JP6477162B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus configured to be able to feed paper from a plurality of paper feed trays. In this image forming apparatus, a paper feed tray to be fed is switched every time an image is formed. Further, the paper feed tray is provided with a remaining amount detection sensor, and the paper feed tray whose paper remaining amount becomes a paper end by this remaining amount detection sensor is excluded from the switching target. Thereby, in this image forming apparatus, the downtime of switching the paper feed tray by the paper end during printing is reduced.

JP 2008-156053 A

  By the way, as a judgment method for judging a paper feed tray that cannot feed paper such as a paper end paper feed tray, when the paper feed from the paper feed tray fails a plurality of times, the paper feed There is a method for determining that a tray cannot feed paper. If this determination method is employed in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide a remaining amount detection sensor for each paper feed tray, and thus manufacturing costs can be reduced.

  However, when this determination method is employed in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when there is a paper feed tray whose paper remaining amount is a paper end, a plurality of paper feed attempts are performed on the paper feed tray. Until this is done, no paper is fed from any of the paper feed trays. As a result, since it takes a long time until the next image formation is started, there arises a problem that the waiting time of the user becomes long.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can determine a tray that cannot carry a sheet and that can reduce the waiting time of a user.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit that records an image on a sheet, a plurality of trays that respectively support the same type of sheet, and a sheet that is supported by the plurality of trays. A conveyance unit that selectively conveys the recording unit, a control unit that controls the recording unit and the conveyance unit, and a storage unit, and the control unit supplies one of the plurality of trays. Selection process for selecting as a source tray, trial process for controlling the transport unit to try to transport a sheet from the feed source tray selected by the selection process to the recording unit, and the trial process A success / failure determination process for determining whether or not the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit is successful, and the recording unit from the feeding source tray in the success / failure determination process. The sheet is transported to If it is determined that the feeding source tray is assigned, the feeding source tray is assigned as the first tray, and if it is determined in the success / failure determination process that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed, In the first storage process in which a feeding source tray is allocated as a second tray and allocation information related to this allocation is associated with each of the plurality of trays and stored in the storage unit, and in the success / failure determination process, the feeding source tray A second storage process for storing in the storage unit the number of failures determined to have failed to convey the sheet from the storage unit to the recording unit for each of the plurality of trays; and the failure stored in the storage unit An abnormality determination process for determining the tray that has reached the specified number of times of 2 or more as an abnormal tray can be executed. In the selection process, among the plurality of trays, the abnormality determination process can be performed. A tray other than the tray determined to be the abnormal tray by processing is selected as a selection target tray, and any of the selection target trays is set as the next feeding source tray so that the feeding source tray is switched every time the trial process is executed. When it is determined that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed in the success / failure determination process, the storage unit stores the selection target tray. One of the trays assigned as the first tray based on the assignment information is selected as the next feeding source tray.

  According to the above configuration, when the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit fails, the tray in which the sheet has been successfully conveyed in the previous trial process is selected as the next feeding source tray. . For this reason, there is a high possibility that the sheet is conveyed to the recording unit during the next trial process, and as a result, the waiting time of the user can be reduced. In addition, since a tray in which sheet conveyance has failed in the previous trial process can be selected as a feeding source tray, it is possible to reliably determine an abnormal tray in which sheet conveyance cannot be performed.

  In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when the control unit determines in the selection process that the sheet has been successfully transported from the feeding source tray to the recording unit in the success / failure determination process, the selection is performed. Of the target trays, one of the trays assigned as the second tray based on the assignment information stored in the storage unit may be selected as the next feeding source tray. According to this configuration, when the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit is successful, the tray in which the sheet conveyance has failed in the previous trial process is selected as the next feeding source tray. An abnormal tray can be found early.

  In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when the control unit determines in the selection process that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed in the success / failure determination process, the storage unit After sequentially selecting all the trays assigned as the first tray based on the assignment information stored in the section as the feeding source tray, the second tray of the selection target trays based on the assignment information Any one of the trays assigned as may be selected as the next feeding source tray. According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the rate at which the tray in which the sheet is successfully transported in the previous trial process is selected as the next feeding source tray, and thus it is possible to further reduce the waiting time of the user. .

  In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the control unit sequentially selects one of the selection target trays according to a selection order that repeats a tray order defined for each of the plurality of trays in the selection process. The allocation information that is selected as the feeding source tray and that is stored in the storage unit when it is determined in the success / failure determination process that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed. The tray assigned next as the first tray in the selection order may be selected as the next feeding source tray. According to this configuration, the number of sheets conveyed from the respective trays assigned as the first tray to the recording unit can be equalized.

  The image recording apparatus of the present invention further includes a housing that detachably accommodates the plurality of trays, and a detection unit that can detect attachment / detachment of each of the plurality of trays with respect to the housing. The unit stores the case stored in the storage unit when the detection unit detects attachment / detachment of any of the trays in which the number of failures stored in the storage unit is greater than zero. It may be possible to further execute an initialization process for initializing the number of failures associated with a tray in which attachment / detachment to / from the tray is detected to zero. When the tray is attached to or detached from the casing, the sheet may be replenished to the tray that has been attached or detached. Therefore, if it is detected that a tray with a number of failures greater than zero is attached to or detached from the housing, the failure number associated with the tray is initialized to zero, so that the abnormal tray can be accurately determined. Can be done.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus that can determine a tray that cannot carry a sheet and that can reduce the waiting time of a user.

