JP7040211B2 - An inkjet recording device, a control device for the inkjet recording device, a detection range selection control method for the inkjet recording device, a detection range selection control program, and a storage medium. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device capable of ejecting to fabric, a control device for the inkjet recording device, a detection range selection control method for the inkjet recording device, a detection range selection control program, and a storage medium.

In recent years, an inkjet recording device that forms an image on clothes (garment) has been proposed.

As one of the techniques of the inkjet recording apparatus, Patent Document 1 states that when a cloth such as a T-shirt is set on a platen and printing is performed while the platen is horizontally moved, the printed surface of the cloth interferes with the carriage (. It is described to detect the presence or absence of interfering substances (in contact).

Specifically, the presence or absence of an interfering object is detected on the printed surface of the fabric set on the platen by using an optical sensor, and if the interfering object is detected, printing is stopped.

However, in the detection of Patent Document 1, when the cloth is a T-shirt for children, it is necessary to set it on the platen with the cuffs and collar visible, so the cuffs and collar are detected by height detection. It is necessary to increase the distance (gap) between the detection part and the platen so as not to detect the convex part of the platen. On the other hand, if the gap between the detection unit and the platen is increased according to the height of the detected convex portion, the gap between the head and the platen at the time of printing is set based on the detection result. The distance between the surface and the nozzle of the head becomes large, and the quality of image formation deteriorates.

Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an inkjet recording device capable of ejecting to a garment, which can prevent unnecessary errors from occurring in detection in print preparation without deteriorating the quality of image formation. The purpose.

In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present invention,
A head with multiple nozzles that eject ink,
A platen that supports garment and can move up and down and horizontally,
In preparation for printing, a detector that detects the presence or absence of a thickness on the platen that reaches a predetermined height corresponding to the position of the head at the time of printing while the platen is at the same height as at the time of printing.
It is equipped with a control unit that controls the detection operation and stops printing when an interfering object is detected at the predetermined height.
The control unit captures an image of a height detection range, which is a range in which the detection unit detects the presence or absence of a thickness on the platen that reaches a predetermined height in the horizontal movement direction of the platen during printing. Is the print range to be printed, and at least a part outside the print range is excluded from the detection operation .
The head is movable in the first direction, which is the horizontal direction, and is movable.
With the head arranged outside the print target area, the platen is raised to set the distance between the garment and the detection unit to the predetermined height, and the platen is set to the distance within the height detection range. By moving in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and in a direction opposite to the moving direction at the time of printing, the detection unit has a thickness on the platen that reaches the predetermined height. To detect
Inkjet recording device, provided.

According to one aspect, in an inkjet recording device capable of ejecting to a garment, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary error from occurring in detection in preparation for printing.

The top view of the image formation part of the cloth printer which is an example of the inkjet recording apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic block diagram of the platen elevating mechanism of FIG. The schematic block diagram of the control part of the cloth printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The functional block diagram concerning the height detection control in the cloth printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The side schematic in the depth direction of the cloth printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view illustrating the positional relationship between the T-shirt set on the platen and the carriage provided with the recording head, and is (a) a side view in the width direction and (b) a side view in the depth direction. Top view of the T-shirt set on the platen. The figure which shows (a) the height detection range on a T-shirt and (b) the detection of a collar part in the total depth detection mode. The figure which shows the height detection range on the T-shirt in this invention limited to the image formation range. Flowchart of platen control during print preparation and printing. A sequence diagram showing the flow of the processing procedure from adjusting the height of the platen to printing on the fabric. The flowchart of the first control example of a printing decision in a cloth printer. Schematic diagram of a fabric printer connected to an external device. The flowchart of the second control example of the print determination when the print information is transmitted from the external device. Explanatory drawing of print data transmitted from an external device. The flowchart of the 3rd control example of the print determination when the print information is transmitted from the external device. The figure which shows the position of the height detection range in the 3rd control example. The figure which shows the display example and the operation part of the selection of the height detection range in the operation panel provided in the inkjet apparatus. The figure which shows the screen example of selection of the height detection range displayed on the monitor of the PC connected to the cloth printer.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same components may be designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

<Overview>
FIG. 1 is a top view of an image forming portion of a fabric printer 1 which is an example of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fabric printer 1 is an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a fabric (garment) by ejecting ink.

The fabric printer 1 holds the carriage 100 by a slide rail 104 integrated with the sheet metal, and moves in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 105 via the timing belt 102 passed between the drive pulley 106 and the driven pulley 107. Scan.

