Printer and controlling method thereof

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of heating a print head at a printing position to reduce an amount of waste ink than before.SOLUTION: Among a plurality of print head sections for different ink colors, forming an image with the inks, the print head sections for ink colors used during printing are controlled to be arranged at a first position which is a printing position, and also the print head sections for ink colors not used during printing are controlled to be arranged at a second position which is different from the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the inkjet recording method, an image is formed by discharging a liquid composition (ink) containing coloring materials onto a recording medium. In order to discharge the ink onto the recording medium, it is necessary to move the head to a printing position very close to the recording medium. However, since the ink discharged contains a lot of water, the fixing unit for drying the ink generates heat, and the recording medium contains moisture, the vicinity of the printing position is hot and humid. As a result, it is known that condensation occurs on the print head at the printing position, which breaks the meniscus of the ink, causing problems such as reduced discharge accuracy and ink spillage.

[0003] As a method for preventing condensation, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for heating the print head and making the print head temperature higher than the recording medium. Condensation occurs when the print head temperature is below the dew point temperature. Even if the surrounding humidity is high, condensation can be prevented by heating the print head to make it the same temperature as the surrounding temperature of the printing position (for example, 45°C). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-14075 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, the inkjet recording method also has the problem that the ink concentration increases due to the evaporation of water in the ink. If the ink is continuously ejected at a speed higher than a certain level relative to the evaporation rate of the water, the ink concentration will balance at a certain level. However, if the ejection speed is lower than this, the ink concentration will continue to increase, causing problems such as uneven printing and ink puddles. A known method of suppressing the increase in ink concentration is to maintain the ink ejection speed by discharging ink not used for printing into a waste ink bottle, but an increase in the amount of waste directly leads to an increase in printing costs. In particular, the aforementioned method of heating the print head increases the evaporation of water from the ink inside the print head, which increases the amount of unused ink that is discarded.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of wasted ink compared to the conventional method in a printing device capable of heating a print head at a printing position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printing device of the present invention includes a plurality of print head units with different ink colors that form an image using ink, and among the plurality of print head units, a print head unit of an ink color to be used during printing is disposed at a first position that is a printing position, and The ink jet recording apparatus is characterized in that it has a control means for controlling the print head units of the plurality of print head units, the print head units of the ink colors that are not used during printing, to be positioned at a second position different from the first position. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in a printing device capable of heating a print head at a printing position, it is possible to reduce the amount of wasted ink compared to the conventional method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] System configuration diagram showing the overall system configuration [Diagram 2]Hardware configuration of an inkjet recording device [Diagram 3] Software configuration diagram of the inkjet recording device [Figure 4] RIP unit hardware configuration diagram [Diagram 5] RIP unit software configuration diagram [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of the ink application section [Figure 7] Flow diagram explaining the process of creating color information from RIP results [Figure 8] A flow diagram explaining the process of determining when to evacuate based on the RIP results. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram explaining the relationship between the creation of color information and the position of the print head. [Figure 10] Flow diagram explaining the process of creating color information from job settings [Figure 11] A flow diagram illustrating the process of determining when to save from job settings. [Figure 12] Example of a UI screen for specifying color mode DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment 1] <System configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing a print processing system according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus 101 is described as an example of an inkjet recording apparatus (printing apparatus), and an information processing apparatus 111 is described as an example of an information processing apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 111 are connected to each other via a network 100 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0011] Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which one information processing device is provided in the print processing system, the inkjet recording apparatus 101 and multiple information processing devices 111 may be communicably connected via the network 100.

[0012] First, the information processing device 111 will be described. The information processing device 111 can execute various programs such as an application program for submitting a job. In addition, a printer driver and a workflow application are installed in the information processing device 111. A user who wants to print can issue a print instruction from various applications. For example, the workflow software creates a JDF file based on the print instruction and transmits it to the inkjet recording device 101 together with a specified print file (such as PDF). In this embodiment, a PC is illustrated as an example of an information processing device, but it may also be a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Note that the method of transmitting print data to the inkjet recording device 101 can be modified as appropriate. The print data may be transmitted to the inkjet recording device 101 via a print application or driver, or the print data may be transmitted to the inkjet recording device 101 via a cloud server.

[0013] Next, we will explain the inkjet recording apparatus 101. In the inkjet recording apparatus 101, a number of devices with different roles are interconnected, and the inkjet recording apparatus 101 is configured to be capable of complex sheet processing. Each part that constitutes the inkjet recording apparatus 101 will be explained below.

[0014] The RIP unit 102 receives a print job from the information processing terminal 111 via the network 100, and performs RIP processing to create density data from the print data. It also has a display, and serves as a user interface to receive operations from the user to start, stop, cancel, etc., a print job.

[0015] The paper feed unit 103 is a paper feed device that is detachable from the printing unit 104. The paper feed unit 103 includes one or more paper feed decks. By storing recording media in the paper feed decks, the printing unit 104 can perform printing on a large volume of sheets.

