Printing apparatus and printing system

Abstract

The present application provides a printing device and a printing system that solve the problem of insufficient study of service provision related to cartridge replacement in a service that provides use of the printing device in accordance with a predetermined contract plan. The printing device sets a flat rate usage fee that is predetermined regardless of the number of times of replacement of cartridges, and has a nozzle head having nozzles that can eject liquid stored in a plurality of cartridges, and a control section having a cleaning execution section that executes a cleaning process including a cleaning operation of sucking and discharging liquid from the nozzles when a cleaning condition is satisfied, the cleaning process having a judgment process that judges, before the cleaning operation is executed, whether or not there is a specific cartridge in which the amount of liquid remaining is equal to or greater than a reference remaining amount and in which the amount of liquid remaining will become less than the reference remaining amount if the cleaning operation is executed, and a setting process that sets the specific cartridge as a replacement target before the cleaning operation is executed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system. Background Technology

[0002] A printing apparatus has been known to include multiple cartridges that can be replaced individually, and after cartridge replacement, a cleaning process is performed to draw ink from all nozzles corresponding to the multiple cartridges. Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that, in order to avoid repeated cartridge replacements in a short period of time, selects cartridges whose ink remaining amount is predicted to be below a predetermined threshold after cleaning as replacement targets, along with other cartridges whose ink remaining amount is below the predetermined threshold.

[0003] Furthermore, there is a service that provides the use of the printing equipment in exchange for payment according to a predetermined contractual usage plan. However, the provision of services related to box replacement for the aforementioned printing equipment has not been adequately studied.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-247485 Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a printing apparatus is provided. The printing apparatus has a box mounting section capable of mounting and dismounting multiple boxes, and a predetermined fixed usage fee is set regardless of the number of box replacements. The printing apparatus includes: a nozzle having multiple nozzles capable of spraying liquid stored in the multiple boxes; a control unit having a cleaning execution unit and a remaining amount acquisition unit. The cleaning execution unit performs a cleaning process including a cleaning action when predetermined cleaning conditions are met. The cleaning action is an action of drawing liquid from the nozzles and causing it to flow out for all of the multiple boxes. The remaining amount acquisition unit acquires the remaining liquid amount of each of the multiple boxes. The cleaning process includes a judgment process and a setting process. The judgment process is performed before performing the cleaning action and determines whether a specific box exists among the multiple boxes. The specific box is a box whose remaining liquid amount is above a predetermined reference remaining amount and whose remaining liquid amount would become less than the reference remaining amount after performing the cleaning action. The setting process is a process of setting the specific box as a replacement target before performing the cleaning action if the judgment process determines that the specific box exists.

[0006] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes: a printing apparatus according to the first aspect described above; a server device that communicates with the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus further including a communication unit that communicates with the server device, wherein when a cleaning execution unit sets a specific box as a replacement object, the communication unit sends replacement information indicating that the specific box is set as a replacement object to the server device. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the delivery system of this embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the structure of a printing apparatus.

[0009] Figure 3 This diagram is used to illustrate the nozzle and suction mechanism.

[0010] Figure 4 The flowchart is for exhausting the processing.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a flowchart for the first cleaning process.

[0012] Figure 6 A flowchart for the cleaning acceptance process.

[0013] Figure 7 A diagram showing the supply sequence for the recycling of boxes.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the second cleaning process involved in the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] A. First implementation method:

[0016] Figure 1This diagram illustrates the delivery system 200 of this embodiment. The delivery system 200 includes a printing system 300, a server device 90, and a PC (Personal Computer) 101 as an information processing device. The server device 90 and PC 101 are, for example, located in an agency store 100. In this embodiment, the printing system 300 includes a printing device 50, multiple PCs (Personal Computers) 9, and a user server device 70. The printing system 300 pays usage fees according to a predetermined contract plan and accepts the provision of services that allow the use of the printing device 50. The PCs 9 store printing drivers that control the printing device 50. Although in this embodiment, the printing system 300 consists of one printing device 50 and two PCs 9, the number of printing devices 50 and PCs 9 is not limited to this. Furthermore, when the printing system 300 includes multiple printing devices 50, their models can be the same or different. The user server device 70 manages the printing device 50 according to the contract plan.

[0017] The agent 100 enters into a specific contract plan with the user of the printing system 300. For example, in the contract plan, a predetermined fixed usage fee is set regardless of the number of times the box 20 (described later) is replaced. For example, the monthly usage fee is fixed, and the user can replace the boxes used in the printing apparatus 50, which is the subject of the contract plan, an unlimited number of times. The server device 90 manages the distribution processing of the box 20 (described later). Although the agent 100 owns the server device 90 in this embodiment, the server device 90 may also be owned by a party other than the agent 100 responsible for the collection and distribution processing of the boxes.

[0018] In this embodiment, the PC9, printing device 50, and user server device 70 of the printing system 300 are connected to the PC101 and server device 90 of the agency store 100 via the Internet. The communication method is not limited to this; for example, the communication networks of the PC9, printing device 50, and user server device 70 of the printing system 300 and the PC101 and server device 90 of the agency store 100 can be different networks.

