JP2003326699A - Liquid jet method, liquid jet system, and liquid jet execution program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jet method whereby a total liquid jet time can be more shortened by reducing a load although whether or not a liquid shortage takes place is judged, a liquid jet system and a liquid jet execution program. <P>SOLUTION: Only when a remaining amount S of each ink in each ink cartridge becomes not larger than a monitoring judgment amount R (YES in a step S15), it is judged whether or not the remaining amount S of the ink which becomes not larger than the monitoring judgment amount R is not smaller than a use amount T necessary for printing, that is, whether or not printing is possible without causing the ink shortage in the middle of the printing (step S30). In other words, when it can be judged that the remaining amount S of the ink is not smaller than the monitoring judgment amount R and the ink shortage is apparently not brought about during the printing, the use amount T for the ink is not calculated. Since calculating the use amount T applies a large load to a computer CPU, the load of the CPU is reduced and a printing time from a printing execution to a printing end can be shortened. <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 a liquid ejecting method, a liquid ejecting system and a liquid ejecting execution program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid onto a target, there is an ink jet printer for ejecting ink droplets onto paper to print an image or the like. In this type of printer, various problems may occur due to the ink being exhausted during printing. For example, printing may not be possible or printing may be changed to a different color. In order to eliminate this inconvenience, a printer has been developed which determines whether or not each color ink has a usage amount necessary for printing before printing (for example, Patent Document 1). This printer compares and calculates the remaining ink amount of each color in the ink cartridge and the usage amount of each color ink required for printing based on the data to be printed, and uses the remaining ink amount of each color. If it is more than the quantity, print all. At this time, the printer analyzes the data to be printed, calculates the number of operations of the recording head driven by printing for each ink of each color, and calculates the number of operations of this recording head and the ink ejection amount of each color at that time. The amount used for each color ink was obtained by multiplying.

[0003]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-166622

[0004]

However, since the number of times each color ink is operated in printing is enormous, the calculation of the amount of use puts a heavy load on the printer. Therefore, it takes a long time to determine whether or not there is an ink amount, and it takes a lot of time from when the user issues a print execution command to when the printing is completed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a liquid ejecting method and a liquid ejecting method capable of shortening the entire liquid ejecting time while reducing the load and determining whether or not the liquid runs out. An object is to provide an ejection system and a liquid ejection execution program.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 moves liquid in a liquid container from the liquid ejecting head while moving a carriage provided with the liquid ejecting head. In the liquid ejecting method of ejecting to the target, only when the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container is a predetermined reference amount or less, calculate the amount of use of the liquid required for the predetermined liquid ejection, the calculated liquid The gist is to monitor whether or not the amount of liquid used for ejection is less than or equal to the remaining amount of the liquid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting method according to the first aspect, when there are a plurality of liquid containers having a liquid remaining amount equal to or less than the reference amount, the monitoring is performed. The gist is that it is performed only for the liquid having the smallest amount.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting method according to the first aspect, when there are a plurality of liquid containers having a liquid remaining amount equal to or less than the reference amount, the monitoring is performed. The summary is that the lesser order is performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting method according to any one of the first to third aspects, the reference amount is the size of the target on which the liquid ejection is performed and the number of the targets. The gist is that it can be changed based on

A fifth aspect of the present invention is, in the liquid ejecting method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that the reference amount can be set for each type of the liquid. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carriage provided with a liquid jet head having a plurality of nozzles, and a liquid container connected to the nozzles for containing a liquid, and the carriage is provided relative to a target. In a liquid ejecting system that ejects liquid from the nozzles of the liquid ejecting head to the target while moving the liquid ejecting head, a detecting unit that detects the remaining amount of the liquid, and the remaining amount of the liquid is less than or equal to a predetermined reference amount. Determination means for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the liquid is determined to be less than or equal to the reference amount by the determination means, calculation means for calculating a usage amount required for a predetermined liquid injection of the liquid, and the detection The gist of the present invention is to have a comparison means for comparing the remaining amount of the liquid detected by the means with the usage amount calculated by the calculation means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the sixth aspect, the judging means, when there are a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining liquid amount is equal to or less than the reference amount, store the liquids. The gist is to cause the comparison means to compare only the liquid having the smallest remaining amount in the body.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting system according to the sixth aspect, the determining means determines the liquid level when a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining liquid amount is less than the reference amount are present. The gist is to make the comparison means compare in ascending order of the remaining amount.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting system according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the reference amount is set based on the size of the target and the number of the targets. It is a gist to further include a quantity setting means.

