Liquid discharge device, and control device, control method, and program of the same

Abstract

To achieve both suppression of image quality deterioration and high-speed recording by control on the basis of a stop position of a head.SOLUTION: A movement mechanism can execute first movement operation for moving a head fron one side to the other side in a scan direction, and second movement operation for moving the head from the other side to the one side in the scan direction. When it is determined that a stop position of the head in the first movement operation is not on the one side of the scan direction with respect to a target position (S15 : NO), a control part makes the movement mechanism execute the second movement operation, and ink is discharged from a nozzle in a constant speed section while the ink is not discharged from the nozzle in an acceleration section in the second movement operation (S12). When it is determined that the stop position of the head in the first movement operation is on the one side of the scan direction with respect to the target position (S15 : YES), the control part makes the movement mechanism execute the second movement operation, and the ink is discharged from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section in the second movement operation (S17).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device equipped with a movement mechanism that moves a head in a scanning direction, and a control device, control method, and program for the liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 shows that accelerated printing is performed in an acceleration region where the carriage carrying the head reaches a constant speed from the middle of its acceleration, followed by constant-speed printing in a constant-speed region where the carriage travels at a constant target speed, and that the printing operation is stopped in a deceleration region where the carriage travels from the constant-speed to a stop. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1992-199255 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The configuration in which printing (ejecting liquid) is performed in an acceleration region (acceleration section) and a constant speed region (constant speed section) as in Patent Document 1 is advantageous in that it can achieve high-speed recording. However, since the landing position of the liquid ejected in the acceleration region is likely to deviate from the desired position, the above configuration may result in poorer image quality than a configuration in which printing is performed only in the constant speed region.

[0005] However, in the first movement operation in which the head moves from one side of the scanning direction to the other, at the end point of the deceleration region (deceleration section), the head may stop before the target position. This may occur, for example, due to deterioration of the movement mechanism (motor, tube, etc.). In this case, it is possible to start the second movement operation, which is executed next and moves the head from the other side of the scanning direction to one side, after moving the head to the target position. However, in this case, time is required to move the head to the target position, and high-speed recording cannot be realized.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection apparatus that can suppress deterioration in image quality and achieve high-speed printing by controlling in accordance with the stopping position of the head, and a control method and program for the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A liquid ejection device according to the present invention comprises a head having nozzles, a movement mechanism capable of executing a first movement operation of moving the head from one side of a scanning direction to the other side, and a second movement operation of moving the head from the other side of the scanning direction to one side, and a control unit, wherein the first movement operation and the second movement operation each move the head over an acceleration section in which the speed of the head goes from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section in which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section in which the speed of the head goes from the predetermined speed to zero, and the control unit controls a movement process to cause the movement mechanism to execute the first movement operation, and a front movement process to move the head at an end point of the deceleration section in the first movement operation. and a first judgment process for determining whether the stopping position at which the head has stopped is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to a target position, and if it is determined in the first judgment process that the stopping position is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, the moving mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is not ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section, but is ejected from the nozzle in the constant speed section, and if it is determined in the first judgment process that the stopping position is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, the moving mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

[0008] A control device according to the present invention is a control device for controlling a liquid ejection device including a head having nozzles, and a movement mechanism capable of executing a first movement operation for moving the head from one side of a scanning direction to the other side, and a second movement operation for moving the head from the other side of the scanning direction to one side, wherein the first movement operation and the second movement operation each move the head over an acceleration section in which the speed of the head goes from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section in which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section in which the speed of the head goes from the predetermined speed to zero, and the control device performs a movement process that causes the movement mechanism to perform the first movement operation, and a deceleration process in the first movement operation. a first judgment process for determining whether a stopping position where the head stops at an end point of a section is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to a target position, and if it is determined in the first judgment process that the stopping position is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is not ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section, but is ejected from the nozzle in the constant speed section, and if it is determined in the first judgment process that the stopping position is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

[0009] A control method according to the present invention is a control method for controlling a liquid ejection device including a head having nozzles, and a movement mechanism capable of executing a first movement operation of moving the head from one side of a scanning direction to the other side, and a second movement operation of moving the head from the other side of the scanning direction to one side, wherein the first movement operation and the second movement operation each move the head over an acceleration section in which the speed of the head goes from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section in which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section in which the speed of the head goes from the predetermined speed to zero, and the control method includes a movement process that causes the movement mechanism to execute the first movement operation, and a deceleration section in the first movement operation. and a first judgment process for determining whether a stopping position where the head stops at an end point of the scanning direction is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to a target position, and if it is determined in the first judgment process that the stopping position is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is not ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section, but is ejected from the nozzle in the constant speed section, and if it is determined in the first judgment process that the stopping position is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

