Liquid selection method, liquid ejection device and recording medium

Abstract

This disclosure provides a liquid selection method, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a recording medium for determining inks that achieve preferred ejection characteristics in the head of a printer used by a user. The liquid selection method includes: an acquisition step, performing a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process for acquiring first information representing first ejection characteristics of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head when a drive waveform is applied to a drive element of the liquid ejection head; and a liquid selection step, selecting one or more of the liquids that cause the liquid ejection head to eject, based on the first information and at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a liquid selection method, a liquid ejection device, and a computer program. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, inkjet printers employ a method that determines 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. Furthermore, 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. 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 adopted 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] Sometimes, users select inks from multiple manufacturers to reproduce a particular color and apply them to their printers. Additionally, there are cases where a single manufacturer provides inks in the same color family that are interchangeable. Among these various inks, properties such as viscosity and surface tension differ. Even if a drive signal has been confirmed to achieve optimal ejection characteristics in other inks when these properties differ, optimal ejection characteristics, such as ejection volume, ejection speed, and the amount of droplets, may not necessarily be achieved. Therefore, a technique is needed to determine the ink that achieves optimal ejection characteristics in the printer head used by the user.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Publication No. 2010-131910 Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a liquid selection method is provided for selecting a liquid ejected from a liquid nozzle. The liquid selection method includes: an acquisition step, performing a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process for acquiring first information related to first ejection characteristics of the liquid when a driving waveform is applied to a driving element of the liquid nozzle; and a liquid selection step, selecting one or more of the liquids ejected from the liquid nozzle based on the first information and at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the printer 1 and computer 60 included in the printing system of the first embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a portion of the structure of printer 1.

[0008] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the ink ejector head 41 in a section perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction Ds.

[0009] Figure 4 A diagram showing the driving waveform W of the driving signal COM.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the ink to be applied in printer 1.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the ink to be applied in printer 1 in the second embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the ink to be applied in printer 1 in the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0013] A. First implementation method:

[0014] A1. Structure of the printing system:

[0015] 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.

[0016] Printer 1 drives a drive element based on printing data to eject ink droplets from a nozzle and 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 group 50.

[0017] The controller 10 is a control unit that performs control of the printer 1. The controller 10 includes an interface unit (I / F) 11, a CPU 12, a memory 13, and a unit control circuit 14.

[0018] The interface unit 11 performs data transmission or reception between the printer 1 and the computer 60. The CPU 12 is an arithmetic processing unit for performing 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. While the main memory is preferably non-volatile memory, it can also be volatile memory. As auxiliary memory, either non-volatile memory or volatile memory can be preferably used.

[0019] 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 at fixed intervals. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in... Figure 1 In the diagram, the drive signal generation circuit 15 is shown as a structural element.

[0020] The transport unit 20 transports the printing medium PM to a printable position and, during printing, transports the printing medium PM at a pre-set transport rate. The carriage unit 30 moves the ink ejector head 41 and the ink cartridge, 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 "secondary scanning direction Ds".

[0021] The head unit 40 ejects ink supplied from the ink cartridge to 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 droplets from the nozzles Nz by being driven by the drive elements PZT. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although a piezoelectric element made of lead zirconate titanate is used as the drive element PZT, it can also be a piezoelectric element made of a material other than lead zirconate titanate, or it can be a heating element.

[0022] 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, 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 will be ejected from that nozzle Nz.

[0023] 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 that causes ink droplets to be intermittently ejected from an ink ejection head 41 moving along the main scanning direction Dm and forming dots on a printing medium PM. Printer 1 is also capable of performing a transport process that transports the printing medium PM in 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 and thus forms an image.

[0024] Detector group 50 monitors the condition inside printer 1 (see reference). Figure 1 (The lower half). 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The CCD camera 55 is used in shooting to obtain information indicating ejection characteristics, as described below. However, any component capable of obtaining information indicating ejection characteristics can be used instead of the CCD camera 55. For example, an electronic scale can be used instead of the CCD camera 55 to obtain information indicating ejection characteristics, such as ejection volume.

[0027] Computer 60 sends printing data to printer 1. Computer 60 also sends parameters of the drive waveform W, 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.

[0028] The display 64 is controlled by the CPU 62 and outputs images. The keyboard 65 and mouse 66 are operated by the user, thereby inputting the user's instructions to the CPU 62.

[0029] The interface unit 61 performs the sending or receiving 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 the programs stored in the auxiliary memory into the main memory and executing them.

[0030] For example, CPU 62 performs the function of acquiring information representing the characteristics of ink ejected from ink ejection head 41, i.e., ejection characteristics. More specifically, CPU 62 acquires, based on images of ink droplets acquired by the CCD camera 55 of printer 1, the amount of ink ejected from nozzle Nz by the ejection action of drive element PZT, the ejection speed of ink ejected from nozzle Nz, and the total amount of secondary droplets of ink ejected from nozzle Nz by the ejection action of drive element PZT. Furthermore, CPU 62 performs the function of selecting the ink ejected from ink ejection head 41.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the ink ejector head 41 in a section 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 joined to the lower surface of the housing 411.

[0032] The flow channel unit 412 has a flow channel forming plate 412a, an elastic plate 412b, and a nozzle plate 412c.

[0033] 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 a plurality of nozzles Nz included in a nozzle array. For each nozzle Nz, a combination of ink supply channel 412g, pressure chamber 412d, and nozzle connection port 412e is provided. 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.

[0034] The elastic plate 412b has an island portion 412h at the top of the engagement drive element PZT. Moreover, an elastic region composed of an elastic membrane 412i is formed around the island portion 412h.

[0035] Nozzle plate 412c is a plate having multiple 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 blue-green nozzles for ejecting blue-green ink, and rows of black nozzles for ejecting black ink. Each nozzle row consists of 180 nozzles Nz arranged side-by-side at predetermined intervals in the sub-scanning direction Ds. Each nozzle row is formed side-by-side in the main scanning direction Dm. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view at 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.

[0036] Multiple drive elements PZT are configured as a comb-like structure. 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 side. When the drive element PZT extends, the island portion 412h deforms toward the pressure chamber 412d side. As a result, the pressure in the pressure chamber 412d changes, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle Nz. A drive signal generation circuit 15 is provided for each nozzle row. Therefore, the drive signal COM generated by a certain drive signal generation circuit 15 is applied to all the drive elements PZT belonging to all the nozzles Nz of the nozzle row corresponding to that drive signal generation circuit 15. However, whether the drive waveform W of the drive signal COM is applied to each drive element PZT is determined by the head control unit HC.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the driving waveform W of the driving signal COM. In the driving signal COM, Figure 4 The driving waveform W shown is generated repeatedly with a fixed period. The driving waveform W has: a first expansion element S1 in which the potential rises from the intermediate potential Vc to the highest potential Vh, a first holding element S2 in which the highest potential Vh is maintained, a contraction element S3 in which the potential falls from the highest potential Vh to the lowest potential Vl, a second holding element S4 in which the lowest potential Vl is maintained, and a second expansion element S5 in which the potential rises from the lowest potential Vl to the intermediate potential Vc.

[0038] With the intermediate potential Vc 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".

