JPH04244876A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the generation of noise or an increase in power consumption by determining the speed of a recording head at the time of movement of machinery. CONSTITUTION:The operation time of an apparatus within the time of a predetermined time before from this point of time is detected using the timing values of a timer 112 and an RAM 113 and the busyness degree of the apparatus is discriminated on the basis of this operation time. Corresponding to the comparison result of the moving scheduled distance of a carriage with predetermined length and said busyness degree, the moving speed of the carriage is determined.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing by scanning a printing head, for example.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In printers such as inkjet printers, when not recording, the recording head is moved to a retracted position, and when the start of recording is instructed, the carriage carrying the recording head is moved to the starting position for starting the recording operation. The actual recording operation is performed after preparatory operations are performed to move the image to the destination. In preparation for transporting the carriage, the speed of the carriage is increased depending on the distance the carriage is scheduled to travel, such as increasing the speed of the carriage if the distance it is about to travel is long, and slowing it if the distance is short. , determines the conveyance speed of the carriage during this preparatory operation.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Generally, when the ratio of the time occupied by the recording operation in a printer device to the operating time of the entire device (hereinafter referred to as the "time occupancy rate of the recording operation") is low, , when the "device busy level" is low, that is, when recording operations are not very frequent,
Even if the preparatory operation is performed by slowing down the moving speed of the carriage described above, it is thought that the operating time of the device will not be affected much. Furthermore, moving the carriage at high speeds is disadvantageous compared to low speed operation in that the carriage motor consumes more power and generates noise.

Therefore, when recording operations are not very frequent, it is preferable to suppress the carriage movement speed to a relatively low speed and perform the preparatory operation. If the decision is made based only on the distance that the carriage is intended to move, for example, even if the equipment is not busy, if the planned distance for the carriage to move is long, the carriage will be transported at high speed. There have been problems with the generation of noise and increased power consumption.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and is a recording method that prevents the generation of noise and increase in power consumption by determining the moving speed of the recording head depending on the busyness of the equipment. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A recording apparatus that scans a recording head to record on a recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a detection means for detecting an operating time of the apparatus within a predetermined time period from a current time; and a detection means for detecting the busyness of the apparatus based on the operating time. a determining means for determining; a comparing means for comparing the expected moving distance of the recording head with a predetermined length;
The apparatus further includes a speed determining means for determining a moving speed of the recording head according to the comparison result by the comparing means and the busyness level.

[0007]

[Operation] In the above configuration, the operating time of the device within a predetermined period of time before the current time is detected, and the degree of busyness of the device is determined based on this operating time. Then, it operates to determine the moving speed of the print head in accordance with the comparison result of comparing the planned moving distance of the print head with a predetermined length and the degree of busyness.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Explanation of inkjet printer (Figure 1, Figure 2)>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of a recording section of the inkjet printer of this embodiment.

First, referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the recording section of the inkjet printer of this embodiment will be explained. In FIG. 2, 1 is a recording head mounted on a carriage 2;
This carriage 2 is driven by a timing belt 15 (Fig. 1) stretched between an idler pulley 14 (Fig. 1) and a carriage motor 16 (Fig. 1), and the guide shaft 3 is moved back and forth along the Incidentally, ink is supplied to the recording head 1 from an ink cartridge 4 via an ink tube (not shown), and while the carriage 2 is moving from left to right, an ink discharge port (not shown) of the ink is supplied to the recording material. For example, record sheet 5
Recording is performed by ejecting ink toward. The ejection means of this recording head is described in US Pat.
, 723,129 and 4,459,600, the thermal energy causes a change of state in the liquid, including the rapid formation and contraction of bubbles, and An inkjet system (preferably one having an electrothermal transducer as a component) can be adopted in which liquid is ejected as droplets in response to formation.