The carriage 100 is provided with a head group including four recording heads 118 for ejecting ink droplets of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), for example. In each recording head 118, the nozzle rows of the nozzle surfaces on which a plurality of ink ejection ports (nozzles) are formed are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction (secondary scanning direction), and the ink ejection ports are mounted downward. ing.

Although an example in which independent recording heads are provided for each color is shown here, the configuration may be such that each recording head is provided with a plurality of nozzle rows for ejecting ink droplets of different colors. .. Further, the number of colors and the order of arrangement are not limited to this.

The inkjet head constituting the recording head 118 includes a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator that utilizes a phase change due to boiling of a liquid film using an electric heat conversion element such as a heat generating resistor, and a metal phase change due to a temperature change. A shape memory alloy actuator to be used, an electrostatic actuator using electrostatic force, or the like provided as a pressure generating means for generating a pressure for ejecting droplets can be used.

Further, the carriage 100 is provided with an encoder scale 103 provided along the main scanning direction and having a slit formed therein, and an encoder sensor 117 for detecting the slit of the encoder scale 103. The encoder scale 103 and the encoder sensor 117 constitute a linear encoder 120 for detecting the main scanning direction position of the carriage 100.

Further, at a position facing the recording head 118, a platen 2 which is a transporting means for transporting the cloth (garment) C, which is an ink ejection target, is provided.

The platen 2 is driven by a sub-scanning motor 111 that rotationally drives the transfer roller 109 via a timing belt 114 passed between the transfer drive pulley 112 and the transfer roller pulley 113.

The platen 2 is provided with an encoder wheel 115 having a slit formed coaxially with the transfer roller 109. Further, an encoder sensor 116 for detecting a slit in the encoder wheel 115 is provided on a side plate (not shown). The encoder wheel 115 and the encoder sensor 116 constitute a wheel encoder for detecting the position of the platen 2 in the sub-scanning direction.

The platen 2 is a flatbed system, and is horizontally conveyed in the sub-scanning direction via a timing belt (conveyor belt) 119 spanned between the transfer roller 109 and the tension roller 110.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a platen elevating mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 2, the platen elevating motor 121, which is a stepping motor, moves the platen 2 up and down via the gear 122. When the platen is attached to the cassette as shown in FIG. 5, the platen 2 is moved up and down together with the cassette.

<Control unit>
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control unit and a connection target thereof in the fabric printer 1 of the present invention.

The control unit 200 shown in FIG. 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 202, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 204, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 205, and an ASIC (Field-Programmable Gate). Array) 206 is provided.

The CPU 202 is connected to an operation panel 6 for inputting and displaying information necessary for the device, and controls the entire device. In addition, it also has a function of controlling the transport operation of the fabric C and the movement operation of the recording head 118 of the carriage 100. The ROM 203 stores a program executed by the CPU 202 and other fixed data. The RAM 204 temporarily stores image data and the like. The NVRAM 205 is a rewritable non-volatile memory for holding data even when the power of the device is cut off. The ASIC 206 processes various signal processing for image data, image processing for sorting and the like, and other input / output signals for controlling the entire device.

Further, the control unit (control device) 200 includes a host interface (I / F) 201, a print control unit 208, a main scanning motor drive unit 209, a gap adjustment unit 210, a sub-scanning motor drive unit 211, and an LED drive unit 212. It includes an input / output (I / 0) unit 207 and a medium I / F 213. The host interface (I / F) 201 plays a role of transmitting / receiving data and signals to / from the host 30 side such as the printer driver 31. The print control unit 208 generates a drive waveform for driving the recording head 118, and outputs image data for selectively driving the pressure generating means of the recording head 118 and various data associated therewith to the head driver 130. The main scanning motor drive unit 209 drives the main scanning motor 105. The gap adjusting unit 210 instructs the platen elevating motor 121 that elevates and elevates the platen 2 to adjust the gap. The sub-scanning motor drive unit 211 plays a role of driving the sub-scanning motor 111 that drives the timing belt 114. The input / output (I / 0) unit 207 inputs detection pulses from the linear encoder 120, the encoder wheel 115, and detection signals from various other sensors.

The control unit 200 receives print data or the like on the host interface (I / F) 201 via a cable or network, and temporarily stores the print data in the reception buffer. The print data is generated by, for example, a printer driver 31 of a host function of an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), an image reading device such as an image scanner, and an image pickup device such as a digital camera. In the control unit 200, the CPU 202 reads out and analyzes the print data in the receive buffer included in the host interface (I / F) 201.

Alternatively, the control unit 200 inserts an external storage medium 9 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, SD card, miniSD card, or microSD card into the medium I / F 213 (memory insertion port) to store print data. May be read, acquired, and analyzed.

