JP2003094680A - Inkjet printer driving method and inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet printer driving method and an inkjet printer, which allow the efficient execution of idle discharge for maintaining performance of a printer head. SOLUTION: In the inkjet printer 1, the printer head 2, which is mounted on a carriage, is moved in a printing range in a main scanning direction, so that ink can be discharged for printing onto recording paper from the printer head 2; and the printer head 2 is moved to a maintenance operation position PP, which is provided outside a printing scanning range PA, with a prescribed maintenance operation timing, so that a maintenance operation for carrying out the idle discharge of the ink can be performed. In this case, the maintenance operation is performed after scanning of printing data closest to the position PP from a printing data position during a printing operation by determining the printing data position of the printing data in a prescribed range (e.g. three precedent and subsequent scannings) in which the maintenance operation timing is interposed. Thus, the printer head 2 is efficiently moved to the position PP, so that the maintenance operation can be performed and so that the total amount of printing time can be reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer driving method and an ink jet printer, and more particularly, to an ink jet printer driving method and an ink jet printer which efficiently perform idle ejection for maintaining the performance of a printer head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet printers are capable of non-contact recording without the need for processes such as development and fixing. Therefore, noise during recording is extremely low, high speed printing is possible, and ink It has many advantages such as high flexibility and the ability to use inexpensive plain paper.

The printer head of such an ink jet printer is generally composed of a plurality of ejection openings mounted on the head surface and thin nozzles connected to the ejection openings to supply ink. However, it is important to appropriately prevent the nozzle clogging in order to improve print quality.

Therefore, in the conventional ink jet printer, in order to maintain good print quality at the time of initialization and during printing, the printer head is moved to the maintaining position and the head for each color or a specific head is moved. Then, the maintenance operation is performed to perform the idle discharge regularly.

Conventionally, in the sustain operation during printing, every predetermined number of scanning (printing) times determined in advance.
The printer head is moved to the maintenance position to perform idle ejection.

[0006]

However, in the conventional ink jet printer, when the maintenance operation is performed during printing, the printer head is moved to the maintenance position at every predetermined fixed number of printing scans, and the empty position is reached. Since the ejection is performed, there is a problem that it takes time to move to the maintaining position depending on the position of the printer head, and the printing speed decreases.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium, and the ink is ejected from the printer head to the recording medium. And perform printing, and at the time of performing the maintenance operation of moving the printer head to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing and performing idle ejection of ink, printing of a predetermined range sandwiching the maintenance operation timing. By determining the print data position of the data and performing the sustain operation after scanning the print data closest to the sustain operation position from the print data position during printing operation, the printer head can be efficiently moved to the sustain operation position. In order to provide a method for driving an inkjet printer, which can perform a maintenance operation and reduce the total printing time. It is the target.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction, and the printer head is bidirectional in the main scanning direction. Along with the movement, ink is ejected from the printer head to the recording medium for printing, and at the same time, the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing to perform idle ejection of ink. When performing the maintenance operation, the print data position of the print data in a predetermined range before and after the maintenance operation timing and the moving time from the movement direction of the printer head in the main scanning direction to the maintenance operation position are determined to move to the maintenance operation position. By performing the sustain operation after scanning the print data with the shortest time, the drive motor of the carriage that mounts the printer head An inkjet printer that can more effectively move the printer head to the sustaining operation position and perform the sustaining operation in consideration of the stable time when rising, falling, and stopping, and further shortening the total printing time. The purpose is to provide a driving method.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction, and ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium. Along with printing
When performing the sustain operation of moving the printer head to the sustain operation position provided outside the printing range at the predetermined sustain operation timing and performing idle discharge of ink, the print data position of the print data in the predetermined range sandwiching the sustain operation timing is set. By making a determination and performing the sustain operation after scanning the print data closest to the sustain operation position from the print data position during the printing operation, the printer head is efficiently moved to the sustain operation position, and the sustain operation is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet printer that can reduce the total printing time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction, and the printer head is bidirectional in the main scanning direction. Along with the movement, ink is ejected from the printer head to the recording medium for printing, and at the same time, the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing to perform idle ejection of ink. When performing the maintenance operation, the print data position of the print data in a predetermined range before and after the maintenance operation timing and the time for moving from the moving direction of the printer head in the main scanning direction to the maintenance operation position are determined to move to the maintenance operation position. By performing the sustain operation after scanning the print data with the shortest time, the drive motor of the carriage that mounts the printer head An inkjet printer that can more effectively move the printer head to the sustaining operation position and perform the sustaining operation in consideration of the stable time when rising, falling, and stopping, and further shortening the total printing time. Is intended to provide.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer driving method, wherein a printer head mounted on a carriage is moved within a printing range in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium, A maintenance operation is performed in which ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium to perform printing, and at the same time, the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing to perform idle ejection of the ink. In the inkjet printer driving method to be performed, the print data position of the print data within a predetermined range before and after the maintenance operation timing is determined, and the scan of the print data closest to the maintenance operation position from the print data position during the printing operation is performed. The above-mentioned object is achieved by performing the maintenance operation later.