[0039] From the state where the intermediate potential Vc is applied to the driving element PZT, when the first expansion element S1 of the driving signal COM is applied to the driving element PZT, the driving element PZT contracts in the length direction. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 412d increases (refer to...). Figure 3 When the first holding element S2 of the drive signal COM is applied to the drive element PZT, the drive element PZT remains in a contracted state. At this time, the pressure chamber 412d also remains in an expanded state. When the contraction element S3 of the drive signal COM is applied to the drive element PZT, the drive element PZT extends from its contracted state. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 412d decreases. The ink pressure within the pressure chamber 412d increases, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle Nz. Subsequently, the second holding element S4 of the drive signal COM is applied to the drive element PZT, 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 its reference volume.

[0040] The time during which the first expansion element S1 is generated is called the "first expansion time Pwc1". The time during which the first holding element S2 is generated is called the "first holding time Pwh1". The time during which the contraction element S3 is generated is called the "contraction time Pwd1". The time during which the second holding element S4 is generated is called the "second holding time Pwh2". The time during which the second expansion element S5 is generated is called the "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.

[0041] A2. The determination of the liquid:

[0042] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the method for determining the ink to be applied to printer 1. Figure 5 The ink determination method is processed according to instructions input by the user and is executed primarily through the CPU 62 of the computer 60, which controls the various parts of the computer 60 and the printer 1. Figure 5 The process shown determines the liquid supplied to printer 1 and causes ink ejection head 41 to eject it.

[0043] In step S11, the user selects a candidate ink from a plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci. The plurality of candidate inks Lci are inks that can be supplied to the ink ejection head 41 and ejected from the nozzle Nz, and are interchangeable with each other. In this embodiment, the plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci are inks used for evaluation. For example, the plurality of candidate inks Lci are multiple inks provided by different manufacturers as "blue-green inks".

[0044] In step S12, the user installs the selected ink cartridge onto the carriage 31 and fills the nozzle Nz of the ink ejector head 41. Specifically, the user operates the keyboard 65 and mouse 66, and the printer 1 performs the ink filling process via the computer 60. Alternatively, if the printer 1 is equipped with input devices such as buttons or a touch panel, the user can also operate these input devices to cause the printer 1 to perform the ink filling process.

[0045] In step S15, the CPU 62 of the computer 60 instructs the CPU 12 of the printer 1 to perform the following processing. The CPU 12 controls the unit control circuit 14 to cause the drive signal generation circuit 15 to generate a drive signal COM. Then, the CPU 12 applies the drive signal COM to the drive element PZT of the ink ejector head 41. As a result, ink droplets of candidate ink Lci are ejected from the nozzle Nz.

[0046] In step S16, CPU 12 causes CCD camera 55 to capture an image of ink droplets ejected from nozzle Nz by the drive signal COM. CPU 12 sends the image data to computer 60. In step S15, CPU 62 of computer 60 instructs CPU 12 of printer 1 to perform the processing steps S15 and S16 above.

[0047] Based on image data, CPU 62 calculates the ejection amount Pwm of candidate ink Lci ejected from a nozzle Nz of ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of drive element PZT. 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. CPU 62 establishes a correspondence between the information representing the ejection amount of candidate ink Lci and the information determining the candidate ink Lci, and stores it in memory 63. The information representing this ejection amount is called "first information Ii1" (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part). Alternatively, the ejection volume Pwm of the candidate ink Lci can also be the ejection volume ejected from a nozzle Nz by a single ejection action of the drive element PZT.

[0048] The CPU 62 calculates the ejection velocity Pvm of the ink ejected from the ink ejector head 41 based on image data. The ink ejection velocity is one method of "ejection characteristics." The CPU 62 establishes a correspondence between information representing the ejection velocity of candidate inks Lci and information determining the candidate ink Lci, and stores this correspondence in the memory 63. This ejection velocity information is referred to as "second information Ii2" (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part).

[0049] Based on image data, CPU 62 calculates the total amount Psm of the secondary droplets Psm of the candidate ink Lci ejected from a nozzle Nz of the ink ejection head 41 by the ejection action of the drive element PZT. The total amount of secondary droplets is defined by the number of secondary droplets. In this specification, the total amount of secondary droplets is referred to as "secondary droplet quantity". The secondary droplet quantity is one method of "ejection characteristics". CPU 62 establishes a correspondence between the information representing the secondary droplet quantity of the candidate ink Lci and the information determining the candidate ink Lci, and stores it in memory 63. The information representing this ejection quantity is referred to as "third information Ii3" (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part).

[0050] The first information Ii1 to the third information Ii3 represent the ejection characteristics of the candidate ink Lci ejected from the head unit 40 when a certain driving waveform W is applied to the driving element PZT. In this specification, the process of obtaining the first information Ii1 performed in steps S15 and S16 is referred to as the "first acquisition process". In this specification, the process of obtaining the second information Ii2 performed in steps S15 and S16 is referred to as the "second acquisition process". In this specification, the process of obtaining the third information Ii3 performed in steps S15 and S16 is referred to as the "third acquisition process".

[0051] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs steps S15 and S16 is shown as the feature acquisition unit 622 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper part of the central section).

[0052] exist Figure 5In step S26b, CPU 62 determines whether steps S15 and S16 have been performed for all candidate inks Lci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, in other words, for the multiple candidate inks Lci that have been prepared in advance. If steps S15 and S16 have been performed for all candidate inks Lci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process proceeds to step S30. If steps S15 and S16 have not been performed for all candidate inks Lci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process returns to step S11. In step S11, one candidate ink Lci for which step S16 has not yet been performed is selected from the multiple candidate inks prepared in advance, and then the process from step S12 onwards is performed.

[0053] In step S30, CPU62 selects the ink to be ejected from ink ejector head 41 based on first information Ii1 to third information Ii3 and multiple candidate inks Lci. Step S30 includes steps S31 to S35.

[0054] In step S31, CPU62 selects a candidate ink from a plurality of candidate inks Lci that have been prepared in advance and have undergone the processing of steps S15 and S16.

[0055] In steps S32b to S34b, the CPU 62 determines whether the ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ii1 of the selected candidate ink Lci meet the predefined selection conditions. Specifically, the CPU 62 performs the following processing.

[0056] In step S32b, the CPU 62 determines whether the ejection quantity shown in the first information Ii1 meets the first ejection quantity condition. First, the CPU 62 calculates the value Dw using the following formula. The value Dw represents the difference between the ejection quantity, which is the ejection characteristic shown in the first information Ii1, and the target ejection quantity, which is the ideal ejection characteristic.

[0057] Dw=|Pwt-Pwm|…(1)

[0058] Pwt is the target ejection volume.

[0059] Pwm represents the amount of candidate ink Lci ejected as shown in the first information Ii1.

[0060] CPU62 determines whether the selected candidate ink Lci meets the first ejection amount condition [Dw≤Thwa]. Thwa is a predefined threshold and is a positive number less than Pwt.

[0061] The first ejection quantity condition [Dw≤Thwa] can also be expressed as follows.

[0062] [Pwt-Thwa]≤Pwm≤[Pwt+Thwa]…(2)

[0063] That is, the first ejection amount condition is that the ejection amount is contained within the predefined range [Pwt-Thwa] to [Pwt+Thwa]. By appropriately defining Thwa and performing the processing in step S32b, it is possible to select an ink that can achieve the desired ejection amount.

