Recording device, control method of recording device, and program

Abstract

To highly accurately detect a discharge state of nozzles.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording head with nozzles for discharging droplets; a carriage loaded with the recording head; control means for controlling discharge of the droplets from the nozzles; detection means for detecting the droplets discharged from the nozzles; determination means for determining a discharge state of the nozzles, on the basis of a detection result acquired by the detection means; reception means for receiving a user input for selecting a mode; and setting means for setting the mode based on the user input. The control means makes the nozzles discharge the droplets, while causing the carriage to move relative to the detection means. The determination means determines the discharge state of the nozzles, on the basis of the detection result of the droplets discharged while causing the carriage to move relative to the detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus that records by ejecting droplets from a recording head. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording devices are expected to produce a variety of output items, such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) line drawings, posters, and artwork, and are expected to be used in a variety of environments, including different types of ink. In an inkjet recording device that performs so-called reciprocating recording, in which ink is discharged while the recording head is moving back and forth (scanning), even if the recording head discharges ink at the same position, the deposition position of the discharged ink droplets may differ depending on the direction of movement of the recording head. In addition, the deposition position of the discharged ink droplets may vary depending on the state of the recording head and the type of ink. This causes a problem of deterioration in the fineness of the image formed on the recording medium and the reproducibility of fine lines, resulting in a deterioration in overall image quality.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device having a derivation means for deriving an ink ejection speed. This recording device performs a registration adjustment method for appropriately setting the ejection timing based on the ink ejection speed and the reciprocating recording movement speed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-152853 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an inkjet recording device, when ink droplets are discharged from a recording head, the flight state of the ink droplets may differ due to multiple droplets of different sizes being discharged at different discharge speeds, etc. In this case, the method of Patent Document 1 cannot distinguish and detect multiple droplets with different flight states, resulting in low detection accuracy of the nozzle discharge state.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to detect the ejection state of nozzles with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a recording device comprising a recording head having nozzles from which droplets are ejected, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a control means for controlling the ejection of the droplets from the nozzles, a first detection means for detecting the droplets ejected from the nozzles, a first judgment means for judging the ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection results obtained by the first detection means, a receiving means for receiving user input to select a mode, and a setting means for setting the mode based on the user input, wherein the control means ejects the droplets from the nozzles while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means, and the first judgment means judges the ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection results of the droplets ejected while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means, and when the first judgment means judges that the ejection state has changed, performs processing according to the mode set by the setting means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the ejection state of the nozzles can be detected with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows ink ejection [Diagram 5] A diagram showing a detection signal that changes depending on the height of the recording head. [Figure 6] Flowchart of a process for detecting the nozzle ejection state [Figure 7] Conceptual diagram of droplet detection while driving the CR [Figure 8] Diagram showing detection of droplets (main droplet, satellite droplet) [Figure 9] Schematic diagram of calculation of discharge speed and discharge amount based on received light amount [Figure 10] Flowchart of mode setting process according to the second embodiment [Figure 11] GUI screen for changing control processing mode [Figure 12] Automatic repair mode GUI screen [Figure 13] GUI screen for warning display mode [Figure 14] GUI screen for function OFF mode [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart of the process of each mode executed based on the result of the ejection state determination sequence according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] Detection signal for use as a reference according to a third embodiment [Figure 17] Flowchart of inspection discharge parameter adjustment processing according to the third embodiment [Figure 18] FIG. 2 shows a state in which the recording head 201 comes into contact with the recording paper 203. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart of a process for switching and executing a type of ejection state determination sequence according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining ejection velocity calculation according to the fifth embodiment; [Figure 21] Flowchart of discharge velocity calculation process according to the fifth embodiment [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart of a process for detecting a change in an ejection state according to a fifth embodiment. [Diagram 23] Flowchart of discharge monitoring limit mode transition process according to the sixth embodiment [Figure 24] Flowchart of discharge monitoring limit mode release process according to the sixth embodiment [Diagram 25] GUI screen according to the sixth embodiment [Figure 26] GUI screen according to the sixth embodiment [Figure 27] Flowchart of registration adjustment value update restriction process according to the sixth embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention according to the claims more than necessary. In addition, although multiple features are described in the following embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the present disclosure, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are given to the same or similar configurations, and accordingly, duplicated descriptions are omitted in this specification as appropriate.

[0011] In this specification, "recording" (sometimes called "printing") refers not only to the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also to the formation of information, whether meaningful or insignificant. It also refers to the formation of images, designs, patterns, etc. on a recording medium, regardless of whether they are manifested in a way that humans can perceive visually.

[0012] Furthermore, the term "recording medium" refers not only to recording paper used in general recording devices, but also broadly to anything that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. In the following embodiments, the recording medium will be described as recording paper, but the technology disclosed herein can be applied not only to recording paper but also to other types of recording media. Furthermore, the term "recording device" refers to a device that records on the above-mentioned recording medium. An example of a recording device is an inkjet recording device.

[0013] Furthermore, "ink" (sometimes called "liquid") is to be interpreted broadly in the same manner as the definition of "recording" above. Accordingly, ink refers to a liquid that can be applied onto a recording medium to form an image, design, pattern, etc., or to process the recording medium, or a liquid that can be used to process ink (for example, to solidify or insolubilize coloring materials in the ink applied to the recording medium).

[0014] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <Overview of the recording device> 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an inkjet type recording device (hereinafter abbreviated as "recording device") 100 according to this embodiment, which uses recording paper of 10 to 60 inches in size as a recording medium. As described above, it should be noted that this embodiment is applicable to any recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink onto any recording medium, and does not limit the type or size of the recording medium.

[0016] 1 has a paper discharge guide 101 for stacking output recording paper, and an operation unit 102 for accepting settings such as the recording mode and recording paper, and operations for whether or not adjustment functions executed by the recording device can be performed. The operation unit 102 includes a display panel 103 for displaying various recording information and setting results, as well as reflections and warning displays of adjustment functions and inspection functions executed by the recording device.

[0017] The printing apparatus 100 also has an ink tank unit 104 that contains one or more ink tanks of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, etc., for supplying ink to the print head.

[0018] The recording apparatus according to this embodiment may have a configuration in which the display panel 103 has a touch panel function that also functions as the operation unit 102 (in this case, the display panel 103 plays the role of the input / output unit 312 in FIG. 3). The recording apparatus according to this embodiment may also have a function of displaying information on the display panel 103 in response to a user operation from an external host device such as an information processing device (PC). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the scanning direction in which the carriage 202 (see FIG. 2) reciprocates is defined as the X direction, the transport direction of the recording paper 203 (see FIG. 2) is defined as the Y direction, and the height direction (vertical direction) is defined as the Z direction. This coordinate axis setting is also used in other drawings.

[0019] 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the recording device 100. A recording head 201 mounted on a carriage (hereinafter also abbreviated as "CR") 202 has a paper detection sensor 204 for detecting the distance between a recording paper 203 and the recording head 201. The CR 202 or the recording head 201 is mounted with an ink tank unit 104 having one or more ink tanks.

[0020] The recording device 100 also has a droplet detection sensor 205 for detecting ink droplets ejected from the recording head 201. The main rail 206 supports the carriage 202 and limits the movement direction of the carriage 202 to the horizontal direction (the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction that is the conveying direction of the recording paper), thereby causing the carriage to scan back and forth along the horizontal direction.

[0021] The carriage 202 is driven by a carriage motor 208 via a carriage transport belt 207, and is scanned back and forth in the horizontal direction. This structure allows the recording head 201 to move relatively to the recording paper. An encoder sensor 210 mounted on the carriage 202 detects a linear scale 209 disposed in the scanning direction (X direction) of the carriage 202 to obtain position information of the carriage 202. The recording device 100 also has a lift motor 211 for varying the height of the carriage 202 in stages. The lift motor 211 can move the recording head 201 closer to or away from the recording paper 203 by varying the height of the carriage 202.

[0022] The recording paper 203 is supported by a platen 212 and transported in the transport direction by a paper transport roller 213. Although the recording paper here is described taking roll paper as an example, the present embodiment is not limited to roll paper, and cut paper, for example, may also be used. Furthermore, the recording device may be configured to accommodate a variety of recording paper widths.

[0023] 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the recording device 100, and the configuration related to control. The recording device 100 has a CPU 301, an I / F control unit 302, and a memory 303. The CPU 301 executes control processing of the entire device by reading and executing programs stored in the memory 303. The I / F control unit 302 is controlled by the CPU 301, and controls a detection unit including the paper detection sensor 204, the droplet detection sensor 205, and the encoder sensor 210, and a drive unit including the carriage motor 208 and the lift motor 211. The memory 303 stores various information such as the program executed by the CPU 301 and the discharge speed and thickness of the recording paper used by the program. The CPU 301, the I / F control unit 302, and the memory 303 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus 304.

[0024] The I / F control unit 302 acquires information on the results of detection by the paper detection sensor 204 and the liquid droplet detection sensor 205. The I / F control unit 302 also controls the carriage motor 208 that scans the carriage 202. Furthermore, the control I / F 302 drives the head control circuit 305 based on position information detected by the encoder sensor 210. In the configuration described above, the print data sent from the host device 1 is converted into a head control signal, and based on the head control signal, printing is performed on the recording paper 203 by the print head 201.

[0025] The CPU 301 reads out and executes various programs stored in the memory 303, thereby functioning as a driver unit 306, a sequence control unit 307, an image processing unit 308, a timing control unit 309, or a head control unit 310. In the following description, the driver unit 306, the sequence control unit 307, the image processing unit 308, the timing control unit 309, and the head control unit 310 may be referred to as functional blocks without being differentiated from one another.

[0026] A sequence control unit 307 performs overall recording control, specifically, starts and stops each functional block, controls the transport of recording paper, and controls the scanning of the carriage 202.

[0027] The driver unit 306 controls the detection unit and the drive unit by outputting each control signal to the I / F control unit 302 via the bus 304 based on an instruction from the sequence control unit 307. The driver unit 306 also acquires input signals from the detection unit and the drive unit via the I / F control unit 302 and the bus 304, and transmits them to the sequence control unit 307.

[0028] The image processing unit 308 performs image processing such as color separation and conversion of the input image data from the host device 1. Here, the input image data from the host device 1 is passed to the driver unit 306 via an input interface such as a communication unit (not shown) connected to the bus 304 or a universal serial bus (USB), and is then transmitted to the image processing unit 308.

[0029] The timing control unit 309 works in conjunction with the carriage 202 or the print head 201, and transmits print data generated by conversion in the image processing unit 308 to the head control unit 310 according to the position of the carriage 202 or the print head 201. The timing control unit 309 also controls the timing of ejection of print data by the print head 201, based on the distance between the print head 201 and the recording paper 203 detected by the paper detection sensor 204. Furthermore, the timing control unit 309 also controls the ejection timing of the print head 201 based on the print data, using ink droplet ejection speed information derived based on the timing of each ink droplet detected by the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0030] The head control unit 310 converts the print data input from the timing control unit 309 into a head control signal and outputs it to the print head 201, and also performs control such as adjusting the temperature of the print head 201 based on commands from the sequence control unit 307. In other words, the head control unit 310 functions as an ejection control unit that controls the ink ejection of the print head 201.

[0031] The input / output control circuit 311 is also connected to the I / F control unit 302 and memory 303, and performs input control related to setting instructions for various functions, such as instructions to turn on the power or to execute recording, in accordance with instructions from a user. The input / output control circuit 311 also performs output control such as displaying system information about various devices and information related to settings of various executable functions on the screen, more specifically, control related to notifications to the user based on data transmission and reception with the connected input / output unit 312. The input / output unit 312 may be a touch panel in which the operation unit 102 and the display panel 103 are integrated.

[0032] Next, a method for detecting ink droplets ejected from the print head 201 and detecting the ejection state of the ejection ports in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4(a) and 4(b). Figure 4(a) shows an example of ink ejection when the ejection ports are in a normal state, i.e., when ejection is performed normally from the ejection ports, and Figure 4(b) shows an example of ink ejection when the ejection ports are in a non-ejection state, i.e., when ejection is not performed normally.

[0033] The upper part of FIG. 4(a) and the upper part of FIG. 4(b) are cross-sectional views of the recording apparatus 100, and more specifically, cross-sectional views of the recording head 201 and the liquid droplet detection sensor 205 in the YZ plane. The YZ plane is a plane passing through the Y direction and the Z direction. As shown in the upper parts of FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), the recording head 201 has ejection ports (hereinafter referred to as "nozzles") 216 on the ejection port surface 201a, which eject ink droplets for each ink color for image formation. The liquid droplet detection sensor 205 has a light emitting element 401, a light receiving element 402, a control circuit board 403, and a tray 405. The light emitting element 401 is disposed so that ink droplets ejected downward from the nozzle 216 pass through a light beam 404, and the light receiving element 402 is disposed at a position where it receives the light beam 404 emitted from the light emitting element 401. In order to improve the S / N ratio by narrowing the light beam 404 incident on the light receiving element 402 from the light emitting element 401, an aperture is formed near each element, and the amount of light of the light beam 404 incident on the light receiving element 402 from the light emitting element 401 is read by the light receiving element 402.

[0034] A timing chart is shown at the bottom of each of Figs. 4(a) and 4(b). This timing chart shows the transmission timing of an ejection signal (instruction signal) that instructs the recording head 201 to eject ink by applying a driving pulse, and the detection signal of the light receiving element 402 that changes when the droplet detection sensor 205 detects ink droplets. The droplet detection sensor 205 is composed of a light emitting element 401, a light receiving element 402, a control circuit board 403, and the like. The light emitting element 401 emits a light beam 404, and the light receiving element 402 receives the light beam 404 emitted by the light emitting element 401. In this embodiment, the light emitting element 401 and the light receiving element 402 are described as being disposed at different positions in the Y direction, but they may be disposed at different positions in the X direction. That is, the light emitting element 401 may emit a light beam 404 in a direction intersecting the ejection direction (Z direction) of the nozzle 216, and the light receiving element 402 may be disposed at a position where it can receive the light beam 404 sent from the light emitting element 401. The positional relationship between the light emitting element 401 and the light receiving element 402 is not limited to the example in Fig. 4. The light receiving element 402 outputs an output signal according to the amount of light received to the control circuit board 403. This allows the control circuit board 403 to detect the amount of light received by the light receiving element 402.

