JP2023133069A - Liquid discharge device and liquid discharge method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device that is excellent in accuracy in detecting residual liquid amounts.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a head for discharging liquid; a cartridge for storing the liquid to be supplied to the head; maintaining means that maintains a state of the head, by suctioning the liquid from the head; first output means that outputs information about a correction value for residual liquid amounts in the cartridge, on the basis of operation information including at least information concerning maintenance operation by the maintaining means; and second output means that outputs the information about residual liquid amounts, on the basis of consumed-liquid amount information which is information about amounts of liquid that is consumed in discharging by the head and in maintaining by the maintaining means, and the correction value information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a liquid ejection method.

Conventionally, in an inkjet type liquid ejection device that ejects ink from a head, there is a known technology for detecting the amount of ink remaining in a cartridge that stores ink to be supplied to the head based on ink consumption information obtained from the number of ejections, etc. There is.

In addition, in technology that detects the amount of ink remaining based on ink consumption information, the detected value of the amount of ink remaining can be calculated by multiplying by a correction value using a table showing the relationship between the number of times head cleaning is performed and the amount of ink ejection. A technique for correcting this has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the state of the liquid ejecting device varies depending on the usage situation by the user, it is not possible to calculate a correction value according to the device state, and the accuracy of detecting the remaining amount of liquid such as ink is low. There were cases where it decreased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting device with excellent accuracy in detecting the remaining amount of liquid.

A liquid ejection device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a head that ejects liquid, a cartridge that stores the liquid to be supplied to the head, and a state of the head that is maintained by suctioning the liquid from inside the head. a first output means that outputs correction value information of the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge based on operation information including at least information regarding a maintenance operation by the maintenance means; and a second output means for outputting remaining liquid amount information based on consumed liquid amount information, which is information on the amount of liquid consumed in the liquid consumption, and the correction value information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection device with excellent accuracy in detecting the amount of remaining liquid.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example hardware configuration of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a functional configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the number of images formed and the amount of ink consumed during maintenance. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between information on the number of images to be formed and correction value information. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between device operating time information and correction value information. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between maintenance operation number information and correction value information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between idle ejection frequency information and correction value information. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a first example of the operation of the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a second example of the operation of the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a functional configuration of a control unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the number of image formation sheets and the amount of ink consumed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between cumulative head drive time and correction value information. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between cumulative ejected droplet volume and correction value information. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the liquid ejection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the status screen displayed on an external PC.

A liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the form shown below is an example of a liquid ejection device for realizing the technical idea of this embodiment, and is not limited to the following. Further, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangement thereof, etc. of the constituent parts described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only thereto, unless specifically stated, and are merely illustrative examples. It's nothing more than that. Note that the sizes, positional relationships, etc. of members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. In addition, in the following description, the same names and symbols indicate the same or homogeneous members, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration example of liquid ejection device 100>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid ejection device 100 according to an embodiment. The liquid ejection device 100 is a serial type inkjet recording device. Note that ink is an example of a liquid.

The liquid ejection device 100 includes a main guide rod 31 , a sub-sheet metal guide 32 , a carriage 33 , and a maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 . The main guide rod 31 is a guide member that extends horizontally between the left and right side plates 21A and 21B of the apparatus main body. The liquid ejecting device 100 slidably holds a carriage 33 by a main guide rod 31 and a sub-sheet metal guide 32, and moves and scans the carriage 33 in a main scanning direction A by a main scanning motor via a timing belt.

The carriage 33 has heads 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d (referred to as heads 34 when not distinguished) that eject ink of each color such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). Be prepared. The head 34 discharges ink. The head 34 includes a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a sub-scanning direction B perpendicular to the main-scanning direction, and is mounted with the ink ejection direction facing downward.

The carriage 33 is equipped with sub-tanks for supplying ink of each color to the heads 34. The sub-tanks are replenished with ink of each color from the cartridges 10y, 10c, 10m, and 10k of each color, which are removably attached to the cartridge loading section 1, through the supply tubes 36 of each color by a supply pump unit. Cartridges 10y, 10c, 10m, and 10k (referred to as cartridge 10 when not distinguished) store ink to be supplied to head 34. A paper detection sensor 37 is mounted on the carriage 33 to detect the presence or absence of conveyance media.

The maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 is provided in a non-printing area on one side of the carriage 33 in the main scanning direction A, and is a component for maintaining and recovering the ejection state of the head 34. The maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 includes caps 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d for capping each nozzle surface of the head 34, and a wiping unit 83 for wiping the nozzle surface.

The cap 82a is a suction cap equipped with a suction mechanism, and includes a fibrous absorbent body therein. The cap 82a is an example of a maintenance unit that maintains the state of the head 34 by sucking ink from inside the head 34.

The caps 82b, 82c, and 82d are moisturizing caps that only moisturize the head 34. When performing a maintenance operation to maintain the state of the head 34, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 moves the target head 34 onto the cap 82a and performs suction or idle ejection processing.

For example, when maintaining the state of the head 34d, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 positions the head 34d on the cap 82a by moving the carriage 33, and performs a maintenance operation. The ink discharged onto the cap 82a by suction or empty ejection is sucked by a suction pump through the cap 82a, and is sent to a waste liquid tank provided below the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 of the head 34d. The waste liquid tank is a replaceable tank for containing waste liquid generated by maintenance and recovery operations.

<Example of hardware configuration of control unit 101>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 101 included in the liquid ejection device 100.

The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 105, and an ASIC (Application Specific Memory). Integrated Circuit) 106. Further, the control unit 101 includes an I/F 107, a print control unit 108, a main scanning motor drive unit 109, a sub-scanning motor drive unit 110, a maintenance control unit 111, and an I/O 113.