A fixed platen 6 holds the recording sheet 5 at a position facing the ejection surface of the recording head 1 at a predetermined distance. 7 is a feed roller for feeding the recording sheet 5; 8 is a pinch roller that is in pressure contact with the feed roller 7 and is driven to sandwich the recording sheet 5 therebetween; 9 is a roller that applies pressure to the pinch roller 8. This holder 9 is made of a stainless steel plate or the like, and its elastic force biases the pinch roller 8 toward the feed roller 7. Reference numerals 10 and 11 designate an upper guide and a lower guide for holding the manually fed recording sheet 5 and guiding it between the feed roller 7 and the pinch roller 8.

[0011] The upper guide 10 is provided with a guide rail 10A at its upper part, and a leaf spring portion 2A provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 2 is held slidably along the guide rail 10A. . In this way, the spring force of the leaf spring 2A urges the carriage 2 itself toward the fixed platen 6, and a part of the carriage 2 is slidably brought into contact with the sheet holding plate 13 provided on the front surface of the platen 6. Accordingly, a predetermined distance is maintained between the ink ejection surface 1A of the recording head 1 and the recording sheet 5. The part of the sheet presser plate 13 that a part of the carriage 2 comes into contact with is near the back side of the part of the sheet presser plate 13 that the feed roller 7 comes into contact with, and the sheet presser plate 1
When the carriage 3 moves back by that amount, the carriage 2 moves back as well. Therefore, regardless of the thickness of the recording sheet 5, by keeping the distance between the ink ejection surface 1A and the recording sheet 5 at a predetermined distance, a high-quality recorded image can be formed.

The recording sheet 5 fed by the feed roller 7 and the pinch roller 8 is held by a fixed platen 6 tilted rearward at an angle of approximately 30 degrees, so that the recording results are easy for the operator to read. It's easier to see. In this way, the recording sheet 5 that has been recorded is held between the discharge roller 12 and a spur (not shown) that is in pressure contact with the discharge roller 12 and is discharged. Further, on the left side of FIG. 2, 20 is a hollow needle that is inserted into the ink cartridge 4 when the ink cartridge 4 is inserted from the cartridge insertion port 21. 1 is supplied with ink.

Further, reference numeral 23 denotes a cap member which is attached to the ink ejection surface 1A of the recording head 1 when the recording head 1 is moved to the initial position (retracted position) to prevent the inkjet head from drying out. There is. A cap guide shaft 24 movably holds the cap member 23. 2
5 is a suction pump for performing a recovery operation via the cap member 23, and 26 is a pump cam for driving the pump 25. A feed motor 27 can rotate the feed roller 7 together with the discharge roller 12 via a gear train 28 and an idler pulley 29 to transport the recording sheet 5 by a predetermined amount.

Next, the configuration of the inkjet printer of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. In Figure 1, 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire printer, for example, a CPU 110 such as a microcomputer, a control program for the CPU 110, a ROM 111 for storing various data such as constant values described later, and a ROM 111 used as a work area for the CPU 110. R for temporarily saving data
It is equipped with AM113 etc. This RAM 113 includes time counters T0 to T to hold time values to be described later.
5, Ti, etc., and a time counter T that measures the passage of time based on the number of interrupts from the timer 112 every unit time t.
It is provided with memory areas such as a, and further storage areas such as Ds for storing the distance between the current position of the carriage 2 and the recording preparation position. A timer 112 outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 110 at every time t, which will be described later. Reference numeral 114 denotes an input/output port for inputting and outputting signals between the control unit 101 and each mechanical unit of the printer (recording head 1, various motor drivers, etc.). A motor driver 17 rotates the carriage motor 16 according to instructions from the control unit 101.

With the above configuration, the operating time of the printer mechanism is measured at predetermined time intervals, and the measured time value is
Carriage 2 moves to the preparation position for recording operation by comparing it with a reference time value for determining the busyness of printer equipment.
A determination reference distance (hereinafter abbreviated as "speed selection distance") for selecting a speed when moving is determined.

