also receive a roll image formation signal, such as image data input to the printer 1, directly from a storage device or the like, and execute the process of S1.

[0041] If the roll image formation signal has not been received (S1: NO), the control unit 80 repeats S1. On the other hand, if the roll image formation signal has been received (S1: YES), the control unit 80 determines whether or not the roll paper has run out (S2).

[0042] If the roll paper Rp is stored in the roll storage unit 25 and the roll paper is not out of paper (S2: NO), the control unit 80 proceeds to S3.

[0043] In S3, the control unit 10 starts printing on roll paper based on the roll image formation signal. That is, the control unit 80 causes the conveyance unit 30 to convey the roll paper Rp in the conveyance direction from the second feed tray 20. Then, the head 5 forms an image on the roll paper Rp conveyed by the conveyance unit 30, and controls the cutting motor 4M to cut the roll paper Rp at a predetermined position and discharge it.

[0044] Next, the control unit 80 determines whether the roll paper Rp is out (S4). When the roll body detection unit 40 no longer detects the roll paper Rp, if the remaining length of the roll paper Rp (a length equal to the distance from the roll detection unit 40 to the head 5 along the roll paper Rp's transport path and a pre-stored length) is shorter than the roll paper length required to form the remaining image on the roll paper Rp, the control unit 80 determines that the roll paper Rp is out. The control unit 80 determines the roll paper length required to form the remaining image on the roll paper Rp based on the roll image formation signal when the roll body detection unit 40 no longer detects the roll paper Rp. The roll body detection unit 40 and the control unit 80 also constitute the "roll media detection unit" of the present invention. If the roll paper Rp is not out (S4: NO), the control unit 80 determines whether the roll paper Rp on which the image has been formed has been ejected and roll paper printing has ended based on the roll image formation signal (S5). In this embodiment, this determination is made at predetermined short time intervals. If roll paper printing has not yet finished (S5: NO), the process returns to S4. On the other hand, if roll paper printing has finished (S5: YES), the control unit 80 ends the flow.

[0045] On the other hand, if the roll paper runs out in S2 (S2: YES), the control unit 80 determines whether or not cut sheet Kp is stored (S6). If cut sheet Kp is not stored in the cut sheet storage unit 15 (S6: NO), the control unit 80 causes the notification unit 7 to perform a notification operation to notify the user that cut sheet Kp is not stored in the cut sheet storage unit 15 (S7). The flow then ends.

[0046] If cut sheet Kp is stored in cut sheet storage unit 15 (S6: YES), control unit 80 determines whether the width of cut sheet Kp stored in cut sheet storage unit 15 is the same as the width of the roll paper (S8). In this embodiment, control unit 80 determines whether the left-to-right width of cut sheet Kp stored in cut sheet storage unit 15 is A4 size based on a position signal from cut sheet width detection unit 55, and if it is A4 size, determines that it is the same as the left-to-right width of roll R stored in roll storage unit 25.

[0047] If the widths are not the same (S8: NO), the control unit 80 causes the notification unit 7 to perform a notification operation to notify the user that the width of the cut sheet Kp is different from the width of the rolled sheet Rp (S9), and then the flow ends.

[0048] On the other hand, if the widths are the same (S8: YES), the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal based on the roll image formation signal (S10). Here, the generation of the cut image formation signal will be explained. For example, if the image formed on the roll paper Rp based on the roll image formation signal is image E1 as shown in FIG. 7(a), the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal that can form divided images E2 divided for each cut sheet Kp and a margin E3 on one side of the cut sheet Kp upstream in the conveying direction (trailing end) as shown in FIG. 7(b). At this time, the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal that can form a cutting line E4 to indicate the cutting location on the last cut sheet Kp on which divided image E2 is formed.

[0049] Next, the control unit 80 starts cut-sheet printing based on the cut image formation signal (S11). The control unit 80 causes the conveyance unit 30 to convey the cut sheet Kp in the conveyance direction from the first feed tray 10. Then, the head 5 forms a divided image E2 and a margin E3 on the cut sheet Kp conveyed by the conveyance unit 30, and the cut sheet Kp is discharged.

