JPH11208071A - Printer and control method therefor when resetting - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record the state information of a printer, or the like, based on a reset signal and to minimize ink consumption by performing cleaning at a level suitable for the state of the printer. SOLUTION: Upon recognizing an external reset signal V0 based on a reset signal Vrst from a host computer 65, a CPU 61 writes the state information of a printer including the cleaning time, the reset time, and the like, into a nonvolatile RAM 62. Subsequently, the CPU 61 is reset forcibly by an internal reset signal Vr to read out the state information from the nonvolatile RAM 62 and performs cleaning processing at an appropriate level corresponding to the information. Consequently, a reliable processing can be realized while minimizing ink consumption of a printer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to a processing method at the time of reset and a cleaning method of a head in an inkjet type printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an information processing apparatus such as a printing apparatus, an initialization process is executed in response to a power-on reset signal when power is turned on or a reset signal transmitted from a host computer via an interface.

In a power-on reset, a power switch-off operation is performed before a power switch-on operation. In recent printing apparatuses, when the power switch is turned off, the power is not turned off immediately, but is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed. The printing device executes a predetermined process within the predetermined time. The predetermined processing includes initialization of a mechanical portion such as movement of the print head to a retreat position, backup of data to be processed and maintenance data such as a predetermined counter value and time (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-12).
4977, JP-A-61-233819, JP-A-2-93
811, JP-A-4-288274, JP-A-7-2618
88 etc.). Thus, the state processed and saved when the power switch is turned off is reflected when the power switch is turned on.

On the other hand, a reset signal from a host computer or the like causes an immediate reset and an initialization process. Therefore, it is impossible to perform a predetermined process when the power switch is turned off.

Hereinafter, an ink jet printer will be described as an example. In an ink jet printing apparatus that performs printing by discharging ink from an ink jet head, regular maintenance, that is, cleaning of the ink jet head nozzles is essential to maintain the reliability of the ink jet head. This is because the periodic cleaning can prevent the problem that the ink dries in the nozzles, the viscosity increases, and the nozzles are clogged and hinder printing.

This cleaning process is generally executed according to the elapsed time from the previous cleaning and the capping state of the ink jet head, and is managed by a timer. If the value of this timer is recorded when the power is turned off, the next cleaning process can be performed accurately. It is also possible to record the value of an ink end counter indicating the remaining amount of ink and the value of a print path counter indicating the print amount as a measure of wear of mechanical components. Maintenance such as component replacement is performed based on the counter value.

[0007]

When a printing device controlled by a host computer, such as a POS printer or a network printer, is installed remotely, it is necessary to completely control the printing device from a remote location. By the reset signal from the host computer,
It is necessary to execute an initialization process equivalent to the initialization process when the power of the printer is turned on.

The reset signal is output at the time of a power-on reset of the host computer, at the time of starting up an OS (operating system), at the time of starting up an application, or at the time of starting printing with an application. In some cases, a plurality of reset signals are supplied to the printer at relatively short intervals.

In such a case, in the conventional printing apparatus, there is no opportunity to save various maintenance data such as a counter value and a time, and these data have been lost. Therefore, even if cleaning or replacement of parts is necessary, this cannot be performed, and there is a possibility that problems such as deterioration of print quality and failure may occur.

As a countermeasure, in the cleaning, the print quality is prevented from deteriorating by performing an initial level head cleaning every time a reset signal is received. However, there has been a problem that an excessive amount of ink is consumed and running cost increases, and used ink cartridges increase, which is not preferable in terms of resource saving and environmental protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a cleaning method capable of performing the same processing as power-on reset even with a reset signal from a host computer.

[0012]

According to the present invention, when a printing apparatus receives a reset signal, resetting is performed after recording state information of the printing apparatus. Further, after resetting, this is read, an appropriate processing level is selected based on the information, and cleaning is executed.

That is, the printing apparatus of the present invention is connected to a host computer and is a non-volatile storage means for storing status information of the printing apparatus in a printing apparatus which executes printing on a print medium based on data from the host computer. Control means for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus including writing and reading of information to and from the storage means, and predetermined state information written to the storage means in response to a reset signal from the host computer or power-on of the printing apparatus. Initialization means for executing a read initialization process; receiving a reset signal from the host computer; and providing an external reset signal for notifying that the reset signal has been received to the control means, for a predetermined time from the external reset signal. Reset signal processing means for providing an internal reset signal to the control means with a delay. , The control means, before given the internal reset signal from the given external reset signal, characterized in that to write the status information of the printing apparatus needs to at least the initialization processing in the storage means.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention comprises a cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head, a storage means for storing state information of the printing apparatus, a cleaning control for operating the cleaning mechanism at a plurality of processing levels having different ink consumptions, A control unit for controlling operations of the printing apparatus including a control of writing and reading of information to and from the storage unit; In addition to receiving an external reset signal and providing the control unit with an external reset signal for notifying the control unit, a reset signal given to the control unit when the printing apparatus is powered on with a predetermined time delay from the external reset signal. Reset signal processing means for supplying the same internal reset signal as the above. Here, the control unit stores the state information of the printing apparatus in the storage unit before the internal reset signal is applied after the external reset signal is applied, and after the internal reset signal is applied, Reading the status information of the printing device stored in the storage means,
The predetermined processing level is selected based on the information, and the cleaning mechanism is controlled.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a control method for resetting the printing apparatus. A step of preparing nonvolatile storage means for storing status information of the printing apparatus, control means for controlling operation of the printing apparatus including writing and reading of information to and from the nonvolatile storage means, and a reset signal from the host computer or the printing apparatus Reading predetermined state information written in the storage means in response to turning on of the power supply, and performing an initialization process; receiving an reset signal; and controlling an external reset signal for notifying that the reset signal has been received. And a step of storing in the storage means at least the state information of the printing apparatus necessary for the initialization processing,
Providing an internal reset signal to the control means with a predetermined time delay from the external reset signal.

