Driving waveform providing system

Abstract

To provide a driving waveform providing system for providing a driving waveform suitable for an inkjet print head.SOLUTION: An inkjet print head driving waveform providing system according to an embodiment includes a communication unit that communicates with an external terminal via a cloud, and a response unit that creates response information for reception information received by the communication unit from the external terminal and provides the response information to the external terminal via the communication unit. The response unit provides response information of an interface that receives input of a serial number of the ink jet print head to the external terminal via the communication unit in response to the reception information requesting provision of the driving waveform of the ink jet print head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a drive waveform providing system.

Background Art

[0002] A liquid ejection device having an inkjet print head generally inputs a drive signal to a drive element such as a piezoelectric element of the inkjet print head to eject a liquid such as ink from a nozzle, thereby forming an image on a printing medium being conveyed.

[0003] In order to perform high-quality image formation, it is necessary to obtain a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head in accordance with the drive conditions of the inkjet print head, physical property values of the ink, etc., so that the ejection characteristics of the ink from the nozzle become desired characteristics.

[0004] Conventionally, there is known a method of obtaining a drive waveform suitable for an inkjet print head by measuring the flight state of ink droplets and printing quality while varying the parameters of the drive waveform using the ink actually used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in this method, since the serial number of the inkjet print head is not input, the type of the inkjet print head used cannot be specified. The head type is one of the important pieces of information in deriving a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head. Therefore, the inability to specify the head type is not preferable in deriving a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a drive waveform providing system that provides a drive waveform suitable for an inkjet print head, which is derived using the serial number of the inkjet print head.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The inkjet print head drive waveform providing system according to the embodiment includes a communication unit that communicates with an external terminal via a cloud, and a response unit that creates response information for the received information received by the communication unit from the external terminal and provides the response information to the external terminal via the communication unit. The response unit provides, to the external terminal via the communication unit, response information of an interface that accepts input of the serial number of the inkjet print head for the received information that requests the provision of the drive waveform of the inkjet print head.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a drive waveform providing system according to an embodiment will be described. The drive waveform providing system receives drive conditions of an inkjet print head and physical property values of ink from an external terminal via the cloud, derives a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head from the received drive conditions and physical property values, and provides the derived drive waveform to the external terminal via the cloud. First, prior to the description of the drive waveform providing system, a liquid ejection device that operates using set value data provided from the drive waveform providing system will be described.

[0011] (Liquid ejection device) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a liquid ejection device 10 that operates using set value data provided from a drive waveform providing system according to an embodiment. The liquid ejection device 10 is, for example, an inkjet recording device. Note that the liquid ejection device 10 is not limited to this, and may be other devices such as a copying machine.

[0012] The liquid ejection device 10 performs various processes such as image formation while conveying a print medium, which is a recording medium.

[0013] The liquid ejection device 10 includes a control unit 11, a display 14, an operation unit 15, a communication interface 16, a conveyance motor 21, a motor drive circuit 22, a pump 23, a pump drive circuit 24, a plurality of inkjet print heads 25, a head controller 26, a system bus 27, and a power supply circuit 28. Further, the liquid ejection device 10 includes a conveyance mechanism, a paper feed cassette, a paper discharge tray, etc. (not shown). In the drawings, the interface is abbreviated as "IF".

[0014] The power supply circuit 28 converts the AC power supplied from the commercial power supply into DC power. The power supply circuit 28 supplies the DC power to each component within the liquid ejection device 10.

[0015] The system bus 27 is a communication path among the control unit 11, the display 14, the operation unit 15, the communication interface 16, the motor drive circuit 22, the pump drive circuit 24, and the head controller 26. The control unit 11, the display 14, the operation unit 15, the communication interface 16, the motor drive circuit 22, the pump drive circuit 24, and the head controller 26 can transmit and receive information, data, addresses, control signals, commands, responses, etc. via the system bus 27.

[0016] The control unit 11 performs various controls of the liquid ejection device 10. The control unit 11 includes a processor 12 and a memory 13. The processor 12 is an arithmetic element that executes arithmetic processing. The processor 12 performs various processes based on, for example, the program stored in the memory 13 and the data used in the program. The memory 13 stores programs, data used in the programs, etc. in a rewritable manner.

[0017] The display 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example. The display 14 displays an image according to the video signal input from the processor 12, a graphic controller (not shown) for performing image processing, etc.

[0018] The operation unit 15 has operation members that generate operation signals based on user operations. The operation members are, for example, touch sensors, numeric keys, power keys, paper feed keys, various function keys, keyboards, etc. The touch sensor is, for example, a resistive film type touch sensor, a capacitance type touch sensor, etc. The touch sensor acquires information indicating a specified position within a certain area. Also, the touch sensor may be used as a touch panel disposed on the upper surface of the display 14 and integrally configured. In this case, the touch sensor generates a signal indicating the touched position on the screen displayed on the display 14.

[0019] The communication interface 16 is an interface for communicating with external devices. The communication interface 16 is used, for example, for the liquid ejecting device 10 to communicate with an external terminal 30 that transmits register values of print data and setting value data. The communication interface 16 communicates with the external terminal 30 via a network configured by wire or wirelessly, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The external terminal 30 is a control server, a PC, or the like that controls the liquid ejecting device 10.

[0020] The conveyance motor 21 rotates to operate a conveyance member of a conveyance mechanism (not shown) for conveying the print medium. The conveyance member is a conveyance belt for conveying the print medium, a plurality of rollers (driving roller and driven roller) around which the conveyance belt is wound, a guide, etc. The conveyance motor 21 rotates the driving roller to move the conveyance belt that holds the print medium. The print medium moves along a conveyance path defined by a guide disposed in the vicinity of the conveyance belt.

