JP2000272149A - Color recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color recorder in which ink tanks can be replaced simultaneously while avoiding waste of color ink, deterioration of print quality and intricate gradation control without impeding compaction of the product. SOLUTION: The color recorder comprises ink supply tubes 19y, 19m, 19c communicating with color ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c and a black ink tank 14k and supplying a color ink to the black ink tank, an ink supply head cap 18 incorporating a pump 20, and a sensor 17 for detecting the residual quantity of black ink. Hue of the color ink is set to approach the hue of black ink through mixing and color inks can be supplied from the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c to the black ink tank 14k based on the detection result of the residual quantity of black ink.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a color recording apparatus capable of performing color printing using a plurality of color inks and black ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional color recording apparatus represented by a color ink jet printer, for color printing,
In addition to a plurality of color inks such as cyan, magenta, and yellow, black black ink is also used, and when the ink is consumed and the ink is exhausted, each ink tank containing each ink is replaced. It is configured as follows.

As a method of replacing each ink tank, there is known a method in which each ink tank is replaceable for each individual ink. In this case, a specific ink is stored at the time of replacement. It is necessary to identify the ink tank and replace it without error, which causes a problem that the replacement work becomes complicated.

Therefore, in recent years, in order to quickly and easily replace ink tanks, each ink tank is provided integrally, and when one of a plurality of inks has been used up, all the ink tanks are replaced at once. Some that are configured to be able to do so are also known.

By the way, in a color ink jet recording apparatus, in addition to printing a color image, there are many cases of printing document data composed of ordinary black characters.
Black ratio (ratio of black dots) in printed image information
Therefore, in many cases, the consumption amount of black ink is increased as compared with other color inks.

Therefore, there is no problem in the case where each ink tank is configured to be replaceable for each individual ink, but the capacity of each ink tank storing the ink of each color is the same, and When the black ink is exhausted, the possibility of remaining other color inks becomes very high when the black ink runs out, as described above. As a result, there is a problem that the running cost increases.

In JP-A-7-137298, therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, an ink tank is provided integrally, and the tank capacity of each hue (cyan tank 101, magenta tank 102, yellow tank 103) is determined. By increasing the volume of the black ink tank 100 in comparison, the color ink that is wasted and discarded while taking advantage of the fact that all the ink tanks can be replaced at once without the troublesome work of replacing each ink tank individually. A technique for reducing the amount of glycerol is described.

[0008]

However, in the prior art described above, it is necessary to change the size of the ink tank for each color, and the tank shape becomes incompatible. In view of the above, the manufacturing cost increases.

Further, since the shape of the black ink tank 100 is made larger than the ink tanks of the other hues, the dimensions of the integrated ink tank become larger, and as a result, the storage area of the ink carriage is reduced. There is also a problem that it becomes large and hinders downsizing of the device.

Further, the capacity ratio between the black ink tank and other color ink tanks is not always appropriate for each user, and some users may run out of color ink before black ink, The opposite may occur, and it is difficult to set an appropriate ink tank capacity ratio.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the shape of the black ink tank and the ink tank of another hue are made identical, and when the black ink is exhausted, a pseudo color is formed on the recording medium by using another color ink. There is known a method for combining and printing black dots. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram in this case.

That is, in this method, only the black ink is discharged onto the recording medium as in the conventional method until the black ink runs out in FIG. 16 (FIG. 16B), and when the black ink runs out, the cyan ink (FIG. Medium C), magenta ink (M in the figure) and yellow ink (Y in the figure) are respectively discharged,
This is for forming black dots in a pseudo manner (FIG. 16).
(A)).

However, in the above-described method of synthesizing black dots, it is necessary to print a plurality of dots in order to form one black dot in a binary gradation in which the same amount of one ink droplet is ejected. An area is required, and the print gradation is substantially reduced, resulting in a reduction in print quality. further,
When the ejection ink amount is changed by the multi-tone control, a plurality of tone controls must be performed within one scan of the ink carriage, and there is a disadvantage that the control becomes complicated.

Still another method is disclosed in JP-A-4-3385.
No. 54 discloses that a pixel having a desired hue is represented by one dot without requiring a process of converting into a matrix of nxm dots, and a plurality of hues are mixed in order to perform color printing without lowering the resolution. A color recording apparatus is disclosed which includes a mixing unit, a storage unit for storing the colorant generated by the mixing unit, and a recording unit for inputting the colorant from the storage unit and recording the recording material with the colorant.

However, in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-338554, a mixing section and an ink tank for forming pixels of a desired color are separately required in addition to each ink tank. Not only is it difficult to do this, but the consumption of each ink varies depending on the desired color. Therefore, if the ink tanks are integrated, wasteful disposal of color inks cannot be prevented. Work cannot be eliminated.

