JP5293241B2 - Discharge inspection device, fluid discharge device, and control method of discharge inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict the wasting of a fluid as much as possible when the ejection state of the fluid from a nozzle is not good, and to attain an image quality desired by a user. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 20 as the fluid ejecting apparatus sets, on the basis of input by the user, an allowable range as a range to carry out the allowed printing omitting a cleaning process even when an image quality is degraded by a defective ejection nozzle. Nozzle inspection is carried out, and the allowed printing is performed when an inspection result is that there is a defective ejection nozzle and it is within the allowable range. After an execution command of manual cleaning is acquired from the user after the performance, a frequency of cleaning is raised within the range in which the allowed printing is performed. In raising the frequency of cleaning, cleaning may be carried out even within the allowable range in a defective ejection state similar to that in manual cleaning, or the allowable range may be changed to match with the time of manual cleaning. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge inspection apparatus, a fluid discharge apparatus, and a control method for a discharge inspection apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a discharge inspection apparatus, the number of nozzles in which discharge failure has occurred is set in advance as a threshold value for executing cleaning, and a liquid is detected by a liquid discharge detection unit for detecting whether or not liquid has been discharged from the nozzles. When a nozzle that does not eject liquid is detected, it is determined whether to clean the nozzle based on whether or not the number of defective ejection nozzles has been exceeded. In order to prevent waste of ink, there has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-7960 A

  However, since the number of ejection failure nozzles is set as the threshold value for performing cleaning in the ejection inspection apparatus of Patent Document 1, even if the number of ejection failure nozzles is the same, the ink color and position of the ejection failure nozzles are the same. There is a problem that the image quality of the printing result changes due to the above. When the image quality of the print result is not at a desired level, printing may be performed again, so the user wants to suppress wasting ink by suppressing cleaning and reprinting while ensuring a certain image quality. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in the case where the discharge state of the fluid from the nozzle is not good, the discharge inspection can suppress the waste of the fluid as much as possible and achieve the image quality desired by the user. It is a main object to provide a control method for an apparatus, a fluid discharge apparatus, and a discharge inspection apparatus.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The discharge inspection apparatus of the present invention is
A discharge head inspection means for performing a discharge inspection for inspecting whether or not the fluid is discharged from a discharge head that includes a plurality of nozzles and discharges the fluid from the nozzles to a target;
Cleaning means for cleaning the ejection head;
An allowable setting means for setting an allowable range, which is a range for executing an allowable discharge process for discharging the fluid to the target even if a discharge failure is detected in the discharge head, based on a user input;
Storage means for storing at least the set allowable range;
When the ejection head inspecting means is controlled to perform the ejection inspection and there is a nozzle in which the ejection result is defective and the inspection result is within the allowable range, the cleaning is not performed and the allowable ejection processing is performed. After the discharge head is controlled to execute the allowable discharge process and a manual cleaning execution command is obtained from the user, the allowable discharge process is performed based on the inspection result in the allowable discharge process. Control means for controlling the cleaning means to increase the frequency of the cleaning within a range to be executed;
It is equipped with.

  In this discharge inspection apparatus, an allowable range, which is a range for executing an allowable discharge process for discharging a fluid to a target even when a discharge failure is detected in the discharge head, is set based on a user input. Then, a discharge inspection is executed, and when there is a nozzle in which a discharge failure has occurred and the inspection result is within an allowable range, the allowable discharge process is executed without performing cleaning, and the allowable discharge process is executed. After the manual cleaning execution command is acquired from the user, the cleaning frequency is increased within the range in which the allowable discharge process is executed. As described above, when manual cleaning is performed after the permissible ejection process is performed, the user is not satisfied with the image quality of the resulting product. Therefore, the cleaning frequency is determined based on the inspection result of the permissible ejection process. The image quality desired by the user is improved. Further, when increasing the frequency of cleaning, the cleaning is suppressed as much as possible within the range in which the permissible discharge process is executed, and waste of fluid is suppressed. Therefore, when the discharge state of the fluid from the nozzle is not good, waste of the fluid can be suppressed as much as possible and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained. Here, “manual cleaning” means that the discharge head cleaning process is executed based on a user command.

  In the ejection inspection apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the control unit obtains the manual cleaning execution command when increasing the frequency of the cleaning within the range in which the allowable ejection process is performed, the inspection in the allowable ejection process is performed. Based on the result, information on the ejection failure state of the ejection head is stored in the storage means, and then the ejection inspection is executed. When the inspection result is within the allowable range, the stored information on the ejection failure state is read out. The cleaning unit may be controlled so that the cleaning process is executed even when the inspection result partially or completely matches the stored ejection failure state even if the inspection result is within the allowable range. . In this way, since the cleaning is executed when the ejection failure state when the manual cleaning is executed, the image quality desired by the user can be further improved.

  In the discharge inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit may include, as information on the defective state of the discharge head, the number of defective nozzles, the defective nozzle number, the fluid color of the defective nozzle, and two or more defective nozzles. One or more of the positional relationships may be stored in the storage means. Since the number of ejection failure nozzles, ejection failure nozzle number, fluid color of ejection failure nozzle, and positional relationship between two or more ejection failures, the ejection head failure status can be expressed. It is preferably used as information.

  Alternatively, in the discharge inspection apparatus according to the present invention, when the control unit obtains the manual cleaning execution command when increasing the frequency of the cleaning within the range of executing the allowable discharge process, Based on the inspection result, the set allowable range may be changed within a range in which the allowable discharge process is performed, and the changed allowable range may be stored in the storage unit. In this way, waste of fluid can be suppressed as much as possible by a relatively easy process of changing the allowable range, and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained.

  In the discharge inspection apparatus according to the aspect of the invention in which the allowable range is changed, the allowable setting means sets a plurality of stages of allowable ranges based on a user input, and the control means changes the allowable range small. The step may be changed so that the allowable range becomes smaller. In this way, the setting of the allowable range by the user and the process of changing the allowable range after execution of manual cleaning can be performed more easily.

  In the discharge inspection apparatus according to the aspect of the invention in which the allowable range is changed, the storage unit includes a discharge failure including at least one of a fluid color of the nozzle in which the discharge failure has occurred and a positional relationship of two or more nozzles in which the discharge failure has occurred. The weight setting information that is information obtained by weighting and associating the state and the image quality value that is a result of discharging the fluid to the target is stored, and the permissible setting unit is configured to store the image quality value that is the result of discharging the fluid to the target. The allowable range is set, and the control unit controls the discharge head inspection unit to execute the discharge inspection, and the inspection result is stored in the inspection unit and the storage unit when there is a nozzle in which a discharge failure has occurred. The image quality value in the ejection failure state of the nozzle is calculated using the weighting information, and the cleaning is not performed when the calculated image quality value is within the allowable range. When the discharge head is controlled to execute the allowable discharge process and a manual cleaning execution command is acquired from the user after executing the allowable discharge process, the inspection result in the allowable discharge process and the storage means are stored. By calculating the image quality value in the ejection failure state of the nozzle using the stored weight information, and storing the image quality value determined based on the calculated image quality value in the storage unit as the allowable range, The allowable range may be changed small based on the inspection result in the allowable discharge process. In this case, the image quality desired by the user can be further achieved by using the image quality value in the ejection failure state of the nozzle obtained from the weighting information. Further, since the allowable range is changed using the image quality value when the manual cleaning is executed, the image quality desired by the user can be further improved by easier processing. Here, in the “positional relationship between two or more nozzles in which ejection failure has occurred”, for example, the positions of two or more ejection failure nozzles of the same color are close to each other, or the positions of two or more ejection failure nozzles of different colors overlap. Alternatively, in the case of proximity, the position of the nozzle is not close, but the position of the fluid formed on the target is two or more ejection failure nozzles of the same color or different colors that are close to each other, and at least one or more of them may be included.

  At this time, the storage unit is configured such that the weighting of the image quality value is set to be larger as the positions of the dots formed by the two or more nozzles having the ejection failure are closer to each other. Information may be stored. Since the closer the positions of dots formed by two or more nozzles in which ejection failure has occurred, the greater the degradation in image quality, this makes it possible to calculate a more appropriate image quality value, and more The desired image quality can be achieved. Here, “the tendency of the dot positions to be closer” means that, for example, the positions of two or more ejection failure nozzles of the same color are close, or the positions of two or more ejection failure nozzles of different colors overlap or are close to each other In the case of two or more ejection failure nozzles of the same color or different colors in which the positions of the fluids formed on the target are not close to each other but are close to each other, at least one or more of them may be included. Further, the storage means determines that the weighting of the image quality value is greater when the rasters to be recorded by the two or more nozzles having the ejection failure are at the same position than when the rasters are separated. The weighted information may be stored. Since the closer the rasters to be recorded are, the more the image quality is deteriorated. In this way, a more appropriate image quality value can be calculated and the image quality desired by the user can be achieved. Further, the storage means is set such that when the raster to be recorded is adjacent by two or more nozzles in which the ejection failure has occurred, the weight of the image quality value tends to be larger than when the raster is separated. The weighting information may be stored. When the rasters to be recorded are adjacent to each other, the image quality is further deteriorated. Therefore, a more appropriate image quality value can be calculated and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained. Here, “the tendency for the weighting to increase” means that when the raster to be recorded becomes closer, the weight is increased, and the proximity distance of the raster to be recorded exceeds a predetermined value or falls below a predetermined value. In some cases, the weighting is constant. Furthermore, the storage means may store the weighting information determined so that the weight of the image quality value increases as the fluid color of the nozzle in which the ejection failure has occurred is darker. The darker the fluid color, the greater the degradation of the image quality. Thus, a more appropriate image quality value can be calculated and the image quality desired by the user can be achieved. In addition, the control unit may calculate the image quality value by performing weighting according to a usage rate of a fluid color included in an image used for an ejection process for ejecting the fluid to the target. Since the fluid color of the nozzle in which ejection failure has occurred and the fluid color with high usage rate used for ejection processing have a correlation with the influence on the image quality, this makes it possible to calculate a more appropriate image quality value. It is possible to achieve the image quality desired by the user. At this time, when weighting is performed according to the usage rate of the fluid color, the fluid color having a higher usage rate may be set to have a tendency that the weighting of the image quality value increases.

