Recording device, control method of recording device, and program

Abstract

To properly determine a service life of a recording head.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: first storing means that stores first service-life information concerning a service life of an attachable / detachable recording head; obtaining means that obtains the first service-life information from the first storing means and obtains second service-life information on the recording head from second storing means held by the recording head; and determining means that determines third service-life information on the recording head, on the basis of the first service-life information and the second service-life information obtained by the obtaining means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device, a control method for a recording device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In an inkjet color printer, an image is recorded by ejecting ink from a recording head that ejects ink such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Recording heads are sometimes treated as consumables, and Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which the continuous use time or the power supply time after installation is used to determine whether the head can be used continuously. Also, a technique has been known in the past for reducing deterioration of a recording head by implementing design changes in a recording device or a recording head, enabling the inkjet head to be used for a longer period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-109178 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is necessary to accurately grasp the transition from the start of use of a print head to the end of its life and replacement, from the viewpoint of the user making preparations after requesting replacement of the print head. However, due to design changes of the print head, it has become difficult to grasp the exact life of the print head, and there have been cases where it has not been possible to notify the user of the need to replace the print head at an appropriate time.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately determine the life of a print head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A recording device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: The device is characterized by comprising a first storage means for storing first life information regarding the life of a removable recording head, an acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring second life information of the recording head from a second storage means held by the recording head, and a determination means for determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the life of a print head can be determined in an optimal manner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording control circuit of the recording apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration for performing image data processing. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram for deriving a life attainment degree. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the progress of the life expectancy of a print head; [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a table for determining the life of a print head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a color inkjet recording apparatus 100 (hereinafter, referred to as recording apparatus 100) applicable to this embodiment. Four ink tanks (not shown) each contain four colors of ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and are configured to be able to supply these four colors of ink to recording heads 201-204. The recording heads 201-204 are provided corresponding to the four colors of ink, and are configured to be able to eject ink supplied from the ink tanks. In this embodiment, the recording heads 201-204 will be described as being detachable parts.

[0011] The transport roller 103 rotates while sandwiching the recording medium (recording paper) 107 together with the auxiliary roller 104, transporting the recording medium 107 in the X direction. It also plays a role in holding the recording medium 107. The recording device 100 ejects ink from the recording heads 201-204 to record an image while moving the recording medium 107 in the transport direction X. When recording is completed, the recording heads 201-204 are retracted to positions not shown, and maintenance of the recording heads is performed. The recording operation of ejecting ink from the recording heads 201-204 is performed under the control of a control means described later.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the recording control circuit of the recording device 100 shown in FIG. 1. The recording device 100 is connected to a data supply device such as a host computer (hereinafter, host PC) 1200 via an interface 400. Various data transmitted from the data supply device or control signals related to recording are input to a recording control unit 500 of the recording device 100. The recording control unit 500 includes a CPU 501 (which may be an ASIC), a ROM 502, and a RAM 503. The CPU 501 controls the entire recording device 100 according to the program and various parameters stored in the ROM 502, using the RAM 503 as a work area. For example, when a print job is input from the host PC 1200 via the interface 400, the CPU 501 performs a predetermined image processing to be described later on the received image data. Then, based on the image data after the image processing, the motor driver 403 and head drivers 405 to 408 are driven to record an image on the recording medium. The conveying motor 401 rotates the conveying roller 103 to convey the recording medium 107. The motor driver 403 drives the conveying motor 401 under the instruction of the CPU 301. The head drivers 405 to 408 drive the print heads 201 to 204 under the instruction of the CPU 301. In this embodiment, the print head 201 is filled with black ink, the print head 202 with cyan ink, the print head 203 with magenta ink, and the print head 204 with yellow ink.

[0013] In addition to various programs, the ROM 502 stores life information, which is information related to the life of the print heads 201 to 204. Specifically, the life information is information indicating the upper limit of the number of times (number of ejections) that the print head can be ejected after being attached to the printing apparatus, or the upper limit of the number of days (number of elapsed days) that the print head can be used after being attached to the printing apparatus.