[0021] The motor drive circuit 22 is a circuit that drives the conveyance motor 21. The motor drive circuit 22 drives the conveyance motor 21 in accordance with the conveyance control signal input from the control unit 11. The motor drive circuit 22, the conveyance motor 21, and the conveyance mechanism convey the print medium taken out from a paper feed cassette (not shown) to a paper discharge tray (not shown) via a plurality of inkjet print heads 25. Note that the paper feed cassette is a cassette that accommodates a plurality of print media. The paper discharge tray is a tray that accommodates the print medium discharged from the liquid ejection device 10.

[0022] The pump 23 supplies ink from the ink tank to the pressure chamber of the inkjet print head 25 via the ink supply path. The pump 23 is disposed on an ink supply path composed of a tube (not shown) that connects the ink tank and the pressure chamber of the inkjet print head 25.

[0023] The pump drive circuit 24 drives the pump 23 in accordance with the ink supply control signal input from the processor 12. The pump 23 supplies the ink in the ink tank to the pressure chamber of the inkjet print head 25.

[0024] The inkjet print head 25 is an image forming unit that forms an image by ejecting ink onto the print medium. Although not shown, the inkjet print head 25 includes an actuator such as a plurality of piezoelectric elements that eject ink from nozzles, a sensor for detecting the ink temperature, etc., and a drive circuit that drives the actuator. The inkjet print head 25 forms an image by ejecting ink onto the print medium conveyed by the conveyance mechanism based on the drive power supply and control signal supplied from the head controller 26. A plurality of inkjet print heads 25 corresponding to each color of ink, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc., are provided.

[0025] The liquid ejection device 10 receives the resist values of print data and setting value data from the external terminal 30 via the communication interface 16 and stores them in the memory 13. When setting (configuring) the inkjet print head 25, the processor 12 reads out the resist values of the print data and setting value data from the memory 13 and transmits them to the head controller 26.

[0026] The head controller 26 is a circuit that controls a plurality of inkjet print heads 25 based on the resist values of the print data and setting value data. The head controller 26 supplies a plurality of drive voltages to the inkjet print head 25 based on the resist value of the setting value data. Also, the head controller 26 generates a control signal based on the print data. The head controller 26 supplies the drive voltage and the control signal to the inkjet print head 25 to operate the actuator in the inkjet print head 25, thereby ejecting ink from the nozzles of the inkjet print head 25 to form an image on the print medium.

[0027] (First configuration example of the head controller and the inkjet print head) Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first configuration example of the head controller 26 and the inkjet print head 25 of the liquid ejection device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of the head controller 26 of the liquid ejection device 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of the inkjet print head 25 of the liquid ejection device 10.

[0028] (Head controller) The head controller 26 includes a bus bridge 261, a setting value data buffer 262, a print data buffer 263, a control signal generation unit 264, and a drive control unit 265. The drive control unit 265 includes a setting value data transfer unit 266, a print data transfer unit 267, and a control signal transfer unit 268.

[0029] The set value data is input from the system bus 27 via the bus bridge 261 into the set value data buffer 262. The set value data buffer 262 temporarily stores the set value data, performs necessary processing on the set value data as appropriate, and outputs the set value data to the set value data transfer unit 266 of the drive control unit 265. The set value data transfer unit 266 transfers the set value data to the inkjet print head 25.

[0030] The print data is input from the system bus 27 via the bus bridge 261 into the print data buffer 263. The print data buffer 263 temporarily stores the print data, performs necessary processing as appropriate, and outputs it to the print data transfer unit 267 of the drive control unit 265. The print data transfer unit 267 transfers the print data to the inkjet print head 25.

[0031] The control signal generation unit 264 generates the control signal for the inkjet print head 25 and outputs it to the control signal transfer unit 268 of the drive control unit 265. The control signal includes a clock signal etc. for taking the operation timing. The control signal generation unit 264 also generates the drive voltage supplied to the inkjet print head 25 and outputs it to the control signal transfer unit 268 of the drive control unit 265. The control signal transfer unit 268 transfers the control signal and the drive voltage to the inkjet print head 25.

[0032] (Inkjet Print Head) The inkjet print head 25 has a driver IC 251 and an actuator group 256. The actuator group 256 has a plurality of actuators. Each actuator is a drive element for expanding and contracting the pressure chamber that stores ink and ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber. For example, each actuator is a piezoelectric drive element made of PZT (lead zirconate titanate).

[0033] The driver IC 251 is a drive circuit for the inkjet print head 25. Specifically, the driver IC 251 is a drive circuit that drives the actuator group 256. The driver IC 251 includes a drive signal generation circuit 252 and a data processing circuit 255. The drive signal generation circuit 252 includes a drive waveform generation circuit 253 and an analog switch circuit 254.

[0034] The drive signal generation circuit 252 receives set value data from the set value data transfer unit 266. The data processing circuit 255 receives print data from the print data transfer unit 267 and receives a control signal and a drive voltage from the control signal transfer unit 268. The data processing circuit 255 supplies the drive voltage to the drive signal generation circuit 252. Also, the data processing circuit 255 generates a control signal for the drive signal generation circuit 252 based on the print data and the control signal, and outputs the control signal to the drive signal generation circuit 252. The drive signal generation circuit 252 generates an analog drive signal from the set value data input from the set value data transfer unit 266 under the control of the data processing circuit 255, and outputs the drive signal to the actuator group 256.

