JP6754201B2 - Printing equipment and computer programs for printing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device and a computer program for printing.

In a printing device such as a printer, printing is performed using ink contained in an ink container (for example, an ink cartridge). This ink container is a consumable part. When the ink contained in the ink container is exhausted, the ink container is replaced with a new ink container. By the way, the ink container includes an ink container (hereinafter, also referred to as genuine ink container) containing ink provided by a printing apparatus manufacturer (hereinafter, also referred to as genuine ink) and genuine ink. There is an ink container made by another company (hereinafter, also referred to as a non-genuine ink container) manufactured by imitating the container. Here, the ink contained in the non-genuine ink container is also referred to as non-genuine ink.

The manufacturer of the genuine ink container is the same as the printing device, or a company approved by the manufacturer of the printing device. Since genuine ink is an ink suitable for the properties of the printing apparatus, print quality and reliability are ensured. On the other hand, as described above, the non-genuine ink container containing the non-genuine ink is manufactured by another company other than the above-mentioned company. Therefore, the non-genuine ink may not be suitable for the printing apparatus. Therefore, when a non-genuine ink container is used, there is a risk that the print quality may be deteriorated due to the non-genuine ink.

Therefore, in order to suppress deterioration of print quality, a printing device that sets a print mode different from the normal print mode when a non-genuine ink container is used is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .. For example, in the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when it is determined that the ink container in use is a non-genuine ink container, the frequency of cleaning is higher than that in the standard mode, which is the printing mode normally used. Printing is performed in the safety mode with increased. As a result, even when printing using non-genuine ink, the frequency of cleaning increases, so that deterioration of print quality can be suppressed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-115054

However, in the safety mode, even when the cleaning frequency is increased, when printing with non-genuine ink, the printing quality is deteriorated and robustness is deteriorated as compared with the case where genuine ink is used. It was sometimes difficult to secure. Here, "robustness" is to suppress defective ejection caused by incompatibility between ink and a recording head that ejects ink.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to suppress deterioration of print quality even when non-genuine ink is used, and to ensure robustness. It is to provide a printing apparatus and a computer program for printing.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording head, a drive mechanism, an ink container, and a control device. The recording head ejects a droplet of ink having a predetermined first diameter and a droplet of ink having a predetermined second diameter shorter than the first diameter to at least a recording medium. The drive mechanism moves the recording head relative to the recording medium in a predetermined first direction. The ink container is connected to the recording head and contains ink to be supplied to the recording head. The control device controls the recording head and the drive mechanism based on a predetermined print mode. The print mode includes a first print mode in which the recording head ejects ink droplets of the first diameter ink and ink droplets of the second diameter ink onto the recording medium, and the recording head. A second printing mode is included in which droplets of the first ink diameter are ejected onto the recording medium and droplets of the second ink diameter are not ejected onto the recording medium. The control device includes an ink container determination unit, a first print mode setting unit, a second print mode setting unit, and a printing unit. The ink container determination unit determines whether or not the ink container is a genuine product. When the ink container determination unit determines that the ink container is a genuine product, the first print mode setting unit sets the print mode to the first print mode. When the ink container determination unit determines that the ink container is not a genuine product, the second print mode setting unit sets the print mode to the second print mode. The printing unit prints based on the printing mode set by the first printing mode setting unit or the second printing mode setting unit.

By controlling based on the components of the genuine ink, it is possible to eject a plurality of ink droplets having different diameters desired. However, the ink component of the non-genuine ink container may be different from the ink component of the genuine ink. Therefore, when a non-genuine ink container is used, it may not be possible to eject a plurality of ink droplets having a desired different diameter, which may deteriorate the print quality. Therefore, in the printing apparatus, when the ink container is a non-genuine product, for example, only droplets of ink having a large diameter of first diameter are ejected without appropriately ejecting droplets of two inks having different diameters. Printing is performed by ejecting. Therefore, even when a non-genuine ink container is used, it is possible to suppress deterioration of print quality and ensure robustness.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus and a computer program for printing capable of suppressing deterioration of printing quality even when non-genuine ink is used.

It is a perspective view which shows the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a partial cross-sectional view in the vicinity of a nozzle of a recording head. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a first drive pulse, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a second drive pulse, and FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a third drive pulse. It is a figure which shows the diameter of the ink droplet. It is a block diagram of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which showed the procedure about a print process. It is a figure which shows the recording paper on which the warning message was printed in the 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described here are, of course, not intended to particularly limit the present invention. In addition, members and parts that perform the same action are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1. In the following description, when the printing device 1 is viewed from the front, the side away from the printing device 1 is referred to as the front, and the side approaching the printing device 1 is referred to as the rear. Further, the terms left, right, top, and bottom mean left, right, top, and bottom when the printing device 1 is viewed from the front. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawing mean front, back, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. However, the above-mentioned direction is merely a direction determined for convenience of explanation, and does not limit the installation mode of the printing apparatus 1 at all, and does not limit the present invention at all. Further, the reference numeral Y in the drawing indicates the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. Reference numeral X indicates a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. The sub-scanning direction X is the front-back direction. However, the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set according to the form of the printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction Y corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention, and the sub-scanning direction X corresponds to the "second direction" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer. The printing device 1 prints on the recording paper 5. The recording paper 5 is a roll-shaped medium, and is a so-called roll paper. Here, the recording paper 5 corresponds to the "recording medium" of the present invention. However, the recording medium of the present invention is not limited to the recording paper 5. For example, the recording medium may be a resin sheet. Further, the recording medium is not limited to a flexible sheet, and may be a medium made of a hard material such as a glass substrate.