Further, according to the analysis result, the ASIC 206 performs necessary image processing, data rearrangement processing, and the like, and transfers the data to the print control unit 208. Therefore, the print control unit 208 outputs image data and a drive waveform to the head driver 130 at a required timing. The dot pattern data for image output may be generated, for example, by storing the font data in the ROM 203, or expanding the image data into bitmap data by the printer driver 31 which is the control unit on the host device 30 side. And transfer it to the device. Here, for example, it is assumed that the printer driver 31 is used.

The drive waveform generation unit of the print control unit 208 is composed of a D / A converter, an amplifier, and the like that D / A-convert the pattern data of the drive pulse stored in the ROM 203 and read out by the CPU 202. Then, a drive waveform composed of one drive pulse or a plurality of drive pulses is output to the head driver 130.

The head driver 130 drives the recording head 118 based on image data (dot pattern data) corresponding to one line of the recording head 118 serially input. The head driver 130 selectively applies a drive pulse constituting a drive waveform given by the drive waveform generation unit of the print control unit 208 to the pressure generating means of the recording head 118.

The head driver 130 includes, for example, a shift register for inputting a clock signal and serial data which is image data, and a latch circuit for latching a register value of the shift register with a latch signal. In addition, the head driver 130 includes a level conversion circuit (level shifter) that changes the level of the output value of the latch circuit, an analog switch array (switch means) whose on / off is controlled by the level shifter, and the like. Functionally, a case can be exemplified in which a required drive pulse included in the drive waveform is selectively applied to the pressure generating means of the recording head 118 by controlling the on / off of the analog switch array.

The resist sensor 123 mounted on the carriage 100 senses the fabric C. Then, the presence or absence of the cloth C in the width direction of the carriage 100 is detected and used for positioning the ink ejection position in the width direction.

The gap adjusting unit 210 drives the platen 2 up and down by the platen elevating motor 121.

The LED drive unit 212 drives a light emitting element 3 composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) to emit light. The light emitting element 3 and the light receiving element 4 function as a height detection unit 140 (detection unit).

The host device 30 connected to the fabric printer 1 has an input unit 32 and a display unit 33 in addition to the printer driver 31.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the height detection control of the fabric printer 1 of the present invention. As functions related to height detection control in FIG. 4, it has a detection control unit 401, an LED control unit 402, a platen horizontal position setting unit 403, a platen height setting unit 404, an error determination unit 405, and a display control unit 406. These are realized by the CPU 202 or ASIC 206 in FIG.

The print data and the selection information of the target of the detection range are input to the detection control unit 401. The detection control unit 401 limits the target of the height detection range by the height detection unit 140 to the horizontal transport direction (movement direction) at the time of printing of the platen 2 so as to include the print range in which the image is printed. However, at least a part of the print range is set to be excluded from the detection operation.

The detection control unit 401 transmits the set height detection range to the LED control unit 402, the platen horizontal position setting unit 403, the platen height setting unit 404, and the print control unit 208.

The LED control unit 402 sets the light emission time of the light emitting element 3 corresponding to the detection time of the height detection unit 140 for detecting the set height detection range, and controls the LED drive unit 212.

The platen horizontal position setting unit 403 rotates the timing belt 114 via the sub-scanning motor 111 based on the height detection range and the print range, and sets the position of the platen 2 in the front direction or the back direction. The sub-scanning motor drive unit 211 is driven and controlled so as to move in the scanning direction.

The platen height setting unit 404 drives the platen elevating motor 121 so that the height of the platen 2 is the same as that at the time of printing in the height detection time corresponding to the height detection range. The gap adjusting unit 210 is controlled in order to appropriately raise or lower the platen 2 so as to be in a state.

The platen 2 that holds the fabric C under a predetermined distance of the passing light L of the height detection unit 140 for the period of the height detection range by the setting and control by the platen horizontal position setting unit 403 and the platen height setting unit 404. Moves. The position control of the platen 2 by the sub-scanning motor driving unit 211 and the gap adjusting unit 210 will be described in detail together with FIGS. 10 and 11.

The error determination unit 405 determines whether or not there is an error in the passing light from the light emitting element 3 in the height detecting unit 140, which is controlled to be turned on and off by the LED control unit 402, to the light receiving element 4. to decide.

When the display control unit 406 determines that an error has occurred, the display control unit 406 causes the display 60 of the operation panel 6 or the display unit 33 of the host device 30 to display a message indicating the error.

By such detection control, the height detecting unit 140 detects an interfering object (convex portion) during the period in which the platen 2 holding the fabric C is conveyed under a predetermined distance of the passing light L of the height detecting unit 140. Then, it is determined that an error is made, and an error message is displayed on the display 60 of the operation panel 6 or the display unit 33 of the host device 30.

