JP3941683B2

JP3941683B2 - Print medium conveyance control apparatus, serial type printing apparatus, print medium conveyance control apparatus, and print medium conveyance control method in serial printing apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP3941683B2
Application number: JP2002357855A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 輝樹倉科; 徹司武石
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2002-09-30
Filing date: 2002-12-10
Publication date: 2007-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-10
Also published as: JP2004175082A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、シリアル式印刷装置等の印刷装置において、印刷中の印刷媒体(例えば用紙)を搬送(紙送り)する際に、その搬送途中に搬送速度を変更すべき領域が存在する場合、その領域に合わせた適切な搬送速度に制御するシリアル式印刷装置における印刷媒体搬送制御装置、シリアル式印刷装置、印刷媒体搬送制御装置及び印刷媒体搬送制御方法に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般にシリアルプリンタでは、図１０に示すように、紙送りローラ３０と排紙ローラ３１により搬送される用紙Ｐに対し、両ローラ３０，３１間に配置されたプラテン３２の上方を主走査方向に往復移動するキャリッジ３３の下端に備えられた記録ヘッド３４からインクが吐出されるなどの方法で印刷が施される。両ローラ３０、３１は駆動ローラ３０Ａ，３１Ａと従動ローラ３０Ｂ，３１Ａからなる一対でそれぞれ構成され、両駆動ローラ３０Ａ，３１Ａが紙送りモータ（図示せず）の動力により回転駆動されることにより用紙Ｐは紙送り方向へ搬送される。そして、プリンタに内蔵された図示しないＡＳＩＣ（特定用途向けＩＣ）が印刷データに基づきキャリッジモータ、紙送りモータおよび記録ヘッド３４を駆動制御する。これにより、キャリッジ３３の主走査方向への移動時の記録ヘッド３４による印刷動作と、各ローラ３０，３１が駆動されることによる紙送り動作とが交互に行われ、用紙Ｐへの印刷は進められる。また、用紙Ｐの搬送経路上には紙検出センサ３５が紙送りローラ３１の上流側位置（図１０における右側位置）に設けられ、給紙された用紙Ｐの紙端がこのセンサ３５により検出されることで用紙Ｐの位置が把握され用紙Ｐの頭出しが行われる。
【０００３】
ところで、この種のシリアルプリンタでは図１０（ａ）に示すように、用紙Ｐの後端が紙送りローラ３０から離れる際、用紙Ｐの後端が回転する紙送りローラ３０に蹴飛ばされる（弾き出される）蹴飛ばし現象が起こっていた。特に近年、写真印刷などの高画質印刷に「縁なし印刷」が普及して用紙Ｐの後端位置まで印刷される場合も多く、この蹴飛ばし現象によって用紙Ｐの後端付近の位置精度が低下すると、用紙後端付近に印刷される印刷画質の低下にも繋がる。
【０００４】
この蹴飛ばし現象に起因する印刷画質の低下を防止するために、例えば図１０（ｂ）に示すように、用紙Ｐの後端が紙送りローラ３０を通る範囲（領域）に低速領域を設定し、この低速領域を用紙Ｐの後端が通過するときはその紙送り速度を通常速度より遅い低速度に変更する方法が考えられていた。すなわち、紙検出センサ３５により用紙Ｐの後端が検出されてから所定量紙送りされることで用紙Ｐの後端が低速領域に入ると、その低速領域を通過する間は低速の紙送りを行い、それにより用紙Ｐの後端の蹴飛ばし現象を防止していた（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。
【０００５】
また、低速領域を通るときの用紙Ｐの搬送速度を低速に落とす方法としては、用紙Ｐの搬送速度を速度制御により途中で低速に変速させる方法が考えられるが、変速させる方法は変速過程での用紙Ｐの位置管理が難しく、用紙Ｐの位置精度を確保することが比較的困難となる。そのため、例えば用紙Ｐを紙送りする目標位置（紙送り後の紙後端位置）が低速領域にあるとき、または、用紙の紙送り開始位置(現在位置（紙送り前の紙後端位置）)が低速領域にあるときは、その紙送りを低速で行う方法が考えられていた。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−０９６５１２号公報（第１０−１６頁、第１図）
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、近年のプリンタは、印刷速度の向上の面から多ノズル化の採用により記録ヘッド３４の全長（紙送り方向長さ）が長くなる傾向がある。よって、キャリッジ一回移動当たりの印刷幅（紙送り方向幅）が広くなるため、それに合わせて１回分の紙送り量も多くなる。このように１回分の紙送り量が多くなると、用紙Ｐの後端が低速領域を跨ぐような紙送りの指示がなされることも十分起こり得る。この場合は、低速領域を比較的速い通常速度で用紙Ｐの後端は通過し、紙送りローラ３０による用紙Ｐの後端の蹴飛ばしが起こってしまう。また、紙送りの目標位置が低速領域内にあるとＡＳＩＣが判断したときは、紙送り開始位置（現在位置）が低速領域からかなり手前の位置であっても、その現在位置から低速で紙送りを行うため効率が悪く、それにより印刷速度の遅延を招くことになる。
【０００８】
本発明は上記課題を解決するためになされたものであって、その目的は、印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する領域が存在するとき、その領域に設定された搬送速度で適切に印刷媒体が搬送されるように制御できるシリアル式印刷装置における印刷媒体搬送制御装置、シリアル式印刷装置、印刷媒体搬送制御装置及び印刷媒体搬送制御方法を提供することにある。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本発明は、記録ヘッドとキャリッジの駆動により印刷媒体に印刷を行う印刷手段と、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、印刷媒体搬送と印刷実行を交互に行うよう前記印刷手段と搬送手段とを制御する制御手段とを有するシリアル式印刷装置における印刷媒体搬送制御装置において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する変速領域を設定するか否かを判断する判断手段を備え、前記制御手段は、前記判断手段により前記変速領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記変速領域を設定するとともに、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が設定された変速領域の入口を越えるときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が該変速領域の入口又は入口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を通常速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送を通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行することを要旨とする。なお、変速領域に入る前の搬送速度を「通常速度」と定義し、変速領域での搬送速度を「変速速度」と定義している。また、「予め設定された変速領域」は、制御手段が上記判断を行うときまでに設定されていれば足り、固定の変速領域に限らず、例えば印刷媒体の種類（例えば紙種）や印刷モードの種類に応じた所定時期、あるいは印刷媒体の1回の搬送毎などの所定時期にその都度、変速領域が設定されても構わない。さらに、「設定位置」は、固定位置に限定されず可変位置であってもよい。これらの点は本発明にかかる以下に述べるその他の構成（他の請求項に係る構成）においても同様である。
【００１２】
この構成によれば、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する変速領域を設定するか否かが判断手段により判断される。そして、制御手段は、判断手段により変速領域の設定が必要と判断されたときに、変速領域を設定し、これにより印刷媒体の搬送速度変更処理が実行される。所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が設定された変速領域の入口を越えるときは、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の入口又は入口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量が分割されて複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割される。そして、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送が通常速度で実行されるとともに、この最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送が通常速度と異なる変速速度で開始される。従って、変速領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置で通常速度から変速速度への切換えが行われるので、変速領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置から変速が開始される。例えば変速領域からかなり離れた手前から変速される事態が発生しにくくなる。例えば高画質印刷する際は、高画質印刷時に用いられる種類の印刷媒体（例えば光沢紙）であることや、高画質印刷モード（例えば写真印刷モード）であると、高画質印刷のために搬送速度を変速させる必要がある領域に変速領域（例えば低速領域）が設定され、その結果、高画質印刷に対応でき、高画質印刷が必要でないときは印刷媒体が通常速度で搬送される。
本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、記録ヘッドとキャリッジの駆動により印刷媒体に印刷を行う印刷手段と、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、印刷媒体搬送と印刷実行を交互に行うよう前記印刷手段と搬送手段とを制御する制御手段とを有するシリアル式印刷装置における印刷媒体搬送制御装置において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する変速領域を設定するか否かを判断する判断手段を備え、前記制御手段は、前記判断手段により前記変速領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記変速領域を設定するとともに、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、印刷媒体の所定位置が設定された変速領域内にあり、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記変速領域の出口を越えるときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記変速領域の出口又は出口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を２分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行するとともに、残りの印刷媒体搬送を通常速度で実行することを要旨とする。
この構成によれば、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する変速領域を設定するか否かが判断手段により判断される。そして、制御手段は、判断手段により変速領域の設定が必要と判断されたときに、変速領域を設定し、これにより印刷媒体の搬送速度変更処理が実行される。所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域内にあり、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の出口を越えると判断されると、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の出口又は出口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量が２分割されて複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割される。そして、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送が通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行されるとともに、残りの印刷媒体搬送が通常速度で実行される。従って、変速領域内から外へ出る印刷媒体搬送が行われるとき、変速領域の出口又は出口近傍の設定位置で変速速度から通常速度に切換わる。例えば変速領域から外へかなり出る目標位置まで搬送される際、変速速度のまま目標位置まで搬送される不都合が回避され易くなる。例えば高画質印刷する際は、高画質印刷時に用いられる種類の印刷媒体（例えば光沢紙）であることや、高画質印刷モード（例えば写真印刷モード）であると、高画質印刷のために搬送速度を変速させる必要がある領域に変速領域（例えば低速領域）が設定され、その結果、高画質印刷に対応でき、高画質印刷が必要でないときは印刷媒体が通常速度で搬送される。
【００１３】
また、本発明では、前記制御手段は、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が設定された変速領域を跨ぐときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が該変速領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置と該変速領域の出口又は出口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を３分割し、その分割された１回目と３回目の印刷媒体搬送を通常速度で実行し、２回目の印刷媒体搬送を通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行することを要旨とする。
【００１４】
この構成によれば、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域を跨ぐときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置と変速領域の出口又は出口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量が３分割される。そして、その分割された１回目と３回目の印刷媒体搬送が通常速度で実行され、２回目の印刷媒体搬送が通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行される。従って、変速領域を跨ぐ場合にも、変速領域のみ変速させる印刷媒体搬送が可能となる。例えば変速領域を跨ぐために変速領域での変速が実施されない不都合が解消され易くなる。
【００１５】
また、本発明では、前記制御手段は、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が設定された変速領域内に位置するときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記変速領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を２分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を通常速度で実行するとともに、残りの印刷媒体搬送を通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行することを要旨とする。
【００１６】
この構成によれば、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域内に位置するときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量が２分割される。そして、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送が通常速度で実行されるとともに、残りの印刷媒体搬送が通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行される。従って、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域内の目標位置に達するまで印刷媒体が搬送される際、変速領域では適切な搬送速度に変速される。
【００２１】
また本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、前記変速領域の入口側の設定位置のすぐ上流側には印刷媒体の通常速度における最小搬送距離にほぼ匹敵する長さの拡張領域が設定され、前記判断手段により印刷媒体の搬送開始時の所定位置が該拡張領域内に存在すると判断されたときは、前記制御手段は、前記所定位置を前記入口側の設定位置で停止させることをせず該入口側の設定位置を跨ぐようにはじめから変速速度で印刷媒体を搬送することを要旨とする。
【００２２】
この構成によれば、印刷媒体の搬送開始時の所定位置が変速領域の入口側の拡張領域内に存在するときは、印刷媒体は所定位置が変速領域の入口側の設定位置で停止されることなく入口側の設定位置を跨ぐように搬送開始位置からそのまま変速速度で搬送される。このため、入口側の設定位置で一旦停止させようとしたがため、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の入口側の設定位置で停止できずこれを超える位置まで通常速度で搬送されてしまう不都合が回避される。従って、変速領域では確実に変速速度での搬送が実現される。
【００２３】
さらに本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、前記変速領域の出口側の設定位置のすぐ下流側には印刷媒体の通常速度における最小搬送距離にほぼ匹敵する長さの拡張領域が設定され、前記判断手段により印刷媒体の所定位置の搬送先である目標位置が該拡張領域内に存在すると判断されたときは、前記制御手段は、前記所定位置を前記出口側の設定位置で停止させることをせず該出口側の設定位置を跨いで前記目標位置に達するように変速速度で印刷媒体を搬送することを要旨とする。
【００２４】
この構成によれば、印刷媒体の所定位置の搬送先である目標位置が変速領域の出口側の拡張領域内に存在すると判断されるときは、印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の出口側の設定位置で停止されることなく出口側の設定位置を跨いで目標位置に達するまで変速速度で搬送される。このため、出口側の設定位置で一旦停止させたがため、所定位置を目標位置に停止させることができなくなる不都合が回避される。従って、印刷媒体の所定位置が目標位置に位置精度よく停止するので、高い印刷画質精度が保証される。
本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、前記制御手段は、前記変速領域の入口の内側に前記搬送手段の最小搬送距離に略等しい長さの第１管理領域を設定し、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を行ったときに前記所定位置が該第１管理領域に位置することになるときは、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記拡張領域の入口で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割し、最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記通常速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送を終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行し、一方、前記変速領域の出口の内側に前記搬送手段の最小搬送距離に略等しい長さの第２管理領域を設定し、印刷媒体の所定位置が該第２管理領域に位置する搬送開始位置から印刷媒体の搬送を開始して所定量の印刷媒体搬送を行うときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記拡張領域の出口で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割し、最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記変速速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送を終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送を前記通常速度で実行することが好ましい。
この構成によれば、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を行ったときに印刷媒体の所定位置が変速領域の入口の内側に設定された第１管理領域に位置することになるときは、印刷媒体の所定位置が拡張領域の入口で一旦停止するように所定量が分割され、２回の印刷媒体搬送に分割される。そして、拡張領域の入口に至るまでの最初の印刷媒体搬送が第２速度で実行されるとともに、最初の印刷媒体搬送を終了して停止した後、第１管理領域内の目標位置までの残りの印刷媒体搬送が第１速度で実行される。このように残りの印刷媒体搬送で変速領域の入口で停止せず該入口を跨ぐ搬送が行われるので、該入口で停止したためにそこから最小移動距離だけ搬送させただけで目標位置を通過してしまう不都合を回避できる。変速領域の出口の内側に設定された第２管理領域から搬送を開始して所定量の印刷媒体搬送を行うときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が拡張領域の出口で一旦停止するように所定量が分割され、２回の印刷媒体搬送に分割される。そして、拡張領域の出口に至るまでの最初の印刷媒体搬送が第１速度で実行されるとともに、最初の印刷媒体搬送を終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送が第２速度で実行される。このように最初の印刷媒体搬送で変速領域の出口で停止せず該出口を跨ぐ搬送が行われるので、第２管理領域内の搬送開始位置から最小移動距離だけ搬送させただけで変速領域の出口を通過してしまうことに起因して、残りの印刷媒体搬送の搬送開始位置の位置精度が低くなり、残りの印刷媒体搬送で搬送された印刷媒体が目標位置に正確に停止できなくなる不都合を回避できる。
本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、前記制御手段は、印刷媒体の搬送後に印刷がなされることがない当該搬送を行うときは、印刷媒体の前記所定位置が前記変速領域の入口又は出口を跨ぐ搬送である場合でも、当該搬送の所定量を分割することなく印刷媒体を前記通常速度で搬送することが好ましい。この構成によれば、次に印刷がなされることがない搬送時は、印刷媒体が通常速度で搬送されるため、スループットを向上できる。
【００２６】
また本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、前記低速領域は、前記記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に設定されており、前記所定位置は印刷媒体の後端であることを要旨とする。この構成によれば、記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲の低速領域で印刷媒体が適正に低速度で搬送されるため、搬送ローラによる印刷媒体の後端の蹴飛ばし現象が低減される。例えば高画質印刷時において印刷媒体の位置精度低下に起因する印刷媒体後端エリアの印刷画質の低下が抑えられる。
本発明は、記録ヘッドとキャリッジの駆動により印刷媒体に印刷を行う印刷手段と、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、印刷媒体搬送と印刷実行を交互に行うよう前記印刷手段と搬送手段とを制御する制御手段とを有するシリアル式印刷装置において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体を第１速度で搬送する予め設定された固定領域を設定するか否かを判断する判断手段を備え、前記制御手段は、前記判断手段により前記固定領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記固定領域を設定するとともに、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記固定領域の上流にあるときに印刷のための所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、前記所定位置が前記固定領域の入口又は入口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送であって前記固定領域における印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行し、前記固定領域は、前記記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に設定されており、前記所定位置は印刷媒体の後端であることを要旨とする。
この構成によれば、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体を第１速度で搬送する予め設定された固定領域を設定するか否かが判断手段により判断される。そして、制御手段は、判断手段により固定領域の設定が必要と判断されたときに、固定領域を設定し、これにより印刷媒体の搬送速度変更処理が実行される。印刷媒体の後端（所定位置）が、記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に設定された固定領域の上流にあるときに印刷のための所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、前記後端が、固定領域の入口又は入口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割される。その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送が第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行されるとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送であって固定領域における印刷媒体搬送が第１速度で実行される。よって、印刷媒体はその後端が搬送ローラを通過する際に低速な第１速度で搬送されるので、印刷媒体の後端を搬送ローラが蹴飛ばす現象を緩和又は防止することが可能となる。例えば高画質印刷する際は、高画質印刷時に用いられる種類の印刷媒体（例えば光沢紙）であることや、高画質印刷モード（例えば写真印刷モード）であると、高画質印刷のために第１速度で搬送させる必要がある搬送ローラを挟む範囲に固定領域（例えば低速領域）が設定され、その結果、高画質印刷に対応でき、高画質印刷が必要でないときは印刷媒体が第２速度で搬送される。
本発明は、記録ヘッドとキャリッジの駆動により印刷媒体に印刷を行う印刷手段と、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、印刷媒体搬送と印刷実行を交互に行うよう前記印刷手段と搬送手段とを制御する制御手段とを有するシリアル式印刷装置において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体を第１速度で搬送する予め設定された固定領域を設定するか否かを判断する判断手段を備え、前記制御手段は、前記判断手段により前記固定領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記固定領域を設定するとともに、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記固定領域内にあるときに印刷のための所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、前記所定位置が前記固定領域の出口又は出口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行し、前記固定領域は、前記記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に設定されており、前記所定位置は印刷媒体の後端であることを要旨とする。
この構成によれば、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体を第１速度で搬送する予め設定された固定領域を設定するか否かが判断手段により判断される。そして、制御手段は、判断手段により固定領域の設定が必要と判断されたときに、固定領域を設定し、これにより印刷媒体の搬送速度変更処理が実行される。印刷媒体の後端（所定位置）が、記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に設定された固定領域内にあるときに印刷のための所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、前記後端が、固定領域の出口又は出口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割される。その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送が第１速度で実行されるとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送が第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行される。よって、印刷媒体はその後端が搬送ローラを通過する際に低速な第１速度で搬送されるので、印刷媒体の後端を搬送ローラが蹴飛ばす現象を緩和又は防止することが可能となる。例えば高画質印刷する際は、高画質印刷時に用いられる種類の印刷媒体（例えば光沢紙）であることや、高画質印刷モード（例えば写真印刷モード）であると、高画質印刷のために第１速度で搬送させる必要がある搬送ローラを挟む範囲に固定領域（例えば低速領域）が設定され、その結果、高画質印刷に対応でき、高画質印刷が必要でないときは印刷媒体が第２速度で搬送される。
本発明のシリアル式印刷装置では、前記制御手段は、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の後端が、設定された固定領域を跨ぐか否かを判断し、該固定領域を跨ぐときには、印刷媒体の後端が該固定領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置と該固定領域の出口又は出口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を３分割し、その分割された１回目と３回目の印刷媒体搬送を前記第２速度で実行し、２回目の印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行することが好ましい。
本発明のシリアル式印刷装置では、前記制御手段は、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の後端が、設定された固定領域内に位置するときには、印刷媒体の後端が前記固定領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を２分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記第２速度で実行するとともに、残りの印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行することが好ましい。
本発明のシリアル式印刷装置では、前記固定領域の入口側の設定位置のすぐ上流側には印刷媒体の前記第２速度における最小搬送距離にほぼ匹敵する長さの拡張領域が設定され、前記判断手段により印刷媒体の搬送開始時の後端が該拡張領域内に存在すると判断されたときは、前記制御手段は、前記後端を前記入口側の設定位置で停止させることをせず該入口側の設定位置を跨ぐようにはじめから前記第１速度で印刷媒体を搬送することが好ましい。
本発明のシリアル式印刷装置では、前記固定領域の出口側の設定位置のすぐ下流側には印刷媒体の前記第２速度における最小搬送距離にほぼ匹敵する長さの拡張領域が設定され、前記判断手段により印刷媒体の後端の搬送先である目標位置が該拡張領域内に存在すると判断されたときは、前記制御手段は、前記後端を前記出口側の設定位置で停止させることをせず該出口側の設定位置を跨いで前記目標位置に達するように前記第１速度で印刷媒体を搬送することが好ましい。
本発明のシリアル式印刷装置では、前記制御手段は、印刷媒体の搬送後に印刷がなされることがない当該搬送を行うときは、印刷媒体の後端が前記固定領域の入口又は出口を跨ぐ搬送である場合でも、当該搬送の所定量を分割することなく印刷媒体を前記第２速度で搬送することが好ましい。
本発明は、印刷媒体に印刷を行う記録ヘッドと、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、前記記録ヘッドと搬送手段とを制御する制御手段とを有する印刷媒体搬送制御装置において、前記制御手段は、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて前記変速領域を設定するか否かを判断する判断手段により前記変速領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記変速領域を設定するとともに、印刷媒体の所定位置が、設定された変速領域にあるうちは、該印刷媒体が第１速度で搬送されるようになっており、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が、前記変速領域の入口を越えるときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が、前記変速領域の入口又は入口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送であって前記変速領域における印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行し、前記変速領域の入口を跨ぐ印刷媒体の搬送後に印刷がなされることがない当該搬送を行うときは、印刷媒体の前記所定位置が、前記変速領域の入口又で入口近傍に設定された前記設定位置に位置しても停止せず、前記変速領域内にあっても、印刷媒体を前記第２速度で搬送することを要旨とする。
本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、前記変速領域は、前記記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に設定されており、前記所定位置は印刷媒体の後端であることが好ましい。
