Printing apparatus

Abstract

To reduce the variations in the length in the conveyance direction of a printing medium after processing.SOLUTION: A control unit (100) executes processing including: length calculation processing (S9) of calculating the length (L) in a first conveyance direction (D1) of a sheet (P) by using a result of detection of a front end and a rear end of the sheet (P) performed by a registration sensor (120); and setting processing of setting a processing position (CL) in the first conveyance direction (D1) in which a processing unit such as a cutting unit (10) executes processing on the sheet (P) on the basis of the length (L) in the first conveyance direction (D1) of the plurality of sheets (P) calculated in the length calculation processing (S9).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus including a cutting unit that cuts a regular-sized sheet being conveyed for printing. For example, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, by cutting an A3-sized sheet in half, a configuration is adopted in which two A4-sized sheets are generated. 2>

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, regular-sized sheets used for printing have slight size variations for each sheet due to dimensional tolerances and the like. When performing processing such as cutting on sheets of standard size defined by ISO, the processing position is determined based on the standard size. In the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, when determining the cutting position for bisecting based on the standard size of the sheet, size variations may occur between the cut sheets due to size variations for each sheet caused by dimensional tolerances and the like.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce variations in the length in the conveyance direction of the printed medium after processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a storage unit for storing a printing medium; a transport unit for taking out the printing medium from the storage unit and transporting it along the transport direction; a printing unit for printing print data included in a print job onto the printing medium; a first detection unit for detecting the front and rear ends of the printing medium transported by the transport unit in the transport direction; a processing unit for processing the printing medium by moving a processing member in contact with the printing medium transported by the transport unit; and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a process including: a length calculation process for calculating the printing medium length, which is the length of the printing medium in the transport direction, using the detection results of the front and rear ends of the printing medium by the first detection unit; and a setting process for setting a processing position in the transport direction in which the processing unit performs processing on the printing medium, based on the printing medium lengths of a plurality of the printing media calculated by the length calculation process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce variations in the length of the printed medium in the transport direction after processing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the external appearance of a printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows the paper before cutting and the first and second sheets of paper generated after cutting. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the control flow by the control unit of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the setup process. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the length calculation process. [Figure 8]This flowchart shows the control flow by the control unit of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the control flow by the control unit of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Embodiment 1] [Printing device configuration] Hereinafter, a printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus 1. In the description of Figures 1 and 2, the vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions of the printing apparatus 1 are defined as illustrated by the arrows.

[0010] The printing device 1 shown in Figure 1 is a Multi-Function Peripheral (MFP) having multiple functions such as printing and scanning. The printing device 1 has an inkjet printing function that records print data specified by the print job onto a printing medium, for example, by ejecting ink. Note that the printing method is not limited to the inkjet method, but may also be an electrophotographic method. The image printed on the printing medium may be capable of color printing or may be exclusively for monochrome printing. The printing medium is not limited to paper, but may also be a resin medium such as an OHP sheet.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, an opening 20 is formed on the front of the printing device 1. A feed tray 21, 22, and an output tray 23 are detachably arranged in this opening 20, which are examples of storage compartments. The feed trays 21 and 22 are trays for storing multiple sheets of printing media and have open tops. In the example shown in Figure 1, two feed trays 21 and 22 are arranged vertically. The upper feed tray 21 stores A4-sized paper as an example of a first printing medium. The lower feed tray 22 stores letter-sized paper as an example of a second printing medium. Hereafter, the paper stored in the feed trays 21 and 22 will be referred to as paper P.

[0012] After the paper P fed from the feed tray 21 or feed tray 22 has an image printed on it by the printing function of the printing device 1, it is cut as shown in Figure 4. In the example in Figure 4, the paper P is cut in half, divided into a first sheet of paper P1 and a second sheet of paper P2.

[0013] Above the feed trays 21 and 22 shown in Figure 1, there is an open-topped discharge tray 23. The first paper P1 and the second paper P2 are discharged into the discharge tray 23.

[0014] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, an input setting unit 124 with a display screen is provided on the front of the printing device 1. The input setting unit 124 consists of, for example, a touch panel, and is configured to allow the user to make various settings related to printing on the printing device 1 by touch operation. The input setting unit 124 accepts input such as the setting of the size of the paper P to be stored in the feed tray 21 and the feed tray 22.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. The printing apparatus 1 includes a feed tray 21, a discharge tray 23, a feed roller 24, a first conveyance path R1, a printing unit 3, conveyance rollers 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, a first flap 46, a second flap 48, a second conveyance path R2, and a cutting unit 10. The feed roller 24 and the conveyance rollers 60, 62, 64, 66 are an example of a first conveyance unit. Also, the conveyance rollers 64, 66, 68 are an example of a second conveyance unit. Note that the number of each roller provided in the first conveyance path R1 and the second conveyance path can be appropriately changed. For example, the conveyance roller 66 may not be provided.

[0016] The feed roller 24 is a roller for feeding the paper P accommodated in the feed tray 21 to the conveyance start position V of the first conveyance path R1. The feed roller 24 is rotatably supported at the front end portion of a feed arm 25. The feed arm 25 is rotatably supported by a shaft 26 supported by the frame of the printing apparatus 1. The feed roller 24 rotates forward by driving a feed motor 107 shown in FIG. 3. When the feed roller 24 rotates forward, the papers P accommodated in the feed tray 21 are fed one by one to the conveyance start position V of the first conveyance path R1.

