JP2002137394A - Two-dimensional code generator and conversion code array generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a two-dimension code generator or a conversion code array producing device capable of saving the number of digits of a QR code and an identification code, recording a large amount of information, or the like. SOLUTION: This generator comprises an information obtaining part 101 for obtaining the same kind of information of ahead member 10 comprising a nozzle opening 28, a pressure generating chamber 13 communicating with the nozzle opening, for storing a liquid, and a pressure generating means 17 for ejecting liquid droplets from the nozzle opening by changing the liquid pressure in the pressure generating chamber. An information converting part 102 distinguishes the same kind of the information obtained by the information obtaining part into reference information and the other information so as to represent the other information in a different manner according to the relative relationship with the reference information. A coding part 103 converts the reference information and the relative relationship of the other information with respect to the reference information represented by the reference information into two-dimensional codes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and changing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code creation device or a conversion code string creation device suitable for efficiently recording or displaying the same kind of information about a head member having a pressure generating means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus, which is an example of a liquid ejection apparatus, has a carriage 41 as shown in FIG.
And a recording head 42 having a nozzle row composed of a number of nozzle openings arranged in a sub-scanning direction (a feeding direction of the recording paper 43). The recording head 42 includes a carriage 41
Is moved in the main scanning direction (the width direction of the recording paper 43). By performing a predetermined paper feed during that time, a desired print result can be obtained.

In the recording apparatus, a driving signal of a driving signal generating circuit (not shown) is recorded via a flexible cable 44 based on dot pattern data obtained by developing print data input from a host computer. It is supplied to the head 42. Accordingly, ink droplets are ejected from the respective nozzle openings of the recording head 42 at a predetermined timing, and these ink droplets land and adhere to the recording paper 43. Thereby, dots are formed on the recording paper 43, that is, printing is performed.

In the recording head 42, the deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator is transmitted to the vibrating plate, the pressure generating chamber contracts, and the internal pressure rises. As a result, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings. I have. The deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator is performed by changing the drive voltage input to the piezoelectric vibrator. In general, the piezoelectric vibrator is largely deformed when the input driving voltage is increased, and is reduced when the input driving voltage is decreased. Therefore, the ejection of the ink droplets is performed by applying a drive signal having a waveform whose voltage level switches between the highest drive voltage and the lowest drive voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator to expand and contract the pressure generating chamber.

On the other hand, the recording head 4 of the above-described conventional recording apparatus
A so-called QR label is attached to 2. This Q
On the R label, various head-specific information such as a proper driving voltage of the piezoelectric vibrator, a proper ink weight, a type of the piezoelectric vibrator, a manufacturing date of the head, a manufacturing line, and a manufacturing lot are recorded. Generally, when assembling the recording head to a recording apparatus, information unique to the head recorded on the QR label is read and the data is stored in the recording apparatus.
Thereby, the recording apparatus can obtain appropriate printing characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 13, the QR label 47 has a code display section 48 in which head-specific information is displayed in the form of a QR code, and a head-specific information is expressed in a row of a plurality of identification codes. And a viewing unit 49. The QR code is a kind of two-dimensional barcode, and information is read by a so-called QR code reader. In the visual section 49, the information unique to the head is represented by a sequence of identification codes composed of visible numbers, characters, symbols, and the like. By visually reading the identification code, even without a QR code reader,
The recorded information can be read. At present, generally, in the information recording by the QR code, information of 40 ranks × 40 digits can be set.

However, recently, the recording head 42
The size itself has been reduced. Accordingly, the QR label 47
Is reduced, and as a result, the QR label 47 itself has to be reduced in size. In addition, the number of digits of the QR code and the identification code has become insufficient with the advancement of functions of the recording apparatus.

That is, first, in order to eject a plurality of types of ink droplets having different ink weights, a drive signal combining a plurality of types of waveforms may be used. In such a case, there are a plurality of types of proper drive voltage and proper ink weight, and it is necessary to record information such as proper drive voltage and proper ink weight as a QR code and an identification code in one print mode.

Secondly, driving is performed by a separate driving circuit for each nozzle row. For example, six rows (6
In the case of separately driving the color), it is necessary to record an appropriate driving voltage and an appropriate ink weight for each column.

Third, in order to obtain more appropriate ejection characteristics and the like, there is a tendency that the rank of numerical values to be recorded is made finer. For example, when recording an appropriate driving voltage, when setting between 15 and 35 V in steps of 0.1 V, a table of 200 ranks is required, and in the case of recording of 40 ranks × 40 digits, two digits are absolutely necessary, and as a result, Has a shortage of digits.

Fourth, for example, a plurality of types of inks such as pigment inks and dye inks are exchanged and used, and it is necessary to record an appropriate driving voltage and an appropriate ink weight for each ink. .

