JP2003320686A - Inkjet recorder, recording method and recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a selecting means which can continue printing at a user's own responsibility even after an ink end and can suppress wasting of ink to a minimum in an inkjet recorder with a soft ink end detection. <P>SOLUTION: The inkjet recorder which carries out printing on the basis of printing data has an ink consumption counting means for calculating a consumption of ink stored in an ink cartridge, and obtaining an ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge; an ink end detecting means for judging that it is the ink end when the ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge by the ink consumption counting means reaches a predetermined value; and the continued printing selection means for enabling printing by releasing an ink end protection of suspending a printing operation, when the ink end is detected by the ink end detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet type recording apparatus provided with a recording head for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to print data and an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head, and the ink jet type recording apparatus. The present invention relates to a recording method using a recording device and a recording system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet type recording apparatus is provided with a recording head mounted on a carriage which reciprocates in a main scanning direction, and ink droplets are ejected from the recording head based on recording data, thereby recording characters on a recording medium. , Images, etc. are printed. In a relatively small inkjet recording apparatus, an ink cartridge that supplies ink to a recording head is configured to be detachably mounted on a carriage.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink cartridge is provided with a storage means in order to perform normal printing and manage the state of the ink cartridge (ink remaining amount, etc.). This storage means stores management data including identification information of the recording device in which the ink cartridge has been installed in the past. For example, regarding the ink consumption amount of the ink cartridge, the amount of ink ejected by the recording operation or the flushing operation is stored. The amount of ink sucked during cleaning and cleaning is counted and integrated as an ink consumption counter value and stored. Therefore, based on this management data, even if the ink cartridge is removed and re-installed, the ink consumption amount accumulated for each ink cartridge can be grasped.

The ink jet recording apparatus is provided with an ink consumption amount calculating means for calculating the ink consumption amount of the ink cartridge, and when the ink consumption amount (ink consumption counter value) of the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined value, The soft ink end detection for determining the end is performed. When it is judged as "ink end" by the soft ink end detection, that fact is usually displayed to notify the user,
The use of ink cartridges that have run out of ink is restricted (printing is stopped due to ink end protection).
This is because if the ink cartridge that has become the ink end is used further and the ink cartridge is completely emptied, air bubbles will enter the ink flow path of the recording head, reducing the reliability of subsequent printing, and This is to prevent printed matter from being wasted when the ink is suddenly exhausted during printing.

In detecting the soft ink end, the expected ink consumption amount is estimated in consideration of the variation in the initial ink storage amount in the ink cartridge, the variation in the ejected ink amount, and the variation in the suction ink amount during the print head cleaning. It is designed so that the ink cartridge does not become empty even on the maximum side. That is, in the soft ink end detection, it is determined that the ink is out when the ink consumption amount (ink consumption counter value) counted in the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined value. It is set to be smaller than the initial ink storage amount. Therefore, even when it is determined that the ink is exhausted, some ink remains in the ink cartridge. The remaining ink amount greatly varies depending on the usage state of the ink jet recording apparatus, and therefore there is no means for grasping it.

However, when the ink end is detected and the printing is stopped, the printing cannot be continued unless there is a spare ink cartridge. If it is not possible to print a small amount in such a case, the user will be greatly dissatisfied. Also, although the ink end is decided uniformly,
As described above, the remaining ink amount at the end of ink greatly differs depending on the usage state, and when the remaining amount is relatively large, the ink corresponding to that amount is wasted.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in an ink jet type recording apparatus having a soft ink end detection, enables the user to continue printing at the user's own risk even after the ink end, and minimizes the waste of ink. It is an object to provide a selection means that enables suppression.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of an ink jet type recording apparatus according to claim 1 is a recording head for ejecting ink droplets based on print data, and an ink for the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink cartridge for supplying the ink; an ink consumption amount counting means for calculating an ink consumption amount stored in the ink cartridge to obtain an ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge; Ink end determination means for determining the ink end when the ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined value by the ink consumption amount counting means, and printing when the ink end determination means determines the ink end It is characterized in that continuous printing selection means for canceling the stopped state and enabling printing is provided. To.

According to the invention of the ink jet type recording apparatus, the continuous printing selection means for canceling the printing stop state when it is judged as the ink end and enabling the printing is provided. Allows the option to continue. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform some printing even after the ink is exhausted by the user's selection, and to reduce the waste of ink when a relatively large amount of ink remains or when there is no spare ink cartridge. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the user's dissatisfaction with the print stop state due to the ink end protection.

Further, the invention of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting means is reset by replacing the ink cartridge. And

If the ink in the ink cartridge is completely emptied by printing after the ink is exhausted while the print cancel state is released, there is a possibility that inconvenience such as inclusion of bubbles in the recording head may occur. Since the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting means is reset by replacing the ink cartridge, the original state is automatically restored by replacing the ink cartridge after the ink end (that is, the ink end protection It is possible to "cancel the release" and reduce the user's attention load. Therefore, a stable and reliable printing operation after the ink cartridge replacement is guaranteed.

The invention of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein after the continuous printing selecting means cancels the print stop state, a predetermined amount of printing is performed after the ink cartridge is replaced. It is characterized in that it is reset by.

According to this feature, the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting means is reset after the predetermined amount of printing is executed after the ink cartridge is replaced, so that the original state is automatically restored. (In other words, the release of the ink end protection can be turned “off”), and the user's attention load can be reduced. When the ink in the ink cartridge is completely emptied due to printing after the ink is exhausted, inconveniences such as the inclusion of bubbles in the recording head may occur, but the amount of printing after replacing the ink cartridge reaches the specified amount. This means that the ink cartridge has been replaced in a normal state and the normal state is maintained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink-jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a cleaning instruction by a user operation is received in a state where the continuous print selection unit cancels the print cancel state. In addition, the printing is stopped.