[0035] Specifically, the analog switch circuit 254 has a plurality of switch elements, and the data processing circuit 255 supplies a plurality of levels of drive voltages to the plurality of switch elements in the analog switch circuit 254. The drive waveform generation circuit 253 generates a digital drive waveform according to the set value data and the print data, and outputs the drive waveform to the analog switch circuit 254. The analog switch circuit 254 generates an analog drive signal by selectively turning ON one of the plurality of switch elements to which different drive voltages are supplied according to the input digital drive waveform. The driver IC 251 outputs the drive signal to the actuator group 256.

[0036] Each actuator in the actuator group 256 operates according to the drive signal input from the driver IC 251, expands and contracts the pressure chamber that stores ink, and discharges ink droplets from the nozzles.

[0037] (Second Configuration Example of Head Controller and Inkjet Print Head) Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second configuration example of the head controller 26 and the inkjet print head 25 of the liquid ejection device 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of the head controller 26 of the liquid ejection device 10. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of the inkjet print head 25 of the liquid ejection device 10. In FIGS. 4 and 5, members denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the members shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are the same members, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the different parts.

[0038] (Head Controller) The head controller 26 includes a bus bridge 261, a set value data buffer 2621, a print data buffer 263, a control signal generation unit 264, and a drive control unit 2651. The drive control unit 2651 includes a drive waveform generation circuit 2661, a print data transfer unit 267, and a control signal transfer unit 268.

[0039] The set value data is input from the system bus 27 via the bus bridge 261 to the set value data buffer 2621. The set value data is waveform digital data for determining a drive waveform. The set value data buffer 2621 temporarily stores the set value data, appropriately performs necessary processing on the set value data, and outputs the set value data to the drive waveform generation circuit 2661 of the drive control unit 2651. The drive waveform generation circuit 2661 generates a digital drive waveform according to the set value data and outputs the drive waveform to the inkjet print head 25.

[0040] (Inkjet Print Head) The inkjet print head 25 includes a driver IC 2511 and an actuator group 256. The actuator group 256 includes a plurality of actuators. Each actuator is a drive element for expanding and contracting a pressure chamber that stores ink and ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber.

[0041] The driver IC 2511 is a drive circuit for the inkjet print head 25. Specifically, the driver IC 2511 is a drive circuit that drives the actuator group 256. The driver IC 2511 includes an analog switch circuit 2521 and a data processing circuit 2551. The analog switch circuit 2521 receives a digital drive waveform from the drive waveform generation circuit 266. The data processing circuit 2551 receives print data from the print data transfer section 267, and a control signal and a drive voltage from the control signal transfer section 268. The data processing circuit 2551 supplies the drive voltage to the analog switch circuit 2521. Specifically, the analog switch circuit 2521 has a plurality of switch elements, and the data processing circuit 2551 supplies a plurality of levels of drive voltage to the plurality of switch elements within the analog switch circuit 2521. Further, the data processing circuit 2551 generates a control signal for the analog switch circuit 2521 based on the print data and the control signal, and outputs the control signal to the analog switch circuit 2521. The analog switch circuit 2521 generates an analog drive signal from the digital drive waveform input from the drive waveform generation circuit 266 under the control of the data processing circuit 2551, and outputs the drive signal to the actuator group 256.

[0042] Specifically, the analog switch circuit 2521 generates an analog drive signal by selectively turning ON any one of a plurality of switch elements to which different drive voltages are supplied. The driver IC 2511 outputs the drive signal to the actuator group 256.

[0043] Each actuator of the actuator group 256 operates according to the drive signal input from the driver IC 2511, expands and contracts the pressure chamber that stores the ink, and discharges ink droplets from the nozzles.

[0044] (Selection of set value data by conventional method) Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a procedure for selecting set value data of the inkjet print head 25 by the conventional method will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for selecting the set value data of the inkjet print head 25 by the conventional method.

[0045] In ACT11, the inkjet print head 25 is driven by the basic drive waveform to eject ink and perform image formation on the print medium.

[0046] In ACT12, the ejection of ink is evaluated. The evaluation of the ink ejection is performed based on, for example, the size, speed, shape, etc. of the ink drops ejected, and based on the image formed on the print medium, such as resolution, color reproducibility, sharpness, dot position accuracy, etc.

[0047] In ACT13, the evaluation result is checked. For example, the check of the evaluation result is performed by quantifying each of the above parameters and comparing the numerical values with the threshold values. For example, when the numerical value of each parameter is recognized to be better than each threshold value, the evaluation result is considered OK, and otherwise, the evaluation result is considered NG.

[0048] If the evaluation result is NG in the check in ACT13 (No in ACT13), in ACT14, the drive waveform is reselected. Subsequently, in ACT15, the inkjet print head 25 is driven by the reselected drive waveform to eject ink and perform image formation on the print medium. Then, the operations of ACT12 and ACT13 are performed.

[0049] That is, in ACT13, the operations of ACT14, ACT15, and ACT12 are repeatedly performed until the evaluation result becomes OK.

[0050] As a result of the check in ACT13, when the evaluation result is OK (Yes in ACT13), in ACT16, the drive waveform at that time is recognized as a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25, and the set value data for generating the drive waveform is selected as the set value data suitable for the inkjet print head 25.

[0051] (Functional configuration of the drive waveform providing system) Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the functional configuration of the drive waveform providing system 50 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the drive waveform providing system 50 according to the embodiment. The drive waveform providing system 50 is composed of a server or the like on the cloud. That is, the drive waveform providing system 50 can also be said to be a drive waveform providing server.

