JP7358877B2 - Control device, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device, an image forming system, and a program.

Inkjet printers require a process called "purging" or "flushing" to eject ink held inside the nozzle, for example, to prevent nozzle clogging. Patent Document 1 describes an inkjet printer that detects a non-print area on a print medium as an area for printing a test pattern for detecting nozzles that should undergo a cleaning process including flushing.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-305798

By the way, in an inkjet printer, for example, when purging is performed on a continuous paper medium that has holes continuously punched along the conveyance direction, ink passes through the holes and stains the inside of the device, as well as the back side of the paper. become. It is possible to control the inkjet printer to suppress purging from the end nozzles in the width direction among the plurality of nozzles arranged along the width direction. This control is effective, for example, when holes are made only at the ends in the width direction of the paper. However, if there are print areas at both ends in the width direction of the paper and a hole is made in the center, the above control is not effective.

One of the objects of the present invention is that when using a medium that has an area on both ends in the width direction on which an image is to be formed and has a hole or the like in the center, a conveying device that conveys the medium and an image forming area on the medium are provided. The objective is to purge the nozzles of an image forming apparatus, etc., without contaminating the inside of the apparatus.

The control device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium, a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink onto the continuous medium being conveyed; When an instruction is received to cause one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink, which are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink to form the image on the continuous medium, to form the image on the continuous medium. , a distance that the continuous medium has been conveyed in the first direction, and a position of the plurality of nozzles in the second direction, and receives an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles. This is a control device that suppresses purging of the second nozzle when the second nozzle is activated.

In the control device according to claim 2 of the present invention, in the aspect according to claim 1, the processor specifies the shape of the continuous medium, and determines the shape of the specified continuous medium and the conveyed state of the continuous medium. The control device suppresses purging of the second nozzle at a timing corresponding to the distance .

A control device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a transport device that transports a continuous medium in a first direction that is a longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a transport device that is arranged along a second direction that is a width direction of the continuous medium, a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink onto the continuous medium being conveyed; When receiving an instruction to form the image on the continuous medium, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink and are sandwiched in the second direction by two first nozzles that eject ink in the continuous medium A control device that extracts type information indicating the type of medium from the instruction, specifies it based on the type information, and suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles. It is.

A control device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a transport device that transports a continuous medium in a first direction that is a longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a transport device that is arranged along a second direction that is a width direction of the continuous medium, a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink onto the continuous medium being conveyed; and a processor controlling the plurality of nozzles, the processor acquiring type information indicating the type of the continuous medium, Based on the type information, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by on the continuous medium. The control device suppresses purging of the second nozzle when the second nozzle is specified and receives an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles.

The control device according to claim 5 of the present invention includes a conveyance device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a conveyance device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium, a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink onto the continuous medium being conveyed; accepting a designation of one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink and are sandwiched in the second direction by two first nozzles that eject ink, specifying the second nozzle based on the designation; The control device suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of a plurality of nozzles .

The control device according to claim 6 of the present invention includes a conveyance device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a conveyance device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium, a plurality of nozzles that can eject ink onto the continuous medium being conveyed; the processor controlling a measuring device that measures the shape of the continuous medium conveyed by the conveying device; Among the plurality of nozzles, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. The control device identifies a nozzle based on the shape measured by the measuring device, and suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles.

A control device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a transport device that transports a continuous medium in a first direction that is a longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a transport device that is arranged along a second direction that is a width direction of the continuous medium, a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging ink onto the continuous medium being conveyed; When receiving an instruction to specify one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink and that are sandwiched in the second direction by two first nozzles that eject ink, and to purge each of the plurality of nozzles, The control device specifies the shape of a continuous medium and suppresses purging of the second nozzle at a timing corresponding to the specified shape of the continuous medium and a distance over which the continuous medium is conveyed.

An image forming system according to claim 8 of the present invention includes: the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ; the transport device controlled by the control device; and the image forming system controlled by the control device. An image forming system includes a plurality of nozzles.

A program according to claim 9 of the present invention includes a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is a longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is a width direction of the continuous medium, a plurality of nozzles that are capable of ejecting ink onto the continuous medium; and a processor that controls two of the plurality of nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. When receiving an instruction to cause one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink, which are sandwiched between the first nozzles in the second direction, to form the image on the continuous medium, image data indicating the image, the continuous specifying the distance according to the distance that the medium has been conveyed in the first direction and the position of the plurality of nozzles in the second direction; and when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles, This program executes a step of suppressing purging of the second nozzle.

