JP4024452B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
  The present invention provides an image recording apparatus.In placeRelated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ink jet recording apparatus used as an image recording apparatus (or image forming apparatus) such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a plotter, an ink droplet ejected from a head is landed on a sheet to record an image. In addition, since ink is dried by evaporation into the air and penetration into the paper, the image quality is affected by the characteristics of the printing surface of the paper.
[0003]
  For this reason, in conventional inkjet recording devices, special paper such as coated paper and glossy paper with a coating layer with improved ink permeability is used.Against the characteristics of the paper According to the characteristics)printingTheDedicated paper mode and normal plain paper that does not have such a coat layerAccording to the characteristics of the paper (characteristic that it is not coated)printingTheThe plain paper mode to be selected can be selected.
[0004]
Here, the difference between the dedicated paper mode and the plain paper mode differs depending on the ink jet recording apparatus. However, since the special paper has higher ink permeability than the plain paper, the dedicated paper mode is generally in the plain paper mode. Compared to the above, the head scanning speed is increased, the number of passes is increased, the number of nozzles used at one time is reduced, and the ink droplet volume is reduced.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional inkjet recording apparatus, since it was single-sided printing, a high-quality image could be obtained by printing on dedicated paper in the dedicated paper mode. However, an inkjet recording apparatus capable of duplex printing has been proposed. In this case, image quality and printing speed (recording speed) when printing on both sides of a dedicated paper such as a coated paper having a coating layer on only one side in a dedicated paper mode. May decrease.
[0006]
In other words, since there are many special papers that have a coated layer on one side of plain paper, in double-sided printing, the front side is printed in the special paper mode and the back side is also printed in the special paper mode. Will do. In this way, when printing in the dedicated paper mode on the plain paper on the back side of the dedicated paper, as described above, the number of passes is large in the dedicated paper mode and the number of nozzles used is small. Will drop. In addition, since the special paper mode does not take measures against the image blur, if printing is performed on the plain paper in the special paper mode, the blur occurs and the image quality deteriorates.
[0007]
Furthermore, since the ink droplet volume is reduced in the dedicated paper mode, if the dedicated paper mode is printed on the plain paper surface, the image density is lowered and the image quality is lowered. Furthermore, when the UCR level is different between the dedicated paper mode and the plain paper mode, an image show-through or show-through occurs and the image quality deteriorates. In addition, since the color tone is different between the dedicated paper mode and the plain paper mode, the image quality in which the color tone shift has occurred is deteriorated.
[0008]
Therefore, even if it is dedicated paper, it is conceivable to print in the plain paper mode when performing double-sided printing. However, when printing in the plain paper mode on the dedicated paper, the normal paper mode lowers the head scanning speed. When the image quality priority is set, the printing speed is remarkably slowed. Further, as in the case of printing on the plain paper in the dedicated paper mode, the color tone is different between the dedicated paper mode and the plain paper mode, so that the image quality in which the color deviation has occurred is deteriorated.
[0009]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an image recording apparatus capable of duplex printing without deteriorating the recording speed and image quality.PlaceThe purpose is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention is capable of duplex printing and capable of performing printing on different types of paper according to the characteristics of the paper. InPrinting according to the coated surface is specified, andWhen duplex printing is specified, the paper is fed and re-fed, and the side of the paper that is not the coated surfaceAgainstPrinting according to non-coated surface and coated surfaceAgainstPrinting according to the coated surfaceAnd switchWith means to do,Double-sided printing is performed on a non-coated surface without the need for designation according to its characteristicsIt is a configuration.
[0011]
  An image recording apparatus according to the present invention is an image recording apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing and capable of performing printing according to the characteristics of paper on different types of paper.Printing according to the coated surface is specified, andWhen duplex printing is specified,Feed the paper placed in the paper cassette as it is,Printing according to the coated surface is performed on one surface of the paper, and then the surface opposite to the surface on which the printing is completed by refeeding the paper is used as the printing surface. With means to do, Double-sided printing is performed on surfaces that are not coated surfaces without requiring specification according to the characteristicsIt is a configuration.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an image recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the mechanism of the recording apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the discrimination device.
[0028]
The ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage that is movable in the main scanning direction inside the recording apparatus main body 1, a recording head that includes an ink jet head mounted on the carriage, an ink cartridge that supplies ink to the recording head, and the like. 2 and the like, and a sheet feeding cassette (or a sheet feeding tray) 4 which is a sheet feeding means capable of stacking a large number of sheets 3 from the front side is detachably attached to the lower part of the apparatus main body 1. In addition, a manual feed tray 5 is detachably mounted on the front side, and the paper fed from the paper feed cassette 4 or the paper 3 set on the manual feed tray 5 is taken in, and the printing mechanism unit 2 After recording a required image, the image is discharged to a discharge tray 29 mounted on the rear side. An operation panel 8 is provided on the front surface.
