JP2007090539A - Inkjet recording device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording device which permits the appropriate maintenance of a recording head even if time information acquired by the inkjet recording device is not accurate, and a method of controlling the same. <P>SOLUTION: In the inkjet recording device, when an image data source specification information comparison means judges that image data source specification information already acquired differs from image data source specification information acquired anew, an ink sucking means sucks ink and image data source time information is stored as an ink sucking implementation time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that inputs image data from an image data source such as an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera and records the data on a recording medium, and a control method thereof.

  In recent years, digital cameras (imaging devices) that can take an image with a simple operation and convert it into digital image data have been widely used. When an image photographed by such a camera is printed and used as a photograph, usually the photographed digital image data is once taken into the PC (computer) from the digital camera. Then, after image processing is performed on this PC, printing is generally performed from this PC to a color printer.

  On the other hand, recently, a color print system has been developed that can transfer digital image data from a digital camera directly to a color printer and perform printing without using a PC.

  By the way, if the state in which the recording head of the ink jet recording apparatus is not used continues for a certain time or more, it is necessary to perform maintenance processing such as a suction operation and an ink discharge operation on the recording head.

According to print time information received together with print information from the host device, it is known to perform an optimal print head maintenance process without performing an excessive ink suction operation or an excessive ink discharge operation (for example, Patent Document 1). This conventional technique uses a PC (computer) as a host device, but can also be used as an imaging device such as a digital camera as a host device.
JP 2004-042422 A

  However, an imaging device such as a digital camera is greatly different from a PC (computer). In the PC (computer), the time information of the main body that is the source of the time information is set at the time of shipment, and in recent years via a network. The time information can be acquired. Therefore, it is relatively accurate. However, in an imaging device such as a digital camera, the time information of the imaging device is input when the user uses it for the first time from the cost and device side, and thereafter there is no means for updating the time information. Therefore, there is a problem that time information in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera lacks accuracy.

  In addition, as seen from the ink jet recording apparatus side, there is usually one PC (computer) connected, but there are a wide variety of imaging devices such as digital cameras, digital cameras, mobile phones with cameras, etc. Often, a plurality are connected. Then, as described above, there is a problem that accuracy is further lacked when the user inputs the time information.

  Therefore, since the time information acquired by the ink jet recording apparatus is not accurate, there is a problem that the optimum recording head maintenance process cannot be appropriately executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and a control method therefor that can appropriately perform a recording head maintenance process even if time information acquired by the ink jet recording apparatus is not accurate. .

According to the present invention, an ink suction unit sucks ink when the image data source specifying information comparing unit determines that the already acquired image data source specifying information and the newly acquired image data source specifying information are different from each other. It is a recording device. In addition, the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus that stores image data source time information as ink suction execution time.

According to the present invention, when the image data source specifying information comparison unit determines that the data sources are different, the ink suction unit performs ink suction, so that the recording head maintenance process can be performed appropriately. There is an effect.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an internal configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus PR1 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The ink jet recording apparatus PR1 includes a carriage motor M1 that is a driving source, a carriage 2 on which the ink jet recording head 3 is mounted, and a transmission mechanism 4 that reciprocates the carriage 2 in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow A by the carriage motor M1. . Further, the ink jet recording apparatus PR1 includes a paper feeding mechanism (paper feeding mechanism) 5 that conveys (paper feeding) recording paper P that is a recording medium, and a recovery device 10 that performs recovery processing of the recording head 3.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the recovery device 10 including the recovery means in the ink jet recording apparatus PR1, as viewed obliquely from above.

  The recording paper P is fed into the main body of the recording apparatus PR 1 by the paper feeding mechanism 5, and predetermined recording is performed by the recording head 3. The recording head 3 is detachably attached to the carriage 2, and a cartridge type ink tank (hereinafter also referred to as “ink cartridge”) 6 is detachably attached to the recording head 3. The ink stored in the ink tank 6 is supplied to the recording head 3. The recording head 3 and the ink tank 6 constitute an ink jet cartridge.