The cancellation of the printing stop state (cancellation of the ink end protection) by the continuous printing selection means exceptionally enables a small amount of printing after the ink is exhausted. However, the amount of ink sucked in the cleaning operation is larger than that in the normal printing operation. Therefore, if cleaning is executed in the state where the ink end protection is released, the ink cartridge will be completely emptied and the air will not flow into the print head. May infiltrate and cause problems in subsequent printing. Further, the fact that the user selects manual cleaning during printing after the ink is exhausted is highly likely that the ink in the ink cartridge is actually running out. Therefore, when the manual cleaning instruction is received by the user's operation, by stopping the printing, it is possible to prevent the problem from occurring.

Further, the invention of a recording method described in claim 5 is an ink jet recording comprising a recording head for ejecting ink droplets based on print data, and an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head. A recording method in an apparatus, wherein an ink consumption amount counting step for calculating an ink consumption amount stored in the ink cartridge to obtain an ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge, and an ink cartridge by executing the ink consumption amount counting step When it is verified that the ink consumption counter value of has reached a predetermined value, an ink end determination step of determining ink end, and an ink end determination step of the ink end determination step,
An ink end processing step for stopping printing,
A print stop state releasing step for releasing the print stop state and continuing recording by the ink end processing step,
It is characterized in that it is provided so as to be selectable.

According to the invention of the recording method in the ink jet type recording apparatus, the step of canceling the print cancel state for canceling the print cancel state and continuing the recording is provided so that the user can select even after the ink is exhausted. It becomes possible to select to cancel the print stop state and continue printing. Therefore, since it is possible to print a little after the ink is exhausted, it is possible to reduce the waste of ink when a relatively large amount of ink remains or when there is no spare ink cartridge. It is possible to eliminate user's dissatisfaction with the print stop state due to ink end protection.

Further, in the invention of a recording method according to a sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the release of the print stop state performed in the print stop state releasing step is reset by replacing the ink cartridge. Is characterized by.

According to this feature, the cancellation of the printing stop state performed in the step of canceling the printing stop state is reset by replacing the ink cartridge, so that the ink cartridge is automatically replaced by replacing the ink cartridge after the ink is exhausted. It is possible to return to the original state (that is, to turn off the ink end protection release), reducing the user's attention load and reducing the possibility of inconvenience such as the inclusion of bubbles. Stable and reliable printing operation after replacement is guaranteed.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention of a recording method in an ink jet type recording apparatus, in the fifth aspect, the release of the print stop state performed in the print stop state releasing step is performed after the ink cartridge is replaced. It is characterized in that a fixed amount of printing is executed and then reset.

According to this feature, the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selection means is reset after the predetermined amount of printing is performed after the ink cartridge is replaced, so that the original state is automatically restored. (In other words, the release of the ink end protection can be turned “off”), and the user's attention load can be reduced.

Further, according to the invention of a recording method in an ink jet type recording apparatus described in claim 8, in the invention according to claim 5, in the state of canceling the print cancel state performed in the step of canceling the print cancel state, a user operation is performed. When the cleaning instruction is received, the printing is stopped.

According to this feature, when the manual cleaning instruction is received by the user's operation, the printing is stopped so that the cleaning is executed in the state where the ink end protection is released. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as empty.

The invention of a recording system described in claim 9 is
A recording system including a host computer and an inkjet recording device that performs printing based on print data received from the host computer, wherein a consumption amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge is calculated to calculate the ink consumption of the ink cartridge. An ink consumption amount counting means for obtaining an ink consumption counter value; an ink end determination means for determining ink end when the ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined value by the ink consumption amount counting means; And a continuous print selection unit that cancels the print stop state and enables printing when the ink end determination unit determines that the ink is exhausted. The invention of this recording system has the same effects as the first aspect.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, the recording system according to the ninth aspect is characterized in that the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting means is reset by replacing the ink cartridge. According to this feature, in the recording system, the same effect as that of the second aspect can be obtained.

According to the invention of a recording system described in claim 11, in claim 9, the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting means is reset after executing a predetermined amount of printing after replacing the ink cartridge. It is characterized by having done. According to this feature, in the recording system, the same operational effect as that of the third aspect can be obtained.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention of the recording system, in the ninth aspect, the printing is performed when a cleaning instruction by a user operation is received in a state where the continuous print selecting unit cancels the print cancel state. The feature is that it is stopped. According to this feature, in the recording system, the same operational effect as that of the fourth aspect can be obtained.

The recording system invention according to claim 13 is the recording system according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The present invention is characterized by further comprising display means for notifying a caution when canceling the print cancel state and continuing printing. According to this feature, a warning is displayed to inform the user of the risk of canceling the print cancel state and continuing printing, so that the user's attention is drawn and air bubbles are mixed in by completely using up the ink in the ink cartridge. The problem of can be avoided in advance.

The invention of a recording system according to a fourteenth aspect is the recording system according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects.
It is characterized in that a display means is provided for notifying the fact that the print cancel state has been released. According to this feature, it is possible to call the user's attention by, for example, displaying the fact that the print cancel state has been canceled, and to execute the powerful cleaning mode. Can effectively deal with problems such as.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an inkjet printer 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Here, the state where the main body cover is removed is shown to clarify the internal structure.

The carriage 53 is reciprocally moved in the main scanning direction along the carriage guide shaft 55 by the timing belt 57 connected to the drive motor 56, while ejecting ink from the recording head 51 to the recording medium P to form an image. I do. A plurality of ink cartridges 54 of different colors can be mounted on the carriage 53. Here, four color ink cartridges 54 of black (54B), cyan (54C), magenta (54M), and yellow (54Y) are mounted. Is installed.