[0019] When a specific contract plan is signed between the agent 100 and the printing system 300, for example, a control program for the printing apparatus 50 according to the contract plan is sent from the PC 101 to the user server device 70. The control program utilizes the user server device 70 and is applied to the printing apparatus 50. Thus, the printing apparatus 50 performs actions according to the contract plan. Alternatively, in other embodiments, when a specific contract plan is signed, the agent 100 may also install the control program according to the contract plan into the printing apparatus 50. Furthermore, when the cartridge installed in the printing apparatus 50 is replaced, information is sent from the printing apparatus 50 to the server device 90.

[0020] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the structure of the printing apparatus 50. The printing apparatus 50 has a specific contract plan, which stipulates that a predetermined fixed usage fee will be charged to the user regardless of the number of times the cartridge 20 (described later) is replaced. The printing apparatus 50 is an inkjet printer capable of performing color printing and ejecting liquid ink. The printing apparatus 50 includes: a control device 40 for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 50, a carriage 59, a drive mechanism 13, a paper feed mechanism 21, and a suction mechanism 30.

[0021] The carriage 59 has a cartridge mounting section 59a. The cartridge mounting section 59a allows for the detachable mounting of multiple cartridges 20. In this embodiment, four types of cartridges 20, each storing blue-green (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, are mounted on the cartridge mounting section 59a. When a cartridge 20 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 59a, a signal indicating that it is mounted is input to the CPU 41. An ejector head 82 is mounted on the side of the carriage 59 opposite the printing medium P. This ejector head 82 ejects the ink from the cartridges 20 mounted on the carriage 59 outwards. The ejector head 82 has multiple nozzles 88 corresponding to the four types of cartridges 20. By ejecting ink from the multiple nozzles 88, a printed image is formed on the printing medium P. Furthermore, regarding the cartridges 20, when distinguishing the types of cartridges 20 according to the types of inks stored, symbols representing various colors are used, and they are referred to as cartridge 20C, cartridge 20M, cartridge 20Y, and cartridge 20K.

[0022] The drive mechanism 13 is a mechanism for moving the carriage 59 in the main scanning direction. The drive mechanism 13 includes a carriage motor 12, a pulley 18, a drive belt 16, and a sliding shaft 14. The sliding shaft 14 holds the carriage 59, which is fixed to the drive belt 16, in a slidable manner. The rotation of the carriage motor 12 is transmitted to the carriage 59 via the drive belt 16. Thus, the carriage 59 moves back and forth along the sliding shaft 14 in the main scanning direction. The paper feed mechanism 21 includes a paper feed roller 26 and a paper feed motor 22. The printing medium P is conveyed in the secondary scanning direction by the rotation of the paper feed roller.

[0023] The suction mechanism 30 is used to clean the inside of the nozzles by drawing ink from multiple nozzles 88. Details of the suction mechanism 30 are described below.

[0024] The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 as a control unit, a storage unit 55 composed of ROM and RAM, and a communication unit 54. The storage unit 55 stores contract plan information 51 representing a specific contract plan applied to the printing apparatus 50. The communication unit 54 communicates with external devices via wired or wireless means. The CPU 41 controls the operation of the printing apparatus 50. By executing various control programs stored in the storage unit 55, the CPU 41 functions as a printing operation unit 42, a remaining quantity acquisition unit 43, and a cleaning execution unit 44.

[0025] The printing action unit 42 receives printing tasks from external sources such as the computer 9 and controls the printing operation of the printing apparatus 50 according to the printing tasks. For example, the printing action unit 42 controls the operation of the drive mechanism 13, the paper feed mechanism 21, and the print head 82. Specifically, the printing action unit 42 converts the RGB image data of the printing task received from the outside into CMYK printing data, and uses the printing data to perform black and white printing or color printing.

[0026] The remaining amount acquisition unit 43 acquires the remaining amount of liquid ink in each cartridge 20, i.e., the remaining amount of liquid. A remaining amount sensor (not shown) is installed in each cartridge 20, and when the remaining amount of ink, i.e., the remaining amount of liquid, falls below a predetermined sensor reference value, a detection signal is input from the remaining amount sensor to the CPU 41. Examples of remaining amount sensors include, for instance, sensors that optically detect the remaining amount using a prism, and piezoelectric vibration elements that output residual vibration as a detection signal. When the remaining amount sensor detects that the remaining amount of liquid has fallen below the predetermined sensor reference value, the remaining amount acquisition unit 43 performs the following processing: The remaining amount acquisition unit 43 counts the number of times ink is ejected from the nozzle 88 of the printhead 82 corresponding to each color, and multiplies the predetermined amount of ink ejected each time by the number of ejections, i.e., by a so-called dot-counting method, to estimate the ink consumption. Then, the remaining amount acquisition unit 43 obtains the liquid remaining amount Ar of the cartridge 20 by subtracting the estimated ink consumption from the sensor reference value.

