Driving waveform determination method, liquid ejecting apparatus, and recording medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a drive waveform decision method, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and a recording medium that decide a drive waveform for realizing a desired ejection characteristic with respect to a plurality of kinds of liquid and a liquid ejecting mechanism. A first acquisition process is a process of acquiring first information indicating an ejection characteristic of a first liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting mechanism when a drive waveform candidate is applied to a drive element. A second acquisition process is a process of acquiring second information indicating an ejection characteristic of a second liquid different from the first liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting mechanism when the drive waveform candidate is applied to the drive element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for determining a driving waveform, a liquid ejection device, and a computer program. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, inkjet printers have employed methods to determine parameters for the waveform of a drive signal based on measurements of ink droplet ejection characteristics. In Patent Document 1, multiple drive signals with different values ​​for the parameters defining the drive waveform are prepared. Then, ink droplets are simultaneously ejected from multiple nozzles using one of these drive signals. Simultaneous ejection of ink droplets using a single drive signal is performed for different numbers of nozzles. This process is executed for each drive signal. Furthermore, the parameter of the drive signal that minimizes the deviation in ink droplet ejection speed when ink droplets are simultaneously ejected from different numbers of nozzles is used as the parameter of the drive signal actually used in printing. As a result, during printing, ink droplets are stably ejected from each nozzle regardless of the number of nozzles simultaneously ejecting ink droplets.

[0003] Inks of different colors exhibit varying properties such as viscosity and surface tension. Even when using the same drive signal, the ejection characteristics of the ink from the nozzle—such as ejection volume, ejection speed, and the amount of droplets—will differ when using inks with varying viscosity or surface tension. Therefore, even using the technique described in Patent Document 1 to determine the parameters may not necessarily achieve the desired ejection characteristics for all types of inks used in printers.

[0004] Furthermore, even among multiple ink ejection mechanisms equipped with drive elements capable of applying the same drive waveform, the ejection characteristics of the ink ejected from the nozzles of the ink ejection mechanism, such as ejection volume, ejection speed, and amount of secondary droplets, differ when the flow channel shape or nozzle shape of each ink ejection mechanism is different. Therefore, even if the parameters are determined using the technology of Patent Document 1, it is not necessarily possible to achieve the desired ejection characteristics for other ink ejection mechanisms capable of applying the same drive waveform.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-131910 Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for determining the drive waveform of a drive signal applied to a drive element of a liquid ejection mechanism to cause liquid to be ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism. The method includes: a first acquisition step, which performs a first acquisition process to acquire first information, the first information being information related to the ejection characteristics of a first liquid ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element; a second acquisition step, which performs a second acquisition process to acquire second information, the second information being information related to the ejection characteristics of a second liquid, different from the first liquid, ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element; and a waveform determination step, which determines the drive waveform based on the first information and the second information. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the printer 1 and computer 60 included in the printing system of the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a portion of the structure of printer 1.

[0009] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the ink ejector head 41 on a section perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction Ds.

[0010] Figure 4 A diagram showing the driving waveform W of the driving signal COM.

[0011] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1 in the second embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1 in the third embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1 in the fourth embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal in the fifth embodiment.

[0016] Figure 10This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the printer 1a and computer 60 included in the printing system of the sixth embodiment.

[0017] Figure 11 A block diagram illustrating printers 1a and 1b and computer 60 constituting a modified example of the sixth embodiment of the printing system.

[0018] Figure 12 A block diagram illustrating printers 1a and 1b, computers 60a and 60b, and server 70 constituting a modified example of the sixth embodiment of the printing system. Detailed Implementation

[0019] A. First implementation method:

[0020] A1. Structure of the printing system:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the printer 1 and computer 60 included in the printing system of the first embodiment. The printing system includes the printer 1 and the computer 60.

[0022] Printer 1 drives a drive element based on printing data, thereby ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle to form an image on a printing medium PM. Printer 1 includes a controller 10, a transport unit 20, a carriage unit 30, a head unit 40, and a detector assembly 50.

[0023] The controller 10 is a control unit that implements control of the printer 1. The controller 10 includes an interface unit 11, a CPU 12, a memory 13, and a unit control circuit 14.

[0024] The interface unit 11 transmits and receives data between the printer 1 and the computer 60. The CPU 12 is an arithmetic processing unit for implementing overall control of the printer 1. The memory 13 includes auxiliary memory for storing computer programs executed by the CPU 12 and main memory that functions as a working area. The CPU 12, as a processor, performs various functions by loading programs stored in the auxiliary memory into the main memory and executing them. Although the main memory is preferably non-volatile memory, it can also be volatile memory. Both non-volatile and volatile memory can be appropriately utilized as auxiliary memory.

[0025] The unit control circuit 14 controls each unit of the printer 1 according to instructions from the CPU 12. The unit control circuit 14 includes multiple drive signal generation circuits 15. The drive signal generation circuits 15 generate a drive signal COM comprising multiple drive waveforms W generated in each fixed cycle. Furthermore, for ease of technical understanding, [the following is omitted as it is not directly related to the preceding text]. Figure 1The driving signal generation circuit 15 is represented as a structural element.

[0026] The transport unit 20 transports the printing medium PM to a position suitable for printing, and during printing, it transports the printing medium PM at a predetermined transport rate. The carriage unit 30 moves the ink ejector head 41, which is mounted on the carriage 31, in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the printing medium PM. In this specification, the direction of movement of the ink ejector head 41 is referred to as the "main scanning direction Dm". The transport direction of the printing medium PM is referred to as the "sub-scanning direction Ds".

[0027] The head unit 40 ejects ink droplets onto the printing medium PM. The head unit 40 includes an ink ejection head 41 and a head control unit HC. Multiple nozzles Nz are provided on the lower surface of the ink ejection head 41. The ink ejection head 41 includes multiple drive elements PZT. Specifically, the drive elements PZT are piezoelectric elements. One drive element PZT is provided for each nozzle Nz. The drive elements PZT are driven by a drive signal COM. The ink ejection head 41 ejects ink from the nozzles Nz by the drive elements PZT. Although a piezoelectric element made of lead zirconate titanate is used as the drive element PZT in this embodiment, a piezoelectric element made of a material other than lead zirconate titanate may also be used, and it may also be a heating element.

[0028] The head control unit HC controls whether to apply the drive waveform W of the drive signal COM to the drive element PZT corresponding to each nozzle Nz based on printing data. When the drive waveform W is applied to the drive element PZT corresponding to a certain nozzle Nz, ink of an amount corresponding to the drive waveform W is ejected from that nozzle Nz, thereby forming a dot on the printing medium PM. On the other hand, if the drive waveform W is not applied to the drive element PZT corresponding to a certain nozzle Nz, no ink droplets are ejected from that nozzle Nz.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a portion of the structure of printer 1. Printer 1 is capable of performing a dot-forming process in which ink droplets are intermittently ejected from an ink ejection head 41 that moves along the main scanning direction Dm and form dots on a printing medium PM. Printer 1 is also capable of performing a transport process in which the printing medium PM is transported along the sub-scanning direction Ds. By alternately and repeatedly performing the dot-forming process and the transport process, printer 1 forms dots at various locations on the printing medium PM, thereby forming an image.

[0030] Detector group 50 monitors the condition inside printer 1 (see reference). Figure 1 Based on the output signals from the detector group 50, the controller 10 controls the components constituting the printer 1. The detector group 50 includes a CCD camera 55.

[0031] The CCD camera 55 acquires images of ink droplets ejected from the ink ejector head 41 and outputs the image data to the CPU 12. The CCD camera 55 is capable of capturing still images and moving images. In this specification, "image" includes both still images and moving images.

[0032] Although the CCD camera 55 is used in taking pictures to obtain information indicating ejection characteristics, as described below, it can be used instead of the CCD camera 55 as long as it is a component capable of obtaining information indicating ejection characteristics. For example, an electronic balance can be used instead of the CCD camera 55 to obtain information indicating ejection characteristics such as ejection volume.

[0033] Computer 60 sends printing data to printer 1. Computer 60 also sends parameters of the drive waveform representing the drive signal of the drive element to printer 1. Computer 60 includes an interface unit 61, CPU 62, memory 63, display 64, keyboard 65, and mouse 66.

[0034] The display 64 is controlled by the CPU 62 to output images. The keyboard 65 and mouse 66 are operated by the user, thereby inputting the user's instructions to the CPU 62.

[0035] The interface unit 61 implements the transmission and reception of data between the computer 60 and the printer 1. The memory 63 includes auxiliary memory for storing computer programs executed by the CPU 62 and main memory that functions as a working area. The CPU 62, as a processor, performs various functions by loading programs stored in the auxiliary memory into the main memory and executing them.