[0035] On the control circuit board 403, there are provided a current-voltage conversion circuit for converting the current flowing according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element 402 into a voltage signal and outputting it, and an amplifier circuit for amplifying the detection signal level of the ink droplet. The control circuit board 403 further has a clamp circuit for holding the level of the signal output from the amplifier circuit at a predetermined value (clamp voltage) until ejection detection is performed. This makes it possible to suppress output saturation and a decrease in the S / N ratio caused by fluctuations in the level of the detection signal of the light receiving element 402 due to the influence of disturbances. By providing these circuits, a predetermined level of the detection signal due to ejection is secured so that minute changes in the ejected ink droplets can be detected. That is, the control circuit board 403 has a circuit element for detecting the output signal of the light receiving element 402 that changes due to the ejection of ink droplets. Therefore, when an ink droplet passes through the light beam 404 of the droplet detection sensor 205, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 402 changes. Based on the result of comparing the level of the output detection signal with a predetermined reference voltage, it is determined whether the ejection state of the nozzle to be detected is normal or not.

[0036] The droplet detection sensor 205 is installed so that the optical axis of the light beam 404 is at the same position in the Z direction as the surface of the platen 212 supporting the recording paper 203. Slits are provided near the light emitting element 401 and the light receiving element 402, respectively, to narrow the incident light beam 404 and improve the S / N ratio. The X-direction position of the recording head 201 at which ink droplets can be ejected so that the ink droplets pass through the light beam 404 is defined as the "detection position." When detecting ink droplets to detect the ejection state of each nozzle, the sequence control unit 307 controls the carriage motor 208 via the control I / F 302, and the recording head 201 moves to the detection position. When the recording head 201 is at the detection position, the recording head 201 is located vertically above the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0037] 2, the detection position where droplet detection is performed by the detection sensor is set outside the range of the area through which the recording paper passes in the movement direction (X direction) of the carriage 202. However, the detection position may be set within the range of the area through which the recording paper passes. In this case, the recording device 100 performs processes such as cutting, conveying, and discharging the recording paper to make it so that the recording paper is not positioned at the detection position, and then ejects ink droplets, thereby making it possible to detect ink droplets.

[0038] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the light ray 404 in the XZ plane is 2 mm×2 mm=4 2 [mm 2 In addition, the parallel light projection area of ​​the ink droplet when it passes through the light beam 404 is about 2 -3 [mm 2 ]. The ejection port array and the light beam 404 are arranged in a parallel relationship, and the creeping distance between the ejection port array and the light beam 404 in the height direction (Z direction) is 2 to 10 mm. When the creeping distance between the ejection port array and the light beam 404 is made close to each other, the light beam 404 can detect the passage of the ink droplets at a position close to the flight distance of the ejected ink droplets, so that the ejection state can be detected stably. However, when the ejection port array and the light beam 404 are made close to each other, a diffuse light component emitted from the light emitting element 401 is reflected by the ejection port surface 201a of the recording head 201, and a light amount component is received by the light receiving element 402. As a result, the noise component for the ejection state detection is superimposed on the detection signal, and there is a possibility that the detection accuracy will decrease. Therefore, the creeping distance between the light beam 404 in the droplet detection sensor 205 and the ejection port array in the recording head 201 is determined in consideration of the correlation between the light beam 404 and the ejection port array. In addition, the conditions for detecting ink droplets by the droplet detection sensor 205 must match the conditions for discharging ink droplets onto the recording paper 203 during printing (image formation). Therefore, the light beam 404 and the platen 212 supporting the recording paper 203 are each disposed at approximately the same position (height) in the Z direction as during printing (image formation).

[0039] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), a description will be given of a configuration for detecting the nozzle ejection state, specifically, for determining whether the state is normal or non-ejection.

[0040] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing the detection result when the nozzle, among the multiple nozzles 216, whose status is detected by the droplet detection sensor 205 is the nozzle approximately in the center in the Y direction (shown as nozzle number N in the figure), is able to eject normally.

[0041] The head control unit 310 and the head control circuit 305 in the CPU 301 eject ink droplets toward the droplet detection sensor 205 based on the ejection signal. The aforementioned clamp circuit is operated by a control signal synchronized with the ejection of ink droplets, and the signal level output is held at a predetermined clamp voltage value immediately before the ejection of ink droplets is detected. The CPU 301 stops the operation of the clamp circuit immediately before the ink droplets ejected toward the light beam 404 are blocked after the ejection of ink droplets is started. The CPU 301 also determines the ejection state of the target nozzle (nozzle No. N) based on a reference voltage value that is determined in advance based on the amount of change when the ink droplets block the light beam 404, and a signal value that changes when the ejected ink droplets pass through the light beam 404 of the droplet detection sensor 205. Specifically, when a signal value smaller than the reference voltage value is detected, the target nozzle (nozzle No. N) is determined to be in a normal state. Incidentally, FIG. 4A shows a case in which ejection from a target nozzle is performed multiple times in order to obtain a more reliable result with respect to the detection result of ink ejection from the target nozzle by the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0042] FIG. 4B shows a detection result when the nozzle (shown as No. N nozzle in the figure) at the approximate center in the Y direction, among the multiple nozzles 216, is the target nozzle for which the droplet detection sensor 205 detects the state, and the nozzle is not ejecting normally (i.e., in a non-ejection state). As in FIG. 4A, the head control unit 310 and the head control circuit 305 in the CPU 301 eject ink droplets toward the droplet detection sensor 205 based on the ejection signal. However, in this case, the ink droplets are not ejected normally, resulting in an insufficient ejection state. As a result, the ink droplets cannot block the light beam 404, and the reduction in the amount of light that occurs when the ink droplets are ejected normally is not obtained. Therefore, after the signal value of the detection signal exceeds the clamp voltage value, the voltage does not fall below the reference voltage value even if an instruction is given to eject ink droplets. In such a case, the CPU 301 determines that the target nozzle (No. N nozzle) is in a non-ejection state.

[0043] Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the droplet detection sensor 205 for detecting the ejection speed of ink droplets ejected from the print head 201. The CPU 301 drives the lift motor 211, ejects ink droplets in a state in which the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 are spaced a predetermined distance apart, and detects the ejected ink droplets. Note that the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 (more specifically, the light beam 404) in Fig. 5(a) is defined as a "first distance H1."

[0044] A method for detecting ejected ink droplets and calculating the speed of the ink droplets in this embodiment will be described in detail. In the configuration shown in Fig. 5(a), the head control unit 310 and the head control circuit 305 in the CPU 301 eject ink droplets from the recording head 201 toward the droplet detection sensor 205 based on an ejection signal. At this time, the timing at which the amount of light changes as the ink droplets pass through the light beam 404 is utilized. Specifically, the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (first detection time T1) is acquired as the detection time corresponding to the first distance H1 from the recording head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0045] 5(b) shows a state in which the lift motor 211 is driven to further increase the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 from the state shown in FIG. 5(a). The distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 at this time is defined as a "second distance H2."

[0046] 5(a), the timing when the light quantity changes as the ink droplet passes through the light beam 404 is used in Fig. 5(b) as well. Specifically, the detection time corresponding to the second distance H2 from the recording head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205 is the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (referred to as a second detection time T2).

[0047] Here, with regard to Figures 5(a) and 5(b), as shown in equation (1), the first ejection velocity V1 of the ink droplet is calculated based on the distance difference between the first distance H1 and the second distance H2 and the time difference between the first detection time T1 and the second detection time T2.

[0048] V1=(H2-H1) / (T2-T1)...Equation (1) 5(c) shows a state in which the lift motor 211 is driven to further increase the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 from the state shown in FIG. 5(a) or 5(b). The distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 at this time is defined as a "third distance H3."

[0049] 5(c), similarly to FIG. 5(a), the timing at which the amount of light changes as the ink droplet passes through the light beam 404 is used. Specifically, the detection time corresponding to the third distance H3 from the recording head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205 is the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (referred to as a third detection time T3).

[0050] Here, similar to the first ejection velocity V1, with respect to Figures 5(b) and 5(c), as shown in equation (2), the second ejection velocity V2 of the ink droplet is calculated based on the distance difference between the second distance H2 and the third distance H3 and the time difference between the second detection time T2 and the third detection time T3.

[0051] V2=(H3-H2) / (T3-T2)...Equation (2) 5(d) shows a state in which the lift motor 211 is driven to further increase the distance between the recording head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205, in comparison with the states shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c). Note that the distance between the recording head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 at this time is defined as a "fourth distance H4."

[0052] 5(d), similarly to FIG. 5(a), the timing at which the amount of light changes as the ink droplet passes through the light beam 404 is used. Specifically, the detection time corresponding to the fourth distance H4 from the recording head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205 is the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (referred to as a fourth detection time T4).

[0053] Here, similar to the first ejection velocity V1, with respect to Figures 5(c) and 5(d), as shown in equation (3), a third ejection velocity V3 of the ink droplet is calculated based on the distance difference between the third distance H3 and the fourth distance H4 and the time difference between the third detection time T3 and the fourth detection time T4.

[0054] V3=(H4-H3) / (T4-T3)...Equation (3) As described above, the ejection speed of ink droplets is calculated based on the time difference between the detection times of ink droplets when the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 is changed.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, it is also possible to further increase the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 by driving the lift motor 211. Therefore, it is possible to measure even more separation distances (the distances between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205) and the detection times corresponding to each of these distances, and as a result, it is possible to calculate the ink droplet ejection speed with higher accuracy. On the other hand, it is also possible to shorten the time required to calculate the ink droplet ejection speed by shortening the distance by which the lift motor 211 separates the print head 201 from the droplet detection sensor 205 or by reducing the number of times the separation is performed.

[0056] As described above, the recording apparatus 100 of this embodiment has a lifting means for changing the distance from the recording head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205 in multiple stages, and calculates the ink droplet ejection speed corresponding to each stage. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a detection means capable of detecting the nozzle ejection state with high accuracy.

[0057] The nozzle ejection state may change if ink droplets are ejected repeatedly. However, the change caused by ejecting ink droplets only a few times is extremely small and can be ignored. Therefore, as a guideline, it is sufficient to monitor the ejection state about once every few pages printed.

[0058] As an example, the head control unit 310 may count the number of times each of the multiple nozzles 216 is discharged, and for any nozzle 216 whose dot count exceeds a predetermined threshold, the nozzle 216 may be monitored to determine the discharge state before recording on the recording paper. The counted value of the number of times discharged is called the dot count (value). The discharge state determination may be performed after receiving an instruction for the recording process and before recording on the recording paper.

[0059] As another example, when a recording process spanning multiple pages is being performed, the impact on the recording process on the recording paper can be reduced by monitoring the ejection state while the recording paper is being transported between pages or while the recording head 201 is being scanned.

[0060] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of the process of detecting the nozzle ejection state, which is executed by the recording apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The series of processes shown in Fig. 6 are executed by the CPU 301 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 303, triggered by the passage of a predetermined time, or by the dot count corresponding to the total number of ejections from all the nozzles exceeding a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to execute the process immediately after a nozzle cleaning operation, in order to determine the change in state with high accuracy when the nozzle state is stable.

[0061] If either the discharge speed or the discharge amount changes by a certain amount or more, it may affect the image. Therefore, a comparison is made with a threshold value (preset) used to determine whether a deterioration in image quality may occur, and the CPU determines whether the amount of change in each of the discharge speed and the discharge amount is greater than the threshold value.

[0062] In step S601, the CPU 301 scans the CR 202 under the same conditions as during the recording operation, and passes it over the droplet detection sensor 205. Note that, hereinafter, for simplicity, "step S~" will be abbreviated to "S~".

[0063] In S602 , the CPU 301 ejects ink droplets toward the droplet detection sensor 205 so that the ink droplets pass through the light beam 404 .

[0064] The above-mentioned "same conditions as during the recording operation" means that the driving conditions of the CR202 and the recording head 201 in S601 use the same parameters as those of the CR202 and the recording head 201 during the recording operation. The driving conditions of the CR202 include parameters such as the height of the carriage and the driving speed of the carriage. There are three types of driving speeds: a speed for an acceleration region where the carriage moves at an accelerated speed, a speed for a constant speed region where the carriage moves at a constant speed, and a speed for a deceleration region where the carriage moves while decelerating. Considering that most of the recording operation is performed in the constant speed region, the ejection monitoring is performed in the constant speed region. In this embodiment, the deceleration region is a region where the acceleration of the CR202 is less than a negative predetermined value a1, the acceleration region is a region where the acceleration of the CR202 is equal to or greater than a positive predetermined value a2, and the constant speed region is a region where the acceleration of the CR202 is equal to or greater than a1 and less than a2. The speed of the CR202 in the constant speed region may be one value within a predetermined range. The driving conditions of the recording head 201 include parameters such as block drive and ejection pulse width.

[0065] In order to monitor changes in the landing state of droplets ejected onto the recording paper, the CR202 is driven under the same conditions as those during recording operation. These conditions include the distance between the CR202 and the recording paper (carriage height), the scanning speed of the CR202, etc.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of droplet detection performed while driving the CR. Depending on the conditions during ejection, ink droplets ejected from the recording head 201 are ejected separately into main droplets and small droplets other than the main droplets (referred to as satellites or satellites in this specification). At this time, the main droplets and the satellites are ejected from the same nozzle 216, but due to differences in ejection speed, the landing positions on the recording paper may differ. In order to detect changes in the landing positions on the recording paper and changes in the landing dot shapes, ejection monitoring is performed under the same conditions as during printing. Note that in this embodiment, the same conditions as during printing are used, but the conditions do not necessarily need to match in order to detect changes in the ejection state, and driving conditions different from the conditions during actual printing may be used.

[0067] As a supplementary explanation, the difference between ejection when the CR is driven and ejection when the CR is not driven will be explained with reference to Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b) for droplet detection while the CR is driven. Fig. 8(a) shows the ejected droplet and the detection unit when droplet detection is performed while the CR 202 is driven. Fig. 8(b) shows the ejected droplet and the detection unit when droplet detection is performed with the CR 202 stopped.

