JP2010212872A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing apparatus capable of printing the content described in a first envelope on a second envelope as a recording medium in a correct orientation without worrying about the orientation of the first envelope as a document. To provide.
A cover H of a document envelope G is identified from data obtained by reading a document envelope G by a scanner unit, and a direction in which the document envelope is read by the scanner unit from the identified lid H (right-facing, left-facing, Downward or upward) is detected, and print data is created according to the detected orientation. Therefore, the content described in the original envelope G can be printed in the correct orientation on the recording envelope without worrying about the orientation in which the original envelope G is set.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  In Patent Document 1, an address card 22 in which an address written by hand is written is read by the reading unit 12, the inclination of the read address is detected and corrected, and the address is printed on a postcard or an envelope. A printing apparatus 100 is described.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-292962

  However, in the address printing apparatus 100 described above, it is necessary to set the address card 22 in a predetermined direction with respect to the reading unit 12, for example, when the address card 22 is set in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Had a problem that the address was printed in the reverse direction.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and does not care about the direction in which the first envelope as a document is set, so that the contents described in the first envelope can be correctly oriented. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of printing on a second envelope as a recording medium.

  In order to achieve this object, a printing apparatus according to claim 1 is configured to read a first envelope as a manuscript, and read a description described in the first envelope from data read by the reading unit. Printing means for printing on a second envelope as a recording medium, an identification means for identifying a lid of the first envelope from data read by the reading means, and a lid identified by the identification means The first detection means for detecting the orientation of the first envelope read by the first reading means, and the orientation of the written content is changed according to the orientation of the first envelope detected by the first detection means. Changing means, and printing control means for controlling the printing means so that the written content is printed on the second envelope in the direction changed by the changing means.

  A printing apparatus according to a second aspect is the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising second detection means for detecting an orientation of the second envelope printed by the printing means, wherein the changing means is the first In addition to the direction of the envelope, the direction of the described content to be printed on the second envelope is changed according to the direction of the second envelope detected by the second detection means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the third detection means detects whether the lid of the second envelope is closed before printing, and the third detection means. Printing stop means for stopping printing when it is detected that the lid of the second envelope is closed.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 4 is the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification unit is configured to identify a lid in a state where the lid of the first envelope is open, Informing means for informing that the first envelope is read by the reading means in a state where the first envelope is opened when the orientation of the first envelope is not detected by the first detecting means. I have.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 5 is the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second detection means detects a position of a postal code column described in the second envelope, and The direction of the second envelope is detected from the position of the detected postal code column.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 6 is the printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second detection means detects the position of the postal code column on one side of the second envelope when the other side is not detected. Detect the position of the postal code column in

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the first envelope as the original is read by the reading unit, the lid of the first envelope is identified by the identifying unit from the read data, and the first envelope is identified from the identified lid. The direction of the first envelope read by the reading means is detected by the first detection means. Then, the orientation of the written content described in the first envelope is changed by the changing means according to the detected orientation of the first envelope, and the written content is changed to the second envelope as the recording medium in the changed orientation. The printing means is controlled by the printing control means so that printing is performed. Therefore, regardless of the orientation in which the first envelope is read by the reading means, the orientation of the description content can be changed by the changing means so that the description content is printed in the correct orientation. Therefore, there is an effect that the contents described in the first envelope can be printed on the second envelope in the correct orientation without worrying about the direction in which the first envelope is set.

  According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the printing apparatus of the first aspect, the orientation of the second envelope printed by the printing means is detected by the second detection means. And the direction of the description content printed on the 2nd envelope is changed according to the direction of the 2nd envelope detected by the 2nd detection means in addition to the direction of the 1st envelope. Therefore, regardless of the orientation in which the second envelope is printed by the printing means, the orientation of the description content can be changed by the changing means so that the description content is printed in the correct orientation. Therefore, there is an effect that the contents described in the first envelope can be printed in the correct orientation on the second envelope without worrying about the direction in which the second envelope is set.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect produced by the first aspect of the present invention, the printing is performed when the third detecting means detects that the lid of the second envelope is closed. Printing is canceled by the canceling means. When printing is performed with the lid closed, the lid portion is thicker than the other portions, so the lid portion and the printing means may come into contact with each other. Therefore, in such a case, it is possible to prevent printing means from malfunctioning, jamming, or contamination from adhering to the second envelope by stopping printing.