[0036] For example, CPU 62 implements the function of acquiring information representing the characteristics of ink ejection from ink ejection head 41, i.e., ejection characteristics. More specifically, CPU 62 can acquire, based on the image of ink droplets acquired by the CCD camera 55 of printer 1, the ejection speed of ink ejected from nozzle Nz and the amount of ink ejected from nozzle Nz by the ejection action of drive element PZT. Furthermore, CPU 62 implements the function of determining the drive waveform of the drive signal COM applied to drive element PZT.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the ink ejector head 41 perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction Ds. The ink ejector head 41 has a housing 411, a flow channel unit 412, and multiple drive elements PZT. The housing 411 houses the multiple drive elements PZT. The flow channel unit 412 is engaged with the lower surface of the housing 411.

[0038] The flow channel unit 412 has a flow channel forming plate 412a, an elastic plate 412b, and a nozzle plate 412c.

[0039] The flow channel forming plate 412a has a groove that functions as a pressure chamber 412d, a through-hole that functions as a nozzle connection port 412e, a through-hole that functions as a common ink chamber 412f, and a groove that functions as an ink supply channel 412g. A common ink chamber 412f is provided for the plurality of nozzles Nz included in a nozzle array. A combination of ink supply channel 412g, pressure chamber 412d, and nozzle connection port 412e is provided for each nozzle Nz. In the ink ejector head 41, ink is supplied to the pressure chamber 412d via the common ink chamber 412f and the ink supply channel 412g. The ink in the pressure chamber 412d is ejected from the nozzle Nz via the nozzle connection port 412e.

[0040] The elastic plate 412b has an island portion 412h to which the top of the drive element PZT is joined. Moreover, an elastic region composed of an elastic membrane 412i is formed around the island portion 412h.

[0041] Nozzle plate 412c is a plate having a plurality of nozzles Nz. On the nozzle Nz surface, which is one side of nozzle plate 412c, there are rows of yellow nozzles for ejecting yellow ink, rows of magenta nozzles for ejecting magenta ink, rows of cyan nozzles for ejecting cyan ink, and rows of black nozzles for ejecting black ink. Each nozzle row consists of 180 nozzles Nz arranged at predetermined intervals in the sub-scanning direction Ds. Each nozzle row is formed in a manner that it is arranged in the main scanning direction Dm. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a section perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction Ds. In the unit control circuit 14, a drive signal generation circuit 15 is provided for one nozzle array.

[0042] Multiple drive elements PZT are configured as a comb-shaped array of elements. A drive signal COM is applied to the drive elements PZT via a wiring board on which a head control unit HC is mounted. The drive elements PZT extend and retract according to the potential of the drive signal COM. When the drive element PZT retracts, the island portion 412h deforms toward the drive element PZT. When the drive element PZT extends, the island portion 412h deforms toward the pressure chamber 412d. As a result, the pressure within the pressure chamber 412d changes, causing ink droplets to be ejected from the nozzle Nz. A drive signal generation circuit 15 is provided for each nozzle array. Therefore, the drive signal COM generated by a certain drive signal generation circuit 15 is applied in a common manner to the drive elements PZT of all nozzles Nz belonging to the nozzle array corresponding to that drive signal generation circuit 15. However, whether the drive waveform W of the drive signal COM is applied to each individual drive element PZT is determined by the head control unit HC.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a diagram representing the drive waveform W of the drive signal COM. The drive signal COM is repeatedly generated with a fixed period. Figure 4 The driving waveform W shown has a first expansion element S1 from the intermediate potential Vc to the highest potential Vh, a first holding element S2 holding the highest potential Vh, a contraction element S3 from the highest potential Vh to the lowest potential Vl, a second holding element S4 holding the lowest potential Vl, and a second expansion element S5 from the lowest potential Vl to the intermediate potential Vc.

[0044] When the intermediate potential Vc is applied to the drive element PZT, the drive element PZT does not expand or contract. The volume of the pressure chamber 412d when the intermediate potential Vc is applied to the drive element PZT is called the "reference volume".

[0045] When the first expansion element S1 of the drive signal COM is applied to the drive element PZT from the state where the intermediate potential Vc is applied, the drive element PZT contracts in the long side direction. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 412d will increase (see reference). Figure 3When the first holding element S2 of the drive signal COM is applied to the drive element PZT, the contracted state of the drive element PZT is maintained. At this time, the expanded state of the pressure chamber 412d is also maintained. When the contraction element S3 of the drive signal COM is applied to the drive element PZT, the drive element PZT begins to extend from its contracted state. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 412d decreases. The ink pressure in the pressure chamber 412d increases, causing ink droplets to be ejected from the nozzle Nz. Subsequently, the second holding element S4 of the drive signal COM is applied to the drive element PZT, thereby maintaining the extended state of the drive element PZT and the contracted state of the pressure chamber 412d. When the second expansion element S5 is applied to the drive element PZT, the volume of the pressure chamber 412d returns to the reference volume.

[0046] The time generated by the first expansion element S1 is called "first expansion time Pwc1". The time generated by the first holding element S2 is called "first holding time Pwh1". The time generated by the contraction element S3 is called "contraction time Pwd1". The time generated by the second holding element S4 is called "second holding time Pwh2". The time generated by the second expansion element S5 is called "second expansion time Pwc2". The first expansion time Pwc1, the first holding time Pwh1, the contraction time Pwd1, the second holding time Pwh2, and the second expansion time Pwc2 are parameters that define the shape of the driving waveform W of the driving signal COM.

[0047] A2. Determination of the driving waveform:

[0048] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1. Figure 5 The method for determining the drive waveform is executed based on instructions input by the user and primarily through the control of the computer 60 and printer 1 by the CPU 62 of the computer 60. Figure 5 The processing shown determines the drive waveform of the drive signal COM applied to the drive element PZT to make ink ejected from the ink ejector head 41.

[0049] In step S11, CPU 62 selects one of a plurality of pre-determined drive waveform candidate Wci and sends a set of parameters representing the selected drive waveform candidate Wci to printer 1 (see reference). Figure 4 Multiple pre-determined candidate drive waveforms Wci are candidates for the drive waveform W applied to the drive signal COM in printer 1. These multiple sets of parameters representing the candidate drive waveforms Wci are pre-stored in memory 63. Figure 1In the text, multiple sets of parameters representing multiple driving waveform candidates Wci are denoted as "Waveform Parameter 631".

[0050] In step S12, CPU 62 instructs CPU 12 of printer 1 to perform the following processing. CPU 12 controls unit control circuit 14 and generates drive signal COM based on a set of parameters received representing one of the candidate drive waveforms Wci. Then, CPU 12 applies the drive signal COM to the drive element PZT of the nozzle row that ejects the first ink in the plurality of drive elements PZT of ink ejection head 41. As a result, ink droplets of the first ink are ejected from nozzle Nz. The first ink is, for example, blue-green ink.

[0051] In step S13, CPU 12 causes CCD camera 55 to capture an image of the ink droplets ejected from nozzle Nz by the drive signal COM. CPU 12 sends the image data to computer 60. In step S12, CPU 62 of computer 60 instructs CPU 12 of printer 1 to perform the above processing steps S12 and S13.

[0052] In step S13, the CPU 62 calculates the ejection amount Pwa of the first ink ejected from a nozzle Nz of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT based on image data. The ejection amount of ink is defined by mass. Since mass is based on volume and ink density, the ejection amount of ink can also be defined by volume. The ejection amount of ink is one of the ways of "ejection characteristics". The CPU 62 stores information representing the ejection characteristics of the first ink in the memory 63 in a way that establishes a correspondence with specific information about the first ink. The information representing this ejection characteristic is called "first information Ic1". The first information Ic1 represents the ejection characteristics of the first ink ejected from the head unit 40 when a certain drive waveform candidate Wci is applied to the drive element PZT. In addition, the ejection amount Pwa of ink can also be the amount ejected from a nozzle Nz by a single ejection action of the drive element PZT.

[0053] In this specification, the process of obtaining the first information Ic1 executed in steps S12 and S13 is referred to as the "first acquisition process".

[0054] The processes in steps S22 and S23 are largely the same as those in steps S12 and S13, respectively. However, while steps S12 and S13 are performed on the nozzle array that ejects the first ink, steps S22 and S23 are performed on the nozzle array that ejects a second ink that is different from the first ink. Other aspects of steps S22 and S23 are the same as those in steps S12 and S13.

