JP2024055545A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The status of the ink in an ink cartridge is grasped by detecting a status indicator attached to the ink cartridge.
[Solution] The printer 10 comprises an ink head 32, a cartridge storage section 60 that stores an ink cartridge 50 having a status indicator 51 with status information 52 including at least a remaining ink amount V2 recorded thereon such that the status indicator 51 is exposed, a sensor head 40 having a detection sensor 42 capable of detecting the status information 52, a movement mechanism 81 that moves the ink head 32 or the sensor head 40 in a main scanning direction Y, and a control device 90. The control device 90 comprises a movement control section 93 that moves the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y, and a detection control section 94 that causes the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 recorded on the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50 while the sensor head 40 is moving in the main scanning direction Y.
[Selected figure] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a printer.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer that includes a mounting section in which an ink cartridge containing ink is mounted, and an inkjet head that ejects the ink. A portion of the outer surface of the ink cartridge is formed with an ink end display printing surface for printing ink end information.

For example, an inkjet printer detects that an ink cartridge mounted in an installation section has run out of ink. When this happens, the inkjet printer prints ink-end information by ejecting ink from an inkjet head onto an ink-end display printing surface formed on the ink cartridge. A user can know that the ink cartridge has run out of ink by visually checking the ink-end information printed on the ink-end display printing surface.

JP 2013-224047 A

In the inkjet printer described above, status information regarding the state of the ink contained in the ink cartridge is printed on the surface of the ink cartridge. However, the status information printed on the ink cartridge is for the user to see, and is not information that the inkjet printer can obtain. The inventors of the present application are considering using the information printed on the ink cartridge to obtain the status of the ink contained in the ink cartridge in the inkjet printer.

The present invention was made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to provide a printer that can grasp the status of the ink contained in an ink cartridge by detecting a status indicator attached to the ink cartridge.

The printer according to the present invention includes an ink head that ejects ink, a cartridge storage unit, a sensor head, a movement mechanism, and a control device. The cartridge storage unit stores an ink cartridge that contains ink to be supplied to the ink head, the ink cartridge being affixed with a status indicator on which status information including at least the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge is recorded, so that the status indicator is exposed. The sensor head has a detection sensor capable of detecting the status information recorded on the status indicator. The movement mechanism moves the ink head or the sensor head in a main scanning direction. The control device includes a movement control unit and a detection control unit. The movement control unit moves the sensor head in the main scanning direction. The detection control unit causes the detection sensor to detect the status information recorded on the status indicator affixed to the ink cartridge when the sensor head is moving in the main scanning direction.

According to the printer, the ink cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge housing so that the status indicator is exposed from the cartridge housing. Therefore, when the detection sensor detects the status information recorded in the status indicator, it is only necessary to detect the status indicator exposed from the cartridge housing, making it easier to detect the status information. Therefore, by detecting the status information with the detection sensor, it is possible to grasp the status of the ink contained in the ink cartridge, such as the amount of ink remaining.

The present invention provides a printer that can grasp the status of the ink contained in an ink cartridge by detecting a status indicator attached to the ink cartridge.

1 is a perspective view showing a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the bottom surface of a print head. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic view of a print head, a sensor head, a support base, and a cartridge receiving section. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the ink cartridge. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for printing a status indicator on an ink cartridge. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for detecting a status indicator attached to an ink cartridge. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to another embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for components and parts that perform the same function, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printer 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a front view of the printer 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the printer 10 according to this embodiment. In the following, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. Symbol Y indicates the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is, for example, the left-right direction. Symbol X indicates the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction X is a direction different from the main scanning direction Y. The sub-scanning direction X intersects (here, perpendicular to) the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. The sub-scanning direction X is, for example, the front-rear direction. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10, nor limit the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 ejects ink onto the substrate 5 to print on the substrate 5. The substrate 5 is, for example, recording paper. However, the substrate 5 is not limited to recording paper. For example, the substrate 5 includes relatively thick objects such as sheets made of resin materials such as PVC and polyester, metal plates, glass plates, and wooden boards. The substrate 5 may also be a three-dimensional object such as a smartphone case.

The printer 10 is an inkjet printer. In this embodiment, the printer 10 is a so-called flatbed type printer, and is configured so that the support table 25 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, moves in the sub-scanning direction X, and the printing substrate 5 also moves in the sub-scanning direction X. However, the printer 10 may also be a so-called roll-to-roll type printer, and may be configured so that only the roll-shaped printing substrate 5 moves in the sub-scanning direction X, without moving the support table 25 in the sub-scanning direction X.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a case 11 and a cover 12. The case 11 is rectangular and has an internal space. Printing is performed on the substrate 5 in the internal space. As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 15 is formed in the front of the case 11.

The cover 12 is supported by the case 11 so that the opening 15 can be opened and closed freely. Here, the cover 12 is configured to be rotatable around the rear end as an axis. As shown in FIG. 1, a window 16 is provided at the front and top of the cover 12. The window 16 is formed from a transparent or translucent member, for example, an acrylic plate. The user can view the internal space of the case 11 through the window 16.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is equipped with an operation panel 20. The operation panel 20 is provided on the case 11. The operation panel 20 has a display screen 21 that displays the status of the printer 10 and information about the ink cartridge 50 (see FIG. 2) described below (e.g., information about the status of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50), and operation keys 22. The user can display various information on the display screen 21 by, for example, operating the operation keys 22.

Next, the internal configuration of the printer 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a support table 25. The support table 25 supports the substrate 5. Here, the substrate 5 is placed on the upper surface of the support table 25. Printing is performed on the substrate 5 on the support table 25. Ink is also ejected onto the substrate 5 supported by the support table 25. The upper surface of the support table 25 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X, and is configured as a support surface that supports the substrate 5.

