Printing apparatus

Abstract

To prevent a reduction in processing quality.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a conveyance unit (6); a printing unit (3) which prints printing data on a sheet (P); a cutting unit (7); and a control unit (100). The control unit (100) does not execute cutting processing when determining that a first sheet length is shorter than a second sheet length being a prescribed sheet length in a process of executing printing processing for printing the printing data on the sheet P in the printing unit (3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus including a cutting unit that cuts a sheet being conveyed for printing. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a single sheet and then cuts the single sheet by causing two blades to cross each other with respect to the sheet to generate two sheets.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, if there is a variation in the size of the sheets stored in the feed cassette, the sheet size of the specified sheet size and the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit may be different. In this case, there is a possibility that the sheet cannot be cut by the sheet cutting unit while being held by the sheet conveyance unit. If the sheet cannot be cut while being held by the sheet conveyance unit, the sheet will be cut with a weak force for holding the sheet, and the sheet may shift during the cutting operation of the sheet, resulting in a decrease in the cutting quality. The present disclosure aims to provide a printing apparatus that prevents a deterioration in processing quality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A printing apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a transport unit that transports a printing medium along a transport direction, a printing unit that prints print data included in a print job onto the printing medium, a processing unit that processes the printing medium by moving a processing member in contact with the printing medium, and a control unit, wherein the control unit, in the process of executing a printing process in which the printing unit prints the print data onto the printing medium, determines that the first paper length in the transport direction of the printing medium transported by the transport unit is shorter than a second paper length which is a predetermined paper length, and therefore does not execute a processing process in which the processing unit processes the printing medium.

[0006] According to the above configuration, during the printing process, it is determined whether the length of the first sheet of paper is shorter than the length of the second sheet of paper. If it is determined that the length of the first sheet of paper is shorter than the length of the second sheet of paper, the processing unit does not perform the processing. Therefore, if a printing medium shorter than expected is transported, the processing is not performed, thus suppressing misalignment of the printing medium due to the processing operation. Consequently, a decrease in the processing quality of the printing medium can be prevented.

[0007] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus may be configured such that, in the first embodiment described above, the first paper length is measured based on the amount of printing medium transported by the transport unit.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the first paper length is measured based on the amount of printing medium transported. Therefore, the accuracy of determining whether or not processing is necessary can be improved.

[0009] In the third aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus may be configured such that, in the first or second aspect described above, the second paper length is the paper length in the transport direction that corresponds to the paper size specified in the print job.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the second paper length can be a paper length corresponding to the paper size. Therefore, the accuracy of determining whether or not processing is necessary can be further improved.

[0011] A printing apparatus according to embodiment 4 of the present invention may further include a detection unit provided upstream of the transport unit in the transport direction from the transport unit, for detecting the printing medium being transported by the transport unit, in any one of embodiments 1 to 3 described above, and the control unit may be configured such that, when the printing medium has been transported to the processing position of the processing unit, the detection unit detects the printing medium and executes the processing process, and the detection unit does not detect the printing medium and does not execute the processing process.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the detection unit is located upstream of the transport unit in the transport direction. Furthermore, when the printed medium has been transported to the processing position of the processing unit, the system determines whether or not to perform the processing based on whether or not the printed medium is detected by the detection unit. In other words, if the transport unit detects the transported printed medium, the transport unit is holding the printed medium. Therefore, the processing can be performed while the printed medium is being held. Consequently, displacement of the printed medium due to the processing operation of the processing unit can be suppressed. That is, a decrease in the processing quality of the printed medium can be prevented.

[0013] In the printing apparatus according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, in embodiment 4 described above, the transport unit may be located upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction, and the detection unit may be located upstream of the transport unit which is located upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction.

[0014] In the printing apparatus according to embodiment 6 of the present invention, in embodiment 4 or 5 described above, the control unit may, after detecting the rear end of the printing medium with the detection unit, transport the printing medium to the processing position of the processing unit, execute the processing if the printing medium is held by the transport unit located upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction, and not execute the processing if the printing medium is not held by the transport unit located upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction.

[0015] According to the above configuration, even after the detection unit detects the trailing edge of the printing medium, if the printing medium is held by the transport unit located upstream of the printing unit when it has been transported to the processing position of the processing unit, the processing is executed. On the other hand, if the printing medium is not held by the transport unit located upstream of the printing unit, the processing is not executed. Therefore, even if the trailing edge of the printing medium has passed the detection unit, it is possible to determine whether or not processing is necessary.

[0016] In the printing apparatus according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, in any one of embodiments 1 to 6 described above, the control unit may be configured to complete the printing process of the print data included in the print job if the processing process is not performed.

[0017] According to the above configuration, if no processing is performed, the printing process on the printing medium is completed. Therefore, it is possible to complete printing on the printing medium while preventing a decrease in processing quality on the printing medium.

[0018] In the printing apparatus according to embodiment 8 of the present invention, in any one of embodiments 1 to 7 described above, the control unit may be configured such that, when it receives multiple print jobs, if it does not perform the processing for the first print job, it completes the printing processing of the print data included in the first print job and cancels the second print job that follows the first print job.

[0019] According to the above configuration, subsequent print jobs among multiple received print jobs are canceled. This prevents the print data contained in subsequent print jobs from being printed, thus reducing the amount of ink used for printing.