The CPU 102, ROM 103, RAM 104, NVRAM 105, ASIC 106, I/F 107, print control unit 108, main scanning motor drive unit 109, sub-scanning motor drive unit 110, maintenance control unit 111, and I/O 113 are interconnected via a system bus. is communicatively connected to. Further, the control unit 101 is connected to an operation panel 114.

The CPU 102 controls the entire liquid ejection apparatus 100. The ROM 103 stores programs executed by the CPU 102 and other fixed data such as look-up tables related to correction. The RAM 104 temporarily stores image data and the like. The NVRAM 105 stores and holds data that changes depending on the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100, such as various operational information of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 and consumption of supplies such as ink. The nonvolatile memory can retain data even while the power to the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is cut off.

The ASIC 106 performs image processing such as various signal processing and sorting for converting document image data into print image data for image formation, and also corrects the image data based on color information of the recording medium. The ASIC 106 also processes other input/output signals for controlling the entire device.

The I/F 107 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data and signals with the host side. Specifically, the I/F 107 receives print data and the like generated by a printer driver of a host such as an information processing device, an image reading device, and an imaging device via a cable, a network, or the like. In other words, the generation and output of print data to the control unit 101 may be performed by a printer driver on the host side. The CPU 102 reads out and analyzes the print data in the reception buffer included in the I/F 107. Then, the ASIC 106 performs image processing, data rearrangement, etc., and the image data is transferred to the print control unit 108 and head driver 116.

The print control unit 108 generates a drive waveform for driving the head 34. The print control unit 108 also outputs image data for selectively driving the pressure generating means that generates the pressure for the head 34 to eject liquid from the nozzles, and various accompanying data, or empty ejection without image formation for nozzle stability. The data is output to the head driver 116.

The print control unit 108 may have a computer configuration including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The print control unit 108 realizes desired functions by the CPU executing a program stored in a ROM or the like. The program executed by the CPU of the print control unit 108 is an installable or executable file that can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may also be configured to be recorded on a recording medium and provided.

Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU of the print control unit 108 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the CPU of the print control unit 108 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Main scanning motor drive section 109 drives main scanning motor 117 . The main scanning motor 117 moves the carriage 33 equipped with the head 34 in the main scanning direction by driving itself.

The sub-scanning motor drive section 110 drives the sub-scanning motor 118. The sub-scanning motor 118 is driven to operate a conveyance roller 123 that conveys an object to which liquid is to be ejected by the liquid ejection head 122 .

The maintenance control unit 111 causes the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 to perform a maintenance operation of sucking ink when the head 34 or the nozzles of the head 34 become dirty or dry. In addition to ink suction, the maintenance control unit 111 can also perform maintenance operations such as wiping and dry ejection by the head 34. Here, idle ejection refers to ejection for maintaining the state of the head 34 and does not contribute to image formation on the recording medium.

<Example of functional configuration of control unit 101>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 101. As shown in FIG. The control section 101 includes a first output section 11 , a second output section 12 , and a storage section 13 . The control unit 101 realizes each function of the first output unit 11 and the second output unit 12 by the CPU 102 executing a program stored in the ROM 103 or the like. The control unit 101 implements the functions of the storage unit 13 using the NVRAM 105 and the like.

The control unit 101 detects the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge 10 that stores ink to be supplied to the head 34, and outputs remaining ink amount information H that is information regarding the remaining amount of ink. Particularly in this embodiment, the control unit 101 can correct the remaining ink amount information H according to the deterioration of the cap 82a that sucks ink from inside the head 34.

The storage unit 13 stores first correspondence information 51 indicating the relationship between the operation information E and the correction value information C, and second correspondence information indicating the relationship between the consumed ink amount information G, the correction value information C, and the remaining ink amount information H. This is an example of a storage means that stores at least one of 52. In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 stores both the first correspondence information 51 and the second correspondence information 52.

The first output unit 11 is an example of a first output unit that outputs correction value information C for the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge 10 based on operation information E that includes at least information regarding the maintenance operation by the cap 82a. The first output unit 11 acquires correction value information C by referring to the storage unit 13 based on the operation information E, and outputs the correction value information C acquired by calculation based on the operation information E to the second output unit 12. do.

In this embodiment, the operation information E includes image formation number information Nn, operating time information Tn, maintenance operation number information Mn, and first discharge amount information P1. The image formation number information Nn is information regarding the number of recording media on which images are formed by the liquid ejection apparatus 100. The operating time information Tn is information regarding the operating time of the liquid ejecting device 100. The maintenance operation number information Mn is information regarding the number of executions of the maintenance operation. The first discharge amount information P1 is information regarding the amount of ink discharged by the maintenance operation. Note that the operation information E does not necessarily include all of the image formation number information Nn, the operating time information Tn, the maintenance operation number information Mn, and the first discharge amount information P1, and may include at least one of them.

Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 can cause the head 34 to perform a dry ejection, and the operation information E includes the number of times of dry ejection information Fn and the second ejection amount information P2 as information regarding the ejection operation by the head 34. including. The idle ejection frequency information Fn is information regarding the number of times the head 34 performs idle ejection. The second discharge amount information P2 is information regarding the amount of ink discharged due to idle ejection. Note that the operation information E does not necessarily need to include all of the idle ejection frequency information Fn and the second discharge amount information P2, and may include at least one of them.

The second output unit 12 outputs remaining ink amount information H based on consumed ink amount information G, which is information on the amount of ink consumed in ejection by the head 34 and maintenance by the cap 82a, and correction value information C. This is an example of the second output means.

For example, the second output unit 12 counts the number of ink ejections by the head 34 using software, and calculates the cumulative amount of ink ejection by multiplying the cumulative number of ejections, which is the count result, by the amount of ink ejected per one ejection. . Further, the second output unit 12 counts the number of times the maintenance operation is performed by the cap 82a using software, and calculates the cumulative amount of ink discharged by multiplying the cumulative number of discharges, which is the count result, by the amount of ink discharged per maintenance operation. do. The second output unit 12 can calculate the consumed ink amount information G by adding the cumulative ejection amount and the cumulative ejection amount.

