JP4192958B2 - Printing apparatus, control method thereof, and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus including a print head in which a plurality of nozzles that can eject ink contained in a cartridge is formed is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a non-printing area as a printing apparatus of this type in order to eliminate ink thickening caused by evaporation of a volatile liquid contained in ink from a nozzle during a printing operation. A device that performs flushing for ejecting ink is known.
JP-A-10-95132

  By the way, in the printing apparatus, a control (shutdown) is performed so that a cartridge in which a print guarantee number that is the upper limit of the number of printable sheets is set is mounted and the use of the cartridge is discontinued when the number of printed sheets reaches the print guarantee number. It is conceivable to employ an off control). When this shut-off control is employed, the user can easily and clearly recognize how many sheets can be printed using the currently installed cartridge from the printed number and the guaranteed number of prints. This eliminates the need for the user himself / herself to predict how many more sheets can be printed by checking the remaining amount of ink as in the prior art, improving usability. In a printing apparatus that employs such shut-off control, the amount of ink required to print the guaranteed number of prints and the amount of ink consumed by flushing that is performed before the guaranteed number of prints is printed are predicted. In consideration of these, the ink filling amount of the cartridge at the time of shipment from the factory is set.

  However, when the actual number of times of flushing is greater than the planned number of times, the remaining ink amount of the cartridge becomes too small even though the number of printed sheets is smaller than the guaranteed number of prints, and the use of the cartridge is discontinued. There arises a disadvantage that the shut-off control cannot be effectively performed, or the flushing has to be canceled in order to ensure printing of the guaranteed number of prints.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in a printing apparatus that employs shut-off control, the shut-off control is effectively performed, and when flushing is requested during printing, the flushing is reliably performed. The purpose is to implement.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve at least one of the above objects.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A print head in which a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink contained in a cartridge are formed;
When the number of printed sheets does not reach a predetermined guaranteed number of prints, the print head is controlled to perform a printing operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles to a print medium based on print data, and the number of printed sheets is Print control means for controlling the print head to stop the printing operation when the guaranteed number of sheets has been reached;
Flushing request means for requesting execution of flushing for discharging ink from the nozzles to a non-printing area;
When the flushing request means makes the flushing execution request while the printing operation for one printing medium is being performed, only printing is performed from the time immediately before the printing operation is started, and the number of printed sheets is Assuming that the guaranteed number of prints has been reached, the amount of remaining ink remaining in the cartridge and the remaining print number obtained by subtracting the printed number from the guaranteed print number per print medium A flushing control means for controlling the print head so that the flushing requested by the execution is performed within a range in which the flushing usable amount does not exceed the actual flushing usage amount for one print medium;
It is equipped with.

  In this printing apparatus, when the number of printed sheets does not reach a predetermined guaranteed number of prints, the print head is controlled to perform a printing operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles to the printing medium based on the print data. When the print guarantee number has been reached, the print head is controlled to stop the printing operation (shutoff control). Further, when a flushing execution request is made during the printing operation for one printing medium, only printing is performed from the time immediately before the printing operation is started, and the number of printed sheets reaches the guaranteed printing number. Assuming that the print medium 1 is used, the flushable usable amount per print medium derived based on the estimated remaining ink amount remaining in the cartridge and the remaining print number obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the guaranteed print number The print head is controlled so that flushing is performed within a range where the actual flushing usage amount does not exceed the sheet. In this way, even if the flushing is executed many times, the flushing usable amount per one printing medium is calculated based on the estimated remaining ink amount and the remaining number of printed sheets. There is little to exceed. Therefore, the situation where ink runs out before the number of printed sheets reaches the guaranteed number of prints hardly occurs, and the shutoff control can be effectively performed. Further, even if a large number of flushing is requested for one print medium, each flushing can be performed reliably. The print control unit and the flushing control unit may be configured as one control device, or may be configured as separate control devices.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the flushing control unit may calculate the ink amount per flushing based on the usable flushing amount per print medium and the predetermined number of times flushing is performed per print medium. The print head may be controlled so that the flushing requested by the execution is executed with the set ink amount. If it carries out like this, the effect of this invention can be acquired by a comparatively simple structure.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the flushing control unit may perform the flushing operation that is requested by the flushing request unit while the printing operation for one print medium is being performed after the scheduled number of times has been reached. The ink amount obtained by dividing the ink amount used in the previous flushing by a numerical value exceeding 1 may be used as the ink amount used in the current flushing. In this way, even if the number of times of flushing per printing medium exceeds the scheduled number, the actual flushing usage amount per printing medium does not exceed the usable flushing amount per printing medium. Here, the “numerical value exceeding 1” may be a fixed value or a variable value. For example, the fixed value may be “2”.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the flushing requesting unit may request the execution of the flushing every time a predetermined time elapses while the printing operation for the one printing medium is being performed. By so doing, it is possible to reliably eliminate the thickening of the ink in the nozzles by flushing. In other words, even if a printing operation is being performed, the ink in the nozzles to which no ink has been ejected thickens, and the degree of thickening becomes more noticeable as the nozzle is left for a longer period of time. Preferably, flushing is performed every time. Here, the “predetermined time” refers to, for example, a relationship between the thickening of the nozzle and the elapsed time obtained in advance through experiments and the like until the viscosity reaches a limit value that does not hinder the ejection of ink from the nozzle. It's also good time. Moreover, since the viscosity increase of the nozzle changes depending on the surrounding environment (temperature, humidity, etc.), the predetermined time may be changed according to the surrounding environment.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention is preferably a photo-only printer. For example, when printing a character string, a character string may be printed on only one line on a sheet of paper, or a character string of several tens of lines may be printed on a sheet of paper. Although the variation in the ink amount tends to be large, when only a photograph is printed, the variation in the amount of printing ink per sheet can be suppressed small, so that the accuracy of the ink surplus prediction amount increases. Further, it is preferable that the size of the print medium is a predetermined size. For example, when printing a photo on L-size paper and when printing a photo on A4 paper, the amount of printing ink per sheet tends to vary greatly, but when printing only L-size paper, one sheet Since the variation in the amount of printing ink per unit can be kept small, the accuracy of the ink surplus prediction amount increases.