[0050] Next, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the cut sheet Kp is stored, as in S6 (S12). If the cut sheet Kp is not stored (S12: NO), proceed to S7 described above and end the flow. On the other hand, if the cut sheet Kp is stored in the cut sheet storage unit 15 (S12: YES), the control unit 80 determines whether or not the cut sheet Kp on which the last divided image E2 has been formed has been ejected and cut sheet printing has ended based on the cut image formation signal (S13). If the cut sheet printing has not yet ended (S13: NO), return to S12. On the other hand, if the cut sheet Kp on which the last divided image E2, margin E3, and cutting line E4 have been formed has been ejected and cut sheet printing has ended (S13: YES), the control unit 80 ends the flow.

[0051] On the other hand, if the roll paper runs out in S4 (S4: YES), the control unit 80 executes S14, which is the same as S6 described above. At this time, the control unit 80 temporarily stops image formation on the roll paper Rp. If there are no cut sheets Kp (S14: NO), the control unit 80 proceeds to S22, which is the same as S7 described above, and ends the flow.

[0052] If the cut sheet Kp is stored in the cut sheet storage unit 15 (S14: YES), the control unit 80 executes S15, which is the same as S8. If the widths are not the same (S15: NO), the control unit 80 proceeds to S16, which is the same as S9 described above, and ends the flow.

[0053] On the other hand, if the widths are the same (S15: YES), the control unit 80 controls the cutting motor 4M to cut the roll paper Rp at a predetermined position. Note that when the end of roll paper is detected in S4, the roll paper Rp is present in the feed roller 35 area, so the cutting unit 4 can cut the roll paper Rp at the predetermined position. The control unit 80 then resumes roll paper printing, which was temporarily stopped in S4, and forms an image on the remaining roll paper Rp so as to form margin E5 (see FIG. 7(c)) at the rear end of the roll paper Rp, and then ejects the roll paper Rp (S17).

[0054] Next, the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal based on the remaining images not yet formed on the roll paper Rp of the image E1 formed on the roll paper Rp based on the roll image formation signal (S18). The generation of the cut image formation signal will now be described. When the image E1 formed on the roll paper Rp based on the roll image formation signal as described above is the image E1 shown in FIG. 7(a), the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal that can form, on each cut sheet Kp, divided images E7 obtained by dividing the image E1 excluding image E6 formed on the roll paper Rp (images of image E1 not yet formed on the roll paper Rp), as shown in FIG. 7(c), and a margin E3 that serves as an overlap margin on one side of the cut sheet Kp upstream in the conveyance direction. At this time, the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal that can form a cutting line E4 on the last cut sheet Kp on which divided image E7 is formed, as described above.

[0055] Next, the control unit 80 proceeds to S19 and S20, which are similar to S11 and S12. If the cut sheet Kp is not stored (S20: NO), the control unit 80 proceeds to S22, described above, and ends the flow. On the other hand, if the cut sheet Kp is stored in the cut sheet storage unit 15 (S20: YES), the control unit 80 proceeds to S21, which is similar to S13, described above. If the cut sheet Kp on which the last divided image E7, margin E3, and cutting line E4 have been formed has not been ejected and cut sheet printing has not yet finished (S21: NO), the control unit 80 returns to S20. On the other hand, if the cut sheet Kp on which the last divided image E7, margin E3, and cutting line E4 have been formed has been ejected and cut sheet printing has finished (S21: YES), the control unit 80 ends the flow.

[0056] As described above, with printer 1 of printer system 100 of this embodiment, even if roll paper runs out in S2 when forming image E1 on roll paper Rp, if cut sheets Kp are stored in cut sheet storage unit 15 in S6, divided images E2, E7 can be formed on one or more cut sheets Kp based on the cut image formation signal. This makes it possible to form images on cut sheets Kp without preparing a new roll R. As a result, users who do not frequently form images on roll paper Rp can avoid the hassle of preparing a new roll R.

[0057] Furthermore, in S10 and S18, the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal that enables the cutting line E4 to be formed on the last cut sheet Kp on which the divided images E2 and E7 are formed. This makes it possible to form the cutting line E4 on the last cut sheet Kp on which the divided images E2 and E7 are formed based on the cut image formation signal. This makes it possible to cut the cut sheet Rp in the same state as when the roll paper Rp was cut with an image formed on it.