[0052] The drive waveform providing system 50 includes a web server 51, an authentication server 52, a firewall 53, an application server 54, a web API server 55, a database server 56, and a database 57. In the drawings, the application server is abbreviated as "AP server", and the database is abbreviated as "DB".

[0053] The web server 51 serves as the first entry point for access from the external terminal 30 to the drive waveform providing system 50 and provides a user interface for the external terminal 30. A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the web server 51 is shown in FIG. 9. The web server 51 has a communication function and a user interface providing function. Further, the web server 51 has a customer database, a user database, and a user interface database as dedicated databases in the database 57. In the drawings, the user interface is abbreviated as "UI". Also, in the following description, the user interface may be abbreviated as "UI". The web server 51 provides a user interface to the external terminal 30, i.e., the PC 31 or the control server 32, and through this user interface, it cooperates with each server (authentication server 52, application server 54, web API server 55, database server 56) and the database 57 to receive a request from the external terminal 30 and return a response to the request to the external terminal 30.

[0054] In one example, the external terminal 30 is a PC 31 that controls the liquid ejection device 10. The PC 31 is a user PC or an administrator PC. In this case, the user or administrator operating the PC 31 sends a request to the web server 51 and receives a response from the web server 51 through the user interface screen (UI screen) of a web application (e.g., a web browser) displayed on the PC 31, for example, by HTTPS communication. The UI screen of the web application is created using, for example, HTML, CSS, JavaScript (registered trademark), etc.

[0055] In another example, the external terminal 30 is a control server 32 that controls the liquid ejection device 10. In this case, the control server 32 sends a request to the web server 51 and receives a response from the web server 51 through an API published as a web API.

[0056] The database 57 stores various data. The database server 56 manages the database 57. The database server 56 stores appropriate data in the database 57 in response to requests from the authentication server 52, the application server 54, and the web API server 55, and also reads appropriate data from the database 57 and provides them to the authentication server 52, the application server 54, and the web API server 55.

[0057] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the authentication server 52 is shown in FIG. 9. The authentication server 52 has a login function. In addition, the authentication server 52 has a customer database, a user database, a white list, and a serial number database as dedicated databases in the database 57. In the drawings, the serial number is abbreviated as "S / N".

[0058] The authentication server 52 receives the login information of the external terminal 30 from the web server 51, and permits login to the permitted external terminal 30 through the cooperation of the login function and the white list that holds the information of the permitted external terminal 30. In addition, for a new external terminal 30, the authentication server 52 requests the input of necessary information through the login function, identifies the access source domain, registers the necessary information and the access source domain in the white list, and then permits login. The authentication server 52 outputs the authentication result to the firewall 53.

[0059] The authentication server 52 permits operations with administrator privileges, such as registering users in the user database and accessing each database, for the administrator. After login, the authentication server 52 performs collation with the customer database and the serial number database in response to the input of the serial number of the inkjet print head.

[0060] The firewall 53 protects the application server 54 and the web API server 55 from unauthorized access and the like. Based on the authentication result received from the authentication server 52, the firewall 53 permits access to the application server 54 and the web API server 55 for the permitted external terminals 30.

[0061] The application server 54 provides an execution environment for web applications. The web API server 55 provides APIs.

[0062] A block diagram showing the functional configurations of the application server 54 and the web API server 55 is shown in FIG. 10. The application server 54 and the web API server 55 have a drive waveform providing function, an ink temperature / viscosity calculation engine, and a drive waveform selection algorithm. Also, the application server 54 and the web API server 55 have a coefficient database, a serial number database, an operation log database, and master data as dedicated databases in the database 57. The application server 54 and the web API server 55 provide an update function for the ink temperature / viscosity calculation engine and an update function for the drive waveform selection algorithm to the administrator.

[0063] The application server 54 and the web API server 55 receive parameters including the driving conditions of the inkjet print head 25 and the physical property values of the ink from the logged-in and authenticated external terminal 30. The driving waveform providing function derives a driving waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25 from the parameters including the driving conditions and physical property values using an ink temperature / viscosity calculation engine, a dedicated database, etc., based on a driving waveform selection algorithm for data analysis. The driving waveform selection algorithm takes as input variables the type of ink, the specific gravity of the ink, the type of inkjet print head, etc., and is an algorithm for deriving a driving waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25. The driving waveform providing function provides setting value data for generating the derived driving waveform. Further, the driving waveform providing function corrects the setting value data based on the viscosity or temperature of the ink. The types of ink are, for example, ultraviolet curable ink, oil-based ink, solvent ink, ceramic ink, and aqueous ink.

[0064] Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of the functional configuration of the database server 56. The database server 56 has a data management function, a data update function, and a user management function. Further, the database server 56 has a coefficient database, a serial number database, a customer database, master data, a user database, an operation log database, master data, etc. in the database 57. Also, the database server 56 provides a data update function and a user management function to the administrator.

[0065] In the driving waveform providing system 50 configured as described above, the web server 51 functions as a communication unit that communicates with the external terminal 30 via the cloud. Also, the web server 51, the application server 54, and the web API server 55 cooperate with the database server 56 and the database 57 to create response information for the received information received from the external terminal 30 and function as a response unit that provides the response information to the external terminal 30.

[0066] The external terminal 30 transmits a parameter including the driving conditions of the inkjet print head 25 of the liquid ejection device 10 and the physical property values of the ink, and a request for providing a driving waveform to the driving waveform providing system 50.