The printer 10 includes a guide rail 28, a print head 30, and a sensor head 40. The guide rail 28 is fixed to the case 11 in the internal space of the case 11. The guide rail 28 is disposed above the support base 25. The guide rail 28 extends in the main scanning direction Y.

The print head 30 is related to printing. The print head 30 is disposed above the support base 25. The print head 30 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the bottom surface of the print head 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the print head 30 includes an ink carriage 31, an ink head 32, and a light irradiation device 35.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink carriage 31 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 28. The ink carriage 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 28.

The ink head 32 is disposed above the support base 25. The ink head 32 ejects ink toward the printing material 5 supported by the support base 25. The ink head 32 is mounted on the ink carriage 31. Here, the ink head 32 is provided on the ink carriage 31 so that the bottom surface is exposed downward, and is supported by the ink carriage 31. The number of ink heads 32 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of ink heads 32 is five. The five ink heads 32 are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the five ink heads 32 are appropriately labeled with the symbols 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, and 32E from left to right.

Each ink head 32 ejects ink of a different color. In this embodiment, the ink head 32A ejects a base ink (e.g., white ink). In this embodiment, the ink head 32A is an example of a base ink head. The ink head 32B ejects cyan ink. The ink head 32C ejects magenta ink. The ink head 32D ejects yellow ink. The ink head 32E ejects black ink. In this embodiment, the cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink are examples of color inks, and the ink heads 32B, 32C, 32D, and 32E are examples of color ink heads. However, the types of ink colors ejected from each ink head 32 are not limited to the above five types. In addition, the material of the ink is not limited in any way, and various materials used as ink materials in conventional inkjet printers can be used. In this embodiment, the ink ejected from the ink head 32 is a photocurable ink that is accelerated to dry when irradiated with light. The light irradiated onto the ink is, for example, ultraviolet light; in this case, the ink is ultraviolet-curable ink, the hardening of which is accelerated when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each ink head 32 has a plurality of nozzles 33 and a nozzle surface 34 in which the plurality of nozzles 33 are formed. The nozzle surface 34 constitutes the bottom surface of the ink head 32. In one ink head 32, the plurality of nozzles 33 are arranged in a line in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, in one ink head 32, a line of the plurality of nozzles 33 arranged in the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as a nozzle line 33a. In this embodiment, the number of nozzle lines 33a in one ink head 32 is two, but it may be one, or three or more. In this embodiment, each ink head 32 is configured to eject ink of one color, but it may be configured to eject ink of multiple colors from one ink head 32. For example, in the case where one ink head 32 has two nozzle lines 33a, a first ink may be ejected from the nozzles 33 constituting one nozzle line 33a, and a second ink of a different color from the first ink may be ejected from the nozzles 33 constituting the other nozzle line 33a.

The light irradiation device 35 is a device that irradiates light onto the ink ejected from the ink head 32. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the light irradiation device 35 is configured to be able to irradiate light onto the ink ejected onto the printing substrate 5 supported by the support stand 25. In this embodiment, the ink ejected from the ink head 32 (more specifically, the nozzles 33) is an ultraviolet curable ink, so the light irradiation device 35 is an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ink ejected from the ink head 32.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light irradiation device 35 is provided on the ink carriage 31 and is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y together with the ink carriage 31 and the ink head 32. In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 35 is provided on the left side of the ink carriage 31, but it may also be provided on the right side of the ink carriage 31.

The light irradiation device 35 has an irradiation body 36 (see FIG. 4) and a light source 37 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 4, the irradiation body 36 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is hollow. An irradiation port 38 is formed on the bottom surface of the irradiation body 36. The irradiation port 38 opens downward. The shape of the irradiation port 38 is a square shape, but is not particularly limited. The light source 37 in FIG. 3 emits light (ultraviolet light in this case) and is disposed inside the irradiation body 36. The light emitted from the light source 37 passes through the irradiation port 38 and is irradiated to the ink ejected on the printing substrate 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor head 40 is disposed above the support base 25. The sensor head 40 is disposed alongside the print head 30 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the sensor head 40 is disposed to the left of the print head 30, but it may be disposed to the right of the print head 30. The sensor head 40 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y. The sensor head 40 has a sensor carriage 41 and a detection sensor 42.

The sensor carriage 41 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 28. The sensor carriage 41 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 28.

The detection sensor 42 is disposed above the support base 25. The detection sensor 42 is provided on the sensor carriage 41 and is supported by the sensor carriage 41. Although not shown, the detection sensor 42 has a detection unit that detects an object disposed below. The detection sensor 42 is a sensor for detecting the status information 52 (see FIG. 6) recorded on the status mark 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50. The detection sensor 42 is also a sensor that detects the position of the print material 5 supported by the support base 25 at both ends (here, both left and right ends) in the main scanning direction Y relative to the support base 25. The type of the detection sensor 42 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, optical. The detection sensor 42 is, for example, a photosensor. The detection sensor 42 can detect color and may be, for example, a color sensor that can express color in RGB.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the print head 30 and the sensor head 40 are connectable. The sensor head 40 can be moved independently in the main scanning direction Y, separate from the print head 30. The print head 30 is connected to the sensor head 40, and can be moved together with the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. However, the print head 30 may also be able to be moved independently in the main scanning direction Y, separate from the sensor head 40.

2, in this embodiment, the printer 10 includes a first movement mechanism 81 that moves the print head 30 (e.g., the ink head 32) or the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the support base 25, and a second movement mechanism 82 that moves the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 25 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the print head 30 and the sensor head 40. In addition, although detailed configuration is omitted, the printer 10 includes a lifting mechanism 83 that raises and lowers the support base 25.

