JPH091817A - Recording apparatus and facsimile apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To accurately detect the residual amt. of ink to properly control recording by providing a detection means detecting the residual amt. of the ink in an ink tank and a control means controlling the recording by a recording head according to the detection result of the detection means. CONSTITUTION: At a time of recording operation, an ink cartridge 9 is moved in the direction (main scanning direction) crossing the arranging direction of the nozzles thereof at a right angle and ink is selectively emitted from those nozzles to apply recording to the region corresponding to the recording width by a plurality of nozzles. An ink residual amt. detection sensor being a reflection type photosensor is attached to a carriage 10 to detect the residual amt. of the ink in the ink cartridge 9. The detection direction of the ink residual detection sensor is almost same to the reciprocal scanning direction of the ink cartridge 9 and the ink residual amt. detection sensor is attached to the carriage 10 and moved along with the cartridge 9 by the movement of the carriage 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus using the recording apparatus, and more particularly to a recording apparatus for recording according to an ink jet system and a facsimile apparatus using the recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various techniques have been used in a recording apparatus for recording in accordance with an ink jet method in order to detect the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank provided in the apparatus. Such techniques include the following. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-102061 discloses a technique for detecting the absence of ink by a reflection plate and a reflection type optical sensor provided in an ink tank. In addition, JP-A-56-
No. 144184 discloses a technique for notifying the absence of ink after a certain period of time has elapsed after detecting the absence of ink so that the fluctuation of the ink level does not deteriorate the accuracy of the remaining ink amount detection. There is. .

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the optical sensor is used for detecting the remaining amount of ink, the sunlight may be temporarily changed depending on the installation place of the device or the position of the sun or lighting. There is a problem that external light such as a strong spotlight is incident on the light receiving portion of the ink amount detecting portion, and the ink is erroneously recognized as being exhausted even though the ink actually remains.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of more accurately detecting the remaining amount of ink and performing appropriate recording control, and a facsimile apparatus using the recording apparatus. I am trying.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention has the following constitution. That is, a recording device that ejects ink while moving a recording head to perform recording on a recording medium, and a scanning unit that reciprocates the recording head, and the ink is stored and integrated with the recording head. An ink tank that reciprocates by the scanning unit, a detection unit that detects the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank, and a recording control unit that controls recording by the recording head according to the detection result of the detection unit, Even if the recording control means performs the recording control to perform the first recording operation at the first time when the detection means determines that the ink does not remain, the recording control means does not detect the ink at the second time. A recording apparatus is provided, which performs recording control so as to perform a second recording operation if it is determined that the ink remains.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus using the above recording apparatus, the communication means transmitting / receiving an image signal via a communication line, and the storage means temporarily storing the image signal. And a facsimile apparatus characterized by having.

[0007]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, the ink in the ink tank that stores the ink and reciprocates integrally with the recording head when recording is performed on the recording medium by ejecting the ink while moving the recording head. Detect the remaining amount, but first
Even if the recording control is performed so that the first recording operation is performed at the time point of No. 2, the second recording operation is performed if the ink is determined to be present at the second time point. Control.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Explanation of Apparatus Configuration (FIGS. 1 to 5)> Mechanical Configuration FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of a facsimile apparatus having a recording unit according to an inkjet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. is there.

First, the structure of the recording unit of the facsimile apparatus will be described. In FIG. 1, 1 is a frame that is the main structure of the entire apparatus, and 2 is an AS fixed to the frame 1.
F (Auto Sheet Feeder)
It is a chassis. The ASF chassis 2 is a structure of an ASF section in which a plurality of recording papers are mounted and separated one by one during recording and sent to the recording portion. Further, 3 is an intermediate plate, and 4 is an intermediate plate pressing spring. The middle plate 3 is rotatably attached to the ASF chassis 2 and is urged clockwise by a middle plate pressing spring 4 in the figure. 5 is a drive system (not shown)
Thus, the recording paper separating roller which rotates clockwise in the figure, and 6 are transmissive sensors (hereinafter, roller position sensors) for detecting the home position of the recording paper separating roller 5.

The position of the intermediate plate 3 shown in FIG. 1 is in a standby state where it is stopped at a position where it is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by an intermediate plate operation cam portion (not shown) of the drive system. Sometimes it corresponds. When the cam is disengaged, it rotates clockwise and contacts the outer periphery of the recording paper separating roller 5. The operation of the intermediate plate 3 and the cutout position of the recording paper separating roller 5 are synchronized with each other.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a recording paper conveying roller which rotates counterclockwise in the figure by a drive system (not shown), and 8 denotes a recording paper provided so as to contact the outer periphery of the recording paper conveying roller 7 by a spring (not shown). It is a transport roller. The recording paper conveyance roller 7 and the recording paper conveyance roller 8 hold the recording paper at their contacting portions and convey it to the left in the drawing (hereinafter, this conveyance direction is referred to as the sub-scanning direction). Reference numeral 9 denotes a replaceable type (disposable type) ink cartridge in which a recording head according to the inkjet system and an ink tank for storing ink are integrally built in, and 10 denotes a carriage to which the ink cartridge 9 is detachably attached.