[0017] The first conveyance path R1 refers to a space formed by guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, a platen 34, and the printing unit 3. The first conveyance path R1 is a path from the feed tray 21 via the printing unit 3 to the discharge tray 23. The first conveyance path R1 extends upward from the rear end portion of the feed tray 21. The first conveyance path R1 curves in a region partitioned by the guide members 41, 42, passes through the position of the printing unit 3, and extends linearly in a region partitioned by the guide members 43, 44, 45. Here, the direction in which the paper P fed to the first conveyance path R1 is conveyed from the rear to the front of the printing apparatus 1 is defined as the first conveyance direction D1.

[0018] On the upstream side of the printing unit 3 in the first conveyance path R1 in the first conveyance direction D1, a conveyance roller 60 is disposed. At a position facing the lower part of the conveyance roller 60, a pinch roller 61 is disposed. The conveyance roller 60 is driven by a conveyance motor 108 shown in FIG. 3. The pinch roller 61 rotates as the conveyance roller 60 rotates. When the conveyance roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 rotate forward, the sheet P is sandwiched between the conveyance roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and conveyed to the printing unit 3.

[0019] The printing unit 3 is provided between the conveyance roller 60 and the conveyance roller 62 in the first conveyance path R1 and prints on the sheet P. 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. A plurality of nozzles 33 are provided on the lower surface of the head 32. The head 32 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-like member on which the sheet P is placed. Printing is performed on the sheet P by selectively ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles 33 while the carriage 31 moves in the width direction of the sheet P, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the first conveyance direction D1, with respect to the sheet P supported by the platen 34. The printing unit 3 starts printing on the sheet P based on a set printing start position PL (see FIG. 4).

[0020] The carriage 31 is reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to the first conveyance direction D1, that is, in the width direction of the sheet P, by the driving force of the carriage motor 109 shown in FIG. 3 being transmitted thereto. The control unit 100 performs a printing process of ejecting ink from the nozzles 33 while moving the carriage 31 in the width direction of the sheet P in a state where the conveyance of the sheet P has stopped, to perform printing for one line on the sheet P, and a line feed process of driving the conveyance rollers 60 and 62 to convey the sheet P by a predetermined line feed amount, and repeats these processes to perform printing on the sheet P.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, a transport roller 62 is positioned downstream of the printing unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A spur roller 63 is positioned opposite the top of the transport roller 62. The transport roller 62 is driven by a transport motor 108 shown in Figure 3. 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 first transport direction D1.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a transport roller 64 is positioned downstream of the transport roller 62 in the first transport direction D1 in the first transport path R1. A spur roller 65 is positioned 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 toward the cutting section 10.

[0023] Meanwhile, as the transport roller 64 and spur roller 65 rotate in opposite directions, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 64 and spur roller 65 and transported along the lower surface of the first flap 46 to the second transport path R2. Here, the second transport direction is the direction opposite to the first transport direction D1, and the direction in which the paper P transported to the second transport path R2 moves from the front to the rear of the printing device 1.

[0024] A first flap 46 is provided between the transport roller 62 and the transport roller 64 in the first transport path R1. The first flap 46 is positioned near the branching position Y opposite the guide member 43. The first flap 46 is supported by a platen 34 so as to be rotatable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, shown by a solid line in Figure 1, 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 a dotted line in Figure 2, 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 first transport direction D1 to pass through.

[0025] Furthermore, the first flap 46 is biased upward by a coil spring 47. One end of the coil spring 47 is connected to the first flap 46, and the other end is connected to the platen 34. When the first flap 46 is biased by the coil spring 47, it enters a first state, and its front end comes into contact with the guide member 43.

[0026] The cutting section 10 is positioned between the transport roller 64 and the transport roller 66 in the first transport path R1. The cutting section 10 is an example of a processing section, in which a processing member such as a well-known cutter mechanism moves in the width direction of the paper P perpendicular to the first transport direction D1 while in contact with the paper P, thereby cutting the paper P into two equal parts.

[0027] Figure 4 shows a sheet of paper P before cutting and the first sheet of paper P1 and the second sheet of paper P2 generated after cutting. Figure 4 shows an example of dividing sheet of paper P into two equal parts. A cutting position CL is set on the edge along the first transport direction D1, and the sheet of paper P is cut in the width direction by the cutting unit 10 at the cutting position CL in the first transport direction D1, dividing it into the first sheet of paper P1 and the second sheet of paper P2. For example, if the sheet of paper P is A4 size, the first sheet of paper P1 and the second sheet of paper P2 of A5 size will be generated. The sheet of paper P is fed into the first transport path R1 such that the first sheet of paper P1 precedes the second sheet of paper P2 in the first transport direction D1. In the following explanation, the length L of the sheet of paper P in the first transport direction D1 may be referred to as the sheet length L. Also, the length L1 of the first sheet of paper P1 in the first transport direction D1 may be referred to as the sheet length L1, and the length L2 of the second sheet of paper P2 in the first transport direction D1 may be referred to as the sheet length L2.

[0028] A transport roller 66 is positioned downstream of the cutting section 10 in the first transport direction D1 of the first transport path R1. A spur roller 67 is positioned opposite the top of the transport roller 66. The transport roller 66 is driven by a transport motor 108 shown in Figure 3. 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, the first paper P1, and the second paper P2 are transported by the transport roller 66 and discharged to the discharge tray 23.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, a second flap 48 is rotatably positioned 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 2, and a second state, shown by a dotted line in Figure 2. 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.

[0030] Upstream of the transport roller 60 in the first transport path R1, a register sensor 120, which is an example of a first detection unit, is provided. The register sensor 120 is a sensor that detects when the front or rear end of the paper P passes the contact point with the transport roller 60. 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.

[0031] The transport roller 60 is equipped with a rotary encoder 121 that detects the rotation of the transport roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 60 (see Figure 3). 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, generates a pulse signal, and outputs the generated pulse signal to the control unit 100.

