JP4139529B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs mono-color recording by replacing with another color when an ink end of color ink is detected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, inkjet recording apparatuses that perform full-color recording generally use four colors of ink of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In recent years, in addition to these four colors, each ink color has further increased. Ink jet recording apparatuses in which inks having different densities, for example, light-colored inks for each color are added to improve gradation, have appeared.
[0003]
In a conventional full-color ink jet recording apparatus, when there is no ink of a certain color, an image of the color component of the ink is not recorded, and an appropriate full-color recording cannot be performed.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, the remaining amount of ink itself is constantly monitored, or the number of dots of each color to be printed and recorded is counted, and when the remaining amount of ink is reduced, it is determined that the ink is near the end, and a warning is displayed. When the ink has completely disappeared, an ink end warning is displayed and the recording operation is immediately stopped so that the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus is stopped until the user replaces the ink.
[0005]
However, when such control is performed, even if one of a plurality of inks is in an ink end, the ink jet recording apparatus cannot be used until the ink is replenished even if the user does not want a very high quality image. The usability of the ink jet recording apparatus is poor.
[0006]
Therefore, conventionally, ink droplets are provided by a recording nozzle group provided corresponding to a plurality of colors of ink, and at least one of the plurality of colors corresponding to an ink having a high ink density and an ink having a low ink density. In the dark and light ink recording apparatus that discharges the ink and outputs a multicolor image, a means for determining that the recording using the high-density ink cannot be performed by detecting the ink end of the high-density ink; Proposes an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: control means for performing multi-value recording as a substitute for the high density ink by overprinting the low density ink using only the same color and low density ink. (See JP-A-10-258530).
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such an ink jet recording apparatus described in the publication, when both dark ink and light ink of a certain color are in the ink end, the ink end is displayed, and then the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus is performed. In addition, there was a problem that the usability of the inkjet was poor.
[0008]
That is, for example, when the user wants to print only a black and white text document as soon as possible, if any of the inks of CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) is used up and the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus stops, the document that requires urgent This is inconvenient and can be inconvenient, and when the user simply records and outputs a draft document, the output image is not always displayed, such as when the user wants to see the actual workmanship of the layout rather than the color information of the image. Even if it is not necessary to be a black image, it cannot be recorded and output, which is inconvenient. In addition, when an inkjet device is applied to a multifunction machine that combines a printer and a facsimile machine and is expected to be used in an office, it becomes an ink end during reception of a facsimile on a holiday, and the user is on the spot. In the absence of ink, the ink is not exchanged or replenished, so communication during the holiday is stopped and facsimile reception cannot be performed. As described above, there is a case where the result of the recording output does not require color reproduction that is faithful to the original, and anyway, the stop of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus is avoided as much as possible, and it is desired to continue the output possible state. Even in such a case, the conventional ink jet recording apparatus has a problem of poor usability because it stops its operation.
[0009]
In addition, when the inkjet device is applied to a multifunction device in which a printer and a facsimile are integrated, it is possible to handle all reception after ink end detection by “memory substitution reception”. It is necessary to add a large and large memory that is necessary and sufficient to cope with such a situation, resulting in a problem that the cost is significantly increased.
[0010]
Furthermore, the ink of the ink jet recording apparatus is currently in a cartridge form, and most of the ink cartridges are all color integrated types or CMY three color integrated types. In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus using such a cartridge, if one color of a plurality of colors becomes an ink end, each of the integrated cartridges is in spite of the fact that there are still other colors of ink. Is forced to exchange and is very uneconomical.
[0011]
The ink jet recording apparatus described in the above publication is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus having dark ink and light ink for one color, and does not have dark ink and light ink for one color. There was a problem that could not be applied.