<Platen in the printer>
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the fabric printer 1 in the depth direction.

The fabric printer 1 has a housing 7, a platen 2, a cassette 5 for holding the platen 2, and a guide plate 8. In FIG. 5, L indicated by ◯ indicates the position of the light L passing between the light emitting element 3 and the light receiving element 4 in the height detection unit 140 in the side view.

An opening 7O is formed on the front side of the housing 7. The platen 2 is supported by the cassette 5 so as to apply tension to the printed surface of the fabric C, and moves so as to protrude toward the front side from the opening 7O with respect to the housing 7 which is the main body of the apparatus together with the cassette 5. It is possible. The cassette 5 can be removed from the housing 7 as shown by the wavy lines.

The user takes out the cassette 5 and sets the cloth C such as a T-shirt on the platen 2, and fixes the four sides of the edge of the platen 2 by surrounding the four sides with the frame portion of the cassette 5. Then, the cassette 5 to which the cloth C is fixed is inserted into the housing 7 through the opening 7O and set. In the following drawings and explanations thereof, the cassette 5 is omitted in order to clarify the position.

Further, an operation panel 6 is provided on the upper part on the front side of the housing 7. At least a part of the operation panel 6 includes a display 60 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and has a function of displaying information.

FIG. 6A is a side view in the width direction showing the positional relationship between the passing light L of the height detection unit 140, the carriage 100, and the platen 2, and FIG. 6B is a T set on the platen. It is a side view in the depth direction exemplifying the positional relationship between the shirt, the carriage, and the height detection unit 140.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the position of the platen 2 can be moved up and down by the platen elevating motor 121 to adjust the distance Δh between the surface of the fabric C and the passing light L of the height detection unit 140. can.

When detecting using the passing light L of the height detecting unit 140, the thickness of the fabric C is detected by temporarily raising the fabric C to a position where it collides with the passing light L of the height detecting unit 140.

After that, the platen 2 is separated by an appropriate gap (distance) at the time of printing, and the platen 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction (-X direction in FIG. 6B) by a distance within the detection range to perform detection. .. That is, in the printing preparation, with the platen 2 at the same height as at the time of printing, the presence / absence of the thickness on the platen 2 reaching a predetermined height corresponding to the position of the recording head 118 at the time of printing is detected.

Here, the case where an interfering object is detected by the detection operation of the thickness on the platen 2 reaching a predetermined height means that there is a convex portion on the cloth C due to the state of the cloth C main body or a foreign substance. Indicates that the entire surface of the fabric is too thick. For example, the state where there is a convex portion is a state where the cloth C is wrinkled or bent, the thickness is exceeded due to the partial overlap of the cloth C, or a foreign substance such as a sticky note or dust is attached to a part of the cloth C. Point to.

In addition, when the thickness of the entire surface of the fabric is too thick, for example, when a plurality of fabrics are overlapped with respect to the setting conditions of a thin fabric such as a T-shirt, or when the sweat fabric, jeans fabric, etc. are used. It is assumed that a thick cloth is set, and even in these cases, it is detected that there is an interfering object.

In the detection operation, the height detection unit 140 platens at a predetermined height between the light emitting element 3 and the light receiving element 4 depending on whether or not the light receiving element 4 can receive the LED light L emitted by the light emitting element 3. 2 Detects whether or not there is a protrusion on the fabric C.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the carriage 100 stands by at a position outside the print area in the width direction during standby except during printing. Therefore, at the time of height detection, the carriage 100 does not interfere with the passing light L of the height detecting unit 140.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when a T-shirt is used as an example of the fabric, when the collar portion, which is thicker than the other portions, is included in the detection target, the collar portion N passes through the height detection portion 140. It can be seen that it is detected by the light L.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the T-shirt set on the platen. An example in which the cloth C is a T-shirt will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, since the T-shirt C is set so as to wrap the platen 2, the sleeve portion S is located outside the platen 2, and only one of the front body or the back body is above the platen 2. Can be spread out. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the front body F of the T-shirt C is set on the platen 2 and a pattern (PA) is printed on the front body F.

In addition, the collar N, which is the neckline of the T-shirt, generally has a double structure made of milling cutter (rubber knitting, rib knitting), self-fabric, etc., so it is different from other parts in the front body F. Thick in comparison.

Therefore, it is preferable that the portion forming the pattern (PA) by the fabric printer 1 according to the present invention is a front body or a back body having few uneven parts due to sewing.