The second output unit 12 refers to the storage unit 13 to obtain ink remaining amount information H based on the consumed ink amount information G and the correction value information C, and outputs the obtained ink remaining amount information H to an external device. Can be output. The external device is, for example, the operation panel 114, and the liquid ejection apparatus 100 can display the remaining ink amount information H on the operation panel 114 so that the user can recognize it. However, the external device is not limited to the operation panel 114, but may be an external PC (Personal Computer) or the like. Note that in this specification, the user includes a user of the liquid ejection apparatus 100, an administrator, and the like.

<Change in consumed ink amount according to the state of the liquid ejection device 100>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the number of images formed and the amount of ink consumed during maintenance. The number of sheets on which images are formed means the number of recording media on which images are formed by the liquid ejection apparatus 100. Theoretical value 41 shown by the solid line graph is a straight line representing the theoretical value of the consumed ink amount obtained by counting the number of ejections by the head 34 and the number of times the cap 82a performs the maintenance operation using software. The actual measured value 42 shown by the broken line graph is a straight line that is a straight line approximation of the portion where the consumed ink amount decreases in the actually measured value of the consumed ink amount.

Since the theoretical value 41 is a value that predetermines the amount of ink consumed by suction and the like in the maintenance operation, it does not change even if the number of images formed by the liquid ejection apparatus 100 increases. On the other hand, the actual value 42 decreases as the number of images formed increases. This is because the cap 82a deteriorates over time and the amount of suction decreases.

As the number of images formed by the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 increases, the number of automatically performed maintenance operations and idle ejections increases, and the number of times maintenance operations performed based on user instructions increases, so that the cap 82a Deterioration occurs over time. Furthermore, even if image formation is not performed, a maintenance operation is automatically performed to prevent the head 34 from drying out when the head 34 is left unused, so as the operating time becomes longer, the number of executions of the maintenance operation and empty ejection increases, and the cap 82a Deterioration occurs over time.

Waste liquid due to maintenance operation or empty discharge is carried out on the cap 82a of the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81. For example, as the number of times the maintenance operation is performed increases, the ink discharged onto the absorbent body becomes thicker and its permeability decreases, causing the cap 82a to deteriorate. Alternatively, the cap 82a deteriorates as the ink that has been ejected is scattered on the rubber member of the cap 82a and hardens. Further, the adhesion between the head 34 and the cap 82a decreases, and the amount of suction decreases, causing the cap 82a to deteriorate. Further, the rubber itself, which is the material forming the cap 82a, hardens due to deterioration over time, and the amount of suction decreases, causing the cap 82a to deteriorate.

As described above, the amount of ink consumed decreases by reducing the suction amount depending on the state of the liquid ejecting device 100, for example, the deterioration state of the cap 82a. As the number of images formed increases, the actual value 42 becomes smaller than the theoretical value 41. Therefore, if the amount of ink consumed in the ejection by the head 34 and the maintenance operation by the cap 82a is detected based on the number of times of ejection and the number of times the maintenance operation is performed, a detection error occurs.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 101 corrects the remaining ink amount information H by correcting, based on the operation information E, the change in ink amount depending on the deterioration of the cap 82a that sucks ink from inside the head 34. For example, information on changes in the actual measurement value 42 according to the information Nn on the number of images to be formed as an example of the operation information E is stored in advance in the storage unit 13 as the first correspondence information 51. Then, by correcting the consumed ink amount information G using the correction value information C according to the image forming sheet number information Nn, accurate ink remaining amount information H can be obtained. Note that although FIG. 4 shows a graph of the change in the amount of consumed ink according to the image formation number information Nn, the same graph also shows the change in the amount of consumed ink according to the operating time of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100.

<About the first correspondence information 51>
5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the first correspondence information 51 indicating the correspondence relationship between the operation information E and the correction value information C. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of images to be formed Nn and the correction value information C. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between operating time information Tn and correction value information C. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the maintenance operation number information Mn and the correction value information C. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the idle ejection frequency information Fn and the correction value information C.

The image formation number information Nn, the operating time information Tn, the maintenance operation number information Mn, and the idle ejection number information Fn are all examples of operation information E. In addition, in FIGS. 5 to 8, the number of information is set to 10 as an example, and information is distinguished using a subscript n from 0 to 10, but the number of information is not limited to 10 and may be smaller than 10. However, it can be large.

The maintenance operation number information Mn can be replaced with the first discharge amount information P1 by multiplying the ink discharge amount per maintenance operation. Similarly, the number of idle ejections information Fn can be replaced with the second ejection amount information P2 by multiplying the ink ejection amount per one idle ejection.

When the suction amount X is determined as the initial soft count value of the consumed ink amount, the soft count value SC of the consumed ink amount of the cartridge 10 due to the suction of the cap 82a during the maintenance operation is expressed as SC=X. For example, when the image forming sheet number information Nn is used as the operation information E and the correction value information C that takes into account the influence of aging deterioration is used as A0, A1, ..., An, the consumed ink amount SCn is calculated as SCn=An・X. expressed. When the information on the number of images to be formed Nn and the operating time information Tn are used as the operation information E, it is possible to estimate the degree of contamination of the head 34 due to both the maintenance operation and idle ejection depending on the number of images to be formed and the operating time.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, an example is shown in which one correction value information C is provided for the operation information E of the image formation number information Nn and the operating time information Tn, but it is possible to select a plurality of correction value information C. It's okay.

The maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 including the cap 82a and the like differs from one liquid ejecting device 100 to another, and also varies depending on the temperature and humidity environment of the location where the liquid ejecting device 100 is installed. Therefore, the correction value information C may be selectable from a plurality of correction value information C depending on the temperature, humidity environment, etc. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a plurality of pieces of correction value information C are associated with each maintenance operation number information Mn. FIG. 8 shows an example in which a plurality of pieces of correction value information C are associated with each number of idle ejections information Fn. 7 and 8 show four pieces of correction value information C from the 0th line to the 4th line as the plurality of pieces of correction value information C.

For example, it is assumed that the correction value information C on the 0th line corresponds to the correction with the least degree of deterioration, and as the number of lines increases, the correction value information C corresponds to the correction with the greater degree of deterioration. The first output unit 11 can select, for example, the 0th line as the correction value information C when the degree of deterioration is predicted to be small, and when the degree of deterioration is predicted to be large, the first output unit 11 can select the correction value information C. For example, the third line can be selected as information C.

The plurality of correction value information C may be selectable by a user or a service person depending on the degree of deterioration, or the liquid ejection apparatus 100 may automatically determine correction values based on average usage environment information of the liquid ejection apparatus 100. It may be selectable.

When the suction amount X is determined as the soft count value of the initial consumed amount of ink, the maintenance operation number information Mn, the first ejection amount information P1, the idle ejection number information Fn, and the second ejection amount information P2 are set as the operation information E. The soft count value SCmn of the amount of consumed ink when used is expressed as SCmn=Cmn.X+Dmn.X. When the information on the number of images to be formed Nn and the operation time information Tn are used as the operation information E, it is possible to estimate the degree of contamination caused by both the maintenance operation and the idle ejection according to the number of images to be formed and the operation time. If the maintenance operation number information Mn and the idle ejection number information Fn are used as the operation information E, contamination is caused by both, and detailed estimation can be made by adding the two.

<Example of operation of liquid ejection device 100>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a first example of the operation of detecting the remaining amount of ink by the liquid ejecting apparatus 100. FIG. 9 shows an operation of acquiring remaining ink amount information H and outputting it as a detected value of the remaining ink amount, when information on the number of sheets to be formed Nn is used as operation information E.

First, in step S91, the control unit 101 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 determines whether or not to start a maintenance operation.

If it is determined in step S91 that the maintenance operation is not to be started (step S91, NO), the liquid ejection device 100 ends the operation. On the other hand, if it is determined that the maintenance operation is to be started (step S91, YES), the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 acquires the image formation number information Nn as the operation information E by the control unit 101 in step S92.

Subsequently, in step S93, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 uses the control unit 101 to determine whether the number of images to be formed, which is indicated by the image formation number information Nn, has exceeded a predetermined number of images to be formed.

In step S93, if it is determined that the limit has been exceeded (step S93, YES), the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 moves the operation to step S94, and if it is determined that the limit has not been exceeded (step S93, NO), The liquid ejection apparatus 100 moves the operation to step S95.

Subsequently, in step S94, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 uses the first output unit 11 of the control unit 101 to refer to the first correspondence information 51 in the storage unit 13 based on the image formation number information Nn, and outputs the correction value information C. get.

Subsequently, in step S95, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 causes the second output unit 12 of the control unit 101 to read the information stored in the storage unit 13 based on the consumed ink amount information G obtained by software counting and the correction value information C. 2, the remaining ink amount information H is obtained by referring to the correspondence information 52. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 outputs the obtained remaining ink amount information H to an external device.

As described above, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 can detect the remaining amount of ink. Although FIG. 9 shows an example of an operation in which the number of images to be formed Nn is used as the operation information E, the operation information E may be the operating time information Tn.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the operation of detecting the remaining amount of ink by the liquid ejecting apparatus 100. FIG. 10 shows an operation in which remaining ink amount information H is acquired during the maintenance operation and the idle ejection, and is output as a detected value of the remaining ink amount.

First, in step S101, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 uses the control unit 101 to determine whether or not to start a maintenance operation.

If it is determined in step S101 that the maintenance operation is not to be started (step S101, NO), the liquid ejection apparatus 100 moves the operation to step S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that the maintenance operation is to be started (step S101, YES), the liquid ejection apparatus 100 outputs the maintenance operation number information Mn as the operation information E by the first output unit 11 of the control unit 101 in step S102. get.

Subsequently, in step S103, the liquid ejection device 100 uses the first output unit 11 of the control unit 101 to refer to the first correspondence information 51 in the storage unit 13 based on the maintenance operation number information Mn, and outputs correction value information C. get.

Subsequently, in step S104, the control unit 101 of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 determines whether or not to perform idle ejection.

In step S104, if it is determined not to perform the process (step S104, NO), the liquid ejection apparatus 100 moves the operation to step S107. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process is to be performed (step S104, YES), the liquid ejection apparatus 100 acquires idle ejection frequency information Fn as operation information E from the first output unit 11 of the control unit 101 in step S105. .

Subsequently, in step S106, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 uses the first output section 11 of the control section 101 to refer to the first correspondence information 51 in the storage section 13 based on the number of empty ejections information Fn, and generates correction value information C. get.

Subsequently, in step S107, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 causes the second output unit 12 of the control unit 101 to read the ink amount information G in the storage unit 13 based on the consumed ink amount information G obtained by software counting and the correction value information C. 2, the remaining ink amount information H is obtained by referring to the correspondence information 52. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 outputs the obtained remaining ink amount information H to an external device.

As described above, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 can detect the remaining amount of ink.

<Operations and effects of liquid ejection device 100>
As described above, the liquid ejection device 100 includes the head 34, the cartridge 10, the cap 82a (maintenance means), the first output section 11 (first output means), and the second output section 12 (second output section). means) and. The first output unit 11 outputs correction value information C for the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge 10 based on the operation information E including at least information regarding the maintenance operation by the cap 82a. The second output unit 12 outputs remaining ink amount information H based on consumption ink amount information G consumed during ejection by the head 34 and maintenance by the cap 82a, and correction value information C.

