Recording device and recording device control method

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a recording apparatus and a control method for the recording apparatus. There is a concern that a user needs to confirm the image recorded by the recording head onto the medium and perform maintenance on the recording head or correction of the delivery amount. The recording apparatus (11) includes: an upstream conveying roller pair (35) capable of conveying a medium (M1); a recording head (22) that moves in a Y-axis direction intersecting the (D1) direction and ejects ink at a predetermined timing onto the medium (M1) that has been conveyed downstream in the (D1) direction by the upstream conveying roller pair (35) towards the (D1) direction, thereby recording an image (P); an imaging unit (90) capable of reading the image (P) recorded by the recording head (22) onto the medium (M1); and a control unit (58) having the function of performing maintenance for ink ejection defects, correction of delivery amount (FA), and correction of ink ejection timing based on the reading results of the image (P) read by the imaging unit (90).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a recording device and a method for controlling the recording device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus as an example of a recording device comprising an image forming unit and an image reading unit for reading images. The image forming unit has a recording head that ejects ink from recording material to form an image. The image forming unit is an example of a recording unit, the recording material is an example of a medium, the ink is an example of a liquid, and the image reading unit is an example of a reading unit. Furthermore, this image forming apparatus discloses that the image reading unit reads the image of the recording material formed by the image forming unit, calculates the color or outline difference with the image information of the printing task in a control unit, and performs image correction.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-174519

[0004] In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the control unit performs image correction by reading the image of the recording material formed by the image forming unit using the image reading unit. However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a concern that if there is poor ink ejection from the recording head or a deviation in the amount of recording material delivered, the user needs to check the image of the recording material formed by the image forming unit and perform recording head maintenance or delivery amount correction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The recording device includes: a conveying unit capable of conveying a medium; a recording head that moves in a scanning direction intersecting the conveying direction and ejects liquid from the medium, in which a predetermined amount has been conveyed by the conveying unit downstream in the conveying direction, at a predetermined time to record an image; a reading unit capable of reading the image recorded by the recording head onto the medium; and a control unit that has the function of performing maintenance on liquid ejection defects, correction of the conveying amount, and correction of the liquid ejection timing based on the reading results of the image read by the reading unit.

[0006] The control method of the recording device records an image by ejecting liquid from a medium. In this method, while moving in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction, the liquid is ejected from the medium, on which a predetermined amount has been transported in the transport direction, at a predetermined time, thereby recording the image. Based on the reading result of the image read from the image recorded on the medium, one of the following is performed: maintenance of poor liquid ejection, correction of the transport amount, and correction of the liquid ejection timing. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a recording device as an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the external structure of the recording device with the storage section exposed.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the recording device.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control section of the recording device.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0020] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0021] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0022] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0023] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control method of the recording device.

[0024] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram showing the pattern used for confirmation.

[0025] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram showing the pattern used for confirmation.

[0026] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram showing the pattern used for confirmation.

[0027] Figure 21 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the recording device.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0029] 11…Recording device, 12…Housing, 13…Opening, 14…Outlet, 15…Operating unit, 15a…Power button, 15b…Input button, 15c…Operating panel, 15d…Speaker, 16…Main frame, 20…Recording unit, 21…Carriage, 22…Recording head, 24…Guide shaft, 25…Support, 27…Cutting part, 27a…Movable blade, 27b…Fixed blade, 28…Discharge part, 30…Conveying path, 30a…First path, 30b…Bent path, 30c…Second path, 30d…Third path, 30e…Tilting path, 31…Conveying mechanism, 32…Feeding roller pair, 33…Intermediate roller, 34…Driven roller, 35…Upstream conveying roller pair, 36…Downstream first conveying roller pair, 37…Downstream second conveying roller pair, 38…Downstream third conveying roller pair, 40…Storage 41… Support shaft, 42… Front plate section, 43… Support wall, 50… Roll paper conveying path, 50a… Bending section, 51… Flattening mechanism, 56… Roll paper conveying roller pair, 58… Control section, 60… Heating section, 61… Heater, 62… Fan, 80… Cutting chip receiving section, 81… Outer wall, 85… Detection section, 90… Camera section, 100… Guide frame, 200… Single-page conveyor, 217… Single-page conveying path, 221… Box, 222… Feeding mechanism, 227… Pick-up roller, 228… Separating roller pair, 229… Conveying roller pair, 230… Connecting path, 581… CPU, 582… Memory, 583… Control circuit, 584… I / F, M, M1… Media, P… Image, CP… Confirmation pattern, P1… Branch point, P2… Merging point, S1… First side, S2… Second side. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present disclosure will now be described based on embodiments. The same reference numerals will be used to label the same components in all figures, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, in this specification, "same" or "identical" means not only completely identical, but also identical considering measurement errors, identical considering manufacturing deviations of the components, and identical to the extent that it does not impair function. Thus, for example, "both have the same dimensions" means that, considering measurement errors and manufacturing deviations of the components, the difference in dimensions between the two is within ±10% of one dimension, more preferably within ±5%, and particularly preferably within ±3%.

[0031] In addition, in each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes will be referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. When the orientation is determined, positive directions are represented by "+", and negative directions by "-". Positive and negative signs are used together with the direction markings. The direction in which the arrow in each figure points is referred to as the "+" direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow is referred to as the "-" direction.

[0032] In addition, the Z-axis indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z-axis indicates vertically upward, and the -Z-axis indicates vertically downward. Furthermore, the plane including the X and Y axes is designated as the XY plane, the plane including the X and Z axes as the XZ plane, and the plane including the Y and Z axes as the YZ plane. The XY plane is a horizontal plane. Moreover, the three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, without defined positive and negative directions, are designated as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0033] 1. Implementation Method 1

[0034] The recording apparatus 11 described in this embodiment is an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from media M and M1 and prints the image. Media M is, for example, a roll of paper R, which is a long strip of medium wound into a roller shape. Media M1 is, for example, a single sheet (ticket) of printed paper. Liquid ink is an example of this.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the recording device 11 includes a cuboid housing 12 and a main frame 16 supporting various parts of the recording device 11. The housing 12 has an opening 13 on its side surface, i.e., the front surface, in the +X direction. Additionally, a discharge port 14 is provided in the housing 12 to discharge the recorded and cut-off medium M, or the recorded medium M1. The discharge port 14 constitutes a discharge section 28.

[0036] The recording device 11 includes a storage section 40 and a recording section 20. The storage section 40 stores a roll of paper R and a medium M1. The storage section 40 is configured to be able to be pulled out from the housing 12 in a forward direction in the +X direction through the opening 13. The storage section 40 includes a front plate section 42 that forms part of the outer casing of the recording device 11 when stored in the housing 12, and a pair of support walls 43 that support the roll of paper R in a rotatable manner. In addition, the storage section 40 houses a cartridge 221 for storing the medium M1 on the -Z direction side of the area where the roll of paper R is stored.