[0010] The program according to the present invention relates to a liquid ejection device comprising: a head having nozzles; and a moving mechanism capable of executing a first moving operation of moving the head from one side of a scanning direction to the other side of the scanning direction, and a second moving operation of moving the head from the other side of the scanning direction to one side of the scanning direction, wherein the first moving operation and the second moving operation each move the head through an acceleration section in which the speed of the head goes from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section in which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section in which the speed of the head goes from the predetermined speed to zero, the program comprising: moving means for causing the moving mechanism to execute the first moving operation; and moving means for causing the moving mechanism to execute the first moving operation and The present invention is characterized in that the stop position at which the head stops functions as a first judgment means for judging whether or not it is on one side of the scanning direction relative to a target position, and if the first judgment means judges that the stop position is not on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is not ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section, but is ejected from the nozzle in the constant speed section, and if the first judgment means judges that the stop position is on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to perform the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, if the head does not stop before the target position (in one direction of the scanning) in the first movement operation (i.e., if it stops at the target position or in the other direction of the scanning direction relative to the target position), liquid is ejected in the constant speed section in the next second movement operation. This makes it possible to avoid deterioration of image quality that may occur when ejecting liquid in the acceleration section, and to obtain good image quality. On the other hand, if the head stops before the target position (in one direction of the scanning direction) in the first movement operation, the next second movement operation is not started after moving the head to the target position, but is started from the stop position and liquid is ejected in the acceleration section and constant speed section. This saves the time required to move the head to the target position, and high-speed recording can be achieved. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in image quality and achieve high speed recording by controlling the head stop position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the head shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer in FIG. [Figure 4] 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams showing a moving operation for moving a head in the printer of FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a flow chart showing a program executed by a control device of the printer in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the recording process of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the recording process of FIG. 5 in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the recording process of FIG. 5 in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the recording process of FIG. 5 in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In the following description, the X and Y directions are horizontal directions, and the Z direction is vertical. The X, Y and Z directions are perpendicular to each other. The Y direction corresponds to the "scanning direction" of the present invention.

[0014] First Embodiment 1 is a first embodiment of a "liquid ejection device" according to the present invention. The printer 100 includes a head 10 having a plurality of nozzles N, a carriage 20 that holds the head 10, a movement mechanism 30 that moves the carriage 20 and the head 10, a platen 40 that supports paper P from below, a transport mechanism 50 that transports the paper P, and a control device 90.

[0015] The nozzles N form four nozzle rows N1 to N4 aligned in the Y direction. Each of the nozzle rows N1 to N4 includes a plurality of nozzles N aligned in the X direction. The nozzles N forming the nozzle rows N1 to N4 are aligned so as to overlap each other in the Y direction. Each of the nozzles N forming the four nozzle rows N1 to N4 ejects black ink.

[0016] The moving mechanism 30 includes a pair of guides 31, 32 that support the carriage 20, and a belt 33 connected to the carriage 20. The guides 31, 32 and the belt 33 extend in the Y direction. When a carriage motor 30m (see FIG. 3) is driven under the control of the control device 90, the belt 33 runs, and the carriage 20 and the head 10 move in the Y direction along the guides 31, 32. That is, the moving mechanism 30 can execute a first moving operation of moving the head 10 from one side (the right side in FIG. 1) to the other side (the left side in FIG. 1) in the Y direction (in the D1 direction shown in FIG. 1), and a second moving operation of moving the head 10 from the other side (the left side in FIG. 1) to one side (the right side in FIG. 1) in the Y direction (in the D2 direction shown in FIG. 1).

[0017] The platen 40 is disposed below the carriage 20 and the head 10. The paper P is supported on the upper surface of the platen 40.

[0018] The transport mechanism 50 has two roller pairs 51 and 52. The head 10, the carriage 20, and the platen 40 are disposed between the roller pairs 51 and 52 in the X direction. When the transport motor 50m (see FIG. 3) is driven under the control of the control device 90, the roller pairs 51 and 52 rotate while holding the paper P therebetween, and the paper P is transported in the X direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the head 10 includes a flow path unit 12 and an actuator unit 13.