For example, if the amount of ink sucked by the cap 82a decreases due to deterioration of the cap 82a over time, an error may occur in the remaining amount of ink detected based on software counting or the like. In this embodiment, in order to obtain ink remaining amount information H based on consumed ink amount information G obtained based on software counting etc. and correction value information C obtained based on operation information E, Errors in detecting the remaining amount of ink due to deterioration of the ink cartridge 82a over time can be reduced. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 with excellent accuracy in detecting the remaining amount of ink.

The liquid ejection apparatus 100 also includes first correspondence information 51 indicating the relationship between the operation information E and the correction value information C, and first correspondence information 51 indicating the relationship between the consumed ink amount information G, the correction value information C, and the remaining ink amount information H. 2 correspondence information 52 is further provided. The first output unit 11 can refer to the storage unit 13 to obtain the correction value information C based on the operation information E, and the second output unit 12 can obtain the correction value information C based on the consumed ink amount information G and the correction value information C. , the remaining ink amount information H can be obtained by referring to the storage unit 13. Note that the liquid ejection apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to include the storage section 13, and can also obtain the correction value information C and the remaining ink amount information H by referring to the storage section 13 provided in an external device.

Further, in this embodiment, the operation information E includes image formation number information Nn, operating time information Tn, maintenance operation number information Mn, and first discharge amount information P1. In this embodiment, by acquiring the remaining ink amount information H based on various information, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the remaining ink amount and also improve the robustness of the detection. The operation information E may not include all of the image forming sheet number information Nn, the operating time information Tn, the maintenance operation number information Mn, and the first discharge amount information P1, but may include at least one of them.

Further, in this embodiment, the operation information E includes empty ejection frequency information Fn and second discharge amount information P2. As a result, the remaining ink amount information H can be obtained based on a variety of information, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the remaining ink amount and improving the robustness of the detection. The operation information E may not include both the idle ejection frequency information Fn and the second discharge amount information P2, but may include at least one of them.

[Second embodiment]
A liquid ejection device 100a according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

<Example of functional configuration of control unit 101a>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control section 101a included in the liquid ejection device 100a. The control unit 101a includes a storage unit 13a, a third output unit 14, and a second output unit 12a. In addition to the functions of the control unit 101 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 101a can correct the remaining ink amount information H according to changes in the state of the head 34.

The storage unit 13a stores third correspondence information 53, which is information indicating the relationship between the operation information I including information regarding the ejection operation of the head 34 and the correction value information D.

The third output unit 14 refers to the storage unit 13a to obtain correction value information D based on the operation information I, and outputs the obtained correction value information D to the second output unit 12a. Note that the third output unit 14 may obtain the correction value information D by calculation based on the operation information I without referring to the storage unit 13a. The second output unit 12a outputs remaining ink amount information H based on the correction value information D.

The operation information I includes head drive cumulative time information THn, cumulative ejected droplet amount information MHn, and the like. The head drive cumulative time information THn is information regarding the time during which the head 34 was driven to eject ink. Head drive cumulative time information THn corresponds to the amount of ink consumed by being ejected from the head 34 for image formation. The cumulative ejected droplet amount information MHn is information regarding the amount of ink ejected from the head 34. The cumulative ejected droplet amount information MHn corresponds to the amount of ink consumed by being ejected from the head 34 due to idle ejection. The operation information I may include at least one of head drive cumulative time information THn and cumulative ejected droplet amount information MHn. In addition to head drive cumulative time information THn and cumulative ejected droplet volume information MHn, the operation information I also includes information regarding the head drive frequency, information regarding the type of ink droplets to be ejected such as large droplets, medium droplets, small droplets, etc. May include.

<Relationship between the number of images formed and the amount of ink consumed>
The relationship between the number of images formed and the amount of ink consumed will be explained with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the number of images formed by the liquid ejecting device 100a and the amount of ink consumed. 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating the third correspondence information 53 indicating the correspondence between the operation information I and the correction value information D. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between head drive cumulative time information THn and correction value information D. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between cumulative ejected droplet amount information MHn and correction value information D.

In FIG. 12, the number of images formed on the horizontal axis means the number of recording media on which images are formed by the liquid ejection device 100a. The theoretical value 300 shown by the solid line graph represents the theoretical value of the consumed amount of ink obtained by counting the number of ejections by the head 34 using software. A first measured value 301 shown by a dashed-dotted line graph represents a linear approximation of the portion where the consumed ink amount increases in the actual measured value of the consumed ink amount. A second actual measurement value 302 shown by a broken line graph represents a linear approximation of the portion where the consumed ink amount decreases in the actual measurement value of the consumed ink amount.

Since the theoretical value 300 is a value that predetermines the amount of ink consumed by ejection, it does not change even if the number of images formed by the liquid ejection apparatus 100 increases. On the other hand, in the first actual measurement value 301, the amount of consumed ink increases as the number of sheets on which images are formed increases. For example, when the drive time of the head 34 becomes longer due to image formation or the amount of ink ejected increases, wiping by the wiping unit 83 is performed multiple times during automatic cleaning of the head 34 during that time. This wiping deteriorates the water-repellent film formed on the surface of the head 34, and a meniscus, which is the interface between the ink and the atmosphere, cannot be properly formed in the nozzles of the head 34. As a result, ink pools may form near the nozzle, and ink droplets may not form into spheres during ejection, but instead become droplets. increases.