The first moving mechanism 81 is an example of a moving mechanism that moves the ink head 32 or the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the first moving mechanism 81 moves the print head 30 in the main scanning direction Y during printing, and moves the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y when detecting the status indicator 51 (see FIG. 6 ). The configuration of the first moving mechanism 81 is not particularly limited. Although not shown, the first moving mechanism 81 has, for example, left and right pulleys, a belt, and a scan motor. The left pulley is provided around the left end of the guide rail 28, and the right pulley is provided around the right end of the guide rail 28. The belt is, for example, an endless belt that is wound around the left and right pulleys. The sensor carriage 41 of the sensor head 40 is attached and fixed to the belt. The scan motor is connected to one of the left and right pulleys. Here, the pulley rotates when the scan motor is driven, and the belt runs between the left and right pulleys. This causes the sensor head 40 to move in the main scanning direction Y. When the print head 30 is connected to the sensor head 40, the print head 30 (here, the ink carriage 31, the ink head 32, and the light irradiation device 35) moves in the main scanning direction Y together with the sensor head 40.

The second moving mechanism 82 moves the support table 25 in the sub-scanning direction X, thereby moving the printing material 5 supported by the support table 25 in the sub-scanning direction X. The configuration of the second moving mechanism 82 is not particularly limited. Here, the second moving mechanism 82 includes a support table carriage that supports the support table 25, and a pair of left and right slide rails that slidably support the support table carriage and extend in the sub-scanning direction X, although not shown. The second moving mechanism 82 further includes a pair of front and rear slide pulleys provided in front and behind the slide rails, and a slide belt wound around the pair of front and rear slide pulleys, although not shown. The support table carriage is fixed to this slide belt. A feed motor is connected to one of the pair of front and rear slide pulleys. Here, the feed motor is driven to run the slide belt, and the support table 25 moves in the sub-scanning direction X together with the support table carriage. Therefore, the printing material 5 supported by the support table 25 also moves in the sub-scanning direction X.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing the print head 30, the sensor head 40, the support base 25, and the cartridge storage section 60. Figure 6 is a plan view showing the ink cartridge 50. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the printer 10 includes the ink cartridge 50 and the cartridge storage section 60 that stores the ink cartridge 50. The ink cartridge 50 stores ink that is ejected from the ink head 32 (more specifically, the nozzle 33 (see Figure 4)). Here, the ink cartridge 50 is connected to the ink head 32 (see Figure 4) via a tube not shown. The ink stored in the ink cartridge 50 is supplied to the ink head 32 through the tube. In this embodiment, the number of ink cartridges 50 is the same as the number of ink colors that can be used in the printer 10. The number of ink cartridges 50 is the same as the number of ink heads 32, which is five in this embodiment. One ink cartridge 50 is connected to one ink head 32.

In this embodiment, the ink cartridges 50 connected to the ink heads 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, and 32E are referred to as ink cartridges 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, and 50E, respectively. Here, the ink cartridge 50A contains a base ink (e.g., white ink) to be supplied to the ink head 32A. The ink cartridge 50B contains a cyan ink to be supplied to the ink head 32B. The ink cartridge 50C contains a magenta ink to be supplied to the ink head 32C. The ink cartridge 50D contains a yellow ink to be supplied to the ink head 32D. The ink cartridge 50E contains a black ink to be supplied to the ink head 32E. In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 50 is a consumable item. Therefore, when the remaining ink amount of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50 falls below a predetermined amount, the ink cartridge 50 is replaced with a new ink cartridge 50.

The size and shape of the ink cartridge 50 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the sub-scanning direction X than in the main scanning direction Y. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the length of the ink cartridge 50 in the up-down direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction Y and shorter than the length in the sub-scanning direction X (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the five ink cartridges 50A-50E are the same size, but may be different sizes. For example, some of the five ink cartridges 50A-50E may be longer in the sub-scanning direction X than the other ink cartridges 50.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 50 is provided with a status indicator 51. The position of the ink cartridge 50 on which the status indicator 51 is provided is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the status indicator 51 is provided on the top surface of the front end of the ink cartridge 50. The method of providing the status indicator 51 to the ink cartridge 50 is also not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the status indicator 51 is provided on the ink cartridge 50 by being printed directly on the ink cartridge 50. However, the status indicator 51 may also be provided on the ink cartridge 50 by attaching or pasting an item (e.g., a sheet of paper) on which the status indicator 51 is drawn to the ink cartridge 50.

Here, status information 52 is recorded in the status indicator 51. Here, "status information 52 is recorded in the status indicator 51" refers to a state in which the status information 52 is obtained by detecting the status indicator 51 with the detection sensor 42. Here, detecting the status indicator 51 means the same as detecting the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51. The status information 52 refers to information obtained by the detection sensor 42 detecting the status indicator 51. The status information 52 is information about the status of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50. In this embodiment, the status information 52 includes information about the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge 50. The remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge 50 can be rephrased as the amount of ink used that is contained in the ink cartridge 50.

The type of the status indicator 51 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 50 has a print area AR1 set in advance. For example, the print area AR1 is set on the upper surface of the part (e.g., the front end) of the ink cartridge 50 that protrudes forward from the cartridge storage section 60. The status indicator 51 is printed in the print area AR1. Here, the print area AR1 has a fill area AR2 that corresponds to the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 50. The fill area AR2 is an area that is filled with ink (more specifically, color ink) ejected from the ink head 32 (more specifically, ink heads 32B to 32E). In this embodiment, the fill area AR2 becomes larger as the amount of ink remaining decreases. When the ratio of the fill area AR2 to the print area AR1 becomes larger than a predetermined ratio, the ink remaining amount is low and it is time to replace the ink cartridge 50. Here, the status indicator 51 is attached to the ink cartridge 50 by filling in the filled area AR2, whose size corresponds to the amount of remaining ink, with ink.