An ejection characteristic maintaining device 40 for maintaining the ejection characteristic of the recording head 51 is arranged at a position corresponding to the home position of the carriage 53. The discharge characteristic maintaining device 40 includes a wiping device 10, a capping device 20, and a suction device 30. Then, when the carriage 53 is in the home position, the discharge characteristic maintaining device 40
A capping operation and a suction operation (cleaning) that maintain the ejection characteristics of the recording head 51 are performed.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the black ink cartridge 54B, and FIG. 2B shows the storage portion 153B of the black ink cartridge 54B in the carriage 53. The cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges 54C, 54M,
54Y and the storage units corresponding thereto have the same configuration.

A storage element 161B serving as a storage means is provided at the lower front portion of the black ink cartridge 54B so that the remaining ink amount and the like can be stored.

The storage portion 153B is a space defined by the holder 155, and the ink supply needle 154 projects from the bottom of the holder 155. The ink supply needle 154 is inserted into a hole (not shown) in the lower portion of the black ink cartridge 54B when the black ink cartridge 54B is attached to the storage portion 153B so that ink is conducted from the black ink cartridge 54B to the recording head 51. Act on.

A connector 156 having an exposed electrode 157 is provided below the inner surface of the holder 155, and the black ink cartridge 5 is stored in the storage portion 153B.
When the 4B is mounted, the connection terminal 162 is joined to the electrode 157 to send the status information of the black ink cartridge 54B to the main body of the inkjet recording apparatus 50,
Alternatively, the ink consumption counter value or the like from the inkjet recording device 50 can be received.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit mounted on the recording apparatus.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 60 indicates a host computer. A printer driver 61 is mounted on the host computer 60, and a command of the input device causes a utility of the printer driver 61 to
In addition to the well-known paper size, monochrome / color printing selection, recording mode selection, font data, print commands, etc., the ink end protection can be canceled as described later. There is.

Further, the host computer 60 includes
A display 63 is connected so that the input status of the input device 62 can be confirmed and information such as the remaining ink amount of each of the mounted ink cartridges 54 can be visually displayed.

The print control means 64 generates bitmap data based on the print data sent from the host computer 60 side, and the head drive means 65 generates a drive signal based on this data to cause the recording head 51 to print ink. It is configured to be capable of ejecting drops. The head driving means 65 also functions to eject ink droplets based on print data, and also to eject ink droplets in response to a command from the flushing control means 66.

The flushing control means 66 is constructed so that the flushing operation (periodic flushing) is executed when the printing operation is continued for a certain period of time by the printing timer 67, and in this case, the carriage 53 is flushed. It is transferred to a position, for example, a position where the capping device 20 is arranged. Then, in order to prevent the clogging of the nozzle openings and eliminate the clogging, control is performed so that a predetermined number of ink droplets are ejected from all the nozzle openings of the recording head 51.

The cleaning control means 68 receives, for example, a command from the host computer 60 and receives a control signal via the cleaning command detection means 82 and the print control means 64, or cleaning provided on the operation panel of the recording apparatus. It is configured to be activated when the switch 71 is operated. Then, with the recording head 51 sealed by the capping device 20, a control signal is output to drive the suction device 30 (tube pump),
As a result, a manual cleaning operation for sucking and discharging ink from the nozzle openings of the recording head 51 is performed.
In addition, the cleaning control unit 68 also performs a power-on cleaning operation performed when the operating power of the recording apparatus is turned on, a timer cleaning operation performed every predetermined time, and an exchange performed when the ink cartridge 54 is exchanged. It also functions so as to execute a cleaning operation and the like.

The ink consumption amount calculating means 72 has a function of calculating the consumption amount of the ink stored in each ink cartridge 54. The ink consumption amount calculation unit 72 counts the number of ink droplets ejected by the printing operation or the flushing operation, and multiplies this by the ink amount per droplet stored in the coefficient setting unit 73 to obtain the consumed ink amount. Acts to calculate. Further, during the cleaning operation, the amount of ink discharged from the recording head 51 is also calculated when the suction command is output to the pump driving unit 69. The counter value relating to the ink consumption amount calculated by the ink consumption amount calculation means 72 is sent to the ink consumption counter 74 which constitutes the ink consumption amount counting means, and in the ink consumption counter 74, each ink cartridge 54 mounted The amount of ink remaining is managed. The ink consumption counter 74 is configured to bidirectionally exchange data with the arithmetic control unit 75. Then, the arithmetic control means 75
Is supplied with a control signal from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 76.

Ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 76
Is for detecting whether or not each ink cartridge 54 is mounted on the carriage. For example, when it is sensed that one of the ink cartridges 54 has been removed due to replacement of the ink cartridge 54, The operation of setting the replacement flag of the ink cartridge 54 is performed.

The calculation control means 75 is supplied with the data concerning the ink consumption counter value from the ink consumption counter 74, the data (flag) from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 76, etc., and the ink cartridge 54 is replaced. A function of resetting the ink consumption counter value corresponding to the ink cartridge 54 to zero and rewriting the data in the ink consumption counter 74 when a predetermined counter value is added in the determination operation such as the ink end as described later. Is also equipped. Further, the data from the ink consumption counter 74 is supplied to the verification unit 77 via the arithmetic control unit 75. The verification means 77 includes a threshold value setting means 78.
The verification unit 77 compares the threshold information from the threshold setting unit 78 with the data from the ink consumption counter 74 to display the state of each ink cartridge 54. It also functions to be displayed on the means 79. Furthermore, the ink cartridge 54
With B, 54C, 54M, and 54Y mounted in the storage unit 153B, the arithmetic control unit 75 causes the storage element 16 of each ink cartridge 54B, 54C, 54M, and 54Y.
1B, 161C, 161M and 161Y are electrically connected to each other so that data such as the remaining ink amount can be exchanged. Specifically, for example, processing such as acquiring the ink consumption counter value from the storage element 161B of the black ink cartridge 54B and storing it in the ink consumption counter 74 via the arithmetic control unit 75 is performed.

