JP6589488B2 - Printing apparatus and printing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing on a continuous paper that is being fed while intermittently feeding the continuous paper, and a control method for the printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, as this type of printing apparatus, a paper feed roller for feeding continuous paper (roll paper), a paper feed roller and a paper discharge roller, a print head disposed between the paper feed roller and the paper feed roller, A reciprocating mechanism (carriage, timing belt, and carriage motor) that reciprocates the print head in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction, a cutter disposed between the paper feed roller and the paper discharge roller, and these are controlled. A control unit is known (see Patent Document 1). In this printing apparatus, a print image is printed on continuous paper by executing printing (main scanning) performed by driving the print head and the reciprocating drive mechanism and paper feeding (sub-scanning) of continuous paper. Further, when executing a predetermined amount of paper feeding, the control unit determines whether or not the cutting position (virtual line) on the continuous paper reaches the cutter position, and the cutting position on the continuous paper is set to the cutter position. When it is determined that the paper reaches, the paper feed is stopped when the cutting position on the continuous paper reaches the cutter, and the cutter is driven. By such control, it is possible to perform cutting at a cutting position in continuous paper during printing, and it is possible to efficiently cut into continuous paper.

JP 2003-80777 A

By the way, in this type of printing apparatus, it is required to print continuous superimposed paper (for example, continuous copying paper) in which a plurality of continuous papers having a plurality of continuous pages are superimposed. There is a demand for a printing apparatus that prints continuous superimposed paper to automatically perform separation of superimposed continuous paper and separation of each page. That is, conventionally, the separation of the printed portion of the continuous superimposed paper and the separation of the page are performed by the user's hand, but there is a demand for automatically performing this on the printing apparatus side. Therefore, with respect to the conventional printing apparatus, a separation unit that separates a plurality of superimposed continuous sheets into a plurality of sets, and a first cutter that cuts the separated first set of continuous sheets at a boundary portion between pages. It is conceivable to add a second cutter that cuts the separated second set of continuous paper at the boundary between the pages.
However, when such a configuration is adopted, there has been a problem that the determination process at the time of paper feeding becomes complicated. That is, as described above, when executing a predetermined amount of paper feeding, it is necessary to determine whether or not the cutting position on the continuous paper reaches the position of the cutter. There are multiple locations, and there are also multiple cutters. In other words, since it is configured to cut a plurality of sets of separated continuous paper and to cut the boundary portion between each page, along with this, there are many combinations of cutting positions and cutters to be judged, As a result, there arises a problem that the determination process becomes complicated. If the determination process becomes complicated in this way, the processing load of the determination process increases, and the processing time of the determination process increases.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention simplifies determination processing for determining whether or not a boundary portion between pages has reached a cutting portion in a configuration in which cutting processing is performed on continuous superimposed paper in the course of printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a control method for the printing apparatus that can be used.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints continuous superimposed paper formed by superimposing a plurality of continuous sheets each having a plurality of continuous pages, and is continuously fed while continuously feeding the continuous superimposed paper. A feed printing unit that prints on paper, and a separation unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the paper feed direction of the printing position by the feed printing unit and separates a plurality of continuous sheets of continuous superimposed paper to be sent into a plurality of sets A first cutting unit that cuts the separated first set of continuous paper at a boundary portion of a plurality of pages, and a second cutting unit that cuts the separated second set of continuous paper at a boundary portion of the plurality of pages. And a control unit that controls the feed printing unit, the first cutting unit, and the second cutting unit, and the control unit reaches each cutting unit in each paper feed in intermittent feeding. The step of determining whether or not to For the combination of the boundary portion and the cutting portion determined to reach the cutting portion, the paper feeding is stopped when the boundary portion reaches the cutting portion, and the cutting step for driving the cutting portion is executed, and the determination step Then, based on the feed distance from the print position to the first cut portion, the feed distance from the print position to the second cut portion, and the paper length of the page, the combination of the boundary portion and the cut portion to be determined is determined. It is characterized by limiting.

  A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints continuous superimposed paper formed by superimposing a plurality of continuous sheets of a plurality of pages, and the continuous superimposed paper is sent while being intermittently fed. A feed printing unit that prints on continuous superimposed paper, and a plurality of continuous papers arranged on the downstream side of the paper feeding direction of the printing position by the feed printing unit are separated into a plurality of sets. A separation unit, a first cutting unit that cuts the separated first set of continuous paper at a boundary portion of a plurality of pages, and a separated second set of continuous paper at a boundary portion of the plurality of pages A determination step for determining whether each boundary portion reaches each cutting portion in each paper feed in intermittent feeding, and a result of the determination Boundary part determined to reach the cutting part A combination of the cutting unit and the cutting step of stopping the paper feeding and driving the cutting unit when the boundary part reaches the cutting unit. In the determination step, the first cutting unit is started from the printing position. The combination of the boundary portion and the cut portion to be determined is limited based on the feed distance to the print position, the feed distance from the printing position to the second cut portion, and the paper length of the page.