[0064] In step S32b, if the ejection speed meets the first ejection amount condition, the process proceeds to step S33b. If the ejection speed does not meet the first ejection amount condition, the process returns to step S31.

[0065] In step S33b, the CPU 62 determines whether the ejection velocity shown in the second information Ii2 satisfies the first ejection velocity condition. First, the CPU 62 calculates the value Dv using the following formula. The value Dv represents the difference between the ejection velocity, which is the ejection characteristic shown in the second information Ii2, and the target ejection velocity, which is the ideal ejection characteristic.

[0066] Dv=|Pvt-Pvm|…(3)

[0067] Pvt is the target ejection speed.

[0068] Pvm is the ejection speed of the candidate ink Lci shown in the second information Ii2.

[0069] CPU62 determines whether the selected candidate ink Lci meets the first ejection speed condition [Dv≤Thva]. Thva is a predefined threshold and is a positive number less than Pvt.

[0070] The first ejection velocity condition [Dv≤Thva] can also be expressed as follows.

[0071] [Pvt-Thva]≤Pvm≤[Pvt+Thva]…(4)

[0072] That is, the first ejection speed condition is that the ejection speed of the selected candidate ink Lci is within the predefined range [Pvt-Thva] to [Pvt+Thva]. By appropriately defining Thva and performing the processing in step S33b, it is possible to select an ink that can achieve the desired ejection speed.

[0073] In step S33b, if the ejection speed meets the first ejection speed condition, the process proceeds to step S34b. If the ejection speed does not meet the first ejection speed condition, the process returns to step S31.

[0074] In step S34b, CPU 62 determines whether the secondary drop volume Psm shown in the third information Ii3 meets the secondary drop volume condition [Psm≤Thsa]. Thsa is a predefined threshold. By appropriately defining Thsa and performing the processing in step S34b, it is possible to select ink with a secondary drop volume less than the reference value as desired by the user.

[0075] In step S34b, if the ejection velocity meets the secondary droplet volume condition, the process proceeds to step S35. If the ejection velocity does not meet the secondary droplet volume condition, the process returns to step S31.

[0076] In step S35, CPU 62 appends the candidate ink Lci selected in the last executed step S31 to the selected ink Iks stored in memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part). Figure 5 In the initial execution of step S35 in the processing, the CPU 62 stores the candidate ink Lci selected in the last executed step S31 as the selected ink Iks in the memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part).

[0077] In step S35b, CPU 62 determines whether step S32b has been performed on all candidate inks Lci that have been prepared in advance and for which steps S15 and S16 have been executed. If step S32b has been performed on all of these candidate inks Lci, the process proceeds to step S36. If step S32b has not been performed on all of these candidate inks Lci, the process returns to step S31. In step S31, one candidate ink Lci that has not yet been processed in step S32b is selected from among the multiple candidate inks Lci that have been prepared in advance and for which steps S15 and S16 have been executed, and then the processes following step S32b are executed.

[0078] By repeatedly executing steps S31 to S35, one or more candidate inks Lci whose ejection characteristics shown in the first information Ii1 to the third information Ii3 meet the pre-defined conditions are stored in memory 63 as selection inks Iks (refer to the process of selecting inks Iks). Figure 1 (The upper right part).

[0079] As a result of the processing in steps S31 to S34b, in step S35, the ink to be ejected from the ink ejector head 41 is selected based on the first information Ii1, the second information Ii2, the third information Ii3, and the selected ink Iks, which are at least a portion of a plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci. Figure 1 In the diagram, the functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs the process in step S30 is shown as the liquid selection unit 628 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper central part). Through the processing of steps S11 to S36, a liquid selection method is realized to select more than one liquid to be ejected by the liquid nozzle. After the processing of step S36, the ink to be applied in printer 1 is determined.

[0080] Alternatively, it is sufficient to perform at least one of the steps S32b, S33b, and S34b; other steps may be omitted.

[0081] In step S36, CPU 62 prompts the user with information indicating one or more candidate inks Lci selected in step S30 for ejection from ink ejector head 41. The suggested candidate inks Lci are inks recommended for use in printer 1. Specifically, CPU 62 displays on display 64 a display showing the candidate inks Lci included in the selected inks Iks, and a display showing the ejection characteristics indicated by these first information Ii1 to third information Ii3. CPU 62 simultaneously displays input that facilitates selection of candidate inks Lci from those included in the selected inks Iks.

[0082] By performing such processing, more than one ink can be suggested to the user as candidate inks for ink ejection head 41.

[0083] 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 candidate ink Lci. As a result, it receives input to select one or more candidate ink Lci from a pre-defined plurality of candidate ink Lci whose ejection characteristics satisfy the conditions of steps S32b to S34b. Figure 1 In the diagram, the functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs the processing in step S38 is shown as the receiving unit 626 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper part of the central section).

[0084] In step S39, CPU62 determines the candidate ink Lci selected in step S36 as the ink to be ejected from ink ejector head 41.

[0085] According to the ink selection method of this embodiment, from a plurality of candidate inks Lci that are interchangeable when the ink ejector head 41 ejects, the candidate ink Lci with excellent ejection volume, ejection speed, and secondary droplet quantity when the ink ejector head 41 ejects can be selected as the liquid ejected by the ink ejector head 41 (see reference). Figure 5Steps S16, S32b to S34b).

[0086] A3. Variations of the first embodiment:

[0087] In the first embodiment described above, Figure 5 In step S30, candidate inks are selected based on first information Ii1 to third information Ii3 representing the ink ejection characteristics. However, the selection of candidate inks in step S30 can also be performed based on other information. For example, in the processing of step S30, more than one ink can be selected to be ejected by the ink ejection head 41 based on individual information Ie1 and Ie2 that have been prepared in advance and have been established with correspondences with multiple candidate inks Lci respectively.

[0088] Individual information Ie1 and Ie2 can be stored, for example, in a server 70 on a network accessible by computer 60 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part). Computer 60 accesses server 70 via the network, thereby obtaining individual information Ie1, Ie2.

[0089] Alternatively, similar to the first ejection quantity condition and the first ejection speed condition, the CPU62 sets conditions for the parameters represented by individual information, and selects the candidate drive waveform Wci (refer to the above formulas (2) and (4)) as the ink ejected by the ink ejection head 41 when the conditions are met.

[0090] By setting it in this way, information other than ejection characteristics such as ejection volume and ejection speed can be taken into account to select the ink ejected by the ink ejector head 41.

[0091] Individual information Ie1 contains information indicating the cost of establishing the corresponding candidate ink Lci. More specifically, the cost of the candidate ink Lci is the price per unit quantity of the candidate ink Lci. The unit quantity of the candidate ink Lci can be a unit volume, a unit weight, or the amount of ink consumed to cover a predefined area. Furthermore, the cost of the candidate ink Lci can also be the amount of ink consumed to cover the predefined area itself. By referring to individual information Ie1, the cost of the candidate ink Lci can be considered when selecting the ink to be ejected from the ink ejector head 41.