[0014] Furthermore, the printheads 201-204 are also provided with storage elements 301-304 that store information related to their own life spans. The CPU 501 determines the life spans of the currently mounted printheads 201-204 by referring to the information stored in the ROM 502 and the information stored in the storage elements 301-304 of the printheads 201-204. The method of determining the life spans will be described in detail later.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration for performing image data processing in an image processing system composed of the recording device 100 and a host PC. The recording control unit 500 of the recording device 100 processes data transferred from the host PC 1200 in which a printer driver is installed, via the interface of Fig. 2. The host PC 1200 receives input image data 1000 from an application. Then, rendering process 1001 is performed at a resolution of 1200 dpi based on the received input image data 1000. As a result, multi-value RGB data for recording 1002 is generated. In this embodiment, the multi-value RGB data for recording 1002 is data with 256 values ​​for each of RGB. The generated multi-value RGB data for recording 1002 is transferred to the recording control unit 500.

[0016] The recording control unit 500 performs color conversion processing 1007 to convert the multi-value RGB data 1002 for recording into multi-value CMYK data 1008. The multi-value CMYK data has 256 values ​​for each of CMYK. Next, the multi-value CMYK data 1008 is quantized (binarized) by quantization processing 1009 (for example, error diffusion method or dither method). This generates binary CMYK data 1010 with a resolution of 1200 dpi. This data is sent to head drivers 405-408, and ink is ejected from the recording heads 201-204 onto the recording paper 107.

[0017] The following describes a method for more appropriately determining the "lifespan" of the print heads 201-204, which is the number of days from when the heads start to be used until they become unusable due to deterioration, etc. By determining the lifespan more accurately, it is possible to notify the user at a more accurate timing to urge them to replace the print heads, making it easier for the user to manage the print heads.

[0018] 4(a) to 4(d) are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the number of days that have passed since the print head was attached to the printing apparatus and ink was poured into it, and the lifespan. The lifespan indicates the rate of deterioration until the print head reaches the end of its lifespan. In this embodiment, the CPU 501 manages such lifespan using the ROM 502, etc.

[0019] FIG. 4(a) is a graph showing the relationship between the number of days elapsed since the print head was attached to the printing device 100 and black ink was poured in and the lifespan reach. The CPU 501 derives the lifespan reach from the number of days elapsed using the broken line shown by 701. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the lifespan reach increases gently until the number of days elapsed reaches 400 days, but increases rapidly after 400 days. The information stored by the printing device 100 using the ROM 502 may be the graph shown in FIG. 4(a) itself, or information showing the lifespan reach for each day. For example, if information on three points is stored as in the table shown in FIG. 4(b), the lifespan reach as shown in the broken line 701 can be derived by linear interpolation.

[0020] Fig. 4(d) is a diagram showing an example of lifespan information for each ink color stored in ROM 502 of the recording device 100. The correspondence between the lifespan arrival degree and the number of days elapsed is set for each ink color for three points. Based on such lifespan information, the recording device 100 derives broken lines 701-404 as shown in Fig. 4(c).

