JP2005161613A - Liquid jetting apparatus and reporting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jetting apparatus and a reporting system whereby a nozzle formation face of a liquid jetting head can be surely sealed when the nozzle formation face of the liquid jetting head should be sealed, the level of customers' satisfaction is improved without degrading a printing image quality, and waste ink can be reduced. <P>SOLUTION: At the time when a power supply stop detecting means 71 detects a stop of power supply by a power supply means 40, if a carriage 5 is located within a non capping range other than a capping position for sealing the nozzle formation face of the liquid jetting head 9, a reporting means 41 provided reports that the nozzle formation face of the liquid jetting head 9 is not sealed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a recording medium, and a notification system.

  In recent years, with the diversification of printing, pigment-dispersed ink (pigment ink) is being used. In this pigment ink, a pigment is used as a pigment, and the pigment is dispersed in an ink solvent. Although this pigment ink has excellent light resistance and water resistance, the printed matter using these pigments increases the viscosity when the moisture is evaporated as shown in FIG. This increases the gradient of the recording head, and clogging at the nozzle openings of the recording head tends to occur. On the other hand, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, a capping device is provided in order to prevent the ink exposed on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head from drying and to prevent the clogging.

  In a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, although such a capping device is provided, if the power is not turned on for a long time and the maintenance operation is not performed, the viscosity of the ink increases, resulting in deterioration of the print image quality. There was a case. In this case, it is considered that clogging at the nozzle opening of the recording head is likely to occur particularly when the pigment ink as described above is used. For this reason, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, various measures are taken to prevent deterioration in print image quality. For example, conventional measures include the following.

First, while the power of the ink jet recording apparatus is turned off, the computer measures the elapsed time from the end of the cleaning operation by a timer built in the computer. Then, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the computer determines whether or not the elapsed time measured by the timer has exceeded a predetermined time that can be regarded as requiring maintenance of the recording head of the inkjet recording apparatus. When the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time in this determination, a notification that the cleaning process is necessary is displayed on the computer display by the CPU (see Patent Document 1). Such a conventional technique is applied when the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is capped by a capping device and left for a while.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-240265 (FIG. 3)

  However, for example, when the power cord is unplugged during the ejection of ink onto the recording paper, or when the carriage lock that was fixed when the inkjet recording device was transported etc. was released, Originally, when the carriage is positioned in a non-capping range other than the capping position (home position) that is the position to be capped, the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed by the capping device. It can be left unattended.

If the recording head is not capped by the capping device in this way, the ink moisture and solvent evaporate from the nozzle openings on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head, and the ink is clogged with increased viscosity at the nozzle openings. Is produced. Such clogging of the nozzle openings not only deteriorates the print image quality, but also reduces the customer satisfaction of purchasing the ink jet recording apparatus. There was a problem that caused an increase in ink.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and reliably seal the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head when the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head should be sealed. To provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and a notification system capable of improving customer satisfaction and reducing waste ink without deteriorating image quality.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid onto the recording medium and the carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted are moved relative to the recording medium. Power supply means for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head, power supply means for supplying power to the moving means and the liquid jet head, and power supply by the power supply means is stopped A power supply stop detection means for detecting this, a position detection means for detecting the position of the carriage, and when the power supply stop detection means detects a stop of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage Nozzle of the liquid jet head when located in a non-capping range other than the capping position for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head Forming surface by a liquid-jet apparatus characterized by comprising an informing means for informing that it is not sealed, it is achieved.
According to the above configuration, the power supply stop detection unit detects that the power supply has stopped, for example, when the operator of the liquid ejecting apparatus has pulled out the power cord while ejecting the liquid onto the recording medium. Then, first, the position of the carriage is detected by the position detection means. Then, when it is detected that the carriage is located in a non-capping range other than the capping position, the notifying unit confirms that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed by the capping unit, for example, The operator of the injection device can be notified and recognized.
By responding to the operator thus recognized, when the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is supposed to be sealed, the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is surely sealed by the capping unit. be able to. For this reason, the progress of evaporation of liquid moisture and solvent from the nozzle opening on the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is prevented, and the viscosity of the liquid does not increase at the nozzle opening, so that the nozzle opening is not clogged. be able to. As described above, this liquid ejecting apparatus does not cause clogging of the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration of print image quality and improve customer satisfaction. In this case, the liquid ejecting apparatus can reduce the amount of waste ink generated due to the maintenance because the liquid is not clogged at the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that the need for maintenance is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid onto the recording medium and the carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted are moved relative to the recording medium. And a capping unit that seals a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head, a power supply unit that supplies power to the moving unit and the liquid ejecting head, and power supply by the power supply unit is started. A power supply start detection means for detecting this, a position detection means for detecting the position of the carriage, and when the power supply start detection means detects the start of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage Nozzle of the liquid jet head when located in a non-capping range other than the capping position for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head Forming surface by a liquid-jet apparatus characterized by comprising an informing means for informing that it is not sealed, it is achieved.
According to the above configuration, for example, when the supply of power is detected by the power supply start detection unit after the carriage that has been fixed when the liquid ejecting apparatus is transported is unlocked, for example. First, the position of the carriage is detected by the position detection means. Then, when it is detected that the carriage is located in a non-capping range other than the capping position, the notifying unit confirms that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed by the capping unit, for example, The operator of the injection device can be notified and recognized.
By responding to the operator thus recognized, when the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is supposed to be sealed, the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is surely sealed by the capping unit. be able to. For this reason, the progress of evaporation of liquid moisture and solvent from the nozzle opening on the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is prevented, and the viscosity of the liquid does not increase at the nozzle opening, so that the nozzle opening is not clogged. be able to. As described above, this liquid ejecting apparatus does not cause clogging of the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration of print image quality and improve customer satisfaction. In this case, the liquid ejecting apparatus can reduce the amount of waste ink generated due to the maintenance because the liquid is not clogged at the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that the need for maintenance is reduced.