  A fluid ejection device of the present invention includes the ejection inspection device according to any one of the above, and a ejection head that includes a plurality of nozzles and ejects fluid from the nozzles to a target. Any of the above-described discharge inspection apparatuses according to the present invention is equipped with a device that suppresses waste of the fluid as much as possible and can achieve the image quality desired by the user when the discharge state of the fluid from the nozzle is not good. The fluid discharge device thus produced has the same effect.

  Here, the fluid ejection device of the present invention includes display means for displaying an image, and the control means sets the allowable range that is set when the allowable range that is the range for executing the allowable discharge processing is set. An image having an image quality obtained in a corresponding ejection failure state may be displayed on the display means. In this way, the image quality at the time of ejection failure can be visually recognized by the user, so that a more appropriate allowable range can be set and the image quality desired by the user can be easily obtained.

The control method of the discharge inspection apparatus of the present invention is:
A discharge head inspection unit that performs discharge inspection to inspect whether or not the fluid is discharged from a discharge head that includes a plurality of nozzles and discharges the fluid from the nozzles to a target; a cleaning unit that cleans the discharge head; A storage means for storing at least a permissible range of the discharge inspection apparatus, comprising:
(A) setting an allowable range based on a user input, which is a range for performing an allowable discharge process for discharging the fluid to the target even if a discharge failure is detected in the discharge head;
(B) controlling the ejection head inspecting means to perform the ejection inspection, and if there is a nozzle in which the ejection result is defective and the inspection result is within the allowable range, the cleaning is not performed and the cleaning is not performed. Controlling the ejection head to perform an allowed ejection process;
(C) After obtaining the manual cleaning execution command from the user after executing the allowable discharge process in the step (b), the allowable discharge process is executed based on the inspection result in the allowable discharge process. Controlling the cleaning means to increase the frequency of the cleaning within a range;
Is included.

  In the control method of the discharge inspection apparatus, as in the case of the discharge inspection apparatus described above, when the discharge state of the fluid from the nozzle is not good, the waste of the fluid can be suppressed as much as possible and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained. . In the method for controlling the discharge inspection apparatus, various aspects of the above-described discharge inspection apparatus may be employed, and steps for realizing the functions of the above-described discharge inspection apparatus may be added. .

  The program of this invention is for making each step of the control method of the discharge inspection apparatus mentioned above implement | achieve in 1 or several computers. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.) or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or if each computer is assigned to and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the above-described control method of the discharge inspection apparatus is executed. An effect is obtained.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printer 20 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a nozzle inspection device 50. Explanatory drawing of the information memorize | stored in flash ROM73. The block diagram showing the outline | summary of the function structure of the controller. Explanatory drawing of the setting screen 80 displayed on the display part 76. FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of a manual cleaning process routine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a deterioration-permitted print processing routine. Flow chart showing an example of a nozzle inspection routine It is explanatory drawing of a manual cleaning process and permissible printing process. Explanatory drawing of weighting information 73c and tolerance | permissible_range 73d. The block diagram showing the outline | summary of the function structure of the controller. Explanatory drawing of the setting screen 90 displayed on the display part 76. FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of a manual cleaning process routine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a deterioration-permitted print processing routine. Explanatory drawing of an example of calculation of the number of points in the case of a single defective discharge nozzle. Explanatory drawing of an example of calculation of the number of points when an ejection failure nozzle adjoins. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a nozzle inspection device 150. The block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the nozzle test | inspection apparatus 250. FIG.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the printer 20 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a nozzle inspection device 50, and FIG. 3 illustrates an allowable range 73a. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in the flash ROM 73, such as manual cleaning execution state information 73b, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration of the controller 70. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 20 according to the present embodiment includes a printing mechanism 21 including a print head 24 that ejects ink as a fluid onto a recording paper S as a target, and a paper feeding mechanism 30 that conveys the recording paper S. A capping device 40 that performs sealing and cleaning of the print head 24, a nozzle inspection device 50 that performs nozzle inspection (discharge inspection) as to whether ink is being ejected from the print head 24, and information screen display And an operation panel 75 that accepts input from the user, and a controller 70 that controls the entire printer 20. A nozzle that does not eject ink detected by nozzle inspection (nozzle in which ejection failure has occurred) is also referred to as ejection failure nozzle.

  The printing mechanism 21 includes a carriage 22 that reciprocates left and right (main scanning direction) along a carriage shaft 28 by a carriage belt 32, and a print head 24 that applies pressure to each color ink and ejects ink droplets as fluid from nozzles 23. And an ink cartridge 26 that stores ink of each color and supplies the stored ink to the print head 24. The carriage 22 is driven by a carriage motor 34a between a carriage motor 34a attached to the right side of the housing 39 in the figure and a driven roller 34b attached to the left side of the housing 39. It moves with. A linear encoder 25 that detects the position of the carriage 22 is disposed on the rear surface of the carriage 22, and the position of the carriage 22 can be managed using the linear encoder 25. The print head 24 is provided in the lower part of the carriage 22, and each color is applied from a nozzle 23 provided on the lower surface of the print head 24 by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. Ink is ejected. The ink cartridge 26 is mounted on the carriage 22 and is used for printing of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), etc. containing pigment or dye as a colorant in water as a solvent. Each color ink to be used is individually accommodated.

  The paper feed mechanism 30 is driven by a drive motor 33 to feed the recording paper S on the platen 29 from the back to the front in the drawing or the recording paper S placed on a tray (not shown) to the platen 29. A paper feed roller for feeding paper, a paper discharge roller for transporting the recording paper S ejected with ink by the platen 29 to a paper discharge tray (not shown), and the like are provided.

  The capping device 40 includes a capping member 42 formed of an insulating member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an upper opening, and is disposed at an initial position (home position) of the carriage 22. A sealing member 41 made of an insulator such as silicon rubber is provided at the opening edge of the capping device 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the capping device 40 is supported by an elevating mechanism 47 so as to be movable up and down. The capping device 40 is used for a cleaning process for sucking out ink clogged in the nozzles 23. It is also used when sealing the nozzle 23 to prevent it from drying. A suction pump 45 is connected to the capping device 40 via a suction tube 43, and an open / close valve 46 is connected via an intake tube 44. When the open / close valve 46 is closed, the suction pump 45 is activated. A negative pressure is generated in the internal space of the capping device 40. By generating this negative pressure when the capping device 40 seals the nozzle 23, cleaning for forcibly sucking out the ink in the nozzle 23 can be executed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle inspection device 50 includes an inspection region 52 that can receive ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 23 of the print head 24, and the print head 24 by setting the inspection region 52 to a predetermined potential. A voltage application circuit 53 that generates a predetermined potential difference between the inspection region 52 and a voltage detection circuit 54 that detects a voltage change in the inspection region 52 is provided. The inspection area 52 is disposed inside the capping device 40 that seals the print head 24. The inspection area 52 is formed as a rectangular area, and an upper ink absorber 55 on which ink droplets land, and a lower ink absorption that absorbs ink droplets that have been transmitted downward after landing on the upper ink absorber 55. And a mesh-like electrode member 57 disposed between the upper ink absorber 55 and the lower ink absorber 56. The upper ink absorber 55 is formed of a conductive sponge so as to have the same potential as the electrode member 57, and the surface thereof serves as an inspection region 52. This sponge is highly permeable so that the landed ink droplets can move downward quickly, and here, an ester urethane sponge is used. The lower ink absorber 56 has higher ink retention than the upper ink absorber 55, and is made of a nonwoven fabric such as felt. The electrode member 57 is formed as a grid-like mesh made of a metal made of stainless steel (for example, SUS). Therefore, the ink once absorbed by the upper ink absorber 55 is absorbed by the lower ink absorber 56 through the gap between the grid-like electrode members 57. Here, since the electrode member 57 is in contact with the conductive upper ink absorber 55, the surface of the upper ink absorber 55, that is, the inspection region 52 has the same potential as the electrode member 57. The upper ink absorber 55 may not be provided, and the region that receives the ink droplets only needs to have the same potential as the electrode member 57.