[0027] The cleaning execution unit 44 performs the exhaustion treatment and cleaning acceptance treatment described later. The exhaustion treatment and cleaning acceptance treatment include a first cleaning treatment, which utilizes the suction mechanism 30 and is described later. Furthermore, the first cleaning treatment includes a cleaning action. The cleaning action refers to the action of forcibly drawing ink from each nozzle 88 of the print head 82 by driving the suction pump 34 while the nozzle surface 84 is covered by the capping member 31. In other words, the cleaning action is the action of drawing liquid from the nozzles 88 and causing it to flow out for all the multiple cartridges 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K mounted on the cartridge mounting part 59a. Figure 3 Let's explain the cleaning process.

[0028] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the printhead 82 and the suction mechanism 30. The suction mechanism 30 is used to cover the nozzles 88 of the printhead 82 or to draw ink from the nozzles 88. In addition to the plurality of nozzles 88 formed on the nozzle surface 84, the printhead 82 also includes a piezoelectric element 86 as a pressure generating mechanism. The plurality of nozzles 88 have: a nozzle array communicating with cartridge 20C, a nozzle array communicating with cartridge 20M, a nozzle array communicating with cartridge 20Y, and a nozzle array communicating with cartridge 20K. The plurality of nozzles 88 are capable of ejecting ink stored separately in the plurality of cartridges 20. That is, the piezoelectric element 86 is driven according to instructions from the CPU 41, thereby causing the nozzles 88 to eject ink.

[0029] The suction mechanism 30 includes a capping member 31, a lifting mechanism 33, a suction pump 34, and a discharge channel 36. The capping member 31 is concave and covers the nozzle surface 84. By covering the nozzle surface 84 with the capping member 31, a closed space is formed. An opening 38 is formed at the bottom of the capping member 31. The opening 38 is connected to the discharge channel 36, which is formed by a tube. The ink flowing in the discharge channel 36 is stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown) provided with the printing apparatus 50. The suction pump 34 is positioned midway through the discharge channel 36. The suction pump 34 is driven according to instructions from the CPU 41. The lifting mechanism 33 raises and lowers the capping member 31. The lifting mechanism 33 is driven according to instructions from the CPU 41. When printing is not performed, the carriage 59 is in its initial position directly above the suction mechanism 30.

[0030] For example, a cleaning operation is performed when cartridge 20 is replaced or when an instruction to perform a cleaning operation is received. After cartridge 20 is replaced, air bubbles may sometimes appear in the ink supply path from cartridge 20 to nozzle 88 and within nozzle 88. Therefore, by performing a cleaning operation, air bubbles can be removed, thereby maintaining good print quality. Furthermore, if the ink on the tip side of nozzle 88 becomes viscous, ink may not be sufficiently ejected from nozzle 88 during printing, resulting in printing not being performed according to the printing data. In this case, for example, the user instructs the printing apparatus 50 to perform a cleaning operation via PC9. By performing a cleaning operation, the viscous ink on the tip side of nozzle 88 can be discharged, thereby maintaining good print quality.

[0031] Figure 4 The flowchart is for exhausting the processing. Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the first cleaning process. For example, when printing, performed by the printing action unit 42, ends, the cleaning execution unit 44 begins. Figure 4The exhaustion process is shown. In step S10, the remaining liquid Ar obtained by the remaining liquid acquisition unit 43 is used to detect whether there is an exhaustion box among the plurality of boxes 20 whose remaining liquid Ar is less than a predetermined exhaustion reference remaining liquid Ae. Here, the exhaustion reference remaining liquid Ae is an example of a reference remaining liquid. In step S10, when it is determined that there is an exhaustion box among the plurality of boxes 20 whose remaining liquid Ar is less than the predetermined exhaustion reference remaining liquid Ae, the exhaustion condition, which is a cleaning condition, is met. As a result, in step S12, the cleaning execution unit 44 sets the exhaustion box as a replacement target and notifies the user that the box 20 needs to be replaced. Specifically, the cleaning execution unit 44 displays a message such as "Please replace the box." on a display unit (not shown) on the printing device 50, such as a liquid crystal display, or on a display unit on the PC9. After executing step S12, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S10, when it is determined that there is no empty box among the multiple boxes with a liquid remaining amount Ar less than the predetermined emptying baseline remaining amount Ae, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, a first cleaning process is performed.

[0032] exist Figure 5 In the first cleaning process shown, a judgment process is performed in step S20. In step S20, it is determined whether there is a specific box among the multiple boxes 20 (excluding the depleted box) where the remaining liquid Ar is less than the cleaning reference remaining liquid Acl. Here, the cleaning reference remaining liquid Acl refers to a value greater than the depleted reference remaining liquid Ae, and the remaining liquid Ar would become less than the depleted reference remaining liquid Ae after the cleaning action is performed. That is, in step S20, it is determined whether there is a specific box among the multiple boxes 20 where the remaining liquid Ar is greater than or equal to the predetermined depleted reference remaining liquid Ae, and the remaining liquid Ar would become less than the depleted reference remaining liquid Ae after the cleaning action is performed. If, in step S20, it is determined that a specific box exists, in step S22 (a setting process), the specific box is set as a replacement target, and the user is notified that box 20 needs to be replaced, proceeding to step S24. If, in step S20, it is determined that no specific box exists, step S22 is skipped, and step S24 is performed.