The recording surface of the ink cartridge 9 is located below the ink cartridge 9 in the figure, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the horizontal direction in the figure to form a head recording surface. During the recording operation, the ink cartridge 9 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the nozzles are arranged (a direction perpendicular to the drawing: this direction is hereinafter referred to as the main scanning direction), and ink is selectively ejected from these nozzles. It is possible to perform printing on an area corresponding to the printing width by a plurality of nozzles. After that, the recording paper is conveyed by the recording width in the sub-scanning direction, and the recording operation is repeated to perform recording on the recording paper (such a recording system is called a multi-scan system).

Further, an ink remaining amount detection sensor by a reflection type photo sensor is attached to the carriage 10.
The amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 9 is detected. The detection direction of the ink remaining amount detection sensor is approximately the same direction as the reciprocating scanning direction of the ink cartridge 9, and since the ink remaining amount sensor is attached to the carriage 10, the carriage 10 moves together with the ink cartridge 9. Not to mention moving. Note that this point will be described later in detail.

Reference numerals 12 and 13 respectively denote guide rails for assisting smooth reciprocating movement of the carriage 10 in the main scanning direction. The carriage 10 moves to the two rails 12 and 13 in the main scanning direction. Attachable,
It reciprocates by a drive system (not shown). Reference numeral 14 denotes a platen which faces the recording head and causes the recording paper to face the recording head and maintains a distance from the recording head at the recording position, 15
Is a paper discharge roller, and 16 is a paper discharge roller. The paper ejection roller 16 is urged against the paper ejection roller 15 by a pressing member (not shown), and ejects the recording paper while sandwiching the recording paper at the contact portion between the paper ejection roller 15 and the paper ejection roller 16. . Reference numeral 17 denotes a recording paper cover, which is configured to open with the lower part as a fulcrum when the ink cartridge 9 is replaced.

Next, the structure of the reading unit of the facsimile apparatus will be described. Reference numeral 20 denotes a reading / separating roller that rotates counterclockwise in the drawing by a drive system (not shown) to convey the set originals one by one to the left in the drawing. Reference numeral 21 denotes a pressing member (not shown). A separating piece 22 made of a material having a high frictional force, such as rubber, which is urged against the reading / separating roller 20 and separates a plurality of originals set one by one, reads an image drawn on the original and reads it. A contact type line image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as an image sensor) that converts information represented by an image into an electric signal, 23 is a CS spring, and 24 is a white CS roller that rotates clockwise in the figure by a drive system (not shown). is there. Here, the CS spring 23 is provided so as to press the image sensor 22 against the CS roller 24. Further, the CS roller 24 is the image sensor 22.
It has the role of bringing the original into close contact with the entire reading surface of the document, conveying the original to the left in the drawing, and serving as the background for reading the original.

Reference numeral 25 is an original guide for guiding the lower surface of the original fixed to the frame 1 which also serves as a structure for supporting a reading section and an operation panel (described later), and 26 is an original guide 2.
A manuscript guide fixed to 5 for guiding the upper surface of the manuscript, 27 an operation board having operation switches, 28 an operation board 27 fixed to the manuscript guide 25, and itself fixed to the manuscript guide 25. .

Reference numeral 30 is a power supply unit composed of a power transformer and a capacitor, and 31 is an electric control board which is attached to the frame 1 and controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The electric control board 31 includes electric elements and parts (image sensor 22, operation board 27, power supply section 30,
The bundle lines from the ink cartridge 9, each drive motor (not shown), the roller position sensor 6, and each sensor (not shown) are all connected. It should be noted that various sensors of the reading unit, sensors for detecting the presence / absence of recording paper, and the like, which are not described here, are directly mounted on the electric control board 31 without interposing a bundle. Further, external interfaces (for example, public telephone line network interface, auxiliary telephone interface, external child telephone interface, personal computer interface such as Centronics) are all connected to the electric control board 31.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view showing the detailed construction of the ink cartridge 9. In FIG. 2, 11 is a reflection type photo sensor (hereinafter referred to as a photo sensor), 91 is ink, 92 is a sponge, 93 is a reflection plate that reflects light from the reflection type photo sensor, and 94 is a recording head. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the carriage 10 is stationary and the ink cartridge 9 mounted therein is also stationary. Therefore, the surface of the ink 91 is not shaken and is smooth.