[0012]
Accordingly, when the ink end of at least one of the plurality of colors of ink is detected, all of the color data of the image data is changed to the ink other than the ink that has become the ink end of the plurality of colors of ink. Even if one or a plurality of colors of ink becomes the ink end by performing a color replacement recording process of substituting a predetermined monocolor among the monocolors that can be developed with this ink and recording an image with the monocolor , Recording in mono color that can be developed with ink that is not other ink ends, and the ink is effective without being forced to replace the ink container such as the ink cartridge even though there is other remaining ink To reduce the running cost and improve the usability while preventing the image quality from deteriorating by recording in monochromatic color. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of RukotoAn inkjet recording apparatus capable of appropriately recording and outputting a received image even when the user is absentThe purpose is to provide.
[0013]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when ink end occurs, all the color data of the image data is replaced with black, and an image is recorded with a single black color, thereby recording characters such as text data in black, and inkjet An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus with good usability by clearly recording a received image in black even when the recording apparatus is applied to a facsimile apparatus.
[0014]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the ink is used more effectively and the running cost is reduced by deciding the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached from a plurality of mono colors capable of color development in a predetermined priority order. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reducing the image quality and further improving the usability while further preventing the deterioration of the image quality.
[0015]
In the case of applying the ink jet recording apparatus to a facsimile apparatus by recording black characters such as text data by giving priority to black as a mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which records a received image clearly in black and has good usability.
[0016]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached is determined based on the priority set by the priority setting means, so that the user can appropriately set the mono color to be replaced. In addition, an ink jet recording apparatus that can use ink more effectively and set a recording color in accordance with a user's usage form, etc., can reduce running costs, and can further improve usability. The purpose is to provide.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for recording a color image on a recording sheet by ejecting a plurality of colors of ink stored in an ink container exchangeable based on image data from an ejection port. Ink end detection means for detecting the ink end of each color ink in the ink container, and when the ink end detection means detects an ink end of at least one of the plurality of colors of ink, all of the image data Color replacement in which the color data is replaced with a predetermined monocolor that can be developed with an ink other than the ink that has become the ink end of the plurality of colors, and an image is recorded with the replaced monocolor Control means for performing the recording process;A timer for acquiring current date and time information, and the control unit checks whether the current date and time acquired by the timer is within a preset designated time, and performs monocolor printing if the current date and time is within the designated time. Execute, and output ink replacement request information requesting replacement of the ink cartridge if the current date and time is outside the specified timeThe above-mentioned purpose is achieved.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, when an ink end of at least one of the plurality of colors of ink is detected, all color data of the image data is colored with an ink other than the ink that has become the ink end among the plurality of colors of ink. Color substitution recording processing is performed in which a monochromatic color is replaced with a predetermined monocolor and an image is recorded in that monocolor, so even if one or more colors of ink become ink ends, other ink ends It is possible to record in mono color that can be developed with non-printed ink, and use ink effectively without being forced to replace ink containers such as ink cartridges despite the remaining remaining ink As a result, the running cost can be reduced, and the ink can be recorded while recording in a mono-colorable color to prevent deterioration in image quality. It is possible to improve the availability of preparative recording apparatus,In addition, the received image can be appropriately recorded and output even when the user is absent.
[0022]
In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the control unit replaces all the color data of the image data with black in the color replacement recording process, and records an image with a single black color. There may be.
[0023]
According to the above configuration, when the ink end occurs, all the color data of the image data is replaced with black and an image is recorded with a single black color. Therefore, characters such as text data are recorded in black, and the inkjet recording apparatus is Even when applied to a facsimile apparatus, the received image can be clearly recorded in black, and the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus can be improved.
[0024]
Further, for example, as described in claim 3, the control unit may determine a mono color to be replaced in the color replacement recording process from a plurality of mono colors capable of color development in a predetermined priority order. Good.
[0025]
According to the above configuration, since the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached is determined from a plurality of mono colors that can be developed with a predetermined priority, the ink can be used more effectively, and the running cost can be reduced. While being able to reduce, the usability of an inkjet recording device can be improved, preventing the fall of image quality further.
[0026]
Furthermore, for example, as described in claim 4, the control means may give priority to black as a mono color to be replaced in the color replacement recording process.