[0032] The printing unit 3 is equipped with a media sensor 122. The media sensor 122 is a sensor for detecting whether or not there is paper P on the platen 34. The media sensor 122 is used to detect when the front end of the paper P being transported along the first transport path R1 has reached the printing unit 3.

[0033] The second transport path R2 is a path demarcated by guide members 71, 72, and 73. A transport roller 68 and a pinch roller 69 are arranged in the second transport path R2. The second transport path R2 branches off from a branching position Y upstream of the transport roller 64 in the first transport path R1 and connects to a merging position W upstream of the printing section 3 in the first transport direction D1 in the first transport path R1.

[0034] The control unit 100 reverses the rotation of the transport roller 64 and rotates the transport roller 68, so that the paper P, on which an image is recorded on one side, is transported along the second transport direction D2 in the second transport path R2. The paper P transported in the second transport path R2 is transported to the first transport path R1 after being flipped once on both sides at the merging position W. This makes it possible for the printing unit 3 to print on both sides of the paper P.

[0035] [Electrical configuration of printing equipment] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 3, in addition to the parts described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a feed motor 107, a transport motor 108, a carriage motor 109, a USB interface (I / F) 110, a LAN interface (I / F) 111, a communication interface (I / F) 112, a mounting sensor 123, and an input setting unit 124.

[0036] 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, all connected by an internal bus 106. The ROM 102 stores programs for the CPU 101 to control various operations. The RAM 103 is used as a temporary storage area for data and signals used by the CPU 101 when executing the above programs, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 104 stores, for example, the size settings of the paper P to be placed in the feed trays 21 and 22, which are entered by the user via the input setting unit 124. Based on the control program read from the ROM 102, the control unit 100 controls the feed motor 107, transport motor 108, carriage motor 109, head 32, and cutting unit 10, etc.

[0037] The ASIC105 is connected to a feed motor 107, a transport motor 108, a carriage motor 109, a head 32, a cutting unit 10, a USB interface 110, a LAN interface 111, a communication interface 112, a register sensor 120, a rotary encoder 121, a media sensor 122, a mounting sensor 123 (an example of a second detection unit), and an input setting unit 124. 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.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 100 ejects ink droplets from the nozzle 33 by applying a drive voltage to the vibrating element of the head 32. The ASIC 105 is also connected to a register sensor 120, a rotary encoder 121, a media sensor 122, and a mounting sensor 123. The control unit 100 then detects the state of the printing device 1 based on the signals output from the register sensor 120, the rotary encoder 121, the media sensor 122, and the mounting sensor 123.

[0039] The register sensor 120 outputs an ON signal when the paper P is passing the register sensor 120's position, and an OFF signal when the paper P is not passing the register sensor 120's position. In other words, it outputs an ON signal from the moment the front end of the paper P reaches the register sensor 120's position until the rear end of the paper P passes the register sensor 120's position, and an OFF signal at all other times. The detection signal from the register sensor 120 is output to the control unit 100.

[0040] The control unit 100 calculates the length L (paper length L) of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 based on the amount of paper P transported detected by the rotary encoder 121 between the time the register sensor 120 detects the front end of the paper P and the time the register sensor 120 detects the rear end of the paper P.

[0041] If the paper transport speed P is predetermined, the control unit 100 may calculate the amount of paper P transported based on the time from when the register sensor 120 detects the front end of the paper P until it detects the rear end of the paper P, and the transport speed P.

[0042] The mounting sensor 123 is provided on the feed tray 21 and detects whether or not the feed tray 21 is mounted in the opening 20 of the printing device 1. The mounting sensor 123 is an example of a second detection unit. The mounting sensor 123 outputs an ON signal to the control unit 100 when the feed tray 21 is mounted in the printing device 1, and outputs an OFF signal to the control unit 100 when the feed tray 21 is not mounted in the printing device 1. The mounting sensor 123 can be a physical sensor that detects the mounting of the feed tray 21 by contacting the feed tray 21, or an optical sensor having a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. Alternatively, instead of the mounting sensor 123, a sensor may be provided as a third detection unit that detects whether or not paper P is contained in the feed tray 21.

[0043] The printing device 1 is equipped with an input setting unit 124 having a display screen. The input setting unit 124 is, for example, a touch panel, and is configured to allow the user to make various settings related to printing on the printing device 1 by touch operation. The input setting unit 124 accepts settings for the size of the paper P and whether or not to perform cutting. The information set by the input setting unit 124 is output to the control unit 100.

[0044] USB memory, USB cables, etc. are connected to the USB interface 110. A PC is connected to the LAN interface 111 via a LAN cable. When the control unit 100 receives a print job via the USB interface 110 or the LAN interface 111, it controls each part of the printing device 1 to print the print data specified by the print job onto paper P.

[0045] [Control flow by the control unit] Next, the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be explained with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 5 to 7. Note that the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 to 7 are examples and are not limited thereto.

[0046] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the control flow related to the printing process on paper P by the printing device 1. Figure 5 shows an example of the printing process when the print job contains print data for two pages. The control unit 100 performs single-sided printing on the paper P fed from the feed tray 21 according to the print data, and then cuts the paper P.

[0047] When the control unit 100 receives print data via the USB interface 110 or LAN interface 111, it performs the setting process described later using Figure 6 to set the cutting position CL in the first transport direction D1 of the paper P (S1).

[0048] Once the control unit 100 has finished setting the cutting position CL, it starts transporting the paper P (S2). The control unit 100 drives the feed motor 107 to rotate the feed roller 24 in the forward direction and removes the paper P from the feed tray 21. Thereafter, the paper P is transported along the first transport direction D1 in the first transport path R1 under the control of the control unit 100. When the front end of the transported paper P passes the position of the register sensor 120, the register sensor 120 starts outputting an ON signal to the control unit 100.

