JP2008119970A - Recording apparatus and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: Conventionally, even in a recording apparatus capable of reusing a recording medium, the reusing of the recording medium has not been effectively utilized to the maximum extent.
SOLUTION: A recording medium supply means, a recording medium transport means, a detection means for detecting a rectangular blank area having an area equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, and a detection result by the detection means. Storage means for storing, determination means for determining whether or not a new image can be recorded in accordance with the detection result stored in the storage means, and the determination means recording the new image. A sheet on which an image has been recorded, which has control means for controlling to record a new image in the margin when it is determined to be possible, and controlling to discharge the recording medium if it is determined to be impossible Recording apparatus capable of recording a new image on a recording medium.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that makes effective use of a blank portion of a recording medium and enables environmental protection and cost reduction, and a recording method using the recording apparatus.

  In recent years, the usage rate of the Internet has increased with the spread of personal computers. For this reason, there were more opportunities to search the Internet for what had been studied in the book materials so far, and print and use the necessary information obtained there. In addition, the number of children with their own personal computers has increased, and the frequency of printing at home has increased. In this way, the environment where copiers and printers are used is expanding. As a result, people's methods of using copiers and printers and the demands for these methods have been diversified. On the other hand, environmental protection and cost reduction are increasingly important issues.

  Conventionally, from the viewpoint of effective use of resources, in a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, recording is performed on the back surface of a recording medium already recorded on the front surface, and the recording medium is reused. For example, the recording apparatuses disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have a function of determining whether or not recording has already been performed on both sides of a recording medium and recording on a recording surface on which recording has not been performed. Have. If it is determined that both sides of the recording medium have already been recorded, the recording medium is automatically ejected.

However, even if the recording medium is a recording medium on which both sides have already been recorded, there are not a few cases where a sufficient space for new recording remains in the margin. In that case, the user's desire to use the recording medium effectively by recording it in the margin without discarding the recording medium is also conceivable.
JP-A-6-316136 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-186958

  Conventional recording devices determine whether there is recording on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium, and if there is recording on both sides, it is determined that no further recording is possible, and the recording medium is ejected. It was a thing. Therefore, for example, a recording medium in which only one character is recorded on each of the front surface and the back surface and a large amount of margin is discharged. For this reason, there has been a problem that the recording medium is not utilized to the maximum extent.

  Further, the determination as to whether or not the recording medium has already been recorded is performed at the stage of actually attempting a new recording. If the new recording surface is a surface on which recording has already been performed, the recording medium is turned over once in the recording apparatus, and the recording is performed with the unrecorded surface turned to the front surface. There was a time loss.

  In addition, when recording is performed in the margin of a recording medium on which both sides have already been recorded, there is a new problem that it is difficult to distinguish between the originally recorded area and the newly recorded area.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that enables reuse of a recording medium having a margin part for recording a new image, although there are already recorded images.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a recording apparatus capable of recording a new image on a sheet-like recording medium on which an image has been recorded,
Supply means for supplying the recording medium into the recording apparatus;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a recording apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting a rectangular blank area having an area equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold of the recording medium on the surface of the entire recording medium on which the image of the recording medium transported by the transporting unit is recorded. When,
Storage means for storing a detection result by the detection means;
Determining means for determining whether the new image can be recorded on the surface according to the detection result stored in the storage means;
If the determination means determines that the new image can be recorded, control is performed to record a new image in the margin, and the determination means cannot record the new image. And a control unit that controls to discharge the recording medium when the recording medium is determined.

Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a recording method using a recording apparatus capable of recording a new image on a sheet-like recording medium on which an image has been recorded,
Supplying the recording medium into the recording apparatus;
A conveying step of conveying the recording medium in a recording apparatus;
A detection step for detecting a rectangular blank portion having an area equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold of the recording medium on the surface of the recording medium on the entire surface on which the image of the recording medium conveyed in the conveying step is recorded. When,
A storage step for storing a detection result of the detection step;
A determination step of determining whether or not the new image can be recorded on the surface according to the detection result stored in the storage step;
If it is determined that the new image can be recorded in the determination step, the new image is controlled to be recorded in the margin, and the new image is not recorded in the determination step. And a control step of controlling the recording medium to be ejected when it is determined to be possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that enables reuse of a recording medium having a blank portion for recording a new image although there is an already recorded image. With this recording apparatus, it is possible to reuse a recording medium that has been discarded in the past, for example, only one character is recorded on each of the front and back surfaces, and has a lot of blank space, to make the most effective use. it can. This eliminates waste of the recording medium requested by the user and leads to environmental protection and cost saving.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

  In this specification, “recording” not only forms significant information such as characters and graphics, but also forms images, patterns, patterns, etc. on a wide variety of recording media, regardless of significance, or It also represents the case where the medium is processed. It does not matter whether it has been made obvious so that humans can perceive it visually.