[0016] The printing unit 104 forms (prints) an image on a sheet fed from a paper feed unit using ink. The configuration and operation principle of this printing unit 104 are as follows. The printing unit 104 includes an ink application unit 203 that forms an image by ejecting ink from a print head 601 onto a recording medium, and an ink bottle that stores the ink ejected by the ink application unit 203. The printing unit 104 also includes a waste liquid bottle that collects waste ink discharged for cleaning the print head 601 and for maintaining the concentration at a certain level, and a print belt that transports the recording medium downstream. The ink application unit forms an image by ejecting ink onto a sheet. For example, the thermal method is an ink ejection method. In the thermal method, ink is vaporized instantly by applying a potential to a heater provided in an ink flow path. The ink is blown away by the expansion of bubbles generated by this. An image is formed on a sheet using this ink, but in order to do so, the surface of the print head must be approximately 1 mm close to the surface of the recording medium. The distance 611 from the recording medium at this time is called the paper gap, and this position is called the printing position (printing position) 610.

[0017] The fixing unit 105 is a unit that performs a fixing process to dry the ink ejected onto the recording medium by the printing unit 104. The fixing unit 105 has a first fixing device that dries the ink by blowing hot air, a second fixing device that fixes the ink to the recording medium by passing the recording medium between a heated belt, and a fixing belt that transports the paper downstream. The hot air blown by the first fixing device is at a high temperature of around 80°C, and the inside of the device is also at a high temperature.

[0018] The cooling unit 106 is a unit for performing a cooling process to cool the recording medium. The recording medium that has passed through the fixing unit is transported downstream in a hot state. The cooling unit has a fan that takes in outside air and a nozzle that is aimed at the recording medium, and cools the recording medium by blowing cool air onto it.

[0019] The stacking unit 107 is a unit for stacking recording media. The stacking unit has a stack tray on which recording media are stacked. The stack tray has a stacking amount detection sensor that detects the height of the stacked recording media, and raises and lowers the tray according to the amount of recording media stacked. The stack tray also has a removable eject tray, which is automatically ejected when the stack tray becomes full.

[0020] It is possible to connect multiple paper feed units 103 and stacking units 107. By connecting multiple units, it becomes possible to replenish recording media and remove recording media from the stack section without stopping printing.

[0021] <Hardware configuration diagram of inkjet recording device> 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 101. The inkjet recording apparatus 101 has a printing function of applying ink to a recording medium to form an image.

[0022] The inkjet recording apparatus 101 stores RIP-processed data received from the RIP unit 102 via an external I / F section 210, which is an example of a communication section, in a HDD 209, reads the data from the HDD 209, and forms an image using an ink deposition section 203.

[0023] The ink application unit 203 is a part that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium. The ink application unit 203 has a plurality of print head units that eject ink of different colors, and has a function of retracting from or returning to the printing position (printing position) depending on whether or not the color is to be printed on each page. The ink application unit 203 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0024] The control unit 205 reads out and executes the programs stored in the ROM 207, thereby causing the inkjet recording apparatus 101 to execute various operations according to the first embodiment. The ROM 207 also stores programs and the like for the control unit 205 to interpret and process image data received from the RIP unit 102 via the external I / F 210. These are processed by software. The ROM 207 is a read-only memory, and prestores programs such as a boot sequence and font information, as well as various other programs such as the above programs. Details of the various programs stored in the ROM 207 will be described later. The RAM 208 is a readable and writable memory, and stores image data sent from the external I / F 210, various programs, setting information, and the like.

[0025] The HDD 209 also stores image data processed by the image processing unit 206. The HDD 209 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of data such as print data of a job to be processed. The control unit 205 stores RIP-processed data input via an external I / F 210 in the HDD 209, reads it from the HDD 209, and outputs it to the ink application unit 203 for printing. The control unit 205 also controls the job data read from the HDD 209 so as to be transmitted to an external device via the external I / F 210. In this way, the control unit 205 executes various output processes of the data of the job to be processed stored in the HDD 209. The image processing unit 206 performs image processing such as screening on the RIP-processed data stored in the RAM 208 and the HDD 209. The control unit 205 also controls the operation of the sheet processing unit 202. The sheet processing section 202 corresponds to the paper feed unit 103, the stacking unit 107, and the paper transport belt 605 that extends from the paper feed unit 103 to the stacking unit 107, all of which are described with reference to FIG.

[0026] An external I / F 210 transmits and receives image data, print settings, job status, and the like to and from the RIP unit 102. A HDD 209 also stores various types of management information that are permanently stored, changed, and managed by the inkjet recording apparatus 101. A ROM 207 includes a program for executing various processes of flowcharts to be described later that are executed by the control unit 205. Various control programs required in the first embodiment are stored in the ROM 207.

[0027] <Inkjet recording device software configuration> 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 101. A control unit 205 of the inkjet recording apparatus controls each part of the inkjet recording apparatus 101 using a control module.

[0028] The engine control module 301 performs overall control of the inkjet recording apparatus 101 .