<Detection mode>
Next, the height detection range will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 (a) shows the height detection range (thickness detection range) on the T-shirt in the total depth detection mode, and FIG. 8 (b) shows an example in which the collar is detected as an error by the total depth detection mode. It is a figure which shows.

In the total depth detection mode, the total depth (the entire area of the fabric) is checked regardless of the print range. By checking the total depth, it can be guaranteed that the carriage (main scan) does not collide with the fabric regardless of the image data, and it becomes a simple system.

However, when the total depth is checked, an error occurs if a convex portion such as a collar portion N exists even outside the printing range. Specifically, in FIG. 8A, as the total depth detection mode, when the platen 2 moves while the passing light L of the height detection unit 140 and the platen 2 are kept close to each other with a predetermined gap, FIG. 8 (b) ), The passing light L of the height detecting unit 140 detects the collar portion N as an interfering object.

On the other hand, if the gap between the fabric C and the height detection unit 140 is increased in order to avoid the occurrence of a detection error, the detected gap is used as the gap during printing, so that the nozzle of the recording head 118 and the cover are covered during printing. There is also a problem that the gap with the fabric C, which is a printed matter, becomes large and the print quality deteriorates.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a height detection range on a T-shirt in the first control example of the present invention.

In the first control example of the present invention, by limiting the height detection range in the depth direction to the print range which is the range scanned by the carriage during printing, a convex portion such as the collar of a T-shirt is detected. You can avoid stopping with an error.

<Platen position control>
Next, the position control of the platen 2 during printing preparation and printing will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of the platen 2 during printing preparation and printing. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the processing procedure from adjusting the height of the platen to printing on the fabric. In FIG. 11, since the relative position of the platen 2 in the fabric printer 1 is shown, the illustration of the cassette 5 and the fabric C is omitted.

In S101, the control unit 200 (detection control unit 401) sets the height detection range.

In S102, the position of the platen 2 is moved in the depth direction by the sub-scanning motor drive unit 211 via the sub-scanning motor 111 and the timing belt 114 (FIG. 11 (a) ⇒ FIG. 11 (b)).

In S103, when the start point of the height detection range of the fabric C on the platen 2 reaches below the passing light L of the height detection unit 140, the movement of the platen 2 in the back direction is stopped in S104, and the platen 2 is moved. Raise it (Fig. 11 (b) ⇒ Fig. 11 (c)).

In S105, when the fabric C collides with the passing light L of the height detection unit 140, the platen 2 is slightly lowered in S106 and set to the same height as at the time of printing (FIG. 11 (c) ⇒ FIG. 11). (D)).

In S107, the position of the platen 2 is moved in the depth direction by the sub-scanning motor 111 by the height detection range (FIG. 11 (d) ⇒ FIG. 11 (e)).

In S107, if the convex portion blocks the passing light L of the height detection unit 140 while the platen 2 moves in the depth direction by the height detection range (Yes in S108) , it interferes in S1 09 . Sends that there is object detection (abnormal).

If No in S10 8 , the process proceeds to the print start operation. Printing is started in S110, and the platen C is moved toward the front at the same height as at the time of detection for the print range, so that the fabric C is conveyed under the recording head 118.

When the formation of the image scheduled in S111 is completed and printing is completed, the platen 2 stops moving in the front direction in S112, and then the platen 2 descends from the height at the time of printing to the bottom (FIG. 11). (F) ⇒ Fig. 11 (g)).

Then, in S113, the platen 2 moves toward the front side to the frontmost side (FIG. 11 (g) ⇒ FIG. 11 (h)).

At the end of printing, the cassette 5 holding the platen 2 on which the fabric C is set has moved to a position protruding from the opening 7O of the housing 7 so that the user can easily take it out.

<First control example>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a first control example of printing determination in which print information is read from an external storage medium into the fabric printer 1.

A print job is submitted in S11. In this control example, the printing operation is started by the control unit 200 of the fabric printer 1 reading the print information stored by the external storage medium 9 inserted into the fabric printer 1.

In S12, the detection control unit 401 analyzes and determines the print range from the print information, and sets the print range to the detection range. Then, in S13, the height detection unit 140 performs a detection operation with the print range as the height detection range.

If it is detected in S14 that a convex object interferes with the passing light L of the height detection unit 140 in the height detection range (Yes), an error is determined in S15, and an error is notified in S16. Is displayed.

On the other hand, if the height detecting unit 140 does not detect an interfering object in the height detection range in S14 (No), printing is executed in S17.

In this control example, since the height detection range is set to the print range, the detection range can be set by excluding three-dimensional parts such as collars, decorations, pockets, and sutures in clothes. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of unnecessary errors in detection in print preparation without deteriorating the quality of image formation.