[0033] In step S24, it is determined whether there is a box 20 designated for replacement, that is, whether there is an exhausted box or a specific box. If, in step S24, it is determined that there is no exhausted box or specific box, then in step S28, it is determined whether a cleaning execution instruction has been received. If, in step S28, it is determined that a cleaning execution instruction has not been received, this process routine ends since no cleaning action is required. If, in step S28, it is determined that a cleaning execution instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S30. If, in step S24, it is determined that there is an exhausted box or a specific box, then in step S26, it is determined whether a new box has been installed on the box mounting section 59a based on whether there is a signal from the carriage 59. If, in step S26, it is determined that no new box 20 has been installed on the box mounting section 59a, the process returns to step S26, and step S26 is repeated at predetermined time intervals until it is determined that a new box 20 has been installed. Here, the predetermined time interval refers to, for example, several seconds. In step S26, if it is determined that a new box 20 has been installed on the box mounting part 59a, proceed to step S30. In step S30, a cleaning operation is performed, and this subroutine ends. Return to Figure 4 When the first cleaning process in step S14 is completed, this process routine ends.

[0034] For example, in the following situation, Figure 4 The exhaustion process is explained as follows: In this case, the remaining liquid Ar of cartridge 20K containing black ink is less than the exhaustion reference remaining amount Ae, while the remaining liquid Ar of cartridge 20C containing blue-green ink is greater than or equal to the exhaustion reference remaining amount Ae but less than the cleaning reference remaining amount Acl. In this situation, cartridge 20K is set as a replacement object in step S12. Furthermore, in the first cleaning process... Figure 5In step S22, cartridge 20C is designated as a replacement target. After cartridges 20K and 20C, designated as replacement targets, are removed from the cartridge mounting section 59a and replaced with new cartridges 20K and 20C, the cleaning operation in step S30 is performed. Therefore, the ink remaining in cartridge 20C is recovered not by being stored in a waste container, but by being collected in cartridge 20C. Furthermore, the ink remaining in the recovery cartridge 20C can be reused. Moreover, in step S12, since cartridge 20K, being an exhausted cartridge, is designated as a replacement target, both cartridges 20K and 20C are designated as replacement targets at the same time. This reduces downtime that occurs when only a specific cartridge or an exhausted cartridge is designated as a replacement target. In detail, for example, if only box 20K is set as the replacement target, after box 20K is replaced, a cleaning operation is performed, and box 20C becomes an exhausted box and is set as the replacement target. This results in a situation where box 20C must be replaced immediately after box 20K is replaced, meaning the replacement and cleaning operations for box 20 are performed twice in a short period. Therefore, downtime due to replacement occurs. Furthermore, the delivery of a new box 20 is performed twice along with the replacement of box 20. In this embodiment, since box 20K and box 20C are set as replacement targets at the same time, the situation where the replacement and cleaning operations for box 20 are performed twice in a short period can be avoided, thus shortening downtime compared to control where only exhausted boxes are set as replacement targets. Additionally, the situation where the delivery of a new box 20 is performed twice can be avoided, thereby reducing delivery frequency.

[0035] Figure 6 A flowchart for the cleaning process. For example, when the power to the printing unit 50 is turned on, the cleaning execution unit 44 executes... Figure 6 The cleaning acceptance process is shown. In step S34, it is determined whether a cleaning execution instruction has been accepted. As described above, for example, if ink is not sufficiently ejected from the nozzle 88, resulting in poor printing, the user inputs a cleaning execution instruction to the printing device 50 to perform a cleaning operation. Alternatively, for example, the CPU 41 may automatically determine whether there is a so-called nozzle leakage situation where ink is not sufficiently ejected from the nozzle 88, and if it is determined that nozzle leakage has occurred, it sends a cleaning execution instruction to the cleaning execution unit 44. In step S34, when it is determined that a cleaning execution instruction has been accepted, since the instruction acceptance condition, which is a cleaning condition, is met, the process is executed in step S36. Figure 5 The first cleaning process shown here concludes this process routine. That is, the process in step S36 and... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5The first cleaning process in step S14 shown is the same. Furthermore, in this first cleaning process, even if it is determined in step S24 that there is no cartridge 20 designated for replacement, the cleaning action related to step S30 is still performed. This is because a cleaning execution instruction was received in step S28. Similar to the exhaustion process, in this process, if a specific cartridge exists, the specific cartridge is not cleaned and is designated for replacement. Therefore, it is possible to recover specific cartridges containing residual ink.