[0016] Here, the busyness of the device refers to the time occupancy rate of recording operations, or the length of time from the recording end point to the recording start point (hereinafter referred to as "recording interval"). Evaluate. Depending on the degree of busyness of such equipment, the criterion value (speed selection distance) for the planned movement distance is changed to select the speed at the time of preparation movement. That is, when the degree of busyness of the equipment is high, a high speed with a short scheduled moving distance is selected, and when the degree of busyness of the equipment is low, a low speed carriage movement is selected even with a long planned moving distance. In this way, power consumption, noise, friction, etc. can be reduced without increasing the overall recording time under normal recording conditions. <Explanation of operation time measurement process (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5)
> FIGS. 3 and 4 are timing charts showing the process of updating the time values T0 to T5 and Ta by the CPU 110 of this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the control program of the CPU 110 that executes this process.

FIG. 3 shows the timing of updating the time values T0 to T5 and Ta during the operation of the printer mechanism. Here, the respective time values T0 to T5 are set to "0" with a shift of time T, and thereafter, the operating time of the printer mechanism is measured for a maximum of 5T hours. Each time value is controlled so that when 5T time is measured, the next time T time is not measured and the current time value is maintained as it is. Here, the time T is an integral multiple (in this embodiment, five times) of the minimum time unit t.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the printer mechanism and each time value T.
3 is a timing chart showing update states from 0 to T5. In FIG. 4, the solid line portions of each of the time values T0 to T5 indicate the sections in which the time value is actually updated, and the dotted line portions indicate a state in which time measurement is stopped because the mechanism is not operating. Further, each time value is reset to "0" at the timing shown in the figure.

At the time of printer operation 41, the time values T0,
T1 is updated in the section indicated by the solid line in the figure, and then in the section where the printer mechanism section 42 stops operating, updating of the time values T0 to T3 is stopped. Similarly, the operating section 43 of the mechanism section 43
In this case, each time value is updated during the period shown by the solid line in the figure. Therefore, for example, if you want to know the operating time of a mechanical part between times 5T and 6T, by referring to the time of the clock value T0, you can check whether the mechanical part has operated during the previous time 5T. You can ask for the time.

In addition, in the operation section 45 where the operation time of the mechanism section is longer than 5T, the time measurement value T3 starts and ends at time 14T, and holds that value until time 15T.
When the time reaches 15T, the time is reset to "0". As a result, if you want to know the maximum operating time of the mechanical part at the immediately preceding time 5T between times 14T and 15T, you can refer to the time value T3. Also, between times 15T and 16T, if you want to know the maximum operating time of the mechanism at the immediately preceding time 5T, use the clock value T
You can refer to the value of 4. In this case, the operating time of the mechanism is recognized as 5T based on the time value T4. Note that here, the value of time T is set as, for example, 5 seconds or 10 seconds.

Next, the process of updating these time values T0 to T5 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This processing program is started by an interrupt from the timer 112 every time t.

First, in step S1, time t is added to the time value Ta. As a result, Ta measures the elapsed time in units of time t. Next, proceed to step S2,
It is determined whether or not the mechanism of the printer is in operation, and if it is in operation, the process goes to step S3, and if it is not in operation, the process goes to step S6.
Proceed to. For example, the CPU 11 determines whether or not this operation is in progress.
When 0 outputs an operation command to the printer's mechanism, the RAM
If the flag 113 is turned on and the operation end signal from the printer mechanism is input, the flag is turned off, and it can be determined whether the mechanism is in operation based on whether the flag is on or not. .

If it is in operation, in step S3, the time value T
Check whether the value of a is divisible by time T. That is,
If the remainder after dividing Ta by T (indicated by mod (Ta /T)) is not "0", the process proceeds to step S4, and if it is divisible, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S4, the integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the time value Ta by the time T is calculated as T0.
, T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 , T5 , the value of the time value Tm+1 whose subscript is the remainder m + 1 when divided by "6" is maintained as it is, and Tm+1
The time t is added to each of the time values in the five time value areas excluding . However, when the value of (m+1) is "6", m=0. That is, this step S4 is executed when the mechanism section is in operation and the value of Ta is not an integral multiple of T. For example, in the timing diagram of FIG. Although the unit is in operation, the integer part of (Ta/T) is “11” and the unit is in operation.
Since d(11/6)=5, the time value T0 corresponding to Tm+1 is held without being updated.