[0037] Below the discharge section 28, there is a box-shaped shavings receiving section 80 for accommodating shavings Ma of the medium M generated by the cutting section 27. The shavings receiving section 80 is detachably provided on the front surface of the housing 12 in the direction forward of the paper roll R. The shavings receiving section 80 closes the opening 13 by being mounted on the housing 12. The shavings receiving section 80 has an outer wall 81 that forms part of the outer casing of the recording device 11 when mounted on the housing 12.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, with the chip receiving section 80 removed from the housing 12, the storage section 40 becomes removable from the housing 12. With the storage section 40 removed from the housing 12, the roll of paper R is replaced.

[0039] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, an operation section 15 for operating the recording device 11 is provided on the +X direction side of the housing 12. The operation section 15 is a horizontally elongated panel along the Y-axis and includes a power button 15a operated when the recording device 11 is turned on or off, an input button 15b for inputting various operating information, and an operation panel 15c displaying the operating status of the recording device 11 or containing operation buttons for the recording device 11. The operation panel 15c is a touch panel. Additionally, a speaker 15d is provided that emits sound towards the outside.

[0040] As in Figure 3 As shown by the double-dotted line, the recording unit 20 has a transport path 30 for transporting media M and M1. The recording unit 20 includes: a transport mechanism 31 for transporting media M and M1 along the transport path 30; a recording head 22 for recording media M and M1; and a cutting section 27 for cutting media M. Additionally, the recording unit 20 includes a carriage 21 for mounting the recording head 22, a guide frame 100, a guide shaft 24, and a drive source (not shown). The recording head 22 records an image P on the media M and M1 transported from the receiving unit 40. The recording head 22 has multiple nozzles N for ejecting ink towards the media M and M1.

[0041] The carriage 21 is supported by a guide frame 100 extending along the Y-axis and a guide shaft 24 extending along the Y-axis and mounted on the guide frame 100. The carriage 21 can move along the guide shaft 24 by a drive source such as a motor. That is, the carriage 21 can reciprocate in the direction along the Y-axis while carrying the recording head 22. A support portion 25 is provided at a position opposite to the recording head 22 to support the media M, M1. The direction along the Y-axis is an example of the scanning direction.

[0042] The recording head 22, together with the carriage 21, reciprocates in the Y-axis direction, which forms the width of the media M and M1, while ejecting ink at predetermined intervals, thereby recording the image P onto the media M and M1 supported by the support portion 25. In this embodiment, the recording head 22 is exemplified as a serial head in which the recording head 22 reciprocates in the scanning direction, but it can also be a line head in which the recording head 22 extends in the Y-axis direction and is fixedly arranged.

[0043] The transport path 30 is the space through which media M and M1 can move, and is composed of multiple components. Media M and M1 are transported in the transport path 30 in the direction D1 (indicated by arrows) and in the direction D2 (opposite to D1). The D1 direction is an example of a transport direction; upstream in the D1 direction is upstream of the transport direction, and downstream in the D1 direction is downstream of the transport direction. The transport path 30 extends from the receiving section 40, located at the upstream end in the D1 direction and discharging the roll of paper R and media M1, to the discharge outlet 14 of the discharge section 28, located at the downstream end in the D1 direction. A recording head 22, a support section 25, and the like are arranged in the transport path 30.

[0044] The cutting section 27 is located downstream of the support section 25 in the D1 direction and upstream of the discharge outlet 14 in the D1 direction. In this embodiment, the cutting section 27 includes a movable blade 27a that can reciprocate in the Y-axis direction and a fixed blade 27b that does not move. The movable blade 27a is provided on the +Z direction side of the conveying path 30, and the fixed blade 27b is provided on the -Z direction side of the conveying path 30. The cutting section 27 cuts the medium M along the width direction at the cutting position. The cutting position is the position of the tip of the fixed blade 27b.

[0045] The transport path 30 of this embodiment has the following components from the upstream side of the media M and M1 in the D1 direction: a first path 30a for transporting the media M unwound from the roll paper R and a single-page transport path 217 for transporting the media M1; a curved path 30b for transporting the media M and M1 while bending them; a second path 30c for transporting the media M and M1 toward the support portion 25 opposite to the recording head 22; and a third path 30d for transporting the media M and M1 downstream of the support portion 25 in the D1 direction toward the discharge portion 28.

[0046] The transport path 30 also includes a reversing path 30e. The reversing path 30e is a passage connecting the branch point P1 from the second path 30c and the merging point P2 where it merges with the first path 30a. In the transport direction of the media M and M1 transported via the curved path 30b, the merging point P2 is located upstream of the branch point P1 in the D1 direction. That is, the reversing path 30e merges with the upstream side of the curved path 30b in the D1 direction. The reversing path 30e is a path used to reverse the cut, single-page media M and M1 and record both sides of the media M and M1.

[0047] The conveying mechanism 31 conveys media M and M1 along a conveying path 30 from the receiving section 40 through the recording head 22 to the cutting section 27 and the discharge section 28. The conveying mechanism 31 includes a supply roller pair 32 provided on the first path 30a, an intermediate roller 33 forming a curved path 30b, a plurality of driven rollers 34 arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 33, and an upstream conveying roller pair 35 provided on the second path 30c.

[0048] The driven roller 34 is rotatably arranged and rotates drivenly while sandwiching the media M and M1 between it and the intermediate roller 33. In this embodiment, three driven rollers 34 are provided. As a result, the flipped media M and M1 can be smoothly conveyed along the curved path 30b.

[0049] The conveying mechanism 31 further includes a downstream first conveying roller pair 36, a downstream second conveying roller pair 37, and a downstream third conveying roller pair 38 in the third path 30d. The downstream second conveying roller pair 37 is located upstream of the cutting section 27 in the direction of D1. The downstream third conveying roller pair 38 is located downstream of the cutting section 27 in the direction of D1.

[0050] The roll of paper R is rotatably supported in the +Z direction region of the storage section 40 via a support shaft 41 extending in the Y-axis direction, which forms the width direction of the housing 12. The support shaft 41 is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. Therefore, the roll of paper R is rotatably driven in both forward and reverse directions via the support shaft 41. In addition, the storage section 40 is provided with a roll paper transport path 50 for transporting the medium M unwound from the roll of paper R toward the first path 30a. The roll paper transport path 50 is a part of the transport path 30.

[0051] The paper roll transport path 50 extends from the +X direction side of the paper roll R supported by the support shaft 41 toward the -Z direction and then bends toward the -X direction, bypassing the paper roll R in the -Z and -X directions and extending toward the +Z direction until it becomes the first path 30a that is closer to the +Z direction side than the paper roll R.

[0052] The paper feed path 50 has a bend 50a that bends at approximately a right angle at its upstream end in the D1 direction, that is, at a position where the +X direction of the paper roll R in the paper feed path 50 becomes the -Z direction. Downstream of the bend 50a in the D1 direction in the paper feed path 50, a flattening mechanism 51 is provided to correct the bending characteristics of the medium M unwound from the paper roll R.

[0053] Downstream of the flattening mechanism 51 in the D1 direction within the roll paper transport path 50, roll paper transport roller pairs 56 are provided at appropriate intervals to impart transport force to the roll paper R. The roll paper transport roller pairs 56 are driven to rotate, thereby unwinding the medium M from the roll paper R and transporting it to the first path 30a. The roll paper transport roller pairs 56 are part of the transport mechanism 31.