Further, as apparent from FIG. 2, the reflector 9
3 is provided near the bottom surface of the ink container, and its position is near the wall surface of the ink cartridge in which the photo sensor 11 is installed. This is because by providing the reflection plate 93 near the photo sensor 11, the intensity of the reflected light received by the photo sensor 11 when the ink does not remain is increased and the S / N ratio related to the remaining ink amount detection is improved. is there. At this time, the distance (detection gap) between the side surface of the ink cartridge on which the photo sensor 11 is installed and the reflection plate 93 depends on the relationship between the surface tension of the ink and the water repellency between the ink and the wall and between the ink and the reflection plate. Accurate residual amount detection is achieved by setting the interval (2 to 4 mm) so that ink does not collect.

Even if the reflection plate 93 is provided in this way, the spaces on the left and right of the reflection plate 93 are not separate depressions, but the reflection plate is only the center and the space where the actual ink is stored is the reflection plate. Communicate with each other by the side. With this configuration, the liquid level detected between the photo sensor 11 and the reflection plate 93 changes like the liquid level in the ink cartridge. Further, the structure is not limited to this, and a hole communicating with the bottom of the reflection plate may be provided so that the liquid surfaces on both sides of the reflection plate are equal.
When the ink cartridge 9 is filled with the ink 91, the photo sensor 11 blocks the light from the photo sensor 11 because the ink 91 blocks the light from the photo sensor 11.
Almost no reflected light from the photosensor can be captured, and the output current from the photosensor 11 becomes almost zero. On the other hand, when there is no ink in the ink cartridge 9, the photo sensor 11 captures the reflected light from the reflection plate 93, and as a result, the photo sensor 11 outputs a current according to the intensity of the reflected light.

Electrical Configuration FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus whose mechanical configuration is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, 10
1 is a CPU including a microprocessor and the like, 1
Reference numeral 02 designates a ROM for storing control programs and processing programs executed by the CPU 101, 103 designates a recording area for storing image data for facsimile transmission / reception and image data read for copy processing, and the CPU 101.
RAM used as a work area when executing a control program or a processing program, 104 is a DRAM or SRAM 103 having a backup power supply so that information can be stored and held without power supply from the power supply unit 30, or an EEPROM, etc. It is a non-volatile memory composed of.

Further, 105 is a JIS code, ASCII
A character generator (CG) that generates a character pattern according to a character code expressed according to a code system such as a code, 106 is a recording unit having the configuration described in FIG. 1, 107 is a reading unit having the configuration described in FIG.
8 is a modem (MODEM), 109 is a network control unit (NCU), 110 is a telephone line, 111 is a telephone, 11
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation unit formed by a part of the operation panel 28 of the operation board 27 described with reference to FIG. 1, reference numeral 113 indicates a part of the operation panel 28 of the operation board 27 described by FIG.
It is a display unit including D and the like.

The CPU 101 has a ROM 102,
RAM 103, non-volatile memory 104, CG 105, recording unit 106, reading unit 107, modem 108, NCU
The control unit 109, the operation unit 112, and the display unit 113 are controlled. Now, the RAM 103 stores the binarized image data read by the reading unit 107 or the binarized image data recorded in the recording unit 106, and also the modem 108.
Modulated by NCU 109 and telephone line 110
And the encoded image data obtained by demodulating the analog image signal received via the telephone line 110 via the NCU 109 and the modem unit 108. In addition, the non-volatile memory 104 stores data (for example, a speed dial number or the like) to be saved regardless of whether power is supplied. CG105 is CPU10
The character pattern data corresponding to the input code is generated as needed under the control of 1.

The electric system of the recording unit 106 is composed of a DMA controller, a recording head according to the ink jet system, a CMOS logic IC, etc., and under the control of the CPU 101, takes out the image data stored in the RAM 103 and outputs it. On the other hand, the electrical system of the reading unit 107 is DM
A controller, image processing IC, image sensor, CM
The image data read from the image sensor (CS) 22 is binarized under the control of the CPU 101, which is composed of an OS logic IC and the like, and the binarized data is sequentially read by R
Output to AM103. The setting state of the document on the reading unit 107 can be detected by a document detection unit (not shown) using a photosensor provided in the document transport path.

The modem 108 is composed of a G3 / G2 modem and a clock generating circuit connected to these modems, etc., and modulates the coded transmission data stored in the RAM 103 under the control of the CPU 101 to generate the NCU10.
Output to the telephone line 110 via 9 or the telephone line 11
An analog image signal received via 0 is input via the NCU 109, the signal is demodulated to obtain encoded reception data, and this is stored in the RAM 103. NCU109 is
The telephone line 110 is connected to the modem 10 under the control of the CPU 101.
8 or telephone 111 to connect to. Further, the NCU 109 has a detection circuit for detecting a calling signal (CI), and when the calling signal is detected, sends an incoming signal to the CPU 101.