According to the inventions according to claims 1, 8 , and 9 , when using a medium that has areas on which images are to be formed at both ends in the width direction and has a hole or the like in the center, the nozzle can be inserted without contaminating the inside of the device. can be purged.
Further, according to the invention, if the instruction for forming an image does not stain the inside of the apparatus, the nozzle can be purged without staining the inside of the apparatus.
Further, according to the invention, the position of the second nozzle in which purging is to be suppressed in the second direction is determined by the image for which an instruction to form has been accepted and the distance by which the continuous medium has been conveyed in the first direction.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the second nozzle whose purging should be suppressed is determined from the type of continuous medium extracted from the instruction to form an image.
According to the invention according to claim 4 , the second nozzle whose purging should be suppressed is determined based on, for example, type information indicating the type of continuous medium acquired from a conveyance device or the like.
According to the invention according to claim 5 , for example, the designation of the second nozzle whose purging should be suppressed is directly accepted from the user, the conveyance device, or the like.
According to the invention according to claim 6 , the second nozzle whose purging is to be suppressed is determined depending on the actual shape of the continuous medium used for purging.
According to the inventions according to claims 2 and 7 , the second nozzle whose purging should be suppressed is determined by the shape of the continuous medium and the distance over which the continuous medium is conveyed in the first direction.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system 9. FIG. A diagram showing an example of a medium DB 121. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configurations of a transport device 2 and an image forming device 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of ejection heads 31; 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles 311 in the ejection head 31. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control device 1. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of operations in the control device 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the flow of operations in which the processor 111 identifies a suppression nozzle.

<Embodiment>
<Configuration of image forming system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system 9. As shown in FIG. The image forming system 9 includes a control device 1 , a transport device 2 , and an image forming device 3 . The control device 1 is communicably connected to the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3, and controls them.

The transport device 2 is a device that transports a medium. The conveyance device 2 shown in FIG. 1 conveys a continuous medium. A continuous medium is a medium in which a plurality of media are continuously connected in the longitudinal direction. The conveying device 2 conveys this continuous medium in a first direction, which is the longitudinal direction. Continuous media have partitions such as perforations or folds at the boundaries between the media. This continuous medium has a predetermined width and a length corresponding to a plurality of sheets, and is made by providing the above-mentioned divisions at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. By cutting the continuous medium along these divisions, the user, for example, separates the continuous medium one by one. Note that the continuous medium may be made by adhering a plurality of media in the longitudinal direction.

The image forming apparatus 3 is a so-called inkjet printer equipped with a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink. The image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 1 forms an image by discharging ink onto a continuous medium conveyed by the conveying device 2 in accordance with instructions received from the control device 1. Further, the image forming apparatus 3 purges the above-mentioned nozzles in accordance with instructions received from the control device 1. Here, "purge" refers to a process of ejecting the ink held in the nozzle to remove ink that has dried and solidified in the nozzle, air bubbles, etc. generated in the nozzle.

That is, this image forming system 9 is an example of an image forming system that includes a control device, a conveyance device controlled by the control device, and a plurality of nozzles controlled by the control device. Note that the number of control devices 1, transport devices 2, and image forming devices 3 included in the image forming system 9 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and may be one or more.

<Configuration of control device>
The control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an information processing device called a personal computer, a smartphone, a slate PC, a tablet PC, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, this control device 1 includes a control section 11, a storage section 12, a communication section 13, an operation section 14, and a display section 15. These structures are communicatively connected to each other, for example by a bus.

The control unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes a processor 111 and a memory 112. Further, the control unit 11 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory). The processor 111 controls each part of the control device 1 by reading a computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program) stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12 into the memory 112 and executing it. The processor 111 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Further, the memory 112 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The communication unit 13 is a communication circuit that connects to the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3 by wire or wirelessly. The control unit 11 sends control signals to each of the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3 via the communication unit 13 to control each of these devices.

Note that each of the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3 may be directly connected to the bus of the control device 1. In this case, the control device 1 does not need to have the communication unit 13, and the conveyance device 2 and the image forming device 3 do not need to have processors that control each of them. In this case, the control device 1 is, for example, a controller built into a printing device.

Further, the control device 1 communicates with each of the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3 via a communication line constituted by a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or a combination thereof. , may be connected. In this case, the communication unit 13 only needs to be connected to this communication line.

The operation unit 14 includes operators such as operation buttons, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse for issuing various instructions, and receives an operation and sends a signal to the control unit 11 according to the content of the operation. This operation is, for example, a press on a keyboard, a gesture on a touch panel, or the like.

The display unit 15 has a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays images under the control of the control unit 11. A transparent touch panel of the operation unit 14 may be placed over the display screen. Note that the control device 1 does not need to have the operation section 14 and the display section 15.

The storage unit 12 is a storage means such as a solid state drive or a hard disk drive, and stores an operating system, various programs, data, etc. read into the processor 111 of the control unit 11.

The storage unit 12 also stores a medium DB 121. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the medium DB 121. The medium DB 121 shown in FIG. 2 includes the types of continuous media and the nozzles (hereinafter referred to as suppression nozzles) whose purge should be suppressed for that type of continuous medium among the nozzles 311 included in the image forming apparatus 3 described later. This is a database that stores , in association with each other.

The medium DB 121 shown in FIG. 2 includes a medium list 1211 and a suppression nozzle table 1212. The medium list 1211 is a list that stores medium IDs, which are type information indicating types of continuous media. The suppressed nozzle table 1212 is a table provided for each medium ID stored in the medium list 1211, and associates the timing with the suppressed nozzle ID.