As described above, the number of digits of the QR code and the identification code is insufficient with recent miniaturization and high performance of the recording apparatus.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and can save the number of digits of a QR code and an identification code and can record a large amount of information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-dimensional code creation device or a conversion code string creation device that performs

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber which communicates with the nozzle opening and is capable of containing a liquid, and which changes a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to drop a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. A pressure generating means for discharging, an information obtaining unit that obtains the same type of information on the head member having the same, and the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit distinguishes one piece of reference information from other information, An information conversion unit that re-expresses the information of the reference information based on the relative relationship with the reference information, and converts a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information expressed by the information conversion unit to the reference information into a two-dimensional code. A two-dimensional code creating apparatus, comprising:

According to the present invention, since the other information is expressed by a relative relationship to the reference information,
The number of digits of the dimension code can be reduced.

For example, the information obtaining section obtains at least a part of the information on the head member by actually measuring it. Alternatively, the information obtaining unit obtains at least a part of the information on the head member from the design information.

Further, the present invention provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means for distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information for the same kind of information about the head member having the above, and obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information. A two-dimensional code generation device, comprising: an information obtaining unit; and a coding unit that converts a relative relationship between the reference information and the other information with respect to the reference information into a two-dimensional code.

According to the present invention, since the other information is obtained by a relative relation to the reference information, 2
The number of digits of the dimension code can be reduced.

Preferably, the printing apparatus further includes a printing unit for printing the two-dimensional code on the label member.

Alternatively, preferably, the apparatus further comprises a recording unit for recording the two-dimensional code on a recording medium.

When the pressure generating means of the head member has a piezoelectric vibrator, the same kind of information on the head member may include voltage information for driving the piezoelectric vibrator.

When a plurality of nozzle openings of the head member are provided so as to form a plurality of rows, the same kind of information about the head member may include information for each row of nozzle openings.

When a plurality of liquid weights can be discharged as the liquid discharge mode of the head member, the same kind of information on the head member can include information on each liquid weight.

When a plurality of liquid discharge modes are switched as a liquid discharge mode of the head member, the same type of information on the head member may include information for each liquid discharge mode.

When a plurality of types of liquids of the head member can be used by switching, the same type of information on the head member may include information for each liquid.

[0026] The relative relationship of the other information to the reference information may be information of a difference from the reference information.
Alternatively, the relative relationship of the other information to the reference information may be information of a ratio to the reference information.

Further, the present invention provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and a pressure generating chamber for discharging a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening by changing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber. Means, for discriminating between one piece of reference information and another piece of information of the same kind with respect to the head member having the same, and converting the reference information and the relative relationship of the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code An apparatus for reading and restoring a two-dimensional code created by a two-dimensional code creation apparatus, comprising: a reading unit for reading a two-dimensional code; and the reference information read by the reading unit and the reference information of the other information A restoring main body for restoring the reference information and the other information from a two-dimensional code about a relative relationship to the reference information and the restored reference information and the other information An output unit for outputting a two-dimensional code reconstruction device provided with.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly restore a two-dimensional code including the other information represented by a relative relationship to the reference information.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means, and the same type of information about the head member,
A two-dimensional code created by a two-dimensional code creating device that distinguishes one piece of reference information from other information and converts a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code is recorded. And a recording member.

In this case, the recording member can be made extremely compact, and it is possible to easily cope with the miniaturization and high functionality of the liquid ejection device or its head member.

Alternatively, the present invention provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means, for the same kind of information about the head member, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and determining a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information by 2 And a display member for displaying the two-dimensional code created by the two-dimensional code creation device for converting to a two-dimensional code.

In this case, the display member can be made extremely compact, and it is possible to easily cope with the miniaturization and high functionality of the liquid discharge device or its head member.

Also, the present invention provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and a pressure generating chamber for changing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means, an information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information about the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and An information conversion step of re-expressing the information based on a relative relationship with reference information; and coding for converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information expressed in the information conversion step to the reference information into a two-dimensional code. And a printing step of printing the two-dimensional code on a label member.

According to the present invention, there is provided a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means, an information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information about the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and An information conversion step of re-expressing the information based on a relative relationship with reference information; and coding for converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information expressed in the information conversion step to the reference information into a two-dimensional code. And a recording step of recording the two-dimensional code on a recording medium.

According to the present invention, there is provided a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means for distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information for the same kind of information about the head member having the above, and obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information. An information obtaining step, a coding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code, and a printing step of printing the two-dimensional code on a label member. This is a two-dimensional code creation method.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means for distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information for the same kind of information about the head member having the above, and obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information. An information obtaining step, a coding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code, and a recording step of recording the two-dimensional code on a recording medium. This is a two-dimensional code creation method.

Alternatively, the present invention provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means, and an information obtaining unit for obtaining the same kind of information about the head member having:
For the same kind of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, an information conversion unit that distinguishes one reference information from another information and re-expresses the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information, A conversion code string creation device, comprising: a conversion coding section that converts a relative relationship of the other information expressed by the information conversion section to the reference information into a conversion code string.

According to the present invention, since the other information is represented by a relative relationship with respect to the reference information, the number of digits of the converted code string can be reduced.