  The voltage application circuit 53 is connected to the electrode member 57 in the inspection area 52, and the voltage of the electrical wiring of several volts drawn inside the printer 20 is increased to several tens to several hundreds volts through a booster circuit (not shown). This is a circuit that boosts the voltage and applies the boosted DC voltage Ve (for example, 400 V) to the inspection region 52 via the resistance element R1 (for example, 1 MΩ) and the switch SW. The voltage detection circuit 54 is connected to the electrode member 57 in the inspection area 52, and detects the voltage change in the inspection area 52 caused by the ink ejected from the print head 24 caused by the ink ejection. An integration circuit 54a that integrates and outputs the voltage signal of the head 24, an inverting amplification circuit 54b that inverts and outputs the signal output from the integration circuit 54a, and a signal output from the inverting amplification circuit 54b. An A / D conversion circuit 54 c that performs / D conversion and outputs the result to the controller 70. Since the integration circuit 54a has a weak voltage change due to the flight / landing of one ink droplet, the integration circuit 54a integrates the voltage change due to the flight / landing of a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle 23 to produce a large voltage change. Output. The inverting amplifier circuit 54b inverts the sign of the voltage change and amplifies and outputs the signal output from the integrating circuit at a predetermined amplification factor determined by the circuit configuration. The A / D conversion circuit 54 c converts the analog signal output from the inverting amplification circuit 54 b into a digital signal and outputs it to the controller 70.

  The operation panel 75 is a device for a user to input various instructions to the printer 20, and includes a display unit 76 and an operation unit 77. The display unit 76 is composed of a color liquid crystal panel on which characters and images corresponding to various instructions are displayed. In addition, the operation unit 77 is provided with a cleaning key 77a that is pressed when the nozzle 23 is cleaned according to a user's instruction, an up / down / left / right key (not shown) that performs various operations, a determination key, a cancel key, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 70 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 72, a flash ROM 73 capable of storing various processing programs and rewriting data, and temporarily storing data and storing data. And an interface (I / F) 79 for exchanging data with an external device such as a user personal computer (PC) 12. The flash ROM 73 stores processing programs such as a nozzle inspection routine, a cleaning processing routine, and a printing processing routine which will be described later. The RAM 74 is provided with a print buffer area in which a print job sent from an external device such as a user personal computer (PC) 12 via the I / F 79 is stored. The controller 70 is supplied with a voltage signal output from the voltage detection circuit 54 of the nozzle inspection device 50 and an input signal from the operation panel 75 via an input port (not shown), as well as an external device (user PC 12). Etc.) is input via the I / F 79. The controller 70 outputs a control signal to the print head 24, a control signal to the nozzle inspection device 50, a drive signal to the carriage motor 34a, a display signal to the operation panel 75, and the like via an output port (not shown). The

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the flash ROM 73 stores an allowable range 73a, manual cleaning execution state information 73b, and the like. The permissible range 73a is a value that can be set by the user. As shown in FIG. 3, even when there is a defective ejection nozzle and image quality deteriorates, the print processing is executed without executing cleaning (hereinafter referred to as “cleaning”). This threshold value is also used in the case of an allowable printing process. In the printer 20 of the first embodiment, basically, as the state of defective discharge nozzles, the number of defective discharge nozzles is set as an allowable range, and printing is performed if the number of defective discharge nozzles as a result of nozzle inspection is within this allowable range. It is stipulated that cleaning is executed when this allowable range is exceeded. Further, the manual cleaning execution state information 73b is information that stores the state of the ejection failure nozzle at the time of the allowable printing process, and is additionally written in the flash ROM 73 when the user performs the manual cleaning after executing the allowable printing process. Information. In the manual cleaning execution state information 73b, as the ejection failure state, information on the number of ejection failure nozzles, the number of arrangements of two or more ejection failure nozzles adjacent in the same color (same color adjacent nozzles), and printing in the same color Information on the number of two or more ejection failure nozzles in the adjacent raster, which are nozzles that sometimes form adjacent dots (same color adjacent raster), nozzles with different colors and the same nozzle number (form dots at the same position) Information on how many are arranged (same color and same nozzle number), information on how many nozzles of adjacent rasters are nozzles that form adjacent dots when printing in different colors (neutral adjacent rasters), etc. . The information on the same color adjacent nozzles and the information on the same color adjacent nozzles include information on the continuous number of ejection failure nozzles and the number of continuous nozzles. The manual cleaning execution state information 73b is set so as to be used for determination when performing the cleaning even if the state of the print head 24 is within the allowable range.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the controller 70 includes an information acquisition unit 60, a set value input unit 61, a nozzle inspection execution unit 62, a cleaning determination unit 63, a cleaning execution unit 65, and a display processing unit as functional configurations of the controller. 66, a print processing unit 67, and the like. The information acquisition unit 60 can execute processing for acquiring a signal input from the operation unit 77 and a print job from the I / F 79. The information acquisition unit 60 outputs the input value to the set value input unit 61 when an allowable range value is input. In addition, when the information acquisition unit 60 acquires a manual cleaning command from the operation unit 77, the information acquisition unit 60 outputs a cleaning command to the cleaning execution unit 65, and also sends the latest nozzle inspection result (nozzle inspection in the allowable printing process) to the nozzle inspection execution unit 62. The process for inquiring the result is executed. The set value input unit 61 stores the input allowable range value in the flash ROM 73 as the allowable range 73a, and displays the newly input allowable range value and an image having an image quality corresponding to the allowable range. Process to output to. In response to the inspection execution signal, the nozzle inspection execution unit 62 controls the print head 24, the carriage motor 34a, the nozzle inspection device 50, and the like to perform nozzle inspection, and outputs the inspection result to the cleaning determination unit 63. I do. The nozzle inspection execution unit 62 also performs processing for holding the result of nozzle inspection in the RAM 74 for a predetermined time (for example, several minutes or until the next nozzle inspection). The cleaning determination unit 63 determines whether or not to execute cleaning using information such as the allowable range 73a, the nozzle inspection result, and manual cleaning execution state information 73b, and the determination result is used as the cleaning execution unit 65 or the print processing unit. The process which outputs to 67 is performed. In addition, the cleaning determination unit 63 performs an update process of the manual cleaning execution state information 73b. The cleaning execution unit 65 receives the cleaning command and controls the carriage motor 34a and the capping device 40 to execute the cleaning process. The display processing unit 66 performs processing for outputting the input allowable range and an image corresponding to the allowable range to the display unit 76. Upon receiving a print command, the print processing unit 67 performs a process of controlling the print mechanism 21 and executing a print job.

  Next, regarding the operation of the printer 20 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the setting of the allowable range 73a will be described first. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a setting screen 80 displayed on the display unit 76. The setting screen 80 is displayed on the display unit 76 after the setting of the allowable range is selected on a menu screen (not shown). The setting screen 80 includes an allowable image quality display unit 81 that displays an image having an image quality corresponding to the currently set allowable range, and an allowable threshold value input unit that inputs whether to execute the allowable printing process and the allowable range value. 83. The allowable threshold value input unit 83 is a column in which the user inputs the number of defective ejection nozzles that perform printing even if there is a defective ejection as a permissible range. That is, a range equal to or less than the number of defective ejection nozzles input to the allowable threshold value input unit 83 is determined as the allowable range. Further, in this printer 20, an image image of image quality deterioration that is empirically determined according to the number of defective ejection nozzles is stored in the flash ROM 73 in advance, and the display processing unit 66 according to the input tolerance range. An image corresponding to this value is read out and displayed on the allowable image quality display unit 81 (see FIG. 5). Then, the user sets the execution of the permissible printing process by checking “Set the permissible range of image quality degradation” and inputs the number of defective ejection nozzles that allow the printing to the permissible threshold value input unit 83 and allows the permissible image quality. The allowable range is confirmed while confirming the image on the display unit 81. At this time, the set value input unit 61 performs a process of storing the input value in the allowable range 73 a of the flash ROM 73. Note that the allowable range may be a value that allows the printed result to be sufficiently visually recognized by experiments, and this value may be set as a limit.

  Next, a manual cleaning process routine executed by a user command will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a manual cleaning process routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the flash ROM 73 and executed after the user presses the cleaning key 77a. This routine is executed by the CPU 72 using the information acquisition unit 60, the nozzle inspection execution unit 62, the cleaning determination unit 63, the cleaning execution unit 65, and the like. When this routine is executed, the CPU 72 first executes a cleaning process routine (step S100). In the cleaning processing routine, the cleaning execution unit 65 brings the capping device 40 and the print head 24 into contact with each other by the elevating mechanism 47, closes the open / close valve 46, drives the suction pump 45, and sets the inside of the capping device 40 to a negative pressure. A process of sucking and discharging from the nozzle 23 was performed. Next, the CPU 72 determines by inquiring of the nozzle inspection execution unit 62 whether or not the allowable print processing has been executed most recently (step S110). If the allowable printing process has not been executed most recently, it is assumed that manual cleaning has been executed independently at this time, and this routine is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the permissible printing process has been executed most recently, it is determined that the user is not satisfied with the result of the permissible printing process, and the CPU 72 determines the ejection failure state in the most recent nozzle inspection as the manual cleaning execution state. The process stored in the information 73b is executed (step S120), and this routine is terminated. Here, the manual cleaning execution state information 73b stores the number of defective ejection nozzles, the same color adjacent nozzle number, the same color adjacent raster number, the different color same nozzle number, the different color adjacent raster number, and the like. The nozzle inspection routine will be described later in detail. As described above, when manual cleaning is executed after executing the allowable printing process, that is, when the printing result is not satisfied even within the set allowable range, the ejection failure state is stored in the flash ROM 73. Remember it.