<Connection with external device>
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the fabric printer of the present invention that can be connected to an external device.

The fabric printer 1 can acquire print information by connecting an external storage medium 9 such as a USB memory. In this case, the control flow shown in FIG. 12 can be implemented. Further, the fabric printer 1 is provided with a display 60 (panel UI), which is a display device, as a part of the operation panel 6.

Further, the cloth printer 1 can be connected to a mobile terminal such as a PC 10 or a smartphone 20, a camera 40, or a scanner 50 via a USB cable 12 (wired) or a network 22 (wireless). The PC 10, the smartphone 20, the camera 40, or the scanner 50, which is an external device connected to the cloth printer 1, functions as a host device 30 and can transmit print information to the cloth printer 1.

Although FIG. 13 shows an example in which the PC 10 and the scanner 50 are connected by wire and the smartphone 20 and the camera 40 are wirelessly connected via a network, the PC 10 is wirelessly connected via a network and the smartphone 20 and the camera 40 are wired. You may connect.

Further, the PC 10 is provided with a monitor 11, and the smartphone 20 is provided with a display 21. The monitor 11 of the PC 10 or the display 21 of the smartphone 20 connected to the cloth printer 1 by wire functions as a printer driver UI (display unit 33) controlled by the printer driver 31.

The monitor 11 of the PC 10 or the display 21 of the smartphone 20 connected to the fabric printer 1 via the network 22 functions as a Web driver UI.

Further, the CD-ROM 70, which is a storage medium in which the detection range selection program described later is stored, may be inserted into the PC 10.

<Second control example>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a second control example of printing determination when print information is transmitted from an external device. The difference from the flow of FIG. 12 is steps S21 and S22. Only the differences will be explained.

In S21, the print data is transmitted from the host device 30 to the fabric printer 1 by including the print range information in the page data in the print data.

In S22, the fabric printer 1 obtains print range information from the transmitted page data.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of print data transmitted from an external device. As shown in FIG. 15, as the print data, the page data marked with the basic information (size, print mode, resolution, etc.) of the page is first transmitted, and then the scan data is sequentially transmitted. Then, the fabric printer 1 scans the carriage 100 from the 1st scan to the end scan while receiving the scan data to perform an image forming operation. Printing position information (transport position, main scanning direction printing position) is embedded in the scan data.

In this control example, when the print data is transmitted in step S21, the print range information is included in the page data to be transmitted first. When the host device 30 is a PC 10, a smartphone 20, or a camera 40, the image data that is the source of the print data already exists inside the external device, so that the page data of the print data owned by the host device 30 can be used. Contains print range information in advance.

However, if the host device 30 is a scanner 50, the document is read and transmitted. Specifically, in reading a document by the scanner 50, scan data is created for each scan of the carriage by reading by moving the reading carriage or by transporting + moving the reading carriage.

At this time, on the scanner 50 side of the host device 30, where the print range is in the print data from the scanner 50 (print information) is determined from the image data to the scan data on the scanner 50 side from the 1st scan to the end scan. It can be judged by generating it.

Therefore, when the print range information (print start position to print end position) is included in the page data to be transmitted first and transmitted in this way, if the image data is large, the print range information is displayed on the scanner 50 side of the host device 30. It may take some time to obtain the print end position of. Then, since the scanner 50 waits for all the readings before performing the transmission, the productivity may deteriorate. In that case, it is preferable to carry out the following control example.

<Third control example>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a third control example of printing determination when print information is transmitted from an external device. The difference from the flow of FIG. 14 is step S31 and step S32.

In S31, print data is transmitted from the host device 30 to the fabric printer 1. It is assumed that the print range information is not added to the page data transmitted first at this time.

In S32, the fabric printer 1 obtains print start position information from the first scan data transmitted. Then, the height detection range is set with the print start position as the start point and the end of the printable range, that is, the downstream end of the platen 2 in the printing transport direction (movement direction) as the end point.

In S33, the height detection operation is executed from the print start position to the end of the printable range. Here, the height detection range executed in S33 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a height detection range in the third control example.

As shown in FIG. 17, in this control example, the height detection range is set from the printing start position to the downstream end of the platen 2 in the printing transport direction (moving direction).

In this control example, as compared with the second control example, only the print start position is acquired from the 1st scan data, and the detection range is set excluding only the tip portion. Does not cause deterioration.

Therefore, in this control example, even if the host device 30 is the scanner 50, the original can be read and transmitted, so that the waiting time can be shortened.