The printing device 1 includes a main body 10, legs 11, an operation panel 12, and a cover 15. The main body 10 has a casing extending in the main scanning direction Y. The legs 11 support the main body 10. The legs 11 are provided on the lower surface of the main body 10. The operation panel 12 is provided on the front surface on the right side of the main body 10. The operation panel 12 is used by the user to perform operations related to printing. Although not shown, the operation panel 12 includes a display unit for displaying information related to printing such as monochrome printing or color printing, resolution, and ink density, and an input unit for inputting information related to printing. It is provided.

The cover 15 is provided on the main body 10. Here, the cover 15 is attached to the upper part of the main body 10 so as to be openable and closable. A discharge port 13 for discharging the recording paper 5 is formed below the cover 15 and below the main body 10. A guide 14 for guiding the recording paper 5 discharged from the discharge port 13 is provided at a position in front of and below the discharge port 13. The guide 14 extends diagonally forward and downward from the discharge port 13.

Next, the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 includes a guide rail 20, a platen 25, a transport mechanism 27, a drive mechanism 28, a recording head 40, and a control device 60 (see FIG. 6). Although not shown, the guide rail 20 is arranged below the cover 15 (see FIG. 1). The guide rail 20 extends in the main scanning direction Y.

The platen 25 supports the recording paper 5 when printing on the recording paper 5. The recording paper 5 is placed on the platen 25. Printing on the recording paper 5 is performed on the platen 25. The platen 25 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The platen 25 is arranged below and in front of the central portion of the guide rail 20. The platen 25 is connected to the guide 14 (see FIG. 1).

The transport mechanism 27 is a mechanism for transporting the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25 in the sub-scanning direction X. In the present embodiment, the transport mechanism 27 includes a pair of upper and lower rollers 26 and a motor 26a. The pair of upper and lower rollers 26 are arranged at the left end and the right end of the platen 25, respectively. However, the number and installation position of the pair of upper and lower rollers 26 are not particularly limited. In FIG. 2, only the upper roller 26 is shown, and the lower roller 26 is omitted. Of the pair of upper and lower rollers 26, one of the rollers 26 is a drive roller (also referred to as a grid roller) that rotates by itself. Here, the drive roller 26 is connected to the motor 26a. When the motor 26a is driven, the drive roller 26 rotates. The other roller 26 is a pinch roller for sandwiching the recording paper 5 together with the drive roller 26. The pinch roller is configured to be movable in the vertical direction.

The drive mechanism 28 is a mechanism for moving the recording head 40 relative to the recording paper 5 mounted on the platen 25 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the drive mechanism 28 moves the recording head 40 in the main scanning direction Y to move the recording head 25 relative to the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25. However, the drive mechanism 28 moves the platen 25 on which the recording paper 5 is placed in the main scanning direction Y, thereby moving the recording head 25 relative to the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25. It may be a mechanism. Here, the drive mechanism 28 has a pulley 21, a pulley 22, an endless belt 23, a servomotor 24, and a carriage 30. The pulley 21 is provided at the right end portion of the guide rail 20. The pulley 22 is provided at the left end portion of the guide rail 20. The belt 23 is wound around the pulley 21 and the pulley 22. Here, the servomotor 24 is connected to the pulley 21, but may be connected to the pulley 22. When the servomotor 24 drives the pulley 21, the belt 23 runs between the pulley 21 and the pulley 22.

The carriage 30 is attached to the belt 23. Although not shown, the carriage 30 is engaged with the guide rail 20. The carriage 30 moves in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 20 as the belt 23 travels.

The recording head 40 ejects ink droplets onto the recording paper 5. Hereinafter, the ink droplets are also simply referred to as "ink". The recording head 40 is arranged above the platen 25. The recording head 40 ejects ink droplets downward toward the platen 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 40 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 20. In the present embodiment, the recording head 40 is attached to the carriage 30 and is slidably engaged with the guide rail 20 via the carriage 30. The recording head 40 is moved along the guide rail 20 in the main scanning direction Y by the drive mechanism 28.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the recording head 40 in the vicinity of one nozzle 55. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording head 40 includes a case main body 51 and a diaphragm 52. The case body 51 is an aerial case having an opening 51a. The diaphragm 52 is attached to the case body 51 so as to cover the opening 51a. Here, the area surrounded by the case body 51 and the diaphragm 52 is the pressure chamber 53. The diaphragm 52 partitions a part of the pressure chamber 53. The diaphragm 52 is elastically deformable inside and outside the pressure chamber 53. Here, the inside and outside of the pressure chamber 53 mean the upper side and the lower side of FIG. 3, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, an ink cartridge 45 is connected to the recording head 40. Here, the recording head 40 and the ink cartridge 45 are connected to each other via the tube 46. The ink cartridge 45 contains ink to be supplied to the recording head 40, that is, ink used for printing. The installation position of the ink cartridge 45 is not particularly limited. For example, although not shown, the ink cartridge 45 is detachably provided on the upper surface of the main body 10. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 45 corresponds to the "ink container" of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an ink inflow port 54 into which ink flows is formed on one surface (the left surface of FIG. 3) of the case body 51. An ink cartridge 45 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the ink inlet 54 via a tube 46. The ink inlet 54 may be connected to the pressure chamber 53, and the position of the ink inlet 54 is not particularly limited. Here, the ink of the ink cartridge 45 is supplied to the pressure chamber 53 through the ink inlet 54, and a predetermined amount of ink is temporarily stored. Here, a nozzle 55 for ejecting ink is formed on the lower surface 51b of the case body 51. The ink droplets are ejected toward the recording paper 5 through the nozzle 55.