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall. In this specification, a sheet-like recording medium is represented.

  Further, the term “ink” should be interpreted broadly in the same way as the definition of “recording”, and is applied to the recording medium to form an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like, or process the recording medium. It represents a liquid that can be subjected to the treatment. Examples of the ink treatment include solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing the recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state of the recording medium before and after passing through the recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the recording apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a recording apparatus capable of detecting a margin portion 21 of a recording medium and recording the margin portion 21. Reference numeral 12 denotes a recording medium. In FIG. 1, recording is performed on a blank portion 21 existing only in the lower half of the surface by the recording device 11.

  FIG. 2A shows the recording medium 12 before a new recording is made in the margin part 21, in which recording has already been performed on the back surface and the upper half of the front surface, and the margin part 21 exists only in the lower half of the front surface. It is. FIG. 2B shows the recording medium 12 after a new recording is performed on the margin 21 using the recording device 11. In this embodiment, in order to distinguish between the originally recorded area and the newly recorded area, a cross mark is recorded in the originally recorded area as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 31 denotes a paper feeding unit that stores the recording medium 12 before the blank portion 21 is detected. Reference numerals 32 and 34 denote conveyance rollers for conveying the recording medium 12. Reference numeral 33 denotes an integrated recording head equipped with an ink tank for recording on the recording medium 12 and an optical sensor for detecting the blank portion 21. Reference numerals 36 and 37 denote paper feed units for storing recording media, and 39 denotes a paper discharge unit. Reference numerals 35 and 40 denote sorting rollers for performing sorting in accordance with information on margins and areas already recorded.

  3B and 3C show a portion surrounded by a broken line portion in FIG. FIG. 3B shows the positional relationship between the recording medium 12 and the sorting roller 35 when the recording medium 12 is transported to the paper supply unit 36 or the paper discharge unit 39. FIG. 3C shows the positional relationship between the recording medium 12 and the sorting roller 35 when the recording medium 12 is conveyed to the paper feed unit 37. Further, when the recording medium 12 is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 39, both the sorting roller 35 and the sorting roller 40 rotate clockwise. Further, when the recording medium 12 is conveyed to the paper feeding unit 36, the sorting roller 35 is clockwise, but the sorting roller 40 is counterclockwise. Further, when the recording medium 12 is conveyed to the paper feeding unit 37, the sorting roller 35 rotates counterclockwise.

  Next, control of the recording apparatus used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the recording apparatus 11.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the controller 600 includes an MPU 601, a ROM 602 that stores a program corresponding to a control sequence described later, a required table, and other fixed data. Further, it has a special application integrated circuit (ASIC) 603 that generates control signals for controlling the carriage motor M1, the conveyance motor M2, and the recording head 3. In addition, the RAM 604, the MPU 601, the ASIC 603, and the non-volatile memory 650 for storing information such as detected margins are connected to each other to exchange data. A system bus 605 is provided. Furthermore, an analog signal from a sensor group described below is input, A / D converted, and an A / D converter 606 that supplies a digital signal to the MPU 601 is configured.

  In FIG. 14, reference numeral 610 denotes a computer or the like as a supply source of image data, which is generically called a host device. Image data, commands, status signals, and the like are transmitted and received between the host device 610 and the recording device 11 via an interface (I / F) 611.

  Further, reference numeral 620 denotes a switch group, such as a power switch 621, a print switch 622 for instructing the start of printing, and a recovery switch 623 for instructing the start of the recovery process. Consists of A sensor group 630 includes a position sensor 631 such as a photocoupler, a temperature sensor 632, and the like.

  Further, 640 is a carriage motor driver that drives the carriage motor M1, and 642 is a conveyance motor driver that drives the conveyance motor M2. A recording head driver 644 drives the recording head 3.