According to the above construction, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium, and ink is ejected from the printer head to the recording medium for printing. At the same time, when performing the sustain operation of moving the printer head to the sustain operation position provided outside the printing range at the predetermined sustain operation timing and performing the idle discharge of ink, the print data of the print data in the predetermined range sandwiching the sustain operation timing. The position is determined, and the sustain operation is performed after scanning the print data closest to the sustain operation position from the print data position during the printing operation, so the printer head is efficiently moved to the sustain operation position and the sustain operation is performed. Therefore, the total printing time can be shortened.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer driving method, wherein a printer head mounted on a carriage is moved within a printing range in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium so that the printing medium is moved in both main scanning directions. Ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium in accordance with the movement of the printer head in the opposite direction to perform printing, and the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing. In the inkjet printer driving method for performing a sustaining operation of causing the ink to be idle-discharged, the sustaining operation is performed from a print data position of print data in a predetermined range before and after the sustaining operation timing and a moving direction of the printer head in a main scanning direction. Judge the travel time to the position and mark the shortest travel time to the maintenance operation position. By performing the maintenance operation after the scan data, it has achieved the above objects.

According to the above arrangement, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium to move the printer head in both directions in the main scanning direction. Along with this, the ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium to print,
Print data position of print data in a predetermined range before and after the maintenance operation timing when performing the maintenance operation of moving the printer head to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing and performing idle ejection of ink Also, the printer head is installed because the maintenance operation is performed after scanning the print data with the shortest movement time to the maintenance operation position by determining the travel time from the movement direction of the printer head to the maintenance operation position. Considering the stable time when the drive motor of the carriage rises, falls, and stops, it is possible to move the printer head to the maintenance operation position more effectively and perform the maintenance operation, thus reducing the total printing time. It can be further shortened.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer in which a printer head mounted on a carriage is moved within a print range in a main scanning direction which is orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium, and ink is ejected from the printer head. In the inkjet printer, the maintenance operation is performed in which the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing, and the ink is idle-discharged at a predetermined maintenance operation timing. By determining the print data position of the print data within a predetermined range before and after the timing and performing the maintenance operation after scanning the print data closest to the maintenance operation position from the print data position during the printing operation, You have achieved your purpose.

According to the above construction, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium, and ink is ejected from the printer head to the recording medium for printing. At the same time, when the maintenance operation is performed in which the printer head is moved to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing and the ink is idled, the print data of the print data in the predetermined range sandwiching the maintenance operation timing The position is determined, and the sustain operation is performed after scanning the print data closest to the sustain operation position from the print data position during the printing operation, so the printer head is efficiently moved to the sustain operation position and the sustain operation is performed. Therefore, the total printing time can be shortened.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium to move the printing head in both directions of the main scanning direction. Along with the movement of the printer head, ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium for printing, and the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing, In an ink jet printer that performs a sustain operation for performing idle ejection of ink, a print data position of print data in a predetermined range before and after the sustain operation timing and a moving time from the moving direction of the printer head in the main scanning direction to the sustain operating position. After scanning the print data with the shortest movement time to the maintenance operation position, By performing serial sustain operation, it has achieved the above objects.

According to the above construction, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium to move the printer head in both directions in the main scanning direction. Along with this, the ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium to print,
Print data position of print data in a predetermined range before and after the maintenance operation timing when performing the maintenance operation of moving the printer head to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing and performing idle ejection of ink Also, the printer head is installed because the maintenance operation is performed after scanning the print data with the shortest movement time to the maintenance operation position by determining the travel time from the movement direction of the printer head to the maintenance operation position. Considering the stable time when the drive motor of the carriage rises, falls, and stops, the printer head can be moved to the maintenance operation position more effectively, and the maintenance operation can be performed. It can be further shortened.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore have various technically preferable limitations. However, the scope of the present invention refers to the present invention particularly in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

1 to 5 are views showing an embodiment of an ink jet printer driving method and an ink jet printer of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an embodiment of an ink jet printer driving method and an ink jet printer of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a moving region of a printer head 2 of an inkjet printer 1 capable of color printing to which is applied.