  According to these configurations, the determination in the determination process (determination step) is based on the feed distance from the printing position to the first cutting portion, the feed distance from the printing position to the second cutting portion, and the paper length of the page. Since it is the structure which limits an object, the determination object in a determination process can be decreased. Therefore, in the configuration in which the cutting process is performed on the continuous superimposed paper in the printing process, it is possible to simplify the determination process for determining whether the boundary portion between pages has reached the cutting portion. As a result, an increase in the processing load and processing time of the determination process can be suppressed.

  In this case, in addition to the feeding distance from the printing position to the first cutting portion, the feeding distance from the printing position to the second cutting portion, and the paper length of the page, the boundary between the currently printing page and the previous page Based on the positional relationship between the first boundary portion and the first cut portion, which is a portion, and the positional relationship between the second boundary portion and the first cut portion, which is the boundary portion immediately before the first boundary portion, It is preferable that the combination of the boundary portion and the cutting portion to be determined is limited.

  In this case, the second cutting unit is disposed at a position where the feeding distance from the printing position is farther than the first cutting unit, and in the determination step, the paper length of the page is from the printing position to the second cutting unit. If the first boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutting portion, only the combination of the first boundary portion and the second cutting portion is to be determined, and the first boundary portion Is not in a state exceeding the position of the first cutting portion, only the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutting portion is determined as a determination target, and the paper length of the page is from the printing position to the first cutting portion. When the first boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutting portion when the feeding distance is equal to or longer than the feeding distance from the printing position to the second cutting portion, the first boundary portion and the second cutting portion And the first boundary part is the first cutting part. When it is not in a state exceeding the position, only the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutting portion and the combination of the second boundary portion and the second cutting portion are set as determination targets, and the paper length of the page is determined by the print position. When the second boundary portion is in a state beyond the position of the first cutting portion, the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutting portion, and Only the combination of the two boundary portions and the second cutting portion is to be determined, and when the second boundary portion is not in a state beyond the position of the first cutting portion, the combination of the second boundary portion and the first cutting portion It is preferable to make only the determination target.

  According to these configurations, it is possible to reduce the number of determination targets in the determination process. Therefore, the determination process can be further simplified, and an increase in the processing load and processing time of the determination process can be further suppressed.

  In this case, the control unit further executes a post-printing cutting step for cutting each boundary portion related to the printed page after the printing is completed, and in the post-printing cutting step, the printing position is moved from the printing position to the first cutting unit. It is preferable to limit combinations of the boundary portion and the cutting portion to be cut based on the feeding distance, the feeding distance from the printing position to the second cutting portion, and the paper length of the page.

Depending on the feeding distance from the printing position to the first cutting portion, the feeding distance from the printing position to the second cutting portion, and the paper length of the page, which boundary portion is not cut at the end of printing changes. .
On the other hand, according to the above configuration, by limiting the cutting target (combination of the boundary portion to be cut and the cutting portion) based on these pieces of information, after printing is finished, the boundary portion is not cut. Only the cutting process can be performed. This makes it possible to efficiently perform a cutting process after printing (a cutting step after printing).

  On the other hand, the continuous superimposed paper is preferably continuous copying paper.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to separate the printed portion of the continuous copy paper and separate each page in the process of copying and printing the continuous copy paper.

It is the top view which showed the continuous copy paper used as printing object. It is the side view which showed the continuous copy paper used as printing object. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first half of a paper feeding operation. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second half of a paper feeding operation. It is the flowchart which showed the determination target setting process. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of each boundary part and each cutter in case a page length is larger than the distance between head 2nd cutters. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of each boundary part and each cutter in case a page length is more than the distance between head 1st cutters, and below the distance between 2nd cutters. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of each boundary part and each cutter in case a page length is smaller than the distance between head 1st cutters.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This printing apparatus prints continuous copying paper (continuous superimposed paper) in a serial printing format on continuous copying paper. Here, before describing the printing apparatus in detail, the continuous copy paper to be printed will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the continuous copying paper S is configured by superposing a plurality of continuous papers S1 in which a plurality of pages P are continuous in the paper length direction that is the paper feeding direction. In other words, the continuous copy paper S has a configuration in which a plurality of copy papers are continuous in the paper length direction. Therefore, the content printed on the page of the first continuous paper S1 on the front side is copied to the page P of the continuous paper S1 superimposed thereon. Further, each page P in the plurality of continuous sheets S1 has the same size. A perforation R for page division is formed at a boundary portion between the plurality of pages P. The paper length direction of the continuous paper S1 is the paper length direction of each page P, and the paper width direction of the continuous paper S1 is the paper width direction of each page P.