本発明は、印刷媒体に印刷を行う記録ヘッドと、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、前記記録ヘッドと搬送手段とを制御する制御手段とを有する印刷媒体搬送制御装置において、前記制御手段は、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて前記固定領域を設定するか否かを判断する判断手段により前記固定領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記固定領域を設定するとともに、印刷媒体の所定位置が、予め設定された固定領域にあるうちは、該印刷媒体が第１速度で搬送されるようになっており、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が、前記変速領域の入口を越えるときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が、前記固定領域の入口で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送であって前記変速領域における印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行し、前記固定領域の入口を跨ぐ印刷媒体の搬送後に印刷がなされることがない当該搬送を行うときは、印刷媒体の前記所定位置が、前記固定領域の入口に位置しても停止せず、前記固定領域内にあっても、印刷媒体を前記第２速度で搬送することを要旨とする。
本発明の印刷媒体搬送制御装置では、前記固定領域は、前記記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に設定されており、前記所定位置は印刷媒体の後端であることが好ましい。
本発明は、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段を有する印刷装置の印刷媒体搬送方法において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する変速領域を設定するか否かを判断し、前記変速領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記変速領域を設定するとともに、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が設定された変速領域の入口を越えるときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が該変速領域の入口又は入口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を通常速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送を通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行することを要旨とする。
本発明は、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段を有する印刷装置の印刷媒体搬送方法において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する変速領域を設定するか否かを判断し、前記変速領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記変速領域を設定するとともに、所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、印刷媒体の所定位置が設定された変速領域内にあり、その指示された印刷媒体搬送を実行した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記変速領域の出口を越えるときには、印刷媒体の所定位置が前記変速領域の出口又は出口近傍の設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を２分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を通常速度と異なる変速速度で実行するとともに、残りの印刷媒体搬送を通常速度で実行することを要旨とする。
本発明は、記録ヘッドとキャリッジの駆動により印刷媒体に印刷を行う印刷手段と、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、印刷媒体搬送と印刷実行を交互に行う印刷装置の印刷媒体搬送方法において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて、前記記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に予め設定された印刷媒体を第１速度で搬送すべき固定領域を設定するか否かを判断し、前記固定領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記固定領域を設定する設定ステップと、印刷媒体の後端が前記固定領域の上流にあるときに印刷のための所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、前記後端が前記固定領域の入口又は入口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送であって前記固定領域における印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行する制御ステップとを備えたことを要旨とする。
本発明は、記録ヘッドとキャリッジの駆動により印刷媒体に印刷を行う印刷手段と、印刷媒体を記録ヘッドを挟んで上流から下流へ搬送する搬送手段と、印刷媒体搬送と印刷実行を交互に行う印刷装置の印刷媒体搬送方法において、印刷媒体の種類と印刷モードとのうち少なくとも一方に応じて、前記記録ヘッドより上流側に位置する搬送ローラを挟む範囲に予め設定された印刷媒体を第１速度で搬送すべき固定領域を設定するか否かを判断し、前記固定領域の設定が必要であると判断されたときに、前記固定領域を設定する設定ステップと、印刷媒体の後端が前記固定領域内にあるときに印刷のための所定量の印刷媒体搬送を実行する際、前記後端が前記変速領域の出口又は出口近傍に設定された印刷媒体搬送の分割点となる設定位置で一旦停止するように前記所定量を分割した複数回の印刷媒体搬送に分割し、その分割された最初の印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度で実行するとともに、該最初の印刷媒体搬送が終了して停止した後、残りの印刷媒体搬送を前記第１速度より高速な第２速度で実行する制御ステップとを備えたことを要旨とする。
【００２７】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１は、シリアルプリンタ１の電気的な構成図である。シリアルプリンタ１には、ＣＰＵ２、ＣＰＵ２にバス３を介して接続されたＲＯＭ４、ＲＡＭ５およびＡＳＩＣ（Application Specific ＩＣ（特定用途向けＩＣ））６が搭載されている。ＲＯＭ４にはＣＰＵ２により実行される制御プログラムが記憶されている。ＲＡＭ５は、ホストコンピュータ（ＰＣ）７からインタフェイス８を介して受信した印刷データやプリンタ内部で所定処理が施された印刷データが一時蓄積される受信バッファおよび印刷バッファとして機能し、またＣＰＵ２が実行する各種プログラムに用いられるデータ等が一時記憶されるメモリ領域も備える。もちろん、受信バッファ、印刷バッファおよびメモリ領域を別々のＲＡＭで構成してもよい。
【００２８】
ＡＳＩＣ６は、ＣＰＵ２からの制御信号およびホストコンピュータ７から受信した印刷データに基づき印刷制御を実行し、シリアルプリンタ１の印刷メカニカル機構を構成するアクチュエータ類を駆動制御する処理回路である。ＡＳＩＣ６は、ヘッド駆動回路９およびモータ駆動回路１０，１１を介して記録ヘッド１２、紙送りモータ１３およびキャリッジモータ１４等とそれぞれ電気的に接続されており、キャリッジ制御、ヘッド制御（インク吐出制御）および紙送り制御などの印刷制御を実行する。また、紙送りモータ１３の回転はエンコーダ１９により検出されるようになっており、エンコーダ１９により検出された検出パルスはＡＳＩＣ６に入力される。
【００２９】
図２はプリンタの紙送り機構部分を示す模式平面図、図３は紙送り機構部分を示す模式側面図である。図２，図３に示すように、キャリッジ２０は、主走査方向に延びるガイドロッド（図示省略）に案内されるとともにキャリッジモータ１４が正転・逆転駆動されることで正逆転するタイミングベルト（図示省略）に固定されており、キャリッジモータ１４の正転・逆転駆動によって主走査方向に往復移動する。記録ヘッド１２は、キャリッジ２０の下端に取り付けられキャリッジ２０と一体に主走査方向に往復移動可能となっている。
【００３０】
図１，図３に示すように、記録ヘッド１２を紙送り方向に挟むその上流側と下流側には紙送りローラ１５と排紙ローラ１６がそれぞれ配置されている。両ローラ１５，１６は、駆動ローラ１５Ａ，１６Ａと従動ローラ１５Ｂ，１６Ｂからなる一対でそれぞれ構成されている。紙送りモータ１３はギヤ列（図示省略）を介して各駆動ローラ１５Ａ，１６Ａと作動連結されており、紙送りモータ１３の駆動によって両ローラ１５，１６は同期回転するようになっている。また、両ローラ１５，１６間には記録ヘッド１２と対向する下側にプラテン１７が配置されており、用紙Ｐにはプラテン１７の上側に載る部分に印刷が施される。
【００３１】
紙検出センサ１８は、紙送りローラ１５のやや用紙搬送方向上流側に配置され、例えば接触式センサ（スイッチ式センサ）からなる。紙検出センサ１８は、例えば待機位置と用紙検知位置との間を揺動可能な検知レバーと、用紙検知位置にあるときの検知レバーを検知可能な光学センサ（投光器と受光器）とから構成される。検知レバーは搬送経路上の用紙Ｐと干渉可能に配置されており、紙検出センサ１８は、給紙された用紙Ｐの先端が検知レバーに当たってこれを変位させることでオンし、用紙Ｐの後端が検知レバーを通過してその検知レバーが元の待機位置に復帰することによりオフする。
【００３２】
図１に示すように、ＡＳＩＣ６は位置カウンタ２１を内蔵し、エンコーダ１９から入力される検出パルスのパルス数を位置カウンタ２１により計数する。この位置カウンタ２１は、紙検出センサ１８によって用紙先端が検知された後、所定カウント値を計数して用紙Ｐが頭出しされた時にリセットされる。従って、位置カウンタ２１は、用紙Ｐの頭出しされた位置を始点「０」とした紙送り量の累積値を計数する。ＡＳＩＣ６は、位置カウンタ２１の計数値に基づき用紙Ｐの現在位置を把握する。なお、位置カウンタ２１の計数値は用紙Ｐの先端位置を示すが、現在印刷中の用紙Ｐの「用紙長」についてはホストコンピュータ７から受信した印刷データに含まれる情報から既知であるため、位置カウンタ２１の計数値から用紙Ｐの後端位置を把握することができる。
【００３３】
そして、ＡＳＩＣ６は、印刷終了コマンドを受け付ければその時点で印刷制御から排紙制御に移行し、そうでないときは位置カウンタ２１の計数値に基づき用紙Ｐが最終印刷位置に到達したと判断するとその最終印刷位置の印刷を終えると印刷制御から排紙制御に移行する。
【００３４】
また、ＡＳＩＣ６は、印刷データに基づき紙種および印刷モードを把握するとともに、紙送りコマンドから印刷時の紙送り量を把握する。ここで、紙種には、光沢紙（写真用紙）、普通紙などがある。また、印刷モードには、写真印刷（高画質印刷）モード、通常印刷（普通画質印刷）モード、縁無し印刷モードなどがある。
【００３５】
通常速度で紙送りされると、紙送りローラ１５が用紙Ｐの後端を蹴飛ばす現象が発生する。高画質印刷時はこの蹴飛ばし現象が印刷画質の低下を招く。このため、本実施形態では、「写真印刷モード」かつ「光沢紙」が選択されている高画質印刷時は、紙送りローラ１５が用紙Ｐの後端を蹴飛ばす現象を防止するため、紙送りローラ１５を挟む範囲に用紙Ｐの搬送速度（紙送り速度）を通常速度より低速にする低速領域ABSを設定するようにしている。そして、用紙Ｐの後端が紙送りローラ１５を通過するときに紙送りローラ１５が低速度で回転することで、紙送りローラ１５による用紙Ｐの後端の蹴飛ばし現象が回避される。
【００３６】
ここで、通常速度とは予め印刷モード毎に設定された印刷速度（mm/s）で、ＰＩＤ制御で速度制御される。すなわち、ＡＳＩＣ６はエンコーダ１９からの検出パルスに基づき用紙Ｐの実搬送速度を検出し、その実搬送速度を予め設定された通常速度用の目標速度パターンに沿った目標速度に一致させるように、紙送りモータ１３をＰＩＤ制御（フィードバック制御）する。また、ＡＳＩＣ６には、低速度用の目標速度パターンも予め設定されており、用紙Ｐの低速搬送条件成立時は、検出された実搬送速度を低速用の目標速度パターンに沿った目標速度に一致させるように、紙送りモータ１３をフィードバック制御する。いずれの目標速度パターンも、搬送距離（搬送パルス数）に対する搬送速度（モータ駆動速度）のパターンが台形のラインを描き、一定加速度で立ち上がる加速領域と定速領域と一定減速度で立ち下がる減速領域とを有する。なお、本実施形態では、紙送りモータ１３の通常速度の駆動を「PS駆動」、低速度の駆動を「BS駆動」と呼ぶものとする。
【００３７】
図４は、用紙搬送制御上において設定された各種設定領域を説明するものである。用紙Ｐの後端がこれら各種領域のうちどの領域に属するかによって用紙搬送制御上のシーケンスが進められる。同図に示すように、低速領域（以下、BS駆動領域という）ABSは、紙送りローラ１５を中央に挟む所定の範囲に設定されている。このBS駆動領域ABSは蹴飛ばし現象を回避できる限りにおいてなるべく狭い方がよい。BS駆動領域ABSはその入口Ｐbとその出口Ｐｃの間の領域として特定される。BS駆動領域ABSの上流側と下流側（同図では左方が上流）には、入口Ｐｂより少し上流側位置に閾値Ｐaが設定され、出口Ｐｃより少し下流側位置に閾値Ｐｄが設定されている。閾値Ｐaと入口Ｐbの間にはBS駆動拡張領域Ａが設定され、出口Ｐｃと閾値Ｐｄの間にはBS駆動拡張領域Ｂが設定されている。駆動拡張領域ＡはA パルス分の長さで、BS駆動拡張領域ＢはBパルス分の長さに設定されている。両領域幅のパルス長A，Bの設定理由については後述する。
【００３８】
また、給紙元（図４における左側）から紙検出センサ（PE検出器）１８の検出位置PEまでは「通常紙送り領域」となっており、この位置PEから前記閾値Ｐaまでは「BS駆動準備領域」となっている。また、用紙Ｐの後端が紙検出センサ１８を過ぎた後、用紙Ｐが印刷領域の最終印刷位置に搬送されるまでの範囲がオーバライド領域となっており、閾値Ｐｄからオーバライド領域の出口までの範囲が通常紙送り領域に設定されている。この通常紙送り領域を用紙Ｐの後端が越えると排紙処理に移行する。
【００３９】
本実施形態では、用紙Ｐの後端が「BS駆動領域（低速領域）」内を搬送されるときは適正にその領域に見合った低速度で用紙Ｐが搬送されるように、「BS駆動領域（低速領域）」の境界部である入口Ｐｂと出口Ｐｃで一旦停止し搬送速度が変速されるようにしている。すなわち、入口Ｐｂと出口Ｐｃのうち少なくとも一方を跨ぐ紙送りが指令された際は、入口Ｐｂと出口Ｐｃのうちその跨ぐ位置で紙送りを一旦停止させるように紙送りを分割するとともに、その分割した各紙送り毎の搬送速度（紙送り速度）をその搬送される領域に応じて変速させる。但し、紙送りによっては、制御の精度上、入口Ｐｂで正しく停止できない不都合や、出口Ｐｃで停止させると次の目標位置に位置精度よく停止させられない不都合があるため、これらの不都合を解消するために紙送り分割しない例外としてBS駆動拡張領域Ａ，Ｂを設けている。つまり、入口Ｐｂの極手前からの開始位置であるとPS駆動の最小移動距離を進めただけで入口Ｐｂを越えてしまう場合があり、また出口Ｐｃで一旦停止させてしまうと、出口ＰｃからPS駆動の最小移動距離を進めただけで目標位置を越えてしまう場合がある。そこで、前者の対策のため、PS駆動の最小移動距離に等しい長さA pulseのBS駆動拡張領域Ａを設定し、用紙Ｐの後端の紙送りの開始位置（現在位置）がこのBS駆動拡張領域Ａ内に位置する状態から紙送りを開始するときは直接BS駆動させて用紙Ｐの後端が入口Ｐｂを跨ぐように用紙Ｐを低速度で搬送する。一方、後者の対策のため、PS駆動の最小移動距離に等しい長さB pulseのBS駆動拡張領域Ｂを設定している。そして、このBS駆動拡張領域Ｂ内に用紙Ｐの後端の搬送先である目標位置P2が位置することになるときは出口Ｐｃで紙送りを停止させることなく用紙Ｐの後端が出口Ｐｃを跨いで直接目標位置に至るように用紙ＰをBS駆動で低速搬送する。
【００４０】
なお、その他の不都合として、入口Ｐｂで一旦停止させてしまうと、入口ＰｂからBS駆動の最小移動距離を進めただけで目標位置を越えてしまう場合があり、また出口Ｐｃの極手前からBS駆動でその最小移動距離を進めただけで出口Ｐｃを越えてしまう場合がある。前者の対策としては、BS駆動領域ABSにおける入口Ｐｂの内側にBS駆動の最小移動距離に等しい長さのBS駆動管理領域を設定し、このBS駆動管理拡張領域に目標位置があるときはまず閾値Ｐａで紙送りを分割する。そして一旦停止した閾値Ｐａから入口Ｐｂで紙送りを停止させることなく２回目の紙送りを用紙Ｐの後端が入口Ｐｂを跨いで直接目標位置に至るようにBS駆動で行う。一方、後者の対策としては、BS駆動領域ABSにおける出口Ｐｃの内側にBS駆動の最小移動距離に等しい長さのBS駆動管理領域を設定し、このBS駆動管理領域から紙送りを開始するときは直接BS駆動させて用紙Ｐをその後端が入口Ｐｂを跨いで閾値Ｐｄに至るまで低速度で搬送する。そして閾値Ｐｄで一旦停止させた後、次の２回目の紙送りで用紙ＰをPS駆動で目標位置まで搬送する。もちろん、用紙Ｐを目標位置に位置精度よく停止させる対策のためのBS駆動拡張領域、BS駆動管理領域のみを採用することもできる。
【００４１】
図８，図９は紙送り分割処理の動作を説明する説明図である。ここで、図８は、(1)閾値Ｐａより上流側の現在位置（開始位置）P1からBS駆動領域ABS内の目標位置P2まで紙送りする紙送り指令があった場合と、(2)BS駆動領域ABS内の現在位置P1から通常紙送り領域内の目標位置P2まで紙送りする紙送り指令があった場合との２種類の動作を説明する。また、図９は、(3)閾値Ｐａより上流側の現在位置からBS駆動領域ABSを跨いで通常紙送り領域内の目標位置まで紙送りする紙送り指令があった場合の動作を説明する。なお、指令のあった紙送りの開始位置を「P1」、目標位置を「P2」とする。
【００４２】
図８に示すように、まず用紙Ｐの後端が入口Ｐｂを跨いでBS駆動領域ABS内の目標位置に達するまで紙送りする上記(1)の紙送り指令があった場合は、次のような紙送り分割処理が行われる。その指令のあった１回分の紙送り量を、用紙Ｐの後端が入口Ｐｂで一旦停止するよう２分割し、用紙Ｐの後端が開始位置P1から入口Ｐｂまで移動する１回目の紙送りと、入口Pbから目標位置P2まで移動する２回目の紙送りとに分割する。このため、BS駆動領域ABSの入口Ｐｂまでの紙送りはPS駆動による通常速度ＶNRで行われ、その入口Ｐｂから目標位置までの紙送りはBS駆動により低速度ＶBSで行われる。
【００４３】
そして、用紙Ｐの後端が出口Ｐｃを跨いでBS駆動領域ABS内の現在位置から下流側の通常送り領域内の目標位置に達するまで紙送りする上記(2)の紙送り指令があった場合は、次のような紙送り分割処理が行われる。その指令のあった１回分の紙送り量を、用紙Ｐの後端が出口Ｐｃで一旦停止するよう２分割し、用紙Ｐの後端が開始位置P1から出口Ｐｃまで移動する１回目の紙送りと、出口Ｐｃから目標位置P2まで移動する２回目の紙送りとに分割する。このため、BS駆動領域ABSの出口Ｐｃまでの紙送りはBS駆動による低速度ＶBSで行われ、その出口Ｐｃから目標位置までの紙送りはPS駆動により通常速度ＶNRで行われる。
【００４４】
また、図９に示すように、BS駆動領域ABSを跨ぐ紙送りを指示する上記(3)の紙送り指令があった場合は、次のような紙送り分割処理が行われる。すなわち、同図に示すように、用紙Ｐの後端を開始位置P1から目標位置P2まで移動させる1回の紙送りを、用紙Ｐの後端を入口Ｐｂと出口Ｐｃで一旦停止するように３分割し、その１回分の紙送り量を各停止位置に合わせて３分割する。そして、この１回の紙送りを、用紙Ｐの後端が開始位置P1から入口Ｐｂまで移動する１回目の紙送りと、入口Ｐｂから出口Ｐｃまで移動する２回目の紙送りと、出口Ｐｃから目標位置P2まで移動する３回目の紙送りとに分割する。そして、１回目の紙送りでは用紙Ｐの後端が入口Ｐｂに達するまで通常速度ＶNRで送られ、２回目の紙送りでは入口Ｐｂから出口ＰｃまでのBS駆動領域をBS駆動で低速度ＶBSで送られ、３回目の紙送りでは出口Ｐｃから目標位置P2まで通常速度ＶNRで送られる。
【００４５】
以上の紙送り分割処理における分割ルールをまとめると、指令された紙送りを分割するか否かは、用紙後端の開始位置（現在位置）P1と目標位置P2とによって以下のように決まる。但し、P1＜P2である。
(A)入口Ｐｂで２分割：
開始位置P1＜Ｐａ、且つ、Ｐｂ＜目標位置P2≦Ｐｄが成立したとき。
(B)出口Ｐｃで２分割：
Ｐａ≦開始位置P1、且つ、Ｐｄ＜目標位置P2が成立したとき。
(C)入口Ｐｂと出口Ｐｃで３分割：
開始位置P1＜位置Ｐａ、且つ、目標位置P2＞Ｐｄが成立したとき。
(D)分割なしで低速搬送（BS駆動）：
Ｐａ≦開始位置P1、且つ、目標位置P2≦Ｐｄ
ＡＳＩＣ６は、メモリに紙送り分割処理のためのプログラムを記憶しており、このプログラムを実行することにより紙送り分割処理を行う。図５〜図７に示すフローチャートがこのプログラムを示すものである。以下、図５〜図７に示すフローチャートに従って紙送り分割処理について説明する。なお、このプログラムは、紙送りコマンドを受け付けて次の紙送りを行う前に実行され、この実行に先立ち予め次の紙送り量は取得されている。
【００４６】
ステップ（以下、単に「Ｓ」と記す）１０では、紙種、印刷モードを判別して紙送り分割処理の該当条件を満たすか否かを判断する。すなわち、本実施形態では、例えば「写真印刷（高画質印刷）モード」で「光沢紙」を用いて印刷するときが条件に該当し、紙送り分割処理の対象とされる。この条件に該当するときはＳ２０に進み、この条件に該当しないときはＳ９０に進む。Ｓ９０に移行した場合は、PS駆動モードで通常速度の紙送りが実行される。
【００４７】
Ｓ２０では、用紙後端が紙検出センサ（ＰＥ）１８により検出されたか否かを判断する。用紙後端が検出されないうちはＳ９０に進んで通常速度の紙送りが行われ、用紙後端が既に検出されていればＳ３０に進む。
【００４８】
Ｓ３０では、位置カウンタ２１により計数された計数値から用紙後端位置を取得する。
次のＳ４０では、紙後端の現在位置P 1と次の紙送り後の目標位置P2が、P2＞ＰｂとP1＜Ｐｃを満たすか否かを判断する。この条件を満たさなければ、すなわち目標位置P2が入口Ｐｂと一致または手前であったり（P2≦Ｐｂ）、用紙後端が既に出口Ｐｃを通過している（P1≧Ｐｃ）場合はＳ９０に進み、一方、この条件を満たす場合はＳ５０に進む。
【００４９】
Ｓ５０では、紙後端の現在位置P1がP1＜Ｐａを満たすか否かを判断する。P1＜Ｐａが成立すればＳ６０に進み、P1＜Ｐａが不成立であればＳ１００（図６）に進む。
【００５０】
Ｓ６０では、用紙後端の次の紙送り後の目標位置Ｐ２が、BS駆動領域内またはBS駆動拡張領域Ｂ（B Pulse）内にあるか否かを判断する。この条件が成立すればＳ７０に進み、この条件が不成立であればＳ１６０(図７)に進む。
【００５１】
Ｓ７０では、用紙後端が入口Ｐｂに達するまでPS駆動モードで紙送りする。
次のＳ８０では、用紙後端が目標位置Ｐ２に達するまでBS駆動モードで紙送りする。
【００５２】
一方、Ｓ１００（図６）においては、用紙後端の次の紙送り後の目標位置Ｐ２が、BS駆動領域内またはBS駆動拡張領域Ｂ（B Pulse）内にあるか否かを判断する。この条件が成立すればＳ１１０に進み、BS駆動モードで停止位置まで紙送りをする。一方、この条件が不成立であればＳ１２０に進む。
【００５３】
Ｓ１２０では、次の紙送り量Ｆが最大送り量Ｂmaxより大きい（Ｆ＞Ｂmax）か否かを判断する。ここで、最大送り量Ｂmax（Band max）とは、用紙Ｐが最終印刷位置まで搬送されるときの紙送り量である。この値Ｂmax以下の範囲の紙送りであれば次に印刷もくるが、この値Ｂmaxを超える送り量の紙送りであると、印刷位置（ヘッド位置）が用紙上の空白または改行の位置にくるか、印刷領域を通過して排紙処理への移行位置にくることになるので、次に印刷がくることがない。よって、次の紙送り量Ｆが最大送り量Ｂmaxより大きい（Ｆ＞Ｂmax）ときは、紙送りしても空白、改行、排紙処理移行のいずれかの位置にきて次に印刷がくることがないので、用紙Ｐを低速搬送する必要がない。従って、この条件（Ｆ＞Ｂmax）が成立すればＳ１３０に進み、次の紙送り後の目標位置Ｐ２までPS駆動モードの紙送りをする。一方、この条件（Ｆ＞Ｂmax）が不成立のときはＳ１４０に進む。
【００５４】
Ｓ１４０では、BS駆動領域をBS駆動モードで紙送りする。そして次のＳ１５０では、目標位置Ｐ２までP S駆動モードで紙送りする。
一方、Ｓ１６０（図７）では、次の紙送り量ＦがＢmaxより大きい（Ｆ＞Ｂmax）か否かを判断する。この条件が成立すればＳ１７０に進み、目標位置Ｐ２までPS駆動モードの紙送りをする。一方、この条件が不成立のときはＳ１８０に進む。
【００５５】
Ｓ１８０では、用紙後端が入口Ｐｂに達するまでPS駆動モードで紙送りする。次のＳ１９０では、BS駆動領域をBS駆動で紙送りする。さらにＳ２００では、目標位置Ｐ２までPS駆動モードで紙送りする。
【００５６】
こうして図８，図９に示すような分割紙送り処理が行われる。よって、光沢紙を用いて写真印刷（高画質印刷）モードで印刷するときは、用紙Ｐの後端が紙送りローラ１５を通過するときに紙送りローラ１５がBS駆動で低速回転するので、用紙Ｐの後端が紙送りローラ１５から離間する際に、蹴飛ばし現象が発生しにくくなる。この結果、用紙Ｐの後端付近における印刷画質の精度が高くなる。
【００５７】
以上詳述したように本実施形態によれば、以下に示す効果が得られる。
（１）用紙Ｐを紙送りする過程で用紙Ｐの後端が低速領域（BS駆動領域）ABSを跨ぐ紙送り指令があった場合は、紙送り量を３分割する。そして、低速領域ABSの入口Ｐｂまで通常速度ＶNRで紙送りして一旦停止し、次に低速領域ABSを低速度ＶBSで紙送りして一旦停止し、さらに低速領域ABSの出口Ｐｃから目標位置P2まで通常速度ＶNRで紙送りされる。従って、低速度ＶBSで紙送りされる距離を必要最小限に留めることができる。この結果、高画質印刷時におけるスループットを向上させることができる。また、従来技術で述べた搬送方法のように、低速領域を跨ぐ紙送りのときに通常速度で紙送りされる不都合も回避できる。従って、このような低速領域を跨ぐ紙送りの際も、用紙Ｐの後端付近における印刷画質の精度を高めることができる。
【００５８】
（２）用紙Ｐを紙送りする過程で低速領域（BS駆動領域）ABS内に入るか、低速領域（BS駆動領域）ABS内から外へ出るかの紙送り指令があった場合は、紙送り量を２分割する。そして、前者の場合は、低速領域の入口Ｐｂまで通常速度で紙送りして一旦停止した後、次に低速領域内の目標位置P2まで低速度で紙送りする。また、後者の場合は、低速領域ABSの出口Ｐｃまで低速度で紙送りして一旦停止した後、次に目標位置P2まで通常速度ＶNRで紙送りする。従って、このような場合も、低速度ＶBSで紙送りされる距離を必要最小限に留めることができ、例えば高画質印刷時におけるスループットを向上させることができる。
【００５９】
（３）紙送りを途中で一旦停止させることなく低速領域ABSの境界部で変速させるだけの構成（以下、変速制御構成という）では、変速過程における用紙Ｐの位置管理が比較的難しい。これに対し本実施形態では、１回分の紙送りを複数の紙送りに分割し、前記変速制御構成に比べ単純な各紙送りを分割の数だけ繰り返す構成なので用紙Ｐを位置管理し易い。従って、低速領域ABSの境界部で紙送りを変速させても、用紙Ｐを目標位置に正しく停止させ易くなる。さらに前記変速制御構成では、変速用の速度パターンデータ等のデータを追加する必要があるが、本実施形態の構成では、これまでの通常用と低速用の速度パターンデータを流用でき、データの新規追加が不要であるとともに、分割した個々の紙送りの制御もこれまでと同じで済む。
【００６０】
（４）PS駆動の最小移動距離に等しい長さA pulseのBS駆動拡張領域Ａを設定し、用紙Ｐの後端の紙送り開始時の位置である開始位置P1がこのBS駆動拡張領域Ａ内に位置する状態から紙送りを開始するときは直接BS駆動させて用紙Ｐの後端が入口Ｐｂを跨ぐように用紙Ｐを低速搬送する。従って、用紙Ｐの後端を入口Ｐｂで一旦停止させようとしたがため、用紙Ｐの後端が低速領域ABSの入口Ｐｂで停止できずこれを超える位置まで通常速度ＶNRで搬送されてしまう不都合が回避される。よって、低速領域ABSでは従来技術に比べより確実に低速搬送を実現できる。
【００６１】
（５）PS駆動の最小移動距離に等しい長さB pulseのBS駆動拡張領域Ｂを設定し、このBS駆動拡張領域Ｂ内に用紙Ｐの後端の搬送先である目標位置P2が位置するときは出口Ｐｃで紙送りを停止させることなく用紙Ｐの後端が出口Ｐｃを跨いで直接目標位置に至るよう用紙ＰをBS駆動で低速搬送する。従って、用紙Ｐの後端を出口Ｐｃで一旦停止させたがため、用紙Ｐの後端を目標位置P2に停止させることができなくなる不都合が回避される。よって、用紙Ｐの後端が目標位置P2に位置精度よく停止するので、高い印刷画質精度を保証できる。
【００６２】
なお、実施の形態は、上記に限定されず次のような態様でも実施できる。
（変形例１）前記実施形態では、通常速度領域と低速領域とを設け、用紙後端が低速領域を通る際に低速度で紙送りされるようにした。これに対し、通常速度と高速領域とを設け、例えば用紙の所定位置が高速領域を通るときに通常速度より高速で紙送りする制御において適用することもできる。要するに、変速速度は、通常速度に対し低速でも高速でもどちらでよい。また、用紙の所定位置も用紙後端に限定されない。
【００６３】
（変形例２）図８の紙送り分割制御と、図９の紙送り分割制御のいずれか一方のみを採用するだけの制御方法でも構わない。
（変形例３）前記実施形態では、紙送りの分割点となる設定位置を変速領域（（低速領域）（BS駆動領域））の入口と出口に設定したが、これに限定されるものではない。低速領域の入口手前のBS駆動拡張領域（A Pulse）で紙送りが一旦終わるように、設定位置をBS駆動拡張領域（A Pulse）に設定してもよいし、設定位置を低速領域の入口より少し領域内に入った位置に設定しても構わない。また、低速領域の出口より少し下流側位置のBS駆動拡張領域（B Pulse）で紙送りが一旦終わるように、設定位置をBS駆動拡張領域（B Pulse）に設定してもよいし、設定位置を低速領域の出口より少し領域内に入った位置に設定しても構わない。要するに、紙送り量を分割する設定位置は、変速領域（低速領域）の入口近傍の所定位置や出口近傍の所定位置であれば足りる。なお、分割点となる設定位置は、請求項１では変速領域の境界部に該当する。
【００６４】
（変形例４）前記実施形態では、エンコーダの検出パルスを計数して用紙Ｐの位置を把握したが、エンコーダが無い構成において、紙送りモータを駆動させるための指令パルスを計数することにより用紙Ｐの位置を把握する構成を採用することもできる。
【００６５】
（変形例５）前記実施形態では、用紙の印刷のための搬送エリア内に変速領域を設定し、用紙Ｐの所定位置（後端）が変速領域（低速領域（BS駆動領域））を通る間だけ搬送速度を変速速度（低速度）に変更する構成とした。これに対し、用紙がはじめは低速度（通常速度）で搬送され、設定された変速領域を通る間だけ搬送速度を通常の高速度（変速速度）に戻す搬送制御を採用することもできる。また、用紙が給紙のはじめから変速領域を通るように変速領域が位置設定され、はじめに低速度（変速速度）で搬送された用紙Ｐが変速領域から出ると通常の高速度（通常速度）に戻る構成としてもよい。
【００６６】
（変形例６）変速領域（BS駆動領域）は、予め設定された固定領域であることに限定されない。ＡＳＩＣ６が判断処理を行うときまでに変速領域は設定されていれば足り、例えば紙種や印刷モードの種類に応じた所定時期、あるいは1回の紙送りの度にその都度、変速領域が設定されても構わない。
【００６７】
（変形例７）前記実施形態では、紙送りの分割点とする設定位置を、変速領域（BS駆動領域）の入口Pbおよび出口Pcに設定したが、変速領域の入口位置とは異なる入口近傍位置や、変速領域の出口位置とは異なる出口近傍位置を設定位置に設定することができる。つまり、搬送した場合に、印刷媒体の所定位置が超えるか否かを判断する判断の基準とする基準位置と、印刷媒体搬送（紙送り）を分割する分割点（分割位置）（一旦停止させる停止位置）とが異なる位置であっても構わない。さらに、設定位置は、予め決められた固定位置であることに限らず、可変位置であってもよい。
【００６８】
（変形例８）用紙の種類と印刷モードとに基づいて紙送り分割処理を採用するか否かを判断する構成としたが、いずれか一方のみに基づいて紙送り分割処理を採用するか否かを判断する構成とすることもできる。その他、紙送り分割処理を採用するか否かを判断する判断内容は適宜設定することができる。
【００６９】
（変形例９）シリアル式印刷装置は用紙に印刷するものに限定されない。印刷媒体は例えばフィルム状又はシート状の基板であってもよい。例えば液晶ディスプレイ、ＦＥＤ（面発光ディスプレイ）、等の電極形成に用いられる電極材（導電ペースト）噴射ヘッド、バイオchip製造に用いられる生体有機物噴射ヘッド、精密ピペットとしての試料噴射ヘッド等を備えた産業用途の印刷装置（液体噴射装置）に適用することもできる。
【００７０】
前記実施形態及び別例から把握される技術的思想を、以下に記載する。
（１）印刷媒体の印刷過程における搬送の際に、印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する領域が存在するか否かを判断する判断手段と、前記判断手段により印刷媒体の搬送速度を変更する領域が存在すると判断されたときは、前記領域の境界部で印刷媒体の搬送を一旦停止させ搬送速度を変更して搬送の続きを行う搬送制御手段とを備えたことを特徴とするシリアル式印刷装置における印刷媒体搬送制御装置。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】シリアルプリンタの電気的構成図。
【図２】紙送り機構部分を示す模式平面図。
【図３】紙送り機構部分を示す模式側面図。
【図４】紙送り分割処理における設定領域を説明する説明図。
【図５】紙送り分割処理のフローチャート。
【図６】同じく紙送り分割処理のフローチャート。
【図７】同じく紙送り分割処理のフローチャート。
【図８】２分割紙送り処理を説明する説明図。
【図９】３分割紙送り処理を説明する説明図。
【図１０】従来技術における紙送り制御を示す模式側面図。
【符号の説明】