Further, the control method of the present invention includes a cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head, a storage unit for storing status information of a printing apparatus, a cleaning control for operating the cleaning mechanism at a plurality of processing levels with different ink consumption, and the storage. Providing control means for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus including writing and reading control of information to the means, receiving a reset signal from the outside, and providing an external reset signal for notifying the control means, Storing the status information of the printing apparatus in the storage means, and providing the control means with an internal reset signal identical to the reset signal given when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on, with a predetermined time delay from the external reset signal; The status information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit is read out, and the location information is read based on the information. A step of selecting a processing level, in accordance with the selected predetermined processing level, configured to include a process of controlling the cleaning mechanism.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet printer to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a main part of a printer to which the present invention is applied. As shown in these drawings, the printer 1 of this example is a serial type printer in which an ink jet head 2 and an ink tank 3 are mounted on a box-shaped carriage 4 and perform printing while reciprocating in a scanning direction. The ink jet head 2 and the ink tank 3 are of a cartridge type. The upper lid 41 of the carriage 4 is opened, and is detachably mounted inside the carriage 4.

The front side of the carriage 4 has a frame 5 so that the carriage 4 can reciprocate linearly in the longitudinal direction of the frame 5.
Is slidably supported by a guide shaft 6 bridged between left and right side walls 5a and 5b, and the rear side is also slidably supported by the side walls 5a and 5b.
5b slidably rides on the upper surface of the guide plate 7 bridged between them.

A driving pulley 8a is mounted on one end of the front wall 5c of the frame 5, and a driven pulley 8b is mounted on the other end, and a timing belt 8c is stretched between them. The timing belt 8c is connected to a front portion of the carriage 4. The drive pulley 8a is provided with a carriage motor 8d attached to the front wall 5c of the frame 5.
When rotated, the carriage 4 connected to the timing belt 8c moves in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, an automatic sheet feeding mechanism 10 serving as a feeding mechanism of the cut sheet 100 is provided in front of the frame 5.
Is attached. The automatic paper feed mechanism 10 includes a cassette 11 capable of storing a large number of cut sheets 100, a paper feed roller 12 that feeds the cut sheets 100 stored in the cassette 11 one by one from the cassette, and a paper feed roller 12. A power transmission mechanism 13 (indicated by a double dashed line in the figure) for transmitting a driving force, and a cut sheet 100 fed out of the cassette 11 to a cut sheet transport mechanism 20 provided inside the frame 5.
And a paper feed path 14 that guides the sheet to a position where it can be delivered.

The drive source of the paper feed roller 12 is shared with the drive source of the transport mechanism 20. Therefore, the power transmission mechanism 13 is maintained in the disconnected state during a normal printing operation, and is switched to the connected state only at a necessary time,
A clutch mechanism is provided so that the driving force can be transmitted to the paper feed roller 12.

The cut sheet transport mechanism 20 provided inside the frame 5 has a cut sheet inlet 23 defined by a pair of upper and lower guide plates 21 and 22 on the frame front wall 5c side. When the cut sheet 100 supplied from the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 is fed through the inlet 23, the cut sheet 100 is held by the transport rollers 24.
The cut sheet 100 is transported by the transport rollers 24 via a transport path defined by a guide plate 25 facing the inkjet head 2. Thereafter, the cut sheet 100 is discharged by the carry-out roller 26 via the carry-out port 27 behind the frame.

The transport motor 2 as a drive source of the transport mechanism 20
Reference numeral 8 is attached to the rear wall of the frame 5. The rotational force of the transport motor 28 is transmitted to the transport roller shaft 29 via a gear train. Further, the power is transmitted to the carry-out roller shaft 32 via the conveyance roller shaft 29 and the gear train on the opposite side.

Here, the carriage 4 reciprocates in a preset printing area, and performs printing on the surface of the cut sheet 100 conveyed as described above by the inkjet head 2 mounted thereon. In this example, the carriage 4 can move to the position of the side wall 5a of the frame 5 beyond the printing area. This area beyond the printing area includes a home position of the inkjet head 2, a position where the inkjet head 2 is cleaned, and a position where the automatic sheet feeding mechanism 10 is driven to supply cut sheets.

A head capping mechanism 51 for capping the nozzles of the inkjet head 2, and waste ink is sucked from the inkjet head 2 and the head capping mechanism 51, between the end of the guide plate 25 defining the printing position and the frame side wall 5 a. And a clutch mechanism 53 for switching the driving force transmission path 13 of the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 from the disconnected state to the connected state.