In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 56 is in contact with the surface of the diaphragm 52 opposite to the pressure chamber 53. One end of the piezoelectric element 56 is fixed to a fixing member 59 fixed inside the case body 51. The piezoelectric element 56 is a kind of actuator. The piezoelectric element 56 is connected to the control device 60 via a flexible cable 57. A drive signal or the like is supplied to the piezoelectric element 56 via the flexible cable 57. In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 56 is a laminate in which a piezoelectric material and a conductive layer are alternately laminated. The piezoelectric element 56 expands and contracts based on the supplied drive signal, and functions to elastically deform the diaphragm 52 to the outside and inside of the pressure chamber 53. Here, as the piezoelectric element 56, a piezo element (PZT) in a longitudinal vibration mode is adopted. The piezo element in the longitudinal vibration mode is expandable and contractible in the stacking direction. For example, a piezo element in the longitudinal vibration mode contracts when discharged and expands when charged. The type of the piezoelectric element 56 is not particularly limited.

In such a recording head 40, for example, the piezoelectric element 56 contracts by lowering the potential of the piezoelectric element 56 from the intermediate potential. At this time, following the contraction of the piezoelectric element 56, the diaphragm 52 elastically deforms from the initial position to the outside of the pressure chamber 53, and the pressure chamber 53 expands. Here, the expansion of the pressure chamber 53 means that the volume of the pressure chamber 53 increases due to the deformation of the diaphragm 52. On the other hand, by increasing the potential of the piezoelectric element 56, the piezoelectric element 56 extends in the stacking direction. As a result, the diaphragm 52 is elastically deformed inside the pressure chamber 53, and the pressure chamber 53 contracts. Here, the contraction of the pressure chamber 53 means that the volume of the pressure chamber 53 is reduced due to the deformation of the diaphragm 52. Due to the expansion and contraction of the pressure chamber 53, the pressure in the pressure chamber 53 fluctuates. Due to the fluctuation in the pressure chamber 53, the ink in the pressure chamber 53 is pressurized, and the ink becomes droplets and is discharged from the nozzle 55. After that, by returning the potential of the piezoelectric element 56 to the intermediate potential, the diaphragm 52 returns to the initial position and the pressure chamber 53 expands. At this time, ink flows into the pressure chamber 53 from the ink inflow port 54.

In the present embodiment, the drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric element 56 is a drive pulse. The drive pulse is a pulse waveform for ejecting a droplet of ink having a predetermined size from the nozzle 55 of the recording head 40. The recording head 40 ejects ink based on the drive pulse. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a first drive pulse P1, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a second drive pulse P2, and FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a third drive pulse P3. It is a figure. The second drive pulse P2 of FIG. 4 (b) is a pulse obtained by translating the first drive pulse P1 of FIG. 4 (a) so that the maximum potential becomes the potential V2. The third drive pulse P3 in FIG. 4 (c) is a pulse obtained by translating the first drive pulse P1 in FIG. 4 (a) so that the maximum potential becomes the potential V3. Here, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the drive pulse includes a first drive pulse P1, a second drive pulse P2, and a third drive pulse P3. In the present embodiment, the maximum potential V2 of the second drive pulse P2 is lower than the maximum potential V1 of the first drive pulse P1. The maximum potential V3 of the third drive pulse P3 is lower than the maximum potential V1 of the first drive pulse P1 and the maximum potential V2 of the second drive pulse P2. That is, among the above three drive pulses P1 to P3, the maximum potential V1 of the first drive pulse P1 is the highest, then the maximum potential V2 of the second drive pulse P2 is the highest, and the maximum potential V3 of the third drive pulse P3 is. The lowest. In the present embodiment, the maximum potential V1 is an example of the "first maximum potential" of the present invention, and the maximum potential V2 is an example of the "second maximum potential" of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the recording head 40 can eject ink droplets having different diameters depending on the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 56. Here, the recording head 40 can eject three types of ink droplets having different diameters by the three drive pulses P1 to P3. However, the number of droplets of ink having different diameters that can be ejected by the recording head 40 may be two or four or more. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing ink droplets A1 to A3. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the diameters of the ink droplets A1 to A3 that can be ejected by the recording head 40 are a predetermined first diameter L1, a second diameter L2, and a third diameter L3, respectively. Is. Specifically, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 56 based on the first drive pulse P1, the recording head 40 ejects a droplet A1 of ink having a predetermined first diameter L1. By applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element 56 based on the second drive pulse P2, the recording head 40 ejects a droplet A2 of ink having a predetermined second diameter L2. Further, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 56 based on the third drive pulse P3, the recording head 40 ejects a droplet A3 of ink having a predetermined third diameter L3. .. Here, the second diameter L2 is shorter than the first diameter L1. The third diameter L3 is shorter than the first diameter L1 and the second diameter L2. That is, the ink droplet A1 having the first diameter L1 is the largest droplet, and then the ink droplet A2 having the second diameter L2. Then, the droplet A3 of the ink having the third diameter L3 is the smallest droplet.