[0020] A plurality of nozzles N (see FIG. 1) open on the bottom surface of the flow path unit 12. A common flow path 12a communicating with an ink tank (not shown) and individual flow paths 12b each for each nozzle N are formed inside the flow path unit 12. The individual flow paths 12b are flow paths that extend from the outlet of the common flow path 12a through the pressure chambers 12p to the nozzles N. A plurality of pressure chambers 12p open on the top surface of the flow path unit 12.

[0021] The actuator unit 13 includes a metallic vibration plate 13a arranged on the upper surface of the flow path unit 12 so as to cover the multiple pressure chambers 12p, a piezoelectric layer 13b arranged on the upper surface of the vibration plate 13a, and a plurality of individual electrodes 13c arranged on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 13b so as to face each of the multiple pressure chambers 12p.

[0022] The vibration plate 13a and the individual electrodes 13c are electrically connected to a driver IC 14. The driver IC 14 maintains the potential of the vibration plate 13a at the ground potential while changing the potential of the individual electrodes 13c. Specifically, the driver IC 14 generates a drive signal based on a control signal (waveform signal FIRE and selection signal SIN) from the control device 90, and supplies the drive signal to the individual electrodes 13c via a signal line 14s. This causes the potential of the individual electrodes 13c to change between a predetermined drive potential (VDD) and a ground potential (0V). At this time, the portions (actuators 13x) of the vibration plate 13a and the piezoelectric layer 13b sandwiched between each individual electrode 13c and each pressure chamber 12p are deformed, causing the volume of the pressure chamber 12p to change, pressure to be applied to the ink in the pressure chamber 12p, and ink to be ejected from the nozzle N. The actuators 13x are provided for each individual electrode 13c (i.e., for each nozzle N) and can be independently deformed according to the potential supplied to the individual electrode 13c.

[0023] 3, the control device 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 92, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 93, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 94. Of these, the CPU 91 and the ASIC 94 correspond to the "control unit" of the present invention.

[0024] The ROM 92 stores programs and data for the CPU 91 and ASIC 94 to perform various controls. The RAM 93 temporarily stores data used when the CPU 91 and ASIC 94 execute programs. The control device 90 is communicably connected to a PC (personal computer) 200, and executes recording processing by the CPU 91 and ASIC 94 based on a recording command (including image data) received from the PC 200.

[0025] In the recording process, the ASIC 94 drives the driver IC 14, the carriage motor 30m, and the transport motor 50m in accordance with commands from the CPU 91 and based on a recording command received from the PC 200, and alternates between a transport operation for transporting the paper P a predetermined distance in the X direction by the transport mechanism 50 and a scanning operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles N while moving the carriage 20 and the head 10 in the Y direction. In this way, ink dots are formed on the paper P, and an image is recorded.

[0026] The scanning operation includes a movement operation that moves the carriage 20 and the head 10 in the Y direction, and a discharge operation that discharges ink from the nozzles N. The movement operation includes a first movement operation in the D1 direction and a second movement operation in the D2 direction (see FIG. 1).

[0027] The first and second movement operations refer to moving the head 10 through an acceleration section in which the speed of the head 10 increases from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section in which the speed of the head 10 is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section in which the speed of the head 10 decreases from the predetermined speed to zero, as shown in FIG.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the ASIC 94 includes an output circuit 94a and a transfer circuit 94b.

[0029] The output circuit 94a generates a waveform signal FIRE and a selection signal SIN, and outputs these signals to the transfer circuit 94b for each recording cycle. One recording cycle is the time required for the paper P to move relative to the head 10 by a unit distance corresponding to the resolution of the image formed on the paper P, and corresponds to one pixel.

[0030] The waveform signal FIRE is a serial signal obtained by serializing four pieces of ejection data. The ejection data is data for ejecting ink from the nozzle N, and indicates the potential of the individual electrode 13c. The four pieces of ejection data differ from each other in the number of pulses that change the potential of the individual electrode 13c between the ground potential (0V) and the drive potential (VDD) within one recording cycle, the pulse width, etc. As a result, the four pieces of ejection data differ from each other in the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle N within one recording cycle, namely, "zero (no ejection: 0pl)", "small (5pl)", "medium (10pl)", and "large (40pl)".

[0031] The selection signal SIN is a serial signal including selection data for selecting one of the four ejection data, and is generated for each actuator 13x and for each recording cycle based on the image data included in the recording command.