FIG. 3 shows a stop position of the ink jet head 2, that is, a stop position of the carriage 4, and an operation executed corresponding to each stop position. The movement of the carriage 4 is detected by a photo sensor, a mechanical micro switch, or the like, and the carriage 4 is stopped at each of the positions based on the detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stop position of the carriage 4 is from the end of the printing area A toward the side wall 5a of the frame 5, the pump power cutting position P, the preliminary discharge, ie, the flushing position F, the idle suction. Position K, home position H
P and the pump power connection position R are arranged in this order. The operation at each position is as follows.

Pump power cut-off position P: This position is set by switching the driving force of the transport motor 28 from the suction pump mechanism 52 to the transport mechanism 20 so that the suction pump mechanism 52
This is the position to stop the drive of.

Flushing position F: This position is a position where ink is preliminarily ejected from all nozzles of the ink jet head 2, that is, flushing is performed, and ink with increased viscosity, that is, thickened ink is discharged from unused nozzles and the like. . In this position, the nozzles of the inkjet head 2 face the head capping mechanism 51, and the ink droplets which have been preliminarily ejected are ejected by the head capping mechanism 51.
Will be recovered by

Empty suction position K: This position is a position where the nozzle of the ink jet head 2 is capped by the head capping mechanism 51. Here, the suction pump mechanism 52 discharges the collected waste ink from the head capping mechanism 51.

Home position HP: This position is the initial position of the carriage 4 and is set when the power is turned on.
Is located here. At this position, the inkjet head 2 is in a state of being capped by the head capping mechanism 51. By head capping,
It is possible to prevent the solvent of the ink of the head nozzle from evaporating to increase its viscosity, or prevent the ink meniscus from receding. Further, the feeding of the cut sheet is also performed at the home position HP.

Pumping power connection position R: This position is determined by switching the driving force of the transport motor 28 from the transport mechanism 20 to the suction pump mechanism 52, and
Is a position at which can be driven.

The capping of the ink jet head 2 by the head capping mechanism 51 is maintained in a section from the idle suction position K to the pump power connection position R. In this specification, this section is called a capping area.

The processing executed at each stop position is C
It is controlled by a control device using a PU. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of control of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a printer mechanism 90 including a mechanism for moving the carriage 4 on which the inkjet head 2 is mounted to a predetermined position, and a control mechanism capable of controlling the printer mechanism 90 and an ink system 80 described later. It has a CPU 61 as a device and a reset signal processing device 70 for resetting the printer 1 in response to a reset signal Vrst from the host computer 65.

Upon receiving the reset signal Vrst, the reset signal processing device 70 supplies the CPU 61 with an external reset signal V0 for notifying that the reset signal has been received, and at a predetermined time T3 from the reset signal Vrst.
The internal reset signal Vr is supplied to the CPU 61 with a delay,
The CPU 61 is reset by the internal reset signal Vr.

After the CPU 61 recognizes the external reset signal V0, the printer 1 has a nonvolatile RAM 6 such as an EEPROM as a storage device capable of writing at least printer status information including cleaning history information.
2. It has a real-time clock (RTC) 63 as a clock device capable of acquiring the current time.

The reset signal processing device 70 is connected to the printer 1
Reset signal Vrs supplied from the host computer 65 connected to the
t, and sequentially outputs an external reset signal V0 and an internal reset signal Vr.

The CPU 61 is connected to a RAM 66 serving as a working storage area, a nonvolatile RAM 62, and a ROM 67 storing a control program and the like. Upon receiving a reset signal Vrst from the host computer 65, the CPU 61 writes the data in the nonvolatile RAM 62. A program described below is read from the ROM 67 based on the
It is loaded on M66 and the control of the printer 1 is executed.

Based on the information read from the ROM 67 and the non-volatile RAM 62, the CPU 61 gives the ink system 80 five processing levels with different ink consumptions, namely, cleaning level 1 (TCL1) and cleaning level 2 (TCL2). , Cleaning level 3
(TCL3), flushing processing (F), and cleaning by dummy cleaning (dummy) are realized. The amount of ink consumed during these cleanings is dummy,
F, TCL1, TCL2, and TCL3 increase in this order. However, no ink is consumed in the dummy cleaning.

In each cleaning of TCL 1, 2, and 3,
A process of sucking ink from nozzles mainly for the purpose of discharging thickened ink and bubbles in the ink path, a so-called wiping process of cleaning the head surface by sweeping with a rubber spatula, and, if necessary, using a sponge. A so-called rubbing treatment for removing the head surface is performed. The contents of each level of cleaning and the conditions thereof will be briefly described below.

Cleaning level TCL1: The cleaning of TCL1 is based on the information read from the non-volatile RAM 62, and the elapsed time from the previous cleaning of TCL1 or more is less than 96 hours, and the elapsed time from the idle state. This is executed when it is determined that the time has elapsed, that is, 15 hours or more have elapsed since the inkjet head 2 was released from the capped state. In the cleaning of the TCL 1, all ink in the ink discharge chamber is sucked, and as a result, a predetermined amount of ink is consumed. In order to compare the ink consumption with another processing level, the ink consumption at this processing level is set to 1.