The invention according to a tenth aspect is the sixth to ninth aspects.
In the liquid ejecting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a remaining amount calculating unit that calculates the remaining amount of the liquid based on the usage amount used for the liquid ejection after the liquid ejection to the target is completed; The gist of the present invention is to further include a remaining amount storage means for storing the remaining amount of.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a computer for causing a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting the liquid to a target, which includes a liquid container containing the liquid, detects the remaining amount of the liquid by a computer for injecting the liquid. Detecting means, judging means for judging whether or not the remaining amount of the liquid is less than or equal to a predetermined reference amount, and the usage amount of the liquid judged by the judging means that the remaining amount of the liquid is less than or equal to the reference amount. The gist is to function as a calculating means for calculating and a comparing means for comparing the remaining amount of the liquid detected by the detecting means with the usage amount required for the ejection of the liquid calculated by the calculating means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid-ejection execution program according to the eleventh aspect, the liquid-ejection device is a liquid-ejection device for ejecting a plurality of different types of liquids, and the determination means is a liquid When there are a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining amount is less than or equal to the reference amount, the gist is to cause the comparison means to compare only the liquid with the smallest remaining amount.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting execution program according to the eleventh aspect, the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a plurality of different kinds of liquids, and the judging means is a liquid ejecting apparatus. When there are a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining amount is less than or equal to the reference amount, the gist is to cause the comparison means to make a comparison in the order of the type with the smallest remaining amount of liquid.

The invention described in claim 14 relates to claims 11 to 11.
In the liquid ejection execution program according to any one of 13 above, the gist is to further cause the computer to function as a reference amount setting unit that sets the reference amount based on the target and the number of targets.

The invention as defined in claim 15 is based on claims 11 to 11.
In the liquid ejection execution program according to any one of 14 above, after the liquid ejection to the target is completed, the computer is configured to calculate the remaining amount of the liquid based on the used amount used for the liquid ejection. The gist is to further function as the amount calculation means and the remaining amount storage means for storing the remaining amount of the liquid.

(Operation) According to the invention described in claim 1, 6 or 11, the usage amount of the liquid is calculated only for the liquid having the remaining amount equal to or less than the predetermined reference amount, that is, for the liquid which easily runs out of liquid. Then, it is monitored whether the remaining amount is equal to or more than the used amount. In other words, the usage amount is not calculated for a liquid whose remaining amount of liquid is larger than the reference amount and it can be determined that the liquid will not run out during liquid ejection. Therefore, the usage amount calculated by applying a large load to the liquid ejecting apparatus is not calculated every time the liquid ejection is executed for all liquids.
The load on the liquid ejecting apparatus is reduced while determining whether or not the liquid runs out, and the processing time from the reception of the command to execute the liquid ejecting until the end of all the liquid ejecting is shortened. be able to.

According to the second, seventh or twelfth aspect of the invention, even when there are a plurality of liquids having a remaining amount equal to or less than the reference amount, the remaining amount is the smallest and the liquid is most likely to run out. Only the usage for one possible liquid is calculated. Then, it is determined whether or not the liquid runs out only for this liquid. Therefore, since the calculation of the usage amount that causes a large load on the liquid ejecting apparatus is minimized, the load on the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced and the processing time can be further shortened.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 3, 8 or 13, when there are a plurality of liquids having a remaining amount equal to or less than the reference amount,
The usage amount is calculated in the ascending order of the remaining amount, that is, in the order of the liquids in which the liquid is likely to run out (for example, when the liquid usage amount is the same), it is determined whether the liquid runs out. Therefore,
It is possible to quickly detect the liquid that is determined to run out of liquid, and to notify the liquid shortage more quickly.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, 9 or 14, the value calculated from the size of the target and the number of targets is used as the reference amount, and it is considered that the liquid will not run out. Can be obtained easily and accurately. Further, since the size of the target and the number of targets are the information obtained when the command for executing the liquid ejection from the user is received, the reference amount can be obtained earlier than the calculation of the usage amount.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, with respect to a liquid of a type used in a large amount which is considered to run out of liquid quickly (for example, cyan ink when printing an image of the sea or sky in a printer). Since the reference amount is increased and monitoring is performed from an early stage, it is possible to detect a liquid shortage quickly. Further, since the reference amount is set low for a liquid used in a small amount that is considered to be unlikely to run out of liquid and monitoring is not performed as much as possible, the load on the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced. Therefore, by changing the monitoring timing for each liquid, more appropriate monitoring is performed according to each liquid, while reducing the load on the liquid ejecting apparatus,
It is possible to detect liquid shortage quickly.