The control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A control method for a printing apparatus comprising a print head in which a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink contained in a cartridge are formed,
(A) When the number of printed sheets does not reach a predetermined guaranteed number of prints, the print head is controlled so that a printing operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles to the print medium is performed based on print data. Controlling the print head to stop the printing operation when the print guarantee number has been reached;
(B) When there is a flushing execution request for ejecting ink from the nozzles to the non-printing area while the printing operation for one printing medium is being performed, printing is performed only from the time immediately before the printing operation is started. Derived based on the estimated remaining ink amount remaining in the cartridge when it is assumed that the number of printed sheets has reached the guaranteed number of printed sheets and the remaining number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the guaranteed number of printed sheets Controlling the print head so that the flushing requested to be executed is performed within a range where the flushing usable amount per printed medium does not exceed the actual flushing usage amount per printed medium;
Is included.

  In this printing apparatus control method, when the number of printed sheets does not reach a predetermined guaranteed number of prints, the print head is controlled so that a printing operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles to the print medium is performed based on the print data. When the number of printed sheets has reached the guaranteed number of prints, the print head is controlled to stop the printing operation (shutoff control). Further, when a flushing execution request is made during the printing operation for one printing medium, only printing is performed from the time immediately before the printing operation is started, and the number of printed sheets reaches the guaranteed printing number. Assuming that the print medium 1 is used, the flushable usable amount per print medium derived based on the estimated remaining ink amount remaining in the cartridge and the remaining print number obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the guaranteed print number The print head is controlled so that flushing is performed within a range where the actual flushing usage amount does not exceed the sheet. In this way, even if the flushing is executed many times, the flushing usable amount per one printing medium is calculated based on the estimated remaining ink amount and the remaining number of printed sheets. There is little to exceed. Therefore, the situation where ink runs out before the number of printed sheets reaches the guaranteed number of prints hardly occurs, and the shutoff control can be effectively performed. Further, even if a large number of flushing is requested for one print medium, each flushing can be performed reliably. In this printing apparatus control method, various aspects of the above-described printing apparatus may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described printing apparatus may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to realize the steps of the above-described printing apparatus control method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or if each computer is assigned to each step and executed, each step of the above-described printing apparatus control method is executed. The following effects can be obtained.