  As will be described later, in the recording head 3, a plurality of corresponding ejection port arrays are formed for each of a plurality of types of ink to be ejected, and ink is supplied from a plurality of ink tanks 6 that individually accommodate these types of ink. Is supplied.

  The carriage 2 and the recording head 3 achieve and maintain the required electrical connection when the joint surfaces of their opposing members are in proper contact. The recording head 3 selectively ejects ink from a plurality of ejection ports and records an image on the recording paper P by applying a pulse voltage corresponding to the recording signal. The recording head 3 is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal transducer for generating the thermal energy.

  That is, film boiling occurs in the ink due to the thermal energy generated from the electrothermal transducer, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port using the pressure change caused by the growth and contraction of bubbles in the ink. The electrothermal transducer is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection ports, and by applying a pulse voltage to the electrothermal transducer corresponding to the recording signal, ink is ejected from the ejection port corresponding to the electrothermal transducer. Is discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 2 is connected to a part of the drive belt 7 of the transmission mechanism 4 that transmits the driving force of the carriage motor M <b> 1, and in the main scanning direction of the arrow A along the guide shaft 13. It is guided to move freely. The carriage 2 reciprocates along the guide shaft 13 by forward rotation and reverse rotation of the carriage motor M1. The scale 8 is a scale indicating the absolute position of the arrow A of the carriage 2 in the main scanning direction. The scale 8 is a transparent PET film printed with a black bar with a predetermined pitch. One end of the scale 8 is fixed to the chassis 9 and the other end is supported by a leaf spring (not shown). Has been.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus PR1, a platen (not shown) is provided so that the discharge port of the recording head 3 faces the formed discharge port surface. Then, the carriage 2 on which the recording head 3 is mounted is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the driving force of the carriage motor M1. At the same time, the recording is performed in the width direction of the recording paper P as a recording medium conveyed on the platen by ejecting ink from the recording head 3 based on the recording signal.

  The transport roller 14 is driven by a transport motor M2 to transport the recording paper P. The pinch roller 15 presses the recording paper P against the transport roller 14 by a spring (not shown). The pinch roller holder 16 supports the pinch roller 15 rotatably. The transport roller gear 17 is fixed to one end of the transport roller 14, and the transport roller 14 is driven by the rotational force of the transport motor M <b> 2 transmitted to the transport roller gear 17.

  An image is recorded on the recording paper P by the recording head 3, and the recording paper P is discharged out of the recording apparatus PR 1 by the discharge roller 19. The discharge roller 19 is driven by the rotation of the transport motor M2 transmitted through a discharge roller gear (not shown). The spur roller 21 presses the recording paper P against the discharge roller 19 by a biasing force of a spring (not shown). The spur holder 22 supports the spur roller 21 rotatably.

  In addition, in the ink jet recording apparatus PR1, in order to maintain the discharge state of the recording head 3 well outside the range in which the carriage 2 on which the recording head 3 is mounted reciprocates for the recording operation (outside the recording area). A recovery device 10 that performs recovery processing is disposed. The arrangement position of the recovery device 10 is set to a desired position outside the recording area, for example, a position corresponding to the home position of the carriage 2 and the recording head 3.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the capping unit 11 in the inkjet recording apparatus PR1 and the recording head 3 in a form corresponding thereto.

  The recovery device 10 includes a capping unit 11 for capping the ejection port surface of the recording head 3 driven by the driving force transmitted from the recovery motor M3 with a cap, and a wiping unit 12 for cleaning the ejection port surface of the recording head 3. And are provided. In conjunction with the capping of the ejection port surface by the capping unit 11, the suction unit (suction pump or the like) (not shown in FIG. 1) in the recovery device 10 uses the suction force to make ink that does not contribute to image recording. Is forcibly sucked and discharged from the discharge port into the cap. By such ink suction and discharge, it is possible to perform suction recovery processing for removing thickened ink, bubbles, and the like in the ink flow path of the recording head 3.