[0049] The control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport roller 60 and the like in the forward direction, and transports the paper P to the printing unit 3. The printing unit 3, under the control of the control unit 100, prints one line of image onto the paper P from the printing start position PL (S3). Once the printing unit 3 has finished printing one line, the control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport rollers 60, 62 and the like in the forward direction, and performs a line break process.

[0050] In this line break process, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting position CL of the paper P has reached the position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S4). If the control unit 100 determines that the cutting position CL of the paper P has reached the position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S4:YES), it controls the cutting unit 10 to cut the paper P at the cutting position CL (S5). This cutting process divides the paper P into a first sheet of paper P1 and a second sheet of paper P2. If the control unit 100 determines that the cutting position CL of the paper P has not reached the position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S4:NO), it instructs the printing device 3 to print the image for the next line onto the paper P (S3).

[0051] After the cutting process in step S5, the control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, and 66, and transports the first paper P1 and the second paper P2, which have been cut, along the first transport path R1. Through this transport, the first paper P1 is discharged into the discharge tray 23.

[0052] After the cutting process, the control unit 100 continues to instruct the printing unit 3 to print the image onto the second sheet of paper P2 (S5). The control unit 100 continues printing the image onto the second sheet of paper P2 by the printing unit 3 until the image printing on the second sheet of paper P2 is completed (S7: NO) (S6), and once the image printing on the second sheet of paper P2 is completed (S7: YES), the control unit 100 discharges the second sheet of paper P2 into the discharge tray 23 (S8).

[0053] While the control unit 100 is executing the processes from steps S2 to S8, when the trailing edge of the paper P passes the position of the register sensor 120, the output from the register sensor 120 to the control unit 100 switches to an off signal. Based on the amount of paper P transported detected by the rotary encoder 121 during the period when the register sensor 120 was outputting an on signal, the control unit 100 calculates the length L (paper length L) of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 and stores the result in the EEPROM 104. The control unit 100 calculates the average value Lave from the calculation results of the length L in the first transport direction D1 of multiple sheets of paper P stored in the EEPROM 104 (S9). Details of the process in step S9 will be described later with reference to Figure 7. In the following description, the average value Lave of the length L in the first transport direction D1 of the paper P may be referred to as the average paper length Lave.

[0054] The above explanation describes the case where the print job contains print data for two pages, but the printing process shown in Figure 5 can also be executed if the print job contains only one page of print data or three or more pages of print data. If the print job contains only one page of print data, the control unit 100 can proceed with the control up to step S8 after the cutting process in step S5. If the print job contains print data for three or more pages, the process shown in Figure 5 can be repeated until the printing process is completed for all pages of print data. When printing the print data for the third page and beyond, the cutting position CL can be set using the average paper length Lave that was updated during the printing process for the first two pages.

[0055] (Setup process) Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the control flow of the setting process S1 in Figure 5. First, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the average value Lave of the paper length L of the paper P has been calculated (S10). In other words, it determines whether or not the average paper length Lave calculated by the length calculation process, which will be described in detail later, is stored in the EEPROM 104.

[0056] If the average paper length Lave has been calculated (S10:YES), the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL of the paper P from the average paper length Lave (S12). For example, the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL based on the following formula (1). Here, Cdef is the default value of the cutting position CL and represents the default processing position. Ldef is the default value of the length L of the paper P in the first transport direction D1. The values ​​of Cdef and Ldef may be stored in the ROM 102 or the like in advance during the manufacturing stage of the printing device 1, with reference to the standard size of the paper P, or they may be set by the user via the input setting unit 124 and stored in the EEPROM 104. CL = Cdef + (Lave - Ldef) / 2 …(1)

[0057] On the other hand, if the average paper length Lave has not been calculated (S10: NO), the control unit 100 sets the cutting position C to the default processing position Cdef (S11). The situation in which the average paper length Lave has not been calculated is, for example, when the length L of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 has not been measured even once, in which case the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL to the default processing position Cdef.

[0058] After setting the cutting position CL in step S12, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting position CL is within the adjustment range (S13). The adjustment range is the range in which the cutting position CL is allowed as the center of the length D1 in the first transport direction of the paper P. Even when standard-sized paper, such as A4 size paper, is stored in the feed tray 21, there are variations in size from paper to paper due to dimensional errors, etc. Furthermore, even with the same standard-sized paper, there are variations in paper size from paper type to manufacturing lot. In addition, the measurement accuracy of the paper length measurement result using the register sensor 120 may not be sufficient, and variations in the measurement result may occur. Moreover, due to various factors such as when multiple standard-sized papers are mixed in the feed tray 21 due to user error, or when part of the paper is damaged, it may not be appropriate to use the value of the average paper length Lave to set the cutting position CL. The adjustment range is a range predetermined in consideration of these circumstances. The upper and lower limits of the adjustment range may be pre-stored in ROM 102 or the like during the design phase of the printing device 1, or they may be set by the user via the input setting unit 124 and stored in EEPROM 104.

[0059] If the control unit 100 determines that the cutting position CL set in step S12 is within the adjustment range, it maintains the value of the cutting position CL (S13: YES). On the other hand, if it determines that the cutting position CL is outside the adjustment range (S13: NO), it resets the upper or lower limit of the adjustment range as the cutting position CL (S14). Specifically, if the cutting position CL set in step S12 is smaller than the lower limit of the adjustment range, the cutting position C is reset to the lower limit of the adjustment range. If the cutting position CL set in step S12 is larger than the upper limit of the adjustment range, the cutting position CL is reset to the upper limit of the adjustment range.