[0029] The recording control unit 302 controls the ink application unit 203 and prints on the recording medium. The engine control module 101 passes the RIP-processed data received from the RIP unit 102 to the recording control unit 302 to instruct recording. The recording control unit 302 determines the ink not to be used for printing from the RIP-processed data and determines whether the print head 601 can be retracted. If it is determined that it is possible to do so, the print head 601 is moved to the retracted position 620, and if it is determined that it is necessary to move to the printing position 610, the print head 601 is moved to the printing position 610. When the inkjet recording device 101 is turned off, when it is idle and does not accept a print job, or during maintenance, it moves to the standby position 630. In addition, it operates and stops the temperature adjustment heater according to the position of the print head. That is, it heats up to a predetermined temperature at the printing position 610, and stops heating at the retracted position 620 and the standby position 630. In addition, it controls the ejection of each print head during printing.

[0030] The fixing control module 303 controls the fixing unit 105 and the cooling unit 106. Using the temperature sensors installed in each unit, it adjusts the temperature of the heater and also controls the opening and closing of the door lock.

[0031] The conveyance control module 304 controls the sheet processing unit 202 that conveys the recording medium. It adjusts the appropriate conveyance speed and the medium interval according to the type and size of the recording medium, and controls it so that printing can be performed at a determined speed.

[0032] The reliability control module 305 detects deformations and foreign matter混入 of the recording medium and performs processes for removing them. When an abnormality is detected from various sensors, it stops the printing operation.

[0033] <Hardware Configuration Diagram of RIP Unit> Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the RIP unit 102.

[0034] The CPU 401 executes the programs of the OS and general applications stored in the program ROM of the ROM 403 or loaded from the HDD 411 to the RAM 402. The ROM 403 also has a font ROM and a data ROM. The RAM 402 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 401. The keyboard controller (KBC) 405 controls the input from the keyboard (KB) 409 and the pointing device (not shown). The display controller (CRTC) 406 controls the display to the display unit (CRT) 410. The disk controller (DKC) 407 controls the access to the HDD 411, etc. that stores the boot program, various applications, font data, etc. The network controller (NIC) 412 is connected to the network and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to that network. The bus 404 connects the CPU 401, the RAM 402, the ROM 403, and various controllers, etc., and conveys data signals and control signals.

[0035] In the case of a mobile terminal, the configuration may include a touch panel controller or the like instead of the keyboard controller (KBC) 405. There may also be a case where a large-capacity storage device is provided instead of the HDD 411. Further, the internal configuration of the network controller (NIC) 412 differs depending on whether the device is equipped with a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or both. However, the differences due to these internal configurations are hidden inside the network controller (NIC) 412, and the system is configured to be controllable as equivalent to the other modules shown in the figure. Also, there may be multiple NICs 412.

[0036] <Software Configuration Diagram of RIP Unit> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the RIP unit 102.

[0037] The boot loader 501 is a program that is executed immediately after the power is turned on for the RIP unit 102. These programs include programs for executing various startup sequences required for system startup.

[0038] The operating system 502 is a program aimed at providing an execution environment for various programs that realize the functions of the RIP unit 102. This provides functions such as resource management for the memory of the RIP unit 102, that is, the ROM 403, the RAM 402, the HDD 411, etc.

[0039] The network control program 503 is a program that is executed when sending and receiving data to and from devices connected via the network. That is, it is software used to control the NIC 412 and send and receive data and files to and from the inkjet recording device 101 and the information processing terminal 111 via the network 100. It receives a data transmission instruction from another program, attaches an appropriate header, and transmits the data to the destination.

[0040] The UI control program 504 detects user operations on the keyboard 409 and the display unit 410 , and also displays various information on the CRT 410 .

[0041] The image management program 505 generates image data by performing RIP processing on the PDL data acquired from the job management program 506 based on the print settings managed by the setting management program 314. Then, the image management program 505 outputs the RIP-processed image data to the job management program 506.

[0042] The job management program 506 outputs the PDL data acquired from the information processing terminal 111 to the image management program 505. It also transmits print settings related to the print data acquired from the image management program 505 to the inkjet recording apparatus 101. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the RIP-processed image data is transmitted to the inkjet recording apparatus 101 one page at a time as soon as the RIP process is completed. In the description of this embodiment, when printing multiple copies, the RIP-processed image data is not retransmitted, and the inkjet recording apparatus 101 uses the data recorded on the HDD 209, but it may be retransmitted from the RIP unit 102. In addition, it monitors the execution status of a print job that prints based on the transmitted print data.

[0043] A setting management program 507 manages job-related settings made via the keyboard 409 and display unit 410 .

[0044] <Ink application section> 6 is a schematic diagram of the ink deposition section 203 in the printing unit 104 of the inkjet recording apparatus 101 in this embodiment. The ink deposition section 203 has a full line of print heads 601 extending in the depth direction of the inkjet recording apparatus 101, and nozzles are arranged on the underside of each print head so as to cover the maximum width of the recording medium. This enables high-speed printing without moving the nozzles in the depth direction.

[0045] In Fig. 6, five print heads 601 are provided. Each print head ejects a different type of ink, but multiple print heads may eject the same type of ink. In addition to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks, special color inks can be installed depending on the printed matter. The print heads are equipped with a heater for adjusting the temperature and a temperature and humidity sensor 603, which can read the current temperature and humidity of the print head.