  Next, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the inkjet printer 20 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the cartridge 50, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of cartridge information 54 a stored in the storage element 54. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel 60. The ink jet printer 20 of the present embodiment is configured as a so-called photographic printer that uses, for example, a photographic image taken with a digital camera or the like as an image for printing and uses L-size paper as the recording paper S. In this embodiment, the cartridge 50 in which the print guarantee number Ngrt, which is the upper limit of the predetermined printable number, is set and the recording paper S having the print guarantee number Ngrt are sold as a set. Is configured to be able to use the cartridge 50 and the recording paper S sold as a set. The ink jet printer 20 is set so that printing cannot be performed with the cartridge 50 even if ink remains after the printing with the guaranteed printing number Ngrt is completed. It is assumed that the user purchases the set in which the expected number of prints is guaranteed, sets the cartridge 50 and the recording paper S in the inkjet printer 20, and executes printing. In the present embodiment, the control that disables printing with the cartridge after the printing of the guaranteed number of prints Ngrt is completed is called “shutoff control”, and the control that disables printing with the cartridge is referred to as “shutoff control”. It will be called “Yes”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 20 of the present embodiment includes a printer mechanism 21 that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet S that is conveyed from the back to the front of the platen 40, and a drive motor. A paper feed mechanism 31 including a paper feed roller 35 driven by the machine 33, a capping device 41 formed at one end of the platen 40, a flushing area 38 as a non-printing area formed at the other end of the platen 40, and a user Includes an operation panel 60 for inputting various instructions and a controller 70 for controlling the entire inkjet printer 20.

  The printer mechanism 21 includes a carriage 22 that reciprocates left and right along a guide 28 by a carriage belt 32, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), red (R), blue (B), and black ( K) a cartridge 50 that individually accommodates ink of each color and can supply ink to the carriage 22, and a print head 24 that applies pressure to each ink supplied from the cartridge 50. As the carriage 22 is driven by the carriage motor 34a, the carriage belt 32 laid between the carriage motor 34a attached to the right side of the mechanical frame 48 and the driven roller 34b attached to the left side of the mechanical frame 48 is driven. Move. Here, a so-called off-carriage type in which the cartridge 50 is not mounted on the carriage 22 is employed. The print head 24 is provided at the lower part of the carriage 22, and includes a number of nozzles 23 provided on the lower surface of the print head 24 by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. Each color ink is ejected. The print head 24 may employ a method in which ink is pressurized by bubbles generated by applying voltage to a heating resistor (for example, a heater) to heat the ink. A linear encoder 25 that detects the position of the carriage 22 is disposed on the rear surface of the carriage 22, and the position of the carriage 22 can be managed using the linear encoder 25.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge 50 is detachably attached to the mechanical frame 48, and cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (containing a dye or pigment as a colorant in water as a solvent). Y), red (R), blue (B), black (K), and other ink containers 52a to 52f each containing ink used for printing, and the waste ink discharged by the cleaning process are absorbed and stored. A waste liquid pad 53 and a storage element 54 for storing information on the cartridge 50 and the like are provided. The cartridge 50 can supply ink to the carriage 22 by driving a supply pump (not shown) via a supply tube 29 connected between the ink supply ports 51a to 51f and the carriage 22 (see FIG. 1). The storage element 54 is a readable / writable nonvolatile memory, and when the cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body, the output terminal 55 provided on the surface thereof and the connection terminal 47 provided on the main body are connected to each other, and the storage element 54 Information can be read from 54 and information can be written to the storage element 54. The storage element 54 stores cartridge information 54a that is information about the cartridge 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge information 54a includes initial ink filling amounts Iint, Iint, corresponding to the respective ink containers 52a to 52f (C, M, Y, R, B, K) of the currently installed cartridge 50. The guaranteed print number Ngrt set as the upper limit of the number of printable sheets with the currently installed cartridge 50, the printed number Npr representing the number of sheets printed while the current cartridge 50 is mounted, the current cartridge The total amount of ink ΣIpr representing the total amount of ink consumed by printing performed while the printer 50 is attached, the number of flushing executions Nfla actually performed while printing one sheet of printing paper, and the printing sheet 1 A sheet of printing paper that is set before starting printing of a sheet and is expected to be performed during the printing is Nx and printing paper is printed. The flushing ink total amount ΣIfla representing the total amount of ink consumed by the flushing performed in the above step, the waste liquid allowable amount WImax that is the maximum amount that can be absorbed by the waste liquid pad 53, and the waste liquid amount WI that is the amount absorbed by the waste liquid pad 53 so far. Etc. are included.

  The flushing region 38 is provided at a position off the printable region of the platen 40 on the left side in FIG. 1, and is periodically or at a predetermined timing to prevent the ink from drying and solidifying at the tip of the nozzle 23. This is used when performing a so-called flushing operation for ejecting ink droplets irrespective of print data. The flushing region 38 is provided to face the nozzles 23 of the print head 24 when the print head 24 moves to the left end together with the carriage 22. Therefore, the flushing operation is performed after the print head 24 is moved to the left end together with the carriage 22.