A third invention is characterized in that, in the structure of either the first invention or the second invention, the liquid is a pigment-dispersed ink.
According to the above configuration, the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is sealed even when a pigment dispersion type ink as an example of a liquid whose viscosity is increased by increasing the pigment concentration to obtain good color development. When it should be stopped, it prevents the water and solvent evaporation of the pigment-dispersed ink from evaporating from the nozzle opening on the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head, and the viscosity of the ink does not increase at the nozzle opening. It is possible to prevent clogging from being caused by the ink of the mold. Since the nozzle openings are not clogged in this way, it is possible to prevent deterioration in print image quality and improve customer satisfaction. In this case, the liquid ejecting apparatus can prevent the waste ink generated by the maintenance from increasing even when the pigment dispersion type ink in the nozzle opening is maintained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto the recording medium and the movement that moves the carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted relative to the recording medium. Power supply means for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head, power supply means for supplying power to the moving means and the liquid jet head, and power supply by the power supply means is stopped A power supply stop detection means for detecting this, a position detection means for detecting the position of the carriage, and a transmission means for transmitting carriage position information relating to the position of the carriage; When the receiving means for receiving and the power supply stop detection means detect the stop of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage An informing means for informing that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed when positioned in a non-capping range other than a capping position for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head; And an electronic device that issues an instruction to drive the liquid ejecting apparatus.
According to the above configuration, the power supply stop detection unit detects that the power supply has stopped, such as when the operator of the electronic device unplugs the power cord while ejecting the liquid onto the recording medium. First, the position of the carriage is detected by the position detection means. Then, when it is detected that the carriage is located in a non-capping range other than the capping position, the notifying unit confirms that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed by the capping unit, for example, An operator of the device can be notified and recognized.
By responding to the operator thus recognized, when the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is supposed to be sealed, the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is surely sealed by the capping unit. be able to. For this reason, the progress of evaporation of liquid moisture and solvent from the nozzle opening on the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is prevented, and the viscosity of the liquid does not increase at the nozzle opening, so that the nozzle opening is not clogged. be able to. As described above, this liquid ejecting apparatus does not cause clogging of the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration of print image quality and improve customer satisfaction. In this case, the liquid ejecting apparatus can reduce the amount of waste ink generated due to the maintenance because the liquid is not clogged at the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that the need for maintenance is reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid onto the recording medium and the movement that moves the carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted relative to the recording medium. And a capping unit that seals a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head, a power supply unit that supplies power to the moving unit and the liquid ejecting head, and power supply by the power supply unit is started. A power supply start detecting means for detecting this, a position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage, and a transmission means for transmitting carriage position information relating to the position of the carriage, and the carriage position information When the receiving means for receiving and the power supply start detecting means detect the start of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage An informing means for informing that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed when positioned in a non-capping range other than a capping position for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head; And an electronic device that gives an instruction to drive the liquid ejecting apparatus.
According to the above configuration, for example, when the supply of power is detected by the power supply start detection unit after the carriage that has been fixed when the liquid ejecting apparatus is transported is unlocked, for example. First, the position of the carriage is detected by the position detection means. Then, when it is detected that the carriage is located in a non-capping range other than the capping position, the notifying unit confirms that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed by the capping unit, for example, The operator of the injection device can be notified and recognized.
By responding to the operator thus recognized, when the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is supposed to be sealed, the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is surely sealed by the capping unit. be able to. For this reason, the progress of evaporation of liquid moisture and solvent from the nozzle opening on the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is prevented, and the viscosity of the liquid does not increase at the nozzle opening, so that the nozzle opening is not clogged. be able to. As described above, this liquid ejecting apparatus does not cause clogging of the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration of print image quality and improve customer satisfaction. In this case, the liquid ejecting apparatus can reduce the amount of waste ink generated due to the maintenance because the liquid is not clogged at the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, so that the need for maintenance is reduced.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The embodiment described below is a preferred specific example of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a notification system 100 as a first embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated, the notification system 100 has a configuration in which an inkjet recording apparatus 1 as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus is electrically connected to a computer 28 as an example of an electronic device by a cable 51. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 is configured to record ink on the recording paper P based on print data in accordance with a print instruction from the computer 28. As this ink, for example, a pigment dispersion type ink (hereinafter referred to as “pigment ink”) can be employed. Needless to say, other types of ink may be employed as the ink.