Also in this control, the height detection range can be narrowed by acquiring the print start position and removing only the tip portion from the height detection range. Therefore, as in other control examples, the detection range can be set by excluding three-dimensional parts such as a collar, a decoration, a pocket, and a sutured part of clothing.

<Fourth control example>
In the above-mentioned control example, an example of limiting the height detection range to the print range or the vicinity of the print range has been described, but in the present invention, the mode for limiting the height detection range shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 described above is used. As shown in FIG. 8, it may have a function of switching between the mode for detecting the total depth.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example and an operation unit for selecting a height detection range on the operation panel 6 provided in the fabric printer 1.

As shown in FIG. 18, the display 60 (display device) of the operation panel 6 shows a mode for switching functions. By shifting to this mode, it is possible to select a function. For example, in the example of FIG. 18, the function can be selected by the following button operation.
(1) When the K button is pressed, the height detection range is limited.
(2) When the CA button is pressed, the height detection range becomes the entire range.

When the above (1) or (2) is selected and a print command is sent from the display panel 6 to the control unit 200, the control unit 200 of the fabric printer 1 performs control according to the selection.

By switching the detection range mode as in this control example, height detection is performed when the collar is visible on the platen, for example, for children or when forming an image near the collar. Use a range-limited mode.

On the other hand, for adults and large-sized clothes that form an image in a part away from the collar, the collar is not placed on the platen 2 and the collar is stowed in the cassette 5. In this case, since there is clearly no cloth-derived shield, use the mode to detect the entire range (total depth).

By switching the detection mode in this way, it is possible to reduce unnecessary errors and prevent omission of detection of the convex portion.

The function of switching the detection range mode of this control example to the entire range of the garment C on the platen 2 or the print range is not limited to the scanning panel (panel UI) on the fabric printer 1. , It is assumed that it can be selected by the user by using either the printer driver UI or the Web UI which is an external device.

<Fifth control example>
In the fourth control example, the operation panel 6 mounted on the fabric printer 1 shows an example of limiting the height detection range, but as shown in FIG. 13, when connected to an external device, the external device is used. A selection screen may be displayed on the monitor 11 or the display 21 of the above, and the height detection range may be specified by the user. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a height detection range displayed on the monitor 11 of the PC 10 connected to the fabric printer 1.

Similar to FIG. 18, the function of switching between the mode for limiting the height detection range and the mode for detecting the entire depth as shown in FIG. 8 is provided by touch input to the monitor 11 of the PC 10 or a mouse in this control example. It can be turned ON / OFF by inputting with a mouse or keyboard.

As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 19, the printer driver has checkboxes for enabling or disabling features. It is possible to select whether to enable or disable the function depending on whether or not the check box is checked.
If you check the items indicated by the arrows, the height detection range will be limited.

On the other hand, if you do not check it, the height detection range will be the entire range.

When (1) or (2) is selected and a print command is sent from the printer driver 31 of the host device 30 to the control unit 200 of the cloth printer 1, the cloth printer 1 executes the control according to the selection.

The function of switching the mode of the detection range is not limited to the printer driver UI connected by wire, and can be selected by the user by using the Web UI of the host device connected by the network.

Further, the detection range selection control program for executing the height detection range selection control method of the present invention may be stored (distributed and sold) in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM 70 or a USB memory. In this case, the storage medium such as the CD-ROM 70 or the USB memory shown in FIG. 9 stores a height detection range control program for causing the computer (PC10) to execute the height detection range control method of the present invention. Functions as a readable storage medium.

The detection range selection control program of the present invention may be distributed to a computer (PC or smartphone 20) by downloading it via the Internet (network).

In any of the above embodiments, in the inkjet recording apparatus capable of ejecting to the cloth (garment), it is possible to prevent unnecessary errors from occurring in the printing preparation without deteriorating the quality of image formation.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail above, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions are made to the above-mentioned embodiment without departing from the scope of the claims. Can be added.

For example, in the terms of the present application, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, modeling, etc. are all synonymous.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the description has been made on the assumption that the T-shirt is applied as the cloth, but it is also possible to apply it to other objects. For example, in addition to clothes such as shirts, sweatshirts, trousers, and skirts, hats, flags, various cases, mini curtains, ornaments, and the like can be assumed as fabrics (garments).