[0027]
According to the above configuration, since black is given priority as a mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached, characters such as text data are recorded in black and received even when the ink jet recording apparatus is applied to a facsimile apparatus. The image can be clearly recorded in black, and the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus can be improved.
[0028]
For example, as described in claim 5, the ink jet recording apparatus further includes priority order setting means for setting and operating one color or a plurality of colors as the priority order of the mono color to be replaced in the color replacement recording process. The control unit may determine a mono color to be replaced in the color replacement recording process based on the priority set by the priority setting unit.
[0029]
According to the above configuration, since the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached is determined based on the priority set by the priority setting unit, the user can appropriately set the mono color to be replaced. The ink can be used more effectively, the recording color can be set in accordance with the usage form of the user, the running cost can be reduced, and the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus is further improved. be able to.
[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. As long as there is no description which limits, it is not restricted to these aspects.
[0037]
1 to 10 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an ink jet recording apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG.
[0038]
In FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is provided with an extension tray 3 at the lower part of a main body housing 2, and a paper feeding unit 4, a transport unit 5, a recording unit 6, and the like are arranged in the main body housing 2. Has been. A paper discharge tray 7 is disposed on the upper side surface of the main body housing 2.
[0039]
The paper feed unit 4 includes a recording paper tray 10 and a recording paper feeding mechanism 11. The recording paper feeding mechanism 11 separates a plurality of recording papers 12 set on the recording paper tray 10 one by one. It sends out to the conveyance part 5.
[0040]
The transport unit 5 includes a transport roller 13, a transport roller 14, a feed roller 15, and the like, and sequentially transports the recording paper 12 sent out from the paper feed unit 4 in the order of the transport roller 13, the transport roller 14, and the feed roller 15. Then, the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 7 provided outside the main body housing 2. The conveyance rollers 13 and 14 and the delivery roller 15 are rotated by a sub-scanning motor 17 via a gear mechanism 16 as shown in FIG.
[0041]
The recording unit 6 includes a carriage 18, a print head 19, an ink cartridge 20, and guide shafts 21 and 22, a timing belt 23, a main scanning motor 24, and the like shown in FIG. 2, and the carriage 18 is disposed in parallel. Supported and guided by the guide shafts 21 and 22, the guide shafts 21 and 22 can move in the axial direction.
[0042]
The carriage 18 is connected to a timing belt 23. The timing belt 23 is stretched in parallel with the guide shafts 21 and 22, and is engaged with a shaft of a main scanning motor 24 that is a stepping motor. Accordingly, the carriage 18 is guided by the main scanning motor 24 in rotation in the main scanning direction, that is, by the guide shafts 21 and 22 as the timing belt 23 is moved. 21 and 22 move in the axial direction.
[0043]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is provided with a maintenance / recovery mechanism 25 in the main body housing 2. The maintenance / recovery mechanism 25 includes a subsystem motor 26, a gear mechanism 27, and the like. In addition, the print head 19 has a function of covering the front end of the print head 19 when not in operation with a cap (not shown) to protect the print head 19 from ink drying and a function of sucking out unnecessary ink from the print head 19. The maintenance / recovery mechanism 25 performs these functions by switching the rotation direction of the subsystem motor 26.
[0044]
The ink cartridge (ink container) 20 is mounted on the carriage 18 and, for example, each color ink of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is classified into one cartridge. Stored. The ink cartridge 20 supplies each color ink to the print head 19.