On the other hand, in the second actual measurement value 302, the amount of consumed ink decreases as the number of images formed increases. For example, if the liquid ejecting device 100a is used less frequently, the number of sheets on which images are formed decreases. Alternatively, if the ink is used infrequently over a long period of time, the amount of ink consumed by ejection and the amount of fresh ink supplied from the cartridge decreases as the ink is consumed. Therefore, the ink dries within the nozzle, and the thickened or solidified ink accumulates inside and around the nozzle, which narrows the ink flow path and reduces the amount of ejection. The decrease in the amount of consumed ink accompanying an increase in the number of images formed is related to both the number of images formed and the operating time of the liquid ejection device 100a, and occurs under conditions where the number of images formed per unit time is small. The first measured value 301 and the second measured value 302 differ in the time required to form the same number of images even if the number of sheets is the same. The time required to form the predetermined number of images in the second actual measurement value 302 is longer than the time required to form the predetermined number of images in the first actual measurement value 301.

The control unit 101a shown in FIG. 11 can determine whether the consumed ink amount tends to be the first measured value 301 or the second measured value 302. For example, the control unit 101a calculates the number of images formed per unit time from usage history information of the liquid ejection device 100a. If the calculated number of images to be formed exceeds a predetermined threshold for the number of images to be formed, the control unit 101a determines that the consumption amount tends to increase as shown in the first actual value 301, and if it is less than the threshold for image formation. In this case, it is determined that the second actual measurement value 302 has a tendency of decreasing consumption. Such trend determination may be performed at any timing or periodically.

As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 101a calculates R1=(TH1-TH0)/(T1-T0), R2=( TH2-TH1)/(T2-T1), ... Obtain the ratio R of the cumulative head drive time within a predetermined operating time range, as in R10=(TH10-TH9)/(T10-T9). and stores it in the RAM 104 or the like. Although up to T10 is shown here as an example, in reality it is not necessary to calculate up to T10, or it may be greater than T10. The control unit 101a determines that the tendency is the first actual value 301 if each value or cumulative sum of the ratio R exceeds a predetermined operating time or the threshold value of the number of images formed, and if it is less than the predetermined threshold value, the control unit 101a determines that the tendency is the first actual value 301. It can be determined that the trend is the value 302.

Similarly to the above, the control unit 101a calculates R1=(MH1-MH0)/(T1-T0) in the relationship between the operating time information Tn and the cumulative ejected droplet amount information MHn of the head 34, as shown in FIG. , R2=(MH2-MH1)/(T2-T1), . . . R10=(MH10-MH9)/(T10-T9), the cumulative ejection of the head 34 driven within a predetermined operating time range. The droplet volume ratio R is obtained and stored in the RAM 104 or the like. Based on this ratio R, the control unit 101a can determine whether the trend is the first actual value 301 or the second actual value 302.

As an example of a change in the state of the head 34, the control unit 101a corrects the remaining ink amount information H by correcting the change in the amount of ink ejected from the head 34 based on the operation information I. For example, as an example of the operation information I, the control unit 101a may preliminarily obtain change information of the first actual value 301 or the second actual value 302 according to the tendency of the amount of ink consumed in the head 34 and the information Nn of the number of sheets to be formed using the first corresponding information. 51 in the storage unit 13a. Then, by correcting the consumed ink amount information G according to the head drive cumulative time information THn and the cumulative ejected droplet amount information MHn using the correction value information D for head type ink ejection, accurate ink remaining amount information H can be obtained. can be obtained.

The amount of ink ejected from the head 34 that is corrected is not only the amount of ink ejected for forming an image. This ink ejection amount includes empty ejection to discharge thickened ink after the liquid ejection device 100a is left unattended and before image formation is performed again, and elimination of differences in the frequency of use of each nozzle during or after image formation. It also includes ejection related to maintenance operations, such as dummy ejection for cleaning or refreshing operation, and dummy ejection for forming a meniscus in a nozzle during a cleaning or refresh operation. In other words, the amount of ink ejected from the head 34 that is corrected corresponds to the amount of ink ejected from all the heads 34.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, the control unit 101a determines the amount of consumed ink depending on the drive time of the head 34 per unit time and whether the amount of droplets ejected from the head 34 per unit time exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is also possible to determine whether the amount of consumed ink is increasing or decreasing, and depending on the determination result, the correction value information D stored in the ROM may be acquired. In the example of FIG. 13, the information on the amount of ink ejected from the head 34 is corrected according to the cumulative drive time of the head 34, and in the example of FIG. 14, according to the cumulative amount of droplets ejected from the head 34. Furthermore, even if it is determined that the amount of ink consumption tends to increase up to a certain point, and the amount of consumed ink tends to decrease thereafter, the control unit 101a also controls the amount of ink consumed up to that point and the trend. The final correction value information D may be calculated using the consumption amount information according to .

<Example of operation of liquid ejection device 100a>
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the liquid ejection device 100a. FIG. 15 shows the operation of acquiring ink remaining amount information H during ink ejection from the head 34 and outputting it as a detected value of the ink remaining amount.

First, in step S151, the liquid ejecting device 100a determines whether or not to start the ejecting operation using the control unit 101a.

If it is determined in step S151 not to start (step S151, NO), the liquid ejection apparatus 100a moves the operation to step S159. On the other hand, if it is determined to start (step S151, YES), in step S152, the liquid ejection apparatus 100a uses the control unit 101a to determine whether or not the ejection is for image formation.

If it is determined in step S152 that the liquid ejection is for image formation (step S111, YES), in step S153, the control unit 101a causes the liquid ejection device 100a to be used for image formation stored in the RAM 104. The amount of consumed ink is calculated from this image data.

Subsequently, in step S154, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a obtains, for example, head drive cumulative time information THn as the operation information I from the third output unit 14.

Subsequently, in step S155, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a uses the third output unit 14 to obtain correction value information D by referring to the third correspondence information 53 in the storage unit 13 based on the head drive cumulative time information THn. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S152 that the ejection is not for image formation (step S152, NO), in step S156, the liquid ejection apparatus 100a controls each of the empty ejections stored in the ROM 103 by the control unit 101a. The consumed ink amount as idle ejection information is calculated from the consumed ink amount data in .