Further, in normal color printing, depending on the use situation of printing, ink of a hue different from that of characters for pictograms or emphasis of a document is required. For example, reliable color compensation is required for each ink. In some cases, it is not necessary to print a photographic original. However, in the prior art, since only ink of a specific hue is simply empty,
Printing cannot be performed even if there is room for other inks, or an independent ink tank for mixed ink is required, which results in a problem that ink is wasted and the apparatus cannot be made compact. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to uselessly discard color ink, reduce print quality, and perform complicated gradation control. It is an object of the present invention to provide a color recording apparatus which enables simultaneous replacement of ink tanks while avoiding the above problem, and enables a product to be made compact while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer comprising a black ink tank for storing black ink and a plurality of color ink tanks for storing a plurality of color inks each having a hue other than black. A flexible ink tank unit, and an ink head unit for discharging the black ink and the color ink onto a recording medium, and supplying the black ink and the color ink from the ink tank unit to the ink head unit In a color recording apparatus for recording a desired image by discharging the supplied black ink and the color ink from the ink head unit onto a recording medium while scanning the ink head unit, The ink tank communicates with the black ink tank to supply the color ink to the black ink tank. -Ink supply means, and black ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the black ink, the hue of each of the color inks is set to be close to the hue of the black ink by mixing, A color recording apparatus characterized in that the color ink can be supplied from each of the color ink tanks to the black ink tank based on the detection result of the black ink remaining amount detecting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the color ink, and a replenishing amount of the color ink supplied from the color ink tank to the black ink tank. The amount of remaining ink detected by the color ink remaining amount detecting means and the black ink remaining amount detecting means, and the replenishing amount calculated by the replenishing amount calculating means. 2. The color recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the color inks is supplied within a range not exceeding the storage capacity of the ink tank.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the black ink remaining amount detecting means and the color ink remaining amount detecting means determine the number of dots of each ink which can be printed when the black ink tank and the color ink tank are full. A full dot number storage means for holding, and a print dot number detection means for detecting the number of dots of each ink required for printing, the number of dots stored in the full dot number storage means and the number of print dots detected by the print dot number detection means 3. The color recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the remaining amount of printable ink is calculated from the difference in the number of dots obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, when the color ink remaining amount detecting means detects that any of the color ink remaining amounts is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the color ink supply operation is not performed, and 3. The color recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit for notifying that replacement of the color ink tank or the ink tank unit is required.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, at the time of the ink supply, the total amount of the black ink including the newly synthesized black ink amount is supplied so as not to exceed the amount of the color ink remaining after the ink supply. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Or a color recording apparatus according to any one of the above items 2.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the ink supply is performed by detecting the remaining amount of the black ink or the color ink during a non-printing operation.
6. A color recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the ink supply is completed, the ink carriage is scanned to mix the color ink supplied to the black ink tank. Any one of to 5
10. A color recording apparatus according to item 1.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, when the ink supply is completed, the color ink supplied to the black ink tank is mixed, so that the color ink is supplied to the black ink tank via the color ink supply means. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein air is injected for a predetermined time.
10. A color recording apparatus according to item 1.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a first ink tank for storing a first ink having a first hue,
A detachable ink tank section including a second ink tank and a third ink tank respectively storing a second ink and a third ink having a hue other than the above hue, and disposing the first to third inks on a recording medium. An ink head unit for discharging, supplying the first to third inks from the ink tank unit to the ink head unit, and scanning the ink head unit while supplying the first to third inks. In a color recording apparatus for recording a desired image by discharging three inks from the ink head onto a recording medium, the color recording apparatus communicates with the first ink tank from the second ink tank and the third ink tank, and An ink supply means for supplying the second ink and the third ink to the first ink tank; and a first ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the first ink. And a step for supplying the second ink and the third ink from the second ink tank and the third ink tank to the first ink tank based on the detection result of the first ink remaining amount detecting means. There is provided a color recording apparatus.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing process when a color ink jet type recording head is used as a color recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a color recording apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an ink jet printer), and FIG. 2 is an overall schematic sectional view for explaining a printing process in the apparatus.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which an ink-jet printer using a color ink is employed as a color recording apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and Y, M, C, Any recording device capable of performing color recording using a liquid developer exhibiting a hue such as K may be used. Further, even if the developer is not always liquid, the developer which is solid at the time of ejection may be melted. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where a printing method capable of performing printing is used.

In FIG. 1, on the left side of the figure, a housing portion of the ink jet printer main body 1, and on the right side of the figure, a sheet feeding tray 2 for feeding a recording medium P such as a sheet, and a sheet feeding tray 2. A slide paper fixing plate 3 for aligning the paper P placed thereon in a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and a paper discharge tray 4 for stacking the printed paper P are provided. .

Next, the printing process will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
When image information and a print request signal based on the image information are transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the main body 1, they are placed on a paper feed tray 2 communicating with the main body 1. The fed sheet P is fed and conveyed by the pickup roller 5 toward the feed roller 6.

Next, the paper P fed and transported by the pickup roller 5 is further transported by the paper feed roller 6 and passes through the paper transport path 7, and further based on the image information and the leading edge of the image information and the paper. The P reaches the printing section of the main body 1 by a PS roller (feed roller) 8 for adjusting the position of the leading end of P.

The printing unit is an ink tank 1 for storing ink.
An ink carriage 10 including an ink head 4 and an ink head 9; and an ink carriage holding shaft 11 arranged to facilitate scanning of the ink carriage 10. 9 and a desired image is recorded on the paper P.

At this time, the paper P is temporarily stopped, and when the ink carriage 10 completes scanning of one line (one direction), the paper P is fed by an amount corresponding to a plurality of ink nozzles of the ink head 9. By continuing this operation in accordance with the image information, desired image information is written on the paper P. The printed paper P is stored in the ink drying unit 12.
The ink is dried at, discharged to the discharge tray 4 via the discharge roller 13 and stacked.

(First Embodiment of the Present Invention) The first embodiment of the present invention
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the color inkjet printer according to the present embodiment, cyan (hereinafter abbreviated as C), magenta (hereinafter abbreviated as M), and yellow (hereinafter abbreviated as Y) are used as color inks, and black (hereinafter abbreviated as K) is used as black ink. In the following, a case where a total of four types of inks having the hue of (4) are used will be described. However, the type of the hue is not limited to the case of four types. It goes without saying that various applications are possible by using.

Further, in the following embodiment, an example in which C, M, and Y inks are mixed to synthesize a K ink will be described. For example, if there are four color inks instead of three, four color inks are used. Needless to say, the combination may be performed by using three of the above, and the black ink may be synthesized using all or a part of the plurality of color inks.

The replenishment mode of the ink tank 14 includes an ink tank 14k for black ink (hereinafter, ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c, and 14k in accordance with the hue of the ink).
Sensor 15 to 15 (to be described later) is empty (or the amount when the ink head is reduced to the extent that it cannot be supplied to the ink head).
This is executed when a detection is made at step 17. Further, the mixing ratio of the ink amounts of yellow, magenta, and cyan to be replenished at one time changes according to the hue of the ink stored in each of the ink tanks 14. Is determined.

FIG. 17 shows the results of measuring the reflectance for each wavelength when each of the Y, M, and C color inks is mixed. It should be noted that K in FIG. 17 is not the value of the black ink itself, but represents the measured value of the mixed ink obtained by mixing the same amounts of the Y, M, and C color inks. Represents the ratio when the amount of reflection in a state where there is no ink on the recording medium to be ejected is 100%. As is clear from FIG. 17, the reflectance of the mixed ink is almost 0% in the entire wavelength range (400 to 700 nm), and it can be seen that the mixed ink is pseudo black ink.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the ink tank in the ink carriage 10 in the above-described ink jet printer. The ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c, and 14k have substantially the same size and shape, and are arranged adjacently or in close contact with each other.
14m, 14c and 14k have ink supply pipes 19 respectively.
y, 19m, 19c, and 19k are respectively connected.