[0060] As illustrated in Figure 6, by properly setting the cutting position CL, the difference between the paper length L1 of the first sheet P1 and the paper length L2 of the second sheet P2 can be reduced to within the adjustment range. Furthermore, when multiple sheets of paper P are cut, the variation in the paper lengths of the multiple first sheets P1 and multiple second sheets P2 obtained as a result of cutting can be reduced.

[0061] (Length calculation process) Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the control flow of the length calculation process S9 in Figure 5. First, the control unit 100 acquires the detection result of the register sensor 120 (S20). Specifically, the control unit 100 acquires information regarding the timing t1 when the register sensor 120 detected the front edge of the paper P, and information regarding the timing t2 when the register sensor 120 detected the rear edge of the second paper P2. In other words, the control unit 100 acquires information regarding the period during which the register sensor 120 was outputting an ON signal.

[0062] Next, the control unit 100 calculates the paper length L of the paper P based on the detection result of the register sensor 120 obtained in step S20 (S21). Specifically, the control unit 100 obtains the amount A of the paper P transported by the rotary encoder 121 during the period from t1 to t2 when the register sensor 120 outputs an ON signal, and calculates the paper length L of the paper P based on that amount A. For example, the control unit 100 calculates the paper length L of the paper P by correcting the amount A according to the transport speed A / (t2-t1) of the paper P.

[0063] When the control unit 100 calculates the paper length L of the paper P, it determines whether the value falls within a preset range (S22). Here, the preset range is a range that is set in advance, taking into account dimensional errors of standard-sized paper, similar to the adjustment range for the cutting position described above. If the control unit 100 determines that the paper length L of the paper P falls within the preset range (S22: YES), it uses the value of the paper length L of the paper P in the calculation of the average paper length Lave, and stores the value of the paper length L of the paper P in a storage area such as the EEPROM 104 (S24). The EEPROM 104 can store multiple calculation results of the paper length L of the paper P as a history, and is stored in a data structure such as a linked list structure. After the storage process of the paper length L of the paper P in the EEPROM 104 is completed, the control unit 100 determines whether the number of data points for the paper length L of the paper P stored in the EEPROM 104 is less than or equal to a predetermined number N (S25). For example, the control unit 100 determines whether the number of data entries for the paper length L of the paper P stored in the EEPROM 104 is 30 or less. If the number of data entries for the paper length L of the paper P stored in the EEPROM 104 is 30 or less (S25: YES), the control unit 100 calculates the average paper length Lave, including the pre-set default paper length of the paper P (S26). The pre-set default paper length of the paper P is the paper length related to the print media size (for example, A4 size) of the paper P specified in the print job, and is, for example, Ldef as described above. For example, if there are 3 data entries for the paper length L of the paper P stored in the EEPROM 104, the control unit 100 calculates the average paper length Lave by taking the average of these 3 data entries and the default paper length Ldef of the paper P. On the other hand, if the number of data points for the paper length L of the paper P stored in the EEPROM 104 is greater than 30 (S25:NO), the control unit 100 calculates the average value of the paper length L data of the most recent 30 paper Ps as the average paper length Lave, without including the default paper length of the paper P that was set in advance (S27). Thereafter, the control unit 100 uses the newly calculated result as the value of the average paper length Lave. For example, when setting the cutting position CL, the control unit 100 substitutes the newly calculated average paper length Lave into the above formula (1).In this way, by updating the average paper length Lave value using the calculated paper length L of the paper P that was transported immediately before, the cutting position CL of the paper P can be reset each time, thereby preventing a decrease in cutting accuracy.

[0064] On the other hand, in the determination in step S22, if the control unit 100 determines that the paper length L of the paper P is not within a preset range, i.e., outside the range (step S22: NO), the paper length L of the paper P is not stored in a storage area such as the EEPROM 104 (S23). The control unit 100 terminates the length calculation process without updating the average paper length Lave. In this way, if the calculated paper length L of the paper P that was transported immediately before is not within a preset range, the paper length L is not used in the calculation of the average paper length Lave, thereby preventing a decrease in cutting accuracy due to the use of inappropriate measurement results.

[0065] (Effects of this embodiment) According to Embodiment 1 described above, the control unit 100 performs a process that includes: a length calculation process S9 which calculates the paper length L of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 using the detection results of the front and rear ends of the paper P by the register sensor 120; and a setting process S1 which sets a cutting position CL in the first transport direction D1 where the cutting unit 10 performs cutting on the paper P, based on the paper lengths L of the multiple paper P in the first transport direction D1 calculated by the length calculation process S9. Since the cutting position CL is set based on the paper lengths L of the multiple paper P in the first transport direction D1, variations in the paper length L of the paper P caused by dimensional tolerances, etc., are averaged out, and variations in the paper length L1 of the first paper P1 and the paper length L2 of the second paper P2 after cutting can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the detection accuracy of the register sensor 120 is insufficient and there is variation in the detection results, the variation in the paper length L1 of the first paper P1 and the paper length L2 of the second paper P2 after cutting can be reduced by setting the cutting position CL based on the paper length L of the first transport direction D1 of the multiple sheets of paper P.

[0066] According to Embodiment 1 described above, in the setting process shown in Figure 6, the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL based on the average value Lave of multiple paper lengths L (S12). As a result, variations in the paper length L of the paper P caused by dimensional tolerances, etc., are averaged out, and variations in the paper length L1 of the first paper P1 and the paper length L2 of the second paper P2 after cutting can be reduced.