By printing using inks having different diameters in this way, for example, in the printed matter printed on the recording paper 5, when the area to be printed with the same color is large, the ink having the first diameter L1 having the largest diameter The droplet A1 can be ejected onto the recording paper 5. On the other hand, in the printed matter to be printed on the recording paper 5, when the area to be printed in the same color is small, it is preferable to eject the ink droplet A3 of the third diameter L3 having a small diameter onto the recording paper 5.

In the present embodiment, the drive pulse supplied to the piezoelectric element 56 is changed according to the ambient temperature of the recording head 40. When the atmospheric temperature of the recording head 40 is low (for example, lower than a predetermined first temperature), the viscosity of the ink in the recording head 40 becomes high. On the other hand, when the atmospheric temperature of the recording head 40 is high (for example, higher than a predetermined second temperature), the viscosity of the ink in the recording head 40 becomes low. Therefore, when the atmospheric temperature of the recording head 40 is low in order to prevent the ink from clogging the nozzle 55 (see FIG. 3) and causing ejection failure of the recording head 40 due to the high viscosity of the ink. Based on the first drive pulse P1 (see FIG. 4A) having the highest maximum potential V1, the recording head 40 ejects the ink droplet A1. On the other hand, when the atmospheric temperature of the recording head 40 is low, the recording head 40 ejects the ink droplet A3 based on the third drive pulse P3 (see FIG. 4C) having the lowest maximum potential V3. .. Although not shown, the ambient temperature of the recording head 40 can be measured by, for example, a sensor arranged in the vicinity of the recording head 40.

By the way, the ink cartridge 45 shown in FIG. 2 is a consumable part. When the ink contained in the ink cartridge 45 runs out, the ink cartridge 45 is replaced with a new ink cartridge 45. The ink cartridge 45 includes a genuine ink cartridge containing genuine ink and a non-genuine ink cartridge containing non-genuine ink.

In an inkjet printer, there is an organic connection between the ink used, the recording medium (recording paper 5), and the printing apparatus 1, and the appropriate ink and recording medium are used to obtain print quality. Is secured. The genuine ink cartridge is manufactured by the same company as the printing device 1 and the manufacturing company, or by a company approved by the manufacturing company of the printing device 1. Therefore, since the genuine ink in the genuine ink cartridge is an ink suitable for the properties of the printing apparatus 1, the printing quality and reliability can be ensured by using the genuine ink. On the other hand, non-genuine ink cartridges are manufactured by other companies other than the above companies. Therefore, the non-genuine ink may not be suitable for the printing apparatus 1. As a result, print quality may deteriorate due to non-genuine ink. As described above, in order to prevent the print quality from deteriorating, it is necessary to determine whether the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 45 is provided with an IC tag 47 in order to determine whether the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. The IC tag 47 stores authentication information, which is information for determining whether or not the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product. Information other than the above authentication information may be stored in the IC tag 47. For example, the IC tag 47 may store the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 45, the serial ID, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the printing device 1 includes a reading sensor 48. The reading sensor 48 is a sensor that reads information stored in the IC tag 47 provided on the ink cartridge 45. Here, the reading sensor 48 is a non-contact type sensor. However, the reading sensor 48 may be a contact type sensor. The reading sensor 48 is arranged at a position where the information of the IC tag 47 can be read. The reading sensor 48 is arranged in the vicinity of the position where the ink cartridge 45 is arranged.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the drive signals P1 to P3 are pulse waveforms generated based on the components contained in the genuine ink. Since the diameter of the ink droplets is determined based on the drive pulses P1 to P3, there is a close relationship between the components contained in the genuine ink and the diameter of the ink droplets ejected on the recording paper 5. In particular, the shorter the diameter and the smaller the ink droplet A3 (see FIG. 5) is ejected onto the recording paper 5, the closer the relationship becomes. The components contained in genuine ink and non-genuine ink may differ. Therefore, when ejecting droplets of non-genuine ink onto the recording paper 5, the more small droplets of ink are ejected onto the recording paper 5 to print a printed matter, the more the above-mentioned components contained are different. However, the desired print result may not be obtained, and the print quality may be deteriorated.

Further, the non-genuine ink contained in the non-genuine ink cartridge may have a longer drying time until the ink dries than the genuine ink contained in the genuine ink cartridge. If printing is continued without a sufficient drying time, ink bleeding may occur. Further, since the components contained in the genuine ink and the non-genuine ink may be different, the surface tension may be different between the genuine ink and the non-genuine ink. Since the printing device 1 is a device designed in consideration of the surface tension of the genuine ink, if a non-genuine ink having a surface tension different from that of the genuine ink is used in the printing device 1, the printing quality may deteriorate.