The ink supply tubes 19y, 19m, 19
c and 19k are communicated from a substantially bottom portion in each ink tank to an ink replenishing head cap 18 disposed near an upper surface portion of each ink tank. A pump for replenishing ink is provided inside, and the ink stored in the ink tank 14 is drawn upward in the drawing via the ink replenishing pipe 19 by the suction force of a pump provided in the head cap for ink replenishment. Replenished.

For example, assuming that the optimum mixing ratio for synthesizing the pseudo black ink with yellow, magenta, and cyan is 1: 1: 1, in this case, the ink supply tube 1
The diameters and materials of 9y, 19m, and 19c are the same, and the suction force of the pump 20 provided in the ink supply head cap 18 is also adjusted to be 1: 1: 1. By suction of the pump, each ink is supplied at an optimum mixing ratio.

A sensor 1 serving as an ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of ink is provided near each side wall surface of the ink tank 14.
5, 16, and 17 are provided in plurality. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the sensors 15, 16, and 17 and the ink tank 14, and shows color inks (Y, M,
Each of the ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c for C) is provided with three sensors, and the sensor 17 closest to the ink head 9 is an empty detection sensor that detects that the ink is empty. The structure is shared.

The reason why three sensors are provided at a predetermined distance will be described later. The sensor may be a reflective or transmissive optical sensor capable of detecting the remaining amount of ink in a non-contact manner. If the sensor can detect the remaining amount of ink, the type of sensor may be used. Does not matter.

On the other hand, for the black ink tank 14k, it is sufficient that a sensor for empty detection is provided at least only at the position of the sensor 17 described above. Further, it is preferable to use, for example, a color sensor or the like that can identify each hue by detecting the type of ink stored in the ink tank 14.

FIG. 5 shows an ink tank 14 for color ink.
It is explanatory drawing which showed the relationship between each capacity | capacitance of y, 14m, and 14c, and the arrangement | positioning position of several sensor 15, 16 and 17 mentioned above. The arrangement positions of the sensors 15, 16, and 17 are set so as to prevent the black ink tank 14k from becoming full by one replenishing operation.

Here, the capacity of the ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c is represented by X, and the sensor sensor 15 and the sensor 1
The sensors 14, 16, and 17 are arranged so that the following relational expression is satisfied, where Y is the capacitance between the sensor 6 and Z, and Z is the capacitance between the sensor 16 and the sensor 17.

3Y ≧ X (Equation 1), 3Z ≧ Y (Equation 2) That is, when the black ink runs short, the replenishment mode for combining the color inks and replenishing the black ink is performed by detecting the empty state of the black ink tank 14k. Is executed when the black ink tank 14k is detected to be empty by the use sensor 17.
At this time, each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 1
Three states can occur based on the sensor detection result of 4c.

That is, 1. When the remaining amounts of all the color ink tanks are higher than the detection position of the remaining amount detection sensor 15, the remaining amount of the one or more color ink tanks is less than the detection position of the remaining amount detection sensor 15 (lower). ), When the remaining amounts of all the color ink tanks are equal to or higher than the detection position of the remaining amount detection sensor 16, 3.1.
The remaining amount of one or more color ink tanks is a remaining amount detection sensor 1
There are three states when it is located below the detection position of No. 6.

Therefore, the present embodiment is configured so that any one of three operations is performed in each of the three states described above. Hereinafter, the contents that operate for each state will be described.

(1. When the remaining amounts of all the color ink tanks are higher than the detection position of the remaining amount detecting sensor 15) Each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14
c of the remaining amount of the black ink tank 14k
Replenish each. At this time, the black ink tank 14k
Approximately 1/3 of the remaining amount of each of the ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c is replenished.

According to the above equation (1), the amount of ink supplied to each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c does not exceed the capacity Y. Therefore, during the replenishment operation, at least the color ink of the capacity Z or more is secured. And the color ink tanks 14y, 14m,
It is also possible to avoid that 14c becomes empty.

(2. The remaining amount of one or more color ink tanks is less than the detection position of the remaining amount detection sensor 15;
The remaining amount of all color ink tanks is the remaining amount detection sensor 1
6) The black ink tank 14k is replenished with about ３ of the capacity Y of each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c.
At this time, in the black ink tank 14k, approximately the same amount of black ink as the capacity Y is synthesized.

According to the above two formulas, the ink supply amount in each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c does not exceed the capacity Z. Therefore, after the replenishment operation, at least before the replenishment, the remaining amount detection sensor 16 is used. The excess color ink is reserved and the color ink tank 1
Emptying of 4y, 14m, and 14c is avoided.

Even if the remaining amount of color ink before replenishment is substantially the same as the position of the remaining amount detecting sensor 16, a certain amount of capacity is actually left below the remaining amount detecting sensor 17. Therefore, the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c do not become empty after the supply operation.

(3. When the remaining amount of one or more color ink tanks is less than the detection position of the remaining amount detection sensor 16) In this case, when the black ink replenishment operation is performed, any hue Color ink tank 14y, 14m, or 14
Not only does c become empty, but also because of lack of any of the color inks in the refilled black ink, a sufficient mixing ratio cannot be achieved, and the hue may not be completely black.

Therefore, in this case, it is determined by the information processing means such as a microprocessor (not shown) that the ink tank needs to be replaced rather than performing the combined supply of the color ink, and the supply operation of the black ink is not performed. The user is notified that the ink tank 14 or one of the ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c is to be replaced, using display means of a device (not shown).

In the black ink tank 14k supplied as described above, since the dispersion of the ink is incomplete,
Even when the printing operation is performed, there is a case where the black hue is not displayed on the paper P.

Therefore, for example, by reciprocating a plurality of times at a time when the ink of the ink carriage 10 is not ejecting ink, vibration is transmitted to the ink tank 14 to promote mixing, and a method of promoting mixing is employed. A method is considered in which bubbles are sent into the black ink tank 14k to mix ink.

Since these operations do not directly contribute to printing, if they are performed, for example, when the power is turned on, when the apparatus is on standby, or during preliminary scanning, a decrease in the operation rate of the apparatus is minimized. It is possible to compensate for the hue of black while keeping the limit, which is a preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show flowcharts when processing is actually performed by the above-described configuration and supply method. First, the ink supply mode is entered at a predetermined timing such as when the power is turned on or when the apparatus is on standby (Step 1, hereinafter abbreviated as S1).