  Next, a description will be given of a deterioration allowable print processing routine executed when the allowable print processing is set. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a deterioration-permissible print processing routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the flash ROM 73, and is repeatedly executed after the allowable printing process is set. This routine is executed by the CPU 72 using the information acquisition unit 60, the nozzle inspection execution unit 62, the cleaning determination unit 63, the cleaning execution unit 65, the print processing unit 67, and the like. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first determines whether or not there is a print job waiting for printing (step S200). Since the print job received from the user PC 12 is stored in the print buffer area formed in the RAM 74 and becomes a print job waiting to be printed, when the print job is received, it can be printed immediately as well as when it is being printed. Even so, the print job is temporarily in a print waiting state. If there is no print job waiting for printing in step S200, this routine is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when there is a print job waiting for printing in step S200, a nozzle inspection routine for inspecting whether ink is normally ejected from each nozzle 23 is executed (step S210). Here, an inspection execution signal is output from the information acquisition unit 60 to the nozzle inspection execution unit 62. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a nozzle inspection routine. When the nozzle inspection routine is started, the CPU 72 turns on the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 in the nozzle inspection execution unit 62 to generate a predetermined potential difference between the print head 24 and the inspection region 52 (step S300). The carriage motor 34a is driven to move the carriage 22 so that the print head 24 is at the normal inspection position (step S310). The normal inspection position is set to a position (home position) where the carriage 22 is positioned at the rightmost end of the guide 28 and the capping member 41 is in contact with the print head 24. When the carriage 22 is positioned at the home position, the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 are closest to each other.

  Subsequently, the CPU 72 executes nozzle inspection processing in steps S320 to S380. Here, the principle of nozzle inspection will be described. An experiment in which an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 23 in a state where the inspection region 52 is grounded and a voltage is applied to the ink in the nozzle 23 is actually performed. As a result, an output signal waveform in the inspection region 52 is ejected. Appeared as a sine curve. The principle that such an output signal waveform can be obtained is considered to be that an induced current flows due to electrostatic induction as the charged ink droplet approaches the inspection region 52. Further, the amplitude of the output signal waveform in the inspection area 52 depends not only on the distance from the print head 24 to the inspection area 52 but also on the presence and size of flying ink droplets. For this reason, when the nozzle 23 is clogged and the ink droplet does not fly or the ink droplet is smaller than a predetermined size, the amplitude of the output signal waveform is smaller than that at the normal time or becomes almost zero, so the output signal waveform Based on the amplitude, the presence or absence of clogging of the nozzle 23 can be determined (see the blowing in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, even if the ink droplet has a predetermined size, the amplitude of the output signal waveform due to the ink droplet for one shot is weak, so the operation of ejecting large dots is performed eight times (also referred to as inspection ejection amount). ), More ink droplets were ejected. As a result, the output signal becomes an integrated value of eight ink droplets, so that a sufficiently large output signal waveform was obtained from the voltage detection circuit 54. The number of ink ejections can be arbitrarily set so as to be the number of ejections that can ensure inspection accuracy.

  When the nozzle inspection process is started, the CPU 72 ejects charged ink droplets from one nozzle 23 in the nozzle row that is an inspection target, that is, an ink ejection target (step S320). Subsequently, the CPU 72 inputs the amplitude of the signal waveform detected by the voltage detection circuit 54, that is, the output voltage Vop, and determines whether or not the input output voltage Vop is greater than or equal to the threshold value Vthr (step S330). This threshold value Vthr exceeds the output voltage Vop (peak value) of the output signal waveform when the inspection discharge amount of ink is normally discharged, and noise or the like when the inspection discharge amount of ink is not normally discharged. The value is determined empirically so as not to be exceeded by. When the output voltage Vop is less than the threshold value Vthr in step S330, it is considered that a discharge failure such as clogging has occurred in the current nozzle 23, and information for specifying the nozzle 23 (for example, what number nozzle in which nozzle row) Information) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 74 (step S340).

  After step S340 or when the output voltage Vop is greater than or equal to the threshold value Vthr in step S330 (that is, when the current nozzle 23 is normal), the CPU 72 inspects all the nozzles 23 included in the nozzle row currently being inspected. If there is an uninspected nozzle 23 in the currently inspected nozzle row (step S350), the nozzle 23 to be inspected is updated to an uninspected nozzle (step S360), and then again in step S320. Perform the following processing. On the other hand, when all the nozzles 23 included in the nozzle row currently being inspected have been inspected in step S350, it is determined whether or not all the nozzle rows included in the print head 24 have been inspected (step S370). If there is an uninspected nozzle row, the nozzle row to be inspected is updated to an uninspected nozzle row (step S380), and then the processes in and after step S320 are performed again. On the other hand, when all the nozzle arrays included in the print head 24 have been inspected in step S380, the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 is turned off (step S390), and this nozzle inspection routine ends. By executing this routine, if there is a nozzle 23 in which ejection failure has occurred among all the nozzles 23 arranged in the print head 24, information for specifying the nozzle 23 is stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 74. If there is no nozzle 23 in which ejection failure has occurred, nothing is stored.

  Now, returning to the deterioration-permissible print processing routine of FIG. 7 and executing the above-described nozzle inspection routine (step S210), the CPU 72, among all the nozzles 23 arranged in the print head 24, is a nozzle in which an ejection failure has occurred. 23 is determined based on the contents stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 74 (step S220). When there is no nozzle 23 in which ejection failure has occurred, the print processing routine is executed as it is (step S270), and this routine is terminated. Here, in the print processing routine, the print processing unit 67 drives the drive motor 33 to rotate the paper feed roller 35 and the like to convey the recording paper S to the printable area on the platen 29 and drive the carriage motor 34a. A process of discharging ink as a colorant onto the recording paper S based on print image data while moving the carriage 22 in the carriage movement direction is performed.

  On the other hand, when there is a nozzle 23 in which a discharge failure has occurred in step S220, the CPU 72 determines whether the desired image quality can be obtained even if there is a discharge failure nozzle, and therefore the discharge failure state is within an allowable range. Is determined (step S230). In this determination, the cleaning determination unit 63 determines whether or not the number of defective nozzles is within the allowable range 73a. When the ejection failure state exceeds the allowable range 73a, it is considered that the image quality desired by the user cannot be obtained, and after executing the cleaning process routine (step S260), the print job print process routine is executed (step S270). ), This routine is terminated. In this cleaning process routine, the same process as in step S100 of the above-described manual cleaning process routine is performed.

  On the other hand, when the ejection failure state is within the allowable range 73a in step S230, the CPU 72 reads the manual cleaning execution state information 73b from the flash ROM 73 in order to determine whether the allowable printing process can be executed (step S240). ). Next, it is determined whether or not each discharge failure state stored in the read manual cleaning execution state information 73b matches the current discharge failure state. Here, the current ejection failure such as the number of ejection failure nozzles, the same color adjacent nozzle number, the same color adjacent raster number, the different color same nozzle number and the different color adjacent raster number, depending on the nozzle row and nozzle number of the ejection failure nozzle stored in the RAM 74. The state is grasped, and it is determined whether or not the same state is stored in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b. It should be noted here that the number of defective discharge nozzles is the same, but if the rough contents of the positions of the defective discharge nozzles match regardless of the nozzle number, both are determined to match. It was. When the manual cleaning execution state information 73b does not match the current ejection failure state, it is assumed that the desired image quality is obtained, and the print processing routine of the print job is executed without executing the cleaning (step S270). The allowable printing process is executed, and this routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the manual cleaning execution state information 73b matches the current ejection failure state, the CPU 72 determines that the desired image quality has not been obtained previously in the current ejection failure state, and cleaning is performed in step S260. The processing routine is executed, the printing processing routine is executed in step S270, and this routine is terminated. As described above, even if the printing process is performed without performing the cleaning, the desired image quality is not obtained when the user performs the manual cleaning after the permissible printing before the same ejection failure state. By executing the printing process after performing the cleaning as not obtained, the frequency of cleaning is increased within the range in which the allowable printing process is performed. Thus, the image quality is ensured while suppressing the cleaning as much as possible.

  Here, the entire process of the allowable printing process will be described using a specific example of the ejection failure nozzle. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the manual cleaning process and the allowable printing process. Here, there are two adjacent cyan ejection failure nozzles (two consecutive ones) and one non-adjacent cyan ejection failure nozzle, a magenta ejection failure nozzle of a different color but the same number as the cyan nozzle number, A case where there is one black ejection failure nozzle that is not adjacent to these will be described. In the following description, step numbers of the above-described routines are added for reference. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 9, when the result of the nozzle inspection performed immediately before the printing process is within the allowable range even though there are defective nozzles, the CPU 72 performs the allowable printing in which the printing is performed without performing the cleaning. Execute the process. Immediately after this, when the user performs the manual cleaning by pressing the cleaning key 77a, the CPU 72 stores the ejection failure state (that is, the result of the latest nozzle inspection) at the time of executing the manual cleaning in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b. . Here, as shown in the first stage of the manual cleaning execution state information 73b of FIG. 3, there is information that there are five ejection defective nozzles, two consecutive nozzles of the same color and one nozzle of different colors and the same nozzle number. Is stored in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b. Thereafter, when a nozzle inspection is performed and it is determined that there is a defective discharge nozzle and the same state as when manual cleaning is performed, cleaning is automatically performed even if the defective discharge state is within an allowable range. After execution, print processing is executed.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the first embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The print head 24 of this embodiment corresponds to the discharge head of the present invention, the nozzle inspection device 50 corresponds to the discharge head inspection unit, the capping device 40 corresponds to the cleaning unit, and the set value input unit 61 serves as the allowable setting unit. The flash ROM 73 corresponds to a storage unit, and includes a controller 70, an information acquisition unit 60, a set value input unit 61, a nozzle inspection execution unit 62, a cleaning determination unit 63, a cleaning execution unit 65, a display processing unit 66, and a print processing unit. 67 corresponds to the control means, and the inspection area 52 corresponds to the fluid receiving area. Further, the ink corresponds to a fluid, and the recording paper S corresponds to a target. In the present embodiment, an example of the method for controlling the ejection inspection apparatus of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the printer 20.