  Next, the recording method of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S110, the recording medium 12 is supplied into the recording device 11. Next, in step S120, the recording medium 12 is conveyed to the detection position of the blank portion. Next, in step S130, the margin of the recording medium is detected. Here, by detecting the entire surface on which the image has been recorded, a rectangular blank portion having an area equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold in the recording medium on the surface is detected. When a plurality of rectangular margins are detected, the rectangular margin having the maximum area is selected as the margin. Next, when a blank portion is detected in step S140, it is determined that the recording medium can be reused, and in step S150, control is performed to record a new image in the blank portion. In step S160, recording is started based on the control in step S150. If no blank portion is detected in step S140, it is determined that the recording medium cannot be reused, and in step S170, the recording medium is discharged to the paper discharge unit.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the recording apparatus. FIG. 5 shows a margin detection method using an optical sensor. FIG. 6 shows an image being detected and a detection signal obtained from the image.

  In FIG. 4A, 52 is a belt for scanning the recording head, and 53 is a guide rail for scanning the recording head. Also, 12 is a recording medium, 33 is a recording head on which an ink tank is mounted, and an optical sensor for detecting margins. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the lower structure 33 (broken line portion in FIG. 4A) of FIG. 4A. Reference numeral 55 denotes an ejection mechanism, and 56 denotes an optical sensor for margin detection. In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 56 and the discharge mechanism 55 are coexisting to reduce the cost, but they may be provided in another place without being integrated. The optical sensor 56 can also read the paper type and the character color, character font, and font of the area already recorded.

  FIG. 5 shows a means for detecting the margin of the recording medium 12 using the optical sensor 56 of FIG. Reference numeral 61 denotes a light source, 62 and 66 denote lenses, 63, 64 and 65 denote RGB sensors, and 12 denotes a recording medium in which a margin is detected. The optical sensor 56 irradiates light from the light source 61 and collects the light on the recording medium 12 through the lens 62. Then, the amount of light reflected from the recording medium 12 is detected by the sensors 63, 64, and 65 to determine whether or not there is a blank space.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically illustrating an image recorded on the recording medium 12 and a grid indicating the resolution of the optical sensor 56 when performing margin detection. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing detection signals obtained at lines 73 and 74 in FIG. In the recording medium 12 on which characters or the like are recorded as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to easily recognize 71 and 72 which are the squares on which recording is performed and other blank portions.

  FIG. 6C is a diagram schematically showing a gradation image recorded on the recording medium 12 that is different from that shown in FIG. 6A and grids indicating the resolution of the optical sensor 56 when performing margin detection. is there. FIG. 6D is a diagram showing detection signals obtained at lines 83 and 84 in FIG. In the recording medium 12 on which a gradation image such as a photograph is recorded as shown in FIG. 6 (c), it is difficult to determine the squares recorded at a low image density and the squares on the blank portion. is there. For this reason, in this embodiment, a threshold value is provided, and the density below the threshold value and the squares recognized by the optical sensor 56 are determined to be blank portions.

  In this embodiment, the blank portion is detected at the resolution of the optical sensor. However, if the blank portion is detected at a high resolution, the detection time becomes long. In many cases, the detection of the blank portion does not require detection at a high resolution, such as detection of one character in a small font. For this reason, the resolution at the time of detecting the blank portion is not the highest resolution that the optical sensor has, and may be a low resolution so that the detection time does not become long.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus having three stages of margins of a recording medium and paper feeding sections that are stored separately according to an already recorded image. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for separating and storing the recording media in the three paper feeding units according to the margin ratio of the recording medium. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of the monitor screen when the recording medium is stored separately.

  In FIG. 7A, 41, 42 and 43 are paper gripping rollers capable of taking out and transporting the recording medium 12 from the paper feed unit, 36, 37 and 45 are paper feed units, and 39, 44 and 46 are ejected. Paper section. A reusable recording medium 12 is stored in the paper feeding unit 45. The separation of the recording medium 12 into each paper feeding unit is effective depending on the ratio of the margin part, the position of the margin part, the type of the recording medium, and the like. However, the separation may be performed under other conditions. .

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of this embodiment in which the recording medium is sorted and stored in the three paper feeding units in accordance with the ratio of the blank portion of the recording medium.