[0020] In the printing apparatus according to embodiment 9 of the present invention, the control unit may be configured such that, in any one of embodiments 1 to 6 above, it stops the printing process if the processing process is not performed.

[0021] According to the above configuration, when it is determined not to execute the processing, the printing process is stopped. Therefore, compared with the case of canceling a subsequent print job, the amount of ink used for the printing process can be further reduced.

[0022] The printing apparatus according to Aspect 10 of the present invention further includes a first conveyance path for conveying the printing medium in the conveyance direction in any one of the above Aspects 1 to 9, and the control unit is configured such that when the front end of the printing medium is located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction, the printing process and the processing are executed on the printing medium conveyed along the first conveyance path.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the printing process and the processing are executed on the printing medium conveyed along the first conveyance path in a state where the front end of the printing medium is located on the upstream side. That is, each process is executed only on the path of the first conveyance path. As a result, each process can be executed without the front and back or the front and back sides of the printing medium being reversed. Therefore, the time from when the printing medium is conveyed until the printing of the print data is completed can be shortened.

[0024] The printing apparatus according to Aspect 11 of the present invention further includes a first conveyance path for conveying the printing medium in the conveyance direction in any one of the above Aspects 1 to 10, and the control unit, when the first paper length and the second paper length are the same length, executes a switchback process of conveying the printing medium in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit and conveying it to a second conveyance path different from the first conveyance path, and then executes the printing process and the processing. When the first paper length is shorter than the second paper length, which is a predetermined paper length, a paper discharge process of discharging the printing medium to the outside without executing the switchback process may be configured.

[0025] According to the above configuration, comparison processing is executed using the paper length information of the print medium conveyed before the printing process. Further, as a result of the comparison processing, when it is determined that the length in the conveyance direction of the paper size specified in the print job is shorter, the conveyed print medium is discharged to the outside. Thereby, the possibility of unnecessary printing processing when a print medium shorter than expected is conveyed can be reduced. Also, the amount of ink used for the printing process can be suppressed.

[0026] In the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention, in the above Embodiment 11, when the first paper length and the second paper length are the same length, the control unit executes the paper discharge process, and after conveying a print medium different from the discharged print medium by the conveying unit, the printing process and the processing process are executed on the print medium. It may be configured as such.

[0027] According to the above configuration, when it is determined that the length in the conveyance direction of the print medium is the same as the length in the conveyance direction of the paper size specified in the print job, the print medium used for the comparison processing is discharged, and the printing process and the processing process are executed on a print medium different from the discharged print medium. Thereby, compared with the case where the printing process and the processing process are executed on the print medium used for the comparison processing, the possibility of unnecessary printing processing on a print medium shorter than expected can be further reduced. Also, the amount of ink used for the printing process can be further suppressed.

[0028] In the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of the present invention, in any one of the above Embodiments 1 to 12, the processing unit may be provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction than the printing unit.

Effect of the Invention

[0029] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a decrease in processing quality.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] <第 <第 [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1. [Figure 4] (A) shows the paper P before cutting, and (B) shows the first paper P1 and second paper P2 after cutting. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1. [Figure 6] This diagram shows a comparison of the paper lengths of A4 size paper P and A5 size paper P. [Figure 7] (A) shows the register sensor 120 detecting the paper P, and (B) shows the register sensor 120 not detecting the paper P. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus 200 related to this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 200 according to this disclosure. [Figure 10] This diagram shows the configuration of processing sections 7A and 7B, which are modified versions of the cutting section 7 provided in the printing device (1, 200). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] [Embodiment 1] [Printing device configuration] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The printing device 1 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) equipped with multiple functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. In Figure 1, the direction from the printing unit 3 toward the cutting unit 7, which is an example of a processing unit, is defined as the X direction, the direction from the feed tray 21 toward the printing unit 3 is defined as the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X and Z directions is defined as the Y direction. The same applies when the X direction, Z direction, and Y direction are referred to in the following description.

[0032] The printing device 1 has an inkjet printing function that prints print data specified by a print job onto a paper medium, such as paper P, by ejecting ink. The printing device 1 may be capable of color printing or may be dedicated to monochrome printing. Furthermore, the printing medium is not limited to paper, but may also be a resin medium such as an OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the printing apparatus 1 comprises a feed tray 21, an output tray 22, a printing unit 3, guide members 41 to 45, a first transport path R1, a transport unit 6, a cutting unit 7, and a registration sensor 120, which is an example of a detection unit.

[0034] The feed tray 21 is a tray for holding multiple sheets of paper P, and its top is open. The output tray 22 is located above the feed tray 21. The output tray 22 is a tray for holding the paper P discharged by the transport roller 66, and its top is open.

[0035] Here, the conveying unit 6 includes a feed roller 23, conveying rollers 60, 62, 64, 66, a pinch roller 61, spur rollers 63, 65, 67, a feed motor 107 as shown in Figure 2, and a conveying motor 108. The number of rollers provided in the first conveying path R1 can be changed as appropriate; for example, the conveying rollers 66 and spur rollers 67 may be omitted.