  According to the printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, an allowable range that is a range in which an allowable print process for performing a print process is performed even when a discharge failure is detected in the print head 24 is set based on a user input. Then, a nozzle inspection is executed, and when this inspection result is an ejection failure nozzle and this inspection result is within an allowable range, an allowable printing process is executed without executing cleaning. After the manual cleaning execution command is acquired from the above, the frequency of cleaning is increased within a range where the allowable printing process is executed. In this way, when manual cleaning is performed after the allowable printing process has been performed, the user was not satisfied with the image quality of the resulting product, so the frequency of cleaning was increased based on the latest inspection results, and the user The desired image quality is obtained. Further, when the frequency of cleaning is increased, the cleaning is suppressed as much as possible within the range where the allowable printing process is executed, and the waste of ink is suppressed. Therefore, when the ink discharge state from the nozzle is not good, waste of ink can be suppressed as much as possible, and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained. Further, when increasing the frequency of cleaning within the range in which the allowable printing process is performed, the latest inspection result when the manual cleaning execution command is acquired is stored in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b as ejection failure state information, After that, the nozzle inspection is performed, and when the inspection result is within the allowable range and the ejection failure state is the same as the state stored in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b, the cleaning process is performed. The image quality can be improved. Further, the number of defective ejection nozzles and the positional relationship between two or more ejection failure nozzles can represent the defective state of the print head 24 and are preferably used as information on the defective discharge state of the print head 24. Furthermore, when the current ejection failure state is within the allowable range, the cleaning is executed even in the same state (non-perfect match) as the ejection failure state when the manual cleaning is performed. A print with high image quality can be provided.

  Here, for example, in the first embodiment described above, the manual cleaning execution state information 73b includes the number of defective ejection nozzles, the same color adjacent nozzle number, the same color adjacent raster number, the different color same nozzle number, and the different color adjacent raster number. However, it is not limited to this. For example, information such as the number of defective ejection nozzles and the ink color of the defective ejection nozzles may be stored as ejection failure status information. At this time, in the case of storing the ink color information of the ejection failure nozzle, the usage rate of the ink color included in the print image is acquired together with the print job data, and the manual cleaning is executed immediately after the allowable print processing is executed. In this case, the ink color usage rate may also be stored in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b. For example, the color usage rate of the print job may be 30% cyan, 50% magenta, 10% yellow, and 20% black. In this case, when the nozzle inspection result is within the allowable range thereafter, whether or not the ink color of the ejection failure nozzle and the usage rate of the ink color of the printed image are close to the values stored in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b. If the two are approximated, the printing process may be executed after the cleaning. In this way, it is possible to provide a printed matter having the image quality desired by the user in consideration of the contents of the printed image. Alternatively, one or more other than any one of the number of ejection failure nozzles, the same color adjacent nozzle number, the same color adjacent raster number, the different color same nozzle number, and the different color adjacent raster number may be omitted. What is appropriate is just to select and store an appropriate discharge failure state.

  In the first embodiment described above, in step S250 of the deterioration-permitting print processing routine, an affirmative determination is made when the arrangement relationship of the ejection failure nozzles is matched regardless of whether the nozzle numbers are matched. If the nozzle number and nozzle color are also stored in the manual cleaning execution state information 73b, an affirmative determination may be made when the nozzle number and nozzle color completely match. In this way, since the automatic cleaning is performed when it is completely coincident with the manual cleaning, the frequency of cleaning can be suppressed. Alternatively, in the first embodiment described above, an affirmative determination is made when the number of defective ejection nozzles completely matches in step S250 of the deterioration-permitting print processing routine. Affirmative determination may be made in step S250 when one or more of the above-described ejection failure nozzle arrangement relationships match. That is, it is also possible to make an affirmative determination in step S250 when there is a partial match. For example, even if there is a difference in the number of ejection failure nozzles, the same image quality may be obtained when the arrangement relationship of two or more ejection failure nozzles is the same.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The printer 20 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For this reason, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected about the same structure and the description shall be abbreviate | omitted. In addition, the same processing included in each of the above-described routines is given the same step number as described above, and the description thereof is omitted.
The printer 20 of the second embodiment is configured to change the permissible range according to the state at the time of nozzle inspection when manual cleaning is performed immediately after executing the permissible printing process because there is a defective ejection nozzle in the nozzle inspection. ing. In this printer 20, the flash ROM 73 stores weight information 73c and an allowable range 73d as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the weighting information 73c includes the ejection failure state including the ink color of the ejection failure nozzle and the arrangement relationship of two or more ejection failure nozzles, and the image quality obtained when the printing process is performed in this ejection failure state. This is information in which the number of related points (image quality value) is weighted and associated. Here, the weighting information 73c includes the number of points for each color type corresponding to one ejection failure nozzle, the number of points when the nozzles are adjacent in the same color (same color adjacent nozzles), and the same color when printing with the same color. The number of points in the adjacent raster (same color adjacent raster and same color same raster) that is the nozzle that forms the matching dot, and the same nozzle number in the different color (form the same position dot) (different color same nozzle number) And the number of points on adjacent rasters (different color adjacent rasters and different color same rasters), which are nozzles that form adjacent dots in different colors during printing. It is determined that the higher the ink color of the ejection failure nozzle is, that is, the weighting of the number of points increases in the order of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Further, it is determined that the weight of the number of points increases as the positions of dots formed by two or more defective ejection nozzles become closer. “The tendency that the weight of the number of points becomes larger as the positions of the dots are closer” means, for example, that the weight is increased when the positions of the dots formed by two or more ejection failure nozzles are closer, The case where the weighting is made constant when the proximity distance of dots exceeds a predetermined value or falls below a predetermined value may be included. The allowable range 73d is a value set by the user and is a threshold value used to determine whether to execute the allowable print process. Here, the allowable range 73d is set to a predetermined number of points (image quality value). In the printer 20 of the second embodiment, the number of points indicating the image quality corresponding to the state of the defective ejection nozzle is calculated, and if the number of points is within the allowable range, printing is performed. It is stipulated to execute. Here, the image quality is determined to decrease as the number of points increases, and a range equal to or less than the set number of points is determined as an allowable range.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the controller 70 includes an information acquisition unit 60, a set value input unit 61, a nozzle inspection execution unit 62, a point calculation unit 68, a point determination unit 69, and a cleaning execution unit as functional configurations of the controller. 65, a display processing unit 66, a print processing unit 67, and the like. The information acquisition unit 60, the set value input unit 61, the nozzle inspection execution unit 62, the cleaning execution unit 65, the display processing unit 66, and the print processing unit 67 have the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment. The explanation is omitted. When the information acquisition unit 60 acquires a print job, the information acquisition unit 60 outputs an inspection execution signal to the nozzle inspection execution unit 62 and outputs data on the color usage rate included in the print job to the point calculation unit 68. This color usage rate is information created at the time of creating a print job, for example, the ratio of each color included in the print image, such as 30% cyan, 50% magenta, 10% yellow, and 20% black. The point calculation unit 68 receives the result of the nozzle inspection by the nozzle inspection execution unit 62, uses this result and weighting information 73c, and further calculates the number of points corresponding to the image quality using the input color usage rate. I do. The point determination unit 69 outputs a print job print command to the print processing unit 67 when the calculated point number is within the allowable range, and executes the cleaning command when the calculated point number exceeds the allowable range. Processing to output to the unit 65 is performed.

  Next, regarding the operation of the printer 20 of the second embodiment configured as described above, first, the setting of the allowable range 73d will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a setting screen 90 displayed on the display unit 76. The setting screen 90 is displayed on the display unit 76 when an allowable range setting is selected on a menu screen (not shown). The setting screen 90 includes an allowable image quality display unit 91 that displays an image having an image quality corresponding to the currently set allowable range, an allowable setting input unit 92 that sets whether or not to execute the allowable printing process, and an allowable range. And a slider 94 for inputting the numerical value of the allowable range at the upper and lower positions. When the slider 94 is on the upper side, the allowable cleaning point is set to a small value (for example, 1 point) so that the cleaning frequency is higher, and when the slider 94 is lower, the cleaning frequency is lower. The cleaning execution point in the range is set to a large value (for example, 100 points). In the printer 20, an image with degraded image quality corresponding to the cleaning execution point is stored in the flash ROM 73 in advance, and the allowable range value is set according to the input position, and the display processing unit 66 sets the allowable range value. An image corresponding to the above is read out and displayed on the allowable image quality display unit 91. The user sets execution of the permissible printing process by checking “set permissible range” in the permissible setting input unit 92, and moves the slider 94 up and down to check the image of the permissible image quality display unit 91 and The slider 94 is fixed at the position, and an allowable range value is input. The set value input unit 61 performs a process of storing the input value in the allowable range 73 d of the flash ROM 73. It should be noted that the allowable range can be set with a value that allows the print result to be sufficiently visually recognized by experiments, and this value as a limit.