[0067] When the access of the external terminal 30 is appropriate, the driving waveform providing system 50 receives the parameter via the web server 51, calculates set value data for generating a driving waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25 in the application server 54 or the web API server 55, and transmits the calculated set value data to the external terminal 30 via the web server 51.

[0068] When the external terminal 30 is the PC 31 that controls the liquid ejection device 10, the application server 54 receives a parameter including the driving conditions of the inkjet print head 25 and the physical property values of the ink, and outputs it to the database server 56. The database server 56 stores it in the database 57.

[0069] The application server 54 calculates set value data for generating a driving waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25. The application server 54 stores the set value data in the database 57 via the database server 56. Also, the application server 54 transmits the set value data to the PC 31 via the firewall 53 and the web server 51.

[0070] The PC 31 transmits the received set value data to the liquid ejection device 10 automatically or under the command of the user of the PC 31. The liquid ejection device 10 receives the set value data via the communication interface 16 and stores it in the memory 13. At the time of setting (configuring) the inkjet print head 25, the processor 12 reads the set value data from the memory 13 and transmits it to the head controller 26.

[0071] When the external terminal 30 is the control server 32 that controls the liquid ejection device 10, the web API server 55 performs the same operations as the application server 54 described above. That is, the web API server 55 receives parameters including the driving conditions of the inkjet print head 25 and the physical property values of the ink, and outputs them to the database server 56. The database server 56 stores the parameters in the database 57 via the database server 56.

[0072] The web API server 55 calculates setting value data for generating a driving waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25. The web API server 55 stores the setting value data in the database 57 via the database server 56. Further, the web API server 55 transmits the setting value data to the control server 32 via the firewall 53 and the web server 51.

[0073] The control server 32 transmits the received setting value data to the liquid ejection device 10. The liquid ejection device 10 receives the setting value data via the communication interface 16 and stores it in the memory 13. When setting (configuring) the inkjet print head 25, the processor 12 reads the setting value data from the memory 13 and transmits it to the head controller 26.

[0074] (Hardware Configuration of Driving Waveform Providing System) The driving waveform providing system 50 can be configured by a computer. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 12, the hardware configuration of the computer 60 that can configure the driving waveform providing system 50 will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the driving waveform providing system 50.

[0075] The computer 60 includes a processor 61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63, an auxiliary storage device 64, an input device 65, an output device 66, and a communication device 67.

[0076] The processor 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the auxiliary storage device 64, the input device 65, the output device 66, and the communication device 67 are electrically connected to each other via the bus 68, and can transmit and receive data and information via the bus 68.

[0077] The processor 61 is composed of a general-purpose hardware processor including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), etc. The processor 61 controls the entirety of the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the auxiliary storage device 64, the input device 65, the output device 66, and the communication device 67.

[0078] The ROM 62 is a non-volatile memory that constitutes part of the main memory device. The ROM 62 non-temporarily stores the startup program necessary when the processor 61 starts up. The processor 61 starts up by executing the program in the ROM 62. The ROM 62 is composed of, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programable Read Only Memory), and stores various settings at startup in addition to the startup program.

[0079] The RAM 63 is a volatile memory that constitutes part of the main memory device. The RAM 63 temporarily stores the programs necessary for the processing of the processor 61 and the data necessary for the execution of the programs. The processor 61 executes the programs in the RAM 63 to calculate the data in the RAM 63 and stores the calculation results in the RAM 63.

[0080] The auxiliary storage device 64 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The auxiliary storage device 64 non-temporarily stores the programs executed by the processor 61 and the data necessary for the execution of the programs. The processor 61 reads the programs and data in the auxiliary storage device 64 into the RAM 63 and executes various functions by executing the programs.

[0081] For example, the input device 65 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The input device 65 is not limited to this, and may be composed of any other input device. For example, the output device 66 is composed of a display, etc. The output device 66 is not limited to this, and may be composed of any other output device. The input device 65 and the output device 66 may be composed of an input / output device having both functions. For example, the input / output device is composed of a tablet, a disk drive, etc.

[0082] The communication device 67 has a function of transmitting data and information and a function of receiving them to and from the external terminal 30. For example, the communication device 67 has a receiving device and a transmitting device.

[0083] The program non-temporarily stored in the auxiliary storage device 64 is provided to the computer, for example, via a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is non-temporarily recorded. Such a recording medium is called a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium. For example, the non-temporary computer-readable recording medium is a disk such as a flexible disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), or a semiconductor memory, etc.

[0084] The program non-temporarily stored in the auxiliary storage device 64 is read into and non-temporarily stored in the auxiliary storage device 64 through the input device 65 via a disk drive, for example, when the recording medium is a disk. Also, the program may be stored in a server on the network, downloaded from the server, and non-temporarily stored in the auxiliary storage device 64.

[0085] When starting up, the processor 61 executes the program in the ROM 62, reads and starts up the OS into the RAM 63. Under the control of the OS, the processor 61 monitors instruction inputs, connections to external devices, etc. Also, under the control of the OS, the processor 61 sets a program area and a data area in the RAM 63. In response to an instruction input for starting up the drive waveform providing system 50, the processor 61 reads the drive waveform providing program from the auxiliary storage device 64 into the program area of the RAM 63, and reads the data necessary for the execution of the drive waveform providing program from the auxiliary storage device 64 into the data area of the RAM 63. The processor 61 calculates the data in the data area according to the drive waveform providing program, and writes the calculation result into the data area. Through such operations, the processor 61, the RAM 63, and the auxiliary storage device 64 cooperate to execute the functions of the web server 51, the authentication server 52, the firewall 53, the application server 54, the web API server 55, the database server 56, and the database 57 of the drive waveform providing system 50.