1 is a schematic side view showing a mechanical configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows the electrical structure of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a figure which shows the electrical structure of the extension paper-feed unit shown in FIG. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the selection order, (c), (d) is a figure explaining the reference example of the selection order of a source tray, (e) is a figure in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the selection order of the feeding source tray which concerns, (f) is a figure explaining a tray information table. It is a figure explaining the selection order of the feed source tray which concerns on this embodiment. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the selection order of the source tray which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of an inkjet printer. It is a figure explaining the selection order of the feed source tray which concerns on a modification. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the inkjet printer which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an image recording apparatus is applied to an ink jet printer and will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet printer 100 (hereinafter, printer 100) includes an apparatus main body 101 that records an image on paper P (an example of a sheet), and three extensions that are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 101. A paper feed unit 80. These additional paper feed units 80 are connected in three stages in series along the vertical direction at the lower part of the apparatus main body 101, and are configured to be able to feed paper P to the apparatus main body 101.

  The apparatus main body 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus main body 101 has a rectangular parallelepiped casing 101a. A paper discharge tray 4 is provided on the top of the casing 101a. A main body control unit 150 that controls each unit of the apparatus main body 101, a recording mechanism 2, a transport mechanism 40, a paper sensor 7, and a main body paper feed tray 10 are disposed in the internal space of the housing 101a. In the internal space of the housing 101a, a transport path for transporting the paper P from the main body paper feed tray 10 toward the paper discharge tray 4 is formed. The direction from the main body paper feed tray 10 to the paper discharge tray 4 in the transport path is referred to as the transport direction of the paper P.

  A paper feed connector 105 is provided on the bottom plate of the housing 101a. By connecting a second sheet feeding connector 87 (described later) of the additional sheet feeding unit 80 to the sheet feeding connector 105, a main body control unit 150 and a sheet feeding control unit 170 (described later) of the additional sheet feeding unit 80. ) Can communicate with each other. Further, a sheet feeding port 106 through which the sheet P fed from the additional sheet feeding unit 80 passes is formed on the bottom plate of the housing 101a.

  Moreover, the touch panel 3 (refer FIG. 2A) is provided in the housing | casing 101a. The touch panel 3 allows various operation inputs by the user. Furthermore, the touch panel 3 can display various setting screens, operation states, and the like to the user.

  The recording mechanism 2 is a mechanism for recording an image on a sheet P conveyed along a conveyance path, and includes an inkjet head 1 (hereinafter, head 1), a head holder 5, and a platen 6. The head 1 is a line head having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the main scanning direction (described later). The lower surface of the head 1 is a discharge surface, and a plurality of discharge ports for discharging black ink are opened. The platen 6 is a flat plate member and is disposed at a position facing the ejection surface of the head 1. The head 1 is fixedly supported on the housing 101 a via the head holder 5. That is, the printer 100 is a line-type ink jet printer that records an image with the head 1 fixed. The head holder 5 holds the head 1 so that a predetermined gap suitable for recording is formed between the head 1 and the platen 6.

  The apparatus main body 101 is detachably provided with an ink cartridge (not shown) that stores black ink supplied to the head 1. This ink cartridge is connected to the head 1 via a tube (not shown) and supplies ink to the head 1.

  The main body feed tray 10 is detachably accommodated in a tray accommodation chamber 101b formed in the housing 101a. The main body feed tray 10 includes a tray main body 10a that can be supported in a state where a plurality of sheets P are stacked, and a guide 13a that defines a part of a conveyance path through which the sheet P supplied from the additional sheet feeding unit 80 is conveyed. Is included. The guide 13 a extends in the vertical direction so that the paper P supplied from the additional paper supply unit 80 via the paper supply port 106 is conveyed toward the recording mechanism 2. An attachment / detachment sensor 8 for detecting attachment / detachment of the main body paper feed tray 10 to / from the housing 101a is disposed in the vicinity of the tray housing chamber 101b of the housing 101a.

  The transport mechanism 40 includes two guide portions 9 a and 9 b that guide the paper P and the paper feed roller 12. The paper feed roller 12 is driven by a paper feed motor HE (see FIG. 2A) under the control of the main body control unit 150, thereby feeding the uppermost paper P in the main body paper feed tray 10.

  The two guide portions 9a and 9b are arranged with the recording mechanism 2 interposed therebetween in the transport direction. The guide portion 9a on the upstream side in the transport direction includes two guides 13b and 13c that define a transport path, and two nip roller pairs 14 and 15 that transport the paper P along the transport path. The guide 13 b constitutes a conveyance path extending in the vertical direction between the nip roller pair 14 and the guide 13 a and a conveyance path between the nip roller pair 14 and the paper feed roller 12. The guide 13c extends from the nip roller pair 14 to the nip roller pair 15 in the vicinity of the head 1, and constitutes a conveyance path between them.

  A sheet sensor 7 is disposed upstream of the nip roller pair 15 in the transport direction. The sheet sensor 7 is a detection sensor for detecting whether or not the sheet P is present at the detection position with a predetermined position upstream of the nip roller pair 15 on the transport path in the transport direction as a detection position. In the present embodiment, the paper sensor 7 is used to determine the ink discharge start time from the head 1. Specifically, the main body control unit 150 determines the distance between the detection position and the head 1 (specifically, the discharge port that is most upstream in the transport direction) from the time when the leading edge of the paper P is transported to the detection position. The time when the time obtained by dividing by the transport speed has elapsed is determined as the ink discharge start time.