[0055] That is, in step S22, the CPU12 applies the generated drive signal COM to the drive element PZT of the nozzle array that ejects the second ink among the multiple drive elements PZT of the ink ejection head 41. As a result, ink droplets of the second ink are ejected from the nozzle Nz. The second ink is, for example, magenta ink.

[0056] In step S23, the CPU 62 calculates the ejection amount Pwb of the second ink ejected from a nozzle Nz of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT based on image data. The CPU 62 stores information representing the ejection characteristics of the second ink in the memory 63 in a manner that establishes a correspondence with specific information about the second ink. This information representing the ejection characteristics is called "second information Ic2". The second information Ic2 represents the ejection characteristics of the second ink ejected from the head unit 40 when a certain drive waveform candidate Wci is applied to the drive element PZT.

[0057] In this specification, the process of obtaining the second information Ic2, which is performed in steps S22 and S23, is referred to as the "second acquisition process".

[0058] In step S23b, the CPU 62 determines whether the processing of steps S12 to S23 has been performed for all drive waveform candidate Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed. If the processing of steps S12 to S23 has been performed for all drive waveform candidate Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process proceeds to step S31. If the processing of steps S12 to S23 has not been performed for all drive waveform candidate Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process returns to step S11. Then, one drive waveform candidate Wci from the plurality of drive waveform candidate Wci for which the processing of steps S12 to S23 has not yet been performed is selected, and the processing of steps S12 to S23 is performed.

[0059] By repeatedly implementing steps S12 and S13, a first acquisition process is performed for each of the predetermined plurality of drive waveform candidate Wci. As a result, first information Ic1 regarding the predetermined plurality of drive waveform candidate Wci is stored in memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0060] By repeatedly implementing steps S22 and S23, a second acquisition process is performed for each of the predetermined plurality of drive waveform candidates Wci. As a result, second information Ic2 regarding the predetermined plurality of drive waveform candidates Wci is stored in memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0061] exist Figure 1 In this context, the functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs steps S12 to S13 is shown as the first feature acquisition unit 622a. Figure 1 In this context, the functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs the processing steps S22 to S23 is shown as the second feature acquisition unit 622b.

[0062] exist Figure 5 In step S31, CPU 62 selects one of a plurality of pre-determined candidate drive waveforms Wci.

[0063] In step S32b, the CPU 62 determines whether the ejection characteristics shown by the first information Ic1 of the selected drive waveform candidate Wci satisfy a predetermined first condition. Specifically, the CPU 62 performs the following processing.

[0064] First, CPU62 obtains first deviation information Id1, which represents the difference between the ejection characteristics shown in first information Ic1 and the target ejection characteristics, which are the ideal ejection characteristics. As a specific example, the value Dwa is calculated using the following mathematical formula to serve as the first deviation information Id1.

[0065] Dwa=|Pwt-Pwa|…(1)

[0066] Pwt represents the ideal ejection rate.

[0067] Pwa is the ejection amount shown in the first information Ic1, and is the ejection amount of the first ink when a certain drive waveform candidate Wci is applied in printer 1.

[0068] CPU 62 determines whether the selected drive waveform candidate Wci satisfies Dwa≤Thwa. Thwa is a predetermined threshold and is a positive number smaller than Pwt. That is, in this embodiment, the first condition is Dwa≤Thwa.

[0069] The first condition can also be expressed in the following way.

[0070] [Pwt-Thwa]≤Pwa≤[Pwt+Thwa]…(2)

[0071] That is, the first condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the first ink is included in a predetermined first range [Pwt-Thwa] to [Pwt+Thwa].

[0072] Thus, by setting the first condition, it is possible to determine the driving waveform W for the first liquid to achieve the desired ejection characteristics by appropriately determining Thwa, which defines the first range of the above equation (2).

[0073] In step S32b, if the ejection characteristics meet the first condition, the process proceeds to step S33b. If the ejection characteristics do not meet the first condition, the process returns to step S31.

[0074] In step S33b, the CPU 62 determines whether the ejection characteristics shown by the second information Ic2 of the selected drive waveform candidate Wci satisfy a predetermined second condition. Specifically, the CPU 62 performs the following processing.

[0075] First, CPU62 obtains second deviation information Id2, which represents the difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the second information Ic2 and the target ejection characteristics, which are the ideal ejection characteristics. As a specific example, the value Dwb is calculated using the following mathematical formula to obtain the second deviation information Id2.

[0076] Dwb=|Pwt-Pwb|…(3)

[0077] Pwb is the ejection amount shown in the second information Ic2, and is the ejection amount of the second ink when a certain drive waveform candidate Wci is applied in printer 1.

[0078] CPU12 determines whether the selected drive waveform candidate Wci satisfies Dwb≤Thwb. Thwb is a predetermined threshold and is a positive number smaller than Pwt. That is, in this embodiment, the second condition is Dwb≤Thwb.

[0079] The second condition can also be expressed in the following way.

[0080] [Pwt-Thwb]≤Pwb≤[Pwt+Thwb]…(4)

[0081] That is, the second condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the second ink is included in a predetermined second range [Pwt-Thwb] to [Pwt+Thwb].

[0082] Thus, by setting the second condition, it is possible to determine the driving waveform W for the second liquid to achieve the desired ejection characteristics by appropriately determining the second range of the above equation (4) Thwb.

[0083] In step S33b, if the ejection characteristics meet the second condition, the process proceeds to step S39. If the ejection characteristics do not meet the first condition, the process returns to step S31.

[0084] If the process returns to step S31 from step S32b or step S33b, in step S31, one drive waveform candidate Wci that has not yet undergone the processing of step S32b is selected from the plurality of drive waveform candidate Wci. Then, the processing following step S32b is performed.

[0085] In step S39, the CPU 62 determines the drive waveform W of the drive signal COM applied to the drive element PZT of the ink ejector head 41 from the drive waveform candidate Wci selected in the last executed step S31.

[0086] As a result, in step S33, the driving waveform W is determined based on at least a portion of the first information Ic1, the second information Ic2, and a plurality of pre-determined driving waveform candidate Wci. Figure 1 In this context, the functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs the processing steps S31 to S39 is shown as the waveform determination unit 624.

[0087] Since steps S32b and S33b were performed before step S39, in step S33, the drive waveform candidate Wci among the predetermined multiple drive waveform candidates Wci, whose ejection characteristics shown by the first information Ic1 satisfy the predetermined first condition and whose ejection characteristics shown by the second information Ic2 satisfy the predetermined second condition, is determined as the drive waveform W.

[0088] By employing this method, it becomes possible to determine the drive waveform W for both the first and second inks to achieve the desired ejection characteristics. More specifically, it is possible to determine a drive waveform W where the difference in ejection volume between the different inks ejected from nozzle Nz is small.

[0089] The printing system in this embodiment is also referred to as a "liquid ejection device" (see reference). Figure 1 The head unit 40 is also referred to as the "liquid ejection mechanism". The unit control circuit 14 is also referred to as the "drive control unit". The repeatedly executed... Figure 5 Step S13 is also called the "first acquisition process". Step S23, which will be repeatedly performed, is also called the "second acquisition process". Steps S31 to S39 are also called the "waveform determination process".

[0090] B. Second implementation method:

[0091] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in Figure 6 The process performed later than step S23b in the method is... Figure 5The method of the first embodiment shown differs from that of the second embodiment. Other aspects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Figure 6 In the method, the processing of step S30 is performed after step S23b.

[0092] In step S30, CPU 62 accepts inputs for a first range and a second range. In the first embodiment, the first range and the second range are predetermined (refer to equations (2) and (4) above). However, in the second embodiment, the first range and the second range are determined based on input from the user.

[0093] Specifically, the CPU 62 displays on the display 64 an input that causes a first range of input related to the ejection characteristics of the first ink. Furthermore, the CPU 62 receives the first range of input from the user via the keyboard 65 and the mouse 66. Additionally, the CPU 62 displays on the display 64 an input that causes a second range of input related to the ejection characteristics of the second ink. Furthermore, the CPU 62 receives the second range of input from the user via the keyboard 65 and the mouse 66. In this embodiment, the first and second ranges are permissible ranges of the amount of ink ejected from a nozzle Nz by the ejection action of the drive element PZT. The functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs the function of step S30 is the "waveform determination unit 624" (see...). Figure 1 ).

[0094] By implementing the process of step S30, the user is able to determine the first condition and the second condition appropriately, thereby determining the drive waveform W for achieving the desired ejection characteristics for the first ink and the second ink respectively.

[0095] Figure 6 The processing of steps S31 to S33b is the same as that in the first embodiment. Figure 5 The processing steps S31 to S33b are roughly the same.

