Imaging device, controller, and machine-readable storage medium

Abstract

In some examples, the controller may include processing resources and memory resources storing instructions that cause the processing resources to determine a reservoir for a jetting operation of a print head in an imaging device based on predetermined reservoir data, determine a jetting type for the jetting operation of the print head, and cause the jetting operation to occur in the reservoir using the determined jetting type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to printing systems. Background Art

[0002] Imaging systems such as printers, copiers, etc. can be used to form marks on physical media such as text, images, etc. In some examples, the imaging system can form marks on the physical media by performing a print job. The print job can include forming marks (such as text and / or images) by transferring printing materials (such as ink, toner, etc.) to the physical media. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an imaging device, comprising: a plurality of reservoirs; a printing carriage including a print head; and a controller, wherein the controller is used to perform the following steps: determining a reservoir of a type used for an ejection operation of the print head from the plurality of reservoirs based on predetermined reservoir data; determining an ejection type used for the ejection operation of the print head based on the type of the ejection operation and the predetermined reservoir data; and causing the ejection operation to occur in the reservoir by causing the print head to eject printing material into the reservoir according to the determined ejection type.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a controller is provided, which is configured to be embedded in an imaging device as described above according to the present disclosure, and the controller includes: processing resources; and memory resources, storing machine-readable instructions, wherein the machine-readable instructions enable the processing resources to perform the following steps: determining a reservoir of a type used for an ejection operation of a print head in the imaging device from a plurality of reservoirs based on predetermined reservoir data; determining an ejection type used for the ejection operation of the print head based on the type of the ejection operation and the predetermined reservoir data; and using the determined ejection type, causing the ejection operation to occur in the reservoir.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-temporary machine-readable storage medium is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed, cause the processing resources of the controller as described above according to the present disclosure to perform the following steps: determining a reservoir of the type used for the jetting operation of the print head in the imaging device from a plurality of reservoirs based on predetermined reservoir data, wherein the predetermined reservoir data includes: a printing material filling amount of the reservoir; an allowable jetting operation type; and a reservoir size; determining a jetting type for the jetting operation of the print head based on the type of the jetting operation and the predetermined reservoir data; and causing the jetting operation to occur in the reservoir according to the determined jetting type. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of an image forming apparatus including a reservoir for ejection operation of a print head according to the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a reservoir for a jetting operation of a print head of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a printhead and a reservoir including a restricted area of ​​jetting operation of the printhead according to the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a reservoir for a jetting operation of a print head of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 5 is an example of a controller for the ejection operation of a print head.

[0011] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example system for jetting operations of a printhead according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The imaging device may include a supply of printing material. As used herein, the term "printing material" refers to a substance that can be transmitted through and / or utilized by the imaging device. In some examples, the printing material may be, for example, a material that, when applied to the medium, can form a representation (e.g., text, an image model, etc.) on the medium during a print job. The printing material may include ink, toner, etc.

[0013] Print material may be deposited on a physical medium. As used herein, the term "imaging device" refers to any hardware device that has the function of physically producing a representation (e.g., text, image, model, etc.) on a medium. In some examples, the "medium" may include paper, photopolymers, plastics, composite materials, metals, or wood, etc. Imaging device 100 may be a printing device (e.g., a printer). Imaging device 100 may include printing, scanning, faxing, and / or other imaging device functions, and may execute a print job upon receiving a print job request from a computing device.

[0014] A device such as a computing device may generate a print job request and send the print job request to an image forming device. The image forming device may execute the print job according to the received print job request.

[0015] The imaging device can utilize a reservoir into which printing material can be ejected by the printhead of the imaging device. As used herein, the term "printhead" refers to a mechanism that delivers printing material to a medium via a nozzle. The printhead can eject printing material into the reservoir during an ejection operation. As used herein, the term "ejection operation" refers to a process in which a specific amount of printing material is ejected from the printhead for a specific amount of time. In some examples, such an ejection operation can be performed to maintain activity. For example, an ejection operation can be performed to maintain the health of a nozzle included as a part of the printhead.

[0016] Some imaging devices may include a dedicated reservoir such that an ejection operation may eject printing material into the dedicated reservoir. Some imaging devices may include a reservoir that a user may replace when the volume of ejected printing material exceeds a threshold amount.

[0017] Although imaging devices including replaceable reservoirs can provide a method for discarding printed materials ejected from a jetting operation, replaceable reservoirs may incur additional costs. Such imaging devices with replaceable reservoirs may not be suitable for users who do not utilize high-volume printed material imaging devices. In addition, imaging devices with non-replaceable dedicated reservoirs can utilize mechanical devices to move discarded jetted printed materials from the dedicated reservoir. However, such devices may introduce additional costs and / or limit the life of the imaging device in the manufacture and / or production of the imaging device.