  According to the printing apparatus of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, if the orientation of the first envelope is not detected by the first detection means, The informing means informs that the first envelope is read by the reading means in a state where the cover of the one envelope is opened. The identification means cannot identify the lid unless the lid of the first envelope is open. In this case, the orientation of the first envelope cannot be detected by the first detection means. Therefore, when the direction of the first envelope cannot be detected by the first detecting means, the first envelope is notified by reading the first envelope with the lid of the first envelope opened. There is an effect that the direction can be reliably detected.

  According to the printing apparatus of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the position of the postal code column described in the second envelope is detected by the second detection means. Then, the orientation of the second envelope is detected from the position of the detected postal code column. Therefore, there is an effect that the direction of the second envelope can be detected easily and reliably.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 6, in addition to the effect produced by the printing apparatus of claim 5, when the position of the postal code column is not detected by the second detection means on one surface of the second envelope The position of the postal code column on the other side is detected by the second detection means. Therefore, even if the second envelope is set without worrying about the front and back of the second envelope, the contents described in the first envelope can be printed on the second envelope in the correct orientation.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine. It is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a scanner unit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of a printer part. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. It is a flowchart of an address surface printing process. It is a flowchart of a reading direction specifying process. It is a flowchart of a printing orientation specifying process. It is a figure which shows the envelope for originals with the address side turned on the platen glass. It is a figure which shows the recording envelope before reaching the carriage which mounts a recording head.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 1 has various functions such as a call function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function, and in particular, for a document without worrying about the direction in which the document envelope is read. The content described on the envelope can be printed on the recording envelope in the correct orientation.

  The multifunction device 1 is mainly provided with a scanner unit 11 from above, a printer unit 12 below the scanner unit 11, an operation panel 13 above the front side, and a slot unit 14 below the operation panel 13. Yes.

  The scanner unit 11 is configured to be able to read a document in three modes: a flat bed reading mode, a sheet through ADF reading mode, and a CIS reading mode. The flat head reading mode is a mode for reading one side of a document placed on a platen glass 15 (see FIG. 2) disposed under the document cover. The sheet-through ADF reading mode is a mode for reading one side of a document fed from the ADF 7. The CIS reading mode is a mode for reading both sides of a document fed from the ADF 7.

  The printer unit 12 has an opening in the front, and a paper feed tray 20 and a paper discharge tray 21 are provided in the opening. The recording media (including white paper, postcards, envelopes, etc.) loaded in the paper feed tray 20 are fed into the printer unit 12 and are discharged to the paper discharge tray 21 after a desired image is recorded. It has become.

  Further, an optical sensor 97 (see FIG. 4) is installed at a position facing the recording medium loaded on the paper feed tray 20, and the recording medium loaded on the paper feed tray 20 by this optical sensor 97 is installed. The size (vertical and horizontal sizes) can be detected.

  The operation panel 13 is for operating the scanner unit 11 and the printer unit 12, and is provided with various operation buttons 40 and an LCD 41. The user can set various functions and perform operations by operating the operation panel 13. For example, setting of the type of recording medium, setting of single-sided / double-sided printing mode, and the like can be instructed and input via the operation panel 13.

  The slot portion 14 is configured to be loaded with various small memory cards. For example, when the user operates the operation panel 13 with the small memory card loaded in the slot unit 14, the image data stored in the small memory card is read, and the read image data is printed on a recording medium. be able to.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of the scanner unit 11. In other words, the scanner unit 11 is cut in the direction of the arrow X in FIG.

  The scanner unit 11 is mainly disposed in a CCD-type first reading mechanism 16 that reads a document placed on the platen glass 15 while moving in the sub-scanning direction (arrow X direction), and a paper feed path of the ADF 7. The CIS type second reading mechanism 17 reads both sides of a document fed from the ADF 7.

  The first reading mechanism 16 includes a light source that emits light toward the document, a carriage that moves in the sub-scanning direction, a mirror group, a lens 18, a CCD 19, and the like. The second reading mechanism 17 includes a front surface CIS 17a and a back surface CIS 17b, and the front surface CIS 17a and the back surface CIS 17b are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich a document fed from the ADF 7.