  Next, the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the printing apparatus 1 performs separation on the continuous copy paper S and separates the superimposed continuous paper S1 and separates each page P. Specifically, the printing apparatus 1 feeds the continuous copy paper S along the feed path C while printing on the fed continuous copy paper S, and a print position P1 by the feed print unit 11. Of the continuous copying paper S which is disposed downstream of the paper feeding direction and separates the plurality of continuous papers S1 into two sets, and one set of continuous paper S1 separated by the separation unit 12 The first cutter 13 (first cutting portion) for cutting the sheet, the second cutter 14 (second cutting portion) for cutting the other set of continuous paper S1 separated by the separation portion 12, and covering these, An apparatus cover 15 having a paper feed port 15a and two paper discharge ports 15b. That is, in the present embodiment, the feeding path C is divided into a main path C1 that is continuous with the paper feed port 15a, and a first branch path C2 and a second branch path C3 that are bifurcated from the main path C1 and that are continuous with the paper discharge ports 15b. Consists of. Although omitted in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a communication interface 16, a storage unit 17, and a control unit 18.

  The feed printing unit 11 is disposed on the printing unit 21 having the print head 31, the main path C1, the platen roller 22 facing the print head 31, and the branch paths C2 and C3. 22, a first paper discharge roller 23 and a second paper discharge roller 24 that feed the continuous copy paper S are provided. The feed printing unit 11 includes a rotation detection sensor 25 that detects the rotation amount of the platen roller 22 and a leading edge detection sensor 26 that detects the leading edge of the continuous copy paper S.

  The printing unit 21 includes a print head 31 that performs printing by an impact dot method, and a reciprocating mechanism 32 that reciprocates the print head 31 in a direction (paper width direction) orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. The printing unit 21 drives the print head 31 while moving the print head 31 forward or backward by the reciprocating mechanism 32 to perform a printing process (main scanning) associated with the forward or backward movement of the print head 31. . Thus, printing for the print width of the print head 31 is performed.

  The platen roller 22 functions as a platen facing the print head 31 and rotates in synchronization with the first paper discharge roller 23 and the second paper discharge roller 24 to feed the continuous copy paper S. That is, the platen roller 22 and the paper discharge rollers 23 and 24 feed the continuous copy paper S along the feed path C in the paper length direction.

  In this embodiment, the printing process (main scanning) associated with the forward or backward movement of the print head 31 and intermittent feeding (sub-scanning) of the continuous copy paper S by the platen roller 22 and the paper discharge rollers 23 and 24 are performed. ), Printing is performed on each page P of the continuous copy paper S. In other words, the present embodiment has a configuration in which printing is performed on the continuous copy paper S in the serial printing format.

  On the other hand, the separating unit 12 separates a plurality of superimposed continuous sheets S1 into two sets with respect to the continuous copy sheet S that is sent as the continuous copy sheet S is fed. Specifically, the separation unit 12 separates the continuous copy paper S into a first set made up of the first continuous paper S1 on the front side and a second set made up of the other continuous paper S1. To do. For example, only the customer copy sheet is separated from the large continuous copy sheet S. The first set of continuous paper S1 separated here is fed along the first branch path C2 by the first paper discharge roller 23, and the second set of continuous paper S1 is sent by the second paper discharge roller 24. It is sent along the second branch path C3. Since each of the paper discharge rollers 23 and 24 rotates synchronously with the platen roller 22, the paper feed of the continuous copy paper S on the main path C1 and the paper of each set of continuous paper S1 on the branch paths C2 and C3. Feeding is performed at the same speed and as one body.

  The first cutter 13 is disposed on the first branch path C <b> 2 and performs a cutting process on the first set of continuous paper S <b> 1 (first continuous paper S <b> 1 on the front side) separated by the separation unit 12. Specifically, the first cutter 13 cuts a boundary portion (perforation R) between a plurality of pages in the first set of continuous paper S1. Thus, each page P in the first set of continuous paper S1 is separated. The first cutter 13 includes, for example, a scissor cutter having a fixed blade and a movable blade, and a cutter motor that drives the cutter.

  The second cutter 14 is disposed on the second branch path C3 and performs a cutting process on the second set of continuous paper S1 (the first continuous paper S1 other than the first sheet on the front side) separated by the separation unit 12. . Specifically, the second cutter 14 cuts the boundary portions (perforations R) of the plurality of pages P in the second set of continuous paper S1. Thus, each page P in the second set of continuous paper S1 is separated. The second cutter 14 is disposed at a position where the feeding distance from the printing position P <b> 1 by the feeding printing unit 11 is farther than the first cutter 13. Similar to the first cutter 13, the second cutter 14 includes, for example, a scissor-type cutter having a fixed blade and a movable blade, and a cutter motor that drives the cutter.

  The communication interface 16 performs data communication with a host device (not shown). The communication interface 16 is mainly used to receive print data from the host device.

  The storage unit 17 is configured by a flash ROM or the like, and stores various data related to the control of the printing apparatus 1. Specifically, the storage unit 17 stores head first cutter distance information, head second cutter distance information, page length information, and top margin information. The head first cutter distance information is information on the feed distance from the printing position P1 to the position of the first cutter 13. The distance between the head and the second cutter is information on the feeding distance from the printing position P1 to the position of the second cutter 14. Further, the page length information is information on the paper length (size in the paper length direction) of the page P. Furthermore, the top margin information is information on the length of the margin (top margin) on the page P from the front end to the print start position. Hereinafter, the feeding distance from the printing position P1 to the position of the first cutter 13 is referred to as “head first cutter distance”, and the feeding distance from the printing position P1 to the position of the second cutter 14 is referred to as “head second distance”. This is referred to as “distance between cutters”. Further, the paper length of page P is referred to as “page length”, and the length of the margin from the front end to the print start position is referred to as “top margin length”. The page length and top margin length set in advance by the user are stored as page length information and top margin information.