According to the tenth or fifteenth aspect of the present invention, since the remaining amount of each liquid is calculated and stored after the end of the liquid ejection, the remaining amount of each liquid is not calculated at the next liquid ejection. , Can be obtained quickly. Therefore, it is possible to further shorten the time from when the user inputs a command to execute the liquid ejection until the end of all the liquid ejections.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of a liquid ejecting system embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the printing system as the liquid ejecting system of this embodiment, the computer 11 used by the user is an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as printer) 12 as the liquid ejecting apparatus.
It is connected to the. The computer 11 includes a keyboard 14 and a mouse 15, which are operated to input characters and change settings. Further, the computer 11 is provided with a monitor 16, and the user designates a document or image to be printed or gives an instruction to execute printing to the user via the monitor 16.

On the other hand, the printer 12 is provided with a paper feed tray 17 and a paper discharge tray 18 outside and a plurality of paper feed rollers 19 inside. The paper feed roller 19 is appropriately driven by the paper feed motor 19a shown in FIG. Therefore, the printer 12 uses the target paper P
Is introduced from the paper feed tray 17, and the paper P is fed in the sub-scanning direction X.
Then, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 18.

The printer 12 also includes a carriage 20 and a platen 21 facing the carriage 20 inside.
The platen 21 is a support base that supports the paper P during printing, and the paper P conveyed by the paper feed roller 19 reaches above the platen 21 during printing. The carriage 20 is fitted to a guide shaft 22 and fixed to a timing belt 23 driven by a carriage motor 20a so that it can reciprocate in the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface).

The carriage 20 has a plurality of inks separately containing inks of cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow, dark yellow, and black (corresponding to "different kinds of liquids"). A cartridge 25 (only 1 is shown in the drawing) is mounted. Each ink cartridge 25 has a non-volatile memory (EEPRO) on its outer peripheral surface as a remaining amount storage means.
M) 25a are attached respectively. In the non-volatile memory 25a, for example, ink attribute information such as the remaining amount S of ink stored in the ink cartridge 25 and the color of the ink, the type of the cartridge, the number of attachments, and the manufacturing date. Ink cartridge information such as is stored.

Further, the carriage 20 has a recording head 30 as a liquid ejecting head on the lower surface thereof, and the recording head 30 expands the piezoelectric element 30a shown in FIG. Inject on P. Therefore, the carriage 20 ejects each color ink from the recording head 30 while moving in the main scanning direction,
Printing is performed on the paper P.

Next, the electrical configuration of this printing system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 11 includes a CPU 40 as a detection unit, a determination unit, a calculation unit, a comparison unit, and a reference amount setting unit. The CPU 40 is connected to the keyboard 14, mouse 15 and monitor 16 via a bus line 41. Further, the CPU 40 has a RAM and RO (not shown).
It is connected to M. The RAM temporarily stores information such as numerical values calculated by the CPU 40. Further, the ROM stores the usage amount (hereinafter, referred to as a calculation reference amount) used when the entire surface of the paper P is printed with one color ink,
It is stored in advance for each size of the paper P.

Further, the CPU 40 has a data storage section 42.
And the program storage unit 43. The data storage unit 42 stores document data and image data. The program storage unit 43 incorporates a printer driver program and a printing application program that are read and installed from an information recording medium (not shown). The printer driver program is a multi-valued intermediate image data (cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow, dark yellow, and black) that can process print data created based on document data, image data, and the like by the printer 12. It is a program for converting into print data composed of a digitized signal. Further, the printing application program is a program that causes the CPU 40 to perform a predetermined operation in order to obtain information necessary for printing and calculation according to a user operation. That is, the CPU 40 calculates the monitoring judgment amount R and the usage amount T of each ink according to the printing application program, or compares the monitoring judgment amount R or the usage amount T with the remaining amount S of each ink. , And whether or not it is necessary to monitor or whether or not ink is insufficient. Here, the monitoring judgment amount R is
It is the amount of ink used when printing the entire printing area with one color of ink, and is calculated for each print based on the size of the paper P to be printed and the number of printed sheets. That is, the monitoring judgment amount R
Is calculated by the product of the calculation reference amount and the number of printed sheets,
It is changed according to the size of the paper P to be printed and the number of printed sheets. The monitoring determination amount R is a reference amount of whether to perform a monitoring process (a process of determining whether ink runs out during printing) before actually printing.