Then, the remaining amount of black ink is detected by the remaining ink amount detecting sensor 17 of the black ink tank 14k (S2). At this time, if black ink remains (S3
If the answer is YES), the flow shifts to S15, where the ink supply mode is canceled, the apparatus enters a standby state, and ink supply is not performed.

On the other hand, if it is detected that no black ink remains (NO in S3), the processing shifts to S4, S5, S6 to supply ink, and the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, And 14c, the sensor 15
And the sensor 16 detects the remaining amount of ink.

Next, the processing shifts to S7, and when the remaining amounts of the respective color ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c are all sensors 15 or more (in the case of YES in S7),
The process proceeds to S8, where one third of the ink tank capacity is supplied to the black ink tank 14k from each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c in response to the above-described process (S8).

On the other hand, each of the ink tanks 14y, 14m, 1m
4c, less than the detection sensor 15 in at least one or more ink tanks (NO in S7), and the detection sensors 16 in all the ink tanks.
If this is the case (YES in S9), each color ink tank 14y,
From 14m and 14c, 1/3 of the ink tank capacity between the sensors 15 and 16 is supplied to the black ink tank 14k (S10).

When the ink is supplied in steps S8 and S10, the ink carriage 10 is scanned a plurality of times to mix the black ink and adjust the hue (S11).

In step S9, if the remaining amount of ink in at least one or more ink tanks is smaller than the sensor 16 (NO in step S9), the process proceeds to step S9. No replenishment is performed, and the ink tank 14 needs to be replaced.

That is, in S12, it is determined whether or not there is an ink tank that needs to be replaced (whether or not there is an ink tank below the detection sensor 17). (YES in step S1), the user is notified that the missing ink tank (including the black ink tank 14k) needs to be replaced (S1).
3). If there is no ink tank that is not sufficient (S1
2 is NO), a replacement request is made only for the black ink tank 14k (S14).

The processes of S12 to S14 described above are processes in a case where the ink tank 14 can be individually replaced for each color. However, in the present invention, the most suitable case is that the ink tanks of all the colors are integrally formed and all the ink tanks are replaced at once. In such a case, it may be configured to notify a request for replacing the integrated ink tank at that time.

By performing the above-described configuration and control, the capacity of the black ink tank 100 is increased as compared with the other ink tanks as shown in FIG. In spite of this, it is possible to avoid the problems of the related art, such as the necessity of replacing another color ink tank and shortening the replacement cycle of the ink tank.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, by combining the black ink inside the ink tank, the dots of each hue are combined, and compared with the case where the black dots are combined in a pseudo manner, as shown in FIG. According to the present invention, printing can be performed at the original resolution of the apparatus, so that print quality is not reduced.

(Second Embodiment of the Present Invention) This embodiment exemplifies another embodiment relating to control of ink supply.
As shown in FIG. 8, the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c of the present embodiment have sensors 15a, 16
a and 17a are provided, and the black ink tank 14
k is provided with sensors 15b, 16b, and 17b.

At this time, the sensors 15a, 16a, 15
Assuming that the tank capacities between the ink tanks b and 16b and the bottom of the ink tank are Ya, Za, Yb and Zb, respectively, the sensors satisfy the following condition: Ya ≧ 4/3 × Yb, Za ≧ 4/3 × Zb 15a, 16a, 15b, and 16b are arranged.

Here, the sensor 17b for sky detection
The replenishment of ink when it is detected that the ink in the black ink tank 14k is empty is the same as in the first embodiment.

Now, in this embodiment, 1. 1. when the remaining amounts of all the color ink tanks are equal to or larger than the sensor 15a; The remaining amount of all color ink tanks is
a when the remaining amount of one or more color ink tanks is less than the sensor 15a, and when the remaining amount of one or more color ink tanks is less than the sensor 16a. . Hereinafter, each case will be described.

(1. When the remaining amounts of all the color ink tanks are equal to or larger than the sensor 15a) The black ink tank 14k is filled so as to fill the sensor 15b of the black ink tank 14k.
To each color ink. At this time, each color ink is aspirated by approximately 1/3 of the amount of Yb.
Since the remaining amount of the ink is equal to or more than (≧ 4/3 × Yb), the color ink remains more than Yb even after the ink supply. Therefore, the remaining amount of the remaining color ink is substantially equal to or larger than the amount of the newly synthesized black ink.

(2. When the remaining amounts of all the color ink tanks are equal to or larger than the sensor 16a and the remaining amounts of one or more color ink tanks are smaller than the sensor 15a) so that the sensor 16b of the black ink tank 14k is filled. Then, each color ink is supplied to the black ink tank 14k. At this time, each color ink is sucked by about 1/3 of Zb.
First, since there is an ink remaining amount equal to or more than Za (≧ 4/3 × Zb), the color ink remains more than Zb even after refilling the ink. Therefore, the remaining amount of the remaining color ink is substantially equal to or larger than the amount of the newly synthesized black ink.

(3. When the remaining amount of one or more color ink tanks is less than the sensor 16a) In this case, the ink supply is performed more than by the information processing means such as a microprocessor (not shown). It is determined that the tank 14 needs to be replaced, the black ink replenishment operation is not performed, and the user is notified that the ink tank 14 is to be replaced, using a display unit or the like of a device (not shown).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the amount of the newly synthesized black ink does not become extremely larger than the amount of the remaining color ink, and the ink of each hue (the color ink and the black ink) ) Becomes substantially uniform.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the capacity of the black ink tank 100 is made larger than that of the other ink tanks as in the prior art. The disadvantages of the related art, such as the necessity of replacing the color ink tank and shortening the replacement cycle of the ink tank, can be avoided.

Also, by combining black ink inside the ink tank, as shown in FIG. 16, the dots of each hue are combined, and compared to the case where black dots are combined in a pseudo manner, as shown in FIG. According to the present invention, printing can be performed at the original resolution of the apparatus, so that print quality is not reduced.

(Third Embodiment of the Present Invention) The third embodiment of the present invention
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 9 to 12. The present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the remaining amount of each ink is detected based on the number of printable dots when full and the number of ink dots required for printing. The difference is that control is performed by calculating the remaining amount of each ink.

Therefore, in the following third and fourth embodiments,
Since the remaining amount sensors 15, 16, 17 and connection lines and circuits for them are not required, the entire apparatus can be made compact and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Inspection).

Also in the color ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are used as color inks, and a total of four kinds of black (K) inks are used as black inks. Cases are exemplified, but the types of hues are not limited to only four types, and various applications such as using three to four color inks and using a total of five types of inks are possible. Needless to say.