[0018] Certain areas of the imaging device can be used as a reservoir for the jetting operation. For example, an area near the translation axis of the print head (which may not have been originally designed as a reservoir for the jetting operation) can be used as a reservoir for the jetting operation. This use of previously unused space can increase the reservoir capacity, which can increase the life of the imaging device. In addition, by reducing the number of parts of the imaging device, avoiding the use of mechanical devices and / or replaceable reservoirs can reduce the manufacturing and / or production costs of the imaging device. In addition, since the jetting operation can utilize different jet types based on different reservoirs, and optimize the use of existing reservoir space for the jetting operation, the printing operation performance can be improved. Accordingly, the jetting operation of the print head as will be further described in this article can allow the life of the imaging device to be extended and / or the printing operation performance to be improved without redesigning the imaging device hardware and / or using additional mechanisms and / or replaceable storage space.

[0019] Figure 11 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of an imaging device 100 including a reservoir 104 for jetting operation of a printhead according to the present disclosure. The imaging device 100 may include a controller 102, reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, and a print carriage 105. The print carriage 105 may include a printhead 106.

[0020] As in Figure 1 As shown in , the imaging device 100 may include a plurality of reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3. As used herein, the term "reservoir" refers to a container for holding material. For example, the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 may receive printing material from the print head 106 during a jetting operation.

[0021] As described above, certain areas of imaging device 100 may be used as reservoirs for jetting operations. For example, reservoir 104-1 may be a primary reservoir. Reservoir 104-2 may be a secondary reservoir, and reservoir 104-3 may be a tertiary reservoir. In some instances, reservoirs 104-2 and / or 104-3 may not have been initially designed as reservoirs for jetting operations, but using such space may increase reservoir capacity and / or increase performance (e.g., speed and / or throughput) of imaging device 100, as will be further described herein.

[0022] Imaging device 100 may include print carriage 105. As used herein, the term "print carriage" refers to a device that translates laterally to enable a print head to deposit print material onto a physical medium. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the print carriage 105 can translate laterally (e.g., left and / or right, as in FIG. Figure 1 oriented in the middle) to allow the print head 106 to deposit printing material onto the physical medium (e.g., Figure 1 As used herein, the term "print head" refers to a device that delivers printing material to a print medium to form marks on the physical medium. For example, the print head 106 may include nozzles (e.g., Figure 1 The nozzle may eject a printing material, such as ink, onto a physical medium.

[0023] The imaging device 100 may include a controller 102. The controller 102 may determine a reservoir 104 from a plurality of reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 for a type of ejection operation of a print head 106. As used herein, the term "ejection operation" refers to ejecting a printing material from a print head through a nozzle of the print head. For example, an ejection operation may be performed by the print head 106 to maintain and / or maintain a healthy state of the print head 106. The print head 106 may perform different types of ejection operations, as will be further described herein.

[0024] The controller 102 may determine the type of reservoir 104 to use for the jetting operation of the print head 106 based on the predetermined reservoir data. As used herein, the term "reservoir data" refers to information associated with a reservoir of an imaging device. For example, the reservoir data may include information describing the characteristics and / or features of each of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, as will be further described herein.

[0025] In some examples, the predetermined reservoir data may include the dimensions of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3. Such dimensions may include dimensions describing the physical dimensions of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3. For example, the secondary reservoir 104-2 may include a length dimension, a width dimension, and / or a height dimension. Additional dimensions may include a spray position within the reservoir 104. Such a spray position may be associated with a spray operation type. For example, a spray position may be associated with a fixed point spray type, a plurality of spray positions may be associated with a random point spray type, and a spray range may be associated with a rotating spray spray type, as will be further described herein.

[0026] In some examples, the predetermined reservoir data may include allowable ejection operation types. As used herein, the term "ejection operation type" refers to a set of characteristics that describe a specific manner in which printing material is ejected from a print head through the nozzles of the print head. For example, the amount of printing material, how long the printing material is ejected, the pressure at which the printing material is ejected, and some other characteristics may vary based on the ejection operation type, as will be further described herein.