The present invention also provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means for distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information for the same kind of information about the head member having the above, and obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information. A conversion code string creating apparatus, comprising: an information obtaining unit; and a conversion coding unit that converts a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information with respect to the reference information into a conversion code string. .

According to the present invention, since the other information is obtained based on a relative relationship to the reference information, the number of digits of the converted code string can be reduced.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a printing unit for printing the conversion code string on the label member.

Alternatively, preferably, the apparatus further comprises a recording unit for recording the converted code string on a recording medium.

Also, the present invention provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means, an information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information about the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and An information conversion step of re-expressing the relative information with reference information, and a conversion code for converting a relative relation of the other information expressed in the reference information and the information conversion step with respect to the reference information into a conversion code string. And a printing step of printing the conversion code string on a label member.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means, an information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information about the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and An information conversion step of re-expressing the relative information with reference information, and a conversion code for converting a relative relation of the other information expressed in the reference information and the information conversion step with respect to the reference information into a conversion code string. And a storing step of recording the converted code string on a recording medium.

Further, the present invention provides a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means for distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information for the same kind of information about the head member having the above, and obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information. An information obtaining step, a conversion encoding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a conversion code string, and a printing step of printing the conversion code string on a label member. A transformation code string creation method characterized by comprising:

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, a pressure generating chamber for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Means for distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information for the same kind of information about the head member having the above, and obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information. An information obtaining step, a conversion encoding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a conversion code string, and a recording step of recording the conversion code string on a recording medium. This is a method for creating a converted code string.

[0047]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a peripheral structure of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of a liquid ejection apparatus having a recording head (head member). This apparatus includes a carriage 2, an ink cartridge 1 mounted on an upper portion of the carriage 2, and a recording head 10 mounted on a lower surface of the carriage 2.

The carriage 2 is connected to a stepping motor 4 via a timing belt 3 and is guided by a guide bar 5. As a result, the carriage 2
The recording paper 6 reciprocates in the paper width direction (main scanning direction). The recording head 10 is attached to the surface of the carriage 2 facing the recording paper 6 (the lower surface in this example). The recording head 10 is supplied with ink from the ink cartridge 1. By discharging ink droplets from the recording head 10 onto the upper surface of the recording paper 6 while the carriage 2 is moving, images and characters can be printed on the recording paper 6 (in a dot matrix).

FIG. 1 shows a recording head 10 during printing pause or the like.
A cap 7 for preventing the nozzle opening from drying by sealing the nozzle opening, a paper feed roller 8 for feeding the recording paper, and
Also shown is a flexible cable 9 for transmitting a drive signal output from the drive signal generation circuit to the recording head 10.

The recording head 10 has, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator (pressure generating means) 17 in a longitudinal vibration mode. Such a recording head 10 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
A base 21 made of synthetic resin and a flow path unit 22 attached to the front surface (left side in the figure) of the base 21 are provided.
The flow path unit 22 includes a nozzle plate 25 having a nozzle opening 28 formed therein, a vibration plate 26, and a flow path forming plate 27.

The base 21 is a block-shaped member having a storage space 24 whose front side and back side are open. The piezoelectric vibrator 17 fixed to the fixed substrate 20 is accommodated in the accommodation space 24.

The nozzle plate 25 is a thin plate-like member having a large number of nozzle openings 28 formed in the sub-scanning direction. Each nozzle opening 28 is opened at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the dot formation density. The vibration plate 26 is a plate-like member including a thick-walled island portion 29 with which the piezoelectric vibrator 17 contacts, and a thin-walled portion 30 provided to surround the island portion 29 and having high elasticity. The island portions 29 are provided in large numbers at a predetermined pitch so that one nozzle portion 28 corresponds to one island portion 29.

The flow path forming plate 27 is provided with an opening for forming a pressure generating chamber 31, an ink chamber 32, and an ink supply path 33 for communicating the pressure generating chamber 31 with the ink chamber 32. . The nozzle plate 25 is arranged on the front side of the flow path forming plate 27, and the diaphragm 26 is arranged on the back side. Thus, the nozzle plate 2
In a state where the flow path forming plate 27 is sandwiched between the diaphragm 5 and the vibration plate 26, these members are integrated by bonding or the like to form the flow path unit 22.

In the flow path unit 22 shown in FIG. 2, a pressure generating chamber 31 is formed on the back side of the nozzle opening 28, and the island portion 29 of the diaphragm 26 is located on the back side of the pressure generating chamber 31. The pressure generating chamber 31 and the ink chamber 32 communicate with each other through an ink supply path 33.

The piezoelectric vibrator 17 is fixed to the base 21 with its tip fixed to the back surface of the island portion 29. The piezoelectric vibrator 17 is supplied with a drive signal, print data, and the like via the flexible cable 9.

