JPH11115202A - Recorder and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder, and a control method therefor, in which residual quantity of ink in an ink tank for supplying ink to a recording head can be detected accurately. SOLUTION: When ink consumption calculated based on the number of jetting times of ink from a recording head 1 and the number of suction times through the recovery motion of the recording head 1 reaches a specified level, optical reflectance of an ink absorber is detected by a photointerrupter 11. Ink flow in an ink tank 3 is then recovered based on the detection results. Thereafter, optical reflectance is detected again by the photointerrupter 11 and residual quantity of ink in the ink tank 3 is determined based on the detection results.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a recording head for forming an image by discharging ink supplied from an ink tank onto a recording medium, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The function of detecting the remaining amount of ink in an ink jet recording apparatus has the effect of preventing printing defects caused by printing without ink.
This function detects the amount of ink in the ink tank and displays the remaining amount, or issues a warning or stops the printing operation when the remaining amount is low.

Various methods for detecting the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank have been proposed or implemented.

Among them, in the method of detecting the remaining amount of ink disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8-112910, a variation in output and a variation in mounting accuracy of a means (sensor) for detecting a light reflectance of an ink tank absorber, or a variation in ink tank. Thus, detection can be performed with high accuracy and a desired remaining amount of ink without causing malfunction or deterioration in detection accuracy due to manufacturing variations. Specifically, when the ink consumption amount calculated from the number of inks ejected from the recording head and the number of suctions for recovery of the recording head reaches a predetermined amount,
Alternatively, the ink remaining amount is detected by detecting the light reflectance after reaching a predetermined amount.

Next, the operation of the ink remaining amount detecting method will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a conventional ink remaining amount detecting operation.

First, in step S1, the amount of ink consumed for each color is converted into a pulse number and counted from the ejection of ink droplets for image formation and the idle ejection and suction operation performed to recover the recording head. . In this conventional example, counting is performed as 3 × 10 ⁶ pulses per one suction operation.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the ink consumption has reached a predetermined amount, that is, whether or not the counted number of pulses has reached the predetermined number of pulses. In this conventional example, the predetermined number of pulses is set to 15 × 10 ⁶ pulses. If the counted number of pulses has not reached the predetermined number of pulses (NO in step S2), the process returns to step S1 and continues counting the number of pulses. On the other hand, when the counted number of pulses has reached the predetermined number of pulses (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the light reflectance (output value) of the ink tank of the recording head is measured. In step S4,
A total value of the output change amounts which are the change amounts of the past three output values including the measured output value is obtained. In step S5, the total value of the three output changes obtained in the past and the total value obtained in the previous measurement are compared, and it is determined whether or not the current total value has increased by α or more from the previous total value. I do. If it has not increased by more than α (NO in step S5), the process returns to step S1,
Subsequently, the number of pulses is counted. On the other hand, if it has increased by α or more (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the remaining amount of the ink tank is displayed, and the user is notified that the remaining amount of ink is low. In step S7, the printing operation is interrupted.

[0011]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in an ink jet recording apparatus, it is necessary that the flow of ink in the detected portion of the ink tank is stable. There has been a problem that the detection output fluctuates when a bubble is generated in the portion, and the remaining ink amount is easily erroneously detected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a recording apparatus capable of accurately detecting the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank for supplying ink to a recording head, and a control method therefor. .

[0013]

The recording apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is, a recording apparatus having a recording head that forms an image by discharging ink supplied from an ink tank onto a recording medium, wherein the number of discharges of ink discharged from the recording head and the recovery of the recording head When the ink consumption calculated based on the number of suctions by the operation reaches a predetermined amount,
Detecting means for detecting the light reflectance of the ink absorber, recovery means for recovering the flow of ink in the ink tank based on the detection result of the detecting means, and after recovery by the recovery means, Execute the detection by the detection means,
Determining means for determining the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank based on the detection result.

Preferably, the recovery means performs a suction operation and / or a preliminary discharge operation on the recording head.

[0015] Preferably, the determination means is configured to determine, based on a total value of three changes in light reflectance in the past three times including a light reflectance detected by the detection means after recovery by the recovery means. The remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is determined.