[0032] The transfer circuit 94b transfers the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN received from the output circuit 94a to the driver IC 14. The transfer circuit 94b has built-in LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) drivers corresponding to each of the above signals, and transfers each signal to the driver IC 14 as a pulse-shaped differential signal.

[0033] In the recording process, the ASIC 94 controls the driver IC 14 to generate a drive signal for each pixel based on the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN, and supplies the drive signal to the individual electrode 13c via the signal line 14s. As a result, the ASIC 94 ejects ink from each of the multiple nozzles N toward the paper P in an amount corresponding to the ejection data selected from the four ejection data for each pixel.

[0034] Next, the programs executed by the control device 90 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0035] The CPU 91 of the control device 90 first determines whether or not a recording command has been received from the PC 200 (S1).

[0036] When it is determined that a recording command has not been received (S1: NO), the CPU 91 repeats the process of S1.

[0037] When it is determined that a recording command has been received (S1: YES), the CPU 91 causes the output circuit 94a of the ASIC 94 to generate a selection signal SIN for selecting one piece of ejection data that meets the conditions from among the four pieces of ejection data for each actuator 13x and for each recording cycle based on the image data included in the recording command received in S1 (S2). S2 corresponds to a "generation process" that generates ejection data based on image data.

[0038] After S2, the CPU 91 executes a recording process (S3) and then ends the program.

[0039] In the recording process (S3), the CPU 91 first sets n=1 (S11) as shown in FIG.

[0040] After S11, the CPU 91 causes the movement mechanism 30 to execute the n-th movement operation, and also causes the movement mechanism 30 to execute a discharge operation for discharging ink from the nozzle N in the constant speed section (see FIG. 4) during the n-th movement operation (S12: movement process). In S12, ink is not discharged from the nozzle N in the acceleration section and the deceleration section.

[0041] After S12, the CPU 91 determines whether the recording process based on the recording command received in S1 is completed (S13). If n=N (N: the number of movement actions determined based on the image data), the CPU 91 determines that the recording process is completed.

[0042] When it is determined that the recording process is completed (S13: YES), the CPU 91 ends this routine.

[0043] When it is determined that the recording process is not completed (S13: NO), the CPU 91 sets n=n+1 (S14).

[0044] After S14, the CPU 91 judges whether the stop position (see FIG. 4) where the head 10 stops at the end point of the deceleration section in the n-th movement operation in S12 is before the target position (S15: first judgment process). For example, if the n-th movement operation is the first movement operation (operation of moving the head 10 from one side to the other in the Y direction), the CPU 91 judges in S15 whether the stop position is on one side of the Y direction with respect to the target position.

[0045] In S15, the CPU 91 identifies the stop position based on a signal from an encoder attached to the carriage motor 30m.

[0046] The target position is stored in the ROM 92. For example, when the n-th movement operation is a first movement operation (operation of moving the head 10 from one side to the other in the Y direction), the target position is a position away from the end point of the constant speed section toward the other side in the Y direction by a distance required for the speed of the head 10 to go from a predetermined speed to zero.

[0047] If it is determined that the stop position is before the target position (S15: YES), the CPU 91 corrects the ejection data in the acceleration section of the nth movement operation in a direction such that the landing positions of ink ejected from nozzle N are equidistant in the Y direction, according to the difference between the speed of the head 10 in the acceleration section of the nth movement operation and a predetermined speed (S16: correction process). In S16, the CPU 91 corrects the selection signal SIN generated in S2.

[0048] After S16, the CPU 91 causes the movement mechanism 30 to execute the nth movement operation, and also causes the movement mechanism 30 to execute a discharge operation in which ink is discharged from the nozzle N in the acceleration section and the constant speed section (see FIG. 4) during the nth movement operation (S17). In S17, ink is not discharged from the nozzle N in the deceleration section. In the acceleration section, ink is discharged from the nozzle N based on the discharge data corrected in S16, and in the constant speed section, based on the discharge data generated in S2.

[0049] After S17, the CPU 91 returns the process to S13.