Cleaning level TCL2: The cleaning of TCL2 is performed based on the status information in advance, as described above.
This is executed when it is determined that the elapsed time since the cleaning of CL1 or more is performed is 96 hours or more and less than 168 hours. In the cleaning of TCL2, all the ink in the head unit is sucked.
The ink consumption in this case is 8.

Cleaning level TCL3: The cleaning of TCL3 is carried out based on the status information in advance, as described above.
This is executed when it is determined that the elapsed time since the cleaning of CL1 or more is performed is 168 hours or more.
All the ink in the ink path is sucked by cleaning the TCL 3, and the ink consumption in this case is 40. Further, the processing of the TCL 3 is also the cleaning of the initialization level which is performed when the elapsed time is lost, etc., and the ink consumption in the cleaning in the printer 1 is maximized.

Flushing F: The flushing process is executed when the time elapsed since the capping of the ink jet head was released is less than 15 hours. In the flushing process, for example, 40 to 1000 preliminary ink ejections are performed, thereby discharging the ink in and near the nozzles. In this case, the amount of ink consumption is 0.
0025 to 0.06.

Dummy cleaning: In the dummy cleaning, after flushing, cleaning of the head surface, capping of the head, idle suction of ink, and the like are performed, but the consumption of ink is zero. In the embodiment, the activation of the dummy cleaning can be switched between valid and invalid by the DIP switch 91.

In the printer 1, along with these cleaning processes, the initialization of the printer mechanism 90 including the movement of the carriage 4 to the home position is also performed.

The reset signal processing device 70 detects a reset signal Vrst from the host computer 65 and outputs an external reset signal V0,
After a lapse of a predetermined time from the input of the external reset signal V0 from the reset detection unit 71, a reset delay timer 72 that outputs a delayed reset signal V1, a delayed reset signal V1 is input, and the internal reset signal Vr is sent to the CPU.
And a reset signal generating unit 73 that outputs the reset signal to the reset signal generator 61. The reset signal generation unit 73 generates and outputs an internal reset signal Vr that meets the standard (voltage, pulse width, rise / fall time, etc.) of the reset signal requested by the CPU 61. The internal reset signal Vr performs the same initialization processing as the initialization processing when the power of the printer 1 is turned on.
61 is a reset signal to be executed. Upon input of the internal reset signal Vr to the CPU 61, initialization processing including initialization of the printer mechanism 90 and cleanup of the program and data in the RAM 66 is executed.

FIG. 5 shows the internal reset signal Vr after receiving the reset signal Vrst from the host computer.
4 shows a flowchart of a process until is output to the CPU 61. As shown in the figure, when the reset detection unit 71 detects the reset signal Vrst in step ST21, the external reset signal V0 is output (ST2).
2). Upon receiving this signal, the reset delay timer 72 is started (ST23). After a predetermined time elapses, the reset delay timer 72 outputs a delay reset signal V1.
Outputs an internal reset signal Vr to the CPU 61 (S
T25).

The external reset signal V0 output from the reset detecting section 71 is supplied to the reset delay timer 72 and C
It is input to PU61. The external reset signal V0 input to the reset delay timer 72 serves as a trigger for activating the reset delay timer 72 as described above. After the trigger is given, until a preset delay time, for example, 100 milliseconds, elapses, the CPU 61 supplies the internal reset signal V from the reset signal generation unit 73 to the CPU 61.
r is not given. On the other hand, the external reset signal V0 is supplied to the CPU 61 at the same timing as that supplied to the reset delay timer 72. This allows the CPU
61 is a reset signal Vr from the host computer 65.
It can know that st has been transmitted.

After the CPU 61 knows that the reset signal Vrst has been transmitted, that is, during the grace period from the input of the external reset signal V0 to the input of the internal reset signal Vr, the reset signal Vrst is transmitted. Of the printer 1 and various status information of the printer 1 are recorded in the nonvolatile RAM 62. Printer status information to be recorded includes status information on mechanical parts of the printer such as the position of the carriage and the presence or absence of an ink cartridge, the current time, the value of an ink end counter indicating the remaining amount of ink, and the case where cleaning is performed at the time of reset. Can include information about the cleaning.

The CPU 61 may record the printer status information in the nonvolatile RAM 62 at a predetermined time interval or after the execution of the cleaning process, separately from the timing at which the reset signal V0 is input.
Status information recorded after the execution of the cleaning process includes:
The time at which the cleaning process was performed is included. In this case, the execution time may be recorded for each processing level, or the cleaning execution time at a predetermined level, for example, TCL1 or more, may be recorded. Also,
The status information recorded periodically may include a time at which the capping of the head is released, and a print pass counter value indicating the print amount. During the state information recording at the predetermined time interval and at the end of cleaning, the reset signal Vrs
Even when t is recognized, the information recording can be completed within the grace period until the internal reset signal Vr is input.

FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the cleaning operation of the printer 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the CPU 61 detects the external reset signal V0 from the reset detector 71 in step ST1, the current time is read from the RTC 63 as the reset time in step ST2. Next, in step ST3, the status information of the printer is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 62.
Write to. Then, in step ST4, the internal reset signal Vr is output, whereby the printer 1 is reset according to the same reset procedure as when the power is turned on.