  In the flat bed reading mode, the carriage is moved in the sub scanning direction along the platen glass 15 to illuminate the original with the light source while changing the position in the sub scanning direction. The reflected light from the document is imaged on the CCD 19 via the mirror group and the lens 18 and subjected to photoelectric conversion.

  In the sheet-through ADF reading mode, the originals stacked on the original tray 71 of the ADF 7 are conveyed onto the discharge tray 74 via the pickup roller 72 and the conveying drum 73, and the reading window 15a provided in the middle of the conveyance. Then, photoelectric conversion is performed in a reading system shared with flat bed reading.

  In the CIS reading mode, the originals stacked on the original tray 71 of the ADF 7 are conveyed to the paper discharge tray 74 via the pickup roller 72 and the conveying drum 73, and after passing through the reading window 15a, the downstream surface CIS 17a. Then, photoelectric conversion of the front and back surfaces of the document is performed by the back surface CIS 17b.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the printer unit 12. That is, FIG. 12 is a side view of the printer unit 12 cut in a direction perpendicular to the arrow X direction in FIG.

  The printer unit 12 continuously extends from the paper feed roller 25 disposed above the paper feed tray 20, the separation inclined wall 22 standing from one end side of the paper feed tray 20, and the separation inclined wall 22. A conveying path 23 that forms a letter-shaped path, a conveying roller 60 disposed on one end side of the conveying path 23, a platen 42 that supports a recording medium conveyed from the conveying roller 60, and the platen 42. A recording head 39 mounted on the carriage 38, a paper discharge roller 62 disposed with the recording head 39 sandwiched between the transport rollers 60, and a first roller for sandwiching a recording medium transported from the paper discharge rollers 62 45, the second roller 46, a path switching arm 41 that pivotally supports the second roller 46 on one end side, extends upstream, and is rotatable about the rotation center of the first roller 45, and a path switching arm 41 It is constituted by the rear surface path 16 from the other end extending toward the feed roller 25.

  In addition, an optical media sensor is mounted on the carriage 38, and by this media sensor, for example, the position of a postal code column described in an envelope as a recording medium is reflected on the light emitted from the media sensor. It can be detected by rate.

  When the printer unit 12 records an image on one side (front surface) of the recording medium, the recording medium loaded on the sheet feeding tray 20 is fed by the sheet feeding roller 25 toward the separation inclined wall 22, It is transported downstream along the transport path 23. Then, the sheet is conveyed between the platen 42 and the recording head 39 by the conveying roller 60, and during that time, ink is ejected from the recording head 39 to one side (front surface) of the recording medium, and an image is recorded on one side (front surface) of the recording medium. Is done. The recording medium on which an image is recorded on one side (front surface) is conveyed downstream by the discharge roller 62, the first roller 45, and the second roller 46, and is discharged to the discharge tray 21.

  On the other hand, when images are recorded on both surfaces (front and back surfaces) of the recording medium, an image is recorded on one surface (front surface) as described above, and one end side of the recording medium on which the image is recorded on one surface (front surface) is It is supported by the paper guide surface 32 positioned on the downstream side of the paper discharge roller 62 and is temporarily stopped in a state where the other end is sandwiched between the first roller 45 and the second roller 46.

  In this state, the path switching arm 41 is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation center of the first roller 45 from the state shown in FIG. 3, and the recording medium is pushed down by the path switching arm 41. As a result, the recording medium enters the back surface path 16 from the front end portion supported by the paper guide surface 32. When the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are driven in the reverse direction, the recording medium is conveyed through the back surface path 16 and the front surface comes into contact with the paper feed roller 25. Thereafter, as in the case of single-sided printing, the paper is again fed by the paper feed roller 25, and after the image is recorded on the back surface by the recording head 39, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 21.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The MFP 1 is provided with a CPU 88, ROM 89, RAM 90, and EEPROM 91, which are connected to the ASIC 93 via the bus 92.

  The ROM 89 stores a program for controlling various operations of the multifunction machine 1. For example, a print processing program 89a for executing the address printing process shown in FIG. 5 is stored.

  The RAM 90 is used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 88 executes the program, and includes an input size memory 90a, a read data memory 90b, a reading direction memory 90c, and a reading direction specifying flag 90d. A printing direction memory 90e and a printing direction identification flag 90f are allocated.