In FIG. 1, an ink jet printer 1
Is equipped with a printer head 2, and the printer head 2
Is mounted on a carriage (not shown) supported by a guide shaft (not shown) that extends in the main scanning direction. The carriage is moved in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft by being rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). Therefore, the printer head 2 moves in the main scanning direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper (recording medium) (not shown), as the drive motor rotates and the carriage moves along the guide shaft.

The printer head 2 has a standby position S located at least when the ink jet printer 1 is not driven.
P and a sustaining operation position PP for maintaining the operation of the printer head 2 by idly ejecting ink, and is a predetermined area between the standby position SP and the sustaining operation position PP, which is a print scanning range PA. To print on the recording paper. That is, the standby position SP and the maintaining operation position PP are the print scanning range PA.
It is provided outside the range.

Although not shown, the printer head 2 has a plurality of ejection openings for each color (for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) mounted on the head surface, and thin nozzles connected to the ejection openings to supply ink. In order to appropriately prevent the nozzle clogging and improve the printing quality, the maintenance operation of idling the ink at the maintenance operation position PP is performed.

At the sustain operation position PP for performing this idle discharge,
Although not shown, an ink absorbing member that absorbs the ink that has been ejected in a blank state, a cleaning mechanism that wipes the ink on the head surface, and the like are provided.

The printer head 2 is driven by an actuator based on color image data, sends ink from the nozzle to the ejection port, ejects it from the ejection port onto the recording paper, and prints.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet printer 1 is provided with a data buffer 10. The data buffer 10 outputs band data (the number of nozzles arranged in the printer head 2) output by a certain scan. The number of lines will be reduced accordingly. In addition, the data buffer 10
A management area 11 is provided in the management area 1
1 is the smallest address and the largest address of all colors among the n-th output data (the one closest to the standby position of the scan data is the smallest address, and the one closest to the idle ejection position is Address is stored in the main scanning address, and the scanning direction at that time is “positive” (left to right) in the direction from the standby position SP to the sustain operation position PP and “negative” (in the reverse direction). (From right to left) is stored in association with the direction area.

Further, the ink jet printer 1 is provided with a blank discharge management memory 12 as shown in FIG.
In the blank discharge management memory 12, the ratio of blank discharge during printing and the range (scan extraction range) for extracting the scan closest to the blank discharge position are, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the ratio of blank discharge during printing. Is registered once in advance, and the scanning extraction range is “3 scans before and after”. The inkjet printer 1 manages the blank discharge based on the setting contents of the blank discharge management memory 12.

Further, the ink jet printer 1 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the idle discharge range counter 13 is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the idle discharge range counter 13 has a ratio of the idle discharge during printing to “10” in the idle discharge management memory 12. “Once in a time”, scan extraction range is “3 scans before and after”
Is registered, that is, when blank discharge requires comparison of addresses within 3 scans before and after 1 scan in 10 scans, first, 7th to 9th scans and 11 to 13 scans in total, 7 scans in total. In the same manner, every 3 scans before and after 3 scans, the regular scans are counted. It should be noted that there is no particular limitation on the first 6th scan and beyond the empty projection range, and scanning and output can be performed at an appropriate timing determined in advance.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment starts printing and image data is expanded in the data buffer 10, it determines whether it is a blank discharge range (step S101), and the blank discharge range is determined. If not, scanning is performed at a predetermined timing and printing for one scanning is performed (step S102). After printing for one scan, the inkjet printer 1 checks whether printing is completed (step S
103) If printing is not completed, step S101
Then, as in the above, it is checked whether or not there is an empty discharge range (step S101).

In step S101, if it is in the blank discharge range, the ink jet printer 1 finds that the data to be printed next is the most sustaining operation position P from the address management table 11.
It is searched whether the data is close to P (step S104), and it is checked whether it is a blank discharge timing (step S105).

In step S105, when it is not the idle discharge timing, the ink jet printer 1 scans at a predetermined timing and prints for one scan (step S102). When the inkjet printer 1 prints for one scan, it checks whether printing is completed (step S103). If printing is not completed, step S10 is performed.
Returning to 1 and processing similar to the above.

At step S105, if it is the idle discharge timing, after printing the data for one scan (step S106), the printer head 2 is moved to the sustaining operation position PP (step S107), and the idle discharge is executed. (Step S108).

When the ink jet printer 1 executes the blank discharge, the blank discharge range counter 13, which is a counter for determining the blank discharge range, is incremented by 1 (+1) (step S109) and it is checked whether the printing is completed (step S109). S103).