[0086] Note that the external terminal 30 can also be configured by a computer. The hardware configuration of the external terminal 30 is the same as the hardware configuration of the computer 60.

[0087] (Operation example of the drive waveform providing system) Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, an operation example of the drive waveform providing system 50 will be described. FIGS. 13 to 15 are flowcharts showing the processing flow of the operation example of the drive waveform providing system 50. Here, for convenience, it is described assuming that the external terminal 30 is the PC 31. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 to 15, the processing of the external terminal 30 (PC 31 and the user) is shown on the left side, and the processing of the drive waveform providing system 50 is shown on the right side. Note that in FIGS. 13 to 15, the drive waveform providing system is abbreviated as "system".

[0088] In ACT21, when the user inputs an instruction to start using the drive waveform providing system 50 into the PC31, the PC31 sends a request to start using to the drive waveform providing system 50, receives the provision of the UI screen for the login process from the drive waveform providing system 50, displays the UI screen for the login process on the screen, and prompts the user to perform the login process.

[0089] FIG. 16 shows the UI screen 71 for the login process. The UI screen 71 for the login process is an interface that accepts the login process. The UI screen 71 for the login process has an input field for the user ID, an input field for the password, a sign-in button, and a link in case the password is forgotten. Here, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the user ID is something that the user will not forget, such as an email address. Also, the user ID may be stored in the PC31.

[0090] When the user does not remember the password and clicks the link in case the password is forgotten (in the case of Yes in ACT23), in ACT24, the PC31 sends a request to reset the password to the drive waveform providing system 50 together with the user ID information.

[0091] When the drive waveform providing system 50 receives a request to reset the password by the web server 51, in ACT25, the drive waveform providing system 50 queries the user ID in the user database by the authentication server 52 to perform the authentication process of the user ID, and in ACT26, checks the authentication result.

[0092] When the authentication result is NG (in the case of No in ACT26), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC31 to display an error message by the web server 51. In ACT27, the PC31 displays the error message on the screen and waits for the user's confirmation. When the user checks the error message, the PC31 returns to the process of ACT22, displays the UI screen for the login process on the screen, and prompts the user to perform the login process.

[0093] When the authentication result is OK (Yes in ACT26), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the web server 51 to display the UI screen for password reset processing on the PC 31. In ACT28, the PC 31 displays the UI screen for password reset processing on the screen to prompt the user for password reset processing.

[0094] FIG. 17 shows the UI screen 72 for password reset processing. The UI screen 72 for password reset processing includes an input field for the email address and a send button. When the user enters the email address and presses the send button, the drive waveform providing system 50, through the web server 51, sends an email with a link to the password reset URL to the email address entered in the input field for the email address. When the user opens the email and clicks on the link to the password reset URL, the PC 31 receives the provision of the UI screen for password reset processing from the drive waveform providing system 50, displays the UI screen for password reset processing on the screen, and prompts the user for password reset processing.

[0095] FIG. 18 shows the UI screen 73 for password reset processing. The UI screen 73 for password reset processing includes an input field for the new password, an input field for the confirmation new password, and a change button. When the user enters the new password in the two input fields for the new password and presses the change button, in ACT30, the drive waveform providing system 50, through the authentication server 52, changes the password associated with the user ID stored in the user database to the new password to perform password reset. Then, it returns to the processing of ACT22, and the PC 31 displays the UI screen for login processing on the screen to prompt the user for login processing.

[0096] If the user remembers the password (in the case of No in ACT23), in ACT31, on the UI screen for the login process, the user enters the user ID and password and presses the sign-in button. Then, PC31 sends the user ID and password information to the drive waveform providing system 50. In ACT32, the drive waveform providing system 50 collates the user ID and password with the user database by the authentication server 52, and in ACT33, checks the collation result.

[0097] If the collation result is NG (in the case of No in ACT33), in ACT34, the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs PC31 to display an error message. In ACT35, PC31 displays the error message on the screen and waits for the user to confirm. When the user confirms the error message, PC31 returns to the process of ACT22, displays the UI screen for the login process on the screen, and prompts the user to perform the login process.

[0098] If the collation result is OK (in the case of Yes in ACT33), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs PC31 to display the UI screen for the serial number input process of the inkjet print head 25. In ACT35, PC31 displays the UI screen for the serial number input process on the screen and prompts the user to enter the serial number.

[0099] Figure 19 shows the UI screen 74 for serial number input processing. The UI screen 74 for serial number input processing is an interface for receiving the input of the serial number of the inkjet print head 25. The UI screen 74 for serial number input processing includes an input field for the serial number, an OK button, and a cancel button. When the user presses the cancel button, the PC 31 sends a request to cancel the waveform providing process to the drive waveform providing system 50, and the drive waveform providing system 50 cancels the waveform providing process. When the user enters the serial number in the input field for the serial number and presses the OK button, the drive waveform providing system 50 performs a serial number verification process by querying the serial number database with the authentication server 52 in ACT 36, and checks the verification result in ACT 37.

[0100] In the serial number verification process, it is verified whether the user of the PC 31 is an authorized user permitted to use the drive waveform providing system 50. Specifically, using the serial number database and the customer database, it is checked whether the customer associated with the serial number matches the customer associated with the user ID.