The cleaning command detecting means 82 is configured to receive a cleaning command input on the utility of the printer driver 61 and perform a cleaning operation described later. Further, the cleaning command detecting means 82 is configured to perform a cleaning operation which will be described later similarly in response to the operation of the cleaning switch 71 arranged on the operation panel of the recording apparatus.

From the cleaning command detecting means 82,
A control signal is sent to the print control unit 64, and the cleaning command detection unit 82 receives the cleaning command input on the utility of the printer driver 61 or the operation panel of the recording apparatus. When the cleaning switch 71 disposed in the above is operated, the print control means 64 is activated to print the check pattern for determining the printing state.

Further, the cleaning command detecting means 82
Therefore, a control signal can be sent to the print history storage means 80. The print history storage means 80 is reset to zero at the end of the head cleaning operation, and the data from the print control means 64 is transferred. After that, the print amount printed after the head cleaning operation is integrated and measured. As a result, when the cleaning command detection unit 82 receives the cleaning command, the printing amount after the previous cleaning operation stored in the print history storage unit 80 is extracted, and the data is used as the cleaning mode as the determination unit. It is configured to be supplied to the selection means 81.

The cleaning mode selection means 81 receives the data of the printing amount after the previous cleaning operation, for example, the data of the number of printed pages, accesses the ROM, and determines the cleaning mode based on the data of the number of printed pages. This determines whether or not to execute the ink suction operation from the recording head 51, and when executing the ink suction operation, the cleaning control means 6 sends a control signal based on a predetermined cleaning mode.
Send to 8.

As the continuous print selection means in the present invention, an input / output means which enables notification / selection to the user,
The selection of continuous printing can be configured by, for example, a control unit that sets it as flag data.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the item “selection of release of ink end protection” is displayed on the utility screen (display 63) by the printer driver 61 of the host computer 60, and the user selects it. When the user selects to cancel the ink end protection from the input device 62, it is supplied as flag data (ink end protection cancellation flag) to the calculation control means 75 via the printer driver 61. In addition, in the utility screen of FIG. 5,
It is also possible to execute a command to return the release of the ink end protection to "off".

The input / output means for notifying / selecting to the user is not limited to the display on the display 63 as shown in FIG. 5, and for example, a display lamp on the outer surface of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 may be used. It is also possible to notify the user that it is possible to cancel the ink end protection by turning on the light, and to execute selection / non-selection by operating the switch.

Before the user selects the ink end protection from the input device 62, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 54 should be replaced as soon as possible, the printing amount cannot be predicted, and the printing amount cannot be predicted. It is preferable to set to automatically display a message for confirming that the ink cartridge 54 is empty, and for calling attention if the ink is faded. As described above, since it is impossible to know the remaining amount of ink after the ink is exhausted, the user is informed of the fact that the printing is continued in an emergency at his own risk, and the ink cartridge 54 is completely emptied. This is to avoid inclusion of bubbles due to

<Remaining Ink Remaining Detection> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the remaining ink amount detecting process executed by the ink jet recording apparatus 50. In the present embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 determines whether or not the data or command is received from the host computer 60, and when the data or the like is received from the host computer 60, it is shown in FIG. The remaining ink amount is detected based on the control routine. The method of detecting the remaining amount of ink during the printing operation is, for example, whether the remaining amount of ink is inspected each time the recording head 51 completes one main scan (pass), and whether printing for the next main scan is possible. There is a method for determining whether or not there is a method for determining whether or not it is possible to print the next page by detecting the remaining amount of ink each time a printed page is ejected. But it's okay. Further, the control routine shown in FIG. 4 is also executed when the ink cartridge replacement process is executed as described later.

In step S11 of FIG. 4, whether or not the black ink cartridge 54B is installed,
Is determined. This is determined by the arithmetic control means 75 using the flag data from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 76 shown in FIG. This step S11
When it is determined that the black ink cartridge 54B is not attached (No), the display unit 7
At 9, the ink end display is made.

When it is determined in step S11 that the black ink cartridge 54B is attached (Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and the ink end protection cancellation flag of the arithmetic control means 75 is referred to.

After referring to the ink end protection cancel flag in step S12, it is determined in step S13 whether or not another ink cartridge 54 is in a replacement state. That is, in step S13, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges 54C, 54M other than the black ink cartridge 54B,
The mounted state of 54Y is determined. Even in this judgment,
The flag data from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 76 shown in FIG. 3 is used.

In step S13, the cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges 54C, 5C,
If it is determined that the 4M and 54Y are not in the exchange state (No), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the arithmetic and control unit 75 shown in FIG. 3 fetches the data of the ink consumption counter value (Cb) of the black ink cartridge 54B in the ink consumption counter 74 and sends it to the verification unit 77. And verification means 7
7 executes the operation of comparing the threshold value set by the threshold value setting means 78 with the ink consumption counter value (Cb). In the threshold value setting means 78, the level C as the first predetermined value which is regarded as the ink end where the ink consumption is most advanced, and the level as the second predetermined value which is regarded as the ink near end which is less than the first predetermined value. A is set.

In step S14, the ink end protection cancellation flag referred to in step S12 is "ON".
(That is, the ink end protection is released)
It is also determined whether or not it is.

First, when it is verified that the ink consumption counter value of black ink is less than the level A, the ink status is irrespective of whether the ink end protection cancel flag is "ON" or "OFF". Is set to "0". In this state, it is considered that there is a margin in the remaining amount of ink.

In the case where it is verified that the ink consumption counter value of the black ink is level A or higher,
And the ink end protection release flag is "off"
If the ink end protection is not released, the ink status is set to "1" and the ink near end is displayed. Even if it is verified that the ink consumption counter value of black ink is level A or higher, if the ink end protection cancellation flag is "ON" (that is, the ink end protection is in the cancellation state), the ink The status is set to "2" and the ink near end is displayed.