The usage amount T is the ink amount calculated from the number of ejections obtained by analyzing print data and the ejection amount at that time, that is, the amount of ink required to complete the printing. .

On the other hand, the printer 12 is provided with a CPU 45 as a remaining amount calculating means, and this CPU 45 is a CPU 4 of the computer 11 via an interface I.
It is connected to 0. The CPU 45 is connected to the RAM 47 and the ROM 48 via the bus line 46. RAM4
Reference numeral 7 temporarily stores the print data received from the computer 11. A predetermined program is stored in the ROM 48, and the CPU 45 performs a predetermined operation based on the program to perform printing.

Further, the CPU 45 of the printer 12 is connected to each drive unit of the feed motor drive unit 51, the moving motor drive unit 52, and the head drive unit 53. The feed motor drive unit 51 replaces the paper feed motor 19a with the movement motor drive unit 5
2 is the carriage motor 20a, the head drive unit 53
Respectively drive the piezoelectric elements 30a.

Further, the CPU 45 of the printer 12 has a reading section 49. The reading unit 49 is configured to read the nonvolatile memory 2 when the carriage 20 is in the non-operating position.
5a. That is, the CPU 45 reads / writes data from / to the non-volatile memory 25 a via the reading unit 49 when the carriage 20 is in the inoperative position.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned printing system will be described with reference to FIG. The user is a computer 11
When it is desired to print the document or image displayed on the monitor 16, the printing application program is started via the keyboard 14 and the mouse 15. And
After starting this program, the user specifies the size of the paper P to be printed and the number of sheets to be printed and inputs a print execution command via the keyboard 14 or the mouse 15 (step S11). At this time, the data of the document or image to be printed is stored in the data storage unit 42. When the print execution command is input, the computer 11 acquires the specified document or image data from the data storage unit 42, and creates print data for one print, which is a predetermined liquid ejection, based on this data.

Then, the computer 11 calculates the monitoring judgment amount R from the size and the number of sheets of the paper P designated together with the input of the print execution command (step S12). More specifically, the CPU 40 first causes the paper P of the specified size to be printed.
The calculated reference amount in the above is read from the ROM. next,
The CPU 40 calculates the monitoring judgment amount R by multiplying the read calculation reference amount and the number of printed sheets. That is,
The CPU 40 calculates the monitoring determination amount R as a value when the entire surface of the paper P of the designated number and the designated size is printed with one color of ink. In this embodiment, the same monitoring judgment amount R is calculated for each color ink.

Next, the computer 11 uses the printer 12
Ink cartridge 25 of each color for CPU 45 of
A signal for acquiring the data of the remaining amount S of ink is transmitted from the nonvolatile memory 25a (step S13). Upon receiving this signal, the CPU 45 reads the ink information of the non-volatile memory 25a of each ink cartridge 25 via the reading unit 49 (step S14), and the data of the remaining amount S of the ink of each ink cartridge 25 is included in the ink information. Is transmitted to the CPU 40 of the computer 11.

Then, the computer 11 determines whether or not the remaining amount S of the ink of each color transmitted from the CPU 45 in the above step S14 is less than or equal to the monitoring determination amount R (step S15). That is, the computer 11 determines whether it is necessary to perform the monitoring process.

When the computer 11 determines that the remaining amount S of ink of all colors is larger than the monitoring determination amount R, that is, it is not less than the monitoring determination amount R (step S15).
In NO, the print data is converted into intermediate image data according to the printer driver program as shown in FIG. 3 (step S16).

Next, the computer 11 causes the paper P to be printed.
The time required for this printing is calculated based on the size and the number of printed sheets (step S17). Here, the time required for printing is obtained by the product of the average printing time and the number of printed sheets in the size of the paper P to be printed. Then, the computer 11 displays the calculated time required for printing on the monitor 16 (step S18). Further, the computer 11 sends the converted intermediate image data to the printer 1.
2 (step S19).