Preferably, the determining means determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is small when the total value is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

[0017] Preferably, the judging means is a first signal detected by the detecting means before the recovery by the recovery means.
The remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is determined based on the detection result and the second detection result obtained by the detection unit after recovery.

Preferably, when the difference between the first detection result and the second detection result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the determination means determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is small.

Preferably, when the determination means determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is low,
This is reported to the user.

[0020] Preferably, the ink tank comprises:
An ink absorber is built-in, and the detecting means detects a light reflectance of the ink absorber through a wall surface of the ink tank.

A control method of a recording apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, a method of controlling a recording apparatus having a recording head for forming an image by discharging ink supplied from an ink tank onto a recording medium, comprising: When the ink consumption calculated based on the number of suctions by the head recovery operation reaches a predetermined amount, a detection step of detecting the light reflectance of the ink absorber, based on a detection result of the detection step, A recovery step of recovering the ink flow in the ink tank, and after the recovery in the recovery step, detection by the detection step is performed again, and the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is determined based on the detection result. And a judging step.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing unit of a color ink jet printer applicable to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a recording medium 110 having a plurality of nozzle rows and ejecting ink droplets.
A recording head for forming dots thereon is detachable from the carriage 103 by a recording head fixing lever described later. As will be described later, the recording head 101 used in the present embodiment is configured integrally with recording heads for four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Thus, a color image is formed on the recording medium 110 by mixing colors of the ink droplets.

The carriage 103 is moved in the directions of arrows a and b on the guide shaft 105 by a carriage driving motor 113 via a motor pulley 112, a driven pulley 111 and a timing belt 107. Recording medium 110
Are two sets of transport rollers 106, 107, 108, 109
Conveyed by The recording paper 110 is the recording head 1
The back surface is supported by a platen (not shown) so as to form a flat recording surface at a position facing the nozzle No. 01.

The image data is transferred from the electric circuit of the printer body to the recording head 10 by a flexible cable (not shown).
1 is transmitted. At the home position of the recording head 101, a recovery unit 120 is provided. The recovery system unit 120 includes four caps 121 arranged corresponding to each nozzle row of each color of the recording head 101.
And a pump unit (not shown) connected to each cap by a tube or the like. The cap 121 can be moved up and down with the movement of the carriage 103 when the carriage 103 approaches, so that the cap 103 comes into close contact with the nozzle row of each color of the recording head 101 when the carriage 103 is at the home position. Is configured. This capping prevents thickening or sticking due to evaporation of the ink in the nozzles, and prevents occurrence of ejection failure.

When the ink tanks 102 (ink tanks 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K for each color) are replaced or when the ejection failure of the recording head 101 occurs, the pump unit is operated under the capping state. A negative pressure is generated, and the ink can be sucked out from the nozzles by this negative pressure suction force to guide new ink.

The recovery system unit 120 includes a recording head 1 at a position between the cap 121 and the recording paper transport unit.
A wiper blade 122 is provided for wiping and cleaning the tip of the device 01. A photo interrupter 123 is provided between the cap 121 and the wiper blade 122.
Is provided. This photo interrupter 123
Ink tank 10 connected to recording head 101 described later
Irradiation of light on the bottom surface of the absorber portion 2
This is for detecting that the remaining amount of the ink has decreased, and is configured so that the light reflectance of the ink tank of each color can be measured by scanning the carriage 103.

Next, a detailed configuration of the recording head 101 mounted on the carriage 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a recording head applicable to the present invention.

2A and 2B, inside the carriage 103, four recording heads for ejecting ink of each color of K, C, M, and Y, and ink tanks 102K and 102 are provided.
C, 102M and 102Y are mounted. Each of the four print heads has 64 nozzles, and each nozzle discharges about 40 ng of ink droplets per discharge. Also, the four ink tanks 102K, 102C, 1
Each of 02M and 102Y can be attached to and detached from the carriage 103. When ink runs out, a new ink tank can be replaced for each color.

The recording head fixing lever 104 is for positioning and fixing the recording head 101 to the carriage 103. Then, the boss 103 of the carriage 103
b and the hole 104a of the recording head fixing lever 104 are rotatably fitted, and the recording head 101 can be replaced by opening and closing the recording head fixing lever 104.