This timing in the suppression nozzle table 1212 is the timing corresponding to the distance over which the type of continuous medium indicated by the corresponding medium ID was conveyed. For example, if a continuous medium that is transported at a constant speed is provided with divisions such as perforations described above at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, this timing is expressed as a phase in a period corresponding to this interval. .

This suppression nozzle ID in the suppression nozzle table 1212 is identification information for identifying suppression nozzles that should not be purged at the corresponding timing.

For example, according to the medium DB 121 shown in FIG. 2, the image forming system 9 prints the suppression nozzle ID "N32" on the continuous medium of the type identified by the medium ID "P01" at the timing "t2". , it can be seen that purge from the nozzle identified by "N62" should be suppressed.

Note that the suppression nozzle table 1212 does not need to have a timing field. In this case, the medium DB 121 may store the suppressed nozzle ID corresponding to the medium ID in the suppressed nozzle table 1212.

<Configuration of transport device and image forming device>
Hereinafter, in the figures, the space in which each component is arranged is expressed as an xyz right-handed coordinate space. Also, among the coordinate symbols shown in the figure, a symbol with a dot drawn inside a circle represents an arrow pointing from the back side of the page to the front side, and a symbol with two intersecting lines drawn inside a circle represents a point drawn inside the page. Represents an arrow pointing from the front side to the back side. The direction along the x-axis in space is called the x-axis direction. Further, among the x-axis directions, the direction in which the x component increases is referred to as the +x direction, and the direction in which the x component decreases is referred to as the -x direction. Regarding the y and z components, the y-axis direction, +y direction, -y direction, z-axis direction, +z direction, and -z direction are defined, respectively, in accordance with the above definitions.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3 as viewed along the +x direction.

The conveyance device 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes a conveyance belt 20, a drive roll 21, a driven roll 22, and a container 23. The image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 3 includes an ejection head 31, a support member 32, and a guide member 33.

The container 23 stores the continuous medium P folded along the partitions. The type of continuous medium P that can be accommodated in the container 23 is determined in advance due to, for example, structural constraints. The chip 231 provided in the container 23 has a memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and this memory contains a medium ID indicating the type of continuous medium P accommodated in the container 23. is memorized. The chip 231 supplies the medium ID to the control device 1.

The conveyor belt 20 is an endless belt that spans a drive roll 21 and a driven roll 22. The drive roll 21 is given a driving force by a motor or the like (not shown), rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and causes the conveyor belt 20 to revolve. The two driven rolls 22 shown in FIG. 3 rotate as the conveyor belt 20 rotates. The outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 20 carries the continuous medium P in the conveyance direction D1 (ie, the first direction described above). In FIG. 3, the first direction is the +y direction. The conveyance device 2 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a conveyance device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium.

The above-mentioned continuous medium P is conveyed in the conveyance direction D1 by the conveyance device 2, and passes through a space sandwiched between the guide member 33 and the support member 32 of the image forming apparatus 3. When passing through this space, the continuous medium P shown in FIG. 3 assumes a posture along the xy plane.

The support member 32 is arranged to face the front surface of the continuous medium P passing therethrough, and supports the plurality of ejection heads 31 . The ejection head 31 is a member that forms an image by ejecting liquid ink supplied from a tank (not shown) toward the front surface of the continuous medium P using an electrostatic method, a piezo method, a film boiling method, or the like. . That is, the front surface of the continuous medium P is the surface on which an image is formed on the continuous medium P, and is the surface of the continuous medium P in the +z direction that passes through the above-mentioned space in FIG.

The guide member 33 is arranged to face the back surface of the continuous medium P passing through, and supports the continuous medium P from the back surface when the continuous medium P receives ink ejected from the ejection head 31 on the front surface. The back surface of the continuous medium P is the surface opposite to the above-mentioned front surface, and is the surface of the continuous medium P in the −z direction that passes through the above-mentioned space in FIG.

Note that the sets of the ejection head 31, the support member 32, and the guide member 33 shown in FIG. 3 may be provided for each color of ink ejected from the ejection head 31. In this case, the above-mentioned sets are provided according to each color, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), and are arranged along the conveyance direction D1. good.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the ejection head 31. FIG. 4 shows the continuous medium P, the support member 32, and the five ejection heads 31 supported by the support member 32, as viewed along the −z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the five ejection heads 31 are supported by a support member 32 and are alternately arranged in two rows, a front row and a back row, in the conveyance direction D1.

Further, the continuous medium P has sprocket holes H lined up in a row along the transport direction D1, which are opened at predetermined intervals in the transport direction D1. The row of sprocket holes H is located at the center of the continuous medium P in the width direction D2 (hereinafter also referred to as the second direction). In FIG. 4, the second direction is the +x direction. In the continuous medium P, on both sides of the row of sprocket holes H in the width direction D2, there are regions where images are formed.