[0036] The feed roller 23 is a roller for feeding the paper P contained in the feed tray 21 to the transport start position V of the first transport path R1. The feed roller 23 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feed arm 24. The feed arm 24 is rotatably supported on a shaft 25 supported by the frame of the printing device 1. The feed roller 23 rotates in the forward direction when driven by the feed motor 107. As the feed roller 23 rotates in the forward direction, the paper P contained in the feed tray 21 is fed one sheet at a time to the transport start position V of the first transport path R1.

[0037] The first transport path R1 extends upward from the rear end of the feed tray 21, curves in the area demarcated by guide members 41 and 42, passes through the position of the printing section 3, extends linearly in the area demarcated by guide members 43, 44 and 45, and is a path leading to the discharge tray 22. The transport direction D1 is the direction from the feed tray 21 through the printing section 3 toward the cutting section 7 in the first transport path R1.

[0038] A transport roller 60 is provided upstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A pinch roller 61 is provided opposite the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 grip the paper P with a stronger load than the transport rollers 62, 64, 66 and spur rollers 63, 65, 67, which are provided downstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction D1.

[0039] The transport roller 60 is driven by the transport motor 108. The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. As the transport roller 60 and pinch roller 61 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 60 and pinch roller 61 and transported to the printing unit 3.

[0040] The printing unit 3 is located in the first transport path R1, between the transport rollers 60 and 62. The printing unit 3 records an image on the paper P being transported in the transport direction D1 by the transport unit 6. The printing unit 3 includes a carriage 31, a head 32, nozzles 33, and a platen 34. The head 32 is mounted on the carriage 31. Multiple nozzles 33 are provided on the underside of the head 32. 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 recording an image on the paper P.

[0041] The carriage 31 moves back and forth in the Y direction, i.e., in the width direction of the paper P, as the driving force of the carriage motor 109 shown in Figure 2 is transmitted to it. The control unit 100 shown in Figure 2 moves the carriage 31 in the width direction of the paper P while the transport of the paper P is temporarily paused, and ejects ink from the nozzle 33 to record one line of image on the paper P. The control unit 100 also transports the paper P by a predetermined amount using the transport unit 6. The control unit 100 records an image on the paper P by repeating these processes.

[0042] A transport roller 62 is provided downstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A spur roller 63 is provided opposite the top 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 in the forward direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 and transported downstream in the transport direction D1.

[0043] A transport roller 64 is provided downstream of the transport roller 62 in the transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A spur roller 65 is provided opposite the top of the transport roller 64. The transport roller 64 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 65 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 64. As the transport roller 64 and the spur roller 65 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 64 and the spur roller 65 and transported to the cutting section 7.

[0044] The cutting unit 7 is located in the first transport path R1, between the transport roller 64 and the transport roller 66. In other words, the cutting unit 7 is located downstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction D1. The cutting unit 7 cuts the paper P on which the image has been recorded by the printing unit 3 and which is being transported by the transport unit 6. Specifically, the cutting unit 7 is a well-known cutter mechanism and has a pair of upper and lower blades and a cutter carriage, and cuts the paper P with the pair of upper and lower blades. Specifically, the cutting unit 7 moves the cutter carriage in the width direction of the paper P, and cuts the paper P in the width direction at a cutting position CL, which is an example of a division position of the paper P, with the pair of upper and lower blades. The cutting position CL is shown in Figure 4(A).

[0045] The upper and lower blades of the cutting section 7 are both circular blades. Both the upper and lower circular blades are mounted on the cutter carriage. Alternatively, one of the blades in the upper and lower pair may be a fixed blade and the other blade may be a circular blade. In this case, the circular blade is mounted on the cutter carriage, and the fixed blade is fixed to the frame of the printing device 1.

[0046] Furthermore, the cutting section 7 does not necessarily have a cutter carriage. In this case, the cutting section 7 has fixed blades extending in the Y direction on the upper and lower sides of the first transport path R1. The cutting section 7 cuts the paper P at the cutting position CL in the width direction by moving these fixed blades so that the upper fixed blade and the lower fixed blade are closer together. Note that the cutting section 7 may also have a configuration that has only one of the blades, either the upper or the lower one.

[0047] A transport roller 66 is provided downstream of the cutting section 7 in the transport direction D1 of the first transport path R1. A spur roller 67 is provided opposite the top 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 in the forward direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 66 and the spur roller 67 and discharged to the discharge tray 22.

[0048] Upstream in the transport direction D1 from the transport rollers 60 and pinch rollers 61 in the first transport path R1, a register sensor 120, which is an example of a detection unit, is provided. The register sensor 120 detects the paper P being transported in the first transport path R1. More specifically, the register sensor 120 detects the leading edge FE and trailing edge BE of the paper P being transported in the first transport path R1. The leading edge FE and trailing edge BE of the paper P are shown in Figure 4(A). As the register sensor 120, a sensor having an actuator that swings when the paper P comes into contact with it, or an optical sensor, etc., can be used.

[0049] The register sensor 120 outputs an ON signal when the paper P is passing the position of the register sensor 120. Conversely, the register sensor 120 outputs an OFF signal when the paper P is not passing the position of the register sensor 120. In other words, the register sensor 120 outputs an ON signal from the moment the leading edge FE of the paper P reaches the position of the register sensor 120 until the trailing edge BE of the paper P passes the position of the register sensor 120, and outputs an OFF signal at all other times. The detection signal from the register sensor 120 is output to the control unit 100.