  The computer 28 includes a main body 37 and a display 41, and the main body 37 is connected to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 by a cable 51 in addition to the display 41. The display 41 is a display unit having a function of displaying characters and figures under the control of the main body 37. The main body 37 is configured to issue print data and a print instruction to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 via the cable 51.

  The inkjet recording apparatus 1 ejects ink as an example of a liquid from a recording head while a recording head as an example of a liquid ejecting head (not shown) moves relative to the recording paper P, thereby ejecting the ink to the recording paper P. Has the function of recording. The recording head is configured to be sealed by a capping device at a home position, for example. When sealed by the capping device, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is cleaned.

  When the notification system 100 detects that the recording head has stopped in an area other than the home position, for example, when the power cord 53 is pulled out while the recording head of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is operating, the notification system 100 will be described later. Thus, the computer 28 has a function of notifying that the nozzle formation surface of the recording head is not sealed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the notification system 100 including the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a control device 30, which includes a power supply unit 40, a control unit 31, a flushing control unit 32, a head drive unit 33, a cleaning control unit 34, a pump drive unit 35, a carriage control unit 36, and the like. A linear encoder 42 is provided, and a battery (not shown) is preferably provided. This battery is for supplying power to the linear encoder 42 and the like for a certain time even when the power is suddenly turned off.

  The power supply unit 40 is configured to supply power to the pump drive unit 35, the cleaning control unit 34, the carriage control unit 36, the linear encoder 42, the flushing control unit 32, the head drive unit 33, and the control unit 31. . The power supply unit 40 is provided with a power cord 53, and the power cord 53 is connected to a predetermined power outlet (not shown). The control unit 31 outputs print data from the computer 28 to the head driving unit 33. The head driving unit 33 outputs a driving signal to the recording head 9 based on the bitmap data and the like, and the recording head 9 is driven in accordance with this driving signal and ink is ejected from the predetermined nozzle opening 12.

  The flushing control unit 32 outputs a flushing command signal to the head driving unit 33 based on a signal from the control unit 31. The head driving means 33 drives the recording head 9 based on the flushing command signal to execute the flushing operation. The flushing operation is performed at regular intervals, repairing unevenness of the shape (meniscus) of the ink surface in the ink holes 12, discharging and discharging mixed color ink flowing back from the nozzle openings 12, and discharging ink droplets during printing This is performed for the purpose of preventing clogging due to thickening of ink in the nozzle opening 12 having a small amount.

  The cleaning control unit 34 drives and controls the pump driving unit 35 by outputting a cleaning command signal to the pump driving unit 35 when the cleaning process is executed. The pump driving means 35 drives the suction pump 14 based on the cleaning command signal to make the internal space of the cap 13 negative during the cleaning process. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a power switch DSW connected to the control unit 31, and when the power switch DSW is input, the cleaning process is automatically executed even when a predetermined set time has elapsed since the previous cleaning process.