１…シリアル式印刷装置としてのプリンタ、６…制御手段及び判断手段としてのＡＳＩＣ、１２…印刷手段を構成する記録ヘッド、１３…搬送手段を構成する紙送りモータ、１４…印刷手段を構成するキャリッジモータ、１５…搬送手段を構成する紙送りローラ、２０…キャリッジ、Ｐ…印刷媒体としての用紙、ABS…領域及び変速領域としてのBS駆動領域（低速領域）、Ｐｂ…入口側の境界部および入口側の設定位置としての入口、Ｐｃ…出口側の境界部および出口側の設定位置としての出口、Ａ…入口側の拡張領域としてのBS駆動拡張領域、Ｂ…出口側の拡張領域としてのBS駆動拡張領域、P1…開始位置（現在位置）、P2…目標位置、ＶNR…通常速度、ＶBS…低速度。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a printing apparatus such as a serial type printing apparatus, when a printing medium (for example, paper) being printed is conveyed (paper feed), if there is a region where the conveyance speed is to be changed during the conveyance, The present invention relates to a printing medium conveyance control device, a serial printing apparatus, a printing medium conveyance control device, and a printing medium conveyance control method in a serial printing apparatus that controls an appropriate conveyance speed according to a region.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in a serial printer, as shown in FIG. 10, a sheet P conveyed by a paper feed roller 30 and a paper discharge roller 31 reciprocates in the main scanning direction above a platen 32 disposed between both rollers 30 and 31. Printing is performed by a method such as ejecting ink from the recording head 34 provided at the lower end of the moving carriage 33. Both rollers 30 and 31 are each composed of a pair of driving rollers 30A and 31A and driven rollers 30B and 31A, and both driving rollers 30A and 31A are driven to rotate by the power of a paper feed motor (not shown). P is conveyed in the paper feeding direction. An ASIC (specific application IC) (not shown) built in the printer drives and controls the carriage motor, paper feed motor, and recording head 34 based on the print data. As a result, the printing operation by the recording head 34 when the carriage 33 moves in the main scanning direction and the paper feeding operation by driving the rollers 30 and 31 are alternately performed, and the printing on the paper P proceeds. It is done. A paper detection sensor 35 is provided on the upstream side of the paper feed roller 31 (on the right side in FIG. 10) on the transport path of the paper P. The sensor 35 detects the paper edge of the fed paper P. Thus, the position of the paper P is grasped, and the paper P is cued.
[0003]
By the way, in this type of serial printer, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the trailing edge of the paper P moves away from the paper feeding roller 30, the trailing edge of the paper P is kicked (bounced) by the rotating paper feeding roller 30. ) There was a kicking phenomenon. In particular, in recent years, “borderless printing” has been widely used for high-quality printing such as photographic printing, and printing is often performed up to the rear end position of the paper P. If the position accuracy near the rear end of the paper P is reduced due to the kicking phenomenon. This also leads to a decrease in print image quality printed near the rear end of the paper.
[0004]
In order to prevent a decrease in print image quality due to the kicking phenomenon, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, a low speed region is set in a range (region) where the rear end of the paper P passes through the paper feed roller 30, When the trailing edge of the paper P passes through this low speed region, a method of changing the paper feed speed to a low speed slower than the normal speed has been considered. That is, when the trailing edge of the paper P enters the low speed region after the trailing edge of the paper P is detected by the paper detection sensor 35, the low speed paper is fed while passing through the low speed region. This prevents the phenomenon of kicking the trailing edge of the paper P (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In addition, as a method of reducing the conveyance speed of the paper P when passing through the low speed region, a method of shifting the conveyance speed of the paper P to a low speed in the middle by speed control is conceivable. It is difficult to manage the position of the paper P, and it is relatively difficult to ensure the positional accuracy of the paper P. Therefore, for example, when the target position (paper trailing edge position after paper feeding) of paper P is in the low speed region, or the paper feeding start position (current position (paper trailing edge position before paper feeding)) of the paper When is in a low speed region, a method of performing the paper feeding at a low speed has been considered.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-096512 (pages 10-16, FIG. 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, recent printers tend to increase the total length (length in the paper feed direction) of the recording head 34 by adopting a multi-nozzle configuration in terms of improving the printing speed. Therefore, since the printing width per one movement of the carriage (paper feeding direction width) is widened, the paper feeding amount for one time is also increased accordingly. When the paper feed amount for one time increases in this way, it is possible that a paper feed instruction is issued so that the trailing edge of the paper P straddles the low speed region. In this case, the trailing edge of the sheet P passes through the low speed region at a relatively high normal speed, and the trailing edge of the sheet P is kicked by the sheet feeding roller 30. Also, when the ASIC determines that the paper feed target position is within the low speed area, even if the paper feed start position (current position) is a position considerably before the low speed area, the paper feed is performed at a low speed from the current position. The efficiency is poor, and this causes a delay in printing speed.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and its object is to appropriately convey a print medium at a conveyance speed set in the area when the conveyance speed of the print medium is changed. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing medium conveyance control device, a serial printing apparatus, a printing medium conveyance control device, and a printing medium conveyance control method in a serial printing apparatus that can be controlled as described above.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a printing unit that prints on a printing medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the printing medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, and a printing medium conveyance. Printing according to at least one of the type of printing medium and the printing mode in the printing medium conveyance control apparatus in the serial type printing apparatus having the control means for controlling the printing means and the conveyance means so as to perform printing alternately Determining means for determining whether or not to set a speed change area for changing the medium conveyance speed, and the control means determines that the speed change area needs to be set by the determining means; In addition to setting the area, when executing the specified amount of print medium conveyance, when the designated print medium conveyance is executed, the predetermined position of the print medium is set. When exceeding the entrance of the speed area, the predetermined amount of the print medium is divided a plurality of times so that the predetermined position of the print medium stops once at a set position that becomes a print medium conveyance division point set at or near the entrance of the speed change area. And the first divided print medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is completed and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is shifted at a speed different from the normal speed. The gist is to run at speed. The transport speed before entering the shift area is defined as “normal speed”, and the transport speed in the shift area is defined as “shift speed”. Further, the “predetermined shift area” only needs to be set by the time when the control unit makes the above determination, and is not limited to a fixed shift area, and for example, the type of print medium (for example, paper type) and the print mode The shift area may be set each time at a predetermined time according to the type of printing, or at a predetermined time such as every time the print medium is conveyed. Furthermore, the “set position” is not limited to a fixed position and may be a variable position. These points are the same in other configurations (configurations according to other claims) described below according to the present invention.
[0012]
According to this configuration, it is determined by the determination unit whether or not to set a speed change region for changing the conveyance speed of the print medium according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode. The control means sets the speed change area when it is determined by the determination means that the speed change area needs to be set, thereby executing the print medium conveyance speed changing process. When carrying out the specified amount of print medium conveyance, when the designated print medium conveyance is executed, if the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the entrance of the set shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium is changed to the shift area. The predetermined amount is divided so as to stop once at a set position that becomes a dividing point of the printing medium conveyance set at or near the entrance of the printing medium, and divided into a plurality of printing medium conveyances. Then, the divided first print medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is started at a speed different from the normal speed. . Therefore, since switching from the normal speed to the shift speed is performed at the set position near the entrance or near the entrance of the shift area, the shift is started from the set position near the entrance or entrance of the shift area. For example, a situation in which the gear is shifted from a position far away from the speed change region is less likely to occur. For example, when performing high-quality printing, if the print medium is the type used for high-quality printing (for example, glossy paper) or is in high-quality printing mode (for example, photo printing mode), the conveyance speed for high-quality printing A speed change area (for example, a low speed area) is set in an area where it is necessary to change the speed of the image. As a result, high-quality printing can be supported, and when high-quality printing is not required, the print medium is conveyed at a normal speed.
In the printing medium conveyance control apparatus of the present invention, a printing unit that prints on a printing medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the printing medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, printing medium conveyance and printing In a printing medium conveyance control device in a serial type printing apparatus having a control means for controlling the printing means and the conveyance means so as to alternately execute, the printing medium according to at least one of the type of printing medium and the printing mode Determining means for determining whether or not to set a speed change area for changing the transport speed, and when the control means determines that the speed change area needs to be set, the speed change area is determined. And when a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance is executed, the predetermined position of the print medium is within the set shift region, and the designated print medium conveyance When executed, when the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the exit of the shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium is temporarily set at a set position that becomes a division point of the print medium conveyance set near the exit or exit of the shift area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance divided into two so as to stop, the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed, and the remaining printing medium conveyance is performed at the normal speed. The gist of this is
According to this configuration, it is determined by the determination unit whether or not to set a speed change region for changing the conveyance speed of the print medium according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode. The control means sets the speed change area when it is determined by the determination means that the speed change area needs to be set, thereby executing the print medium conveyance speed changing process. When executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, if the predetermined position of the print medium is in the speed change area and the designated print medium conveyance is executed, it is determined that the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the exit of the speed change area. Then, the predetermined amount is divided into two so that the predetermined position of the print medium is temporarily stopped at a set position that becomes a division point of the print medium conveyance set at or near the exit of the shift area, and the print medium is divided into a plurality of times. Divided into transport. Then, the divided first print medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed, and the remaining print medium conveyance is executed at the normal speed. Therefore, when the printing medium transporting out of the speed change area is performed, the speed change speed is switched from the speed change speed to the normal speed at the exit position of the speed change area or in the vicinity of the exit. For example, when transported to a target position that is considerably out of the speed change region, it is easy to avoid the inconvenience of transporting to the target position at the speed change speed. For example, when performing high-quality printing, if the print medium is the type used for high-quality printing (for example, glossy paper) or is in high-quality printing mode (for example, photo printing mode), the conveyance speed for high-quality printing A speed change area (for example, a low speed area) is set in an area where it is necessary to change the speed of the image. As a result, high-quality printing can be supported, and when high-quality printing is not required, the print medium is conveyed at a normal speed.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, when executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, the control unit executes the designated print medium conveyance, and when the predetermined position of the print medium crosses the set shift region, The predetermined amount is divided into three so that the predetermined position of the print medium is temporarily stopped at the set position near the entrance or the entrance of the shift area and the exit or the exit near the exit of the shift area. The gist is that the third printing medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed and the second printing medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed.
[0014]
According to this configuration, when carrying out a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, when the designated print medium conveyance is executed, when the predetermined position of the print medium crosses the speed change area, the predetermined position of the print medium is changed to the speed change area. The predetermined amount is divided into three so as to temporarily stop at the set position at or near the entrance and the set position at or near the exit of the speed change region. Then, the divided first and third printing medium conveyances are executed at a normal speed, and the second printing medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed. Accordingly, even when the speed change area is crossed, it is possible to convey the print medium by changing only the speed change area. For example, it is easy to eliminate the inconvenience that the shift in the shift region is not performed because the shift region is straddled.
[0015]
Further, in the present invention, the control unit is positioned within a shift region in which a predetermined position of the print medium is set when the specified print medium transport is executed when the predetermined amount of the print medium transport is executed. Sometimes the predetermined amount is divided into two so that the predetermined position of the print medium temporarily stops at the entrance position of the shift area or in the vicinity of the entrance, and the divided initial print medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, The gist is to carry out the remaining printing medium conveyance at a speed different from the normal speed.