[0027] In some examples, the jetting operation type may include a decapping jetting operation. As used herein, the term "decapping jetting operation" refers to a jetting operation that restores the concentration of the printing material at the tip of the print head nozzle. For example, the imaging device 100 may not be used for a period of time (e.g., no printing work is performed), during which time the printing material at the nozzle tip of the print head 106 may be in contact with ambient air. This contact with ambient air may cause the concentration of the printing material to change (e.g., the ambient air may cause the liquid carrier of the printing material to partially evaporate), which may increase the concentration of the colorant in the printing material. Accordingly, the decapping jetting operation can cause the printing material to be ejected from the nozzle of the print head 106, so that during the printing job, before the normal printing material can be applied to the physical medium, the printing material with an increased colorant concentration can be removed. Relative to the print head recovery jetting operation or the print head replacement jetting operation, the decapping jetting operation will eject a small amount of printing material, as will be further described herein.

[0028] In some examples, the type of jetting operation may include a print head recovery jetting operation. As used herein, the term "print head recovery jetting operation" refers to a jetting operation that unclogs a print head nozzle. For example, if the imaging device 100 is not used for a period of time, the printing material at the print head nozzle may dry out, causing the print head nozzle to become clogged. Accordingly, the print head recovery jetting operation may cause the printing material to be ejected from the nozzle of the print head 106 (e.g., under high pressure) so that the printing material that is clogging the print head nozzle is squeezed out of the nozzle. Relative to the decapping jetting operation, the print head recovery jetting operation may eject a larger amount of printing material.

[0029] In some examples, the jetting operation type may include a print head replacement jetting operation. As used herein, the term "print head replacement jetting operation" refers to a jetting operation that fills a print head. For example, the print head 106 may be removed and / or replaced. Accordingly, the print head replacement jetting operation may cause the printing material to be ejected from the nozzles of the print head 106 to fill the print head. Relative to the decapping jetting operation, the print head replacement jetting operation may eject a larger amount of printing material.

[0030] Although the above description of the ejection operation type includes a decapping ejection operation, a print head recovery ejection operation, and / or a print head replacement ejection operation, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the ejection operation type may include any other type of ejection operation.

[0031] In some examples, the predetermined reservoir data may include the filling amount of printing material in each of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3. For example, the controller 102 may record the ejection amount in each reservoir 104-1, 104-2, and / or 104-3 to determine the filling amount of printing material in each of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, and / or 104-3. In combination with the known size of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, and / or 104-3, the controller 102 may determine the filling amount of printing material in each of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, and 104-3.

[0032] In some examples, imaging device 100 may include a sensor (e.g., Figure 1 The sensor may be a visual sensor, a weight sensor, and / or any other type of sensor to determine the filling amount of the printing material in each of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, and 104-3.

[0033] Although the predetermined reservoir data is described above as including the size of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, the permissible type of jetting operation, and / or the printing material filling amount of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, the examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the predetermined reservoir data may include any other data describing the characteristics and / or features of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3.

[0034] As described above, the controller 102 may determine a reservoir 104 for a type of jetting operation of the printhead 106 based on predetermined reservoir data. For example, the controller 102 may determine a reservoir 104-1 for a printhead resume jetting operation based on a reservoir 104-1 that allows the printhead to resume jetting operations and a reservoir 104-1 that supports a specific jetting type, as will be further described herein.

[0035] As another example, the controller 102 may determine the reservoir 104-2 based on the printing material fill amount of the reservoir 104-2 being less than the threshold capacity. For example, the controller 102 may determine the printing material fill amount (e.g., based on the size of the reservoir 104-2 and the recorded (e.g., past) amount ejected into the reservoir 104-2) and determine the reservoir 104-2 in response to the printing material fill amount being less than the threshold capacity. In an example where the printing material fill amount is greater than the threshold capacity, the controller 102 may determine a different reservoir 104. In some examples, the controller 102 may cause the imaging device to generate an alarm in response to the printing material fill amount of the reservoir 104 being greater than the threshold capacity.

[0036] In some examples, in addition to the predetermined reservoir data, the controller 102 may determine the reservoir 104 based on the print job type. As used herein, the term "print job type" refers to a set of characteristics that describe a particular manner in which printed material is transferred to a physical medium, how it is transferred to a type of physical medium, etc. For example, the print job type may include characteristics that describe the print job. For example, the print job characteristics may include the size of the physical medium (e.g., letter, legal, tabloid, A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, etc.), the amount of physical media to be printed (e.g., 10 sheets), the type of physical media (e.g., paper, photopolymer, plastic, composite, metal, wood, etc.), a print job performance parameter indicating the speed / throughput of the print job, and some other characteristics.