[0045]
The print head 19 has a head for each color of KCMY, and performs a recording operation by ejecting ink supplied from the ink cartridge 20 for each color.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes an ink end detection mechanism (ink end detection means) 30 that detects that the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 20 has become a predetermined amount or less. The end detection mechanism 30 includes a filter / electrode plate 31 provided in the filter unit 25 of the print head 19, a remaining amount detection plate 32, an electrode pin 33 provided at the bottom of the ink cartridge 20, and the like. The voltage generated by contacting the remaining amount detection plate 32 is output. By comparing the output voltage value with the ink end threshold voltage value and the ink near end threshold voltage value set in advance, the ink end and the ink near end can be detected. In FIG. 3, 26 is ink in the ink cartridge 20, and 27 is a foam body.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 4, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a controller board 41, an engine board 42, an engine body 43, a PSU (Power Supply Unit) 44, and the like. Supply the necessary power to each part. The controller board 41 is connected to an information processing apparatus that sends print data (image data) to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 such as a personal computer (PC) 45 and causes the inkjet recording apparatus 1 to perform printing (recording). Is transferred to the controller board 41 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 as compressed data obtained by dividing the print data into band units. As described above, this print data is divided into band units, and within the band, further, an ID number, a drawing start position, an attribute, and the like are assigned to each font, image, and graphics. Compressed in band units. Although not shown, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a display unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that notifies ink end or ink near end, an operation unit that performs various operations, and the like.
[0048]
The engine board 42 includes a VIDEO-I / F 46, an image processing ASIC 47, a head driver 48, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 49, an EPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 50, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, and a ROM. (Read Only Memory) 52, a motor driver 53, and the like. The engine main body 43 includes a COM-drive board 54, a head drive motor 55 for each color, various sensors 56, and a subsystem motor 57. A scanning motor 24 and a sub-scanning motor 17 are provided.
[0049]
The various sensors 56 are sensors that detect the state of each part of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. For example, the recording paper presence sensor, the recording paper sensor that detects the conveyance state of the recording paper 12, and the ink of each color of the ink cartridge 20 are used. This is a general term for the ink end detection mechanism 30 for detecting the end and the ink near end.
[0050]
The controller board 41 temporarily stores the compressed print data transferred from the personal computer 45 in the internal memory, then decompresses it and transfers it to the VIDEO-I / F 46 of the engine board 42. This controller decompresses this compressed data. At this time, after color space conversion, that is, RGB is converted to CMYK, a bitmap is developed in band units, and the bitmap-developed print data is transferred to the VIDEO-I / F 46.
[0051]
The engine board 42 stores necessary programs and system data in the ROM 52, and the CPU (control means) 51 controls each part of the engine board 42 using the data in the EPROM 50 based on the programs in the ROM 52. Then, the operation as the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is performed. In particular, the CPU 51 performs a recording control process at the time of ink end, which will be described later. In the EPROM 50, for example, various information such as the driving voltage of the ink head 19, the total number of printed sheets, JAM (jam) history, abnormality occurrence history, and ink end information are written by the CPU 51.
[0052]
The engine board 42 uses drawing data out of print data transferred to the VIDEO-I / F 46, and the image processing ASIC 47 uses the DRAM 49 to perform banding processing and printing, which are image processing unique to the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Various image processing such as data rearrangement processing (raster processing, interlace processing, etc.) is performed, and the data is sent to the COM-drive board 54 through the head driver 48 as head drive data.
[0053]
The COM-drive board 54 drives the head drive motor 55 for each color based on the head drive data sent from the engine board 42 and ejects ink droplets corresponding to the image information from the nozzles for each color of the print head 19. Thus, a full color image is formed on the recording paper 12.
[0054]
In the engine board 42, based on the print data transferred to the VIDEO-I / F 46, the CPU 51 outputs a control signal for each drive system to the motor driver 53, and the motor driver 53 controls the main scanning motor 24 and the sub scanning motor 17. And the subsystem 57 is driven.
[0055]
Note that the operation units of the personal computer 45 and the inkjet recording apparatus 1 function as priority order setting means, confirmation operation means, selection operation means, and selection setting means, as will be described later.
[0056]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 performs the mono color printing shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 according to the user's selection when one or a plurality of ink ends of a certain color of the inks of the ink cartridge 20 is detected. There is the feature in performing.
[0057]
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 receives print data from the personal computer 45 (step S101), the CPU 51 acquires ink remaining amount information from the ink end detection mechanism 30 (step S102). It is checked whether all colors of ink are present (step S103).
[0058]
When there is ink of all colors in step S103, the CPU 51 performs printing in the normal print mode (step S104), and performs the remaining ink amount check process shown in FIG. 6 (steps S105 to S112). Therefore, full color printing (recording) is also possible.