[0050] If it is determined that the stop position is not before the target position (S15: NO), the CPU 91 returns the process to S12. That is, the CPU 91 causes the movement mechanism 30 to execute the nth movement operation, and also causes the movement mechanism 30 to execute a discharge operation that causes ink to be discharged from the nozzle N in the constant speed section (see FIG. 4) in the nth movement operation (S12: movement process). In S12, ink is not discharged from the nozzle N in the acceleration section and deceleration section. In the constant speed section, ink is discharged from the nozzle N based on the discharge data generated in S2.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, if the CPU 91 determines that the stop position of the head 10 in the first movement operation is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position (not before the target position) (S15: NO), in the second movement operation, ink is not ejected from the nozzle N in the acceleration section, but is ejected from the nozzle N in the constant speed section (S12). This makes it possible to avoid deterioration of image quality that may occur when ink is ejected in the acceleration section, and to obtain good image quality. On the other hand, if the CPU 91 determines that the stop position of the head 10 in the first movement operation is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position (before the target position) (S15: YES), the CPU 91 does not start the second movement operation after moving the head 10 to the target position, but starts the second movement operation from the stop position and ejects ink in the acceleration section and constant speed section (S17). This eliminates the time required to move the head 10 to the target position, and enables high-speed recording. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both suppression of deterioration in image quality and high-speed recording by control according to the stop position of the head 10.

[0052] Before ejecting ink from nozzle N in the acceleration section and constant speed section of the second movement operation (before S17), the CPU 91 corrects the ejection data in the acceleration section of the second movement operation in a direction such that the landing positions of ink ejected from nozzle N become equidistant in the Y direction, according to the difference between the speed of head 10 in the acceleration section of the second movement operation and a predetermined speed (S16: correction process). This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of image quality that may occur when ejecting ink in the acceleration section of the second movement operation.

[0053] When the CPU 91 determines that the stop position of the head 10 in the first movement operation is not on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position (not before the target position) (S15: NO), and when the CPU 91 determines that the stop position of the head 10 in the first movement operation is on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position (before the target position) (S15: YES), the CPU 91 does not eject ink from the nozzles N in the deceleration section in the second movement operation (S12, S17). The landing position of ink ejected in the deceleration section is likely to deviate from the desired position, similar to the landing position of ink ejected in the acceleration section. According to this embodiment, by not ejecting ink in the deceleration section, deterioration of image quality can be suppressed.

[0054] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0055] This embodiment (see FIG. 7) differs from the first embodiment (see FIG. 6) in the contents of the recording process, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same step numbers are used for processes common to FIG. 6.

[0056] In this embodiment, in the recording process, the CPU 91 first sets n=1 and m=0 (S21).

[0057] After S21, the CPU 91 executes the processes S12 to S15 similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0058] When it is determined that the stop position is before the target position (S15: YES), the CPU 91 sets m=m+1 (S22).

[0059] After S22, the CPU 91 judges whether m exceeds M (S23: second judgment process). Here, m is the number of times that it is judged in S15 that the stop position is before the target position (S15: YES), and is stored in the RAM 92. M is a predetermined number (natural number), and is stored in the ROM 92.

[0060] When it is determined that m exceeds M (S23: YES), the CPU 91 executes the same processes S16 and S17 as in the first embodiment.

[0061] If it is determined that m does not exceed M (S23: NO), the CPU 91 causes the moving mechanism 30 to move the head 10 to the target position (S24), and then returns the process to S12.

[0062] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the CPU 91 determines that the stop position of the head 10 in the first movement operation is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position (before the target position) (S15: YES), it further determines whether m exceeds M (whether a predetermined condition is satisfied) (S23: second determination process). Then, when the CPU 91 determines that m exceeds M (the predetermined condition is satisfied) (S23: YES), it ejects ink in the acceleration section and the constant speed section (S17). In other words, when it determines that the stop position of the head 10 is before the target position (S15: YES), it does not eject ink in the acceleration section and the constant speed section uniformly, but ejects ink in the acceleration section and the constant speed section when the predetermined condition that m exceeds M is satisfied. This makes it possible to balance suppression of deterioration in image quality and high-speed recording according to the situation.

[0063] If the CPU 91 determines that the stop position of the head 10 in the first movement operation is before the target position (S15: YES) and that m does not exceed M (the specified condition is not satisfied) (S23: NO), it starts the second movement operation after moving the head 10 to the target position (after S24) and ejects ink in the constant speed section (S12). This makes it possible to avoid deterioration of image quality that may occur when ejecting ink in the acceleration section, and obtain good image quality.

[0064] The predetermined condition is that the number of times m that the head 10 stops before the target position exceeds a predetermined number of times M. When the CPU 91 determines that m exceeds M (S23: YES), the second movement operation is not started after moving the head 10 to the target position (S24), but is started from the stop position and ink is ejected in the acceleration section and the constant speed section (S17). This makes it possible to realize high-speed recording.