  The capping device 41 is provided at a position off the right side in FIG. 1 from the printable region of the platen 40, and includes a casing that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and has an upper portion opened. The capping device 41 is also used when sealing the print head 24 in order to prevent the print head 24 from drying out during a printing pause or the like. Further, a suction pump 42 is connected to the capping device 41, and when the suction pump 42 is operated, a negative pressure is generated in the internal space of the capping device 41. By generating this negative pressure when the capping device 41 seals the nozzle 23, the ink in the print head 24 is forcibly sucked out. The ink sucked out by the suction pump 42 is absorbed by the waste liquid pad 53 of the cartridge 50 through the waste liquid tube 43 and the waste liquid introduction port 53a as waste ink.

  The operation panel 60 is a device for a user to input various instructions to the inkjet printer 20, and as shown in FIG. 4, a display unit 62 that displays characters, figures, or symbols according to the various instructions. In addition, an operation unit 64 for performing various operations is provided. The display unit 62 includes a liquid crystal panel that displays a color image. The operation unit 64 includes a cursor key 64a that is pressed when the user moves a cursor that selects a process, a character, and the like, a determination key 64b that is pressed when a process selection is determined, and various settings. A setting key 64c to be pressed, a return key 64d to be pressed when canceling, a print execution key 64e to be pressed when printing the selected image, and the like are arranged. On the information display screen 80 displayed on the display unit 62, the number display unit 80a displayed in a manner in which the relationship between the guaranteed print number Ngrt, the printed number Npr, and the remaining print number is visible can be displayed. A message display unit 80b for notifying by text is provided. In the number display portion 80a, rectangular blocks corresponding to a predetermined ratio (here, 10%) of the guaranteed number of prints Ngrt are arranged vertically, and blocks corresponding to the remaining number of prints are colored in order from the bottom. The block corresponding to the completed number Npr is displayed in white above the block corresponding to the remaining number of prints. In FIG. 4, the printed number Npr is 20% of the total, and the remaining number of printed sheets is 80%. At this time, the remaining number of prints may be displayed in characters on the message display unit 80b. The remaining number of printed sheets is calculated by subtracting the number of printed sheets Npr from the guaranteed printing number Ngrt.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 70 is provided on a main board 49 attached to the back surface of the mechanical frame 48, and is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 72. The ROM 73 stores various processing programs; A RAM 74 that temporarily stores and saves data, a flash memory 75 that can write and erase data, an interface (I / F) 79 that exchanges information with external devices, and an input / output (not shown) And a port. The ROM 73 stores various control routines. The RAM 74 is provided with a print buffer area, and print data transmitted from the user PC 90 is temporarily stored in the print buffer area. The flash memory 75 stores cartridge information similar to the above-described cartridge information 54a of the currently installed cartridge 50 in preparation for removal / remounting of the cartridge 50. A signal from the storage element 54 and a signal from the operation panel 60 are input to the controller 70 via an input port (not shown), and a print job output from the user PC 90 is input via the I / F 79. Is done. The controller 70 outputs a control signal to the print head 24, a control signal to the drive motor 33, a drive signal to the carriage motor 34a, an operation control signal to the suction pump 42, and the like via an output port (not shown). In addition, the print status information to the user PC 90 is output via the I / F 79.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet printer 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main control routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the ROM 73, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined timings by the CPU 72 after the power of the inkjet printer 20 is turned on. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first inputs various data (step S100). Specifically, the initial ink filling amount Iint corresponding to each of the ink containers 52a to 52f (C, M, Y, R, B, K) of the currently installed cartridge 50 is printed with the currently installed cartridge 50. The guaranteed number of prints Ngrt set as the upper limit of the number of prints possible, the number of printed sheets Npr representing the number of sheets printed while the current cartridge 50 is mounted, and the number of lines printed while the current cartridge 50 is mounted Print ink total amount ΣIpr representing the total amount of ink consumed by printing, set to the number of times of flushing Nfla actually performed while printing one sheet of printing paper, set before starting printing of one sheet of printing paper The estimated number of flushing times Nx expected to be performed during the printing, and the flushing performed while the current cartridge 50 is being mounted. Ri enter data such as the flushing ink total amount ΣIfla representing the total amount of consumed ink. These data are stored in both the storage element 54 attached to the cartridge 50 and the flash memory 75 of the controller 70. Here, these data are read from the flash memory 75 and input. In addition, when a cartridge cover (not shown) that opens and closes when the cartridge 50 is replaced is opened and closed, the CPU 72 stores data stored in the storage element 54 attached to the cartridge 50 and data stored in the flash memory 75. If the two data match, it is determined that the cartridge has not been replaced, and the data is not updated. However, if the two data do not match, the cartridge 50 is a new one. The print guarantee number Ngrt is updated, and the printed number Npr, the print ink total amount ΣIpr, and the flushing ink total amount ΣIfla are reset to zero.

