JP3085742B2 - Informing method of capping state of ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for informing a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite electronic device or a workstation including a computer and a word processor, etc., is based on image information. It is configured to record an image on a recording material (recording medium) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus employing a serial scanning system in which a main scanning is performed in a direction crossing a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and then the recording is performed. The image is recorded (main scanning) by the recording means mounted on the carriage moving along the material, and after the recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper feeding (pitch conveyance) is performed, and then the stopped image is stopped again. By repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the next row of image on the recording material, the entire recording material is recorded. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the transport direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and recording is performed for one line at a time. Is performed, and the recording of the next line is performed collectively, thereby recording the entire recording material.

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material. Easy,
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, recording can be performed on plain paper without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise, and It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line-type apparatus using a line-type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further increase the recording speed.

[0005] In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
Through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., an electrothermal converter, an electrode,
By forming the liquid path wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a device having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material,
In recent years, ordinary recording materials such as paper and resin thin plates (OHP
Etc.), thin paper and processed paper (paper with perforated holes for perforation, perforated paper, paper of any shape, etc.) have come to be required.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
Insufficient ejection (including non-ejection) if foreign matter such as paper dust or dust adheres to the ink ejection section of the recording means (recording head), or if the ink at the ejection port dries and thickens or sticks
As a means for preventing this, a method of sealing the ink discharge portion with a cap at the time of recording is adopted. This cap is generally formed of a rubber-like elastic material.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
In order to stabilize the ejection of the recording head, the recording device is configured to automatically execute various sequences.If the user or the like unintentionally turns off the power, the cap closes the ink ejection section. (Capping) was sometimes not performed. As described above, when the recording apparatus is shipped in a state where the ink ejection unit is not sealed (capped) with the cap, the ink may leak from the ejection port, fix the ink in the ejection port, or be transported or stored for a long time. Discharge failure due to thickening or the like is likely to occur. Therefore, in order to prevent incomplete capping, the conventional inkjet recording apparatus not only prohibits power-off during printing, but also waits for the time necessary for the capping to be executed reliably before turning off the power. To perform capping by executing a power-off sequence by a relay or the like.

[0008]

However, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, the judgment of whether or not the recording head is securely sealed is left to the user's time judgment, and the judgment is uncertain. Met. Further, the method of providing the power-off sequence requires a space for components such as relays, wiring, and the like, which complicates the configuration and increases the device cost. Further, even in an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a power-off sequence, the power-off sequence is performed for a long time, and during that time, the power cord cannot be disconnected, so that the time for the capping operation cannot be reduced.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for informing a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus for capping an ink discharge portion of a recording means for discharging ink to a recording material with a cap. By notifying the start of the capping operation for shifting the state of the discharge unit from the open state to the capping completed state before the completion of the capping, the user can recognize that the apparatus has started the capping operation. It can prevent the occurrence of harmful situations such as turning off the power of the apparatus during the capping operation, deformation of the cap or the like due to the cap and the recording head not contacting in an appropriate form, or ink leakage or ejection port. It is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of ejection failure due to drying of the ink. There is provided a capping state notification method of inkjet recording apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for informing a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus for capping an ink ejection portion of a recording means for ejecting ink to a recording material with a cap, wherein a state of the cap with respect to the ink ejection portion is released. Executing the first notification for notifying the start of the capping operation for shifting the state from the state to the capping completed state before the completion of the capping, and being in the capping completed state with the completion of the capping of the ink ejection unit by the cap. Is executed, the user can recognize that the apparatus has started the capping operation, thereby turning off the power of the apparatus during the capping operation. The situation can be prevented, and the cap and print head are appropriate It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of notifying a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus that can more reliably prevent deformation of a cap or the like due to non-contact in the form, or occurrence of a discharge failure due to ink leakage or drying of a discharge port. .

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, an inkjet recording apparatus 1 is configured to perform recording by discharging ink from a recording unit 2 onto a recording material 7 such as a sheet of paper or a thin plastic plate. FIG. 1 shows the case of an ink jet recording apparatus for color recording, and the recording means 2 comprises a plurality (four) of recording heads 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D.
These print heads use, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) ink colors.