Next, the printer 1 that has been reset goes to its initialization operation. In the first step of the initialization operation, that is, in step ST5, the CPU 61 reads the current time from the RTC 63, and in step ST6, reads the nonvolatile RAM.
The printer status information written in 62 is read.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step ST7, the CPU 61 determines whether or not necessary information is recorded in the nonvolatile RAM 62. If the CPU 61 is not functioning properly for some reason or if there is an abnormality and the status information cannot be written to the nonvolatile RAM 62, the process proceeds to step ST14, where the initialization level cleaning process TCL3 described above is performed. Is performed. After this cleaning is performed, printing is started in step ST15.

If it is determined in step ST7 that the status information has been read normally, the process proceeds to step ST8, where the check information is checked, that is, the checksum is checked. In step ST9, all checksums are normal. It is determined whether there is. Due to some abnormality, the nonvolatile RA is set within the delay time generated by the reset delay timer 72.
If all the writing processing to M62 cannot be completed, or if part of the history information is not normal, the process proceeds to step ST13. Then, the history information of the block in which the inspection information is normal is determined, and cleaning at an appropriate processing level is selected. For example, when there is no important information such as the previous cleaning time and processing level, or when the previous cleaning state cannot be determined based on some normal information, the initialization level cleaning process TCL3 is performed. After the completion of this cleaning, printing is started in step ST15.

If the checksums are all normal in step ST9, the process proceeds to step ST10,
It is determined whether an interval (t2-t9 in FIG. 9) between the reset time at which the previous external reset signal V0 was input and the reset time at which the current external reset signal V0 was input is smaller than a predetermined value X. In step ST10, when the reset time interval is smaller than the predetermined value X, for example, about several seconds, the user performs intentional continuous reset (the initialization level cleaning process TC).
L3 is to be performed), and the cleaning process TCL3 at the initialization level is performed in step ST12. Then, printing is started in step ST15. On the other hand, when the reset interval is sufficiently long (see FIG. 9).
In (t10-t2), the process proceeds to step ST11, where cleaning at an appropriate processing level based on the information in the nonvolatile RAM 62 is performed.

FIG. 8 shows a process for selecting an appropriate cleaning level in step ST11. First, in step ST31, the last cleaning time read from the nonvolatile RAM 62 and the RTC
From the time read from 3, the elapsed time from the previous cleaning is obtained. Further, an elapsed time during which the capping of the head is released is obtained from the pause time read from the nonvolatile RAM 62 and the time read from the RTC 63.

Referring to these elapsed times, the condition 1 is satisfied, that is, the condition that the elapsed time from the cleaning at the processing level equal to or higher than TCL1 is less than 96 hours and the capping release time is less than 15 hours is satisfied. It is determined whether or not to do so. If the condition 1 is satisfied, the carriage 4 is moved to the flushing position F in step ST37.
And the flushing process is performed on the inkjet head. Further, after the flushing is performed, the state of the dip switch 91 is confirmed in step ST38, and only when the dummy cleaning process is selected, the process proceeds to step ST39.
, Dummy cleaning is performed. When the dummy cleaning is not selected, the process is not performed and printing is started in step ST15.

If condition 1 is not satisfied in step ST31, condition 2 is satisfied in step ST32.
Is satisfied, that is, the elapsed time since the cleaning at the processing level of TCL1 or more is performed is less than 96 hours,
In addition, it is determined whether or not the condition that the capping release time is 15 hours or more is satisfied. Here, when the condition 2 is satisfied, the process shifts to step ST36 to execute the cleaning process of the TCL 1 with a small ink consumption. When the cleaning process of TCL1 is completed, printing is started in step ST15.

If condition 2 is not satisfied in step ST32, condition 3 is satisfied in step ST33.
That is, it is determined whether or not the condition that the elapsed time after the cleaning of TCL1 or more is performed is 96 hours to 168 hours. If the condition 3 is satisfied, the process shifts to step ST35 to execute the cleaning process of the TCL 2 having the medium ink consumption. When the cleaning process of TCL2 is completed, step S
Printing is started at T15.

In step ST33, if the condition 3 is not satisfied, that is, if the elapsed time since the cleaning of TCL1 or more is performed exceeds 168 hours,
The process proceeds to step ST34 to execute a cleaning process for the TCL 3 having the largest ink consumption. When the cleaning process of TCL3 is completed, printing is started in step ST15.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart when the cleaning history information is normally written in the nonvolatile RAM 62. In the figure, when the reset detection unit 71 receives the reset signal Vrst at time t0, the reset detection unit 71 transmits the reset signal Vrst at time t1, which is the next timing.
External reset signal V0 is output to PU 61 and reset delay timer 72. This external reset signal V
In response to 0, the CPU 61 reads the time t2 as a reset time, and stores various status information of the printer in the nonvolatile RAM 62 at the time t3.