[0046] Each print head 601 is sandwiched between rails 602 and has a drive mechanism that can drive the print head 601 in the height direction along the rails. When the inkjet recording device 101 is turned off, when no printing process is being performed, or during maintenance, the drive mechanism is controlled to move (place) the print head 601 to a standby position 630. A conveyor belt 605 conveys the recording medium, and the print head 601 moves (places) the print head 601 to a printing position 610, which is about 1 mm above the recording medium, to perform printing. The printing position is hot due to the heat generated by the device, and is also humid because it is the part where ink is ejected. In order to prevent condensation from forming on the print head 601, it is necessary to heat the print head 601 with the above-mentioned temperature adjustment heater 604 when moving to the printing position.

[0047] In the present invention, in addition to the two positions described above, the printing position and the standby position, a retract position 620 is defined. The retract position 620 is a position where the print heads of colors not used for printing are retracted, and is defined as a position where condensation does not occur on the print heads even without heating. Each position will be described later.

[0048] Each print head can be controlled independently, i.e., it is possible to control the drive system of only a specific print head to move it to the printing position and operate the heater for temperature control, while keeping another print head in the retracted position.

[0049] 6(B) is a schematic diagram showing the print head 601 as seen from the paper transport direction. At printing position 610, the distance 611 between the recording medium on transport belt 605 and the tip of the print head is only about 1 mm. At printing position 610, the humidity and temperature are high, so condensation occurs on the nozzle of print head 601. By heating print head 601 to the same temperature as the ambient temperature using temperature adjustment heater 604, condensation does not occur on print head 601 even at printing position 610, which is humid.

[0050] The standby position 630 is a position where the print head is stored during idling when not printing or during maintenance, and the print head 601 is stored completely within the frame to prevent it from being damaged by contact or vibration during maintenance. At this time, the distance 631 between the conveyor belt 605 and the tip of the print head 601 is, for example, 30 cm.

[0051] The retracted position 620 indicates a position where the print head of a color not used in this embodiment is retracted. The purpose of moving to the retracted position 620 is to stop heating the print head to prevent condensation, thereby suppressing evaporation of moisture from the ink. Therefore, the distance between the conveyor belt 605 and the tip of the print head is a distance at which condensation does not occur even if the print head is not heated by the temperature adjustment heater 604. On the other hand, since the retracted print head 601 must be returned to the printing position 610 when it is next used for printing, it is desirable that the retracted position 620 and the printing position 610 are as close as possible to each other and that the movement time is short. Therefore, the retracted position 620 is determined as a position at which condensation does not occur and is as close as possible to the printing position 610.

[0052] To precisely determine the retract position 620 as the position closest to the print position 610, it is necessary to measure the distance from the print position 610 and changes in temperature and humidity using a dew point thermometer in the installation environment. However, since the influence of the installation environment is small compared to the influence of heat and humidity generated by the inkjet recording apparatus 101, the retract position 620 may be set to a uniform value for the inkjet recording apparatus 101. In that case, for example, the retract position 620 is set to the condition that makes the retract position 620 the furthest from the print position 610, that is, the worst condition, among the installation conditions allowed for the inkjet recording apparatus 101.

[0053] For example, if the moving speed of the print head 601 is 3 cm per second and the distance 621 between the conveyor belt 605 at the retracted position 620 and the tip of the print head 601 is 18 cm, the time required for moving to the retracted position 620 is 6 seconds. Since it takes the same time to return to the printing position 610, retraction is possible only if the print head is not used for 12 seconds or more. If the printing speed of the inkjet recording apparatus 101 is 150 ppm, 30 pages can be printed in 12 seconds, so the number of pages that can be retracted is 30 pages. Also, since a one-way time is required to return the print head from the retracted position 620 to the printing position 610, the number of pages required for return is half the number of pages that can be retracted, or 15 pages.

[0054] If the distance 621 between the conveyor belt 605 and the tip of the print head 601 at the retraction position 620 is 15 cm, retraction is possible in 10 seconds, and the number of pages that can be retracted is 25. In this way, by setting the retraction position 620 as close as possible to the print position 610, the retraction time can be increased and the evaporation of moisture in the ink can be prevented.

[0055] In this embodiment, a method will be described in which the ink to be printed on each pixel is specified from color data obtained by RIP processing, and colors that are not used in any pixel are determined to be ink that can be saved and saved.

[0056] In this embodiment, the color information 901 indicates the color of ink to be used on each page, which is determined based on color data obtained by RIP processing.

[0057] <Processing of the control unit when receiving data after RIP processing> FIG. 7 shows the flow of processing when the printing unit 104 receives image data after RIP processing from the RIP unit 102.

[0058] In step S701, the control unit 205 determines whether the color data of the received data after RIP processing is RGB luminance data. If it is luminance data, the control unit 205 performs an association between the RGB color space and the color space represented by CMYK, which is the color space of the inkjet recording apparatus 101, and converts the luminance data into density data corresponding to the ink. If the color data is density data corresponding to the color of the ink, this process is skipped. Usually, the RIP unit 102 handles only one type of data. If ink decomposition is to be performed or the process is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step S702.