[0037] For example, based on a print job type that includes 10 sheets of A4 paper at a specific throughput, the controller 102 can determine the reservoir 104-2 for the decapping jet operation based on the reservoir 104-2 allowing the decapping jet operation and the reservoir 104-2 being located near the print carriage 105 to allow the imaging device 100 to complete the print job at the specific throughput. That is, the print job type can specify a specific speed / throughput, paper size, and / or other print job characteristics, and the controller 102 can determine the reservoir 104 accordingly.

[0038] As in Figure 1 As illustrated in , the imaging device 100 may include a plurality of reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3. In some examples, the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 may include priority parameters. As used herein, the term "priority parameter" refers to a characteristic describing the position of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 relative to a fixed point. For example, the reservoir 104-1 may include a first priority parameter, the reservoir 104-2 may include a second priority parameter, and the reservoir 104-3 may include a third priority parameter. Such priority parameters may be based on the travel distance of the print carriage 105 from the initial position to the reservoir 104. For example, a first priority parameter of storage 104-1 may indicate that storage 104-1 is the storage closest to the printing carriage 105 located at the initial position of the printing carriage 105, a second priority parameter of storage 104-2 may indicate that storage 104-2 is the storage second closest to the printing carriage 105 located at the initial position of the printing carriage 105, and a third priority parameter of storage 104-3 may indicate that storage 104-3 is the storage third closest to the printing carriage 105 located at the initial position.

[0039] The controller 102 may determine that the reservoir is the reservoir 104-1 based on the first priority parameter (which has a higher priority than the second priority parameter and the third priority parameter) and the print job type. For example, the controller 102 may determine the reservoir 104-1 for the decapping jet operation based on the print job type including 10 sheets of A4 paper at a specific throughput according to the print job performance parameter to achieve a higher paper throughput by reducing the travel time of the print carriage 105 during the decapping jet operation type.

[0040] When the reservoir 104 is determined, the controller 102 can determine the jet type for the jet operation based on the type of jet operation and the predetermined reservoir data. As used herein, the term "jet type" refers to a set of characteristics that describe the location of the jetting of the printing material. For example, the jet type for the jet operation can describe the location in the reservoir 104 where the jet operation type occurs, as will be further described herein.

[0041] In some examples, the jetting type may include a fixed-point jetting type. As used herein, the term "fixed-point jetting type" refers to jetting printing material from a nozzle of a print head in one position in a reservoir. For example, the print head 106 may jet printing material in one position in the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3. In some examples, the controller 102 may determine the jetting type as a fixed-point jetting type in response to the size of the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 being less than a threshold amount, such as in conjunction with Figure 2 Further described.

[0042] In some examples, the jetting type may include a random dot jetting type. As used herein, the term "random dot jetting type" refers to jetting printing material from a nozzle of a print head in a random position in a reservoir. For example, the print head 106 may jet printing material in a random position in the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, where the random position is generated using a random number generator. In some examples, the controller 102 may determine the jetting type as a random dot jetting type in response to the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 including a jetting restricted area, such as in conjunction with Figure 3 In some examples, the controller 102 may determine the ejection type as a random dot ejection type in response to the print job type, such as combining Figure 3 Further described.

[0043] In some examples, the jetting type may include a rotary jet jetting type. As used herein, the term "rotary jet jetting type" refers to ejecting printing material from a nozzle of a print head as the print head moves through a series of positions in a reservoir. For example, the print head 106 may eject printing material as the print head 106 moves across a predetermined range of positions in the reservoirs 104-1, 104-2, 104-3. In some examples, the controller 102 may determine the jetting type as a rotary jet jetting type in response to the ejection operation including an amount of printing material exceeding a threshold amount, such as in conjunction with Figure 4 Further described.

[0044] Although the above description of the injection type includes a fixed point injection type, a random point injection type and / or a rotational injection injection type, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the injection type may be any other injection type.

[0045] As described above, the controller 102 may determine, based on the type of the ejection operation and the predetermined reservoir data, the ejection type for the ejection operation of the print head 106. For example, based on a print job type including 10 sheets of A4 paper at a specific throughput, the controller 102 may determine the reservoir 104-2 for the decap ejection operation and determine the ejection type as a fixed-point ejection type based on the fact that the reservoir 104-2 allows the decap ejection operation and the reservoir 104-2 is located near the print carriage 105 to allow the imaging device 100 to complete the print job at the specific throughput.

[0046] The controller 102 may cause the ejection operation to occur in the reservoir 104. Continuing with the above example, the controller 102 may cause the print head 106 to eject the printing material into the reservoir 104-2 according to the fixed dot ejection type.