Next, an electric control circuit for electrically controlling the color ink jet printer will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric control circuit of a color ink jet printer applicable to the present invention.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a system controller for controlling the entire apparatus, which includes a microprocessor, a storage element (ROM) storing a control program, and a microprocessor for processing. , A storage element (RAM) and the like to be used. Reference numeral 302 denotes a driver for driving the recording head in the main scanning direction, and similarly, reference numeral 303 denotes a driver for moving the recording medium 110 in the sub-scanning direction.

304 and 305 are drivers 302 and 30
3 and operates by receiving information such as speed and moving distance from the driver. A host computer 306 is a device for transferring information to be printed to the printing device of the present invention. 307, a reception buffer for temporarily storing data from the host computer 306;
Data is accumulated from 1 until data is read.

Reference numeral 308 denotes a frame memory for expanding data to be printed into image data, and has a memory size necessary for printing. In the present embodiment, a frame memory capable of storing one print sheet will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the size of the frame memory. Reference numeral 309 denotes a storage element for temporarily storing data to be printed, and the storage capacity changes depending on the number of nozzles of the print head 101. Reference numeral 310 denotes a print control unit that controls the print speed of the print head 101, the number of print data, and the like in accordance with a command from the system controller 301. The print control unit 310 includes four recording heads 101K, 101C, and 101 for ejecting K, C, M, and Y inks.
M, the number of ink droplet ejections performed by 101Y,
The recording head 101 (the recording heads 101K, 101C, 1
01M, 101Y) is counted, and the ink consumption amount for each color is converted into the number of ink droplets (number of pulses).

Reference numeral 311 denotes recording heads 101K, 101C, and 101 for discharging K, C, M, and Y inks.
The M and 101Y drivers are controlled by signals from the print control unit 310. In the figure, the print head 101 is used for each color for print heads 101K, 101C,
101M and 101Y.

Reference numeral 313 denotes a detection unit for measuring the light reflectance of the bottom surface of the ink tank 102 by the photo interrupter 123 and obtaining an output value.
01, the ink tank 102K of each color,
Detection of 102C, 102M, and 102Y is performed.

Next, the principle of the ink remaining amount detecting method of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the recording head and the ink tank of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, a nozzle 2 for discharging ink droplets is arranged at the lower end of the recording head 1.
The nozzle 2 has a supply port 4, a supply pipe 5,
Ink is supplied through the common liquid chamber 13.

Here, details from the supply pipe 5 to the nozzle 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a detailed configuration from the supply pipe to the nozzle of the recording head of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, the ink supplied to the nozzle 2 is heated by a heater 16 on a heater board 15 provided on a substrate 14 made of Al or the like. And discharged.

In addition to the supply port 4, the ink tank 3 is provided with an atmosphere communication port 6 for performing gas-liquid exchange accompanying ink consumption, and further contains an ink absorber 7 such as polyurethane inside. An appropriate negative pressure is generated at the time of printing by the capillary force to realize stable ejection of ink droplets.

Returning to the description of FIG.

The recording head 1 and the ink tank 3 are mounted on a carriage 8 and are scanned along shafts 9 and 10 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. At a predetermined position in the scanning direction of the carriage 8, a reflection type photo interrupter 11 in which an LED light source and a light receiving element are integrated is provided.
Light can be applied to the bottom surface of the ink absorber 7 through a hole 12 formed in the carriage 8. This LED light source emits infrared light having transparency to any of the four color inks of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow commonly used in a color printer, and the light receiving element is also sufficient for the wavelength of the LED light source. Has sensitivity.

By disposing the photointerrupter 11 away from the carriage 8 in this manner, there is no need for a power supply line or signal line from the ink jet recording apparatus main body to the movable portion.

Next, a state in which the photointerrupter 11 on the lower surface of the ink tank 3 is irradiated with light will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the photo interrupter of the recording head according to the present invention irradiates light.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the ink tank 3
When there is sufficient ink, the gap between the wall of the ink tank 3 and the ink absorber 7 is filled with ink. As shown in FIG. 6B, when there is no ink in the ink tank 3, air enters the gap between the wall surface of the ink tank 3 and the ink absorber 7. As a result, in the state of FIG. 6B, the reflectance of the light emitted from the photo interrupter 11 is higher than in the state of FIG.