[0029]
The printing mechanism 2 holds a carriage 13 slidably in a main scanning direction (perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 2) by a main guide rod 11 and a sub guide rod 12 which are horizontally mounted on left and right side plates (not shown). On the lower surface side of 13, a recording head 14 composed of an inkjet head having nozzles for discharging ink droplets of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) is disposed in the ink droplet discharge direction downward. Each ink tank (ink cartridge) 15 for supplying ink of each color to the recording head 14 is replaceably mounted on the upper side of the carriage 13.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 13 is connected to a timing belt 20 stretched between a driving pulley (drive pulley) 18 and a driven pulley (idler pulley) 19 that are rotated by a main scanning motor 17, The carriage 13 is moved in the main scanning direction by controlling the driving of the main scanning motor 17.
[0031]
In addition, the recording head 14 may be one in which a plurality of heads that eject ink droplets of each color are arranged in the main scanning direction, or one that has a nozzle that ejects ink droplets of each color. But you can. Further, the recording head 14 is configured to discharge ink droplets by pressurizing ink by changing the volume of the liquid chamber by displacing the diaphragm with an electromechanical transducer such as a piezoelectric element. By generating a bubble by film boiling by the generated heating resistor and pressurizing ink in the liquid chamber to discharge ink droplets, using a diaphragm that forms the wall surface of the liquid chamber and an electrode facing it, electrostatic force between the two In this case, it is possible to use one that displaces the diaphragm and ejects ink droplets.
[0032]
On the other hand, in order to transport the paper 3 in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the printing position (synonymous with the printing position) by the recording head 14, the paper 3 is electrostatically adsorbed and transported between the transport roller 21 and the transport driven roller 22. The conveyor belt 23 is stretched and arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, a sub-scanning motor 24 is provided, and rotation is transmitted to the sub-scanning motor 24 through a gear train (not shown) to the transporting roller 21 so that the transporting roller 21 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. Rotate.
[0033]
The conveyance roller 21 preferably has a diameter that ensures sheet adhesion at the time of double-sided printing and does not separate the curvature, for example, 30φ or more, and the conveyance belt 23 has a volume resistance of 10.⁹Ωcm to 10¹²It is preferable to use a medium resistor of Ωcm.
[0034]
A printing receiving member 26 is provided at a position facing the recording head 14 with the conveying belt 23 interposed therebetween. Further, a leading end roller 27 that defines the feed angle of the sheet 3 is pressed against the conveying roller 21 via the conveying belt 23.
[0035]
On the other hand, in order to feed the paper 3 from the paper feed cassette 4 onto the transport belt 23, the paper feed roller 31 and the friction pad 32 that feed the paper 3 separately one by one and the paper 3 to be fed are transported. A guide member 34 is provided for guiding to an intermediate roller 33 disposed in contact with the roller 21.
[0036]
Further, in order to feed the paper 3 from the manual feed tray 5 to the transport belt 23, a pickup roller 35 that picks up the paper 3 from the manual feed tray 5, a feed roller 36 that feeds the paper 3, a feed roller 37, and the paper 3 And a guide member 38 for guiding the roller to the intermediate roller 33.
[0037]
Then, in order to discharge the printed paper 3 to the paper discharge tray 6, a guide member 41 that guides the paper 3, a paper discharge roller 42 that sends the paper 3 to the paper discharge tray 6, and a paper discharge follower roller 43. Is provided.
[0038]
Furthermore, the paper 3 that has passed the printing position by the recording head 4 is discharged in order to discharge the paper 3 that has been printed out of the apparatus body 1 and then feed it again to the conveyor belt 23 to perform double-sided printing. A guide member 45 is provided between the paper tray 6 and the paper feed cassette 4 so as to be inclined obliquely downward. A discharge path for the paper 3 is provided near the entrance of the guide member 45 and the guide member 41 on the paper discharge side. A first branching claw 46 for branching is provided to be swingable.
[0039]
Further, near the end of the guide member 45, the sheet 3 is placed on the upper surface of the sheet feeding cassette 4 outside the apparatus body 1 (this is the position where the sheet waits for refeeding, that is, the duplex printing sheet waiting position). ) And a switchback roller 47 and a switchback driven roller 48 for feeding the paper 3 into the apparatus main body 1 again. The switchback roller 47 is rotated forward when the paper 3 on which printing on one side has been completed is conveyed in the discharge direction, is reversed when the paper 3 is fed again, and is discharged when the paper 3 is discharged. It is stopped at a predetermined timing in order to pinch the rear end.
[0040]
Further, on the upstream side of the switchback roller 47 and the switchback driven roller 48 in the sheet discharge direction, the sheet 3 conveyance path is a discharge path to the outside of the apparatus body 1 and a path for refeeding the sheet 3 into the apparatus body 1 again. A second branching claw 49 for switching between the two is provided so as to be swingable, and the sheet 3 is guided in order to feed the sheet 3 fed into the apparatus main body 1 by the reverse rotation of the switchback roller 47 to the conveying belt 23. A guide member 51 for conveying, a double-sided relay roller 52 and a double-sided relay roller driven roller 53 for conveying the paper 3, and a conveyance roller driven roller 54 for feeding the paper 3 to the intermediate roller 33 following the conveyance roller 21.
