JPH06127805A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the discharge of a recording medium with the printed result shifted according to the size of the recording medium by detecting the size of the recording medium, setting the discharge information of the recording medium according to the detected result, and controlling the discharge means of the recording medium on the basis of the set discharge information. CONSTITUTION:Recording paper finished with printing at the printing part of a printer is discharged on a discharge tray via a discharge roller 101. The discharge roller 101 is put in linear motion in the direction of an arrow mark S by a motor 102 through the mesh between a gear 113 and a rack 112 so as to shift the discharge position of the recording paper. In this case, a judgment is made on whether to perform shift discharge at the time of discharging the recording paper. At the time of performing shift discharge, the size of the recording paper is detected, and the shift quantity is determined according to the detected result. This shift quantity is determined in such a way that the left end of the recording paper is uniform using a table prestored in an ROM or the like. According to this shift quantity, the motor 102 is driven to discharge the recording paper 61, 62 in the left end uniform state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, for example, a printing apparatus having a job offset function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing apparatus, all print results are output to the same position on a discharge tray, but in a printing apparatus having a job offset function, the printing result shown in FIG.
As shown in, the documents are distinguished and the print results are shifted and stacked.

[0003]

However, the above conventional example has the following problems. That is, in the conventional printing device having the job offset function, the print result is shifted by a certain amount regardless of the size of the recording paper, so that if a recording paper of different size is mixed, it is difficult to arrange a series of print results. For example, there is a defect that it is difficult to find the B5 recording paper sandwiched between the A4 recording papers.

Further, in the case of confirming and adjusting the offset position of the conventional printing apparatus having the job offset function, if the normal test printing is used, it is difficult to grasp the accurate offset amount.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and has the following structure as one means for solving the above problems. That is, the detection means for detecting the recording medium size, the setting means for setting the discharge information of the recording medium according to the size detected by the detection means, and the discharge information set by the setting means. Accordingly, the printing apparatus is provided with a discharging unit that discharges the recording medium.

[0006] Further, the detection means for detecting the size of the recording medium, the setting means for setting the discharge information of the recording medium according to the size detected by the detection means, and the setting means are set by the setting means. A printing apparatus comprising: an ejecting unit for ejecting the recording medium according to the ejecting information, further comprising an input unit for inputting operating condition information, and a predetermined case when test printing is instructed by the input unit. And a test printing unit for printing a pattern.

[0007]

With the above arrangement, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus which sets the discharge information of the recording medium according to the detected size of the recording medium and discharges the recording medium. When printing is instructed, a predetermined pattern can be printed.

For example, according to the above configuration, the print results are shifted and discharged according to the size of the recording paper, so that even if recording papers of different sizes are mixed, a series of print results are aligned and discharged. By providing a predetermined test pattern in the printing device, it is possible to easily confirm the offset position and to accurately grasp the offset amount in adjustment.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, which includes an image processing / control unit 7, a printing unit 6 and the like, which will be described later. Reference numeral 1 denotes an external device such as a host computer. The external device 1 outputs print information including character code data and control commands, and the printing device 2 executes printing on recording paper based on the information output by the external device 1.

Reference numeral 7 is an image processing / control unit, the details of which will be described later. A printing unit 6 prints the bit image input from the image processing / control unit 7 on a recording paper or the like, and outputs the print result to a predetermined position of a paper discharge tray (not shown) by a shifter (not shown). . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the image processing / control unit 7.

In the figure, 71 is a CPU, which is a ROM 7
In accordance with a program stored in No. 2 or the like, control of the entire printing apparatus 2 and image processing are executed via the address bus 71a, the data bus 71b, and the like. 73 is RAM
Then, it functions as a buffer for temporarily storing various information and a bit image formed by the CPU 71 from the print information.

An interface I / F 74 communicates with the external device 1. 75 is a laser driver for the printing unit 6
Control the laser diode (not shown). Reference numeral 76 is a driver, such as a motor or solenoid of the printing unit 6 (not shown)
Control and drive.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the paper feed / discharge path of the printing unit 6. In the figure, reference numeral 110 is a recording paper, which is supplied from a paper cassette 110a to a feed roller 108 by a pick-up roller 109, and a registration roller 107.
Then, the sheet is fed to the transfer roller 106. Reference numeral 105 denotes a photosensitive drum, which transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the recording paper 110 by the transfer roller 106.

A fixing roller 104 fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording paper 110. Reference numerals 101 and 103 denote discharge rollers, and the discharge roller 101 is a motor 102.
Thus, the discharge position of the recording paper 110 is shifted. 11
Reference numeral 1 denotes a paper discharge tray on which the discharged recording paper 110 is stacked. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed structural example in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller 101 and the motor 102.