[0068] As described above, the droplets discharged from the nozzle 216 include a main droplet and a satellite. The main droplet and the satellite have different discharge amounts and discharge speeds. Specifically, the discharge speed of the satellite is smaller than that of the main droplet. That is, the main droplet is larger than the satellite in terms of the amount of movement per unit time in the vertical direction (Z direction). On the other hand, the main droplet and the satellite have the same amount of movement in the movement direction (+X direction or -X direction) of the CR 202. Therefore, when droplet detection is performed while driving the CR 202, the main droplet flies on a trajectory 802 with a different inclination in the XZ plane compared to the trajectory 801 along which the satellite flies. The head control unit 310 controls the discharge timing so that one of the trajectories 801 and 802 passes through the light beam 404 (i.e., the detection range of the droplet), and the CPU 301 can separate the main droplet and the satellite and grasp the detection timing.

[0069] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8 (b), when CR202 ejects ink in a non-driven state, the trajectory of the satellite droplets and the trajectory of the main droplets are the same, so the main droplets and the satellite droplets cannot be detected separately.

[0070] In this way, by performing ink ejection or droplet detection while driving the CR 202, it is possible to derive the change in ejection volume and ejection speed of the main droplet, as well as the change in ejection volume and ejection speed of the satellite droplet. Note that, in the example of Fig. 8(a), the trajectory 802 is illustrated as passing through the irradiation range of the light beam 404 in order to detect the main droplet, but a method of detecting only the satellite droplet by shifting the ejection timing may also be implemented.

[0071] In addition, the main droplet and the satellite droplet may be passed through the detection unit together, and the signals may be separated by making the timing of detection at the detection unit different. In this case, ink may be ejected when the CR202 is not driven, as shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0072] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 6, in S603, the CPU 301 calculates the ejection speed and ejection volume of the main droplet and the ejection speed and ejection volume of the satellite based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 402.

[0073] As described above with reference to FIG. 4(a), the output signal of the light receiving element 402 changes according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element 402, so when a droplet passes through the light beam 404, the output signal of the light receiving element 402 changes. FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b) are schematic diagrams for calculating the ejection speed and ejection amount in this embodiment. FIG. 9(a) shows the output signal (detection signal 901) of the light receiving element 402 that changes according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element 402. The signal that changes when the main droplet and the satellite pass through the light beam 404 affects the distribution of the droplets that pass through the light beam 404. The change in the ejection speed is correlated with the number of times each nozzle 216 ejects for recording. Therefore, when droplets ejected from a plurality of nozzles 216 are used for detection, the bias in the distribution of the ejection speed is reduced by selecting nozzles 216 that have a similar number of ejections.

[0074] In the example shown in FIG. 9(b), function approximation is performed assuming that the ejection speeds of the main droplet and the satellite follow a normal distribution. Since the main droplet always has an ejection speed equal to or greater than that of the satellite, of the two normal distribution results, the waveform at the leading end on the time axis is taken as the waveform of the main droplet, and the other is taken as the waveform of the satellite. As an example, the CPU 301 may detect a minimum value in a predetermined period after transmitting an ejection start signal, and determine that the minimum value at the leading end on the time axis corresponds to the waveform of the main droplet, and the second minimum value on the time axis corresponds to the waveform of the satellite. As another example, it may be determined that the detected amount in a predetermined range on the time axis represents a waveform corresponding to the main droplet. This is because the main droplet is a droplet of a predetermined size or larger, and is always detected within a predetermined time.

[0075] Using the method described above, CPU 301 can separate normal distribution 911 that approximates the detection amount of main droplets and normal distribution 912 that approximates the detection amount of satellites based on detection signal 901. However, function approximation does not necessarily have to be performed using a normal distribution, and a polynomial may also be used. In this case, the results of function approximation such as normal distribution 911 for main droplets and normal distribution 912 for satellites are called the approximation function for main droplets and the approximation function for satellites, respectively.

[0076] A peak fitting method is known as a method for separating detection signals. This is a method in which a peak value and a half-width are given to a Gaussian function or a Lorentzian function, and calculations are repeated until the composite spectrum of the waveforms calculated with each function matches the actual spectrum. For example, when the detection signal of a main droplet alone or the detection signal of a satellite alone can be approximated by a Gaussian function, the waveforms can be separated as shown in Figure 9(b) using a peak fitting method using a Gaussian function. After the waveforms are separated, the ejection speed and ejection amount can be calculated for each of the main droplet detection signal and the satellite detection signal, based on the time difference from the ejection start signal to reaching the peak and the peak value.

[0077] The approximation function of the detection signal is not limited to a Gaussian function, but may be a Lorentz function, a polynomial function, etc. Furthermore, the method of approximating and separating the detection signal is not limited to a peak fitting method, but may be a nonlinear least squares method, etc.

[0078] FIG. 9(c) is a conceptual diagram of calculating the ejection speed and ejection amount of the main droplet using the waveform of the main droplet obtained by separating the detection signal. The CPU 301 calculates the time from the start of ejection of the ink droplet to its detection based on the approximation function described with reference to FIG. 9(b). Since the distance between the CR 202 and the droplet detection sensor 205 is known, the ejection speed of the main droplet can be calculated based on the time from the start of ejection of the ink droplet to its detection and the distance. In addition, in the ejection monitoring at this time, the difference between the time from the start of ejection of the ink droplet to its detection calculated this time and the time from the start of ejection of the ink droplet to its detection calculated last time is detected. Therefore, if the set distance between the CR 202 and the droplet detection sensor 205 is the same as that at the time of the last detection, the CPU 301 does not need to accurately grasp the absolute value of the distance. For example, if the initial ejection speed is acquired as 18 m / s, it is not necessary to have high detection accuracy for 18 m / s itself, but it is sufficient to accurately detect a change of 0.5 m / s as the amount of change after using the nozzle to a certain extent. Furthermore, the CPU 301 may derive (calculate) the ejection amount from the amount of change in the detection signal after separation. This ejection amount can be derived based on the correspondence between the amount of change in the detection signal of the light receiving element 402 and the ejection amount. This correspondence is defined in advance.

[0079] FIG. 9(d) is a conceptual diagram for calculating the discharge speed and discharge amount of the satellite using the waveform of the satellite obtained by separating the detection signal. The CPU 301 can calculate the discharge speed and discharge amount of the satellite in the same way as the main droplet. Here, if the discharge speed from the nozzle 216 changes, the landing position of the droplet on the recording paper will shift. In that case, for example, when recording one vertical line, the line may become thicker, one line may become two lines, or the position of the line may shift, resulting in recording defects. Similarly, if the size of the droplet changes, the density of the dots formed on the recording paper will change. For example, when forming an image by overlapping magenta and cyan, the change in the droplet size of one nozzle will change the color density balance, which may result in recording defects. The calculation of the discharge speed and discharge amount is performed by the CPU 301 based on the detection value of the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0080] In S604, the CPU 301 determines whether the droplet ejection speed and ejection amount calculated in S603 are within a predetermined allowable value. If the determination result in this step is true, it is assumed that there has been a change in the ejection state, and the process proceeds to S605. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, it is assumed that there has been no change in the ejection state, and the process ends. In principle, the determination process in this step is performed for both the main droplet and the satellite, but it may be performed only for the main droplet.

[0081] For example, it is determined whether the calculated discharge amount is equal to or greater than a first threshold associated with the discharge amount, and if it is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, it is determined that it is not within the predetermined allowable range (YES in S604). It is also determined whether the calculated discharge speed is equal to or greater than a second threshold associated with the discharge speed, and if it is not equal to or greater than the second threshold, it is determined that it is not within the predetermined allowable range (YES in S604). If the calculated discharge amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the calculated discharge speed is equal to or greater than the second threshold, it is determined that both the discharge speed and the discharge amount of the droplets are within the predetermined allowable range (NO in S604). It is also possible to compare only one of the discharge amount and the discharge speed with a threshold to determine whether it is within the allowable range.

[0082] Also, in S604, the change in the discharge amount when compared with the past detection result may be determined to be equal to or less than a third threshold associated with the change in the discharge amount. Similarly, the change in the discharge speed when compared with the past detection result may be determined to be equal to or less than a fourth threshold associated with the change in the discharge speed. When performing this process, the past detection results are recorded in the memory 303. If the change in the discharge amount is equal to or less than the third threshold and the change in the discharge speed is equal to or less than the fourth threshold (NO in S604), the CPU 301 determines that no change has occurred in the discharge state and ends the series of processes. On the other hand, if the change in the discharge amount is greater than the third threshold or the change in the discharge speed is greater than the fourth threshold (YES in S604), the CPU 301 determines that a change has occurred in the discharge state and advances the process to S605. In this way, the CPU 301 can determine whether or not there has been a change in the discharge state by comparing the initial or past discharge state with the current discharge state.

[0083] As described above, the calculated values ​​of the ejection speed and the ejection volume of each of the main droplet and the satellite are compared with a predetermined threshold (first threshold, second threshold), and if any of them falls below the predetermined threshold, the recording process may be affected. Also, the change amount of the ejection speed and the change amount of the ejection volume of each of the main droplet and the satellite are compared with a predetermined threshold (third threshold, fourth threshold), and if any of them exceeds the predetermined threshold, the recording process may be affected. Therefore, in S605, the CPU 301 sets the flag value of the detection NG flag stored in the memory 303 to ON, and ends the series of processes. The "detection NG flag" is a flag indicating that the ejection state of the print head 201 was not detected to be normal (state). In this embodiment, the ejection state of the nozzle is evaluated in two stages, OK and NG, but it may be evaluated in three or more stages (for example, four stages of excellent, good, fair, and poor) by using more thresholds.

[0084] In addition, in S605, a recovery process for the print head 201 may be automatically performed. The recovery process includes continuous ejection into a cap (not shown) multiple times, such as 1000 times or more, for example 10000 times. The recovery process may further include suctioning the nozzles 216 with a cap, or may include a cleaning process such as wiping the nozzles 216, or a foreign matter removal process using an electric potential. After performing these recovery processes, it is possible to determine whether the ejection state has been recovered by the recovery process by detecting the ejection state again in the same manner as described above.

[0085] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned first to fourth thresholds used as reference values ​​of the discharge state will be described as values ​​stored in advance in the memory 303 at the time of product manufacture. However, the first to fourth thresholds may be updated, for example, based on the detection results of the droplet detection sensor 205. For example, of the discharge speed and discharge amount calculated in S603, a discharge speed or discharge amount determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold may be stored in the memory 303 as a new first threshold or second threshold.

[0086] The reference values ​​(first to fourth thresholds) of the ejection speed and ejection amount stored in the memory 303 may be the ejection speed and ejection amount at the time of adjustment of the recording device, specifically, after the registration adjustment process or the density adjustment process. The ejection speed and ejection amount after such adjustment are derived and stored in the memory 303. Thereafter, a comparison is made with the above-mentioned starting point (i.e., the starting point at which the registration adjustment or density adjustment was performed) at the timing detected in the ejection monitoring. The starting point is updated at the timing at which the registration adjustment or density adjustment was performed. In this specification, the registration adjustment is also referred to as the registration adjustment or the landing position adjustment. The density adjustment is also referred to as the color calibration.

[0087] In addition, in S605, the CPU 301 may notify the user of the change in the discharge state. In this case, the CPU 301 may transmit a message to the user or the administrator via the network to prompt the user to adjust the discharge state, or may display the message on the display panel 103 of the recording device 100.

[0088] Also, in S605, the CPU 301 may execute a registration adjustment process based on the detection result. For example, when the ejection amount does not change but the ejection speed changes, only the landing position on the recording paper changes. In this case, the CPU 301 may be able to respond to the change in the ejection state by changing the ejection timing. Therefore, the CPU 301 adjusts the registration for determining the ejection timing for ejecting the ink at the landing position. Also, the CPU 301 may execute a density adjustment in the recording process of the recording device 100. Also, the CPU 301 may adjust the pulse width of the drive pulse applied to the recording head 201. Furthermore, the CPU 301 may execute a process for changing the distance between the recording head 201 and the recording paper in the recording process of the recording device 100. That is, in S605, different processes may be executed depending on the changed ejection state.

[0089] One possible method for automatic adjustment when a change in the ejection state is detected is to perform an adjustment process for the landing position. This can be achieved by recording on recording paper and detecting the recorded pattern. Another possible method is to perform an adjustment process for the ejection timing based on the amount of deviation in the landing position. The amount of deviation in the landing position caused by fluctuations in the ejection speed can be derived based on the distance between the head and the paper, the carriage scanning speed, and the ejection speed. By employing these methods, the amount of paper waste can be reduced.

[0090] The operation of scanning the CR 202 under the same conditions as during the printing operation and passing it over the ejection monitoring sensor, as described in S601 of FIG. 6, will be additionally described below.

[0091] The optical system configuration and the intended function of the discharge monitoring sensor are different from those of the droplet detection sensor 205. The discharge monitoring sensor may be provided separately from the droplet detection sensor 205 shown in Fig. 2, but from the viewpoint of the number of hardware parts, it is preferable to use the discharge monitoring sensor as the droplet detection sensor 205. In that case, the discharge monitoring is performed using the droplet detection sensor 205 that is arranged outside the recording area where recording is performed on the recording paper.

[0092] On the other hand, ejection monitoring by the ejection monitoring sensor can be performed during the printing operation. In this case, the movement of the CR 202 to the droplet detection sensor 205 arranged outside the printing area can cause a decrease in the throughput of the printing process. Therefore, a spare ejection port arranged in the immediate vicinity of the printing area can be used as the ink ejection destination used when the ejection monitoring sensor monitors the ejection. The "spare ejection port" is originally an ink ejection destination used during the spare ejection. By arranging the ejection monitoring sensor in an area through which the ink passes during printing, it is possible to perform ejection monitoring without decreasing the throughput of the printing process.