[0041]
Further, in the middle of the paper transport path from the paper feed roller 31 to the transport roller 21, the paper type discriminating apparatus according to the present invention for detecting the density of the fed paper 3 or the image recording apparatus according to the present invention. A paper type sensor 60 serving as detection means is arranged.
[0042]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the paper type sensor 60 includes density sensors 61 and 62 that are density detection means. These density sensors 61 and 62 receive a light emitting element 65 that emits light to the conveyed paper, a black black reflection plate 66, and reflected light from the paper, on the paper transport path side of the holding member 64. The light receiving element 67, the white white reflecting plate 68, and the light emitting element 65 that emits light to the paper are sequentially arranged in series.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 5, these density sensors 61 and 62 are disposed at positions corresponding to the substantially central portion of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and a sheet conveyance path by a drive source such as a solenoid (not shown). It is arrange | positioned so that advance / retreat is possible. Further, the density sensor 61 detects a surface that is printed first by double-sided printing or a surface that is printed by single-sided printing, and the density sensor 62 is a surface that is printed later by double-sided printing or a surface that is not printed by single-sided printing. It is arranged on the side to detect. As the paper type sensor 60, a color sensor that detects the color of the paper surface can be used instead of the density sensor.
[0044]
Next, an outline of the control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
This control unit includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 70 that also serves as means for determining the type of each side of the paper, means for controlling printing in a required printing mode, and necessary fixed information. ROM 71, RAM 72 used as a working memory, image memo 73 for storing data processed image information, parallel input / output (PIO) port 74, input buffer 75, gate array (GA) or A parallel input / output (PIO) port 76, a head drive circuit 77, drivers 78, 79, and 80 are provided.
[0045]
Here, the printer driver 101 of the host 100 specifies image information to be printed (recording and printing are also used synonymously) and whether the printing mode of each side is the dedicated paper mode or the plain paper mode via a cable or a network. Information, information specifying double-sided printing, and the like are transferred to the PIO port 74, and necessary information is sent to the host 100 via the PIO port 74. Further, various designations or selection information such as information for designating the print mode from the operation panel 8 shown in FIG. 1 (for example, the default value is the plain paper mode and is designated and designated only when the dedicated paper mode is designated), the above-described density. Input of detection signals from the sensor 61 and the density sensor 62, signals from various sensors such as a home position sensor for detecting the home position (reference position) of the carriage 13, and transmission of information such as display information to the operation panel 8 side. Is also performed through the PIO port 74.
[0046]
Further, the head drive circuit 77 is based on various data and signals given through the PIO port 76, and actuator means (electromechanical conversion elements such as piezoelectric elements or the like) corresponding to the respective nozzles of the recording head (inkjet head) 14 or the like. A drive waveform corresponding to image information is applied to an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor or a diaphragm or a counter electrode. In addition, as a drive waveform, shapes, such as a rectangular pulse, a triangular waveform, and other sine (sine) waveforms, can be used.
[0047]
Further, the driver 78 drives and controls the main scanning motor 17 according to the driving data given through the PIO port 76 to scan the carriage 13 in the main scanning direction, and drives and controls the sub-scanning motor 25 to carry the transport roller 21. Is rotated in the paper transport direction (sub-scanning direction). The driver 79 drives and controls a motor 81 that rotates the switchback roller 47, a solenoid 82 that swings the first branch claw 46, and a solenoid 83 that swings the second branch claw 49. Furthermore, the driver 80 drives and controls a solenoid 84 that advances and retracts the density sensor 61 relative to the paper transport path and a solenoid 85 that advances and retracts the density sensor 61 relative to the paper transport path.
[0048]
Next, a double-sided printing (double-sided printing) operation of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
Referring to FIG. 7, when double-sided printing is instructed, the first branch claw 46 is switched to the double-sided printing side, the second branch claw 49 is switched to the discharge side, and the switchback roller 47 is rotated forward (the paper is out of the apparatus). Rotate in the direction of discharging). Further, by rotating the sheet feeding roller 31 to feed the sheet 3 from the sheet feeding cassette 4, the sheet 3 is sent to the conveying belt 23 of the conveying roller 21 and electrostatically attracted to the conveying belt 23 to perform sub-scanning. The actuator 13 of the recording head 14 is driven according to the recorded image while moving the carriage 13 in the main scanning direction, thereby printing a required image on one surface of the paper 3.
[0049]
Since the first branching claw 46 has been switched to the double-sided printing side, the sheet 3 that has been printed by the recording head 14 is guided by the guide member 45 and sent between the switchback roller 47 and the switchback driven roller 48. Then, they are conveyed by the switchback roller 47 and the switchback driven roller 48 and discharged out of the apparatus main body 1. At this time, the switchback roller 47 is stopped at the timing when the rear end portion of the sheet 3 is positioned between the switchback roller 47 and the switchback driven roller 48, and the rear end portion of the sheet 3 is sandwiched.