Therefore, in order to prevent the print quality from deteriorating even when non-genuine ink is used, in the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a genuine product and non-genuine. The print mode will be set differently depending on the product. Here, the "print mode" refers to a mode showing a control procedure for operations related to printing such as the recording head 40 at the time of printing. Here, the printing mode when the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product is referred to as "standard mode". The "standard mode" is a print mode performed during normal printing. Further, here, the printing mode when the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product is referred to as "safety mode". The "safety mode" is a printing mode in which printing control is performed to suppress deterioration of printing quality even when non-genuine ink is used. In the present embodiment, the standard mode corresponds to the "first print mode" of the present invention, and the safety mode corresponds to the "second print mode" of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the standard mode and the safety mode differ in the following. First, in the standard mode, the drive signals supplied to the piezoelectric element 56 of the recording head 40 are the first drive pulse P1, the second drive pulse P2, and, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. , The third drive pulse P3. In the standard mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink droplet A1 having the first diameter L1, the ink droplet A2 having the second diameter L2, and the ink droplet A3 having the third diameter L3 are formed. Discharge. In the standard mode, printing is performed by ejecting a plurality of droplets of ink having different sizes. On the other hand, in the safety mode, the components of the non-genuine ink may differ from the components of the genuine ink. Therefore, if printing is performed by ejecting droplets of a plurality of inks having different diameters, the printing quality deteriorates. There can be. Therefore, in the safety mode, the drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric element 56 of the recording head 40 is one of the first drive pulses P1 having the highest maximum potential V1 as shown in FIG. 4A. In the safety mode, the recording head 40 ejects ink droplets A1 having a first diameter L1 and ink droplets A2 and A3 having a second diameter L2 and a third diameter L3, as shown in FIG. Does not discharge. That is, in the safety mode, the recording head 40 prints by ejecting only the largest ink droplet A1.

As described above, the non-genuine ink contained in the non-genuine ink cartridge may have a longer drying time until the ink dries than the genuine ink contained in the genuine ink cartridge. Therefore, in the safety mode, the printing time is lengthened as compared with the standard mode in order to secure the drying time of the ink ejected on the recording paper 5. In the present embodiment, in the safety mode, the speed at which the recording paper 5 is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 27 (see FIG. 2) in the sub-scanning direction X is slower than in the standard mode. Specifically, in the standard mode, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 mounted on the platen 25 at a predetermined first speed. In the safety mode, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25 at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed.

As described above, by making the printing mode different depending on whether the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product or not, it is possible to suppress deterioration of printing quality even when the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product. ..

In the present embodiment, the control device 60 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 45 described above is a genuine product, sets the print mode, and the like.

Next, the control device 60 according to the present embodiment will be described. The control device 60 is composed of a microcomputer and is provided inside the main body 10. The control device 60 includes a CPU, a ROM in which a program executed by the CPU and the like are stored, a RAM, and the like. Here, a program stored in the microcomputer is used to control printing.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 60 includes a motor 26a connected to one of the upper and lower rollers 26 (driving roller), a servomotor 24 connected to the pulley 21, and a recording head 40. , Is connected to the reading sensor 48. The control device 60 controls the motor 26a, the servomotor 24, the recording head 40, and the reading sensor 48. The control device 60 controls the rotation of the drive roller 26 by controlling the motor 26a. The control device 60 controls the rotation of the pulley 21 and the running of the belt 23 (see FIG. 2) by controlling the servomotor 24. The control device 60 controls the timing at which the recording head 40 ejects ink. Further, the control device 60 acquires the information recorded on the IC tag 47 provided on the ink cartridge 45 (see FIG. 2) by the reading sensor 48.

The control device 60 includes a storage unit 61, an ink cartridge determination unit 62, a standard mode setting unit 64, a safety mode setting unit 66, a printing unit 68, and a receiving unit 69. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 corresponds to the “ink container determination unit” of the present invention. The standard mode setting unit 64 corresponds to the "first print mode setting unit" of the present invention, and the safety mode setting unit 66 corresponds to the "second print mode setting unit" of the present invention. It should be noted that each of the above-mentioned parts may be configured by software or hardware.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure related to the printing process. Next, a procedure related to the printing process when the printing apparatus 1 prints on the recording paper 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. Each process described in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is performed, for example, when the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned on. However, in each process of FIG. 7, when the ink cartridge 45 is connected to the recording head 40, when the ink cartridge 45 is attached to the main body 10, printing is started after the ink cartridge 45 is attached to the main body 10. It may be performed until just before the printing is started, or just before the printing is started.

First, in step S101, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 acquires authentication information which is information about the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40. Specifically, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 acquires the authentication information by reading the authentication information stored in the IC tag 47 provided in the ink cartridge 45 by the reading sensor 48. The authentication information of the ink cartridge 45 acquired by the reading sensor 48 is stored in the storage unit 61.

Next, in step S102, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product. The procedure for determining whether or not the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product is not particularly limited. For example, it can be determined whether or not the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product as follows. First, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 analyzes the authentication information of the ink cartridge 45, which is the authentication information acquired in step S101. This analysis method is not particularly limited, and for example, a hash function stored in advance in the storage unit 61 may be used. In this case, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 uses the hash function to calculate the hash value of the acquired authentication information. Then, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product based on the calculated hash value. For example, when the hash value matches a predetermined value for determining the genuine ink cartridge, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines that the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a genuine product. On the other hand, when the hash value does not match the predetermined value, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines that the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product. The predetermined value is a value stored in advance in the storage unit 61.

When the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines that the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a genuine product, the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, when the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines that the ink cartridge 45 is not a genuine product, that is, the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product, the process proceeds to step S104.