If the printing is not completed in step S103, the ink jet printer 1 proceeds to step S101.
Then, the processing is performed in the same manner as above, and when the printing is completed, the processing is completed.

As described above, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the printer head 2 mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction, and the ink is printed from the printer head 2 onto the recording paper (recording medium). When performing the maintenance operation of ejecting and printing and moving the printer head 2 to the maintenance operation position PP provided outside the print scanning range PA at a predetermined maintenance operation timing to perform idle ejection of ink, the maintenance operation timing is sandwiched. The print data position of the print data within the predetermined range (for example, three scans before and after) is determined, and the maintenance operation position P is determined from the print data position during the printing operation.
The sustain operation is performed after scanning the print data closest to P.

Therefore, the printer head 2 can be efficiently moved to the maintenance operation position to perform the maintenance operation, and the total printing time can be shortened.

In the idle discharge process, the idle discharge timing is such that the data band to be scanned is closest to the idle discharge position, but taking the scanning direction into consideration,
The printing scan and the idle discharge may be performed more efficiently.

That is, the behavior of the drive motor for scanning the carriage carrying the printer head 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in Fig. 6, generally, the rising speed, the constant velocity range for performing the printing scan, the falling time, the stop period, etc. are required, and the upper side of Fig. 6 is for positive (left to right) scanning, and the lower side is for negative. Scanning time (from right to left) is shown.

In the following description, the range for determining the timing of the idle discharge is three scans before and after (total 7 scans). Then, in FIG. 7, arrows (a) to (g) indicate the scanning range and direction during printing.

In FIG. 7, when the printing scan is in one direction or when the control is simplified, the scan of (c) closest to the idle discharge position, that is, the closest to the idle discharge position is performed as described above. It is appropriate to carry out the idle discharge by moving to the sustain operation position PP after the scan with the large address.

However, in order to further efficiently perform the print scanning and the blank discharge, the bidirectional printing is performed, and the timing at which the moving time from the end of the print scanning to the sustaining operation position PP is minimized is calculated, After the scan having the shortest movement time, the ejection is performed after moving to the sustaining operation position PP.

That is, first, during printing, when the blank discharge range of step S101 in FIG. 5 is reached, the negative direction of the seven scans is extracted. In FIG. 7, scan (c) and scan (e) are extracted. Next, among the scans in the negative direction, the smallest addresses are compared from the scan addresses of the management area 11 shown in FIG. 2, and the scan band of the largest address is extracted. In the case of FIG. 7, the scan (c) is extracted.

Next, the positive ones are extracted from each other in seven scans. In FIG. 7, scan (a), scan (b), scan (d), and scan (f) are extracted. Then, among the scans in the forward direction, the largest addresses are compared from the scan addresses of the management area 11 shown in FIG. 2, and the one having the largest address is extracted. In FIG. 7, scanning (d)
To extract.

Then, the moving time to the sustaining operation position PP of the two extracted scanning bands is calculated based on the data of the driving system which is obtained in advance.

For example, the scan (c) is {(falling) +
(Stop) + (rise) + (constant speed feed to the front of the sustaining operation position PP) + (falling)}, the scanning (d) is to move to the maintaining position at the constant speed during scanning,
The time is {(constant speed feed to the front of the maintaining operation position PP) + (falling edge)}.

These calculated moving times are compared with each other, and the blank discharge is performed after the scan having the shorter moving time.

By doing so, the carriage, that is, the printer head 2 can be moved to the maintaining operation position PP most efficiently, and the total printing time can be shortened.

Then, depending on whether the print mode is unidirectional or bidirectional, it is automatically determined whether the scan band for the blank discharge is determined from only the scan address or the scan band for the blank discharge is determined from both the scan address and the scan direction. You may make it switch.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0050]

According to the ink jet printer driving method of the first aspect of the present invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved by moving the printer head within the printing range in the main scanning direction which is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium. Ink is ejected from the recording medium to the recording medium for printing, and the maintenance operation timing is performed when the maintenance operation is performed in which the printer head is moved to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing and the ink is idlely ejected. Maintains the printer head efficiently by determining the print data position of the print data in the specified range sandwiching between the print data position and performing the maintenance operation after scanning the print data closest to the maintenance operation position from the print data position during printing operation. The maintenance operation can be performed by moving to the operating position, and the total printing time can be shortened.

