JP2004102445A - Print control unit and print control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a quick maintenance function. <P>SOLUTION: Data for making a printer execute a maintenance function are preliminarily prepared as data printable by the printer (S1020, S1030), and the prepared data are transmitted to the printer based on the selection input of the maintenance function to be executed by the printer, and the printer is controlled based on the transmitted data (S1040). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print control apparatus and a print control method which are connected to a printer and control execution of a maintenance function of the printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, different print controls are required to process data such as characters, tables, and images having different types of data, and a print driver is mounted on the print control device to execute the controls.
[0003]
The printer driver is used to print graphics image data such as characters and graphics created by various application software installed in the print control device and image image data such as a natural image from a recording device such as an inkjet printer. Analyzes a drawing command based on image data supplied from the application software via an OS (Operating System), creates multi-gradation image data of RGB data on a memory, and displays cyan (C) representing each color of ink. , Magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Then, the printer driver performs a process of converting the data into CMYK binary data indicating whether or not ink is to be recorded by printing, and then generates output data that can be analyzed by the printer and transfers the output data to the printer.
[0004]
For example, in a recording apparatus using a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged, such as an ink jet printer, the recording head is caused to scan a recording medium, for example, a printing paper in a main scanning direction, and at the same time, the printing paper is moved in a sub scanning The desired image data is printed on the printing paper by causing the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the recording head to adhere to the printing paper while being conveyed to the printing paper.
[0005]
In addition to the above-described recording control of the printer connected to the print control device, the printer driver can also perform control for causing the recording device to perform maintenance for a recording failure that occurs in the recording device. As a problem relating to a recording failure of the recording apparatus, for example, there is a problem of a printing defect caused by an ink not being properly ejected from a nozzle provided in the recording head, and a problem of causing the recording head to reciprocate with respect to the recording medium. However, when the ink is ejected, there is a problem such as print unevenness caused by a displacement of the attachment position of the ink droplet due to an error in the mounting position of the recording head. To avoid these problems, general inkjet printers print a "nozzle check pattern" to detect non-ejection nozzles of ink and a "position adjustment pattern". A “head position adjustment function” for detecting a displacement of the ink droplet is provided.
[0006]
The printer driver corresponding to the above-described inkjet printer can control the execution of the maintenance function of the printer, and the user can select and input an operation button for executing the maintenance function from the user interface of the print control device. A maintenance function can be executed.
[0007]
When performing maintenance functions such as the nozzle check function and head position adjustment function, it is necessary to print a check pattern.When such an operation button is pressed, the printer driver generates each pattern as print data and prints the print data to the printer. To perform a predetermined recording control process.
[0008]
If the printer has a function to generate each check pattern, the printer driver on the print control device side issues a command for causing the printer to execute each check pattern based on the selection input from the operation button. To cause the printer to perform a maintenance function (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-270010 (position shift detecting means in FIG. 2).
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when an inexpensive printer is developed and put on the market, various cost reductions are indispensable due to the problem of price competitiveness. In such a case, there is a case where a sufficient memory size cannot be secured on the printer side. In this case, there is a problem that the printer itself cannot store the program code for executing the above-described maintenance function.
[0011]
There is also a method of generating and transmitting the above-described print check pattern with a printer driver. However, when the processing speed of a host computer used by a user is slow, generating each pattern with a printer driver requires a long time for pattern generation processing. , The printer maintenance function cannot be executed immediately.
[0012]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and a file of binary data obtained by converting each check pattern into print data is stored in the print control apparatus in advance, and the binary data is stored when the maintenance function is executed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control device and a print control method capable of realizing a quick maintenance function by transferring a file to a printer.
[0013]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a print control apparatus and method for reducing the load on the memory capacity of the printer by preparing data for executing the maintenance function on the print control apparatus.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a print control device and a print control method according to the present invention are mainly characterized by having the following configurations.
[0015]
That is, the print control device for causing the printer to print the print data includes:
Storage control means for preparing data for causing the printer to execute a maintenance function as data which can be printed by the printer in advance;
Printer control means for transmitting the prepared data to the printer based on the selection input of the maintenance function to be executed by the printer, and for controlling the printer based on the transmitted data,
It is characterized by having.
[0016]
Preferably, in the print control device described above, the data prepared by the storage control unit is generated as a binary data file.
[0017]
Preferably, in the above-described print control device, the data prepared by the storage control unit includes data for correcting a recording position by the printer.