The telephone 111 is a telephone that is integrated with the main body of the facsimile apparatus, and comprises a handset, a speech network, a dialer, a ten-key pad, a one-touch key, and the like. The operation unit 112 includes a key for starting image transmission / reception, a resolution selection key for switching the resolution of a facsimile image during transmission / reception to fine, standard, etc., a mode selection key for designating an operation mode such as automatic reception, and dialing. It consists of a numeric keypad and a one-touch key. The display unit 113 is an LCD in which a 7-segment LCD for time display, a pictographic LCD for displaying various modes, and a dot matrix LCD capable of displaying 5 × 7 dots (1 character) × 1 line are combined. It is composed of a module and an LED.

Next, the electrical configuration of the ink remaining amount detecting section provided in the recording section 106 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the remaining ink amount detecting section. FIG.
In the reference numeral 151, 151 is a current / voltage conversion unit for converting into a voltage according to the output current intensity from the photosensor 11, 152 is a smoothing circuit block that functions to remove noise and suppress output voltage fluctuation due to fluctuation of the ink surface, 153 is A /
A D conversion unit, 154 is an output port unit that gives a switching signal described later to the current / voltage conversion unit 151 in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 101, and 155 is an input port unit that inputs outputs of various sensors and outputs the signals to the CPU 101. 15
A cartridge attachment / detachment detection sensor 6 detects whether or not the ink cartridge 9 is attached to the carriage 10. The current / voltage conversion unit 151 can change the ratio of current / voltage conversion by a switching signal from the outside (here, the CPU 101), and the A / D conversion unit 153.
Is output to the CPU 101.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the current / voltage converter 151. As is clear from FIG.
When the ink cartridge 9 has ink, the output from the photo sensor 11 is small, so a “Low” level signal is input to the A / D converter 153, while when there is no ink in the ink cartridge 9, the photo sensor 11 Since the output from the A / D conversion unit 1 is high,
53 is input. In addition, O from the output port unit 154
The switch 157 opens / closes (ON / OFF according to the N / OFF signal).
OFF). At this point, the switch 157 is closed (O
N) Then, since the resistors are connected in parallel, the A / D converter 1
The switch 157 opened the input voltage to 53 (OFF)
Smaller than time.

Further, in FIG. 5, reference numeral 158 denotes a smoothing capacitor, which functions as a pair with the resistance component of the preceding stage to smooth the signal. <Explanation of the recording operation of the apparatus> -Mechanical operation When the recording operation is required due to the copy of the original or the reception of the facsimile image signal, the recording paper separating roller 5 is rotated clockwise by the rotation of the drive system (not shown). The cam, which is a part of the drive system, stops pushing down the intermediate plate 3, and the spring 4 presses the intermediate plate 3 so that the intermediate plate 3 is rotated and the uppermost recording sheet of the plurality of recording sheets mounted in the ASF portion. Comes into contact with the recording paper separating roller 5. Further, when the recording paper separating roller 5 rotates, only the uppermost recording paper is conveyed to the lower left. The fed-out paper is guided to the contact portion between the recording paper carrying roller 7 and the recording paper carrying roller 8. During this period, the leading edge position of the recording sheet is detected by the sheet leading edge position detection sensor (not shown), and the subsequent recording sheet conveyance amount is calculated based on the detection result.

The recording paper held by the roller pair composed of the recording paper transport roller 7 and the recording paper transport roller 8 is further transported to the left. At this time, since the roller rotation speed of the recording paper separating roller 5 is set to be slightly higher than that of the recording paper conveying roller 7, the frictional force between the recording paper separating roller 5 and the recording paper is the same. It does not become a load against the carrying force. Further, when the recording paper is conveyed, the recording paper is also carried by a roller pair composed of a recording paper discharge roller 15 and a paper discharge roller 16. The paper feed speed of this roller pair is faster than that of the recording paper conveying roller 7, but its conveying force is much smaller than that of the recording paper conveying roller 7, so that the recording paper conveying amount is determined by the recording paper conveying roller 7. ,
At the same time, the recording paper is lightly stretched.

When the recording paper separating roller 5 rotates once and the roller position sensor 6 detects the home position of the recording paper separating roller 5, the rotation is temporarily stopped. Immediately before this, the intermediate plate 3 is pushed down again by the cam (not shown) as in the standby state. Thereafter, the rotations of the recording paper conveyance roller 7 and the recording paper discharge roller 14 are reversed, and the recording paper is conveyed in the opposite direction according to the paper feed amount counted from the time when the front end of the recording paper is detected by the paper front end position detection sensor. Then, the head is moved so that the leading edge of the recording paper comes to the recording position of the recording head.