  By ejecting ink that does not contribute to image recording from the ejection port (hereinafter also referred to as “preliminary ejection”) into the cap of the capping unit 11, the ink ejection state of the recording head 3 can be kept good. A discharge recovery process (preliminary discharge process) can be performed.

  Further, when the capping unit 11 capping the ejection port surface of the recording head 3 during a non-recording operation or the like, the recording head 3 can be protected and ink can be prevented from drying. The wiping unit 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the capping unit 11 and wipes ink drops adhering to the ejection port surface of the recording head 3.

  The ink ejection state of the recording head 3 can be maintained well by the capping unit 11, the recovery unit for the suction recovery process and the discharge recovery process (preliminary discharge process) using the capping unit 11, and the wiping unit 12.

  In FIG. 3, a plurality of discharge ports (hereinafter also referred to as “black ink discharge ports”) 54 constitute nozzles for discharging black ink (Bk ink). A plurality of discharge ports (hereinafter also referred to as “color ink discharge ports”) 55 constitute nozzles for discharging color ink (magenta ink, cyan ink, yellow ink). The cap 35 constitutes the capping unit 11 and can cap the ejection port surface of the recording head 3. The cap 35 includes a cap 35a corresponding to the black ink discharge port 54 and a cap 35b corresponding to the color ink discharge port 55, and can suck ink separately.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control means 100 for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus PR1.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an EEPROM 104, an I / F 105, various sensors 106, a motor driver 107, and a carriage (CR) motor control unit 108. The control unit 100 also includes a line feed (LF) motor control unit 109, an auto sheet feed (ASF) motor control unit 110, a recovery (PG) motor control unit 111, and a recording head control unit 112.

  The CPU 101 is a control device, which creates print data of the ink jet recording apparatus PR1, motor drive for print control, print head discharge control, analysis of commands transferred from the host device, various controls by input from the panel, etc. Do.

  The RAM 102 stores a control program. The ROM 103 stores a printer control program, and stores printer control software, various data, and the like. Control software stored in the ROM 103 is executed as a program read by the CPU 101. Various data may be used as an initial value as it is, or may be developed in the RAM 102 and processed by the CPU 101.

  The EEPROM 104 stores printer information, stores ink suction execution time information and image data source identification information according to the first embodiment, and also stores a setting state of the printer, the number of printed sheets, an ink remaining amount, and the like. Function items such as automatic power ON / OFF and drying mode are stored as information indicating the setting state of the printer.

  The “ink suction execution time information” is information indicating the ink suction execution time when ink is sucked by the ink suction means.

  The I / F 105 receives image data from a host device such as a host PC or an image data source, and the received image data is read by the CPU 101 and developed as image data on the RAM 102. The I / F 105 is capable of bidirectional communication with a host device such as a USB or a wireless device.

  The various sensors 106 are sensors for detecting environmental temperature, head temperature, presence / absence of paper, and the like.

  The carriage (CR) motor control unit 108 controls the carriage motor M1 shown in FIG. 1, and scans the print head in the main scanning direction for printing. A line feed (LF) motor control unit 109 controls the conveyance motor M2 shown in FIG. 1, scans the paper in the sub-scanning direction, and moves the print medium.

  An auto sheet feed (ASF) motor control unit 110 is used to feed print media one by one and move the print media to a printable position. The recovery (PG) motor control unit 111 controls the recovery motor M3 shown in FIG. 1 to perform the recovery operation of the print head. The motor driver 107 is a motor driver that drives the above four motors, and each motor can operate independently. The recording head control unit 112 performs ejection control of the recording head 3 shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus PR1 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus PR1.

  That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, when an image is recorded based on the image data received from the image data source, it is stored in an internal clock built in the image data source prior to the operation of receiving the image data. Get time information. And it is a flowchart of the operation | movement which determines whether an ink suction process is performed based on acquisition of time information.

  That is, when printing execution is instructed from the camera to the printer, the image data source stored in the built-in clock built in the image data source is used to acquire time information of the camera (image data source) at that time. Get time information.