  Subsequently, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the number of printed sheets Npr has reached the guaranteed number of printed sheets Ngrt (step S110), and whether or not the remaining amount of ink in any of the ink containers 52a to 52f is lower than the ink out determination value. (Step S120). Here, the out-of-ink determination value is set to a value slightly larger than zero considering that the ink does not run out during printing on the printing paper. Normally, the initial ink filling amount Iint of each of the ink containers 52a to 52f is set so that the ink does not run out until the printed number Npr reaches the guaranteed printing number Ngrt. Since the possibility of running out of ink cannot be denied, the process of step S120 is performed in preparation for that case. The unit of the remaining ink amount and the out-of-ink determination value is expressed by weight. In step S110, if the number of printed sheets Npr has not reached the guaranteed number of printed sheets Ngrt and the remaining amount of ink in any of the ink containers 52a to 52f is not less than the out-of-ink determination value in step S120, one printing sheet is printed. It is determined whether there is a print request (step S130). This print request is made when a user gives an instruction from the operation panel 60 or a user gives an instruction from a printer driver installed in the user PC 90.

  When there is no print request in step S130, this routine is ended as it is. On the other hand, when there is a print request, the flushing execution count Nfla representing the number of flushings executed during printing of the current printing sheet is reset to zero (step S140), and the estimated ink surplus amount Ix for each color is calculated (step S140). Step S150). Specifically, if the ink is used only for printing and flushing, the used ink amount at this point is the sum of the printing ink total amount ΣIpr and the flushing ink total amount ΣIfla. Further, when it is assumed that the printing has been performed from this point in time and the number of printed sheets Npr has reached the guaranteed number of printed sheets Ngrt, the estimated amount of printing ink is calculated by dividing the total amount of printing ink ΣIpr by the number of printed sheets Npr. The average value of the printing ink amount per sheet is obtained, and becomes a value obtained by multiplying the average value of the printing ink amount by the remaining number of printed sheets (= Ngrt−Npr). In this case, the estimated ink surplus amount Ix is the used ink amount (ΣIpr + ΣIfla) and the predicted print ink amount ((Ngrt−Npr) × (ΣIpr) / Npr) from the initial ink filling amount Iint of the currently installed cartridge 50. Is obtained by subtracting (see equation (1)). Equation (1) is for when the number of printed sheets Npr is 1 or more, and when the number of printed sheets Npr is zero, the average value of the printing ink amount per sheet is set as a default value D that is determined in advance. The remainder prediction amount Ix is calculated (see formula (2)). Note that the default value D may be a value obtained empirically.

When Npr ≧ 1
Ix = Iint- (ΣIpr + ΣIfla)-(Ngrt-Npr) × (ΣIpr) / Npr
= Iint-Ngrt × (ΣIpr) / Npr-ΣIfla… (1)

When Npr = 0
Ix = Iint-Ngrt × D-ΣIfla (2)

  The flushing usable amount Ifp per sheet is calculated based on the estimated ink residual amount Ix having the smallest value among the predicted ink residual amounts Ix of the respective colors (step S160). Specifically, assuming that the ink residual prediction amount Ix having the smallest value among the ink residual prediction amounts Ix of each color is the ink residual prediction amount Ixmin, the flushing usable amount Ifp per sheet is the ink residual prediction amount Ixmin. This is a value divided by the remaining number of printed sheets (= Ngrt−Npr) (see Expression (3)). The state at this time is shown in FIG.

  Ifp = Ixmin / (Ngrt-Npr)… (3)

  Subsequently, one-pass movement of the carriage 22 from one end to the other end of the platen 40 is one pass, and printing for one pass is executed (step S170). Specifically, the print data of the photographic image that is the target of the print request is read from the print buffer of the RAM 74, and the print data is developed into a bitmap image. Then, the drive motor 33 of the printer mechanism 21 is driven to rotate the paper feed roller 35 and the like to convey the recording paper S to the printable area on the platen 40, and then the carriage motor 34 a is driven via the carriage belt 32. As the carriage 22 is moved from one end of the platen 40 to the other end, the voltage to the print head 24 is controlled so that one pass of the developed data is printed on the recording paper S.