[0047] The jetting operation of the print head according to the present disclosure can allow the area in the imaging device to be used as a reservoir to increase the reservoir capacity and reduce the manufacturing and / or production costs of the imaging device. In addition, the performance and / or life of the imaging device can be increased without redesigning the imaging device hardware and / or using additional mechanisms that may increase user satisfaction.

[0048] Figure 2 2 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a reservoir 204 for jetting operation of a print head of an imaging device 200 according to the present disclosure. The imaging device 200 may include a reservoir 204, a jetting location 208, and a printing material 209.

[0049] As in Figure 2As illustrated in , the imaging device 200 may include a reservoir 204. The controller may utilize the reservoir 204 to perform a jetting operation, as will be further described herein. In addition, although the imaging device 200 is illustrated as including a single reservoir 204, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the imaging device 200 may include a second reservoir (e.g., a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, or a tertiary reservoir), a third reservoir, etc.

[0050] As previously combined Figure 1 As described, the controller of the imaging device 200 (eg, Figure 2 The controller (not shown) may determine the jetting type for the jetting operation of the print head based on the type of jetting operation and the predetermined reservoir data. For example, based on the print job type including 10 A4-sized sheets at a specific throughput, the controller may determine the reservoir 204 for the decapping jetting operation based on the reservoir 204 allowing the decapping jetting operation, the reservoir 204 being located near the print carriage to allow the imaging device 200 to complete the print job at the specific throughput, and the filling capacity of the reservoir 204 being less than a threshold filling amount, and determine the jetting type as a fixed-point jetting type.

[0051] As previously combined Figure 1 As described, the controller of the imaging device 200 (eg, Figure 2 (not shown) can determine the ejection position 208 in the reservoir 204 in response to the ejection type being a fixed point ejection type. For example, the fixed point ejection type can be the following ejection type that enables the controller to cause the print head (e.g., Figure 2 The nozzle (not shown) ejects the printing material 209 into a single ejection location 208 in the reservoir 204. In other words, the controller can cause the ejection operation to occur at the ejection location 208. As the ejection operation occurs, the printing material 209 can be deposited in the reservoir 204.

[0052] In some examples, the controller may determine the spray type as a fixed point spray type in response to the size of the reservoir being less than a threshold amount. For example, the width dimension of the reservoir 204 may be less than, for example, 10 millimeters (mm). Since a smaller width dimension may be more conducive to a fixed point spray type, the controller may determine the spray type as a fixed point spray type for the reservoir 204.

[0053] Figure 3 308 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a printhead 306 and a reservoir 304 including a restricted area 310 for jetting operation of the printhead according to the present disclosure. Imaging device 300 may include reservoir 304, jetting location 308, restricted area 310, print carriage 305, and printhead 306.

[0054] As in Figure 3 As illustrated in , the imaging device 300 may include a partial view of a reservoir 304. The reservoir 304 may be, for example, part of a large imaging device. For example, the imaging device 300 may perform a print job of a paper size such as A0 size, and some other examples. Although the imaging device 300 is capable of printing large-size (e.g., such as A0) paper, the imaging device 300 may also perform a print job with a smaller paper size, so that the area designed for the reservoir 304 may not be used. Accordingly, the controller may utilize the reservoir 304 for jetting operations, as will be further described herein. In addition, although the imaging device 300 is illustrated as including a single reservoir 304, the examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the imaging device 300 may include a second reservoir (e.g., a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, or a tertiary reservoir), a third reservoir, and the like.

[0055] As previously combined Figure 1 As described, the controller of the imaging device 300 (eg, Figure 3 The controller (not shown) may determine the ejection type for the ejection operation of the print head 306 based on the type of ejection operation and the predetermined reservoir data. For example, based on the print job type including 10 sheets of paper having a size smaller than A0 at a specific throughput, the controller may determine the reservoir 304 for the decap ejection operation based on the reservoir 304 allowing the decap ejection operation, the reservoir 304 being located near the print carriage 305 to allow the imaging device 300 to complete the print job at the specific throughput, and the filling capacity of the reservoir 304 being less than a threshold filling amount, and determine the ejection type as the random dot ejection type.

[0056] The controller may use a random number generator to determine a plurality of injection locations in the reservoir 304 in response to the injection type being a random point injection type. As used herein, the term "random number generator" refers to a method of generating a sequence of numbers executed by a processing resource, the characteristics of which approximate a random number sequence. That is, the controller may utilize a pseudo-random number generator to generate a sequence of numbers, wherein each number included in the sequence of numbers is associated with a physical location in the reservoir 304. For example, the controller may generate a random number that may correspond to the injection location 308 in the reservoir 304, and the controller may cause the injection operation to occur at the injection location 308.