[0093] When a droplet passes through the discharge monitoring sensor and is split into a main droplet and a satellite, the main droplet and the satellite will interrupt the light beam a short time after the main droplet interrupts the light beam. As a result, the detection signal of the discharge monitoring sensor will have a waveform with two peak values ​​(local minimum values) as shown in FIG. 9(a). This detection signal can be interpreted as a composite signal obtained by combining the detection signal of the main droplet and the detection signal of the satellite. In order to calculate the respective discharge speeds and amounts of the main droplet and the satellite, it is necessary to separate this composite signal into the detection signal of the main droplet and the detection signal of the satellite.

[0094] Here, a supplementary explanation will be given of the judgment in S604 as to whether the droplet ejection speed and ejection amount calculated in S603 are within a predetermined range, in other words, the judgment as to whether the ejection state has changed. The purpose of the ejection monitoring is to detect a change from an ejection state judged to be normal. Possible starting states for being judged to be normal include the state at the time of initial installation of the recording device 100 and the state at the time of shipment. Other starting states include the state immediately after replacing the recording head 201 and the state after the landing position adjustment process (registration adjustment process). In these states, the ejection state is detected, and the value detected at this time is stored as a parameter representing a default ejection state. When the amount of change from this default ejection state becomes equal to or exceeds a certain amount, it is judged that the ejection state has become defective.

[0095] As described above, according to this embodiment, the ejection state of the nozzles of the recording device can be detected with high accuracy, and the ejection state can be monitored with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to prevent recording defects caused by aging (deterioration) or unintended changes in ejection.

[0096] [Second embodiment] In this embodiment, when it is determined that the ejection state has changed based on the derived ejection speed and ejection amount, the printing apparatus executes processing according to the mode setting selected by the user.

[0097] The user can display the currently set mode setting contents and selectively change the contents by operating the input / output unit 312 (see FIG. 2) of the recording device. Alternatively, instead of operating the input / output unit 312, the user may change the mode setting contents by using software installed in the host device 1 such as a PC.

[0098] <Control processing mode setting process> If it is determined in the detection process (see FIG. 6) according to the first embodiment that there is a nozzle in a non-ejecting state, the recording device of this embodiment performs control processing corresponding to a mode previously set by the user. The process of FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for previously setting the above-mentioned mode (hereinafter referred to as a control processing mode). Note that each step of FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU 301 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 303. Also, the process of FIG. 10 is usually triggered by the user arbitrarily operating the input / output unit 312 and inputting into a GUI screen (see FIG. 11(c) described later) for setting the mode.

[0099] The user operates the input / output unit 312 to set the control processing mode. In S1001, the CPU 301 accepts a user input and determines whether the accepted content indicates the automatic repair mode, the warning display mode, or the function OFF mode. If the accepted user input content indicates the automatic repair mode, the process proceeds to S1002; if the accepted content indicates the warning display mode, the process proceeds to S1003; if the accepted content indicates the function OFF mode, the process proceeds to S1004.

[0100] In S1002, the CPU 301 sets the control processing mode of the recording apparatus to the automatic restoration mode. Specifically, the setting value of the control processing mode stored in the memory 303 is updated to a value indicating the automatic restoration mode.

[0101] In S1003, the CPU 301 sets the control processing mode of the recording apparatus to the warning display mode. Specifically, the setting value of the control processing mode stored in the memory 303 is updated to a value indicating the warning display mode.

[0102] In S1004, the CPU 301 sets the control processing mode of the recording apparatus to the function OFF mode. Specifically, the setting value of the control processing mode stored in the memory 303 is updated to a value indicating the function OFF mode.

[0103] Through the above-described processing, the control processing mode is specifically set, and the control processing to be executed when the ejection state changes in the future is determined.

[0104] <GUI screen displayed on input / output unit 312> The process of setting the control processing mode has been described above with reference to Fig. 10, but the user can confirm or change the contents of the already set control processing mode via a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312. This will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Each diagram in Fig. 11 shows a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312.

[0105] 11A is a diagram showing a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 when the recording device is in a standby state, that is, before a print job is sent to the recording device from the host device 1. In the standby state, the user can operate the settings of the recording device, such as the recording mode, recording paper, and whether or not adjustment functions executed by the recording device can be executed, as well as operate the execution of maintenance functions to maintain good printing conditions.

[0106] FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing a GUI screen that is displayed when automatic maintenance setting is selected from the menu of the GUI screen shown in FIG. 11(a), and is a diagram showing a GUI screen created based on information of the next lower level of FIG. 11(a). The screen of FIG. 11(b) shows items that the user can select as various items related to automatic maintenance setting. This screen collects items of various functions related to maintenance and performance maintenance of the recording device. For example, the user can select to set a function (automatic nozzle check) that automatically inspects the discharge state of the nozzles of the recording head 201 using the droplet detection sensor 205 via the screen of FIG. 11(b). The user can also select to set a function (cleaning interval) that periodically performs cleaning and removes foreign matter remaining in the nozzles via the screen of FIG. 11(b). Furthermore, the mode setting of the discharge state determination sequence according to this embodiment is managed by "checking the ink discharge state" among the items shown in FIG. 11(b).

[0107] FIG. 11(c) shows a GUI screen that is displayed when "Check ink discharge status" is selected from the items shown in FIG. 11(b). The screen in FIG. 11(c) shows items that can be selected by the user. Specifically, when the discharge status determination sequence according to this embodiment is executed and it is determined that the discharge status has changed, a list of selectable mode settings for the types of control executed by the recording device is displayed. The user arbitrarily selects one display item via the "Check ink discharge status" screen shown in FIG. 11(c). This allows the mode setting of the discharge status determination sequence to be set to any of the automatic repair mode, warning display mode, and function OFF mode.

[0108] Fig. 12(a) shows a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 when the automatic restoration mode is selected for the mode setting of the discharge state determination sequence via the screen of Fig. 11(c). In Fig. 12(a), a triangular mark is attached to the right of "automatic restoration", and this mark indicates that the automatic restoration mode has been set via the screen of Fig. 11(c).

[0109] In this mode setting, when a change in the ejection state is determined by the ejection state determination sequence of the recording device, a registration adjustment process is executed based on the detection result. In this registration adjustment, the registration adjustment value stored in the recording device is restored (updated). Specifically, the registration adjustment value can be automatically restored based on the detection result when the change in the ejection state is determined, using a look-up table array prepared in advance to make the adjustment value variable.

[0110] Fig. 12(b) shows a GUI screen that is displayed when the automatic repair function is executed via the screen of Fig. 12(a). While the change in the discharge state is judged and the registration adjustment value is being repaired, a message indicating that adjustment is in progress is displayed on the input / output unit 312, and the progress is further displayed by a progress bar. Therefore, the user can grasp the progress.

[0111] Also, instead of executing the automatic repair function, the user can directly perform the registration adjustment by printing an adjustment pattern on the user's recording paper attached to the recording device. In that case, the control to calculate the newly applied adjustment value may be automatically performed by reading the printed adjustment pattern with the paper detection sensor 204. When the ejection amount does not change and the ejection speed changes, the landing position on the recording paper changes, so the CPU 301 can respond to the change in the ejection state by changing the ejection timing. For this reason, the CPU 301 adjusts the registration for determining the ejection timing for ejecting at the landing position. Also, the CPU 301 may perform density adjustment in the recording process of the recording device 100. Furthermore, the CPU 301 may perform a process to change the distance between the recording head 201 and the recording paper in the recording process of the recording device 100. In this way, different processes may be performed according to the changed ejection state.

[0112] Fig. 13(a) shows a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 when the warning display mode is selected for the mode setting of the discharge state determination sequence via the screen of Fig. 11(c). In Fig. 13(a), a triangular mark is attached to the right of "Warning Display". This mark indicates that the warning display mode has been set via the screen of Fig. 11(c).

[0113] In this warning display mode, when it is determined that there has been a change in the discharge state by the discharge state determination sequence of the recording device, a warning display is executed via the input / output unit 312 based on the detection result. For example, Fig. 13(b) shows a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 at this time. When the recording device is in the standby state shown in Fig. 11(a), a warning message is displayed in the upper part of the GUI screen so that the user can recognize the warning, as shown in Fig. 13(b).

[0114] FIG. 13(c) is a GUI screen displaying details of the warning notified in FIG. 13(b). When the user selects the warning message portion of the screen in FIG. 13(b), the displayed GUI screen transitions from the screen in FIG. 13(b) to the screen in FIG. 13(c). As shown in FIG. 13(c), this screen includes a list of warning displays (notification list) notified to the user. In this example, since it was determined that there was a change in the discharge state in the discharge state determination sequence, a warning to that effect is displayed. In other words, FIG. 13(c) is a screen for recommending that the user perform a registration adjustment process by any operation since there is a possibility that the registration adjustment value stored in the recording device is not an optimal value.

[0115] Fig. 13(d) is a GUI screen for the user to select a recommended registration adjustment process. When the user selects the warning message portion of the screen of Fig. 13(c), the displayed GUI screen transitions from the screen of Fig. 13(c) to the screen of Fig. 13(d). Through the screen of Fig. 13(d), the user can easily instruct the execution (or re-execution) of the recommended registration adjustment function without having to look up by himself / herself how to deal with the problem corresponding to the warning display.

[0116] Fig. 14 shows a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 when the function OFF mode is selected for the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence via the screen of Fig. 11(c). The function OFF mode setting is a setting for cases where the automatic recovery function or the warning display function is not required, such as a situation where the registration adjustment process is constantly being performed by the user's own operation. When the recording device 100 is set to the function OFF mode by the user, the ejection state determination sequence is not executed in the recording device, and the ejection state change is not determined.

[0117] Fig. 15 shows a flowchart of the discharge state determination sequence executed by the recording apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. As with Fig. 6, the series of processes shown in Fig. 15 are executed by the CPU 301 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 303, triggered by the passage of a predetermined time, or by the dot count corresponding to the total number of ejections from all the nozzles exceeding a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to execute the process immediately after a nozzle cleaning operation in order to determine a change in state with high accuracy when the nozzle state is stable.

[0118] In S1501, the CPU 301 acquires the current setting value of the control processing mode (see FIG. 10). The mode setting value is stored in the memory.

[0119] In S1502, the CPU 301 uses the mode setting value acquired in S1501 to determine whether the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence set for the recording apparatus is the function OFF mode. In other words, it determines whether the mode setting value acquired in S1501 is a value indicating the function OFF mode. If the determination result in this step is true, the series of processes ends, and if the determination result is false, the process proceeds to S1503.

[0120] The processes of S1503 to S1506 are the same as the processes of S601 to S604 according to the first embodiment. In S1506, the initial or past ejection state (reference state) is compared with the current ejection state to determine whether the ejection state has changed. If the determination result in S1506 is false, it is assumed that the ejection state has not changed, and the series of processes is terminated.

[0121] In S1507, the CPU 301 determines whether the setting value of the control processing mode acquired in S1501 indicates the automatic restoration mode. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1508. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S1513.

[0122] In S1508, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312. Specifically, the GUI screen in Fig. 12B is displayed, and the display of the progress bar is updated according to the progress of the subsequent processing.

[0123] In S1509, the CPU 301 calculates the rate of change from the reference state to the current state (latest state) based on the parameters of the reference state and the parameters of the current state (latest state). The rate of change calculated in this step is specifically the rate of change of the discharge speed and the rate of change of the discharge amount.

[0124] In S1510, the CPU 301 calculates a registration adjustment value based on the rate of change calculated in S1509.

[0125] In S1511, the CPU 301 updates the registration adjustment value, that is, the CPU 301 stores (overwrites) the registration adjustment value calculated in S1510 in the memory.

[0126] In S1512, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312 and notifies the user that the automatic restoration has been completed. After this step, the series of processes ends.

[0127] In S1513, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312 and outputs a warning display. Specifically, the GUI screen of Fig. 13(c) is displayed. This GUI screen has a message recommending the user to adjust the registration, and the user who has confirmed the message operates the input / output unit 312 to execute the registration adjustment process.

[0128] In S1514, the CPU 301 determines whether to execute registration adjustment processing based on the user input. If the determination result in this step is true, the registration adjustment processing is executed and the process proceeds to S1515. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to S1513 and continues to output the warning display.

[0129] In S1515, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312 and erases the warning display. After this step, the series of processes ends.

[0130] In the flow described above, if the registration adjustment process is not performed based on the user input in S1514, the warning display is not updated. However, if the user determines that the warning display is interfering with the operation, the operation of the recording device may be continued with the warning display remaining on display by a specified operation. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to continue the operation after erasing the warning display itself by a specified operation at his / her own discretion.

[0131] [Third embodiment (adjusting test discharge parameters to amplify or attenuate a detection signal corresponding to a reference discharge state)] In the first embodiment, it was described that the change in the ejection state is inspected, and when the amount of change in the current (latest) ejection state from the reference ejection state becomes equal to or greater than a certain amount, it is determined that the ejection state has changed. In the second embodiment, it was described that when it is determined that the ejection state has changed in the ejection state determination sequence according to the first embodiment, the recording device executes processing according to the control processing mode setting selected by the user.

[0132] However, when the standard ejection state used in the ejection state determination sequence is measured, the ejection state is not determined to be normal, that is, the detection signal obtained by the droplet detection sensor may be an abnormal output. When such a standard is used, it becomes difficult to compare the standard ejection state with the latest ejection state, and the change in the ejection state cannot be detected with high accuracy.

[0133] The main reasons why the detection signal corresponding to the reference ejection state becomes abnormal are considered to be as follows. The first is that the ejection operation of the print head tends to change immediately after it is attached to the printing apparatus when the heater of the nozzle unit comes into contact with the ink for the first time. The second is that a slight deviation in each of the nozzles used for the inspection causes a deviation in the flight direction of the ejected droplets, which changes the proportion of the light beam 404 of the droplet detection sensor 205 that is appropriately blocked.

[0134] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the reference ejection state is measured in the ejection state judgment sequence, if it is judged that an abnormality is found in the detection signal, the parameters used for the inspection ejection are adjusted so that a more appropriate detection signal can be obtained. In this respect, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment. Note that, since the basic configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment, a description of the contents common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0135] Fig. 16 shows detection signals to be used as a reference, which are similar to the detection signals obtained in the ejection state determination sequence described in the first embodiment, and are obtained in this embodiment. Each diagram in Fig. 16 shows a normal detection signal and an abnormal detection signal.