  Next, a manual cleaning process routine executed by a user command will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a manual cleaning process routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the flash ROM 73 and executed after the user presses the cleaning key 77a. This routine is executed by the CPU 72 using the information acquisition unit 60, the nozzle inspection execution unit 62, the cleaning determination unit 63, the cleaning execution unit 65, and the like. When this routine is executed, the CPU 72 first executes a cleaning process routine in step S100, and determines in step S110 whether or not the allowable print process has been executed most recently. When the allowable print processing has not been executed most recently, it is considered that manual cleaning has been executed independently this time, and the CPU 72 ends this routine as it is. On the other hand, when the permissible printing process has been executed most recently, it is determined that the user is not satisfied with the result of the permissible printing process, and the CPU 72 is based on the ejection failure state in the nozzle inspection in the permissible printing process. A process of setting (changing) the number of points within an allowable range is performed (step S400), and this routine is terminated. Here, since the user is not satisfied with the number of points in the nozzle inspection, when changing the allowable range, a value smaller than the number of points in the nozzle inspection (several points, for example, a small value such as 2 points) is allowed. The range was set. In addition, even if there is a defective nozzle, the user has set an allowable print process that performs printing without performing cleaning, so that the allowable print process is allowed within a range (for example, 1 point). The range was to be changed. The method for calculating the number of points will be described later in detail. As described above, when the manual cleaning is executed after the allowable printing process is executed, that is, when the print result is not satisfied even within the set allowable range, the allowable range is reduced. Change it.

  Next, a description will be given of a deterioration allowable print processing routine executed when the allowable print processing is set. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a deterioration-permitted print processing routine that is executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the flash ROM 73, and is repeatedly executed after the allowable printing process is set. This routine is executed by the CPU 72 using the information acquisition unit 60, the nozzle inspection execution unit 62, the point calculation unit 68, the point determination unit 69, the cleaning execution unit 65, the print processing unit 67, and the like. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first determines whether or not there is a print job waiting for printing in step S200. If there is no print job waiting for printing, the CPU 72 ends this routine as it is. On the other hand, when there is a print job waiting for printing in step S200, the CPU 72 executes a nozzle inspection routine in step S210, and determines in step S220 whether there is a defective ejection nozzle. If there is no defective ejection nozzle, the print processing routine is executed as it is in step S270, and this routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is an ejection failure nozzle in step S220, the CPU 72 determines the number of points corresponding to the image quality value based on the weighting information 73c in order to determine whether a desired image quality can be obtained even with the ejection failure nozzle. The number of points is calculated based on the calculated points and the color usage rate of the image (step S510). Subsequently, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the calculated number of points exceeds the set allowable range 73d (step S520). If the number of points is within the allowable range 73d, there is an ejection failure nozzle. However, it is assumed that the image quality desired by the user can be obtained, and the allowable print processing for executing the print processing routine of the print job is executed without executing the cleaning (step S270), and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the calculated number of points exceeds the allowable range 73d, it is regarded that the image quality desired by the user cannot be obtained, and after cleaning is executed (step S260), the print job print processing routine is executed (step S260). Step S270), this routine is finished.

  Here, calculation of the number of points in steps S500 and S510 will be described using a specific example of a defective ejection nozzle. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the calculation of the number of points in the case of a single defective ejection nozzle, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the calculation of the number of points when the defective ejection nozzle approaches. Here, the vertical direction of the nozzle rows in FIGS. 15 and 16 is set as the paper feed direction (sub-scanning direction) of the carriage in FIG. 1, and the carriage is arranged in the main scanning direction intersecting the paper feed direction while moving the carriage in the main scanning direction. It is assumed that dots are formed by using a raster in which pixels are arranged in the main scanning direction as a recording target. Also, here, in one main scan (pass), each nozzle sets all pixels included in the corresponding raster as recording target pixels, and ink droplets ejected from the nozzles correspond to nozzle intervals in the sub-scanning direction. A size dot is formed in each pixel. Accordingly, dots are formed in the medium area printed in one main scan with almost no gap between dots. Then, it is assumed that printing is performed by a so-called band printing method in which rasters printed by one main scan are not printed by another main scan. That is, a raster adjacent in the sub-scanning direction is printed by a nozzle adjacent in the sub-scanning direction. Note that “to be recorded” means that when the print data of this pixel is data indicating the presence of dot formation, this pixel is used to form a dot by the nozzle that is to be recorded, If the pixel data is data indicating that dots are not formed, dots are not formed.

  Further, here, for convenience of explanation, the color usage rate of the print job is 30% cyan, 50% magenta, 10% yellow, and 20% black, and the allowable range 73d is set to a range of 80 points or less. The case will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when there are two non-adjacent cyan ejection failure nozzles and one black ejection failure nozzle not adjacent thereto, the point calculation unit 68 uses the weight information 73c to determine the color type. First, a value obtained by multiplying the number of points determined in accordance with the number of nozzles is calculated for each color type (step S500). Here, 2 points × 2 lines = 4 points for cyan, and 3 points × 1 line = 3 points for black. Next, the number of points, which is the image quality value of the image to be printed this time, is calculated by multiplying the number of points by the color usage rate of the image and adding the value calculated for each color type. (Step S510). For example, even if ejection failure occurs in a cyan nozzle when the image is a red image as a whole, the image deterioration is less affected. Calculated. Here, since the cyan color usage rate is 30% and the black color usage rate is 20%, 4 points × 3 = 12 points for cyan and 3 points × 2 for black. = 6 points, and the total number of image quality deterioration points is calculated to be 18 points. Since the number 18 of points is in the range of 80 points or less of the allowable range 73d, the printing process is performed without performing the cleaning and allowing the deterioration of the image quality. For this reason, waste of ink can be suppressed, and a print result with a user-desired image quality can be obtained.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, there are two adjacent cyan ejection failure nozzles and one non-adjacent cyan ejection failure nozzle, a magenta ejection failure nozzle having a different color but the same number as the cyan nozzle number, A case where there is one black ejection failure nozzle that is not adjacent to these will be described. First, the point calculation unit 68 multiplies the number of points determined according to the color type by the weighting information 73c and the number of the nozzles, and calculates the number of points taking into account the arrangement relationship of the ejection failure nozzles for each color type. (Step S500). Here, for cyan, the value (16P) obtained by multiplying 2 points of the color type, 2 ejection failure nozzles, 2 times the nozzle adjacent (same color adjacent raster), 2 times the continuous number of times adjacent to the nozzle, 18 points, which is the sum of 2 points of non-adjacent color types and a value (2P) obtained by multiplying the number of non-adjacent ejection failure nozzles by one, are calculated. For magenta, a value obtained by multiplying 2 points of the color type, 1 number of defective ejection nozzles, 2 times of different colors and the same nozzle number (different color and same raster), and 2 consecutive times of the same nozzle number, 8 Points are calculated. For black, the color type is 3 points × the number of defective nozzles is 1 = 3 points. Next, the number of points, which is the image quality value of the image to be printed this time, is calculated by multiplying the number of points by the color usage rate of the image and adding the value calculated for each color type. (Step S510). Here, since the cyan color usage rate is 30%, magenta is 50%, and black color usage rate is 20%, 18 points × 3 = 54 points for cyan and 8 points × 5 = 40 points for magenta. In black, 3 points × 2 = 6 points, and the total number of image quality deterioration points is calculated as 100 points. As described above, when the nozzles are close to each other, the gap due to the discharge failure becomes large or conspicuous. Therefore, when the positions of the discharge defective nozzles are close to each other, the point value of the image quality deterioration is calculated to be larger. . Since the number of points exceeds 80 in the allowable range 73d, the printing process is performed after the cleaning is performed to ensure the image quality. For this reason, waste of ink such as reprinting without obtaining a desired image quality can be suppressed, and a print result with an image quality desired by the user can be obtained. Although not specifically described here, even when two or more differently defective nozzles of different colors are adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction (different color adjacent rasters), weighting is performed in the same manner as the different color same rasters. Points can be calculated.

  In the above example, the band printing method is used, but the size of one dot is smaller than the above, and another raster between two rasters printed by two adjacent nozzles in one main scan. May be printed by another so-called interlaced printing method. In this case, the positions of the nozzles are not necessarily adjacent to each other, but the position of the raster to be recorded on the recording paper S is two or more adjacent ejection failure nozzles of the same color or different colors (same color adjacent raster and different color adjacent raster) or When the position of the raster to be recorded on the recording paper S is two or more ejection failure nozzles of the same color and different (same color and same raster), the points are weighted by the same method as when the nozzles are adjacent to each other. can do. Furthermore, in the above-described second embodiment, all the pixels included in the raster to be recorded by one nozzle are set as the recording target in one main scan, but some of the pixels included in the raster Alternatively, a printing method may be used in which a target is recorded in one main scan and a pixel of a raster is recorded in a plurality of main scans. In the case of this method, there may occur a case where the position of the raster to be recorded on the recording paper S is the same or different color ejection failure nozzles of two or more, so that the same color adjacent raster or different color adjacent raster is used. What is necessary is just to calculate a point by weighting. However, in this case, the points may be varied in consideration of the ratio of the number of pixels to be recorded by this nozzle to the total number of pixels in one raster. In the second embodiment, if the printing method is determined, the raster to be recorded by each nozzle is determined. Therefore, non-ejection nozzle information can be obtained, and if the printing method is selected, image quality degradation can be evaluated.