[0058] In addition, in S10 and S18, the control unit 80 generates a cut image formation signal that enables the formation of a margin E3 on one side of the outer edge (the side on the upstream side in the conveying direction) of each of the two consecutive cut sheets Kp on which the divided images E2 and E7 are formed, thereby enabling the cut sheets Kp to be glued together at the margin E3.

[0059] Furthermore, when the control unit 80 proceeds from S4 to S14 and then to S17, it forms a margin E5 at the rear end of the roll paper Rp, i.e., on one side of the rear end. This makes it possible to glue the roll paper Rp and the cut sheet Kp on which the divided image E7 will be formed following the roll paper Rp at the margin E5 formed on the roll paper Rp.

[0060] Furthermore, if the control unit 80 detects in S8 and S15 that the width of the cut sheet Kp is different from the width of the rolled sheet Rp, it does not proceed to S18 (i.e., it does not generate a cut image formation signal) but proceeds to S16, where it causes the notification unit 7 to perform a notification operation. This allows the notification unit 7 to perform a notification operation and notify the user that the width of the paper P is different when the width of the rolled sheet Rp is different from the width of the cut sheet Kp. Furthermore, because a cut image formation signal is not generated at this time, it is possible to prevent divided images E2 and E7 from being formed on the cut sheet Kp, which has a width different from that of the rolled sheet Rp.

[0061] The printer 1 also has a cutting unit 4, which makes it possible to cut the roll paper Rp at a predetermined position.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 generates the cut image formation signal, but the cut image formation signal may be generated by the PC 90, and divided images E2, E7 may be formed on the cut sheet Kp based on the cut image formation signal sent from the PC 90 to the control unit 80. The operation of the printer 1 in the printer system 100 in this modified example when it receives a roll image formation signal will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 8. Note that parts similar to those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The control unit 80 proceeds to S1, S2, S6, and S8 described above, and if the width of the cut sheet Kp and the width of the roll paper Rp are the same (S8: YES), proceeds to S201. In S201, the control unit 80 sends a request signal to the PC 90 requesting the generation of a cut image formation signal that can form, on each of the cut sheets Kp, divided images E2 obtained by dividing the image E1 for each cut sheet Kp, and a margin E3 on one side of the cut sheet Kp on the upstream side in the transport direction.

[0064] Next, the control unit 80 determines whether or not it has received a cut image formation signal generated based on the request signal from the PC 90 (S202). When the PC 90 receives the request signal, a signal similar to the cut image formation signal generated in S10 described above is generated in the PC 90 by user operation. If the cut image formation signal has not been received (S202: NO), the control unit 80 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since transmitting the request signal (S203). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S203: NO), the control unit 80 returns to S202.

[0065] On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (S203: YES), the control unit 80 causes the notification unit 7 to perform a notification operation to notify the user that the cut image formation signal has not been transmitted (S204), and then ends the flow.

[0066] If the control unit 80 receives a cut image formation signal formed by user operation in S202 (S202: YES), it starts cut-sheet printing based on the cut image formation signal (S205). As in S11 above, the control unit 80 causes the conveying unit 30 to convey the cut sheet Kp from the first feed tray 10 in the conveying direction. Then, the head 5 forms a divided image E2 and a margin E3 on the cut sheet Kp conveyed by the conveying unit 30, and the cut sheet Kp is discharged. Then, the process proceeds to S12 above. The process thereafter is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0067] The control unit 80 also proceeds in the above-mentioned order from S1 to S4 to S14, S15, and S17, and then proceeds to S301. In S301, the control unit 80 sends a request signal to the PC 90 to request the generation of a cut image formation signal that can form, on each cut sheet Kp, divided images E7 obtained by dividing the images (images of image E1 that have not yet been formed on the roll paper Rp) excluding image E6 formed on the roll paper Rp based on the roll image formation signal for each cut sheet Kp, and a margin E3 on one side of the cut sheet Kp on the upstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0068] Next, the control unit 80 executes S302, which is the same as S202 described above. When the PC 90 receives the request signal, a signal similar to the cut image formation signal generated in S18 described above is generated in the PC 90 by user operation. If the cut image formation signal is not received (S302: NO), the control unit 80 executes S303, which is the same as S203 described above. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S303: NO), the control unit 80 returns to S302.