[0065] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0066] This embodiment (see FIG. 8) differs from the first embodiment (see FIG. 6) in the contents of the recording process, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same step numbers are used for processes common to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0067] In the present embodiment, in the recording process, the CPU 91 first executes the processes S11 to S15 similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0068] When it is determined that the stop position is before the target position (S15: YES), the CPU 91 determines whether the user's instruction included in the recording command received in S1 is an instruction to prioritize speed (S31).

[0069] The recording command may include a user's command. The command may be a speed priority command (first command) or an image quality priority command (second command). That is, when the CPU 91 receives a recording command, the CPU 91 can execute a reception process to receive the user's command included in the recording command (either a speed priority command or an image quality priority command).

[0070] When it is determined that the user's instruction is an instruction to prioritize speed (S31: YES), the CPU 91 executes the same processes S16 and S17 as in the first embodiment.

[0071] If it is determined that the user's instruction is not an instruction to prioritize speed (an instruction to prioritize image quality) (S31: NO), the CPU 91 moves the head 10 to the target position by the movement mechanism 30 (S24), and then returns the process to S12.

[0072] As described above, according to this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that a speed-priority instruction (first instruction) is received in the reception process. The CPU 91 selects, in response to the instruction from the user, either control for realizing high-speed recording (S17) or control for suppressing deterioration of image quality (S24→S12). This allows the user to realize the recording desired.

[0073] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0074] This embodiment (see FIG. 9) differs from the first embodiment (see FIG. 6) in the contents of the recording process, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same step numbers are used for processes common to FIG. 6 and FIG.

[0075] In the present embodiment, in the recording process, the CPU 91 first executes the processes S11 to S15 similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0076] When it is determined that the stop position is before the target position (S15: YES), the CPU 91 determines whether or not the distance between the stop position and the target position exceeds a threshold value (S41).

[0077] When it is determined that the distance between the stop position and the target position does not exceed the threshold value (S41: NO), the CPU 91 executes the processes S16 and S17 similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0078] If it is determined that the distance between the stop position and the target position exceeds the threshold (S41: YES), the CPU 91 causes the moving mechanism 30 to move the head 10 to the target position (S24), and then returns the process to S12.

[0079] As described above, according to this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the distance between the stop position and the target position does not exceed a threshold value. If the distance exceeds the threshold value, the range in which ink is ejected in the acceleration section is large, and image quality may deteriorate significantly. Therefore, if the distance exceeds the threshold value (S41: YES), the second movement operation is started after the head 10 is moved to the target position (after S24), and ink is ejected in the constant speed section (S12). This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of image quality.

[0080] <Modification> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0081] For example, after a first moving operation that does not involve ejecting liquid is performed in the moving process, a determination may be made in the first determination process regarding a stopping position of the first moving operation.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the nozzles included in the head eject the same type of liquid (black ink), but this is not limited to this. For example, the nozzles included in the head may eject different types (colors) of liquid.

[0083] The head is not limited to a serial type, but may be a line type.

[0084] The recording medium is not limited to paper, but may be cloth, a resin material, or the like.

[0085] The liquid ejection device according to the present invention is not limited to a printer, but may be a facsimile, a copier, a multifunction machine, or the like.

[0086] The program according to the present invention can be distributed by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk, or can be distributed via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 Head 30 Moving mechanism 90 Control device 91 CPU (control unit) 94 ASIC (control unit) 100 Printer (liquid ejection device) N Nozzle

Claims

1. A head having a nozzle; a movement mechanism capable of executing a first movement operation of moving the head from one side to the other side in a scanning direction and a second movement operation of moving the head from the other side to one side in the scanning direction; A control unit, the first movement operation and the second movement operation each move the head through an acceleration section during which the speed of the head increases from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section during which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section during which the speed of the head decreases from the predetermined speed to zero, The control unit is a moving process for causing the moving mechanism to execute the first moving operation; a first determination process for determining whether or not a stop position where the head stops at an end point of the deceleration section in the first movement operation is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to a target position, when it is determined in the first determination process that the stop position is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, causing the movement mechanism to execute the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, not causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the acceleration section, and causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the constant speed section; A liquid ejection device characterized in that, when it is determined in the first judgment process that the stop position is on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to execute the second movement operation, and during the second movement operation, liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

2. The control unit is A generation process for generating ejection data for ejecting liquid from the nozzles based on image data; a correction process for correcting the ejection data in the acceleration section of the second movement operation in a direction such that landing positions of the liquid ejected from the nozzle become equidistant in the scanning direction, in accordance with a difference between the speed of the head in the acceleration section of the second movement operation and the predetermined speed, before ejecting liquid from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section of the second movement operation; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The control unit is The liquid ejection device described in claim 1, characterized in that in either case, when the first judgment process determines that the stop position is not on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, or when the first judgment process determines that the stop position is on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, liquid is not ejected from the nozzle in the deceleration section during the second movement operation.