  When the user separately stores recording media to be reused according to the ratio of the blank portion, first, in step S205, the recording medium 12 to be reused is fed in the paper feeding unit 31 in a time zone when the recording apparatus is not used. Set to. Next, in step S210, an external host device such as a personal computer or an input operation unit of the recording apparatus is set so as to perform separate storage in each of the paper feeding units 36, 37, and 45 according to the ratio of the blank part. . When the setting is performed by a personal computer, the ratio of the blank portion displayed on the personal computer screen 122 is selected as shown in FIG. Further, when the setting is performed by the input operation unit of the recording apparatus, the margin ratio is selected from the input operation unit 132 as shown in FIG. When the setting is performed by a personal computer, after the margin ratio is selected, the screen 122 of the personal computer becomes a screen for setting the margin ratio by the user as shown in FIG. The ratio of the margin part of the recording medium to be separately stored is set. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9D, the paper feed unit 45 has a blank portion ratio of 20% to 49%, and the paper feed unit 36 has a blank portion ratio of 50%. The recording medium of% to 69% and the paper feeding unit 37 are set so as to separately store recording media having a margin ratio of 70% or more.

  Thereafter, in step S215, the recording medium 12 is conveyed one by one to the position where the margin is detected by the optical sensor. In step S220, the ratio of the margin, the position of the margin, and the type of the recording medium are determined by the optical sensor. Detect. Further, the character color, character font, font, ruled line, frame, character direction, and character set (vertical and horizontal) of the already recorded area may be further detected. Then, based on the detected information, in step S225, it is determined whether or not each recording medium can be reused. The determination criterion here can also be set at the time of setting in step S210. In this embodiment, the blank portion is a rectangular blank portion having the maximum area, and the area is 20% or more with respect to the area of one side of the recording medium. This is because the margin part of this level is considered as a commonly used criterion. However, since there are individual differences in this criterion, it is assumed that the minimum setting value of the margin ratio can be freely changed by the user. In step S225, when the ratio of the blank portion of the recording medium 12 is less than 20%, in step S230, the recording medium is transported to the paper discharge unit 44 and processed as waste. In step S225, the recording medium 12 determined to be reusable stores the detected information in the non-volatile memory 650 provided on the substrate of the recording apparatus, and at the same time, supplies the detected information in accordance with the margin ratio. Separately stored in one of the paper sections 45, 36, and 37. Specifically, if it is determined in step S235 that the margin of the recording medium 12 is 20% to 49%, the recording medium is conveyed to the paper feeding unit 45 in step S240. If it is determined in step S235 that the margin of the recording medium 12 is 50% to 69%, the recording medium is conveyed to the paper feeding unit 45 in step S240. If it is determined in step S235 that the margin of the recording medium 12 is 70% or more, the recording medium is conveyed to the paper feeding unit 45 in step S240.

  As described above, when the recording apparatus is not used, the recording medium is sorted and stored in accordance with the user's request, thereby eliminating a time loss when performing new recording.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the case of separate storage according to the ratio of the blank portion is shown. However, if the user wants to store separately according to the type of recording medium, for example, it can be set to be sorted according to the type of recording medium such as photo paper, photo glossy paper, plain paper, etc. Can be stored separately.

  When the recording medium 12 is transported to the paper discharge unit or the paper feed unit, or when the recording medium 12 is transported from the paper discharge unit or the paper feed unit, the portion shown in FIG. 7B plays an important role. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the broken line portion of FIG. 7A divided into the time of paper discharge and the time of paper feed. In FIG. 7B, the paper gripping roller 41 has a roller A48 and a roller B49. When transporting the recording medium 12 stored in the paper supply unit 45, the paper gripping roller 41 is tilted, the roller A48 is pressed against the recording medium 12, and the roller A48 is rotated clockwise, whereby the recording medium 12 is moved to the recording head unit. Transport in the direction. When the recording medium 12 sent from the direction of the recording head is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 44, the roller A48 and the roller B49 are rotated clockwise without tilting the paper gripping roller 41. When the recording medium 12 is stored in the paper feeding unit 45, the paper gripping roller 41 is tilted and the rollers A48 and B49 are rotated counterclockwise.

  In FIG. 7A, the paper feed units 45, 36, and 37 can also be used as paper discharge units.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart in the case where new recording is performed using the reusable recording media stored separately. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state of the monitor screen when new recording is performed using the reusable recording media stored separately.

