JPH11192689A - Ink jet printer, method for predicting printing time thereof, and recording medium containing control program for predicting printing time - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more accurately predict a printing time in an ink jet printer. SOLUTION: In a printer, the number of predicted printing dots which is required for printing the total data is calculated in accordance with a total quantity of the printing data and an ejection rate determined by a printing mode (S1). The number of head recovery times and the number of preliminary ink ejection times are respectively calculated in accordance with the calculated predicted printing dots and timings for exerting head recovery which is being determined by each type of printer and preliminary ink ejection (S2). A time period for head recovery in one time and a time period for preliminary ink ejection in one time based on each printer are multiplied to the calculated number of times so that the period for head recovery and time period for preliminary ink ejection per printing data are calculated (S3) and are transmitted to a computer (S4). The computer calculates the predicted printing time by adding the time period for head recovery and time period for preliminary ink ejection to a printing time which is predicted based on the quantity of the data (S5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer, a method for estimating a printing time thereof, and a recording medium on which a printing time prediction control program is recorded, and more particularly to a method for printing data sent to an interface on a printing medium. The present invention relates to a technique for estimating a series of operation times.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Estimating the time required from when a computer issues a print command to a printer to when the printer finishes printing and informing an operator who handles the computer of the information improves the operator's work efficiency. Is considered to be very effective.

Conventionally, in order to inform an operator of the estimated time, each time printing is started, the computer estimates the time required for printing from the amount of data, displays the estimated time on a screen, and displays the data transfer status with the printer. The predicted time is changed according to the time, and the changed predicted time is displayed on the screen.

[0004]

However, in a printer device employing an ink jet system, in addition to the actual printing operation, time such as a head recovery operation and a preliminary ink ejection operation is added. . Actually, the time required for recovery and preliminary ejection occupies a considerable proportion of the time from the start to the end of printing.

However, as in the above-described prior art, when the computer estimates the time required from the print data to the end of the printing, information such as the head recovery operation and the ink preliminary ejection operation is not predicted. It will not be added to the time. As a result, the difference between the predicted time and the actual printing time is considered to be considerably large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to add a time other than a time required only for printing, such as a head recovery time and an ink preliminary ejection time, to a time required for printing in an ink jet printer. Patent application title: Ink jet printer apparatus and method for predicting print time and print time prediction control for predicting print time more accurately from start to finish of printing, providing more accurate information to user, and contributing to improvement of work efficiency It is to provide a recording medium on which a program is recorded.

A further object of the present invention is to make it possible to predict a more accurate print end time according to the printer model by considering external factors.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, data transmitted from a computer through an interface is printed on a print medium.
In an ink-jet printer device capable of two-way communication in which the status of the device and the printing result can be sent to a computer through a two-way interface, the total amount of data sent from the computer through the interface and the printing set by the computer An expected print dot number calculating means for calculating an expected print dot number required to print the total data from the mode, and the expected print dot number calculated by the expected print dot number calculation means and determined by each printer model. Calculation of the number of times of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection required to print the print data sent from the computer based on the timing of performing the head recovery and ink preliminary ejection that have been performed. Means, the number of head recovery times calculated by the number calculation means, The head recovery time for print data sent from the computer by multiplying the number of times of ink preliminary discharge by one head recovery time depending on each printer and the time of one ink preliminary discharge. And a time calculating means for calculating an ink preliminary ejection time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer capable of bidirectional communication capable of printing data transmitted from a computer through an interface on a print medium and transmitting the status of the apparatus and a print result to the computer through a bidirectional interface. An apparatus configured to calculate an expected number of print dots required to print the total data from a total data amount to be printed transmitted from the computer through the interface and a print mode set from the computer. The number of head recoveries and the number of preliminary ink ejections are derived by referring to a predetermined table from the expected number of print dots calculated by the expected number of print dots calculated by the expected number of print dots and external factors such as temperature and humidity. Table reference means and the table reference means By multiplying the number of head recovery times and the number of preliminary ink ejection times by one head recovery time and one preliminary ink ejection time depending on each printer, the print data sent from the computer is multiplied. A time calculating means for calculating the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time.