Further, when it is verified that the ink consumption counter value of the black ink is the level C or higher, and the ink end protection cancellation flag is "off" (that is, the ink end protection is not canceled). If it is, the ink status is set to “3”, the ink end is displayed, and the printing is stopped. Even if the ink consumption counter value of the black ink is verified to be level C or higher, if the ink end protection cancellation flag is “on” (that is, the ink end protection is in the cancellation state), the ink Although the status is set to "4" and the ink end display is displayed, the ink end is not reached and printing can be executed. Further, the caution display described later (see FIG. 8) is also processed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that one of the cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges 54 is in the exchange state (Yes), the process proceeds to step S15. In this step S15,
For the ink consumption counter value stored in the ink consumption counter 74, the first counter value “bb”,
The sum of the second counter value “AA” is incremented. The value “bb”, which is the first counter value, is a counter value corresponding to the amount of black ink consumed by the ink suction operation performed after the ink cartridge 54 is replaced. The second counter value “AA” is a predetermined counter value corresponding to the ink amount capable of printing a predetermined amount during the operation of the average print duty in the bitmap data given to the print head. Is set to.

Here, by incrementing a predetermined counter value (“bb” + “AA”) with respect to the ink consumption counter value stored in the ink consumption counter 74, the ink accompanying replacement of the ink cartridge 54 is After the suction operation (replacement cleaning) has been performed, it is possible to determine whether or not it is possible to further perform a predetermined amount of printing. That is,
When the ink consumption counter value of one of the ink cartridges 54 reaches a predetermined value and it is determined that the ink has ended, a predetermined counter value is added to the ink consumption counter values of the other ink cartridges 54 and verification is performed. As a result, it is possible to avoid a problem that another ink cartridge 54 reaches the ink end again by cleaning when exchanging the ink cartridge or by slight printing after the exchange.

In step S16, the value after incrementing (adding) the predetermined counter value "bb + AA" to the ink consumption counter value "Cb" of the ink cartridge 54 is the level as the first predetermined value. C
And level A as a second predetermined value. If it is verified that the ink consumption counter value of the black ink for which the addition operation has been performed is lower than the level A, is the ink end protection cancellation flag referred to in step S12 "ON"? The ink status is set to "0" regardless of "OFF". In this state, it is considered that there is a margin in the ink remaining amount, and the operation of decrementing (subtracting) the amount of "bb + AA" from the ink consumption counter value for which the addition operation has been performed is performed. In this operation, the ink consumption counter value “Cb” stored in the ink consumption counter 74 has already been incremented by the execution of step S15, and therefore, by decrementing and resetting “bb + AA”, the algorithm This is for the purpose of returning the counter value operated above to the counter value indicating the actual remaining amount of ink. As a result, the reliability of the ink end determination operation that is continuously executed can be ensured.

On the other hand, if it is verified in step S16 that the ink consumption counter value for which the addition operation has been performed is level A or higher, and if the ink end protection cancel flag is "OFF", Ink status is set to "1", and in this case,
“Ink near end” is displayed on the display means 79, and from the ink consumption counter value for which the addition operation has been performed,
The operation of decrementing "bb + AA" is performed in the same manner as described above.

Further, in step S16, when it is verified that the ink consumption counter value for which the addition operation is performed is level A or higher, and the ink end protection cancel flag is "ON", While the ink status is set to "2", "ink near end" is displayed on the display means 79, and the operation of decrementing "bb + AA" from the ink consumption counter value subjected to the addition operation is performed as described above. Done.

Further, when it is verified that the level is equal to or higher than the level C which is the first predetermined value and the ink end protection cancel flag is "OFF", the ink status is "3". Is set to, the ink end is displayed, and printing is stopped. Even when it is verified that the ink consumption counter value of black ink is level C or higher, if the ink end protection release flag is "ON", the ink status is set to "4" and the ink end Although it is displayed, the ink is not exhausted and printing can continue. In this case as well, from the ink consumption counter value for which the addition operation has been performed, "b
The operation of decrementing "b + AA" is performed. Also,
As will be described later, the caution display (FIG. 8) is also processed.

The determination operation after step S11 for the black ink cartridge 54B is the same as that for the cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges 54C, 54, respectively.
The processing is also sequentially repeated for M and 54Y. Therefore, the progress state of ink consumption in each ink cartridge 54 installed in the recording apparatus is displayed by the display unit 7.
It can be understood by the display of 9.

If it is determined in step S14 or step S16 that the ink statuses of all the ink cartridges 54 are "0", "1", or "2", printing is permitted and the print control means 64 generates them. Head drive means 35 based on the bitmap data.
Then, a drive signal is generated and printing is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 or step S16 that the ink status of any one of the ink cartridges 54 is "3", the display means 79 displays "ink end" as described above as the ink end process. At the same time, a printing error occurs and the printing is stopped. At the same time, the host computer 60 is notified that printing cannot be performed due to ink end. Then, when the ink is displayed with "ink end", the user can recognize that it is necessary to replace the corresponding ink cartridge 54.

Further, when the ink is exhausted, the printing is stopped by the ink end protection. However, when the user wants to continue printing, the continuous printing selection means described above cancels the printing stop state by the ink end processing, and the printing is performed. It is designed to be able to continue. Then, in the state where the ink end protection is released, a print command is issued again through the host computer 60, so that the control routine of the remaining ink amount detection shown in FIG. 4 is executed. At this time, since the ink end protection cancel flag set in the arithmetic control unit 75, which is referred to in step S12 of FIG. 4, is determined to be “ON”, in step S14 and step S16, the ink status is changed as described above. Each is set to "4" and the ink end display is made, but since the ink end protection is released, the print control means 64 generates bitmap data and the head drive means 65 is driven to execute printing. Is done.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the user is warned of the fact that the ink end protection has been released, and in the case where the print is blurred, a strong manual cleaning is urged. It is preferable to set the message to be displayed on the display 63. Such a setting is such that, for example, the signal is sent to the printer driver 61 of the host computer 60 so that it is automatically displayed when the ink status is determined to be "4" in steps S14 and S16 of FIG. This can be done by setting it to be sent to.