  In S1, the image data source specifying information stored in the EEPROM 104 shown in FIG. 4 is read. The “image data source specifying information” is information for specifying an image data source, such as a vendor name, a model name, and a serial number.

  If the image data source identification information has been acquired, the process proceeds to S2, and if the image data source identification information is not acquired or the acquired data is invalid data, the process proceeds to S5. The case where “the image data source identification information is not acquired” is a case where the image data source identification information is not attached when the time information is received by another communication method.

  In S2, the image data source specifying information stored in the EEPROM 104 acquired in S1 is compared with the newly acquired image data source specifying information. If they match each other, the process proceeds to S3. If they do not match, the process goes to S5. Transition. The “newly acquired image data source specifying information” is information acquired when the camera is connected to a printer, for example.

  In S3, the elapsed suction time is acquired based on the difference between the ink suction execution time information stored in the EEPROM 104 and the newly acquired data source time information, and the process proceeds to S4. The “newly acquired data source time information” is ideally the current time, but it is unknown whether it is set as ideal, so the model is determined.

  In S4, the elapsed suction time acquired in S3 is compared with a predetermined threshold. If the acquired elapsed suction time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that suction is necessary, and the process proceeds to S5. If the acquired suction elapsed time is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that suction is unnecessary, and the suction determination process ends.

  In S5, since it is determined that suction is necessary based on the results of S1, S2, and S4, suction by the suction means is executed.

  In S6, since the suction unit has been executed in S5, the newly acquired data source time information is stored in the EEPROM 104 as ink suction execution time information. That is, the time information acquired from the camera (image data source) is stored as the time when ink suction is executed.

  The above embodiment can be grasped as a program invention.

In other words, in the above-described embodiment, an ink suction procedure for sucking a predetermined amount of ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head, and ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head. Prior to an ink discharge procedure for discharging a predetermined amount, an ink suction execution time information storage procedure for storing ink suction execution time information when ink is sucked in the ink suction procedure, and an operation for receiving image data from an image data source. An image data source time information acquisition procedure for acquiring image data source time information stored in a built-in timer included in the image data source, and image data source specifying information that is information for specifying the image data source Image data source identification information acquisition procedure to be acquired, the image data source time information acquired from the image data source, and the image data source Image data source specific information storage procedure for storing constant information, a suction elapsed time calculation procedure for calculating a suction elapsed time that is a difference between the ink suction execution time information and the image data source time information, and the already acquired The image data source identification information comparing procedure for comparing the image data source identification information with the newly acquired image data source identification information, and the image data source identification information comparison procedure determining that both data sources are the same. In this case, if the suction elapsed time calculated by the suction elapsed time calculation procedure has passed a predetermined time, the ink is sucked by the ink suction procedure and the image data source time information is stored as the ink suction execution time. On the other hand, if the two data sources are different from each other, the ink is sucked by the ink suction procedure when judged by the image data source specifying information comparison procedure. The image data source time information, an example of a program for executing a control procedure stored as ink suction execution time to the ink jet recording apparatus.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an internal configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus PR1 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. It is the typical perspective view which looked at the recovery apparatus 10 containing the recovery means in the inkjet recording device PR1 from diagonally upward. It is a schematic perspective view of the capping unit 11 in the inkjet recording apparatus PR1 and a recording head of a form corresponding to this. It is a block diagram which shows the control means 100 which controls the inkjet recording device PR1. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of inkjet recording device PR1.

Explanation of symbols

PR1 ... inkjet recording apparatus,
3 ... Recording head,
10 ... recovery device,
11 ... capping means,
12 ... Wiping means,
35 ... Cap,
100 ... control means,
101 ... CPU,
106 ... sensor part,
107: Motor driver,
112: A recording head control unit.