Here, the predetermined table may store in advance the expected number of print dots, the number of times of head recovery for the external factor, and the number of preliminary ink ejections.

Further, the ink jet printer device has a transmitting means for transmitting the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated by the time calculating means to the computer through the interface, and the computer performs printing. Calculating an expected print time in the inkjet printer by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time transmitted from the inkjet printer through the interface to a print time expected from the total data amount; Can be.

Further, by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated by the time calculating means to a printing time expected from the total data amount to be printed, an expected printing time in the ink jet printer is calculated. Is calculated.

[0013] Further, the expected print dot number calculating means includes a print mode (monochrome mode, color mode,
(E.g., text mode, picture mode, etc.), setting the ejection ratio of what percentage of the print medium to eject ink, and multiplying the ejection ratio by the total amount of data sent from the computer to be printed. Thus, the expected number of print dots can be calculated.

Further, a storage area for storing the amount of data to be printed, the expected number of dots to be printed, the number and time of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection, and the expected printing time for printing is held inside the ink jet printer. Storage means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer capable of bidirectional communication capable of printing data transmitted from a computer through an interface on a print medium and transmitting the status of the apparatus and a print result to the computer through a bidirectional interface. In the method of estimating the printing time of the apparatus, the expected number of print dots required to print the total data is calculated from the total amount of data to be printed transmitted from the computer through the interface and the print mode set by the computer. A first step of calculating; and a transmission timing from the computer based on the expected number of print dots calculated in the first step and a timing of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection determined by each printer model. Required to print the received print data A second step of calculating the number of times of return and ink preliminary ejection, respectively, and one head recovery time dependent on each printer based on the head recovery number and the ink preliminary ejection number calculated in the second step. A third step of calculating a head recovery time and a preliminary ink discharge time for the print data sent from the computer by multiplying the ink preliminary discharge time by one time, and the third step. And a fourth step of transmitting the calculated head recovery time and the calculated ink preliminary ejection time to the computer through the interface.

Here, the computer may add the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time transmitted from the inkjet printer through the interface to a printing time expected from the total amount of data to be printed. It is possible to calculate the expected printing time in the inkjet printer.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink-jet printer capable of printing data transmitted from a computer through an interface on a print medium, and transmitting the status of the apparatus and a print result to the computer through a two-way interface. In the method for estimating the printing time of an apparatus, the expected number of print dots required to print the total data from the total amount of data sent from the computer through the interface and the print mode set from the computer. First to calculate
And the second step of deriving the number of times of head recovery and the number of preliminary ink ejections by referring to a predetermined table from the expected number of printed dots calculated in the first step and external factors such as temperature and humidity. And multiplying the number of head recovery times and the number of preliminary ink ejections derived in the second step by one head recovery time and one preliminary ink ejection time depending on each printer. A third step of calculating a head recovery time and an ink preliminary ejection time for print data sent from the computer.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which a control program for predicting a printing time of an ink jet printer by a computer is recorded. And calculating the expected number of print dots required to print the total data from the printer, and based on the calculated expected number of print dots and the timing of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection determined by each printer model. Calculates the number of times of head recovery and the number of preliminary ink ejections required to print the print data, and depends on the calculated number of times of head recovery and the number of preliminary ink ejections depending on each printer.
The head recovery time and the ink preliminary discharge time for the print data sent from the computer are calculated by multiplying the head recovery time by one time and the ink preliminary discharge time by one time. An expected printing time in the inkjet printer is calculated by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time to a printing time expected from the total data amount to be printed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which a control program for predicting a printing time of an ink jet printer by a computer is recorded. The expected number of print dots required to print the total data is calculated from the calculated expected number of print dots and the external factors such as temperature and humidity. The print data is obtained by deriving the number of times of ink preliminary ejection and multiplying the derived number of times of head recovery and the number of times of ink preliminary ejection by one head recovery time and one time of ink preliminary ejection depending on each printer. The head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated by calculating the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time for , Characterized in that for calculating the expected printing time in the inkjet printer by adding the printing time that is expected from the total data amount to be printed.