  The control unit 18 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like, and performs overall control of the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 18 controls the feed printing unit 11, the first cutter 13, and the second cutter 14, and performs a printing operation based on the print data received by the communication interface 16.

  In the printing operation, the printing process (main scanning) associated with the forward or backward movement of the print head 31, the intermittent feeding (sub scanning) of the continuous copy paper S by the platen roller 22 and the paper discharge rollers 23, 24, Is executed to print each page of the continuous copy paper S. That is, the printing unit 21 performs the above-described printing process at each stop of intermittent feeding while intermittently feeding the continuous copy paper S by the platen roller 22 and the paper discharge rollers 23 and 24, thereby printing each page P. Execute.

  In this embodiment, in order to perform the cutting process on the continuous copy paper S in the course of the printing operation, the cutting process is executed at each intermittent paper feed (line feed and page feed). That is, in each paper feed, it is determined whether or not each boundary portion of the plurality of pages P reaches the position of each cutter 13 and 14 (determination step). As a result of the determination, the boundary portion reaches the cutters 13 and 14. Then, for the combination of the determined boundary portion and the cutters 13 and 14, the paper feed is stopped when the boundary portion reaches the cutters 13 and 14, and the cutters 13 and 14 are driven (cutting step). For example, if it is determined that the boundary portion between the currently printed page P and the previous page P (hereinafter referred to as the first boundary portion) reaches the first cutter 13, the first boundary portion Stops the paper feed when it reaches the first cutter 13 and drives the first cutter 13. In addition, for example, when it is determined that the boundary portion immediately before the first boundary portion (hereinafter referred to as the second boundary portion) reaches the second cutter 14, the second boundary portion is the second cutter 14. The paper feed is stopped when the position reaches, and the second cutter 14 is driven.

By the way, in the determination process (determination step), if it is determined whether all the boundary portions of the continuous copy paper S reach the cutters 13 and 14, the processing load and the processing time of the determination process increase. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the determination process, the combination of the boundary portion to be determined and the cutters 13 and 14 is limited based on various data.
Specifically, the distance between the head first cutter, the distance between the head second cutter and the page length, the positional relationship between the current position of the first boundary portion and the position of the first cutter 13, and the current second boundary Based on the positional relationship between the position of the part and the position of the first cutter 14, the combination of the boundary part to be determined and the cutter is limited.

Here, in order to explain the processing in each paper feeding at the time of intermittent feeding in more detail, the paper feeding operation at each paper feeding executed by the control unit 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. This paper feeding operation is an operation that is executed at the time of each paper feeding in the intermittent feeding of the printing operation, and is an operation that feeds the continuous copying paper S by the required feeding amount. In the paper feeding operation, the designated feeding amount M, the first feeding distance L1, the second feeding distance L2, the first cutting flag F1, the second cutting flag F2, and the cumulative feeding amount N are used as variables. Hereinafter, the requested feed amount is “A”, the head first cutter distance is “D1”, the head second cutter distance is “D2”, the page length is “D3”, and the current first boundary. Description will be made assuming that the position of the portion is “D4” and the current position of the second boundary portion is “D5”.
In the following paper feeding operation, the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3 are the head first cutter distance information and the head second cutter distance stored in the storage unit 17. Use information and page length information. The current position D4 of the first boundary part and the current position D5 of the second boundary part are obtained based on the leading edge detection sensor 26, the rotation detection sensor 25, and the page length D3, and the printing position P1. Assume that a position (that is, a feed distance from the printing position P1 to each position) is used with reference to 0 (zero).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the paper feed operation, first, the cumulative feed amount N is initialized to “0 (zero)”, and the designated feed amount M is set to the requested feed amount A (S1). ). Then, a determination target setting process for limiting the determination target in the determination process is executed (S2).

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the determination target execution process, first, it is determined whether or not the page length D3 is greater than the head second cutter distance D2 (S3). When it is determined that the page length D3 is larger than the head second cutter distance D2 (S3: Yes), the current position D4 of the first boundary portion exceeds the head first cutter distance D1. It is determined whether or not there is (S4). That is, it is determined whether or not the current position D4 of the first boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutter 13. And when it determines with the position D4 of the present 1st boundary part having exceeded the distance D1 between head 1st cutters (S4: Yes), the combination of a 1st boundary part and the 2nd cutter 14 is carried out. The determination target is set (S5), and the determination target setting process is terminated. That is, when the page length D3 is larger than the head second cutter distance D2, and the current position D4 of the first boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutter 13, as shown in FIG. Since there is no possibility that the first boundary portion will reach the first cutter 13, there is no possibility that the second boundary portion will reach the first cutter 13, and there is no possibility that the second boundary portion will reach the second cutter 14. Only a combination of one boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is set as a determination target.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S4 that the current position D4 of the first boundary portion does not exceed the head first cutter distance D1 (S4: No), the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13 The combination is set as a determination target (S6), and the determination target setting process ends. That is, when the page length D3 is greater than the distance D2 between the head second cutters and the current position D4 of the first boundary portion does not exceed the position of the first cutter 13, as shown in FIG. The first boundary portion may reach the second cutter 14, the second boundary portion may reach the first cutter 13, and the second boundary portion may not reach the second cutter 14. Only the combination of the boundary portion and the first cutter 13 is determined.