  After printing for one pass is thus performed, it is determined whether or not the current time is the execution timing of flushing (step S180). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the flushing execution timing occurs every time a predetermined time elapses. In addition, for a predetermined time, the relationship between the time in which the nozzle 23 is left exposed to the outside air and the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle 23 is obtained in advance by experiments, and the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle 23 has a hindrance to ink ejection. The value is slightly less than the standing time required for the value to begin to occur. When the current time is not the flushing execution timing in step S170, the process proceeds to step S250 described later.

  On the other hand, when the current time is the flushing execution timing in step S180, the flushing execution count Nfla is incremented by 1 (step S190), and it is determined whether the flushing execution count Nfla is less than the scheduled flushing count Nx (step S200). In the present embodiment, the scheduled flushing count Nx is a value obtained by rounding up the value after dividing the time required for printing one printing sheet by the flushing execution timing. It is assumed that the time required to print one sheet of printing paper is determined so as to increase as the printing resolution increases. When the flushing execution count Nfla is less than the scheduled flushing count Nx, the ink amount obtained by dividing the flushing usable amount Ifp per printing sheet by the scheduled flushing count Nx is set as the current flushing ink amount Ifla (step S210). ) When the flushing execution count Nfla is equal to or greater than the scheduled flushing count Nx, the ink amount obtained by dividing the previous flushing ink amount Ifla by the fixed value C (here 2) is set as the current flushing ink amount Ifla (step S220). . That is, when the flushing execution count Nfla is less than the scheduled flushing count Nx, the flushing ink amount Ifla is a constant amount (a value obtained by dividing the flushing usable amount Ifp per sheet by the scheduled flushing count Nx), and the flushing execution count Nfla is flushed. When the scheduled number of times Nx is reached, if the above-mentioned fixed amount of ink is consumed by flushing, the flushing usable amount Ifp per sheet will be used up at that time, so the predetermined amount is fixed. The ink amount divided by the value C is the flushing ink amount Ifla, and when the flushing execution count Nfla exceeds the scheduled flushing count Nx, the ink amount obtained by dividing the previous flushing ink amount Ifla by the fixed value C is the flushing ink amount Ifla. . For this reason, even if the flushing execution count Nfla exceeds the scheduled flushing count Nx, the flushing ink amount Ifla for each time is ensured while the flushing usable amount Ifp per sheet does not exceed the actual flushing usage amount per sheet. be able to.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the flushing ink amount Ifla when the scheduled flushing number Nx is set to four. As shown in this figure, when the flushing execution number Nfla is the first to third, the flushing ink amount Ifla is a value Ifp / 4 obtained by dividing the flushing usable amount Ifp per printing paper by the scheduled flushing number Nx. . When the flushing execution count Nfla is fourth, the flushing ink amount Ifla is a value Ifp / 8 obtained by dividing the third flushing ink amount Ifp / 4 by a fixed value C (here, 2). Further, when the flushing execution number Nfla is the fifth, the flushing ink amount Ifla is a value Ifp / 16 obtained by dividing the fourth flushing ink amount Ifp / 8 by a fixed value C (here, 2). As described above, even if the flushing execution count Nfla exceeds the scheduled flushing count Nx, the actual flushing usage amount for one printing paper does not exceed the flushing usable amount Ifp per printing paper.

  After setting the flushing ink amount Ifla in this way, the flushing is executed (step S230). Specifically, the carriage motor 34a is driven to move the carriage 22 through the carriage belt 32 so that the nozzle 23 of the print head 24 faces the flushing region 38 formed at the left end of the platen 40, and then the tip 22 The voltage to the print head 24 is controlled so that ink is ejected from the nozzles 23 of the print head 24 until the ink of the flushing ink amount Ifla set to is consumed. Subsequently, an ink amount obtained by adding the current flushing ink amount Ifla to the total flushing ink amount ΣIfla for each color is set as a new flushing ink amount ΣIfla (step S240), and it is determined whether or not printing of one printing sheet is completed (step S240). In step S250), when printing of one sheet of printing paper is not completed, the process returns to step S170 again and printing for the next one pass is performed. On the other hand, when printing of one printing sheet is completed, the number of printed sheets Npr is incremented by 1 (step S260), and the new ink amount is obtained by adding the printing ink amount Ipr used in the current printing to the total printing ink amount ΣIpr. The total amount of ink ΣIpr is set (step S270), and this routine is terminated. Note that the total amount of printing ink ΣIpr is calculated for each color. Specifically, there are three sizes of dots, large dots, medium dots, and small dots, and the ink weight per dot of each size is determined for each color. The amount of ink used for each color (unit: weight) based on information on how many times each dot has been used for each color and the ink weight per dot after each printing pass is completed. When the printing of one sheet of printing paper is finished, the amount of ink used for each printing pass is added for each color to calculate the amount of ink Ipr for each color, and the amount of ink printed for each color Assume that the total printing ink amount ΣIpr for each color is calculated by accumulating Ipr. Note that the flushing ink amount Ifla is also calculated in terms of weight.