In this embodiment, the print area AR1 is divided into multiple divided areas AR3 (e.g., eight divided areas). A range of remaining ink is set for each divided area AR3. The divided area AR3 that corresponds to the range of remaining ink included in the current remaining ink amount becomes the filled area AR2, and is filled in with ink ejected from the ink head 32. Here, the fewer the remaining ink amount, the greater the number of divided areas AR3 that become filled areas AR2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge storage section 60 stores the ink cartridge 50. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge storage section 60 is disposed in the internal space of the case 11 and fixed to the case 11. The cartridge storage section 60 is disposed in a position where it does not interfere with the print head 30 and the sensor head 40 when the print head 30 or the sensor head 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y. The cartridge storage section 60 is also disposed in a position where it does not interfere with the support base 25 when the support base 25 moves in the main scanning direction X and when the support base 25 rises and falls.

In this embodiment, the cartridge storage section 60 is disposed below the print head 30 (e.g., the ink head 32) and below the sensor head 40 (e.g., the detection sensor 42). The cartridge storage section 60 is also disposed below the guide rail 28. As shown in FIG. 5, in a plan view, at least a part of the cartridge storage section 60 is disposed behind the sensor head 40. Here, in a plan view, the entire cartridge storage section 60 is disposed behind the detection sensor 42 of the sensor head 40. In a plan view, a part of the cartridge storage section 60 (here, the rear part) is disposed behind the print head 30. In this embodiment, the cartridge storage section 60 is not disposed in front of the sensor head 40 and is not disposed in front of the print head 30. In other words, the cartridge storage section 60 does not protrude forward from the sensor head 40 and the print head 30.

The cartridge storage section 60 is arranged next to the support base 25 in the main scanning direction Y. The cartridge storage section 60 is arranged on the main scanning direction Y side of the support base 25. In this embodiment, the cartridge storage section 60 is arranged to the left of the support base 25 in a plan view, but it may be arranged to the right of the support base 25.

Here, the cartridge storage section 60 stores five ink cartridges 50A-50E together. The five ink cartridges 50A-50E are stored in the cartridge storage section 60 so that they are aligned in the main scanning direction Y. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge storage section 60 has an internal storage space and a storage opening 61 that opens to the front. The storage opening 61 communicates with the storage space. When the ink cartridge 50 is inserted into the storage opening 61 and placed in the storage space, the ink cartridge 50 is connected to the ink head 32. This allows the ink cartridge 50 to supply ink to the connected ink head 32.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, five storage openings 61 are formed, and the five storage openings 61 are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction Y. In the following, the five storage openings 61 will be appropriately labeled 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, and 61E from left to right. The ink cartridge 50 inserted into the storage opening 61A is connected to the ink head 32A that ejects base ink (e.g., white ink). Therefore, the ink cartridge 50A containing base ink is inserted into the storage opening 61A. The ink cartridge 50 inserted into the storage opening 61B is connected to the ink head 32B that ejects cyan ink, so the ink cartridge 50B containing cyan ink is inserted into the storage opening 61B. The ink cartridge 50 inserted into the storage opening 61C is connected to the ink head 32C that ejects magenta ink, so the ink cartridge 50C containing magenta ink is inserted into the storage opening 61C. The ink cartridge 50 inserted into the storage opening 61D is connected to the ink head 32D that ejects yellow ink, so the ink cartridge 50D that contains yellow ink is inserted into the storage opening 61D. The ink cartridge 50 inserted into the storage opening 61E is connected to the ink head 32E that ejects black ink, so the ink cartridge 50E that contains black ink is inserted into the storage opening 61E.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the ink cartridge 50 is housed in the cartridge housing section 60, a part of the ink cartridge 50 (here, the front end) protrudes forward from the cartridge housing section 60. Here, a status indicator 51 is attached to the upper surface of the front end of the ink cartridge 50. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 50 is housed in the cartridge housing section 60, the ink cartridge 50 is housed in the cartridge housing section 60 so that the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50 is exposed forward from the cartridge housing section 60. Here, when the ink cartridge 50 is housed in the cartridge housing section 60, the status indicator 51 is located in a position forward of the cartridge housing section 60. When the five ink cartridges 50A to 50E are housed in the cartridge housing section 60, the status indicators 51 attached to the five ink cartridges 50A to 50E are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y, and are aligned in the sub-scanning direction X.

Although not shown, when the ink cartridge 50 is housed in the cartridge housing 60, the status indicator 51 is located directly below the detection sensor 42 of the sensor head 40 in a left side view. In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, the status indicator 51 is located on the movement trajectory M1 of the detection sensor 42 when the sensor head 40 is moving in the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. That is, when the sensor head 40 is moving in the main scanning direction Y, the detection sensor 42 is configured to pass over the status indicator 51 (in other words, directly above the status indicator 51) attached to the ink cartridge 50 in the cartridge housing 60. The detection sensor 42 is configured to be able to detect the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51 when passing over the status indicator 51. It is preferable that the vertical position of the cartridge housing 60 is at a height that allows the detection sensor 42 to detect the status indicator 51 when passing over the status indicator 51.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 28 protrudes to the left of the housing opening 61 of the cartridge housing 60 so that the print head 30 (e.g., the ink head 32) and the sensor head 40 (e.g., the detection sensor 42) can pass over the ink cartridge 50 housed in the cartridge housing 60. Therefore, when the print head 30 and the sensor head 40 move along the guide rail 28 to the leftmost end in the main scanning direction Y, they pass over the ink cartridge 40 housed in the cartridge housing 60 and are positioned to the left of the housing opening 61.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a control device 90. The control device 90 performs control related to printing and control related to detecting the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50. The configuration of the control device 90 is not particularly limited. The control device 90 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 90 includes, for example, an I/F, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control device 90 is provided inside the case 11. However, the control device 90 may be realized by a computer or the like installed outside the case 11. In this case, the control device 90 is connected to the control board (not shown) of the printer 10 so as to be able to communicate with it via wire or wirelessly.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 90 is communicatively connected to the operation panel 20 (e.g., the display screen 21 and the operation keys 22), the ink head 32 (e.g., the ink heads 32A-32E), the light irradiation device 35 (more specifically, the light source 37), the detection sensor 42, the first movement mechanism 81, the second movement mechanism 82, and the lifting mechanism 83. The control device 90 controls the operation panel 20, the ink head 32, the light irradiation device 35, the detection sensor 42, the first movement mechanism 81, the second movement mechanism 82, and the lifting mechanism 83.