  The input size memory 90a stores an envelope size designated by the user. The read data memory 90b stores read data obtained by reading the document envelope with the scanner unit 11. The reading direction memory 90c stores the direction of the envelope for the document read by the scanner unit 11. The reading direction specifying flag 90d indicates whether the orientation of the document envelope has been detected, and is set to “ON” when the orientation of the document envelope is detected. The print orientation memory 90e stores the orientation of the recording envelope printed by the recording head 38. The print orientation specifying flag 90f indicates whether the orientation of the recording envelope has been detected, and is set to “ON” when the orientation of the recording envelope is detected.

  The EEPROM 91 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and is assigned an envelope size memory 91a. The envelope size memory 91a stores various envelope names and their sizes in association with each other. For example, long 3 is 120 mm x 235 mm, long 4 is 90 mm x 205 mm, square 8 is 119 mm x 197 mm, western 1 is 176 mm x 120 mm, western 3 is 148 mm x 98 mm, western 4 235 mm × 105 mm or the like is stored.

  In addition to the bus 93, the ASIC 93 includes a scanner unit 11, a printer unit 12, an optical sensor 97, an operation panel 13, a slot unit 14, a parallel interface (I / F) 98, a USB interface (I / F) 99, and a facsimile function. The NCU 100 for realizing and the modem 101 are connected via the NCU 100.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the address surface printing process. The address printing process is a process for printing the description content written on the address side of the document envelope on the address side of the recording envelope. This process is executed, for example, when the address printing process is selected by the user from the menu.

  In this process, first, it is determined whether an envelope size has been input (S501). The envelope size is input, for example, when a list of various envelope names stored in the envelope size memory 91a is displayed on the LCD 41, and when a predetermined envelope name is selected by the user, the envelope size is stored in association with the envelope name. The stored size is stored in the input size memory 90a as the input envelope size.

  If the envelope size is not input as a result of the determination in S501 (S501: No), this process is terminated. If the envelope size is input (S501: Yes), it is determined whether the start button is pressed (S502). If the start button is not pressed (S502: No), this process is terminated. If the start button is pressed (S502: Yes), reading of the envelope for the document is started (S503).

  For example, an envelope for a document placed on the platen glass 15 with the address side facing is read in a flat bed reading mode. The read data read is stored in the read data memory 90b, and the process proceeds to the next reading direction specifying process (S504).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the reading direction specifying process. This process is a process for specifying the orientation of the document envelope when the address surface is read. In this process, first, the outer shape of the document envelope is extracted from the read data stored in the read data memory 90b (S601). The outline of the original envelope can be extracted by a known method. For example, the outline of the original envelope can be extracted by edge processing.

  Then, each vertex is extracted from the extracted outline of the original envelope (S602), and among the extracted vertices, the distance between two points located at the left end (S603) and the distance between the two points located at the right end. (S604), the distance between two points located at the upper end (S605), and the distance between the two points located at the lower end (S606).

  Here, the distance between the two points calculated in S604 to S606 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a view showing the original envelope G placed on the platen glass 15 with the address side facing, and in particular, FIG. 8A shows the cover H of the original envelope G facing left, and FIG. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the cover H of the original envelope G is set to the right, FIG. 8C shows a state in which the cover H of the original envelope G faces upward, and FIG. Show. Note that an arrow X in the drawing indicates a moving direction (sub-scanning direction) of the carriage K included in the first reading mechanism 16.

  The distance between the two points located at the left end calculated in the processing of S603 is between AB in FIG. 8A, between DE in FIG. 8B, and in FIG. 8C. In FIG. 8D, the distance between CDs is between CDs.

  Further, the distance between the two points located at the right end calculated in the process of S604 is between ED in FIG. 8A, between BA in FIG. 8B, and in FIG. 8C. The distance between FEs, the distance between DCs in FIG. 8D.

  The distance between the two points located at the upper end calculated in S605 is between FE in FIG. 8A, between DC in FIG. 8B, and between BA in FIG. 8C. In FIG. 8D, the distance between the EDs.

  The distance between the two points located at the lower end calculated in S606 is between CDs in FIG. 8A, between EFs in FIG. 8B, and between DEs in FIG. 8C. FIG. 8D shows the distance between AB.