According to the present invention, a storage area for storing external factors, the number of print dots, the number and time of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection, the time required for printing, and the time required for printing are held inside the printer device. From the data (information) such as the number of print dots, external factors, and print time obtained by referring to the storage area, the number of times of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection,
The time required for this is calculated and the calculated result is transmitted to the computer, so that the computer can estimate the time required for the head recovery and the preliminary ejection operation which could not be predicted in the past, and the computer prints to the printer. It is possible to more accurately predict the time required from when the command is issued until the printer finishes printing, and to provide the operator with a more accurate print completion time.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described for a printer connected to a computer through an interface capable of bidirectional communication.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a hardware configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This system comprises a computer 11 such as a personal computer, an ink jet printer 12, a bidirectional interface 13 for transmitting information between the computer 11 and the printer 12, a printer driver 14 for driving the printer 12, and It comprises a display 15 connected to the computer 11.
The printer 12 has a memory (not shown) in the apparatus for holding a storage area for storing the number of print dots, the number and time of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection, and the time required for printing.

Hereinafter, the control operation of the printer according to the present invention for performing head recovery and ink preliminary ejection based on the ejected dot amount will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The printer 12 has a bidirectional interface 1
3 to receive a print command from the computer 11.
At that time, the computer 11 sends the total amount of data to be printed to the printer 12. The timing of performing the head recovery and the preliminary ink ejection is determined by each printer model.

The printer 12 calculates the expected number of print dots required to print the total data from the total data amount to be printed sent from the computer 11 and the print mode set by the computer 11 according to the following equation (1). (S1).

An example of the calculation method in S1 will be described.

When the printer 12 performs printing, an ejection ratio indicating what percentage of the printing medium is to be ejected by a printing mode (monochrome mode, color mode, text mode, picture mode, etc.) specified by the computer 11. The mean value is empirically known.

Therefore, it can be predicted from the following equation that the ejection ratio with respect to the total data amount to be printed sent from the computer 11 is considerably close to the actual amount of ink ejection.

[0031]

## EQU00001 ## Expected number of print dots = Total data amount to be printed.times.Ejection ratio.times.8 bits (Equation 1) Next, the printer 12 determines the expected number of print dots calculated by the above Equation 1 and the printer model. Based on the timing of performing head recovery and ink preliminary ejection, the number of times of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection required to print the print data sent from the computer 11 is calculated (S2). .

Next, the printer 12 multiplies the number of times calculated in S2 by one head recovery time and one ink preliminary ejection time depending on each printer 12.
The head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time for the print data sent from the computer 11 are calculated (S3).

Next, the printer 12 transmits the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated in S3 to the computer 11 through the bidirectional interface 13 (S12).
4).

The computer 11 calculates the expected printing time in the ink jet printer by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time received from the printer 12 to the printing time expected from the data amount. (S5).

In this case, the calculation of the expected number of print dots, the calculation of the head recovery time and the preliminary ink ejection time, the calculation of the print time, and the like are performed by the computer 11 and the printer 12.
, Respectively, but this does not limit which one is used. The same result can be obtained by performing each calculation with either the printer driver 14 in the computer 11 or the printer 12.

(Second Embodiment) A printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention connected to a computer through an interface capable of bidirectional communication will be described. The configuration of the hardware is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a table for designating the number of head recoveries and the number of preliminary ink ejections from the external factors and the number of print dots. This example shows a case where head recovery and ink preliminary ejection are performed according to the ejected dot amount. That is, as the expected number of print dots 22 increases, the number of times of head repetition 23 and the number of preliminary ink discharges also increase.