[0018]
Preferably, in the print control apparatus, the data prepared by the storage control unit detects non-discharge of ink droplets ejected from a plurality of nozzles formed on a recording head mounted on the printer. For printing a check pattern for performing the check.
[0019]
Preferably, in the above-described print control device, the storage control unit stores the data as resource data in a printer driver that controls the printer.
[0020]
Preferably, in the print control apparatus described above, the storage control unit stores the data in a memory and prepares the corresponding data so that the data can be transmitted to the printer according to the selection input.
[0021]
Preferably, in the print control device, the printer control unit transmits data for executing the maintenance function and control information for controlling the printer,
The printer causes the printer to process data for executing the maintenance function based on the control information.
[0022]
Preferably, in the print control device, the control information includes date or time information for determining a print execution interval,
The printer control means controls an initial operation for driving the printer based on the date or time information.
[0023]
Preferably, in the print control device described above, the control information includes drive information for controlling a motor in performing printing,
The printer control unit controls the driving of the motor based on the driving information.
[0024]
The print control method is as follows.
A storage control step of preparing data for causing the printer to execute a maintenance function as data that can be printed by the printer in advance;
A printer control step of transmitting the data prepared by the processing of the storage control step to the printer based on the selection input of the maintenance function to be executed by the printer, and controlling the printer based on the transmitted data. It is characterized by having.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<First embodiment>
<Schematic configuration of system>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a block diagram relating to hardware of a system including a print control apparatus (information processing apparatus) and connected devices according to the first embodiment.
[0026]
Each hardware configuration of the print control device is connected to the data bus 111. Reference numeral 108 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), 120 denotes a program memory (hereinafter, referred to as “PMEM”), and a program for print control is appropriately selected from a hard disk (hereinafter, referred to as “HD”) 107. The program is read and executed by the CPU 108. Writing and reading of the program, data, and the like to and from the HD 107 are performed via the storage control unit 130. The configuration of software stored in the HD 107 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, various application software 101, an operating system 102, and a printer driver 103 are included.
[0027]
The data input from the keyboard 106a is input to the print control device 100 via the input control unit 106b. Based on this input, the CPU 108 can execute data transmission for causing the printer 105a to execute print control and maintenance functions.
[0028]
Reference numeral 105a denotes a printer, which is connected to the print control device 100 via the printer control unit 105b, and records data sent from the print control device 100. The connection between the printer 105a and the print control device 100 may be wired or wireless. As an example of a printer suitable for the present embodiment, an inkjet printer that records an image by discharging ink from a recording head onto a recording medium is preferable. The printer analyzes the print data received from the print control device, and moves the recording head in the main scanning direction (a and b in FIG. 2) with respect to the printing paper based on the analysis result. While moving the paper in the sub-scanning direction (see FIG. 2), ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the recording head are attached to the print paper to print a desired image on the print paper (this printer). Will be described later in detail).
[0029]
A monitor 104a is connected to the display control unit 104b and displays a user interface (UI) screen for controlling the printer 105a. In accordance with the display of the UI screen, the user can perform an operation input using the input means of the keyboard 106a and the mouse 106c, and instruct the print control apparatus 100 to perform desired control. The print control device 100 can control the printer 105a via the printer control unit 105b based on the instruction information.
[0030]
FIG. 1B is a block diagram relating to software of the system according to the first embodiment. The print control apparatus 100 includes application software 101 such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, and an Internet browser, and various rendering commands (an image rendering command, an image rendering command, and the like) issued to the operating system (OS) 102 by the application software. A printer driver 103 that generates print data that can be printed by a printer for text drawing commands and graphics drawing commands.
[0031]
The printer driver 103 transmits the created print data to the printer using the spooler function of the operating system 102.
[0032]
The print control apparatus 100 can execute a print control (including a printer maintenance function) process in cooperation with various kinds of hardware shown in FIG. 1A and the software (FIG. 1B).
[0033]
<Description of inkjet printer>
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a configuration of an ink jet printer IJRA which is a typical embodiment of the printer 105a described in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 2, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5009 to 5011 in conjunction with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has pins (not shown). Then, it is supported by the guide rail 5003 and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b. On the carriage HC, an integrated type ink jet cartridge IJC containing a recording head IJH and an ink tank IT is mounted.
[0034]
Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the recording paper P against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage HC. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which are home position detectors for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013.
[0035]
Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the front surface of the print head IJH. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction device that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the print head through an opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member that allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to the present embodiment.
[0036]
Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery. The lever 5021 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaging with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission mechanism such as clutch switching. Is done.