The printer 12 prints based on the intermediate image data (step S20). More specifically, the CPU 45 of the printer 12 first temporarily stores the received intermediate image data in the RAM 47. And C
The PU 45 has the ROM 4 and the temporarily stored data.
Based on the program of No. 8, a drive signal is given to each of the drive units 51 to 53, and while the carriage 20 is moved, an ink droplet of a predetermined size is ejected from a nozzle (not shown) of the recording head 30. The feed motor drive unit 51 is
Each time the recording head 30 moves in the main scanning direction, the recording head 30 is operated to convey the paper P while printing. It should be noted that the RAM 47 of the printer 12 is set to the ink cartridge 2 during printing.
The number of times each color ink of 5 is ejected from each nozzle and the ejection amount E actually ejected for each number are stored.

When printing is completed, the printer 12
The CPU 45 of the ink consumption amount W (total sum of the ejection amounts E) of the ink actually used in this printing stored in the RAM 47
Is subtracted from the remaining amount S at the start of printing to calculate the remaining amount SL of each ink (step S21). And the CPU 45
Reads the remaining amount SL of ink as a new remaining amount S, and the reading unit 4
The data is stored in the non-volatile memory 25a of the ink cartridge 25 of each color via 9 (step S22).
Next, the printer 12 sends a print end signal to the computer 11
(Step S23). As a result, the computer 11 displays on the monitor 16 that printing has been completed (step S24).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
1 determines that there is at least one ink cartridge 25 in which the ink remaining amount S is less than or equal to the monitoring determination amount R (YES in step S15), the ink remaining amount S is the monitoring determination amount R. Ink cartridge 25 judged as below
It is determined whether there are a plurality of items (step S26). When the computer 11 determines that there are a plurality of ink cartridges 25 with the remaining ink amount S equal to or less than the monitoring determination amount R (YES in step S26), it determines the order of the target ink (step S27). The target ink is the ink to be processed in the future. The order of the target inks is the order of the target inks when the process is repeated, and is determined in the order of the remaining ink amount S. For example, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 25 having the remaining ink amount S equal to or less than the monitoring determination amount R contains cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, respectively. And cyan ink, yellow ink,
When the remaining amount S is small in the order of magenta ink, the computer 11 determines that the target ink is cyan ink first, yellow ink second, and magenta ink third.

Next, the computer 11 determines the target ink to be monitored (step S28). When a plurality of inks perform the monitoring process, the target inks are determined in the order determined in step S27. That is, first, the first cyan ink is set as the target ink. When only one ink cartridge 25 has the remaining ink amount S equal to or less than the monitoring determination amount R (step S
If NO in 26, the ink contained in the ink cartridge 25 is determined as the target ink.

The computer 11 analyzes the print data for the determined target ink of the ink cartridge 25 and calculates the usage amount T of the ink (step S).
29). More specifically, the CPU 40 of the computer 11
First, the print data is analyzed to obtain the number of ejections of the target ink and the ejection amount at that time. And the CPU 40
Calculates the usage amount T of the target ink required for printing from the obtained ejection count and ejection amount.

Next, the computer 11 compares the calculated usage amount T with the remaining amount S at that time for the target ink, and determines whether the remaining amount S is equal to or more than the usage amount T (step S30). . When the computer 11 determines that the remaining amount S of the target ink is less than or equal to the usage amount T (NO in step S20), it determines that the target ink will run out of ink during printing, and the ink of that color will be used. The fact that a shortage will occur is displayed on the monitor 16 (step S3).
1). At this time, on the monitor 16 that indicates that the ink shortage occurs, a message that prompts the replacement of the ink cartridge 25 that stores the ink of that color is displayed.

Therefore, the user replaces the ink cartridge 25 of the target ink for which the replacement is prompted with the ink cartridge 25 containing the ink of the same color and the remaining amount S larger than that. When this replacement is completed, the printer 12
Sends an ink exchange end signal to the computer 11 (step S33). Upon receiving this signal, the computer 11 reads the data of the remaining amount S of the ink contained in the replaced ink cartridge 25 (step S
13), the processing after step S13 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the computer 11 determines that the remaining amount S is equal to or greater than the used amount T (YES in step S30).
Next, in S), it is determined whether or not there is target ink for which this monitoring process has not been performed (step S34). When only one ink cartridge 25 has the remaining ink amount S equal to or less than the monitoring judgment amount R (N in step S26)
In O), there are no target inks that have not been monitored. In this case, the computer 11
Performs the processing in steps S16 to S24 to complete printing.