[0036] Figure 7 A sequence diagram for the recycling supply of the boxes. Figure 5 In step S24 of the first cleaning process shown, this sequence begins when the cleaning execution unit 44 determines that a box 20 designated for replacement exists. In step S100, the communication unit 54 sends replacement information indicating that a specific box is designated for replacement to the server device 90. Furthermore, in the case of a used-up box, the replacement information includes information indicating that the used-up box is designated for replacement. Additionally, the replacement information includes the ink color information of the box 20 designated for replacement. When the server device 90 receives the replacement information, in step S102, the agent 100 obtains the replacement information. In step S104, based on the replacement information, the agent 100 supplies a new box 20 of the same color as the used-up box and a new box 20 of the same color as the specific box to the printing system 300, in the case of a used-up box. Furthermore, in step S106, the agent 100 recycles the used-up box and the specific box from the printing system 300 in the case of a used-up box. Thus, the specific box can be recycled even with residual ink. The ink remaining in a particular box can also be recycled when making a new box 20.

[0037] According to the first embodiment described above, in the first cleaning process, in Figure 5 If a specific cartridge is determined to exist in step S20, the specific cartridge is set as a replacement target before performing the cleaning action in step S30. This allows for recycling while recyclable ink remains in the specific cartridge. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, in step S10 of the depletion process, when it is detected that there is a depletion box with a remaining amount less than the depletion reference Ae, in step S12, the depletion box is set as a replacement object. Therefore, the depletion box and the specific box can be set as replacement objects together. Furthermore, in step S26 of the first cleaning process performed in step S14 of the depletion process, when a new box 20 is installed on the box mounting part 59a, a cleaning operation is performed in step S30. Therefore, the cleaning operation can be performed even when the specific box and the depletion box are replaced with new boxes. Furthermore, as... Figure 6As shown, in step S34 of the cleaning acceptance process, if a cleaning execution instruction is received, a first cleaning process is performed in step S36. Therefore, the first cleaning process can be performed upon receiving a cleaning execution instruction. Furthermore, in step S26 of the first cleaning process implemented in step S36 of the cleaning acceptance process, if a new box 20 is installed on the box mounting part 59a, a cleaning operation is performed in step S30. Therefore, a cleaning operation can be performed even when a specific box is replaced with a new box. Additionally, as... Figure 7 As shown, in step S100 of the recycling and supply sequence of box 20, when the cleaning execution unit 44 sets a specific box as a replacement target, the communication unit 54 sends replacement information to the server device 90. This ensures that the specific box can be recycled properly.

[0038] B. Second implementation method:

[0039] use Figure 8 The second cleaning process, which involves cleaning processing performed by the printing apparatus 50 in the second embodiment, will be described. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, exhaustion processing and cleaning acceptance processing are performed, and the first cleaning process is performed in step S14 of the exhaustion processing. However, unlike the first embodiment, the second cleaning process is performed instead of the first cleaning process in step S36 of the cleaning acceptance processing. In this embodiment, the cleaning level, which is the intensity of the cleaning action, can be set to three levels: level CL1, level CL2, and level CL3. The rotational speed of the suction pump 34 differs among levels CL1, CL2, and CL3. Among the three levels CL1, CL2, and CL3, the suction pump 34 has the lowest rotational speed and the suction is weakest at level CL1. On the other hand, among the three levels CL1, CL2, and CL3, the suction pump 34 has the highest rotational speed and the suction is strongest at level CL3. That is, when the cleaning action is performed for the same amount of time, the amount of liquid suctioned is the largest at level CL3. Specifically, the suction force is adjusted by varying the rotational speed of the suction pump 34, thereby allowing the suction volume per unit time to be adjusted to various levels. For example, when the ink ejection from the nozzle 88 during printing is weak, meaning the printed image is barely formed, level CL3 is set. And, for example, when the printed image is blurry, level CL1 is set. In this embodiment, the cleaning level is set when the user issues a cleaning execution instruction. Therefore, the cleaning execution instruction includes any one of the multiple cleaning levels: level CL1, level CL2, and level CL3. Furthermore, the cleaning action performed during exhaustion processing is performed at level CL1.

[0040] When the second cleaning process begins, in step S40, it is determined whether the cleaning level is CL1, CL2, or CL3. If the cleaning level is determined to be CL1 in step S40, the cleaning level CL1 is stored in step S46, and the process proceeds to step S66. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning execution instruction is only accepted if ink of level CL1 remains in cartridge 20. Therefore, the process of determining whether there is a cartridge with a remaining liquid amount Ar less than the amount required for a level CL1 cleaning action is omitted.