[0136] FIG. 16(a) shows a case where the acquired detection signal is normal, and the waveform shown by the solid line represents the acquired detection signal. In this embodiment, the detection signal is determined to be normal when the peak value falls between a first threshold 1601 and a second threshold 1602 (specifically, the second threshold ≦ peak value ≦ first threshold). In the case of FIG. 16(a), the second threshold ≦ peak value (VDS) ≦ the first threshold is satisfied, so the detection signal is determined to be normal. As a result, the presence or absence of a change in the ejection state is determined based on a comparison between the initial state indicated by the detection signal and the current (latest) state indicated by the current (latest) detection signal.

[0137] FIG. 16(b) shows a case where the acquired detection signal is abnormal, and the waveform shown by the dotted line represents the acquired abnormal detection signal 1604. As described above, when the second threshold value≦peak value≦first threshold value, the detection signal is judged to be normal, but in the case of FIG. 16(b), the peak value VDS_Min does not satisfy the second threshold value≦peak value≦first threshold value. Therefore, the detection signal is judged to be abnormal. In this case, the parameters set for the inspection discharge of the discharge state judgment sequence are corrected, and then the detection signal corresponding to the reference discharge state is acquired again, or a judgment is made as to whether the acquired detection signal is normal or not.

[0138] FIG. 16(c) shows a case where the acquired detection signal is abnormal, and the waveform shown by the dashed line represents the acquired abnormal detection signal 1605. As described above, when the second threshold value≦peak value≦first threshold value, the detection signal is judged to be normal, but in the case of FIG. 16(c), the peak value VDS_MAX does not satisfy the second threshold value≦peak value≦first threshold value. Therefore, the detection signal is judged to be abnormal. In this case, the parameters set for the inspection discharge of the discharge state judgment sequence are corrected, and then the detection signal corresponding to the reference discharge state is acquired again, or a judgment is made as to whether the acquired detection signal is normal or not.

[0139] 17 is a flowchart of a process executed by the recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, which determines whether a detection signal used as a reference in a discharge state determination sequence is normal or abnormal, and adjusts the inspection discharge parameters if the detection signal is determined to be abnormal. This process is called an inspection discharge parameter adjustment process. The inspection discharge parameter adjustment process is executed by the CPU 301 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 303. The inspection discharge parameter adjustment process is also executed at a predetermined appropriate timing, such as at the time of initial installation (when the recording apparatus is turned on for the first time), when the print head is replaced with a new one, or immediately after a registration adjustment process is executed based on user input.

[0140] The processes of S1701 to S1703 are the same as the processes of S601 to S603 according to the first embodiment. After S1703, ink is ejected from the nozzles for test ejection to obtain a detection signal corresponding to a reference ejection state.

[0141] In S1704, the CPU 301 acquires a peak value (local minimum value) in the detection signal.

[0142] In S1705, the CPU 301 determines whether the peak value acquired in S1704 satisfies the second threshold value≦peak value≦first threshold value. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1709. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S1706.

[0143] In S1706, CPU 301 determines whether the signal strength of the detection signal is Low (i.e., whether it is in a state as shown in FIG. 16(b)). Specifically, it determines whether the peak value acquired in S1704 satisfies peak value>first threshold. If the determination result in this step is true, the signal strength is deemed to be too low, and the process proceeds to S1707. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the peak value necessarily satisfies<second threshold, which means that the detection signal is in a state as shown in FIG. 16(c). Therefore, the signal strength is deemed to be excessive, and the process proceeds to S1708.

[0144] In S1707, the CPU 301 adjusts (specifically increases) the inspection discharge parameters in order to amplify the insufficient detection signal. The inspection discharge parameters include the number of nozzles used for inspection discharge, the number of shots discharged from the nozzles during inspection discharge, etc., and these parameters are increased by this step.

[0145] In S1708, the CPU 301 adjusts (specifically, reduces) the inspection discharge parameters in order to attenuate the excessive detection signal. As described above, the inspection discharge parameters include the number of nozzles used for inspection discharge, the number of shots discharged from the nozzles during inspection discharge, etc. These parameters are reduced by this step.

[0146] After S1707 or S1708, the process returns to S1701, and the processes of S1701 to S1705 are executed again. Then, finally, when the determination result of S1705 becomes true, the process proceeds to S1709.

[0147] In S1709, the CPU 301 updates the parameters of the inspection discharge, that is, stores (overwrites) the parameters of the inspection discharge derived in the most recent S1707 or S1708 in memory, and ends the series of processes. Note that if S1707 or S1708 is not executed, the process of this step is not executed, and if YES is determined in S1705, the series of processes ends.

[0148] The inspection discharge parameters can be updated as a result of the inspection discharge parameter adjustment process shown in Fig. 17. In the subsequent discharge state determination sequence, inspections are performed using the updated inspection discharge parameters.

[0149] As described above, in this embodiment, when a detection signal corresponding to a reference ejection state is obtained as an abnormal output, the inspection ejection parameters are adjusted so that the detection signal becomes a normal output. Therefore, it becomes possible to execute the ejection state determination sequence with high accuracy thereafter.

[0150] [Fourth embodiment] In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the recording paper is in a paper feeding state (a state in which the recording paper is set in a state in which a printing operation is possible), and a process is executed based on the result of the determination.

[0151] 2 shows a state in which the recording paper 203 is set on the platen 212. In this state, it is possible to determine whether or not the recording paper 203 is set on the platen 212 in a paper feeding state by detecting the recording paper 203 with the paper detection sensor 204.

[0152] 5 shows that the ink droplet ejection speed is calculated based on the time difference between the detection times of ink droplets when the lift motor 211 is driven and the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 is changed. With this configuration, it is possible to change the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 by driving the lift motor 211, and it is possible to measure a plurality of separation distances and the detection times corresponding to each of the distances. As a result, it is possible to accurately calculate the ink droplet ejection speed.

[0153] However, when the lift motor 211 is driven to change the position of the recording head 201, if the recording paper 203 is set on the platen 212, the recording head 201 may come into contact with the recording paper 203, possibly soiling the recording paper 203.

[0154] 18 shows a state in which, when the position of the recording head 201 is lowered with the recording paper 203 set on the platen 212, the recording head 201 comes into contact with the recording paper 203. In such a paper feeding state with the recording paper 203 set, there is a restriction that the position of the recording head 201 cannot be changed to detect the detection time of the ink droplets.

[0155] 6 and 7, in the case of droplet detection performed while driving the CR, the CR 202 is driven under the same conditions as those during recording operation in order to monitor changes in the landing state of droplets ejected onto the recording paper. Therefore, since the measurement is performed without changing the distance (carriage height) between the CR 202 and the recording paper, the recording head 201 does not come into contact with the recording paper 203 even when the recording paper 203 is set on the platen 212. Therefore, in the paper feeding state, it is necessary to employ droplet detection performed while driving the CR.

[0156] Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the paper detection sensor 204 determines whether or not the printer is in a paper-feeding state, and if the printer is in a paper-feeding state, liquid droplet detection is performed while driving the CR 202, and if the printer is not in a paper-feeding state, liquid droplet detection is performed without driving the CR 202. This configuration makes it possible to perform appropriate liquid droplet detection according to the state.

[0157] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of a process executed by the recording device 100 according to this embodiment, in which the paper feed state is determined and the type of ejection state determination sequence is switched. As in FIG. 6, the series of processes shown in FIG. 19 are executed by the CPU 301 according to a program stored in the memory 303, triggered by the passage of a predetermined time or by the dot count corresponding to the total number of ejections from all the nozzles exceeding a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, it may be executed immediately after a nozzle cleaning operation in order to determine the state change with high accuracy when the nozzle state is stable. The process according to this embodiment will be described below by applying a specific example (FIG. 5) to the flow of FIG. 19.

[0158] In step S1901, the CPU 301 uses the paper detection sensor 204 to detect whether or not the recording paper 203 is set.

[0159] In S1902, the CPU 301 determines whether the recording apparatus 100 is in a paper feeding state based on the detection result acquired in S1901. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1910, and if the determination result is false, the process proceeds to S1903.

[0160] In each process from S1903 to S1909, the droplet detection process is performed without driving the CR 202. Specifically, as described in Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(d), the lift motor 211 is driven to increase the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205, and the height of the print head 201 is changed in multiple steps. The ejection speed of the ink droplets ejected from the print head 201 corresponding to each step is detected.

[0161] In S1903, the CPU 301 moves the CR 202 above the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0162] In S1904, the CPU 301 drives the lift motor 211 to change the height of the print head 201. In this example, it is specifically assumed that the print head 201 has moved to a height of the first distance H1.

[0163] In S1905, the head control unit 310 and head control circuit 305 in the CPU 301 cause ink droplets to be ejected from the print head 201 toward the droplet detection sensor 205 based on the ejection signal.

[0164] In S1906, the CPU 301 calculates the ejection speed of the ink droplets based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 402. In this step, the timing at which the amount of light changes as the ink droplets ejected from the print head 201 pass through the light beam 404 is used. Specifically, in this example, the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (first detection time T1) is acquired as the detection time corresponding to the first distance H1 from the print head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0165] In S1907, the CPU 301 determines whether the current height of the print head 201 has reached the set upper limit. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1908. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to S1904. In this example, the process returns to S1904.

[0166] In step S1904, the CPU 301 drives the lift motor 211 to move the print head 201 to a height of the second distance H2.

[0167] In S1905, the head control unit 310 and head control circuit 305 in the CPU 301 cause ink droplets to be ejected from the print head 201 toward the droplet detection sensor 205 based on the ejection signal.

[0168] In S1906, the CPU 301 calculates the ejection speed of the ink droplets based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 402. In this step, the timing at which the amount of light changes as the ink droplets ejected from the print head 201 pass through the light beam 404 is used. Specifically, in this example, the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (referred to as the second detection time T2) is acquired as the detection time corresponding to the second distance H2 from the print head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0169] Again in S1907, the CPU 301 determines whether the height of the print head 201 has reached the set upper limit. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1908. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to S1904. When the height of the print head 201 has reached the set upper limit (H4 in this example), the process leaves the repeated process from S1904 to S1907 and proceeds to S1908.

[0170] In S1908, the CPU 301 calculates the ink droplet ejection velocity V for each height difference based on the respective distance differences and respective time differences using the detection times (times T1 to T4) for each of the acquired heights (distances H1 to H4) of the print head 201. Specifically, a first ink droplet ejection velocity V1 is calculated based on the distance difference between the distance H1 and the distance H2 and the time difference between the detection time T1 and the detection time T2. A second ink droplet ejection velocity V2 is calculated based on the distance difference between the second distance H2 and the third distance H3 and the time difference between the second detection time T2 and the third detection time T3. A third ink droplet ejection velocity V3 is calculated based on the distance difference between the third distance H3 and the fourth distance H4 and the time difference between the third detection time T3 and the fourth detection time T4.

[0171] In S1909, the CPU 301 compares each of the multiple ejection speeds calculated in S1908 with a threshold value (preset) used to determine whether a decrease in image quality is likely to occur, and determines whether the amount of change in each ejection speed is greater than the threshold value. If the determination result in this step is true, it is assumed that there has been a change in the ejection state, and the process proceeds to S1914. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, it is assumed that there has been no change in the ejection state, and the series of processes ends.

[0172] The processes in S1910 to S1912 are the same as the processes (S601 to S603) in the detection process (see FIG. 6) according to the first embodiment.

[0173] In S1910, the CPU 301 scans the CR 202 under the same conditions as during the printing operation, and passes it over the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0174] In step S1911 , the CPU 301 ejects ink droplets toward the droplet detection sensor 205 so that the ink droplets pass through the light beam 404 .

[0175] In S1912, the CPU 301 calculates the ejection speed and ejection volume of the main droplet and the ejection speed and ejection volume of the satellite based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 402. The calculation method is the same as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0176] In S1913, the initial or past ejection state (reference state) is compared with the current ejection state to determine whether a change in the ejection state has been detected. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1914. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the series of processes ends.

[0177] In S1914, the CPU 301 acquires the current setting value of the control processing mode stored in the memory (see FIG. 10), and determines whether the acquired setting value is the automatic restoration mode. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1915. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S1920.

[0178] In S1915, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312. Specifically, the GUI screen in Fig. 12B is displayed, and the display of the progress bar is updated according to the progress of the subsequent processing.

[0179] In S1916, the CPU 301 calculates the rate of change from the reference state to the current state (latest state) based on the parameters of the reference state and the parameters of the current state (latest state). The rate of change calculated in this step is specifically the rate of change of the discharge speed and the rate of change of the discharge amount.

[0180] In S1917, the CPU 301 calculates a registration adjustment value based on the rate of change calculated in S1916.

[0181] In S1918, the CPU 301 updates the registration adjustment value, that is, the CPU 301 stores (overwrites) the registration adjustment value calculated in S1917 in the memory.

[0182] In S1919, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312 and notifies the user that the automatic restoration has been completed. After this step, the series of processes ends.

[0183] In S1920, CPU 301 updates the display in input / output unit 312 and outputs a warning display. Specifically, the GUI screen in Fig. 13(b) is displayed to notify the user that a warning display is present. When the user who has viewed this screen selects the warning message portion, the process proceeds to S1921.

[0184] In S1921, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312 and outputs a warning display. Specifically, the GUI screen of Fig. 13(c) is displayed. This GUI screen has a message recommending the user to adjust the registration, and the user who has confirmed the message operates the input / output unit 312 to execute the registration adjustment process.

[0185] In S1922, the CPU 301 determines whether to execute registration adjustment processing based on the user input in S1921. If the determination result in this step is true, the registration adjustment processing is executed and the process proceeds to S1923. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to S1921 and continues to output the warning display.

[0186] In S1923, the CPU 301 updates the display on the input / output unit 312 and erases the warning display. After this step, the series of processes ends.

[0187] In the flow described above, if the registration adjustment process is not performed based on the user input in S1922, the warning display is not updated. However, if the user determines that the warning display is an impediment to operation, the operation of the recording device may be continued with the warning display remaining on display by a specified operation. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to continue operation after erasing the warning display itself by a specified operation at his / her own discretion.