[0024] In step S3, mod(Ta/T)=0
In the case of , the process proceeds to step S5, and the quotient obtained by dividing the value of the timed value Ta by the time T is calculated as the timed value T0 , T1 , T2 , T
3, T4, and T5 by the number "6" and the remainder m is assigned as a subscript, "0" is assigned to the time value Tm. Then, time t is added to each of the five time values other than Tm. For example, in the timing diagram of FIG.
At 0T, since mod (10/6)=4, only the timed value T4 is reset to "0", and the other timed values T0 ~
Time t is added to T3 and T5.

On the other hand, if the mechanism is not in operation in step S2, the process advances to step S6, and similarly to step S3,
It is checked whether the remainder when the timed value Ta is divided by the time T is "0", and if the remainder is not "0", the process is terminated without updating these timed values, but if the remainder is "0" Proceeding to step S7, the quotient obtained by dividing the time value Ta by the time T is T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T.
5. Substitute "0" for the time value Tm with the remainder m obtained by dividing by the number "6" of 5 as a subscript. This corresponds, for example, to the reset timing of the time values T0 to T3 in the non-operating section 44 of the mechanism section in FIG.

In this way, each time value T0, T1
, T2, T3, T4, and T5 sequentially store the operation time of the mechanism part within the immediately preceding 5T time, and based on the current time indicated by the time value Ta, the timer that measures the operation time most is stored in T2, T3, T4, and T5. By referring to the value, it is possible to determine the operating time of the mechanism section up to that point and calculate the busyness level of the printer device. <Carriage conveyance speed determination process (FIG. 6)> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process for determining the movement speed of the carriage 2 in the printer of this embodiment. The speed of the carriage 2 for preparatory movement is determined by using the operation time of the printer mechanism section measured in the flowchart. That is, when the operating time of the printer mechanism section is long, the carriage 2 moves at high speed even if the moving distance is relatively short, and when the operating time of the printer mechanism section is short (when the busyness level is low), the carriage 2 moves at high speed. , even if the moving distance of the carriage 2 is relatively long, movement at low speed is selected.

First, in step S11, the quotient (integer part) obtained by dividing the time value Ta by the time T is calculated as the time value T0, T1.
, T2 , T3 , T4, T5 , the remainder m after dividing by the total number 6, plus 1 (m+1) is the subscript Tm
Check the value of +1. If this value is greater than the reference time Tb for determining the busyness of the printer mechanism section, the process advances to step S12; otherwise, the process advances to step S13. In step S12, it is determined whether the scheduled moving distance Ds of the carriage 2 is greater than a relatively nearby predetermined distance Dn. Then, the planned moving distance Ds is a predetermined distance Dn
If it is larger, the process proceeds to step S14, and the moving speed of the carriage 2 is selected to be high; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15, and the moving speed of the carriage 2 is set to low speed.

[0028] Also, in step S11, the time value Tm+1
When the value of is smaller than the reference time Tb for determining the busyness level of the printer mechanism section, the process advances to step S13, and the scheduled moving distance Ds of the carriage 2 is set at a relatively long predetermined distance D.
Check whether it is larger than f, and if it is larger, step S1
4, and if it is smaller, the process advances to step S15. Note that these predetermined distances Dn and Df are stored in the ROM 111 as constants.

Thus, for example, in the timing diagram of FIG. 4, if the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed between times 9T and 10T, mod(9/6)=
3, the value of the clock value T4 (Tm+1=T4) is referred to as a clock value representing the operating time of the mechanism of the printer for determining the speed of the carriage 2.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, the busyness of the printer device can be directly evaluated based on the past operation time of the printer mechanism, so the carriage 2 can be properly prepared depending on the busyness of the device. It has the effect of determining the speed for movement.

In this embodiment, the number of timed values Tn is set to 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in order to simplify the processing, the number may be less than 6, or the number of timed values Tn may be reduced to 6. In order to improve time accuracy, more than six may be used.