For example, the ink tank 3 and the ink absorber 7
Is plastic, the refractive index of which is about 1.5,
Assuming that the refractive index of the ink is about 1.4, the reflectance in the state of FIG. 6B is about 40 times the reflectance in the state of FIG. The presence or absence of ink in the ink tank 3 can be detected from the difference in the reflectance of the ink.

Incidentally, actually, the photo interrupter 1
The area irradiated with light 1 is not a point but has a predetermined area, and since it is detected that the ink is gradually depleted in that area, the output of the photo interrupter 11 also changes continuously.

This change will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a change in output of the photointerrupter of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a case where printing is performed from the initial state until the ink tank 3 runs out of ink (horizontal axis).
Of the photointerrupter 11 (vertical axis). Then, as shown in FIG. 8, it can be confirmed that the ink in the area where the photo interrupter 11 irradiates light after the number of prints X has passed decreases and the output of the photo interrupter 11 increases.

From the above, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank by detecting a change in the output of the photo interrupter 11 after the number of prints X has passed.

Next, the output characteristics of the photo interrupter 11 to the ink tank for each color will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the output characteristics of the photo interrupter for the ink tank for each color according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plot of the measurement results of the output values of the photointerrupter 11 every 5 × 10 6 pulses when a predetermined image is printed using four ink tanks of each color. The output value on the vertical axis is LED OFF
The output (dark voltage) from the photointerrupter 11 when the LED is ON is subtracted from the output (dark voltage) from the photointerrupter 11 at the time.

As is apparent from FIG. 10, since the output value differs depending on the ink tank, it is difficult to determine the threshold value of the output value and to detect the remaining ink amount in the ink tank of each color. If the output change amount of the photo interrupter for each color ink tank is measured, it is possible to detect the remaining ink amount of each color ink tank.

On the other hand, before the number of prints reaches X, the output of the photo interrupter 11 is constant. This is because there is sufficient ink in the area irradiated with the light from the photo interrupter 11, and when the ink is replaced with a new ink tank after the remaining ink amount is detected, the output change is small. It is possible to stop detecting and automatically notifying that the remaining amount is low.

While the basic concept of the present invention has been described above, a more detailed description will be given below using specific embodiments. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an ink remaining amount detecting operation executed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Steps S1 to S5 are the same as those in the above-described processing of FIG. 12, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the measured value of the light reflectance in step S3 is referred to as an output value (1).

First, in step S5, when the total value of the output variation increases by α or more (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the suction operation for the corresponding ink tank is performed. This is an operation for stabilizing the flow of the ink, such as removing bubbles. In some cases, only preliminary ejection is sufficient, and in some cases, suction and preliminary ejection are used in combination. In step S17, again
Measure the light reflectance. This measurement result is called an output value (2).

In step S18, the total value of the past three output changes is calculated again using the output value (2). That is,
Calculate as if there was no output value (1). In step S19, it is determined again whether or not the total value of the output variation has increased by α or more. In step S19, when the total value of the output variation does not increase by α or more (N in step S19)
O), and return to step S1. On the other hand, when the total value of the output change amounts has increased by α or more (YES in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the remaining amount of the ink tank is displayed, and the user is notified that the remaining amount of ink is low. Then, the printing operation is interrupted.

If it is determined in step S18 that the remaining amount of ink is sufficient, the output value (1) is a measurement result affected by bubbles and the like, and thus the output change amount in the past three times after the next measurement is obtained. The output value (2) is used for the calculation of the total value of.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is small, the suction operation and / or the preliminary ejection operation are performed to stabilize the flow of the ink, and then the light reflectance is reduced again. By detecting and finally determining the remaining amount of ink, the remaining amount of ink can be more accurately detected. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an ink remaining amount detecting operation according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Steps S1 to S17 and S20 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S28, the measured values of the light reflectance before and after the suction in step S16 are compared. If the remaining amount of ink is low, not the occurrence of bubbles, the ink is consumed by the suction, so that the output value (2) is smaller than the output value (1). Therefore, in this comparison, the remaining ink amount is detected by determining whether or not the output value (2) -the output value (1) is equal to or larger than β. If output value (2) -output value (1) is not greater than or equal to β (NO in step S28), the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when the output value (2) -the output value (1) is equal to or larger than β (step S
(YES at 28), the process proceeds to step S29.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is small, the suction operation and / or the preliminary ejection operation are performed to stabilize the flow of the ink, and then the light reflectance is reduced again. By detecting and finally determining the remaining amount of ink, the remaining amount of ink can be more accurately detected.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine) Etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A recording apparatus capable of accurately detecting the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank that supplies ink to a recording head and a control method thereof can be provided.