[0050] The transport roller 60 is equipped with a rotary encoder 121 that detects the rotation of the transport roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 shown in Figure 2 outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 has an encoder disk and an optical sensor. The encoder disk rotates together with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The optical sensor reads the rotating encoder disk and generates a pulse signal, which is then output to the control unit 100.

[0051] [Electrical configuration of printing equipment] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, in addition to the parts described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a carriage motor 109, a USB interface (I / F) 110, a LAN interface (I / F) 111, and a rotary encoder 121.

[0052] 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.

[0053] ROM102 stores programs and other data that the CPU101 uses to control various operations. RAM103 is used as a temporary storage area for data and signals used by the CPU101 when executing the above programs, or as a work area for data processing.

[0054] The EEPROM 104 stores information about paper lengths associated with multiple types of paper sizes P. However, the information about paper lengths associated with paper sizes P is not limited to what is stored in the EEPROM 104. For example, the information about paper lengths associated with paper sizes P may also be stored in the ROM 102.

[0055] The control unit 100 controls the feed motor 107, transport motor 108, carriage motor 109, head 32, and cutting unit 7, etc., based on the control program read from the ROM 102.

[0056] The ASIC105 is connected to a feed motor 107, a transport motor 108, a carriage motor 109, a head 32, a cutting unit 7, a USB interface 110, a LAN interface 111, a register sensor 120, and a rotary encoder 121.

[0057] The ASIC105 supplies drive current to the feed motor 107, the transport motor 108, and the carriage motor 109. The control unit 100 controls the rotation of the feed motor 107, the transport motor 108, and the carriage motor 109, for example, by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 100 causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle 33 by applying a drive voltage to the vibrating element of the head 32. The control unit 100 detects the state of the printing device 1 based on the signals output from the register sensor 120 and the rotary encoder 121.

[0059] USB interface 110 is connected to USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, USB cables, etc. LAN interface 111 is connected to a PC (Personal Computer) via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. When the control unit 100 receives a print job via the USB interface 110 or LAN interface 111, it controls each part of the printing device 1 to record the image of the print data specified by the print job onto the paper P.

[0060] [Control flow by the control unit] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1. Figure 4 shows (A) the paper P before cutting and (B) the first paper P1 and second paper P2 after cutting.

[0061] In step S1, when the power to the printing device 1 is turned on and a print job is received via the USB interface 110 or LAN interface 111, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the print job includes processing instructions. In this embodiment, processing instructions are described as instructions for cut printing to cut the paper P.

[0062] If the control unit 100 determines that the print job does not include an instruction for cut printing (S1: NO), in step S2, the control unit 100 performs normal printing on the printing device 1. Normal printing, in this context, means printing the print data without cutting the paper P.

[0063] On the other hand, in step S1, if the control unit 100 determines that the print job includes an instruction for cut printing (S1:YES), in step 3, the control unit 100 measures the first paper length in the transport direction D1 of the paper P transported by the transport unit 6. The first paper length is the paper length measured based on the amount of paper P transported by the transport unit 6. More specifically, the control unit 100 measures this by acquiring the amount of paper P transported from the time the register sensor 120 detects the leading edge FE of the paper P and outputs an ON signal until it detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P and outputs an OFF signal. The amount of paper P transported is acquired by pulse signals output from the rotary encoder 121 in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 60.

[0064] In step S4, the control unit 100 determines whether the first paper length is longer than a predetermined second paper length. The second paper length is the paper length in the transport direction D1, which corresponds to the paper size specified in the print job. More specifically, paper lengths corresponding to multiple types of paper P sizes are pre-set, and this paper length information is stored in the EEPROM 104. The control unit 100 obtains the information corresponding to the paper size specified in the print job as the second paper length from this paper length information, and compares the first paper length with the second paper length. If the comparison determines that the first paper length is shorter than the second paper length (S4: NO), in step S5, the control unit 100 cancels the cutting process. If the control unit 100 cancels the cutting process, it executes the paper ejection process in step S13, described below, and terminates the printing process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the length of the first sheet of paper is greater than or equal to the length of the second sheet of paper (S4: YES), in step S6, the transport roller 60 transports the paper P to the position of the printing unit 3. Next, in step S7, the control unit 100 prints print data on the transported paper P using the printing unit 3. Note that printing also includes recording images, etc.

[0065] In step S8, when the printing unit 3 performs printing on the paper P, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting position CL, which is the planned processing position of the paper P, exceeds the cutting unit 7.

[0066] The determination of whether the cutting position CL exceeds the cutting section 7 is made by determining whether the cutting position CL exceeds the cutting section 7 during intermittent transport, in which printing on the paper P by the printing section 3 and transport of the paper P by the transport rollers 60 are repeated. Specifically, the control unit 100 acquires information on the paper length associated with the size of the paper P stored in the EEPROM 104, based on the size of the paper P specified by the print job. Then, based on the information on the paper length associated with the size of the paper P and the amount of paper P transported detected by the rotary encoder 121, it determines whether the cutting position CL of the paper P exceeds the cutting section 7.