  The guide portion 9b on the downstream side in the transport direction includes two guides 19a and 19b that define the transport path, and three nip roller pairs 16 to 18 that transport the paper P along the transport path. The guide 19a extends from the nip roller pair 16 to the nip roller pair 17, and constitutes a conveyance path between them. The guide 19b extends from the nip roller pair 17 to the nip roller pair 18, and constitutes a conveyance path between them.

  The nip roller pairs 14 to 18 of the guide portions 9a and 9b are rotationally driven by the transport motor HM (see FIG. 2A) under the control of the main body control section 150, and transport the paper P along the transport path.

  In the above configuration, the paper P from the main body paper feed tray 10 and the paper P from the additional paper feed unit 80 are guided by the guides 13b and 13c by the nip roller pairs 14 and 15 under the control of the main body control unit 150. It is nipped and conveyed in a facing area facing the ejection surface of the head 1. When the paper P passes directly under the head 1, black ink is ejected from the ejection port of the head 1 toward the surface of the paper P under the control of the main body control unit 150 to record an image. The paper P on which the image is recorded is nipped and conveyed by the nip roller pairs 16 to 18 while being guided by the guides 19a and 19b, and is discharged from the opening formed in the upper portion of the housing 101a to the paper discharge tray 4. The sub-scanning direction in the figure is a direction parallel and horizontal to the transport direction in which the paper P is transported by the nip roller pairs 15 and 16, and the main scanning direction is parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. Direction.

  Next, the extension sheet feeding unit 80 will be described. Since the three additional paper feed units 80 in the present embodiment have the same configuration, only one additional paper feed unit 80 will be described.

  The extension paper feeding unit 80 has a housing 81 as shown in FIG. In the housing 81, a paper feed tray 82, a guide unit 84, a paper feed control unit 170, and the like are arranged. The paper feed controller 170 controls the operation of the additional paper feed unit 80 based on a command from the main body controller 150. The paper feed tray 82 is detachably accommodated in a tray accommodation chamber 81 c formed in the housing 81. The paper feed tray 82 can be supported in a state where a plurality of papers P are stacked. In this embodiment, the paper feed trays 82 of the three additional paper feed units 80 and the main body paper feed tray 10 of the apparatus main body 101 have a common sheet P (the same size and the same type of paper P). ) Is stored. An attachment / detachment sensor 85 that detects attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 82 to / from the housing 81 is disposed in the vicinity of the tray housing chamber 81 c of the housing 81.

  A first paper feed connector 86 is provided on the bottom plate of the housing 81. The first paper feed connector 86 is disposed at a position that coincides with the paper feed connector 105 of the apparatus main body 101 in the horizontal direction. A second paper feed connector 87 is provided on the top plate of the housing 81. The second paper feed connector 87 is disposed at a position that coincides with the first paper feed connector 86 in the horizontal direction. The second paper feed connector 87 can be connected to both the paper feed connector 105 and the first paper feed connector 86 of another extension paper feed unit 80.

  Formed on the top plate of the housing 81 is a paper discharge port 81a through which the paper P fed to the apparatus main body 101 or the additional paper supply unit 80 positioned above passes. Formed on the bottom plate of the housing 81 is a paper feed port 81b through which the paper P fed from the additional paper feed unit 80 positioned below passes.

  The guide portion 84 includes two guides 88 a and 88 b, a paper feed roller 83, and a nip roller pair 89. The paper feed roller 83 is driven by a paper feed motor OE (see FIG. 2B) under the control of the paper feed control unit 170 to send out the uppermost paper P in the paper feed tray 82. The nip roller pair 89 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 81a. The nip roller pair 89 is rotationally driven by a transport motor OM (see FIG. 2B) under the control of the paper feed controller 170, and nips and transports the paper P toward the paper discharge port 81a. The guide 88a extends from the paper feed port 81b to the nip roller pair 89 and constitutes a transport path between them. The guide 88b extends from the paper feed tray 82 to an intermediate portion of the guide 88a, and constitutes a conveyance path between them. In the above configuration, the sheet P from the sheet feeding tray 82 and the sheet P from the additional sheet feeding unit 80 positioned below are fed to the apparatus main body 101 or above by the nip roller pair 89 under the control of the sheet feeding control unit 170. It is nipped and conveyed toward the additional sheet feeding unit 80 located.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the apparatus main body 101 will be described. The main body control unit 150 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, as shown in FIG. Further, the main body control unit 150 is electrically connected to the head 1, the touch panel 3, the transport motor HM, the paper feed motor HE, the paper sensor 7, the attachment / detachment sensor 8, and the communication I / F 35.

  The communication I / F 35 is connected to the paper feed connector 105. The main body control unit 150 is configured to perform data communication with the paper feed control unit 170 of each additional paper feed unit 80 connected to the apparatus main body 101 via the communication I / F 35. .

  The ROM 32 stores various programs 32a for controlling the apparatus main body 101, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The RAM 33 stores a print job 33a and a tray information table 33b. The print job 33a includes a print command, image data relating to an image recorded (printed) on one or more sheets P, and the like. The tray information table 33b will be described later.