The piezoelectric vibrator 17 contracts when charged, and expands when discharged. Therefore, in the recording head 10 having the above configuration, the piezoelectric vibrator 17
Is charged and contracts, the island portion 29 is pulled back along with the contraction, and the pressure generating chamber 31 in the standby state is
Expands. With the expansion, the ink in the ink chamber 32 flows into the pressure generating chamber 31 through the ink supply path 33. On the other hand, when the piezoelectric vibrator 17 is discharged and extends forward, the island portion 29 is pushed forward and the pressure generating chamber 31 contracts. With this contraction, the pressure generating chamber 31
And the ink pressure is increased, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle opening 28.

The recording head 10 has, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, six nozzle rows 23 in which nozzle openings 28 are arranged, and a separate drive signal generation circuit is provided for each nozzle row 23. May be provided so that ink of a different color is ejected for each nozzle row 23.

Then, a QR label (information holding unit) 12 as shown in FIG. 4 is attached to the recording head 10. The QR label is stuck so as not to affect the operation of the recording head 10 and at a visible position.

The QR label 12 includes a proper driving voltage (VH) for the piezoelectric vibrator 17, a proper ink weight (IW), various circuits (TG), the type of the piezoelectric vibrator 17, and the pressure generating chamber 31.
Head characteristic information such as the natural vibration period of the head, and various head-specific information such as a manufacturing date, a manufacturing line, and a manufacturing lot. Then, when assembling the recording head 10 to a recording apparatus, the unique information of the head recorded on the QR label is read, and the data is stored in the recording apparatus so that the recording apparatus obtains appropriate printing characteristics. Has become.

The QR label 12 has a code display section 13 in which the unique information of the head is converted into a QR code and displayed.
And a viewing unit 14 in which the unique information of the head is represented by a sequence of a plurality of identification codes (conversion code sequence). The QR code is a kind of two-dimensional barcode, and information is read by a so-called QR code reader.

In the viewing section 14, the unique information of the head is represented by a series of identification codes composed of visible numbers, characters, symbols, and the like. By reading the identification code visually, recorded information can be read without a QR code reader.

In the information recording by the QR code, for example, information of 40 ranks × 40 digits can be set.

The amount of information that can be recorded in the viewing unit 14 is
It is smaller than the amount of information that can be recorded by the QR code. Therefore, the information recording by the viewing unit 14 is generally used for providing minimum information.

Next, control of the recording head 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a drive signal for driving the piezoelectric vibrator 17. The drive signal includes two medium dot waveforms (P1, P3) for forming a medium-sized dot (medium dot) and one small dot waveform (P2) for forming a small dot (small dot). And The appropriate driving voltages (VH1, VH) are used for the medium dot waveform (P1, P3) and the small dot waveform (P2).
The value of 2) is different.

Then, the three waveforms (P1, P2, P
By selecting an appropriate waveform from 3) and inputting it to the piezoelectric vibrator 17, ink droplets having different ink weights are ejected to form dots of different sizes.
For example, when forming a large dot (large dot), two medium dot waveforms (P1 and P3) are selected, and a large dot is formed by an ink droplet having an ink weight of 25 ng. When forming a medium dot, one medium dot waveform (P1) is selected, and a medium dot is formed by an ink droplet having an ink weight of Ang (varies depending on characteristics). When a small dot is to be formed, the small dot waveform (P2) is selected, and the small dot is formed by an ink droplet having an ink weight of 5 ng.

As described above, when a drive signal obtained by combining a plurality of waveforms having a plurality of waveform shapes is used, there are a plurality of appropriate drive voltages (VH). Therefore, it is necessary to record information such as the appropriate drive voltage (VH) as a QR code or an identification code. When the six nozzle rows 23 are separately driven, the appropriate driving voltage (V
H) must be recorded. Therefore, in the present invention, Q
In order to prevent the number of digits of the R code and the identification code from becoming insufficient, the number of digits of the QR code and the identification code is saved as described below, and a large amount of information is recorded and displayed.

That is, among the information recorded by the QR code or the identification code, the same kind of unique information is classified for the unique information such as the proper drive voltage (VH) and the proper ink weight (IW), and the same kind of unique information is classified. The information is distinguished from any reference value (reference information) and other values, and the other values are recorded and displayed based on a relative relationship with the reference value.

For example, in the case where recording is performed for each appropriate drive voltage (VH) that can be classified as the same type of unique information, the appropriate drive voltage (VH) of one of the six nozzle arrays 23 is set as a reference value. By recording and displaying the appropriate drive voltage (VH) of the other nozzle array 23 as a difference from the reference value, the number of digits of the QR code and the identification code can be reduced.

Specifically, as shown in Table 1 below, the appropriate driving voltage (VH) in the rows A to F of the nozzle row 23
Are respectively 20V, 20.5V, 21V, 19.5
In the case of V, 20V, and 20.5V, a table of 200 ranks is required if the interval between 15 and 35V is set in steps of 0.1V. Two columns are required, for a total of 12 digits. On the other hand, the proper driving voltage (VH) of column A is 20 V
Are set as reference values, and columns B to F are respectively set to +0.5 V, +1 V, -0.5 V, 0 V, +0.
By recording and displaying at 5V, column A
In columns, columns B to F are each one digit (−2 in 0.1 V steps)
V to 2V (one digit), and a total of seven digits is required, so that five digits can be saved.