  On the other hand, when the number of printed sheets Npr reaches the guaranteed number of printed sheets Ngrt in step S110, or when the remaining amount of ink in any of the ink containers 52a to 52f falls below the out-of-ink determination value in step S120, a message is displayed on the operation panel 60. The fact that no more printing is possible is displayed on the part 80b (step S280), and this routine is terminated. Usually, the initial ink filling amount Iint of each of the ink containers 52a to 52f is set so that the ink does not run out until the number of printed sheets Npr reaches the guaranteed number of printed sheets Ngrt. Since the possibility of running out of ink cannot be denied, the process of step S120 is performed in preparation for that case.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The print head 24 of this embodiment corresponds to the print head of the present invention, and the CPU 72, ROM 73, RAM 74, and flash memory 75 of the controller 70 correspond to print control means, flushing request means, and flushing control means. In the present embodiment, an example of the control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the inkjet printer 20.

  According to the ink jet printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the flushing usable amount Ifp per printing sheet calculated based on the estimated remaining ink amount Ix and the remaining number of printed sheets is the flushing actuality for one printing sheet. Since the flushing is performed within the range where the usage amount does not exceed, there is almost no situation where the ink runs out before the printed number Npr reaches the guaranteed print number Ngrt, and the shut-off control can be effectively performed. Further, even if a large number of flushing is requested for one printing paper, each flushing can be performed reliably. Further, the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge 50 after the shut-off can be reduced as much as possible.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the main control routine of FIG. 5 of the above-described embodiment, it is determined in step S200 whether or not the flushing execution count Nfla for one printing sheet is less than the scheduled flushing count Nx, but steps S200 and S210 are omitted. Then, the process proceeds to step S220 after step S190, and the ink amount obtained by dividing the previous flushing ink amount Ifla by the fixed value C is set as the current flushing ink amount Ifla, and then the process proceeds to step S230 to perform the flushing. . In this case, the first flushing ink amount Ifla is a value obtained by dividing the flushing usable amount Ifp per print sheet by a fixed value C. Even in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the effect of shut-off control can be achieved, and each flushing can be reliably performed even when a large number of flushing is requested for one printing sheet. . In this case, it is not necessary to set the scheduled flushing count Nx, and the flushing execution count Nfla can be omitted.

  In the main control routine of FIG. 5 of the above-described embodiment, in step S160, only the ink amount used for printing and flushing is considered as the used ink amount. However, when cleaning is performed, the ink amount used for cleaning is also used. You may make it add to a used ink amount.

  In the above-described embodiment, the flushing area 38 is provided at the left end of the platen 40. However, the flushing area 38 may not be provided and the capping device 41 may be used as a non-printing area for flushing. Alternatively, flushing may be performed using both the flushing area 38 and the capping device 41 as non-printing areas. In this case, after printing for one pass, the print head 24 is positioned at the left end of the platen 40. When the flushing is performed, the flushing area 38 is used. When the print head 24 is located at the right end of the platen 40, the capping device 41 can be used. Can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the flushing execution timing is set to the timing for every elapse of a predetermined time, but the predetermined number of passes may be set to the timing for printing. However, when the processing capacity of the CPU 72 is reduced for some reason, even if the same number of passes is printed, the time required for the printing becomes longer, and as a result, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle 23 that does not eject ink is higher than expected. In some cases, the ink thickening can no longer be eliminated by flushing. For this reason, it is preferable to set the execution timing of the flushing every time a predetermined time elapses. Further, the flushing execution timing may be set when there is a flushing command from the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the off-carriage printer mechanism 21 in which the cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body is used. However, an on-carriage printer mechanism in which the cartridge 50 is mounted on the carriage 22 may be used. At this time, when a cartridge exchange button (not shown) is pressed, it is determined whether the data stored in the storage element 54 attached to the cartridge 50 matches the data stored in the flash memory 75, and the cartridge It may be determined whether or not the exchange has been performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inkjet printer 20 is exemplified as having a printer function. However, in addition to the printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, or the like may be mounted.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an inkjet printer 20. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a cartridge 50. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of cartridge information 54a stored in a storage element 54. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the operation panel. It is a flowchart showing an example of a main control routine. It is explanatory drawing of flushing usable amount Ifp per printing paper. It is explanatory drawing showing transition of the flushing ink amount Ifla.