The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that external factors 21 such as, for example, temperature and humidity,
With the expected print dot number 22 calculated by the above equation 1,
A head recovery number 23 and a number 24 of ink preliminary ejections are designated. The flow of this processing is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the printer 12 is connected to the computer 11
From the total amount of data to be printed transmitted from the computer 11 through the interface 13 and the print mode set from the computer 11, the expected print dot number 22 required to print the total data is calculated using the above equation 1. Yes (S1
1).

Referring to the table of FIG. 3 from the expected print dot number 22 calculated by the above equation 1 and the external factors 21 such as temperature and humidity, the head recovery number 23 and the ink preliminary ejection number 24 are calculated. It is derived (S12).

By multiplying the derived numbers 23 and 24 by one head recovery time and one ink preliminary ejection time depending on each printer 12, the print data sent from the computer 11 is obtained. , The head recovery and ink preliminary ejection time are calculated (S13).

The calculated head recovery time and ink preliminary ejection time are transmitted to the computer 11 through the bidirectional interface 13 (S14).

The computer 11 adds the received head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time to the print time expected from the data amount of the print data, thereby calculating the expected print time in the ink jet printer. It is calculated (S15).

In this example, the calculation of the expected number of print dots, the calculation of the head recovery time, the calculation of the ink preliminary ejection time, and the calculation of the print time are performed by the computer 11 and the printer 12.
Each of these is shared, but this does not limit which one is used. Each calculation is performed by the printer driver 14 in the computer 11, and the
The same result can be obtained by either of the two methods.

The external factor 21 is not limited to the temperature and humidity, but may be applied to any factors that affect the head recovery and the preliminary ink ejection by factors unique to the printer model.

[Other Embodiments] In the present invention, in the second embodiment, one external factor corresponds to one external factor shown in FIG.
Although one table is created, this is not limited to one. A plurality of tables may be created from a plurality of external factors related to the head recovery and the preliminary ink ejection, and may be arbitrarily selectable.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention has a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. 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 a 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. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or an electric connection with the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only those provided for one color ink but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

Further, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may take a form.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer).
The present invention may be applied to a device including two devices (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile device, and the like).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system or apparatus with a recording medium (storage medium) storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and to provide a computer for the system or apparatus. Needless to say, the present invention is also achieved when the CPU (or the CPU or the MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the recording medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

As a recording medium for recording the program code and variable data such as a table, for example, a floppy disk (FD), hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, A nonvolatile memory card (IC 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. It goes without saying that an operating system) may perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the head recovery time and ink preliminary ejection time can be calculated from the number of print dots and the print mode, it is possible to add time other than the time required only for printing, such as the head recovery time and ink preliminary ejection time, to the time required for printing. It is possible to predict a time closer to a more accurate one from the start to the end of printing.

Further, in the present invention, a more accurate print end time can be predicted in accordance with the printer model by taking external factors into consideration.

As described above, according to the present invention, the printing time in the ink jet printer can be more accurately predicted, more accurate information can be provided to the user, and the work efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of a hardware configuration suitable for applying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a memory map showing an example of a table for specifying the number of times of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection from the external factors and the number of print dots according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Computer 12 Printer 13 Bidirectional Interface 14 Printer Driver 15 Display