  Returning again to FIG. 6, the description will be continued. As described above, after calculating the distance of the four sides by the processing of S603 to S606, it is determined whether the length of the four sides matches the size stored in the input size memory 90a (S607). If so (S607: Yes), for example, a message “Open the envelope lid and re-scan” is displayed on the LCD 41, assuming that the document envelope lid is closed (S608). The process ends.

  On the other hand, if the lengths of the four sides do not match (S607: No), it is determined whether three of the four sides match the size stored in the input size memory 90a (S609), If they do not match (S609: No), for example, a message “Please input the correct envelope size again” is displayed on the LCD 41, assuming that there is an error in the input size (S610), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if they match (S609: Yes), it is determined whether the distance between the two points located at the left end calculated in S603 matches the distance between the two points located at the right end calculated in S604. (S611).

  If the two do not match (S611: No), as shown in FIG. 8 (a) or FIG. 8 (b), it is determined that the cover of the document envelope is set to the right or left, and in S603. It is determined whether the calculated distance between the two points located at the left end is shorter than the distance between the two points located at the right end calculated in S604 (S612).

  As a result, when it is determined that the distance between the two points located at the left end calculated in S603 is shorter than the distance between the two points located at the right end calculated in S604 (S612: Yes). As shown in FIG. 8A, the original envelope is stored in the reading direction memory 90c as being left-facing, assuming that the cover is set facing left (S613).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the distance between the two points located at the left end calculated in S603 is not shorter than the distance between the two points located at the right end calculated in S604, that is, longer (S612: No). . As shown in FIG. 8B, the original envelope is stored in the reading direction memory 90c as being rightward, assuming that the cover is set rightward (S614).

  If it is determined in S611 that the distance between the two points located at the left end calculated in S603 matches the distance between the two points located in the right end calculated in S604 (S611: Yes), As shown in FIG. 8C or FIG. 8D, assuming that the cover of the document envelope is set upward or downward, the distance between the two points located at the upper end calculated in S605 is S606. It is determined whether the calculated distance is shorter than the distance between the two points located at the lower end (S615).

  As a result, when it is determined that the distance between the two points located at the upper end calculated in S605 is shorter than the distance between the two points located at the right end calculated in S606 (S615: Yes). As shown in FIG. 8C, the document envelope is stored in the reading direction memory 90c as being upward when it is set with the lid facing upward (S616).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the distance between the two points located at the upper end calculated in S605 is not shorter than the distance between the two points located at the lower end calculated in S606, that is, it is determined to be longer (S615: No). . As shown in FIG. 8D, the original envelope is set in the reading direction memory 90c, assuming that the envelope is set with the lid facing down (S617).

  Thus, when the orientation of the document envelope is stored in the reading orientation memory 90c by the processing of S613, S614, S616, and S617, the reading orientation specifying flag 90d is set to “ON” (S618), and this processing ends. . As described above, by this reading direction specifying process, it is possible to specify whether the direction of the document envelope when reading the address surface is leftward, rightward, upward, or downward.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 5 again, the description will be continued. As described above, when the orientation of the document envelope is specified by the reading direction specifying process (S504), it is next determined whether the reading direction specifying flag 90d is "ON" (S505), that is, not "ON". If it is “OFF”, the orientation from the original envelope is not specified, and the processing from S501 is repeated. If it is “ON” (S505: Yes), the printing orientation specifying processing is performed (S506).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the print orientation specifying process. This process is a process for specifying the orientation of the recording envelope when the recording envelope is printed by the recording head 38.

  In this process, first, the paper feed roller 25 is driven to feed the recording envelope set in the paper feed tray 20 (S701). Then, the size of the fed recording envelope is detected by the optical sensor 97 (S702), and the detected size of the recording envelope is compared with the size stored in the input size memory 90a (S703). Then, it is determined whether the both vertical and horizontal sizes match (S704).

  As a result, if they match (S704: Yes), it is assumed that the recording envelope is set in the paper feed tray 20 with the recording envelope lid not opened. The message “Please reset in the state” is displayed on the LCD 41 (S705), and this processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S704 that they do not match (S704: No), it is determined whether only one of the vertical and horizontal sizes matches (S706). If it is determined that the vertical and horizontal sizes do not match (S706: No), it is assumed that the input size is different from the size of the set recording envelope. For example, “the correct envelope size is re-input. Please display "message on the LCD 41 (S707), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in the process of S706, when it is determined that either one of the vertical and horizontal sizes matches (S706: Yes), the position of the postal code column described in the recording envelope is detected (S708). The position of the postal code column can be detected by a media sensor mounted on the carriage 38, for example.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the position of the postal code column has been detected (S709), and if it has been detected (S709: Yes), the orientation of the recording envelope is stored in the print orientation memory 90e (S710).