In this embodiment, the control device 90 includes a memory unit 91, a substrate printing unit 92, a movement control unit 93, a detection control unit 94, a counting unit 95, a remaining amount estimation unit 96, a sign printing unit 97, and a notification unit 98. Each of the units 91 to 98 constituting the control device 90 may be realized by one or more processors, may be incorporated into a circuit, or may be programmed by predetermined software.

Next, the control procedure by the control device 90 of the printer 10 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the control procedure for printing the status indicator 51 on the ink cartridge 50 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7. Here, the status indicator 51 is attached to the ink cartridge 50 by being printed on the ink cartridge 50 after printing has been performed on the print substrate 5, for example.

In this embodiment, printing on the substrate 5 is performed by the substrate printing unit 92 in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a print image 99 to be printed on the substrate 5 is stored in advance in the memory unit 91. The substrate printing unit 92 prints on the substrate 5 (see FIG. 2) supported by the support table 25 based on the print image 99 stored in the memory unit 91. When printing on the substrate 5, the substrate 5 is supported on the support table 25 as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the substrate printing unit 92 in FIG. 3 operates the first moving mechanism 81 to eject ink from the ink head 32 toward the substrate 5 while moving the ink head 32 in the main scanning direction Y, thereby printing one line. Note that when printing one line, the light irradiation device 35 moves in the main scanning direction Y together with the ink head 32, and light is irradiated onto the ink ejected on the substrate 5. After printing one line, the substrate printing unit 92 controls the second movement mechanism 82 to move the support table 25 supporting the substrate 5 a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction X. The substrate printing unit 92 then moves the ink head 32 and the light irradiation device 35 in the main scanning direction Y to print the next line. In this way, by alternately repeating the printing of one line and the movement of the support table 25 in the sub-scanning direction X, the print image 99 can be printed on the substrate 5.

In this embodiment, step S101 in FIG. 7 is executed during printing on the substrate 5 by the substrate printing unit 92. In step S101, the counting unit 95 in FIG. 3 counts the ink consumption amount V1 of the ink ejected from the ink head 32 during printing. Here, the counting unit 95 counts the ink consumption amount V1 ejected from the ink head 32 for each ink head 32 (here, five ink heads 32A to 32E) when printing on the substrate 5 by the substrate printing unit 92. Here, the ink consumption amount V1 refers to the amount of ink ejected from the ink head 32. The ink consumption amount V1 refers to the amount of ink consumed after the ink cartridge 50 is housed in the cartridge housing unit 60 and connected to the ink head 32. In this embodiment, for example, a connection sensor (not shown) is provided that detects that the ink cartridge 50 is connected to the ink head 32. When the connection sensor detects that the ink cartridge 50 is connected to the ink head 32, the ink consumption amount V1 is reset. The ink consumption amount V1 for each ink head 32 counted by the counting unit 95 is stored in the memory unit 91 (see Figure 3).

After printing on the print substrate 5 is completed and the ink consumption amount V1 for each ink head 32 is counted, the process proceeds to step S103 in FIG. 7. In step S103, the remaining amount estimating unit 96 in FIG. 3 estimates the remaining ink amount V2 of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50 based on the ink consumption amount V1 counted by the counting unit 95. Here, the remaining amount estimating unit 96 estimates the remaining ink amount V2 for each ink cartridge 50 (here, five ink cartridges 50A to 50E). In this embodiment, the memory unit 91 stores in advance the maximum amount of ink (not shown) that can be stored in the ink cartridge 50. The remaining amount estimating unit 96 estimates the difference between the maximum amount of ink and the ink consumption amount V1 counted by the counting unit 95 as the remaining ink amount V2 of the ink cartridge 50. The remaining ink amount V2 for each ink cartridge 50 estimated by the remaining amount estimating unit 96 is stored in the memory unit 91 in FIG. 3.

Next, in step S105 of FIG. 7, the marker printing unit 97 of FIG. 3 prints a status marker 51 on the ink cartridge 50, thereby attaching it to the ink cartridge 50. The marker printing unit 97 prints a status marker 51, on which status information 52 corresponding to the remaining ink amount V2 estimated by the remaining amount estimating unit 96 is recorded, on the ink cartridge 50 using ink ejected from the ink head 32. Here, the marker printing unit 97 prints the status marker 51 in the printing area AR1 for each ink cartridge 50, as shown in FIG. 6.

In this embodiment, the marker printing unit 97 prints the status marker 51 by ejecting ink into a fill area AR2 of a size corresponding to the remaining ink amount V2 in the print area AR1 preset in the ink cartridge 50. Here, the ratio of the fill area AR2 to the print area AR1 is changed according to the remaining ink amount V2. In detail, the fill area AR2 is set to be larger as the remaining ink amount V2 decreases, and is set to be smaller as the remaining ink amount V2 increases. In this embodiment, when the status marker 51 is printed by the marker printing unit 97, the status marker 51 recording the status information 52 (more specifically, the remaining ink amount V2) up to the previous printing may already be printed in the print area AR1 of the ink cartridge 50. In this case, the marker printing unit 97 may fill the area of the fill area AR2 of a size corresponding to the remaining ink amount V2, into which ink has not yet been ejected, with ink ejected from the ink head 32.