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An ink-jet printer device capable of bidirectional communication capable of printing data transmitted from a computer through an interface on a print medium and transmitting the status of the device and a print result to the computer through a bidirectional interface. An expected print dot number calculation means for calculating an expected print dot number required to print the total data from the total data amount to be printed transmitted from the computer through the print mode set from the computer, The print data sent from the computer is printed based on the expected print dot number calculated by the expected print dot number calculation means and the timing of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection determined by each printer model. Head recovery and ink reserve Means for calculating the number of times of ejection, one head recovery time depending on each printer depending on the number of times of head recovery and the number of times of ink preliminary ejection calculated by the number of times calculation means, and one time of ink recovery An ink jet printer apparatus comprising: a time calculating unit configured to calculate a head recovery time and a preliminary ink discharge time for print data sent from the computer by multiplying the discharge time. 2. An ink-jet printer device capable of bidirectional communication capable of printing data transmitted from a computer through an interface on a print medium and transmitting the status of the device and a print result to the computer through a bidirectional interface. An expected print dot number calculation means for calculating an expected print dot number required to print the total data from a total data amount to be printed transmitted from the computer through a print mode set from the computer, Table reference means for deriving the number of head recovery times and the number of preliminary ink ejection times by referring to a predetermined table from the expected print dot number calculated by the expected print dot number calculation means and external factors such as temperature and humidity, The head recovery derived by the table reference means 1 that depends on each printer depending on the number of times and the number of ink preliminary ejections
Time calculating means for calculating the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time for print data sent from the computer by multiplying the head recovery time by one time and the ink preliminary ejection time by one time; An ink jet printer device comprising: 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined table stores in advance the expected number of print dots, the number of times of head recovery for the external factor, and the number of times of preliminary ink ejection. Ink jet printer device. 4. The ink-jet printer device has a transmission unit that transmits the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated by the time calculation unit to the computer through the interface, and the computer performs printing. Calculating an expected printing time in the inkjet printer by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time transmitted from the inkjet printer through the interface to a printing time expected from the total data amount. 4. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein 5. An expected printing time in the inkjet printer by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated by the time calculating means to a printing time expected from the total data amount to be printed. 4. An ink jet printer according to claim 1, further comprising an estimated printing time calculating means for calculating the printing time. 6. The expected print dot number calculation unit calculates a percentage of a print medium according to the print mode (monochrome mode, color mode, text mode, picture mode, etc.).
Setting an ejection ratio of whether to perform ink ejection, and calculating the expected print dot number by multiplying the ejection ratio by the total data amount to be printed sent from the computer. Item 6. An inkjet printer according to any one of Items 1 to 5. 7. A storage area for storing the amount of data to be printed, the expected number of print dots, the number and time of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection, and the expected print time for printing is stored inside the inkjet printer device. 7. An ink jet printer according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit for performing the operation. 8. The printing time of an ink-jet printer device capable of bidirectional communication capable of printing data transmitted from a computer through an interface on a print medium and transmitting a status of the device and a print result to the computer through a bidirectional interface. A first method of calculating an expected number of print dots required to print the total data from a total data amount to be printed transmitted from the computer through the interface and a print mode set from the computer in the prediction method. And print data sent from the computer based on the expected number of print dots calculated in the first step and the timing of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection determined by each printer model. Head recovery and ink reserve needed to print A second step of calculating the number of times of ejection, and one head recovery time and one time of the printer dependent on the number of head recovery times and the number of preliminary ink ejection times calculated in the second step. A third step of calculating a head recovery time and a preliminary ink discharge time for the print data sent from the computer by multiplying the preliminary ink discharge time by the ink; Transmitting the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time to the computer through the interface. 9. The computer according to claim 6, wherein the computer adds the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time transmitted from the inkjet printer through the interface to a printing time expected from the total amount of data to be printed. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein an expected printing time in the inkjet printer is calculated. 