[0016]
According to this configuration, when carrying out a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, when the designated print medium conveyance is executed, if the predetermined position of the print medium is located within the shift region, the predetermined position of the print medium is The predetermined amount is divided into two so as to temporarily stop at the set position near the entrance or near the entrance of the speed change region. Then, the divided first print medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and the remaining print medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed. Accordingly, when the print medium is transported until the predetermined position of the print medium reaches the target position in the speed change area, the speed is changed to an appropriate transport speed in the speed change area.
[0021]
In the print medium conveyance control apparatus of the present invention, an extended area having a length substantially equal to the minimum conveyance distance at the normal speed of the print medium is set immediately upstream of the set position on the inlet side of the shift area, and the determination is made. When the control unit determines that the predetermined position at the start of conveyance of the print medium is present in the expansion area, the control unit does not stop the predetermined position at the set position on the inlet side. The gist is to convey the printing medium from the beginning at a shifting speed so as to straddle the set position.
[0022]
According to this configuration, when the predetermined position at the start of conveyance of the print medium exists in the extended area on the entrance side of the shift area, the print medium is stopped at the set position on the entrance side of the shift area. Instead, the sheet is conveyed from the conveyance start position as it is at a shift speed so as to straddle the set position on the inlet side. For this reason, an attempt has been made to temporarily stop at the set position on the entrance side, so that the predetermined position of the print medium cannot be stopped at the set position on the entrance side of the speed change region, and is transported at a normal speed to a position beyond this. Avoided. Therefore, the conveyance at the speed change speed is reliably realized in the speed change area.
[0023]
Further, in the print medium conveyance control device of the present invention, an extended area having a length substantially equal to the minimum conveyance distance at the normal speed of the print medium is set immediately downstream of the set position on the outlet side of the shift area, and the determination When it is determined by the means that the target position, which is the transport destination of the predetermined position of the print medium, is present in the extended area, the control means does not stop the predetermined position at the set position on the outlet side. The gist of the invention is to convey the print medium at a shift speed so as to reach the target position across the set position on the outlet side.
[0024]
According to this configuration, when it is determined that the target position, which is the transport destination of the predetermined position of the print medium, exists in the extended area on the exit side of the shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium is set on the exit side of the shift area. It is transported at a speed change speed until it reaches the target position across the set position on the outlet side without stopping at the position. For this reason, since it was once stopped at the set position on the exit side, the inconvenience that the predetermined position cannot be stopped at the target position is avoided. Accordingly, since the predetermined position of the print medium stops at the target position with high positional accuracy, high print image quality accuracy is guaranteed.
In the printing medium conveyance control apparatus according to the present invention, the control means sets a first management area having a length substantially equal to the minimum conveyance distance of the conveyance means inside the entrance of the shift area, and conveys a predetermined amount of printing medium. When the predetermined position is located in the first management area when the printing is performed, the predetermined amount is divided so that the predetermined position of the print medium temporarily stops at the entrance of the expansion area. The medium conveyance is performed at the normal speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is performed at the first speed, while the inside of the shift area exit A second management area having a length substantially equal to the minimum conveyance distance of the conveyance means is set, and a predetermined amount of printing is started by starting conveyance of the print medium from a conveyance start position where the predetermined position of the print medium is located in the second management area. When transporting media, print media After the predetermined amount is divided so that the predetermined position is temporarily stopped at the exit of the expansion area, the first print medium conveyance is performed at the shift speed, and the first print medium conveyance is terminated and stopped. It is preferable to carry out the remaining printing medium conveyance at the normal speed.
According to this configuration, when the predetermined position of the print medium is positioned in the first management area set inside the entrance of the shift area when the predetermined amount of the print medium is conveyed, the predetermined position of the print medium is determined. A predetermined amount is divided so that the position is temporarily stopped at the entrance of the extended area, and the print medium is divided into two times. Then, the first print medium conveyance up to the entrance of the extended area is executed at the second speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium to the target position in the first management area The print medium conveyance is executed at the first speed. In this way, the remaining print medium is transported across the entrance without stopping at the entrance of the speed change area. Therefore, since it has stopped at the entrance, it has passed through the target position only by being transported by the minimum moving distance therefrom. Inconvenience can be avoided. When transporting a predetermined amount of print medium starting from the second management area set inside the shift area outlet, the predetermined amount is divided so that the predetermined position of the print medium temporarily stops at the exit of the extended area. And divided into two printing medium conveyances. Then, the first print medium conveyance up to the exit of the extended area is executed at the first speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is executed at the second speed. The In this way, the first print medium transport is performed at the exit of the shift area without stopping at the exit of the shift area, so that the transport across the exit is performed. The position accuracy of the conveyance start position of the remaining print medium conveyance is lowered due to the passage of the print medium, and the inconvenience that the print medium conveyed by the remaining print medium conveyance cannot be stopped accurately at the target position is avoided. it can.
In the printing medium conveyance control apparatus according to the present invention, when the conveyance is performed so that printing is not performed after the conveyance of the printing medium, the predetermined position of the printing medium straddles the inlet or the outlet of the shift area. Even in the case of conveyance, it is preferable to convey the print medium at the normal speed without dividing a predetermined amount of the conveyance. According to this configuration, the throughput can be improved because the print medium is conveyed at a normal speed during the next conveyance in which printing is not performed.
[0026]
In the printing medium conveyance control device according to the aspect of the invention, the low speed region is set in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located upstream from the recording head, and the predetermined position is a trailing edge of the printing medium. And According to this configuration, the print medium is appropriately conveyed at a low speed in a low-speed region sandwiching the conveyance roller located upstream from the recording head, and therefore, the phenomenon of kicking the trailing edge of the print medium by the conveyance roller is reduced. The For example, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print image quality in the trailing edge area of the print medium due to a decrease in position accuracy of the print medium during high-quality printing.
According to the present invention, a printing unit that prints on a printing medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the printing medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, and printing medium conveyance and printing execution are alternately performed. In a serial type printing apparatus having a control means for controlling the printing means and the conveying means, a preset fixing for conveying the printing medium at a first speed according to at least one of the type and the printing mode of the printing medium. Determination means for determining whether or not to set an area, and the control means sets the fixed area when the determination means determines that setting of the fixed area is necessary, and print medium The predetermined position is set at or near the entrance of the fixed area when carrying a predetermined amount of printing medium for printing when the predetermined position is upstream of the fixed area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to stop once at the set position that becomes the divided point of printing medium conveyance, and the divided first printing medium conveyance is faster than the first speed. At the second speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance, the print medium conveyance in the fixed area is executed at the first speed, and the fixed area Is set in a range sandwiching a conveying roller located upstream from the recording head, and the predetermined position is a rear end of the print medium.
According to this configuration, the determination unit determines whether to set a preset fixed area for conveying the print medium at the first speed according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode. The control unit sets the fixed region when the determination unit determines that the fixed region needs to be set, thereby executing the print medium conveyance speed changing process. When carrying a predetermined amount of printing medium for printing when the trailing edge (predetermined position) of the printing medium is upstream of a fixed area set in a range sandwiching a conveying roller located upstream of the recording head The rear end is divided into a plurality of print medium conveyances divided by the predetermined amount so as to temporarily stop at a set position serving as a print medium conveyance division point set at or near the entrance of the fixed region. The divided first print medium conveyance is executed at a second speed higher than the first speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is performed in the fixed region. The print medium conveyance is executed at the first speed. Therefore, since the print medium is conveyed at a low first speed when the trailing edge passes the conveyance roller, it is possible to reduce or prevent the phenomenon that the conveyance roller kicks the trailing edge of the printing medium. For example, when high-quality printing is performed, if the type of print medium (for example, glossy paper) used in high-quality printing or the high-quality printing mode (for example, photo printing mode) is used, A fixed area (for example, a low-speed area) is set in the range that sandwiches the conveyance roller that needs to be conveyed at a high speed. As a result, high-quality printing can be supported, and when high-quality printing is not required, the print medium is conveyed at the second speed. Is done.
According to the present invention, a printing unit that prints on a printing medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the printing medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, and printing medium conveyance and printing execution are alternately performed. In a serial type printing apparatus having a control means for controlling the printing means and the conveying means, a preset fixing for conveying the printing medium at a first speed according to at least one of the type and the printing mode of the printing medium. Determination means for determining whether or not to set an area, and the control means sets the fixed area when the determination means determines that setting of the fixed area is necessary, and print medium When the predetermined amount of print medium conveyance for printing is performed when the predetermined position is within the fixed area, the predetermined position is set at or near the outlet of the fixed area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to temporarily stop at a set position that becomes a dividing point of printing medium conveyance, and the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at the first speed. After the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is performed at a second speed higher than the first speed, and the fixed area is conveyed upstream of the recording head. The gist of the invention is that the roller is set within a range, and the predetermined position is a rear end of the print medium.
According to this configuration, the determination unit determines whether to set a preset fixed area for conveying the print medium at the first speed according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode. The control unit sets the fixed region when the determination unit determines that the fixed region needs to be set, thereby executing the print medium conveyance speed changing process. When executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance for printing when the rear end (predetermined position) of the print medium is within a fixed region set in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located upstream of the recording head, The rear end is divided into a plurality of print medium conveyances obtained by dividing the predetermined amount so as to temporarily stop at a set position that becomes a print medium conveyance division point set at or near the exit of the fixed region. The divided first print medium conveyance is executed at the first speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is executed at the second speed higher than the first speed. Is done. Therefore, since the print medium is conveyed at a low first speed when the trailing edge passes the conveyance roller, it is possible to reduce or prevent the phenomenon that the conveyance roller kicks the trailing edge of the printing medium. For example, when high-quality printing is performed, if the type of print medium (for example, glossy paper) used in high-quality printing or the high-quality printing mode (for example, photo printing mode) is used, A fixed area (for example, a low-speed area) is set in the range that sandwiches the conveyance roller that needs to be conveyed at a high speed. As a result, high-quality printing can be supported, and when high-quality printing is not required, the print medium is conveyed at the second speed. Is done.