[0188] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is determined whether the recording paper is in a paper-feeding state, and if the recording paper is in a paper-feeding state, the droplet detection process is performed while driving the CR. On the other hand, if the recording paper is not in a paper-feeding state, the droplet detection process is performed while changing the CR height. With this configuration, the ejection state of the nozzles of the recording device can be accurately detected appropriately according to the user's usage pattern, such as when performing continuous printing processes with the recording paper installed, or when performing printing processes after the recording paper has been left unattended for a long period of time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent recording defects from occurring due to aging (deterioration) or unintended changes in ejection.

[0189] [Fifth embodiment] In this embodiment, it is determined whether the recording paper is in a paper feeding state, and if it is in a paper feeding state, a droplet detection process is performed while driving the CR. Also, if it is determined that there is a change in the ejection state, when it is detected that the paper feeding state has been released (the recording paper has been removed), a process is executed to detect droplets while changing the CR height. This process calculates the ejection speed of the ink droplets, and by adjusting the ejection timing based on the calculated ejection speed, degradation of image quality due to deviation in the landing position is suppressed.

[0190] In the above-mentioned FIG. 6, the process of scanning the CR 202 under the same conditions as during the printing operation and detecting the nozzle ejection state is explained.

[0191] If the CPU 301 determines in S604 that a change has occurred in the ejection state, the process proceeds to S605. In S605, the CPU 301 sets the flag value of the detection NG flag stored in the memory 303 to ON. The "detection NG flag" is a flag indicating that the ejection state of the print head 201 has not been detected as being normal. Therefore, by executing a process to adjust the ejection timing when the detection NG flag is ON, it is possible to suppress degradation of image quality due to deviation in landing position. Also, when the detection NG flag is OFF, it can be determined that there is no degradation in image quality due to deviation in landing position, and therefore there is no need to execute a process to adjust the ejection timing.

[0192] 5, the lift motor 211 is driven to change the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205, thereby making it possible to measure a plurality of separation distances and the detection times corresponding to each of the distances. As a result, the configuration makes it possible to calculate the ink droplet ejection speed with high accuracy.

[0193] However, as explained in FIG. 18, if the position of the recording head 201 is lowered in the paper feeding state, the recording head 201 may come into contact with the recording paper 203, so the process of detecting droplets while changing the CR height must be performed in a state other than the paper feeding state.

[0194] Therefore, when the paper detection sensor 204 determines that the paper is not being fed, it is necessary to execute a process of detecting droplets while changing the CR height, and at that time, the detection NG flag stored in the memory 303 can be referenced. In other words, when the detection NG flag is ON, the process of detecting droplets is executed while changing the CR height, whereas when the detection NG flag is OFF, the process of detecting droplets is not executed. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid executing unnecessary processes when it is not necessary to execute the process of detecting droplets.

[0195] Hereinafter, a case in which this embodiment is applied to a method for calculating a discharge speed when performing a process of detecting droplets while changing the CR height as described in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0196] 20(a) and 20(c) are diagrams showing the relationship between the distance between the ejection port surface 201a and the light beam 404 of the droplet detection sensor 205 (referred to as head-sensor distance in the diagram) and the output results of the detection time at each distance, as explained in FIG. 5. FIG. 20(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the head-sensor distance and the ejection speed calculated based on the distance and detection time shown in FIG. 20(a). FIG. 20(d) is a diagram showing the relationship between the head-sensor distance and the ejection speed calculated based on the distance and detection time shown in FIG. 20(c).

[0197] In the graph shown in Fig. 20(a), the vertical axis indicates the detection time detected by the sequence control unit 307, and the horizontal axis indicates the distance between the ejection port surface 201a of the print head 201 and the light beam 404 of the droplet detection sensor 205. The points indicated by the hatched circles in Fig. 20(a) are the points where measurements were actually taken. Here, detection was performed at distances H1 to H5. Distance H5 is a distance further away than distance H4.

[0198] In the graph shown in FIG. 20(b), the vertical axis indicates the discharge speed, and the horizontal axis indicates the difference between the distances. At this time, the calculated discharge speed data may have nonlinear transitions due to various influences. Therefore, in order to more accurately calculate the discharge speed data shown for each distance difference, an approximation curve of a polynomial of degree 2 or higher is obtained from the acquired discharge speed data, and the polynomial of the obtained approximation curve is used as the equation representing the discharge speed. To obtain the approximation curve, three or more discharge speeds are used. To calculate three or more discharge speeds, it is necessary to detect the detection times at four or more distances. The method of obtaining the discharge speed is as described above.

[0199] In addition, the inventor's experiments have revealed that it is possible to obtain data that changes linearly depending on the individual differences of the recording head, the differences in the physical properties of each ink color, and further the usage conditions and environmental influences. Data in the case of such a linear change is shown in FIG. 20(c). In this case, similar to the above, the ejection speed can be calculated based on the detection time at each distance and the difference in distance between the ejection port surface 201a and the light beam 404. A diagram showing the relationship between the calculated ejection speed and the difference in distance is shown in FIG. 20(d). As shown in FIG. 20(d), the ejection speed calculated at each difference in distance shows a constant value at any distance. If it is known that data that changes linearly can be obtained, one ejection speed is required because the ejection speed is constant regardless of the distance. In order to calculate one ejection speed, it is sufficient to detect the detection time at two distances.

[0200] Furthermore, even if the transition of the ejection speed is nonlinear, it is not always necessary to calculate an approximation curve if recording is performed only when the distance between the ejection port surface 201a and the recording paper 203 is constant. In that case, it is sufficient to detect the detection times at two distances that include the distance when recording.

[0201] FIG. 21 corresponds to FIG. 5 and FIG. 20 and shows a flowchart of a specific example of a process for calculating the discharge velocity.

[0202] The calculation process of the discharge speed in Fig. 21 is performed at the time of initial setup when the user of the recording device 100 operates the recording device 100 for the first time, or when the recording head 201 is replaced with a new one and attached. It may also be performed periodically for maintenance, or according to a user's instruction. The process in Fig. 21 is performed by the sequence control unit 307 of the CPU 301 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 303, for example.

[0203] In S2101, the sequence control unit 307 drives the lift motor 211 to separate the print head 201 from the droplet detection sensor 205 by a predetermined distance. The distances to be separated are stored in advance in the memory 303, and in this example, are the distances H1 to H4 described in Fig. 5. The order of the distances to be separated is H1, H2, H3, and H4, as described in Fig. 5.

[0204] In S2102, the sequence control unit 307 executes pre-processing required to detect the ejection speed. In detail, this includes pre-setting of optimal ejection control for detecting the ejection speed, a preliminary ejection operation for stable ejection of ink droplets, and an operation to stop the suction fan for stabilizing airflow control inside the recording apparatus.

[0205] In S2103, the sequence control unit 307 executes an ejection operation to eject test ink droplets from the recording head 201 in response to the light beam 404 emitted by the light emitting element 401 of the droplet detection sensor 205, and detects the detection time. More specifically, the detection time is detected as the time from when the ejection of ink droplets from a predetermined nozzle of the recording head 201 begins at the distance separated in S2101 until the light receiving element 402 of the droplet detection sensor 205 detects that the ink droplets have passed the light beam 404. At this time, multiple detection times are detected as the detection time using multiple nozzles of the recording head 201. It is desirable to select a wide range of nozzles including both ends and the center as the nozzles to be measured for the detection time in order to accurately detect the ejection speed.

[0206] In S2104, the sequence control unit 307 executes data processing for the detection time acquired in S2103, and calculates the detection time corresponding to the distance set in S2101. In detail, data processing such as averaging processing based on the number of acquired samples required for stabilizing the measurement of the detection time, and deleting data outside the upper and lower error ranges to prevent the data from containing abnormal values ​​is executed.

[0207] In S2105, the sequence control unit 307 judges whether the detection time has been detected for all distances (distances H1, H2, H3, and H4 in this example) stored in the memory 303. If the judgment result of this step is true, the process proceeds to S2106. On the other hand, if the judgment result of this step is false, the process returns to S2101. Specifically, in this example, the process judges whether the current distance between the ejection port surface 201a and the light beam 404 of the droplet detection sensor 205 (current distance) is the distance H4, which is the distance to be separated last. If the current distance is not distance H4, the process returns to S2101, the process separates the ejection port surface 201a by the next set distance, and the same process as described above is executed. On the other hand, if it is judged that the current distance is distance H4, the process proceeds to S2106 as it is determined that the acquisition of the detection time for all distances has been completed.

[0208] In S2106, the sequence control unit 307 executes calculation of the discharge speed. In detail, as described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 20, the discharge speed is calculated based on the difference between the distances and the detection time at each distance.

[0209] In S2107, the sequence control unit 307 stores the information on the ejection speed calculated in S2106 in the memory 303. The ejection speed information stored in this step is used for data processing and drive control of the print head 201 thereafter, as necessary.

[0210] In S2108, the sequence control unit 307 performs a termination process. More specifically, since the calculation of the ejection speed is completed, the print head 201 is retreated to a predetermined position, a standby state is entered for the next printing operation process, or a cleaning process of the print head 201 is entered based on the acquired ejection speed information. After this step, the ejection speed calculation process in FIG. 21 ends.

[0211] When the ejection speed calculation process of Fig. 21 is completed, a table in which the ejection speed and the adjustment value of the ejection timing correspond to each other is referenced. Then, based on the ejection speed obtained by the process of Fig. 21, an adjustment value of the ejection timing corresponding to the ejection speed is obtained from this table, and the ejection timing is adjusted by the obtained adjustment value. When printing an image, the timing control unit 309 controls the timing of ejecting ink according to the recording data.

[0212] As described above, in this embodiment, the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205 is changed, and the time from the ejection of the ink droplet to its detection is detected for each of a plurality of distances (FIGS. 20(a) and 20(c)). Then, the ejection speed is calculated based on the difference between the distances and the difference between the detection times (FIGS. 20(b) and 20(d)). This makes it possible to calculate the ejection speed of the ink droplet with high accuracy even if the device is not assembled with high accuracy. In addition, by detecting the detection times for four or more distances, it is possible to obtain with high accuracy the relationship between the individual differences of the printing apparatus and print head, the physical properties of each ink color, the usage conditions and environment, and the attenuation of the ejection speed at each distance that may be influenced by these. Furthermore, by adjusting the ejection timing based on the ejection speed, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of image quality due to the deviation of the landing position.

[0213] The process of calculating the ejection speed and storing the information of the calculated ejection speed in the memory 303 needs to be performed only when it is determined that a change has occurred in the ejection state, and does not need to be performed if there is no problem with the ejection state. For this reason, a flowchart of the process of monitoring the ejection state and adjusting the ejection timing when it is determined that a change has occurred in the ejection state is shown in FIG.

[0214] In step S2201, the CPU 301 uses the paper detection sensor 204 to detect whether or not the recording paper 203 is set.

[0215] In S2202, the CPU 301 determines whether the recording apparatus 100 is in a paper feeding state based on the detection result acquired in S2201. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2203, and if the determination result is false, the process proceeds to S2208.

[0216] The processes in S2203 to S2205 are the same as the processes (S601 to S603) in the detection process (see FIG. 6) according to the first embodiment.

[0217] In S2203, the CPU 301 scans the CR 202 under the same conditions as during the printing operation, and passes it over the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0218] In S2204, the CPU 301 ejects ink droplets toward the droplet detection sensor 205 so that the ink droplets pass through the light beam 404.

[0219] In S2205, the CPU 301 calculates the ejection speed and ejection volume of the main droplet and the ejection speed and ejection volume of the satellite based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 402. The calculation method is the same as that in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0220] In S2206, the initial or past ejection state (reference state) is compared with the current ejection state to determine whether a change in the ejection state has been detected. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2207. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the series of processes is terminated.

[0221] In S2207, the CPU 301 turns ON the flag value of the detection NG flag stored in the memory 303. After the process of S2207 is completed, the process returns to S2201, and detection is performed as to whether or not recording paper is set, and the process is repeated until the paper feeding state is eliminated (NO in S2202).

[0222] In S2208, the CPU 301 determines whether the detection NG flag value stored in the memory 303 is ON. If the determination result in this step is true, it is assumed that there has been a change in the discharge state, and the process proceeds to S2209. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, it is assumed that there has been no change in the discharge state, and the series of processes ends.

[0223] In each process from S2209 to S2215, the droplet detection process is performed without driving the CR 202. Specifically, as described in Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(d), the lift motor 211 is driven to increase the distance between the print head 201 and the droplet detection sensor 205, and the height of the print head 201 is changed in multiple steps. The ejection speed of the ink droplets ejected from the print head 201 corresponding to each step is detected.

[0224] In S2209, the CPU 301 moves the CR 202 above the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0225] In step S2210, the CPU 301 drives the lift motor 211 to move the print head 201 to a height of the first distance H1.

[0226] In S2211, the head control unit 310 and head control circuit 305 in the CPU 301 cause ink droplets to be ejected from the print head 201 toward the droplet detection sensor 205 based on the ejection signal.

[0227] In S2212, the CPU 301 calculates the ejection speed of the ink droplets based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 402. In this step, the timing at which the amount of light changes as the ink droplets ejected from the print head 201 pass through the light beam 404 is used. Specifically, the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (first detection time T1) is acquired as the detection time corresponding to the first distance H1 from the print head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0228] In S2213, the CPU 301 determines whether the current height of the print head 201 has reached the set upper limit. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2214. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to S2210. In this example, the process returns to S2210.

[0229] In S2210, the CPU 301 drives the lift motor 211 to move the print head 201 to a height of the second distance H2.

[0230] In step S2211, the head control unit 310 and head control circuit 305 in the CPU 301 cause ink droplets to be ejected from the print head 201 toward the droplet detection sensor 205 based on the ejection signal.

[0231] In S2212, the CPU 301 calculates the ejection speed of the ink droplets based on the detection signal of the light receiving element 402. In this step, the timing at which the amount of light changes as the ink droplets ejected from the print head 201 pass through the light beam 404 is used. Specifically, the detection time from when the ejection signal is generated to when the detection signal is output (referred to as the second detection time T2) is acquired as the detection time corresponding to the second distance H2 from the print head 201 to the droplet detection sensor 205.

