JP2009056741A - Printer and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out inspection of whether or not a fluid is ejected from a nozzle before printing to a target information that sets its own machine, by a smaller consumption amount of the fluid. <P>SOLUTION: At the time of printing of a paper information recording pattern 90 that is the information related to setting of its own machine to a recording paper S drawn out from a roll 95, part of nozzles (nozzle numbers n=21-261) among all of nozzles 23 of a printing head 24 including a nozzle used for printing of the paper information recording pattern 90 are set as inspection object nozzles. Before printing of the paper information recording pattern 90, inspection of the inspection object nozzles is carried out. Nozzle inspection of nozzles of a part which includes the nozzle used for printing of the paper information recording pattern 90 in stead of all the nozzles is carried out before the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed to the recording paper S drawn out from the roll 95. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a control method thereof.

Conventionally, as a printing apparatus, after printing on a roll paper as a printing medium, the remaining amount information of the roll paper, paper type information, etc. are printed with a barcode, and once removed and then attached again, A device that obtains remaining amount information and paper type information by reading a barcode with a barcode reader is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-15642 A

  However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to a state where ink cannot be ejected, such as nozzle clogging, when printing a barcode. In some cases, it was not possible to print the portion that should be printed with that nozzle. In addition, when printing a pattern that corrects the landing position of ink when printing while moving the carriage equipped with the print head, the ink cannot be ejected and the correction pattern is printed more correctly. There was a case that could not be. In these cases, it is conceivable to inspect whether ink is ejected from the nozzles before printing. However, ink is consumed when inspecting by ejecting ink.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and checks whether or not fluid is ejected from a nozzle before printing information for setting the device itself on a target with less fluid consumption. It is a main object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a control method thereof that can be performed.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
Discharge means capable of discharging fluid from a plurality of nozzles to a target;
Nozzle inspection means for performing nozzle inspection for inspecting whether or not the fluid is discharged from the nozzle;
Inspection for setting a part of the plurality of nozzles as inspection target nozzles to be subjected to the nozzle inspection, including nozzles used for printing the setting information, which is information relating to the setting of the own machine, to the target Target nozzle setting means;
Control means for controlling the nozzle inspection means so that a nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle is performed before printing the setting information on the target;
It is equipped with.

  In this printing apparatus, some nozzles among a plurality of nozzles are set as inspection target nozzles to be subjected to nozzle inspection, including nozzles used for printing on the target of setting information, which is information related to the settings of the own machine. Before the setting information is printed on the target, the nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle is performed. As described above, before printing the setting information on the target, a nozzle inspection is performed on some of the nozzles including the nozzles used for printing the setting information instead of all the nozzles. Accordingly, it is possible to check whether or not the fluid is discharged from the nozzle before printing the information for setting the own device on the target with a smaller amount of fluid consumption.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads reading information represented by a graphic pattern included in the setting information printed on the target, and the inspection target nozzle setting unit applies the reading information to the target. A part of the plurality of nozzles including all of the nozzles used for printing may be set as the inspection target nozzle. In this way, it is possible to print the read information in a more readable state. At this time, the inspection target nozzle setting unit is used to print the display information on the target when the setting information including the display information recognizable by visual recognition and the read information is printed on the target. All the nozzles used for printing the read information on the target may be set as the inspection target nozzles without setting all the nozzles to be inspected as the inspection target nozzles. In this way, it is possible to reliably perform reading by setting the nozzle used for printing the reading information necessary for the nozzle inspection as the object of the nozzle inspection, while the display information not necessarily requiring the nozzle inspection is displayed. Inspecting whether or not fluid is ejected from nozzles compared to those in which nozzles used for printing display information are subject to inspection by not using nozzles used for printing as targets for nozzle inspection Can be performed in a shorter time and with less fluid consumption. Here, the “display information” includes text.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the setting information may be information indicating the remaining amount of roll paper as the target. In this case, the roll paper often records the remaining amount on the roll paper itself, and the significance of applying the present invention is high. At this time, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention including the reading unit, the control unit sets the reading unit so that the setting information printed on the roll paper is read when the roll paper is attached to the apparatus. It is also possible to control and set the own device based on the read setting information. Here, “set own device” means, for example, that information on the remaining amount is stored in a memory so that the user can be notified when the remaining amount of roll paper is insufficient, or the type of roll paper For example, setting a fluid suitable for printing as a fluid used for printing.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the setting information may be a pattern for adjusting a landing position of a fluid when the ejection unit performs printing while moving in a direction along the surface of the target. In this way, a pattern for adjusting the landing position of the fluid can be reliably printed. Here, the pattern for adjusting the landing position of the fluid when printing is performed while the ejection unit moves in the direction along the paper surface of the target is the pattern in which the ejection unit reciprocates in the direction along the paper surface of the target. It is good also as a pattern which adjusts the landing position of the fluid in the outward path | route at the time of performing, and a return path | route. By doing so, it is possible to reliably print a pattern for adjusting the landing position of the fluid in the forward path and the return path. Alternatively, the ejection unit has a plurality of nozzle rows, and the ejection unit adjusts the landing position of the fluid when printing is performed while moving in the direction along the paper surface of the target. A pattern for adjusting the landing position of the fluid between the plurality of nozzle rows included in the ejection unit when printing is performed while moving in one direction along the paper surface. In this way, it is possible to reliably print a pattern for adjusting the landing position of the fluid between the plurality of nozzle rows included in the ejection unit when printing is performed while moving in one direction. At this time, in the printing apparatus of the present invention provided with the reading means, the control means controls the reading means so that the printed pattern is read after printing the pattern for adjusting the landing position of the fluid, The own device may be set based on the read pattern. Here, “setting the own device” includes, for example, adjusting the landing position of the fluid in the own device.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the inspection target nozzle setting unit may set a part of nozzles of the nozzle row used most recently as the inspection target nozzle among the plurality of nozzles. Since the most recently used nozzles often do not need to be cleaned before printing, it is possible to perform nozzle inspection of nozzles used when printing setting information more smoothly using this nozzle. . In this case, the printing apparatus includes storage means for individually storing photo black ink, which is ink for photographic paper, and mat black ink for paper other than photographic paper, and the plurality of nozzles eject the photo black ink. And a matte black nozzle that discharges the matte black ink, and the inspection target nozzle setting unit includes the photoblack nozzle row and the nozzle row as a part of the most recently used nozzle row. Some nozzles of any nozzle row used most recently in the mat black nozzle row may be set as the inspection target nozzles. In this way, when two types of black ink corresponding to the paper can be used, the nozzle inspection of the nozzles used when printing the setting information more smoothly can be performed. For example, in the case of including a reading unit, when black is used, it is easy to read by this reading unit.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a cleaning unit that performs cleaning of the nozzle, and the control unit controls the inspection unit to perform nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle, and then discharges the fluid. If there is a nozzle that has not been cleaned, the cleaning means may be controlled so that cleaning of the nozzle is executed. In this way, when there is a nozzle from which no fluid is ejected, the fluid can be ejected by performing cleaning.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the control unit controls the nozzle inspection unit so that nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle is performed, and all of the inspection target nozzles can discharge fluid. , Or after cleaning the inspection target nozzle by the cleaning means, or cleaning the inspection target nozzle by the cleaning means, and all of the inspection target nozzles can eject fluid. After confirming this, the ejection unit may be controlled so that the setting information is printed on the target.