[0054] In the storage section 40, a box 221 for holding the medium M1 is housed in the area on the -Z direction side of the area that holds the roll of paper R. A single-sheet conveyor 200 for conveying the medium M1 is provided on the -X direction side of the storage section 40. The single-sheet conveyor 200 has a feed mechanism 222 for conveying the medium M1 contained in the box 221 toward the curved path 30b.

[0055] The feeding mechanism 222 includes: a pick-up roller 227 for feeding the medium M1 located in the +Z direction from the medium M1 contained in the stacked state in the cartridge 221; a pair of separating rollers 228 for separating the medium M1 fed by the pick-up roller 227 one by one; and a plurality of conveying roller pairs 229 for conveying the medium M1 along the single page via the conveying path 217 toward the curved path 30b. The feeding mechanism 222 is part of the conveying mechanism 31.

[0056] A connecting path 230, which communicates with the curved path 30b, is provided at the downstream end of the single-page transport path 217 in the D1 direction. The medium M1 transported from the cartridge 221 is transported along the single-page transport path 217 and enters the curved path 30b via the connecting path 230. The medium M1 that has entered the curved path 30b is then transported towards the recording head 22 by the transport mechanism 31.

[0057] The roll conveyor roller pair 56 and the supply roller pair 32 rotate while clamping the medium M, thereby conveying the medium M. The separating roller pair 228 and the conveyor roller pair 229 rotate while clamping the medium M1, thereby conveying the medium M1. The intermediate roller 33, the driven roller 34, the upstream conveyor roller pair 35, the downstream first conveyor roller pair 36, the downstream second conveyor roller pair 37, and the downstream third conveyor roller pair 38 rotate while clamping the media M and M1, thereby conveying the media M and M1.

[0058] Each roller of the conveying mechanism 31 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, thereby conveying the media M and M1 from upstream to downstream in the direction of D1. Each roller of the conveying mechanism 31 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, thereby conveying the media M and M1 from downstream to upstream in the direction of D1.

[0059] The recording apparatus 11 includes a heating unit 60 for heating the conveyed media M and M1. The heating unit 60 is positioned opposite the intermediate roller 33 provided in the curved path 30b and adjacent to the downstream side of the most downstream driven roller 34 in the D1 direction among the three driven rollers 34. The heating unit 60 corrects the curling characteristics of the media M. In this embodiment, the heating unit 60 consists of a heater 61 that generates heat and a fan 62 that blows the heat from the heater 61 onto the media M and M1.

[0060] A detection unit 85 capable of detecting the front end of the transported media M and M1 is provided upstream of the recording head 22 in the D1 direction. In this embodiment, the detection unit 85 is disposed between the recording head 22 and the upstream transport roller pair 35 on the transport path 30. The detection unit 85 is, for example, an optical sensor, having a light-emitting part capable of emitting light and a light-receiving part capable of receiving light. The light-emitting part emits light in the -Z direction of the optical sensor, and the light-receiving part receives reflected light reflected by the media M and M1. The light-emitting part is composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a laser light-emitting element, etc. In addition, the light-receiving part is composed of a phototransistor or a photoelectric IC (photoelectric integrated circuit), etc. The light-receiving part acquires the received light amount as a voltage value. Furthermore, a threshold is set for the light amount to determine the presence or absence of the media M and M1, and the presence or absence of the media M and M1 is determined based on this threshold. Thus, the detection of the front end of the media M and M1 can be performed.

[0061] Additionally, the recording device 11 includes a camera unit 90. The camera unit 90 captures images of media M and M1 on which images P are recorded, and is capable of reading images P. The camera unit 90 is an example of a reading unit. The recording device 11 in this embodiment is a multifunction printer, also known as a copier, which includes a camera unit 90 that functions as a scanner capable of reading images P recorded on media M and M1. The recording device 11 may, for example, be a flatbed copier in which the camera unit 90 is disposed in a scanner housing separately provided on the +Z direction side of the housing 12. In this case, the recording device 11 includes the camera unit 90 in addition to the recording unit 20.

[0062] The recording device 11 of this embodiment includes a camera unit 90 along a transport path 30 from the receiving section 40 through the recording section 20 to the discharge section 28. In this embodiment, the camera unit 90 is disposed in the transport path 30 between the curved path 30b and the recording head 22. In other words, the camera unit 90 is disposed on the upstream side of the recording head 22 in the D1 direction. Furthermore, the camera unit 90 is disposed between the upstream side transport roller pair 35 located on the upstream side of the recording head 22 in the D1 direction and the curved path 30b. More specifically, the camera unit 90 is disposed in the second path 30c.

[0063] Here, the second path 30c is inclined in the -Z direction from the +Z direction side end of the curved path 30b toward the -Z direction side end face of the recording head 22 where ink is ejected from the nozzle N. Furthermore, at least a portion of the imaging unit 90 is positioned in the Z-axis direction between the +Z direction side end of the curved path 30b and the -Z direction side end face of the recording head 22. This allows for the suppression of the height dimension of the recording device 11 in the Z-axis direction.

[0064] The imaging unit 90 is, for example, a contact image sensor (CIS). The imaging unit 90 is a linear sensor and includes a photoelectric sensor (not shown), a light source, a lens, etc. The imaging unit 90 is capable of capturing images of the media M and M1 in the width direction of the media M and M1, which is the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the imaging unit 90 is positioned further away from the discharge unit 28, thus minimizing the influence of interfering light and ensuring the imaging function.

[0065] The recording device 11 can, for example, acquire image data of image P by reading image P recorded by the recording unit 20 onto the medium M, and re-record image P onto the medium M1 based on the acquired image data of image P. Furthermore, the recording device 11 of this embodiment can, for example, perform maintenance on ink ejection defects in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, and correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22 by comparing the image data of image P with the image data of image P acquired by reading image P recorded onto the medium M1. The image data of image P acquired by reading image P recorded onto the medium M1 is an example of the reading result.

[0066] like Figure 4As shown, the recording device 11 includes a control unit 58 that controls various actions performed by the recording device 11. The control unit 58 includes a CPU 581, a memory 582, a control circuit 583, and an I / F (interface) 584. The CPU 581 is an arithmetic processing unit. The memory 582 is a storage device that stores the program or working area of ​​the CPU 581, and includes storage elements such as RAM and EEPROM. When recording data is acquired from an external source such as an information processing terminal via the I / F 584, the CPU 581 controls various drive units.

[0067] For example, the control unit 58 controls any one of the following: the roll conveyor roller pair 56, the supply roller pair 32, the pickup roller 227, the separation roller pair 228, the conveyor roller pair 229, the intermediate roller 33, the driven roller 34, the upstream conveyor roller pair 35, the downstream first conveyor roller pair 36, the downstream second conveyor roller pair 37, and the downstream third conveyor roller pair 38, thereby conveying the media M and M1 in either the D1 direction or the D2 direction.