  Returning to S3, if it is determined that the page length D3 is not larger than the head second cutter distance D2 (S3: No), whether or not the page length D3 is smaller than the head first cutter distance D1 is determined. Determine (S7). When it is determined that the page length D3 is smaller than the head first cutter distance D1 (S7: Yes), the current position D5 of the second boundary portion exceeds the head first cutter distance D1. It is determined whether or not there is (S8). That is, it is determined whether or not the current position D5 of the second boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutter 13. When it is determined that the current position D5 of the second boundary portion exceeds the head first cutter distance D1 (S8: Yes), the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13 is determined. (S9), the combination of the second boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is set as a determination target (S10), and the determination target setting process ends. That is, when the page length D3 is smaller than the head first cutter distance D1, and the current position D5 of the second boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutter 13, as shown in FIG. The first boundary portion may reach the second cutter 14, and the second boundary portion may not reach the first cutter 13, so the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13, and Only the combination of the two boundary portions and the second cutter 14 is determined.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S8 that the current position D5 of the second boundary portion does not exceed the head first cutter distance D1 (S8: No), the second boundary portion and the first cutter 13 The combination is set as a determination target (S11), and the determination target setting process ends. That is, when the page length D3 is smaller than the head first cutter distance D1, and the current position D5 of the second boundary portion does not exceed the position of the first cutter 13, as shown in FIG. Since there is no possibility that the first boundary part will reach the first cutter 13, the possibility that the first boundary part will reach the second cutter 14, and the possibility that the second boundary part will reach the second cutter 14, Only the combination of the two boundary portions and the first cutter 13 is determined.

  Returning to S7, if it is determined that the page length D3 is not shorter than the head first cutter distance D1 (S7: No), the current first boundary position D4 is the head first cutter distance D1. It is determined whether or not the state exceeds (S12). That is, it is determined whether or not the current position D4 of the first boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutter 13. And when it determines with the position D4 of the present 1st boundary part having exceeded the distance D1 between head 1st cutters (S12: Yes), the combination of a 1st boundary part and the 2nd cutter 14 is carried out. The determination target is set (S13), and the determination target setting process is terminated. That is, when the page length D3 is not less than the head first cutter distance D1 and not more than the head second cutter distance D2, the current position D4 of the first boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutter 13. 10, the first boundary portion may reach the first cutter 13, the second boundary portion may reach the first cutter 13, and the second boundary portion may Since there is no possibility of reaching the two cutters 14, only the combination of the first boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is determined.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S12 that the current position D4 of the first boundary portion does not exceed the head first cutter distance D1 (S12: No), the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13 The combination is set as a determination target (S14), and the combination of the second boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is set as the determination target (S15), and the determination target setting process ends. That is, when the page length D3 is not more than the head second cutter distance D2 and not less than the head first cutter distance D1, the current position D4 of the first boundary portion exceeds the position of the first cutter 13. When the state is not in the state, as shown in FIG. 10, the first boundary portion may reach the second cutter 14 and the second boundary portion may not reach the first cutter 13. Only the combination of the first cutter 13 and the combination of the second boundary portion and the second cutter 14 are determined.

  Returning to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, when the determination target setting process is completed, the first feeding distance L1 and the second feeding distance L2 are set to “0 (zero)” (S16), and the first cutting flag F1 and the second cutting are performed. The flag F2 is set to a value (“0 (zero)”) indicating disconnection “none” (S17). That is, initialize these variables.