[0232] In S2213, the CPU 301 again determines whether the height of the print head 201 has reached the set upper limit. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2214. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to S2210. If the height of the print head 201 has reached the set upper limit, the process leaves the repeated process from S2210 to S2213 and proceeds to S2214.

[0233] In S2214, the CPU 301 calculates the ink droplet ejection velocity V for each height difference based on the respective distance differences and respective time differences using the detection times (times T1 to T4) for each of the acquired heights (distances H1 to H4) of the print head 201. Specifically, a first ink droplet ejection velocity V1 is calculated based on the distance difference between the distance H1 and the distance H2 and the time difference between the detection time T1 and the detection time T2. A second ink droplet ejection velocity V2 is calculated based on the distance difference between the second distance H2 and the third distance H3 and the time difference between the second detection time T2 and the third detection time T3. A third ink droplet ejection velocity V3 is calculated based on the distance difference between the third distance H3 and the fourth distance H4 and the time difference between the third detection time T3 and the fourth detection time T4.

[0234] In S2215, CPU 301 compares each of the multiple ejection speeds calculated in S2214 with a threshold value (preset) used to determine whether a decrease in image quality is likely to occur, and determines whether the amount of change in each ejection speed is greater than the threshold value. If the determination result in this step is true, it is assumed that there has been a change in the ejection state, and the process proceeds to S2216. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, it is assumed that there has been no change in the ejection state, and the process proceeds to step S2217.

[0235] In S2216, the CPU 301 stores the information on the ejection speed calculated in S2214 in the memory 303. The ejection speed information stored in this step is used for data processing and drive control of the print head 201 thereafter, as necessary.

[0236] In S2217, the CPU 301 sets the detection NG flag to OFF, and then the process in FIG.

[0237] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is determined whether the recording paper is in a paper feeding state, and if it is in a paper feeding state, the droplet detection process is performed while driving the CR. On the other hand, if it is not in a paper feeding state, the droplet detection process is performed while changing the CR height. With this configuration, it is possible to detect that the paper feeding state has been released, calculate the ink droplet ejection speed, and adjust the ejection timing based on the calculated ejection speed, thereby suppressing degradation of image quality due to deviation in the landing position.

[0238] [Sixth embodiment] In the first embodiment, it was described that the change in the ejection state is inspected, and when the amount of change in the current (latest) ejection state from the reference ejection state becomes equal to or greater than a certain amount, it is determined that the ejection state has changed. In the second embodiment, it was described that when it is determined that the ejection state has changed in the ejection state determination sequence according to the first embodiment, the recording device executes processing according to the control processing mode setting selected by the user.

[0239] Incidentally, a known method of head registration adjustment for adjusting the misalignment of a recording head in a recording device involves printing an image of a predetermined pattern, such as a checkered pattern, on recording paper and reading the printed image using a reading means such as a scanner. As a head registration adjustment method using such a reading means, there is a first type of automatic head registration adjustment in which a correction value for correcting the misalignment of the recording head is generated by calculating the amount of misalignment of the recorded pattern. A second type of manual head registration adjustment involves printing an image of a predetermined pattern, such as a checkered pattern, on recording paper, viewing the printed image with the human eye, and setting a correction value for correcting the misalignment.

[0240] Generally, manual head registration adjustment can correct print results to suit the user's preferences better than automatic registration adjustment. Therefore, users who are not satisfied with the results of automatic head registration adjustment often correct print results by manual head registration adjustment individually for specific printing conditions (also called recording conditions). A specific example of setting printing conditions is setting the distance between the print head and the recording paper.

[0241] This embodiment assumes a case where, in a recording device in which manual head registration adjustment is performed under specific printing conditions to generate correction values, an inspection of changes in the ejection state is performed under printing conditions in which manual head registration adjustment is not performed. In such a case, if it is determined that the ejection state has changed and correction work is automatically performed according to the mode setting, the correction value information created by the user in the manual head registration adjustment is updated, which may affect the printing accuracy.

[0242] Therefore, in this embodiment, when manual head registration adjustment is performed, the mode setting is temporarily changed to limit the operation of the ejection monitoring function, and in this respect, this embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments. Note that, since the basic configuration is similar to the first and second embodiments, a description of the contents common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0243] 23 is a flowchart of a process implemented by the recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, which involves a transition to a limit mode that limits the settings of the discharge monitoring function. This process is called a discharge monitoring limit mode transition process. The discharge monitoring limit mode transition process is executed by the CPU 301 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 303. The discharge monitoring limit mode transition process is performed at the timing when manual head registration adjustment is started.

[0244] The user operates the input / output unit 312 to start the manual head registration adjustment process.

[0245] In step S2301, the CPU 301 acquires the current setting value of the control processing mode. This setting value is stored in the memory 303.

[0246] In S2302, the CPU 301 uses the mode setting value acquired in S2301 to determine whether the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence set for the recording device is the function OFF mode. In other words, it determines whether the mode setting value acquired in S2301 is a value indicating the function OFF mode. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2306, and if the determination result is false, the process proceeds to S2303.

[0247] In S2303, the CPU 301 displays a confirmation GUI screen (see FIG. 25) for confirming that the discharge monitoring function will be disabled on the input / output unit 312. The user who sees this GUI screen performs user input via the GUI screen (pressing the "Yes" button or the "No" button), and the CPU 301 receives the result of the user's confirmation.

[0248] In S2304, the CPU 301 determines whether the user confirmation result acquired in S2303 is “Yes.” If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2305, and if the determination result is false, the process ends without performing manual head registration adjustment.

[0249] In S2305, the CPU 301 sets the control processing mode of the recording apparatus to the restricted mode. Specifically, the setting value of the control processing mode stored in the memory 303 is updated to a value indicating the restricted mode.

[0250] In S2306, the CPU 301 executes a manual head registration adjustment process. Specifically, an image of a predetermined pattern, such as a checkered pattern, is printed on a recording sheet, and a correction value input from the input / output unit 312 based on the result of visual confirmation by the user is stored in the memory 303.

[0251] In step S2307, the CPU 301 acquires the current setting value of the control processing mode. This setting value is stored in the memory 303.

[0252] In S2308, the CPU 301 uses the mode setting value acquired in S2307 to determine whether the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence set for the recording apparatus is the restricted mode. In other words, it determines whether the mode setting value acquired in S2307 is a value indicating the restricted mode. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2309, and if the determination result is false, the series of processes is completed.

[0253] In S2309, the CPU 301 displays, on the input / output unit 312, a warning GUI screen (see FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b)) for notifying the user that the discharge monitoring function has been disabled.

[0254] 24 is a flowchart of a process implemented by the recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, which resets the mode setting of the discharge state determination sequence from the limit mode. This process is called a discharge monitoring limit mode release process. The discharge monitoring limit mode release process is executed by the CPU 301 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 303. The discharge monitoring limit mode release process is executed at the timing when automatic head registration adjustment is started in a state in which the mode setting of the discharge state determination sequence is the limit mode.

[0255] In S2401, the CPU 301 executes an automatic registration adjustment process. Specifically, an image of a predetermined pattern such as a lattice pattern is printed on a recording sheet, and the printed image is read using a reading means such as a scanner. Then, by calculating the amount of misalignment of the recorded pattern, a correction value for correcting the misalignment of the recording head is generated, and the generated correction value is stored in the memory 303.

[0256] In S2402, the CPU 301 acquires the current setting value of the control processing mode. This setting value is stored in the memory 303.

[0257] In S2403, the CPU 301 uses the mode setting value acquired in S2402 to determine whether the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence set for the recording apparatus is the limit mode. In other words, it determines whether the mode setting value acquired in S2402 is a value indicating the limit mode. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2404, and if the determination result is false, the series of processes is completed.

[0258] In S2404, the CPU 301 releases the restriction mode of the recording device, specifically, the setting value of the control processing mode stored in the memory 303 is updated to the value before the restriction mode was set.

[0259] In S2405, the CPU 301 erases the GUI screen (see FIG. 25) displayed on the input / output unit 312 for confirming that the discharge monitoring function is disabled.

[0260] Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 when the user attempts to perform manual head registration adjustment when the mode setting of the discharge state determination sequence is in a state other than the function OFF mode in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 25, the user is notified that the discharge monitoring function will be disabled when manual head registration adjustment is performed, and a screen is displayed to confirm with the user whether or not to continue the manual head registration adjustment process (S2303 in Fig. 23).

[0261] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 when the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence is in the restricted mode due to the manual head registration adjustment in this embodiment. When the recording apparatus is in the standby state shown in FIG. 11(a), a warning message is displayed in the upper part of the GUI screen so that the user can recognize the warning, as shown in FIG. 26(a). FIG. 26(b) is a GUI screen displaying details of the warning notified in FIG. 26(a). When the user selects the warning message part of the screen in FIG. 26(a), the GUI screen displayed on the input / output unit 312 transitions from the screen in FIG. 26(a) to the screen in FIG. 26(b). As shown in FIG. 26(b), this screen includes a list of warning displays (notice list) notified to the user. In this example, the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence is in the restricted mode due to the manual head registration adjustment, so a warning display to that effect is displayed.

[0262] 27 is a flowchart of a process executed by the recording device 100 according to the present embodiment, which checks the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence when updating the registration adjustment value based on the ejection state determination result, and then restricts the update of the registration adjustment value. This process is called a registration adjustment value update restriction process. The registration adjustment value update restriction process is executed by the CPU 301 according to a program stored in the memory 303.

[0263] The registration adjustment value update limiting process is performed when a deterioration in the ejection condition is detected during the ejection monitoring process, and an adjustment value to correct the deteriorated condition is generated and stored in memory (for example, S1510 in FIG. 15 and S1917 in FIG. 19).

[0264] In S2701, the CPU 301 calculates a registration adjustment value based on the rate of change of the ejection state.

[0265] In step S2702, the CPU 301 acquires the current setting value of the control processing mode. This setting value is stored in the memory 303.

[0266] In S2703, the CPU 301 uses the mode setting value acquired in S2702 to determine whether the mode setting of the ejection state determination sequence set for the recording apparatus is the restricted mode. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2704, and if the determination result is false, the series of processes ends.

[0267] In S2704, CPU 301 acquires information (referred to as influence information) indicating whether or not the registration adjustment value calculated in S2701 may affect the printing conditions for which manual head registration adjustment is being performed. There are multiple registration adjustment values ​​that may be calculated in S2701, and it is necessary to know whether the same registration adjustment value is used in the printing conditions created in the manual head registration adjustment. Therefore, influence information is acquired in this step. Specific examples of printing conditions include the distance between the print head and the recording paper, the paper thickness, and the CR speed.

[0268] In S2705, the CPU 301 determines whether the update using the registration adjustment value calculated in S2701 will affect the printing conditions for which manual head registration adjustment is being performed, based on the influence information acquired in S2704. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2706, and if the determination result is false, the process ends.

[0269] In S2706, the CPU 301 stores (overwrites) in the memory 303 the registration adjustment values ​​calculated in S2701.

[0270] As described above, this embodiment is applied to a recording device in which manual head registration adjustment is performed under specific printing conditions to generate correction values. In such a printing device, it is assumed that an inspection of changes in the ejection state is performed under printing conditions in which manual head registration adjustment is not performed. In such a case, if it is determined that the ejection state has changed and correction work is automatically performed according to the mode setting, the correction value information created by the user through manual head registration adjustment will be updated, which may affect the printing accuracy. However, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce such a possibility.

[0271] [Other embodiments] 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.