[0068] Additionally, for example, when recording image P on medium M1, control unit 58 controls the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 to convey a conveying amount FA of medium M1 in the D1 direction, and controls the recording head 22 to reciprocate the carriage 21 in the Y-axis direction by controlling the drive source that moves the carriage 21, thereby ejecting ink toward medium M1 supported by support unit 25 at a predetermined time. Then, control unit 58 repeatedly performs the above-described process of conveying the conveying amount FA of medium M1 by upstream conveyor roller pair 35 and stopping the conveying, and ejecting ink while reciprocating the recording head 22 in the Y-axis direction, thereby recording image P on medium M1. Upstream conveyor roller pair 35 is an example of a conveying unit.

[0069] When recording image P on media M and M1, the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 conveys media M and M1 toward the support portion 25 opposite to the recording head 22. Therefore, the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 has a higher conveying accuracy than other roller pairs constituting the conveying mechanism 31. For example, the drive roller constituting the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 is a so-called anti-slip roller, such as a metal roller with a portion of its circumferential surface machined into a rough surface or a metal roller with metal particles provided on its circumferential surface.

[0070] Additionally, for example, the control unit 58 controls the camera unit 90 to read the image P recorded on the medium M1, and performs maintenance on ink ejection defects in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, and correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22 based on the image data of the image P read by the camera unit 90. In this case, the image P can be a photographic image, a printed document containing text or a diagram, etc., but it can also be... Figure 18 The confirmation pattern CP is shown.

[0071] For example, such as Figure 18 As shown, the plurality of nozzles N forming the recording head 22 are arranged in four nozzle rows Na, Nb, Nc, and Nd extending in the X-axis direction. The plurality of nozzles N forming each nozzle row Na, Nb, Nc, and Nd eject ink of the same color. For example, the ejected ink may be a total of four colors: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Each ink is ejected from nozzle rows Na, Nb, Nc, and Nd.

[0072] Nozzle array Na is formed by nine nozzles Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, Na6, Na7, Na8, and Na9 arranged from the +X direction side. Nozzle array Nb is formed by nine nozzles Nb1, Nb2, Nb3, Nb4, Nb5, Nb6, Nb7, Nb8, and Nb9 arranged from the +X direction side. Nozzle array Nc is formed by nine nozzles Ncb1, Nc2, Nc3, Nc4, Nc5, Nc6, Nc7, Nc8, and Nc9 arranged from the +X direction side. Nozzle array Nd is formed by nine nozzles Nd1, Nd2, Nd3, Nd4, Nd5, Nd6, Nd7, Nd8, and Nd9 arranged from the +X direction side.

[0073] The patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd used to confirm the ink ejection state of the recording head 22 from the nozzles N are thirty-six straight patterns La1 to La9, Lb1 to Lb9, Lc1 to Lc9, and Ld1 to Ld9 extending in the Y-axis direction, formed by the recording head 22 ejecting ink from each nozzle N as it moves in the SD1 direction along the Y-axis. For example, in the pattern Pd on the first surface S1 of the medium M1, the straight pattern Ld1 is located on the side closest to the +X direction and the side closest to the +Y direction, the straight pattern Ld3 is the third one from the +X direction and is located on the side closest to the -Y direction, and the straight pattern Ld9 is located on the side closest to the -X direction and the side closest to the -Y direction.

[0074] The confirmation pattern CP is used without the need for maintenance such as ink ejection problems in the recording head 22, calibration of the delivery volume FA, and calibration of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22. Figure 20 As shown in the figure. For example, the patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd recorded on the medium M1 to confirm the ejection state of the ink ejected from the nozzle N in the recording head 22 are set as follows: Figure 19 .exist Figure 19 In, with Figure 20 The confirmation pattern CP is compared, and no straight lines Lb2, Lc7, and Ld6 are recorded. In this case, the control unit 58 determines that the ejection status of nozzles Nb2, Nc7, and Nd6 is poor, and the maintenance mechanism (not shown) performs maintenance for the poor ink ejection.

[0075] like Figure 18 As shown, the pattern Ps1 used to confirm the timing of ink ejection from nozzle N in the recording head 22 is a straight line pattern extending in the X-axis direction formed as follows: while the recording head 22 moves in the direction of SD1, ink is ejected from nozzles Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, Na6, Na7, Na8, and Na9 of the nozzle column Na.

[0076] In addition, such as Figure 19 As shown, the pattern Ps2 used to confirm the timing of ink ejection from nozzle N in the recording head 22 is a straight line pattern extending in the X-axis direction, formed as follows: after the pattern Ps1 is recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M1, the upstream side conveying roller pair 35 conveys the medium M1 in the D1 direction with a conveying amount FA, and the recording head 22 moves in the SD2 direction along the Y-axis direction while ejecting ink from nozzles Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, Na6, Na7, Na8, and Na9 of the nozzle column Na at a predetermined timing.

[0077] The center of medium M1 is farther from the outer region of medium M1 in the Y-axis direction of movement of recording head 22 from SD1 to SD2 or from SD2 to SD1 than the end of medium M1. Therefore, the movement of recording head 22 along the Y-axis is more stable at the center of medium M1 than at the end of medium M1 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the patterns Ps1 and Ps2 used to confirm the timing of ink ejection from nozzle N in recording head 22 are recorded at the center of medium M1 in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the accuracy of the ink ejection timing correction in recording head 22 based on the reading results of patterns Ps1 and Ps2 can be improved.

[0078] For example, the patterns Ps1 and Ps2 recorded on the medium M1 to confirm the timing of ink ejection from the nozzle N in the recording head 22 are set as follows: Figure 19 .exist Figure 19 In, with Figure 20 The confirmation is compared with pattern CP, and pattern Ps2 is offset by a distance DS in the -Y direction relative to pattern Ps1. In this case, the control unit 58 adjusts the ejection timing setting of the ink ejected from the nozzle N of the recording head 22 while moving in the SD2 direction later, so that the position of pattern Ps2 moves by a distance DS in the +Y direction.

[0079] Additionally, for example, the straight line patterns along the X-axis recorded on the medium M1, namely patterns Ps1 and Ps2, are sometimes tilted relative to the X-axis. In this case, the control unit 58 calculates the tilt of the patterns Ps1 and Ps2, which are straight line patterns recorded on the medium M1, relative to the X-axis, from the reading results of patterns Ps1 and Ps2 read by the camera unit 90.

[0080] Then, based on the calculated results, the control unit 58 can correct the ejection timing of the ink ejected from the multiple nozzles N constituting each nozzle row Na, Nb, Nc, Nd, so that the patterns Ps1 and Ps2 recorded on the medium M1 become straight lines along the X-axis. Furthermore, the tilt of the pattern Ps1, which is a straight line pattern recorded on the medium M1, relative to the X-axis is, for example, caused by the tilt of the recording head 22.

[0081] like Figure 18 As shown, the pattern Pf1 used to confirm the conveying amount FA of the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 is formed by ejecting ink, for example, from nozzles Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, Na6, Na7, Na8, and Na9 of the nozzle array Na while the recording head 22 moves in the direction of SD1. The pattern Pf1 is a rectangular pattern with the outer edge Ea9 on the -X direction side along the Y-axis direction. In this case, the outer edge Ea9 is formed by ejecting ink from nozzle Na9.