[0096] In step S35, CPU 62 appends the candidate drive waveform Wci selected in the last executed step S31 to the selected waveform Ws stored in memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 ). (It lies in) Figure 6 If step S35 is executed first in the process, CPU 62 will store the candidate drive waveform Wci selected in the last executed step S31 as the selected waveform Ws.

[0097] In step S35b, the CPU 62 determines whether the processing of step S32b has been performed for all drive waveform candidate Wci. If the processing of step S32b has been performed for all drive waveform candidate Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process proceeds to step S36. If the processing of step S32b has not been performed for all drive waveform candidate Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process returns to step S31. Then, in step S31, one drive waveform candidate Wci for which the processing of step S32b has not yet been performed is selected from the plurality of drive waveform candidate Wci, and the processing following step S32b is performed.

[0098] By repeatedly implementing steps S31 to S35, one or more drive waveform candidates Wci, from a plurality of predetermined drive waveform candidates Wci, whose ejection characteristics shown by first information Ic1 satisfy the first condition and whose ejection characteristics shown by second information Ic2 satisfy the predetermined second condition, are stored in memory 63 as selected waveforms Ws (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0099] In step S36, the CPU 62 displays the candidate drive waveforms Wci contained in the selection waveform Ws, along with the ejection characteristics shown by the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2, on the display 64. Simultaneously, the CPU 62 displays the input prompting the selection of a candidate drive waveform Wci from the candidate drive waveforms Wci contained in the selection waveform Ws.

[0100] In step S38, the CPU 62 receives input from the user who has viewed the display of step S36 via the keyboard 65 and mouse 66 to select a candidate drive waveform Wci. As a result, input to select one or more candidate drive waveform Wci from a predetermined pool of candidate drive waveforms, where the ejection characteristics shown by first information Ic1 satisfy a first condition and the ejection characteristics shown by second information Ic2 satisfy a predetermined second condition, is received. The functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs the functions of steps S36 and S38 is the waveform determination unit 624. Alternatively, steps S36, S36b, and S38 can be performed automatically according to a predetermined algorithm.

[0101] In step S39, CPU62 determines the candidate drive waveform Wci selected in step S36 as the drive waveform W of the drive signal COM applied to the drive element PZT of the ink ejector head 41.

[0102] By implementing such processing, it becomes possible to reflect the user's intent regarding the ejection characteristics of the first ink and the second ink, thereby determining the drive waveform W (refer to...). Figure 6Steps S30 and S38).

[0103] C. Third implementation method:

[0104] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1 in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, compared to the second embodiment... Figure 6 The processing of step S34b is performed between steps S33b and S35 in the method. Other aspects of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[0105] In step S34b, the CPU62 determines whether the difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ic1 and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information Ic2 is less than a predetermined benchmark for the drive waveform candidate Wci. Specifically, the CPU62 performs the following processing.

[0106] CPU62 calculates the following evaluation value DPw for the selected drive waveform candidate Wci, as the third information Ic3. In addition, Equation (5) is a specific example.

[0107] DPw=|Pwb-Pwa|…(5)

[0108] The CPU 12 determines whether the selected drive waveform candidate Wci satisfies DPw≤Thwp. Thwp is a predetermined threshold and a positive number smaller than Pwb and Pwa. In this embodiment, the ejection amount Pwa of the first ink ejected from a nozzle Nz of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT is the ejection characteristic shown in the first information Ic1. The ejection amount Pwb of the second ink ejected from a nozzle Nz of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT is the ejection characteristic shown in the second information Ic2. The predetermined benchmark is the threshold Thwp.

[0109] In step S34b, if the difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ic1 and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information Ic2 is less than a predetermined benchmark, the process proceeds to step S35. If the difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ic1 and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information Ic2 is not less than the predetermined benchmark, the process returns to step S31.

[0110] Processing after step S35 and Figure 6 The processing after step S35 is the same.

[0111] By implementing step S34b, the drive waveform candidate Wci from the predetermined plurality of drive waveform candidate Wci, whose difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ic1 and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information Ic2 is less than a predetermined reference, is determined as the drive waveform W. As a result, drive waveforms with ejection characteristics of the first ink and the second ink that are similar can be preferentially selected. For example, when a product is produced by using first inks such as blue-green ink and magenta ink in an equivalent relationship to produce a printed product, the quality of the produced product can be improved.

[0112] D. Fourth Implementation Method:

[0113] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1 in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, compared to the third embodiment... Figure 7 The processing of steps S36b, S36b2, and S37 is performed between steps S36 and S38 in the method. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, in... Figure 8 In steps S13 and S23, except for... Figure 5 In addition to the processes performed in steps S13 and S23, other processes are performed. Other aspects of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

[0114] exist Figure 8 In step S13, CPU 62 calculates the ejection volume Pwa of the first ink based on image data. CPU 62 also calculates the total quantity Psa of the secondary droplets of the first ink ejected from a nozzle Nz of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT, based on the image data. The total quantity of secondary droplets is defined by the number of droplets. The total quantity of secondary droplets is one of the methods of "ejection characteristics". CPU 62 stores the total quantity Psa of secondary droplets together with the ejection volume Pwa as first information Ic1 in memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0115] exist Figure 8 In step S23, CPU 62 calculates the ejection amount Pwa of the second ink based on image data. CPU 62 also calculates the total quantity Psb of the secondary droplets of the second ink ejected from a nozzle Nz of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT, based on the image data. CPU 62 stores the total quantity Psb of the secondary droplets and the ejection amount Pwb of the ink together as second information Ic2 in memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0116] In step S36b, the CPU 62 of the computer 60 determines whether the candidate drive waveform Wci included in the selected waveform Ws meets a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition refers to the conditions that the drive waveform applied to the printer 1 should meet. If the candidate drive waveform Wci does not meet this condition, it cannot be used as the drive waveform applied to the printer 1. Here, the predetermined condition is that the total volume of the secondary drops, Psa and Psb, are both below the predetermined threshold Ths. However, other predetermined conditions can also be used.

[0117] If there are candidate drive waveforms Wci for which both the total metering of the secondary droplets Psa and Psb is below a predetermined threshold Ths, the process proceeds to step S38. If there are no candidate drive waveforms Wci for which both the total metering of the secondary droplets Psa and Psb is below the predetermined threshold Ths, the process proceeds to step S36b2. That is, the process of performing step S36b2 and the subsequent step S37 refers to the case where a drive waveform W is not selected from the multiple predetermined candidate drive waveforms Wci.

[0118] In step S36b2, CPU 62 performs a termination condition check. Specifically, CPU 62 checks whether the number of times the process reaches step S36b2 after step S36b exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the number of times the process reaches step S36b2 after step S36b exceeds the predetermined threshold, the process terminates. If the number of times the process reaches step S36b2 after step S36b does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step S37.

[0119] In step S37, CPU 62 generates new driving waveform candidates based on the first information Ic1, the second information Ic2, and a portion of a plurality of pre-determined driving waveform candidates Wci. Specifically, CPU 62 determines the set of parameters to be specified for one or more new driving waveform candidates Wci based on the parameters specified for the driving waveform candidates Wci included in the selected waveform Ws, and the evaluation values ​​DPw of these driving waveform candidates Wci, using an optimization method. In addition, the evaluation value DPw is information determined based on the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2 (refer to the above equation (5)). As an optimization method, various methods such as Bayesian optimization can be used.

[0120] Subsequently, the processing below step S12 is performed using a set of parameters that define these new drive waveform candidates Wci. Furthermore, the drive waveform W is determined based on the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2 of the new drive waveform candidates Wci, and the new drive waveform candidates Wci themselves.

[0121] If this method is adopted, a better driving waveform W can be determined without being limited to a plurality of predetermined driving waveform candidates Wci. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, since a new driving waveform candidate Wci is generated based on a plurality of predetermined driving waveform candidates Wci in step S37, the driving waveform W is determined based on the plurality of predetermined driving waveform candidates Wci.

[0122] E. Fifth implementation method:

[0123] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal according to the fifth embodiment. The method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal in the fifth embodiment includes, in a part of its processing, the method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal according to the first embodiment. The hardware structure of the printing system in the first embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0124] In step S510, the CPU 62 of the computer 60 displays on the display 64 a method for selecting the drive waveform that determines the drive signal. Specifically, it prompts a determination of whether it is desirable to determine a drive waveform that produces approximate ejection results for different inks, or whether it is desirable to determine the optimal drive waveform for a specific ink. Hereinafter, the process of determining the drive waveform that produces approximate ejection results for different inks will be referred to as the "first option." The process of determining the optimal drive waveform for a specific ink will be referred to as the "second option."