In the serial type printing apparatus of the present invention, when the control unit executes the specified print medium conveyance when executing the predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, the trailing edge of the print medium is set to the fixed area set. When the crossing the fixed area, the trailing edge of the printing medium temporarily stops at the entrance position of the fixed area or the set position near the entrance and the exit position of the fixed area or the set position near the exit. Preferably, the predetermined amount is divided into three, and the divided first and third printing medium conveyances are executed at the second speed, and the second printing medium conveyance is executed at the first speed.
In the serial type printing apparatus of the present invention, when the control unit executes the specified print medium conveyance when executing the predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, the trailing edge of the print medium is set to the fixed area set. The predetermined amount is divided into two so that the rear end of the print medium is temporarily stopped at the entrance of the fixed region or a set position near the entrance, and the divided first print medium is conveyed to the second It is preferable to execute the remaining print medium at the first speed while executing at the speed.
In the serial type printing apparatus of the present invention, an extended region having a length substantially equal to the minimum transport distance of the print medium at the second speed is set immediately upstream of the set position on the inlet side of the fixed region, and the determination When it is determined by the means that the trailing edge at the start of conveyance of the print medium is present in the expansion area, the control means does not stop the trailing edge at the set position on the inlet side. It is preferable that the print medium is conveyed at the first speed from the beginning so as to cross the set position.
In the serial type printing apparatus of the present invention, an extended region having a length substantially equal to the minimum transport distance of the print medium at the second speed is set immediately downstream of the set position on the outlet side of the fixed region, and the determination When it is determined by the means that the target position that is the transport destination of the trailing edge of the print medium exists in the extended area, the control means does not stop the trailing edge at the set position on the outlet side. It is preferable that the print medium is conveyed at the first speed so as to reach the target position across the set position on the outlet side.
In the serial type printing apparatus of the present invention, the control means is configured to convey the rear end of the print medium across the entrance or exit of the fixed area when performing the conveyance in which printing is not performed after the print medium is conveyed. Even in some cases, it is preferable to convey the print medium at the second speed without dividing the predetermined amount of conveyance.
The present invention provides a print medium transport having a recording head for printing on a print medium, a transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the print head, and a control means for controlling the print head and the transport means. In the control device, the control unit determines that the shift region needs to be set by a determination unit that determines whether to set the shift region according to at least one of a print medium type and a print mode. The shift area is set, and while the predetermined position of the print medium is in the set shift area, the print medium is conveyed at the first speed, and a predetermined amount of When the printing medium conveyance is executed and the predetermined position of the printing medium exceeds the entrance of the shift area, the predetermined position of the printing medium is set at or near the entrance of the shifting area. The predetermined amount is divided so as to temporarily stop at a setting position that becomes a division point of conveyance, and the divided first print medium conveyance is executed at a second speed higher than the first speed, and the first printing is performed. After the medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance, that is, the print medium conveyance in the shift area is executed at the first speed, and printing is performed after the print medium is conveyed across the entrance of the shift area. When the conveyance is not performed, even if the predetermined position of the print medium is located at the set position set at or near the entrance of the shift area, the print medium does not stop and is in the shift area. The gist is to convey the print medium at the second speed.
In the print medium conveyance control apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the speed change area is set in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located upstream of the recording head, and the predetermined position is a rear end of the print medium.
The present invention provides a print medium transport having a recording head for printing on a print medium, a transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the print head, and a control means for controlling the print head and the transport means. In the control device, the control unit determines that the fixed area needs to be set by a determination unit that determines whether to set the fixed area according to at least one of a print medium type and a print mode. The fixed area is set, and the print medium is transported at the first speed as long as the predetermined position of the print medium is in the preset fixed area. When the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the entrance of the speed change area, the predetermined position of the print medium is temporarily stopped at the entrance of the fixed area. The divided first print medium conveyance is performed at a second speed higher than the first speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is performed. When the printing medium conveyance in the speed change area is executed at the first speed and the printing medium is not conveyed after the printing medium is conveyed across the entrance of the fixed area, the predetermined position of the printing medium is used. However, even if it is located at the entrance of the fixed area, it does not stop, and even if it is within the fixed area, the printing medium is conveyed at the second speed.
In the printing medium conveyance control apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the fixed area is set in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located upstream of the recording head, and the predetermined position is a trailing edge of the printing medium.
The present invention relates to a printing medium conveying method of a printing apparatus having conveying means for conveying a printing medium from upstream to downstream across a recording head, and conveying the printing medium according to at least one of the type of printing medium and the printing mode. When determining whether or not to set a speed change area for changing the speed and determining that the speed change area needs to be set, when setting the speed change area and executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance When the designated print medium conveyance is executed, if the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the entrance of the set shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium is temporarily set at the entrance of the shift area or a set position near the entrance. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to stop, the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and the first printing medium conveyance is finished. After stopping in, and be required to perform the rest of the print medium transported at normal speed different from the speed change rates.
The present invention relates to a printing medium conveying method of a printing apparatus having conveying means for conveying a printing medium from upstream to downstream across a recording head, and conveying the printing medium according to at least one of the type of printing medium and the printing mode. When determining whether or not to set a speed change area for changing the speed and determining that the speed change area needs to be set, when setting the speed change area and executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance When the predetermined position of the print medium is within the set shift area and the designated print medium conveyance is executed, and the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the exit of the shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium is The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of print medium conveyances divided into two so as to temporarily stop at the exit position in the shift area or in the vicinity of the exit, and the first divided print medium conveyance is performed at a normal speed. And executes at different transmission rates, and be required to perform the rest of the print medium transported at the normal speed.
The present invention includes a printing unit that prints on a print medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, a conveyance unit that conveys the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, and a printing that alternately performs printing medium conveyance and printing execution. In the printing medium conveying method of the apparatus, a printing medium preset in a range sandwiching a conveying roller located upstream from the recording head at a first speed according to at least one of a type of printing medium and a printing mode. It is determined whether to set a fixed area to be transported, and when it is determined that the fixed area needs to be set, a setting step for setting the fixed area, and a rear end of the print medium is the fixed area When a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance for printing is performed upstream, the rear end is a set position that is a print medium conveyance division point set at or near the entrance of the fixed region The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to stop, and the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at a second speed higher than the first speed, and the first printing is performed. The present invention includes a control step of performing the remaining print medium conveyance after the medium conveyance is stopped and executing the print medium conveyance in the fixed area at the first speed.
The present invention includes a printing unit that prints on a print medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, a conveyance unit that conveys the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, and a printing that alternately performs printing medium conveyance and printing execution. In the printing medium conveying method of the apparatus, a printing medium preset in a range sandwiching a conveying roller located upstream from the recording head at a first speed according to at least one of a type of printing medium and a printing mode. It is determined whether to set a fixed area to be transported, and when it is determined that the fixed area needs to be set, a setting step for setting the fixed area, and a rear end of the print medium is the fixed area When a predetermined amount of printing medium conveyance for printing is executed when the printing medium is inside, the rear end is set at a set position that is a dividing point of the printing medium conveyance set at or near the exit of the shift area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of print medium conveyances to be stopped, the divided first print medium conveyance is executed at the first speed, and the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped. And a control step of executing the remaining print medium conveyance at a second speed higher than the first speed.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram of the serial printer 1. The serial printer 1 includes a CPU 2, a ROM 4, a RAM 5, and an ASIC (Application Specific IC) 6 connected to the CPU 2 via a bus 3. The ROM 4 stores a control program executed by the CPU 2. The RAM 5 functions as a reception buffer and a print buffer for temporarily storing print data received from the host computer (PC) 7 via the interface 8 and print data subjected to predetermined processing inside the printer. A memory area is also provided for temporarily storing data used for various programs. Of course, the reception buffer, the print buffer, and the memory area may be configured by separate RAMs.
[0028]
The ASIC 6 is a processing circuit that executes print control based on a control signal from the CPU 2 and print data received from the host computer 7 and drives and controls actuators constituting the print mechanical mechanism of the serial printer 1. The ASIC 6 is electrically connected to the recording head 12, the paper feed motor 13, the carriage motor 14, and the like via the head drive circuit 9 and the motor drive circuits 10 and 11, respectively, and performs carriage control and head control (ink ejection control). And print control such as paper feed control. The rotation of the paper feed motor 13 is detected by the encoder 19, and the detection pulse detected by the encoder 19 is input to the ASIC 6.
[0029]
2 is a schematic plan view showing a paper feed mechanism portion of the printer, and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the paper feed mechanism portion. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carriage 20 is guided by a guide rod (not shown) extending in the main scanning direction and at the same time, a timing belt (not shown) that rotates forward and backward as the carriage motor 14 is driven to rotate forward and backward. And is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by forward / reverse driving of the carriage motor 14. The recording head 12 is attached to the lower end of the carriage 20 and can reciprocate in the main scanning direction integrally with the carriage 20.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a paper feed roller 15 and a paper discharge roller 16 are disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the recording head 12 in the paper feed direction, respectively. Both rollers 15 and 16 are respectively constituted by a pair of driving rollers 15A and 16A and driven rollers 15B and 16B. The paper feed motor 13 is operatively connected to the drive rollers 15A and 16A through a gear train (not shown), and the rollers 15 and 16 are rotated synchronously by the drive of the paper feed motor 13. A platen 17 is disposed between the rollers 15 and 16 on the lower side facing the recording head 12, and printing is performed on a portion of the paper P placed on the upper side of the platen 17.
[0031]
The paper detection sensor 18 is disposed slightly upstream of the paper feed roller 15 in the paper conveyance direction, and is composed of, for example, a contact type sensor (switch type sensor). The paper detection sensor 18 includes, for example, a detection lever that can swing between a standby position and a paper detection position, and an optical sensor (a projector and a light receiver) that can detect the detection lever when in the paper detection position. The The detection lever is disposed so as to be able to interfere with the paper P on the transport path, and the paper detection sensor 18 is turned on when the leading edge of the fed paper P hits the detection lever and displaces it, and the trailing edge of the paper P Is turned off by passing the detection lever and returning the detection lever to the original standby position.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ASIC 6 includes a position counter 21, and the position counter 21 counts the number of detection pulses input from the encoder 19. The position counter 21 is reset when the paper P is cueed by counting a predetermined count value after the paper leading edge is detected by the paper detection sensor 18. Accordingly, the position counter 21 counts the accumulated value of the paper feed amount with the position where the head of the paper P is cued as the start point “0”. The ASIC 6 grasps the current position of the paper P based on the count value of the position counter 21. The count value of the position counter 21 indicates the leading end position of the paper P. However, since the “paper length” of the paper P currently being printed is known from the information included in the print data received from the host computer 7, The rear end position of the paper P can be grasped from the count value of the counter 21.