In this embodiment, the marker printing unit 97 in FIG. 3 moves the ink head 32 in the main scanning direction Y as shown in FIG. 2. Here, the marker printing unit 97 controls the first moving mechanism 81 to move the ink head 32 in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 28. Then, the marker printing unit 97 prints the status marker 51 on the ink cartridge 50 when the ink head 32 is moving in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the ink head 32 passes directly above the printing area AR1 of the ink cartridge 50 when moving in the main scanning direction Y. When the ink head 32 is positioned above the printing area AR1, the marker printing unit 97 ejects ink from the ink head 32 to fill in the fill area AR2 having a size according to the remaining ink amount V2, and can attach the status marker 51 to the ink cartridge 50. Here, while the ink head 32 is moving in the main scanning direction Y, the status marker 51 is printed on all the ink cartridges 50. However, if there is no substantial change in the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51, printing of the status indicator 51 for the ink cartridge 50 that has not been changed may be omitted. In this manner, the status indicator 51 can be printed on the ink cartridge 50.

Next, the control procedure for detecting the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the status indicator 51 is detected, for example, when the ink cartridge 50 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodation section 60 (in other words, when the ink cartridge 50 is connected to the ink head 32). In other words, the detection control section 94 in FIG. 3 causes the detection sensor 42 to detect the status indicator 51 recorded on the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50 when the ink cartridge 50 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodation section 60.

First, in step S201 in FIG. 8, the movement control unit 93 in FIG. 3 moves the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the movement control unit 93 controls the first movement mechanism 81 (see FIG. 2) to move the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 28. At this time, the detection sensor 42 also moves in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 28. Note that in step S201, the sensor head 40 may move in the main scanning direction Y alone without being connected to the print head 30, or may move in the main scanning direction Y together with the print head 30 while connected to the print head 30.

Next, in step S203 of FIG. 8, the detection control unit 94 of FIG. 3 detects the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50 housed in the cartridge housing unit 60. Here, the detection control unit 94 causes the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51 when the sensor head 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y. When the sensor head 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y, the detection sensor 42 passes over the support base 25 and also passes over the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50 housed in the cartridge housing unit 60. Therefore, when the detection sensor 42 passes directly above the status indicator 51, the detection control unit 94 causes the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51. Here, the detection control unit 94 causes the detection sensor 42 to detect the remaining ink amount V2 included in the status information 52. In more detail, the detection control unit 94 detects the remaining ink amount V2 by detecting the size of the filled-in area AR2 in the printing area AR1 with the detection sensor 42.

In this embodiment, the detection control unit 94 detects the status information 52 of the status indicators 51 attached to all of the ink cartridges 50 (here, five ink cartridges 50A to 50E) housed in the cartridge housing unit 60. However, for example, before step S201 in FIG. 8, it is also possible to detect only the status information 52 of the status indicators 51 attached to the ink cartridges 50 newly housed in the cartridge housing unit 60. The status information 52 detected by the detection control unit 94 is stored in the memory unit 91 in FIG. 3.

Next, in step S205 of FIG. 8, the notification unit 98 of FIG. 3 notifies the user of the status of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50. Here, the notification unit 98 notifies the user of the status of the ink based on the status information 52 detected by the detection sensor 42. The content of the notification at this time is not particularly limited. For example, the notification unit 98 may notify the user of the remaining ink amount V2 contained in the status information 52 for each ink cartridge 50. Furthermore, if the remaining ink amount V2 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the notification unit 98 may notify the user to replace the ink cartridge 50 with a new ink cartridge 50.

The specific method by which the notification unit 98 notifies the user is not particularly limited. For example, the notification unit 98 may notify the user of the ink status by displaying the remaining ink amount V2 for each ink cartridge 50 or a message to replace the ink cartridge 50 on the display screen 21 (see FIG. 2) of the operation panel 20. The notification unit 98 may also notify the user of the ink status by, for example, emitting a sound from a buzzer (not shown), or by emitting light from a light source (not shown) such as an LED.

As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes an ink head 32 that ejects ink, a cartridge storage section 60, a sensor head 40, a first moving mechanism 81, and a control device 90. As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge storage section 60 stores an ink cartridge 50 that contains ink to be supplied to the ink head 32, and is provided with a status indicator 51 on which status information 52 including at least the remaining ink amount V2 of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50 is recorded, so that the status indicator 51 is exposed. The sensor head 40 has a detection sensor 42 (see FIG. 2) that can detect the status information 52 recorded on the status indicator 51. The first moving mechanism 81 moves the ink head 32 or the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 90 includes a movement control section 93 and a detection control section 94. The movement control section 93 moves the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y as shown in step S201 of FIG. 8. As shown in step S203 of FIG. 8, when the sensor head 40 is moving in the main scanning direction Y, the detection control unit 94 causes the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 recorded on the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink cartridge 50 is accommodated in the cartridge housing portion 60 so that the status indicator 51 is exposed from the cartridge housing portion 60. Therefore, when the detection sensor 42 detects the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51, it is only necessary to detect the status indicator 51 exposed from the cartridge housing portion 60, making it easier to detect the status information 52. Therefore, by detecting the status information 52 with the detection sensor 42, the status of the ink accommodated in the ink cartridge 50 (e.g., the remaining ink amount V2) can be ascertained.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 90 includes a counting unit 95, a remaining amount estimating unit 96, and a sign printing unit 97. As shown in step S101 of FIG. 7, the counting unit 95 counts the ink consumption amount V1 of the ink ejected from the ink head 32 during printing. As shown in step S103 of FIG. 7, the remaining amount estimating unit 96 estimates the remaining ink amount V2 of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50 based on the ink consumption amount V1 counted by the counting unit 95. As shown in step S105 of FIG. 7, the sign printing unit 97 prints a status sign 51 on the ink cartridge 50 using ink ejected from the ink head 32, on which status information 52 corresponding to the remaining ink amount V2 estimated by the remaining ink estimating unit 96 is recorded. As a result, the remaining ink amount V2 of the ink cartridge 50 is estimated from the ink consumption amount V1 actually ejected from the ink head 32, making it easy to accurately estimate the remaining ink amount V2. In addition, the status indicator 51 printed on the ink cartridge 50 is updated using ink ejected from the ink head 32, making it easy to keep the status indicator 51 up to date.