[0057] In some examples, the controller may determine the ejection type as a random dot ejection type in response to the print job type. For example, if the print job type includes a print performance parameter that specifies a throughput condition of the physical media, the controller may determine the ejection type as a random dot ejection type.

[0058] In some examples, the reservoir 304 may include an ejection restricted area 308. As used herein, the term "restricted area" refers to an area of ​​the reservoir where an ejection operation is not allowed. For example, the imaging device 300 may include a restricted area 308 such as a structural rib, wherein the structural rib is the restricted area 308. Accordingly, the controller may determine the ejection type as a random dot ejection type in response to the reservoir 304 including the restricted area 308, and may cause the print head 306 to perform an ejection operation anywhere in the reservoir 304 except the restricted area 308.

[0059] Figure 4 4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a reservoir 404 for jetting operations of a printhead of an imaging device 400 according to the present disclosure. The imaging device 400 may include a reservoir 404, a series of jetting locations 412, and a printing material 409.

[0060] As in Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 4 , imaging device 400 may include storage 404. In some examples, storage 404 may be a previously combined Figure 2 The controller can utilize the reservoir 404 to perform a jetting operation, as will be further described herein. In addition, although the imaging device 400 is illustrated as including a single reservoir 404, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the imaging device 400 can include a second reservoir (e.g., a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, or a tertiary reservoir), a third reservoir, etc.

[0061] As previously combined Figure 1 As described, the controller of the imaging device 400 (eg, Figure 4 The controller (not shown) may determine the jet type for the jet operation of the print head based on the type of jet operation and the predetermined reservoir data. For example, based on a print job type including 10 A4-sized sheets at a specific throughput, the controller may determine the reservoir 404 for the decap jet operation based on the reservoir 404 allowing the decap jet operation, the reservoir 404 being near the print carriage to allow the imaging device 400 to complete the print job at the specific throughput, and the filling capacity of the reservoir 404, and determine that the jet type is the rotary jet jet type.

[0062] The controller can determine a series of jetting positions 412 in the reservoir 404 in response to the jetting type being a rotary jetting jetting type. For example, the rotary jetting jetting type can be a jetting type that enables the controller to cause the print head (e.g., Figure 2The controller may cause the print head to eject printing material 409 across a series of ejection locations 412 in the reservoir 404. In other words, the controller may cause the ejection operation to occur as the print head moves across the series of ejection locations 412. As the ejection operation occurs, the printing material 409 may be deposited in the reservoir 404 across the series of ejection locations 412.

[0063] In some examples, the controller can determine the jetting type as a rotary jetting jetting type in response to the jetting operation including an amount of printing material exceeding a threshold amount. For example, the jetting operation can be a print head recovery jetting operation. Since a larger amount of printing material can be jetted from the nozzles of the print head (e.g., relative to a decapping jetting operation), the rotary jetting jetting type can allow the jetted printing material 409 to be more evenly distributed in the reservoir 404 relative to the fixed dot jetting type.

[0064] In some embodiments, reservoir 404 may be similar to reservoir 204, as previously described in connection with Figure 2 The print head may deposit printing material 409 into reservoir 404 using a fixed point jetting type, as previously described in conjunction with Figure 2 As such jetting operations occur, printing material 409 may accumulate, so that the filling capacity of reservoir 404 may exceed a predetermined filling capacity. Accordingly, in some examples, since the filling capacity of reservoir 404 exceeds the predetermined filling capacity, the controller of imaging device 400 may modify the predetermined reservoir data of reservoir 404 so that the supported jetting types no longer include fixed-point jetting. In such an example, the predetermined reservoir data of reservoir 404 may be modified to support the rotary jetting jetting type. Accordingly, the controller may determine that reservoir 404 is used for a specific jetting operation of the rotary jetting jetting type. As a result, although reservoir 404 can be used for faster jetting operations / jetting types (e.g., using fixed-point jetting), when the amount of printing material filled in reservoir 404 exceeds a predetermined amount, imaging device 400 may switch to a different kind of jetting type to maximize the remaining volume of reservoir 404, thereby extending the life of the imaging device.

[0065] Figure 5 is an example of a controller 502 for the ejection operation of a print head. As described herein, the controller 502 can perform functions related to the ejection operation of the print head. Figure 5502 may include a processor and a machine-readable storage medium. Although the following description relates to a single processor and a single machine-readable storage medium, these descriptions may also be applied to systems with multiple processors and multiple machine-readable storage media. In such an example, the controller 502 may be distributed across multiple machine-readable storage media and across multiple processors. In other words, such as in a distributed or virtual computing environment, the instructions executed by the controller 502 may be stored across multiple machine-readable storage media and executed across multiple processors.