Here, when the nozzle 311 disposed opposite the sprocket hole H is purged, the ink ejected from the nozzle 311 passes through the sprocket hole H and adheres to the guide member 33 on the back side of the continuous medium P. As a result, the ink adhering to the guide member 33 stains the back surface of the continuous medium P and further stains the conveying device 2.

Note that the above-mentioned sprocket hole H provided in the continuous medium P is an example of a configuration that may contaminate the continuous medium P, the conveyance device 2, etc. when the nozzle 311 disposed opposite thereto is purged. be. This "configuration that may be contaminated" is not limited to the sprocket hole H. This configuration may be, for example, a contact surface that contacts the roll, belt, or the like of the conveyance device 2 on the front surface of the continuous medium P to convey the continuous medium P in the conveyance direction D1. Further, this configuration may be a sticker made of a material that repels ink and does not allow ink to be fixed, which is pasted on the continuous medium P in advance.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the nozzles 311 in the ejection head 31. As shown in FIG. 5, one ejection head 31 is provided with 25 nozzles 311. These nozzles 311 are arranged along the width direction D2 at two locations in the conveyance direction D1. That is, the nozzles 311 shown in FIG. 5 are arranged in two rows: a front row of 11 nozzles 311 and a back row of 12 nozzles 311. The front row is a row on the upstream side in the transport direction D1, and the rear row is a row on the downstream side thereof.

These nozzles 311 are arranged alternately. With this arrangement, for example, the nozzle 311c in the back row passes through a gap in the width direction D2 between the nozzle 311b and the nozzle 311d that are adjacent to each other in the front row. Therefore, the front surface of the continuous medium P faces any nozzle 311 at any position in the width direction D2 when it is transported in the transport direction D1 and passes through the space facing the ejection head 31.

Note that the arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 311 provided in the ejection head 31 is not limited to the arrangement described above. These plurality of nozzles 311 may be arranged so as not to be interrupted at any point in the width direction D2 of the continuous medium P, and may be capable of ejecting ink onto the continuous medium P. That is, the plurality of nozzles 311 shown in FIG. 5 are an example of a plurality of nozzles that are arranged along the second direction, which is the width direction of the continuous medium, and are capable of ejecting ink onto the continuous medium being transported.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the two ejection heads 31 adjacent in the width direction D2 are arranged such that their ends in the width direction D2 overlap each other when viewed from the conveyance direction D1. With this arrangement, on the front surface of the continuous medium P conveyed in the conveyance direction D1, a region passing through a portion sandwiched between two ejection heads 31 adjacent to each other along the width direction D2 has two Nozzles 311 provided in either of the ejection heads 31 face each other. In other words, these arrangements do not create a region on the front surface of the continuous medium P where ink cannot be ejected.

Note that the transport device 2 and the image forming device 3 may include configurations other than those described above. The transport device 2 may have a processor that controls itself based on a control signal received from the control device 1, for example, and transports the continuous medium P after passing through the image forming device 3 in the transport direction D1. It may also include a conveyor belt, drive rolls, etc. Further, the conveying device 2 may have a structure for drying the continuous medium P after passing through the image forming device 3, or may have a structure for folding and storing the continuous medium P after drying. You may.

Further, the image forming apparatus 3 may have a processor that controls itself based on a control signal received from the control apparatus 1, for example.

<Functional configuration of image processing device>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 1. As shown in FIG. Note that in FIG. 6, the memory 112 of the control unit 11 and the boundary line of the control unit 11 are omitted. Furthermore, in FIG. 6, the communication section 13 and display section 15 are omitted from the configuration of the control device 1.

The processor 111 of the control unit 11 functions as a reception unit 1111, an acquisition unit 1112, a transport control unit 1113, a specification unit 1114, and a suppression unit 1115 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 12. .

The reception unit 1111 receives various instructions from the user via the operation unit 14. The instructions received from the user include an instruction to form an image specified by the user on the continuous medium P, an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles 311 provided in the image forming apparatus 3 using the continuous medium P, and the like.

The acquisition unit 1112 acquires type information indicating the type of continuous medium P conveyed by the conveyance device 2 from the conveyance device 2 . The acquisition unit 1112 shown in FIG. 6 acquires the medium ID, for example, from the above-mentioned chip 231 (see FIG. 3) included in the transport device 2. This medium ID is type information indicating the type of continuous medium P accommodated in the container 23 of the transport device 2. That is, the processor 111 functioning as the acquisition unit 1112 is an example of a processor that acquires type information indicating the type of continuous medium.

The transport control unit 1113 controls the transport device 2 to transport the continuous medium P at a predetermined speed.

The identification unit 1114 identifies the suppression nozzle among the plurality of nozzles 311 provided in the ejection head 31 of the image forming apparatus 3 . The identification unit 1114 identifies the suppression nozzle using one of the following methods (Method A) and (Method B).