<Reset of Ink End Protect Release State> In the present invention, the ink end protect release state is set to a predetermined amount, for example, during the ink cartridge replacement process or after the ink cartridge 54 is replaced. It can be reset after printing is done.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process when the ink cartridge 54 is replaced in the ink jet recording apparatus 50. In the case where the selection of the ink end protection cancellation according to the present invention is made, the normal state (the ink end protection cancellation) is shown. Contains a dedicated recovery sequence to bring it back “off”).

When one or more ink cartridges 54 are replaced, the process shown in FIG. 7 is executed. First, in step S21, the status control of the ink cartridge 54 is performed by the calculation control means 75 using the flag data from the ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 76. As specific contents of the status check, for each of the ink cartridges 54, the presence / absence of attachment, whether the ink cartridge 54 has been removed, whether it has been reattached, and the like are confirmed.

Subsequently, in step S22, the black ink consumption counter value Cb is acquired. Specifically, the storage element 16 of the black ink cartridge 54B
Obtain the black ink consumption counter value Cb from 1B,
Stored in the ink consumption counter 74.

Next, the black ink cartridge 54B
The remaining ink amount is detected in step S23. Specifically, according to the routine shown in FIG.
The ink status is obtained, and the ink remaining amount is detected.

The black ink cartridge 54B
The processing of steps S22 and S23 described above is sequentially repeated for the cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges 54C, 54M, and 54Y.

That is, in step S24, as in step S22, the cyan ink consumption counter value Cc is read from the storage element 161C of the cyan ink cartridge 54C.
Is acquired and stored in the ink consumption counter 74. Then, in step S25, the remaining ink amount is detected for the cyan ink cartridge 54C in the same manner as in FIG. Although the repeated description is omitted in FIG. 7,
Magenta and yellow ink cartridges 54M, 5
For 4Y as well, the processes of steps S24 and S25 surrounded by broken lines are sequentially performed in the same manner.

In step S26, black, cyan,
For each of the magenta and yellow ink cartridges 54, it is determined whether or not the ink is out. Specifically, when it is determined in step S11 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 that the ink cartridges 54 of each color are not mounted, or when the ink status is determined to be "3" in step S14 or step S16, Step S
At 28, “Yes” is displayed and the ink end is displayed.

If "No" in the step S26, that is, if it is determined that all the ink cartridges 54 have been mounted and the ink remaining amount is sufficient, the process proceeds to a step S27. Here, the replacement cleaning determination table (not shown) of the cleaning control unit 68 is referred to, and the type of replacement cleaning is determined by the status of the ink cartridge 54 and the ink consumption counter value. Next, in step S28, a signal is transmitted to the pump drive means 69, and, for example, the tube pump as the suction device 30 is driven, and replacement cleaning is executed.

Next, in step S29, the ink consumption counter value obtained by adding the amount of ink consumed by cleaning is read from the ink consumption counter 74, and the storage means 161B, 1 of each ink cartridge 54,
The respective ink consumption counter values are written in 61C, 161M, and 161Y.

Subsequently, in step S30, it is judged whether or not the ink end protection release is "ON" (that is, whether or not the ink end protection is released). This determination is made by referring to the flag data (ink end protection release flag) stored in the arithmetic control unit 75 when the ink end protection release is executed. Step S30 is “Yes
In the case of “s”, since the ink end protection is still released, the process proceeds to step S31, and the release of the ink end protection is reset to “OFF”.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the released state of the ink end protection may be reset after a predetermined amount of printing is made after the ink cartridge 54 is replaced.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the process of starting printing after the ink cartridge 54 has been replaced. When the user inputs a print command to the host computer computer 60 after replacing the ink cartridge, first, step S
In 41, it is determined whether or not the ink end protection release is “ON”. This determination is made by referring to the flag data (ink end protection release flag) stored in the arithmetic control unit 75 when the ink end protection release is executed. This step S4
If it is determined that the release of the ink end protection is “ON” in 1 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S46, and whether the print amount from the previous ink cartridge replacement cleaning (see FIG. 7) is 5 pages or more, It is determined whether or not.
Then, if it is determined in step S46 that the printing is performed for 5 pages or more (Yes), the process proceeds to step S47, and the ink end protection cancellation flag is reset to "OFF". This means that the ink end protection release is "on".
However, if the number of printed pages exceeds 5 in step S46, it is considered that the ink cartridge 54 is replaced in a normal state and the recording head 51 is still maintained in a normal state. This is because

On the other hand, if step S46 is "No", the ink end protection cancel flag is not reset and the process proceeds to step S42.

If it is determined in step S41 that the ink end protection release is "OFF", it is determined in step S46 that the printing amount for five pages has not been reached, or in step S47 the ink end protection release flag is set. Is reset, step S42
Then, the carriage lock release sequence is executed. This is a process for preparing for the printing operation, and details thereof will be omitted here.

Subsequently, in step S43, the determination table for pre-printing cleaning / pre-printing flushing is referred to. This process is performed to determine whether automatic cleaning is necessary according to the usage conditions. Next, when it is determined that the cleaning is unnecessary in step S44, the process proceeds to step S45, the flushing operation is performed, and then the printing is performed.

On the other hand, according to the judgment table referred to in step S43, cleaning is required in subsequent step S44 (Y
es), cleaning is executed in step S48, and the CL counter is KK = 2 in step S49.
After being set to (described later), the flushing operation is executed in step S45, and then the printing is executed. The CL counter KK in step S49 is a counter for sequentially switching the cleaning modes according to the cleaning execution status when manual cleaning is selected.

