Recording device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of realizing power supply to a timer after power supply from an external power source has stopped, while suppressing cost increases.SOLUTION: A recording device which performs recording onto a recording medium using recording means, includes: power storage means capable of storing power supplied from an external power source; measurement means which can be driven with the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means and can measure time; control means which can be driven with the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means and controls the drive of the recording device; and restriction means which can restrict power supply to the control means. When power supply from the external power source is stopped, the measurement means and the control means are driven with the power supplied from the power storage means. The control means controls the restriction means so as to restrict power supply to the control means in accordance with the power storage amount of the power storage means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus that operates with power from an external power source connected via a USB cable or the like, charges an auxiliary power source using the external power source, and can also use the power of the auxiliary power source during operation.

[0003] In such a recording apparatus, in a recording head in which nozzles for ejecting ink are formed, capping is performed to cover and protect the surface on which the nozzles are formed with a cap in order to suppress drying of the ink in the nozzles. Even in the capped state, drying of the ink in each nozzle gradually progresses, and there is a risk that the ejection performance of the ink in each nozzle will deteriorate. For this reason, in such a recording apparatus, when a certain period of time has elapsed, a maintenance operation is executed to maintain and recover the ejection performance of the ink in each nozzle well.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the recording apparatus is provided with a timer for measuring the elapsed time since the end of the most recent maintenance operation. The power for driving the timer uses the external power source, but a dedicated battery for the timer is provided to supply power to the timer even when the USB cable is removed and power supply from the external power source stops. For this reason, the production cost of the recording apparatus has been increasing.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technology capable of realizing power supply to a timer after power supply from an external power source has stopped while suppressing high costs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention is a recording device that records on a recording medium by a recording unit, including a power storage unit capable of storing power supplied from an external power source, a measuring unit that can be driven by the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage unit and can measure time, a control unit that can be driven by the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage unit and controls the driving of the recording device, and a regulating unit capable of regulating power supply to the control unit. When power supply from the external power source stops, the measuring unit and the control unit are driven by the power supplied from the power storage unit, and the control unit controls the regulating unit to regulate power supply to the control unit according to the power storage amount of the power storage unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to realize power supply to a timer after power supply from an external power source has stopped while suppressing high costs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a recording device, a control method, and a program will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all combinations of the features described in this embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present invention. Also, the positions, shapes, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

[0011] (First Embodiment) First, a recording device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The recording device according to this embodiment includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector into which a USB cable can be inserted and is configured to be connectable to various devices. When a USB cable connected to an external device such as a PC terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile battery, and an external power adapter is inserted into this USB connector, the external device and the recording device are connected. And the recording device is configured to be operable by the power supplied from an external device connected to such a USB cable. In this specification, an external device that supplies power to the recording device via a USB cable is referred to as an external power source. Thus, in this embodiment, the USB connector functions as a connection portion connectable to an external power source via a USB cable.

[0012] <Configuration of the power supply system of the recording device> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply system of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. The recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) 12 capable of charging and power supply, and a Charger 14 that controls the supplied power. Further, the recording apparatus 10 includes a DC-DC (boost) 16 which is a boost circuit for boosting the power supply voltage supplied from the Charger 14, and a DC-DC (buck) 18 which is a buck circuit for bucking the voltage output from the DC-DC 16. Furthermore, the recording apparatus 10 includes a MotorDriver 20 that drives various motors for operating each component of the recording mechanism (described later), and a HeadDriver 22 that drives a recording head 304 (described later). The recording apparatus 10 also includes a PowerKey 34 provided on an operation unit (not shown) operable by the user, and a Timer 36 that measures time. Note that in the recording apparatus 10, the operation unit including the PowerKey 34 may include a display unit (not shown) capable of displaying various information, a speaker (not shown) capable of outputting voice guidance, warning sounds, and the like.