On the other hand, when the computer 11 determines that there is a target ink that has not yet been monitored (YES in step S34), the target ink that has not yet been monitored is processed in steps S28 to S34. Repeat the monitoring process. Specifically, the computer 11
Performs monitoring processing for the yellow ink determined to be the second (steps S28 to S34), and then performs monitoring processing for magenta determined to be the third (step S).
28-S34). That is, the computer 11 repeats the monitoring process in the ascending order of the remaining amount S until there is no target ink that has not been monitored yet.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the remaining amount S of all the ink cartridges 25 is equal to or less than the monitoring determination amount R (YES in step S15), it is equal to or more than the usage amount T (step S15). (NO in S34)
The computer 11 completes printing by performing the processes of steps S16 to S24.

According to the printing system of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the present embodiment, the remaining amount S is necessary for printing only when the remaining amount S of the ink in each color ink cartridge 25 is less than or equal to the monitoring determination amount R (YES in step S15). It is monitored whether or not the usage amount is equal to or more than T, that is, whether or not printing can be performed without being cut off during printing (step S
30). That is, when the remaining amount S is equal to or larger than the monitoring determination amount R and it can be clearly determined that the ink is not exhausted during printing, the usage amount T for the ink is not calculated and printing is performed. Therefore, the usage amount T, which imposes a heavy load on the CPU 40, is not necessarily calculated for each printing of all inks. Therefore, the load on the CPU 40 of the computer 11 can be reduced, and the time from the execution of printing to the end of printing (steps S11 to S24) can be shortened.

(2) According to this embodiment, the monitoring judgment amount R
When there are a plurality of inks having the following remaining amount S (step S
In (26), the order in which the remaining amount S of the ink is the smallest is determined (step S27), and it is determined (monitoring process) whether or not the remaining amount S of the ink is equal to or more than the used amount T in this order (step S27). Step S30). That is, since the monitoring process is performed in the order of inks that are likely to run out of ink if the amount of ink used is the same, it is possible to detect ink that runs out of ink quickly, and notify the user of ink runout faster. .

(3) According to this embodiment, the monitoring judgment amount R of each color ink is calculated from the size of the paper P and the number of printed sheets which are input together with the print execution command (step S1).
2). Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately calculate, as the monitoring determination amount R, a value that is considered to be free from ink before printing. Therefore, the determination as to whether or not ink is running out can be performed more accurately, easily, and in a short time.

(4) According to this embodiment, the printer 12
Before executing, the computer 11 calculates the time required for printing (step S17) and displays it (step S18). Therefore, the user can know the print end time of the printer 12, and if the user returns to the printer 12 at the print end time even if he / she is away from the printer 12 during printing and does other things, the next time Can be continuously printed. That is, the user uses the printer 12
The printing time of can be effectively utilized.

(5) According to this embodiment, the printer 12
After the printing is completed, calculates the remaining amount S of each ink (step S21) and stores the remaining amount S in the nonvolatile memory 25a (step S22). Therefore, the computer 11
Can quickly obtain the remaining amount S of each ink from the printer 12, and can further shorten the time from the input of the print execution instruction by the user to the end of printing (steps S11 to S24).

(6) According to this embodiment, after the ink cartridge 25 is exchanged because it is determined that the ink is insufficient, the monitoring determination amount of the remaining amount S of the ink contained in the exchanged ink cartridge 25 is determined. I try to do R. Therefore, it is possible to replace an ink cartridge that has been used halfway and use it. Further, at this time, as for the ink of the replaced ink cartridge 25, if the remaining amount S is equal to or more than the monitoring determination amount R, it is determined that the ink will not run out, so that the printing can be completed quickly.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of a printing system embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. In each of the following embodiments, the same parts as those of the above-described embodiment will be described. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the monitoring process corresponding to the portion surrounded by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3 is performed only for one ink even when there are a plurality of inks with the monitoring determination amount R or less. The point is that the first
Different from the embodiment.

More specifically, when the user inputs a print execution command, the computer 11 receives the print execution command.
Calculates the monitoring judgment amount R (step S11) and acquires the remaining amount S of each ink (steps S13, 14). Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the computer 11 determines whether or not the remaining amount S of the ink of each color read from the non-volatile memory 25a is less than or equal to the monitoring determination amount R (step S1).
5). Then, when there is an ink cartridge 25 in which the remaining amount S of ink is less than or equal to the monitoring determination amount R (YES in step S15), the computer 11 determines whether or not there are a plurality of ink cartridges 25 (step S15). S26). When the computer 11 determines that there are a plurality of ink cartridges 25 whose remaining amount S of ink is less than or equal to the monitoring determination amount R (YES in step S15 and step S15).
26), the remaining amounts S of the respective color inks contained in the respective ink cartridges 25 are compared with each other, and the ink with the smallest remaining amount S is detected (step S271).