The replenishment mode of the ink tank 14 is executed when the ink tank 14k for black ink becomes empty (or when the ink tank 14k becomes low enough to replenish the ink head). Yellow, magenta,
The mixing ratio of each ink amount of cyan is determined in each ink tank 14.
The mixing ratio changes depending on the hue of the ink stored in the ink, but the mixing ratio is determined so as to become a pseudo black ink after mixing.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the ink tank in the ink carriage 10 in the above-described ink jet printer. The ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c, and 14k are shown in FIG.
Have substantially the same size and shape, and are arranged adjacently or in close contact with each other, and ink supply pipes 19 are provided in the ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c, and 14k.
y, 19m, 19c, and 19k are connected.

The ink supply tubes 19y, 19m, 19
The ink supply head caps c and 19k communicate from a substantially bottom portion in each ink tank to an ink supply head cap 18 for capping between ink tanks disposed near the upper surface of each ink tank. A pump 18 for sucking or replenishing ink is provided inside, and the ink stored in the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c is supplied to a pump 20 for ink suction and replenishment provided in a head cap for ink replenishment. Thus, the ink is sucked upward through the ink supply tubes 19y, 19m, and 19c, and then the yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are supplied to the black ink tank 14k through the ink supply tubes 19k.

For example, assuming that the optimum mixing ratio for synthesizing the pseudo black ink with yellow, magenta, and cyan is 1: 1: 1, in this case, the ink supply tube 1
The diameters and materials of 9y, 19m, and 19c are the same, and the suction force of the pump 20 provided in the ink supply head cap 18 is also adjusted to be 1: 1: 1, and the pump is sucked. Thus, each ink is supplied at an optimum mixing ratio.

Each ink tank is set with a reference value of the remaining amount of ink, which corresponds to the number of dots of the remaining amount of ink at the position where the set value is set. As shown in FIG. 9, the ink remaining amount reference value is a color ink tank 14y, 14m, 14m.
For c, only a plurality (three in FIG. 9) are set, and the reference value closest to the ink head 9 (reference value 3 in FIG. 9) is an empty reference corresponding to the fact that the ink remaining amount is empty. The value also serves as a value (hereinafter, abbreviated as an empty reference value). On the other hand, in the black ink tank 14k, unlike the color ink tank, an empty reference value may be provided at least at the position of the reference value 3.

FIG. 10 shows an ink tank 1 for color ink.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between the capacity of each of the ink tanks 4y, 14m, and 14c and the setting positions of the plurality of reference values. The setting positions of the plurality of reference values are set so as to prevent the black ink tank 14k from becoming full and prevent the color ink tank from becoming empty by one replenishment operation. Is set to

Here, each of the ink tanks 14y, 14m,
, 14c as X, the capacity between the remaining reference value 1 and the remaining reference value 2 as Y, and the capacity between the remaining reference value 2 and the remaining reference value 3 as Z, The remaining amount reference value 1, the remaining amount reference value 2, and the remaining amount reference value 3 are arranged so as to satisfy the following relational expression.

3Y ≧ X (Equation 3), 3Z ≧ Y (Equation 4) Here, as in the first and second embodiments, the ink tank capacity is expressed using X, Y, and Z. Of course, X, Y, and Z do not always use the same value in each embodiment.

The replenishment mode for replenishing black ink by synthesizing color ink when black ink is insufficient is executed when the number of remaining ink dots in the black ink tank 14k is less than the empty reference value. However, at this time, the following three states may occur depending on the number of remaining ink dots in each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c.

The states that can occur are: When the number of remaining dots of all the color ink tanks is equal to or greater than the reference value 1,
2. When the number of remaining dots in one or more color ink tanks is less than the reference value 1 and the number of remaining dots in all color ink tanks is more than the reference value 2, 3.1 or more color ink tanks When the number of remaining dots is less than the reference value 2, there are three types.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, one of the three operations is performed in each of the three states described above. Hereinafter, the contents that operate for each state will be described.

(1. When the number of remaining dots in all the color ink tanks is equal to or more than the reference value 1)
Of the remaining amounts of 4y, 14m, and 14c, about 1/3 is replenished to the black ink tank 14k. At this time, the black ink tank 14k is
Since approximately 1/3 of the remaining amount of m and 14c is replenished, the tank becomes almost full, but does not exceed the tank capacity X.

According to the above three formulas, the ink supply amount in each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c does not exceed the capacity Y. Therefore, during the replenishment operation, the color ink of at least the capacity Z is secured. And the color ink tanks 14y, 14m,
It is also possible to avoid that 14c becomes empty.

(When the number of remaining dots of 2.1 or more color ink tanks is less than reference value 1 and the number of remaining dots of all color ink tanks is more than reference value 2) Each color ink tank 14y , 14m, and 14c are replenished to the black ink tank 14k, respectively. At this time, in the black ink tank 14k, approximately the same amount of black ink as the capacity Y is synthesized.

According to the above formula (4), the ink supply amount in each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c does not exceed the capacity Z. Therefore, after the replenishment operation, the amount exceeds the reference value 2 at least before replenishment. Since the remaining color ink is reserved, the emptying of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c is avoided.

Even if the number of remaining color ink dots before replenishment is substantially the same as the position of the reference value 2, a certain amount of capacity is actually left below the reference value 3. From the color ink tank 14y after the replenishment operation,
14m and 14c never become empty.

(3.1 When the Number of Remaining Dots in One or More Color Ink Tanks is Less than Reference Value 2) In this case, when the black ink supply operation is performed, the color ink tanks 14y, Not only does 14m or 14c become empty, but also because of the lack of any of the color inks to be replenished, a sufficient mixing ratio cannot be achieved and the hue may not be completely black.

Therefore, in this case, it is determined by the information processing means such as a microprocessor (not shown) that the ink tank 14 needs to be replaced rather than the combined supply of the color ink, and the supply operation of the black ink is performed. Instead, the ink tank 14 is displayed using display means or the like of a device (not shown).
Is notified to the user.

In the black ink tank supplied as described above, the ink may be incompletely dispersed, so that even when the printing operation is performed, the paper P may not show a black hue.

Therefore, for example, the ink carriage 10 is caused to reciprocate a plurality of times without discharging ink, thereby transmitting vibration to the ink tank.
A method of promoting mixing and dispersion and a method of mixing ink by sending bubbles through a hose or the like into the black ink tank 14k using a pump or the like are conceivable.