(Method A) Method using the content of image formation instructions This method is based on the assumption that the image that the user instructs to form on the continuous medium P corresponds to this continuous medium P. A user who intends to form an image using the continuous medium P usually knows in advance where on the continuous medium P the sprocket hole H is provided.
Therefore, the control device 1 can specify the above-mentioned suppression nozzle for purging using the continuous medium P, based on the image that the user has instructed to form on the continuous medium P. This is because the image specified by the user can be estimated to be an image that avoids the sprocket hole H of the continuous medium P.

The processor 111 performs various processes such as decomposition and superimposition on the instructed image, analyzes the content of this image, and identifies the suppression nozzle based on the results. For example, when forming an instructed image, the processor 111 is a nozzle 311 sandwiched in the width direction D2 shown in FIG. 5 by two nozzles 311 (also referred to as first nozzles) that eject ink. The nozzle 311 (also referred to as a second nozzle) that does not eject is specified as a suppression nozzle.

For example, when forming an instructed image, the control device 1 causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle 311a, nozzle 311d, and nozzle 311e, but does not allow ink to be ejected from the nozzle 311b and nozzle 311c. In this case, the processor 111 identifies the nozzle 311a, the nozzle 311d, and the nozzle 311e as the first nozzles. Then, the processor 111 identifies the nozzle 311b and the nozzle 311c, which are sandwiched between the first nozzle 311a and the nozzle 311d in the width direction D2, as second nozzles, that is, suppression nozzles.

That is, this processor 111 is an example of a processor that receives an instruction to form an image on a continuous medium and specifies the second nozzle based on the content of this instruction. Of the plurality of nozzles, the processor 111 selects one nozzle that does not eject ink and is sandwiched in a second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on a continuous medium. This is an example of a processor that specifies the above second nozzle.

Note that the image forming apparatus 3 may include a sensor that detects the remaining amount of ink contained in tanks (not shown) connected to the nozzles 311, respectively. In this case, the processor 111 acquires information on the remaining amount of ink detected by the sensor before and after the image forming apparatus 3 actually forms an image, calculates the difference between the remaining amounts, and controls the suppression nozzle. May be specified. For example, the processor 111 identifies the nozzle 311 for which the above-mentioned difference in remaining amount is 0 as a suppressed nozzle.

Further, in order to make the above estimation reliable, the following method may be used. For example, the storage unit 12 of the control device 1 stores the positions of sprocket holes H provided in the continuous medium P for each type of continuous medium P. The processor 111 of the control unit 11 reads position information indicating the position of the sprocket hole H provided in each continuous medium P from the storage unit 12, and performs formation on that type of continuous medium P for each type of continuous medium P. A group of images that are permitted to be used are extracted from the storage unit 12. Images that are permitted to be formed on the continuous medium P are those in which ink is ejected avoiding the sprocket holes H provided in the continuous medium P. Then, the user selects and specifies an image to be instructed to be formed on the continuous medium P from among the group of images that are permitted to be formed on the continuous medium P.

(Method B) Method using medium ID The control device 1 may identify the above-mentioned suppression nozzle using the type information acquired from the transport device 2. In this case, the processor 111 included in the control unit 11 of the control device 1 functions as the above-described acquisition unit 1112 and acquires the medium ID from the chip 231. Then, the processor 111 reads the medium DB 121 stored in the storage unit 12, extracts the suppression nozzle table 1212 corresponding to the acquired medium ID from the medium DB 121, and selects the suppression nozzle based on the suppression nozzle ID stored therein. Just specify it.

That is, in this case, the processor 111 is an example of a processor that acquires type information indicating the type of continuous medium and specifies the second nozzle based on this type information.

When the receiving unit 1111 receives an instruction from the user to purge each nozzle 311, the suppressing unit 1115 sends a control signal to the image forming apparatus 3 to purge each of the plurality of nozzles 311, and causes the specifying unit 1114 to Suppress the purge of the identified suppression nozzle. That is, this processor 111 functioning as the suppressing unit 1115 is an example of a processor that suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of a plurality of nozzles.

<Operation of image processing device>
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of operations in the control device 1. As shown in FIG. The processor 111 included in the control unit 11 of the control device 1 receives a user's instruction from the operation unit 14 (step S101). The processor 111 determines whether the received instruction is an instruction to form an image (step S102), and when determining that this instruction is an instruction to form an image (step S102; YES), the processor 111 performs processing according to this instruction. An image is formed on the continuous medium P (step S103). After step S103, the processor 111 returns the process to step S101.

On the other hand, when determining that the received instruction is not an image forming instruction (step S102; NO), the processor 111 determines whether this instruction is an instruction to purge the plurality of nozzles 311 provided in the image forming apparatus 3. (Step S104).

When determining that the received instruction is not an instruction to purge the plurality of nozzles 311 (step S104; NO), the processor 111 executes the instructed process (step S105), and returns the process to step S101.

On the other hand, when determining that the received instruction is an instruction to purge the plurality of nozzles 311 (step S104; YES), the processor 111 identifies the above-mentioned suppression nozzle from among the plurality of nozzles 311 (step S200). . Then, the processor 111 suppresses purging of the identified suppressed nozzle, purges the nozzles 311 other than this suppressed nozzle (step S106), and returns the process to step S101.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the flow of operations in which the processor 111 identifies suppressed nozzles. When performing the operation shown in FIG. 8A, the processor 111 specifies image data representing an image that the user has instructed to form (step S201).