  In this cleaning process, when the nozzle opening is sealed, the internal space of the cap is forced to a negative pressure by a suction pump to forcibly suck and discharge ink in the nozzle opening, and after the suction discharge, a nozzle (not shown) is shown by a wiping member (not shown). This is the process of wiping the plate. By such a cleaning process, clogging of the nozzle opening of the recording head, for example, bubbles mixed into the ink flow path is eliminated.

  The carriage control unit 36 outputs a motor drive signal to the carriage motor 6 based on a carriage command signal from the control unit 31, the flushing control unit 32, or the cleaning control unit 34, and the carriage motor 6 is driven in accordance with the motor drive signal. As a result, the carriage 5 is moved to a predetermined position. The carriage control unit 36 that has received a carriage command signal based on the print data received by the control unit 31 from the computer 28 drives the carriage motor 6 so that the carriage 5 scans in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording paper 8. To print.

  The computer 28 includes a main body 37, and the main body 37 includes a CPU 38 and a memory 39. The memory 39 stores a printer driver 39a including a program for driving and controlling the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and a program for executing a notification to be described later in detail. The CPU 38 is connected to the control means 31 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and controls the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to a printer driver stored in the memory 39.

  The linear encoder 42 has a function of detecting the position of the carriage 5 on which the recording head 9 is mounted. The carriage 5 is provided with a timing belt for moving the carriage 5, and this timing belt is provided with a lattice that is finely arranged. The linear encoder 42 detects the position of the carriage 5 by emitting light to these finely arranged lattices, counting the number of obstructed lattices, and grasping the amount of movement of the timing belt.

What is characteristic in the first embodiment of the present invention is that the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes the following printer driver 39a.
FIG. 3 is a software configuration diagram illustrating an example of functions of the printer driver 39a illustrated in FIG.
The printer driver 39 a includes a power supply stop detection unit 71, a carriage position detection instruction unit 73, a carriage position comparison unit 75, and a notification instruction unit 77.

  The power supply stop detection unit 71 has a function of detecting that the power supply by the power supply unit 40 has been stopped by detecting the output voltage of the power supply unit 40 shown in FIG. When the power supply stop detection unit 71 in FIG. 3 detects that the power supply by the power supply unit 40 has been stopped, the power supply stop detection unit 71 indicates to the carriage position detection instructing unit 73 that the power supply has been stopped. Give instructions. The carriage position detection instruction unit 73 has a function of giving an instruction to detect the position of the carriage 5. Specifically, when receiving a power supply stop instruction from the power supply stop detection unit 71, the carriage position detection instruction unit 73 first drives a battery (not shown in FIG. 2). As described above, this battery supplies power to the linear encoder 42 shown in FIG. The linear encoder 42 and the like detect the position of the carriage 5 based on the position detection instruction from the carriage position detection instruction unit 73 while receiving power from the battery. At this time, the carriage position detection instructing unit 73 recognizes that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 should be sealed when receiving a power supply stop instruction from the power supply presentation detecting unit 71. To do. The carriage position detection instruction unit 73 has a function of instructing the linear encoder 42 shown in FIG. 2 to detect the position of the carriage 5.

  The carriage position comparison unit 75 has a function of comparing the preset home position of the carriage 5 with the actual position of the carriage 5 detected by the linear encoder 42. The carriage position comparison unit 75 determines that the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5 of the carriage 5 is sealed when the home position of the carriage 5 and the actually detected position of the carriage 5 match. On the other hand, the carriage position detection instruction unit 73 determines that the carriage 5 does not exist at the home position when the two positions do not match, and determines that the carriage 5 is not sealed.

  The notification instructing unit 77 instructs to notify that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 9 is not sealed when the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 9 should originally be sealed at the home position. It has a function. The notification instruction unit 77 may be configured to notify visually and / or audibly, for example. As a method for visually informing, the operator of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is operated by displaying, for example, “the power is turned off without being normally terminated when the power is turned off last time”. You may make it recognize a person. On the other hand, as a method of performing auditory notification, for example, voice output is performed to the operator of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 such as “the power is not turned off normally when the power is turned off last time”. Thus, the operator may be made to recognize. That is, a warning is given in this notification process.

The notification system 100 has the above-described configuration. Next, an example of the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
<When the inkjet recording apparatus is turned on>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the notification system 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, steps ST1 to ST4 show an example procedure on the ink jet recording apparatus side, and steps ST11 to ST16 show an example procedure on the computer side.