  The CPU 31 controls each component of the apparatus main body 101 while storing the processing result in the RAM 33 according to the program 32a read from the ROM 32 and signals sent from various sensors. For example, when the CPU 31 receives a print job 33a from an external device such as a PC, the CPU 31 executes the print job 33a. When executing the print job 33a, the CPU 31 executes a conveyance process and a head control process. In the transport process, the CPU 31 directly controls the transport motor HM and the paper feed motor HE, and indirectly controls the transport motor OM and the paper feed motor OE via the paper feed controller 170 of each additional paper feed unit 80. As a result, the paper P supported by the main body paper feed tray 10 and the three paper feed trays 82 is selectively conveyed to the recording mechanism 2. In the head control process, the CPU 31 causes the ink to be ejected to the paper P transported to the opposite area facing the head 1 by the transport process based on the image data included in the print job 33a stored in the RAM 33. In addition, the ejection control of the head 1 is performed.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the additional paper feeding unit 80 will be described. The paper feed controller 170 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43, as shown in FIG. The paper feed control unit 170 is electrically connected to the transport motor OM, the paper feed motor OE, the communication I / F 45, and the attachment / detachment sensor 85.

  The communication I / F 45 is connected to the first paper feed connector 86 and the second paper feed connector 87. The paper feed control unit 170 is configured to perform data communication with the main body control unit 150 of the apparatus main body 101 via the communication I / F 45. Note that the sheet feed control unit 170 of the second and subsequent expansion sheet feeding units 80 is connected via the communication I / F 45 of the expansion sheet feeding unit 80 installed between the expansion sheet feeding unit 80 and the apparatus main body 101. Thus, data communication is performed with the main body control unit 150 of the apparatus main body 101.

  The ROM 42 stores various programs 42 a for controlling the additional paper feeding unit 80. The RAM 43 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The CPU 41 controls each component of the additional sheet feeding unit 80 while storing the processing result in the RAM 43 according to the program 42 a read from the ROM 42.

  Next, the conveyance process performed by CPU31 is demonstrated. In this embodiment, the printer 100 includes a total of four trays, that is, the main body paper feed tray 10 of the apparatus main body 101 and the three paper feed trays 82 provided in each of the three additional paper feed units 80, and each of the four trays. Contains a common sheet P. The CPU 31 selects any one of the four trays as a feeding source tray that transports (feeds) the paper P to the recording mechanism 2. The CPU 31 directly controls the transport motor HM and the paper feed motor HE, and indirectly controls the transport motor OM and the paper feed motor OE via the paper feed controller 170 of each additional paper feed unit 80. Then, the paper P is conveyed from the tray selected as the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the main body paper supply tray 10 is “tray T1”, the paper supply tray 82 of the first-stage additional paper supply unit 80 disposed at the uppermost position is “tray T2”, and the second-stage additional paper supply. The sheet feeding tray 82 of the unit 80 is also referred to as “tray T3”, and the sheet feeding tray 82 of the third-stage additional sheet feeding unit 80 arranged at the lowermost position is also referred to as “tray T4”.

  By the way, if the selection of the feeding source tray for transporting the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 is biased, there will be a difference in the service life of the components related to the transport from each tray to the recording mechanism 2. For example, when the tray T1 of the apparatus main body 101 is used as a feeding source tray and conveyance from the tray T1 to the recording mechanism 2 is performed intensively, the life of the paper feed motor HE and the paper feed roller 12 of the apparatus main body 101 is reduced. The life of the paper feed motor OE and the paper feed roller 83 of each additional paper feed unit 80 becomes shorter and needs to be replaced sooner.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the CPU 31 puts one sheet of paper P in the recording mechanism 2 in accordance with the selection order that repeats the tray order defined for each of the four trays T1 to T4. Each time the sheet is conveyed, the feeding source tray is switched. As a result, the number of sheets P transported from the respective trays T1 to T4 to the recording mechanism 2 becomes substantially equal, thereby reducing the occurrence of bias in the lifetime of the components related to transport from each tray to the recording mechanism 2. be able to. In this embodiment, the tray order is defined as the first tray T1, the second tray T2, the third tray T3, and the fourth tray T4 in the order of the shortest transport path from each tray to the recording mechanism 2. Has been.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 31 controls the transport motors HM and OM and the paper feed motors HE and OE, and tries the transport from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 two or more times. If it is determined that the conveyance has failed in all of the trials, it is determined that the feeding source tray is an abnormal tray that is unable to convey the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 due to out of paper or the like. To do. As a reason why it is not determined whether or not the feeding source tray is an abnormal tray by only one trial, the paper P is stored in the feeding source tray by only one trial. This is because there is a possibility that the paper P cannot be conveyed to the recording mechanism 2 due to a pick mistake of the paper P by the paper feed rollers 12 and 83. In the present embodiment, the CPU 31 determines that the feeding source tray is an abnormal tray when three attempts to carry from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 have failed. The tray determined as an abnormal tray in this way is excluded from the selection target trays that can be the selection target of the feeding source tray. For example, when the tray T3 is determined to be an abnormal tray, as shown in FIG. 3B, the tray T3 is excluded from the selection target tray, and the trays T1, T2, and T4 are selected as the selection target trays. The feeding source tray is selected in order.