Then, the processor 111 decomposes the image indicated by this image data into a plurality of images each having a length of one pixel arranged along the width direction D2 of the continuous medium P, and superimposes the plurality of images. An image is generated (step S202).

In the generated superimposed image in which pixels are arranged along the width direction D2, the processor 111 selects a pixel sandwiched between two pixels indicating that ink will be ejected, and one or more pixels indicating that ink will not be ejected. Identify the pixel of The processor 111 then specifies the nozzle 311 located at the position in the width direction D2 corresponding to the specified pixel as a suppression nozzle (step S203).

Further, when performing the operation shown in FIG. 8(b), the processor 111 acquires a medium ID indicating the type of continuous medium P from the chip 231 provided in the container 23 of the transport device 2 (step S211). Then, the processor 111 searches the medium DB 121 read from the storage unit 12 (step S212), and specifies the suppression nozzle ID corresponding to the acquired medium ID (step S213).

Through any of the operations described above, the processor 111 specifies a suppressed nozzle, suppresses purging from the specified suppressed nozzle, and causes the image forming apparatus 3 to purge the other nozzles 311. As a result, when using a medium that has areas on which images are to be formed at both ends in the width direction and has a hole or the like in the center, the image forming system 9 can To purge a nozzle 311 without contaminating an image forming device 3 that forms an image.

<Modified example>
The above is the description of the embodiment, but the content of this embodiment can be modified as follows. Further, the following modifications may be combined.

<1>
In the embodiment described above, the processor 111 acquires the type information indicating the type of continuous medium P from the transport device 2, but the type information may be acquired from a configuration other than the transport device 2. For example, the processor 111 may extract and obtain the type information described above from an instruction to form an image on the continuous medium P received from the user. In this case, the "instruction to form an image" that the user transmits to the processor 111 via the operation unit 14 includes the medium ID of the continuous medium P as metadata. The processor 111 may extract the medium ID from the metadata of the received instruction and refer to the medium DB 121 to identify the suppression nozzle.

In this case, when receiving an instruction to form an image on a continuous medium, the processor 111 extracts type information indicating the type of continuous medium from the instruction, and identifies the second nozzle based on this type information. This is an example of a processor that performs

Note that the processor 111 may extract and obtain the type information described above from the purge instruction received from the user. In this case, the instruction to purge the plurality of nozzles 311 may include a medium ID indicating the type of continuous medium P used for the purging.

<2>
In the embodiment described above, the processor 111 functions as the receiving unit 1111 that receives an instruction to form an image or an instruction to purge the nozzle 311 from the user. However, the reception unit 1111 may also accept the designation of the suppression nozzle from the user.

In this case, the processor 111 may function as a specifying unit 1114 that specifies the suppression nozzle based on the designation received from the user. For example, the processor 111 controls the display unit 15 to display, on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 15, an image that is instructed to be formed (planned to be formed), the shape of the continuous medium P, etc. included in the user's instruction. do. Then, the processor 111 may receive information about the position of the suppression nozzle in the image or the continuous medium P from the touch panel of the operation unit 14 . In this case, the user only needs to recognize the image displayed on the liquid crystal display and the shape of the continuous medium P, and use them as clues to indicate the position of the suppression nozzle by touching it with a finger or the like. Further, the user may input the identification information of the suppression nozzle (the above-mentioned suppression nozzle ID) using the keyboard of the operation unit 14 or the like.

That is, in this case, the processor 111 only needs to identify the suppression nozzle from the position and identification information specified by the user. That is, this processor 111 is an example of a processor that accepts the designation of the second nozzle and specifies the second nozzle based on this designation.

Note that regarding the suppression nozzle identified from the position and identification information specified by the user, the processor 111 displays the position of the suppression nozzle on the display unit 15 to confirm it to the user, for example, during purging. You can also encourage them. This confirmation may be prompted to the user when the suppression nozzle identified by this method is different from the suppression nozzle identified by another method.

In other words, if the suppression nozzle designated by the user is different from the suppression nozzle estimated based on the medium ID acquired from the chip 231 of the transport device 2, the processor 111 provides the user with the medium ID and a message corresponding to the medium ID. The position of the suppression nozzle and the position of the suppression nozzle designated by the user are displayed on the display unit 15, respectively. Then, the processor 111 may prompt the user to confirm by displaying a sentence such as "Do you really want to suppress the purge of the specified nozzle?" on the display unit 15.

<3>
In the embodiment described above, the processor 111 identifies the suppression nozzle ID associated with the medium ID from the medium DB 121, but it may also have a configuration that directly measures the shape of the continuous medium P being conveyed. good.

For example, the image forming system 9 may include the measuring device 4 shown in broken lines in FIG. This measuring device 4 is a device that measures the shape of the continuous medium P conveyed by the conveying device 2. The measuring device 4 is communicably connected to the control device 1 via the communication section 13 and is controlled by the processor 111.