[0272] [Technical Features of the Disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) A recording device comprising a recording head having nozzles from which droplets are ejected, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a control means for controlling the ejection of the droplets from the nozzles, a first detection means for detecting the droplets ejected from the nozzles, a first determination means for determining an ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection results obtained by the first detection means, a receiving means for receiving a user input for selecting a mode, and a setting means for setting the mode based on the user input, wherein the control means ejects the droplets from the nozzles while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means, the first determination means determines the ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection results of the droplets ejected while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means, and when it is determined by the first determination means that the ejection state has changed, executes processing according to the mode set by the setting means. (Configuration 2) The recording apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the droplets are ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium while the carriage is moved relatively to the recording medium. (Configuration 3) The recording device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the droplets include main droplets and satellites, and the main droplets ejected from the nozzles while the carriage is moving are ejected on a different trajectory from the satellites. (Configuration 4) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the first detection means has an emission means for irradiating light, a light receiving means for receiving the light emitted from the emission means, and an output means for outputting a detection signal according to the amount of light received by the light receiving means, and the droplets ejected from the recording head block the light from the emission means to the light receiving means. (Configuration 5) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the first determination means determines whether the ejection condition of the nozzle is normal or not using a first ejection speed and a first ejection amount corresponding to the main droplet, and a second ejection speed and a second ejection amount corresponding to the satellite. (Configuration 6) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, further comprising a derivation means for deriving the first ejection speed and the first ejection amount corresponding to the main droplet, and the second ejection speed and the second ejection amount corresponding to the satellite. (Configuration 7) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the derivation means derives the first ejection speed based on the time from the start of ejection of the main droplet to its detection, which is obtained based on a first signal separated from the detection signal, and based on the distance between the carriage and the first detection means, and derives the first ejection amount based on the amount of change in the first signal. (Configuration 8) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the derivation means derives the second ejection speed based on the time from the start of ejection of the satellite to its detection, which is obtained based on a second signal separated from the detection signal, and based on the distance between the carriage and the first detection means, and derives the second ejection amount based on the amount of change in the second signal. (Configuration 9) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the first judgment means judges, for each of the main droplet and the satellite, whether the ejection amount derived by the derivation means is equal to or greater than a first threshold associated with the ejection amount and whether the ejection speed derived by the derivation means is equal to or greater than a second threshold associated with the ejection speed, and if the result of the judgment is true, it is judged that there is no change in the ejection state of the nozzle, while if the result of the judgment is false, it is judged that there is a change in the ejection state of the nozzle. (Configuration 10) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, further comprising a memory means for storing the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and the first threshold value and the second threshold value stored in the memory means are updated based on the detection result of the first detection means. (Configuration 11) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that the first determination means determines the ejection state of the nozzle based on the detection result of the droplets ejected from the nozzle while the carriage is moving at a constant speed. (Configuration 12) A recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the nozzle to be judged by the first judgment means is determined based on whether or not the dot count of the nozzle exceeds a predetermined threshold value. (Configuration 13) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, further comprising a notification means for notifying a user of a change in the ejection state when the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed. (Configuration 14) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that the height of the recording head can be changed in stages, and the droplet ejection speed is derived based on the distance that is the difference between a first height before the change and a second height after the change, and the time difference between a first detection time corresponding to the first height and a second detection time corresponding to the second height. (Configuration 15) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, further comprising an execution means for executing a registration adjustment process when the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed. (Configuration 16) A recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, further comprising an execution means for executing a process for changing the distance between the recording head and the recording medium when the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed. (Configuration 17) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 16, further comprising an execution means for executing a process of changing the pulse width of a drive pulse applied to the recording head when the first judgment means judges that the ejection state has changed. (Configuration 18) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 17, characterized in that the mode selected by a user is one of a plurality of modes, and the plurality of modes includes a first mode in which the execution means automatically executes the registration adjustment process when the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed. (Configuration 19) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 18, characterized in that the multiple modes include a second mode that displays a warning message recommending execution of the registration adjustment process when the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed. (Configuration 20) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 19, wherein a user instructs execution of the recommended registration adjustment process via a GUI screen displayed in the second mode. (Configuration 21) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 20, wherein the plurality of modes include a third mode in which the first determination means does not execute a process for determining the ejection state of the nozzles. (Configuration 22) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 21, further comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring a peak value of a detection signal; a second judgment means for judging whether the peak value is less than a first threshold value and greater than or equal to a second threshold value; and an adjustment means for adjusting parameters of a test discharge when the judgment result by the second judgment means is false. (Configuration 23) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 22, further comprising a third judgment means for judging whether the signal strength of the detection signal is Low when the result of the judgment by the second judgment means is false, and when the result of the judgment by the third judgment means is true, the adjustment means increases the parameter, and when the result of the judgment by the third judgment means is false, the adjustment means decreases the parameter. (Configuration 24) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 23, further comprising a second detection means for detecting the recording medium, and a fourth judgment means for judging whether or not the recording medium is in a paper feeding state based on the detection result by the second detection means, wherein a control method of the carriage by the control means is changed based on the judgment result by the fourth judgment means, the control means ejects the droplets from the nozzles according to the changed control method, and the first judgment means judges the ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection result of the droplets ejected according to the changed control method. (Configuration 25) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 24, characterized in that when the fourth judgment means judges that the paper is being fed, the control means ejects the droplets from the nozzles while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means, and the first judgment means judges the ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection results of the ejected droplets while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means. (Configuration 26) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 25, characterized in that when the fourth judgment means judges that the recording head is not in a paper feeding state, the control means gradually changes the height of the recording head and ejects the droplets from the nozzles at each of the changed heights, and the first judgment means judges the ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection results of the droplets ejected at each of the changed heights. (Configuration 27) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 26, further comprising a table in which the droplet ejection speed when recording on the recording medium corresponds to the ejection timing, the height of the recording head can be changed in stages, and the droplet ejection speed is derived based on the distance that is the difference between a first height before the change and a second height after the change, and the time difference between a first detection time corresponding to the first height and a second detection time corresponding to the second height, and the table is referred to to change the droplet ejection timing based on the derived droplet ejection speed. (Configuration 28) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 27, characterized in that when the first judgment means judges that the ejection state has changed, an automatic registration process is executed to automatically perform a registration adjustment process, and a user can perform manual head registration adjustment to perform a registration adjustment process individually for any recording conditions, and when the manual head registration adjustment is performed, the mode set by the setting means is switched. (Configuration 29) A recording device as described in any one of configurations 1 to 28, further comprising a display control means for causing a display means to display a confirmation GUI screen for confirming to a user that an ejection monitoring function for monitoring the ejection status of the nozzles is disabled when the manual head registration adjustment is performed. (Configuration 30) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 29, characterized in that the recording apparatus transitions to a restricted mode in which the discharge monitoring function is disabled based on a user input via the confirmation GUI screen. (Configuration 31) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 30, characterized in that when the restricted mode is entered after the manual head registration adjustment is performed, the display control means causes the display means to display a warning GUI screen to notify that the ejection monitoring function has been disabled. (Configuration 32) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 31, wherein if the limit mode is active when the automatic registration process is executed, the limit mode is cancelled. (Configuration 33) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 32, further comprising a fifth judgment means for determining whether to update the registration adjustment value of the recording condition with the value obtained by the automatic registration process when the automatic registration process is executed and there is a recording condition adjusted by the manual head registration adjustment. (Control method) A control method for a recording device having a recording head having nozzles from which droplets are ejected, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a control means for controlling the ejection of the droplets from the nozzles, a detection means for detecting the droplets ejected from the nozzles, a receiving means for receiving user input to select a mode, and a setting means for setting the mode based on the user input, wherein the control means ejects the droplets from the nozzles while moving the carriage relative to the detection means, the control method comprising: a determination step for determining an ejection state of the nozzles based on detection results obtained by the detection means, the determination step for determining the ejection state based on the detection results of the droplets ejected while moving the carriage relative to the detection means, and an execution step for executing processing according to the mode set by the setting means when it is determined by the determination step that the ejection state has changed. (Program) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a recording device having a recording head having nozzles from which droplets are ejected, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a control means for controlling the ejection of the droplets from the nozzles, a detection means for detecting the droplets ejected from the nozzles, a receiving means for receiving user input to select a mode, and a setting means for setting the mode based on the user input, wherein the control means ejects the droplets from the nozzles while moving the carriage relative to the detection means, the program having a determination step for determining an ejection state of the nozzles based on detection results obtained by the detection means, the determination step for determining the ejection state based on the detection results of the droplets ejected while moving the carriage relative to the detection means, and an execution step for executing processing according to the mode set by the setting means when it is determined by the determination step that the ejection state has changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0273] 100 Recording device 201 Recording head 202 Carriage (CR) 205 Droplet Detection Sensor 301 CPU

Claims

1. a recording head having nozzles from which droplets are ejected; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted; A control means for controlling the ejection of the droplets from the nozzle; a first detection means for detecting the droplets ejected from the nozzle; a first determination means for determining a discharge state of the nozzle based on a detection result obtained by the first detection means; A receiving means for receiving a user input for selecting a mode; a setting means for setting the mode based on the user input; having the control means causes the nozzles to eject the droplets while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means; the first determination means determines a discharge state of the nozzle based on the detection result of the discharged droplets while moving the carriage relative to the first detection means; when it is determined by the first determination means that the ejection state has changed, a process is executed according to the mode set by the setting means. A recording apparatus comprising:

2. The liquid droplets are ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium while the carriage is moved relative to the recording medium.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The droplets include a main droplet and a satellite, the main droplet ejected from the nozzle while the carriage is moving is ejected along a trajectory different from that of the satellite droplet; 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The first detection means is A light emitting means for irradiating light; a light receiving means for receiving light irradiated from the light emitting means; an output means for outputting a detection signal in response to the amount of light received by the light receiving means; having the droplets ejected from the recording head block light from the light emitting means to the light receiving means; 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. the first determination means determines whether or not the ejection state of the nozzle is normal using a first ejection speed and a first ejection amount corresponding to the main droplet, and a second ejection speed and a second ejection amount corresponding to the satellite.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the ink jet head further includes a derivation unit configured to derive the first ejection speed and the first ejection amount corresponding to the main droplet, and the second ejection speed and the second ejection amount corresponding to the satellite.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The derivation means is deriving the first ejection speed based on a time from the start of ejection of the main droplet to its detection, the time being acquired based on a first signal obtained by separating the detection signal, and a distance between the carriage and the first detection means; deriving the first ejection amount based on an amount of change in the first signal; 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The derivation means is deriving the second ejection speed based on a time from the start of ejection of the satellite to its detection, the time being acquired based on a second signal obtained by separating the detection signal, and a distance between the carriage and the first detection means; deriving the second ejection amount based on the amount of change in the second signal; 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7.

9. the first determination means determines whether the ejection amount derived by the derivation means is equal to or greater than a first threshold value associated with the ejection amount and whether the ejection speed derived by the derivation means is equal to or greater than a second threshold value associated with the ejection speed for each of the main droplet and the satellite, and when the result of the determination is true, it is determined that there is no change in the ejection state of the nozzle, whereas when the result of the determination is false, it is determined that there is a change in the ejection state of the nozzle.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The apparatus further includes a storage unit for storing the first threshold value and the second threshold value, the first threshold value and the second threshold value stored in the storage means are updated based on the detection result of the first detection means; 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9.

11. the first determination means determines a discharge state of the nozzle based on the detection result of the droplets discharged from the nozzle while the carriage is moving at a constant speed.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

12. The nozzle to be judged by the first judging means is determined based on whether or not the dot count of the nozzle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

13. The ink ejection device further includes a notification unit that notifies a user of a change in the ejection state when the change is determined by the first determination unit.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

14. The height of the recording head can be changed in stages, an ejection velocity of the droplet is derived based on a distance that is a difference between a first height before the change and a second height after the change, and a time difference between a first detection time corresponding to the first height and a second detection time corresponding to the second height; 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

15. The ink ejection control device further includes an execution unit that executes a registration adjustment process when the first determination unit determines that the ejection state has changed.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

16. and executing a process for changing a distance between the recording head and a recording medium when the first determining means determines that the ejection state has changed.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

17. and executing means for executing a process of changing a pulse width of a drive pulse applied to the recording head when the first determining means determines that the ejection state has changed.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

18. the mode selected by the user is one of a plurality of modes; the plurality of modes include a first mode in which, when the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed, the execution means automatically executes the registration adjustment process; 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 15.

19. the plurality of modes include a second mode in which, when the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed, a warning message is displayed to the effect that execution of the registration adjustment process is recommended; 20. The recording apparatus according to claim 18,

20. a user instructs execution of the recommended registration adjustment process via a GUI screen displayed in the second mode; 20. The recording apparatus according to claim 19.

21. the plurality of modes includes a third mode in which the first determination means does not execute a process of determining the ejection state of the nozzles; 21. The recording apparatus according to claim 20.

22. An acquisition means for acquiring a peak value of the detection signal; a second determination means for determining whether the peak value is equal to or smaller than a first threshold value and equal to or larger than a second threshold value; an adjustment means for adjusting parameters of the test discharge when the determination result by the second determination means is false; Further comprising 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

23. a third determination means for determining whether a signal strength of the detection signal is Low when the result of the determination by the second determination means is false, When the result of the determination by the third determination means is true, the adjustment means increases the parameter, and when the result of the determination by the third determination means is false, the adjustment means decreases the parameter.

23. The recording apparatus according to claim 22.

24. A second detection means for detecting the recording medium; a fourth determination means for determining whether or not a paper feed state is being established based on a detection result by the second detection means; and a control method of the carriage by the control means is changed based on a result of the determination by the fourth determination means, and the control means causes the droplets to be ejected from the nozzles in accordance with the changed control method; the first determination means determines the ejection state of the nozzle based on the detection result of the droplet ejected according to the changed control method.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

25. When the fourth determination means determines that the paper is being fed, the control means causes the carriage to move relatively to the first detection means while discharging the liquid droplets from the nozzles; the first determination means determines the ejection state of the nozzle based on the detection result of the ejected droplets while moving the carriage relatively to the first detection means; 25. The recording apparatus according to claim 24.

26. when it is determined by the fourth determination means that the recording head is not in a paper feeding state, the control means changes the height of the recording head in a stepwise manner and ejects the droplets from the nozzles at each of the changed heights, and the first determination means determines the ejection state of the nozzles based on the detection results of the droplets ejected at each of the changed heights.

26. The recording apparatus according to claim 25.

27. a table in which the droplet ejection speed and the ejection timing when recording on the recording medium are associated with each other; The height of the recording head can be changed in stages, an ejection velocity of the droplet is derived based on a distance that is a difference between a first height before the change and a second height after the change, and a time difference between a first detection time corresponding to the first height and a second detection time corresponding to the second height; referring to the table, and changing the droplet ejection timing according to the derived droplet ejection speed; 27. The recording apparatus according to claim 26.

28. When the first determination means determines that the ejection state has changed, an automatic registration process is executed to automatically perform a registration adjustment process; A user can perform manual head registration adjustment by performing a registration adjustment process individually for any recording condition, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode set by the setting device is switched when the manual head registration adjustment is performed.

29. 29. The recording apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising a display control means for causing a display means to display a confirmation GUI screen for confirming to a user that an ejection monitoring function for monitoring the ejection status of the nozzles is to be disabled when the manual head registration adjustment is performed.

30. transitioning to a restricted mode in which the discharge monitoring function is disabled based on a user input via the confirmation GUI screen; 30. The recording apparatus according to claim 29.

31. when the mode is changed to the restricted mode after the manual head registration adjustment is performed, the display control means causes the display means to display a warning GUI screen for notifying the user that the ejection monitoring function has been disabled.

31. The recording apparatus according to claim 30.

32. If the limit mode is in effect when the automatic registration process is executed, the limit mode is released.

32. The recording apparatus according to claim 31 .

33. a fifth determination means for determining whether to update a registration adjustment value of a recording condition that has been adjusted by the manual head registration adjustment when the automatic registration process is executed, with a value acquired by the automatic registration process; 33. The recording apparatus according to claim 32.

34. a recording head having nozzles from which droplets are ejected; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted; A control means for controlling the ejection of the droplets from the nozzle; a detection means for detecting the droplets ejected from the nozzle; A receiving means for receiving a user input for selecting a mode; a setting means for setting the mode based on the user input; having a control method for a recording apparatus, the control means discharging the droplets from the nozzles while moving the carriage relatively to the detection means, a determination step of determining a discharge state of the nozzle based on a detection result obtained by the detection means, the determination step determining the discharge state based on the detection result of the droplets discharged while moving the carriage relative to the detection means; an execution step of executing a process according to the mode set by the setting means when it is determined in the determination step that the ejection state has changed; having A control method comprising:

35. A program for causing a computer to carry out the method according to claim 34.

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