Then, while scanning the carriage 10 in the main scanning direction, ink is selectively ejected from the nozzles according to the image data to be printed, and printing is performed. When the carriage 10 completes one scan (forward scan) in the main scanning direction, the recording paper transport roller 7 and the recording paper discharge roller 15 are normally rotated (counterclockwise) during the backward scan, and a predetermined amount (recording head) is reached. The recording paper is conveyed to the left by the recording width of. afterwards,
Again, scan the carriage 10 in the main scanning direction (outward scan)
Then, ink is selectively ejected from the nozzle to perform recording. By repeating such an operation, a recorded image is formed on the entire surface of the recording paper. Finally, the recording operation for one recording sheet is completed by detecting the trailing edge of the recording sheet by the sheet front end position detection sensor.

When recording a plurality of recording sheets, the above operation is repeated. Recording control (FIGS. 6 to 7) Next, referring to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, C
The recording control according to the remaining ink amount, which is executed by the PU 101 and the remaining ink amount detecting unit in conjunction with each other, will be described. In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, the facsimile image signal reception,
When recording is required due to an instruction to copy an image original, the following processing is executed.

(1) Outline of recording control As pointed out in the problems of the conventional example, since a reflection type photo sensor is used as a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of ink, strong stray light such as sunlight or strong spotlight is generated. If incident on the light receiving portion, there is a problem that malfunction occurs. Due to the structure of the apparatus, the recording unit 106 always has an opening for ejecting the recording sheet outside the apparatus. When recording is performed by using the ink jet method as in the present embodiment, after recording, if a guide or the like of the apparatus comes into contact with the recording surface of the recording sheet, there arises a problem of causing recording deterioration such as fading of the recorded image. It is desirable to discharge the recording paper outside the device immediately after recording. Therefore, it is desirable that the distance from the recording head to the discharge port (that is, the opening) is short. On the other hand, since the ink remaining amount detecting section is already provided in the vicinity of the recording head, stray light entering from the opening easily enters the light receiving section of the photo sensor 11.

Further, due to the structure of the apparatus, in the recording section for performing the ink jet recording, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the ink is ejected downward to perform recording.
Since the recording paper is generally conveyed in the horizontal direction, the ink cartridge 9 is positioned relatively above the recording paper discharge port, that is, the photosensor 11 is also positioned above the recording paper discharge port. To do. For this reason, light does not directly enter the photosensor 11, and, for example, only reflected light from the recording paper discharged from the desk or the device on which the device is installed poses a problem. However, since the intensity of such room light is weak, it does not cause erroneous recognition in the ink remaining amount detection.

Therefore, the problem is the sunlight, particularly the oblique light having a small incident angle, that is, the sunlight incident in a short time (for example, one hour) in the morning and evening. Therefore,
The process described below includes recording control that deals with erroneous recognition caused by such incident sunlight. First, in step S1, it is checked whether or not ink remains by using the detection result of the ink remaining amount detecting unit. Here, if it is determined that the ink remains, the process proceeds to step S2, while if it is determined that the ink does not remain, the process proceeds to step S6. The details of the remaining ink amount detection in step S1 will be described later.

Next, in step S2, the nonvolatile memory 1
The count value (CNT) of the ink ejection amount counter (hereinafter referred to as a counter) set to 04 is reset. This counter is used to count the ink ejection amount in the recording operation after the judgment is made when it is judged that the ink is not remaining, and when the ink is left Is never used, so its value is reset here. Step S
In 3, the recording operation (here, the recording for the recording width of the recording head performed by one scan of the recording head in the main scanning direction) is executed, and recording is performed on the recording paper.

Further, in step S4, the ink discharge amount is counted by the counter. Here, the number of pixels (hereinafter, referred to as recording dots) at which ink is actually ejected per recording operation is counted. Then, in step S5, it is checked whether or not a series of recording operations have been completed. Here, if it is determined that the recording operation has ended, the process ends, and if it is determined that the recording operation continues, the process returns to step S1 and the above-described operation is repeated.

Now, the process starts from the time (T0) when it is determined that no ink remains in step S6, as shown in FIG.
The time monitoring as shown in the flowchart of FIG. This processing is executed by the CPU 101 in parallel with the recording control processing shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the time monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG. First, at step S11, time T0
Check whether the elapsed time from has reached the specified time. In other words, as described above, the incident of sunlight should occur only in a specific time zone in the morning and evening, so it is expected that the incident will disappear after a predetermined time,
Such processing is performed. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S12.
Then, the remaining amount of ink is detected again.