The control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A control method by computer software of a printing apparatus provided with discharge means capable of discharging fluid from a plurality of nozzles to a target,
(A) Whether or not the fluid is ejected from the nozzles of some of the plurality of nozzles, including nozzles used for printing the setting information, which is information relating to the settings of the own device, to the target. A step of setting as an inspection target nozzle which is a target of nozzle inspection to be inspected;
(B) performing a nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle before printing the setting information on the target;
Is included.

  In this control method, whether or not fluid is ejected from some nozzles of a plurality of nozzles, including nozzles used for printing on the target of setting information, which is information related to the settings of the own machine, is checked. This is set as the inspection target nozzle that is the target of the nozzle inspection to be performed, and the nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle is performed before the setting information is printed on the target. As described above, before printing the setting information on the target, a nozzle inspection is performed on some of the nozzles including the nozzles used for printing the setting information instead of all the nozzles. Accordingly, it is possible to check whether or not the fluid is discharged from the nozzle before printing the information for setting the own device on the target with a smaller amount of fluid consumption. In this control method, steps for realizing the functions of the printing apparatus described above may be added. Moreover, it is good also as a program for making 1 or several computer perform the control method mentioned above.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a large-format printer (hereinafter referred to as LFP) 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a print head 24, and FIG. 4 is a print head inspection. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a device 50. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the LFP 20 of the present embodiment has a printer mechanism 21 including a print head 24 and a carriage 22, a barcode reader 80 attached to the carriage, and a paper feed driven by a drive motor 33. A paper feed mechanism 31 that feeds the recording paper S that includes the roller 35 and is drawn out from the roll 95 in the transport direction, a cap device 40 formed near the right end of the platen 44 in FIG. 1, and a flushing region 42 on the platen 44. A print head inspection apparatus 50 that performs nozzle inspection as to whether ink droplets are ejected from the print head 24 that is formed adjacent to the print head 24 and a controller 70 that controls the entire LFP 20 are provided.

  The printer mechanism 21 includes a carriage 22 that reciprocates left and right along a guide 28 by a carriage belt 32 and a carriage motor 34, and mounted on the carriage 22, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), photo An ink cartridge 26 that individually accommodates ink of each color of black (Pk) and matte black (Mk), a print head 24 that applies pressure to each ink supplied from each ink cartridge 26, and pressurization by the print head 24 A nozzle 23 serving as an emission hole for discharging the ink droplets onto the recording paper S and a platen 44 serving as a support member for supporting the recording paper S during printing are provided. A linear encoder 25 that detects the position of the carriage 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the carriage 22, and the position of the carriage 22 can be managed using the linear encoder 25. Although not shown, the ink cartridge 26 includes cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), photo black (Pk), and matte black (Mk) containing a dye or pigment as a colorant in water as a solvent. The container is configured as a container for storing ink used for printing, and is detachably mounted on the carriage 22. Further, a flushing region 42 is formed at the left end of the platen 44 outside the printable region. The flushing region 42 is used when performing a so-called flushing operation in which ink droplets are ejected at a regular or predetermined timing regardless of print data in order to prevent ink from drying and solidifying at the tip of the nozzle 23. Used. Photo black Pk ink is ink for photographic paper, and mat black (Mk) is ink for paper other than photographic paper.

  Here, since many components (such as the carriage 22) of the printer mechanism 21 are well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and the print head 24 highly relevant to the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 24 has a plurality of nozzles 23 that eject inks of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), photo black (Pk), and matte black (Mk). Are arranged. Here, all nozzles are collectively referred to as nozzles 23, all nozzle rows are collectively referred to as nozzle rows 43, cyan nozzles and nozzle rows are nozzles 23C and 43C, magenta nozzles and nozzle rows are nozzles 23M. The nozzle row 43M, the yellow nozzle and the nozzle row are called the nozzle 23Y and the nozzle row 43Y, the photo black nozzle and the nozzle row are called the nozzle 23Pk and the nozzle row 43Pk, and the matte black nozzle and the nozzle row are called the nozzle 23Mk and the nozzle row 43Mk. . In addition, each nozzle row is arranged in a staggered manner with a half pitch shifted. Here, a description will be given using the nozzle 23Mk. In the print head 24, 360 nozzles 23Mk are arranged along the conveyance direction of the recording paper S to form a nozzle row 43Mk. The nozzle 23Mk is provided with a piezoelectric element 48 as a drive element for ejecting ink droplets. By applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element 48, the piezoelectric element 48 is deformed to pressurize and eject ink from the nozzle 23Mk. To do.