[0059]
That is, the CPU 51 has ink for each color of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), that is, the ink end detection mechanism 30 has not detected the ink end. (Steps S105, S107, S109, and S111), and when the ink end is not detected, the process is ended as it is. When the black (Bk) ink is in the ink end in step S105, the CPU 51 turns on the LED indicating the black (Bk) ink end (step S106), and in step S107, the cyan (C) ink is displayed. When the ink is at the ink end, the LED indicating the cyan (C) ink end is turned on (step S108). In step S109, when the magenta (M) ink has reached the ink end, the CPU 51 turns on the LED indicating the magenta (M) ink end (step S110), and in step S111, the yellow (Y ) Is in an ink end, an LED indicating a yellow (Y) ink end is turned on (step S112).
[0060]
When this ink end is detected, the CPU 51 transmits the ink end information to the personal computer 45 via the VIDEO-I / F 46 and the controller board 41. When the ink end information is transmitted from the ink jet recording apparatus 1, the personal computer 45 displays and outputs an ink end dialog 60 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the ink end dialog 60 notifies the end of the ink, and also indicates that printing can be performed by switching to the designated color mode (mono color mode) even when the ink end occurs. It is a display for inquiring whether or not to perform “Yes (Y)” or “No (N)”. The personal computer 45 transmits the selection information to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 when the operator selects “Yes” or “No” with a mouse cursor or the like in response to an inquiry as to whether or not to perform the designated color printing.
[0061]
Again, in step S103 in FIG. 5, if one or more colors of ink are at the ink end, the CPU 51 obtains color data indicating how many colors are at the ink end ( In step S113), the ink end information is transmitted to the personal computer 45 as described above, and the personal computer 45 is caused to display the ink end dialog 60 shown in FIG. 8 (step S114).
[0062]
Next, according to the display of the ink end dialog 60, the CPU 51 checks whether or not the operator selects “Yes” based on the selection information from the personal computer 45 (Step S115), and “No” is selected. Then, ink replacement request information requesting replacement of the ink cartridge 20 is transmitted to the personal computer 45. When the personal computer 45 receives the ink replacement request information, the personal computer 45 displays and outputs an ink replacement request dialog 61 as shown in FIG. 9 to prompt the user to confirm the designated color printing (color replacement recording) (step S116). . In this case, like the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, the printing process is interrupted until the ink cartridge 20 is replaced.
[0063]
When “Yes” is selected in the display of the ink end dialog 60 in step S115, the CPU 51 sets the check box for executing mono-color printing in the property 62 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 10 to ON (ON). Is checked (step S117). That is, in the extended mode dialog 63 for setting the processing conditions after the ink end lighting of the property 62 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 10, the check box of “Move to mono color printing mode after ink end” is turned on. Check if it is set. In addition, in the setting item “Move to mono color printing mode after ink end” in the extended mode dialog 63 of the property 61 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the priority color used in mono color printing is set to “first priority”. It can be set in the priority order of “color”, “second priority color”, and “third priority color”. The mono color when printing in this color mode is a color that can be developed with ink other than the ink that has become the ink end. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, "black", "blue", "red" Etc. Then, when the priority color is not set, the CPU 51 automatically sets “black” as the first priority color.
[0064]
If the check box for executing mono color printing in the extended mode dialog 63 is on in step S117, the CPU 51 sets the first item set in the mono color printing setting item of the extended mode dialog 63 as shown in FIG. It is checked whether there is ink necessary for color development of the first priority color (hereinafter referred to as first priority color ink) (step S118). If there is a first priority color ink, the set first priority color is set. Is executed (step S119), and the remaining ink amount check process shown in FIG. 6 is performed (steps S105 to S112).
[0065]
In step S118, when the ink of the first priority color is in the ink end, the CPU 51 determines the ink (for the color development of the second priority color set in the mono color printing setting item of the extended mode dialog 63). Hereinafter, it is checked whether there is a second priority color ink (step S120), and if there is a second priority color ink, printing is executed with the second priority color that has been transferred (step S121). ), The remaining ink amount check process shown in FIG. 6 is performed (steps S105 to S112).