[0037]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If the above operation is performed, any of the embodiments can be applied.
[0038]
<Description of printer control configuration>
Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the ink jet printer (105a in FIG. 1, FIG. 2). In the figure showing a control circuit, 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is various data (the recording signal and the recording data supplied to the head). Etc.) are stored in the DRAM. A gate array (GA) 1704 controls supply of print data to the print head IJH, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the RAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head IJH, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the recording head, and 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.
[0040]
The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a recording signal enters the interface 1700, the recording signal is converted between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701 into recording data for printing. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head is driven in accordance with the recording data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform recording.
[0041]
As described above, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH may be integrally formed to constitute a replaceable ink cartridge IJC. However, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH may be configured to be separable. Then, when the ink runs out, only the ink tank IT may be replaced.
[0042]
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of an ink cartridge IJC in which an ink tank and a head can be separated. In the ink cartridge IJC, as shown in FIG. 4, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH can be separated at the position of the boundary line K. When the ink cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC, the ink cartridge IJC is provided with an electrode (not shown) for receiving an electric signal supplied from the carriage HC side. Is driven to eject ink.
[0043]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 500 denotes an ink ejection port array. Further, the ink tank IT is provided with a fibrous or porous ink absorber for holding ink.
[0044]
<User interface screen>
A printer driver in the print control device (information processing device) can control the display control unit 104b to display a user interface screen as shown in FIG. 5 on the monitor 104a in order to perform maintenance of the printer 105a. . The display screen (FIG. 5) is composed of a combination of a maintenance item and an icon display in which the contents of the item are easily visualized for the user. , A nozzle check pattern print button 202.
[0045]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the adjustment of the head position. When the “head position adjustment button 201” is pressed (S601), the landing position shift of the ink droplet is detected, and the print position correction amount is grasped. Is printed by the printer 105a (S602). The adjustment of the head position is for correcting an error in the mounting position of the recording head mounted on the printer by driving the recording head in the scanning direction, the forward path and the backward path, to thereby correct the printing unevenness caused by the displacement of the ink droplet. After confirming the plurality of printed position adjustment patterns, the user inputs a position correction amount for correcting the print position to an optimal print position on the print control device (S603). The position correction amount based on the input in step S603 is transmitted (S604). The sequence in steps S601 to S604 allows the printer 105a to process the print data by reflecting the correction of the print position based on the transmitted position correction amount.
[0046]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a general position adjustment pattern 701 printed by the printer 105a in the process of step S602 in FIG. The position adjustment pattern is previously filed as binary data on the print control device side as print data, and is stored in the hard disk 107.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the nozzle check process. When the “nozzle check pattern print button 202” is pressed (S801), a configuration on the print head is performed to detect whether there is a non-ejection nozzle. A check pattern for ejecting ink droplets from all the performed nozzles is printed (S802). Based on this print result, the user can confirm the presence or absence of a nozzle from which ink is not ejected (S803).
[0048]
FIG. 9 shows an example of a general nozzle check pattern 901 printed by the printer 105a in the process of step S802 in FIG. The nozzle check pattern is stored on the file hard disk 107 of binary data created in advance as print data such that ink droplets are ejected from all nozzles constituting the print head.
[0049]
Normally, when printing the data created by the application 101, instead of setting the output destination to the printer, if the file is changed to a file, the binary data file created by the processing by the printer driver is stored in the storage area of the hard disk. Generated. Then, by transferring the created binary data file to the printer, the data created by the application can be printed. The same applies to the data for printing the above-described head position adjustment pattern and the nozzle check pattern. The binary data file for printing these check patterns is stored in the hard disk (HD) 107 in advance and prepared. When printing a check pattern, the storage control unit 130 reads out a predetermined check pattern from the HD 107 and transmits the check pattern to the printer 105a so that printing can be performed. When this binary data file is transmitted to the printer 105a, the printer 105a can print based on the binary data stored in the file.
[0050]
The storage control unit 130 functioning as a binary file storage unit can store one or a plurality of binary data files that have been converted into print data in advance as resource data in one of the internal modules constituting the printer driver. When storing data, a file resource of each binary data is named and stored, and when it is retrieved, it can be retrieved based on the name.
[0051]
In storing data by the binary file storage unit (storage control unit 130), it is not necessary to combine resource data into one internal module in the printer driver, and a resource module may be created for each binary file. By converting the binary file into a resource and storing the binary file inside the module, the confidentiality of the printer driver configuration module can be increased.