  Here, for example, when manual cleaning is performed after the user sets 80 points as the allowable range 73d, and after 60 points are calculated in the nozzle inspection and the allowable print processing is performed, the above-described manual cleaning is performed. In step S400 of the processing routine, the allowable range 73d is changed based on 60 points that are the result of the nozzle inspection in the allowable printing process (for example, 58 points). If 60 points are calculated in the next nozzle inspection, the printing process is performed after the automatic cleaning without performing the allowable printing process in step S520. As described above, when manual cleaning is performed after the permissible printing process is performed, the user is not satisfied with the image quality of the resultant product. Therefore, the permissible range 73d is based on the nozzle inspection result in the permissible printing process. Thus, the frequency of cleaning is increased within the range of the allowable printing process, and the image quality desired by the user is ensured.

  Here, the correspondence between the constituent elements of the second embodiment and the constituent elements of the present invention will be clarified. The controller 70, the nozzle inspection execution unit 62, the point calculation unit 68, the point determination unit 69, the cleaning execution unit 65, the display processing unit 66, and the print processing unit 67 of this embodiment correspond to a control unit. In the present embodiment, an example of the method for controlling the ejection inspection apparatus of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the printer 20.

  According to the printer 20 of the second embodiment described in detail above, when a manual cleaning execution command is acquired after execution of the allowable printing process, the set allowable range is determined based on the nozzle inspection result in the allowable printing process. A small change is made within the range of the allowable printing process, and the changed allowable range is stored in the flash ROM 73. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the allowable printing process can be executed using the changed allowable range. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the waste of ink as much as possible and to achieve the image quality desired by the user by a relatively easy process of changing the allowable range. In addition, weighting information 73c, which is information in which the ejection failure state including the ink color of the ejection failure nozzle and the positional relationship of two or more ejection failure nozzles and the number of points of the image quality value as the printing result are weighted and associated, is stored. The number of points is set as an allowable range, and when there is a defective discharge nozzle, the number of points in the defective discharge state of the nozzle is calculated using the nozzle inspection result and weighting information 73c, and the calculated number of points is within the allowable range. When the manual cleaning execution command is acquired from the user after executing the allowable printing process, the nozzle ejection is performed using the nozzle inspection result and the weight information 73c in the allowable printing process. The number of points in the defective state is calculated, and a value determined based on the calculated number of points is set as an allowable range 73d. By stored, smaller changes the tolerance 73d on the basis of the nozzle inspection result of the allowable printing process. Therefore, the image quality desired by the user can be further improved by using the image quality value in the ejection failure state of the nozzle obtained from the weighting information 73c. Further, since the allowable range is changed using the number of points of the nozzle inspection result when manual cleaning is executed, the image quality desired by the user can be further improved by easier processing.

  In addition, since it is determined that the weighting of the number of points increases as the ink color of the defective nozzle is darker, the darker the fluid color, the greater the deterioration of the image quality. Therefore, a more appropriate image quality value can be calculated. It is possible to achieve the image quality desired by the user. Furthermore, the weighting information 73c is determined so that the weight of the number of points is larger when the rasters to be recorded by two or more ejection failure nozzles are at the same position than when the rasters are separated from each other. When the rasters to be recorded are adjacent to each other by the above defective ejection nozzles, the weight of the number of points is set to be larger than when the rasters are separated from each other. Since the closer the dot positions are, the more the image quality is deteriorated. Therefore, a more appropriate image quality value can be calculated and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained. Furthermore, since it is determined that the higher the usage rate of the ink color included in the image of the print job, the higher the weighting of the number of points, the ink color of the defective ejection nozzle and the high usage rate ink color used in the printing process Since there is a correlation in the influence on the image quality, a more appropriate image quality value can be calculated and the image quality desired by the user can be achieved.

  In the second embodiment described above, the weighting information 73c calculates the number of points by weighting the same color adjacent nozzle, the same color adjacent raster, the different color same nozzle number, and the different color adjacent raster as the color type and arrangement position. However, any one or more of these may be adopted, and one or more of these may be omitted. Even in this case, waste of ink can be suppressed as much as possible according to the weighting of the number of points adopted, and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained. In addition, although the weighted number of points is calculated using the color usage rate, this may be omitted. In this way, it is possible to omit the process of obtaining the color usage rate when creating a print job.

  In the second embodiment described above, the weighting information is set so as to become a larger point as the image quality deteriorates. However, if it is possible to determine whether it is within the allowable range or out of the allowable range. The weighting information may be set so that the point becomes smaller as the image quality deteriorates.

  In the second embodiment described above, the weighting of the number of points is increased as the ink color is darker. However, the weighting according to the deterioration of the image quality is not particularly limited thereto. In the above-described embodiment, the weight of the number of points tends to increase as the positions of dots formed by two or more ejection failure nozzles are closer, but weighting according to image quality deterioration is performed. For example, it is not particularly limited to this. In the above-described embodiment, the weighting of the number of points increases as the color usage rate increases. However, the weighting according to the deterioration of the image quality is not particularly limited thereto. In the above-described embodiment, the weighting point number is set to, for example, 3 points in black. However, if weighting is performed according to image quality deterioration, the point number of the weighting information 73c is arbitrary. Can be determined.

  In the second embodiment described above, when the allowable range is set, an image having an image quality corresponding to the set allowable range is displayed on the allowable image quality display unit 81. However, this may be omitted. Even in this case, since the execution of cleaning is suppressed according to the calculated number of points, waste of ink can be suppressed as much as possible and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment described above, the setting screen 90 sets the allowable range of points according to the position of the slider 94, but the point number may be directly input to the allowable threshold value input unit. Even in this case, waste of ink can be suppressed as much as possible, and the image quality desired by the user can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment described above, the number of points corresponding to the image quality value is set as the allowable range, and when manual cleaning is performed immediately after the execution of the allowable printing process, the number of points in the allowable range is changed. The number of points is not limited as long as the allowable range is set to indicate the ejection failure state of the head 24 and the allowable range is changed. For example, as in the first embodiment described above, the number of defective ejection nozzles may be within an allowable range, and when manual cleaning is performed immediately after the execution of the allowable printing process, the number of defective ejection nozzles within this allowable range may be changed. Good. Alternatively, the positional relationship between two or more ejection failure nozzles may be set as an allowable range, and when manual cleaning is performed immediately after the execution of the allowable printing process, the number of positional relationships in the allowable range may be changed.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the allowable range can be set to any numerical value (number of defective nozzles or points) based on the user's input. It may be settable based on the input of. At this time, in the second embodiment, when the manual cleaning is executed immediately after the execution of the allowable printing process, this stage may be changed so that the allowable range becomes smaller. In this way, the setting of the allowable range by the user and the process of changing the allowable range after execution of manual cleaning can be performed more easily.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the nozzle inspection device 50 detects the electrical change when the ink lands on the inspection region 52 and ejects the ink droplets by the voltage detection circuit 54. There is no particular limitation as long as the ink discharge can be automatically detected. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, a detection member 152 is provided near the position where ink ejected from the print head 24 passes, and is generated when ink ejected near the detection member 152 passes. The nozzle inspection device 150 may detect an electrical change and detect an ink discharge state based on the detection result. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the nozzle inspection apparatus 150. In this way, since an electrical change that occurs when ink passes in the vicinity of the detection member 152 is detected, a nozzle test can be performed relatively easily. The detection member 152 may be an electrode plate or an electric wire as long as it can detect an electrical change accompanying the passage of ink.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the inspection region 52 that receives ink from the nozzle inspection device 50, the voltage application circuit 53 that generates a predetermined potential difference between the print head 24 and the inspection region 52, and the inspection region The voltage detection circuit 54 for detecting an electrical change is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, light is emitted at a position on the inspection region 252 through which the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 23 of the print head 24 pass. Nozzle inspection in which an ink discharge inspection is performed by detecting whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit 253 is blocked by the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 23 by providing the unit 253 and the light receiving unit 254 The device 250 may be used. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the nozzle inspection apparatus 250. In this way, since it is detected whether or not the light beam is blocked, the nozzle inspection can be performed relatively easily. Or it is good also as a nozzle test | inspection apparatus which detects whether the ink drop was discharged from the nozzle 23 by detecting the vibration of a test | inspection area | region when an ink drop hits a test | inspection area | region.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the nozzle inspection apparatus 50 generates a potential difference between the print head 24 and the inspection region 52 by applying a voltage to the inspection region 52. May be connected to the ground, and a potential difference may be generated between the print head 24 and the inspection region 52 by applying a voltage to the print head 24. Even in this case, the waveform can be detected by the voltage detection circuit 54 when ink droplets are ejected from the print head 24. In the above-described embodiment, the voltage detection circuit 54 is connected to the inspection region 52 to detect an electrical change accompanying ink droplet ejection. However, the voltage detection circuit 54 is connected to the print head 24 to perform capping. The electrode member 57 of the device 40 may be connected to the ground to detect an electrical change accompanying ink droplet ejection. In the case of this embodiment, the potential of the electrode on the side connected to the ground is not limited to the ground, but is a potential different from the voltage of the voltage application circuit 53, and a predetermined voltage between the voltage of the voltage application circuit 53 Any potential that provides a potential difference may be used. Even in this case, the waveform can be detected by the voltage detection circuit 54 when ink droplets are ejected from the print head 24. Note that the electrode that applies a predetermined potential in the print head 24 may be any electrode that can conduct the ink in the print head 24 and apply a potential to the ink, such as a nozzle plate or an electrode in the head. As shown in FIG. 2, the voltage application circuit 53 and the voltage detection circuit 54 are both connected to the inspection region 52 or connected to the print head 24 as described above. The voltage application circuit 53 and the voltage detection circuit 54 may be separately connected to either the print head 24 or the inspection area 52. It has been confirmed that the waveform can be detected by the voltage detection circuit 54 when ink droplets are ejected from the print head 24 regardless of which of these four modes is adopted.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the inspection region 52 is provided inside the capping device 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ink is prevented from drying and thickening. Therefore, it may be provided in a flushing area where ink droplets are ejected periodically or at a predetermined timing regardless of print data, or may be newly provided in an area where the print head 24 is movable.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the print head 24 applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element and deforms the piezoelectric element to pressurize the ink. However, the print head 24 applies a voltage to the heating resistor (for example, a heater). A method may be employed in which the ink is pressurized with bubbles generated by heating the ink. The ink cartridge 26 is configured as a so-called on-carriage mounted on the carriage 22 that reciprocates, but may be configured as a so-called off-carriage that is mounted on the housing 39 and supplies ink or the like to the print head 24 through a tube. The printing mechanism 21 includes the carriage 22 that moves in the carriage movement direction. However, the printing mechanism 21 may include a so-called line inkjet head in which nozzle rows of each color are provided in the width direction of the recording paper S.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, when there is a print job waiting to be printed, the nozzle inspection execution condition is satisfied and the nozzle inspection is executed. However, other conditions, for example, movement of the carriage 22 The execution condition may be satisfied every time the number of times reaches a predetermined number (for example, every 100 passes), or the execution condition is satisfied for every predetermined interval (for example, every hour, every day, every week, etc.) It is good also as what to do.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the printer 20 that ejects ink onto the recording paper S is embodied has been described. However, if it is possible to detect whether or not fluid has been ejected from the print head 24. The present invention can be applied without particular limitation. For example, it may be a printing device that discharges a liquid (dispersion) in which particles of liquid other than ink or functional material are dispersed, a fluid such as a gel, or a solid that can be discharged as a fluid. The present invention may be embodied in a printing apparatus that discharges. For example, a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid in which a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, and a color filter is dissolved, or a liquid material in which the material is dispersed It is good also as a liquid discharge apparatus which discharges the liquid used as a liquid material discharge apparatus which discharges, and a sample used as a precision pipette. Also, a liquid ejection device that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin on a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for an optical communication element or the like, a fluid ejection device that ejects a gel, A powder discharge type recording apparatus that discharges powder such as toner may be used.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the printer 20 has been described as the fluid ejection device of the present invention. However, a multifunction printer having a scanner unit capable of reading a document or a FAX device having a FAX function may be used. Furthermore, although described in the aspect of the printer 20, the aspect of the nozzle inspection apparatus 50 or the aspect of the control method of the nozzle inspection apparatus may be employed.