[0066]
In step S120, when the ink of the second priority color is in the ink end, the CPU 51 determines the ink (for the color development of the third priority color set in the mono color printing setting item of the extended mode dialog 63). Hereinafter, it is checked whether or not there is a third priority color ink (step S122). If there is a third priority color ink, printing is executed with the third priority color set (step S121). ), The remaining ink amount check process shown in FIG. 6 is performed (steps S105 to S112).
[0067]
If it is determined in step S122 that the third priority color ink has reached the ink end, the CPU 51 displays and outputs the ink replacement request dialog 61 shown in FIG. 9 on the display, and the process ends (step S128). In this case, as described above, the printing process is suspended until the ink cartridge 20 is replaced, as in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus.
[0068]
If the check box for executing mono-color printing in the extended mode dialog 63 is not set to ON in step S117 in FIG. 5, the CPU 51, as shown in FIG. 7, performs the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. It is checked whether the “automatic transition mode within specified time” check box of the extended mode dialog 63 of the property 62 of 1 is set to ON (step S125). That is, in the extended mode dialog 63 for setting the processing conditions after the ink end lighting of the property 62 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 10, “automatic transition to the mono color printing mode is possible in the case of ink end within the specified time”. Check box is checked. In addition, in the setting item “In case of ink end within the specified time, automatic transition to the mono color printing mode is possible” in the extended mode dialog 63 of the property 61 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the specified time is started. The time, end time, and day of the week can be set as appropriate.
[0069]
If the check box for the automatic printing transition mode within the designated time is set to ON in step S125, the CPU 51 acquires current date information from a timer (not shown) (step S126), and the acquired current date is set as described above. It is checked whether it is within the designated time (step S127).
[0070]
If it is determined in step S127 that the current date and time is within the specified time, the CPU 51 proceeds to step S118, and sequentially checks the color with ink from the first priority color to the third priority color, and uses the color with ink as the mono color. Color printing is executed (steps S118 to S124), and the remaining ink amount check process shown in FIG. 6 is performed (steps S105 to S112).
[0071]
If it is determined in step S127 that the current date and time is outside the specified time, the CPU 51 displays the ink replacement request dialog 61 shown in FIG. 9 on the display and ends the process (step S128). In this case, as described above, the printing process is suspended until the ink cartridge 20 is replaced, as in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus.
[0072]
If the check box for the automatic printing transition mode within the designated time is off in step S125, the CPU 51 displays and outputs the ink end dialog 60 shown in FIG. 8 on the display (step S129). It is checked whether or not “Yes (Y)” is selected in response to an inquiry as to whether or not to perform 60 designated color printing (step S130). That is, after the confirmation, the color replacement recording process is performed after the confirmation operation.
[0073]
If "Yes" is clicked in step S130, the CPU 51 proceeds to step S118, and sequentially checks the priority color with ink from the first priority color to the third priority color, and uses the color with ink as a mono color. Printing is executed (steps S118 to S124), and the remaining ink amount check process shown in FIG. 6 is performed (steps S105 to S112).
[0074]
If "No (N)" is clicked in step S130, the CPU 51 displays and outputs the ink replacement request dialog 61 shown in FIG. 9 on the display, and ends the process (step S128). In this case, as described above, the printing process is suspended until the ink cartridge 20 is replaced, as in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus.
[0075]
As described above, when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment detects an ink end of at least one color ink among a plurality of color inks, all the color data of the image data (print data) is converted to the plurality of color inks. Among them, a color replacement recording process is performed in which a monochromatic color that can be developed with ink other than the ink that has become the ink end is replaced with a predetermined monocolor, and an image is recorded with the monocolor.