[0067] If the control unit 100 determines that the cutting position CL of the paper P does not exceed the cutting section 7 (S8: NO), it returns to step S6. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the cutting position CL of the paper P exceeds the cutting section 7 (S8: YES), in step S9, the control unit 100 transports the paper P using the transport section 6 in order to align the cutting position CL of the paper P with the position of the cutting section 7.

[0068] In step S10, after the transport unit 6 transports the paper P to the cutting unit 7, the control unit 100 cuts the paper P at the cutting position CL using the cutting unit 7, as shown in Figure 4(A). For example, when the cutting unit 7 cuts the paper P into two equal parts, the paper P is cut into a first sheet of paper P1 and a second sheet of paper P2, as shown in Figure 4(B). In other words, if the paper P is A4 size, a first sheet of paper P1 and a second sheet of paper P2 of A5 size are produced. Since the first sheet of paper P1 after cutting is located downstream in the transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1, the first sheet of paper P1 is discharged outside the printing device 1 before the second sheet of paper P2.

[0069] In steps S7 to S10 described above, the printing process by the printing unit 3 to print the print data and the cutting process by the cutting unit 7 to cut the paper P at the cutting position CL are performed on the paper P as it is transported along the first transport path R1 with its front end FE positioned upstream in the transport direction D1. This ensures that the printing and cutting processes are performed on the paper P as it is transported along the first transport path R1 with its front end FE positioned upstream. In other words, each process is performed only along the path of the first transport path R1. Therefore, each process can be performed without the front or back or front / back of the paper P being reversed. Furthermore, the time from when the paper P is transported until the printing of the print data is completed can be shortened.

[0070] In step S11, the transport unit 6 transports the second sheet of paper P2 remaining on the first transport path R1 to the position of the printing unit 3. Specifically, after being cut by the cutting unit 7, the leading edge FE of the second sheet of paper P2 is located near the cutting unit 7. Therefore, the control unit 100 transports the second sheet of paper P2 in the transport direction D2, which is the opposite direction to the transport direction D1, so that the printing unit 3 can print the print data onto the second sheet of paper P2.

[0071] In step S12, the control unit 100 has the printing unit 3 print the print data onto the paper P that has been transported to the position of the printing unit 3 by the transport unit 6. In step S13, once printing the print data onto the second paper P2 is complete, the control unit 100 ejects the second paper P2 to the outside of the printing device 1. The printing process then ends.

[0072] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, during the printing process, it is determined whether the first paper length is shorter than the second paper length. If it is determined that the first paper length is shorter than the second paper length, the cutting process by the cutting unit 7 is not performed. Therefore, if a paper P shorter than expected is transported, the cutting process is not performed, thus preventing the paper P from shifting due to the cutting operation. Thus, a decrease in the cutting quality of the paper P can be prevented. In addition, if it is determined that the first paper length is shorter than the second paper length, the printing process by the printing unit 3 is not performed, so the amount of ink used for the printing process can also be reduced.

[0073] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 of this disclosure will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, components having the same function as those described in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a comparison of the paper lengths of A4 size paper P and A5 size paper P. Figure 7 shows (A) the paper P being detected by the register sensor 120, and (B) the paper P not being detected by the register sensor 120.

[0074] Of the steps shown in Figure 5, steps S21 to S26 correspond to steps S1, S2, and S6 to S9 shown in Figure 3, respectively.

[0075] In step S27, the control unit 100 determines whether the register sensor 120 has detected the paper P when the cutting position CL of the paper P has been transported to the position of the cutting unit 7. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, for example, when comparing A4 size paper P and A5 size paper P, there is a difference in the length L of the paper in the transport direction D1 as shown in Figure 6. When there is such a difference in paper length, the determination result of whether the register sensor 120 has detected the paper P will differ, as shown in Figure 7. In detail, in the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 7(A), A4 size paper P is being transported, and the register sensor 120 has detected the paper P when the cutting position CL of the paper P has been transported to the position of the cutting unit 7. On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 7(B), A5 size paper P is being transported, and the rear end of the paper P has passed the register sensor 120 when the cutting position CL of the paper P has been transported to the position of the cutting unit 7, and the paper P has not been detected.

[0076] Thus, in step S27, if the register sensor 120 detects the paper P (S27: YES), the control unit 100 executes steps S29 to S32. Steps S29 to S32 correspond to steps S10 to S13 shown in Figure 3, respectively. On the other hand, in step S27, if the register sensor 120 does not detect the paper P (S27: NO), the control unit 100 cancels the cutting process in step S28. If the control unit 100 cancels the cutting process, it executes the paper ejection process in step S32 and terminates the printing process.

[0077] Furthermore, even if the register sensor 120 does not detect the paper P, the cutting unit 7 may be configured to perform the cutting process if the paper P is held between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61.

[0078] In detail, when the paper P is transported to the cutting unit 7 by the transport unit 6, the control unit 100 will execute the cutting process by the cutting unit 7 even after the rear end of the paper P has passed the register sensor 120, as long as the paper P is still being held by the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61. In this case, the control unit 100 will determine whether the rear end of the paper P is being held by the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 based on the signals output from the register sensor 120 and the rotary encoder 121. Specifically, the control unit 100 will measure the paper length in the same manner as the first paper length measurement described above, and will use the result to determine whether the rear end of the paper P is being held by the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61.