  Here, the orientation of the recording envelope stored in the print orientation memory 90e in S710 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a view showing the recording envelope P before reaching the carriage 38 on which the recording head 39 is mounted. In particular, FIG. 9A shows the lid H of the recording envelope P facing left, and FIG. Fig. 9 (c) shows a state in which the cover H of the recording envelope P faces upward, Fig. 9 (c) shows the state in which the lid H of the recording envelope P faces downward, and Fig. 9 (d) shows a state where the lid H of the recording envelope P faces downward. Show. The arrow X in the figure indicates the direction in which the recording envelope P is conveyed (sub-scanning direction), and the arrow Y indicates the reciprocating direction of the carriage 38 (main scanning direction).

  If the position of the postal code column R detected by the process of S708 is detected at the upper left corner of the recording envelope P as shown in FIG. 9A, the direction of the recording envelope P is determined by the process of S710. Is stored as facing left.

  If the position of the postal code column R detected by the process of S708 is detected at the lower right corner of the recording envelope P as shown in FIG. 9B, the direction of the recording envelope P is determined by the process of S710. Is stored as facing right.

  If the position of the postal code column R detected by the process of S708 is detected at the upper right corner of the recording envelope P as shown in FIG. 9C, the direction of the recording envelope P is determined by the process of S710. Is stored as upward.

  If the position of the postal code column R detected by the process of S708 is detected at the lower left corner of the recording envelope P as shown in FIG. 9D, the direction of the recording envelope P is determined by the process of S710. Is stored as downward.

  Returning to FIG. 7 again, the description will be continued. As described above, when the orientation of the recording envelope is stored in the printing orientation memory 90e (S710), the recording envelope is moved to the printing start position (S711), and the printing orientation flag 90f is set to “ON”. (S717), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the position of the postal code column cannot be detected in the determination process of S709 (S709: No), the recording envelope may be set upside down on the paper feed tray 20, and the recording The envelope is reversed and fed again (S712).

  Then, again, similarly to the processing of S708, the position of the postal code field is detected (S713), it is determined whether the position of the postal code field has been detected (S714), and if it can be detected (S714: Yes). As described above, the orientation of the recording envelope is stored in the printing orientation memory 90e (S710), the recording envelope is moved to the printing start position (S711), and the printing orientation flag 90f is set to “ON”. In step S717, the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the position of the postal code column cannot be detected in the determination process of S714 (S714: No), the recording envelope has no description of the postal code column and the initially set orientation is correct. If it is assumed that there is, it is stored in the printing direction memory 90e as normal (leftward in this embodiment) (S715), the recording envelope is reversed and the recording envelope is conveyed to the printing start position (S716). Then, the print orientation flag 90f is set to “ON” (S717), and this process ends. In this way, it is possible to specify whether the recording envelope orientation at the time of printing is leftward, rightward, upward, or downward by this print orientation specifying process.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 5 again, the description will be continued. When the orientation of the recording envelope is specified by the print orientation specifying process as described above, it is next determined whether the print orientation specifying flag 90f is “ON” (S507), and is not “ON”, that is, “OFF "If the orientation of the recording envelope has not been specified, the process from S506 is repeated. If" ON "(S507: Yes), print data is created (S508). When the postal code column is described on the document envelope, print data from which the postal code column has been deleted is created.

  The print data includes the orientation of the original envelope stored in the reading direction memory 90c in S613, S614, S616, and S617 in FIG. 6, and the recording envelope stored in the printing direction memory 90e in S710 and S715 in FIG. Created according to the orientation of

  For example, in the present embodiment, the normal orientation is when the orientation of the original envelope is the leftward orientation shown in FIG. 8A and the orientation of the recording envelope is the leftward orientation shown in FIG. 9A. That is, when the document envelope and the recording envelope are set to be read and printed in this direction, the content described in the document envelope is correctly printed on the recording envelope.