[0125] Furthermore, the CPU 62 can process the selection of either the first or the second option via the keyboard 65 and the mouse 66. Figure 1 In this context, the functional unit of CPU 62 that performs the function of step S510 is referred to as "acceptance unit 626".

[0126] In step S520, the CPU 62 of the computer 60 determines whether the first option has been selected. If the first option has been selected, the process proceeds to step S530. If the second option has been selected instead of the first option, the process proceeds to step S540.

[0127] In step S530, the CPU 62 of the computer 60 executes... Figure 5The processing of the first embodiment shown determines the driving waveform W. In step S530, the driving waveform W is determined based on at least a portion of the first information Ic1, the second information Ic2, and a plurality of driving waveform candidates Wci. This process is referred to as the "first determination process". The "first option" is the option to select the "first determination process".

[0128] In step S540, the CPU 62 of the computer 60 executes... Figure 5 The processing steps S11, S22 to S23b, S31, S33b, and S39 in the first embodiment shown determine the driving waveform W. As a result, the driving waveform W is determined based on second information Ic2 related to the second ink and a plurality of predetermined driving waveform candidates Wci, not on first information Ic1 related to the first ink. This process is referred to as the "second determination process." The "second option" is the option to select the "second determination process."

[0129] That is, in step S530 or step S540, CPU62 executes the decision process selected in step S520 from the first decision process and the second decision process.

[0130] According to this embodiment, when it is necessary to prioritize determining the drive waveform W that optimizes the second ink, the user can select the second determination process and have the drive waveform determination device execute it. As a result, the drive waveform W that optimizes the second ink is determined.

[0131] F. Sixth Implementation Method:

[0132] The printer 1a of the sixth embodiment includes a first head unit 40a and a second head unit 40b as head units, and the first head unit 40a and the second head unit 40b have different structures. Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, in... Figure 5 Steps S12, S13, S22, and S23 involve processing different from that in the first embodiment. Other aspects of the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0133] F1. Structure of the printing system:

[0134] Figure 10 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the printer 1a and computer 60 included in the printing system of the sixth embodiment. The first head unit 40a includes an ink ejection head 41a including a drive element PZTA and a head control unit HCa. The second head unit 40b includes an ink ejection head 41b including a drive element PZTb and a head control unit HCb. The first head unit 40a and the second head unit 40b have a structure substantially the same as that of the head unit 40 of the first embodiment.

[0135] Part of the structure of the second head unit 40b differs from that of the first head unit 40a. Specifically, the shape of the ink flow path from the outside to the ink ejection head 41a in the first head unit 40a is different from the shape of the ink flow path from the outside to the ink ejection head 41b in the second head unit 40b. Other aspects of the structures of the first head unit 40a and the second head unit 40b are the same.

[0136] On the other hand, the ink ejected from the nozzle Nz of the ink ejector head 41b is the same ink ejected from the nozzle Nz of the ink ejector head 41a.

[0137] The unit control circuit 14 controls each unit of printer 1a, including the first head unit 40a and the second head unit 40b, according to instructions from the CPU 12. The drive signal generation circuit 15 supplies drive signals COM to the first head unit 40a and the second head unit 40b.

[0138] F2. Determination of the driving waveform:

[0139] In the sixth embodiment, according to Figure 5 The method determines the common drive waveform W of the drive signal COM applied to the drive element PZTa of the first head unit 40a and the drive signal COM applied to the drive element PZTb of the second head unit 40b. However, in Figure 5 In steps S12, S13, S22, and S23, a different process than that in the first embodiment was implemented.

[0140] exist Figure 5 In step S12, CPU 12 controls unit control circuit 14 and generates drive signal COM based on a set of parameters received representing one of the drive waveform candidate Wci. Furthermore, CPU 12 applies the drive signal COM to drive element PZTa of ink ejector head 41a. As a result, ink droplets are ejected from nozzle Nz of ink ejector head 41a. Other aspects of the processing in step S12 of the sixth embodiment are the same as those in step S12 of the first embodiment.

[0141] In step S13, the CPU 62 stores first information Ic1 representing the ink ejection characteristics in the memory 63 in a manner that establishes a correspondence with specific information for the first head unit 40a. The specific information for the first head unit 40a is pre-stored in the memory 13 of the printer 1a. Figure 10 In this context, specific information regarding the first header unit 40a is designated as "Header ID 132a". The CPU 62 of the computer 60 receives this specific information regarding the first header unit 40a from the printer 1a.

[0142] The processes in steps S22 and S23 are substantially the same as those in steps S12 and S13 of the sixth embodiment. However, while steps S12 and S13 of the sixth embodiment are performed for the first head unit 40a, steps S22 and S23 of the sixth embodiment are performed for the second head unit 40b. Other aspects of steps S22 and S23 of the sixth embodiment are the same as those in steps S12 and S13.

[0143] That is, in step S22, CPU 12 applies the generated drive signal COM to the drive element PZTb of the ink ejector head 41b. As a result, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle Nz of the ink ejector head 41b. The ink ejected from the nozzle Nz of the ink ejector head 41b is the same ink ejected from the nozzle Nz of the ink ejector head 41a. Other aspects of the processing in step S22 of the sixth embodiment are the same as those in step S12 of the sixth embodiment.

[0144] In step S23, the CPU 62 stores the second information Ic2, representing the ink ejection characteristics, in the memory 63 in a manner that establishes a correspondence with specific information for the second head unit 40b. The specific information for the second head unit 40b is pre-stored in the memory 13 of the printer 1a. Figure 10 In this context, specific information regarding the second head unit 40b is designated as "Head ID 132b". The CPU 62 of the computer 60 receives this specific information regarding the second head unit 40b from the printer 1b.

[0145] In the sixth embodiment, the functional units of the CPU 62 that execute steps S12 to S13 and S22 to S23 are a first characteristic acquisition unit 622a and a second characteristic acquisition unit 622b (see reference). Figure 10 ).

[0146] Other aspects of the method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1a in the sixth embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Additionally, in step S39, a common drive waveform W is determined between the drive signal COM applied to the drive element PZTa of the first head unit 40a and the drive signal COM applied to the drive element PZTb of the second head unit 40b. This process is performed by the waveform determination unit 624 (see reference 624), a functional unit of the CPU 62. Figure 10 ).

[0147] According to the sixth embodiment, the drive waveform W for achieving the desired ejection characteristics, and more specifically, the desired ejection amount, can be determined for both the first head unit 40a and the second head unit 40b. As a result, even when using head units with large manufacturing errors, the drive waveform can be determined using the above method, thereby improving the quality of the printed material.

[0148] The printing system in this embodiment is also referred to as a "liquid ejection device" (see reference). Figure 10 The first head unit 40a is also referred to as the "first liquid ejection mechanism". The second head unit 40b is also referred to as the "second liquid ejection mechanism". The driving element PZTa is also referred to as the "first driving element". The driving element PZTb is also referred to as the "second driving element". The unit control circuit 14 is also referred to as the "drive control unit". The repeatedly executed... Figure 5 Step S13 is also called the "first acquisition process". Step S23, which will be repeatedly performed, is also called the "second acquisition process". Steps S31 to S39 are also called the "waveform determination process".

[0149] F3. Variations of the sixth embodiment:

[0150] (1) Figure 11 This is a block diagram showing printers 1c and 1d and computer 60 constituting a modified example of the printing system according to the sixth embodiment. In the printing system of the sixth embodiment, two printers 1c and 1d are connected to computer 60.

[0151] The structure and use of computer 60 Figure 1 The computer 60 described in the first embodiment is the same. The computer 60 is capable of sending different printing data to printers 1c and 1d. The computer 60 is also capable of sending the same printing data to printers 1c and 1d. The computer 60 sends parameters representing drive waveforms of drive signals to printers 1c and 1d. In this embodiment, the computer 60 sends the same parameters representing drive waveforms of drive signals to printers 1c and 1d. That is, printers 1c and 1d are driven by a drive signal COM containing the same drive waveform W.

[0152] The structures of printers 1c and 1d are substantially the same as those of printer 1 in the first embodiment. Printer 1c includes a first head unit 40a. The structure of the first head unit 40a of printer 1c in this variation is the same as that of the first head unit 40a in the sixth embodiment. Printer 1b includes a second head unit 40b. The structure of the second head unit 40b of printer 1b in this variation is the same as that of the second head unit 40b in the sixth embodiment. Other aspects of the structures of printers 1c and 1d are the same as those of printer 1 in the first embodiment. That is, in printers 1c and 1d, the shape of the ink flow path from the outside to the ink ejection head 41a in the first head unit 40a is different from the shape of the ink flow path from the outside to the ink ejection head 41b in the second head unit 40b.