[0050]
Next, after the first branch claw 46 is switched to the paper discharge side and the second branch claw 49 is switched to the paper refeeding side, the switchback roller 47 is reversed and the intermediate roller 51 is driven, so that the switchback roller 47 In addition, the sheet 3 having its end held between the switchback driven rollers 48 is re-fed to the transport belt 23 by the intermediate roller 51 while being guided by the guide member 51. In this case, the paper feed linear speed when the paper 3 is fed again is set to be substantially the same as the linear speed of the transport belt 23. As a result, the paper 3 can be fed while being in close contact with the transport belt 23 in a state where the surface of the printing surface is not rubbed against the transport belt 23.
[0051]
The paper 3 thus re-fed is conveyed by the recording belt 14 while being conveyed by the conveying belt 23, and the sheet 3 that has been printed by the recording head 14 is printed on the first branch claw 46. Then, the paper is guided by the guide member 41 on the paper discharge side, conveyed between the paper discharge roller 42 and the paper discharge roller 43, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 6.
[0052]
In this way, after printing on one side of the paper, an open system that once discharges at least a part of the paper to the outside of the apparatus main body requires only one recording head (recording means), and the configuration inside the apparatus main body. In addition, the ink droplet drying time for double-sided printing can be increased, and the printing quality can be improved. In this case, by discharging the printing surface of the paper out of the apparatus main body, the printing surface on which the ink droplets are attached can be dried out of the apparatus main body, and the printing quality can be improved.
[0053]
In addition, by reversing and re-feeding the paper for double-sided printing with a switchback method, the configuration for performing double-sided printing becomes simple and other processing is performed while ensuring ink drying time. It can also be done. Furthermore, by discharging the paper below the printing position by the inkjet head for double-sided printing, it is possible to stably discharge the heavy paper with ink droplets to the double-sided printing standby position. it can. In this case, the duplex printing standby position is set on the upper surface of the sheet feeding means such as a sheet feeding tray or a sheet cassette for setting paper, so that it is not necessary to provide a separate dedicated tray for duplex printing. Becomes easier. Alternatively, the paper can be discharged once to the paper discharge tray 6 and the paper discharge roller 42 can function as a switchback roller.
[0054]
Next, an example of sheet surface type and front / back surface discrimination processing in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present specification, the terms “front surface” and “back surface” of a sheet are used to indicate a front surface and a back surface of a sheet whose front and back surfaces can be distinguished. Also, the “one side” of the paper is the side that is printed first by double-sided printing or the side that is printed by single-sided printing, and the “other side” of the paper is not printed by the side that is printed later by double-sided printing or single-sided printing. Used to refer to a surface.
[0055]
Referring to FIG. 8, the control unit controls the solenoids 84 and 85 to move the density sensor 61 to a position where the density sensor 62 moves away from the paper 3 and the density sensor 62 contacts the paper 3 as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the light emitting element 65 of the density sensor 61 is caused to emit light, the detection signal from the light receiving element 67 that receives the reflected light from one surface of the paper 3 at this time is captured, and then the light emitting element 69 of the density sensor 61 is caused to emit light. The detection signal from the light receiving element 67 that receives the reflected light from the sheet 3 is captured.
[0056]
Therefore, the detection signal according to the reflected light from one surface of the paper 3 when the back is the black reflecting plate 66 from the density sensor 61 and the reflected light from the one surface of the paper 3 when the back is the white reflecting plate 68. Therefore, the density of one surface of the paper 3 can be detected based on each of these detection signals. Here, the density when the back is the black reflecting plate 66 is referred to as “back black density”, and the density when the back is the white reflecting plate 68 is referred to as “back white density”. The concentration obtained based on the above is referred to as “surface concentration”.
[0057]
Next, the solenoids 84 and 85 are driven and controlled, so that the density sensor 61 contacts the paper 3 and the density sensor 62 moves to a position away from the paper 3 as shown in FIG. Then, the light emitting element 65 of the density sensor 62 is caused to emit light, the detection signal from the light receiving element 67 that receives the reflected light from the other surface of the paper 3 at this time is captured, and then the light emitting element 69 of the density sensor 62 is caused to emit light. The detection signal from the light receiving element 67 that receives the reflected light from the paper 3 at this time is captured.
[0058]
Therefore, the detection signal corresponding to the reflected light from one surface of the paper 3 when the back is the black reflecting plate 66 from the density sensor 62 and the reflected light from the one surface of the paper 3 when the back is the white reflecting plate 68. Therefore, the back black density and the back white density of the other surface of the paper 3 are obtained based on these detection signals. The density obtained based on the detection signal of the density sensor 62 is referred to as “back density”.
[0059]
Here, for example, the back black density and the back white density on each side of various sheets obtained by the detection signals from the density sensors 61 and 62 are as shown in FIG. In the drawing, the back black density region (density area) is indicated by a solid line, and the back white density region (density area) is indicated by a broken line. Further, the terms “front surface” and “back surface” are also used for double-sided coated paper and plain paper, but this is for explanation purposes.