  The print head 24 includes a plurality of mask circuits 47 provided corresponding to the plurality of piezoelectric elements 48 that respectively drive the nozzles 23Mk. The original signal ODRV and the print signal PRTn generated by the controller 70 are input to the mask circuit 47. Note that n at the end of the print signal PRTn is a number for specifying the nozzles included in the nozzle row. In this embodiment, since the nozzle row is composed of 360 nozzles, n is any one of 1 to 360. It becomes a numerical value. This original signal ODRV has a first pulse P1, a second pulse P2, a third pulse P3, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 2, within a period of one pixel (within the time during which the carriage 22 crosses the interval of one pixel). It consists of three drive waveforms. In the present embodiment, the original signal ODRV having these three drive waveforms as a repeating unit is referred to as one segment. When the original signal ODRV and the print signal PRTn are input, the mask circuit 47 transmits a necessary pulse among the first pulse P1, the second pulse P2, and the third pulse P3 based on these signals to the drive signal DRVn (n Is the same as n of the print signal PRTn) and is output toward the piezoelectric element 48 of the nozzle 23Mk. Specifically, when only the first pulse P1 is output from the mask circuit 47 to the piezoelectric element 48, one shot of ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 23Mk, and a small size dot (small dot) is formed on the recording paper S. It is formed. When the first pulse P1 and the second pulse P2 are output to the piezoelectric element 48, two shots of ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 23Mk, and medium-sized dots (medium dots) are formed on the recording paper S. The When the first pulse P1, the second pulse P2, and the third pulse P3 are output to the piezoelectric element 48, three shots of ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 23Mk, and a large size dot (large size) is printed on the recording paper S. Dot) is formed. As described above, in the LFP 20, it is possible to form dots of three types of sizes by adjusting the amount of ink ejected in one pixel section. The nozzles 23C, 23M, 23Y, 23Pk of the other colors and the nozzle rows 43C, 43M, 43Y, 23Pk are the same as the nozzles 23Mk and the nozzle rows 43Mk. Here, the print head 24 employs a method in which the piezoelectric element 48 is deformed to pressurize the ink, but the ink is generated by bubbles generated by heating the ink by applying a voltage to a heating resistor (for example, a heater). You may employ | adopt the system which pressurizes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the barcode reader 80 includes a light source 81 and an optical sensor 82 and is mounted on the lower portion of the carriage 22. The bar code reader 80 irradiates the recording paper S conveyed by the paper feeding mechanism 31 with light from the light source 81 and receives the reflected light by the optical sensor 82 as the carriage 22 scans. The printed barcode is read. Here, a paper information recording pattern 90 including a first pattern and a second pattern, which will be described later, which can be read by the barcode reader 80 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper information recording pattern 90 is obtained by rotating a text 91 indicating information about the roll 95 by letters and numbers and a U-character indicating the presence or absence of the paper information recording pattern 90 by 90 degrees. The first pattern 92 which is the figure and the second pattern 93 in which the paper information is expressed as a so-called bar code are included. The first pattern 92 represents that the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed. The LFP 20 recognizes that the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed by scanning the two portions where the pattern is filled by scanning with the barcode reader 80 in the position and direction of the arrow A in the figure. Can do. The second pattern is composed of 30 blocks b1 to b30, which are read by the barcode reader 80 in the position and direction of the arrow B in the figure, and are expressed as binary values by the difference in the gap between these blocks. Data. More specifically, the paper type is represented by 4 bits of the blocks b1 to b4, the remaining amount of the roll 95 is represented by 23 bits of the blocks b5 to b27, and whether the remaining amount is small by 3 bits of the blocks b28 to b30. The remaining amount warning is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the print head inspection apparatus 50 includes an inspection box 51 in which ink droplets flying from the nozzles 23 of the print head 24 can land, an ink receiving area 52 provided in the inspection box 51, and an ink receiver. A voltage application circuit 53 that applies a voltage between the area 52 and the print head 24 and a voltage detection circuit 54 that detects a voltage generated in the ink receiving area 52 are provided. The inspection box 51 is a housing that is provided at a position off the left side from the printable area of the platen 44 and is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with an upper portion opened. The ink receiving area 52 is provided in the inspection box 51 and has an upper ink absorber 55 on which ink droplets directly land, and a lower side that absorbs ink droplets that have permeated downward after landing on the upper ink absorber 55. The ink absorber 56 is configured by a mesh-like electrode member 57 disposed between the upper ink absorber 55 and the lower ink absorber 56. The upper ink absorber 55 is made of a conductive sponge so as to have the same potential as the electrode member 57. This sponge is highly permeable so that the landed ink droplets can move down quickly, and here, an ester urethane sponge (trade name: Everlite SK-E, manufactured by Bridgestone Corporation) is used. Yes. The ink receiving area 52 corresponds to the surface of the upper ink absorber 55. The lower ink absorber 56 has higher ink retention than the upper ink absorber 55 and is made of a nonwoven fabric such as felt. Here, the nonwoven fabric (trade names: Kinocloth, Oji Kinocross Co., Ltd.) Made). The electrode member 57 is formed as a grid-like mesh made of a metal made of stainless steel (for example, SUS). For this reason, the ink once absorbed by the upper ink absorber 55 is absorbed and held by the lower ink absorber 56 through the gap between the grid-like electrode members 57. The length of the ink receiving area 52 in the transport direction is designed to be longer than the nozzle row 43. Note that the upper ink absorber 55 and the lower ink absorber 56 may be omitted.