[0070]

[Table 1] As shown in Table 1, the difference between the appropriate drive voltages for each column is 4 V
Never exceed. This is because, except for the piezoelectric vibrator 17, the structure of the recording head (nozzle diameter, ink supply path, diaphragm thickness, island arrangement, etc.) that can affect the proper drive voltage is common between rows. (Same Cava
ssy).

When a plurality of types of inks are switched and used, such as a dye ink and a pigment ink, an appropriate driving voltage (VH) for discharging any one of the plurality of types of inks is used as a reference value. By recording and displaying the proper drive voltage (VH) for ejecting other inks with the difference from the reference value, the number of digits of the QR code and the identification code can be saved.

Specifically, as shown in Table 2 below, the appropriate driving voltage (VH) for discharging the dye ink is A
20V, 20.5V, 21V, 1 in rows -F
9.5 V, 20 V, and 20.5 V, and the appropriate drive voltage (VH) for discharging the pigment ink is 21 V, 22 V, 22.5 V, 21 V, 21.5 V in the rows A to F, respectively.
In the case of V and 22 V, if these values are recorded as they are, each column of the dye ink and pigment ink requires two digits, and a total of 24 digits is required. On the other hand, the appropriate driving voltage (VH) of each column when discharging the pigment ink is set with the appropriate driving voltage (VH) of each column when discharging the dye ink as a reference value.
Are respectively +1 V and +1.5 which are differences from the reference value.
V, + 1.5V, + 1.5V, + 1.5V, + 1.5V
By recording and displaying the data, the appropriate driving voltage (VH) of the pigment ink is one digit in each column, which is a total of 18 digits, so that 6 digits can be saved.

[0073]

[Table 2] Further, the six nozzle rows 23 described with reference to Table 1 above are used.
Drive voltage (VH) of any one of the nozzle arrays 23
Is combined with a method that uses an appropriate drive voltage (VH) for ejecting any one of a plurality of types of inks as a reference value, to thereby obtain the number of digits of the QR code or the identification code. It is also possible to save money.

Specifically, as shown in Table 3 below, the appropriate driving voltage (VH) for discharging the dye ink is A
20V, 20.5V, 21V, 1 in rows -F
9.5 V, 20 V, and 20.5 V, and the appropriate drive voltage (VH) for discharging the pigment ink is 21 V, 22 V, 22.5 V, 21 V, 21.5 V in the rows A to F, respectively.
In the case of V and 22 V, if these values are recorded as they are, each column of the dye ink and pigment ink requires two digits, and a total of 24 digits is required.

On the other hand, 20V of the proper driving voltage (VH) of the A row at the time of discharging the dye ink is set as the reference value, and the B row to F
The columns are respectively represented by +0.5 V, +1 which are the differences from the reference value.
By recording and displaying with V, -0.5V, 0V, + 0.5V, column A has two digits and columns B to F each have one digit, thereby saving five digits. in addition,
The appropriate driving voltage (VH) of each column when discharging the dye ink is used as a reference value, and the appropriate driving voltage (VH) of each column when discharging the pigment ink is +1 V, which is a difference from the reference value. , + 1.5V, + 1.5V, + 1.5V,
By recording and displaying at +1.5 V and +1.5 V, the proper driving voltage (VH) of the pigment ink is
Digits, saving 6 digits. That is, a total of 11 digits can be saved, and only 13 digits can be saved.

[0076]

[Table 3] However, the appropriate driving voltage (VH) of each column when discharging the pigment ink may be recorded and displayed using the 20 V of the proper driving voltage (VH) of the column A when discharging the dye ink as a reference value. .

Here, in the examples shown in Tables 1 to 3,
Although the appropriate drive voltage (VH) is recorded and displayed using the difference from the reference value, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the proper drive voltage (VH) can be recorded and displayed in a ratio to a reference value.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second example of a drive signal for driving the piezoelectric vibrator 17. This drive signal has three small dot waveforms (P1, P2, P3) of the same waveform shape forming dots (small dots) of the same size.

Then, the three waveforms (P1, P2, P
By selecting an appropriate waveform from 3) and inputting it to the piezoelectric vibrator 17, ink droplets having different ink weights are ejected to form dots of different sizes.
For example, when forming a large dot (large dot), three small dot waveforms (P1, P2, P3) are selected, and a large dot is formed by an ink droplet having an ink weight of 21 ng. When forming medium dots, two small dot waveforms (P1, P3) are selected, and an ink weight of 1 is selected.
Medium dots are formed by 4 ng ink drops. Also,
When forming a small dot, one small dot waveform (P2) is selected, and a small dot is formed by an ink droplet having an ink weight of 7 ng.