It should be noted that the printer driver 61 as shown in FIG. 5 is used to select whether or not to cancel the ink end protection.
Can be performed on the utility screen as well, but automatically when the ink cartridge 54 is replaced as shown in FIG. 7 or after a predetermined amount is printed after the ink cartridge 54 is replaced as shown in FIG. By resetting the released state of the ink end protection, it is possible to reduce the user's attention load and secure a safe printing operation.

<Relationship between Manual Cleaning and Release of Ink End Protection> Next, the relation between the processing of manual cleaning and the release of ink end protection provided in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to 0.

The ink jet type recording apparatus 50 is provided with a plurality of cleaning modes CL1 to CL3 having different ink suction amounts, as exemplified below, and the ink suction amounts are different for each cleaning mode. These are the cleaning modes of manual cleaning executed when the user selects the cleaning operation. CL1 is executed most frequently in the manual cleaning, and the ink suction amount is also small.
The CL1 is sequentially switched to CL2 and CL3 according to the status of the ink jet recording apparatus (the number of cleanings, the amount of printing from the previous cleaning, etc.), and the optimum suction operation is executed. Therefore, the normal CL3 is executed only when the manual cleaning is continuously performed. That is, CL3 is a cleaning mode that is rarely executed when the ejection characteristics are not recovered even after performing CL1 and CL2, such as when air bubbles are mixed in the recording head 51, and the suction ink amount is the largest. The suction speed is also set high.

FIG. 10 shows an operation sequence of head cleaning control. The cleaning command detecting means 82 monitors whether or not a cleaning command is input by a user's operation. When the cleaning command is input, first, in step S51, whether or not the ink end protection is released is “ON”. Is determined. This determination is made by referring to the flag data (ink end protection release flag) stored in the arithmetic control unit 75 when the ink end protection release is executed. Here, in the case of Yes, that is, when the ink end protection release is in the “on” state,
The process moves to step S52, and the process of stopping printing is performed. The removal of the ink end protection described above exceptionally enables a small amount of printing after the ink end. However, since the amount of ink sucked in the cleaning operation is larger than that in the normal printing operation, if the cleaning is executed in the state where the ink end protection is released, the inside of the ink cartridge 54 may be completely emptied. . In addition, when the user selects manual cleaning during printing after the ink is exhausted, it is highly possible that the ink in the ink cartridge 54 is actually running out. When the ink in the ink cartridge 54 becomes empty, the air may enter the recording head 51 and interfere with the subsequent printing.
In step S51 of the manual cleaning process, it is determined whether or not the ink end protection is released. If the ink end protection is released (Yes), printing is stopped and the ink end protection is processed in step S52.

On the other hand, if step S51 is "No", it is considered that cleaning may be performed. Therefore, in step S53, the print history after the last cleaning operation is executed is referred to, and the last cleaning operation is executed. After that, it is determined whether or not printing is performed for more than 5 pages. This is determined by referring to the print page number data stored in the print history storage unit 80. When it is determined in step S53 that the printing is not less than 5 pages after the previous cleaning operation is performed (No), the process proceeds to step S54, the CL counter is defined as KK = 2, and then the CL1 parameter is set to the cleaning mode. It is set in the selection means 81 (step S55).

Then, the process proceeds to step S56 and CL1
The cleaning operation of is executed. This CL1 is a cleaning mode in which the ink suction amount is the smallest. Then, after CL1 is cleaned in step S56, the ink cartridge 54 is cleaned in step S57.
The ink consumption counter value obtained by adding the amount consumed by cleaning is written in the storage means 161B, 161C, 161M, 161Y.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S53 that the printing is not more than 5 pages after the last cleaning operation is executed (YES), the user inputs the cleaning command again, which means that the last cleaning operation is performed. Since it means that the printing state is not recovered despite the execution, the setting is made so that the cleaning operation stronger than the previous time is executed as follows. That is, in step S58, it is determined whether the previous cleaning was ink cartridge replacement cleaning. If this step S58 is "No", that is, if it is determined that the previous cleaning is not the ink cartridge replacement cleaning, step S59
Then, the CL counter is detected. Where C
KK of the L counter is a counter for executing the cleaning mode selection order in the cleaning selection operation as follows. That is, when the value of KK is "1", K
After redefining K = 2, the CL1 parameter is set and CL1 is executed. When the next cleaning operation is to be started, KK = 2 is defined, so after the CL counter is redefined to KK = 3, the CL2 parameter is set and CL2 is executed. Similarly, when the cleaning operation is started next time, since KK = 3 is defined, after redefining KK = 1, the CL3 parameter is set and CL3 is executed. In this way, CL1 →
As CL2 → CL3 progresses, the amount of ink suction increases, and a stronger cleaning operation is executed. In other words, the fact that the cleaning operation is continuously executed means that the printing state does not recover normally, and it is necessary to shift to a stronger cleaning operation. There is.

In the sequence of FIG. 10, step S59.
In, the CL counter is referenced, and if KK = 1, the CL counter is redefined to KK = 2 in step S54, and then the CL1 parameter is set in step S55. Then, after the cleaning of CL1 is performed in step S56, the storage means 161B, 161C, 16 of the ink cartridge 54 is executed in step S57.
An ink consumption counter value obtained by adding the amount consumed by cleaning to 1M and 161Y is written.

If the KK of the CL counter is KK = 2 in step S59, step S60.
After redefining the CL counter to KK = 3 in, the CL2 parameter is set in step S61. After that, the cleaning operation for CL2 is executed in the same manner as for CL1.

Further, in step S59, if the KK of the CL counter is KK = 3, the process proceeds to S62, the CL counter is redefined to KK = 1, and then the CL3 parameter is set in step S63. After that, C
The CL3 cleaning operation is executed in the same manner as in the case of L1.