Next, the computer 11 executes step S2.
The usage amount T is calculated from the print data for the ink of the color that is determined to have the smallest remaining amount S in 71 (step S29). In this step S29, the ink in the ink cartridge 25 when the remaining ink amount S is judged to be the monitoring judgment amount R or less in the step S26 is one ink cartridge 25 from the print data. The usage amount T is calculated. Then, the computer 11 determines whether the remaining amount S is equal to or greater than the calculated usage amount T (step S30).

Next, when the computer 11 determines that the remaining amount S is less than or equal to the used amount T, that is, the ink is insufficient during printing (NO in step S30),
Similar to the first embodiment, the shortage of ink is displayed on the monitor 16 (step S31), and the processes after step S31 are performed.

On the other hand, the computer 11 judges that the ink remaining amount S is equal to or more than the used amount T (step S30).
In YES), the computer 11 performs the processes of steps S16 to S24 of FIG. 4 to complete the printing.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects (1), (3) to (6) described in the first embodiment,
The following effects can be obtained. (7) When there is a plurality of inks with the remaining amount S equal to or less than the monitoring judgment amount R (YES in step S16), the remaining amount S is 1
The ink usage amount T is calculated only for one ink which is the fewest and is most likely to run out of ink (step S1).
9). Therefore, since the calculation of the usage amount T that requires a large load on the printer 12 is minimized, the load on the printer 12 can be reduced and the printing time can be further shortened.

(Modification) The above embodiments may be modified as follows. In each of the above embodiments, a printing system may be used in which the printer 12 executes the processing performed in the computer 11. In this case, the computer 11
Can be eliminated.

In each of the above embodiments, the ink cartridge 25 is provided on the carriage 20 having the recording head 30.
The printer 12 equipped with is described. Instead of this, the printer 12 in which the ink cartridge 25 is not mounted on the carriage 20, that is, the printer which prints on the large-sized paper P to which the ink cartridge 25 is fixed may be used.

In each of the above embodiments, the monitoring judgment amount R is variable according to the size of the paper P and the number of printed sheets, but it may be set to a constant value at all times. In each of the above embodiments, the monitoring judgment amount R is a value common to the inks of the respective colors, but it may be changed for each ink. When making it variable for each ink, for example,
For a color ink having a large usage amount T (for example, cyan when printing an image of the sea or the sky), the monitoring judgment amount R is increased, and for a color that easily runs out of ink, monitoring is performed from an early stage. Ink can be detected quickly. Further, the monitoring judgment amount R can be set low for ink with a small usage amount T, and monitoring of ink that is recognized to easily run out of ink can be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, by changing the monitoring time for each color of ink, more appropriate monitoring can be performed according to the ink of each color, and the load of the printer 12 can be reduced and the ink exhaustion can be detected quickly.

In each of the above embodiments, after the printing is completed, the remaining amount S of ink is stored in the non-volatile memory 25a of the ink cartridge 25 of the printer 12 (step S22). The usage amount W may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 25a, and the remaining amount S of each ink may be calculated from the usage amount W before printing.

In each of the above embodiments, the nonvolatile memory 25a attached to each ink cartridge 25 has
Although the remaining amount S is stored, the printer 12 and the computer 1
You may make it memorize | store in 1.

In the first embodiment, when there are a plurality of inks with the remaining amount S equal to or less than the monitoring judgment amount R, the monitoring process (step S20) is performed in the ascending order of the remaining amount S. The order of performing this monitoring process is not limited to this,
For example, the user may specify according to the image data to be printed.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the printer that ejects ink (printing apparatus including a facsimile, copier, etc.) has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus, but a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid may be used. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid such as electrode materials and coloring materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL displays and surface emitting displays, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects bioorganic substances used in biochip manufacturing, and a precision pipette. It may be the sample injection device.