  However, even if the recording envelope is set in the normal direction (leftward), if the original envelope is not in the normal direction (leftward) but rightward as shown in FIG. When the print data is created, the contents of the document envelope are printed in the reverse direction on the recording envelope. Therefore, in such a case, print data rotated by 180 degrees from the normal orientation is created.

  Similarly, when the orientation of the original envelope is upward as shown in FIG. 8C, print data rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the normal orientation is created, and the orientation of the original envelope is shown in FIG. In the case of the downward direction shown in FIG. 8D, print data rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the normal direction is created.

  On the other hand, even if the orientation of the original envelope is set in the normal orientation (leftward), if the orientation of the recording envelope is not the normal orientation (leftward) but rightward as shown in FIG. When the print data is created as described above, the contents of the document envelope are printed in the reverse direction on the recording envelope. Therefore, in such a case, print data rotated by 180 degrees from the normal orientation is created.

  Similarly, when the orientation of the recording envelope is upward as shown in FIG. 9C, print data rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the normal orientation is created, and the orientation of the recording envelope is shown in FIG. In the case of the downward direction shown in d), print data rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the normal direction is created.

  Further, even if the orientation of the document envelope and the orientation of the recording envelope are both set differently from the normal orientation, the content of the document envelope is recorded according to the orientation. Print data is created so that it can be printed correctly.

  For example, when the orientation of the original envelope is rightward as shown in FIG. 8B and the orientation of the recording envelope is upward as shown in FIG. 9C, the original envelope is rotated 180 degrees from the normal orientation, Since the envelope is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the normal orientation, after all, by creating print data that is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the normal direction, the contents of the envelope for the document are correctly written on the recording envelope. Can be printed.

  As described above, print data is created (S508), printing is started according to the created print data (S509), and printing is continued until printing is finished (S510: No). (S510: Yes), this process ends.

  In this way, according to the book address printing process, the direction in which the original envelope is read and the direction in which the recording envelope is read are detected, and print data is created according to the detected direction. Therefore, without worrying about the direction to set the envelope for the document (right, left, down, up) and the direction to set the recording envelope (front, back, right, left, down, up) The contents described in the envelope for printing can be printed on the recording envelope in the correct orientation.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which one side of a document envelope is read with the lid open and the lid is identified from the read data. For example, double-sided reading is performed in the CIS reading mode with the lid closed. The outer shape of the lid may be identified from one surface, and the orientation of the document envelope may be specified from the identified lid. In such a case, it is possible to print the contents described in the original envelope in the correct orientation on the recording envelope without worrying about the front and back orientations of the original envelope.

1 MFP (an example of a printing device)
11 Scanner unit (an example of reading means)
12 Printer section (an example of printing means)
S508 Example of changing means S607, S609 Example of identifying means S613, S614, S616, S617 Example of first detecting means S704 Example of third detecting means S709, S714, S710, S715 Example of second detecting means

Claims (6)

A printing apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads a first envelope as a document; and a printing unit that prints the contents described in the first envelope from data read by the reading unit on a second envelope as a recording medium In
Identifying means for identifying the lid of the first envelope from the data read by the reading means;
First detection means for detecting the orientation of the first envelope read by the first reading means from the lid identified by the identification means;
Changing means for changing the direction of the description according to the direction of the first envelope detected by the first detecting means;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing control unit configured to control the printing unit so that the description content is printed on the second envelope in a direction changed by the changing unit. Second detection means for detecting the orientation of the second envelope printed by the printing means;
The changing means changes the direction of the description content printed on the second envelope according to the direction of the second envelope detected by the second detecting means in addition to the direction of the first envelope. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Third detection means for detecting whether the cover of the second envelope is closed before printing;
The printing stop means for stopping printing when the third detection means detects that the lid of the second envelope is closed is provided. Printing device. The identification means is configured to be able to identify a lid in a state where the lid of the first envelope is open,
Informing means for informing that the first envelope is read by the reading means in a state where the first envelope is opened when the orientation of the first envelope is not detected by the first detecting means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing apparatus.   The second detection means detects a position of a postal code column described in the second envelope, and detects a direction of the second envelope from the detected position of the postal code column. Item 5. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   The said 2nd detection means detects the position of the postal code column in the other side, when the position of the said postal code column is not detected about one side of the said 2nd envelope. The printing apparatus as described in.

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