  The voltage application circuit 53 is electrically connected via a direct current power source (for example, 400 V) and a resistance element (for example, 1 MΩ) so that the electrode member 57 is a positive electrode and the print head 24 is a negative electrode. Here, since the electrode member 57 is in contact with the conductive upper ink absorber 55, the surface of the upper ink absorber 55, that is, the ink receiving area 52 also has the same potential as the electrode member 57. The voltage application circuit 53 includes a switch SW for opening and closing the circuit. The switch SW is turned on when a head inspection routine described later is executed, but is turned off in other cases. The voltage detection circuit 54 is connected so as to detect the voltage of the electrode member 57 equated with the voltage of the ink receiving area 52, integrates and outputs the voltage signal of the electrode member 57, and the integration circuit 54a. And an A / D conversion circuit 54c for A / D converting the signal output from the inverting amplification circuit 54b and outputting it to the controller. . The integration circuit 54a outputs a large voltage change by integrating the voltage change due to the flight / landing of a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle 23 because the voltage change due to the flight / landing of one ink droplet is small. To do. The inverting amplifier circuit 54b inverts the sign of the voltage change and amplifies and outputs the signal output from the integrating circuit at a predetermined amplification factor determined by the circuit configuration. The A / D conversion circuit 54 c converts the analog signal output from the inverting amplification circuit 54 b into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the controller 70.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cap device 40 is used when sealing the nozzles 23 in order to prevent the nozzles 23 from being dried during a printing pause or the like. The cap device 40 is operated so as to cover the nozzle formation surface of the print head 24 when the print head 24 moves together with the carriage 22 to the right end (referred to as a home position). The cap device 40 is connected to a suction pump (not shown). For example, when the ink clogging of the nozzle is detected by the print head inspection device 50, a negative pressure of the suction pump is applied to the nozzle formation surface of the print head 24 sealed by the cap device 40 as necessary. The ink clogged from the nozzle 23 is sucked and discharged. The suctioned and discharged waste ink is stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown). Components such as the cap device 40, the carriage 22, and the platen 44 are grounded to the ground via the mechanical frame 16 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 70 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 72, and includes a flash ROM 73 that stores various processing programs, and a RAM 74 that temporarily stores data and stores data. An interface (I / F) 79 for exchanging information with an external device, and an input / output port (not shown) are provided. The flash ROM 73 stores processing programs such as a main routine and a head inspection routine which will be described later. The RAM 74 is provided with a print buffer area, and print data sent from the user PC 10 via the interface (I / F) 79 is stored in the print buffer. A voltage signal output from the voltage detection circuit 54 of the print head inspection apparatus 50, a position signal from the linear encoder 25, and the like are input to the controller 70 via an input port. The controller 70 outputs a control signal to the print head inspection device 50, a drive signal to the print head 24, a drive signal to the drive motor 33, a signal to the cap device 40, and the like via an output port. The flash ROM 73 further includes, for example, information on the roll 95 and information on the barcode when the information on the roll 95 such as the paper type and the remaining amount is represented by a barcode (second pattern) included in a paper information recording pattern 90 described later. A correspondence relationship with the width, interval, and the like, and a pattern (first pattern) indicating that the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed are stored.

  The LFP 20 of the present embodiment configured in this way has a function of recording by printing a roll paper information recording pattern, which will be described later, representing information about the roll 95 when the roll 95 is removed, on the roll 95 itself. .

  Next, the operation of the LFP 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, when the roll 95 is set by the user on the own machine, the LFP 20 moves the barcode reader to a position for reading the first pattern included in the previously described paper information recording pattern 90 of the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95. Move 80. Then, light is emitted from the light source 81 while the recording paper S is transported in the transport direction by the paper feed mechanism 31, and the reflected light is detected by the optical sensor 82 to determine whether the first pattern 92 described above is printed. To do. When the first pattern is printed, the recording paper S is returned to the position where the second pattern is read. Thereafter, the second pattern is read by the barcode reader 80 while moving the carriage 22 in the main scanning direction, and the paper type, remaining amount, and remaining amount of the roll 95 are determined based on the correspondence stored in the flash ROM 73 from the read information. The information is converted into information such as a quantity warning and stored in the RAM 74. For example, the paper type information of the roll 95 stored in the RAM 74 is used to set the ink to be used. The remaining amount is used to determine whether or not the remaining amount of the roll 95 is insufficient, for example, to inform the user that the remaining amount of the roll 95 is insufficient and printing is not possible. . On the other hand, when the first pattern is not printed, it is determined that the roll is a new roll 95, the recording paper S is returned to a predetermined cueing position for starting printing, and a message is displayed on a display (not shown), for example. The user is prompted to input information regarding the role 95.

  When the setting of the roll 95 is completed in this way, the CPU 72 executes the main routine. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the flash ROM 73, and is executed by the CPU 72 at a predetermined timing (for example, every several msec) after the LFP 20 is turned on, in addition to immediately after the roll 95 is set. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first determines whether or not it is a printing timing (step S100). Here, the determination is made when the print data received from the user PC 10 is received or whether it is the predetermined print timing of the paper information recording pattern 90. The printing timing of the paper information recording pattern 90 includes a power button (not shown) when the user instructs the start of preparation for removing the roll 95 by pressing a removal button (not shown) or after printing the received print data and before printing. Or when a power-off instruction is input. In the following description, it is assumed that the time when the unillustrated removal button and power button are pressed is the printing timing of the roll paper information recording pattern. If it is determined in step S100 that it is not the printing timing, this routine is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S100 that the print timing is reached, it is determined whether the print timing of the normal print data received from the user PC or the print timing of the paper information recording pattern 90 (step S110). Here, when the unillustrated removal button or power button is pressed, it is determined that the printing timing of the paper information recording pattern 90 is reached. When it is determined that the print timing of normal print data is reached, all the nozzles 23 are set as inspection target nozzles to be inspected for nozzle inspection (step S120), and a head inspection routine is executed (step S160).