  Then, the determination process which concerns on the 1st cutter 13 is performed. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13 is in a state set as a determination target (S18). When it is determined that the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13 is in a state set as a determination target (S18: Yes), the designated feed amount M is set at the current position D4 of the first boundary portion. It is determined whether or not the calculated value obtained by adding is the head first cutter distance D1 or more (S19). That is, it is determined whether or not the first boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13 when the specified amount of paper M is fed. When it is determined that the calculated value is not less than the head first cutter distance D1 (S19: Yes), the first feed distance L1 is changed from the head first cutter distance D1 to the current first boundary portion. A value obtained by subtracting the position D4 is set (S20). That is, the first feed distance L1 is set to a feed distance at which the first boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13. On the other hand, when it is determined that the calculated value is not equal to or greater than the head first cutter distance D1 (S19: No), the setting of the first feed distance L1 is canceled and the process proceeds to the next step.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S18 that the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13 is not in the state set as the determination target (S18: No), the second boundary portion and the first cutter 13 It is determined whether or not the combination is a state set as a determination target (S21). When it is determined that the combination of the second boundary portion and the first cutter 13 is in a state set as a determination target (S21: Yes), the designated feed amount M is set at the current position D5 of the second boundary portion. It is determined whether or not the calculated value obtained by adding the distance is equal to or greater than the head first cutter distance D1 (S22). That is, it is determined whether or not the second boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13 when the paper is fed by the designated feed amount M. When it is determined that the calculated value is not less than the head first cutter distance D1 (S22: Yes), the first feed distance L1 is changed from the head first cutter distance D1 to the current second boundary portion. A value obtained by subtracting the position D5 is set (S23). That is, the first feed distance L1 is set to a feed distance at which the second boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13. On the other hand, when it is determined that the calculated value is not equal to or greater than the head first cutter distance D1 (S22: No), the setting of the first feed distance L1 is canceled and the process proceeds to the next step. Moreover, when it determines with the combination of a 2nd boundary part and the 1st cutter 13 not being the state set to the determination object by S21 (S21: No), without performing each determination process, the next Move to the process.

  When the determination process related to the first cutter 13 is completed, the determination process related to the second cutter 14 is executed. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the combination of the first boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is in a state set as a determination target (S24). When it is determined that the combination of the first boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is in a state set as a determination target (S24: Yes), the designated feed amount M is set at the current position D4 of the first boundary portion. It is determined whether or not the calculated value obtained by adding the distance is equal to or greater than the head second cutter distance D2 (S25). That is, it is determined whether or not the first boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14 when the specified amount of paper M is fed. If it is determined that the calculated value is not less than the head second cutter distance D2 (S25: Yes), the second feed distance L2 is changed from the head second cutter distance D2 to the current first boundary portion. A value obtained by subtracting the position D4 is set (S26). That is, the second feed distance L2 is set to a feed distance at which the first boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14. On the other hand, when it is determined that the calculated value is not equal to or greater than the head second cutter distance D2 (S25: No), the setting of the second feed distance L2 is canceled and the process proceeds to the next step.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S24 that the combination of the first boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is not in the state set as the determination target (S24: No), the second boundary portion and the second cutter 14 It is determined whether or not the combination is a state set as a determination target (S27). When it is determined that the combination of the second boundary portion and the second cutter 14 is in the state set as the determination target (S27: Yes), the designated feed amount M is set at the current position D5 of the second boundary portion. It is determined whether or not the calculated value to which is added is equal to or greater than the head second cutter distance D2 (S28). That is, it is determined whether or not the second boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14 when the specified amount of paper M is fed. When it is determined that the calculated value is not less than the head second cutter distance D2 (S28: Yes), the second feed distance L2 is changed from the head second cutter distance D2 to the current second boundary portion. A value obtained by subtracting the position D5 is set (S29). That is, the second feed distance L2 is set to a feed distance at which the second boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the calculated value is not equal to or greater than the head second cutter distance D2 (S28: No), the setting of the second feed distance L2 is canceled and the process proceeds to the next step. Moreover, when it determines with the combination of a 2nd boundary part and the 2nd cutter 14 not being the state set to the determination object by S27 (S27: No), without performing each determination process, the next Move to the process.

  When the determination process related to the second cutter 14 is completed, based on the determination result of each determination process, the setting of the designated feed amount M to actually feed the paper and the setting of the first cutting flag F1 and the second cutting flag F2 are performed. Do. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the first feed distance L1 is greater than “0 (zero)” (S30). When it is determined that the first feed distance L1 is not greater than “0 (zero)” (S30: No), it is determined whether the second feed distance L2 is greater than “0 (zero)”. (S31). If it is determined that the second feed distance L2 is greater than “0 (zero)” (S31: Yes), the designated feed amount M is set to the second feed distance L2 (S32), and the second cutting flag is set. F2 is set to a value (“1”) indicating cutting “present” (S33), and the process proceeds to the next step. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second feed distance L2 is not greater than “0 (zero)” (S31: No), the process proceeds to the next step without performing each setting.

  Returning to S30, if it is determined that the first feed distance L1 is greater than “0 (zero)” (S30: Yes), whether or not the second feed distance L2 is greater than “0 (zero)”. Is determined (S34). Here, when it is determined that the second feed distance L2 is not greater than “0 (zero)” (S34: No), the designated feed amount M is set to the first feed distance L1 (S35), and the first cutting is performed. The flag F1 is set to a value (“1”) indicating cutting “present” (S36), and the process proceeds to the next step.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the second feed distance L2 is greater than “0 (zero)” (S34: Yes), the first feed distance L1 is less than the second feed distance L2, It is determined whether the value is equal to the two feed distance L2 or greater than the second feed distance L2 (S37). When it is determined that the first feed distance L1 is smaller than the second feed distance L2 (S37: A), the designated feed amount M is set to the first feed distance L1 (S38), and the first cut flag F1 is cut. The value indicating “present” (“1”) is set (S39), and the process proceeds to the next step. When it is determined that the first feed distance L1 is the same value as the second feed distance L2 (S37: B), the designated feed amount M is set to the first feed distance L1 (S40), and the first cutting flag is set. F1 and the second cutting flag F2 are set to a value (“1”) indicating cutting “present” (S41), and the process proceeds to the next step. Furthermore, when it is determined that the first feed distance L1 is greater than the second feed distance L2 (S37: C), the designated feed amount M is set to the second feed distance L2 (S42), and the second cutting flag F2 is cut. The value indicating “present” (“1”) is set (S43), and the process proceeds to the next step.