On the other hand, in step S58, "Ye
s ”, that is, when the pre-cleaning is the ink cartridge exchange cleaning, the printing amount from the previous cleaning is small, and the previous cleaning was the ink cartridge exchange cleaning, so that a problem such as inclusion of air bubbles occurs. It is highly possible that Moreover, in the ink jet type recording apparatus 50 of the present invention having the continuous print selection means, there is a high possibility that the ink cartridge 54 becomes empty while the ink end protection cancellation is being executed. That is, the ink cartridge 5
The replacement cleaning (see FIG. 7) is automatically executed at the time of replacement of No. 4, but it means that the user selects manual cleaning before the predetermined print amount after replacement of the ink cartridge 54 is reached. There is a high possibility that the ink cartridge 54 has become empty due to the continuation of printing due to the cancellation, and there is a strong concern that air bubbles and the like are mixed. Therefore, in this case, without referring to the CL counter, the process directly goes to step S62 to redefine the CL counter to KK = 1 similarly to the above, and then the CL3 parameter is set in step S63 to set a strong CL3 cleaning is executed.

[0099]

According to the present invention, since the continuous print selecting means for canceling the print stop state to enable the printing when it is determined that the ink is exhausted is provided, the printing is continued even after the ink is exhausted. You can choose. Therefore,
Even if a relatively large amount of ink remains after the ink is exhausted, or even if there is no reserve for the ink cartridge, the user can select some printing and use the ink to the end without waste according to the usage condition. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the user's dissatisfaction with the print stop state due to the ink end protection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an ink cartridge and a storage portion thereof, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge,
(B) is a perspective view of a storage part.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine for detecting the remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a screen for displaying a selection of ink end protection cancellation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a user's alert screen displayed when the ink end protection cancellation is selected.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control routine when replacing an ink cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a user attention screen displayed by canceling the ink end protection.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a print processing routine after ink cartridge replacement.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a manual cleaning processing routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Wiping device 20 capping device 21 Cap member 30 suction device 40 Discharge characteristics maintenance device 50 inkjet recording device 51 recording head 52 Nozzle formation surface 53 carriage 54 ink cartridges 55 Carriage guide shaft 56 drive motor 57 Timing Belt 58 Platen 60 host computer 61 Printer driver 62 input device 63 display 64 printing control means 65 head driving means 66 Flushing control means 67 Print timer 68 Cleaning control means 69 Pump drive means 70 Suction timer 71 Cleaning switch 72 Ink consumption amount calculation means 73 Count setting means 74 Ink consumption counter 75 arithmetic control means 76 Ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection means 77 Verification means 78 Threshold selection means 79 display means 80 Print history storage means 81 Cleaning mode selection means 82 Cleaning command detecting means 153B storage 154 Ink supply needle 155 holder 156 connector 157 electrodes 161B, 161C, 161M, 161Y storage element 162 connection terminal

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that ejects ink droplets based on print data; and an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head, wherein the ink cartridge is stored in the ink cartridge. Ink consumption amount counting means for calculating the ink consumption amount to obtain the ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge, and when the ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined value by the ink consumption amount counting means, at the ink end An ink-end determination unit that determines that there is an ink, and a continuous-printing selection unit that enables printing by canceling the print-stopped state when the ink-end determination unit determines that the ink is exhausted. , Inkjet recording device. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting unit is reset by replacing the ink cartridge. 3. The ink jet system according to claim 1, wherein the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting unit is reset after a predetermined amount of printing is executed after the ink cartridge is replaced. Recording device. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing is stopped when a cleaning instruction by a user operation is received in a state where the printing stop state is canceled by the continuous printing selection unit. , Inkjet recording device. 5. A recording method in an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a recording head that ejects ink droplets based on print data; and an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head. An ink consumption amount counting step of calculating an ink consumption amount of the stored ink to obtain an ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge; and that the ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge has reached a predetermined value by executing the ink consumption amount counting step. In the case of being verified, the ink end determination step of determining that the ink is out, and the ink end processing step of stopping printing when it is determined as the ink end by the ink end determination step, Cancel the print stop status by the end processing step The print cancel state release step of continuing the recording,
A recording method in an ink jet recording apparatus, which is provided so as to be selectable. 6. The recording method in an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the release of the print stop state performed in the print stop state releasing step is reset by replacing an ink cartridge. . 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the cancellation of the printing cancellation status performed in the printing cancellation status cancellation step is reset after a predetermined amount of printing is executed after the ink cartridge is replaced. A recording method for an inkjet recording apparatus. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing is stopped when a cleaning instruction by a user operation is received in the state where the printing cancellation state is canceled by the printing cancellation state canceling step. A recording method for an inkjet recording apparatus. 9. A recording system comprising: a host computer; and an ink jet recording device that performs printing based on print data received from the host computer, wherein a consumption amount of ink stored in an ink cartridge is calculated. And an ink consumption counter for determining an ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge, and an ink end for determining that the ink consumption has ended when the ink consumption counter value of the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined value by the ink consumption counter. A recording system, comprising: a determination unit; and a continuous print selection unit that cancels a print stop state and enables printing when the ink end determination unit determines that the ink is exhausted. 10. The recording system according to claim 9, wherein the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting unit is reset by replacing the ink cartridge. 11. The recording system according to claim 9, wherein the cancellation of the print stop state by the continuous print selecting unit is reset after a predetermined amount of printing is performed after the ink cartridge is replaced. . 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing is stopped when a cleaning instruction by a user operation is received in a state where the printing stop state is canceled by the continuous printing selection unit. , Recording system. 13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.
2. The recording system according to the item 1, further comprising display means for notifying a risk of canceling the print cancel state and continuing printing. 14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.
2. The recording system according to the item 1, further comprising display means for notifying the fact that the print stop state has been released.