  In step ST1, the power switch DSW is operated in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, and power supply is started. Here, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 notifies the computer 28 that the power of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 has been turned on. Here, in step ST11, the computer 28 side in FIG. 2 detects that the power source of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 has been turned on by a notification from the ink jet recording apparatus 1.

  Next, in step ST2 of FIG. 4, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 starts an initialization operation. Next, in step ST3, the linear encoder 42 shown in FIG. 2 detects the position of the carriage 5 as described above according to the instruction of the carriage position detection instruction unit 73 shown in FIG. 3, and the carriage position information related to the position of the carriage 5 is acquired. Is done. Next, in step ST4, the acquired carriage position information is transmitted from the inkjet recording apparatus 1 side to the computer 28 side.

  Next, in step ST <b> 12, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 receives carriage position information from the computer 28. Next, in step ST13, first, the carriage position comparison unit 75 shown in FIG. 3 determines whether or not the carriage 5 shown in FIG. 2 should be positioned at the home position. If it is not necessary to be in the home position, the process proceeds to step ST15 and ends. If it is to be positioned in the home position, the process proceeds to step ST14. Here, the case where the carriage 5 does not have to be positioned at the home position is, for example, a case where ink is being recorded on the recording paper P by the recording head 9. On the other hand, the case where the carriage 5 should be positioned at the home position is a case where the power source of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is turned off, for example, during conveyance of the ink jet recording apparatus 1.

  Here, for example, if the operator of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 forcibly turns off the power as in the case where the power cord 53 is pulled out, the carriage 5 on which the recording head 9 is mounted stops in an area other than the home position. May end up. In such a state, at first glance, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 9 is left unsealed. Therefore, first, in step ST14 shown in FIG. 4, the carriage position comparison unit 75 shown in FIG. 3 compares the actual position of the carriage 5 with the position of the home position.

If the actual position of the carriage 5 matches the position of the home position, the process proceeds to step ST15 and ends. If not, the process proceeds to step ST16. In step ST16, the computer 28 performs notification processing visually or audibly as described above.
As a specific visual notification, for example, the display 41 of the computer 28 connected to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is sealed even though the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 9 should be sealed. It can be mentioned that there is no indication. On the other hand, as specific auditory notification, for example, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can output a sound like a buzzer.

<When the inkjet recording apparatus is powered off>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the notification system 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, steps ST21 to ST25 show an example procedure on the ink jet recording apparatus side, and steps ST31 to ST35 show an example procedure on the computer side.

  In step ST21, the power switch 52 in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is operated by an operator to turn off the power, for example, and the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is turned off from the ink jet recording apparatus 1 to the computer 28. Notify that it has been done. On the other hand, in step ST31, the power supply of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is stopped, and the power-off is detected.

  Next, in step ST22, the carriage 5 is moved to the home position in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of FIG. Next, in step ST23, the operation of fixing the carriage 5 is activated. When the fixing operation of the carriage 5 is completed, in step ST24, a “normally off” command indicating that the power is normally turned off is transmitted from the ink jet recording apparatus 1 to the computer 28, for example. Next, in step ST25, the power supply by the power supply unit 40 is stopped in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of FIG.

  Next, in step ST32, the computer 28 waits for reception of the “normally off” command. Next, in step ST33, it is determined whether the inkjet recording apparatus 1 has received a “normally off” command. If the command is received, the process proceeds to step ST35. If the command is not received, the process proceeds to step ST34. In step ST34, notification processing similar to the notification processing in step ST16 shown in FIG. 4 described above is performed.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 ejects ink onto the recording paper P, the operator unplugs the power cord 53 and the power supply of the ink jet recording apparatus 1a is stopped. In the case of the jamming, the operator can be informed that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is not sealed, and the operator can be made to recognize and deal with it. For this reason, the notification system 100 can surely seal the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 9 when the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 9 should be sealed, thereby deteriorating the print image quality. Therefore, it is possible to improve customer satisfaction and reduce waste ink.