  Further, the determination of whether or not the conveyance of the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 has been successful is performed based on the detection result of the paper sensor 7 disposed in the vicinity of the head 1. That is, the CPU 31 determines that the transport to the recording mechanism 2 has been successful when the paper sensor 7 detects the presence of the paper P after a predetermined time has elapsed after the transport from the feed source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has started. On the other hand, if the paper sensor 7 does not detect the presence of the paper P after a lapse of a predetermined time after the transport from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is started, the transport to the recording mechanism 2 is performed. Judge that it failed. The predetermined time here is a time obtained by dividing the transport distance between the feed source tray and the detection position of the paper sensor 7 by the transport speed of the paper P. As described above, based on the detection result of the paper sensor 7 also used for determining the ink discharge start time, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the conveyance of the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 has been successful, and the feeding source tray. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the tray is an abnormal tray, it is not necessary to provide a separate detection mechanism for making these determinations. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the printer 100 can be reduced.

  However, for example, when the paper has run out in the tray T2, as shown in FIG. 3C, the paper P is transported from the tray T2 to the recording mechanism 2 until three consecutive attempts are made. In the case where the transport of the paper P from another tray to the recording mechanism 2 is not attempted, the paper P is not transported to the recording mechanism 2 for a long time. In particular, when the sheet P is stored only in the tray T4, the sheet P is not conveyed to the recording mechanism 2 unless the conveyance of the sheet P to the recording mechanism 2 is tried three times for each of the trays T1 to T3. . That is, since the paper P is transported to the recording mechanism 2 for the first time in the 10th trial, the waiting time of the user is increased.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3D, every time the transport of the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is attempted, regardless of the success or failure of the transport of the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 at the time of the trial. A mode in which the feeding source tray is switched in accordance with the selection order is also conceivable. In the case of this aspect, since the feeding source tray is switched every time the conveyance of the paper P is attempted, the waiting time of the user is reduced compared to the case of the above aspect in which the conveyance of the paper P is continuously attempted to the same tray. Can be reduced. However, even in the case of this method, as shown in FIG. 3D, when there are a plurality of out-of-paper trays and these trays are arranged in the selected order, the paper P Will not be transported for a long time, so the user's waiting time is still long. For example, even when the print job 33a is a job for recording an image on two sheets of paper P, it is necessary to make four attempts to transport the sheet P to the recording mechanism 2, which increases the waiting time of the user.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to solve these problems, when the CPU 31 determines that the conveyance of the sheet P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed, as shown in FIG. One of the trays in which the conveyance of the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 was successful last time is selected as the next feeding source tray. This increases the possibility that the paper P will be transported to the recording mechanism 2 during the next transport attempt, thereby reducing the waiting time of the user. For example, when the print job 33a is a job for recording an image on two sheets of paper P, the trial of transporting the sheet P to the recording mechanism 2 can be done three times, so the waiting time of the user is shortened. Hereinafter, a method for selecting a feeding source tray will be described in detail.

  The selection of the feeding source tray is executed according to the tray information table 33 b stored in the RAM 33. As shown in FIG. 3F, the tray information table 33b is a table in which allocation information, the number of failures, and selection target information are registered corresponding to each of the trays T1 to T4. The allocation information registered in the tray information table 33b is information indicating whether or not the conveyance of the paper P from the tray to the recording mechanism 2 was successful when each tray was previously selected as the feeding source tray. is there. Each time the CPU 31 tries to transport the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the transport is successful. When the CPU 31 determines that the conveyance of the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is successful, the CPU 31 assigns the feeding source tray as the first tray, and when it determines that the conveyance has failed. The feeding source tray is allocated as the second tray, and the allocation information related to the allocation is registered in the tray information table 33b. Note that, at the initial stage such as when the power is turned on, the first tray is assigned to each of the trays T1 to T4.

  The number of failures registered in the tray information table 33b is the number of times that the CPU 31 determines that the conveyance of the paper P from the corresponding tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed. The selection target information registered in the tray information table 33b is information indicating whether the corresponding tray is a selection target tray that can be selected as a feeding source tray or an abnormal tray that is not selected as a feeding source tray.

  The CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b and selects one of the trays registered as the selection target tray among the trays T1 to T4 as the feeding source tray. When the CPU 31 determines that the conveyance of the sheet P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed, the CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b and is assigned as the first tray in the selection order next. Select the tray as the next source tray. When the CPU 31 determines that the conveyance of the sheet P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed, the CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b and supplies all of the trays assigned as the first tray. After sequentially selecting as the source tray, one of the trays that are the selection target tray and assigned as the second tray is selected as the next source tray.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the trays T1, T3, and T4 are assigned as the first tray, the CPU 31 fails to convey the paper P on the tray T2 to the recording mechanism 2 (second time). When the determination is made, the tray T3 is selected as the next feeding source tray, and thereafter, the tray T4 and the tray T1 are selected as the feeding source tray. In this way, after all the trays assigned as the first tray are sequentially selected as the feeding source trays, the trays that are assigned as the second trays and are the selection target trays with the number of failures less than 3 times. T2 is selected as the next feeding source tray.

  In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of trays assigned as the second tray among the selection target trays that can be selected as the feeding source tray. Then, the tray assigned as the second tray is selected as the next feeding source tray. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, after the tray T3 and the tray T1 are selected in this order as the feeding source tray, the tray T2 assigned as the second tray in the selection order is set as the feeding source tray. select. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the trays T1 and T3 are assigned as the first tray and the trays T2 and T4 are assigned as the second tray, the tray T1 and the tray T3 are fed in this order. After selecting the original tray, the tray T4 assigned as the second tray in the selection order is selected as the feeding source tray.