[0052]
Furthermore, instead of storing the resource data in the internal module of the printer driver, the file of the binary data may be stored as it is on the hard disk. In this case, when the file of the binary data is changed, it is only necessary to replace the contents of the file itself, and the maintainability of the printer driver itself can be improved.
[0053]
Hereinafter, a detailed flow of a process performed by the printer driver when execution of the maintenance function is selected will be described with reference to FIG.
[0054]
In step S1010, when the user selects the maintenance function selection button displayed on the monitor 104a, the result of the selection input is input to the print control device 100 via the display control unit 104b.
[0055]
For example, if the print head position adjustment is selected in step S1010, the process proceeds to step S1020. If the nozzle check pattern is selected, the process proceeds to step S1030.
[0056]
The storage control unit 130 prepares resource data corresponding to the maintenance function selected and input in step S1010 among the resource data stored in the internal module of the printer driver.
[0057]
When the nozzle check pattern print button is selected and pressed (S1010), the storage control unit 130 is activated to execute preparation of binary data (S1030).
[0058]
As the binary data, data stored in the printer driver module or data stored in the hard disk 107 is read as resource data, and the storage control unit 130 expands the data in the RAM 109. When the rasterization process is completed, the process proceeds to step S1040, and the printer driver 103 transmits the rasterized binary data file to the printer 105a via the printer control unit 105b using the spooler function of the OS 102. I do.
[0059]
Since the binary data file received by the printer 105a is already print data for printing the nozzle check pattern, the print data can be analyzed and printed in the same manner as in normal print processing. It has become.
[0060]
The flow of the processing described above is the case where the function of printing the nozzle check pattern is selected in step S1010. If the adjustment of the head position is selected in step S1010, the process proceeds to step S1020, and the storage control unit 130 As a result, the binary data relating to the position adjustment pattern is read out, and is developed in the RAM 109 in the same manner as in the case of the nozzle check pattern (S1030).
[0061]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, print data for performing the maintenance function is prepared in the print control device in advance, and the data is transmitted to the printer in accordance with the execution of the maintenance function, whereby the rapid maintenance function is performed. It can be executed by a printer.
[0062]
Further, since there is no need to prepare data relating to the execution of the maintenance function on the printer side, the memory capacity of the printer can be reduced.
[0063]
<Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, only the binary data file expanded based on the user's selection is transmitted to the printer 105a. However, in addition to this transmission data, information that can change the control of the printer is added. Accordingly, the printer operation can be changed even when the maintenance function is executed, and the maintenance function can be executed more effectively.
[0064]
This processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S1110 corresponds to step S1010 in FIG. 110, and one of the maintenance functions is selected. Step S1120 corresponds to steps S1020 and S1030 in FIG. 10, and a check pattern converted into print data corresponding to the selected maintenance function is prepared.
[0065]
The printer control unit 105b transmits the printer control information and the check pattern converted into print data to the printer 105a.
[0066]
The printer control information includes, for example, a comparison between the previous print execution time and the current print execution time to determine the elapsed time. If the elapsed time elapses, change the printer initialization operation such as setting a longer ink suction time or executing head cleaning. Information is included. For example, by adding the date and time at the time of transmission as printer control information to a binary data file, it is possible to control switching of the printer initialization operation even when the maintenance function is executed.
[0067]
Furthermore, some recent printers have a function (silent mode) for reducing the operation sound during paper feeding. In a printer driver corresponding to such a model, a silent mode function is added as printer control information. When the execution command is added, the silent mode function can be executed at the time of the printing operation for executing the maintenance function. When controlling the printer in the silent mode, the printer control unit 105b switches the driving pattern of the motor as the driving source of the printer from high-speed driving to low-speed driving in order to reduce the operating sound.
[0068]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart in which a processing step S1230 for determining the addition of printer control information is added to the processing of FIG.
[0069]
The printer control unit 105b adds necessary printer control information to the control information for controlling the printer based on a user's selection or based on a predetermined condition (for example, the elapsed time of the print execution described above). (S1230), and if control information is not to be added, the process proceeds to step S1240 to transmit check pattern data converted into print data to the printer 105a.
[0070]
If it is determined in step S1230 that the printer control information is to be added, the data of the check pattern converted into print data and the printer control information are combined and transmitted to the printer 105a (S1250). Here, the printer control information transmitted to the printer 105a in combination with the check pattern data for executing the maintenance function is not limited to a single type of control information, and a plurality of types of printer control information may be transmitted together. It is possible to execute a plurality of types of control in a complex manner.