[0076]
Therefore, even if one or a plurality of colors of ink becomes an ink end, recording can be performed in a monocolor that can be colored with an ink that does not have another ink end, and there are other remaining inks. Regardless of being forced to replace the ink cartridge 20, it is possible to effectively use the ink and reduce the running cost, as well as to record in a monochromatic color and record the ink color as it is. As a good image, it is possible to improve the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 while preventing a decrease in image quality.
[0077]
The ink jet recording apparatus 1 replaces all the color data of the image data with black when an ink end occurs, and records an image with a single black color, thereby recording characters such as text data in black. Can be recorded clearly in black, and the usability of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be improved.
[0078]
Furthermore, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 determines a predetermined monochromatic color from a plurality of monocolors capable of developing the monocolor to be replaced when the ink end is reached.
[0079]
Therefore, the ink can be used more effectively, the running cost can be reduced, and the usability of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be improved while further preventing the deterioration of the image quality.
[0080]
Further, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 gives priority to black as a mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached.
[0081]
Therefore, even when characters such as text data are recorded in black and the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is applied to a facsimile apparatus, the received image can be clearly recorded in black, and the usability of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is improved. be able to.
[0082]
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 determines the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached based on the priority set by the personal computer 45 or the operation unit of the ink jet recording apparatus 1.
[0083]
Therefore, the user can appropriately set the mono color to be replaced, and can use the ink more effectively to set the recording color according to the user's usage form, etc., and reduce the running cost. The usability of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be further improved.
[0084]
The ink jet recording apparatus 1 performs the color replacement recording process when an operation for confirming the transition to the color replacement recording process is performed at the operation unit of the personal computer 45 or the ink jet recording apparatus 1 when an ink end occurs.
[0085]
Therefore, it is possible to make the user confirm that the image is to be recorded in monocolor, and to perform image recording that is satisfactory to the user, and it is possible to further improve the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus.
[0086]
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 performs the color replacement recording process after the confirmation operation according to the selection of whether or not to perform the confirmation by the operation unit of the personal computer 45 or the ink jet recording apparatus 1 when shifting to the color replacement recording process. A confirmation transition process and an automatic transition process for performing a color replacement recording process without waiting for a confirmation operation are performed.
[0087]
Therefore, when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is applied to a facsimile apparatus or the like and the user is absent, the received image can be appropriately recorded and output. Recording can be performed, and the usability of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be further improved.
[0088]
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 performs the color replacement recording process after the confirmation operation according to the selection setting operation of whether or not to confirm the color replacement recording process for each function of the device to which the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is applied. A confirmation transition process and an automatic transition process for performing a color replacement recording process without waiting for a confirmation operation are performed.
[0089]
Therefore, when applied to a device to which the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is applied, for example, a multi-function machine in which a printer and a facsimile are combined, a confirmation transfer process and an automatic transfer are performed in accordance with functional operations such as a printer function and a facsimile function. Processing can be performed as appropriate, for example, in the facsimile function, even when the user is absent, the received image is appropriately recorded and output, and when the user is present, the user is satisfied with the image recording, Further, at the time of the printer function, confirmation transfer processing can be performed to appropriately perform recording processing intended by the user, and the usability of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be further improved.
[0090]
The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the first aspect, when the ink end of at least one color ink among the plurality of colors of ink is detected, all the color data of the image data are changed to the ink end of the plurality of colors of ink. The color replacement recording process is performed in which a monochromatic color that can be developed with an ink other than the formed ink is replaced with a predetermined monocolor, and an image is recorded with the monocolor. Even in this case, it is possible to perform recording in a mono color that can be colored with other ink that is not in the ink end, and it is forced to replace an ink container such as an ink cartridge in spite of other remaining ink. Without using the ink effectively, the running cost can be reduced, and the image can be recorded in monocolor capable of color development. While preventing deterioration in quality, it is possible to improve the utilization of the ink jet recording apparatus,In addition, the received image can be appropriately recorded and output even when the user is absent.
[0092]
According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the second aspect, when the ink end occurs, all the color data of the image data is replaced with black and the image is recorded with a single black color. Even when the inkjet recording apparatus is applied to the facsimile apparatus, the received image can be clearly recorded in black, and the usability of the inkjet recording apparatus can be improved.