[0059] In step S702, the control unit 205 quantizes the received 8-bit density data or the density data created by ink decomposition into 1-bit data. The 1-bit data indicates that 1 means recording with that ink for the pixel, and 0 means not recording with that ink. The recording control module 302 drives the ink application unit 203 based on this binary data to form an image. After performing ink quantization, the process proceeds to step S703.

[0060] In step S703, the control unit 205 determines the ink with 1 given to any pixel in the page as the color to be used for that page. After the determination, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0061] In step S704, the control unit 205 associates the color of the ink to be used determined in step S703 with the page and stores it in the usage color information. After storing, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0062] In step S705, the control unit 205 determines whether the received RIP processed data is the RIP processed data of the last page of the job. Here, it is assumed that the RIP unit 102 notifies after transmitting the RIP processed data of the last page, and if a notification is received, it is determined that the RIP processed data of the last page has been received. If the RIP processed data of the last page has been received, the process proceeds to step S706, and if not, the flow ends.

[0063] In step S706, the control unit 205 stores the ink colors used on each page determined in step S703 in the color information for a number of times equal to the number of copies to be printed minus 1. If 100 pages and 5 copies are to be printed, the colors used for the 100 pages determined in step S703 are stored four times. Once stored, the flow ends.

[0064] <Control unit processing when starting to print each page> 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the flow of processing performed by the control unit 205 when forming each page of ink quantization on a recording medium. Based on the used color information 901, the control unit 205 moves the print head 601 that is not in use to the retracted position 620, and moves the print head 601 that is in use to the printing position 610.

[0065] In step S801, the control unit 205 acquires color usage information 901 for the number of sheets required for recovery. As described above, the number of sheets required for recovery is the number of sheets of paper that can be printed in the time required to move from the retract position 620 to the print position 610. If the stored color usage information 901 is insufficient for the number of sheets required for recovery, all stored color usage information is acquired. This embodiment is also applicable to inkjet recording devices that use roll paper. In the case of roll paper, the length that can be printed in the time required for a round trip is similarly identified, and color usage information 901 for the number of pages that can be printed in that length is acquired. Once acquired, proceed to step S802.

[0066] In step S802, the control unit 205 references the used color information 901 acquired in step S801 to determine the colors to be used on at least one page. Then, it is determined whether the print head of that color is at the printing position 610 or is moving to the printing position. If there is no color to be used, or if all print heads 601 of the colors to be used are at the printing position or are moving to the printing position 610, the process proceeds to step S819; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S803.

[0067] In step S803, the control unit 205 issues an instruction to move to the printing position any print heads of the color to be used in step S802 that are not in the printing position and are not being moved to the printing position 610. At this time, in order to prevent condensation from forming on the print head 601, heating (temperature control) of the print heads is started. After issuing the movement instruction, the process proceeds to step S819.

[0068] In step S819, the control unit 205 acquires color information 901 for the number of sheets required for evacuation determination. As described above, the number of sheets required for return is the number of sheets that can be printed in the time required to travel back and forth between the evacuation position 620 and the print position 610. The number of sheets required for evacuation determination is approximately twice the number of sheets required for return. Once acquired, proceed to step S804.

[0069] In step S804, the control unit 205 determines whether the acquired used color information 901 is sufficient for the number of sheets that can be saved. If it is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S806, and if it is not sufficient, the process proceeds to step S805.

[0070] In step S805, the control unit 205 determines whether there is a job for which the print instruction has been accepted and the RIP-processed data of the final page has not been received. If there is, the process returns to step S801 and waits until the used color information 901 becomes equal to or exceeds the number of pages that can be saved or until the RIP-processed data of the final page is received. If there is not, the process proceeds to step S806.

[0071] In step S806, the control unit 205 refers to the used color information 901 acquired in step S801 and determines whether there is a color that has never been used. Then, it determines whether the print head 601 of that color is at the retracted position 620 or is moving toward the retracted position 620. The position of the print head 601 can be acquired from the recording control module 302. If there is no unused color, or if all the print heads 601 of the unused colors are at the retracted position 620 or are moving to the retracted position 620, the process proceeds to step S808. If not, the process proceeds to step S807.

[0072] In step S807, the control unit 205 issues an instruction to move the print head 601 of the color not to be used, which was determined in step S806 to be not in the retracted position 620 and not moving toward the retracted position 620, to the retracted position 620. At this time, heating of the print head 601 is stopped. After issuing the movement instruction, the process proceeds to step S808.

[0073] In step S808, the control unit 205 starts printing the page. This process is the same as normal page printing. Once printing is complete, the process proceeds to step S809.

[0074] In step S809, the control unit 205 determines whether printing on the page is complete. If printing on the page is complete, the process proceeds to step S816, and if not, the process proceeds to step S810.

[0075] In step S810, the control unit 205 determines whether printing has been interrupted. Printing can be interrupted not only when an operator issues an instruction to interrupt, but also due to an error such as a paper jam. If printing has been interrupted, the process proceeds to step S811; if printing has not been interrupted, the process returns to step S809 and waits until printing of the page is completed or the job is interrupted.