After the ink cartridge 45 is determined to be a genuine product in step S102, the standard mode setting unit 64 sets the print mode to the standard mode in step S103. Here, the standard mode is a print mode performed during normal printing as described above. In the standard mode, when printing on the recording paper 5, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), based on the first drive pulse P1, the second drive pulse P2, and the third drive pulse P3. , A voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 56 of the recording head 40. That is, in the standard mode, when printing on the recording paper 5, the recording head 40 ejects a plurality of (here, three types) of ink droplets A1 to A3 having different diameters. Here, in the standard mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording head 40 has an ink droplet A1 having a first diameter L1, an ink droplet A2 having a second diameter L2, and a third diameter L3. Ink droplet A3 is ejected. Further, in the standard mode, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 mounted on the platen 25 in the sub-scanning direction X at a predetermined first speed. Here, the first drive pulse P1, the second drive pulse P2, the third drive pulse P3, and the first speed are stored in advance in the storage unit 61. As described above, after the print mode is set to the standard mode by the standard mode setting unit 64, the process proceeds to step S105.

On the other hand, in step S102, after the ink cartridge 45 is determined to be a non-genuine product, in step S104, the safety mode setting unit 66 sets the print mode to the safety mode. Here, the safety mode is a printing mode in which printing control is performed to suppress deterioration of printing quality even when non-genuine ink is used, as described above. In the safety mode, the recording head 40 ejects a droplet of ink having the largest diameter onto the recording paper 5. Specifically, in the safety mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 56 based on the first drive pulse P1 having the highest maximum potential V1. In the safety mode, the second drive pulse P2 and the third drive pulse P3 are not used, as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c). In other words, in the safety mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording head 40 transfers only droplets A1 of ink having a first diameter L1 longer than the second diameter L2 and the third diameter L3 onto the recording paper 5. Discharge. In the safety mode, the ink droplets A2 and A3 of the second diameter L2 and the third diameter L3 are not ejected to the recording paper 5. Further, in the safety mode, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25 in the sub-scanning direction X at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed. That is, in the safety mode, the printing time is slower than in the standard mode because the speed of conveying the recording paper 5 in the sub-scanning direction X is slower than in the standard mode. Here, the predetermined second speed is stored in advance in the storage unit 61. As described above, after the print mode is set to the safety mode by the safety mode setting unit 66, the process proceeds to step S105.

After setting the print mode in step S103 or step S104, in step S105, the printing unit 68 starts printing. Here, for example, the control device 60 receives the print start job signal by the receiving unit 69 that receives the signal. Then, after receiving the print start job signal, the print unit 68 starts printing. At this time, if the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a genuine product, the printing unit 68 prints in the standard mode. Specifically, the printing unit 68 controls the driving of the servomotor 24 and controls the rotation of the pulley 21 to control the running of the belt 23. Then, as the belt 23 travels, the recording head 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y. When the printing unit 68 is moving in the main scanning direction Y and passes above the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25, the printing unit 68 ejects ink from the nozzle 55 of the recording head 40 toward the recording paper 5. .. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the printing unit 68 has a drive signal of the first drive pulse P1, the second drive pulse P2, and the third drive pulse P3. Any of them is appropriately supplied to the piezoelectric element 56 of the recording head 40. Then, according to the supplied drive pulses P1 to P3, the recording head 40 has any one of the first diameter L1, the second diameter L2, and the third diameter L3, as shown in FIG. Droplets A1 to A3 of ink having a diameter are ejected onto the recording paper 5.

Then, after printing for one scan is completed, as shown in FIG. 2, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 in the sub-scanning direction X (here, the direction from the back to the front). Specifically, the control device 60 drives the motor 26a to rotate the driving rollers of the pair of rollers 26. At this time, the recording paper 5 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction X while being sandwiched between the driving roller and the driven roller of the pair of rollers 26. Here, the speed at which the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 is the first speed. Then, after the transfer of the recording paper 5 is completed, printing is performed in the next scan.

When the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a non-genuine product, in step S105, the printing unit 68 prints in the safety mode. In the safety mode, the basic operations, that is, the operation of moving the recording head 40 in the main scanning direction Y and the operation of ejecting ink from the nozzle 55 of the recording head 40 are the same operations as in the standard mode. .. Here, as shown in FIG. 4A, the printing unit 68 applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element 56 based on the first drive pulse P1 having the highest maximum potential V1. In the safety mode, even when the atmospheric temperature of the recording head 40 is high and the viscosity of the ink in the recording head 40 is low, the printing unit 68 has the third drive pulse P3 having the lowest maximum potential V3 (FIG. 4 (c)). ) Is not used, and a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 56 based on the first drive pulse P1. In the safety mode, the pressure chamber 53 expands and contracts based on the first drive pulse P1, and as shown in FIG. 5, the ink droplet A1 having the longest diameter of the first diameter L1 is the recording paper 5. Is discharged to.