In the figure, reference numeral 113 denotes a gear, which is a motor 1
A rack 112 is attached to the shaft 02 and is connected to the paper discharge roller 101. That is, the gear 113 and the rack 112 form a rack and pinion, and the motor 1
The rotation of 02 is converted into a linear motion. Therefore, the motor 10
When 2 rotates, the paper discharge roller 101
Moves linearly in the direction of arrow S. The motor 102
Is a stepping motor or the like, which rotates a predetermined amount according to a signal from the driver 76 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation example of this embodiment. In the figure, this embodiment is based on step S4.
If it is determined that the shift discharge is not performed in step 1, the process proceeds to step S44 if the shift discharge is not performed, and to step S43 if the shift discharge is performed. In the case of carrying out the shift discharge, in the present embodiment, the size of the recording paper is detected in step S42, the shift amount is determined in step S43, and then the process proceeds to step S45. The shift amount is determined by the CPU 71 shown in FIG. 2 so that the left ends of the recording papers are aligned by using a table stored in advance in the ROM 72 or the RAM 73.

If the shift discharge is not performed, the present embodiment sets the shift amount to 0 in step S44, and then proceeds to step S45. Subsequently, in this embodiment, step S4 is performed.
In step 5, the paper discharge roller 101 is moved to a position corresponding to the set shift amount, the recording paper 110 is discharged, and then the process returns to step S41.

In this embodiment, by repeating steps S41 to S45, even if recording papers of different sizes are mixed, the left ends of the recording papers are ejected together. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the paper discharge result of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the print result 61 is discharged without being shifted, and the subsequent print result 62 is in the paper discharge direction indicated by the arrow F. The sheet is shifted and discharged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sheet. Further, in the print result 62, the large size recording paper 62
a and the recording paper 62b having a small size are output with their left ends aligned.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
In addition to shifting and stacking the print results by distinguishing the documents, the left ends of the printed print results are aligned regardless of the size of the recording paper. In the above description and FIG. 6, the example in which the discharged recording sheets are aligned at the left end has been described.
The present embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the right end may be aligned as shown in FIG. 7 as an example, or the substantially center alignment may be performed as shown in FIG.

[0021]

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, an operation panel (not shown) provided in the printing apparatus 2 can be operated to set the settings relating to the job offset function, such as the presence / absence of shift, the shift amount, and the alignment position.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation example of this embodiment. In this figure, this embodiment is based on step S5.
In step 1, it is determined whether or not there is a key input on the operation panel. If there is no key input, the process proceeds to step S55, and if there is a key input, the process proceeds to step S52. If there is a key input,
In this embodiment, the alignment position is set in accordance with the key input in step S52, the size of the recording paper is detected in step S53, the shift amount is determined in accordance with the key input in step S54, and then the process proceeds to step S56. move on.

If no key input is made, in this embodiment, the shift amount is set to 0 in step S55, and then the process proceeds to step S56. Subsequently, in this embodiment, step S5 is performed.
In step 6, the paper discharge roller 101 is moved to a position corresponding to the set shift amount, the recording paper 110 is discharged, and then the process returns to step S51.

In the present embodiment, by repeating steps S51 to S56, the recording papers are ejected at the set alignment position even if recording papers of different sizes are mixed. Further, in the above description and FIG. 9, an example of setting the job offset function from the operation panel has been described, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the setting may be performed from the external device 1. You can also

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation example when the job offset function is set from the external device 1. In this figure, in this embodiment, in step S61,
Determine whether the corresponding command is input from the external device 1,
If there is no command input, go to step S65,
If there is a command input, the process proceeds to step S62.

When a command is input, this embodiment
In step S62, the alignment position is set according to the command input, the size of the recording paper is detected in step S63, the shift amount is determined in response to the command input in step S64, and then the process proceeds to step S66. If no command is input, in this embodiment, the shift amount is set to 0 in step S65.
After setting, the process proceeds to step S66.

Subsequently, in this embodiment, in step S66,
The paper discharge roller 101 is moved to the position corresponding to the set shift amount.
After moving the recording paper 110 to eject the recording paper 110,
Return to 1. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, by repeating steps S61 to S66, even if recording papers of different sizes are mixed, the recording papers are ejected at the set alignment position.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
In addition to the effect similar to that of the first embodiment, the user can set the shift amount, the alignment position, and the like from the operation panel or an external device.