[0081]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing unit of a color inkjet printer applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a recording head applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric control circuit of a color ink jet printer applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a recording head and an ink tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration from a supply pipe to a nozzle of the recording head of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a state near a photo interrupter of the recording head of the present invention where light is irradiated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a change in output of the photointerrupter of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a change in output of the photointerrupter of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating output characteristics of a photo interrupter with respect to an ink tank for each color according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an ink remaining amount detecting operation performed in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an ink remaining amount detecting operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a conventional ink remaining amount detecting operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head 2 Nozzle 3 Ink tank 4 Supply port 5 Supply pipe 6 Atmospheric communication port 7 Ink absorber 8 Carriage 9, 10 Shaft 11 Photo interrupter 12 Hole 13 Common liquid chamber 14 Substrate 15 Heater board 16 Heater

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus having a recording head for forming an image by discharging ink supplied from an ink tank onto a recording medium, the number of discharges of ink discharged from the recording head and the recording When the ink consumption amount calculated based on the number of suctions by the head recovery operation reaches a predetermined amount, a detection unit that detects the light reflectance of the ink absorber, based on a detection result of the detection unit, Recovery means for recovering the flow of ink in the ink tank; after recovery by the recovery means, detection is again performed by the detection means, and the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is determined based on the detection result. A recording device comprising: 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recovery unit performs a suction operation and / or a preliminary ejection operation on the print head. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit includes a light-reflecting element including a light reflectance detected by the detecting unit after the recovery by the recovering unit.
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount of the ink in the ink tank is determined based on a total value of the change amounts of the light reflectances each time. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determining unit determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is small when the total value is equal to or more than a predetermined value. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit detects a first detection result detected by the detection unit before recovery by the recovery unit and a second detection result detected by the detection unit after recovery. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount of the ink is determined. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is small when a difference between the first detection result and the second detection result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Item 6. The recording device according to Item 5. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is low, the determination unit notifies the user of the determination. 8. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank has a built-in ink absorber, and the detecting means detects a light reflectance of the ink absorber through a wall surface of the ink tank. Recording device. 9. A method for controlling a recording apparatus having a recording head that forms an image by discharging ink supplied from an ink tank onto a recording medium, the number of discharges of ink discharged from the recording head And a detecting step of detecting the light reflectance of the ink absorber when the ink consumption calculated based on the number of suctions by the recovery operation of the recording head has reached a predetermined amount; and A recovery step of recovering the flow of ink in the ink tank based on the recovery step, and after the recovery in the recovery step, performing the detection in the detection step again, and based on the detection result, the remaining ink in the ink tank. And a determining step of determining the amount. 10. The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said recovery step performs a suction operation and / or a preliminary ejection operation on said print head. 11. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the determination step includes: determining a value in the ink tank based on a total value of three changes in light reflectance in the past including a light reflectance detected in the detection step after the recovery in the recovery step. The method according to claim 9, wherein the remaining ink amount is determined. 12. The control method according to claim 11, wherein the determining step determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is small when the total value is equal to or more than a predetermined value. . 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step includes: detecting a first detection result detected in the detection step before recovery in the recovery step; and a second detection result in the detection step after recovery in the ink tank. The method according to claim 9, wherein the remaining amount of the ink is determined. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is small when a difference between the first detection result and the second detection result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Item 14. The control method for a recording device according to Item 13. 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein, in the determining step, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the ink in the ink tank is low, the user is notified of the determination. 16. The ink tank according to claim 9, wherein the ink tank has a built-in ink absorber, and the detecting step detects a light reflectance of the ink absorber through a wall surface of the ink tank. Control method of recording device.