When the reset delay timer 72 counts the delay time T3 and times out, the reset signal generator 7
3 is supplied with the delayed reset signal V1. In the case of a normal operation, writing of information to the nonvolatile RAM 62 is performed within the delay time T3. The reset signal generation unit 73 that has received the delayed reset signal V1
1 to output the internal reset signal Vr. With this signal, the CPU 61 is reset. In the initialization operation after the reset, the CPU 61 reads the current time t6 from the RTC 63, and then reads necessary information from the nonvolatile RAM 62 at a time t7. Then, an appropriate cleaning level is selected and executed based on the read information.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are timing charts when the cleaning history information is not normally written in the nonvolatile RAM 62. FIG. FIG.
If the information read from the non-volatile RAM 62 in step ST7 is not appropriate, that is, if the CPU 61 is not functioning properly for some reason or if the history information cannot be written to the non-volatile RAM 62 due to an abnormality, step The process proceeds to ST14 where a cleaning process TCL3 is performed. In FIG. 10A, the RTC6
3 shows that the internal reset signal Vr is output without reading information from the nonvolatile RAM 62 and the nonvolatile RAM 62.

In step ST9 of FIG. 7, if there is any abnormality and the writing of the history information is not completed within the delay time T3, or if some of the history information is not normal due to some abnormality, the process proceeds to step ST13. Migrate,
Judgment is made on the history information of the block in which the inspection information is normal, and cleaning at an appropriate processing level is selected. FIG.
(B) shows the operation timing in this case.
In this case, the information is read from the RTC 63 and the nonvolatile RAM 62 as in the case where the information in the nonvolatile RAM 62 is normal.

In the present invention, when a reset signal is further received, a cleaning level is prepared separately when the nozzles of the ink jet head 2 are not capped, and the processing can be separated depending on whether the nozzles are capped. . When capping is not performed as the state immediately before the reset, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles is higher than when capping is performed. (Referred to as cleaning). By increasing the number of times of wiping or rubbing, or by shortening the branching condition at the normal cleaning level, that is, in the present embodiment, the elapsed time from the immediately preceding cleaning of TCL1 or more, the head is not capped at the time of reset. Cleaning levels can be prepared.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the control in this case. In the process shown in the figure, a control flow including an initialization process at power-on is shown. In the figure, when a reset signal is given to the CPU 61, the printer mechanism 90 is first initialized in step ST41. In step ST42, it is determined whether the reset signal is the internal reset signal Vr based on the reset signal Vrst from the host computer 65 or a reset signal generated when the power is turned on. This can be determined by reading the status information recorded in the nonvolatile RAM 62 as described above. If it is determined that the reset signal is a signal at the time of power-on, the process proceeds to step ST43, and any one of TCL1 to TCL3 or flushing is performed according to the state information and the branch condition of the nonvolatile RAM 62 described above. Level cleaning is selected, and step ST4
4 is executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST42 that the reset signal given to the CPU 61 is the internal reset signal Vr, it is determined whether or not cleaning at the time of non-capping is necessary. As the determination condition in this case, the elapsed time from the power-on time at the time of reset can be referred to. For example, when one second or more has passed this elapsed time, it can be determined that cleaning at the time of non-capping is necessary. If it is determined that the non-capping cleaning is necessary, in step ST46, the cleaning that meets the conditions is selected from the cleaning levels prepared for the non-capping cleaning, and the cleaning is executed in step ST47. For example, as the non-capping cleaning level, the cleaning level can be made the same as the normal cleaning level, and different cleaning can be executed by changing the branch condition. For example, in the non-capping cleaning, TCL1 is executed when the time elapsed since the cleaning of TCL1 or more is executed is less than 12 hours, and TCL2 is executed when the time is 12 hours or more and less than 84 hours, and 84 hours or more. TCL in case
3 can be set to be executed. In this case, also in step ST46, similarly to the processing in step ST43, the information in the nonvolatile RAM 62 is referred to, and the elapsed time is calculated based on the information.

As described above, in the printer 1 according to the present invention, the reset signal Vr
When st is transmitted, the CPU 61 is first supplied with the external reset signal V0, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, is supplied with the internal reset signal Vr. This provides an opportunity to write the state of the printer 1 and the past cleaning history to the nonvolatile RAM 62 when the CPU 61 inputs the external reset signal V0. At the time of the initialization operation after the reset of the printer 1, information in the nonvolatile RAM 62 is referred to, and based on the information, cleaning at an appropriate processing level according to the ink state of the inkjet head 2 is executed. Therefore, the host computer 65
, The reset signal Vrst is applied at short time intervals, an appropriate cleaning process corresponding to the time interval is executed, and the initialization level cleaning, that is, TCL3 is not performed each time. In addition, it is possible to prevent a large amount of ink from being consumed.

As the external reset signal V0, a signal input to the NMI terminal which is a non-maskable interrupt to the CPU 61 can be used. As the internal reset signal Vr, a signal input to an RST terminal for forcibly resetting the CPU 61 can be used.

In the printer 1, when the reset time interval is shorter than the predetermined value X, the cleaning process of the initialization level is forcibly performed. Therefore, it is possible to cope with a continuous reset that is intentionally output from the user or due to some abnormality.