In FIG. 1, the recording means (recording head) 2 is mounted on a carriage 3, which reciprocates on guide rails 5, 5 installed in parallel along a recording material 7. It is mounted so that it can be moved (main scanning). The carriage 3 is driven by a motor (not shown) via a timing belt 4 stretched between a pair of pulleys. A platen (platen roller in the illustrated example) 6 having a length substantially covering the recording area is rotatably supported at a position facing the recording head 2. The platen roller 6 also serves as a transport roller for feeding the recording material 7, and the recording material 7 is fed into the peripheral surface of the platen roller 6 from the direction of arrow A, and is discharged in the direction of arrow B after passing through the recording position. Is done.

At a position within the moving range of the recording head 2 and outside the recording area (in the illustrated example, to the left of the platen roller 6), the stability of ink ejection of the recording head 2 is ensured, and A recovery mechanism 11 is provided for preventing the ink from sticking when left unattended. This recovery mechanism 1
A cap 16 for sealing (capping) the ejection port forming surface (ink ejection portion) of each recording head 2 during non-printing is provided on the front surface of the recording head 1. In the illustrated example, the cap 16 also has a plurality of caps 16A, 16B, 16C,
16D. These caps 16A-1
6D itself seals the discharge port forming surface in an airtight state.
In general, it is formed of a rubber-like elastic material so as to be able to do so. As an operation mechanism for pressing the caps 16A to 16D against the ejection port forming surface, for example, a mechanism for moving the recovery mechanism 11 back and forth with respect to the recording head 2 or moving the carriage 3 to move the caps 16A to 16D to the ejection ports. A mechanism for pressing against a forming surface has been proposed.

In FIG. 1, a recording apparatus 1 controls the operation of the recovery mechanism 11, the operation of the carriage 3, the operation of the platen roller 6, the recording operation (ink ejection) of each recording head 2, and the like. Controller 15 (FIG. 3)
Is provided. The controller 15 is connected to a host 9 such as a computer or a word processor, and is configured to transmit commands (command signals), image data (recording signals), and the like from the host 9.

Each of the recording heads 2A is provided on the carriage 3.
A replaceable ink cartridge 12 for supplying ink of a color corresponding to .about.2D is mounted. In addition, a panel 10 having various switches and various indicators is provided on the front surface of the recording device 1.

The recording head 2 (recording heads 2A to 2D)
Are inkjet recording means for ejecting ink using thermal energy, and are provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 2 performs recording by discharging ink from a discharge port using a pressure change generated by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. It is.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of the recording head 2. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.
(Approximately 0 mm) at the discharge port forming surface 51 facing
A plurality of discharge ports 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch, and an electrothermal converter (not shown) for generating energy for ink discharge along the wall surface of each liquid path 54 communicating the common liquid chamber 53 and each discharge port 52. A heating resistor 55) is provided. In the present embodiment, the recording head 2 is mounted on the carriage 3 in such a positional relationship that the ejection ports 52 are arranged in a direction crossing the scanning direction of the carriage 3. Thus, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 5 based on the image signal or the ejection signal
The recording head 2 drives (energizes) the ink 5 in the liquid path 54 to boil the ink in the liquid path 54 and discharges the ink from the discharge port 52 by the pressure generated at that time.

In the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, when the recording head 2 is shipped or transported without being sealed by the cap 16, the head difference from the ink cartridge 12 causes the ink to flow from the ejection port 52 during handling. May leak, and it is required to prevent this. Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, in order to prevent the ink leakage,
The ink ejection unit (ejection port formation surface 51) is forcibly and quickly sealed by the cap 16 in response to a command instruction from the host 9 such as the panel 10 or a personal computer. In addition, the cap 16 seals the ink ejection section to prevent the ink from thickening or sticking to the ink near the ejection port 52 due to transportation or long-term storage even in the case of a cartridge type recording head in which the ink tank and the recording head are integrated. Alternatively, this is a necessary measure for preventing dust from adhering to the discharge port forming surface 51.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of FIG. 3, a controller 15 of the recording apparatus 1 includes a CPU 15A and a ROM 15B.
And a RAM 15C. The controller 15 is connected to a host 9 such as a computer via an interface 17. The panel 15 and the mechanical drive system and the sensor system 18 are connected to the controller 15 so that signals can be exchanged with each other. Further, the controller 15 is connected to each of the recording heads 2A to 2D via a head driving system and a sensor system 19, and controls the recording operation of each of the recording heads 2A to 2D while exchanging signals with each other. It is configured. The controller 15
Is connected to a buzzer 13 so that the user can recognize the capping state of the recording head 2.