  When a new recording is performed using the reusable recording medium stored separately, first, in step S305, the recording using the reusable recording medium is performed, and the input operation unit 132 of the personal computer or the recording apparatus is used. Etc. to switch to the reuse mode screen. In step S310, a reusable recording medium selection condition is set. In the case of setting using a personal computer, after inputting that the recording is performed, as shown in FIG. 11A, the screen 122 of the personal computer can input a condition for selecting a reusable recording medium. The reusable recording medium selection conditions are entered. Similarly, when setting using the input operation unit 132 of the recording apparatus, the same screen is displayed on the input operation unit 132 as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the selection conditions for the reusable recording medium are input in detail. When the margin portion / recording medium type is selected on the personal computer screen 122 in FIG. 11A, the personal computer screen 122 is displayed as shown in FIG. 11C, and the ratio of the margin portion, the position of the margin portion, The type of recording medium can be entered in detail. For example, in FIG. 11C, the margin portion is input in the range of 50% to 69%, the margin portion is positioned on the lower side, and the type of the recording medium is plain paper. Further, when information on an already recorded area is selected on the screen of FIG. 11A, the screen of FIG. 11D is displayed. Here, the character color, character font, font, ruled line, frame, background, character set, identification mark, and fill are input.

  Next, in step S315, it is searched whether there is a recording medium that meets the selection condition. Next, if there is a suitable recording medium in step S320, a means for differentiating between the already recorded area and the newly recorded area is selected in step S325 (FIG. 11 (e)). . In step S330, the compatible recording medium is taken out from the paper feeding unit, and recording is started. Here, the recording medium on which the new image is recorded includes the area that has been recorded before the new image is recorded and the area that has been newly recorded, even though a new recording has been performed in the margin. Because it is differentiated, it is easy to read.

  If there is a compatible recording medium in step S320, it is determined in step S335 whether or not only the margin ratio is not compatible. If only the margin portion ratio does not match, it is faster to match the new recording area with the size of the margin portion than to re-enter the conditions and search for a suitable recording medium again. However, if the size of the newly recorded area and the margin are too different, there may be a problem that the newly recorded image becomes difficult to see. For this reason, when only the ratio of the margin part does not match, in step S340, the recording medium that has the margin part closest to the margin part condition selected in step S310 is selected. Next, in step S345, a means for differentiating the already recorded area from the newly recorded area is selected (FIG. 11 (e)). In step S350, a suitable recording medium is taken out from the paper feeding unit, and an image to be newly recorded is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the size of the margin area to start recording.

  If it is determined in step S335 that only the margin ratio does not match, the process returns to step S310, and a condition for selecting a reusable recording medium is input again.

  FIG. 12A shows an example in which the image is newly recorded after being reduced according to the ratio of the margin.

  If the newly recorded area 172 is larger than the margin, the area 171 that has already been recorded before new recording is overlapped. Therefore, the new recording area is reduced and recorded in accordance with the size of the margin. Then, the new recording area 173 recorded in a reduced size can be recorded without overlapping the area 171 already recorded before the new recording is performed.

  An example in which an area that has already been recorded before a new recording and a newly recorded area can be distinguished will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12B shows an example in which, when a newly recorded area 172 is recorded, an x mark 211 is added as an identification mark to the area 171 that has already been recorded before the new recording.

  FIG. 12C shows an example in which when a newly recorded area 172 is recorded, a record 212 for filling the area 171 that has already been recorded before the new recording is performed.

  FIG. 13A shows an example in which a ruled line 221, a frame 222, and a background 223 are recorded when a newly recorded area 172 is recorded.

  FIG. 13 (b-1) shows that when the characters in the area 171 that have already been recorded before the new recording is recorded horizontally from left to right, the newly recorded area 172 is changed to 180 characters. This is an example of recording horizontally from right to left in a rotated state. FIG. 13B-2 is an example in which the identification line 233 is further recorded at the end of the recording medium to clarify the upper and lower sides of the recording medium, and the newly recorded area 172 is clarified.

  FIG. 13C shows an example in which the newly recorded area 172 is recorded as a vertically written character set when the previously recorded area 171 before the new recording is a horizontally written character set. . This example is particularly preferable when the area 171 that has already been recorded before the new recording is a horizontally written character set, and it is determined that the newly written sentence or the like is more appropriate for the vertical writing. .

  FIG. 13D shows an example in which the newly recorded area 172 is recorded with a font different from that of the area 171 already recorded before the new recording is performed. In addition to recording with different fonts, recording may be performed with different character colors and fonts.

  As in each of the above embodiments, by making it possible to distinguish an area that has already been recorded from before the new recording and a newly recorded area, where the newly recorded area is recorded. You can make it clear. In addition, which method is used to make the distinction depends on the image of the area that has already been recorded before the new recording. If a background is recorded in an area that has already been recorded before a new recording is performed, it is difficult to distinguish even if the same background is recorded in the newly recorded area. Therefore, another method is taken.

  Further, the distinction method is not limited to one, and by combining several methods, it is possible to make it easier to understand where the newly recorded area is recorded.