[0041] In step S40, if the level is determined to be CL2, in step S50, it is determined whether there is a specific box with a remaining liquid Ar that is less than the second cleaning reference remaining liquid Acl2. Here, the second cleaning reference remaining liquid Acl2 refers to a liquid remaining liquid Ar that is greater than the depletion reference remaining liquid Ae, and which becomes less than the depletion reference remaining liquid Ae after performing a level CL2 cleaning action. In step S50, which is the determination process, if it is determined that there is no specific box with a remaining liquid Ar that is less than the second cleaning reference remaining liquid Acl2, the process proceeds to step S54. In step S50, if it is determined that there is a specific box with a remaining liquid Ar that is less than the second cleaning reference remaining liquid Acl2, in step S52, which is the setting process, the specific box is set as a replacement object, and the user is notified that box 20 needs to be replaced. In step S54, the cleaning level is stored as level CL2, and the process proceeds to step S66.

[0042] In step S40, if the level is determined to be CL3, in step S58, which is a determination process, it is determined whether there is a specific box with a remaining liquid level Ar less than the third cleaning reference remaining liquid level Acl3. Here, the third cleaning reference remaining liquid level Acl3 refers to the remaining liquid level Ar that is greater than the depletion reference remaining liquid level Ae, and becomes less than the depletion reference remaining liquid level Ae after performing a level CL3 cleaning action. In step S58, if it is determined that there is no specific box with a remaining liquid level Ar less than the third cleaning reference remaining liquid level Acl3, the process proceeds to step S62. In step S58, if it is determined that there is a specific box with a remaining liquid level Ar less than the third cleaning reference remaining liquid level Acl3, in step S60, which is a setting process, the specific box is set as a replacement target, and the user is notified that box 20 needs to be replaced. In step S62, the cleaning level is stored as level CL3, and the process proceeds to step S66.

[0043] In step S66, it is determined whether a box 20, designated as the replacement object, exists, i.e., a specific box. If, in step S66, it is determined that the specific box does not exist, the process proceeds to step S72. If, in step S66, it is determined that the specific box exists, in step S68, it is determined whether a new box 20 is installed on the box mounting part 59a based on whether a signal is received from the carriage 59. If, in step S68, it is determined that the new box 20 is not installed on the box mounting part 59a, the process returns to step S68, and this process repeats at predetermined time intervals until it is determined that the new box 20 is installed. If, in step S68, it is determined that the new box 20 is installed on the box mounting part 59a, the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, a cleaning operation is performed according to the stored cleaning level, and this process routine ends.

[0044] According to the second embodiment described above, similarly to the first embodiment, in either step S50 or S58, if a specific cartridge is determined to exist, it is set as a replacement object in steps S52 or S60 before performing the cleaning action in step S72. This allows for the recycling of recyclable ink remaining in the specific cartridge. Furthermore, since the cleaning level included in the cleaning execution instruction is stored in steps S46, S54, and S62, and the cleaning action is performed in step S72 using the stored cleaning level, the cleaning action can be performed using the cleaning level included in the cleaning execution instruction.

[0045] C. Other implementation methods:

[0046] C1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0047] Although the first embodiment described above describes the exhaustion process starting when the cleaning execution unit 44 finishes printing as performed by the printing operation unit 42, the start time of the exhaustion process is not limited to the end of printing. For example, it can be performed when the ink in the cartridge 20 becomes less than the exhaustion reference remaining amount Ae during the printing operation, or when the power supply of the printing device 50 is turned on.

[0048] C2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0049] In the second embodiment described above, the cleaning instruction is executed by the user. If the printing apparatus 50 has a function to set the cleaning level based on the printing conditions without relying on user input, the cleaning level can also be set by the printing apparatus 50. Specifically, the function of setting the cleaning level is implemented by equipping the printing apparatus 50 with a detection unit that detects the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 88 and a setting unit that sets the cleaning level based on the amount of ink ejected detected by the detection unit. For example, the detection unit can be implemented by a photointerrupter or the like that that detects the ejected ink.

[0050] C3. Other implementation methods 3:

[0051] In the second cleaning process described in the second embodiment above, in step S40, if the cleaning level is determined to be level CL1, the determination process for whether there is a specific box with a remaining liquid amount Ar less than the amount of liquid required to perform a cleaning action at level CL1 is not performed. However, in step S40, similar to the case where the cleaning level is determined to be level CL2, a process step can be set to determine whether there is a specific box with a remaining liquid amount Ar less than the amount of liquid required to perform a cleaning action at level CL1, and if such a specific box exists, to set it as a replacement target. Furthermore, in the second embodiment above, the cleaning action performed in the exhaustion process is performed at level CL1. Before performing the exhaustion process, if there are unperformed but retained cleaning actions at level CL2 or level CL3, the retained cleaning actions at level CL2 or level CL3 can be performed instead of level CL1. For example, there is a case where, after receiving a cleaning execution instruction, the cleaning action is retained even after the box 20 is replaced.

[0052] C4. Other implementation methods 4:

[0053] This disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and their cartridges, but can also be applied to printing apparatuses in which cartridges for containing liquids other than ink are detachably mounted. For example, this disclosure can be applied to printing apparatuses or jet printing apparatuses that serve as printing apparatuses.

[0054] (1) Image printing devices such as fax machines.

[0055] (2) A color material printing apparatus used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays.