[0021] FIG. 4(c) is a graph showing the relationship between the number of days elapsed and the lifespan degree, which is derived by connecting three points stored as the lifespan information in FIG. 4(d) with straight lines. In FIG. 4(c), the broken line 702 corresponds to the cyan ink, the broken line 703 corresponds to the magenta ink, and the broken line 704 corresponds to the yellow ink. Looking at the broken lines 701 to 704, the number of days elapsed until the lifespan degree reaches 10% from 0% is different for each color, but the number of days elapsed until the lifespan degree reaches 10% from 100% is unified as 100 days. In other words, after the lifespan degree reaches 10%, the slope of the broken line is set to be the same for each ink color. Then, in this embodiment, when a predetermined number of days have elapsed since the lifespan degree exceeded 10% (for example, when the lifespan degree reaches 50%), a notice of head replacement is notified to the user. In this way, the number of days from the replacement notice to the replacement can be made uniform regardless of the type of ink. In the above, the notification is given when the life expectancy reaches 50%, but if the life expectancy reaches 50% or more, the purpose of aligning the number of days between the notification of replacement and the time of replacement can be achieved. In addition, since the time spent replacing the head is a time during which printing cannot be performed (= downtime), the value immediately before the head replacement is considered to be particularly important to the user. In some cases, it is more convenient for the user to replace the head a little earlier than the head replacement of other colors, or to replace the head a little earlier in order to print continuously without stopping midway. In order to meet such requests, it is very important to align the number of days and time between the notification of replacement and the time of replacement. In addition, the head replacement may be notified in stages in order to notify the user in more detail. In addition, the value of the life expectancy itself may be displayed.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of life information for each ink color that can be stored in the ROM 502 of the recording device 100. Although FIG. 4(d) shows three correspondence points for each color, this example shows a case where information for more points is stored. In this example, the number of days elapsed until the lifespan reaches 55% from 0% is different for each color, but the number of days elapsed until the lifespan reaches 55% from 100% is standardized to 50 days. In this example, for example, by notifying the user when the lifespan reaches 55%, the user can be made aware of the need to replace the ink when there are 50 days left, regardless of the ink color.

[0023] On the other hand, the print heads 201-204 of this embodiment have memory elements 301-304 that store information about their own life span. The memory elements 301-304 of the print heads are preferably rewritable. If the memory elements are rewritable, the date and time when the print heads 201-204 were first attached to the printing device, the history of the printing device 100 in which they are mounted, and the like can be written by the printing device 100. However, since the print heads are replaceable parts, it is preferable to minimize the capacity of the memory elements in order to reduce costs. The print heads 201-204 are distributed on the market in a state where they can be attached to the printing device 100 as a print head of any ink color, and when they are attached to the printing device 100 and ink is poured in, the life span is reset by the printing device 100.

[0024] There may be cases where the print head is removed from one printing device 100 and then attached to another printing device 100. Taking such cases into consideration, the printing device 100 of this embodiment derives a new correspondence relationship between the lifespan arrival degree and the number of days elapsed based on information (e.g., the date the print head was attached, etc.) stored in the memory elements 301-304 of the print head. Specifically, for example, the number of days elapsed for the print head can be found by comparing information stored in the print head about the date the print head was first attached with the current time.

[0025] Furthermore, the lifespan of print heads on the market may be extended by design changes, etc. For example, if measures such as thickening the material that corrodes in order to prevent deterioration of the print head due to corrosion by ink are added in the manufacturing process, the lifespan of the print head will be longer than that of conventional products. From this perspective, it is also effective to provide the print head with a memory element that stores information about the lifespan of the print head.

[0026] The following describes the life information stored in the storage elements 301-304 of the printheads 201-204, the life information stored in the ROM 502 of the printing device 100, and the processing executed by the CPU 501 of the printing device.

[0027] First, the number of days elapsed that is the life of the print head is stored in the memory elements 301-304 of the print heads 201-204 and in the ROM 501 of the printing device 100. In the example of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, it is "black=500, cyan=350, magenta=300, yellow=250". In this embodiment, this information may be changed due to design changes of the print head or the printing device. For each print head, when the print head is mounted in the printing device for the first time and the mounting position is the black position, the printing device sets "500 days" as the life of the print head. Similarly, when the print head is mounted in the cyan position of the printing device, it sets "350 days", when the print head is mounted in the magenta position, it sets "300 days", and when the print head is mounted in the yellow position, it sets "250 days" as the life of the print head.