[0060]
In the example shown in the figure, assuming that the coated layer side of the single-sided coated paper with the coated layer formed on only one side is the front side and the side on which the coated layer is not formed is the back side, Both densities are higher than the back black density and back white density on the back side. On the other hand, since the back black density and the back white density on both sides of the double-sided coated paper and the plain paper are substantially the same, the single-sided coated paper depends on whether the back black density and the back white density are different on both sides. Or not. Further, since the difference between the back black density and the back white density (which is expressed as “(B−W)”) is smaller than the (B−W) of plain paper in the double-side coated paper, this (B−W) is By discriminating, it is possible to discriminate between double-side coated paper and plain paper.
[0061]
Therefore, returning to FIG. 8, the control unit compares the front density obtained from the density sensor 61 with the back density obtained from the detection sensor 62, and if the front density> the back density, the paper 3 is It is determined that one side of the coated paper is a coated layer, and if the front density <the back density, the paper 3 is determined to be coated paper and the other side is a coated layer. Further, if the front density = the back density, it is determined whether or not (B−W) is large. If (B−W) is not large, the paper 3 is specified as coated paper and both sides are coated layers. If (B−W) is large, it is determined that the paper 3 is plain paper.
[0062]
In this case, the surface density obtained from the density sensor 61 and the density sensor 62 are obtained when the surface with the coat layer on the paper is the front surface and the surface without the coat layer is the back surface, such as single-side coated paper. By comparing the back side density, the front and back sides of the coated paper can be discriminated, printed only on the side with the coated layer, or the front and back sides of the loaded paper are reversed. Can be transferred to the host 100 and displayed.
[0063]
That is, by using the above-described paper type sensor 60, the type of fed paper (one-side coated paper, double-side coated paper, or plain paper), the paper surface type (coated surface, uncoated surface). Can be detected, and the front and back surfaces of single-side coated paper can also be detected.
[0064]
Next, another example of sheet surface type and front / back surface discrimination processing in the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view similar to FIG.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, two types of coated paper 1 and coated paper 2 can be discriminated as coated paper. In the coated paper 1 and the coated paper 2, the coated paper 2 has a higher surface density (surface) than the coated paper 1, and the coated paper 1 has a higher back black density than the coated paper 2. And the difference in back white density (B−W) is large, and it is possible to determine which of the coated papers is by comparing one of them.
[0065]
Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the front density and the back density are compared. If the front density> the back density, it can be determined that the paper is a coated paper. Next, the difference between the back black density and the back white density (B -W) is determined to be large, and when the difference of (B-W) is large, it is specified that the surface of the coated paper 1 (the surface detected by the density sensor 61) is a coated layer, and (B- When the difference in W) is not large, it is determined on the coated paper 2 that the table is a coated layer.
[0066]
If the front density is smaller than the back density, it can be determined that the paper is coated paper. Next, it is determined whether or not the difference (B−W) between the back black density and the back white density is large, and (B−W). When the difference is large, it is determined that the back side of the coated paper 1 (the surface detected by the density sensor 62) is a coated layer. When the difference of (B−W) is not large, the back side of the coated paper 2 is the coated layer. It is determined that
[0067]
When the front density is equal to the back density, it is determined whether the paper is double-sided coated paper or plain paper in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.
[0068]
Next, still another example of the sheet surface type and front / back surface discrimination processing in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG.
Here, the back black density and the back white density for each sheet as shown in FIG. 11 are stored in the ROM 72 in advance. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the detection signals from the respective density sensors 61 and 62 are taken in to obtain the back black density and the back white density of the paper 3, and the detected density and previously stored density data are obtained. In comparison, the paper type having the corresponding density is determined, and the front and back surfaces or the surface type of the determined paper is determined from the back black density and the back white density.
[0069]
Therefore, by measuring the back black density and the back white density for various types of paper in advance and storing them, the paper type (single side coated paper, double side coated paper, plain paper) can be obtained for more types of paper. And the like), the sheet surface type (coated surface, uncoated surface, coated type, etc.) and front and back surfaces can be determined. In each of the above examples, the case where the coated paper is determined as the dedicated paper has been described. The same applies to the case where the glossy paper is determined as the dedicated paper and the case where the glossy paper and the coated paper are determined. Even when a color sensor is used instead of the density sensors 61 and 62, the paper type (single-side coated paper, double-side coated paper, plain paper, etc.) and paper surface type (coated surface) depending on the detected color. , The surface without a coat, the type of coat, etc.) and the front and back surfaces can be discriminated.
[0070]
Next, a first example of printing processing in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In this processing, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, the dedicated paper whose one side is a coated surface or a glossy surface (these are referred to as “exclusive paper surface”) is designated as a dedicated paper surface (this is “front surface”). ) Is printed first, and the surface that is not the coated surface or glossy surface (this is referred to as “plain paper surface” and “back surface”) is set in the paper feed cassette 4 in a state where it is printed later.