  As a modification, among the trays assigned as the second tray, the tray with the highest number of failures registered in the tray information table 33b may be selected as the next feeding source tray. In this case, it is possible to determine at an early stage whether or not a certain tray assigned as the second tray is an abnormal tray. As another modification, a tray with the smallest number of failures registered in the tray information table 33b may be selected as the next feeding source tray among the trays assigned as the second tray. In this case, the tray with a smaller number of failures is more likely to succeed in transporting the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 at the next transport attempt, and thus the waiting time of the user may be reduced.

  Further, when the trays T1 to T4 are attached / detached to / from the casings 81 and 101a, the paper P may be replenished to the attached / detached trays. Abnormality may have been resolved. Therefore, the CPU 31 determines that one of the trays whose failure count registered in the tray information table 33b is greater than zero has been attached to or detached from the casings 81 and 101a based on the detection signals from the attachment / detachment sensors 8 and 85. If this happens, the number of failures associated with the tray determined to have been attached / detached is initialized to zero. In the tray information table 33b, when the tray determined to be attached / detached is registered as an abnormal tray, the registered content is changed to the selection target tray. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the tray that has been determined as the abnormal tray can also be selected as the feeding source tray. In the present embodiment, the CPU 31 provisionally assigns the tray detected to be attached / detached as the first tray, and registers (updates) the assignment information in the tray information table 33b. As a modification, there is a possibility that the paper P is not replenished with respect to the tray that has been detected as being attached / detached, and the conveyance abnormality may not be resolved. It may be configured to temporarily allocate as two trays and register the allocation information in the tray information table 33b.

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 is the tray information in which either the first tray or the second tray is already allocated to each of the trays T1 to T4, and the allocation information is stored in the RAM 33. This is a state registered in the table 33b. Further, for each of the trays T <b> 1 to T <b> 4, the number of times of failure of transporting the paper P to the recording mechanism 2 and the selection target information are also registered in the tray information table 33 b.

  First, when the CPU 31 receives a print job 33a from an external device, the CPU 31 stores the print job 33a in the RAM 33 (step S1: hereinafter referred to simply as S1. The same applies to other steps). Thereafter, based on the detection signals from the attachment / detachment sensors 8 and 85 and the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33, the CPU 31 determines which of the trays with the number of failures greater than zero has been detected since the previous print job execution. It is determined whether or not it has been attached to or detached from the casings 81 and 101a (S2). If it is determined that any of the trays with the number of failures greater than zero has been attached / detached to / from the casings 81 and 101a (S2: YES), the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33 indicates that the tray has been attached / detached. The number of failures associated with the determined tray is initialized to zero (S3: initialization process). At this time, if the tray that is determined to be attached or detached is registered as an abnormal tray in the tray information table 33b, the CPU 31 changes the registration content to the selection target tray. Further, the CPU 31 provisionally assigns the tray determined to be attached / detached as the first tray, and registers the assignment information in the tray information table 33b. When the process of S3 is completed, the process proceeds to S6.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that none of the trays with the number of failures greater than zero is attached to or detached from the casings 81 and 101a (S2: NO), the CPU 31 stores the tray information table stored in the RAM 33. Referring to 33b, it is determined whether or not there is a selection target tray that is a tray having a failure count of less than 3 (S4). If it is determined that there is no selection target tray and all trays are abnormal trays (S4: NO), a feed error screen that prompts the user to replenish paper P in each of the trays T1 to T4 is displayed on the touch panel. 3 is displayed (S5), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a selection target tray (S4: YES), the process proceeds to S6.

  In the process of S6, the CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33, and selects the tray with the earliest selection order from among the trays assigned as the first tray (selected). processing). Then, the CPU 31 controls the transport motors HM and OM and the paper feed motors HE and OE, and tries to transport the paper P from the selected feed source tray to the recording mechanism 2 (S7: trial process). Next, based on the detection signal from the paper sensor 7, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the conveyance of the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is successful (S8: success / failure determination process). When it is determined that the conveyance has failed (S8: NO), the CPU 31 allocates the feeding source tray as the second tray, and registers the allocation information related to the allocation in the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33. (S9: First storage process), the process proceeds to S22.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the conveyance is successful (S8: YES), the CPU 31 allocates the feeding source tray as the first tray (S10). At this time, since the allocation information assigned as the first tray is already registered in the tray information table 33b, the CPU 31 does not update the tray information table 33b. Next, the CPU 31 causes ink to be ejected to a sheet of paper P that has been transported to the facing area facing the head 1 based on the image data included in the print job 33 a stored in the RAM 33. The head 1 is controlled (S11). As a result, an image is recorded on the paper P.