Therefore, the control system of FIG. 3 forcibly executes the sealing (capping) of the recording head 2 by the cap 16 based on a command (instruction) from the host 9 and at the same time the capping state (reliably). By performing at least one of the display operation of the closed state (capping state) on the panel 10 and the driving operation of the buzzer 13 for notifying the capping state, the user of the recording apparatus performs the operation according to whether or not the recording apparatus is closed. Is configured to promptly and surely recognize the capping state of the ink discharge unit (whether or not it is securely sealed).

FIGS. 4 and 5 are front views showing the structure of a panel 10 for performing operations and displaying when the recording head 2 is forcibly capped (sealed), and FIG. 4 is a segment display. Figure 5
Indicates the case where a liquid crystal display is used.

In FIG. 4, the panel 10 is provided with a segment display 21, a set switch 22, and an online switch 23.
And set switch 22 are pressed simultaneously (turned on)
Then, the operation of forcibly closing (capping) the recording head 2 is executed, and when the sealing of the ink discharge unit is completed, the display of the display 21 is set to “C”.

On the other hand, in the panel 10 of FIG. 5, a liquid crystal display 24, an enter switch 25 and an online switch 26 are provided.
And the enter switch 25 is pressed (turned on),
An operation of forcibly closing (capping) the recording head 2 is performed, and when the sealing of the ink discharge unit is completed, “CLOSE” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24.

In the case of a shipping inspection on a production line in a factory, after various test prints are executed, the above-mentioned forced closing (forcible capping) operation of the recording head 2 is performed by a command from a personal computer or the like. Is performed quickly and reliably, and then the recording device 1
The procedure of packing can be adopted. In this case, the indication that the capping (sealing of the ink discharge unit) has been completed is the same as in the case of the panel operation.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of the operation for forcibly closing (capping) the recording head 2 as described above. In FIG. 6, a panel operation (forced capping operation) consisting of a simultaneous pressing (ON) operation of the set switch 22 and the online switch 23 on the panel 10 or a pressing (ON) operation of the enter switch 25 and the online switch 26 is executed. Then, a command is transferred from the host 9 to the controller 15 of the printing apparatus 1, and the forcible closing (capping) operation of the printing head 2 is executed. When the sealing operation is started, the display 21 or 24 starts blinking. When the sealing operation is completed, the display of the display 21 or 24 changes from blinking to lighting. Such an operation allows the user to quickly and reliably recognize the capping operation of the recording head 2 and the completion of the capping.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The buzzer 13 may be used in addition to 1 or 24 so that the capping operation and the completion of the capping are recognized by a combination of the buzzer sound and the display. In that case, for example, as shown in the figure, the display 21 or 2
By changing the frequency of the sound generated by the buzzer 13 at the time of execution of the sealing operation in which the indicator 4 is blinking and after the completion of the sealing operation in which the indicator is turned on, the completion of the sealing operation (capping operation) can be quickly and reliably performed by the buzzer sound. Can be recognized.

By using the buzzer 13 in this way, even if the display 21 or 24 is not monitored after performing the panel operation, it is possible to recognize the completion of the sealing operation by changing the frequency of the buzzer sound or the like. In addition, when the power is turned off, various settings can be made such that the completion of the sealing operation can be reconfirmed on the display 21 or 24, and the handleability can be improved as compared with the case where only the display is used. The same applies to commands from the host. Further, the operation method of the panel operation and the types of switches are not limited to the illustrated example, and can be executed with other various settings.

In the above-described embodiment, the serial type ink jet recording apparatus in which the recording means (recording head) 2 is mounted on the carriage 3 and the main scanning is performed along the recording material 7 has been described as an example. The present invention is also applicable to a line type ink jet recording apparatus using a line type recording unit corresponding to the whole or a part of the recording width of a recording material,
It can be applied similarly and can achieve the same effect. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of an ink jet recording apparatus for color recording using a plurality of recording heads for recording with inks of different colors has been described as an example, but the present invention employs one recording head. Regardless of the number of recording heads, the same application can be applied regardless of the number of recording heads, such as an ink jet recording apparatus for monochromatic recording to be used, or an ink jet recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording heads for recording with the same color and different density inks. It is possible to achieve the same effect.

Further, the recording means (recording head) 2 is of a cartridge type in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, or of a constitution in which the recording head and the ink tank are separated and connected by an ink supply tube. Regardless of the configuration of the recording means and the ink tank, the present invention can be similarly applied and the same effects can be achieved.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using, for example, a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus of a type in which ink is ejected. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, this is done using the basic principles disclosed in US Pat. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which Then, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head). As a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed one-to-one corresponding to the driving signal. It is valid.