This measuring device 4 is arranged along the continuous medium P that is being conveyed to the image forming apparatus 3 by the conveying device 2, as shown by the broken line in FIG. The measuring device 4 measures the shape of the continuous medium P, for example, by receiving the reflected light of the light irradiated toward the continuous medium P. The content measured by the measuring device 4 includes position information indicating the position of the sprocket hole H provided in the continuous medium P.

The control device 1 measures and acquires information on the shape of the continuous medium P from the measuring device 4 . Then, the control device 1 identifies the suppression nozzle based on this acquired information. For example, the processor 111 may specify the position of the sprocket hole H in the continuous medium P from the obtained information on the shape of the continuous medium P, and may specify the nozzle 311 disposed at a position opposite thereto as the suppression nozzle. good.

That is, in this case, the processor 111 is an example of a processor that controls a measuring device that measures the shape of the continuous medium conveyed by the conveying device. The processor 111, which functions as the identifying unit 1114, is an example of a processor that identifies the second nozzle based on the shape measured by the measuring device.

Note that the arrangement of the measuring device 4 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3. The measuring device 4 may be arranged, for example, along the continuous medium P after an image is formed by the image forming device 3. With this arrangement, the measuring device 4 measures not only the shape of the continuous medium P but also the image formed on the continuous medium P.

<4>
In the embodiment described above, the processor 111 identifies the suppression nozzle regardless of the position of the continuous medium P in the transport direction D1, but the processor 111 specifies a different suppression nozzle depending on the position of the continuous medium P to be transported by the transport device 2. May be specified.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, depending on the position of the continuous medium P in the transport direction D1, there may be locations where there is no sprocket hole H. Even if ink is purged in areas where there is no sprocket hole H, the ink will not pass through to the back side of the continuous medium P, so it will not stain the conveying device 2 and the like.

For example, the above-mentioned measuring device 4 measures the shape of the continuous medium P to determine the position of the sprocket hole H shown in FIG. Identify. By acquiring these positions identified by the measuring device 4, the processor 111 grasps the current position of the continuous medium P being conveyed by the conveying device 2, and determines the distance over which the continuous medium P is actually conveyed. may be specified.

Further, since the processor 111 functions as a transport control unit 1113 that controls the transport device 2, the processor 111 grasps the current position of the continuous medium P based on the distance instructed to transport the continuous medium P to the transport device 2. You may. In other words, by acquiring information from the measuring device 4, the processor 111 can calculate the distance for which the conveyance device 2 was instructed to convey the continuous medium P, without knowing the distance that the conveyance device 2 actually conveyed the continuous medium P. You just have to understand it.

Since the processor 111 functions as a reception unit 1111, the processor 111 knows image data indicating an image for which formation has been instructed by the user. As described above, the processor 111 knows the distance that the continuous medium P has been transported in the transport direction D1.

Therefore, the processor 111 may identify the suppression nozzle at that point in time according to the image data indicating the image that the user has instructed to form and the distance that the continuous medium P has been transported in the transport direction D1.

When this processor 111 receives an instruction to form an image on a continuous medium, the processor 111 calculates image data representing the image, the distance that the continuous medium has been conveyed in the first direction, and the positions of the plurality of nozzles in the second direction. This is an example of a processor that identifies a second nozzle according to the following.

<5>
In the embodiment described above, the processor 111 identifies the suppressed nozzle using the suppressed nozzle ID corresponding to the medium ID acquired from the chip 231, and suppresses purging of this suppressed nozzle. However, the processor 111 may suppress the purging of the suppression nozzle specified by the specifying unit 1114, for example, at a timing depending on the shape of the continuous medium P and the distance over which the continuous medium P has been conveyed.

For example, the processor 111 determines the position of the sprocket hole H formed in the continuous medium P based on the type of continuous medium P for which the user has instructed to form an image and the shape of the continuous medium P measured by the measuring device 4. Identify. Further, the processor 111 specifies the distance that the continuous medium P has been transported based on the control signal sent to the transport device 2, information on the position of the delimiter mark M obtained from the measuring device 4, and the like. Then, the processor 111 determines whether the suppression nozzle faces the sprocket hole H of the continuous medium P that has been conveyed the specified distance.

The processor 111 may suppress purging of the suppression nozzle when determining that the suppression nozzle is facing the sprocket hole H, and may permit purging of the suppression nozzle when determining that the suppression nozzle is not facing the sprocket hole H.

That is, the processor 111 functioning as the suppressing unit 1115 specifies the shape of the continuous medium, and controls the second nozzle at a timing corresponding to the specified shape of the continuous medium and the distance over which the continuous medium is conveyed. This is an example of a processor that suppresses purge.

<6>
In the embodiment described above, the control device 1 had the control unit 11 that had the processor 111 and the memory 112 and controlled each part, but the control means that controls the control device 1 may have another configuration. good. For example, the control device 1 may include various processors in addition to the CPU.