[0056] (3) An electrode material printing apparatus used in the electrode formation of organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, field emission displays (FEDs), etc.

[0057] (4) A jetting device for spraying liquids, including organic matter from living organisms used in the manufacture of biochips.

[0058] (5) Sample spraying device as a precision pipette.

[0059] (6) Lubricating oil injection device.

[0060] (7) Resin liquid spraying device.

[0061] (8) A liquid injection device that uses a needle to spray lubricating oil into precision machinery such as clocks and cameras.

[0062] (9) A liquid spraying device for spraying a transparent resin liquid, such as an ultraviolet-curing resin liquid, onto a substrate to form a tiny hemispherical lens or the like used in optical communication elements.

[0063] (10) A liquid jetting device for spraying acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch substrates, etc.

[0064] (11) A liquid jetting device having any other liquid jetting head that ejects a small amount of liquid droplets.

[0065] Furthermore, "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a liquid jetting device, including granular, teardrop-shaped, filamentous, and tail-like states. In addition, the term "liquid" here simply refers to any material that can be ejected by a liquid jetting device. For example, "liquid" can refer to any material in a liquid phase state, including liquids with high or low viscosity, as well as liquids such as sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (molten metal). Furthermore, not only liquids as a state of matter, but also particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent are included in "liquid." Furthermore, representative examples of liquids include inks or liquid crystals as described in the above embodiments. Here, inks include general water-based inks and various liquid compositions such as oil-based inks, gel inks, and hot-melt inks.

[0066] D. Other methods:

[0067] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve part or all of the problems of this disclosure, or to achieve part or all of the effects of this disclosure, the technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described below can be appropriately replaced or combined. Furthermore, as long as the technical feature is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0068] (1) A printing apparatus is provided according to a first aspect of the present disclosure. The printing apparatus has a box mounting section capable of mounting and dismounting multiple boxes, and a predetermined fixed usage fee is set regardless of the number of box replacements. The printing apparatus includes: a nozzle having multiple nozzles capable of spraying liquid stored in the multiple boxes respectively; a control unit having a cleaning execution unit and a remaining amount acquisition unit. The cleaning execution unit performs a cleaning process including a cleaning action when predetermined cleaning conditions are met. The cleaning action is an action of drawing liquid from the nozzles and causing it to flow out for all of the multiple boxes. The remaining amount acquisition unit acquires the remaining liquid amount of each of the multiple boxes. The cleaning process includes a judgment process and a setting process. The judgment process is performed before performing the cleaning action and determines whether a specific box exists among the multiple boxes. The specific box is a box whose remaining liquid amount is above a predetermined reference remaining amount and whose remaining liquid amount would become less than the reference remaining amount after performing the cleaning action. The setting process is a process of setting the specific box as a replacement target before performing the cleaning action if the judgment process determines that the specific box exists. According to this method, since a specific box is set as a replacement object before the cleaning action is performed, it is possible to recycle the recyclable liquid in a state where it remains in the specific box.

[0069] (2) In the above method, the cleaning process can also be performed when a depletion condition, which is a cleaning condition, is met. The depletion condition is determined by the remaining amount acquisition unit to be that the remaining liquid amount in at least one of the plurality of boxes is less than the reference remaining amount. When the cleaning process is performed by meeting the depletion condition, the setting process further sets the box whose remaining liquid amount is determined to be less than the reference remaining amount (i.e., the depleted box) as a replacement target. According to this method, cleaning can be performed when it is determined that the remaining liquid amount in at least one of the plurality of boxes is less than the reference remaining amount, and the depleted box can be set as a replacement target.

[0070] (3) In the above method, the cleaning execution unit can also perform the cleaning operation when the used-up box is replaced with a new box and installed on the box mounting part, and when the specific box exists, it is also replaced with a new box and installed on the box mounting part. According to this method, the cleaning operation can be performed when both the specific box and the used-up box are replaced with new boxes.

[0071] (4) In the above method, the cleaning execution unit may also perform the cleaning process when the instruction acceptance condition, which is the cleaning condition, is met. The instruction acceptance condition is the acceptance of an instruction to perform the cleaning action, i.e., a cleaning execution instruction. According to this method, the cleaning process can be performed when a cleaning execution instruction is accepted.

[0072] (5) In the above method, the cleaning execution unit can also perform the cleaning action when the specific box is replaced with a new box and installed on the box mounting part. According to this method, the cleaning action can be performed when the specific box is replaced with a new box.

[0073] (6) In the above method, it is also possible to adopt the following method: the cleaning execution instruction includes, as the instruction content, any one of a plurality of cleaning levels for which the amount of liquid drawn for the cleaning action is different, and the cleaning execution unit performs the cleaning action at the same cleaning level as any one of the plurality of cleaning levels included in the cleaning execution instruction. According to this method, the cleaning action can be performed at the cleaning level included in the cleaning execution instruction.