  Thereafter, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the print job 33a stored in the RAM 33 has been completed (whether all the images related to the image data included in the print job 33a have been recorded on the paper P) (S12). . If it is determined that the print job 33a has been completed (S12: YES), this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print job 33a has not been completed (S12: NO), the CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33 and refers to all the trays assigned as the first tray. It is determined whether or not the tray is selected as a feeding source tray (S13). That is, after determining that the conveyance from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed, it is determined whether the selection of the tray assigned as the first tray as the feeding source tray has been completed. If it is determined that one of the trays assigned as the first tray is not selected as the feeding source tray (S13: NO), it is assigned next as the first tray in the selection order. The tray is selected as a feeding source tray (S14), and the process returns to S7.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that all the trays assigned as the first tray have been selected as the feeding source tray (S13: YES), the CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a tray assigned as the second tray among the selection target trays (S15). If it is determined that there is no tray assigned as the second tray among the selection target trays (S15: NO), the tray assigned as the first tray should be selected as the next feeding source tray. The process proceeds to S14.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a tray assigned as the second tray (S15: YES), the CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b and selects the next tray in the selection order from among the trays to be selected. The tray assigned as the two trays is selected as the feed source tray (S16), and the transport motors HM, OM and the paper feed motors HE, OE are controlled to transfer the selected feed source tray to the recording mechanism 2. An attempt is made to convey the sheet of paper P (S17: trial process). Next, based on the detection signal from the paper sensor 7, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the conveyance of the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is successful (S18: success / failure determination process). When it is determined that the transport has been successful (S18: YES), the feeding source tray is allocated as the first tray, the allocation information is registered in the tray information table 33b (S19), and the tray information table 33b Then, the number of failures associated with the feeding source tray is initialized to zero (S20). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S11 in order to record an image on one sheet of paper P that has been conveyed to the facing area facing the head 1.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S18 that the conveyance has failed (S18: NO), the CPU 31 allocates the feeding source tray as the second tray (S21). At this time, since the allocation information assigned as the second tray is already registered in the tray information table 33b, the tray information table 33b is not updated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S22.

  In the process of S22, the CPU 31 adds 1 to the number of failures associated with the feeding source tray in the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33 (second recording process). Thereafter, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the number of failures associated with the feeding source tray is 3 in the tray information table 33b (S23). If it is determined that the number of failures is less than 3 (S23: NO), the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of failures is 3 (S23: YES), the CPU 31 determines that the feeding source tray is an abnormal tray and selects the feeding source tray in the tray information table 33b. The registered content is changed from the tray to the abnormal tray (S24: abnormality determination process). Thereafter, the CPU 31 refers to the tray information table 33b stored in the RAM 33, and determines whether or not a selection target tray exists in the trays T1 to T4 (S25). If it is determined that there is a selection target tray (S25: YES), the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no selection target tray (S25: NO), each tray T1 to T1 is displayed to the user. The process proceeds to S5 so as to display on the touch panel 3 a feeding error screen that prompts replenishment of paper P to T4. The operation flow of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment has been described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the transport of the paper P from the feed source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed, the tray in which the transport of the paper P has been successful in the previous time is the next feed source tray. Selected as. For this reason, in the next conveyance trial, possibility that the paper P will be conveyed by the recording mechanism 2 becomes high, and as a result, a user's waiting time can be reduced. In addition, since the tray in which the conveyance of the paper P has failed during the previous conveyance attempt can be selected as the feeding source tray, the abnormal tray can be reliably determined.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the CPU 31 determines that the conveyance of the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed, the tray assigned as the first tray with reference to the tray information table 33b. Are sequentially selected as feeding source trays, and one of the trays assigned as the second tray among the selection target trays is selected as the next feeding source tray. Accordingly, since the ratio of selecting the tray that has successfully transported the paper P at the time of the previous transport attempt as the next feeding source tray can be increased, the waiting time of the user can be further reduced.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, one of the selection target trays is sequentially selected as a feeding source tray in accordance with a selection order for repeating the tray order defined for each of the trays T1 to T4. If it is determined that the conveyance of the sheet P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 has failed, the next tray assigned as the first tray in the selection order is determined based on the assignment information in the tray information table 33b. , Selected as the next feeding source tray. As a result, the number of sheets P conveyed from the respective trays assigned as the first tray to the recording mechanism 2 can be made equal.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when any tray whose failure count is greater than zero in the tray information table 33b is attached to or detached from the casings 81 and 101a, the failure count associated with the tray is zero. It is initialized to. As a result, it is possible to accurately determine the abnormal tray.

  Next, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the operation flow of the inkjet printer 100 according to the present modification is substantially the same as the operation flow described with reference to FIG. 6, and therefore only the differences will be described.

  In this modification, as shown in FIG. 7, when the CPU 31 determines that the conveyance of the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is successful, it is assigned as the second tray in the tray information table 33b. Select one of the trays as the next source tray. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when it is determined in S12 that the print job 33a stored in the RAM 33 is not completed (S12: NO), the CPU 31 stores the print job 33a in the RAM 33. With reference to the tray information table 33b, it is determined whether or not there is a tray assigned as the second tray among the trays to be selected (S30). If it is determined that there is no tray assigned as the second tray among the selection target trays (S30: NO), the tray assigned as the first tray should be selected as the next feeding source tray. The process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a tray assigned as the second tray (S30: YES), one of the trays assigned as the second tray should be selected as the next feeding source tray. The process proceeds to S16.

  As described above, in this modification, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when it is determined that the conveyance of the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is successful, the second tray among the selection target trays is selected. One of the assigned trays is selected as the next feeding source tray. As a result, compared to the above-described embodiment, the ratio of the tray assigned as the second tray being selected as the feeding source tray is increased, so that an abnormal tray can be found early.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as long as they are described in the claims. Therefore, the above-described embodiments may be combined or a part of the configuration may be changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 100 includes the four trays T1 to T4. However, the printer 100 is not particularly limited thereto, and may include a plurality of trays. In the above-described embodiment, the printer 100 includes the apparatus main body 101 and the three additional paper supply units 80 configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 101. You may comprise only the apparatus main body 101, without having. In this case, the apparatus main body 101 may be provided with a plurality of main body paper feed trays 10 so that the paper P can be selectively conveyed from the plurality of main body paper feed trays 10 to the recording mechanism 2. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transport path from each tray T1 to T4 to the recording mechanism 2 includes a common transport path for each tray, but does not include the common transport path, and each tray T1 to T1. A transport path may be formed individually from T4 toward the recording mechanism 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, whether or not the CPU 31 has successfully transported the paper P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is determined by a detection signal from the paper sensor 7 used to determine the ink discharge start time. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, based on a detection signal output from any of a plurality of paper sensors for detecting jamming (jamming) of the paper P, which are arranged at a predetermined distance along the conveyance path of the paper P, It may be determined whether or not the conveyance of the sheet P from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 is successful. The plurality of paper sensors for detecting the jam of the paper P are transport paths between the two paper sensors when the detection interval of the leading edge of the paper P by two adjacent paper sensors exceeds a predetermined time. This is a paper sensor used to detect that a jam has occurred.