1 Fabric printer (inkjet recording device)
2 Platen 6 Operation panel 9 USB memory (external storage medium)
10 PC (information processing device, host device)
11 Monitor (display device, display unit)
20 Smartphones (information processing equipment, host equipment)
21 Display (display device, display unit)
30 Host device 40 Camera (host device)
50 Scanner (host device)
60 Display (display device, panel UI)
70 CD-ROM (storage medium)
118 Recording head (head)
140 Height detector (detector)
200 Control unit (control device)
C fabric (T-shirt, garment)

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-31938

Claims (9)

A head with multiple nozzles that eject ink,
A platen that supports garment and can move up and down and horizontally,
In preparation for printing, a detector that detects the presence or absence of a thickness on the platen that reaches a predetermined height corresponding to the position of the head at the time of printing while the platen is at the same height as at the time of printing.
It is equipped with a control unit that controls the detection operation and stops printing when an interfering object is detected at the predetermined height.
The control unit captures an image of a height detection range, which is a range in which the detection unit detects the presence or absence of a thickness on the platen that reaches a predetermined height in the horizontal movement direction of the platen during printing. Is the print range to be printed, and at least a part outside the print range is excluded from the detection operation .
The head is movable in the first direction, which is the horizontal direction, and is movable.
With the head arranged outside the print target area, the platen is raised to set the distance between the garment and the detection unit to the predetermined height, and the platen is set to the distance within the height detection range. By moving in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and in a direction opposite to the moving direction at the time of printing, the detection unit has a thickness on the platen that reaches the predetermined height. To detect
Inkjet recording device. The inkjet recording device reads print data stored in the connected external storage medium and reads the print data.
The control unit sets the height detection range by the detection unit in the moving direction of the platen during printing as a range corresponding to the print range included in the read print data, and the detection operation outside the print range. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, which is set to be excluded from the above. The inkjet recording device is connected to a host device and is connected to the host device.
When printing data is transmitted from the host device to the inkjet recording device, the page data transmitted first includes print range information.
The control unit sets the height detection range by the detection unit in the moving direction of the platen during printing as a range corresponding to the received print range information, and excludes the outside of the print range from the detection operation. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. The inkjet recording device is connected to a host device and is connected to the host device.
The host device is equipped with a scanner that reads a document to be printed, and the scanner reads an image of the document for each scan and uses it as scan data.
The control unit prints based on the image data included in the first scan data among the scan data transmitted in order after the page data when the print data is transmitted from the host device to the inkjet recording device. Get the start position,
The control unit sets the height detection range of the platen in the printing movement direction of the platen from the detection start position associated with the printing start position to the downstream end of the platen in the printing movement direction. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, which is set up to. A control device for an inkjet recording device including a head that ejects ink, a platen that supports garment and can move up and down and horizontally, and a detection unit.
The control device can be connected to a display device and can be connected to the display device.
The control device has a thickness on the platen that reaches a predetermined height corresponding to the position of the head at the time of printing with the platen at the same height as at the time of printing by the detection unit on the display device. The height detection range, which is the range for detecting the presence or absence of shavings, is displayed so that the user can select whether to use the entire range of the garment on the platen or the print range.
In the height detection range according to the user's selection result, the detection unit is made to detect the presence or absence of the thickness on the platen that reaches the predetermined height with the platen at the same height as at the time of printing.
A control device for an inkjet recording device that displays on the display device when an interfering object is detected at the predetermined height. The display device is a display provided in the inkjet recording device.
The control device for an inkjet recording device according to claim 5 , wherein the user's instruction can be selected from the display. A control method for an inkjet recording device that includes a head that ejects ink, a platen that supports garment, and a detector, and can be connected to a host device that has a display device or has a display device.
The detection unit detects on the display device whether or not there is a thickness on the platen that reaches a predetermined height corresponding to the position of the head at the time of printing in a state where the platen is at the same height as at the time of printing. A step of displaying a user to select whether the height detection range, which is the range to be printed, is the entire range of the garment on the platen or the print range.
A step of causing the detection unit to detect the presence or absence of a thickness on the platen that reaches the predetermined height within the height detection range according to the user's selection result.
A control method for an inkjet recording device, comprising: a step of displaying a detection result on the display device when an interfering object is detected at the predetermined height. A control program used for an inkjet recording device that has a head that ejects ink, a platen that supports garment, and a detector, and is connected to a display device.
On the computer
The detection unit detects on the display device whether or not there is a thickness on the platen that reaches a predetermined height corresponding to the position of the head at the time of printing in a state where the platen is at the same height as at the time of printing. A process of displaying a user to select whether the height detection range, which is the range to be printed, is the entire range of the garment on the platen or the print range.
A process of causing the detection unit to detect the presence or absence of a thickness on the platen that reaches the predetermined height within the height detection range according to the user's selection result.
When an interfering object is detected at the predetermined height, the process of displaying it on the display device and
A detection range selection control program characterized by executing. A computer-readable storage medium comprising storing the detection range selection control program according to claim 8 .

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