  Here, the head inspection routine will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, this routine is a process including a nozzle inspection process for inspecting whether or not an inspection target nozzle arranged in the print head 24 is clogged, and is stored in the flash ROM 73. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 turns on the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 (step S300). Then, the carriage motor 34 is driven to move the carriage 22 so that the nozzle row 43 to be inspected out of the nozzle rows 43 of the print head 24 faces a predetermined inspection position (step S310), and the main in FIG. The charged ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 23 through the mask circuit 47 and the piezoelectric element 48 (see FIG. 2) of the inspection target nozzle set in step S120 of the routine (step S320). Here, the nozzle 23 to be inspected is set to discharge from the nozzle 23 with the smallest nozzle number n included in the nozzle row 43 at the start of inspection. The voltage of the ink receiving area 52 changes until the negatively charged ink droplets fly from one nozzle 23 and land on the ink receiving area 52, and the voltage detection circuit 54 detects this change. Here, when this experiment was actually performed, the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit 54 appeared as a sine curve. Although the principle of obtaining such a sine curve is not clear, it is considered that the induced current flows due to electrostatic induction as the charged ink droplet approaches the ink receiving area 52. Next, the CPU 72 determines whether the amplitude of the signal waveform detected by the voltage detection circuit 54, that is, the output level is equal to or higher than the threshold value Vthr (step S330). The threshold value Vthr is set so that the output level (peak value) of the output signal waveform when 24 shots of ink are normally ejected is exceeded, and when 24 shots of ink are not ejected normally. The value is determined empirically so as not to be exceeded by noise or the like. In addition, 24 shots of ink droplets are ejected by performing an operation of outputting all of the first to third pulses P1, P2, and P3 of one segment representing the drive waveform eight times. In addition, since the integration value is obtained by ink droplets for 24 shots, a sufficiently large output waveform can be obtained from the voltage detection circuit 54. Note that the direction of the amplitude of the signal output from the voltage detection circuit 54 is reversed because it passes through the inverting amplification circuit 54b.

  When the output level is less than the threshold value Vthr in step S330, the CPU 72 considers that the current nozzle 23 is abnormal, such as clogging, and identifies the nozzle 23 (for example, what number in which nozzle row) Information indicating whether the nozzle is present) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 74 (step S340). After step S340 or when the output level is equal to or higher than the threshold value Vthr in step S330 (that is, when the current nozzle 23 is normal), all the nozzles 23 of the inspection target nozzles included in the nozzle row 43 currently being inspected are inspected. (Step S350), and if there is an uninspected nozzle 23 among the nozzles to be inspected in the currently inspected nozzle row, the nozzle 23 to be inspected is updated to an uninspected nozzle ( Step S360), and then the processing of steps S310 to S360 is performed again. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S350 that all the nozzles 23 of the inspection target nozzles included in the nozzle row currently being inspected have been inspected, the inspection is performed for all the nozzle rows 43 including the inspection target nozzles included in the print head 24. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S370), and when there is an uninspected nozzle row 43 among the nozzle rows including the inspection target nozzle, the nozzle row 43 to be inspected is updated to the uninspected nozzle row 43 ( Step S380), and then the processing of steps S310 to S380 is performed again. That is, in the processing of steps S310 to S380, after moving the print head 24 to a predetermined inspection position, ink is ejected from all the nozzles 23 of the inspection target nozzles included in each nozzle row 43, and the ink receiving area 52 Whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles 23 is determined based on the voltage value for printing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S350 that all the nozzle arrays 43 of the inspection target nozzles included in the print head 24 have been inspected, the CPU 72 turns off the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 (step S390), and this head inspection. End the routine. By executing this routine, if there is a nozzle 23 having an abnormality among all the nozzles 23 arranged in the print head 24 in the predetermined area of the RAM 74, information specifying the nozzle 23 is stored in the RAM 74. If there is no nozzle 23 that is stored and has an abnormality, nothing is stored.

  Returning to the main routine of FIG. 5, after executing the head inspection routine described above in step S160, is there a nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred among all the nozzles 23 of the inspection target nozzles arranged in the print head 24? Is determined based on the stored contents of a predetermined area of the RAM 74 (step S170), and when there is a nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred, the print head 24 is cleaned in consideration of clogging. However, it is determined whether or not the number of cleanings performed before that is less than a predetermined number (for example, three times) (step S180). When the number of cleanings is less than the predetermined number, the print head 24 is cleaned (step S190). Specifically, the carriage motor 34 is driven to move the carriage 22 until the print head 24 comes to the home position facing the cap device 40, and the cap device 40 is operated so that the cap device 40 forms the nozzles of the print head 24. After covering the surface, the negative pressure of a suction pump (not shown) is applied to the nozzle forming surface to suck and discharge the clogged ink from the nozzle 23. After this cleaning is executed, the abnormal nozzle information stored in the RAM 74 is cleared (step S200), and the process returns to step S160 again to check whether the ejection abnormality of the nozzle 23 has been eliminated. In this step S160, only the nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred may be re-inspected, but the nozzle 23 that was normal at the time of cleaning may be clogged for some reason. Re-inspection is performed for all nozzles 23 of the inspection target nozzles. On the other hand, if the number of cleanings performed in step S180 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred is regarded as not normalizing even if cleaning is performed, and an error message is displayed and output on an operation panel (not shown) (step S210), the main routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is no abnormal nozzle 23 in step S170, that is, when ink can be ejected from all the nozzles 23 of the inspection target nozzle, the printer mechanism 21 is caused to perform printing (step S220). This routine ends. Here, the printing process includes a process of ejecting ink from the print head 24 while moving the carriage 22 in the main scanning direction by driving the carriage motor 34 and executing printing based on the print data, and the paper feed roller 35 is driven to rotate. This is a process of alternately repeating the conveying process of conveying the recording sheet S by a predetermined amount. When printing is completed, the remaining amount of the roll 95 is updated from the transport distance.