  In the above-described embodiment, the feeding source tray is selected from the selection target trays according to the selection order. However, the feeding order tray may not be in accordance with the selection order, and may be transferred from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2. The feeding source tray is switched every time when the paper P is transported, and the CPU 31 determines that the transport of the paper P from the lay to the recording mechanism 2 has failed. It is sufficient that the tray assigned as the tray is selected as the next feeding source tray.

  In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the tray assigned to the second tray is the feeding source tray and the paper P is successfully transported from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2. In (S18: YES), in the tray information table 33b, the number of failures registered for the feeding source tray is initialized to zero (S20), but it is not initialized to zero. May be. In this case, for example, there may be a case where a tray in which the probability of successful transport from the feeding source tray to the recording mechanism 2 due to wear of the paper feeding rollers 12 and 83 is lowered can be found early.

  In the above-described embodiment, the main body control unit 150 or the sheet feeding control unit 170 may be configured by a single CPU, or a plurality of CPUs, a specific ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a CPU The main body control unit 150 or the paper feed control unit 170 may be configured by a combination of specific ASICs.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a line type ink jet printer but also to a serial type ink jet printer that records an image on the paper P by moving the head 1 with respect to the stationary paper P. In addition, the present invention can be applied to an image recording apparatus such as a laser printer or a thermal printer.

2 Recording mechanism (recording unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body feed tray 40 Conveyance mechanism 82 Paper feed tray 8,85 Attachment / detachment sensor 100 Inkjet printer (image recording device)
81, 101a Case 150 Main body control unit

Claims (5)

A recording unit for recording an image on a sheet;
A plurality of trays each supporting the same type of sheet;
A transport unit that selectively transports the sheets supported by the plurality of trays to the recording unit;
A control unit for controlling the recording unit and the transport unit;
A storage unit,
The controller is
A selection process for selecting one of the plurality of trays as a feeding source tray;
A trial process for controlling the transport unit to try transporting a sheet from the feeding source tray selected by the selection process to the recording unit;
Success / failure determination processing for determining whether or not the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit is successful each time the trial processing is executed;
When it is determined in the success / failure determination process that the sheet has been successfully transported from the supply source tray to the recording unit, the supply source tray is assigned as the first tray, and in the success / failure determination process, the supply source is assigned. When it is determined that the conveyance of the sheet from the tray to the recording unit has failed, the feeding source tray is allocated as the second tray, and the allocation information related to the allocation is associated with each of the plurality of trays. A first storage process stored in the storage unit;
A second storage process for storing in the storage unit the number of failures determined in the success / failure determination process that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed in association with each of the plurality of trays; ,
An abnormality determination process for determining the tray in which the number of failures stored in the storage unit is a specified number of times of 2 or more as an abnormal tray;
Is possible and
In the selection process,
Among the plurality of trays, a tray other than the tray determined to be the abnormal tray by the abnormality determination process is set as a selection target tray, and each of the selection target trays is switched so that the feeding source tray is switched every time the trial process is executed. Is selected as the next feeding source tray, and
When it is determined in the success / failure determination process that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed,
An image in which one of the trays assigned as the first tray based on the assignment information stored in the storage unit is selected as the next feeding source tray among the selection target trays. Recording device. The controller is
In the selection process,
When it is determined in the success / failure determination process that the sheet has been successfully transported from the feeding source tray to the recording unit,
The tray selected as the second tray based on the allocation information stored in the storage unit is selected as the next source tray from the selection target tray. Item 8. The image recording apparatus according to Item 1. The controller is
In the selection process,
When it is determined in the success / failure determination process that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed,
After sequentially selecting all trays assigned as the first tray based on the assignment information stored in the storage unit as the feeding source tray, the first of the trays to be selected based on the assignment information. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the trays assigned as two trays is selected as the next feeding source tray. The controller is
In the selection process,
According to the selection order of repeating the tray order defined for each of the plurality of trays, one of the selection target trays is sequentially selected as the feeding source tray,
When it is determined in the success / failure determination process that the conveyance of the sheet from the feeding source tray to the recording unit has failed,
The tray assigned next as the first tray in the selection order is selected as the next feeding source tray based on the assignment information stored in the storage unit. 4. The image recording apparatus according to any one of items 3. A housing that detachably accommodates the plurality of trays;
A detection unit capable of detecting attachment / detachment of each of the plurality of trays with respect to the housing;
The controller is
When the detection unit detects attachment / detachment of any of the trays whose failure count stored in the storage unit is greater than zero, the attachment / detachment to / from the storage unit stored in the storage unit is performed. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an initialization process that initializes the number of failures associated with the detected tray to zero.