[0013] The recording apparatus 10 is supplied with a power supply voltage VBUS supplied from an external power source via a USB connector 24 to which a USB cable is connected, and a power supply voltage VBAT supplied from the EDLC 12 serving as an auxiliary power source, to the Charger 14. The Charger 14 generates and outputs a power supply voltage VSYS and a power supply voltage VACC from these power supply voltages. The Charger 14 is a unit having functions for performing power control, EDLC discharge control, charge control, remaining amount management, and abnormal operation protection. The Charger 14 is also connected to the MainASIC 28 via a Control serial bus.

[0014] The recording device 10 is configured to be drivable by the power supply voltage VSYS generated by the Charger 14 and is power-controlled by the Charger 14. The power supply voltage VSYS output from the Charger 14 is supplied to the DC-DC 16 via the VSYS_SW 26. The VSYS_SW 26 can be controlled by the MainASIC 28 described later and controls the supply of the power supply voltage VSYS to the DC-DC 16.

[0015] The power supply voltage VSYS output from the VSYS_SW 26 is boosted to a predetermined voltage value (24V in this embodiment) in the DC-DC 16, supplied from the DC-DC 16 to the Motor Driver 20, and used for driving various motors. Also, the boosted power supply voltage VSYS is supplied from the DC-DC 16 to the Head Driver 22 and used for driving the recording head 304. Further, the boosted power supply voltage VSYS is supplied from the DC-DC 16 to the DC-DC 18 and stepped down to a plurality of voltage values in the DC-DC 18. In this embodiment, the DC-DC 18 generates voltages of 3.3V, 1.8V, and 1.1V and supplies them to the opposing components, specifically, the MainASIC 28, the DDR memory 30, and the Flash ROM 32.

[0016] The MainASIC 28 controls the overall operation of the recording device. The MainASIC 28 is powered on and starts operating based on the program stored in the Flash ROM 32. After starting the operation, the MainASIC 28 can receive inputs from the Power Key 34 and the operation unit (not shown) and execute various operations in the recording device 10 based on the user's operations. Thus, in this embodiment, the MainASIC 28 functions as a control unit that controls the recording device.

[0017] Main ASIC 28 can acquire the remaining amount information regarding the amount of electric power stored in the EDLC 12 via the Charger 14 (that is, the stored electric power amount, hereinafter also referred to as the "remaining power amount"). Further, the Main ASIC 28 is connected to the Timer 36 and can acquire the time measured by the Timer 36. Then, the Main ASIC 28 outputs a control command to the Timer 36 and controls various operations such as the start, stop, and initialization (reset) of the measured value by the control command. The Charger 14 is connected to the Timer 36, and the power supply voltage VACC is directly supplied from the Charger 14. Thus, in this embodiment, the Timer 36 functions as a measurement unit that measures time.

[0018] The EDLC 12 is a storage battery and discharges according to the instruction of the Charger 14 in response to the load of the recording device 10. For example, when the Charger 14 determines that the power supply voltage VBUS from the USB connector 24 is insufficient to execute the recording operation during the recording operation of the recording device 10, the recording operation is executed using the power supply voltage VBAT of the EDLC 12. The charge control is executed based on the instruction output from the Main ASIC 28 to the Charger 14 via the Control serial bus. In this embodiment, the EDLC 12 functions as a power storage unit that can store the electric power supplied from an external power source and can supply the stored electric power.

[0019] <Functional Configuration of Timer> Next, the functional configuration of the Timer 36 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the Timer 36.

[0020] Timer36 operates by receiving the power supply voltage VACC from Charger14. Timer36 includes a pulse oscillator 202 that periodically outputs pulses, and a pulse counter 204 that counts the number of pulses output from the pulse oscillator 202. Further, Timer36 includes a logic unit 206 that calculates the elapsed time based on the count value in the pulse counter 204, and an I / F unit 208 that can output the calculation result in the logic unit 206 to MainASIC28.