Then, after printing for one scan is completed, as shown in FIG. 2, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 in the sub-scanning direction X (here, the direction from the back to the front). In the safety mode, the speed at which the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 is a second speed slower than the first speed. Then, after the transfer of the recording paper 5 is completed, printing is performed in the next scan.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the standard mode, by controlling based on the components of the genuine ink, it is possible to eject a plurality of ink droplets having different diameters desired. However, for example, the ink component of the non-genuine ink cartridge 45 may differ from the genuine ink component. Therefore, when a non-genuine ink cartridge 45 is used, it may not be possible to eject a plurality of ink droplets having a desired different diameter, which may deteriorate the print quality. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product, the first diameter L1 which is the largest diameter is L1 as shown in FIG. 5 without appropriately ejecting droplets of a plurality of inks having different diameters. Printing is performed by ejecting only the droplet A1 of the ink of. Specifically, when the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product, as shown in FIG. 4A, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 56 of the recording head 40 based on the first drive pulse P1 having the highest maximum potential V1. By applying the ink, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink droplet A1 having the first diameter L1, which is the largest diameter, is ejected onto the recording paper 5 to perform printing. Therefore, even when a non-genuine ink cartridge 45 is used, it is possible to suppress deterioration of print quality and ensure robustness.

In the present embodiment, in the standard mode, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 mounted on the platen 25 at a predetermined first speed. On the other hand, in the safety mode, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25 at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed. As a result, when the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product, the speed at which the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25 is conveyed is slower than when the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 45 is a non-genuine product, the ink droplets ejected onto the recording paper 5 are dried by slowing the speed at which the recording paper 5 is conveyed. Therefore, even when a non-genuine ink cartridge 45 is used, the drying time can be secured, so that deterioration of print quality can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 45 is provided with an IC tag 47 in which authentication information regarding the ink cartridge 45 is stored. The ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product based on the authentication information stored in the IC tag 47 read by the reading sensor 48. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product with a simple configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reading sensor 48 is a non-contact type sensor. As a result, the reading sensor 48 can read the authentication information stored in the IC tag 47 without touching the IC tag 47. For example, the reading sensor 48 can read the authentication information stored in the IC tag 47 even when the ink cartridge 45 is not correctly arranged with respect to the printing device 1. If the reading sensor 48 is a contact type sensor, the contact portion of the IC tag 47 with the reading sensor 48 may deteriorate. If the contact portion deteriorates, the sensor 48 may not be able to accurately read each piece of information in the IC tag 47. However, in the present embodiment, since the reading sensor 48 is a non-contact type sensor, the contact portion as described above does not exist. Therefore, it is possible to prevent reading failure due to deterioration of the contact portion.

The printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment has been described above. The printing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms. Next, other embodiments will be briefly described. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for configurations similar to those already described, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Second Embodiment>
In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, different settings other than those set in the first embodiment may be made in the standard mode and the safety mode. Next, the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a recording paper 5 on which the warning message 70 is printed in the second embodiment. For example, some users may mistakenly use the non-genuine ink cartridge 45 for the genuine ink cartridge 45 without knowing that the non-genuine ink cartridge 45 is used. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the non-genuine ink cartridge 45 is used, the warning message 70 is printed on the recording paper 5 in the safety mode as shown in FIG. In the normal mode, the warning message 70 is not printed on the recording paper 5. Here, the "warning message" is a message for alerting the user that the ink cartridge 45 and the ink used are non-genuine products. The specific content of the warning message 70 is not particularly limited.

The position where the warning message 70 is printed is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, when the printed matter 72 is printed on the recording paper 5, the warning message 70 is in the area of the recording paper 5 before the printed matter 72 is printed on the recording paper 5 and after the printed matter 72 is printed on the recording paper 5. To print. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the printed matter 72 is printed from the front to the back of the printing paper 5, the warning message 70 is an area in front of and behind the printed matter 72 on the recording paper 5 on which the printed matter 72 is printed. Is printed on. However, the warning message 70 may be printed only in one of the area before the printed matter 72 is printed on the recording paper 5 and the area after the printed matter 72 is printed on the recording paper 5. The warning message 70 may be printed on the recording paper 5 on which the printed matter 72 is printed in any area in front of or behind the printed matter 72.

In the present embodiment, when a non-genuine ink cartridge 45 is used, the user visually observes the warning message 70 printed on the recording paper 5, so that the ink cartridge 45 used is a non-genuine product. Can be recognized. Therefore, even if the user mistakenly uses the non-genuine ink cartridge 45 for the genuine ink cartridge 45, the warning message 70 printed on the recording paper 5 can be visually observed to the user. Can be used to call attention.

<Other embodiments>
In each of the above embodiments, in the safety mode, the printing time is slower than in the standard mode in order to secure the drying time of the ink ejected to the recording paper 5. Specifically, in the standard mode, as shown in FIG. 2, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 mounted on the platen 25 at a predetermined first speed. On the other hand, in the safety mode, the transport mechanism 27 transports the recording paper 5 placed on the platen 25 at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed.

However, in the safety mode, the scanning speed of the recording head 40 may be slower than in the standard mode in order to secure the drying time of the ink ejected to the recording paper 5. Here, the "scanning speed" is the speed at which the recording head 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y. For example, when the print mode is set to the standard mode, the standard mode setting unit 64 sets the scan speed to a predetermined third speed, and when the print mode is set to the safety mode, the safety mode setting unit 66 scans. The speed may be set to a predetermined fourth speed that is slower than the third speed.