  In addition, even when the above pigment ink, in which the viscosity is increased by increasing the pigment concentration to obtain good color development, is used as the ink, when the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 9 should be sealed, It is possible to prevent the water and solvent of the pigment ink from evaporating from the nozzle openings on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 9 and prevent the ink from becoming clogged with the pigment ink because the viscosity of the ink does not increase at the nozzle openings. it can. Since the nozzle openings are not clogged in this way, it is possible to prevent deterioration in print image quality and improve customer satisfaction. In this case, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can prevent the waste ink generated by the maintenance from increasing even when the pigment ink in the nozzle opening is maintained.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a liquid ejecting apparatus as a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus 1a shown in FIG. is there.
In the ink jet recording apparatus 1a of FIG. 6 as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, portions having the same reference numerals as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 in the notification system 100 as the first embodiment in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the same configuration will be omitted by using the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5, and different points will be mainly described.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment is different from the ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that a notification unit 51 is provided outside the ink jet recording apparatus 1a. The notification unit 51 is a unit for performing notification by the notification process in the first embodiment described above, and has a function of performing visual and / or auditory notification as described above. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 1a is different from the ink jet recording apparatus 1 in the first embodiment in that it is a so-called stand-alone form not connected to the computer 28.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 7, the computer 28 electrically connected to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 does not exist. Instead, as shown in FIG. It is characteristic that is present. The control program 99 is a program that controls the control means 31 for operations related to the notification process, for example. The notification unit 51 performs a notification process on the operator of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 a under the control of the control unit 31.

FIG. 8 is a software configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the control program 99 shown in FIG.
Since the control program 99 shown in FIG. 8 has substantially the same configuration as the printer driver 39a shown in FIG. 3 described above, the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof is omitted. explain.
A characteristic of the control program 99 shown in FIG. 8 is that a power supply start detection unit 72 shown in FIG. 8 is provided instead of the power supply stop detection unit 71 provided in the printer driver 39a shown in FIG. It is a point. For example, the power supply start detection unit 72 detects that the power supply voltage output from the power supply unit 40 in FIG. 7 exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the power supply by the power supply unit 40 illustrated in FIG. 7 has started. It has a function to detect. When the power supply start detection unit 72 detects that the power supply by the power supply unit 40 has been started, the power supply start detection unit 72 notifies the carriage position detection instruction unit 73 that power supply has been started.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ink jet recording apparatus 1a as the second embodiment of the present invention.
First, in step ST51, the power supply of the ink jet recording apparatus 1a is turned on. Specifically, in the ink jet recording apparatus 1a, the power cord 53 shown in FIG. 7 is inserted into an outlet (not shown) and power supply to the power supply unit 40 is started, and the power switch DSW is operated. Next, in step ST52, an initialization operation is started in the inkjet recording apparatus 1a.

  Next, in step ST53, the position of the carriage 5 is detected. Specifically, the carriage position detection instruction unit 73 shown in FIG. 8 controls the linear encoder 42 shown in FIG. 7 to detect the position of the carriage 5. Next, in step ST54, the carriage position comparison unit 75 shown in FIG. 8 determines whether or not the carriage 5 is located at the home position. If it is determined that it is at the home position, the process proceeds to step ST55, and in step ST55, a print instruction waiting process is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not located at the home position, the process proceeds to step ST56, and in step ST56, the above-described notification process is performed.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, substantially the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be exhibited, and the power supply is started not only when the power supply of the ink jet recording apparatus 1a is stopped. Even in this case, it is possible to make the operator recognize that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 9 was originally not sealed although it had to be sealed.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a notification system 100a as the third embodiment of the present invention.
In this notification system 100a, since the location which attached | subjected the code | symbol same as the notification system 100 as 1st Embodiment in FIGS. 1-5 is substantially the same structure, the same structure is a code | symbol same as FIGS. The description will be omitted with reference to different points.
In the third embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiments in which it is previously known whether or not the computer 28 is connected to the inkjet recording apparatus 1, whether or not the computer 28 is connected on the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and 1a side. The point of judging is different.

  The notification system 100a according to the third embodiment is different from the notification system 100 according to the first embodiment in that a connection determination unit 43 is provided. The connection determination unit 43 has a function of determining whether or not the computer 28 is connected to the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Specifically, the connection determination unit 43 controls the control unit 31 to determine whether or not the computer 28 is connected to the control unit 31.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the notification system 100 as the third embodiment of the present invention.
In step ST61, the power supply of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 10 is turned on. Specifically, when the power cord 53 is plugged into an outlet (not shown) and the power supply unit 40 is supplied with power, the power switch DSW is operated by the operator.