In this embodiment, the marker printing unit 97 in FIG. 3 prints the status marker 51 by ejecting ink into a filled-in area AR2 of a size corresponding to the remaining ink amount V2 within a print area AR1 preset in the ink cartridge 50, as shown in FIG. 6. In this way, the size of the filled-in area AR2 corresponds to the remaining ink amount V2. Therefore, the user can grasp the remaining ink amount V2 of the ink cartridge 50 by knowing the size of the filled-in area AR2. This makes it easier for the user to visually grasp the remaining ink amount V2.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 90 includes a memory unit 91 and a substrate printing unit 92. The memory unit 91 stores a print image 99 to be printed on the substrate 5. The substrate printing unit 92 prints on the substrate 5 by ejecting ink from the ink head 32 based on the print image 99. The counting unit 95 in FIG. 3 counts the ink consumption amount V1 of the ink ejected from the ink head 32 when the substrate printing unit 92 prints on the substrate 5. The indicator printing unit 97 prints a status indicator 51 on the ink cartridge 50 after the substrate printing unit 92 prints on the substrate 5. It is considered that when the substrate printing unit 92 prints on the substrate 5, more ink is ejected from the ink head 32, and the ink consumption amount V1 increases. Therefore, by printing the status indicator 51 after the substrate printing unit 92 prints on the substrate 5, the status indicator 51 can be attached to the ink cartridge 50, with the status information 52 recorded that is more accurate in accordance with the remaining ink amount V2.

In this embodiment, the detection control unit 94 in FIG. 3 causes the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 recorded on the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50 at the timing when the ink cartridge 50 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodation unit 60. This makes it possible to grasp the status of the ink in the ink cartridge 50 when it is accommodated in the cartridge accommodation unit 60 by detecting the status information 52 of the status indicator 51 attached to the ink cartridge 50.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the ink cartridge 50 is housed in the cartridge housing 60, the status indicator 51 is arranged, in a plan view, on the movement trajectory M1 of the detection sensor 42 when the sensor head 40 is moving in the main scanning direction Y. This allows the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51 by simply controlling the movement of the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge storage section 60 is disposed below the sensor head 40. As shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the cartridge storage section 60 is disposed behind the sensor head 40 in a plan view. This allows the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 recorded on the status indicator 51 of the ink cartridge 50 by moving the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y without moving it up or down.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a support table 25 that supports the substrate 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge storage section 60 is arranged next to the support table 25 in the main scanning direction Y. This allows the ink head 32 to be moved in the main scanning direction Y to eject ink from the ink head 32 toward the substrate 5 supported by the support table 25 for printing, and allows the detection sensor 42 to detect the status information 52 of the ink cartridge 50 stored in the cartridge storage section 60 by moving the sensor head 40 in the main scanning direction Y.

In the above embodiment, the status information 52 recorded in the status indicator 51 includes the remaining ink amount V2 of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50, and the status indicator 51 is attached to the ink cartridge 50 by filling in a filled-in area AR2 in the print area AR1 with ink, the size of which corresponds to the remaining ink amount V2, as shown in FIG. 6.

However, the status information according to the present invention may include information indicating the status of the ink other than the remaining ink amount V2. The type of status indicator according to the present invention is not particularly limited. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an ink cartridge 50 in another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the ink cartridge 50 is provided with a status indicator 51A. Status indicator 51A has status information 52A recorded therein. Status information 52A includes information regarding the status of the ink in addition to the remaining ink amount V2. Here, status information 52A includes the expiration date of the ink contained in ink cartridge 50.

In this embodiment, the status indicator 51A is realized by a barcode. The status indicator 51A may be realized by a one-dimensional barcode as shown in FIG. 9, or may be realized by a two-dimensional barcode.

In this embodiment, the sign printing unit 97 in FIG. 3 prints a status sign 51A in the printing area AR1 of the ink cartridge 50 after printing on the substrate 5 by the substrate printing unit 92 in FIG. 3. At this time, it is possible that a status sign 51A recording status information 52A prior to printing on the substrate 5 has already been printed in the printing area AR1. Here, the sign printing unit 97 prints a new status sign 51A so as to overlap the already printed status sign 51A.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the marker printing unit 97 ejects base ink from the ink head 32A (see FIG. 4) onto the ink cartridge 50 (more specifically, onto the printing area AR1) to form a base layer L1 (see FIG. 9). Since this base layer L1 is formed in the printing area AR1, it is formed on top of the already printed status mark 51A. At this time, the already printed status mark 51A is hidden by the base layer L1 and is difficult to see through the base layer L1. In this way, after forming the base layer L1 in the printing area AR1, the marker printing unit 97 ejects color ink from the ink heads 32B to 32E (see FIG. 4) onto the base layer L1 to print a new status mark 51A. In other words, the new status mark 51A is formed on top of the base layer L1. Here, the marker printing unit 97 ejects ink from the ink head 32 to print a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode on the base layer L1, thereby attaching the status marker 51A to the ink cartridge 50.