As described above, when a drive signal combining a plurality of waveforms having the same type of waveform shape is used, there are a plurality of types of proper ink weights (IW). Therefore, it is necessary to record information such as an appropriate ink weight (IW) as a QR code or an identification code.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in order to prevent the number of digits of the QR code and the identification code from becoming insufficient, the unique information of the proper ink weight (IW) is compared with any one of the reference value and the other value. And the other values can be recorded and / or displayed by a coefficient (ratio) relative to the reference value.

Further, an ink jet recording apparatus in which the recording mode using the driving signal shown in FIG. 4 and the recording mode using the driving signal shown in FIG. 6 can be switched can also be configured. In this case, the proper driving voltages V1, V2 in the driving signal of FIG.
And the proper drive voltage VH in the drive signal of FIG.
Voltage information needs to be QR-coded. As for these pieces of voltage information, any one of them can be represented by reference information, and the other can be represented by a difference or ratio from the reference information.

In the driving signal of FIG. 4 and the driving signal of FIG. 6, the voltage values other than the proper driving voltage (peak voltage) and the duration of each waveform component are constant regardless of the nozzle row or the liquid type. .

In each of the recording devices described above, the reference value and other values are distinguished for the same kind of unique information, and the other values are recorded and displayed in a relative relationship with the reference value. The number of digits of a QR code (two-dimensional code) and a conversion code string for recording and displaying information can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, even in a recording apparatus in which the recording head 10 has been downsized and advanced, the QR code (2
(Dimensional code) and the number of digits of the conversion code string can be saved and a large amount of information can be recorded and / or displayed in a limited space.

In each of the above embodiments, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus using a recording head having a piezoelectric vibrator 17 in the longitudinal vibration mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a recording apparatus using a recording head having a vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator. In this case, a voltage level corresponding to the charging and discharging of the piezoelectric vibrator,
A drive signal is used which is completely opposite to the direction in which the pressure generating chamber expands and contracts as in the above embodiment. In this case, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the waveform shape of the waveform constituting the drive signal is not limited to the illustrated one, and various waveform shapes can be applied.

In each of the above embodiments, information is recorded on the QR label 12 using the QR code. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various two-dimensional codes can be used. As the two-dimensional code, for example, a PDF-417, CODE16K, CODE49, coder block, ultra code, etc., a stack-type code in which one-dimensional barcodes composed of a thick bar and a thin bar (or a thick space and a thin space) are stacked in sub-numbered stages And code one, data code, array tag, box figure code,
Matrix codes, such as maxi codes, veri codes, soft strips, CP codes, carla codes, aztec codes, and the like, which are matrix-type codes in which data is converted into binary (0, 1) and represented by black and white cells.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the QR label 12 is used as the information recording unit, and the unique information of the head is displayed on the code display unit 13 by the QR code, and the viewing unit 14 is displayed with a plurality of identification codes (conversion code). Although the recording and / or displaying is performed according to (row), the present invention is not limited to this, and an IC memory or a magnetic recording film can be used as the information recording unit.

Here, an outline of a QR code creating apparatus, which is an example of a two-dimensional code creating apparatus, will be described with reference to FIG.

The QR code creating device 100 shown in FIG.
An information obtaining unit 101 is provided for obtaining a plurality of pieces of information including the same type of information on the recording head 10.

For example, the information obtaining unit 101 is provided with the recording head 1
At least a part of the information about 0 is obtained by actually measuring or from design information.

The information obtaining unit 101 includes the information obtaining unit 101
The information conversion unit 102 distinguishes one piece of reference information from other information of the same kind of information among the pieces of information obtained by the user and re-expresses the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information.
Is connected.

The information conversion section 102 is connected to a coding section 103 for converting the reference information and the relative relationship of the other information re-expressed by the information conversion section 102 to the reference information into a two-dimensional code. ing.

The printing unit 104 for printing the two-dimensional code on the label member and the recording unit 105 for recording the two-dimensional code on a recording medium are connected to the coding unit 103.

According to such a QR code creating apparatus 100, it is possible to easily and quickly create a QR code with a reduced number of digits.

The QR code creating apparatus 100 'shown in FIG.
Is a modification of the QR code creation device shown in FIG.

In the QR code creating apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 8, the information obtaining unit 101 'obtains the reference information by discriminating one reference information and another information for the same kind of information on the recording head 10. In addition, the other information is obtained based on a relative relationship with the reference information.

In this case, the information obtaining unit 101 ′ determines the relative relationship between the reference information and other information with respect to the reference information.
It can be obtained by actual measurement or from design information.

[0098] The coding section 103 is connected to the information obtaining section 101 '.

For other configurations, the QR shown in FIG.
It is almost the same as the code creation device. Therefore, detailed description of the same elements will be omitted.

[0100] Even with such a QR code creating apparatus 100 ', a QR code with a reduced number of digits can be easily and quickly created.

Next, an outline of a QR code restoring apparatus which is an example of a two-dimensional code restoring apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

The QR code restoring device 150 shown in FIG.
For example, the QR code creation device 10 shown in FIG.
This is a device for reading and restoring the two-dimensional code created by 0 and 100 ', and includes a reading unit 151 for reading the two-dimensional code.