Explanation of symbols

  20 Inkjet printer, 21 Printer mechanism, 22 Carriage, 23 Nozzle, 24 Print head, 25 Linear encoder, 28 Guide, 29 Supply tube, 31 Paper feed mechanism, 32 Carriage belt, 33 Drive motor, 34a Carriage motor, 34b Driven roller , 35 Paper feed roller, 38 Flushing area, 40 Platen, 41 Capping device, 42 Suction pump, 43 Waste liquid tube, 47 Connection terminal, 48 Mechanical frame, 49 Main board, 50 Cartridge, 51a-51f Ink supply port, 52a-52f Ink container, 53 Waste liquid pad, 53a Waste liquid inlet, 54 Storage element, 54a Cartridge information, 55 Output terminal, 60 Operation panel, 62 Display section, 64 Operation section, 64a Cursor key, 64 Determination key, 64c setting key, 64d return key, 64e print execution key, 70 controller, 72 CPU, 73 ROM, 74 RAM, 75 flash memory, 79 interface (I / F), 80 information display screen, 80a number display section, 80b Message display unit, 90 user PC.

Claims (7)

A print head in which a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink contained in a cartridge are formed;
When the number of printed sheets does not reach a predetermined guaranteed number of prints, the print head is controlled to perform a printing operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles to a print medium based on print data, and the number of printed sheets is Print control means for controlling the print head so that printing with the cartridge is not performed when the guaranteed number of sheets is reached;
Flushing request means for requesting execution of flushing for discharging ink from the nozzles to a non-printing area;
When the flushing request means makes the flushing execution request while the printing operation for one printing medium is being performed, only printing is performed from the time immediately before the printing operation is started, and the number of printed sheets is Based on the estimated remaining ink amount remaining in the cartridge when it is assumed that the guaranteed number of prints has been reached, and the calculated remaining ink number obtained by subtracting the printed number from the guaranteed number of prints. Flushing for controlling the print head so that the requested flushing is executed within a range in which the flushing usable amount per printing medium derived in this way does not exceed the actual flushing usage amount per printing medium. Control means;
Equipped with a,
The flushing control means determines the used ink amount from the initial ink filling amount of the cartridge, and the total amount of ink consumed by printing performed while the cartridge is mounted when obtaining the estimated ink surplus amount. The value obtained by subtracting the printing ink predicted amount, which is a value obtained by multiplying the printing ink average value per sheet obtained by dividing the printing ink total amount representing the printing amount by the number of printed sheets, by the remaining printing number, Predicted amount,
Printing device. The flushing control means sets the ink amount per flushing based on the flushing usable amount per one printing medium and the predetermined number of times flushing per printing medium is set, and the set Controlling the print head so that the requested flushing is executed with the amount of ink;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The flushing control means is used in the previous flushing after the number of times the flushing request is made by the flushing request means during the printing operation for one print medium reaches the predetermined number of times. The ink amount obtained by dividing the ink amount by a numerical value exceeding 1 is set as the ink amount used in this flushing.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2. The flushing requesting unit requests execution of the flushing every time a predetermined time elapses while a printing operation for one print medium is being performed;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. A photo printer,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. A control method for a printing apparatus comprising a print head in which a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink contained in a cartridge are formed,
(A) When the number of printed sheets does not reach a predetermined guaranteed number of prints, the print head is controlled so that a printing operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles to the print medium is performed based on print data. Controlling the print head so that printing with the cartridge is not performed when the print guarantee number has been reached,
(B) When there is a flushing execution request for ejecting ink from the nozzles to the non-printing area while the printing operation for one printing medium is being performed, printing is performed only from the time immediately before the printing operation is started. When it is assumed that the number of printed sheets has reached the guaranteed number of prints, the remaining amount of ink remaining in the cartridge is obtained, and the number of printed sheets is calculated from the estimated amount of remaining ink and the guaranteed number of prints. The flushing requested to be executed is executed within a range in which the flushing usable amount per printing medium derived based on the subtracted remaining number of printed sheets does not exceed the actual flushing usage amount for the printing medium. Controlling the print head such that
Only including,
In the step (b), in obtaining the estimated ink surplus amount, the used ink amount from the initial ink filling amount of the cartridge and the amount of ink consumed by printing performed while the cartridge is mounted are determined. A value obtained by subtracting a printing ink predicted amount, which is a value obtained by multiplying the printing ink total amount per sheet obtained by dividing the printing ink total amount representing the total amount by the printed number, and the remaining printing number, is used as the ink. Let it be the estimated amount,
Control method of printing apparatus.   A program for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 6.

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