[0028] In the recording device 100, the life information stored in the memory elements 301-304 of the recording heads 201-204 is compared with the life information stored in the ROM 502 of the recording device 100. If they show the same life, the life is set as the life information (life value) of the recording head. However, the memory elements 301-304 attached to the recording heads may break. In such a case, the recording device 100 determines the life information stored in the ROM 502 in the recording device 100 as the life information as the initial setting. In the example of FIG. 4, it is "black=500, cyan=350, magenta=300, yellow=250". In addition, the recording device 100 holds an algorithm for converting this life information (life value) into the life attainment degree. For example, in the case of the broken line algorithm shown in FIG. 4(c), the life attainment degree can be expressed by the following formulas (1) and (2).

[0029] (Lifespan achievement rate [%]) = number of days elapsed ÷ (lifespan - 100) × 10 {if (lifespan) - 100 > number of days elapsed} ··· Formula (1) (Lifespan achievement rate [%]) = number of days elapsed × 0.9 - (lifespan - (0.1 × lifespan)) + 100 {(lifespan) - 100 ≦ number of days elapsed} ··· Equation (2) The degree of lifespan is then calculated based on the algorithm expressed by the above formula, and the user is prompted to replace the head based on that degree of lifespan.

[0030] Next, a case where the lifespan stored in the memory element of the print head differs from the lifespan stored in the printing device will be described. In the following description, for convenience, the memory element 301 of the print head 201 will be used as an example, but in reality, the same applies to all of the memory elements 301-304 of the print heads 201-204.

[0031] An example of a case in which the lifespan information stored in the memory element 301 of the print head 201 differs from the lifespan information held in the printing device is when the lifespan of the print head is extended due to a change in design of the print head 201. Also, the lifespan of the print head 201 may be extended due to a change in design of the printing device 100, such as a change in the temperature at which the printing device keeps the print head 201 warm. In such a case, it is desirable to store the post-design-change lifespan information in the ROM 502 of the printing device 100 after the design change.

[0032] Note that ROM 502 of recording device 100 may store both the old lifespan (lifespan before the design change) and the new lifespan (lifespan after the design change). Furthermore, the memory element 301 of printhead 201 after the design change may also store the lifespan before and after the design change. In either case, the CPU may compare the lifespan stored in ROM 502 of recording device 100 with the lifespan stored in memory element 301 of printhead 201, and determine the lifespan information indicating the longer lifespan as the lifespan information of that printhead. Then, the lifespan attainment degree may be derived based on the determined new lifespan.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, the life of the print head can be appropriately determined based on the life information stored in the ROM of the printing device 100 and the life information stored in the memory element of the print head. Furthermore, by using an algorithm for deriving the determined life and the life reaching degree held in the printing device 100, it is possible to more accurately notify the user of the replacement notice.

[0034] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, when the lifespan information held by the print head 201 differs from the lifespan information held by the printing device 100, the lifespan information with the longer lifespan is determined as the new lifespan information. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the lifespan information is determined based on priority information stored in the memory element 301 of the print head 201.

[0035] Depending on the user, the print head 201 may be replaced before reaching the end of its life. In such a case, unless the recording device 100 knows that the print head 201 has been replaced, there is a risk that the accurate lifespan may not be known. Therefore, in this embodiment, priority information for determining which lifespan should be prioritized is stored in the memory element 301 of the print head 201. Then, the CPU 501 of the recording device 100 acquires the lifespan information and priority information stored in the memory element 301, and determines a new lifespan based on the acquired priority information.

[0036] As a result, even if the print head is frequently replaced, for example, the print head has priority information that prioritizes the lifespan of the print head, so that the printing device 100 can prioritize the lifespan of the print head and accurately derive the degree of lifespan reached.

[0037] <Embodiment 3> In this embodiment, a new lifespan is determined based on the lifespan information held by the print head 201 and the lifespan information held by the printing device 100, by referencing a table held by the printing device 100.