[0071]
According to the present embodiment, when print data for executing the maintenance function is transmitted to the printer, the control of the printer at the time of executing the maintenance function is performed according to the control information by transmitting the control information of the printer in combination. It is possible to switch.
[0072]
In the first and second embodiments described above, the description has been made assuming that the droplets ejected from the recording head mounted on the printer 105a are ink, and that the liquid contained in the ink tank is ink. However, the contents are not limited to ink. For example, an ink tank may contain a processing liquid discharged to a recording medium in order to improve the fixability and water resistance of a recorded image or to improve the image quality.
[0073]
Further, the above-described first and second embodiments use a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system. By using the method in which the state change of the ink is caused by the thermal energy, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of the recording.
[0074]
Regarding the typical configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, to generate heat energy in the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the recording head to emit heat energy. This is effective in that film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the liquid, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed.
[0075]
By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is in a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.
[0076]
As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.
[0077]
As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid flow path or the right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting surface The configurations described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose the configuration in which the is bent, are also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged. A configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each unit, may be adopted.
[0078]
Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either the configuration or the configuration as one recording head integrally formed may be used.
[0079]
In addition, not only the cartridge-type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, but also the electric connection with the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head that can supply ink from the apparatus main body may be used.
[0080]
Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.
[0081]
Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and may be a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The device may be provided with at least one of the full colors.
[0082]
In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid.However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or below, an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. Alternatively, in the ink jet system, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. It is sufficient if the ink is sometimes in a liquid state.
[0083]
In addition, to prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being used as the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or to prevent the ink from evaporating, the ink solidifies in a standing state. Alternatively, ink that liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used.
[0084]
In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, print data for executing the maintenance function is prepared in the print control device in advance, and the data is transmitted to the printer in accordance with the execution of the maintenance function. Can be executed.
[0086]
Further, since there is no need to prepare data relating to the execution of the maintenance function on the printer side, the memory capacity of the printer can be reduced.
[0087]
In addition, when sending print data for executing the maintenance function to the printer, the printer control information can be switched in accordance with the control information by transmitting the print data in combination with the printer control information according to the control information. Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a block diagram related to hardware of a system including a print control apparatus (information processing apparatus) and connected devices according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 1B is a block diagram relating to software of the system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a configuration of an inkjet printer IJRA as a typical embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the inkjet printer.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge IJC in which an ink tank and a head are separable.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of head position adjustment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a position adjustment pattern.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a nozzle check process.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a nozzle check pattern.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the printer driver when execution of the maintenance function is selected.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting printer control information and a check pattern converted into print data to a printer.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting printer control information and a check pattern converted into print data to a printer.

Claims (13)

A print control device for causing a printer to print print data,
Storage control means for preparing data for causing the printer to execute a maintenance function as data which can be printed by the printer in advance;
Printer control means for transmitting the prepared data to the printer based on the selection input of the maintenance function to be executed by the printer, and for controlling the printer based on the transmitted data,
A print control device comprising: 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data prepared by the storage control unit is generated as a binary data file. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data prepared by the storage control unit includes data for correcting a recording position by the printer. The data prepared by the storage control means includes a check pattern for detecting a non-discharge of ink droplets ejected from a plurality of nozzles formed on a recording head mounted on the printer. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print control device includes data. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control unit stores the data as resource data in a printer driver that controls the printer. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control unit stores the data in a memory, and prepares the corresponding data so that the data can be transmitted to the printer according to the selection input. The printer control means transmits data for executing the maintenance function and control information for controlling the printer,
2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer controls the printer to process data for executing the maintenance function based on the control information. The control information includes date or time information for determining a print execution interval,
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer control unit controls an initial operation for driving the printer based on the date or time information. The control information includes drive information for controlling a motor in print execution,
The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein the printer control unit controls driving of the motor based on the driving information. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is an ink jet printing apparatus that performs printing by scanning a carriage equipped with a print head on a print medium based on information transmitted from the print control apparatus. Print control device. The print control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the printhead is an inkjet printhead that performs printing by discharging ink. The recording head according to claim 10, wherein the recording head is a recording head that discharges ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Print control device. A print control method,
A storage control step of preparing data for causing the printer to execute a maintenance function as data that can be printed by the printer in advance;
A printer control step of transmitting the data prepared by the processing of the storage control step to the printer based on a selection input of a maintenance function to be executed by the printer, and controlling the printer based on the transmitted data;
A printing control method comprising:

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