Here, if it is determined that the ink does not remain again, the time monitoring ends. On the contrary,
If it is determined that the ink remains, the process proceeds to step S1.
In step 3, the count value (CNT) of the counter is reset, and the time monitoring process ends. In this way, based on the idea that the stray light is incident for a part of the day, the remaining ink amount is detected again after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time (T0) when it is determined that no ink remains. This prevents erroneous recognition of the remaining ink amount detection due to the incidence of stray light.

After the time monitoring process is started in step S6, the process checks in step S7 based on the detection result of the cartridge attachment / detachment sensor 156 whether a new ink cartridge is attached. Instead of using the cartridge attachment / detachment sensor 156, for example, a contact for cartridge attachment / detachment may be provided at an electrical contact between the ink cartridge 9 and the carriage 10 to serve as a sensor. Here, if it is determined that a new ink cartridge is installed, the process proceeds to step S8, and the currently executed time monitoring is stopped. This is because it is expected that the newly installed ink cartridge will be filled with ink, and therefore the re-detection process of the remaining ink amount is considered unnecessary. afterwards,
The process returns to step S2. On the other hand, if the ink cartridge has not been replaced, the process proceeds to step S
Go to 9.

However, if it is not possible to determine whether the ink cartridge has been replaced due to an unexpected power-off or the like, control is performed to forcibly stop the recording operation. In step S9, the ink ejection amount, that is, the counter value (CNT) of the counter is compared with a predetermined threshold value (n). Here, if CNT <n, the process proceeds to step S3, while if CNT ≧ n, the process ends.

Since the remaining ink amount detecting section directly detects the remaining amount of liquid ink, as shown in FIG. 2, it is detected that no ink remains due to the structure of the ink cartridge. However, since a small amount of ink actually remains and the sponge 92 also contains ink, recording is still possible. Therefore, in order to increase the printable amount, it is necessary to perform print control so that the print operation can be performed even after it is detected that the ink does not remain (life extension control). This control is indispensable especially in the case of an apparatus using a replaceable disposable type ink cartridge as in this embodiment.

Therefore, the predetermined threshold value (n) is a value determined by measuring the ink remaining amount when the ink remaining amount detecting unit detects that the ink does not remain. In addition, the value is a variation in the remaining ink level detection accuracy, a variation in the ink ejection amount due to temperature fluctuations in the device installation environment, a variation in the ink ejection amount due to the product quality difference between recording heads, and an ink ejection amount due to the recording pattern or recording history. In consideration of changes, etc., it is set so that the value can be recorded in any case. Further, when the recording unit 106 is provided with the ink preliminary ejection for maintaining the ejection performance and the suction operation (recovery operation) from the ejection port (nozzle port) by the pump,
The amount of ejected ink or the amount of sucked ink at that time may be counted and fed back to the determination of the predetermined threshold value (n).

Although the process of stopping the recording process is not directly related to the feature of this embodiment, normally, the page of the recording sheet on which the recording is performed at the time when it is determined that the recording process should be stopped is not completely completed. Considering that recording is not possible, for example, if a facsimile image signal is being received from the beginning of the page, switching to proxy reception of storing received data in memory and recording when recording is possible again Can be resumed.
This is because, in the case of facsimile image reception, since there is no original document on the receiving side, it is necessary to take measures so that the received data can be recorded at some timing.

According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, such a recording stop process is an immediate stop, but the page currently being recorded is unconditionally continued to be recorded so that the page is not recorded. The recording may be controlled so that the processing is ended when the processing is completed. On the other hand, when performing the recording operation accompanying the copy operation, the user can determine the recording state by himself / herself at the place where the apparatus is, so unlike the processing at the time of facsimile image reception as described above, for example, It is also possible to display a message on the display unit 113 that the ink does not remain and only to warn the user, to record until the end of the recording paper, and to let the user determine the subsequent action.

However, in any case, since the present apparatus is capable of performing two recording operations, that is, a facsimile receiving operation and a copying operation, and it is not predetermined when the operation will occur, the facsimile receiving operation is always performed. Considering that an operation occurs, it is always necessary to detect the remaining ink amount, count the ink ejection amount, and compare the ink ejection amount with a predetermined threshold, and determine that the ink ejection amount has exceeded the predetermined amount. Then, it is desirable to promptly warn the user.

(2) Details of Detection of Ink Remaining Amount of remaining ink is emitted from the photo sensor 11 and reflected by the reflecting plate 93 by using the reflecting plate 93 and the photo sensor 11 installed inside the ink cartridge as described above. Then, it is detected again from the reflected light intensity received by the photo sensor 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the photosensor 11 and the reflection plate 93 are both provided along the reciprocating direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 10, and the sensor light receiving surface and the reflection surface thereof are in the main scanning direction. Are arranged vertically.