[0092] Individual information Ie2 contains information indicating the evaluation of the corresponding candidate ink Lci and related to characteristics other than ejection characteristics such as ejection volume. More specifically, the evaluation related to characteristics other than ejection characteristics includes the quantity or proportion of candidate ink Lci used in printers of the same model used by others, the overall evaluation of candidate ink Lci conducted by the purchaser, and evaluations of individual evaluation items of candidate ink Lci conducted by the purchaser. Individual evaluation items can be set as drying speed, resistance to text showing through the back of the page, and resistance to clogging. By referring to individual information Ie2, evaluations related to characteristics other than ejection characteristics of the candidate ink Lci can be considered, and the liquid ejected by the inkjet head 41 can be selected.

[0093] Alternatively, it can be configured to utilize only a portion of the multiple candidate ink Lci that have been prepared in advance, and to use the corresponding individual information that has been established.

[0094] The ink ejector head 41 in this embodiment is also referred to as a "liquid ejector head". The ink is also referred to as a "liquid". The unit control circuit 14 is also referred to as a "drive control unit". The candidate ink Lci that will be processed in step S15 is also referred to as a "first candidate liquid". The process of step S30 is also referred to as a "liquid selection process". The process of step S36 is also referred to as a "prompt process". The ejection volume Pwm is also referred to as a "first ejection characteristic". The ejection speed Pvm is also referred to as a "second ejection characteristic".

[0095] B. Second implementation method:

[0096] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the ink to be applied in printer 1 in the second embodiment. Figure 6 The method corresponds to Figure 5 The method of the first embodiment shown. In the second embodiment, in... Figure 5 The processing of steps S16b to S26 is performed between steps S16 and S26b in the method. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, in... Figure 6 In step S15, besides Figure 5 In addition to the processing performed in step S15, further processing is performed. Figure 6 In step S16, except in Figure 5 The processing performed in step S16 is further processed. Other aspects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0097] exist Figure 6In step S15, the CPU 62 selects one of a plurality of predefined candidate drive waveforms Wci and sends a set of parameters representing the selected candidate drive waveform Wci to the printer 1. The plurality of predefined candidate drive waveforms Wci are candidates for the drive waveform W of the drive signal COM applied in the printer 1. The sets of parameters representing these candidate drive waveforms Wci are pre-stored in the memory 63 of the computer 60. Figure 1 In the text, multiple sets of parameters representing multiple candidate driving waveforms Wci are shown as "Waveform Parameter 631" (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part).

[0098] In step S15, the CPU 12 of printer 1 controls the unit control circuit 14 and generates a drive signal COM based on a set of parameters received representing a candidate drive waveform Wci. Then, the CPU 12 applies the drive signal COM to the drive element PZT of the ink ejector head 41. Figure 6 Other aspects of the processing in step S15 are related to Figure 5 The same as step S15.

[0099] In step S16, with Figure 5 Similarly, in step S16, the first acquisition process to the third acquisition process are executed, and the first information Ii1, the second information Ii2, and the third information Ii3 are acquired. The CPU 62 establishes a correspondence between the first information Ii1, the second information Ii2, and the third information Ii3 and the combination of the candidate ink Lci selected in the last executed step S11 and the candidate driving waveform Wci selected in the last executed step S21, and stores them in the memory 63. Figure 6 Other aspects of the processing in step S16 are related to Figure 5 The same applies to step S16.

[0100] In step S16b, it is determined whether the processing of steps S15 and S16 has been performed for all candidate drive waveforms Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed. If the processing of steps S15 and S16 has been performed for all candidate drive waveforms Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process proceeds to step S21. If the processing of steps S15 and S16 has not been performed for all candidate drive waveforms Wci for which the ejection characteristic measurement should be performed, the process returns to step S15. Then, one candidate drive waveform Wci from the plurality of candidate drive waveforms Wci for which the processing of steps S15 and S16 has not yet been performed is selected, and the processing of steps S15 and S16 is performed.

[0101] By repeatedly executing steps S15 and S16, the first to third acquisition processes are performed for each of the predefined multiple candidate drive waveforms Wci. As a result, first information Ii1 to third information Ii3, corresponding to the same candidate ink Lci and established with the predefined multiple candidate drive waveforms Wci, are stored in memory 63 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part). By executing the processes S11 and S26b described in the first embodiment, the processes S15 to S16b are performed for each of the multiple candidate inks Lci that have been prepared in advance. The functional unit of the CPU 62 that performs the processes S15 to S16b is the feature acquisition unit 622.

[0102] exist Figure 6 In step S21, CPU 62 selects a candidate driving waveform from a plurality of candidate driving waveforms Wci stored in memory 63.

[0103] In step S22b, CPU 62 determines whether the ejection amount shown in the first information Ii1, and the ejection amount corresponding to the combination of the candidate ink Lci selected in the last executed step S11 and the candidate drive waveform Wci selected in the last executed step S21, satisfies the second ejection amount condition. The second ejection amount condition is [Dw≤Thwb]. Thwb is a predefined threshold and is a positive number greater than Thwa and less than Pwt.

[0104] The second ejection quantity condition [Dw≤Thwb] can also be expressed in the following way.

[0105] [Pwt-Thwb]≤Pwm≤[Pwt+Thwb]…(5)

[0106] That is, the second ejection amount condition is that the ejection amount Pwm of the selected candidate ink Lci is contained within the predefined range [Pwt-Thwb] to [Pwt+Thwb]. By appropriately defining Thwb and performing the processing in step S22b, a drive waveform that can achieve the desired ejection amount is selected.

[0107] In step S22b, if the ejection amount meets the second ejection amount condition, the process proceeds to step S23b. If the ejection amount does not meet the second ejection amount condition, the process returns to step S21.

[0108] In step S23b, CPU 62 determines whether the ejection speed shown in the second information Ii2, and the ejection speed corresponding to the combination of the candidate ink Lci selected in the last executed step S11 and the candidate drive waveform Wci selected in the last executed step S21, satisfy the second ejection speed condition. The second ejection speed condition is [Dv≤Thvb]. Thvb is a predefined threshold and is a positive number greater than Thva and less than Pvt.

[0109] The second ejection velocity condition [Dv≤Thvb] can also be expressed in the following way.

[0110] [Pvt-Thvb]≤Pvm≤[Pvt+Thvb]…(6)

[0111] That is, the second ejection velocity condition is that the ejection velocity Pvm is contained within the predefined range [Pvt-Thvb] to [Pvt+Thvb]. By appropriately defining Thvb and performing the processing in step S22b, a drive waveform that can achieve the desired ejection velocity is selected.

[0112] In step S22b, if the ejection speed meets the second ejection speed condition, the process proceeds to step S23b. If the ejection speed does not meet the second ejection speed condition, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0113] In step S24b, the CPU 62 determines whether the minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity of the candidate driving waveform Wci selected in step S21, executed after the last executed step S11, has been updated. Specifically, it determines whether the secondary droplet quantity shown in the third information Ii3, and the secondary droplet quantity corresponding to the combination of the candidate ink Lci selected in the last executed step S11 and the candidate driving waveform Wci selected in the last executed step S21, is less than the minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity up to this point. The minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity up to this point refers to the minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity of the candidate driving waveform Wci group selected in step S21, executed after the last executed step S11. If the minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity has been updated, the CPU 62 establishes a correspondence between the secondary droplet quantity and the candidate driving waveform Wci, and stores it in the memory 63 as the minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity. If the minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity has not been updated, the previous minimum value of the secondary droplet quantity and the record of the candidate driving waveform Wci corresponding to the secondary droplet quantity are maintained. Alternatively, in step S24n, instead of determining whether the minimum value of the secondary droplet amount of the candidate driving waveform Wci has been updated, it can be determined whether the secondary droplet amount of the candidate driving waveform Wci is lower than a predetermined threshold amount.