Subsequently, in step S157, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a obtains, for example, head drive cumulative time information THn as the operation information I from the third output unit 14.

Subsequently, in step S158, the liquid ejecting device 100a uses the third output unit 14 to obtain correction value information D by referring to the third correspondence information 53 in the storage unit 13 based on the head drive cumulative time information THn. .

Subsequently, in step S159, the liquid ejecting device 100a uses the second output unit 12a to output the second correspondence information 52 in the storage unit 13 based on the consumed ink amount information G obtained by software counting and the correction value information D. , and obtain the remaining ink amount information H. The liquid ejecting device 100a outputs the obtained remaining ink amount information H to the outside.

As described above, the liquid ejecting device 100a can detect the remaining amount of ink.

<Example of display screen of ink amount information>
A display screen for information regarding ink amount will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 141 on the operation panel 114 of the liquid ejection device 100a. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the status screen 142 displayed on the external PC by the printer driver installed on the external PC.

The operation panel 114 that displays the display screen 141 shows the amount of ink consumed by ejecting from the head 34 for image formation, and the amount of ink discharged by the operation of maintaining the ink ejection state by the head 34 and stored in the waste liquid tank. This is an example of a display section that displays the amount of ink to be used. However, the display screen 141 may be displayed on a display unit other than the operation panel 114.

As shown in FIG. 16, the display screen 141 includes a first screen 411 that shows the current amount of ink, and a second screen 412 that shows the amount of waste liquid in the waste liquid tank that stores the waste ink that is discharged by the maintenance operation. . The first screen 411 includes a post-print information button 413 that displays information after image formation. The second screen 412 includes a first correction ON button 414 and a first correction OFF button 415.

When the post-print information button 413 is operated, the display screen 141 displays ink information that predicts ink consumption due to image formation or increase in waste liquid amount due to maintenance operations. In FIG. 16, an example in which the remaining amount of ink changes is displayed. The remaining amount of ink is predicted based on the correction amount calculated based on the state of the head 34 over time. If no correction is to be made due to changes in the head 34 over time, the automatic correction OFF 415 is operated to set the automatic correction calculation not to be performed, and the remaining ink amount information in this case can be displayed as ink amount information. When performing correction due to changes in the head 34 over time, the automatic correction calculation is set by operating the automatic correction ON 414.

As shown in FIG. 17, the status screen 142 includes a third screen 421 that shows the current amount of ink, a fourth screen 422 that shows the amount of waste liquid in the waste liquid tank that stores waste ink discharged by the maintenance operation, and a second It includes a correction ON button 423 and a second correction OFF button 424. The liquid ejecting device 100a calculates and displays the amount of ink by switching between performing and not performing correction in accordance with the operation of the second correction ON button 423 and the second correction OFF button 424 correction OFF. be able to.

<Effects of liquid ejection device 100a>
For example, if the amount of ink ejected changes due to deterioration of the head 34 over time, an error may occur in the remaining amount of ink detected based on software counting or the like. In this embodiment, since the ink remaining amount information H is acquired based on the consumed ink amount information G acquired based on software counting etc. and the correction value information D acquired based on the operation information I, the head Errors in detecting the amount of remaining ink due to deterioration over time of the printer 34 can be reduced. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting device 100a with excellent accuracy in detecting the remaining amount of ink.

Further, in this embodiment, the user can be notified of the amount of ink consumed and the amount of waste liquid calculated according to the state of the liquid ejecting device 100a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by allowing the user to select whether or not to perform correction, it is possible to suppress the influence of errors that occur depending on the state and variations of the liquid ejecting device 100a.

[Other preferred embodiments]
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. That is, various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the present invention.

The liquid according to the embodiments is not limited to ink for image formation, but may be other liquids. Other liquids include, for example, liquids used for three-dimensional modeling. In the embodiment, the liquid discharged from the head 34 includes a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a coloring agent such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a functional material such as a surfactant, DNA, an amino acid, or a protein. , biocompatible materials such as calcium, edible materials such as natural pigments, etc., solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. may be used.

A recording medium refers to something to which a liquid adheres and sticks, or something to which a liquid adheres and permeates. Specific examples include car bodies, building materials, recording media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all media to which liquid adheres.

As the liquid ejection apparatus according to the embodiment, a serial type inkjet recording apparatus in which the head moves has been described here, but the embodiment can also be applied to a line type inkjet recording apparatus in which the head does not move.

Embodiments also include a liquid ejection method. For example, the liquid ejecting method is a liquid ejecting method using a liquid ejecting device, in which the liquid ejecting device ejects ink using a head, stores the ink to be supplied to the head using a cartridge, and stores the ink to be supplied to the head using a maintaining means. The state of the head is maintained by sucking the ink from within the head, and a first output means outputs a correction value for the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge based on operation information including at least information regarding the maintenance operation by the maintenance means. output information, and the second output means outputs remaining ink amount information based on consumed ink amount information, which is information on the amount of ink consumed in ejection by the head and maintenance by the maintenance means, and the correction value information. Output. With such a liquid ejection method, the same effects as the above-described liquid ejection device can be obtained.

Each function of the embodiments can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" as used herein refers to a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function explained above. This includes devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and conventional circuit modules.