[0082] In addition, such as Figure 19 As shown, the pattern Pf2 used to confirm the conveying quantity FA is formed as follows: After the pattern Pf1 is recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M1, the upstream conveying roller pair 35 conveys the medium M1 in the D1 direction to convey the amount of conveying quantity FA. The recording head 22 moves in the SD2 direction while ejecting ink from nozzles Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, Na6, Na7, Na8, and Na9 of the nozzle array Na. The pattern Pf2 is a rectangular pattern with an outer edge Ea1 along the Y-axis direction on the +X direction side. In this case, the outer edge Ea1 is formed by ejecting ink from nozzle Na1.

[0083] For example, the patterns Pf1 and Pf2 recorded on medium M1 to confirm the conveying amount FA of upstream conveyor roller pair 35 are set as Figure 19 .exist Figure 19 In, with Figure 20 The confirmation is compared with pattern CP, and the outer edge Ea1 of pattern Pf2 is offset by a distance DF in the -X direction relative to the outer edge Ea9 of pattern Pf1. In this case, the control unit 58 corrects the setting value of the conveying amount FA of the upstream conveying roller pair 35 to reduce the distance DF, so that the position of pattern Pf2 moves by a distance DF in the +X direction.

[0084] Furthermore, the confirmation pattern CP may not include the three patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd for confirming the ink ejection state, patterns Pf1, Pf2 for confirming the delivery amount FA, and patterns Ps1, Ps2 for confirming the ejection timing; it is sufficient to include at least one of them. In this case, the control unit 58 performs any one of the maintenance and correction corresponding to one of the patterns constituting the confirmation pattern CP, based on the image data of the confirmation pattern CP read by the camera unit 90, as needed, including maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery amount FA, and correction of ink ejection timing in the recording head 22.

[0085] Alternatively, the confirmation pattern CP can also consist of two patterns: Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, used to confirm the ink ejection state, and Pf1, Pf2, used to confirm the delivery quantity FA. Or, the confirmation pattern CP can also consist of two patterns: Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, used to confirm the ink ejection state, and Ps1, Ps2, used to confirm the ejection timing. Alternatively, the confirmation pattern CP can also consist of two patterns: Pf1, Pf2, used to confirm the delivery quantity FA, ​​and Ps1, Ps2, used to confirm the ejection timing.

[0086] In this case, the control unit 58 performs any two of the maintenance and correction corresponding to the two patterns constituting the confirmation pattern CP based on the image data of the confirmation pattern CP read by the camera unit 90, as needed, including maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery volume FA, and correction of ink ejection timing in the recording head 22.

[0087] Next, refer to Figure 21 The flowchart shown describes the processing flow of the recording device 11 in this embodiment when it performs maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery volume FA, and correction of ink ejection timing based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP read from the confirmation pattern CP of the image P recorded to the medium M1.

[0088] In this embodiment, the processing flow of the control unit 58 when performing any one of the following based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP read from the confirmation pattern CP recorded to the medium M1—namely, maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery volume FA, and correction of ink ejection timing—is equivalent to the control method of the recording device.

[0089] In step S11, the control unit 58 records the confirmation pattern CP to the medium M1. For example, if the confirmation pattern CP is recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M1, then... Figure 3 , Figure 5As shown, the control unit 58 controls the pickup roller 227, the separation roller pair 228 and the conveying roller pair 229 to convey the medium M1 from the box 221 to the D1 direction, and then through the single-page conveying path 217 and the connecting path 230 into the curved path 30b.

[0090] Then, as Figure 6 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the intermediate roller 33 to convey the medium M1 via the second path 30c in the D1 direction toward the upstream conveying roller pair 35. Then, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveying roller pair 35 to convey the medium M1 in the D1 direction to a position where the rear end side of the medium M1, which is upstream of the center in the D1 direction, is supported by the support unit 25. Then, as... Figure 18 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the recording head 22 to move the recording head 22 in the direction of SD1 while ejecting ink from the nozzle N at a predetermined time, and records the patterns Pf1, Ps1, Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd in ​​the confirmation pattern CP onto the first surface S1.

[0091] Then, as Figure 7 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveying roller pair 35 to convey the medium M1 in the D1 direction by a conveying amount FA. Then, as... Figure 19 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the recording head 22 to move the recording head 22 in the direction of SD2 while ejecting ink from the nozzle N at a predetermined time, and records the patterns Ps2 and Pf2 in the confirmation pattern CP onto the first surface S1 of the medium M1.

[0092] In this case, the confirmation pattern CP is recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M1 in the region that is the rear end side, which is upstream of the center in the direction D1. In addition, the confirmation pattern CP is recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M1 by ejecting ink from the nozzle N through the recording head 22 while reciprocating once in the SD1 and SD2 directions which are the Y-axis directions.

[0093] In step S11, when recording the confirmation pattern CP to the medium M1, the control unit 58 transfers the processing to step S12.

[0094] In step S12, the control unit 58 reads the confirmation pattern CP. Specifically, as follows... Figure 8As shown, the control unit 58 conveys the medium M1 in the D2 direction by controlling the upstream conveyor roller pair 35, and the area on the rear end side of the medium M1 on which the confirmation pattern CP is recorded is moved in the second path 30c to a position upstream of the camera unit 90 in the D1 direction. Then, the control unit 58 conveys the medium M1 in the D1 direction while controlling the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 and the camera unit 90, and the camera unit 90 reads the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M1.

[0095] Furthermore, if the range in the D1 direction within the readable area of ​​the camera unit 90 is wider than the width of the confirmation pattern CP in the D1 direction of the medium M1, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 to convey the medium M1 in the D2 direction, causing the rear end area of ​​the medium M1 on which the confirmation pattern CP is recorded to move in the second path 30c to a position facing the camera unit 90. Then, while the medium M1 is stationary, the camera unit 90 can be controlled by the control unit 58 to read the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M1.

[0096] In step S12, when the confirmation pattern CP is read, the control unit 58 transfers the processing to step S13.

[0097] In step S13, the control unit 58 performs corrections based on the reading results. Specifically, the control unit 58 compares the image data of the confirmation pattern CP with the reading results of the confirmation pattern CP read by the camera unit 90. Then, if the control unit 58 determines that any one of the following is required: maintenance of poor ink ejection in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, or correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22, the control unit 58 reports the determination result to the user to confirm whether the action can be taken. Specifically, the determination result can be displayed on the operation panel 15c of the operation unit 15, or the determination result can be reported audibly via the speaker 15d.

[0098] Furthermore, if the user allows the maintenance of poor ink ejection based on the reading results, the correction of the delivery volume FA, and the correction of the ink ejection timing, the control unit 58 performs any one of the following: maintenance of poor ink ejection in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, and correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 58 determines from the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP read by the camera unit 90 that maintenance of ink ejection defects in the recording head 22 is required, it does not perform any correction if it determines that either the delivery volume FA correction or the ink ejection timing correction in the recording head 22 is required. Then, after performing maintenance on the ink ejection defects in the recording head 22, the control unit 58 records the confirmation pattern CP and reads the recorded confirmation pattern CP again.