[0067] According to Embodiment 1 described above, in the setting process shown in Figure 6, if the number of paper length L calculation results from the length calculation process is less than or equal to a predetermined number (S25: YES), the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL based on the paper length L of the paper P calculated by the length calculation process and the predetermined length Ldef for the paper P specified in the print job. Therefore, if an incorrect standard size paper is mixed in, it is possible to prevent the cutting position from being set to a position that does not conform to the standard size.

[0068] According to Embodiment 1 described above, if the paper length L of the paper P calculated by the length calculation process is not within a preset range (S22:NO in Figure 7), the control unit 100 does not calculate the average paper length Lave using the paper length L of that paper P (S24 in Figure 7). Then, in the setting process, the cutting position CL is set based on the average paper length Lave calculated without using the printing medium length that is not within the preset range (S12 in Figure 6). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cutting position from being set to a position that does not conform to the standard size in cases such as when paper of the wrong standard size is mixed in.

[0069] According to Embodiment 1 described above, if the cutting position CL set by the setting process in Figure 6 is not within the preset adjustment range (S13: NO), the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL at the lower or upper limit of the adjustment range. Therefore, even if, for example, the paper length L calculated exceeds the tolerance of the standard size of the paper P specified in the print job, the cutting position CL for subsequent sheets of paper will not fall outside the adjustment range.

[0070] [Embodiment 2] Next, the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8.

[0071] [Control operation of the control unit] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the control flow related to the printing process on paper P by the printing device 1. As an example of the printing process, the print job contains print data for 4 pages, and it differs from Figure 5 in that it performs double-sided printing on the paper P fed from the paper feed tray 21 according to the print data.

[0072] When the control unit 100 receives print data via the USB interface 110 or LAN interface 111, it performs the setting process described with reference to Figure 6 in Embodiment 1 and sets the cutting position CL of the paper P (S30).

[0073] Once the control unit 100 has completed setting the cutting position CL, it starts the same transport process as in S2 of Figure 5 for the paper P contained in the feed tray 21 (S31). The transport process of the paper P that starts in step S31 is called the first transport process. In the first transport process, the control unit 100 drives the feed motor 107 to rotate the feed roller 24 in the forward direction and removes the paper P from the feed tray 21. Thereafter, the paper P is transported along the first transport direction D1 in the first transport path R1 under the control of the control unit 100. When the front end of the paper P passes the position of the register sensor 120 during transport, the register sensor 120 starts outputting an ON signal to the control unit 100.

[0074] The control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport roller 60 and the like in the forward direction, and transports the paper P to the printing unit 3. The printing unit 3 prints one line of image onto the paper P from the printing start position PL under the control of the control unit 100 (S32). Once the printing unit 3 has finished printing one line, the control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, 66 and the like in the forward direction, and performs a line break process.

[0075] The control unit 100 determines whether or not the image printing on the surface of the paper P is complete. That is, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the printing of the images for the first and second pages of the four pages of print data included in the print job has been completed on the surface of the paper P. If printing is not complete (step S33: NO), the control unit 100 returns to the process in step S32 and repeats the image printing and line break processing on the surface of the paper P until it is completed.

[0076] When the rear end of the paper P passes the position of the register sensor 120, the output from the register sensor 120 to the control unit 100 switches to an off signal. Also, when the rear end of the paper P passes the position of the transport roller 62, the control unit 100 determines that image printing on the front surface of the paper P is complete (step S33: YES) and proceeds to step S34. In step S34, the control unit 100 starts the second transport process to begin image printing on the back surface of the paper P. The control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport rollers 64 and 66 in the opposite direction. As a result, the paper P is transported along the underside of the first flap 46 to the second transport path R2. The control unit 100 drives the transport motor 108 to rotate the transport rollers 64, 66, and 68 to transport the paper P in the second transport direction D2, which is opposite to the first transport direction D1. When the paper P is transported to the merging point W on the second transport path R2, the paper P merges with the first transport path R1. At this point, the front and back sides of the paper P are reversed compared to when it was transported along the first transport path R1 in the first transport process.

[0077] The control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport roller 60 and the like in the forward direction, and transports the paper P that has joined the first transport path R1 to the printing unit 3. Under the control of the control unit 100, the printing unit 3 prints one line of image onto the paper P from the printing start position PL (S35). Once the printing unit 3 has finished printing one line, the control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, 66 and the like in the forward direction, and performs a line break process.

[0078] In this line break process, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting position CL of the paper P has reached the position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S36). If the control unit 100 determines that the cutting position CL of the paper P has reached the position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S36: YES), it controls the cutting unit 10 to cut the paper P at the cutting position CL (S37). This cutting process divides the paper P into a first sheet of paper P1 and a second sheet of paper P2. If the control unit 100 determines that the cutting position CL of the paper P has not reached the position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S36: NO), it instructs the printing device 3 to print the image for the next line onto the paper P (S35).

[0079] After the cutting process in step S37, the control unit 100 drives the transport roller 108 to rotate the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, and 66, and transports the first paper P1 and the second paper P2, which have been cut, along the first transport path R1. Through this transport, the first paper P1 is discharged into the discharge tray 23.

[0080] After the cutting process, the control unit 100 continues to instruct the printing unit 3 to print the image onto the second sheet of paper P2 (S38). The control unit 100 continues printing the image onto the second sheet of paper P2 by the printing unit 3 until the image printing on the second sheet of paper P2 is completed (S39: NO) (S38), and once the image printing on the second sheet of paper P2 is completed (S39: YES), the control unit 100 discharges the second sheet of paper P2 into the discharge tray 23 (S40).

[0081] When the second sheet of paper P2 is ejected to the output tray 23, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S41. In step S41, the control unit 100 performs a length calculation process to calculate the average paper length Lave, using the same process as in step S9 in Figure 5.