Since these operations do not directly contribute to printing, if the operations are performed, for example, when the power is turned on, when the apparatus is in a standby state, or when a preliminary scan is performed, a decrease in the operation rate of the apparatus can be minimized. It is possible to compensate for the hue of black while keeping the limit, which is a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts when the processing is actually performed by the above-described configuration and replenishment method.
First, the ink supply mode is entered at a predetermined timing such as when the power is turned on or when the apparatus is on standby (S21).

If the number of remaining ink dots in the black ink tank 14k is equal to or larger than the reference value 3, that is, if black ink remains (YES in S22), the flow shifts to S34, where the ink supply mode is set. It is released and the apparatus is in a standby state, and ink supply is not performed.

On the other hand, if it is detected that no black ink remains (NO in S22), the processing shifts to S23, S24, S25 to supply ink, and the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, And 14c, the number of remaining ink dots in each of the ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c is checked.

Next, the processing shifts to S26, and when all the remaining dot numbers of the respective color ink tanks 14y, 14m, 14c are equal to or larger than the reference value 1 (YES in S26).
In step S27, the process proceeds to step S27, where one-third of the ink tank volume of each of the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c is stored in the black ink tank 1
It is supplied to 4k.

On the other hand, each of the ink tanks 14y, 14m, 1m
In at least one or more ink tanks among the remaining number of dots of 4c, the value is smaller than the reference value 1 (NO in S26).
), And when the reference value is equal to or more than 2 in all the ink tanks (YES in S28), the respective color ink tanks 14y,
14m, 14c, the ink of 1/3 of the capacity of the ink tank between the reference value 1 and the reference value 2
k is supplied (S29).

In the steps S27 and S29 described above, when the ink is supplied, bubbles are supplied from the supply pipe 19k of the black ink tank 14k via the pump 20 in order to mix and disperse the black ink and adjust the hue. It is sent (S30).

In the step S28,
If the number of remaining ink dots in at least one or more of the ink tanks is less than the reference value 2 (NO in S28), the ink is not replenished and the ink tank 14 Need to be replaced.

That is, in S31, it is determined whether or not there is an ink tank that needs to be replaced (whether or not there is an ink tank having a reference value of 3 or less). (YES in step S32), the user is notified that the missing ink tank (including the black ink tank 14k) needs to be replaced (S32). still,
If there is no shortage of ink tanks (N in S31)
O), a replacement request is made only for the black ink tank 14k (S33).
Shows a process in a case where is configured to be individually replaceable for each color. However, according to the present invention, the most suitable case is that the ink tanks of all colors are integrally formed and all the ink tanks are replaced at once. In such a case, it may be configured to notify a request for replacement of the integrated ink tank 14 at that time.

FIG. 13 shows an ink tank 14, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22 for performing various operations, and an I / O (Input Outpu) for controlling input and output to and from the ink tank 14.
t) control device 21, storage device 2 for holding various data
3 shows the relationship. Further, the storage area A of the storage device 23 stores the total number of ink dots that can be printed when the tank is full (here, all the inks of each color have the same value), and the storage areas B, C, and D each have a reference. Value 1,
The number of dots of 2, 3 and the storage areas E, F, G, H are respectively
Stores the number of dots used since black, yellow, magenta, and cyan are full. Further, the number of remaining dots of each color ink is obtained by calculating the difference between the storage area A and the storage areas E, F, G, and H by C
It can be obtained when necessary by calculating with the PU.

For example, the ink capacity of each tank when the ink is full is 10 ml (milliliter), and the total number of printable ink dots at this time, that is, the value to be stored in the storage area A is 1000 M dots (M is 1,000). , 000), the storage areas B,
The values of the reference values 1, 2, and 3 to be stored in C and D are, for example, 6
05M, 205M, and 5M may be set.

In the above description, the case in which the total number of printable ink dots is a fixed value is described. For example, when the amount of ink used varies depending on the printing mode, each mode has a different value. The same number of dots may be changed at the time of calculation. For example, the ink amount to be used is obtained in advance for the mode having the highest image quality and the largest amount of ink consumption, the normal print mode, and the mode having the lowest image quality and the smallest amount of ink consumption. A configuration may be adopted in which the used ink amount is subtracted according to the ratio.

By performing the above-described configuration and control, the capacity of the black ink tank 100 is increased as compared with the other ink tanks 101 to 103 as shown in FIG. Despite the disappearance of the conventional technology, it is possible to avoid problems of the related art such as a necessity of replacing another color ink tank and shortening a replacement cycle of the ink tank.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, by combining black ink inside the ink tank, the dots of each hue are combined, and compared with the case where the black dots are combined in a pseudo manner, as shown in FIG. According to the present invention, printing can be performed at the original resolution of the apparatus, so that print quality is not reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment of the Present Invention) This embodiment exemplifies another embodiment relating to control of ink supply.
As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, reference values 1a, 2a, and 3a are provided in the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c of the present embodiment, and the color ink tanks 14y, 14m, and 14c are provided in the black ink tank 14k. Are provided with reference values 1b, 2b, and 3b. Here, each reference value represents the number of remaining ink dots at the set position.

At this time, the reference values 1a, 1a, 1b,
Assuming that the tank capacities between the ink tank 2b and the bottom of the ink tank are Ya, Za, Yb, and Zb, respectively, the reference value 1a is set so as to satisfy Ya ≧ 4/3 × Yb and Za ≧ 4/3 × Zb. 2a, 1b, 2b, Y
a, Za, Yb, and Zb are set.

Although the ink tank capacities are expressed as Ya, Za, Yb, and Zb in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, these capacities do not always indicate the same capacities. Needless to say.

Here, when it is detected that the number of remaining ink dots of black ink has reached the reference value 3b and the black ink tank 14k is empty, ink replenishment is performed as in the third embodiment. .

Now, in the present embodiment, 1. 1. when the number of remaining dots of all the color ink tanks is equal to or larger than the reference value 1a; 2. when the number of remaining dots in all the color ink tanks is equal to or more than the reference value 2a and the number of remaining dots in one or more color ink tanks is less than the reference value 1a;
When the number of remaining dots in one or more color ink tanks is less than the reference value 2a, three cases can occur. Less than,
Each case will be described.