[0076] In step S811, the control unit 205 stores the colors of the print heads that are at the printing position 610 or that are moving to the printing position 610, and issues an instruction to move the print heads of all colors to the retracted position 620. After issuing the movement instruction, the process proceeds to step S812.

[0077] In step S812, the control unit 205 determines whether the job that is printing the page has been canceled. Cancellation is performed by a user operation or by the recording control module 302 when it is determined that printing cannot be performed. If the job has been canceled, the process proceeds to step S814, and if not, the process proceeds to step S813.

[0078] In step S813, the control unit 205 determines whether printing of the interrupted job has been resumed. If printing has been resumed, the process proceeds to step S815. If printing has not been resumed, the process returns to step S812 and waits until the job is resumed or canceled.

[0079] In step S814, the control unit 205 deletes the color usage information 901 related to the page of the canceled job. After deletion, the process proceeds to step S816.

[0080] In step S815, the control unit 205 moves the print head 601, which is at the printing position 610 stored in step S811 or which has been moving toward the printing position 610, to the printing position 610. Once the print head 601 has been moved, the process proceeds to step S808.

[0081] In step S816, the control unit 205 deletes the used color information 901 for the page for which printing has been completed. After the deletion, the process proceeds to step S817.

[0082] In step S817, the control unit 205 determines whether printing of all pages is complete. If printing is complete, the process proceeds to step S818, and if printing is not complete, the process returns to step S801 and print processing (printing processing) of the next page is performed.

[0083] In step S818, the control unit 205 issues an instruction to move all print heads 601 to the standby position 630. After issuing the instruction, the flow ends.

[0084] <Schematic diagram explaining the timing of print head retraction> 9 is a schematic diagram showing color information 901 used and print head position 902 stored in the recording control module 302 during page printing processing. The movement of the print head 601 will be explained using this diagram. In the explanation, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are represented as C, M, Y, and K, respectively. Gold (represented as G) is also included as a special color. Note that the printing process in this embodiment refers to printing processing.

[0085] For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the RIP and printing speeds are equal, the number of sheets required for saving is 30, and the number of sheets required for restoring is 15. It is assumed that the job settings specify printing only 5 copies.

[0086] 9A shows color usage information 901 and print head position 902 when performing print processing for the first time, when printing the RIP processed data for the first page. Only the colors used for the first page are recorded in the color usage information 901. In step S801, color usage information 901 for the first page is obtained. Since all CMYKG inks are used for the first page, the CMYKG print head 601 starts moving to the printing position 601. Since the color usage information is not sufficient for the number of sheets that can be saved, the process goes through steps S804 and S805 and returns to step S801.

[0087] 9B shows color usage information 901 and print head position 902 when RIP processing for the first 30 pages is complete. All print heads 601 are at printing position 610. Since there is information for the number of pages that can be retracted, the process proceeds from step S804 to step S806, and after printing is performed, the process returns from step S817 to step S801.

[0088] 9C shows color information 901 used and print head position 90 when printing the second page. The evacuation determination is performed based on the color information used for pages 2 to 31. Since G is not used on any page, the process proceeds from step S806 to step S807, and the G print head 601 is moved to the evacuation position 620.

[0089] 9D shows color information 901 used and print head position 902 when printing the fifth page. The evacuation determination is performed using the color information used for pages 5 to 34. Since CMYG are not used on any of the pages, the process proceeds from step S806 to step S807, and the CMY print head 601 is moved to the evacuation position 620. Since G has already started moving, no movement is performed here.

[0090] 9E shows the color information 901 and the position of the print head 902 when printing the 71st page. Since RIP has been completed for all pages, the colors to be used for the number of pages to be printed were added to the color information 901 in step S706. Five copies of the 100-page document for which RIP has been completed will be printed, so the colors to be used up to the 500th page are determined. The colors to be used for the return determination are the colors to be used for pages 71 to 85, and since only K is used, the process proceeds from step S802 to step S819, and no movement to the print position 610 is performed.

[0091] 9(F) shows the color information 901 used when printing page 82 and the position of the print head 602. The return determination is performed for the colors used on pages 82 to 96. Because CMYK is used on page 96, the process proceeds from step S802 to step S803, and the CMY print head 602 begins to move to print position 610. Because the K print head is already at print position 610, no movement is performed.

[0092] 9G shows the color information 901 used when printing page 86 and the position of the print head 602. The return determination is performed for the colors used on pages 86 to 100. Since CMYKG are used on page 100, the process proceeds from step S802 to step S803, and the movement of the G print head 602 to the print position 610 begins. The K print head is already at the print position 610, and CMY is already moving to the print position 610, so no movement is performed.

[0093] As described above, the return judgment is performed on 15 pages and the evacuation judgment on 30 pages, and the print head is moved according to the judgment. As a result, the print head of the color required for printing is in the printing position 610, so printing does not stop, and when it is not used for printing, it can be placed in the evacuation position 620, so there is no need to heat it. As a result, the evaporation of moisture from the ink can be suppressed.