[0082] The above explanation described the case where a print job contains four pages of print data, but the printing process shown in Figure 8 can also be performed when there are five or more pages of print data. If a print job contains five or more pages of print data, the process shown in Figure 8 should be repeated until the printing process is completed for all pages of print data.

[0083] As described above in Embodiment 2, the present invention can also be applied when double-sided printing is performed on paper P.

[0084] [Embodiment 3] Next, the control flow by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9.

[0085] [Control operation of the control unit] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the control flow related to the printing process on paper P by the printing device 1, and differs from Embodiment 1 in that the transport speed of paper P is set to a preset constant speed when the trailing end of paper P passes the position of the register sensor 120.

[0086] From steps S50 to S54 in Figure 9, the control unit 100 performs the same processing as from steps S1 to S5 in Figure 5. In step S54, the control unit 100 cuts the paper P at the cutting position CL, similar to step S5 in Figure 5, and then proceeds to step S55.

[0087] In step S55, the control unit 100 determines whether the trailing edge of the paper P will pass the position of the register sensor 120 in the next line break process. The control unit 100 determines that the trailing edge of the paper P will pass the position of the register sensor 120 in the next line break process if the amount of paper P transported A obtained from the rotary encoder 121 after the next line break process exceeds the average paper length Lave.

[0088] If the control unit 100 determines that the trailing edge of the paper P will pass the position of the register sensor 120 in the next newline processing (S55: YES), it performs speed control processing to control the transport motor 108 so that the transport speed of the paper P becomes a preset constant speed v1 (S56). Speed ​​v1 is set slower than the transport speed of the paper P during processing from steps S50 to S54. By keeping the transport speed of the paper P constant at speed v1, the accuracy of the detection result of the trailing edge of the paper P by the register sensor 120 can be improved. When the control unit 100 sets the transport speed of the paper P to speed v1, it prints the image for the next line onto the paper P (S57). On the other hand, if it determines that the trailing edge of the paper P will not pass the position of the register sensor 120 in the next newline processing (S55: NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S57 without going through the processing in step S56, and instructs the printing device 3 to print the image for the next line onto the paper P.

[0089] After processing in step S57, the control unit 100 proceeds to the determination process in step S58. In step S58, the control unit 100 determines whether or not printing on paper P is complete. The control unit 100 repeats the processes from steps S55 to S57 until printing on paper P is complete (S58: NO), and when printing on paper P is complete (S58: YES), it proceeds to the process in step S59.

[0090] In step S59, the control unit 100 determines whether the trailing edge of the paper P has passed the position of the register sensor 120. If the trailing edge of the paper P has passed the position of the register sensor 120 before printing on the paper P is completed (S59: YES), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S62. On the other hand, if the trailing edge of the paper P has not passed the position of the register sensor 120 before printing on the paper P is completed (S59: NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S60. In step S60, the control unit 100 determines whether the trailing edge of the paper P will pass the position of the register sensor 120 in the next newline processing. The control unit 100 repeats the newline processing until it determines that the trailing edge of the paper P will pass the position of the register sensor 120 in the next newline processing (step S60: NO). Then, if the control unit 100 determines that the trailing edge of the paper P will pass the position of the register sensor 120 in the next newline processing (S60: YES), it proceeds to step S61. In step S61, the control unit 100 sets the paper transport speed P to a preset constant speed v1, similar to step S56. The processing from step S62 onward is the same as the processing from step S8 onward in Figure 5.

[0091] With the above configuration, when the trailing edge of the paper P passes the register sensor 120, the paper P is transported at a predetermined speed v1. Therefore, the register sensor 120 can easily detect the passage of the trailing edge of the paper P. This improves the accuracy of the registration sensor 120's detection results for the trailing edge of the paper P.

[0092] [Other Embodiments] In the embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the control unit 100 may further perform a reset process to reset the cutting position CL, which was set by the setting process, to the default cutting position Cdef when a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition is met when, for example, the feed tray 21 is removed from the opening 20 of the printing device 1 or when the feed tray 21 is installed in the opening 20.

[0093] The control unit 100 may detect, using the mounting sensor 123, that the feed tray 21 is mounted on the printing device 1, and when the feed tray 21 is removed from the printing device 1, reset the cutting position CL to the default cutting position Cdef. The control unit 100 may also detect, using the mounting sensor 123, that the feed tray 21 is mounted in the opening 20, and when the feed tray 21 changes from being removed from the opening 20 to being mounted, reset the cutting position CL to the default cutting position Cdef. When resetting the cutting position CL to the default cutting position Cdef, the control unit 100 may erase the paper length L data stored in the EEPROM 104 before the reset so that the paper length L stored up to the reset timing is not used to set the cutting position CL. By performing the reset process based on the attachment and detachment of the feed tray 21, it is possible to set the cutting position CL in accordance with changes in the paper type or manufacturing lot of the paper P due to replacement or replenishment of the paper P contained in the feed tray 21.

[0094] Another example of when a predetermined condition is met is to perform a reset process when the paper P stored in the paper feed tray 21 runs out. A light sensor (third detection unit) or the like can be used to detect whether or not paper P is stored in the paper feed tray 21, and when the paper feed tray 21 is removed from the opening 20, the cutting position CL can be reset to the default cutting position Cdef.

[0095] Another example of when predetermined conditions are met is when the user enters settings related to the size of the paper P using the input setting unit 124. If the user enters settings related to the size of the paper P using the input setting unit 124, there is a high possibility that the paper type or manufacturing lot of the paper P stored in the feed tray 21 has changed, so the resetting process may be executed.