According to the ink jet printer driving method of the invention described in claim 2, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium, and the main scanning direction is moved. In accordance with the movement of the printer head in both directions, the ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium for printing, and the printer head is moved to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing. When performing a sustaining operation that causes the ink to be ejected in the idle state, the print data position of the print data in a predetermined range before and after the sustaining operation timing and the movement time from the movement direction of the printer head in the main scanning direction to the sustaining operation position are determined. , The maintenance operation is performed after the scan of the print data with the shortest movement time to the maintenance operation position. In consideration of the rise and fall of the drive motor of the carriage that mounts the printer and the stabilization time at the time of stop, it is possible to move the printer head to the maintenance operation position more effectively and perform the maintenance operation. The time can be further shortened.

According to the ink jet printer of the third aspect of the invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium to record the ink from the printer head. When performing the maintenance operation of discharging the ink to the medium and performing printing while moving the printer head to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at the predetermined maintenance operation timing, the predetermined maintenance operation timing is sandwiched. The print data position of the print data in the range is determined, and the sustain operation is performed after scanning the print data that is closest to the sustain operation position from the print data position during printing operation, so the printer head can be efficiently moved to the sustain operation position. Thus, the maintenance operation can be performed, and the total printing time can be shortened.

According to the ink jet printer of the fourth aspect of the invention, the printer head mounted on the carriage is moved within the printing range in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium so that the printing head is bidirectional in the main scanning direction. The ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium to print as the printer head moves to the print head, and the printer head is moved to the maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing to print the ink. When performing the sustaining operation of performing the idle discharge, the print data position of the print data in a predetermined range before and after the sustaining operation timing and the moving time from the moving direction of the printer head in the main scanning direction to the sustaining operation position are determined and the maintenance operation is performed. Since the sustain operation is performed after scanning the print data that takes the shortest time to move to the operating position, install the printer head. The rise of the drive motor of Yarijji,
In consideration of the stabilization time at the time of falling and stopping, the printer head can be moved to the maintenance operation position more effectively to perform the maintenance operation, and the total printing time can be further shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a moving area of a printer head of an inkjet printer to which an inkjet printer driving method and an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data buffer of the inkjet printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an idle discharge management memory of the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a blank ejection range counter of the inkjet printer of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a maintenance operation control process by the inkjet printer of FIG.

6 is a diagram showing the behavior of the drive motor of the printer head of the inkjet printer of FIG.

7 is a diagram showing an example of a scanning range and a scanning direction according to image data of a printer head of the inkjet printer of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 inkjet printer 2 printer head 10 data buffers 11 management area 12 Discharge management memory 13 Counter for empty discharge range SP standby position PP maintenance operation position PA print scan range

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printer head mounted on a carriage is moved within a printing range in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium, and ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium to perform printing, and at a predetermined time. In the inkjet printer driving method of performing the sustain operation of moving the printer head to the sustain operation position provided outside the printing range at the sustain operation timing, the idle operation of ejecting the ink is performed. The method for driving an inkjet printer, wherein the print data position of the print data is determined, and the sustain operation is performed after scanning the print data closest to the sustain operation position from the print data position during the print operation. 2. A printer head mounted on a carriage is moved within a printing range in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium, and the printer is moved along with the bidirectional movement of the printer head in the main scanning direction. Ink is ejected from the head onto the recording medium to print, and at the same time, the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing to perform a maintenance operation of performing idle ejection of the ink. In the inkjet printer driving method, the print data position of print data in a predetermined range before and after the maintenance operation timing and the moving time from the movement direction of the printer head in the main scanning direction to the maintenance operation position are determined, and the maintenance operation is performed. The maintenance operation is performed after scanning the print data having the shortest movement time to the operation position. Jet printer drive method. 3. A printer head mounted on a carriage is moved within a print range in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium, and ink is ejected from the printer head onto the recording medium to perform printing, and at a predetermined time. In an inkjet printer that performs a sustain operation of moving the printer head to a sustain operation position provided outside the printing range at the sustain operation timing, and performing a sustain operation of idling the ink, printing in a predetermined range before and after the sustain operation timing is performed. An ink jet printer, characterized in that a print data position of data is determined, and the sustain operation is performed after scanning of print data closest to the sustain operation position from a print data position during the print operation. 4. A printer head mounted on a carriage is moved within a printing range in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a recording medium, and the printer is moved along with the bidirectional movement of the printer head in the main scanning direction. Ink is ejected from the head onto the recording medium to print, and at the same time, the printer head is moved to a maintenance operation position provided outside the printing range at a predetermined maintenance operation timing to perform a maintenance operation of performing idle ejection of the ink. In the inkjet printer, the print data position of print data in a predetermined range before and after the sustain operation timing and the moving time from the moving direction of the printer head in the main scanning direction to the sustain operating position are determined, and the sustain operating position is determined. The maintenance operation is performed after scanning the print data having the shortest movement time to the ink jet printer. Printer.