[0094] The retract position 620 is preferably located as close to the printing position 610 as possible, since condensation will not occur even if the print head 610 is not heated. In the above example, if the difference between the retract position 620 and the printing position 610 is 15 cm, and the movement time is 5 seconds, the number of sheets required for retraction is 25, and the number of sheets required for return is 13. It is possible to move to the retract position 620 with a smaller number of sheets, and the movement to the printing position 610 can be delayed.

[0095] In this embodiment, in addition to the printing position and the standby position, a retreat position is defined, and the print heads of the colors not used for printing are retreated to the retreat position. However, since the print heads of the colors not used for printing only need to be in a position where heating is not required (a position where condensation does not occur even if heating is not performed), they may be made to wait in the standby position instead of the retreat position.

[0096] According to this embodiment, print heads of colors not used for printing can be retracted to a position where heating is not required, eliminating the need to heat the retracted print heads. As a result, evaporation of moisture is suppressed, making it possible to reduce the amount of wasted ink compared to conventional methods.

[0097] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, we described a method of determining the ink to be used on each page using the results of RIP and suppressing evaporation of water from the ink in the print head by reserving colors that are not used. With this method, reserving is possible for each color, but it is not possible to determine whether reserving is possible until RIP is completed for the number of sheets for which reserving is possible. In the second embodiment, we will explain an embodiment in which the colors to be used on a page are determined from the print settings of the job, making it possible to determine whether reserving is possible without waiting for RIP.

[0098] In this embodiment, the color information 901 indicates the color of ink to be used on each page, which is determined based on the color mode designation. The color mode can be designated by the printer using the keyboard 409 or display unit of the RIP unit 102 to select from color, monochrome, or spot color use for the entire job or for each page.

[0099] 12 is an example of a screen for designating a color mode. Color mode designation can be color 1201, monochrome 1202, or spot color 1203. Spot color 1203 can designate color 1201 or monochrome 1202, and can be further designated. The designated color mode can be selected for the entire job 1204 or for page designation 1205. If page designation 1205 is selected, the page number is input in page number 1206.

[0100] <Processing of the control unit when print settings are accepted> FIG. 10 shows the flow of processing when the print unit 104 receives print settings including a color mode from the RIP unit 102.

[0101] In step S1001, the control unit 205 determines the data to be printed on each page and the printing order from the imposition designation in the print settings. For example, if 2in1, which prints two pages on one side, is designated, the data to be printed on the first page are pages 1 and 2 of the print data. The printing order of all pages can be determined from the print settings. Once determined, proceed to step S1002.

[0102] In step S1002, the control unit 205 determines the color to be used on each page from the color mode designation of the print settings. If it is determined that color printing is to be performed, the inks to be used are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. If it is determined that monochrome printing is to be performed, the ink to be used is black. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the color mode can be designated for each page. In the above example, if the first page of the print data is designated as color and the second page as monochrome, half of the first page will be color printed and the other half will be monochrome printed, so the colors to be used are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In order to perform more efficient evacuation, it is preferable to be able to designate whether to print using spot colors in the color mode. If color printing that does not use spot colors is designated, it is possible to determine that the color to be used on each page will not use spot colors. After the colors to be used on each page are determined, the process proceeds to step S1003.

[0103] In step S1003, the control unit 205 stores the colors used on all pages as the used color information 901. Once stored, the flow ends.

[0104] When the color mode cannot be specified for each page but is specified for each job, step S1002 determines the colors to be used for that job (all pages included in that job) from the color mode specification.

[0105] In step S1002, for example, if it is not possible to determine whether to use a certain color (such as a spot color) for printing, the color is determined to be the color to be used. By doing so, it is possible to prevent an ink that may be used from being absent from the printing position at the timing of printing.

[0106] <Control unit processing when starting to print each page> FIG. 11 is a flow diagram explaining the flow of processing performed by the control unit 205 when forming each page on the recording medium. Based on the color usage information 901, the control unit 205 retracts print heads that are not in use and moves print heads that are in use to their printing positions.

[0107] Most of the processing is the same as in Fig. 8 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the colors to be used are determined from the print settings and not the RIP results, so it is necessary to wait in step S804 until the color information for the number of sheets required for the evacuation determination is accumulated, and printing cannot start until RIP for the number of sheets that can be determined to be evacuation is complete. In contrast, in this embodiment, the information required for the determination is obtained when the pages are received, so there is no need to accumulate color information, and pages that have been RIPped can be printed sequentially.

[0108] According to the inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method of this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately retract the print head 601 without reducing the printing speed at all by determining unused colors from the print settings.

[0109] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit for implementing one or more functions, such as an ASIC. The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0110] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following information processing device, method, and program.

[0111] (Item 1) a plurality of print head units each having different ink colors for forming an image using ink; Among the plurality of print head units, a print head unit of an ink color to be used during printing is disposed at a first position which is a printing position, and a control means for controlling the printing device so that, among the plurality of print head units, a print head unit of an ink color that is not used during printing is positioned at a second position different from the first position.

[0112] (Item 2) 2. The printing device according to item 1, wherein the control means further controls the print head unit in the first position to be heated and the print head unit in the second position not to be heated.