  Next, in step ST62, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 determines whether it is connected to the computer 28 or not. Specifically, for example, the connection determination unit 43 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in FIG. 10 detects a return signal returned by sending a predetermined signal from the control unit 31 to the computer 28, thereby detecting the signal control unit 31. It is determined whether or not the computer 28 is connected. If the computer 28 is connected, the process proceeds to step ST64. In this step ST64, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 performs display including a warning on the display 41 of the computer 28, for example.

  On the other hand, if the computer 28 is not connected, the process proceeds to step ST63. In step ST63, it is determined whether or not the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a display unit. If the display means is not provided, the process proceeds to step ST65, and in step ST65, for example, a warning display process by blinking of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is performed. On the other hand, if the display means is provided, the process proceeds to step ST66, and in step ST66, for example, the notification process for giving a warning to the display means is performed. In step ST67, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 enters a print instruction wait state, which is a process for waiting for print data.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to achieve substantially the same effect as the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and in addition, whether the computer 28 is connected to the inkjet recording apparatus 1. When the connection is established, the display 41 of the computer 28 is used, and when the connection is not established, the notification means 51 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1a is automatically used to perform the switching. The operator of the apparatus 1 can be notified that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 9 has not been sealed when it should be sealed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, a part of each configuration of the above embodiment can be omitted, or can be arbitrarily combined so as to be different from the above.

The system configuration figure showing the example of composition of the information system as a 1st embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the electrical structural example of an alerting | reporting system. FIG. 3 is a software configuration diagram illustrating an example of functions of a printer driver. The flowchart which shows the operation example of the alerting | reporting system shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the operation example of the alerting | reporting system shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows an example of the external appearance of the liquid-jet apparatus as 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration example of the ink jet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6. The software block diagram which shows the structural example of the control program shown in FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of an ink jet recording apparatus as a second embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the alerting | reporting system as 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation example of the alerting | reporting system as 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the gradient of the viscosity increase at the time of the water | moisture content evaporation of an ink.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet recording apparatus, 1a ... Inkjet recording apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus), 9 ... Recording head (liquid ejecting head), 13 ... Cap (capping means), 39a ... Printer driver ( (Notification means), 40... Power supply unit (power supply means), 41... Display (notification means), 42... Linear encoder (position detection means), 51. Power supply cord 71 ... Power supply stop detection unit (power supply stop detection unit) 72 ... Power supply start detection unit (power supply start detection unit) 73 ... Carriage position detection instruction unit (position detection unit) ), 99 ... Control program

Claims (5)

A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a recording medium;
Moving means for moving a carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted relative to the recording medium;
Capping means for sealing a nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head;
Power supply means for supplying power to the moving means and the liquid jet head;
Power supply stop detection means for detecting that power supply by the power supply means is stopped;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage;
When the power supply stop detection means detects the stop of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage is positioned in a non-capping range other than the capping position for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the liquid jet head. And a notifying means for notifying that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head is not sealed. A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a recording medium;
Moving means for moving a carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted relative to the recording medium;
Capping means for sealing a nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head;
Power supply means for supplying power to the moving means and the liquid jet head;
Power supply start detection means for detecting that power supply by the power supply means is started;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage;
When the power supply start detection means detects the start of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage is located in a non-capping range other than the capping position for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the liquid jet head. And a notifying means for notifying that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head is not sealed.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is a pigment-dispersed ink. A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a recording medium;
Moving means for moving a carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted relative to the recording medium;
Capping means for sealing a nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head;
Power supply means for supplying power to the moving means and the liquid jet head;
Power supply stop detection means for detecting that power supply by the power supply means is stopped;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting carriage position information related to the position of the carriage;
Receiving means for receiving the carriage position information;
When the power supply stop detection means detects the stop of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage is positioned in a non-capping range other than the capping position for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the liquid jet head. An informing means for informing that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed, and an electronic device for instructing to drive the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A notification system comprising: A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a recording medium;
Moving means for moving a carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is mounted relative to the recording medium;
Capping means for sealing a nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head;
Power supply means for supplying power to the moving means and the liquid jet head;
Power supply start detection means for detecting that power supply by the power supply means is started;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting carriage position information related to the position of the carriage;
Receiving means for receiving the carriage position information;
When the power supply start detection means detects the start of power supply by the power supply means, the carriage is located in a non-capping range other than the capping position for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the liquid jet head. An informing means for informing that the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head is not sealed, and an electronic device for instructing to drive the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A notification system comprising:

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