[0114] In step S25b, CPU 62 determines whether the processing of step S22b has been performed for all candidate drive waveforms Wci. If the processing of step S22b has been performed for all candidate drive waveforms Wci, the process proceeds to step S26. If the processing of step S22b has not been performed for all candidate drive waveforms Wci, the process returns to step S21. In step S21, one candidate drive waveform Wci from the plurality of candidate drive waveforms Wci for which the processing of step S22b has not yet been performed is selected, and thereafter, the processing following step S22b is performed.

[0115] By repeatedly executing steps S21 to S25b, the candidate drive waveform Wci that satisfies the second ejection quantity condition shown by the first information Ii1, satisfies the second ejection speed condition shown by the second information Ii2, and has the lowest secondary droplet quantity shown by the third information Ii3 is stored in the memory 63.

[0116] Alternatively, it is sufficient to perform at least one of the steps S22b, S23b, and S24b; other steps may be omitted.

[0117] In step S26, as the driving waveform for achieving the minimum value of the secondary droplet, the CPU 62 determines the candidate driving waveform Wci stored in the memory 63 as the corresponding driving waveform Wcs that corresponds to the candidate ink Lci selected in the last executed step S11.

[0118] Figure 6 The following steps of processing S26b are related to Figure 5 The following steps are the same as step S26b.

[0119] By performing the processing steps S11 and S26b described in the first embodiment, a candidate driving waveform Wci is determined from the plurality of candidate driving waveforms Wci based on the first information Ii1 to the third information Ii3 for each of the plurality of candidate inks Lci that have been prepared in advance.

[0120] As a result, in step S30, based on the first information Ii1 to the third information Ii3 corresponding to the combination of the corresponding drive waveform Wcs determined for each of the multiple candidate inks Lci and each of the multiple candidate inks Lci, the ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 is selected (refer to...). Figure 5 (S31~S35b).

[0121] According to the second embodiment, from among a plurality of candidate inks Lci and a plurality of candidate drive waveforms Wci that can be interchanged when the ink ejector head 41 ejects, a combination of candidate inks Lci and candidate drive waveforms Wci that has excellent ejection characteristics when the ink ejector head 41 ejects can be selected as the combination of ink ejected from the ink ejector head 41 and drive waveform applied in the ink ejector head 41.

[0122] The processing of step S26 in this embodiment is also called the "waveform determination process".

[0123] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes determining the corresponding drive waveform Wcs based on the condition that the ejection amount shown in the first information Ii1 in step S22b satisfies the second ejection amount condition, it is also possible to perform optimization using the ejection amount shown in the first information Ii1 as a parameter to determine the corresponding drive waveform Wcs. For example, it is also possible to prioritize the candidate drive waveform Wci with a smaller ejection amount shown in the first information Ii1, thereby determining it as the corresponding drive waveform Wcs. Optimization can also be performed similarly for the ejection velocity shown in the second information Ii2 in step 23b. When optimization is performed simultaneously for multiple ejection characteristics (e.g., ejection amount and ejection velocity), multi-purpose optimization can also be achieved. The search process in optimization can also be performed automatically. In addition, optimization can be performed for one of the first information Ii1 and the second information Ii2, while for the other, a judgment is made on whether the conditions described in steps 22b and 23b are met.

[0124] C. Third implementation method:

[0125] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the ink to be applied in printer 1 in the third embodiment. Figure 7 Methods and Figure 5 The method of the first embodiment shown, and Figure 6 The method of the second embodiment shown corresponds to that of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, in... Figure 6 The processing of steps S13 to S14b is performed between steps S12 and S15 in the method. Other aspects of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[0126] exist Figure 7In step S13, CPU 62 sends a set of parameters representing a pre-defined evaluation drive waveform to printer 1. In this embodiment, the evaluation drive waveform is a drive waveform that vibrates the meniscus of ink within nozzle Nz to a degree that prevents ink droplets from being ejected from nozzle Nz. The parameters representing the evaluation drive waveform are pre-stored in the memory 63 of computer 60. The parameters representing the evaluation drive waveform are included in "Waveform Parameters 631" (see reference 631). Figure 1 (The upper right part).

[0127] In step S13, the CPU 12 of printer 1 controls the unit control circuit 14 and generates a drive signal COM based on a set of parameters received representing the evaluation drive waveform. Then, the CPU 12 applies this drive signal COM to the drive element PZT of the ink ejector head 41. Other aspects of the processing in step S13 are similar to... Figure 6 The same as step S15.

[0128] In step S14, the CPU12 measures the residual vibration generated in the ink within the pressure chamber 412d by the driving of the driving element PZT implemented by the driving signal COM. Specifically, the CPU12 measures the voltage change on the driving element PZT generated by the pressure change of the ink within the pressure chamber 412d after the second expansion element S5 of the driving waveform W (see reference). Figure 3 The lower central part, and Figure 4 (The lower right half). CPU12 sends the voltage data to computer 60.

[0129] The CPU 62 extracts the residual vibration signal NVT from the voltage data. The residual vibration signal NVT represents the residual vibration after a drive signal is applied to the drive element PZT. The residual vibration is a vibration with a natural frequency determined by the flow resistance of the ink channel within the head unit 40, the inertial resistance of the ink within the channel, and the elastic compliance of the elastic membrane 412i. The CPU 62 establishes a correspondence between information about the parameters representing the characteristics of the residual vibration signal NVT of the candidate ink Lci and information for determining the candidate ink Lci, and stores this information in the memory 63. The information about the parameters of the residual vibration signal NVT is called "vibration information Irv".

[0130] Vibration information Irv represents the characteristic of residual vibration of the liquid inside the ink ejector head 41 when a certain driving waveform W is applied to the driving element PZT of the ink ejector head 41. In this specification, the process of acquiring vibration information Irv performed in steps S13 and S14 is referred to as "vibration acquisition process".

[0131] The functional unit of CPU 62 that performs steps S13 and S14 is the feature acquisition unit 622 (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper part of the central section).

[0132] In step S14b, CPU62 determines whether the characteristics of the candidate ink Lci meet pre-defined conditions based on the parameters of the vibration information Irv. The pre-defined conditions are those that determine whether the ink has the value to be evaluated further in steps S15 and below. Specifically, the pre-defined conditions are those related to the viscosity and surface tension of the candidate ink Lci. These conditions are defined as conditions that will not result in poor ink ejection and that the ejection characteristics obtained in step S16 are, to some extent, close to the target value.

[0133] In step S14b, if the characteristics of the candidate ink Lci shown in the vibration information Irv meet the conditions, the process proceeds to step S15. If the characteristics of the candidate ink Lci shown in the vibration information Irv do not meet the conditions, the process returns to step S11. If the characteristics of the candidate ink Lci shown in the vibration information Irv do not meet the conditions, the processing below step S15 is not performed for the candidate ink Lci selected in the previous step S11.