[0066] The processing resource 512 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, and / or other hardware device suitable for retrieving and executing machine-readable instructions 516, 518, 520 stored in the memory resource 514. The processing resource 512 may fetch, decode, and execute the instructions 516, 518, 520. As an alternative to (or in addition to) retrieving and executing the instructions 516, 518, 520, the processing resource 512 may include a plurality of electronic circuits including electronic components for performing the functions of the instructions 516, 518, 520.

[0067] The memory resource 514 may be any electronic, magnetic, optical or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions 516, 518, 520 and / or data. Thus, the memory resource 514 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disk, etc. Figure 5 As shown in , the memory resource 514 may be disposed within the controller 502. Additionally, the memory resource 514 may be, for example, a portable, external, or remote storage medium that enables the controller 502 to download instructions 516, 518, 520 from the portable / external / remote storage medium.

[0068] The controller 502 may include instructions 516 stored in the memory resource 514 and executable by the processing resource 512 to determine a reservoir for a jetting operation of a print head in the imaging device based on predetermined reservoir data. The jetting operation may include a jetting operation type. Such jetting operation types may include a decapping jetting operation, a print head recovery jetting operation, and / or a print head replacement jetting operation, as well as other jetting operation types. The predetermined reservoir data may include a size of the reservoir, an allowable jetting operation type, and / or a printing material fill amount of the reservoir.

[0069] Controller 502 may include instructions 518 stored in memory resource 514 and executable by processing resource 512 to determine a jetting type for jetting operations of the printhead. The jetting type may include a fixed dot jetting type, a random dot jetting type, and / or a rotary jet jetting type.

[0070] The controller 502 may include instructions 520 stored in the memory resource 514 and executable by the processing resource 512 to cause a jetting operation to occur in the reservoir using the determined jetting type. For example, based on the determined jetting type, the print head may cause the nozzles of the print head to jet the printing material into the reservoir according to the jetting operation.

[0071] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example system 622 for jetting operations of a printhead according to the present disclosure. Figure 6 In the example of , system 622 includes controller 602, controller 602 includes processing resource 624 and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 626. Although the following description relates to a single processing resource and a single machine-readable storage medium, these descriptions can also be applied to systems with multiple processors and multiple machine-readable storage media. In such examples, instructions can be distributed across multiple machine-readable storage media, and instructions can be distributed across multiple processors. In other words, such as in a distributed computing environment, instructions can be stored across multiple machine-readable storage media and executed across multiple processors.

[0072] Processing resource 624 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or other hardware device suitable for retrieving and executing instructions stored in machine-readable storage medium 626. Figure 6 In the specific example shown in FIG. 6 , processing resource 624 can receive, determine, and send instructions 628, 630, 632. As an alternative to (or in addition to) retrieving and executing instructions, processing resource 624 can include electronic circuitry including multiple electronic components for performing operations of instructions in machine-readable storage medium 626. With respect to executable instruction representations or blocks described and shown herein, it should be understood that some or all of the executable instructions and / or electronic circuitry included in one block may be included in different blocks shown in the figures or in different blocks not shown.

[0073] The machine-readable storage medium 626 may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. Thus, the machine-readable storage medium 626 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, and an optical disk. The executable instructions may be "installed" in Figure 6 622. The machine-readable storage medium 626 may be, for example, a portable, external, or remote storage medium that allows the system 622 to download instructions from a portable / external / remote storage medium. In this case, the executable instructions may be part of an "installation package."

[0074] When executed by a processor such as processing resource 624, instructions 628 for determining a reservoir type for a jetting operation can cause system 622 to determine a reservoir of a type of jetting operation for a print head in an imaging device based on predetermined reservoir data. The jetting operation may include a jetting operation type. Such jetting operation types may include decapping jetting operations, print head recovery jetting operations, and / or print head replacement jetting operations, as well as other jetting operation types. The predetermined reservoir data may include a size of the reservoir, an allowable type of jetting operation, and / or a printing material fill amount of the reservoir.

[0075] When executed by a processor such as processing resource 624, instructions 630 for determining a jetting type for a jetting operation may cause system 622 to determine a jetting type for a jetting operation of a printhead based on the type of jetting operation and predetermined reservoir data. The jetting type may include a fixed-dot jetting type, a random-dot jetting type, and / or a rotary-jet jetting type.