[0153] The method described in the sixth embodiment for determining the drive waveforms of the drive signals applied to the first head unit 40a and the second head unit 40b of printer 1a can also be applied to printer 1c equipped with the first head unit 40a and printer 1d equipped with the second head unit 40b. In this manner, for example, even in printers 1c and 1d of different models using the same type of inkjet head 41, or printers 1c and 1d manufactured by different manufacturers using the same type of inkjet head 41, the quality of printed materials can be improved.

[0154] (2) Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating printers 1c and 1d, computers 60a and 60b, and server 70 constituting a modified example of the sixth embodiment of the printing system. In this modified example, the printing system includes a combination of computer 60a and printer 1c, a combination of computer 60b and printer 1d, and server 70.

[0155] Structure and use of computers 60a and 60b Figure 1 The computer 60 described in the first embodiment is the same. The structure and use of printers 1c and 1d are also described. Figure 11 The printers 1c and 1d of the modified examples of the sixth embodiment described herein are the same.

[0156] Server 70 includes an interface unit 71, a CPU 72, and a memory 73. The interface unit 71 handles the transmission and reception of data between server 70 and computers 60a and 60b. The memory 73 includes auxiliary memory for storing computer programs executed by the CPU 72, and main memory that functions as a working area. The CPU 72, acting as a processor, performs various functions by loading programs stored in auxiliary memory into main memory and executing them.

[0157] The method for determining the drive waveform of the drive signal applied to printer 1a as described in the sixth embodiment can also be applied to... Figure 12 The printer 1c shown has a first head unit 40a, and the printer 1d has a second head unit 40b. The functions of the CPU 62 described in the sixth embodiment can be implemented by the CPU of computer 60a, the CPU of computer 60b, or the CPU 72 of server 70.

[0158] G. Other implementation methods:

[0159] G1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0160] (1) In the first embodiment described above, the first ink is a blue-green ink and the second ink is a magenta ink. However, the first ink and the second ink can be other colors such as yellow, black, red, green, or transparent. For example, preferably, the second decision process in the fifth embodiment is performed for black ink (see [reference]). Figure 9 (S540).

[0161] (2) In the above embodiments, the ideal ejection amount Pwt is common to both the first ink and the second ink. However, the ideal ejection amount of the first ink and the ideal ejection amount of the second ink may differ. That is, the ideal ejection characteristics of the first liquid and the ideal ejection characteristics of the second liquid may also differ.

[0162] (3) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 5 In steps S12, S13, S22, and S23, ink droplets are ejected and the ejection characteristics are measured. However, if the first information Ic1 or the second information Ic2 is stored in a storage unit such as the memory 63 of the computer 60 or the memory 73 of the server 70, this information can also be obtained, and a decision based on the drive waveform of the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2 can be made.

[0163] (4) In the first embodiment described above, the first condition is the content expressed by equation (2), and the second condition is the content expressed by equation (4). Thwb in equation (4) can be the same as or different from Thwa in equation (2).

[0164] (5) In the above embodiment, the liquid ejection device is a printer that ejects ink. However, the liquid ejection device may also be other devices such as devices for manufacturing electronic equipment.

[0165] (6) In the above embodiments, the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2 are information representing the ejection characteristics. However, the first information and the second information may not be information representing the ejection characteristics themselves. That is, the first information and the second information only need to be information related to the ejection characteristics themselves.

[0166] (7) In the above embodiment, in step S33, the driving waveform W is determined based on at least a portion of the first information Ic1, the second information Ic2, and a plurality of predetermined driving waveform candidates Wci. However, the driving waveform may also be determined based on the first information and the second information, rather than the plurality of driving waveform candidates.

[0167] G2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0168] In the first embodiment described above, Figure 5 In step S32b, it is determined whether the ejection characteristics shown by the first information Ic1 of the selected drive waveform candidate Wci satisfy a predetermined first condition. In step S33b, it is determined whether the ejection characteristics shown by the second information Ic2 of the selected drive waveform candidate Wci satisfy a predetermined second condition. However, in order to determine the drive waveform, this determination can also be performed based on whether a parameter determined based on the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2 satisfies the condition.

[0169] G3. Other implementation methods 3:

[0170] (1) In the first embodiment described above, the first condition is that the value of the ejection characteristics of the first ink is included in a predetermined first range [Pwt-Thwa] to [Pwt+Thwa]. The second condition is that the value of the ejection characteristics of the second ink is included in a predetermined second range [Pwt-Thwb] to [Pwt+Thwb]. However, the first and second conditions may also be conditions that only determine the upper or lower limit of the parameter representing the ejection characteristics.

[0171] (2) In the first embodiment described above, the first condition is expressed by equation (2), and the second condition is expressed by equation (4). Equations (2) and (4) take the same form. However, the first and second conditions can also be expressed by mathematical expressions containing distinct terms. That is, the first and second conditions can be any conditions as long as they are predetermined.

[0172] G4. Other implementation methods 4:

[0173] In the second embodiment described above, Figure 6In step S30, inputs of the first range and the second range are received. However, the first range and the second range can also be predetermined as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the first range and the second range can also be determined based on the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2 after obtaining the first information Ic1 and the second information Ic2 representing the ejection characteristics.

[0174] G5. Other implementation methods 5:

[0175] In the second embodiment described above, Figure 6 In step S38, input is received indicating the selection of a drive waveform candidate Wci from the selected waveform Ws. However, selection from one or more drive waveform candidates among multiple drive waveform candidates, where the ejection characteristics shown in the first information satisfy the first condition and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information satisfy the second condition, can also be performed automatically. For example, the drive waveform candidate with the smallest or largest evaluation value determined based on the first and second information can be selected as the drive waveform applied to the liquid ejection device.

[0176] G6. Other implementation methods 6:

[0177] In the third embodiment described above, among the candidate drive waveforms Wci that satisfy the first and second conditions, the candidate drive waveform Wci for which the difference between the ejection characteristics shown by the first information Ic1 and the ejection characteristics shown by the second information Ic2 is less than a predetermined reference is determined as the drive waveform W (refer to). Figure 7 (S34b). However, it is also possible to configure it in such a way that the driving waveform candidate Wci among the driving waveform candidates Wci that satisfies the first condition and the second condition, has the smallest difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ic1 and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information Ic2, is automatically determined as the driving waveform W. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the driving waveform W can also be determined without considering the difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ic1 and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information Ic2.

[0178] G7. Other implementation methods 7:

[0179] In the first embodiment described above, the ejection characteristics considered when determining the drive waveform are the amount of liquid ejected from a nozzle of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT (refer to...). Figure 5 (S13, 23). As a result, a drive waveform with small differences in the amount of liquid ejected from the nozzle is determined. However, the ejection characteristics considered when determining the drive waveform can also be other characteristics.

[0180] For example, the ejection characteristics can be set to the ejection velocity of the liquid ejected from the nozzle of the liquid ejector head. If this method is used, it is possible to determine a drive waveform that is unlikely to change the ejection velocity of the liquid ejected from the nozzle even if environmental conditions change.

[0181] In this manner, Dva, which serves as the first deviation information Id1, is calculated in the following way.

[0182] Dva=|Pvt-Pva|…(6)

[0183] Pvt is the ideal ejection speed.

[0184] Pva is the ejection speed shown in the first information Ic1 when a certain drive waveform candidate Wci is applied in printer 1.

[0185] The Dvb of the second deviation information Id2 is calculated in the following manner.

[0186] Dvb=|Pvt-Pvb|…(7)

[0187] Pvb represents the ejection speed shown in the second information Ic2 when a certain drive waveform candidate Wci is applied in printer 1.

[0188] The evaluation value DPv, which is the third piece of information Ic3, is calculated in the following manner.

[0189] DPv=|Pvb-Pva|…(8)

[0190] G8. Other implementation methods 8:

[0191] (1) The ejection characteristics can be set to the total amount of secondary droplets, or so-called auxiliary points, ejected from a nozzle of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT. If this method is adopted, a drive waveform with a smaller amount of secondary droplets ejected from the nozzle can be determined.

[0192] (2) The ejection characteristics can also be determined by selecting two or more parameters from multiple characteristic parameters such as ejection volume, ejection speed, and total amount of side drops.