By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in 463359 and 4345262 are suitable. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,431,131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, the recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording material (recording medium) on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head. In addition, even with the serial type printer as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the main unit or attached to the main unit enables electrical connection with the main unit and supply of ink from the main unit. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type print head or a cartridge type print head having an ink tank provided integrally with the print head itself is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
For the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a discharge other than recording. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for performing stable printing.

The types and the number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only one provided for a single color ink but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. May be provided in plurality. That is, for example, as the recording mode of the recording apparatus, not only the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black,
The recording head may be formed integrally or by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of multiple colors of different colors or full color by mixing colors.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet ink is used. In general, in the method, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. What is necessary is just to be liquid. in addition,
Whether to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy, such as one that starts to solidify when it reaches a recording medium, is used.

In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and further, a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for informing a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus for capping an ink discharge portion of a recording means for discharging ink onto a recording material. The start of the capping operation for shifting the state of the cap with respect to the ink ejection unit from the open state to the capping completed state is notified before the completion of the capping, so that the user has started the capping operation by the apparatus. It is possible to recognize and prevent a harmful situation of turning off the power of the apparatus during the capping operation, deformation of the cap or the like due to the cap and the recording head not contacting in an appropriate form, or More reliably prevent ink leaks and ejection failures due to drying of the ejection openings Capping state notification method of an inkjet recording system that can Rukoto is provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the capping state notifying method of the ink jet recording apparatus for capping the ink discharge portion of the recording means for discharging the ink to the recording material with the cap, the state of the cap with respect to the ink discharge portion is provided. Execution of the first notification for notifying the start of the capping operation for shifting the state from the open state to the capping completed state before the completion of the capping, and the completion of the capping of the ink ejection unit by the cap, the state being changed to the capping completed state. The second to report that there is
Is performed, the user can recognize that the apparatus has started the capping operation, and the harmful situation of turning off the power of the apparatus during the capping operation is prevented. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of more reliably preventing deformation of the cap or the like due to the cap and the recording head not contacting in an appropriate form, or the occurrence of a discharge failure due to ink leakage or drying of the discharge port. Is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a structure of an ink ejection unit of the recording head shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of a control system of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a panel for operating and displaying an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of a panel for operating and displaying an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of the operation of each part in the forced capping of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Description of Signs] 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Recording means (recording head) 3 Carriage 5 Guide rail 6 Platen roller 7 Recording material 8 Control unit 9 Host 10 Panel 11 Recovery mechanism 13 Buzzer 15 Controller 16 Cap 18 Mechanical drive system and sensor System 21 Segment display 22 Set switch 23 Online switch 24 Liquid crystal display 25 Enter switch 26 Online switch 51 Discharge port forming surface 52 Discharge port 55 Electrothermal converter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-285353 (JP, A) JP-A-3-169560 (JP, A) JP-A-59-224355 (JP, A) JP-A-63-1988 224960 (JP, A) JP-A-5-31911 (JP, A) JP-A-57-90839 (JP, U) JP-A-61-85455 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/165 B41J 29/42

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for informing a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus for capping an ink discharge portion of a recording means for discharging ink onto a recording material, wherein a state of the cap with respect to the ink discharge portion is changed from an open state to a capping completed state. A notification of the start of the capping operation for shifting to (c) before the completion of the capping. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a capping operation of the ink discharge unit by the cap is performed by a panel operation. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the capping operation of the ink ejection unit by the cap is executed by a command. 4. A method for informing a user of a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user is notified by a buzzer and a display that the ink ejection section is sealed by the cap. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an ink jet recording means having an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for discharging ink.
Of the capping state of the ink jet recording apparatus. 6. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. A method for reporting the capping state of the device. 7. A method for informing a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus for capping an ink discharge portion of a recording means for discharging ink onto a recording material, wherein a state of the cap with respect to the ink discharge portion is changed from an open state to a capping completed state. Notification of the start of the capping operation for shifting to before the completion of the capping.
And executing a second notification for notifying that the capping is completed in accordance with the completion of the capping of the ink ejection unit by the cap. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the capping operation of the ink ejection unit by the cap is performed by a panel operation. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a capping operation of the ink discharge unit by the cap is executed by a command. 10. A method for informing a user of a capping state of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the user is notified by a buzzer and a display that the ink ejection section is sealed by the cap. 11. The capping state notification of an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ink discharge. Method. 12. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. A method for reporting the capping state of the device.