  When it is determined in step S110 that the printing timing of the paper information recording pattern 90 is reached, the most recently used nozzle row is either the nozzle row 43Mk of mat black Mk or the nozzle row 43Pk of photo black Pk. Is determined (step S130). When the most recently used nozzle row is the mat black Mk nozzle row 43Mk, the nozzle 23Mk for printing the paper information recording pattern 90 which is a part of the mat black Mk nozzle row 43Mk is set as the inspection target nozzle (step S140). . On the other hand, when the most recently used nozzle row is the nozzle row 43Pk of the photo black Pk, the nozzle 23Pk for printing the paper information recording pattern 90 that is a part of the nozzle row 43Pk of the photo black Pk is set as the inspection target nozzle (step). S150). Here, a state when the nozzle row 23Mk of the mat black Mk is selected for the inspection target nozzle will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the nozzles used when the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed using the entire nozzles and the matte black Mk. As shown, text 91 (see FIG. 3) is printed using nozzles with nozzle numbers n = 21 to 99, and first pattern 92 (see FIG. 3) is using nozzles with nozzle numbers n = 100 to 261. The second pattern 93 (see FIG. 3) is printed using nozzles with nozzle numbers n = 118 to 243. Here, since the text 91, the first pattern 92, and the second pattern are printed by the mat black Mk, the nozzle number n that is a part of the nozzle numbers n = 1 to 360 of the nozzle row 43Mk of the mat black Mk. Assume that nozzles having nozzle numbers n = 21 to 261 including nozzles = 21 to 261 are set as inspection target nozzles. That is, the nozzles with nozzle numbers n = 1 to 20, 262 to 360 and the other nozzle rows are not inspection target nozzles.

  Then, after step S140 or after step S150, the above-described head inspection routine is executed (step S160). In the processing of steps S310 to S380 of the head inspection routine, ink is ejected from the inspection target nozzles that are part of the nozzle row 43 of the nozzle row 43Mk of the mat black Mk and the nozzle row 43Pk of the photo black Pk. It is then determined whether ink is being ejected. At this time, since the nozzles that are not the inspection target nozzles are not inspected and ink is not ejected from these nozzles, the ink consumption can be reduced accordingly. In step S370, since there is only one nozzle row including the inspection target nozzle, an affirmative determination is made and the process of step S390 is executed. In step S170, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormal nozzle. If there is an abnormal nozzle, cleaning is executed up to a predetermined number of times in steps S180 to S210. On the other hand, if there is no abnormal nozzle, printing is executed in step S220. The CPU 72 stores the amount of the roll 95 used for printing, subtracts the used remaining amount from the remaining amount read when the roll 95 is attached, calculates the current remaining amount, and flashes it. It is assumed that a second pattern is created based on the correspondence stored in the ROM 73 and a paper information recording pattern 90 including the second pattern is printed. Then, after printing, this routine is terminated. As described above, before printing the paper information recording pattern 90, the nozzles used for printing the paper information recording pattern 90 are set as inspection target nozzles, and the inspection target nozzles that are part of the nozzles of the print head 24 are set. An inspection is performed. When the roll 95 is removed by the user after the end of this routine, the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed on the roll 95. When the same roll 95 is attached again, the CPU 72 prints the printed paper. The information recording pattern 90 is read by the barcode reader 80, and the read information is converted into information such as the paper type, remaining amount, and remaining amount warning of the roll 95 based on the correspondence stored in the flash ROM 73. Is stored in the RAM 74.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The large-format printer 20 of the present embodiment corresponds to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print head 24 corresponds to the discharge means, the print head inspection apparatus 50 corresponds to the nozzle inspection means, and the controller 70 controls the inspection target nozzle setting means and the control. Corresponds to means. Further, the barcode reader 80 corresponds to a reading unit, the text 91 corresponds to display information, and the cap device 40 and a suction pump (not shown) correspond to a cleaning unit. Further, the paper information recording pattern 90 corresponds to setting information, the first pattern 92 and the second pattern 93 correspond to reading information, and the ink cartridge 26 corresponds to a storage unit.