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

12 user PC, 20 printer, 21 printing mechanism, 22 carriage, 23 nozzle, 24 printing head, 25 linear encoder, 26 ink cartridge, 28 carriage shaft, 29 platen, 30 paper feed mechanism, 32 carriage belt, 33 drive motor, 34a Carriage motor, 34b Follower roller, 35 Paper feed roller, 39 Housing, 40 Capping device, 41 Sealing member, 42 Capping member, 43 Suction tube, 44 Intake tube, 45 Suction pump, 46 Open / close valve, 47 Elevating mechanism, 50 , 150, 250 Nozzle inspection device, 52, 252 Inspection region, 53 Voltage application circuit, 54 Voltage detection circuit, 54a Integration circuit, 54b Inversion amplification circuit, 54c A / D conversion circuit, 55 Upper ink absorber 56 Lower ink absorber, 57 Electrode member, 60 Information acquisition unit, 61 Set value input unit, 62 Nozzle inspection execution unit, 63 Cleaning determination unit, 65 Cleaning execution unit, 66 Display processing unit, 67 Print processing unit, 68 points Calculation unit, 69 point determination unit, 70 controller, 72 CPU, 73 flash ROM, 73a allowable range, 73b manual cleaning execution state information, 73c weighting information, 73d allowable range, 74 RAM, 75 operation panel, 76 display unit, 77 operation unit, 77a cleaning key, 79 interface (I / F), 80, 90 setting screen, 81, 91 allowable image quality display unit, 92 allowable setting input unit, 83 allowable threshold value input unit, 94 slider, 152 detection member, 253 Light emitting unit, 254 light receiving unit, S recording paper, SW switch.

Claims (8)

A discharge head inspection means for performing a discharge inspection for inspecting whether or not the fluid is discharged from a discharge head that includes a plurality of nozzles and discharges the fluid from the nozzles to a target;
Cleaning means for cleaning the ejection head;
An allowable setting means for setting an allowable range, which is a range for executing an allowable discharge process for discharging the fluid to the target even if a discharge failure is detected in the discharge head, based on a user input;
Storage means for storing at least the set allowable range;
When the ejection head inspecting means is controlled to perform the ejection inspection and there is a nozzle in which the ejection result is defective and the inspection result is within the allowable range, the cleaning is not performed and the allowable ejection processing is performed. After the discharge head is controlled to execute the allowable discharge process and a manual cleaning execution command is obtained from the user, the allowable discharge process is performed based on the inspection result in the allowable discharge process. Control means for controlling the cleaning means to increase the frequency of the cleaning within a range to be executed;
A discharge inspection apparatus comprising: Wherein, upon acquiring the execution command before Symbol manual cleaning, on the basis of the test results for the allowable discharge process and store the information of the defective discharge state of the discharge head in the storage means, then the discharge inspection When the inspection result is within the allowable range, information on the stored ejection failure state is read, and when the inspection result partially or entirely matches the stored ejection failure state, the inspection result is The ejection inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is controlled to execute the cleaning process even within the allowable range.   The control means includes at least one of the number of defective nozzles, the number of defective nozzles, the fluid color of the defective nozzles, and the positional relationship between two or more defective nozzles as information on the defective state of the ejection head. The ejection inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ejection inspection apparatus is stored in the storage unit.   When the control means obtains the manual cleaning execution command when increasing the frequency of cleaning within the range in which the allowable discharge process is performed, the control unit performs the allowable discharge process based on the inspection result in the allowable discharge process. The discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set allowable range is changed to be small within a range in which the change is performed, and the changed allowable range is stored in the storage unit. The tolerance setting means sets tolerance ranges of a plurality of stages based on user input,
The discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit changes the step so that the allowable range becomes smaller when the allowable range is changed to be smaller. The storage means includes a discharge failure state including at least one of a fluid color of the nozzle in which the discharge failure has occurred and a positional relationship of two or more nozzles in which the discharge failure has occurred, and an image quality value as a result of discharging the fluid to the target. Stores weighting information that is weighted and associated information,
The tolerance setting means sets the image quality value, which is a result of discharging a fluid to a target, as the tolerance range,
The control means controls the ejection head inspection means so as to perform the ejection inspection, and when there is a nozzle in which the inspection result is defective in ejection, the inspection result and the weighting information stored in the storage means are used. Calculating an image quality value in a discharge failure state of the nozzle, and controlling the discharge head to execute the allowable discharge process without executing the cleaning when the calculated image quality value is within the allowable range; When the manual cleaning execution command is acquired from the user after executing the permissible discharge process, the nozzle discharge failure state is determined using the inspection result in the permissible discharge process and the weighting information stored in the storage unit. And the image quality value determined based on the calculated image quality value is stored in the storage means as the allowable range, thereby allowing the allowable discharge processing. Changing reduce the allowable range based on the inspection result of the discharge inspection device according to claim 4 or 5. The discharge inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A discharge head that includes a plurality of nozzles and discharges fluid from the nozzles to a target;
A fluid ejection device comprising: A discharge head inspection unit that performs discharge inspection to inspect whether or not the fluid is discharged from a discharge head that includes a plurality of nozzles and discharges the fluid from the nozzles to a target; a cleaning unit that cleans the discharge head; A storage means for storing at least a permissible range of the discharge inspection apparatus, comprising:
(A) setting an allowable range based on a user input, which is a range for performing an allowable discharge process for discharging the fluid to the target even if a discharge failure is detected in the discharge head;
(B) controlling the ejection head inspecting means to perform the ejection inspection, and if there is a nozzle in which the ejection result is defective and the inspection result is within the allowable range, the cleaning is not performed and the cleaning is not performed. (C) controlling the discharge head to execute the allowable discharge process; and (c) after executing the allowable discharge process in step (b) and obtaining a manual cleaning execution command from the user, the allowable discharge Controlling the cleaning means to increase the frequency of the cleaning within a range in which the permissible discharge process is performed based on the inspection result in the process;
Control method for a discharge inspection apparatus including the above.

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