[0101] The serial number database stores serial number association information that associates the serial number of the inkjet print head 25 with a customer. The serial number association information associates the serial number and the customer one-to-one. The customer is a specific user permitted to use the drive waveform providing system 50, for example, a regular purchaser of the inkjet print head 25.

[0102] The customer database stores user ID association information that associates the user ID with a customer. The user ID association information associates the user ID and the customer one-to-one.

[0103] The serial number association information is registered in the serial number database at the time of purchase of the inkjet print head 25. The user ID association information is newly registered or additionally updated in the customer database at the time of purchase of the inkjet print head 25.

[0104] When the customer associated with the serial number matches the customer associated with the user ID, the authentication server 52 determines that the user of the drive waveform providing system 50 is a legitimate user and the verification result is OK. When the customer associated with the serial number does not match the customer associated with the user ID, the authentication server 52 determines that the user of the drive waveform providing system 50 is an unauthorized user and the verification result is NG.

[0105] When the verification result is NG (No in ACT37), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC31 to display an error message. In ACT38, the PC31 displays the error message on the screen and waits for the user to confirm. When the user confirms the error message, the PC31 returns to the process of ACT35, displays the UI screen for serial number input processing on the screen, and prompts the user to input the serial number.

[0106] When the verification result is OK (Yes in ACT37), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC31 to display a UI screen for parameter input processing that accepts input of parameters including the drive conditions of the inkjet print head 25 for drive waveform providing processing and the physical property values of the ink. In ACT39, the PC31 displays the UI screen for parameter input processing that accepts input of parameters on the screen and prompts the user to input the parameters.

[0107] FIG. 20 shows a UI screen 75 for parameter input processing for drive waveform providing processing. The UI screen 75 for parameter input is an interface that accepts input of parameters including the drive conditions of the inkjet print head 25 and the physical property values of the ink. The UI screen 75 for parameter input includes a head selection column, an AL rank selection column, an ink selection column, a drive condition selection column, an ink temperature / viscosity input column, a drive voltage input column, a waveform creation button, and a register data creation button.

[0108] The head selection column includes a head type selection section and a serial number display section. The head type selection section enables the selection of the head type through a pull-down function. The serial number display section displays the serial number input in ACT35.

[0109] The AL rank selection column includes a database selection button, a plane selection section, and an AL rank selection section. The database selection button enables the selection of either the serial number database or the coefficient database. The plane selection section enables the selection of a plane through a pull-down function. The AL rank selection section enables the selection of the AL rank through a pull-down function.

[0110] In the AL rank selection, by selecting the serial number database, the AL rank associated with the serial number is applied. That is, when "from S / N DB" in Fig. 20 is selected, the AL rank associated with the serial number is applied. Since the inkjet print head 25 measures the AL rank before shipment, the AL rank of the inkjet print head 25 associated with the serial number is determined before shipment. The AL rank of the inkjet print head 25 associated with the serial number is managed in the S / N DB.

[0111] AL (acoustic length) is half of the time of the natural vibration period of the ink in the pressure chamber of the inkjet print head 25, and is also called the pressure propagation time. AL has different values depending on the inkjet print head 25. Ranking is performed based on the AL value, and an AL rank is assigned.

[0112] The ink selection column includes an ink type selection section and an ink specific gravity input section. The ink type section enables the selection of the ink type through a pull-down function. The ink specific gravity input section enables the direct input of the value of the ink specific gravity.

[0113] The drive condition selection column includes a drop number selection part and a frequency input part. The drop number selection part enables the selection of the drop number through a pull-down function. The drop number selection part may also enable the direct input of the value of the drop number. The frequency input part enables the direct input of the value of the drive frequency.

[0114] The ink temperature / viscosity input column includes a temperature / viscosity selection button and a calculation / input selection button. The temperature / viscosity selection button enables the selection of any one of the recommended temperature, desired temperature, and desired viscosity. The calculation / input selection button enables the selection of either value input or value calculation. The ink temperature / viscosity input column also includes an input / display part for the ink temperature at a viscosity of 10 mPa·s and an input / display part for the desired temperature of the ink. These input / display parts function as an input part for values when value input is selected and as a display part for values when value calculation is selected. When the user selects the recommended temperature, value calculation is automatically selected and the recommended value is displayed in the input / display part. When the user selects the desired temperature or desired viscosity, value input is automatically selected and the user inputs a value in the input / display part.

[0115] PC31 waits for the user to input parameters and then press the drive waveform creation button or the register data creation button. In ACT40, after the user inputs parameters, in ACT41, for example, when the user presses the drive waveform creation button, PC31, in ACT42, displays a UI screen for one-time password input processing on the screen to prompt the user for one-time password input processing and sends a request for one-time password issuance to the drive waveform providing system 50. In the drawings, the one-time password is abbreviated as "OTP".

[0116] When receiving the request, the drive waveform providing system 50 issues a one-time password in ACT43 and sends the one-time password to PC31. When PC31 receives the one-time password, it notifies the user of the reception of the one-time password.

[0117] Figure 21 shows the UI screen 76 for one-time password input processing. The UI screen 76 for one-time password input processing includes an input field for the one-time password, a reissue button, a send button, and a cancel button. When the user presses the cancel button, the drive waveform providing system 50 stops the waveform providing process. When the user presses the reissue button, the PC 31 sends a request for reissuing the one-time password to the drive waveform providing system 50, and the drive waveform providing system 50 reissues the one-time password. When the user enters the one-time password in the input field for the one-time password and presses the send button, the PC 31 sends the one-time password to the drive waveform providing system 50 and waits for verification by the drive waveform providing system 50. If the one-time password is valid as a result of the verification, the drive waveform providing system 50 sends a notification to that effect to the PC 31.