[0069] On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (S303: YES), the control unit 80 executes S304, which is the same as S204 described above, and then ends the flow.

[0070] If the control unit 80 receives a cut image formation signal formed by user operation in S302 (S302: YES), it starts cut-sheet printing based on the cut image formation signal (S305). As in S19 above, the control unit 80 causes the conveying unit 30 to convey the cut sheet Kp from the first feed tray 10 in the conveying direction. Then, the head 5 forms a divided image E7 and a margin E3 on the cut sheet Kp conveyed by the conveying unit 30, and the cut sheet Kp is discharged. Then, the process proceeds to S20 above. Processing other than that described above is the same as in the above embodiment and is indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0071] As described above, with the printer system 100 of this modified example, even if the roll paper runs out in S2 when forming image E1 on roll paper Rp, if cut sheets Kp are stored in the cut sheet storage unit 15 in S6, divided images E2, E7 can be formed on one or more cut sheets Kp based on a cut image formation signal generated by the PC 90 (external device). This makes it possible to form images on cut sheets Kp without preparing a new roll R. As a result, users who do not frequently form images on roll paper Rp can avoid the trouble of preparing a new roll R. Note that the same effects can be obtained with devices similar to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0072] While 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. For example, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, a cut image formation signal is generated when the width of the cut sheet Kp is the same as the width of the roll paper Rp. However, a cut image formation signal may be generated and divided images E2 and E7 may be formed on the cut sheet Kp even if the width of the cut sheet Kp is different from the width of the roll paper Rp. In this case, a cut image formation signal may be generated that enlarges or reduces the divided image according to the width of the cut sheet Kp, depending on the user's operation. Furthermore, if the divided image is not enlarged or reduced, it is preferable to generate a cut image formation signal and form divided images E2 and E7 on the cut sheet Kp when the width of the cut sheet Kp is equal to or greater than the width of the roll paper Rp.

[0073] A margin may be formed on only one of two consecutive cut sheets Kp. In this case, margins for gluing the cut sheets Kpx are formed on the cut sheets Kp on both sides of the cut sheet Kpx without a margin. The margin E3 may be formed on only one side of the cut sheet Kp downstream in the transport direction (leading edge), or on both sides of the cut sheet Kp on both sides (leading and trailing edges) in the transport direction. The margin E3 need not be formed. The cutting line E4 need not be formed. The margin E5 need not be formed. In this case, a margin may be formed on one side of the cut sheet Kp adjacent to the roll paper Rp downstream in the transport direction.

[0074] If the width of paper P that can be stored in the cut paper storage section 15 and the roll storage section 25 is the same, it is not necessary to provide the above-mentioned cut paper width detection section 55. In this case, the processes of S8 and S15 may also be omitted. Also, if the cut paper storage section 15 can store only one type of cut paper size, it is not necessary to provide the cut paper width detection section 55.

[0075] The roll detection unit 40 described above detects whether the roll is empty by detecting the presence or absence of roll paper Rp, but it can also detect empty roll paper by detecting a decrease in the diameter or radius of the roll R. This is particularly desirable when using a roll R in which the end of the roll paper Rp is connected to the core member Rc. Furthermore, if the end of the roll paper Rp is connected to the core member Rc, empty roll paper can also be detected by detecting that the roll paper Rp cannot be transported (a state in which the roll paper cannot be unwound from the core member Rc due to an end of the roll paper). In this case, the roll paper Rp is cut by the cutter 4a.

[0076] The present invention can also be used in printers equipped with a single feed tray capable of accommodating a roll R and cut paper Kp. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to inkjet printers, but also to electrophotographic printers equipped with a laser-type image forming unit in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing a photosensitive member with a laser, or an LED-type image forming unit in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing a photosensitive member with an LED. Furthermore, the sheet-like medium is not limited to paper, and may be any sheet-like medium such as cloth. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Printer (image forming device) 4 Cut section 5 Head (image forming unit) 7. Information Department 15 Cut paper storage section (second storage section) 25 Roll body storage section (first storage section) 30 Conveying section 40 Roll body detection unit (roll media detection unit) 50 Cut paper detector (cut media detector) 55 Cut paper width detector (part of width detector) 80 Control unit (part of width detection unit) 90 PC (external device) 100 Printer system (image forming system) E1 Image (first image) E2,E7 split image E3,E5 margins E4 cutting line Kp cut paper (cut media) R roll body Rp roll paper (roll media)