Further, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, by checking the inspection information for each item of the history information,
If all of the history information could not be written to the nonvolatile RAM 62 within the delay time, or if part of the history information could not be normally written to the nonvolatile RAM 62 due to some abnormality, the cleaning of the normal portion of the information was started. The processing level is determined as much as possible. For this reason,
The validity of the history information is detected and the cleaning processing level is determined only from the normal history information, so that the consumption of ink is suppressed as much as possible, while the insufficient cleaning processing is performed and the print quality is reduced. It is possible to avoid the adverse effects such as the above.

Further, in the printer 1, after the flushing process, a dummy cleaning process for performing almost the same operation as the cleaning at the initialization level without ink consumption is performed. Therefore, although the cleaning at the initialization level is not actually performed,
The fact that the printer 1 has reliably received the reset signal Vrst can be clearly transmitted, and it is possible to prevent the user from unnecessarily misunderstanding that head cleaning has not been performed.

Further, since whether or not to perform the dummy cleaning process can be selected by a dip switch 91 provided outside the printer 1, the user can determine whether or not to perform the dummy cleaning.

In this embodiment, a non-volatile RAM is taken as an example of the storage device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a hard disk or the like may be used. Furthermore, a dip switch is taken as an example of the dummy cleaning processing selecting means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and selection may be made according to a control command from a host computer.

In this embodiment, in order to determine the cleaning level after reset, the nonvolatile RAM 62
Reference is made to the elapsed time from the previous cleaning at or above the TCL1 level and the pause time of the carriage based on the information written in. However, the condition branch of the cleaning level can be performed with reference to other state information. For example, conditional branching of the cleaning level can be performed based on the value of the print pass counter indicating the print amount or the elapsed time from cleaning at or below the TCL1 level. Further, when the reset is performed during the cleaning, the cleaning at the same level or higher can be performed by further referring to the information on the cleaning that is being performed.

In the above embodiment, acquisition of the reset time is not always necessary, and can be omitted when the possibility of continuous reset is low. Alternatively, when there is a possibility that a continuous reset may occur due to application software or the like, reading the time by the RTC 63 is not necessary immediately after the reset, and reading the data in the nonvolatile RAM 62 is sufficient.

Further, the elapsed time since the previous cleaning was obtained by obtaining the current time from the RTC 63. However, the current time is not necessarily required, and at least the elapsed time of the cleaning can be obtained. Good. Further, a timer device such as an RTC may be restarted by the control device every time the cleaning is performed, and the time interval of the cleaning may be measured to obtain the elapsed time.

Further, when cleaning is performed at the time of resetting, the information related to the cleaning is recorded in the nonvolatile memory. However, the same or heavier cleaning than the cleaning at the time of resetting recorded at the time of selecting the next cleaning is described. By selecting and executing, it is possible to avoid such an adverse effect that an insufficient cleaning process is selected and the print quality is reduced.

[0080]

As described above, in the printing apparatus and the processing method at the time of resetting of the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the same processing as the power-on reset can be performed even when resetting from the host computer. That is, when a reset signal is received, various state information of the printing apparatus is recorded in a non-volatile memory and then reset by hardware to ensure the reliability of the operation, and the information recorded in the non-volatile RAM after the reset is read. And an appropriate process can be executed. Therefore, maintenance such as cleaning of the head and replacement of parts can be accurately performed, and a highly reliable printing apparatus can be realized. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing main components of a printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a portion including a printing position of the printer illustrated in FIG.

3 is a diagram schematically showing various positions where cleaning of an ink jet head of the printer shown in FIG. 1 is performed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a reset signal process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation by the control system shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation after the control operation shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a cleaning process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7;

9 is a time chart when the cleaning history information is normally written in the control system shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a time chart when cleaning history information is not correctly written in the control system shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart according to the present invention in which the cleaning level when the head is not capped is changed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Printer 2 Inkjet head 4 Carriage 61 CPU 62 Non-volatile RAM 63 Real-time clock (RTC) 65 Host computer 66 RAM 67 ROM 70 Reset signal processing Device 71 reset detector 72 reset delay timer 73 reset signal generator 80 ink system 90 printer mechanism 91 dip switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 3/12