[0079] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, when the cutting position CL of the paper P has been transported to the position of the cutting unit 7, the register sensor 120 determines whether or not to perform the cutting process based on whether or not the paper P has been detected. Specifically, the register sensor 120 is located upstream of the transport rollers 60 and pinch rollers 61, which are located upstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction D1. In other words, when the cutting position CL of the paper P has been transported to the position of the cutting unit 7, and the transported paper P has been detected by the register sensor 120, the transport rollers 60 and pinch rollers 61 will be gripping the paper P. Therefore, the cutting process can be performed while the paper P is being gripped. On the other hand, if the register sensor 120 has not detected the paper P, there is a possibility that the transport rollers 60 and pinch rollers 61 are not gripping the paper P. In this case, the cutting process is not performed. Therefore, displacement of the paper P due to the cutting operation of the cutting unit 7 can be suppressed. That is, a decrease in the cutting quality of the paper P can be prevented.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, even if the register sensor 120 does not detect the paper P when the cutting position CL of the paper P has been transported to the position of the cutting unit 7, the cutting process by the cutting unit 7 will be executed if the paper P is being held between the transport rollers 60 and the pinch rollers 61. Therefore, even if the paper P has passed the register sensor 120, it is possible to determine whether or not cutting is necessary.

[0081] [Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3 of this disclosure will be described below. For the sake of convenience, components having the same function as those described in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0082] <Printing device configuration> Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

[0083] Unlike the printing device 1, the printing device 200 further includes a second transport path R2, a first flap 46, a second flap 48, and a media sensor 122, which is an example of a detection unit.

[0084] The second transport path R2 is a different path from the first transport path R1, and is a path for transporting the paper P in the transport direction D2 and then in the transport direction D3. Specifically, the second transport path R2 is a path demarcated by guide members 71, 72, 73, transport rollers 68 and pinch rollers 69, etc.

[0085] The second transport path R2 branches off from a branching point Y1 upstream of the transport roller 64 in the first transport path R1 and connects to a merging point W upstream of the printing section 3 in the transport direction D1 in the first transport path R1.

[0086] A first flap 46 is provided between the conveyor roller 62 and the conveyor roller 64 in the first conveyor path R1. The first flap 46 is located near the branching position Y1 opposite the guide member 43. The first flap 46 is rotatably supported by the platen 34, allowing it to move between a first state and a second state.

[0087] In the first state, shown by the solid line in Figure 8, the first flap 46 contacts the guide member 43 and closes the first transport path R1. On the other hand, in the second state, shown by the dotted line in Figure 8, the first flap 46 is positioned lower than in the first state and is separated from the guide member 43, allowing the paper P being transported in the transport direction D1 to pass through.

[0088] Furthermore, the first flap 46 is biased in the positive Z-axis direction by a coil spring 47. One end of the coil spring 47 is connected to the first flap 46, and the other end of the coil spring 47 is connected to the platen 34. When the first flap 46 is biased by the coil spring 47, it enters a first state, and the front end of the first flap 46 comes into contact with the guide member 43.

[0089] A second flap 48 is rotatably mounted on a guide member 71 at the junction W of the first transport path R1 and the second transport path R2. Specifically, the second flap 48 is rotatable between a first state, shown by a solid line in Figure 8, and a second state, shown by a dotted line in Figure 8. When the second flap 48 is in the first state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 42 constitute a part of the second transport path R2. When the second flap 48 is in the second state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 41 constitute a part of the first transport path R1.

[0090] The control unit 100 reverses the rotation of the transport roller 64 and rotates the transport roller 68, thereby transporting the paper P, which has print data printed on one side, along the transport direction D3 in the second transport path R2, and then transporting it to the first transport path R1 after flipping it over once. This makes it possible to print images on both sides of the paper P.

[0091] The media sensor 122 is provided in the printing unit 3. 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 when the leading edge FE of the paper P being transported on the first transport path R1 has reached the printing unit 3. The media sensor 122 may also detect the length of the paper P. The media sensor 122 is connected to the ASIC 105. The control unit 100 may detect the state of the printing device 200 based on the signal output from the media sensor 122.

[0092] [Control flow by the control unit] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure.

[0093] In the flowchart shown in Figure 9, the processes in steps S41 to S45 and steps S47 to S54 are the same as the processes in steps S1 to S5 and steps S6 to S13 shown in Figure 3, respectively. Let's consider the case where the answer in step S44 is YES, that is, when the control unit 100 determines that the length of the first sheet of paper is greater than or equal to the length of the second sheet of paper.

[0094] In step S44, if the control unit 100 determines that the length of the first sheet of paper is greater than or equal to the length of the second sheet of paper (S44: YES), the control unit 100 performs a switchback process in which the transport unit 6 transports the paper P in the transport direction D2 and then in the transport direction D3. By performing the switchback process, the control unit 100 transports the paper P to the second transport path R2, which is different from the first transport path. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the length of the first sheet of paper is shorter than the length of the second sheet of paper (S44: NO), it performs the paper ejection process in step S54 without performing the switchback process or the cutting process, and terminates the printing process.

[0095] In step S44, the control unit 100 determines that the first paper length is greater than or equal to the second paper length (S44:YES), and executes a switchback process, but this is not the only option. For example, if the control unit 100 determines that the first paper length is greater than or equal to the second paper length (S44:YES), it may eject the paper P used to measure the first paper length. In this case, a different paper P is fed from the feed tray 21, and the processes in steps S47 to S54 are executed on the newly fed paper P.