[0071]
Referring to the figure, first, it is determined whether or not the duplex printing mode is designated. When the duplex printing mode is designated, whether or not the dedicated paper mode for printing on the dedicated paper is designated next. Is determined. Here, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, the paper 3 is fed from the paper feed cassette 4. At this time, since the sheet 3 is fed in a state where the front surface, which is a dedicated paper surface, is printed first, printing is performed on the front surface (one surface) which is the dedicated paper surface of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode.
[0072]
Then, when printing on the front surface (one side) of the paper 3 is completed, the paper 3 is then printed again on the plain paper surface (back surface) as described above with reference to FIG. In the plain paper mode, printing is performed on the back side (the other side), which is the plain side of the paper 3, and the paper is discharged after the printing on the other side is completed.
[0073]
In this way, when duplex printing is specified in the dedicated paper mode, the dedicated paper mode is printed in the dedicated paper mode, and the plain paper surface is printed in the plain paper mode. Therefore, an appropriate print mode corresponding to the characteristics of the paper surface is used. Can be printed, and the recording speed is reduced due to incompatibility between the characteristics of the paper surface and the printing mode, and the recording is performed without causing deterioration in image quality such as image bleeding, low density, show-through, show-through, and color shift. Can do.
[0074]
Next, a second example of printing processing in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In the processing here, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, the user sets the paper in the paper feed cassette 4 with the dedicated paper side facing up, and either prints the other side of the paper in the dedicated paper mode or is plain paper. It is assumed that printing in the mode is selected and specified using the operation panel 8 or the printer driver 101 of the host 100.
[0075]
Referring to the figure, first, it is determined whether or not the duplex printing mode is designated. When the duplex printing mode is designated, whether or not the dedicated paper mode for printing on the dedicated paper is designated next. Is determined. Here, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, the paper 3 is fed from the paper feed cassette 4. At this time, since the sheet 3 is fed in a state where the dedicated sheet surface is printed first, the sheet 3 is printed as it is in the dedicated sheet mode.
[0076]
When printing on one side of the paper 3 is completed, the paper 3 is then printed on the other side and fed again, and whether or not the dedicated paper mode is designated or selected as the print mode for the other side. Is determined. If the printing mode for the other side is the dedicated paper mode, printing is performed on the other side of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode. If the printing mode is the plain paper mode, printing is performed on the other side of the paper 3 in the plain paper mode. The paper is discharged after the other side is printed.
[0077]
In this way, when duplex printing is specified in the dedicated paper mode, the dedicated paper mode is printed in the dedicated paper mode, and the plain paper surface is printed in the plain paper mode. Therefore, an appropriate print mode corresponding to the characteristics of the paper surface is used. Can be printed, and the recording speed is reduced due to incompatibility between the characteristics of the paper surface and the printing mode, and the recording is performed without causing deterioration in image quality such as image bleeding, low density, show-through, show-through, and color shift. Can do. And when printing in the dedicated paper mode on one side, the other side is printed according to the designation or selection of printing in the plain paper mode or printing in the dedicated paper mode. The paper, which is a paper surface, can be printed in the dedicated paper mode on both sides, and image quality is not degraded.
[0078]
Next, a third example of printing processing in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In the processing here, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, it is assumed that the dedicated paper having a single-sided dedicated surface is set in the paper feed cassette 4 by the user. It is not specified which surface is the dedicated paper surface (front surface).
[0079]
Referring to the figure, first, it is determined whether or not the duplex printing mode is designated. When the duplex printing mode is designated, whether or not the dedicated paper mode for printing on the dedicated paper is designated next. Is determined. Here, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, the sheet 3 is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 4, and one side of the sheet 3 fed by performing the sheet discrimination process (sheet front / back side discrimination process) as described above. Is detected and discriminated whether it is the front side (dedicated paper side) or the back side (plain paper side).
[0080]
At this time, if one surface of the fed paper 3 is a dedicated paper surface, printing is performed on the front surface (one surface) of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode, and printing is performed on the front surface (one surface) of the paper 3. Is completed, the paper 3 is printed on the plain paper surface (back surface) and then fed again, and printing is performed on the back surface (other surface) of the paper 3 in the normal paper mode. The paper is ejected after printing.
[0081]
At this time, if one surface of the fed paper 3 is a plain paper surface, printing is performed on the back surface (one surface) which is the plain paper surface of the paper 3 in the plain paper mode, and printing is performed on the back surface (one surface) of the paper 3. Is completed, the paper 3 is printed on the dedicated paper surface (front surface) and then fed again, and printing is performed on the front surface (other surface) of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode. The paper is ejected after printing.