[0134] Figure 7 The following steps of processing S15 and Figure 6 The following steps are the same.

[0135] By executing steps S11 and S26b as described in the first embodiment, steps S13 and S14 are performed for each of the plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci. As a result, based on the vibration information Irv and the plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci, candidate inks Lci are selected from the plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci to be the object of the processes in steps S15 and below.

[0136] In the third embodiment, prior to the processing in step S30, a selection based on predetermined conditions is performed on a plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci (see [reference]). Figure 7 (S14b). As a result, in step S30, an ink is selected to be ejected from ink ejector head 41 based on a portion of a plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci.

[0137] According to the third embodiment, based on vibration information Irv, candidate inks that are less likely to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 can be excluded from the processing objects in steps S15 and S16b. Therefore, the time required to determine the ink to be applied in the printer 1 and the amount of ink consumed for this purpose can be reduced.

[0138] In this embodiment, the multiple candidate inks Lci that are prepared in advance and will be processed in steps S13 and S14 are also referred to as "second candidate liquids". The candidate inks Lci that will be processed in steps S15 and S16 are also referred to as "first candidate liquids". The process of step S14 is also referred to as "vibration acquisition process". The process of step S14b is also referred to as "preparation selection process".

[0139] D. Other implementation methods:

[0140] D1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0141] (1) In the first embodiment described above, the multiple candidate inks Lci are multiple inks provided by different manufacturers as "blue-green inks". However, the candidate inks can be inks of other colors such as yellow, black, red, green, and transparent. However, the multiple candidate inks Lci are preferably inks used to reproduce the same color and are interchangeable with each other.

[0142] (2) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 5 In step S12, the user installs the selected ink cartridge on the carriage 31 and fills it into the nozzle Nz of the ink ejector head 41. Furthermore, each time steps S11 and S12 are passed, different inks are ejected in step S15 using the same nozzle. However, if multiple pre-prepared candidate ink cartridges Lci can be installed on the carriage 31 simultaneously, the following process can also be performed.

[0143] After selecting a candidate ink Lci in step S11, the CPU 12 of printer 1 ejects ink droplets from a nozzle capable of supplying the selected candidate ink Lci in step S15. Then, in step S16, the CPU 62 obtains the ejection characteristics of the ejected ink droplets. When printer 1 has multiple ink ejection heads 41, the nozzles ejecting the ink droplets can also be nozzles of different ink ejection heads 41. In this manner, Figure 5 In this method, the processing of step S12, which is executed after step S11, is omitted.

[0144] In addition, when multiple printers 1 of the same model are connected via a network, multiple pre-prepared candidate ink cartridges can be installed on these different printers 1, and ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzles of these different printers 1, thereby obtaining the ejection characteristics.

[0145] (3) In the first embodiment described above, the ejection amount Pwm is inferred based on the image obtained by the CCD camera 55. However, the ejection amount Pwm can also be measured using a scale.

[0146] (4) In the first embodiment described above, the ink ejected by the ink ejector head 41 is selected based on the first information Ii1 related to the ejection volume Pwm, the second information Ii2 related to the ejection speed Pvm, and the third information Ii3 related to the secondary droplet volume Psm (see reference). Figure 5 (S32b to S34b). However, when selecting the ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41, it is also possible to set it to a mode in which one or more of these evaluation parameters are not considered. When selecting more than one liquid to be ejected by the liquid ejector head, the liquid can be selected based on information indicating a certain ejection characteristic related to the liquid ejected from the liquid ejector head when the drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejector head.

[0147] (5) In the third embodiment described above, Figure 7 In step S14, the driving element is driven, and the residual vibration is measured. In step S16, ink droplets are ejected, and the ejection characteristics are measured. However, for example, if at least a portion of the first information Ii1 to the third information Ii3 and the vibration information Irv are stored in a storage unit such as the memory 63 of the computer 60 or the memory 13 of the printer 1, the driving waveform and ink can be determined based on this pre-stored information.

[0148] (6) In the first embodiment described above, in step S35, which is repeatedly performed, ink Iks is selected from a plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci. The selected ink Iks is then prompted to the user (see reference). Figure 5 (S36). The candidate inks Lci constituting the selected ink Iks can be one ink or multiple inks. The number of candidate inks Lci constituting the selected ink Iks is determined based on the contents of the multiple candidate inks Lci prepared in advance, as well as the first ejection amount condition, the first ejection speed condition, the secondary droplet amount condition, etc.

[0149] (7) In the second embodiment described above, Figure 6In step S22b, it is determined whether the second ejection amount condition is met. In step S23b, it is determined whether the second ejection speed condition is met. Then, in step S24b, the candidate drive waveform Wci with the lowest secondary droplet amount among the candidate drive waveforms Wci that meet these conditions is determined as the corresponding drive waveform Wcs corresponding to the candidate ink Lci selected in step S11.

[0150] However, the secondary droplet volume Psm can also be used as a parameter to specify the limiting conditions. The ejection volume Pwm and ejection velocity Pvm can also be used as parameters to select the optimal corresponding drive waveform Wcs.

[0151] Furthermore, within the solution space defined by multiple evaluation parameters, multiple candidate driving waveforms Wci that are Pareto optimal solutions can be presented to the user, and the user can select from these candidate driving waveforms Wci. Moreover, the candidate driving waveform Wci that minimizes or maximizes a predetermined objective function including multiple evaluation parameters can be used as the corresponding driving waveform Wcs.

[0152] (8) In the third embodiment described above, the evaluation driving waveform is a driving waveform in which the ink meniscus in the nozzle Nz vibrates to a degree that prevents ink droplets from being ejected from the nozzle Nz (see reference). Figure 7 S13, and Figure 3 However, the driving waveform used for evaluation can also be the driving waveform that causes ink droplets to be ejected from nozzle Nz. However, it is preferable to use the waveform that is consistent with the driving waveform used in [the specific context]. Figure 7 In step S15, the candidate drive waveform Wci applied is a drive waveform with a smaller ink ejection volume compared to the actual ink. By configuring it in this way, the amount of ink consumed in determining the ink to be applied in printer 1 can be reduced.

[0153] (9) In the third embodiment described above, as an execution Figure 7 Based on the vibration information Irv and the multiple candidate inks Lci prepared in advance, the results of steps S13 to S14b are used to select candidate inks Lci that will be used in the subsequent steps S15. However, it is also possible to perform a selection based on predetermined conditions on the multiple candidate inks Lci before step S13. In this manner, in step S14b, candidate inks Lci that will be used in the subsequent steps S15 are selected from the multiple candidate inks Lci based on a portion of the multiple candidate inks prepared in advance.

[0154] (10) 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 devices.

[0155] (11) In the above embodiment, the first information Ii1 and the second information Ii2 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.

[0156] (12) In the above embodiment, the vibration information Irv is information about the parameters of the residual vibration signal NVT. However, the vibration information may not necessarily represent the residual vibration itself. That is, the vibration information only needs to be information related to the residual vibration.