(1. When the number of remaining dots in all the color ink tanks is equal to or more than the reference value 1a) The black ink tank 14k
So that the black ink tank 14k
To each color ink. At this time, each color ink is aspirated by approximately 1/3 of the amount of Yb.
Since the remaining amount of the ink is equal to or more than (≧ 4/3 × Yb), the color ink remains more than Yb even after the ink supply. Therefore, the remaining amount of the remaining color ink is substantially equal to or larger than the amount of the newly synthesized black ink.

(2. When the number of remaining dots in all the color ink tanks is equal to or more than the reference value 2a and the number of remaining dots in one or more color ink tanks is less than the reference value 1a)
To satisfy the reference value 2b of the black ink tank 14k,
Each color ink is supplied to the black ink tank 14k. At this time, each color ink is sucked by about 1/3 of the amount of Zb. However, since there is an ink remaining amount of Za (≧ 4/3 × Zb) or more at first, the color ink is more than Zb even after replenishing the ink. Will remain. Therefore, the remaining amount of the remaining color ink is substantially equal to the amount of the newly synthesized black ink,
Or more.

(3.1 When the number of remaining dots in one or more color ink tanks is less than the reference value 2a) In this case,
The information processing means such as the CPU 22 determines that the ink tank 14 needs to be replaced rather than performing the combined replenishment of the color ink, and the black ink replenishment operation is not performed. , Ink tank 14
Is notified to the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the amount of the newly synthesized black ink does not become extremely larger than the remaining color ink, and the ink of each hue (the color ink and the black ink) is not used. Ink) becomes substantially uniform.

As shown in FIG. 15, the capacity of the black ink tank 100 is made larger than that of the other ink tanks as in the prior art. The disadvantages of the related art, such as the necessity of replacing the color ink tank and shortening the replacement cycle of the ink tank, can be avoided.

Further, by combining black ink inside the ink tank, as shown in FIG. 16, by combining dots of each hue, compared with the case where pseudo black dots are combined, the present invention is applied. According to the present invention, printing can be performed at the original resolution of the apparatus, so that print quality is not reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, when the black ink used relatively frequently in document printing or the like is exhausted,
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in which a pseudo black ink is generated by mixing other color inks, the combination of ink hues is not limited to this.

For example, in normal color printing, color ink may not be used for printing a color photograph document or the like, but may be required only for pictograms or emphasis of a document.
In such a case, for example, when a certain ink becomes empty, by supplying at least two inks having different hues to the original empty ink tank and mixing them, the image data and a part of the hue are By using different colors of ink, though different, printing can be performed so as to achieve effects such as pictograms and emphasis.

With this configuration, the apparatus can be made compact without providing an independent ink tank, and the operating rate can be reduced because only a specific ink becomes empty and color printing cannot be performed at all. There is an effect that color printing can be performed flexibly and can be reduced.

[0131]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a detachable ink tank comprising a black ink tank for storing black ink and a plurality of color ink tanks for storing a plurality of color inks each having a hue other than black. And an ink head unit for discharging the black ink and the color ink onto a recording medium, and supplying the black ink and the color ink from the ink tank unit to the ink head unit. In a color recording apparatus that records a desired image by discharging the supplied black ink and the color ink from the ink head onto a recording medium while scanning a head, A color ink supply for communicating with the black ink tank and supplying the color ink to the black ink tank And a black ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the black ink, wherein the hue of each of the color inks is set to be close to the hue of the black ink by mixing, and The color ink can be supplied from each of the color ink tanks to the black ink tank based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting means.

Therefore, when the black ink becomes empty, the pseudo black ink can be synthesized by replenishing the black ink tank with the color ink, and even if the black ink is frequently used, the integrated ink tank can be replaced. At times, waste of color ink is avoided, leading to an increase in running cost.

Further, since the black ink is synthesized and printed in the black ink tank, the dot area does not increase as in the case of printing over a recording medium, for example.
Print quality does not decrease. Further, it is not necessary to increase the size of only the black ink tank, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the product can be made compact.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, a color ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the color ink, and supplies the color ink from the color ink tank to the black ink tank. Replenishing amount calculating means for calculating the respective replenishing amounts of the color inks, detection results of the remaining amount of ink by the color ink remaining amount detecting means and the black ink remaining amount detecting means, and the replenishing amount of the replenishing amount calculating means On the basis of the calculation result, each of the color inks is supplied within a range not exceeding the storage capacity of the black ink tank.

Therefore, by performing the replenishment operation, it is possible to prevent the problem that the black ink tank becomes full beforehand, and in the case of the color ink tank, the ink tank is emptied by the ink consumed for replenishment. This has the effect that it can be prevented beforehand.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the black ink remaining amount detecting means and the color ink remaining amount detecting means can perform printing when the black ink tank and the color ink tank are full. Full dot number storage means for holding the number of dots of each ink, and print dot number detection means for detecting the number of dots of each ink required for printing, the number of dots stored in the full dot number storage means The remaining amount of printable ink is calculated from the difference in the number of dots detected by the print dot number detection means.

Accordingly, this configuration eliminates the need for a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank unit, and a connection line and a circuit therefor, further downsizing the apparatus, and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs. Can be achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, when the color ink remaining amount detecting means detects that any of the color ink remaining amounts is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the color ink remaining amount detecting means detects the color ink remaining amount. A notifying means for notifying that a replacement of the color ink tank or the ink tank portion is required without performing a replenishing operation is provided.

Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the black ink replenishing operation from being performed even when the amount of the color ink is small, so that any one of the color ink tanks becomes empty and the color ink becomes insufficient, so that the hue is reduced. Can be prevented from becoming completely black. Further, the user is notified that the ink tank is to be replaced by using the display means of the apparatus, so that the user can quickly and appropriately recognize that the remaining amount of the color ink is low.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the above configuration, when the ink is supplied, the total amount of the black ink including the newly synthesized black ink amount is supplied so as not to exceed the amount of the color ink remaining after the ink supply. The ink and the color ink can all be uniformly reduced, the capacity of the ink tank can be made the same, the replacement cycle of the entire ink tank can be reduced, and the running cost can be reduced.

The invention described in claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
In any one of the above configurations, the ink replenishment is performed by detecting the remaining amount of the black ink or the color ink during the non-printing operation, so by performing the replenishment operation during the recording operation, It is possible to avoid a problem that the printing waiting time or the printing time becomes long.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
In any one of the above configurations, when the ink supply is completed, the ink carriage is scanned to mix the color ink supplied to the black ink tank. It is possible to positively mix and disperse, and it is possible to avoid the problem that the dispersion of the color ink is incomplete and does not show the pseudo hue of the black ink without newly providing any special means.