[0021] Regarding the logic unit 206, as time, it may be in a form that counts date and time, or it may be in a form that counts the pulse count value itself, and any form is acceptable as long as it can measure time. Also, the I / F unit 208 receives a control command output from MainASIC28. In Timer36, based on the control command, the oscillation state of the pulse oscillator 202 is controlled to control the start and stop of the operation of Timer36, or the count value of the pulse counter 204 is reset. Note that in this embodiment, when the count value of the pulse counter 204 is reset, the measured value in the logic unit 206 is also reset. Timer36 continues to operate after receiving a control command to start the operation until it receives a control command to stop the operation while the power supply voltage VACC is being supplied from Charger14.

[0022] <Configuration Regarding the Recording Mechanism of the Recording Device> Next, the configuration regarding the recording mechanism in the recording device 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the recording mechanism in the recording device 10.

[0023] The recording apparatus 10 includes a conveyance unit 302 that conveys a recording medium M in the Y direction, and a recording head 304 that discharges and records ink onto the recording medium M conveyed by the conveyance unit 302. Further, the recording apparatus 10 includes a carriage 306 on which the recording head 304 is mounted and that is movable in a direction (X direction) intersecting (orthogonal in this embodiment) the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the recording medium M conveyed by the conveyance unit 302. Furthermore, the recording apparatus 10 includes a maintenance unit 308 capable of executing a maintenance operation for favorably maintaining and recovering the ink discharge performance at nozzles that discharge ink in the recording head 304.

[0024] The recording head 304 is configured to be able to discharge a plurality of different types of ink. A plurality of nozzles that discharge each ink are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the X direction to form a nozzle row. In this embodiment, the recording head 304 is configured to be able to discharge four types of ink, namely black (K) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. Note that the types and number of inks discharged from the recording head 304 are not limited to the above.

[0025] The carriage 306 is slidably provided on a guide shaft 310 extending in the X direction and is connected to a carriage motor 314 via a belt 312. Thereby, the carriage 306 can reciprocate in the X direction by driving of the carriage motor 314. Accordingly, the recording head 304 mounted on the carriage 306 is configured to be movable from one side in the X direction to the other side and from the other side to one side via the carriage 306. During a recording operation, while scanning the carriage 306 in the X direction, drive pulses are applied to the recording head 304, whereby ink is discharged from the recording head 304 onto the recording medium M, and thereby recording for one scan is performed on the recording surface Mp of the recording medium M.

[0026] The conveying unit 302 includes a conveying roller 318 that conveys the recording medium M, and a conveying motor 320 that drives the conveying roller 318. In FIG. 3, for ease of understanding, the conveying roller 318 and the recording medium M are shown separated in the Z direction, but actually, the recording medium M and the conveying roller 318 are in contact in the Z direction. In the conveying unit 302, the conveying motor 320 is driven to convey the recording medium M in the Y direction by the conveying roller 318.

[0027] When performing recording on the recording medium M based on a job, a recording operation is executed in which ink is ejected from the recording head 304 to perform recording for one scan on the recording medium M conveyed to the recording start position by the conveying unit 302. After that, after executing a conveying operation in which the conveying unit 302 conveys the recording medium M by a predetermined amount, the recording operation is performed again. In this way, in the recording apparatus 10, recording based on the job is performed on the recording medium M by alternately and repeatedly executing the recording operation for one scan and the conveying operation for a predetermined amount.

[0028] The maintenance unit 308 is within the moving region of the carriage 306 in the X direction and is disposed outside the recording region on the recording medium M by the recording head 304. The maintenance unit 308 includes a cap portion 322 that contacts (caps) the recording head 304 in order to protect the nozzle surface 304a of the recording head 304. Although detailed description and illustration are omitted, the maintenance unit 308 is provided with various known maintenance members such as a suction unit that makes the inside of the cap portion 322 negative pressure and a wiper unit that wipes the nozzle surface 304a. The nozzle surface 304a is the surface of the recording head 304 that faces the recording surface Mp of the conveyed recording medium M and on which nozzles for ejecting ink are formed.