[0033]
If the ASIC 6 accepts the print end command, it shifts from the print control to the paper discharge control at that time. If not, the ASIC 6 determines that the paper P has reached the final print position based on the count value of the position counter 21. When the printing at the final printing position is completed, the printing control is shifted to the paper discharge control.
[0034]
Further, the ASIC 6 grasps the paper type and print mode based on the print data, and grasps the paper feed amount at the time of printing from the paper feed command. Here, the paper types include glossy paper (photo paper) and plain paper. The print modes include a photo print (high quality print) mode, a normal print (normal image quality print) mode, and a borderless print mode.
[0035]
When the paper is fed at a normal speed, a phenomenon occurs in which the paper feed roller 15 kicks the trailing edge of the paper P. During high image quality printing, this kicking phenomenon causes a decrease in print image quality. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the paper feed roller 15 prevents the phenomenon that the paper feed roller 15 kicks the trailing edge of the paper P during “high quality printing” in which “photo printing mode” and “glossy paper” are selected. A low-speed area ABS is set so that the conveyance speed (paper feed speed) of the paper P is lower than the normal speed in a range where 15 is sandwiched. Then, when the trailing edge of the paper P passes the paper feeding roller 15, the paper feeding roller 15 rotates at a low speed, so that the trailing edge of the paper P by the paper feeding roller 15 is avoided.
[0036]
Here, the normal speed is a printing speed (mm / s) set in advance for each printing mode, and the speed is controlled by PID control. That is, the ASIC 6 detects the actual transport speed of the paper P based on the detection pulse from the encoder 19, and feeds the paper so that the actual transport speed matches the target speed according to a preset target speed pattern for normal speed. The motor 13 is subjected to PID control (feedback control). The ASIC 6 is also preset with a target speed pattern for low speed. When the low-speed transport condition for the paper P is satisfied, the detected actual transport speed matches the target speed along the target speed pattern for low speed. Thus, the paper feed motor 13 is feedback-controlled. In any target speed pattern, the transport speed (motor drive speed) pattern with respect to the transport distance (number of transport pulses) draws a trapezoidal line, the acceleration area rises at a constant acceleration, the constant speed area, and the deceleration area that falls at a constant deceleration And have. In the present embodiment, the normal speed driving of the paper feed motor 13 is referred to as “PS driving”, and the low speed driving is referred to as “BS driving”.
[0037]
FIG. 4 illustrates various setting areas set in the paper conveyance control. The sequence in the paper conveyance control is advanced depending on which of the various areas the trailing edge of the paper P belongs to. As shown in the figure, the low speed region (hereinafter referred to as BS drive region) ABS is set to a predetermined range with the paper feed roller 15 sandwiched in the center. The BS driving area ABS should be as narrow as possible as long as the kicking phenomenon can be avoided. The BS driving area ABS is specified as an area between the inlet Pb and the outlet Pc. A threshold value Pa is set at a position slightly upstream from the inlet Pb, and a threshold value Pd is set at a position slightly downstream from the outlet Pc on the upstream side and downstream side of the BS driving area ABS (the left side is upstream in the figure). Yes. A BS drive expansion area A is set between the threshold value Pa and the inlet Pb, and a BS drive expansion area B is set between the outlet Pc and the threshold value Pd. The drive extension area A is set to a length corresponding to A pulses, and the BS drive extension area B is set to a length corresponding to B pulses. The reason for setting the pulse lengths A and B for both widths will be described later.
[0038]
Further, the area from the paper supply source (left side in FIG. 4) to the detection position PE of the paper detection sensor (PE detector) 18 is a “normal paper feed area”, and from this position PE to the threshold value Pa, the “BS drive” is performed. "Preparation area". Further, the range from the trailing edge of the paper P past the paper detection sensor 18 until the paper P is transported to the final printing position of the printing area is an override area, from the threshold Pd to the exit of the override area. The range is set to the normal paper feed area. When the trailing edge of the paper P exceeds the normal paper feed area, the process shifts to paper discharge processing.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, when the trailing edge of the paper P is transported in the “BS driving area (low speed area)”, the “BS driving area is appropriately set so that the paper P is transported at a low speed corresponding to the area. The conveyance speed is changed by temporarily stopping at the entrance Pb and the exit Pc, which are the boundary of (low speed region). That is, when a paper feed across at least one of the entrance Pb and the exit Pc is instructed, the paper feed is divided so that the paper feed is temporarily stopped at a position between the entrance Pb and the exit Pc and the division is performed. The transport speed (paper transport speed) for each paper transport is changed according to the transported area. However, depending on the paper feeding, there are inconveniences that cannot be stopped correctly at the entrance Pb due to control accuracy, and inconveniences that cannot be stopped at the next target position with high positional accuracy if they are stopped at the exit Pc. Therefore, BS drive expansion areas A and B are provided as an exception that does not divide the paper feed. In other words, if the start position is from the very front of the entrance Pb, the entrance Pb may be exceeded only by advancing the minimum movement distance of the PS drive, and if the stop is temporarily stopped at the exit Pc, the PS from the exit Pc to the PS The target position may be exceeded only by advancing the minimum moving distance of the drive. Therefore, as a countermeasure against the former, a BS drive expansion area A having a length A pulse equal to the minimum movement distance of PS drive is set, and the paper feed start position (current position) at the rear end of the paper P is the BS drive expansion. When the paper feed is started from the state positioned in the area A, the paper P is directly driven to transport the paper P at a low speed so that the rear end of the paper P straddles the entrance Pb. On the other hand, as a countermeasure against the latter, a BS drive extension region B having a length B pulse equal to the minimum movement distance of PS drive is set. When the target position P2, which is the transport destination of the rear end of the paper P, is located in the BS drive expansion area B, the rear end of the paper P opens the outlet Pc without stopping the paper feed at the outlet Pc. The sheet P is conveyed at low speed by BS driving so as to reach the target position directly across the bridge.
[0040]
As another inconvenience, once stopping at the entrance Pb, the target position may be exceeded only by advancing the minimum movement distance of the BS drive from the entrance Pb, and the BS drive from the extreme front of the exit Pc. In some cases, the outlet Pc may be exceeded simply by advancing the minimum moving distance. As a countermeasure against the former, a BS drive management area having a length equal to the minimum movement distance of the BS drive is set inside the entrance Pb in the BS drive area ABS. Divide the paper feed by Pa. Then, the second paper feed is performed by BS driving so that the trailing edge of the paper P directly reaches the target position across the entrance Pb without stopping the paper feed at the entrance Pb from the temporarily stopped threshold Pa. On the other hand, as a countermeasure against the latter, when a BS drive management area having a length equal to the minimum movement distance of the BS drive is set inside the outlet Pc in the BS drive area ABS, and paper feeding is started from this BS drive management area Directly the BS is driven and the paper P is conveyed at a low speed until the trailing edge reaches the threshold value Pd across the entrance Pb. Then, after temporarily stopping at the threshold value Pd, the paper P is transported to the target position by PS driving in the next second paper feed. Of course, it is also possible to adopt only the BS drive expansion area and the BS drive management area as a countermeasure for stopping the sheet P at the target position with high accuracy.
[0041]
8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the paper feed division process. Here, FIG. 8 shows (1) when there is a paper feed command for feeding paper from the current position (start position) P1 upstream of the threshold value Pa to the target position P2 in the BS drive area ABS, and (2) BS. Two types of operations when there is a paper feed command for feeding paper from the current position P1 in the drive area ABS to the target position P2 in the normal paper feed area will be described. FIG. 9 illustrates (3) an operation when there is a paper feed command for paper feeding from the current position upstream of the threshold value Pa to the target position in the normal paper feed area across the BS drive area ABS. It is assumed that the paper feed start position where the command is issued is “P1” and the target position is “P2”.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 8, when there is a paper feed command (1) for feeding paper until the rear end of the paper P reaches the target position in the BS drive area ABS across the entrance Pb, the following is performed. A paper feed division process is performed. The paper feed amount for one command is divided into two so that the trailing edge of the paper P temporarily stops at the entrance Pb, and the first paper feeding in which the trailing edge of the paper P moves from the start position P1 to the entrance Pb. And the second paper feed moving from the entrance Pb to the target position P2. For this reason, the paper feed to the inlet Pb of the BS driving area ABS is performed at the normal speed VNR by PS driving, and the paper feeding from the inlet Pb to the target position is performed at the low speed VBS by BS driving.
[0043]
When there is a paper feed command (2) that feeds the paper P from the current position in the BS drive area ABS to the target position in the downstream normal feed area across the outlet Pc. The following paper feed division processing is performed. The paper feed amount for one command is divided into two so that the trailing edge of the paper P temporarily stops at the exit Pc, and the first paper feeding in which the trailing edge of the paper P moves from the start position P1 to the outlet Pc. And the second paper feed that moves from the exit Pc to the target position P2. For this reason, the paper feed to the outlet Pc of the BS driving area ABS is performed at a low speed VBS by BS driving, and the paper feeding from the outlet Pc to the target position is performed at a normal speed VNR by PS driving.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 9, when there is a paper feed command (3) that instructs paper feed across the BS drive area ABS, the following paper feed division processing is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper feed is moved once from the start position P1 to the target position P2, and the rear end of the paper P is temporarily stopped at the entrance Pb and the exit Pc. The paper is divided into three parts according to each stop position. Then, this one-time paper feed is performed by the first paper feed in which the rear end of the paper P moves from the start position P1 to the entrance Pb, the second paper feed in which the rear end moves from the entrance Pb to the exit Pc, and the exit Pc. This is divided into a third paper feed that moves to the target position P2. In the first paper feed, the normal speed VNR is fed until the trailing edge of the paper P reaches the inlet Pb, and in the second paper feed, the BS drive region from the inlet Pb to the outlet Pc is driven by the BS at a low speed VBS. In the third paper feed, the paper is fed at the normal speed VNR from the exit Pc to the target position P2.
[0045]
To summarize the division rules in the above paper feed division processing, whether or not to divide the commanded paper feed is determined as follows according to the start position (current position) P1 and the target position P2 of the rear end of the paper. However, P1 <P2.
(A) Divided into two at the entrance Pb:
When start position P1 <Pa and Pb <target position P2 ≦ Pd.
(B) Divide into two at exit Pc:
When Pa ≦ start position P1 and Pd <target position P2.
(C) Divided into 3 at the entrance Pb and the exit Pc:
When start position P1 <position Pa and target position P2> Pd are satisfied.
(D) Low speed conveyance without division (BS drive):
Pa ≦ start position P1 and target position P2 ≦ Pd
The ASIC 6 stores a program for paper feed division processing in a memory, and performs the paper feed division processing by executing this program. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 show this program. Hereinafter, the paper feed division process will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. This program is executed before a paper feed command is received and the next paper feed is performed, and the next paper feed amount is acquired in advance prior to this execution.
[0046]
In step (hereinafter, simply referred to as “S”) 10, the paper type and the print mode are determined to determine whether or not the corresponding condition of the paper feed division process is satisfied. In other words, in the present embodiment, for example, the case where printing is performed using “glossy paper” in the “photo printing (high quality printing) mode” corresponds to the condition and is the target of paper feed division processing. When this condition is met, the process proceeds to S20, and when this condition is not met, the process proceeds to S90. When the process proceeds to S90, the normal speed paper feed is executed in the PS drive mode.
[0047]
In S20, it is determined whether or not the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the paper detection sensor (PE) 18. As long as the trailing edge of the sheet is not detected, the process proceeds to S90 to perform normal speed paper feeding. If the trailing edge of the sheet has already been detected, the process proceeds to S30.
[0048]
In S30, the paper trailing edge position is acquired from the count value counted by the position counter 21.
In next step S40, it is determined whether or not the current position P1 at the rear end of the paper and the target position P2 after the next paper feed satisfy P2> Pb and P1 <Pc. If this condition is not satisfied, that is, the target position P2 coincides with or is in front of the entrance Pb (P2 ≦ Pb), or the rear end of the sheet has already passed the exit Pc (P1 ≧ Pc), the process proceeds to S90. On the other hand, if this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S50.
[0049]
In S50, it is determined whether or not the current position P1 of the trailing edge of the paper satisfies P1 <Pa. If P1 <Pa is established, the process proceeds to S60, and if P1 <Pa is not established, the process proceeds to S100 (FIG. 6).