Claims

1. a first storage section capable of storing a roll of a long sheet medium wound in a roll; a second storage section capable of storing a plurality of stacked cut media, which are shorter than the long sheet media; a conveying unit that conveys either the roll medium, which is the sheet-like medium unwound from the roll body, or the cut medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium transported by the transport unit; a roll medium detection unit that detects whether the roll stored in the first storage unit is out of roll medium; a cut medium detection unit that detects whether the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit; a control unit, The control unit before starting to form one image on the roll medium based on a roll image formation signal that instructs to form the one image on the roll medium, if the roll medium detection unit detects that the roll medium is out of stock and the cut medium detection unit detects that the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit, a cut image formation signal is generated that can form one or more divided images, each of which is obtained by dividing the one image for each of the cut medium, on each of the cut medium; If the roll medium detection unit detects that the roll medium has run out and the cut medium detection unit detects that the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit while the one image is being formed on the roll medium based on the roll image formation signal, a cut image formation signal is generated that can form one or more divided images on each of the cut media by dividing the images of the one image that have not yet been formed on the roll medium for each of the cut media, an image forming apparatus for forming the divided images on one or more of the cut media based on the cut image forming signal;

2. The control unit 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cut image forming signal is generated to form a cutting line on the last cut medium on which the divided images are formed, the cutting line indicating the cutting position of the cut medium.

3. The control unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cut image formation signal is generated to enable the formation of a margin portion on at least one side of the outer edge of at least one of the two consecutive cut media on which the divided image is formed.

4. The control unit The image forming device described in claim 3, characterized in that when the roll media detection unit detects that the roll media has run out and the cut media is stored in the second storage unit while forming the first image on the roll media based on the roll image formation signal, the margin is formed on one side of the rear end of the roll media.

5. a width detection unit that detects whether the width of the cut medium stored in the second storage unit in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is the same as the width of the roll medium stored in the first storage unit; a notification unit capable of performing a notification operation to notify a user; The control unit An image forming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that if the roll media detection unit detects that the roll media has run out and the cut media is stored in the second storage unit before starting to form the one image on the roll media or while forming the one image, the width detection unit detects that the width of the cut media is different from the width of the roll media, and causes the notification unit to perform the notification operation without generating the cut image formation signal.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting unit that cuts the roll medium transported by the transport unit.

7. An image forming apparatus and an external device located outside the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus, a first storage section capable of storing a roll of a long sheet medium wound in a roll; a second storage section capable of storing a plurality of stacked cut media, which are shorter than the long sheet media; a conveying unit that conveys either the roll medium, which is the sheet-like medium unwound from the roll body, or the cut medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium transported by the transport unit; a roll medium detection unit that detects whether the roll medium stored in the first storage unit has run out; a cut medium detection unit that detects whether the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit; a control unit; the external device is connected to the image forming apparatus so as to be able to transmit and receive signals to and from the control unit; The control unit When a roll image forming signal for forming an image on the roll medium is received from the external device, if the roll medium detection unit detects that the roll medium has run out and the cut medium detection unit detects that the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit before starting to form the image on the roll medium, a request signal is sent to the external device requesting the generation of a cut image forming signal that can form one or more divided images, obtained by dividing the image for each of the cut medium, on each of the cut medium, When the roll medium detection unit detects that the roll medium has run out and the cut medium detection unit detects that the cut medium is stored in the second storage unit while the one image is being formed on the roll medium based on the roll image formation signal, a request signal is sent to the external device to request the generation of a cut image formation signal that can form one or more divided images, obtained by dividing the images of the one image that have not yet been formed on the roll medium for each of the cut media, on each of the cut media, An image forming system characterized in that when the cut image formation signal generated based on the request signal is received from the external device, the divided image is formed on one or more of the cut media based on the cut image formation signal.

8. 8. The image forming system according to claim 7, further comprising a cutting unit that cuts the roll medium transported by the transport unit.

Images