[0029] When capping is performed by the cap portion 322, the recording head 304 is moved to a position where the nozzle surface 304a faces the cap portion 322 of the maintenance portion 308 (a standby position to be described later) (see the broken line portion in FIG. 3), and then the cap portion 322 is raised. In the present embodiment, the recording head 304 waits at the standby position where the nozzle surface 304a faces the cap portion 322 at a timing when the recording operation is not performed. After the recording based on the job is completed, capping is performed to protect the nozzle surface 304a and suppress the evaporation of the liquid component of the ink from the nozzle and the thickening of the ink in the nozzle due to the evaporation.

[0030] Even when such capping is performed, when a long time has elapsed in the capped state, the evaporation of the liquid component of the ink from the nozzle progresses, and the ink ejection performance from the nozzle deteriorates. Further, due to the environmental temperature, the heat generation of the constituent members of the recording apparatus 10, etc., such evaporation also progresses during the recording operation. For this reason, in the maintenance portion 308, for example, maintenance operations for favorably maintaining and recovering the ejection characteristics are executed at a predetermined timing such as during the initialization process of initializing the origin position of the recording head 304, during the initialization process of predetermined constituent members, and during the preparation operation after job input. Examples of the maintenance operation include various known processes such as a suction discharge process in which the suction portion is driven in the capped state to make the inside of the cap portion 322 negative pressure and forcibly suck ink from each nozzle, and a wiping process in which the nozzle surface 304a is wiped by the wiper portion. In the present embodiment, the maintenance portion 308 is configured to include the cap portion 322, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cap portion 322 may be provided separately from the maintenance portion 308 including a suction portion, a wiper portion, etc.

[0031] <State of each component of the power supply system> When the recording device 10 is performing recording based on a job, due to the temperature in the installation environment of the recording device 10 and the heat generation of each component, the evaporation of the liquid component of the ink in the nozzles where ink is not being ejected progresses. Also, when the recording device 10 is not performing recording based on a job, capping is performed on the recording head 304 located at the standby position by the cap portion 322. However, even in the capped state, although it is slower than the uncapped state, the evaporation of the liquid component of the ink in the nozzles progresses.

[0032] Therefore, the recording device 10 is configured to execute a maintenance operation when the elapsed time from the most recent maintenance operation reaches a predetermined time Tp or more at a predetermined timing such as during initialization processing for the components of the recording mechanism. In the recording device 10, the elapsed time from the most recent maintenance operation is acquired by Timer36. This Timer36 is driven by the power supply voltage VACC output from Charger14.

[0033] As described above, the power supply voltage VBUS is supplied to Charger14 from an external power supply connected by a USB cable, and when the USB cable is removed, the power supply voltage VBAT is supplied from the EDLC12, which is an auxiliary power supply. For this reason, when the USB cable is removed and the remaining power of the EDLC12 becomes less than a certain amount, the power supply from Charger14 stops and Timer36 cannot measure time, and there is a possibility that the maintenance operation cannot be executed at an appropriate timing.

[0034] Therefore, in this embodiment, according to the ON / OFF of the power supply of the recording device 10, the connection / disconnection of the USB cable, and the remaining power of the EDLC12, the power supply to some components of the power supply system is regulated so that Timer36 can measure a time of a predetermined time Tp or more. The predetermined time Tp is, for example, the time from the most recent maintenance operation until the next maintenance operation is executed, and is determined experimentally according to the type of ink and the like.

[0035] Hereinafter, the power supply to each component of the power supply system according to the ON / OFF of the power supply of the recording device 10, the connection / disconnection of the USB cable (that is, the presence or absence of power supply from an external power supply), and the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the power supply state to each component of the power supply system according to the ON / OFF of the power supply of the recording device 10, the connection / disconnection of the USB cable, and the power storage amount of the EDLC 12. In FIG. 4, when in the power supply state and the power supply possible state (ON state), the blocks representing each component are shown in white, and when in the non-power supply state and the power supply impossible state (OFF state), an "x" is marked in the block.