[0100] For example, suppose the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP indicates that maintenance is needed to address ink ejection problems in the recording head 22, and the user allows this maintenance by pressing the input button 15b. In this case, after performing the maintenance, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 to convey the medium M1 in the D1 direction to the position where the rear end of the medium M1, which is the upstream end in the D1 direction, passes through the branch point P1. Then, as... Figure 9 As shown, the control unit 58 conveys the medium M1 in the D2 direction by controlling the upstream conveying roller pair 35 and the intermediate roller 33, so that it enters the bending path 30b via the flipping path 30e.

[0101] Furthermore, similarly to the case where the confirmation pattern CP is recorded on the first side S1 of the medium M1, the control unit 58 records the confirmation pattern CP on the second side S2 of the medium M1. Then, similarly to the case where the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the first side S1 of the medium M1 is read, the control unit 58 reads the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the second side S2 of the medium M1. Then, the control unit 58 compares the image data of the confirmation pattern CP with the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP read by the camera unit 90. Then, if the control unit 58 determines that any one of the following is required: maintenance of ink ejection defects in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, or correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22, the control unit 58 reports the determination result to the user.

[0102] Then, if the user allows the maintenance of ink ejection defects based on the reading results, the correction of the delivery volume FA, and the correction of the ejection timing, the control unit 58 performs any one of the following: maintenance of ink ejection defects in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, and correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22.

[0103] In step S13, when performing correction based on the reading results, the control unit 58 ends the process when performing any one of the following: maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery volume FA, and correction of ink ejection timing based on the reading results of the confirmation pattern CP read from the confirmation pattern CP recorded to the medium M1.

[0104] Then, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveying roller pair 35 and the downstream third conveying roller pair 38 to convey the medium M1 in the direction of D1, and discharge the medium M1 from the recording unit 20 via the third path 30d and the discharge port 14. The downstream third conveying roller pair 38 is an example of the discharge conveying unit.

[0105] Next, refer to Figure 21 In this embodiment, the processing flow of the recording device 11 when performing maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery volume FA, and correction of ink ejection timing based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP read from the image P which is recorded to the medium M is described.

[0106] In this embodiment, the processing flow of the control unit 58 when performing any one of the following actions based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP read from the confirmation pattern CP on the recording medium M—namely, maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery volume FA, and correction of ink ejection timing—is equivalent to the control method of the recording device.

[0107] In step S11, the control unit 58 records the confirmation pattern CP for the medium M. For example, in the case of recording the confirmation pattern CP for the first surface S1 of the medium M, such as... Figure 3 , Figure 10 As shown, the control unit 58 conveys the medium M stored in the receiving unit 40 toward the D1 direction by controlling the roll paper conveying roller pair 56, the supply roller pair 32, and the intermediate roller 33. The medium M enters the second path 30c via the roll paper conveying path 50, the first path 30a, and the curved path 30b, and is conveyed toward the upstream conveying roller pair 35.

[0108] And, as Figure 11 As shown, the control unit 58, by controlling the upstream conveying roller pair 35, conveys the medium M in the D1 direction to a position where the front end side of the medium M, which is downstream of the center in the D1 direction, is supported by the support unit 25. Furthermore, as... Figure 18 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the recording head 22 to move the recording head 22 in the direction of SD1 while ejecting ink from the nozzle N at a predetermined time, and records the patterns Pf1, Ps1, Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd in ​​the confirmation pattern CP onto the first surface S1.

[0109] Then, as Figure 12 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveying roller pair 35 to convey the medium M in the D1 direction by a conveying amount FA. Then, as... Figure 19As shown, the control unit 58 controls the recording head 22 to move in the SD2 direction while ejecting ink from the nozzle N at a predetermined time, recording the patterns Ps2 and Pf2 in the confirmation pattern CP onto the first surface S1 of the medium M. In this case, the confirmation pattern CP is recorded in the front end side of the first surface S1 of the medium M, which is downstream of the center in the D1 direction.

[0110] Then, as Figure 13 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 to convey the medium M in the D2 direction, causing the area on the front end of the medium M on which the confirmation pattern CP is recorded to move in the second path 30c to a position upstream of the camera unit 90 in the D1 direction. Then, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 and the camera unit 90 to convey the medium M in the D1 direction while the camera unit 90 reads the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the first surface S1 of the medium M.

[0111] In step S12, when the confirmation pattern CP is read, the control unit 58 transfers the processing to step S13.

[0112] In step S13, the control unit 58 performs a correction based on the reading result. Similar to the operation described above based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the medium M1, the control unit 58 determines, based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the medium M, that any one of the following is required: maintenance of ink ejection defects in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, or correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22. In this case, after confirming the user's permission, the control unit 58 performs any one of the following: maintenance of ink ejection defects in the recording head 22, correction of the delivery volume FA, or correction of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22.

[0113] In step S13, when performing correction based on the reading results, the control unit 58 ends the process when performing any one of the following: maintenance of ink ejection defects, correction of delivery volume FA, and correction of ink ejection timing based on the reading results of the confirmation pattern CP read from the recording to the medium M.

[0114] For example, if it is determined that maintenance for poor ink ejection in the recording head 22, calibration of the delivery volume FA, and calibration of the ink ejection timing in the recording head 22 are not required, such as Figure 14 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveying roller pair 35 and the downstream third conveying roller pair 38 to convey the medium M in the D1 direction until the area on the front end of the medium M with the confirmation pattern CP is located downstream of the cutting section 27 in the D1 direction.

[0115] Then, the control unit 58 cuts off the front end area of ​​the medium M containing the confirmation pattern CP by controlling the cutting unit 27. For example... Figure 15 As shown, the area on the front end of the cut medium M falls as a cutting chip Ma in the -Z direction and is received by the cutting chip receiving section 80. Then, the control unit 58 conveys the cut medium M, on the front end of which the confirmation pattern CP is recorded, in the D2 direction by controlling the upstream conveying roller pair 35, the intermediate roller 33, the supply roller pair 32, and the roll paper conveying roller pair 56.

[0116] Then, the control unit 58 drives the detection unit 85, and stops the driving of the upstream conveyor roller pair 35, the intermediate roller 33, the supply roller pair 32, and the roll paper conveyor roller pair 56 when the detection unit 85 detects the position of the front end of the medium M. Thus, as... Figure 15 As shown, the front end of the medium M is located upstream of the recording head 22 in the D1 direction.

[0117] Then, as Figure 16 As shown, the control unit 58 controls the upstream side conveying roller pair 35 and the recording head 22 to repeatedly control the amount of conveying FA of the medium M in the D1 direction by the upstream side conveying roller 35 and the stopping of conveying, and the recording head 22 to spray ink while reciprocating in the Y-axis direction, thereby recording the image P on the first surface S1 of the medium M.