[0029]

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, an operation panel (not shown) provided in the printing apparatus 2 can be operated to perform test printing for confirming or adjusting the job offset function.
For example, when the CPU 71 receives an instruction for job offset test printing via the operation panel, the CPU 71 reads the ROM 7 for example.
The test printing pattern previously stored in 2 is printed, and the user confirms and adjusts the job offset function based on the printing result.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the paper feeding / discharging path of the printing unit 6 of this embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 115 is a flapper, which shifts the discharge position of the recording paper 110 by a solenoid 116. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detailed structural example and an operational example in the vicinity of the flapper 115. As shown in the figure, the flapper 115 is connected to the shaft of the solenoid 116. Therefore, when the solenoid 116 is driven and its axis moves linearly in the direction of arrow S, the flap 115 swings in the direction of arrow R accordingly.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an operation example of this embodiment. In this figure, this embodiment is based on step S
If it is in the standby state at 81, and it is determined at step S82 whether or not printing is started, and if printing is to be started, then step S8
3 and if printing is not started, step S81
Return to. When printing is started, this embodiment uses step S
At 83, it is determined whether or not the test printing is performed, and if the test printing is performed, the process proceeds to step S84. If the test printing is not performed, the process proceeds to step S86 to perform the "normal printing" at the same step, and then the step Return to S81.

In the case of the test printing, in this embodiment, in step S84, it is determined whether or not the job offset test printing is performed, and if it is the job offset test printing, the process proceeds to step S85 and the same step is performed. "Job offset test printing" is executed. If it is not job offset test printing, step S87 follows and "normal test printing" is executed in the same step.

In this embodiment, after the processing of step S85 or step S87, the process returns to step S81. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of printing in step S85.
Lines 22a and 22b are printed at predetermined positions on 21b. The arrow F in the figure indicates the paper discharge direction. That is, the user confirms or adjusts the job offset function from the positional relationship between the lines 22a and 22b printed on the recording papers 21a and 21b by the job offset test printing.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
A test print can be performed which facilitates confirmation or adjustment of the job offset function. The pattern printed by the job offset test printing of the present embodiment is not limited to that shown in FIG. 14, and may be the pattern shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, for example.

For example, the pattern shown in FIG.
If the leading edge of the recording paper 21b enters the area between a and the line 24a, it indicates that the job offset operation is normal. Further, in the pattern shown in FIG. 16, the line 26a indicates the reference position,
Lines 25a and 27a indicate limit positions, respectively, and line 2
If the leading edge of the recording paper 21b enters the area between the line 5a and the line 27a, it indicates that the job offset operation is normal.
The pattern shown in FIG. 17 indicates that the job offset operation is normal if the leading edge of the recording paper 21b enters the area of the belt 28a.

That is, according to the patterns of FIGS. 15 to 17, it is possible to more easily confirm or adjust the job offset function. The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the printing apparatus which sets the ejection information of the recording medium according to the detected size of the recording medium and ejects the recording medium.
In the printing apparatus, when the test printing is instructed, a predetermined pattern can be printed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of an image processing / control unit according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper supply / discharge path of a printing unit according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed structural example in the vicinity of a discharge roller and a motor of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge result according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge result according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge result according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation example when the job offset function is set from an external device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper feeding / discharging path of a printing unit according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detailed structural example and an operational example in the vicinity of the flapper of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of test printing according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of test printing according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of test printing according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of test printing according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a conventional job offset function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 External Device 2 Printer of this Embodiment 6 Printing Unit 7 Image Processing / Control Unit 71 CPU 72 ROM 73 RAM 74 Interface I / F 75 Laser Driver 76 Driver

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tatsuhito Tachibana 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuzo Kiyono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. Within

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A detection unit for detecting a recording medium size, a setting unit for setting discharge information of the recording medium according to the size detected by the detection unit, and a setting unit set by the setting unit. A printing apparatus comprising: a discharging unit configured to discharge the recording medium according to discharge information. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge information is information for substantially aligning predetermined positions of a series of recording media discharged and stacked by the discharge unit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit for inputting operation condition information, wherein the input unit inputs information for instructing the predetermined position. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an interface unit that communicates with an external device, and the interface unit inputs the information indicating the predetermined position. 5. A detection unit for detecting a recording medium size, a setting unit for setting ejection information of the recording medium according to the size detected by the detection unit, and a setting unit set by the setting unit. A printing apparatus comprising: an ejecting unit for ejecting the recording medium according to the ejecting information, further comprising an input unit for inputting operating condition information, and a predetermined case when test printing is instructed by the input unit. A printing apparatus comprising: a test printing unit that prints a pattern. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pattern is at least one line printed on a predetermined position of a recording medium. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pattern is at least one band printed at a predetermined position on the recording medium.