  In the above embodiment, the recording apparatus configured to perform recording by scanning the recording head is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a full line having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus. A recording apparatus having a type of recording head may be used. Similarly, the above embodiment uses the recording apparatus configured to detect the margin part by scanning the detection unit that detects the margin part of the recording medium. A recording apparatus having a detecting means having a length corresponding to the width may be used.

1 is a schematic external perspective view of a recording apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure showing the state of the recording medium before and after passing the recording device of this invention. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. It is the schematic which showed the internal structure of the recording device of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a unit that detects a margin of a recording medium using an optical sensor. It is a figure which shows the image currently detected and the detection signal obtained from the image. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for separately storing recording media according to a margin ratio of the recording media. It is a figure which shows the state of the monitor screen at the time of storing separately a recording medium. It is a figure which shows the flowchart in the case of performing new recording using the reusable recording medium stored separately. It is a figure which shows the state of the monitor screen at the time of performing new recording using the reusable recording medium stored separately. It is a figure which shows the example which enabled it to distinguish the area | region already recorded before new recording was performed, and the area | region newly recorded. It is a figure which shows the example which enabled it to distinguish the area | region already recorded before new recording was performed, and the area | region newly recorded. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the recording device used by this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the recording method of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Recording apparatus 12 Recording medium 21 Margin part 31 Paper feed part 32 Conveyance roller 33 The recording head and the optical sensor integrated 34 Conveyance roller 35 The distribution roller 36 The paper supply part 37 The paper supply part 39 The paper discharge part 40 The distribution roller 41 Paper gripping roller 42 Paper gripping roller 43 Paper gripping roller 44 Paper discharge portion 45 Paper feed portion 46 Paper discharge portion 48 Roller A
49 Laura B
52 Belt 53 Guide rail 55 Discharge mechanism 56 Optical sensor 61 Light source 62 Lens 63 R sensor 64 G sensor 65 B sensor 66 Lens 122 Screen 132 Input operation unit 171 Area 172 that has already been recorded before new recording is performed 172 Recorded area 173 Newly recorded area 211 recorded in a reduced size Identification mark 212 Recording 221 for painting out Ruled line 222 Frame 223 Background 233 Identification line

Claims (9)

A recording apparatus capable of recording a new image on a sheet-like recording medium on which an image has been recorded,
Supply means for supplying the recording medium into the recording apparatus;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a recording apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting a rectangular blank area having an area equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold of the recording medium on the surface of the entire recording medium on which the image of the recording medium transported by the transporting unit is recorded. When,
Storage means for storing a detection result by the detection means;
Determining means for determining whether the new image can be recorded on the surface according to the detection result stored in the storage means;
If the determination means determines that the new image can be recorded, control is performed to record a new image in the margin, and the determination means cannot record the new image. And a control unit for controlling the recording medium to be discharged when the recording medium is determined.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects a rectangular blank portion having a maximum area when the detection unit detects a plurality of the rectangular blank portions. Storage means for storing a recording medium in which the margin is detected by the detection means;
When the control means is controlled to record the new image, the take-out conveying means takes out the recording medium from the storage means according to the new image and conveys the taken-out recording medium to the recording position. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of storage means;
Sorting storage means for sorting and storing in the plurality of storage means a recording medium that has been detected by the detection means to be capable of recording the new image and that is capable of recording the new image. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:   5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a portion where the density of the recorded image is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value as a blank portion. 6. .   6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to record the new image so that the recorded image and the new image can be distinguished from each other. The recording device according to item.   The control means controls to record another image on the recorded image so that the recorded image and the new image can be distinguished from each other. The recording apparatus according to claim 6.   8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that the size of the new image is changed according to the size of the margin portion. . A recording method using a recording apparatus capable of recording a new image on a sheet-like recording medium on which an image has been recorded,
Supplying the recording medium into the recording apparatus;
A conveying step of conveying the recording medium in a recording apparatus;
A detection step for detecting a rectangular blank portion having an area equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold of the recording medium on the surface of the recording medium on the entire surface on which the image of the recording medium conveyed in the conveying step is recorded. When,
A storage step for storing a detection result of the detection step;
A determination step of determining whether or not the new image can be recorded on the surface according to the detection result stored in the storage step;
If it is determined that the new image can be recorded in the determination step, the new image is controlled to be recorded in the margin, and the new image is not recorded in the determination step. And a control step of controlling the recording medium to be ejected when it is determined to be possible.

Images