[0074] (7) According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes: a printing apparatus according to the first aspect described above; a server device that communicates with the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus further including a communication unit that communicates with the server device, wherein when the cleaning execution unit sets a specific box as a replacement object, the communication unit sends replacement information to the server device indicating that the specific box has been set as a replacement object. According to this method, specific boxes can be recycled efficiently.

[0075] This disclosure can be implemented in various ways besides those described above. For example, the information processing system can be implemented by a computer program that implements any of the above methods, a non-transitory recording medium that records the computer program, or other means.

[0076] Not all of the structural elements in the various embodiments of this disclosure described above are essential technical features. To solve some or all of the aforementioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some of the structural elements can be appropriately modified, deleted, replaced with new structural elements, or have a portion of the limiting content deleted. Furthermore, to solve some or all of the aforementioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some or all of the technical features included in one embodiment of this disclosure can be combined with some or all of the technical features included in other embodiments of this disclosure to form an independent embodiment of this disclosure.

[0077] Symbol Explanation

[0078] 9…Computer; 12…Carriage motor; 13…Drive mechanism; 14…Sliding shaft; 16…Drive belt; 18…Pulley; 20, 20C, 20K, 20M, 20Y…Box; 21…Mechanism; 22…Motor; 26…Roller; 30…Suction mechanism; 31…Capping component; 33…Lifting mechanism; 34…Suction pump; 36…Discharge channel; 38…Opening; 40…Control device; 41…CPU; 42…Printing action unit; 43…Remaining quantity acquisition unit; 44…Cleaning execution unit; 50…Printing device; 51…Contract schedule information; 54…Communications section; 55…Storage section; 59…Carriage; 59a…Box mounting section; 70…User server unit; 82…Print head; 84…Nozzle face; 86…Piezoelectric element; 88…Nozzle; 90…Server unit; 100…Agency; 200…Distribution system; 300…Printing system; Acl…Cleaning baseline remaining amount; Acl2…Second cleaning baseline remaining amount; Acl3…Third cleaning baseline remaining amount; Ae…Use-out baseline remaining amount; Ar…Liquid remaining amount; CL1, CL2, CL3…Grade; P…Printing media.

Claims

1. A printing device having a cartridge mounting portion capable of mounting and demounting a plurality of cartridges, and a predetermined flat rate usage fee being set regardless of the number of times of replacement of the cartridges, the printing device comprising: an ejection head having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting liquid stored in the plurality of cartridges respectively; a control portion, the control portion comprising a cleaning execution portion and a remaining amount acquisition portion, the cleaning execution portion executing a cleaning process including a cleaning operation of sucking and discharging the liquid from the nozzles for all of the plurality of cartridges when a predetermined cleaning condition is satisfied, the remaining amount acquisition portion acquiring respective liquid remaining amounts of the plurality of cartridges, the cleaning process having a judgment process and a setting process, the judgment process being executed before the cleaning operation and judging whether or not there is a specific cartridge among the plurality of cartridges, the specific cartridge being a cartridge whose liquid remaining amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference remaining amount and whose liquid remaining amount becomes less than the reference remaining amount when the cleaning operation is executed, the setting process being a process of setting the specific cartridge as a replacement target before the cleaning operation when it is judged by the judgment process that there is the specific cartridge, the cleaning execution portion executing the cleaning process when an instruction acceptance condition as the cleaning condition is satisfied, the instruction acceptance condition being an instruction of executing the cleaning operation being accepted, in the instruction of executing the cleaning operation, any one of a plurality of cleaning levels in which amounts of the liquid for the cleaning operation are different from each other is included as an instruction content, the cleaning execution portion executing the cleaning operation at the same cleaning level as any one of the plurality of cleaning levels included in the instruction of executing the cleaning operation, a function of setting the cleaning level is realized by the printing device being provided with a detection portion that detects an ejection amount of ink ejected from the nozzles and a setting portion that sets the cleaning level based on the ejection amount detected by the detection portion.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning execution portion executes the cleaning process when a use-up condition as the cleaning condition is satisfied, the use-up condition being that the liquid remaining amount of at least one cartridge among the plurality of cartridges is judged to be less than the reference remaining amount by the remaining amount acquisition portion, in a case where the cleaning process is executed by the use-up condition being satisfied, the setting process further sets the cartridge whose liquid remaining amount is judged to be less than the reference remaining amount, that is, a use-up cartridge, as a replacement target.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein in a case where the use-up cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge and mounted on the cartridge mounting portion and the specific cartridge is also replaced with a new cartridge and mounted on the cartridge mounting portion when the specific cartridge exists, the cleaning execution portion executes the cleaning operation.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The cleaning execution section executes the cleaning operation in a case where the specific cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge and mounted on the cartridge mounting section.

5. A printing system comprising: the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a server device that communicates with the printing device, the printing device further comprises a communication section that communicates with the server device, the communication section transmits, to the server device, replacement information indicating that the specific cartridge is set as a replacement target in a case where the cleaning execution section sets the specific cartridge as a replacement target.

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