[0038] 6 is a diagram showing a table stored in the recording device 100 for determining the lifespan of the print head 201. In this table, a new lifespan is associated with a combination of the lifespan of the print head held by the print head 201 and the lifespan of the print head 201 held by the recording device 100. This table is information that is stored in advance by the recording device 100. The new lifespan derived from the combination is set as a lifespan that the print head 201 can guarantee, and may be updated when the recording device 100 is updated, etc.

[0039] Specifically, the table information shown in FIG. 6 lists "500 days" as the lifespan (number of days elapsed) of the print head 201 held by the printing device 100, and "1000 days" as the lifespan of the print head 201 when a design change is made on the printing device 100 side. In addition, "=500 days" is prepared as the lifespan (number of days elapsed) held by the print head 201, and ">500 days" is prepared as the lifespan (number of days elapsed) of the print head 201 when a design change is made on the print head 201 side. The CPU 501 of the printing device can determine a new lifespan based on a combination of the lifespan information held by the print head 201 and the lifespan information held by the printing device 100 by referring to such a table. For example, consider a case where design changes are made to both the printing device 100 and the print head 201, and the lifespan held by the printing device 100 is "1000 days" and the lifespan held by the memory element 301 of the print head 201 is greater than 500 days. In this case, the CPU 501 can refer to the table and derive a new lifespan as "1400." After deriving the new lifespan, the CPU 501 can determine the lifespan end state using the new lifespan and an algorithm for determining the lifespan end state.

[0040] In this example, the design of the print head 201 or the printing device 100 is changed once, but it is possible that the number of design changes will increase in the future. In such a case, a table corresponding to each changed value of the lifespan may be prepared, or the printing device 100 may hold an algorithm that uses the lifespan value as a factor and use the algorithm to determine the degree of lifespan arrival.

[0041] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, the lifespan of a print head has been described as the number of days that have elapsed since the print head was installed in a printing apparatus and ink was poured into it. However, the lifespan may be defined by other factors. For example, the lifespan of a print head may be the total number of ejections since the print head was used. Even in this case, the total number of ejections can be used to derive the degree of lifespan.

[0042] In the algorithm described in the first embodiment, the life attainment degree is derived based on a broken line as shown in FIG. 4(a). However, the form of the algorithm is not limited to this. For example, the relationship between the number of ejections and the life attainment degree may be expressed as a linear relationship with a constant slope. Also, the relationship between the number of ejections and the life attainment degree may be expressed as a nonlinear relationship that draws a gentle curve.

[0043] The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0044] The present disclosure also includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) a first storage means for storing first life information relating to the life of the removable recording head; an acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring second life information of the recording head from a second storage means stored in the recording head; a determination unit that determines third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition unit; A recording device comprising: (Configuration 2) 2. The recording device according to configuration 1, wherein when the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information both indicate the same lifespan, the determination means determines the same lifespan as the third lifespan information. (Configuration 3) The recording device described in configuration 1, characterized in that when the first life information and the second life information indicate different lifespans, the determination means determines the life information indicating a longer life between the first life information and the second life information as the third life information. (Configuration 4) the second storage means stores the second lifespan information and priority information indicating which of the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information is to be prioritized; 2. The recording device according to configuration 1, wherein the determining means determines the third lifespan information in accordance with the priority information when the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information indicate different lifespans. (Configuration 5) the recording device further includes a third storage means for storing a table in which a combination of the first life information and the second life information is associated with the third life information, 2. The recording device according to configuration 1, wherein the determining means determines the third life information according to the table when the first life information and the second life information indicate different values. (Configuration 6) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 2 to 5, further comprising a derivation unit that derives a degree to which the recording head will reach the end of its life based on the third life information determined by the determination unit. (Configuration 7) The recording apparatus according to configuration 6, further comprising a notification unit that issues a notification to urge replacement of the recording head based on the derived degree of achievement. (Configuration 8) The recording device according to configuration 6, wherein the deriving means derives the attainment level based on the third life information by using an algorithm included in the recording device. (Configuration 9) the first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of ejections of the recording head after the recording head is mounted on the recording device, 9. The recording apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of ejections and the degree of reach. (Configuration 10) the first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of ejections of the recording head after the recording head is mounted on the recording device, 9. The recording apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a non-linear relationship between the number of ejections and the degree of reach. (Configuration 11) the first lifespan information, the second lifespan information, and the third lifespan information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of days that have elapsed since the print head was attached to the printing device, 9. The recording device according to configuration 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of days elapsed and the level of achievement. (Configuration 12) the first lifespan information, the second lifespan information, and the third lifespan information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of days that have elapsed since the print head was attached to the printing device, 9. The recording device according to configuration 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a non-linear relationship between the number of days elapsed and the level of achievement. (Configuration 13) 13. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the first life information is changed due to a change in design of the recording device. (Configuration 14) 14. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the second life information is changed in accordance with a change in design of the recording head. (Configuration 15) acquiring first life information relating to a life of the removable recording head from a first storage means; acquiring second life information relating to the life of the recording head from a second storage means held by the recording head; a determination step of determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information; 13. A method for controlling a recording apparatus comprising: (Configuration 16) A program that operates on a recording device, the recording device being: a first storage means for storing first life information relating to the life of the removable recording head; an acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring second life information of the recording head from a second storage means stored in the recording head; a determination unit that determines third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition unit; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a