[0082]
In this way, when duplex printing is specified in the dedicated paper mode, the front and back sides of the paper are discriminated, the front side is printed in the dedicated paper mode, and the back side is printed in the plain paper mode. Can be printed in an appropriate printing mode according to the paper quality, resulting in a decrease in image quality such as a reduction in recording speed due to incompatibility between the characteristics of the paper and the printing mode, image bleeding, low density, show-through, show-through, color shift, etc. Recording can be performed without any error, and when dedicated paper with front and back sides such as single-sided coated paper is set, printing can be performed in an appropriate print mode according to the type of paper, regardless of how the front and back sides are set. .
[0083]
Next, a fourth example of printing processing in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In this processing, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, the dedicated paper is set in the paper feed cassette 4 by the user. It is not specified which surface is a dedicated paper surface (front surface) or whether it is a single-sided coated paper or a double-sided coated paper.
[0084]
Referring to the figure, first, it is determined whether or not the duplex printing mode is designated. When the duplex printing mode is designated, whether or not the dedicated paper mode for printing on the dedicated paper is designated next. Is determined. Here, when the dedicated paper mode is designated, the paper 3 is fed from the paper feed cassette 4, and the paper discrimination process as described above is performed to determine whether one side is a dedicated paper side.
[0085]
At this time, if one side is a dedicated paper side, printing is performed on one side, which is the dedicated paper side of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode. Printing on one side of the paper.
[0086]
Then, when printing on one side of the paper 3 is completed, the paper 3 is then fed again with the other side printed, and it is determined whether or not the other side is a dedicated paper surface. If printing is performed on the other side, which is the dedicated paper surface of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode, and the other surface is not the dedicated paper surface (if it is a plain paper surface), the other surface which is the plain paper surface of the paper 3 in the normal paper mode. Is printed, and is discharged after printing on the other side.
[0087]
In this way, when duplex printing is specified in the dedicated paper mode, the surface type of the paper is detected, the dedicated paper mode is printed in the dedicated paper mode, and the plain paper surface is printed in the plain paper mode. Can be printed in an appropriate print mode according to the characteristics of the image, and the image quality of the recording speed is reduced due to incompatibility between the characteristics of the paper and the print mode, image bleeding, low density, show-through, show-through, color shift, etc. Recording can be performed without causing a decrease, and printing can be performed in an appropriate print mode according to the type of paper, regardless of whether a special paper whose one side is a special paper or a special paper whose both sides are a special paper.
[0088]
Next, a fifth example of printing processing in this ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In this example, when duplex printing is designated, printing is automatically performed according to the type of paper. With reference to FIG. 1, first, it is determined whether the duplex printing mode is designated. When the print mode is designated, the paper 3 is fed from the paper feed cassette 4, and the paper discrimination process as described above is performed to discriminate the type of each side of the fed paper 3.
[0089]
Then, it is determined whether or not one side of the paper 3 is a dedicated paper surface. If one side is a dedicated paper surface, printing is performed on one side that is the dedicated paper surface of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode. If there is a plain paper surface), printing is performed on one side of the plain paper 3 in the plain paper mode.
[0090]
Then, when printing on one side of the paper 3 is completed, the paper 3 is then fed again with the other side printed, and it is determined whether or not the other side is a dedicated paper surface. If printing is performed on the other side, which is the dedicated paper surface of the paper 3 in the dedicated paper mode, and the other surface is not the dedicated paper surface (if it is a plain paper surface), the other surface which is the plain paper surface of the paper 3 in the normal paper mode. Is printed, and is discharged after printing on the other side.
[0091]
In this way, when duplex printing is designated, the paper surface type is automatically detected, the dedicated paper surface is printed in the dedicated paper mode, and the plain paper surface is printed in the plain paper mode. Can be easily printed in the optimal printing mode according to the characteristics, and the image quality such as recording speed reduction, blurring of images, low density, show-through, show-through, color shift, etc. due to incompatibility between paper characteristics and print mode It is possible to perform recording without incurring a decrease in image quality, and it becomes unnecessary to specify whether or not to print in the dedicated paper mode, thereby simplifying the printing operation.
[0092]
Next, an embodiment of the printer driver 101 of the host 100 according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is an example in which double-sided printing is possible on the image recording apparatus side. In addition, the printer driver 101 is a host device that provides data to the image recording apparatus via a printer cable or a line (including a general subscriber telephone network, a dedicated line, a local area network, a LAN, etc.) or a copy, In the case of a multifunction machine including a facsimile, a printer, etc., it is stored and held in the storage means of the multifunction machine itself, and is installed in the host device or the multifunction machine via a storage medium or a network.
[0093]
A first example of printer driver designation processing will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the print property screen is displayed to determine whether or not double-sided printing is specified. When double-sided printing is specified, a print mode setting screen for setting the print mode is displayed and the specified print mode is set. take in. Here, the setting of the print mode is set to the dedicated paper mode or the plain paper mode for each side. In this case, the setting may be made for each page, or one side and the other side may be collectively set to the dedicated paper mode or the plain paper mode.
[0094]
Since the print mode for each side of the paper can be individually set in this way, it is possible to print in the optimal print mode according to the paper surface type, and easily in the optimal print mode according to the characteristics of the paper surface. Printing can be performed without reducing the recording speed due to incompatibility between the characteristics of the paper surface and the print mode, image bleeding, low density, show-through, show-through, and color tone deterioration. it can.