[0118] When receiving the notification, the PC 31 sends the parameters input on the UI screen 75 for parameter input processing for drive waveform providing processing to the drive waveform providing system 50 in ACT 44.

[0119] Upon receiving the parameters, the drive waveform providing system 50 performs parameter check processing by the application server 54 in ACT 45.

[0120] If the check result is NG (if it is NG in ACT 45), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC 31 to display an error message. In ACT 46, the PC 31 displays the error message on the screen and waits for the user's confirmation. When the user confirms the error message, the PC 31 returns to the process of ACT 39, displays the UI screen 75 for parameter input on the screen, and prompts the user to re-enter the parameters.

[0121] When the check result is OK (when it is OK in ACT45), the drive waveform providing system 50, in ACT47, based on the parameters input to the UI screen 75 for parameter input by the application server 54, after identifying the head type from the serial number, uses a drive waveform selection algorithm and a dedicated database to derive a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25.

[0122] Subsequently, in ACT48, the drive waveform providing system 50 calculates setting value data for generating a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25 by the application server 54. After calculating the setting value data, the drive waveform providing system 50 transmits the setting value data to the PC31 by the web server 51.

[0123] (Effect) The drive waveform providing system 50 according to the embodiment receives parameters such as the drive conditions of the inkjet print head 25 and the physical property values of the ink from the external terminal 30 via the cloud, derives a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25, and provides the derived drive waveform to the external terminal 30 via the cloud. Therefore, the user of the external terminal 30 can receive the provision of a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25 without the need to perform ejection observation. As a result, there is no need to perform ejection evaluation, and the evaluation cost can be reduced.

[0124] Furthermore, in the drive waveform providing system 50 according to the embodiment, when in use, it requests the input of the serial number of the inkjet print head 25, identifies the head type based on the serial number, and uses the head type to derive a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25. Therefore, the accuracy of the drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head 25 is high.

[0125] Also, the serial number of the inkjet print head 25 is generally not made public and is disclosed only to specific users. Therefore, it is possible to prevent outsiders from illegally using the drive waveform providing system 50 and to restrict the use of the drive waveform providing system 50 to only specific authorized users.

[0126] (Others) The program executed by the drive waveform providing system according to the embodiment may be transferred while stored in an electronic device, or may be transferred while not stored in an electronic device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network or may be transferred while stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The storage medium is a computer-readable medium. The storage medium may be any medium that can store a program such as a CD-ROM or a memory card and is readable by a computer, regardless of its form.

[0127] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0128] 10…Liquid ejection device, 11…Control unit, 12…Processor, 13…Memory, 14…Display, 15…Operation unit, 16…Communication interface, 21…Conveyor motor, 22…Motor drive circuit, 23…Pump, 24…Pump drive circuit, 25…Inkjet print head, 251…Driver IC, 2511…Driver IC, 252…Drive signal generation circuit, 254…Analog switch circuit, 255…Data processing circuit, 2521…Analog switch circuit, 2551…Data processing circuit, 256…Actuator group, 26…Head controller, 261…Bus bridge, 262…Set value data buffer, 2621…Set value data buffer, 263…Print data buffer, 264…Control signal generation unit, 265…Drive control unit, 2651…Drive control unit, 266…Set value data transfer unit, 2661…Drive waveform generation circuit, 267…Print data transfer unit, 268…Control signal transfer unit, 27…System bus, 28…Power supply circuit, 30…External terminal, 31…PC, 32…Control server, 50…Drive waveform providing system, 51…Web server, 52…Authentication server, 53…Firewall, 54…Application server, 55…Web API server, 56…Database server, 57…Database, 60…Computer, 61…Processor, 62…ROM, 63…RAM, 64…Auxiliary storage device, 65…Input device, 66…Output device, 67…Communication device, 68…Bus, 71…UI screen for login processing, 72…UI screen for password reset processing, 73…UI screen for password re - setting processing, 74…UI screen for serial number input processing, 75…UI screen for parameter input processing, 76…UI screen for one - time password input processing.

Claims

1. A communication unit that communicates with an external terminal via a cloud; a response unit that creates response information in response to the reception information received by the communication unit from the external terminal and provides the response information to the external terminal via the communication unit; having the response unit, in response to the received information requesting provision of a drive waveform for the inkjet printhead, provides the external terminal with the response information of a first interface that accepts an input of a serial number of the inkjet printhead via the communication unit. Inkjet printhead driving waveform providing system.

2. The response unit verifies whether the user of the external terminal is a legitimate user.

2. The inkjet printhead driving waveform providing system of claim 1.

3. If the verification result indicates that the user of the external terminal is an unauthorized user, the response unit provides the external terminal with the response information instructing the external terminal to display an error message via the communication unit; and when the verification result indicates that the user of the external terminal is the authorized user, the response unit provides the external terminal with the response information of a second interface that accepts input of parameters including driving conditions of the inkjet print head and physical property values ​​of ink, via the communication unit.

3. The inkjet printhead driving waveform providing system according to claim 2.

4. the response unit, in response to the received information of the parameters, derives the drive waveform from the parameters using a drive waveform selection algorithm, and provides information of the drive waveform to the external terminal via the communication unit.

4. The inkjet printhead driving waveform providing system according to claim 3.

5. the response unit, in response to the received information on the start of use, provides the external terminal with the response information of a third interface that accepts a login process via the communication unit.

5. The inkjet printhead driving waveform providing system according to claim 4.

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