[0050]
In S60, it is determined whether the target position P2 after the next paper feed at the trailing edge of the paper is within the BS drive area or the BS drive extended area B (B Pulse). If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S70, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S160 (FIG. 7).
[0051]
In S70, the paper is fed in the PS drive mode until the trailing edge of the paper reaches the entrance Pb.
In the next S80, the paper is fed in the BS drive mode until the trailing edge of the paper reaches the target position P2.
[0052]
On the other hand, in S100 (FIG. 6), it is determined whether the target position P2 after the next paper feed at the rear end of the paper is within the BS drive area or the BS drive extended area B (B Pulse). If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S110, and the paper is fed to the stop position in the BS drive mode. On the other hand, if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S120.
[0053]
In S120, it is determined whether or not the next paper feed amount F is larger than the maximum feed amount Bmax (F> Bmax). Here, the maximum feed amount Bmax (Band max) is a paper feed amount when the paper P is transported to the final printing position. If the paper feed is within the range of this value Bmax, the next printing will be performed. However, if the paper feed is greater than this value Bmax, the print position (head position) will be at the blank or line feed position on the paper. Or, since it passes through the printing area and reaches the transition position to the paper discharge process, the next printing does not occur. Therefore, when the next paper feed amount F is larger than the maximum feed amount Bmax (F> Bmax), even if the paper is fed, the next printing is performed after reaching the position of blank, line feed, or paper discharge processing transition. Therefore, it is not necessary to convey the paper P at a low speed. Accordingly, if this condition (F> Bmax) is satisfied, the process proceeds to S130, and the paper is fed in the PS drive mode to the target position P2 after the next paper feed. On the other hand, when this condition (F> Bmax) is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S140.
[0054]
In S140, the BS drive area is fed in the BS drive mode. In next S150, the paper is fed in the PS drive mode to the target position P2.
On the other hand, in S160 (FIG. 7), it is determined whether or not the next paper feed amount F is larger than Bmax (F> Bmax). If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S170, and the PS drive mode is fed to the target position P2. On the other hand, when this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S180.
[0055]
In S180, the paper is fed in the PS driving mode until the trailing edge of the paper reaches the entrance Pb. In the next S190, the BS driving area is fed by BS driving. Further, in S200, the paper is fed in the PS drive mode to the target position P2.
[0056]
In this way, the divided sheet feeding process as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is performed. Therefore, when printing in photo printing (high quality printing) mode using glossy paper, the paper feed roller 15 rotates at a low speed by the BS drive when the trailing edge of the paper P passes through the paper feed roller 15, so the paper When the rear end of P is separated from the paper feed roller 15, the kicking phenomenon is less likely to occur. As a result, the accuracy of the print image quality in the vicinity of the rear end of the paper P is increased.
[0057]
As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the process of feeding the paper P, when there is a paper feed command in which the trailing edge of the paper P straddles the low speed region (BS drive region) ABS, the paper feed amount is divided into three. Then, the paper is fed to the inlet Pb of the low speed area ABS at the normal speed VNR and temporarily stopped. Next, the low speed area ABS is fed with the low speed VBS and temporarily stopped. Up to the normal speed VNR. Accordingly, it is possible to keep the distance of paper feeding at the low speed VBS to the minimum necessary. As a result, it is possible to improve the throughput during high-quality printing. In addition, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the paper is fed at the normal speed when the paper is fed over the low speed region as in the transport method described in the prior art. Therefore, the accuracy of the print image quality in the vicinity of the rear end of the paper P can be improved even when paper is fed over such a low speed region.
[0058]
(2) If there is a paper feed command for entering the low speed area (BS drive area) ABS or exiting from the low speed area (BS drive area) ABS in the process of feeding paper P, paper feed Divide the quantity into two. In the former case, the paper is fed at a normal speed to the entrance Pb in the low speed area and temporarily stopped, and then the paper is fed at a low speed to the target position P2 in the low speed area. In the latter case, the paper is fed to the outlet Pc of the low speed area ABS at a low speed and temporarily stopped, and then the paper is fed to the target position P2 at the normal speed VNR. Therefore, even in such a case, the distance that the paper is fed at the low speed VBS can be kept to the minimum necessary, and for example, the throughput during high image quality printing can be improved.
[0059]
(3) With a configuration in which the paper feed is not temporarily stopped in the middle of the transmission and only shifted at the boundary of the low speed region ABS (hereinafter referred to as a shift control configuration), the position management of the paper P in the shift process is relatively difficult. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the paper feed for one time is divided into a plurality of paper feeds, and the simple paper feed is repeated by the number of divisions compared to the shift control configuration, the position of the paper P can be easily managed. Therefore, even if the paper feed is shifted at the boundary portion of the low speed area ABS, it is easy to correctly stop the paper P at the target position. Further, in the shift control configuration, it is necessary to add data such as speed pattern data for shifting. However, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the conventional speed pattern data for normal and low speed can be diverted and new data can be used. There is no need for addition, and the control of individual divided paper feeds is the same as before.
[0060]
(4) A BS drive expansion area A having a length A pulse equal to the minimum movement distance of PS drive is set, and the start position P1 which is the position at the start of paper feeding at the rear end of the paper P is within the BS drive expansion area A When the paper feed is started from the state of the paper P, the paper P is directly driven at a low speed so that the rear end of the paper P straddles the entrance Pb. Therefore, since the rear end of the paper P is temporarily stopped at the entrance Pb, the rear end of the paper P cannot be stopped at the entrance Pb of the low speed area ABS, and is transported at a normal speed VNR to a position beyond this. Is avoided. Therefore, the low-speed area ABS can realize low-speed conveyance more reliably than the conventional technology.
[0061]
(5) When a BS drive extended area B having a length B pulse equal to the minimum movement distance of PS drive is set, and the target position P2 as the transport destination of the rear end of the paper P is located in the BS drive extended area B Transports the paper P at a low speed by BS driving so that the trailing edge of the paper P directly reaches the target position across the outlet Pc without stopping the paper feed at the outlet Pc. Accordingly, since the trailing edge of the paper P is temporarily stopped at the outlet Pc, the inconvenience that the trailing edge of the paper P cannot be stopped at the target position P2 is avoided. Therefore, since the trailing edge of the paper P stops at the target position P2 with high positional accuracy, high print image quality accuracy can be guaranteed.
[0062]
In addition, embodiment is not limited above, It can implement also in the following aspects.
(Modification 1) In the embodiment, the normal speed region and the low speed region are provided, and the paper is fed at a low speed when the trailing edge of the paper passes through the low speed region. On the other hand, a normal speed and a high-speed area are provided, and for example, the present invention can be applied to control for feeding paper at a higher speed than the normal speed when a predetermined position of the paper passes through the high-speed area. In short, the shift speed may be lower or higher than the normal speed. Further, the predetermined position of the paper is not limited to the rear edge of the paper.
[0063]
(Modification 2) A control method may be employed in which only one of the paper feed division control in FIG. 8 and the paper feed division control in FIG. 9 is employed.
(Modification 3) In the above-described embodiment, the setting positions as the paper feed division points are set at the entrance and exit of the speed change area ((low speed area) (BS drive area)), but the present invention is not limited to this. . The setting position may be set to the BS drive expansion area (A Pulse) so that the paper feed temporarily ends in the BS drive expansion area (A Pulse) before the entrance of the low speed area, or the setting position is set from the entrance of the low speed area It may be set to a position slightly within the area. In addition, the setting position may be set to the BS drive expansion area (B Pulse) so that the paper feed is temporarily finished in the BS drive expansion area (B Pulse) slightly downstream from the exit of the low speed area. May be set to a position slightly within the area from the exit of the low speed area. In short, it is sufficient that the set position for dividing the paper feed amount is a predetermined position near the entrance of the speed change region (low speed region) or a predetermined position near the exit. In addition, the setting position used as a division | segmentation point corresponds to the boundary part of the speed change area | region in Claim 1. FIG.
[0064]
(Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the position of the paper P is grasped by counting the detection pulses of the encoder. However, in the configuration without the encoder, the paper P is counted by counting the command pulses for driving the paper feed motor. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for grasping the position of.
[0065]
(Modification 5) In the above embodiment, a speed change area is set in the transport area for printing paper, and a predetermined position (rear end) of the paper P passes through the speed change area (low speed area (BS drive area)). Only the conveyance speed is changed to a shift speed (low speed). On the other hand, it is also possible to employ a conveyance control in which the sheet is initially conveyed at a low speed (normal speed) and the conveyance speed is returned to a normal high speed (shift speed) only while passing through the set shift region. Also, the shift area is set so that the sheet passes through the shift area from the beginning of paper feeding, and when the sheet P first transported at a low speed (shift speed) comes out of the shift area, it becomes a normal high speed (normal speed). It is good also as a structure which returns.
[0066]
(Modification 6) The speed change region (BS drive region) is not limited to a preset fixed region. It is sufficient that the speed change area is set by the time when the ASIC 6 performs the determination process. For example, the speed change area is set at a predetermined time according to the type of paper and the type of printing mode or each time paper is fed. It doesn't matter.
[0067]
(Modification 7) In the above embodiment, the setting positions as the paper feed division points are set at the entrance Pb and the exit Pc of the speed change area (BS drive area). Alternatively, an exit vicinity position different from the exit position of the speed change region can be set as the set position. In other words, when transported, the reference position used as a reference for determining whether or not the predetermined position of the print medium is exceeded, and the dividing point (split position) for dividing the print medium transport (paper feed) (stop temporarily stopped) (Position) may be a different position. Furthermore, the set position is not limited to a predetermined fixed position, and may be a variable position.
[0068]
(Modification 8) Although it is determined whether or not the paper feed division process is adopted based on the paper type and the print mode, it is determined whether or not the paper feed division process is adopted based on only one of them. It can also be set as the structure which judges. In addition, the determination content for determining whether or not to adopt the paper feed division processing can be set as appropriate.
[0069]
(Modification 9) The serial printing apparatus is not limited to printing on paper. The print medium may be a film-like or sheet-like substrate, for example. For example, industries equipped with electrode material (conductive paste) jet heads used for electrode formation such as liquid crystal displays and FEDs (surface-emitting displays), bioorganic jet heads used for biochip manufacturing, sample jet heads as precision pipettes, etc. The present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) for use.
[0070]
The technical idea grasped from the embodiment and another example will be described below.
(1) A determination unit that determines whether or not there is an area for changing a conveyance speed of the print medium when conveying the print medium in a printing process; and an area for changing the conveyance speed of the print medium by the determination unit In a serial type printing apparatus, comprising: a conveyance control means for temporarily stopping conveyance of a print medium at a boundary portion of the area and changing a conveyance speed and continuing conveyance when it is determined that the medium exists Print media transport control device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram of a serial printer.
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a paper feed mechanism portion.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a paper feed mechanism portion.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a setting area in a paper feed division process.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a paper feed division process.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a paper feed division process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a paper feed division process.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a two-divided paper feed process.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a three-divided paper feed process.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing paper feed control in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as serial type printing apparatus, 6 ... ASIC as control means and judgment means, 12 ... Recording head constituting printing means, 13 ... Paper feed motor constituting transportation means, 14 ... Carriage constituting printing means Motor 15, paper feed roller constituting conveying means 20, carriage, P paper as printing medium, ABS area BS and BS driving area (low speed area) as shifting area, Pb boundary and inlet side on inlet side An inlet as a set position on the side, Pc: an outlet side boundary and an outlet as a set position on the outlet side, A: BS drive extended area as an extended area on the inlet side, B: BS drive as an extended area on the outlet side Extended region, P1 ... start position (current position), P2 ... target position, VNR ... normal speed, VBS ... low speed.