[0096] The printing device 200 may also measure the first length of the paper P using a media sensor 122, which is an example of a detection unit. Specifically, in the process of transporting the paper P from the first transport path to the second transport path R2, the control unit 100 measures the length of the paper P based on the amount of paper P transported detected by the rotary encoder 121, between the time the media sensor 122 detects the leading edge FE of the paper P and the time the media sensor 122 detects the trailing edge BE of the paper P.

[0097] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, the first paper length of the paper P conveyed before the printing process is measured. Furthermore, if the control unit 100 determines that the first paper length is equal to or greater than the second paper length, it conveys the paper P to the second transport path R2 and then performs the printing and cutting processes. Furthermore, if the control unit 100 determines that the first paper length is shorter than the second paper length, it ejects the conveyed paper P to the outside. As a result, if a paper P shorter than expected is conveyed, the cutting process is not performed, thus preventing the paper P from shifting due to the cutting operation. Therefore, a decrease in the cutting quality of the paper P can be prevented. Also, since the printing process is not performed, the amount of ink used for the printing process can be reduced. Furthermore, if the control unit 100 determines that the first paper length is equal to or greater than the second paper length, the paper P used to measure the first paper length is ejected, and the printing and cutting processes are performed on a different paper P than the ejected paper P. This reduces the possibility of printing and cutting on a paper P that is shorter than expected, compared to when printing and cutting are performed on the paper P used for the first paper length measurement. Furthermore, the amount of ink used for printing can be further reduced.

[0098] [Example 1] In the above description, the printing apparatus (1, 200) divides the paper P into multiple parts by cutting the paper P with the cutting unit 7, but it is not limited to this. Instead of the cutting unit 7, the printing apparatus (1, 200) may be equipped with a processing unit as an example of a processing unit that performs perforation forming on the paper P. In this case, the control unit 100 performs processing on the paper P using the processing unit to perform perforation forming at a processing position which is an example of a division position of the paper P. This processing position is the same position as the cutting position CL.

[0099] Specifically, the processing unit includes a perforation cutter with blades formed at equal intervals on the circumference of a disc, and the cutter carriage described above. The processing unit moves the cutter carriage in the width direction of the paper P and forms perforations in the paper P by using the perforation cutter to create multiple cuts at intervals along the processing position of the paper P.

[0100] [Differentiation 2] Figure 10 shows the configuration of processing units 7A and 7B, which are modified versions of the cutting unit 7 provided in the printing apparatus (1, 200). Instead of the cutting unit 7, the printing apparatus 1 may also include a processing unit 7A, as an example of a processing unit, which performs crease formation on the paper P, as shown in Figure 10(A). In this case, the control unit 100 performs processing on the paper P using the processing unit 7A to perform crease formation at the processing position CL1 of the paper P.

[0101] The processing unit 7A includes a cutter carriage 71, a blade 72, and a clamping member 73. The blade 72 is a circular blade and is mounted on the cutter carriage 71. The blade 72 is formed to the extent that it does not cut the paper P even when it comes into contact with it. The clamping member 73 has a recess 74 formed therein, which is positioned opposite the blade 72. The processing unit 7A moves the cutter carriage 71 in the width direction of the paper P, thereby pressing the paper P against the recess 74 with the blade 72. This forms a fold along the processing position CL1 of the paper P.

[0102] Furthermore, the printing apparatus (1, 200) may also include a processing section 7B, as an example of a processing section, instead of the cutting section 7, as shown in Figure 10(B). The processing section 7B includes a clamping member 73 and an extrusion member 75. The extrusion member 75 is for extruding the paper P in the negative Z direction at the processing position CL1, and is, for example, a rectangular blade that extends in the Y direction and is formed to the extent that it does not cut the paper P even when it comes into contact with it. The recess 74 formed in the clamping member 73 is positioned opposite the extrusion member 75.

[0103] The processing unit 7B moves the extrusion member 75 in the negative Z direction, bringing the extrusion member 75 into contact with the processing position CL1 of the paper P and extruding the paper P in the negative Z direction at the processing position CL1. The processing unit 7B also forms a fold at the processing position CL1 of the paper P by clamping the paper P extruded by the extrusion member 75 with the recess 74 of the clamping member 73.

[0104] [Difference 3] In the steps described above (S5, S28, S45), the control unit 100 was configured to perform a paper ejection process and terminate the printing process if the cutting process was canceled, but it is not limited to this. The control unit 100 may also be configured to terminate the printing process by ejecting the paper P after completing the printing of the print data included in the received print job if the cutting process is canceled. With this configuration, the printing process on the paper P is completed even if the cutting process is canceled. Therefore, it is possible to complete printing on the paper P while preventing a decrease in the cutting quality of the paper P.