In this embodiment, after the base layer L1 is formed by the ink head 32A, the ink heads 32B to 32E print the status mark 51A. The printing of the base layer L1 and the status mark 51A is performed, for example, when the ink head 32 moves from the right to the left in the main scanning direction Y, that is, from the right of the ink cartridge 50 toward the ink cartridge 50. Here, the ink head 32A that ejects the base ink is arranged closer to the ink cartridge 50, and the ink heads 32B to 32E that eject the color inks are arranged farther from the ink cartridge 50. Therefore, when the ink head 32 moves in the main scanning direction Y, the ink head 32A passes over the ink cartridge 50, and then the ink heads 32B to 32E pass over the ink cartridge 50. Therefore, in the process of the ink head 32 moving to the left in the main scanning direction Y, the base layer L1 and the status mark 51 can be printed in order in the printing area AR1 of the ink cartridge 50, so that printing can be performed efficiently on the printing area AR1.

In this embodiment, the detection control unit 94 in FIG. 3 detects the status indicator 51A attached to the ink cartridge 50 with the detection sensor 42, and obtains the ink expiration date of the status information 52A recorded in the status indicator 51A. The notification unit 98 in FIG. 3 compares the ink expiration date with the current date and time, and if the ink expiration date is earlier than the current date and time, notifies the user to replace the ink cartridge 50. Alternatively, the notification unit 98 may notify the user of the ink expiration date for each ink cartridge 50 by displaying it on the display screen 21 (see FIG. 1).

As described above, in this embodiment, the status information 52A shown in FIG. 9 includes the expiration date of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50. As a result, the detection sensor 42 detects the status indicator 51A, making it easy to know the expiration date of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 50.

In this embodiment, the status indicator 51A is realized by a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode. This allows the status indicator 51A to be detected by the detection sensor 42, and the status information 52A to be obtained, even if the status indicator 51A is difficult for the user to understand visually.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the ink head 32 has an ink head 32A, which is an example of a base ink head that ejects base ink, and ink heads 32B to 32E, which are an example of a color ink head that ejects color ink. As shown in FIG. 9, the marker printing unit 97 in FIG. 3 ejects base ink from the ink head 32A onto the ink cartridge 50 to form a base layer L1, and ejects color ink from the ink heads 32B to 32E onto the base layer L1 to print a status marker 51A. For example, the ink cartridge 50 may already have a status marker 51A printed on it. Even in such a case, the already printed status marker 51A can be hidden by forming the base layer L1 with base ink on the already printed status marker 51A. Then, by printing a new status marker 51A on the base layer L1, the status marker 51A can be printed clearly, making it easier to accurately detect by the detection sensor 42.

5: Printing material 10: Printer 25: Support 32: Ink head 32A: Ink head (base ink head)
32B-32E Ink head (color ink head)
40 Sensor head 42 Detection sensor 50 Ink cartridge 51, 51A Status indicator 52, 52A Status information 60 Cartridge storage section 81 First moving mechanism (moving mechanism)
90 Control device 91 Memory unit 92 Printing substrate printing unit 93 Movement control unit 94 Detection control unit 95 Counting unit 96 Remaining amount estimation unit 97 Sign printing unit AR1 Printing area AR2 Filling area V1 Ink consumption amount V2 Remaining ink amount

Claims (12)

An ink head that ejects ink;
a cartridge storage section that stores an ink cartridge containing ink to be supplied to the ink head, the ink cartridge having a status indicator recorded thereon, the status indicator including at least a remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge, in such a manner that the status indicator is exposed;
a sensor head having a detection sensor capable of detecting the status information recorded in the status indicator;
a moving mechanism that moves the ink head or the sensor head in a main scanning direction;
A control device;
Equipped with
The control device includes:
a movement control unit that moves the sensor head in the main scanning direction;
a detection control unit that causes the detection sensor to detect the status information recorded in the status indicator attached to the ink cartridge when the sensor head is moving in the main scanning direction;
A printer equipped with The control device includes:
a counting unit that counts the amount of ink consumed by the ink ejected from the ink head during printing;
a remaining ink amount estimating unit that estimates a remaining ink amount of the ink contained in the ink cartridge based on the ink consumption amount counted by the counting unit;
a marker printing unit that prints, on the ink cartridge, the status marker on which the status information corresponding to the remaining ink amount estimated by the remaining ink amount estimating unit is recorded, using ink ejected from the ink head;
The printer of claim 1 , comprising: The printer according to claim 2, wherein the marker printing unit prints the status marker by ejecting ink into a fill-in area of a preset printing area in the ink cartridge, the fill-in area having a size corresponding to the amount of ink remaining. The control device includes:
A storage unit in which a print image to be printed on a printing substrate is stored;
a printing substrate printing unit that prints on the printing substrate by ejecting ink from the ink head based on the print image;
Equipped with
the counting unit counts the ink consumption amount of the ink ejected from the ink head while the printing substrate is being printed on by the printing substrate printing unit,
The printer according to claim 2 , wherein the indicator printing section prints the status indicator onto the ink cartridge after the status indicator has been printed onto the substrate by the substrate printing section. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the status information includes an expiration date for the ink contained in the ink cartridge. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the status indicator is realized by a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode. The ink head is
A base ink head that ejects base ink;
A color ink head that ejects color inks;
having
3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the marker printing section forms a base layer by ejecting the base ink from the base ink head onto the ink cartridge, and prints the status marker by ejecting the color inks from the color ink head onto the base layer. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the detection control unit causes the detection sensor to detect the status information recorded in the status indicator attached to the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge accommodation unit. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when the ink cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section, the status indicator is arranged, in a plan view, on the movement trajectory of the detection sensor when the sensor head is moving in the main scanning direction. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge storage section is disposed below the sensor head. The printer according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge storage section is located behind the sensor head in a plan view. A support table is provided for supporting a substrate to be printed,
The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge storage section is arranged side by side with the support table in the main scanning direction.

Images