[0157] D2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0158] In step S30 of the modified example of the first embodiment described above, individual information Ie1 and Ie2 corresponding to multiple candidate inks Lci are established respectively, and the ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 is selected (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part). However, it is also possible to select more than one ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 based on information indicating ejection characteristics, rather than on these individual pieces of information.

[0159] D3. Other implementation methods 3:

[0160] In a variation of the first embodiment described above, the individual information Ie1 includes information indicating the cost of the corresponding candidate ink Lci (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part). However, individual information may also be information that does not include information indicating cost. Moreover, individual information may, for example, be information on the evaluation of candidate inks Lci carried out by the purchaser, as shown as individual information Ie2.

[0161] D4. Other implementation methods 4:

[0162] In a variation of the first embodiment described above, the individual information Ie2 includes information representing the evaluation of the corresponding candidate ink Lci and related to characteristics other than ejection characteristics (see reference). Figure 1 (The upper right part). However, individual information may also be information that does not include information related to evaluations of characteristics other than ejection characteristics. Moreover, individual information may, for example, be information indicating the cost of candidate ink Lci as shown as individual information Ie1.

[0163] D5. Other implementation methods 5:

[0164] In the first embodiment described above, Figure 5 In step S35, in addition to the first information Ii1, the ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 is also selected based on the second information Ii2 and the third information Ii3. However, the ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 can also be selected based on one, two, or more ejection characteristics.

[0165] D6. Other implementation methods 6:

[0166] In the third embodiment described above, in step S30, the ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 is selected based on the first information Ii1 to the third information Ii3 corresponding to the combination of the corresponding drive waveform Wcs determined for each of the plurality of pre-prepared candidate inks Lci and each of the plurality of candidate inks Lci (refer to...). Figure 7 The S30, and Figure 5 (S31~S35b).

[0167] However, the ink ejected by the ink ejector head 41 may not be based on the corresponding drive waveform Wcs selected from a plurality of candidate drive waveforms Wci, but as shown in the first embodiment, it may be determined based on the ejection characteristics of a candidate drive waveform Wci.

[0168] D7. Other implementation methods 7:

[0169] In the third embodiment described above, based on the parameters of the vibration information Irv, if the characteristics of the candidate ink Lci do not meet the pre-defined conditions, the processing in steps S15 and below is not performed for the candidate ink Lci selected in the previous step S11 (see [reference]). Figure 7 (S14b). However, it can also be configured such that, as shown in the first and second embodiments, the acquisition process is performed on all of the multiple candidate inks Lci that have been prepared in advance, so as to select the ink to be ejected by the ink ejection head 41.

[0170] D8. Other implementation methods 8:

[0171] In step S36 of the first embodiment described above, the CPU 62 outputs information indicating one or more candidate inks Lci selected in step S30 for the ink ejector head 41 to eject (see reference). Figure 5 (S36). However, it can also be configured such that the processor does not output information representing candidate ink Lci, and decides to use the ink that is evaluated highest according to a predetermined benchmark as the ink to be ejected by the ink ejector head 41 without receiving a selection made by the user.

[0172] D9. Other implementation methods 9:

[0173] As parameters representing ejection characteristics, ejection rate Pwm, ejection velocity Pvm, and secondary droplet volume Psm (refer to...) were used. Figure 1 (Ii1, Ii2, Ii3 in the upper right part). However, other parameters, such as the deviation of the ink droplet's droplet position in the main operating direction and / or sub-scanning direction, can also be used as parameters to indicate ejection characteristics.

[0174] E. Further alternative approaches:

[0175] 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 be implemented in the following ways. In order to solve part or all of the problems of this disclosure, or in order to achieve part or all of the effects of this disclosure, the technical features of 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 feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0176] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid selection method is provided for selecting a liquid ejected from a liquid nozzle. The liquid selection method includes: an acquisition step, performing a first acquisition process, the first acquisition process being to acquire, for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, first information relating to a first ejection characteristic of the liquid when a driving waveform is applied to a driving element of the liquid nozzle; and a liquid selection step, selecting one or more of the liquids ejected from the liquid nozzle based on the first information and at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids.

[0177] If configured in this manner, it is possible to select, from among a plurality of first candidate liquids that are interchangeable when the liquid nozzle is ejected, a first candidate liquid with superior first ejection characteristics when the liquid nozzle is ejected, as the liquid to be ejected by the liquid nozzle.

[0178] (2) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be configured as follows: the liquid selection process is a process of selecting one or more liquids that are sprayed out by the liquid nozzle based on individual information corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids.

[0179] If configured in this way, it is possible to select the liquid that causes the liquid nozzle to eject, taking into account information beyond the first ejection characteristics.

[0180] (3) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be configured such that the individual information includes information representing the cost of the corresponding first candidate liquid.

[0181] If this is done, the cost of the first candidate liquid can be taken into account when selecting the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle.

[0182] (4) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be configured such that the individual information includes information indicating the evaluation of the corresponding first candidate liquid.

[0183] If this is done, it is possible to select the liquid that causes the liquid nozzle to spray by taking into account the evaluation of the characteristics of the first candidate liquid that are related to characteristics other than the first ejection characteristics.

[0184] (5) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be configured as follows: the acquisition step includes a step of performing a second acquisition process, wherein the second acquisition process is to acquire second information related to a second ejection characteristic of the liquid when the driving waveform is applied to the driving element of the liquid nozzle for each of the plurality of first candidate liquids, wherein the second ejection characteristic is a characteristic different from the first ejection characteristic, and the liquid selection step is to further select one or more of the liquids that cause the liquid nozzle to eject based on the second information.

[0185] If configured in this manner, it is possible to select, from among a plurality of first candidate liquids that are interchangeable when the liquid nozzle is ejected, a first candidate liquid that also has excellent second ejection characteristics when the liquid nozzle is ejected, as the liquid to be ejected by the liquid nozzle.

[0186] (6) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be configured as follows: the acquisition step includes the following steps: for each of the plurality of first candidate liquids, the step of performing the first acquisition process for each of the plurality of candidate driving waveforms that are the driving waveforms is executed; the liquid selection method further includes a waveform determination step: for each of the plurality of first candidate liquids, a candidate driving waveform is determined from the plurality of candidate driving waveforms based on the first information; the liquid selection step is a step of selecting one or more liquids that cause the liquid nozzle to spray out based on the first information corresponding to the combination of the candidate driving waveform determined for at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids and each of the plurality of first candidate liquids.

[0187] If configured in this manner, it is possible to select, from among a combination of multiple first candidate liquids and multiple candidate drive waveforms that are interchangeable when the liquid nozzle is ejected, a combination of a first candidate liquid and a candidate drive waveform that has excellent first ejection characteristics when the liquid nozzle is ejected, as the liquid to be ejected by the liquid nozzle and the drive waveform to be applied in the liquid nozzle.

[0188] (7) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be configured as follows: the liquid selection method further includes: a vibration acquisition step, which performs a vibration acquisition process for each of the plurality of second candidate liquids, wherein the vibration acquisition process is a process of acquiring vibration information related to the residual vibration of the liquid in the liquid nozzle when a driving waveform is applied to the driving element of the liquid nozzle; and a pre-selection step, which selects the plurality of first candidate liquids from the plurality of second candidate liquids based on the vibration information and at least a portion of the plurality of second candidate liquids.