Aspects of the present invention are, for example, as follows.
<1> A head for discharging a liquid, a cartridge for storing the liquid to be supplied to the head, a maintaining means for maintaining the state of the head by sucking the liquid from within the head, and at least the maintaining means a first output means for outputting correction value information of the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge based on operation information including information regarding maintenance operation by the cartridge; and information on the amount of liquid consumed in ejection by the head and maintenance by the maintenance means. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a second output unit that outputs remaining liquid amount information based on certain consumed liquid amount information and the correction value information.
<2> At least one of first correspondence information indicating the relationship between the operation information and the correction value information, and second correspondence information indicating the relationship between the consumed liquid amount information, the correction value information, and the liquid remaining amount information. The first output means refers to the storage means to obtain the correction value information based on the operation information, and the second output means acquires the correction value information based on the operation information. and the correction value information, the liquid ejection device according to <1> above refers to the storage means and acquires the liquid remaining amount information.
<3> An image is formed on a recording medium, and the operation information includes the number of recording media on which the image is formed, the operating time of the liquid ejecting device, the number of times the maintenance operation is performed, and discharged by the maintenance operation. The liquid ejection device according to <1> or <2>, which includes at least one piece of information about the first discharge amount of the liquid.
<4> The liquid ejection device according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the operation information further includes information regarding an ejection operation by the head.
<5> The head can be caused to perform dry ejection which is ejection for maintaining the state of the head, and the operation information includes the number of times the liquid is dry ejected, and the number of times the liquid is ejected due to the dry ejection. The liquid ejecting device according to <4>, including at least one piece of information about the second discharge amount.
<6> The information regarding the ejection operation of the head includes the amount of ink consumed by ejecting from the head for image formation, and the amount of ink consumed by ejecting from the head for idle ejection. The liquid ejection device according to <4> above, including at least one liquid ejection device.
<7> The amount of liquid expected to be consumed by ejecting from the head for image formation, and the amount of liquid discharged by the operation of maintaining the ejection state of the liquid by the head and stored in a waste liquid tank. The liquid ejecting device according to any one of <1> to <6>, including a display section that displays.
<8> A liquid ejecting method using a liquid ejecting device, wherein the liquid ejecting device ejects liquid using a head, stores the liquid to be supplied to the head using a cartridge, and discharges the liquid from within the head using a maintaining means. The state of the head is maintained by suctioning the liquid, and the first output means outputs correction value information for the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge based on operation information including at least information regarding a maintenance operation by the maintenance means. A second output means outputs remaining liquid amount information based on consumed liquid amount information, which is information on the amount of liquid consumed in ejection by the head and maintenance by the maintenance means, and the correction value information. , a liquid ejection method.

1 Cartridge loading section 10, 10k, 10c, 10m, 10y Cartridge 11 First output section (first output means)
12 Second output section (second output means)
13 Storage unit (storage means)
14 Third output section 21A, 21B Side plate 31 Main guide rod 32 Sub sheet metal guide 33 Carriage 34, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d Head 36 Supply tube 37 Paper detection sensor 41 Theoretical value 42 Actual value 81 Maintenance recovery mechanism 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d Cap 83 Wiping unit 100, 100a Liquid discharge device 101, 101a Control unit 102 CPU
103 ROM
104 RAM
105 NVRAM
106 ASIC
107 I/F
108 Print control unit 109 Main scanning motor drive unit 110 Sub-scanning motor drive unit 111 Maintenance control unit 114 Operation panel 116 Head driver 117 Main scanning motor 118 Sub-scanning motor 123 Conveyance roller 300 Theoretical value 301 First measured value 302 Second measured value 141 Display screen 142 Status screen 411 First screen 412 Second screen 413 Post-print information button 414 First correction ON button 415 First correction OFF button 421 Third screen 422 Fourth screen 423 Second correction ON button 424 Second correction OFF Button A Main scanning direction B Sub-scanning direction C Correction value information E Operation information G Consumption ink amount information H Ink remaining amount information Fn Dry ejection number information Mn Maintenance operation number information Nn Image formation number information Tn Operating time information

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-071530

Claims (8)

A head that discharges liquid,
a cartridge that stores the liquid to be supplied to the head;
maintaining means for maintaining the state of the head by sucking the liquid from within the head;
a first output means for outputting correction value information for the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge based on operation information including at least information regarding a maintenance operation by the maintenance means;
a second output means for outputting liquid remaining amount information based on consumed liquid amount information, which is information on the amount of liquid consumed in ejection by the head and maintenance by the maintenance means, and the correction value information. , liquid ejection device. Store at least one of first correspondence information indicating a relationship between the operation information and the correction value information, and second correspondence information indicating a relationship between the consumed liquid amount information, the correction value information, and the liquid remaining amount information. further comprising a storage means for
The first output means acquires the correction value information by referring to the storage means based on the operation information,
The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, wherein the second output means refers to the storage means and acquires the remaining liquid amount information based on the consumed liquid amount information and the correction value information. Form an image on a recording medium,
The operation information includes at least one of the number of recording media on which the image is formed, the operating time of the liquid ejection device, the number of times the maintenance operation is performed, and a first discharge amount of the liquid discharged by the maintenance operation. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising information. 3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation information further includes information regarding an ejection operation by the head. The head can be caused to perform idle ejection, which is ejection for maintaining the state of the head,
5. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 4, wherein the operation information includes at least one of the number of times the liquid is idly ejected and the second discharge amount of the liquid discharged by the idly ejecting. The information regarding the ejection operation of the head includes at least one of the amount of liquid consumed by ejecting from the head for image formation, and the amount of liquid consumed by ejecting from the head for idle ejection. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, comprising: a display unit that displays an amount of liquid consumed by being ejected from the head for image formation and an amount of liquid that is discharged by the operation of the head to maintain the ejection state of the liquid and stored in a waste liquid tank; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: A liquid ejection method using a liquid ejection device, the liquid ejection device comprising:
The head discharges liquid,
a cartridge stores the liquid to be supplied to the head;
maintaining the state of the head by suctioning the liquid from within the head by a maintaining means;
outputting correction value information for the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge by a first output means based on operation information including at least information regarding a maintenance operation by the maintenance means;
The second output means outputs remaining liquid amount information based on the consumed liquid amount information, which is information on the amount of liquid consumed in ejection by the head and maintenance by the maintaining means, and the correction value information. Discharge method.

Images