Further, in the safety mode, unidirectional printing may be performed in order to secure the drying time of the ink ejected on the recording paper 5. That is, in the safety mode, when printing while the recording head 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y, for example, the recording head 40 is directed from one end (for example, the right end) to the other end (for example, the left end) of the guide rail 20. When moving from the other end of the guide rail 20 toward one end, the ink is ejected to the recording paper 5, and the ink is not ejected to the recording paper 5. In this case, in the standard mode, printing may be performed by unidirectional printing or bidirectional printing may be performed. In the standard mode, the recording head 40 may eject ink onto the recording paper 5 when moving from one end to the other end of the guide rail 20 and when moving from the other end toward one end.

In each of the above embodiments, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 acquires the authentication information in the IC tag 47 provided in the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40, and determines the authentication information to determine the ink cartridge 45. Was judged whether or not it was a genuine product. However, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 may determine whether or not the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a genuine product by using another method. For example, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 stores the detailed shape of the genuine ink cartridge. A sensor that reads the shape of the ink cartridge 45 is arranged in the printing device 1. A sensor that reads this shape is connected to the control device 60. Then, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 reads the shape of the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 by the sensor that reads the shape. When the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines that the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a genuine product when the detailed shape of the genuine ink cartridge stored in advance and the read shape match, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines that the ink cartridge 45 is a genuine product. Good. On the other hand, when the detailed shape of the genuine ink cartridge stored in advance and the read shape do not match, the ink cartridge determination unit 62 determines that the ink cartridge 45 connected to the recording head 40 is a non-genuine product. You may.

It should be noted that each of the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

As described above, the storage unit 61, the ink cartridge determination unit 62, the standard mode setting unit 64, the safety mode setting unit 66, the printing unit 68, and the receiving unit 69 of the control device 60 of the printing device 1 are composed of software. You may. That is, each of the above parts may be realized by the computer by loading the computer program into the computer. The present invention includes a computer program for printing for making a computer function as each of the above parts. The present invention also includes a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

1 Printing device 28 Drive mechanism 40 Recording head 41 Discharge unit 45 Ink cartridge (ink container)
47 IC tag (tag)
48 Reading sensor 60 Control device 61 Storage unit 62 Ink cartridge determination unit (ink container determination unit)
64 Standard mode setting section (1st print mode setting section)
66 Safety mode setting unit (second print mode setting unit)
68 Printing Department

Claims (8)

A recording head that ejects a droplet of ink having a predetermined first diameter and a droplet of ink having a predetermined second diameter shorter than the first diameter onto a recording medium at least.
A drive mechanism that moves the recording head relative to the recording medium in a predetermined first direction.
An ink container connected to the recording head and containing ink to be supplied to the recording head.
A control device that controls the recording head and the drive mechanism based on a predetermined print mode.
With
In the print mode,
A first printing mode in which the recording head ejects droplets of ink having the first diameter and droplets of ink having the second diameter onto the recording medium.
A second printing mode in which the recording head ejects ink droplets of the first diameter ink onto the recording medium and does not eject the ink droplets of the second diameter ink onto the recording medium.
Is included,
The control device is
An ink container determining unit that determines whether or not the ink container is a genuine product,
When the ink container determination unit determines that the ink container is a genuine product, the first print mode setting unit that sets the print mode to the first print mode and the first print mode setting unit.
When the ink container determination unit determines that the ink container is not a genuine product, the second print mode setting unit that sets the print mode to the second print mode and the second print mode setting unit.
A printing unit that prints based on the printing mode set by the first printing mode setting unit or the second printing mode setting unit, and
A printing device equipped with. The recording head comprises a droplet of ink having the first diameter, a droplet of ink having the second diameter, and a droplet of ink having a predetermined third diameter shorter than the second diameter. It can be ejected to the recording medium
In the first printing mode, the recording head records the ink droplets of the first diameter, the ink droplets of the second diameter, and the ink droplets of the third diameter as the recording medium. Discharge to
In the second printing mode, the recording head ejects the ink droplets of the first diameter to the recording medium, and the ink droplets of the second diameter and the ink droplets of the third diameter. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, which does not eject the ink to the recording medium. The recording head ejects ink to the recording medium based on the drive pulse.
The drive pulse
A first drive pulse with a predetermined first maximum potential and
A second drive pulse having a predetermined second maximum potential lower than the first maximum potential, and
Is included,
In the first print mode, the recording head ejects ink to the recording medium based on the first drive pulse and the second drive pulse.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the second printing mode, the recording head ejects ink to the recording medium based on the first drive pulse. The platen on which the recording medium is placed and
A transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium placed on the platen in a predetermined second direction is provided.
In the first printing mode, the transport mechanism transports the recording medium mounted on the platen at a predetermined first speed.
In the second printing mode, the transport mechanism transports the recording medium mounted on the platen at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The printing apparatus described in one. In the second print mode, a warning message indicating that the ink container is a non-genuine product is printed on the recording medium before printing the printed matter on the recording medium or after printing the printed matter on the recording medium. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The ink container is provided with a tag in which information about the ink container is stored.
It is equipped with a reading sensor that reads the information stored in the tag.
Any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ink container determining unit determines whether or not the ink container is a genuine product based on the information stored in the tag read by the reading sensor. The printing apparatus described in one. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reading sensor is a non-contact type sensor. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A printing computer program for realizing the ink container determination unit, the first print mode setting unit, the second print mode setting unit, and the printing unit on a computer.

Images