In addition, only Tb was used as the reference time for determining the busyness of the mechanical section, and the predetermined distance for determining the speed of the carriage 2 was set in two stages, Df and Dn.
The present invention is not limited to this, but in order to further improve the speed control of the carriage 2, more reference times are prepared and the speed of the carriage 2 is determined in accordance with each of these reference times. You can also do it. Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of speed control of the carriage 2, the moving speed of the carriage 2 may be expressed as a function of the operating time of the printer mechanism. <Second Embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8)> In the above embodiment, the moving speed of the carriage 2 was determined according to the operating time of the printer mechanism, but in this embodiment, The degree of busyness is evaluated based on the time from the end of a recording operation to the start of the next recording operation.

The hardware configuration of this embodiment is similar to the block diagram of FIG. However, the RAM 113 has storage areas as control variables, such as a time value Ti that measures the elapsed time from the end of recording every unit time t, and Ds that stores the distance between the current position of the carriage 2 and the recording preparation position. We are prepared.

The flowchart in FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process activated by an interrupt signal from the timer 112 every time t, and this time t is the same as the time t in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. It's okay.

When a timer interrupt occurs, it is first checked in step S21 whether or not a recording operation is in progress, and if it is in progress, the process returns to the main processing without doing anything. Whether or not this recording operation is in progress can be easily determined by checking the state of a flag provided in the RAM 113 that is turned on at the start of the recording operation and turned off when the recording operation ends.

If the recording operation is not in progress in step S1, the process advances to step S22, and it is checked whether the recording operation has just finished. If it is immediately after, the process advances to step S24 and the clock value Ti
Reset the value to “0”. As a result, time counting starts after the recording operation has stopped.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the recording operation has not ended immediately, the process advances to step S23, where time t is added to this time value Ti, and the process returns to the main process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of determining the moving speed of the carriage 2 by comparing this time value Ti, the expected moving distance Ds of the carriage 2, and predetermined distances Dn, Df. Executed immediately before starting movement 2. Here, when the recording time interval is short, the carriage is moved at high speed even if the moving distance is relatively short, and when the recording time interval is long, the carriage is moved at low speed even if the moving distance is relatively long. Select move 2.

First, in step S31, it is determined whether the time value Ti is greater than the reference time Td for determining how busy the printer mechanism is, and if so, the process proceeds to step S33.
If not, the process advances to step S32. In step S33, it is checked whether the planned moving distance Ds of the carriage 2 is greater than a relatively distant predetermined distance Df. If it is, the process proceeds to step S34, and high speed is selected as the moving speed of the carriage 2. On the other hand, the planned travel distance Ds
is smaller than the relatively far predetermined distance Df, the process proceeds to step S35, and movement of the carriage 2 at low speed is selected.

Further, in step S31, if the time value Ti is smaller than the reference time Td for determining how busy the printer mechanism is, the process advances to step S32, and the scheduled moving distance Ds of the carriage 2 is set from a relatively short predetermined distance Dn. It is checked whether it is large, and if it is large, the process advances to step S34 and high speed is selected as the moving speed of the carriage 2. If the carriage 2 is smaller, the process advances to step S35, and the
Select low speed as the movement speed.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, the busyness of the device is evaluated based on the elapsed time from the last recording end time to the current recording start time, so the busyness of the device can be predicted with a small time value. .

In this embodiment, only the reference time Td for determining the busyness of the mechanism is used, and the predetermined distances Df and Dn for determining the speed of the carriage 2 are set. The same operation may be performed by preparing several reference times and preparing a predetermined distance for speed determination corresponding to each of the reference times. Furthermore, in order to improve control accuracy, the reference distance for speed determination may be expressed as a function of the recording time interval.

[0043] The recording method used in the present invention is particularly applicable to the inkjet recording method, which uses a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, etc.) that generates thermal energy as energy used to eject ink. This provides an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus that use the thermal energy to cause a change in the state of the ink. This is because such a system can achieve high recording speed.