Claims

1. a first storage means for storing first life information relating to the life of the removable recording head; an acquisition unit that acquires the first life information from the first storage unit and acquires second life information of the recording head from a second storage unit stored in the recording head; a determination unit that determines third life information of the print head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition unit; A recording device comprising:

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information both indicate the same lifespan, the determining unit determines the same lifespan as the third lifespan information.

3. A recording device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the first life information and the second life information indicate different lifespans, the determination means determines the life information indicating a longer life between the first life information and the second life information as the third life information.

4. the second storage means stores the second lifespan information and priority information indicating which of the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information is to be prioritized; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the third lifespan information in accordance with the priority information when the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information indicate different lifespans.

5. the recording device further includes a third storage means for storing a table in which a combination of the first life information and the second life information is associated with the third life information, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the third life information according to the table when the first life information and the second life information indicate different values.

6. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a derivation unit that derives a degree to which the recording head will reach the end of its life based on the third life information determined by the determination unit.

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a notification unit that issues a notification to urge replacement of the recording head based on the derived degree of achievement.

8. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the deriving means derives the attainment level based on the third life information by using an algorithm included in the recording apparatus.

9. the first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of ejections of the recording head after the recording head is mounted on the recording apparatus, 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of ejections and the degree of reach.

10. the first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of ejections of the recording head after the recording head is mounted on the recording apparatus, 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information that indicates a non-linear relationship between the number of ejections and the degree of reach.

11. the first lifespan information, the second lifespan information, and the third lifespan information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of days that have elapsed since the print head was attached to the printing device, 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of days elapsed and the degree of achievement.

12. the first lifespan information, the second lifespan information, and the third lifespan information are information indicating an upper limit of the number of days that have elapsed since the print head was attached to the printing device, 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a non-linear relationship between the number of days elapsed and the degree of achievement.

13. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the first life information is changed when a design change of the recording device is made.

14. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second life information is changed when a design change is made to the recording head.

15. obtaining first life information relating to a life of the removable recording head from a first storage means; acquiring second life information relating to the life of the recording head from a second storage means stored in the recording head; a determining step of determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information; 13. A method for controlling a recording apparatus comprising:

16. A program that operates on a recording device, the recording device being: a first storage means for storing first life information relating to the life of the removable recording head; an acquisition unit that acquires the first life information from the first storage unit and acquires second life information of the recording head from a second storage unit stored in the recording head; a determination unit that determines third life information of the print head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition unit; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a

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