10. The printing time of an ink-jet printer device capable of bidirectional communication capable of printing data transmitted from a computer through an interface on a print medium and transmitting the status of the device and a print result to the computer through a bidirectional interface. In the prediction method, a first calculating unit calculates an expected number of print dots required to print the total data from a total data amount to be printed transmitted from the computer through the interface and a print mode set from the computer. And a second step of deriving the number of times of head recovery and the number of preliminary ink ejections by referring to a predetermined table from the expected number of print dots calculated in the first step and external factors such as temperature and humidity. And the head recovery time derived in the second step. By multiplying the number and the number of times of ink preliminary ejection by one head recovery time and one ink preliminary ejection time depending on each printer. A third step of calculating a recovery time and an ink preliminary ejection time. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined table stores the expected number of print dots, the number of times of head recovery for the external factor, and the number of times of preliminary ink ejection. How to estimate print time. 12. The inkjet printer according to claim 12,
A fourth step of transmitting the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated in the third step to the computer through the interface, wherein the computer is expected from the total data amount to be printed. 12. An expected printing time in the inkjet printer is calculated by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time transmitted from the inkjet printer through the interface to a printing time. The method for estimating the printing time described in 1. 13. The anticipated printing in the inkjet printer by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary ejection time calculated in the third step to a printing time expected from the total data amount to be printed. The method according to claim 10, further comprising a fourth step of calculating time. 14. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the first step is a printing mode (monochrome mode, color mode, text mode,
(E.g., a picture mode), the ejection ratio of what percentage of the print medium is to be ejected is set, and the expected ratio is multiplied by the ejection ratio and the total amount of data sent from the computer for printing. 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the number of print dots is calculated. 15. A recording medium on which a control program for predicting a printing time of an ink jet printer device by a computer is recorded. The control program transmits the total data to a computer from a total data amount to be printed and a print mode. The expected number of print dots required for printing is calculated, and print data is printed based on the calculated expected number of print dots and the timing of head recovery and ink preliminary ejection determined by each printer model. The number of times of head recovery and the number of preliminary ink ejections required to perform the calculation are calculated, and the calculated number of times of head recovery and the number of preliminary ink ejections is one head recovery time depending on each printer. The head recovery time for the print data sent from the computer by multiplying the ink preliminary ejection time of Calculate the estimated print time in the inkjet printer by adding the head recovery time and the ink preliminary discharge time calculated by calculating the ink preliminary discharge time to the print time expected from the total data amount to be printed. A recording medium characterized by causing a recording medium to be read. 16. A recording medium on which a control program for predicting a printing time of an ink jet printer by a computer is recorded. The control program stores the total data in a computer based on a total data amount to be printed and a print mode. The expected number of print dots required for printing is calculated, and the estimated number of print dots and the external factors such as temperature and humidity are referred to a predetermined table to determine the number of times of head recovery and the number of preliminary ink ejections. One head recovery time, which depends on each printer, depends on the head recovery number and the ink preliminary discharge number thus derived.
The head recovery time and the ink preliminary discharge time calculated by calculating the head recovery time and the ink preliminary discharge time for the print data by multiplying the ink preliminary discharge time by A recording medium storing a print time prediction control program, wherein an expected print time in the inkjet printer is calculated by adding the print time to a print time expected from the total data amount. 17. The recording medium records the predetermined table, and the table previously stores the expected number of print dots, the number of times of head recovery for the external factor, and the number of preliminary ink discharges. A recording medium recording the print time prediction control program according to claim 16. 18. The control program instructs a computer to execute the print mode (monochrome mode, color mode,
The expected number of print dots is calculated by multiplying the discharge rate and the total amount of data to be printed by setting the discharge rate of what percentage of the print medium to perform ink discharge according to the text mode, picture mode, etc. 18. A recording medium on which the print time prediction control program according to claim 15 is calculated. 19. The ink-jet printer device,
The ink-jet printer according to claim 1, wherein bubbles are generated in the ink using thermal energy, and the ink is ejected with the generation of the bubbles. 20. The ink-jet printer device,
15. The method according to claim 8, wherein bubbles are generated in the ink using thermal energy, and the ink is ejected in accordance with the generation of the bubbles. 21. The ink-jet printer device,
19. The recording medium according to claim 15, wherein bubbles are generated in the ink using thermal energy, and the ink is ejected in accordance with the generation of the bubbles.