Processor here refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (for example, the CPU mentioned above), a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic devices, etc.).

The operations of the processor 111 in each of the embodiments described above may be performed not only by one processor 111 but also by a plurality of processors located at physically separate locations. Further, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

<7>
This program, which is executed by the control unit 11 of the control device 1 described above, includes a conveyance device that conveys the continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a conveyance device that conveys the continuous medium in the first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium, and a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium. A plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink onto the continuous medium that is arranged and transported, and a processor that controls the plurality of nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by the user on the continuous medium. identifying one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink and are sandwiched in the second direction by two first nozzles that eject ink; and upon receiving an instruction to purge each of these plurality of nozzles, This is an example of a program that executes a step of suppressing purge of two nozzles. This program can be provided in a state stored in a computer readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape and a magnetic disk, an optical recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Further, this program may be downloaded via a communication line such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Control device, 11... Control part, 111... Processor, 1111... Reception part, 1112... Acquisition part, 1113... Transport control part, 1114... Specification part, 1115... Suppression part, 112... Memory, 12... Storage part, 121 ... Medium DB, 1211 ... Media list, 1212 ... Suppression nozzle table, 13 ... Communication section, 14 ... Operation section, 15 ... Display section, 2 ... Conveyance device, 20 ... Conveyance belt, 21 ... Drive roll, 22 ... Followed roll, 23... Container, 231... Chip, 3... Image forming device, 31... Discharge head, 311, 311a, 311b, 311c, 311d, 311e... Nozzle, 32... Support member, 33... Guide member, 4... Measuring device, 9 ...image forming system, D1...conveyance direction (first direction), D2...width direction (second direction), H...sprocket hole, L...separator, M...separator mark.

Claims (9)

a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium; and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium and is capable of discharging ink onto the conveyed continuous medium. a plurality of nozzles, and a processor for controlling the plurality of nozzles;
Among the plurality of nozzles, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. When receiving an instruction to cause a nozzle to form the image on the continuous medium, image data indicating the image, a distance conveyed in the first direction of the continuous medium, and the second direction of the plurality of nozzles are sent. position in the direction, identified according to ;
A control device that suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles. The processor specifies the shape of the continuous medium, and suppresses purging of the second nozzle at a timing according to the specified shape of the continuous medium and a distance over which the continuous medium is conveyed . The control device described in . a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium; and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium and is capable of discharging ink onto the conveyed continuous medium. a plurality of nozzles, and a processor for controlling the plurality of nozzles;
Among the plurality of nozzles, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. When receiving an instruction to cause the nozzle to form the image on the continuous medium, extracting type information indicating the type of the continuous medium from the instruction and specifying the nozzle based on the type information,
A control device that suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles. a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium; and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium and is capable of discharging ink onto the conveyed continuous medium. a plurality of nozzles, and a processor for controlling the plurality of nozzles;
Type information indicating the type of the continuous medium is acquired, and among the plurality of nozzles, two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by the user on the continuous medium are injected in the second direction. identifying one or more second nozzles that are sandwiched and do not eject ink based on the type information ;
A control device that suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles. a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium; and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium and is capable of discharging ink onto the conveyed continuous medium. a plurality of nozzles, and a processor for controlling the plurality of nozzles;
Among the plurality of nozzles, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. accepting a designation of a nozzle, identifying the second nozzle based on the designation ;
A control device that suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles. a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium; and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium and is capable of discharging ink onto the conveyed continuous medium. a plurality of nozzles, and a processor for controlling the plurality of nozzles;
controlling a measuring device that measures the shape of the continuous medium conveyed by the conveying device;
Among the plurality of nozzles, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. identifying a nozzle based on the shape measured by the measuring device ;
A control device that suppresses purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles. a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium; and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium and is capable of discharging ink onto the conveyed continuous medium. a plurality of nozzles, and a processor for controlling the plurality of nozzles;
Among the plurality of nozzles, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. identify the nozzle,
When an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles is received, the shape of the continuous medium is specified, and the purge is performed at a timing corresponding to the specified shape of the continuous medium and the distance over which the continuous medium has been conveyed. A control device that suppresses purging of the second nozzle. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
the conveyance device controlled by the control device;
the plurality of nozzles controlled by the control device;
An image forming system having: a conveying device that conveys a continuous medium in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the continuous medium; and a conveying device that is arranged along a second direction that is the width direction of the continuous medium and is capable of discharging ink onto the conveyed continuous medium. multiple nozzles and a processor that controls the
Among the plurality of nozzles, one or more second nozzles that do not eject ink are sandwiched in the second direction between two first nozzles that eject ink when forming an image specified by a user on the continuous medium. When receiving an instruction to cause a nozzle to form the image on the continuous medium, image data indicating the image, a distance conveyed in the first direction of the continuous medium, and the second direction of the plurality of nozzles are sent. a position in the direction ;
suppressing purging of the second nozzle when receiving an instruction to purge each of the plurality of nozzles;
A program to run.

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