4. The control unit is When it is determined in the first determination process that the stop position is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, a second determination process can be further executed to determine whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that when it is determined in the second judgment process that the specified condition is satisfied, the movement mechanism is caused to execute the second movement operation, and during the second movement operation, liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

5. The control unit is 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that if it is determined in the second judgment process that the specified condition is not satisfied, the head is moved to the target position by the moving mechanism, and then the moving mechanism is caused to perform the second moving operation, and in the second moving operation, liquid is not ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section, but liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the constant speed section.

6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the specified condition is that the number of times in the first judgment process that the stop position is judged to be on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position exceeds a specified number (natural number).

7. The control unit is further capable of executing a reception process of receiving either a first instruction by a user or a second instruction by a user that is different from the first instruction, The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined condition is that the first instruction has been received in the receiving process.

8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5 , wherein the predetermined condition is that the distance between the stop position and the target position does not exceed a threshold value.

9. A control device for controlling a liquid ejection device including a head having nozzles and a movement mechanism capable of executing a first movement operation for moving the head from one side to the other side in a scanning direction and a second movement operation for moving the head from the other side to one side in the scanning direction, the first movement operation and the second movement operation each move the head through an acceleration section during which the speed of the head increases from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section during which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section during which the speed of the head decreases from the predetermined speed to zero, The control device includes: a moving process for causing the moving mechanism to execute the first moving operation; a first determination process for determining whether or not a stop position where the head stops at an end point of the deceleration section in the first movement operation is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to a target position, when it is determined in the first determination process that the stop position is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, causing the movement mechanism to execute the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, not causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the acceleration section, and causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the constant speed section; A control device characterized in that, when it is determined in the first judgment process that the stop position is on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, the control device causes the movement mechanism to execute the second movement operation and, during the second movement operation, causes liquid to be ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

10. A control method for controlling a liquid ejection device including a head having nozzles and a movement mechanism capable of executing a first movement operation for moving the head from one side to the other side in a scanning direction and a second movement operation for moving the head from the other side to one side in the scanning direction, the method comprising: the first movement operation and the second movement operation each move the head through an acceleration section during which the speed of the head increases from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section during which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section during which the speed of the head decreases from the predetermined speed to zero, a moving process for causing the moving mechanism to execute the first moving operation; a first determination process for determining whether or not a stop position where the head stops at an end point of the deceleration section in the first movement operation is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to a target position; when it is determined in the first determination process that the stop position is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, causing the movement mechanism to execute the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, not causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the acceleration section, and causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the constant speed section; A control method characterized in that, when it is determined in the first judgment process that the stop position is on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, the movement mechanism is caused to execute the second movement operation, and during the second movement operation, liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

11. a head having nozzles; and a movement mechanism capable of executing a first movement operation for moving the head from one side of a scanning direction to the other side and a second movement operation for moving the head from the other side of the scanning direction to one side, wherein the first movement operation and the second movement operation each move the head through an acceleration section in which the speed of the head goes from zero to a predetermined speed, a constant speed section after the acceleration section in which the speed of the head is maintained at the predetermined speed, and a deceleration section after the constant speed section in which the speed of the head goes from the predetermined speed to zero; a moving means for causing the moving mechanism to perform the first moving operation; and a stop position where the head stops at an end point of the deceleration section in the first movement operation is on one side of the scanning direction with respect to a target position, when the first determination means determines that the stop position is not on one side of the scanning direction with respect to the target position, causing the movement mechanism to execute the second movement operation, and in the second movement operation, not causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the acceleration section, and causing the nozzle to eject liquid in the constant speed section; A program characterized in that, when the first judgment means judges that the stop position is on one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position, the program causes the movement mechanism to execute the second movement operation and, during the second movement operation, causes liquid to be ejected from the nozzle in the acceleration section and the constant speed section.

Images