  When the setting of the designated feed amount M and the setting of the cutting flags F1 and F2 are completed, the continuous copying paper S is fed based on the designated designated feed amount M (S44). That is, the continuous copy paper S is fed by the designated feed amount M. When the paper feed for the designated feed amount M is completed, the cutters 13 and 14 are driven based on the set cutting flags F1 and F2. That is, it is determined whether or not the first cutting flag F1 is a value indicating “cutting” (“1”) (S45), and the first cutting flag F1 is a value indicating “cutting” (“1”). ) Is determined (S45: Yes), the first cutter 13 is driven (S46), and the first cutting flag F1 is determined not to be a value indicating “cut” (“1”). In (S45: NO), the first cutter 13 is not driven and the process proceeds to the next step. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the second cutting flag F2 is a value (“1”) indicating cutting “present” (S47), and the second cutting flag F2 is a value (“1”) indicating cutting “present”. ) Is determined (S47: Yes), the second cutter 14 is driven (S48), and the second cutting flag F2 is determined not to be a value indicating “cut” (“1”). In (S47: No), the second cutter 14 is not driven and the process proceeds to the next step.

  When the paper feed of the continuous copying paper S and the driving of the cutters 13 and 14 are completed, the designated feed amount M is added to the cumulative feed amount N (S49), and is the cumulative feed amount N equal to the requested feed amount A? It is determined whether or not (S50). When it is determined that the accumulated feed amount N is not the same value as the requested feed amount A (S50: No), the process returns to the determination target setting process (S2), and the series until the accumulated feed amount N reaches the requested feed amount A. Repeat the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the accumulated feed amount N is equal to the requested feed amount A (S50: Yes), the paper feed operation is terminated.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, in the process of continuously printing a plurality of pages P by the paper feeding operation, each boundary portion in each separated set of continuous paper S1 is cut. However, when the printing is completed, an uncut boundary portion is generated for the boundary portion related to the printed page. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the next print data is not received from the host device for a predetermined time at the end of the printing operation, the control unit 18 cuts the uncut boundary portion related to the printed page ( Cutting step after printing). At this time, which boundary portion is in an uncut state depends on the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3. Therefore, in this embodiment, based on the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3, the cutting target (the combination of the boundary portion to be cut and the cutters 13 and 14) is limited. It has a configuration. Strictly speaking, in the present embodiment, since the print start position of the next page P reaches the print position P1 at the end of the printing operation, the head first cutter distance D1 and the head second cutter distance D2 are set. In addition, the cutting target is limited based on the total value of the page length D3 and the top margin length. These pieces of information are obtained from the head first cutter distance information, the head second cutter distance information, the page length information, and the top margin information stored in the storage unit 17.

  Specifically, when the total value of the page length D3 and the top margin length is smaller than the head first cutter distance D1, the combination of the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13, the first boundary portion and the first margin A combination of the two cutters 14, a boundary portion between the page P printed immediately before and the next page P (hereinafter referred to as the zeroth boundary portion) and the first cutter 13, and a zeroth boundary portion and the second cutter. Only combinations with 14 are to be cut. That is, first, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the first boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13, and the first cutter 13 is driven. Thereafter, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the first boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14 and the second cutter 14 is driven. Thereafter, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the 0th boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13, and the first cutter 13 is driven. Thereafter, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the 0th boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14, and the second cutter 14 is driven.

  On the other hand, when the total value of the page length D3 and the top margin length is larger than the head first cutter distance D1 and smaller than the head second cutter distance D2, the combination of the first boundary portion and the second cutter 14 Only the combination of the 0th boundary portion and the first cutter 13 and the combination of the 0th boundary portion and the second cutter 14 are to be cut. That is, first, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the first boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14 and the second cutter 14 is driven. Thereafter, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the 0th boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13, and the first cutter 13 is driven. Thereafter, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the 0th boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14, and the second cutter 14 is driven.

  When the total value of the page length D3 and the top margin length is larger than the head second cutter distance D2, the combination of the zeroth boundary portion and the first cutter 13 and the zeroth boundary portion and the second cutter are combined. Only combinations with 14 are to be cut. That is, first, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the 0th boundary portion reaches the first cutter 13, and the first cutter 13 is driven. Thereafter, the continuous copy paper S is fed until the 0th boundary portion reaches the second cutter 14, and the second cutter 14 is driven.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the embodiment, the determination target in the determination process (determination step) is limited based on the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3. The number of determination targets in the determination process can be reduced. Therefore, in the configuration in which the cutting process is performed on the continuous copy paper S in the course of printing, it is possible to simplify the determination process for determining whether the boundary portion between the pages P has reached the cutters 13 and 14. As a result, an increase in the processing load and processing time of the determination process can be suppressed.