[0118] Then, as Figure 17 As shown, the control unit 58 cuts the front-end region of the medium M on which the image P is recorded to a predetermined length by controlling the cutting unit 27. When recording on the second side S2 of the single-sheet medium M cut to the predetermined length, the control unit 58 controls the upstream conveying roller pair 35, the intermediate roller 33, the supply roller pair 32, and the roll conveying roller pair 56 to transport the medium M, whose front-end region on which the image P is recorded has been cut, in the D2 direction. Figure 17 As shown, the front end of the medium M, which has been transported in the D2 direction, is transported to a position that is upstream of the first path 30a in the D1 direction.

[0119] Then, the control unit 58, by controlling the downstream third conveying roller pair 38, the upstream conveying roller pair 35, and the intermediate roller 33, conveys the single-page medium M cut to a predetermined length in the D2 direction, and causes the medium M to enter the bending path 30b via the third path 30d and the flipping path 30e. Then, similarly to the case where the image P is recorded on the second surface S2 of the medium M1, the control unit 58 records the image P on the second surface S2 of the medium M by controlling the intermediate roller 33, the upstream conveying roller pair 35, and the recording head 22. Then, the control unit 58, by controlling the upstream conveying roller pair 35 and the downstream third conveying roller pair 38, conveys the medium M in the D1 direction, and discharges the single-page medium M from the recording unit 20 via the third path 30d and the discharge port 14.

[0120] As described above, the recording device and the control method of the recording device according to Embodiment 1 can achieve the following effects.

[0121] The recording device 11 includes: an upstream conveyor roller pair 35 for conveying medium M1; a recording head 22 that moves along a Y-axis direction intersecting the D1 direction and ejects ink at a predetermined timing from the medium M1, which has been conveyed downstream in the D1 direction by the upstream conveyor roller pair 35, thereby recording an image P; a camera unit 90 capable of reading the image P recorded by the recording head 22 onto the medium M1; and a control unit 58 that performs any one of the following based on the reading result of the image P read by the camera unit 90: maintenance for ink ejection defects, correction of the conveyor quantity FA, ​​and correction of the ink ejection timing. This reduces the frequency with which the user needs to check the image P recorded on the medium M1 and perform maintenance on the recording device 11. Furthermore, the user can perform maintenance on the recording device 11, such as correction of the conveyor quantity FA and correction of the ink ejection timing, depending on the usage environment.

[0122] The control unit 58, by controlling the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 and the recording head 22, records a confirmation pattern CP as an image P onto the medium M1. This pattern includes at least two of the following: patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd for confirming the ink ejection status; patterns Pf1, Pf2 for confirming the delivery amount FA; and patterns Ps1, Ps2 for confirming the ejection timing. The camera unit 90 reads the confirmation pattern CP recorded on the medium M1. Based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP by the camera unit 90, at least two of the following are performed: maintenance for ejection defects, correction of the delivery amount FA, and correction of the ejection timing. Thus, the recording device 11 records and reads the recorded confirmation pattern CP. Therefore, when performing maintenance on the recording device 11, the user does not need to have the camera unit 90 read the confirmation pattern CP.

[0123] The camera unit 90 is housed within the recording unit 20, which includes the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 and the recording head 22. As a result, the recording device 11 can be miniaturized.

[0124] The camera unit 90 is located upstream of the recording head 22 in the D1 direction. The control unit 58 controls the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 and the recording head 22 to record a confirmation pattern CP on the medium M1 that has been conveyed downstream in the D1 direction. The control unit 98 also controls the upstream conveyor roller pair 35 and the camera unit 90 to convey the medium M1 with the confirmation pattern CP recorded upstream in the D1 direction, and the camera unit 90 reads the confirmation pattern CP. This allows for efficient recording and reading of the confirmation pattern CP. Furthermore, the upstream conveyor roller pair 35, which offers high conveying accuracy, can be used to convey the medium M1 during both recording and reading of the confirmation pattern CP.

[0125] The recording device 11 has a downstream third transport roller pair 38 on the downstream side of the recording head 22 in the D1 direction, which discharges the medium M1 from the recording unit 20. The medium M1, which is read by the camera unit 90 and transported downstream in the D1 direction by the upstream transport roller pair 35, is discharged from the recording unit 20 by the downstream third transport roller pair 38. As a result, the medium M1 read by the camera unit 90 can be discharged outside the recording device 11.

[0126] The confirmation pattern CP is recorded in the medium M1 in the D1 direction at the end upstream of the center in the D1 direction. Therefore, the camera unit 90 can efficiently read the confirmation pattern CP.

[0127] The confirmation pattern CP is recorded onto the medium M1 by ejecting ink while the recording head 22 reciprocates once in the Y-axis direction. This allows for efficient recording of the confirmation pattern CP.

[0128] Patterns Ps1 and Ps2, used to confirm the ejection timing, are recorded in the center of medium M1 along the Y-axis. Therefore, the accuracy of ink ejection timing correction based on the readings of patterns Ps1 and Ps2 can be improved.

[0129] When the control unit 58 determines from the reading results obtained by the camera unit 90 that maintenance due to poor ink ejection is required, it will not perform any correction if either the delivery quantity FA correction or the ink ejection timing correction is required. This reduces the frequency of performing corrections for the delivery quantity FA and the ink ejection timing, which have relatively low accuracy.

[0130] Before performing any one of the following actions based on the reading results obtained by the camera unit 90: maintenance for poor ejection, correction of the delivery volume FA, or correction of the ejection timing, the control unit 58 confirms with the user whether the action is feasible. This allows for the performance of any one of the maintenance or correction actions that reflects the user's intentions.

[0131] The control method for the recording device is a method for recording the image P by ejecting ink from the medium M1. While moving in the Y-axis direction intersecting the D1 direction, the device ejects ink from the medium M1, which has been fed in a predetermined amount FA towards the D1 direction, at a predetermined time, thereby recording the image P. Based on the reading result of the image P recorded on the medium M1, one of the following can be performed: maintenance for ink ejection defects, correction of the feed amount FA, and correction of the ink ejection timing. This reduces the frequency with which the user needs to check the image P recorded on the medium M1 and perform maintenance on the recording device 11.

[0132] The control method of the recording device includes recording a confirmation pattern CP as an image P onto the medium M1, comprising at least two of the following patterns: patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd for confirming the ink ejection state; patterns Pf1, Pf2 for confirming the delivery quantity FA; and patterns Ps1, Ps2 for confirming the ejection timing. The recorded confirmation pattern CP is then read from the medium M1. Based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP, at least two of the following are performed: maintenance for ejection defects, correction of the delivery quantity FA, ​​and correction of the ejection timing. Thus, the recording device 11 records the confirmation pattern CP and reads the recorded confirmation pattern CP. Therefore, when performing maintenance on the recording device 11, the user does not need to have the camera unit 90 read the confirmation pattern CP.

[0133] The recording apparatus and control method of the recording apparatus described in the above embodiments of this disclosure are based on the configuration described above. Of course, some configuration changes or omissions can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. In addition, the above embodiments and other embodiments described below can be combined with each other without technical contradiction. Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.

[0134] In the above embodiments, the camera unit 90 may not be positioned between the curved path 30b and the recording head 22 in the transport path 30. For example, the camera unit 90 may be located downstream of the recording head 22 in the D1 direction in the third path 30d. Alternatively, it may be located in the flip path 30e.