[0189] If configured in this manner, multiple first candidate liquids can be selected from multiple second candidate liquids based on vibration information to become the objects of the acquisition process. Therefore, based on vibration information, candidate liquids with a lower probability of being ejected by the liquid nozzle can be excluded from the objects of the acquisition process.

[0190] (8) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be configured to include a prompting step, in which information indicating one or more liquids selected in the liquid selection step to cause the liquid nozzle to spray is provided to the user.

[0191] If configured in this way, more than one liquid can be prompted to the user as a candidate for the liquid to be ejected from the liquid nozzle.

[0192] (9) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be set as follows, that is, the first ejection characteristic is the amount of liquid ejected by the ejection action of the driving element.

[0193] If configured in this way, a candidate liquid can be selected based on the amount of liquid ejected from the nozzle as the liquid to be ejected from the liquid nozzle head.

[0194] (10) In the liquid selection method described above, it can also be set as follows, that is, the second ejection characteristic is the ejection speed of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head.

[0195] If configured in this way, a candidate liquid that is optimized based on the ejection speed of the liquid ejected from the nozzle can be selected as the liquid to be ejected from the liquid nozzle head.

[0196] (11) In other ways of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided for causing a computer to perform the liquid selection method of any of the above-described methods.

[0197] (12) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid ejection device is provided. The liquid ejection device includes: a liquid ejection head having a drive element that is driven by an applied drive signal, and a liquid ejected by the drive element; a drive control unit that controls the liquid ejection head; a characteristic acquisition unit that performs a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process of acquiring first information related to a first ejection characteristic of the liquid when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejection head; and a liquid selection unit that selects one or more liquids ejected from the liquid ejection head based on the first information and at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids.

[0198] This disclosure can also be implemented in various ways other than liquid selection methods, liquid ejection devices, and computer programs that execute liquid selection methods. For example, it can be implemented in ways such as control methods for liquid ejection devices, computer programs that implement the control methods, and non-transitory recording media that record the computer programs. Furthermore, although printer 1 has been described in various embodiments, it is also possible to use a so-called experimental device or evaluation device instead of a printer in the liquid ejection device, as long as it has the function of ejecting liquid.

[0199] Symbol Explanation

[0200] 1…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; 41…Ink ejector head; 50…Detector group; 55…CCD camera; 60…Computer; 61…Interface; 62…CPU; 63…Memory; 64…Display; 65…Keyboard; 66…Mouse; 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; 622…Characteristic acquisition unit; 628…Liquid selector Selecting part; 631…waveform parameters; Dm…main scanning direction; Ds…sub-scanning direction; HC…head control part; Ie1…individual information; Ie2…individual information; Ii1…first information; Ii2…second information; Ii3…third information; Iks…selected ink; Irv…vibration information; Lci…candidate ink; Nz…nozzle; PM…printing medium; PZT…drive 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…drive waveform; Wcs…corresponding drive waveform.

Claims

1. A liquid selection method, comprising selecting a liquid ejected from a liquid nozzle, and including: The acquisition process performs a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process of acquiring first information related to the first ejection characteristics of the liquid when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejection head; The liquid selection process, based on the first information, selects one or more liquids from at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids to be ejected by the liquid nozzle. The first ejection characteristic is the amount of liquid ejected by the ejection action of the drive element.

2. The liquid selection method as described in claim 1, wherein, The liquid selection process is a process of selecting one or more liquids that will be sprayed from the liquid nozzle based on individual information established with at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids.

3. The liquid selection method as described in claim 2, wherein, The individual information includes information representing the cost of establishing the corresponding first candidate liquid.

4. The liquid selection method as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, The individual information includes information indicating the evaluation of the corresponding first candidate liquid.

5. A liquid selection method, comprising selecting a liquid ejected from a liquid nozzle, and including: The acquisition process performs a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process of acquiring first information related to the first ejection characteristics of the liquid when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejection head; The liquid selection process, based on the first information, selects one or more liquids from at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids to be ejected by the liquid nozzle. The acquisition process includes a step of performing a second acquisition process for each of the plurality of first candidate liquids, the second acquisition process being a process of acquiring second information related to a second ejection characteristic of the liquid when a driving waveform is applied to the driving element of the liquid ejection head. The second ejection characteristic is different from the first ejection characteristic. The liquid selection process is a further step of selecting one or more liquids that will be sprayed from the liquid nozzle based on the second information.

6. The liquid selection method as described in claim 5, wherein, The second ejection characteristic is the ejection speed of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head.

7. A liquid selection method, comprising selecting a liquid ejected from a liquid nozzle, and including: The acquisition process performs a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process of acquiring first information related to the first ejection characteristics of the liquid when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejection head; The liquid selection process, based on the first information, selects one or more liquids from at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids to be ejected by the liquid nozzle. The acquisition process includes the following steps: for each of the plurality of first candidate liquids, the step of performing the first acquisition process is executed for each of the plurality of candidate driving waveforms that are the driving waveforms. The liquid selection method further includes a waveform determination step, in which, for each of the plurality of first candidate liquids, a candidate driving waveform is determined from the plurality of candidate driving waveforms based on the first information. The liquid selection process is a process of selecting one or more liquids that cause the liquid nozzle to spray, based on the first information corresponding to the combination of the candidate drive waveform determined for each of at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids and each of the combination of the candidate drive waveform determined for each of the plurality of first candidate liquids.

8. A liquid selection method, comprising selecting a liquid ejected from a liquid nozzle, and including: The acquisition process performs a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process of acquiring first information related to the first ejection characteristics of the liquid when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejection head; The liquid selection process, based on the first information, selects one or more of the liquids from at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids to be sprayed from the liquid nozzle. The vibration acquisition process is performed for each of a plurality of second candidate liquids. The vibration acquisition process is a process of acquiring vibration information related to the residual vibration of the liquid in the liquid nozzle when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid nozzle. The preliminary selection process involves selecting the plurality of first candidate liquids from at least a portion of the plurality of second candidate liquids based on the vibration information.

9. A liquid selection method, comprising selecting a liquid ejected from a liquid nozzle, and including: The acquisition process performs a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process of acquiring first information related to the first ejection characteristics of the liquid when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejection head; The liquid selection process, based on the first information, selects one or more of the liquids from at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids to be sprayed from the liquid nozzle. The prompting process involves providing the user with information indicating that one or more liquids selected in the liquid selection process will be sprayed from the liquid nozzle.

10. A recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon for causing a computer to perform the liquid selection method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A liquid ejection device, comprising: A liquid ejector head has a drive element that is driven by a drive signal, and ejects liquid by the drive element. A drive control unit that controls the liquid ejection head; The feature acquisition unit performs a first acquisition process for each of a plurality of first candidate liquids, the first acquisition process being a process of acquiring first information related to the first ejection characteristics of the liquid when a drive waveform is applied to the drive element of the liquid ejection head; The liquid selection unit, based on the first information, selects one or more liquids from at least a portion of the plurality of first candidate liquids to be ejected from the liquid nozzle. The first ejection characteristic is the amount of liquid ejected by the ejection action of the drive element.

Images