The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
In any one of the above configurations, when the ink supply is completed, in order to mix the color ink supplied to the black ink tank, air is supplied to the black ink tank through the color ink supply means for a predetermined time. The characteristic of injection is that the black ink after mixing can be positively mixed and dispersed, and the dispersion of the color ink is incomplete and does not show the hue of the pseudo black ink. This can be avoided without newly providing a means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first ink tank accommodating the first ink having the first hue;
A detachable ink tank section including a second ink tank and a third ink tank respectively storing a second ink and a third ink having a hue other than the above hue, and disposing the first to third inks on a recording medium. An ink head unit for discharging, supplying the first to third inks from the ink tank unit to the ink head unit, and scanning the ink head unit while supplying the first to third inks. In a color recording apparatus for recording a desired image by discharging three inks from the ink head onto a recording medium, the color recording apparatus communicates with the first ink tank from the second ink tank and the third ink tank, and An ink supply means for supplying the second ink and the third ink to the first ink tank; and a first ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the first ink. And a step for supplying the second ink and the third ink from the second ink tank and the third ink tank to the first ink tank based on the detection result of the first ink remaining amount detecting means. There is a feature.

As described above, in normal color printing, ink of a hue different from the ink for printing characters is used only for pictograms or emphasis of a document without being used for printing a color photograph document or the like. May be needed. According to this configuration, in such a case, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus without providing an independent ink tank, and to reduce the operating rate at which only a specific ink becomes empty and color printing cannot be performed at all. There is an effect that the deterioration can be reduced and color printing can be performed flexibly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a color printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall schematic sectional view of a color recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between each ink tank and an ink supply unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between an ink tank and a remaining amount detection sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a capacity of an ink tank and a remaining amount detection sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a capacity of an ink tank and a remaining amount detection sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between an ink tank and the number of remaining dots according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between the capacity of an ink tank and the number of remaining dots according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a control flowchart according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the number of used dots and the reference value of the remaining dot of each ink tank are stored in a storage device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between the capacity of an ink tank and the number of remaining dots according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the capacities of respective ink tanks in the related art.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a method of forming a pseudo black pixel on a recording medium using each color ink in the related art.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between cyan, magenta, yellow, and the reflectance of each pseudo-black ink obtained by mixing these inks for each wavelength.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink-jet printer 2 Paper feed tray 3 Slide paper fixing plate 4 Paper discharge tray 5 Pickup roller 6 Paper feed roller 7 Paper conveyance path 8 PS roller 9 Ink head 10 Ink carriage 11 Ink carriage protection shaft 12 Ink drying unit 13 Paper discharge roller 14 Ink tanks 15 to 17 Sensor 18 Ink supply head cap 19 Ink supply pipe 20 Pump 21 I / O control device 22 CPU 23 Storage device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA11 EA23 EA24 EB02 EB04 EB20 EB49 EB50 EB56 EB59 EC02 EC04 EC11 EC19 EC26 EC28 EC64 EE20 KB13 KC01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A detachable ink tank section comprising a black ink tank containing black ink and a plurality of color ink tanks each containing a plurality of color inks having a hue other than black, and the black ink and the color. An ink head for discharging ink onto a recording medium,
The black ink and the color ink are supplied from the ink tank unit to the ink head unit, and the supplied black ink and the color ink are supplied from the ink head unit onto a recording medium while scanning the ink head unit. In a color recording apparatus that records a desired image by discharging, a color ink supply unit that communicates with the black ink tank from each of the color ink tanks and supplies the color ink to the black ink tank; Black ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of black ink, wherein the hue of each of the color inks is set to be close to the hue of the black ink by mixing, and the black ink remaining amount detecting means Supply the color ink from each of the color ink tanks to the black ink tank based on the detection result of Color recording apparatus, characterized in that possible is. 2. A color ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the color ink, and a supply amount for calculating each supply amount of the color ink supplied from the color ink tank to the black ink tank. Calculating means, based on a result of detecting the remaining amount of ink by the remaining amount of color ink detecting means and the remaining amount of black ink detecting means, and a result of calculating the replenishing amount by the replenishing amount calculating means, exceeding the storage capacity of the black ink tank. 2. The color recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said color inks is replenished within a range not present. 3. A full dot number storage means for storing the number of dots of each ink which can be printed when the black ink tank and the color ink tank are full, wherein the black ink remaining quantity detecting means and the color ink remaining quantity detecting means are provided. And a print dot number detection means for detecting the number of dots of each ink required for printing, based on a difference between the number of dots stored in the full dot number storage means and the number of dots detected by the print dot number detection means. 3. The color recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the remaining amount of printable ink is calculated. 4. The color ink remaining amount detecting means,
When detecting that any of the remaining amounts of the color ink is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the notification means for notifying the color ink tank or the ink tank unit of replacement without performing the operation of supplying the color ink is provided. The color recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at the time of the ink supply, the total amount of the black ink including the newly synthesized black ink amount is supplied so as not to exceed the amount of the color ink remaining after the ink supply. Item 3. The color recording device according to any one of Items 1 or 2. 6. The color recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment of the ink is performed by detecting a remaining amount of the black ink or the color ink during a non-recording operation. apparatus. 7. The ink carriage according to claim 1, wherein when the ink supply is completed, the ink carriage is scanned to mix the color ink supplied to the black ink tank. 2. The color recording device according to 1. 8. When the ink supply is completed, air is injected into the black ink tank for a predetermined time via the color ink supply means to mix the color ink supplied to the black ink tank. The color printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 9. A first ink tank containing a first ink having a first hue, a second ink tank containing a second ink and a third ink having a hue other than the first hue, and A detachable ink tank unit comprising three ink tanks; and an ink head unit for discharging the first to third inks onto a recording medium. Color recording in which a desired image is recorded by supplying the first to third inks and discharging the supplied first to third inks from the ink head unit onto a recording medium while scanning the ink head unit. In the apparatus, the second ink tank and the third ink tank communicate with the first ink tank, and supply the second ink and the third ink to the first ink tank. And a first ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the first ink, and the second ink tank and the second ink tank based on a detection result of the first ink remaining amount detecting means. A color recording apparatus capable of supplying the second ink and the third ink from three ink tanks to the first ink tank.