Claims (5)

In an inkjet recording apparatus that records an image based on image data received from an image data source,
An ink suction means for sucking a predetermined amount of ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head;
An ink ejection means for ejecting a predetermined amount of ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head;
Ink suction execution time information storage means for storing ink suction execution time information when ink is sucked by the ink suction means;
Image data source time information acquisition means for acquiring image data source time information stored in a built-in timer built in the image data source prior to an operation of receiving image data from the image data source;
Image data source specifying information acquisition means for acquiring image data source specifying information which is information for specifying an image data source;
Image data source identification information storage means for storing the image data source time information acquired from the image data source and the image data source identification information;
A suction elapsed time calculating means for calculating a suction elapsed time which is a difference between the ink suction execution time information and the image data source time information;
Image data source identification information comparing means for comparing the already acquired image data source identification information with the newly acquired image data source identification information;
If the image data source specifying information comparing means determines that the two data sources are the same as each other, and if the suction elapsed time calculated by the suction elapsed time calculating means exceeds a predetermined time, the ink suction means Sucks ink and stores the image data source time information as the ink suction execution time. On the other hand, when the image data source specifying information comparing means determines that the two data sources are different from each other, the ink suction means Control means for sucking ink and storing the image data source time information as ink suction execution time;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
The ink suction execution time information storage means is a non-volatile memory that stores the ink suction execution time information,
The ink-jet printing apparatus, wherein the image data source specifying information storage means is a non-volatile memory that stores the image data source time information acquired from the image data source. In claim 1 or claim 2,
When it is determined that the image data source identification information is not attached to the already acquired time information or the received data is invalid, the ink suction means sucks ink and the data source time information is changed to ink. An ink jet printing apparatus that stores the suction time. In a control method of an ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image based on image data received from an image data source,
An ink suction step for sucking a predetermined amount of ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head;
An ink ejection step for ejecting a predetermined amount of ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head;
An ink suction execution time information storage step for storing ink suction execution time information when ink is sucked in the ink suction step;
An image data source time information acquisition step of acquiring the image data source time information stored in a built-in timer built in the image data source, prior to an operation of receiving image data from the image data source;
An image data source specifying information acquisition step of acquiring image data source specifying information which is information for specifying an image data source;
An image data source specifying information storing step for storing the image data source time information acquired from the image data source and the image data source specifying information;
A suction elapsed time calculating step of calculating a suction elapsed time which is a difference between the ink suction execution time information and the image data source time information;
An image data source specifying information comparing step for comparing the already acquired image data source specifying information with the newly acquired image data source specifying information;
If it is determined in the image data source specifying information comparison step that the two data sources are the same, the ink suction step if the suction elapsed time calculated in the suction elapsed time calculation step has passed a predetermined time. And the image data source time information is stored as the ink suction execution time. On the other hand, if the two data sources are different from each other, if the image data source specifying information comparing step determines, the ink suction step A control step of sucking ink and storing the image data source time information as an ink suction execution time;
A method for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: An ink suction procedure for sucking a predetermined amount of ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head;
An ink ejection procedure for ejecting a predetermined amount of ink from the ejection port of the recording head for maintenance of the recording head;
An ink suction execution time information storage procedure for storing ink suction execution time information when ink is sucked in the ink suction procedure;
An image data source time information acquisition procedure for acquiring image data source time information stored in a built-in timer built in the image data source prior to an operation of receiving image data from the image data source;
An image data source specifying information acquisition procedure for acquiring image data source specifying information which is information for specifying an image data source;
An image data source specifying information storing procedure for storing the image data source time information acquired from the image data source and the image data source specifying information;
A suction elapsed time calculation procedure for calculating a suction elapsed time which is a difference between the ink suction execution time information and the image data source time information;
An image data source identification information comparison procedure for comparing the already acquired image data source identification information with the newly acquired image data source identification information;
If it is determined in the image data source specifying information comparison procedure that the two data sources are the same as each other, and if the suction elapsed time calculated in the suction elapsed time calculation procedure exceeds a predetermined time, the ink suction procedure And the image data source time information is stored as the ink suction execution time. On the other hand, if the two data sources are different from each other, the image data source specifying information comparison procedure determines that the ink suction procedure is performed. And a control procedure for storing the image data source time information as an ink suction execution time, while sucking ink at
A program for causing an inkjet recording apparatus to execute.

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