[0135] In the above embodiments, the confirmation pattern CP may not be recorded on the rear end region of the medium M1 that is upstream of the center in the D1 direction. For example, the confirmation pattern CP may be recorded on the front end region of the medium M1 that is downstream of the center in the D1 direction. Alternatively, the confirmation pattern CP may be recorded on the central region of the medium M1 in the D1 direction.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the confirmation pattern CP can also be recorded onto the media M and M1 without the recording head 22 making one reciprocating movement in the SD1 and SD2 directions which are the Y-axis, while ink is ejected from the nozzle N. In this case, the confirmation pattern CP can be recorded onto the first surface S1 of the media M and M1 by the recording head 22 making multiple reciprocating movements in the SD1 and SD2 directions which are the Y-axis, while ink is ejected from the nozzle N.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the patterns Ps1 and Ps2 used to confirm the timing of ink ejection from nozzle N in the recording head 22 may not be recorded at the center of medium M1 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, patterns Ps1 and Ps2 may be recorded in a region of medium M1 that is closer to the end of medium M1 than the center in the Y-axis direction.

[0138] In the above embodiment, it is also possible that when the control unit 58 determines from the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP read by the camera unit 90 that either the delivery volume FA correction or the ink ejection timing correction in the recording head 22 is required, it may also perform either the delivery volume FA correction or the ejection timing correction if it determines that maintenance of poor ink ejection in the recording head 22 is required. For example, the confirmation pattern CP to be recorded on the medium M1 is set as... Figure 19 In this situation, the control unit 58 determines that the ejection status of nozzles Nb2, Nc7, and Nd6 is poor, but the ejection status of nozzles Na1 to Na9 used for recording patterns Ps1, Ps2, Pf1, and Pf2 is normal. In this situation, the control unit 58 determines from the reading result of the confirmation pattern CP that maintenance of the ink ejection in the recording head 22 is required. However, if it determines that either the feed rate FA correction or the ink ejection timing correction in the recording head 22 is required, it performs either the feed rate FA correction or the ejection timing correction.

Claims

1. A recording device, characterized in that, have: The conveying unit is capable of conveying media; The recording head moves in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction while spraying liquid at a predetermined time onto the medium that has been transported downstream of the transport section in a predetermined amount, thereby recording an image. The reading unit is capable of reading the image recorded onto the medium by the recording head; as well as Control Department The control unit has the functions of maintaining proper liquid ejection, correcting the delivery volume, and correcting the liquid ejection timing based on the reading results of the image read by the reading unit. When the control unit determines from the reading result read by the reading unit that maintenance of the ejection defect is required, it will not perform the correction even if it determines that either the correction of the delivery amount or the correction of the ejection timing is required.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit By controlling the delivery unit and the recording head, a confirmation pattern, including at least two of the following: a pattern for confirming the ejection state of the liquid, a pattern for confirming the delivery volume, and a pattern for confirming the ejection timing, is recorded as an image onto the medium. The confirmation pattern recorded on the medium is read by controlling the reading unit. Based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern read by the reading unit, at least two of the following are performed: maintenance of the ejection defect, correction of the delivery amount, and correction of the ejection timing.

3. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The reading unit is disposed within the recording unit, which includes the conveying unit and the recording head.

4. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reading unit is located upstream of the conveying direction of the recording head. The control unit The confirmation pattern is recorded onto the medium being transported downstream in the transport direction by controlling the conveying unit and the recording head. By controlling the conveying unit and the reading unit, the medium on which the confirmation pattern is recorded is conveyed upstream in the conveying direction, and the confirmation pattern is read by the reading unit.

5. The recording device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The recording head has a discharge delivery section downstream in the transport direction for discharging the medium from the recording section. The medium, which is read by the reading unit and conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the conveying unit, is discharged from the recording unit by the discharge conveying unit.

6. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The confirmation pattern is recorded on the upstream end of the medium in the transport direction.

7. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The confirmation pattern is recorded onto the medium by the liquid being ejected as the recording head reciprocates once in the scanning direction.

8. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pattern used to confirm the ejection timing is recorded in the center of the medium in the scanning direction.

9. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Based on the reading results obtained by the reading unit, the control unit confirms with the user whether the execution is feasible before performing any one of the maintenance of the ejection defect, the correction of the delivery volume, or the correction of the ejection timing.

10. A control method for a recording device, characterized in that, Images are recorded by spraying liquid onto a medium. In the control method of the recording device, While moving in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction, the liquid is ejected from the medium, which has been transported in a predetermined amount in the transport direction, at predetermined time intervals, thereby recording the image. Based on the image reading results from the image recorded on the medium, one of the following is performed: maintenance of the liquid ejection defect, correction of the delivery volume, and correction of the liquid ejection timing. When the reading result obtained from the reading unit indicates that maintenance for the ejection defect is required, the correction is not performed even if it is determined that either the correction of the delivery amount or the correction of the ejection timing is required.

11. The control method for the recording device according to claim 10, characterized in that, In the control method of the recording device, A confirmation pattern, comprising at least two of the following: a pattern for confirming the ejection state of the liquid, a pattern for confirming the delivery volume, and a pattern for confirming the ejection timing, is recorded as the image onto the medium. Read the confirmation pattern recorded on the medium. Based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern read from the confirmation pattern, at least two of the following are performed: maintenance of the ejection defect, correction of the delivery amount, and correction of the ejection timing.

12. A recording device, characterized in that, have: The conveying unit is capable of conveying media; The recording head moves in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction while spraying liquid at a predetermined time onto the medium that has been transported downstream of the transport section in a predetermined amount, thereby recording an image. The reading unit is capable of reading the image recorded onto the medium by the recording head; as well as Control Department The control unit has the functions of maintaining proper liquid ejection, correcting the delivery volume, and correcting the liquid ejection timing based on the reading results of the image read by the reading unit. The control unit, by controlling the delivery unit and the recording head, records a confirmation pattern, including at least two of the following: a pattern for confirming the ejection state of the liquid, a pattern for confirming the delivery volume, and a pattern for confirming the ejection timing, as the image onto the medium. The control unit controls the reading unit to read the confirmation pattern recorded on the medium. Based on the reading result of the confirmation pattern read by the reading unit, the control unit performs at least two of the following: maintenance of the ejection defect, correction of the delivery amount, and correction of the ejection timing. The reading unit is disposed within the recording unit, which includes the conveying unit and the recording head. The reading unit is located upstream of the conveying direction of the recording head. The control unit records the confirmation pattern onto the medium being transported downstream in the transport direction by controlling the transport unit and the recording head. The control unit controls the conveying unit and the reading unit to convey the medium containing the confirmation pattern upstream in the conveying direction, and the reading unit reads the confirmation pattern.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, The recording head has a discharge delivery section downstream in the transport direction for discharging the medium from the recording section. The medium, which is read by the reading unit and conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the conveying unit, is discharged from the recording unit by the discharge conveying unit.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The confirmation pattern is recorded on the upstream end of the medium in the transport direction.

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