When the recording head ejects ink to perform a recording operation on the carriage 10, that is, when the carriage 10 performs forward scanning with its home position as the first stationary position (this direction is referred to as forward direction), the carriage is Acceleration starts from speed "0", and when a predetermined speed (X) is reached, it moves to constant velocity movement, and ink is ejected during the constant velocity movement for actual recording. Also, after the recording is completed,
The carriage starts decelerating from the speed (x) and stops at the side opposite to the home position.

Since the carriage 10 moves in this way, acceleration (inertial force) acts on the ink cartridge 9.
That is, the ink level of the ink cartridge 9 is as shown in FIG. 9 during acceleration during forward movement (forward scanning) and during deceleration during backward movement (reverse scanning). On the other hand, the ink surface of the ink cartridge 9 is as shown in FIG. 10 during deceleration during forward movement (forward scanning) and during acceleration during reverse movement (forward scanning). It should be noted that when the carriage 10 is moving at a constant speed or is in a stationary state, no acceleration acts on the ink cartridge 9, so that the ink surface of the ink cartridge 9 is as shown in FIG.

As described above, the state of the ink liquid surface of the ink cartridge 9 (correctly, the gap between the side surface of the ink cartridge on the side where the photo sensor 11 is installed and the reflection plate 93) changes as the carriage 10 moves. Therefore,
Even if the remaining ink amount is the same, it may be determined that the ink does not remain at a certain timing or that the ink remains at another timing due to a change in the ink liquid level. In other words, it may be determined that the ink apparently does not remain, or it may be determined that the ink remains even though the ink does not remain, depending on the change in the ink surface.

Based on the above, the following control is performed in this embodiment. That is, the ink remaining amount detection timing is always set to one of the above three states (for example, the state shown in FIG. 2) so that the ink level is always the same. Timing control is performed so as to detect the remaining amount. In any case, the result obtained in this way is used for the determination of the remaining ink amount detection in step S1.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if it is judged by the ink remaining amount detection that the ink does not remain, the time is monitored for a predetermined time from the judgment time, and after the predetermined time elapses again, The remaining ink level can be controlled to be detected again. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition of the remaining ink amount detection due to the incidence of stray light such as sunlight occurring in a specific time zone in the morning and evening, and to detect the remaining ink amount more accurately.

The detection result is displayed, for example, on the display unit 1.
A message may be displayed on the LCD 13 or a specific LED may be turned on to notify the user that no ink remains. In this way, a more user-friendly device can be provided. Further, it is possible to grasp the usage state of the apparatus by counting the ink usage time, the time interval for detecting the remaining ink amount, the number of recording pages, the number of recording dots, etc., and control the apparatus based on this information. For example, if the ink usage time for each time is stored and it is detected that no ink remains,
It is also possible to perform a display control such as predicting a time until the ink is completely exhausted based on the accumulated ink use time and notifying the user of the time by a message.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which, after it is determined that no ink remains, the control is performed again to execute the remaining ink amount detection after a lapse of a predetermined time. It is not limited by this. For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
A clock provided in the apparatus may be used to control the remaining ink amount detection to be re-executed at a specific time except in the morning and evening hours when the oblique light of the sun is incident. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, step S21 is a processing step for checking whether or not the current time is a specific time, and the remaining processing steps are the same as the processing steps shown in FIG.

Furthermore, unless the recording operation is repeated at a specific time zone in the morning and evening of the day, from the recording control process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the time monitoring process of step S6 and steps S7 to S8 are performed. The processing may be omitted. This is because even if it is determined that the ink does not remain due to the misrecognition due to the stray light incidence even though the ink actually remains, if the stray light incidence disappears during the recording operation or with the passage of time, the processes of steps S6 to S8 are performed. This is because it is possible to determine that the ink remains in the next ink remaining detection process and the recording operation can be normally returned.

In the above-described embodiments, particularly in the ink jet recording system, means for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink (for example, an electrothermal converter or laser light) is provided, It is possible to achieve high density recording and high definition recording by using a method of causing a change in ink state by energy. For its typical configuration and principle, see, for example, US Pat. No. 4723.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in Japanese Patent Nos. 129 and 47407796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying to the electrothermal transducer being applied at least one drive signal which corresponds to the recorded information and gives a rapid temperature rise over film boiling,
Effective because heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal in a one-to-one relationship can be formed. Is. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed. As the structure of the recording head, in addition to the combination structure (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) of the ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting surface is also provided. Alternatively, a configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 or US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which the element is arranged in a bending region, may be used. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, or an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged. A configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each unit, may be adopted.