[0093]
According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the third aspect of the invention, since the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached is determined from a plurality of mono colors that can be developed with a predetermined priority, the ink can be used more effectively. The running cost can be reduced, and the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus can be improved while further preventing the deterioration of the image quality.
[0094]
According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention, since black is given priority as the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached, characters such as text data are recorded in black, and the ink jet recording apparatus is connected to the facsimile. Even when applied to the apparatus, the received image can be clearly recorded in black, and the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus can be improved.
[0095]
According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the fifth aspect, since the mono color to be replaced when the ink end is reached is determined based on the priority set by the priority setting means, the mono color to be replaced is determined by the user. Can be set as appropriate, the ink can be used more effectively, the recording color can be set according to the user's usage mode, etc., and the running cost can be reduced. Can be further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an inkjet recording apparatus to which an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention is applied.
2 is a schematic perspective view of a recording unit and a conveyance unit of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG.
3 is an enlarged configuration diagram of an ink end detection mechanism unit of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1;
4 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing recording control processing at the time of ink end by the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a remaining ink check process that is a continuation of the recording control process at the time of ink end in FIG. 5;
7 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the recording control processing at the time of ink end in FIG. 5;
8 is a diagram showing an example of an ink end dialog for displaying that it is possible to switch to mono color printing to be displayed on the display of a personal computer in the recording control process at the time of ink end in FIG. 5;
9 is a diagram showing an example of an ink replacement request dialog displayed on the display of a personal computer in the recording control process at the time of ink end in FIG. 5. FIG.
10 is a diagram showing an example of an extended mode dialog for setting processing conditions after ink end lighting of the properties of the ink jet recording apparatus displayed on the display of the personal computer in the recording control processing at the ink end in FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Inkjet recording device
2 Main unit housing
3 Additional tray
4 Paper feeder
5 Transport section
6 Recording section
7 Output tray
10 Recording paper tray
11 Recording paper feed mechanism
12 Recording paper
13, 14 Transport roller
15 Feeding roller
16 Gear mechanism
17 Sub-scanning motor
18 Carriage
19 Printhead
20 Ink cartridge
21, 22 Guide shaft
23 Timing belt
24 Main scanning motor
30 Ink end detection mechanism
31 Filter and electrode plate
32 Remaining amount detection board
33 Electrode pin
41 Controller board
42 Engine board
43 Engine body
44 PSU
45 Personal computer
46 VIDEO-I / F
47 ASIC for image processing
48 Head driver
49 DRAM
50 EPROM
51 CPU
52 ROM
53 Motor driver
54 COM-drive board
55 Head drive motor
56 Various sensors

Claims (5)

In an ink jet recording apparatus for recording a color image on a recording sheet by ejecting a plurality of colors of ink stored in an ink container exchangeable based on image data from an ejection port, an ink end of each color ink in the ink container When the ink end detection unit detects an ink end of at least one of the plurality of colors of ink, all the color data of the image data is extracted from the plurality of colors of ink. Control means for performing color replacement recording processing for replacing a predetermined mono color among mono colors that can be developed with ink other than the ink at the ink end and recording an image with the replaced mono color, and current date and time information And a timer for acquiring the current date and time acquired by the timer within a specified time. Inkjet is characterized in that if the current date and time is within a specified time, mono-color printing is executed, and if the current date and time is outside the specified time, ink replacement request information for requesting replacement of an ink cartridge is output. Recording device. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit replaces all the color data of the image data with black in the color replacement recording process and records an image with a single black color. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means determines a mono color to be replaced in the color replacement recording process from a plurality of mono colors capable of color development in a predetermined priority order. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit gives priority to black as a mono color to be replaced in the color replacement recording process. The inkjet recording apparatus further includes priority order setting means for setting one or a plurality of colors as the priority order of the mono color to be replaced in the color replacement recording process, and the control means replaces the color replacement recording process. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mono color to be determined is determined based on the priority set by the priority setting means.

Images