[0096] [Variation] In the embodiments 1-3 described above, the case in which paper P is divided into two equal parts, a first paper P1 and a second paper P2, by cutting was explained, but it is not limited to dividing paper P into two equal parts. The control unit 100 may divide paper P into three equal parts using the cutting unit 10. It may also cut into more than one part. In this case, the cutting process described above is repeatedly executed according to the number of divisions.

[0097] In the embodiments 1-3 described above, the cutting unit 10 is provided downstream of the printing unit 3 in the first transport direction D1, but the location of the cutting unit 10 is not limited to this. For example, the cutting unit 10 may be provided upstream of the printing unit 3 in the first transport direction D1, or it may be provided outside the printing device 1 as an adjustment unit.

[0098] In the embodiments 1-3 described above, the average value of multiple paper lengths L, or average paper length Lave, is calculated, and the cutting position CL is set using this average paper length Lave. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the median or mode of multiple paper lengths L may be calculated, and the cutting position CL may be set using the results of these calculations.

[0099] In the embodiments 1-3 described above, the front and rear ends of the paper P are detected using the register sensor 120, but the method for detecting the front and rear ends of the paper P is not limited to the register sensor 120. For example, the front and rear ends of the paper P may be detected using the media sensor 122 as the first detection unit. Alternatively, the register sensor 120 and the media sensor 122 may be used in combination as the first detection unit, with the front end of the paper P being detected by the media sensor 122 and the rear end of the paper P being detected by the register sensor 120.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment 2, the control unit 100 performs a setting process before transporting the paper P and performs a length calculation process after printing on the paper P is completed. However, when performing double-sided printing, the timing of performing the setting process and length calculation process is not limited to the timing illustrated in Figure 8. For example, the length calculation process and setting process may be performed sequentially after the trailing edge of the paper P has passed the position of the register sensor 120 and before cutting the paper P. This makes it possible to set the cutting position CL based on the measurement result of the paper length L from the first sheet of paper P.

[0101] In the embodiments 1-3 described above and in each of the modified examples, a cutting position CL is set on the paper P and the cutting unit 10 performs the cutting process. However, the processing performed on the printing medium such as the paper P is not limited to cutting. For example, perforation or crease formation may be performed on the paper P. When performing perforation, for example, the control unit 100 sets a processing position for perforation using the same process as for the cutting position CL. Then, the control unit 100 brings a perforation cutter, which is a processing member, into contact with that processing position and moves the perforation cutter in the width direction of the paper P to perform the perforation. Similarly, when performing crease formation, the control unit 100 sets a processing position using the same process as for the cutting position CL and performs crease formation at that processing position. In crease formation, a blade for creating creases is brought into contact with the paper P as a processing member and the blade is moved in the width direction of the paper P.

[0102] The present invention 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 the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1 Printing device 3 Printing Department 10 Cut section 21. Supply tray (storage section) 24 Feeding rollers 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 Conveyor rollers 120 Register Sensor (First Detection Unit) 123 Mounted sensor (second detection unit) 124 Setting section D1 First conveying direction D2 Second transport direction R1 First transport route R2 Second transport route

Claims

1. A storage section for storing printing media, A transport unit that takes out the printing medium from the storage unit and transports it along the transport direction, A printing unit that prints the print data included in the print job onto the aforementioned printing medium, A first detection unit detects the front and rear ends of the printing medium being transported by the transport unit in the transport direction, A processing unit processes a printing medium by moving while a processing member is in contact with the printing medium being transported by the transport unit, It comprises a control unit and, The first detection unit is positioned upstream of the processing unit in the conveying direction, The control unit, A length calculation process is performed to calculate the length of the printing medium, which is the length of the printing medium in the transport direction before it is processed by the processing unit, using the detection results of the front and rear ends of the printing medium by the first detection unit. A printing apparatus characterized by performing a process that includes setting a processing position in the transport direction in which the processing unit performs processing on the printing medium, based on the average value of the printing medium lengths of a plurality of printing mediums calculated by the length calculation process.

2. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the setting process, if the number of print media lengths calculated by the length calculation process is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the processing position is set based on the print media length calculated by the length calculation process and a predetermined length related to the print media size specified in the print job.

3. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the length of the printing medium calculated by the length calculation process is not within a preset range, the processing position is set in the setting process without using the length of the printing medium.

4. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that if the processing position set by the setting process is not included in a preset adjustment range, the processing position is set to the lower limit or upper limit of the adjustment range.

5. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit performs a reset process to set the processing position to a predetermined default processing position when predetermined conditions are met.

6. The system further includes a second detection unit that detects whether or not the housing unit is mounted on the printing device, The control unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the resetting process, the processing position is set to the default processing position on the condition that the second detection unit detects that the housing unit is not installed in the printing apparatus.

7. The system further includes a second detection unit that detects whether or not the housing unit is mounted on the printing device, The control unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the resetting process, the processing position is set to the default processing position on the condition that the second detection unit detects that the housing unit has been installed in the printing apparatus.

8. The storage compartment further comprises a third detection unit that detects whether or not a printing medium is stored in the storage compartment, The control unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the resetting process, the processing position is set to the default processing position on the condition that the third detection unit detects that no printing medium is stored in the storage unit.

9. The system further includes an input setting unit that receives input from the user regarding the size of the print medium, The control unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the processing position is set to the default processing position on the condition that the input setting unit has received input for the size of the printing medium.

10. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, in the length calculation process, the length of the printing medium is corrected by referring to the transport speed of the printing medium passing through the first detection unit.

11. The control unit, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further characterized in that, at the timing when the trailing end of the printing medium passes the first detection unit, a speed control process is performed to control the transport unit so that the transport speed of the printing medium becomes a predetermined speed.

Images