In addition, by being attached to the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.
Further, it is preferable to add a recovery means for the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means, etc. to the structure of the recording apparatus of the above embodiment because the recording operation can be made more stable. To be more specific, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer or a separate heating element or a preheating means using a combination thereof may be provided. For example, a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection different from recording may be provided.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a single recording head or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture. In the embodiments described above, the description is made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, or one that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used, or In the inkjet method, it is common to control the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It is sufficient that the ink is liquid.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, by applying thermal energy such as ink that is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, or may be in the form of a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like. It may be one. The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, when ink is ejected while moving the recording head to record on a recording medium, the ink is stored and reciprocates integrally with the recording head. Although the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is detected, even if the recording control is performed so that the first recording operation is performed when it is determined that the ink does not remain at the first time, the ink remains at the second time. If it is determined that the second recording operation is to be performed,
Even if it is erroneously determined that the ink does not remain at the first time, if the remaining ink is detected again at the second time and it is determined that the ink remains, the first determination is erroneous. There is an effect that it can be judged as recognition and self-recovery to a normal recording operation.

For example, depending on the installation location of the apparatus, even if sunlight is incident at a specific time zone and the ink remaining amount cannot be detected correctly, the normal ink amount is detected based on the result of the next ink remaining amount detection. It is possible to return to the recording operation.
There is also an advantage that the accuracy and reliability of the remaining ink amount detection can be improved by detecting the remaining ink amount a plurality of times.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of a facsimile apparatus including a recording unit according to an inkjet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view showing a detailed configuration of the ink cartridge 9.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus whose mechanical configuration is shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an ink remaining amount detecting unit.

5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a current / voltage conversion unit 151. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of recording control processing according to the remaining ink amount.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing ink remaining amount re-detection control by time monitoring.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the ink remaining amount re-detection control based on time monitoring.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state of an ink liquid level in the ink cartridge 9 during carriage acceleration / deceleration.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of an ink liquid surface in the ink cartridge 9 during carriage acceleration / deceleration.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Frame 7 Recording Paper Conveying Roller 9 Ink Cartridge 10 Carriage 11 Reflective Photo Sensor 12, 13 Rail 15 Recording Paper Discharging Roller 31 Control Board 91 Ink 92 Sponge 93 Reflector 101 CPU 152 Smoothing Circuit 153 A / D Converter 154 Output port 155 Input port 156 Cartridge detachable sensor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Minor Yokoyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshihisa Kawashima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kya Non non corporation

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording ink on a recording medium by ejecting ink while moving the recording head, comprising: scanning means for reciprocating the recording head; and an integral part of the recording head for accumulating the ink. And an ink tank that reciprocates by the scanning unit, a detection unit that detects the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank, and a recording control unit that controls the recording by the recording head according to the detection result of the detection unit. Even if the recording control means performs the recording control so as to perform the first recording operation when the detection means determines that the ink does not remain at the first time, the recording control means does not operate at the second time. A recording apparatus, wherein recording control is performed such that a second recording operation is performed if the detection unit determines that the ink remains. 2. A detection control unit for controlling the detection unit to detect the remaining amount of ink again by the detection unit after a lapse of a predetermined time after the first time. Item 2. The recording device according to item 1. 3. The detection control means for controlling the detection means to detect the remaining ink level again by the detection means at a predetermined time after the first time. The recording device according to 1. 4. The detecting means includes a reflection type sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a reflection plate for reflecting light from the light emitting element, wherein the reflection type sensor and the reflection plate are the light emitting elements. The light emitting direction of the element and the reflection direction of the reflection plate are provided so as to be the reciprocating direction of the recording head and the ink tank by the scanning means, and the reflection surface of the reflection plate is opposed to the light emission direction. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflection type sensor is in contact with a side wall of the ink tank, and the reflection plate is provided inside the ink tank. 5. The detection means may determine that the light receiving element receives sunlight due to an unexpected incidence of sunlight at the first time, and the ink does not remain due to the received light. 2. The second embodiment, wherein the light receiving element does not receive sunlight due to a change in the incident angle of the sunlight at the second time, and the remaining ink amount is reflected to reflect the remaining ink amount in the ink tank. The recording device according to 1. 6. The recording control unit includes a counting unit that counts the amount of ink ejected by the recording head and a comparison unit that compares the counting result with a predetermined threshold, and determines that the ink does not remain. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording is performed, the continuation or stop of the recording by the recording head is controlled according to the comparison result by the comparison unit. 7. The recording head is a recording head which ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 2. The recording device according to item 1. 8. A facsimile apparatus using the recording apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a communication unit for transmitting and receiving an image signal via a communication line, and a storage unit for temporarily storing the image signal. A facsimile machine characterized by having. 9. The recording control means includes: counting means for counting the ink ejection amount by the recording head; and comparing means for comparing the counting result with a predetermined threshold value. The described facsimile machine. 10. A storage control for controlling, when it is determined that the ink does not remain, stop recording by the recording head and store the received image signal in the storage unit according to the comparison result by the comparison unit. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means.