The reading section 151 restores the reference information and the other information from a two-dimensional code indicating a relative relationship between the reference information and the other information read by the reading section 151 with respect to the reference information. Restore main unit 152
Is connected.

An output unit 153 for outputting the restored reference information and the other information is connected to the restoration main unit 152.

According to such a QR code restoring device 150, it is possible to easily and quickly restore a QR code including the other information expressed by a relative relationship to the reference information.

Next, an outline of the transformed code string creating apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

Conversion code string creating apparatus 200 shown in FIG.
Includes an information acquisition unit 201 that acquires a plurality of pieces of information including the same kind of information about the recording head 10.

[0108] For example, the information obtaining unit 201 is provided with the recording head 1
At least a part of the information about 0 is obtained by actually measuring or from design information.

The information obtaining unit 201 includes the information obtaining unit 201
The information conversion unit 202 that distinguishes one piece of reference information from other information of the same type of information among the pieces of information obtained and re-expresses the other information by a relative relationship with the reference information.
Is connected.

The information conversion section 202 is connected to a conversion encoding section 203 for converting the reference information and the relative relationship of the other information re-expressed by the information conversion section 202 to the reference information into a conversion code string. Have been.

The conversion encoding unit 203 is connected to a printing unit 204 that prints the conversion code string on the label member, and a recording unit 205 that records the conversion code string on a recording medium.

According to such a conversion code string creation device 200, a conversion code string with a reduced number of digits can be easily and quickly created.

A conversion code string creating apparatus 200 'shown in FIG.
Is a modified example of the conversion code string creation device shown in FIG.

In the conversion code string creating apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 11, the information obtaining unit 201 'distinguishes one piece of reference information from other pieces of information of the same type regarding the recording head 10 and Upon acquisition, the other information is acquired based on a relative relationship with the reference information.

In this case, the information obtaining unit 201 ′ determines the relative relationship between the reference information and other information with respect to the reference information.
It can be obtained by actual measurement or from design information.

[0116] The transform coding unit 203 is connected to the information obtaining unit 201 '.

The other configuration is substantially the same as that of the conversion code string creating apparatus shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description of the same elements will be omitted.

[0118] Even with such a conversion code string generating apparatus 200 ', a conversion code string with a reduced number of digits can be easily and quickly generated.

[0119]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the same kind of information as the reference information is expressed by the relative relation to the reference information, the number of digits of the two-dimensional code or the conversion code string can be reduced. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a basic structure of a recording head.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a second example of the recording head, wherein FIG.
Is a sectional view, and (b) is a plan view of a nozzle plate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a QR label.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a drive signal used in the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a drive signal used in the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a QR code creation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing another example of the QR code creation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a QR code restoration device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a conversion code string creation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing another example of a transformed code string creating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a QR label.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Carriage 3 Timing belt 4 Stepping motor 5 Guide bar 6 Recording paper 7 Cap 8 Paper feed motor 9 Flexible cable 10 Recording head 12 QR label 13 Code display part 14 Visual part 17 Piezoelectric vibrator 20 Fixed substrate 21 Base 22 Flow path unit 23 Nozzle row 24 Storage space 25 Nozzle plate 26 Vibration plate 27 Flow path forming plate 28 Nozzle opening 29 Island part 30 Thin part 31 Pressure generation chamber 32 Ink chamber 33 Ink supply path 41 Carriage 42 Recording head 43 Recording paper 44 Flexible Cable 47 QR label 48 Code display unit 49 Visual observation unit 100, 100 ′ Two-dimensional code generation device 101, 101 ′ Information acquisition unit 102 Information conversion unit 103 Coding unit 104 Printing unit 105 Recording unit 15 0 Two-dimensional code restoration device 151 Reading unit 152 Restoration main unit 153 Output unit 200, 100 'Two-dimensional code creation device 201, 201' Information acquisition unit 202 Information conversion unit 203 Transformation encoding unit 204 Printing unit 205 Recording unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 1/12

Claims (28)