For its typical configuration and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, it is carried out using the basic principles disclosed in the '796 specification. This method is the so-called on-demand type.
It is applicable to both continuous types, but in particular, in the case of on-demand types, it is applicable to the electrothermal converter placed corresponding to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) and the liquid path. , by applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, the electrothermal transducer generates thermal energy to produce film boiling on the thermally active surface of the recording head. Let it happen,
This is effective because as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one liquid. It is more preferable to use this drive signal in a pulse form, since the growth and contraction of bubbles can be carried out immediately and appropriately, making it possible to eject liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable. Furthermore, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

[0045] In addition to the configuration of the recording head, which is a combination of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, , U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a hole that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is disclosed. The effects of the present invention are also effective even with a structure based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1983 which discloses a structure corresponding to the discharge section. That is, regardless of the form of the recording head, according to the present invention, the time required for recording can be shortened and recording can be performed efficiently.

[0046] In the case of the serial type as in the above example, the recording head is fixed to the device body, or by being attached to the device body, electrical connection with the device body and ink supply from the device body can be made. The present invention is also effective when using a replaceable chip-type recording head that allows the recording head to be replaced or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself.

Furthermore, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus, to the present invention because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, these are:
Capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or a different heating differential element, or a combination thereof, and ejection other than recording. It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode for performing stable printing.

Also, the type and number of recording heads to be mounted. For example, in addition to a single ink corresponding to a single color ink, a plurality of inks may be provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may also include a recording head that is configured integrally or a combination of multiple colors; The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with at least one full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, softens or liquefies at room temperature, or inkjet method. In general, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within the range of 30°C to 70°C to keep the viscosity of the ink within the stable ejection range. Any eggplant is fine. In addition, the temperature rise caused by thermal energy can be actively prevented by using the energy to change the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or ink that solidifies when left standing is used to prevent ink evaporation. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected, and the ink already begins to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium.
The present invention is also applicable when using ink that is liquefied only by thermal energy. In such cases, the ink is held in a liquid or solid state in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. , it may also be in a form that faces the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective method for the above-mentioned nuclear ink is the one that implements the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention can be used as an image output terminal for information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting and receiving function. It may also take a form.

As described above, this embodiment has the function of determining the speed during preparatory movement of the carriage in accordance with the degree of busyness of the equipment without substantially increasing the total recording time. This function allows some preparatory movement operations that previously operated at high speed to operate at low speed, which has the effect of reducing power consumption and reducing noise generated by carriage movement. A number of effects can be expected, including the effect of improving the sound environment by reducing noise, and the effect of extending the mechanical life of the equipment by reducing the sliding friction between the carriage and its guide shaft.

[0052]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, the speed at which the recording head is ready to move can be determined depending on the busyness of the equipment, thereby reducing power consumption and reducing equipment noise. It has the effect of preventing the occurrence.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of a recording section of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment.

[Figure 3]

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram for explaining the update timing of a clock value.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a time value update process in the inkjet printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for determining the moving speed of a carriage in the inkjet printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for updating a time value that measures recording operation intervals in an inkjet printer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for determining the moving speed of a carriage in an inkjet printer according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Recording head 2 Carriage 16 Carriage motor 101 Control section 110 CPU 111 ROM 112 Timer 113 RAM

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by scanning a recording head, the apparatus comprising: detecting means for detecting an operating time of the apparatus within a predetermined period of time before a current time; a determining means for determining the busyness of the apparatus; a comparing means for comparing the expected moving distance of the recording head with a predetermined length; and determining a moving speed of the recording head according to the comparison result by the comparing means and the busyness. A recording device comprising: speed determining means. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines that the degree of busyness is high when the operating time is longer than a predetermined time. 3. A recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by scanning a recording head, the apparatus comprising: a detection means for detecting a recording operation interval during which no recording operation is performed; and a detection means for detecting a recording operation interval in which no recording operation is performed; a comparing means for comparing the expected moving distance of the recording head with a predetermined length; and a speed determining means for determining the moving speed of the recording head according to the comparison result by the comparing means and the busyness level. A recording device comprising: 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing head is reciprocated by a carriage that moves in a predetermined direction. 5. The recording head is a recording head that performs recording by generating thermal energy in an electrothermal transducer and causing film boiling in the ink. The recording device described in .