[0074]

According to the present invention, when the remaining amount is larger than the predetermined monitoring judgment amount and it can be determined that the liquid does not run out during the predetermined liquid ejection, the usage amount of each liquid is not calculated and the liquid runs out. No judgment is made. Therefore, since the usage amount calculated by applying a large load to the liquid ejecting apparatus is not necessarily calculated every time the liquid ejection is performed for all liquids, the load applied to the liquid ejecting apparatus is reduced and the liquid ejection execution is performed. It is possible to shorten the processing time from the reception of the command of 1 to the end of the liquid ejection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first half processing procedure of print processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the latter half of the printing processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main part of print processing according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

R Monitoring judgment amount S Remaining amount T Usage amount P Paper 11 as target 11 Computer 12 Printer as liquid ejecting apparatus 20 Carriage 25 Ink cartridge 25a as liquid container Body non-volatile memory 30 as remaining amount storing means 30 As liquid ejecting head Recording head 40 CPU as detection means, determination means, calculation means, comparison means and reference amount setting means 45 CPU as remaining amount calculation means

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A liquid ejecting method for ejecting a liquid in a liquid container from a liquid ejecting head to a target while moving a carriage equipped with the liquid ejecting head, wherein the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container is a predetermined reference. Only when the amount is less than or equal to the amount, the amount of liquid used for the predetermined liquid ejection is calculated, and it is monitored whether the calculated amount of liquid required for liquid ejection is less than or equal to the remaining amount of the liquid. A liquid ejecting method comprising: 2. The liquid monitor according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining liquid amount is equal to or less than the reference amount, the monitoring is performed only for the liquid having the smallest remaining liquid amount. The liquid ejecting method according to. 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining liquid amount is equal to or less than the reference amount, the monitoring is performed in the ascending order of the remaining liquid amount. Method. 4. The reference amount according to claim 1, wherein the reference amount can be changed based on a size of a target on which the liquid is ejected and the number of the targets. Liquid ejection method. 5. The reference amount can be set for each type of the liquid.
And a liquid ejecting method. 6. A carriage including a liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles, and a liquid container connected to the nozzles and containing a liquid, wherein the liquid is moved while moving the carriage relative to a target. In a liquid ejecting system that ejects liquid from the nozzle of the ejecting head to the target, a detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the liquid, and a determination that determines whether the remaining amount of the liquid is less than or equal to a predetermined reference amount. Means, a calculating means for calculating a usage amount necessary for a predetermined liquid ejection of the liquid whose remaining amount of the liquid is judged to be equal to or less than the reference amount by the judging means, and a liquid amount detected by the detecting means. A liquid ejecting system comprising: a comparison unit that compares the remaining amount with the usage amount calculated by the calculation unit. 7. The determining means causes the comparing means to compare only the liquid with the smallest remaining amount of the liquid containers when there are a plurality of liquid containers with the remaining liquid amount equal to or less than the reference amount. The liquid ejecting system according to claim 6, wherein. 8. The judging means, when there are a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining liquid amount is equal to or less than the reference amount, causes the comparing means to make a comparison in ascending order of the remaining liquid amount. The liquid ejecting system according to. 9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a reference amount setting unit that sets the reference amount based on the size of the target and the number of the targets. Liquid injection system. 10. A remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid based on the usage amount used for the liquid ejection after the liquid ejection to the target is completed, and a remaining amount for storing the remaining amount of the liquid. The liquid ejecting system according to claim 6, further comprising a storage unit. 11. A detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid by a computer for ejecting the liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting the liquid to a target, which comprises a liquid container containing the liquid, Determination means for determining whether or not the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined reference amount, calculation means for calculating the usage amount of the liquid determined to have the remaining amount of the liquid less than or equal to the reference amount, and A liquid ejection execution program that functions as a comparison unit that compares the remaining amount of the liquid detected by the detection unit with the usage amount required for the ejection of the liquid calculated by the calculation unit. 12. The liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a plurality of different types of liquids, and the determining means, when there are a plurality of liquid containers whose remaining liquid amount is equal to or less than the reference amount, The liquid ejection execution program according to claim 11, wherein the liquid ejection execution program causes the comparison unit to compare only the liquid having the smallest remaining amount among the liquids. 13. The liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a plurality of different types of liquids, and the determining unit is configured to: The liquid ejection execution program according to claim 11, characterized in that the liquid ejection execution program is caused to function so that the comparison means makes a comparison in the order of the type of liquid with the smallest remaining amount. 14. The computer according to claim 11, further causing the computer to function as a reference amount setting unit that sets the reference amount based on the target and the number of targets. Liquid injection execution program. 15. A remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid based on the usage amount used for the liquid ejection after completion of the liquid ejection to the target, and the remaining amount of the liquid for the computer. 12. The storage device further functions as a remaining amount storage means for storing.
15. The liquid ejection execution program according to any one of 14 to 14.