[Claims] A pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid; and a pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining unit that obtains the same type of information on the head member that has the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, An information conversion unit re-expressed by a relative relationship; and a coding unit for converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information expressed by the information conversion unit to the reference information into a two-dimensional code. A two-dimensional code generation device characterized in that: 2. The two-dimensional code generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information obtaining unit obtains at least a part of information on the head member by actually measuring the information. . 3. The two-dimensional code generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information obtaining unit obtains at least a part of the information on the head member from the design information. 4. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. For the same kind of information about the head member having, distinguish one reference information and other information,
An information obtaining unit that obtains the reference information and obtains the other information based on a relative relationship with the reference information, and converts a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code. An encoding unit for conversion;
A two-dimensional code generation device comprising: 5. The two-dimensional code creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that prints the two-dimensional code on a label member. 6. The two-dimensional code creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit that records the two-dimensional code on a recording medium. 7. The pressure generating means of the head member has a piezoelectric vibrator, and the same kind of information about the head member includes voltage information for driving the piezoelectric vibrator. Item 7. The two-dimensional code generation device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. 8. A plurality of nozzle openings of the head member are provided so as to form a plurality of rows, and the same type of information on the head member includes information of each row of nozzle openings. The two-dimensional code creation device according to claim 1. 9. The liquid discharge mode of the head member is capable of discharging a plurality of liquid weights, and the same type of information on the head member includes information on each liquid weight. 8. The two-dimensional code generation device according to any one of 8. 10. The liquid discharge mode of a head member is such that a plurality of liquid discharge modes can be switched, and the same kind of information on the head member includes information for each liquid discharge mode. The two-dimensional code creation device according to claim 1. 11. The liquid of the head member can be used by switching a plurality of types, and the same kind of information on the head member includes information for each liquid. The two-dimensional code creation device according to any one of the above. 12. The two-dimensional code generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative relationship of said other information to said reference information is information of a difference from said reference information. 13. The two-dimensional code generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative relationship of said other information to said reference information is information of a ratio to said reference information. 14. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. Two-dimensional code generation for distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information of the same type of information about a head member and converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code An apparatus for reading and restoring a two-dimensional code created by an apparatus, comprising: a reading unit that reads a two-dimensional code; and a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information read by the reading unit to the reference information. A restoring main body for restoring the reference information and the other information from the two-dimensional code for 2-dimensional code reconstruction apparatus having a section, a. 15. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. For a head member having the same kind of information about the head member, one reference information and another information are distinguished, and a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information is converted into a two-dimensional code. A recording member for recording the two-dimensional code created by the two-dimensional code creation device. 16. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and a pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. For a head member having the same kind of information about the head member, one reference information and another information are distinguished, and a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information is converted into a two-dimensional code. A display member for displaying the two-dimensional code created by the two-dimensional code creation device. 17. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information on the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and comparing the other information with the reference information; An information conversion step of re-expressing by a relative relationship; a coding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information expressed in the information conversion step to the reference information into a two-dimensional code; A printing step of printing a dimensional code on a label member. 18. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information on the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and comparing the other information with the reference information; An information conversion step of re-expressing by a relative relationship; a coding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information expressed in the information conversion step to the reference information into a two-dimensional code; A recording step of recording the two-dimensional code on a recording medium. 19. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information based on a relative relationship with the reference information, by distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information with respect to the same kind of information about the head member having; A coding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code; and a printing step of printing the two-dimensional code on a label member. Two-dimensional code creation method. 20. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and a pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information based on a relative relationship with the reference information, by distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information with respect to the same kind of information about the head member having; A coding step of converting a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information to the reference information into a two-dimensional code; and a recording step of recording the two-dimensional code on a recording medium. To create a two-dimensional code. 21. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining unit that obtains the same type of information on the head member that has the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, An information conversion unit re-expressed by a relative relationship, and a conversion encoding unit that converts a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information expressed by the information conversion unit to the reference information into a conversion code string. A conversion code string creation device, comprising: 22. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining unit that obtains the reference information and obtains the other information based on a relative relationship with the reference information, by distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information for the same type of information about the head member having the information. A conversion encoding unit that converts a relative relationship of the reference information and the other information with respect to the reference information, into a conversion code string;
A conversion code string creating apparatus comprising: 23. The printing apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a printing unit for printing the conversion code string on the label member.
3. The conversion code string creation device according to 2. 24. The conversion code string creating apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a recording unit for recording the conversion code string on a recording medium. 25. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and a pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information on the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and comparing the other information with the reference information; An information conversion step of re-expressing by a relative relationship, a conversion encoding step of converting a relative relationship of the other information expressed in the reference information and the information conversion step with respect to the reference information into a conversion code string, A printing step of printing a conversion code string on a label member. 26. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the same type of information on the head member having the same type of information obtained by the information obtaining unit, distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information, and comparing the other information with the reference information; An information conversion step of re-expressing by a relative relationship, a conversion encoding step of converting a relative relationship of the other information expressed in the reference information and the information conversion step with respect to the reference information into a conversion code string, Recording a converted code string on a recording medium. 27. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information based on a relative relationship with the reference information, by distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information with respect to the same kind of information about the head member having; A conversion encoding step of converting a relative relationship between the reference information and the other information with respect to the reference information into a conversion code string; and a printing step of printing the conversion code string on a label member. A method of creating a conversion code string as a feature. 28. A nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and capable of containing a liquid, and pressure generating means for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening. An information obtaining step of obtaining the reference information and obtaining the other information based on a relative relationship with the reference information, by distinguishing one piece of reference information from other information with respect to the same kind of information about the head member having; A conversion coding step of converting a relative relationship between the reference information and the other information with respect to the reference information into a conversion code string; and a recording step of recording the conversion code string on a recording medium. A method of creating a conversion code string.