[0076] When executed by a processor such as processing resource 624, instructions 632 for causing the ejection operation to occur can cause system 622 to cause the ejection operation to occur in the reservoir according to the determined ejection type. For example, according to the determined ejection type, the print head can cause the nozzle of the print head to eject the printing material to the reservoir according to the ejection operation.

[0077] In the foregoing detailed description of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of the present disclosure, and examples of how the present disclosure may be implemented are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement the examples of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that other examples may be utilized and process, electrical and / or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, as used herein, "a" may refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0078] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the figure. For example, reference number 100 may refer to Figure 1 100, and similar components may be formed by Figure 2 200 in the figure. Elements shown in the various figures herein may be added, exchanged and / or deleted to provide additional examples of the present disclosure. In addition, the proportions and relative scales of the elements provided in the drawings are intended to illustrate examples of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting.

[0079] It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "coupled with" another element, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to another element, or there can be intervening elements. Conversely, when an object is "directly coupled to" or "directly coupled with" another element, it should be understood that there are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements), etc.

[0080] The above description, examples and data provide a description of the method and application, and the use of the system and method of the present disclosure. Since a variety of examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the present disclosure, this description only proposes some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising: Multiple reservoirs; a print carriage, including a print head; and A controller, wherein the controller is configured to perform the following steps: determining a reservoir of a type to be used for jetting operation of the print head from the plurality of reservoirs based on predetermined reservoir data; determining a jetting type for the jetting operation of the print head based on the type of the jetting operation and the predetermined reservoir data; and The ejection operation occurs in the reservoir by causing the print head to eject printing material into the reservoir according to the determined ejection type.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of reservoirs include a first reservoir having a first priority parameter and a second reservoir having a second priority parameter; and The controller determines the storage as the first storage based on the first priority parameter having a higher priority than the second priority parameter and a print job type.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The type of injection operation includes at least one of the following: Decapping and spraying operations; The print head resumes jetting operation; and Printhead replacement jetting operation.

4. A controller, the controller being configured to be embedded in the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the controller comprising: Processing resources; as well as A memory resource storing machine-readable instructions, the machine-readable instructions causing the processing resource to perform the following steps: determining a reservoir of a type used for an ejection operation of a print head in the image forming apparatus from a plurality of reservoirs based on predetermined reservoir data; determining a jetting type for the jetting operation of the print head based on the type of the jetting operation and the predetermined reservoir data; as well as The spraying operation is caused to occur in the reservoir using the determined spraying type.

5. The controller according to claim 4, wherein: The processing resources are for determining the injection type as a fixed-point injection type in response to a size of the reservoir being less than a threshold amount.

6. The controller according to claim 4, wherein: The processing resources are for determining the injection type as a random point injection type in response to the reservoir including an injection restricted region.

7. The controller according to claim 4, wherein: The processing resources are for determining the firing type as a random dot firing type in response to a print job type.

8. The controller according to claim 4, wherein: The processing resources are for determining the jetting type as a rotary jetting jetting type in response to the jetting operation including an amount of printing material exceeding a threshold amount.

9. The controller according to claim 4, wherein: The processing resources are further used to determine the reservoir to use for the jetting operation based on a print job type.

10. The controller according to claim 4, wherein: The processing resources are used to cause the ejection operation to occur by causing the print head to eject printing material into the reservoir.

11. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed cause a processing resource of a controller according to any one of claims 4 to 10 to perform the following steps: A reservoir of a type used for an ejection operation of a print head in the image forming apparatus is determined from a plurality of reservoirs based on predetermined reservoir data, wherein: The predetermined reservoir data includes: a printing material filling amount of the reservoir; an allowable type of jetting operation; and a reservoir size; determining a jetting type for the jetting operation of the print head based on the type of the jetting operation and the predetermined reservoir data; and The injection operation is caused to occur in the reservoir according to the determined injection type.

12. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 11, comprising instructions to cause the processing resource to determine the reservoir based on the printing material fill level of the reservoir being less than a threshold capacity.

13. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 11, comprising instructions for causing the processing resource to perform the following steps: determining an injection location in the reservoir in response to the injection type being a fixed-point injection type; and The spraying operation is caused to occur at the spraying location.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 11, comprising instructions that cause the processing resource to: determine a plurality of firing locations in the reservoir using a random number generator in response to the firing type being a random point firing type; The spraying operation is caused to occur at the plurality of spraying locations.

15. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 11, comprising instructions for causing the processing resource to perform the following steps: determining a series of spray positions in the reservoir in response to the spray type being a rotary-jet spray type; and The spraying operation is caused to occur at the series of spraying locations.

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