  According to the large format printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, when printing on the recording sheet S drawn out from the roll 95 of the sheet information recording pattern 90 which is information relating to the setting of the own apparatus, the sheet information recording pattern 90 is printed. A part (nozzle number n = 21 to 261) of all the nozzles 23 of the print head 24 including the nozzles used for printing are set as inspection target nozzles, and the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed. Before this, the inspection target nozzle is inspected. Thus, before printing the paper information recording pattern 90 on the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95, not all of the nozzles but the nozzles of some nozzles including the nozzles used for printing the paper information recording pattern 90. Perform inspection. Therefore, it is checked whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles 23 before printing the paper information recording pattern 90, which is information for setting the own machine, on the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95. It can be done in a shorter amount of time with consumption. Further, a bar code reader 80 that reads the second pattern 93 represented by the bar code included in the paper information recording pattern 90 printed on the roll 95 is provided, and the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95 of the second pattern is provided. Since some of all the nozzles of the print head 24 including all the nozzles used for printing are set as inspection target nozzles, the second pattern included in the paper information recording pattern 90 is set as a barcode reader. 80 can be printed in a more readable state. Further, the paper information recording pattern 90 includes information indicating the remaining amount of the roll 95. In many cases, the roll 95 records the remaining amount on the roll 95 itself, and the significance of applying the present invention is high. Furthermore, some nozzles of the nozzle row used most recently among the nozzle row 43Pk for ejecting the photo black Pk ink or the nozzle black 43Mk for ejecting the mat black Mk ink of the print head 24 are set as inspection target nozzles. . Since the most recently used nozzles often do not need to be cleaned before printing, it is possible to perform nozzle inspection of nozzles used when printing setting information more smoothly using this nozzle. . Further, when two types of black ink corresponding to the type of the roll 95 can be used, the nozzle inspection of the nozzles used when printing the paper information recording pattern 90 can be performed more smoothly. In addition, if a nozzle device that includes a cap device 40 that performs cleaning of the nozzles 23 and a suction pump (not shown) has been inspected and nozzles have not been ejected, the nozzles are cleaned. Therefore, when there is a nozzle from which ink has not been ejected, it is possible to eject ink by performing cleaning. Further, since the check pattern 90 is printed using the ink of the mat black Mk or the photo black Pk, the reading sensitivity with the barcode reader 80 is good, and the text 91 has good visibility for the user.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the paper information recording pattern 90 shown in FIG. 3 is printed. However, as long as information for setting the LFP 20 is printed using some of the nozzles of the print head 24. The sheet information recording pattern 90 is not limited to printing. For example, a bidirectional printing correction pattern as exemplified in FIG. 8 may be printed. This bidirectional printing correction pattern is used for correcting the drive timing of the piezoelectric element 48 for adjusting the landing positions of ink droplets in the forward path and the backward path when printing is performed while the carriage 22 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction. The pattern to use. As shown in the figure, this bidirectional printing correction pattern is divided into blocks from p1 to p11 for each color, and printing is performed with the above drive timing slightly shifted for each block. The more ink that has landed in the forward path and the return path, the more parts that have not landed the ink and the thinner the area, and the more the ink that has landed, the less the area that has not landed the ink. By designating the state block, it is possible to set appropriate drive timings for the forward path and the backward path. Alternatively, instead of visually confirming by the user, an optical reading sensor similar to the barcode reader 80 may be provided, and the color density of each block may be measured by this reading sensor. Also in the case of this bidirectional printing correction pattern, not all nozzles with nozzle numbers n = 1 to 360 are used for each color. For example, cyan C is nozzles with nozzle numbers n = 1 to 72, and magenta M is nozzles. No. n = 73 to 144, Yellow Y is nozzle No. n = 145 to 216, Photo Black Pk is Nozzle No. n = 217 to 288, Matt Black Mk is Nozzle No. n = 289 to 360 Each nozzle is used, and only a part of the nozzles including the nozzle used (for example, the nozzles described above) may be inspected. Therefore, before printing the information for setting the own apparatus onto the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95, it is checked whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles in a smaller amount of ink consumption and in a shorter time. be able to. In addition, the above-described bidirectional printing correction pattern for adjusting the ink landing positions in the forward path and the backward path can be reliably printed. Alternatively, it is used for correcting the drive timing of the piezoelectric element 48 for adjusting the ink landing position between the nozzle rows when performing unidirectional printing in which printing is performed only when the carriage 22 is moving in one direction. It is good also as what prints the pattern which is not illustrated. In this way, when performing unidirectional printing, it is possible to reliably print a pattern for adjusting the landing positions of ink between a plurality of nozzle rows included in the print head 24.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inspection target nozzle is inspected using the head inspection routine shown in FIG. 7, but the inspection target nozzle may be inspected by another method. For example, in a state where laser light is irradiated between the recording paper S and the head 24 obliquely with respect to the main scanning direction and parallel to the surface of the recording paper S and the intensity of the light is continuously detected, the carriage It is also possible to check the position where the ink is ejected while moving the nozzle 22 and the ink does not block the laser beam, and to inspect that the ink is not ejected from the nozzle corresponding to the position. In this case, before printing the information for setting the apparatus on the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95, it is checked whether ink is ejected from the nozzles with less ink consumption and a shorter time. Can be done. Alternatively, a predetermined nozzle check pattern may be printed on the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95 while reciprocating the print head 24, and then the user may visually check whether ink is being ejected from the nozzles. Good. In this case, it is possible to check whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles before printing the information for setting the own apparatus onto the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95 with a smaller amount of ink consumption. In particular, when the check pattern is printed by sequentially using a part with different nozzle numbers of the print head 24 while reciprocating the print head 24 a plurality of times, information for setting the own apparatus is pulled out from the roll 95. Before printing on the recording sheet S, it is possible to check whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles in a smaller amount of ink consumption and in a shorter time. Alternatively, the voltage application circuit 53 electrically connects the DC member and the resistance element so that the electrode member 57 is a negative electrode and the print head 24 is a positive electrode, and the voltage detection circuit 54 is connected to the voltage of the print head 24. The CPU 72 may perform processing in accordance with the head inspection routine described above, and inspect whether ink has been ejected from the nozzles based on the detected voltage change. In this case, before printing the information for setting the apparatus on the recording paper S drawn from the roll 95, it is checked whether ink is ejected from the nozzles with less ink consumption and a shorter time. Can be done.

  In the above-described embodiment, all nozzles used for printing the paper information recording pattern 90 are set as inspection target nozzles. However, all nozzles used for printing the text 91 may be set as inspection target nozzles. All nozzles used for printing may be set as inspection target nozzles, all nozzles used for printing the second pattern may be set as inspection target nozzles, and all of the nozzles that print any one of them are included and printed. Some of the nozzles included in the head 24 may be the inspection target nozzle. Even in such a case, it is possible to check whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles before printing the information for setting the own apparatus on the recording paper S drawn out from the roll 95. Can be done.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning is performed when there is an abnormal nozzle. However, the cleaning may not be performed. Even in such a case, it is possible to check whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles before printing the information for setting the own apparatus on the recording paper S drawn out from the roll 95. Can be done.

  In the embodiment described above, one of the photo black Pk nozzle row 43Pk and the mat black nozzle row 43Mk is used as a nozzle row for printing the paper information recording pattern 90. For example, cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y Other color nozzle rows may be used as the nozzle row used to print the paper information recording pattern 90.

  In the embodiment described above, the inspection target nozzle included in the nozzle row of the one used most recently of photo black Pk or mat black Mk is inspected and the paper information recording pattern 90 is printed. Or the magenta M yellow Y, which has been used most recently, may inspect the nozzles to be inspected included in the nozzle row and print the paper information recording pattern 90.

  In the above-described embodiment, cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, photo black Pk, and matte black Mk are used. However, any ink may be used. For example, cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black K may be used, black K alone may be used, or cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y may be used. In these cases, the paper information recording pattern may be printed using one color ink among the inks used. Note that when the paper information recording pattern is printed using cyan C or magenta M, the reading sensitivity of the barcode reader 80 is good.