[0095]
Next, a second example of the designation process of the printer driver 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the print property screen is displayed to determine whether or not double-sided printing is specified. When double-sided printing is specified, it is determined whether or not the dedicated paper mode is specified, and the dedicated paper mode is specified. When printing, one side is printed in the dedicated paper mode and the other side is printed in the plain paper mode.
[0096]
In this way, when the dedicated paper mode is designated for duplex printing, the print mode is designated for each side of the document to be printed by automatically designating one side to the dedicated paper mode and the other side to the plain paper mode. Becomes unnecessary, and the operability is improved.
[0097]
Next, a third example of the designation process of the printer driver 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the print property screen is displayed to determine whether or not double-sided printing is specified. When double-sided printing is specified, it is determined whether or not the dedicated paper mode is specified, and the dedicated paper mode is specified. If it is, a screen for designating the print mode for the other side is displayed, and the print mode (dedicated paper mode or plain paper mode) designated as the print mode for the other side is captured.
[0098]
As described above, when the dedicated paper mode is designated in the duplex printing, the single-side coated paper and the double-side coated paper are used by making it possible to select either the dedicated paper mode or the plain paper mode as the printing mode for the other side. Even in this case, the print mode corresponding to the type of each surface can be designated.
[0099]
A program that executes the steps in each of these designation processes is stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and is read and installed on the host, so that the image recording apparatus can change the sheet surface type and front / back surface characteristics. It becomes possible to print in the corresponding print mode.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the image recording apparatus that can perform double-sided printing and can perform printing on different types of paper according to the characteristics of the paper. InPrinting according to the coated surface is specified, andWhen duplex printing is specified, the paper is fed and re-fed, and the side of the paper that is not the coated surfaceAgainstPrinting according to non-coated surface and coated surfaceAgainstPrinting according to the coated surfaceAnd switchWith means to do,Double-sided printing is performed on a non-coated surface without the need for designation according to its characteristicsSince the configuration is adopted, it is possible to perform double-sided printing on sheets having different surface types on the front and back surfaces without causing a decrease in recording speed and image quality.
[0101]
  Image recording apparatus according to the present inventionAccording toIn an image recording apparatus capable of duplex printing and capable of performing printing according to the characteristics of paper on different types of paper,Printing according to the coated surface is specified, andWhen duplex printing is specified,Feed the paper placed in the paper cassette as it is,Printing according to the coated surface is performed on one surface of the paper, and then the surface opposite to the surface on which the printing is completed by refeeding the paper is used as the printing surface. With means to do, Double-sided printing is performed on surfaces that are not coated surfaces without requiring specification according to the characteristicsSince the configuration is adopted, double-sided printing can be performed on sheets having different surface types on the front and back surfaces without causing a decrease in recording speed and image quality.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view of a mechanism unit of the recording apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a density sensor in the recording apparatus.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the concentration sensor.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an arrangement position of the concentration sensor
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a control unit of the recording apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining double-sided printing operation of the recording apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of paper discrimination processing;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a concentration distribution used for explaining the first example.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a second example of paper discrimination processing;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a concentration distribution used for explaining the second example.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a third example of paper discrimination processing;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of print processing;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of print processing.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of print processing.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a fourth example of print processing;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a fifth example of print processing;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of printer driver designation processing according to the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of printer driver designation processing according to the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of printer driver designation processing according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Apparatus main body, 2 ... Printing mechanism part, 3 ... Paper, 4 ... Paper feed cassette, 6 ... Discharge tray, 13 ... Carriage, 14 ... Head, 21 ... Conveyance roller, 23 ... Conveyance belt, 42 ... Discharge Roller, 46 ... first branch claw, 47 ... switchback roller, 49 ... second branch claw, 60 ... paper type sensor, 61, 62 ... density sensor.

Claims (2)

In an image recording apparatus capable of duplex printing and capable of performing printing according to paper characteristics on different types of paper,
When printing according to the coated surface is specified and duplex printing is specified,
Perform paper feed and re-feeding of the sheet, comprising means for performing switching to printing and according to the coated surface for printing and coated surface corresponding to the surface not coated surface to the surface not coated surface of the paper,
An image recording apparatus for performing double-sided printing on a surface that is not a coated surface without requiring designation according to the characteristics thereof . In an image recording apparatus capable of duplex printing and capable of performing printing according to paper characteristics on different types of paper,
When printing according to the coated surface is specified and duplex printing is specified,
The paper placed in the paper cassette is fed as it is, and printing according to the coated surface is first performed on one side of the paper, and then the paper is fed again to complete the printing. With the surface opposite the surface as the printing surface, equipped with means for printing according to the surface that is not the coating surface ,
An image recording apparatus for performing double-sided printing on a surface that is not a coated surface without requiring designation according to the characteristics thereof .

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