[0113] (Item 3) The printing device described in item 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance between the print head unit arranged at the second position and a conveyor belt that conveys a recording medium is greater than the distance between the print head unit arranged at the first position and the conveyor belt.

[0114] (Item 4) The printing device described in any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means positions the multiple print head units at a third position different from the first position, the second position, and each of the first and second positions when the printing device is powered off.

[0115] (Item 5) 5. The printing device described in item 4, characterized in that the distance between the print head unit arranged at the second position and the conveyor belt that conveys the recording medium is greater than the distance between the print head unit arranged at the third position and the conveyor belt that conveys the recording medium.

[0116] (Item 6) The printing device described in any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the control means uses the analysis results of the print job to identify colors that will not be used during printing, and positions the print head unit of the ink color to be used when printing the identified colors in the second position.

[0117] (Item 7) The printing device described in any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the control means uses information regarding the color mode to identify colors that will not be used when printing, and positions the print head unit of the ink color to be used when printing the identified colors in the second position.

[0118] (Item 8) A method for controlling a printing device having a plurality of print head units with different ink colors that forms an image using ink, comprising the steps of: Among the plurality of print head units, a print head unit of an ink color to be used during printing is disposed at a first position which is a printing position, and A control method for a printing device, comprising a control step of controlling a print head unit of an ink color that is not used during printing among the plurality of print head units to be positioned at a second position different from the first position.

[0119] (Item 9) 9. The method for controlling a printing device described in item 8, wherein the control step further includes controlling the print head unit in the first position to be heated and the print head unit in the second position not to be heated.

[0120] (Item 10) 10. The method for controlling a printing device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a distance between the print head unit arranged at the second position and a conveyor belt that conveys a recording medium is greater than a distance between the print head unit arranged at the first position and the conveyor belt.

[0121] (Item 11) The control method for a printing device described in any one of items 8 to 10, characterized in that the control process positions the multiple print head units at a third position different from the first position, the second position, and each of the first and second positions when the printing device is powered off.

[0122] (Item 12) Item 12. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising: a step of: controlling a printing device in which a distance between a print head unit arranged at the second position and a conveyor belt that conveys a recording medium is greater than a distance between a print head unit arranged at the third position and the conveyor belt that conveys a recording medium.

[0123] (Item 13) The control method for a printing device described in any one of items 8 to 12, characterized in that the control process uses the analysis results of the print job to identify colors that will not be used during printing, and positions the print head unit of the ink color to be used when printing the identified colors at the second position.

[0124] (Item 14) The control method for a printing device described in any one of items 8 to 12, characterized in that the control process uses information regarding the color mode to identify colors that will not be used during printing, and positions a print head unit of an ink color to be used when printing the identified colors in the second position.

[0125] (Item 15) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the printing device according to any one of items 1 to 7.

[0126] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Multiple print heads with different ink colors that use ink to form an image, Of the plurality of print head units, the print head unit for the ink color to be used during printing is positioned at the first position, which is the printing position, and The system includes a control means for controlling the placement of print heads of ink colors not used during printing at a second position different from the first position, among the plurality of print head units. The printing apparatus is further characterized in that the control means heats the print head portion at the first position and controls the print head portion at the second position not to heat.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the print head unit located at the second position and the transport belt for transporting the recording medium is greater than the distance between the print head unit located at the first position and the transport belt.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means causes the plurality of print heads to be positioned at a third position different from the first position and the second position when the printing apparatus is powered off.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the distance between the print head unit located at the second position and the transport belt that transports the recording medium is greater than the distance between the print head unit located at the third position and the transport belt that transports the recording medium.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means identifies colors not to be used during printing using the analysis results of the print job, and positions the print head unit of the ink color to be used when printing the identified colors at the second position.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means uses information about the color mode to identify colors that are not to be used during printing, and positions the print head unit of the ink color to be used when printing the identified colors at the second position.

7. A method for controlling a printing apparatus having multiple print heads with different ink colors that form an image using ink, Of the plurality of print head units, the print head unit for the ink color to be used during printing is positioned at the first position, which is the printing position, and The control step includes controlling the print head portion of the plurality of print head portions to position the print head portion of the ink color not used during printing at a second position different from the first position, The control step is further characterized by controlling the print head portion at the first position to be heated and the print head portion at the second position not to be heated.

8. The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the distance between the print head unit located at the second position and the transport belt for transporting the recording medium is greater than the distance between the print head unit located at the first position and the transport belt.

9. The control step is characterized in that, when the printing apparatus is powered off, the plurality of print heads are positioned at a third position different from the first position and the second position, respectively, as described in claim 7.

10. The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the distance between the print head unit located at the second position and the transport belt that transports the recording medium is greater than the distance between the print head unit located at the third position and the transport belt that transports the recording medium.

11. The control step is characterized by identifying colors that will not be used during printing using the analysis results of the print job, and positioning the print head unit of the ink color to be used when printing the identified colors at the second position, as described in claim 7.

12. The control step is characterized by using information about the color mode to identify colors that will not be used during printing, and positioning the print head unit of the ink color to be used when printing the identified colors at the second position, as described in claim 7.

13. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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