  In addition to the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3, the positional relationship between the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13, and the second boundary portion and the first cutter 13 Since the determination target is limited based on the positional relationship, determination targets in the determination process can be further reduced. Therefore, the determination process can be further simplified, and an increase in the processing load and processing time of the determination process can be further suppressed.

  Further, based on the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3, the cutting target (combination of the boundary portion to be cut and the cutters 13 and 14) to be cut after printing is finished. Since the configuration is limited, the cutting process can be performed only on the uncut boundary portion after the printing is completed. This makes it possible to efficiently perform a cutting process after printing (a cutting step after printing).

  In the above embodiment, in addition to the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3, the positional relationship between the first boundary portion and the first cutter 13, and the second boundary portion. The determination target is limited based on the positional relationship between the first cutter 13 and the first cutter 13, but the determination target is based only on the head first cutter distance D1, the head second cutter distance D2, and the page length D3. The structure which restricts may be sufficient.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the printing apparatus 1 was set as the structure which incorporated the isolation | separation part 12 and each cutters 13 and 14, the isolation | separation cutting unit carrying the isolation | separation part 12 and each cutters 13 and 14 is made into an apparatus main body. An external configuration may be used. That is, the printing apparatus 1 is configured to include an apparatus main body and a separation / cutting unit attached to the apparatus main body.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the continuous copy paper S may be roll paper or fanfold paper (folding paper).

  In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of superimposed continuous sheets S1 are separated into two sets. However, the plurality of superimposed continuous sheets S1 may be separated into three or more sets. In such a case, it is conceivable to apply the configuration of the above-described embodiment, with the two sets being the first set and the second set.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Feed printing part, 12 ... Separation part, 13 ... 1st cutter, 14 ... 2nd cutter, 18 ... Control part, D1 ... Distance between head 1st cutters, D2 ... Distance between 2nd head cutters , D3: Page length, D4: Current position of the first boundary portion, D5: Current position of the second boundary portion, P: Page, S: Continuous copy paper, S1: Continuous paper

Claims (6)

A printable printing apparatus for continuous superposed paper was formed by stacking a plurality having continuous paper and a boundary portion corresponding to the page and the page,
A feed printing unit that feeds the continuous superimposed paper and prints the continuous superimposed paper;
A separation unit that is provided downstream of the printing position of the feeding printing unit in the paper feeding direction, and separates the continuous superimposed paper into the set of continuous papers;
A first cutter for cutting the boundary portion of the first set separated by the separation unit ;
A second cutter that is provided farther from a distance from the printing position to the first cutter and that cuts the boundary portion of the second set separated by the separation unit ,
A boundary portion between one page at the printing position and the next page downstream in the paper feed direction of the first page is defined as a first boundary portion, and the next boundary portion downstream of the first boundary portion in the paper feed direction Is the second boundary part,
When the page length per page is larger than the distance from the printing position to the second cutter,
When the first boundary portion is upstream in the paper feed direction from the position of the first cutter, the first boundary portion is fed to the first cutter by the feed printing unit, and the first boundary portion is fed by the first cutter. Cutting the printing device.   When the page length per page is larger than the distance from the printing position to the second cutter,
When the first boundary portion is downstream in the paper feed direction from the position of the first cutter, the first boundary portion is sent to the second cutter by the feed printing unit, and the first boundary portion is sent by the second cutter. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer is cut. When the page length is not less than the distance from the printing position to the first cutter and not more than the distance from the printing position to the second cutter,
When the first boundary portion is downstream in the paper feed direction from the position of the first cutter, the first boundary portion is sent to the second cutter by the feed printing unit, and the first boundary portion is sent by the second cutter. Cut and
When the first boundary portion is upstream in the paper feed direction from the position of the first cutter, the first boundary portion is fed to the first cutter by the feed printing unit, and the first boundary portion is fed by the first cutter. cutting the, and, the by feed printing unit to said second cutter feed the second boundary portion, cutting the second boundary portion by the second cutter, the printing apparatus according to claim 2. When the page length is smaller than the distance from the printing position to the first cutter,
When the second boundary portion is downstream in the paper feeding direction from the position of the first cutter, the feed printing unit feeds the first boundary portion to the first cutter , and the first cutter makes the first boundary portion cutting the, and, by the feed printing portion to the second cutter feed the second boundary, said second boundary portion is cut by the second cutter,
When the second boundary portion is upstream in the paper feeding direction from the position of the first cutter, the feed printing unit feeds the second boundary portion to the first cutter , and the first cutter makes the second boundary portion. cutting the printing apparatus according to claim 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the page that has been printed by the feed printing unit is one page at the printing position .   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuous superimposed paper is continuous copying paper.

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