[0105] [Differentiation Example 4] In the above-described printing apparatus (1, 200), the number of print jobs received by the control unit 100 is not mentioned, but the control unit 100 may receive one or more print jobs. When multiple print jobs are received, the control unit 100 may, for example, not perform a cut-off process for the first print job among several consecutive print jobs, complete the printing of the print data included in the first print job, and cancel the second print job that follows the first print job. When a print job is canceled, the feeding of paper P contained in the feed tray 21 and the printing of print data included in the print job are not performed. With this configuration, the subsequent print jobs among the multiple received print jobs are canceled. As a result, the print data included in the subsequent print jobs is not printed on the paper P, and the amount of ink used for printing can be reduced.

[0106] [Difference 5] In the above-described printing apparatus (1, 200), the control unit may be configured to stop the printing process if it decides not to perform the cutting process. With this configuration, the printing process is stopped as soon as it is determined that the cutting process will not be performed. Therefore, the amount of ink used for the printing process can be reduced compared to when subsequent print jobs are canceled.

[0107] [Modification 6] The printing device (1, 200) may be provided with a setting unit having a display screen. The setting unit may consist of, for example, a touch panel, and is configured to allow the user to make various settings related to printing of the printing device 1 by touch operation.

[0108] The information set by the setting unit is output to the control unit 100. The setting unit accepts a setting to whether or not to perform the cutting process that cuts the paper P. In other words, the user can choose whether or not to perform the cutting process using the setting unit.

[0109] If a command not to perform the disconnection process is selected in the settings unit, the control unit 100 decides not to perform the disconnection process. If a command to perform the disconnection process is selected in the settings unit, the control unit 100 decides to perform the disconnection process.

[0110] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, 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 this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1, 200 Printing device, 3 Printing section, 6 Conveying section, 7 Cutting section, 100 Control unit, 120 Register sensor, 121 Rotary encoder, 122 Media sensor, CL1 Processing position, D1, D2, D3 Conveying direction, P1 First sheet, P2 Second sheet, R1 First conveying path, R2 Second conveying path

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports the printing medium along the transport direction, A printing unit that prints the print data included in the print job onto the aforementioned printing medium, A processing unit that processes the printing medium by moving a processing member in contact with the printing medium, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, In the process of performing a printing operation in the printing unit to print the print data onto the printing medium, if it is determined that the first paper length in the transport direction of the printing medium transported by the transport unit is shorter than the second paper length which is a predetermined paper length, the processing unit does not perform a processing operation to process the printing medium. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the second paper length is the paper length in the transport direction that corresponds to the paper size specified in the print job.

2. A transport unit that transports the printing medium along the transport direction, A printing unit that prints the print data included in the print job onto the aforementioned printing medium, A processing unit that processes the printing medium by moving a processing member in contact with the printing medium, A detection unit is provided upstream of the transport unit in the transport direction and detects the printing medium being transported by the transport unit, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, In the process of performing a printing operation in the printing unit to print the print data onto the printing medium, if it is determined that the first paper length in the transport direction of the printing medium transported by the transport unit is shorter than the second paper length which is a predetermined paper length, the processing unit does not perform a processing operation to process the printing medium. A printing apparatus characterized in that, when the printing medium has been transported to the processing position of the processing unit, the processing is performed if the detection unit detects the printing medium, and the processing is not performed if the detection unit does not detect the printing medium.

3. The transport unit is positioned upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection unit is located upstream of the transport unit in the transport direction, and is located upstream of the transport unit in the transport direction, and is located upstream of the transport unit in the transport direction, as opposed to the printing unit.

4. The control unit, After the detection unit detects the rear end of the printing medium, and the printing medium is transported to the processing position of the processing unit, If the printing medium is held by the transport unit, which is located upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction, the processing is performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that if the printing medium is not held by the transport unit which is located upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction, the processing is not performed.

5. A transport unit that transports the printing medium along the transport direction, A printing unit that prints the print data included in the print job onto the aforementioned printing medium, A processing unit that processes the printing medium by moving a processing member in contact with the printing medium, A first transport path for transporting the printing medium in the transport direction, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, In the process of performing a printing operation in the printing unit to print the print data onto the printing medium, if it is determined that the first paper length in the transport direction of the printing medium transported by the transport unit is shorter than the second paper length which is a predetermined paper length, the processing unit does not perform a processing operation to process the printing medium. If the first paper length and the second paper length are the same length, After the transport unit performs a switchback process to transport the printing medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction to a second transport path different from the first transport path, the printing process and the processing process are performed. If the first paper length is shorter than the second paper length, which is a predetermined paper length, A printing apparatus characterized in that it performs a paper discharge process to discharge the printing medium to the outside without performing the aforementioned switchback process.

6. The control unit, If the first paper length and the second paper length are the same length, The printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that it performs the paper discharge process, and after transporting a printing medium different from the discharged printing medium by the transport unit, it performs the printing process and the processing process on the said printing medium.

7. The first paper length is, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is measured based on the amount of the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit.

8. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, if the processing is not performed, the printing process of the print data included in the print job is completed.

9. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, when multiple print jobs are received, if the processing is not performed on the first print job, the printing process of the print data included in the first print job is completed, and the second print job that follows the first print job is canceled.

10. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that if the processing is not performed, the printing process is stopped.

11. The system further comprises a first transport path for transporting the printing medium in the transport direction, The control unit, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it performs the printing process and the processing process on a printing medium that is transported along the first transport path with the front end of the printing medium positioned upstream in the transport direction.

12. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the processing section is provided downstream of the printing section in the transport direction.

Images