[0193] G9. Other implementation methods 9:

[0194] (1) In the sixth embodiment described above, the shape of the ink flow path from the outside to the ink ejection head 41a in the first head unit 40a is different from the shape of the ink flow path from the outside to the ink ejection head 41b in the second head unit 40b. However, the method of the sixth embodiment and its variations can also be applied to liquid ejection mechanisms with other structures such as nozzle diameter that are different. If at least one of the flow path resistance, plasticity, and resistance is different in the two liquid ejection mechanisms, it can be said that the two liquid ejection mechanisms have different structures. In addition, it is preferable that the application of the sixth embodiment is to a liquid ejection mechanism having the same drive element.

[0195] (2) Any of the methods described in the sixth embodiment and its variations can be combined with any of the components in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0196] G10. Other implementation methods 10:

[0197] In the fifth embodiment described above, the first decision process and the second decision process, in Figure 9 The decision process selected in step S520 is executed via step S530 or step S540. However, as in the first embodiment, the first decision process can also be executed without a selection by the user. Furthermore, it is possible to configure the process such that, after executing both the first and second decision processes, the ejection characteristics of the drive waveform determined by the first decision process and the ejection characteristics of the drive waveform determined by the second decision process are output respectively, prompting the user to make a selection.

[0198] H. Another approach:

[0199] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. For example, this disclosure can also be implemented in the following ways. 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. In addition, as long as the technical feature is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0200] (1) According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for determining the drive waveform of a drive signal applied to a drive element of a liquid ejection mechanism to cause liquid to be ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism. The method includes the following steps: a first acquisition step, which performs a first acquisition process to acquire first information, the first information being information related to the ejection characteristics of a first liquid ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element; a second acquisition step, which performs a second acquisition process to acquire second information, the second information being information related to the ejection characteristics of a second liquid, different from the first liquid, ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element; and a waveform determination step, which determines the drive waveform based on the first information and the second information.

[0201] If this method is adopted, the driving waveform for achieving the desired ejection characteristics can be determined for both the first liquid and the second liquid.

[0202] (2) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, it can be configured as follows: the waveform determination step includes a step of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the first information meet a first condition; and a step of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the second information meet a second condition.

[0203] If this method is adopted, the driving waveforms that achieve the desired ejection characteristics can be determined for the first liquid and the second liquid respectively by appropriately determining the first condition and the second condition.

[0204] (3) In the above-mentioned method for determining the driving waveform, it can be set as follows: the first condition is that the value shown by the ejection characteristics of the first liquid is included in the first range, and the second condition is that the value shown by the ejection characteristics of the second liquid is included in the second range.

[0205] If this method is adopted, it is possible to determine the driving waveforms that achieve the desired ejection characteristics for the first liquid and the second liquid respectively by appropriately determining the first range and the second range.

[0206] (4) In the driving waveform determination method described above, it can be configured as follows, namely, having a process of accepting input from the first range and a process of accepting input from the second range.

[0207] If this method is adopted, the user can determine the driving waveforms to achieve the desired ejection characteristics for the first liquid and the second liquid respectively by appropriately determining the first condition and the second condition.

[0208] (5) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, it can be configured such that the waveform determination step includes the step of accepting an input from one or more driving waveform candidates from a plurality of driving waveform candidates, wherein the ejection characteristics shown in the first information satisfy the first condition and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information satisfy the second condition.

[0209] If this method is adopted, the drive waveform (W) can be determined in a way that reflects the user's intention regarding the ejection characteristics of the first liquid and the ejection characteristics of the second liquid.

[0210] (6) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, it can be configured as follows: the waveform determination step is to determine the driving waveform candidate from among a plurality of driving waveform candidates whose difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information is less than a reference.

[0211] By employing this method, it becomes possible to determine a drive waveform with minimal difference between the ejection characteristics of the first liquid and the second liquid. Therefore, when a product is generated by using the first and second liquids in an equivalent relationship, the quality of the generated product can be improved.

[0212] (7) In the above-mentioned method for determining the driving waveform, it can be set as follows: the ejection characteristic is the amount of liquid ejected by the ejection action of the driving element.

[0213] If this method is used, it is possible to determine a drive waveform with a small difference in the amount of liquid ejected from each nozzle.

[0214] (8) In the above-mentioned method for determining the driving waveform, it can be set in the following manner, namely, the ejection characteristic is the ejection speed of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism.

[0215] If this method is used, it is possible to determine a drive waveform with smaller differences in the ejection speed of the liquid ejected from the nozzle.

[0216] (9) According to other aspects of this disclosure, a drive waveform determination method is provided, which determines a common drive waveform of drive signals applied to a first drive element of the first liquid ejection mechanism and a second drive element of the second liquid ejection mechanism respectively in order to eject liquid from a first liquid ejection mechanism and a second liquid ejection mechanism having a structure different from that of the first liquid ejection mechanism. The method includes: a first acquisition step, performing a first acquisition process of acquiring first information, the first information being information related to ejection characteristics of liquid ejected from the first liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the first drive element; a second acquisition step, performing a second acquisition process of acquiring second information, the second information being information related to the ejection characteristics of liquid ejected from the second liquid ejection mechanism when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the second drive element; and a waveform determination step, a step of determining the common drive waveform based on the first information and the second information.

[0217] If this method is adopted, the drive waveform for achieving the desired ejection characteristics can be determined for both the first liquid ejection mechanism and the second liquid ejection mechanism.

[0218] (10) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, the waveform determination step can be performed in the following manner: a step of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the first information meet a first condition; and a step of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the second information meet a second condition.

[0219] If this method is adopted, the driving waveforms that achieve the desired ejection characteristics can be determined for the first liquid and the second liquid respectively by appropriately determining the first condition and the second condition.

[0220] (11) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, the following method can be adopted: the first condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the liquid is included in a first range, and the second condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the liquid is included in a second range.

[0221] If this method is adopted, it is possible to determine the driving waveforms that achieve the desired ejection characteristics for the first liquid and the second liquid respectively by appropriately determining the first range and the second range.

[0222] (12) In the driving waveform determination method described above, the following method can be adopted, namely, the method of accepting input from the first range and the method of accepting input from the second range.

[0223] If this method is adopted, the drive waveform can be determined in a way that reflects the user's intention regarding the first and second liquids.

[0224] (13) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, the waveform determination step can be performed in the following manner, namely, the step of accepting an input from one or more driving waveform candidates from a plurality of driving waveform candidates in which the ejection characteristics shown by the first information satisfy the first condition and the ejection characteristics shown by the second information satisfy the second condition.

[0225] If this method is adopted, the driving waveforms that achieve the desired ejection characteristics can be determined for the first liquid and the second liquid respectively by appropriately determining the first condition and the second condition.

[0226] (14) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, the following method can be adopted, namely, the waveform determination step is to determine the driving waveform candidate among a plurality of driving waveform candidates whose difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information is less than a reference.

[0227] By employing this method, it becomes possible to determine a drive waveform with minimal difference between the ejection characteristics of the first liquid and the second liquid. Therefore, when a product is generated by using the first and second liquids in an equivalent relationship, the quality of the generated product can be improved.

[0228] (15) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, the following method can be adopted, namely, the ejection characteristic is the amount of liquid ejected by the ejection action of the first or second driving element.

[0229] If this method is used, it is possible to determine a drive waveform with smaller differences in the amount of liquid ejected from the nozzle.

[0230] (16) In the above-described method for determining the driving waveform, the following method can be adopted, namely, the ejection characteristic is the ejection velocity of the liquid ejected from the first or second liquid ejection mechanism.

[0231] If this method is used, it is possible to determine a drive waveform with smaller differences in the ejection speed of the liquid ejected from the nozzle.

[0232] (17) According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a recording medium is provided that stores a computer program for causing a computer to execute the drive waveform determination method of any one of the application examples 1 to 16.

[0233] (18) According to another aspect of this disclosure, a liquid ejection device is provided. The device includes: a first characteristic acquisition unit capable of performing a first acquisition process for acquiring first information, the first information being ejection characteristic-related information about a first liquid ejected from a liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to a drive element; a second characteristic acquisition unit capable of performing a second acquisition process for acquiring second information, the second information being ejection characteristic-related information about a second liquid ejected from a liquid ejection mechanism that is different from the first liquid when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to a drive element; and a waveform determination unit for determining a drive waveform based on the first information and the second information.

[0234] (19) In the liquid ejection device of the above manner, the waveform determination unit can perform a second determination process to determine the driving waveform based on the second information and at least a portion of the plurality of driving waveform candidates, not based on the first information. The liquid ejection device includes a receiving unit that accepts the selection of either the first determination process or the second determination process. The waveform determination unit performs the selected determination process of the first determination process and the second determination process.