Claims

Printing means for printing on a print medium by driving a recording head and a carriage;
Transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head;
In the printing medium conveyance control apparatus in the serial type printing apparatus having the control means for controlling the printing means and the conveyance means to alternately perform the printing medium conveyance and the printing execution,
Determining means for determining whether or not to set a shift region for changing the conveyance speed of the printing medium according to at least one of the type of printing medium and the printing mode;
When the control means determines that the shift area needs to be set by the determining means, the control means sets the shift area, and when executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, the instructed print medium When transport is executed, if the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the entrance of the set shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium becomes the print medium transport division point set near the entrance of the shift area or near the entrance. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to temporarily stop at the set position, the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and the first printing medium conveyance is completed. The printing medium conveyance control device in the serial type printing apparatus, wherein the remaining printing medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed after stopping.

Printing means for printing on a print medium by driving a recording head and a carriage;
Transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head;
In the printing medium conveyance control apparatus in the serial type printing apparatus having the control means for controlling the printing means and the conveyance means to alternately perform the printing medium conveyance and the printing execution,
Determining means for determining whether or not to set a shift region for changing the conveyance speed of the printing medium according to at least one of the type of printing medium and the printing mode;
The control means sets the speed change area when the judgment means determines that the speed change area needs to be set, and when executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, the predetermined position of the print medium is set. If the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the exit of the shift area when the designated print medium conveyance is executed within the set shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium is the exit or exit of the shift area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance divided into two so as to temporarily stop at a set position that becomes a division point of the printing medium conveyance set in the vicinity, and the divided first printing medium conveyance is performed at a normal speed. A printing medium conveyance control device in a serial type printing apparatus, wherein the printing medium conveyance control is executed at a normal speed and the remaining printing medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed.

The control means, when executing the predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, executes the designated print medium conveyance, and when the predetermined position of the print medium crosses the set shift region, the predetermined position of the print medium is The predetermined amount is divided into three so as to temporarily stop at the set position near the entrance of the shift area or near the entrance and the exit or exit of the shift area, and the divided first and third print medium conveyance The printing medium conveyance control device in the serial type printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second printing medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and the second printing medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed.

The control means, when executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance, executes the specified print medium conveyance when the predetermined position of the print medium is located within the set shift region when the designated print medium conveyance is executed. The predetermined amount is divided into two so that the position temporarily stops at the entrance position of the shift area or in the vicinity of the entrance, the first divided print medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and the remaining print medium conveyance is performed. The printing medium conveyance control device in the serial type printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing medium conveyance control device is executed at a speed different from the normal speed.

An extended region having a length substantially equal to the minimum transport distance at the normal speed of the print medium is set immediately upstream of the set position on the inlet side of the shift region, and the predetermined position at the start of transport of the print medium is set by the determination unit. Is determined to be present in the extended region, the control means does not stop the predetermined position at the set position on the inlet side, but shifts from the beginning so as to straddle the set position on the inlet side. The printing medium conveyance control device in the serial type printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printing medium is conveyed by the printing method.

An extended area having a length substantially equal to the minimum transport distance at the normal speed of the print medium is set immediately downstream of the set position on the exit side of the shift area. When it is determined that a certain target position exists in the extended region, the control means does not stop the predetermined position at the set position on the outlet side and straddles the target position across the set position on the outlet side. The printing medium conveyance control device in the serial type printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the printing medium is conveyed at a shift speed so as to reach the position.

The control means sets a first management area having a length substantially equal to the minimum conveyance distance of the conveyance means inside the entrance of the shift area, and the predetermined position is determined when the predetermined amount of print medium is conveyed. When it is located in the first management area, the predetermined amount is divided so that the predetermined position of the print medium temporarily stops at the entrance of the expansion area, and the first print medium conveyance is executed at the normal speed. , After stopping and stopping the first print medium conveyance, the remaining print medium conveyance is executed at the first speed,
On the other hand, a second management area having a length substantially equal to the minimum transport distance of the transport means is set inside the exit of the speed change area, and printing is started from the transport start position where the predetermined position of the print medium is located in the second management area. When transporting a predetermined amount of print medium after starting the transport of the medium, the predetermined amount is divided so that the predetermined position of the print medium temporarily stops at the exit of the expansion area, and the first print medium transport is performed at the shift speed. The serial printing according to claim 1, wherein after the first printing medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining printing medium conveyance is performed at the normal speed. Medium transport control device in a printing apparatus.

The control means, when carrying out the conveyance in which printing is not performed after the conveyance of the print medium, even if the predetermined position of the print medium is conveyance across the entrance or exit of the shift area. The printing medium conveyance control device in the serial type printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the printing medium is conveyed at the normal speed without dividing a fixed amount.

The shift region is set in a range that sandwiches a conveyance roller located upstream of the recording head, and the predetermined position is a rear end of the print medium. A printing medium conveyance control device in the serial type printing apparatus according to the item.

Printing means for printing on a print medium by driving a recording head and a carriage;
Transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head;
In a serial printing apparatus having a control unit for controlling the printing unit and the conveyance unit so as to alternately perform printing medium conveyance and printing execution,
Determining means for determining whether or not to set a preset fixed area for conveying the print medium at the first speed according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode;
The control unit sets the fixed region when the determination unit determines that the fixed region needs to be set, and
When executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance for printing when the predetermined position of the print medium is upstream of the fixed area, the predetermined position of the print medium conveyance is set at or near the entrance of the fixed area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to stop once at a set position as a division point, and the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at a second speed higher than the first speed. In addition, after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance and the print medium conveyance in the fixed area are executed at the first speed, and the fixed area is transferred from the recording head. A serial type printing apparatus, which is set in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located on the upstream side, and the predetermined position is a rear end of a printing medium.

Printing means for printing on a print medium by driving a recording head and a carriage;
Transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head;
In a serial printing apparatus having a control unit for controlling the printing unit and the conveyance unit so as to alternately perform printing medium conveyance and printing execution,
Determining means for determining whether or not to set a preset fixed area for conveying the print medium at the first speed according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode;
The control unit sets the fixed region when the determination unit determines that the fixed region needs to be set, and
Division of print medium conveyance in which the predetermined position is set at or near the exit of the fixed area when executing a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance for printing when the predetermined position of the print medium is within the fixed area The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to temporarily stop at a set position that becomes a point, the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at the first speed, and the first printing is performed. After the medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining printing medium is conveyed at a second speed higher than the first speed, and the fixed area is in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located upstream from the recording head. A serial type printing apparatus, wherein the predetermined position is a rear end of a print medium.

The control means determines whether or not the trailing edge of the print medium crosses the set fixed area when the designated print medium conveyance is executed when executing the predetermined amount of print medium conveyance; When straddling the fixed area, the predetermined amount is divided into three so that the rear end of the print medium temporarily stops at the set position near the entrance or the entrance of the fixed area and the set position near the exit or the exit of the shift area, 11. The serial printing according to claim 10, wherein the divided first and third printing medium conveyances are executed at the second speed, and the second printing medium conveyance is executed at the first speed. apparatus.

The control means, when executing the predetermined amount of printing medium conveyance, executes the designated printing medium conveyance, and when the trailing end of the printing medium is located within the set fixed area, The predetermined amount is divided into two so that the rear end is temporarily stopped at the entrance of the fixed area or at a set position near the entrance, and the divided first print medium conveyance is executed at the second speed and the remaining printing is performed. The serial printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the medium conveyance is performed at the first speed.

An extended area having a length substantially equal to the minimum transport distance at the second speed of the print medium is set immediately upstream of the set position on the entrance side of the fixed area. When it is determined that a rear end is present in the extended region, the control means does not stop the rear end at the set position on the inlet side, but starts from the beginning so as to straddle the set position on the inlet side. The serial printing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the printing medium is conveyed at the first speed.

An extended area having a length substantially equal to the minimum transport distance of the print medium at the second speed is set immediately downstream of the set position on the outlet side of the fixed area, and the determination means transports the trailing edge of the print medium. When it is determined that the previous target position is present in the extended region, the control means does not stop the rear end at the set position on the outlet side and straddles the set position on the outlet side. The serial printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the printing medium is conveyed at the first speed so as to reach the target position.

The control means, when performing the transport that is not printed after the transport of the print medium, even if the rear end of the print medium is transport across the entrance or exit of the fixed area, the predetermined amount of the transport The serial printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the printing medium is conveyed at the second speed without dividing the printing medium.

A recording head for printing on a print medium;
Transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head;
In a print medium conveyance control device having a control means for controlling the recording head and the conveyance means,
When the control means determines that the shift area needs to be set by a determination means that determines whether to set the shift area according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode. And setting the shift region,
As long as the predetermined position of the print medium is in the set shift region, the print medium is conveyed at the first speed,
When a predetermined amount of print medium conveyance is executed, if the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the entrance of the shift area, the print medium conveyance is set at or near the entrance of the shift area. The predetermined amount is divided so as to temporarily stop at a set position that becomes a dividing point of the first printing medium, and the divided first printing medium is transported at a second speed higher than the first speed, and the first printing medium is After the conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance, in which the print medium conveyance in the shift area is executed at the first speed, and printing is performed after the print medium is conveyed across the entrance of the shift area. When the conveyance is performed without any stoppage, even if the predetermined position of the print medium is located at the set position set at or near the entrance of the shift area, it does not stop, , Print media Print medium conveyance control apparatus characterized by conveying in the second speed.

18. The print medium conveyance according to claim 17, wherein the speed change area is set in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located upstream from the recording head, and the predetermined position is a rear end of the print medium. Control device.

A recording head for printing on a print medium;
Transport means for transporting the print medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head;
In a print medium conveyance control device having a control means for controlling the recording head and the conveyance means,
The control unit determines that the fixed region needs to be set by a determination unit that determines whether or not to set the fixed region according to at least one of a print medium type and a print mode. And setting the fixed area,
As long as the predetermined position of the print medium is in a preset fixed area, the print medium is conveyed at the first speed,
When a predetermined amount of the print medium is transported, if the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the entrance of the shift area, the predetermined amount of the print medium is temporarily stopped at the entrance of the fixed area. Dividing and executing the divided first print medium conveyance at a second speed higher than the first speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, When the printing medium conveyance in the shift area is performed at the first speed and the printing medium is not conveyed after the printing medium is conveyed across the entrance of the fixed area, the predetermined position of the printing medium is The print medium conveyance control apparatus, wherein the print medium is conveyed at the second speed even if it is located at the entrance of the fixed area and does not stop and is within the fixed area.

The print medium conveyance according to claim 19, wherein the fixed area is set in a range sandwiching a conveyance roller located upstream of the recording head, and the predetermined position is a rear end of the print medium. Control device.

In a printing medium conveying method of a printing apparatus having conveying means for conveying a printing medium from upstream to downstream across a recording head,
Determining whether or not to set a shift area for changing the conveyance speed of the print medium according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode;
When it is determined that setting of the shift area is necessary, the print medium is set when the shift area is set and when the specified print medium transport is executed when the predetermined amount of print medium transport is executed. When the predetermined position exceeds the entrance of the set speed change region, the print medium is conveyed a plurality of times by dividing the predetermined amount so that the predetermined position of the print medium temporarily stops at the set position near the entrance of the speed change region or the entrance. And the first divided print medium conveyance is executed at a normal speed, and after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopped, the remaining print medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed. A printing medium conveying method characterized by the above.

In a printing medium conveying method of a printing apparatus having conveying means for conveying a printing medium from upstream to downstream across a recording head,
Determining whether or not to set a shift area for changing the conveyance speed of the print medium according to at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode;
When it is determined that the shift area needs to be set, the shift area is set, and when a predetermined amount of the print medium is transported, the predetermined position of the print medium is within the set shift area. When the designated print medium conveyance is executed, if the predetermined position of the print medium exceeds the exit of the shift area, the predetermined position of the print medium is temporarily stopped at the set position near the exit or exit of the shift area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of divided print medium conveyances, and the divided first print medium conveyance is executed at a speed different from the normal speed, and the remaining print medium conveyance is executed at the normal speed. A printing medium conveying method characterized by the above.

Printing means for printing on a printing medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, conveying means for conveying the printing medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, and printing medium for a printing apparatus that alternately performs printing medium conveyance and printing execution In the transport method,
In accordance with at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode, a fixed area in which the preset print medium is to be transported at the first speed is set in a range sandwiching the transport roller located upstream from the recording head. A setting step for setting the fixed area when it is determined that setting of the fixed area is necessary,
When executing a predetermined amount of printing medium conveyance for printing when the trailing edge of the printing medium is upstream of the fixed area, the trailing edge of the printing medium is set so that the trailing edge is set at or near the inlet of the fixed area. The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to stop once at a set position as a division point, and the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at a second speed higher than the first speed. And a control step of executing the remaining print medium conveyance at the first speed after the first print medium conveyance is finished and stopping at the first speed. A printing medium conveying method.

Printing means for printing on a printing medium by driving a recording head and a carriage, conveying means for conveying the printing medium from upstream to downstream across the recording head, and printing medium for a printing apparatus that alternately performs printing medium conveyance and printing execution In the transport method,
In accordance with at least one of the type of print medium and the print mode, a fixed area in which the preset print medium is to be transported at the first speed is set in a range sandwiching the transport roller located upstream from the recording head. A setting step for setting the fixed area when it is determined that setting of the fixed area is necessary,
Dividing the printing medium conveyance with the trailing edge set at or near the exit of the shift area when executing a predetermined amount of printing medium conveyance for printing when the trailing edge of the printing medium is in the fixed area The predetermined amount is divided into a plurality of times of printing medium conveyance so as to temporarily stop at a set position that becomes a point, the divided first printing medium conveyance is executed at the first speed, and the first printing is performed. And a control step of carrying out the remaining print medium conveyance at a second speed higher than the first speed after the medium conveyance is finished and stopped.