  In the embodiment described above, the paper information recording pattern is a pattern as shown in FIG. 3, but is not limited to this as long as information about the roll 95 can be recorded. For example, only the first pattern and the first pattern may be used, or only the second pattern may be used, or the second pattern may not be included. The first pattern and the second pattern may not be included, and in this case, the barcode reader 80 may not be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle rows are arranged in a staggered pattern shifted by half a pitch, but may be arranged without shifting by a half pitch.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the case of print data received from the user PC, all nozzles are inspected before printing is performed. However, it is also possible that nozzles are not inspected before printing is performed. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as the LFP 20. However, the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the print head is provided and printing is performed using some nozzles, and the ink cartridge is a part different from the carriage. The printer may be a so-called off-carriage type printer mounted on the printer, or may be a printer having a line head in which nozzles are arranged in the main scanning direction with a width equal to or larger than the width of the recording paper S, or a multifunction machine or a fax machine having a printing function. The present invention may be applied to. In addition, although demonstrated in the aspect of LFP20, it is good also as an aspect of a control method.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the printing apparatus is embodied in the LFP 20 has been described. However, a liquid body (dispersion liquid) in which particles of a liquid other than ink or functional material are dispersed, a fluid body such as a gel. Or a printing apparatus that discharges a solid that can be discharged as a fluid. For example, a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid in which a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, and a color filter is dissolved, or a liquid material in which the material is dispersed It is good also as a liquid discharge apparatus which discharges the liquid used as a liquid material discharge apparatus which discharges, and a sample used as a precision pipette. Also, a liquid ejection device that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin on a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for an optical communication element or the like, a fluid ejection device that ejects a gel, A powder discharge type recording apparatus that discharges powder such as toner may be used.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a large format printer 20. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the print head 24. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a paper information recording pattern 90. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a print head inspection apparatus 50. The flowchart which shows an example of a main routine. Explanatory drawing of the nozzle used in the case of the whole nozzle and paper information recording pattern printing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a head inspection routine. Explanatory drawing of an example of a bidirectional | two-way adjustment pattern.

Explanation of symbols

  10 user PC, 16 mechanical frame, 20 large format printer (LFP), 21 printer mechanism, 22 carriage, 23 nozzle, 23C cyan nozzle, 23Pk photo black nozzle, 23Mk matte black nozzle, 23M magenta nozzle, 23Y yellow Nozzle, 24 print head, 25 linear encoder, 26 ink cartridge, 28 guide, 31 paper feed mechanism, 32 carriage belt, 33 drive motor, 34 carriage motor, 35 roller, 40 cap device, 42 flushing area, 43 nozzle row, 43C, cyan nozzle row, 43Pk photo black nozzle row, 43Mk matte black nozzle row, 43M magenta nozzle row, 43Y yellow nozzle row, 44 platen, 47 squares Circuit, 48 piezoelectric elements, 50 print head inspection device, 51 inspection box, 52 ink receiving area, 53 voltage application circuit, 54 voltage detection circuit, 54a integration circuit, 54b inverting amplification circuit, 54c A / D conversion circuit, 55 upper side Ink absorber, 56 Lower ink absorber, 57 Electrode member, 70 Controller, 72 CPU, 73 Flash ROM, 74 RAM, 79 Interface (I / F), 80 Bar code reader, 81 Light source, 82 Optical sensor, 90 Paper Information recording pattern, 91 text, 92 first pattern, 93 second pattern, 95 roll, b1 to b30 block, P1 first pulse, P2 second pulse, P3 third pulse, p1 to p11 pattern, S recording paper, SW switch.

Claims (9)

Discharge means capable of discharging fluid from a plurality of nozzles to a target;
Nozzle inspection means for performing nozzle inspection for inspecting whether or not the fluid is discharged from the nozzle;
Inspection for setting a part of the plurality of nozzles as inspection target nozzles to be subjected to the nozzle inspection, including nozzles used for printing the setting information, which is information relating to the setting of the own machine, to the target Target nozzle setting means;
Control means for controlling the nozzle inspection means so that a nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle is performed before printing the setting information on the target;
Printing device with The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
Comprising reading means for reading read information represented by a graphic pattern included in the setting information printed on the target;
The inspection target nozzle setting means is a means for setting a part of the plurality of nozzles as the inspection target nozzle, including all of the nozzles used for printing the read information on the target. Printing device.   When the setting information including the display information recognizable by visual recognition and the read information is printed on the target, the inspection target nozzle setting unit is configured to print a nozzle used for printing the display information on the target. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein not all are set as the inspection target nozzles, but all the nozzles used for printing the read information on the target are set as the inspection target nozzles.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information is information indicating a remaining amount of roll paper as the target.   The printing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the setting information is a pattern for adjusting a landing position of a fluid when printing is performed while the ejection unit moves in a direction along a paper surface of the target. apparatus.   The said inspection object nozzle setting means is a means to set a part of nozzles of the nozzle row used most recently among these nozzles as said inspection object nozzle. Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 6,
A storage means for individually storing photo black ink, which is ink for photographic paper, and matte black ink for paper other than photographic paper;
The plurality of nozzles includes a photo black nozzle that discharges the photo black ink and a mat black nozzle that discharges the mat black ink.
The inspection target nozzle setting unit includes a part of nozzles of any of the most recently used nozzle rows of the photo black nozzle row and the matte black nozzle row as the nozzles of the most recently used nozzle row. A printing apparatus, which is means for setting as the inspection target nozzle. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A cleaning means for performing cleaning of the nozzle;
The control means controls the inspection means so that nozzle inspection of the set nozzle to be inspected is performed, and if there is a nozzle to which the fluid is not discharged, cleaning of the nozzle is executed. A printing apparatus which is means for controlling the cleaning means. A control method by computer software of a printing apparatus provided with discharge means capable of discharging fluid from a plurality of nozzles to a target,
(A) Whether or not the fluid is ejected from the nozzles of some of the plurality of nozzles, including nozzles used for printing the setting information, which is information relating to the settings of the own device, to the target. A step of setting as an inspection target nozzle which is a target of nozzle inspection to be inspected;
(B) performing a nozzle inspection of the set inspection target nozzle before printing the setting information on the target;
Control method.