[0235] If this method is adopted, when it is necessary to prioritize determining the drive waveform that optimizes the second liquid, the user can select the second decision process and have the drive waveform determination device execute it. The result is that the drive waveform that optimizes the second liquid is determined.

[0236] (20) According to another aspect of this disclosure, a liquid ejection device is provided. The device comprises: a first liquid ejection mechanism having a first drive element that is driven by an applied drive signal, and ejecting liquid by the drive of the first drive element; a second liquid ejection mechanism having a second drive element that is driven by an applied drive signal, and ejecting liquid by the drive of the second drive element, and having a structure different from the first liquid ejection mechanism; a drive control unit that controls the first liquid ejection mechanism and the second liquid ejection mechanism; and a first characteristic acquisition unit that performs a first acquisition process for acquiring first information, the first information being related to the application of multiple drive waves to the first drive element. The system includes: a first characteristic acquisition unit, which performs a second acquisition process to acquire second information related to the ejection characteristics of the liquid ejected from the second liquid ejection mechanism when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the second drive element; and a waveform determination unit, which determines a common drive waveform of the drive signal applied to the first drive element of the first liquid ejection mechanism and the drive signal applied to the second drive element of the second liquid ejection mechanism based on the first information and the second information.

[0237] (21) In the liquid ejection device of the above manner, the waveform determination unit can perform a second determination process to determine the driving waveform based on the second information and at least a portion of the plurality of driving waveform candidates, not based on the first information. The liquid ejection device includes a receiving unit that accepts the selection of either the first determination process or the second determination process. The waveform determination unit performs the selected determination process of the first determination process and the second determination process.

[0238] If this method is adopted, when it is necessary to prioritize determining the drive waveform that optimizes the second liquid ejection mechanism, the user can select the second decision process and have the drive waveform determination device execute it. The result is that the drive waveform that optimizes the second liquid ejection mechanism is determined.

[0239] This disclosure can also be implemented in various ways other than the drive waveform determination method, the liquid ejection device, and the computer program executing the drive waveform determination method. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a control method for the liquid ejection device, a computer program implementing the control method, and a non-transitory recording medium recording the computer program. Furthermore, although the printer 1 has been described in various embodiments, a printer may not be used in the liquid ejection device; as long as it has the function of ejecting liquid, a so-called experimental device or evaluation device may be used instead.

[0240] Symbol Explanation

[0241] 1…Printer; 1a…Printer; 1b…Printer; 10…Controller; 11…Interface; 12…CPU; 13…Memory; 14…Unit control circuit; 15…Drive signal generation circuit; 20…Conveyor unit; 30…Carriage unit; 31…Carriage; 40…Head unit; 40a…First head unit; 40b…Second head unit; 41…Ink ejector head; 41a…Ink ejector head; 41b…Ink ejector head; 50…Detector group; 55…CCD camera; 60…Computer; 60a…Calculator Computer; 60b…computer; 61…interface section; 62…CPU; 63…memory; 64…monitor; 65…keyboard; 66…mouse; 70…server; 71…interface section; 72…CPU; 73…memory; 411…housing; 412…flow channel unit; 412a…flow channel forming plate; 412b…elastic plate; 412c…nozzle plate; 412d…pressure chamber; 412e…nozzle connection port; 412f…common ink chamber; 412g…ink supply channel; 412h…island; 412i …elastic membrane; 622a…first characteristic acquisition unit; 622b…second characteristic acquisition unit; 624…waveform determination unit; 626…receiving unit; 631…waveform parameters; Dm…main scanning direction; Ds…sub-scanning direction; HC…head control unit; HCa…head control unit; HCb…head control unit; 132a…head ID; 132b…head ID; Ic1…first information; Ic2…second information; Ic3…third information; Id1…first deviation information; Id2…second deviation information; Nz…nozzle; PM… Printing medium; PZT…driving element; PZTa…driving element; PZTb…driving element; Pwc1…first expansion time; Pwc2…second expansion time; Pwd1…contraction time; Pwh1…first holding time; Pwh2…second holding time; S1…first expansion element; S2…first holding element; S3…contraction element; S4…second holding element; S5…second expansion element; Vc…intermediate potential; Vh…highest potential; Vl…lowest potential; W…driving waveform; Ws…selection waveform.

Claims

1. A method for determining a drive waveform, comprising determining a drive waveform of a common drive signal applied to a drive element of a liquid ejection mechanism to eject a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid from a common liquid ejection mechanism, wherein the method comprises: The first acquisition step involves performing a first acquisition process to acquire first information, which is information related to the ejection characteristics of the first liquid ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element. The second acquisition step involves performing a second acquisition process to acquire second information, which is information related to the ejection characteristics of the second liquid ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element. The waveform determination process determines the common driving waveform based on the first information and the second information. The waveform determination process includes: The process of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the first information meet the first condition; The process of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the second information meet the second condition. The first condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the first liquid is included within a first range. The second condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the second liquid is included in the second range.

2. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 1, wherein, have: The process of accepting inputs from the first range; The process of accepting inputs from the second range.

3. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The waveform determination process includes the following steps: accepting input from one or more drive waveform candidates from a plurality of drive waveform candidates, wherein the ejection characteristics shown in the first information satisfy the first condition and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information satisfy the second condition.

4. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 1, wherein, The waveform determination process is a process of determining the driving waveform candidate from among multiple driving waveform candidates whose difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information is less than a reference.

5. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 1, wherein, The ejection characteristic refers to the amount of liquid ejected by the ejection action of the drive element.

6. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 1, wherein, The ejection characteristic is the ejection velocity of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism.

7. A drive waveform determination method, comprising determining a common drive waveform of drive signals applied to a first drive element of the first liquid ejection mechanism and a second drive element of the second liquid ejection mechanism respectively to eject liquid from a first liquid ejection mechanism and a second liquid ejection mechanism having a structure different from that of the first liquid ejection mechanism, wherein the drive waveform determination method comprises: The first acquisition step involves performing a first acquisition process to acquire first information, which is information related to the ejection characteristics of the liquid ejected from the first liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the first drive element. The second acquisition step involves performing a second acquisition process to acquire second information, which is information related to the ejection characteristics of the liquid ejected from the second liquid ejection mechanism when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the second drive element. The waveform determination process is a process of determining the common driving waveform based on the first information and the second information.

8. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 7, wherein, The waveform determination process includes: The process of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the first information meet the first condition; The process of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the second information meet the second condition.

9. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 8, wherein, The first condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the liquid is included within a first range. The second condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the liquid is included in the second range.

10. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 9, wherein, have: The process of accepting inputs from the first range; The process of accepting inputs from the second range.

11. The driving waveform determination method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, The waveform determination process includes the following steps: accepting input from one or more drive waveform candidates from a plurality of drive waveform candidates, wherein the ejection characteristics shown in the first information satisfy the first condition and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information satisfy the second condition.

12. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 11, wherein, The waveform determination process is a process of determining the driving waveform candidate from among multiple driving waveform candidates whose difference between the ejection characteristics shown in the first information and the ejection characteristics shown in the second information is less than a reference.

13. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 7, wherein, The ejection characteristic is the amount of liquid ejected by the ejection action of the first or second driving element.

14. The driving waveform determination method as described in claim 7, wherein, The ejection characteristic is the ejection velocity of the liquid ejected from the first or second liquid ejection mechanism.

15. A recording medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to perform the drive waveform determination method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A liquid ejection device, comprising: A common liquid ejection mechanism has a drive element that is driven by a drive signal, and ejects a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid by the drive element. A drive control unit that controls the liquid ejection mechanism; The first characteristic acquisition unit is capable of performing a first acquisition process to acquire first information, which is information related to the ejection characteristics of the first liquid ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element respectively. The second characteristic acquisition unit is capable of performing a second acquisition process to acquire second information, which is information related to the ejection characteristics of a second liquid that is ejected from the liquid ejection mechanism and is different from the first liquid when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element respectively; The waveform determination unit performs a first determination process based on the first information and the second information to determine a common driving waveform. Waveform determines the process requirements: The process of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the first information meet the first condition; The process of determining whether the ejection characteristics shown in the second information meet the second condition. The first condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the first liquid is included within a first range. The second condition is that the value indicated by the ejection characteristics of the second liquid is included in the second range.

17. The liquid ejection device as claimed in claim 16, wherein, The waveform determination unit is capable of performing a second determination process that determines the driving waveform based not on the first information, but on the second information and at least a portion of the plurality of driving waveform candidates. The liquid ejection device includes a receiving unit that accepts the selection of either the first decision processing or the second decision processing. The waveform determination unit executes the selected decision process from the first decision process and the second decision process.

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