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A non-volatile storage unit connected to a host computer for executing printing on a print medium based on data from the host computer, wherein the storage unit stores status information of the printing device, and the storage unit. Control means for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus including writing and reading of information to and from a predetermined state information written in the storage means in response to a reset signal from the host computer or power-on of the printing apparatus. Initialization means for executing a read initialization process, receiving a reset signal from the host computer,
A reset signal processing means for providing an external reset signal notifying that the reset signal has been received to the control means, and providing an internal reset signal to the control means with a predetermined time delay from the external reset signal, The control means may cause the storage means to write at least the status information of the printing device required for the initialization processing after the external reset signal is applied and before the internal reset signal is applied. Printing device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status information of the printing apparatus written in the storage unit includes an external reset signal. 3. A cleaning mechanism for an ink-jet head, a non-volatile storage unit for storing status information of a printing apparatus, a cleaning control for operating the cleaning mechanism at a plurality of processing levels having different ink consumptions, and information for the storage unit. Control means for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus, including write and read control of the printer, receiving an external reset signal and providing the control means with an external reset signal for notifying the same, and for a predetermined time from the external reset signal. Reset signal processing means for giving the same internal reset signal as the reset signal given when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on to the control means, wherein the control means outputs the internal reset signal after the external reset signal is applied. Before being given, the status information of the printing apparatus is stored in the storage means. In addition, after the internal reset signal is given, the state information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit is read, the predetermined processing level is selected based on the information, and the cleaning mechanism is controlled. Printing device. 4. The cleaning method according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of processing levels include dummy cleaning that does not involve ink consumption and has substantially the same operation as cleaning at an initialization level in which a predetermined amount of ink is consumed. Printing device. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein whether to perform the dummy cleaning can be switched. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the status information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit includes a cleaning execution time at a predetermined processing level, and the control unit includes:
Calculating the elapsed time from the cleaning at the predetermined processing level executed immediately before from the execution time and the current time, selecting a predetermined processing level according to the elapsed time, and controlling the cleaning mechanism. Characteristic printing device. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the state information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit includes a time when the external reset signal is given, and the time is set as the current time and executed immediately before. A printing apparatus for calculating an elapsed time since cleaning. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the status information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit includes a time when capping of the inkjet head is released. 9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit selects and executes an initialization level cleaning at which a predetermined amount of ink is consumed when necessary information cannot be read from the storage unit. Printing device. 10. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein:
A printing apparatus, wherein a plurality of the state information and inspection information for each state information are recorded, the processing level is selected based on the state information in which the inspection information is normal, and a cleaning mechanism is controlled. 11. The control unit according to claim 10, wherein when the predetermined state information read from the storage unit is abnormal, the control unit selects and executes cleaning at an initialization level at which a predetermined amount of ink is consumed. A printing device, comprising: 12. The control device according to claim 3, wherein
A printing apparatus, wherein status information of the printing apparatus is stored in the storage unit at predetermined time intervals. 13. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the status information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit at predetermined time intervals includes:
A printing apparatus comprising a time elapsed since capping of an inkjet head was released. 14. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the status information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit at predetermined time intervals includes:
A printing apparatus comprising a print pass counter value indicating a print amount. 15. The control device according to claim 3, wherein:
A printing apparatus, wherein the execution time is stored in the storage unit after cleaning of the inkjet head. 16. A non-volatile storage means for storing status information of the printing apparatus, a step of preparing control means for controlling operation of the printing apparatus including writing and reading of information to and from the non-volatile storage means, and Reading a predetermined state information written in the storage unit in response to a reset signal or turning on the power of the printing apparatus, and executing an initialization process; and receiving the reset signal and receiving the reset signal. Providing a notifying external reset signal to the control unit; storing at least the printing apparatus state information necessary for the initialization processing in the storage unit; and delaying the external reset signal by a predetermined time. Providing an internal reset signal to the control means. . 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the status information of the printing device stored in the nonvolatile storage means includes an external reset signal. 18. A cleaning mechanism for an ink-jet head, storage means for storing state information of a printing apparatus, cleaning control for operating the cleaning mechanism at a plurality of processing levels having different ink consumption, writing and writing information to and from the storage means. A step of preparing control means for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus including read control; a step of receiving an external reset signal and providing an external reset signal for notifying the control means of the resetting means; Storing the same state information as the reset signal given to the control means when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on after a predetermined time delay from the external reset signal; and printing the print information stored in the storage means. The apparatus reads out the state information of the apparatus, and selects the predetermined processing level based on the information. Step and, according to the selected predetermined processing level, a control method at the time of resetting the printing apparatus characterized by comprising a step of controlling the cleaning mechanism. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein after the step of controlling the cleaning mechanism, no ink is consumed.
A control method at the time of resetting of a printing apparatus, comprising a step of performing dummy cleaning having substantially the same operation as cleaning at an initialization level in which a predetermined amount of ink is consumed. 20. The cleaning method according to claim 18, wherein whether to perform the dummy cleaning can be selected. 21. The control unit according to claim 18, wherein, in the step of selecting the predetermined processing level, the state information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit includes an execution time of cleaning at a predetermined processing level. Calculates the elapsed time from the cleaning at the predetermined processing level executed immediately before from the execution time and the current time,
A control method at the time of resetting the printing apparatus, wherein a predetermined processing level is selected according to the elapsed time. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the state information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit includes a time when the external reset signal is supplied, and the step of selecting the predetermined processing level includes the step of: A control method at the time of resetting of the printing apparatus, wherein the control means calculates the elapsed time from the immediately preceding cleaning using the time as the current time. 23. The control method according to claim 21, wherein the status information of the printing apparatus stored in the storage unit includes a time when capping of the inkjet head is released. 24. The initialization level according to claim 18, wherein in the step of selecting the predetermined processing level, the control means consumes a predetermined amount of ink when necessary information cannot be read from the storage means. A reset method for the printing apparatus, wherein the cleaning method is selected. 25. The method according to claim 18, wherein, in the step of storing the state information in the storage means, a plurality of the state information and inspection information for each state information are stored, and the predetermined processing level is selected. A control method at the time of resetting the printing apparatus, wherein the processing level is selected based on the status information that the inspection information is normal. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein in the step of selecting the predetermined processing level, the control unit consumes a predetermined amount of ink when the predetermined state information read from the storage unit is abnormal. A resetting of the printing apparatus, wherein the control method selects a cleaning at an initialization level.