[0036] =First State= When the recording device 10 is powered on and in the first state where the USB cable is connected, as shown in FIG. 4(a), power is supplied from the external power supply via the USB connector 24. Thereby, the Charger 14 charges the EDLC 12 and, when the power load increases during a recording operation or the like, also receives power supply from the EDLC 12 and supplies power to the VSYS_SW 26. For this reason, each component of the power supply system is in the ON state with power supplied. Further, since the recording device 10 is powered on, the MainASIC 28 is in the Running state, and various operations such as a recording operation can be executed.

[0037] In the first state, the Timer 36 is supplied with power from the Charger 14 and can measure time, and the MainASIC 28 can acquire the measured value in the Timer 36. Also, in the first state, since power is supplied to the MainASIC 28, the user can operate to turn off the power supply of the recording device 10 via the PowerKey 34 connected to the MainASIC 28. When the recording device 10 is powered on and the USB cable is not connected, for example, in the operation unit or the like, the connection to the external power supply by the USB cable is prompted, and when the external power supply is connected, it becomes the same as FIG. 4(a).

[0038] =Second State= When the recording device 10 is in the second state where the power is OFF and the USB cable is connected, as shown in Fig. 4(b), power is supplied from an external power source via the USB connector 24. The Charger 14 receives the power supply from the external power source and supplies power to the VSYS_SW 26. Therefore, each component of the power supply system is supplied with power and is in the ON state. Also, since the recording device 10 is powered off, the Main ASIC 28 is in the Standby state and is in a standby state with restricted operations. Therefore, in the second state, the power consumption is lower compared to the first state. The Timer 36 is supplied with power from the Charger 14 and can measure time, and the Main ASIC 28 can acquire the measured value in the Timer 36. In the second state, since power is supplied to the Main ASIC 28, the user can perform an operation to turn on the power of the recording device 10 via the Power Key 34.

[0039] =Third State= When the recording device 10 is in the third state where the power is OFF, the USB cable is not connected, and the stored power of the EDLC 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount Tm, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the power stored in the EDLC 12, which is an auxiliary power source, is consumed. In the third state, since the stored power of the EDLC 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount Tm (described later), the Charger 14 receives the power supply from the EDLC 12 and supplies power to the VSYS_SW 26. Therefore, each component of the power supply system is supplied with power and is in the ON state. Since the recording device 10 is powered off, the Main ASIC 28 is in the Standby state and is in a standby state with restricted operations.

[0040] In the third state, Timer36 is powered by Charger14 and can measure time, and MainASIC28 can obtain the measured value in Timer36. Also, in the third state, since power is supplied to MainASIC28, the user can turn on the recording device 10 via PowerKey34. MainASIC28 detects the remaining amount information regarding the remaining power (charge amount) of EDLC12 via Charger14. In the recording device 10, when the charge amount of EDLC12, that is, the remaining power in EDLC12, decreases and becomes less than a predetermined amount Tm, it transitions to the fourth state.

[0041] =Fourth State= When the recording device 10 is powered off, the USB cable is not connected, and the charge amount of EDLC12 is greater than or equal to "0" (or an amount equivalent to "0") and less than a predetermined amount Tm in the fourth state, as shown in FIG. 4(d), the power stored in EDLC12 is consumed. Note that "0" or an amount equivalent to it is the lower limit value at which the components in the power supply system can operate. In the fourth state, since the charge amount of EDLC12 has decreased and is less than the predetermined amount Tm, in order to prioritize power supply to Timer36, the power supply to other components is regulated to focus on power supply to Timer36.

[0042] Specifically, MainASIC28 detects the remaining amount information of EDLC12 via communication line 402, and when it determines that the charge amount of EDLC12 is less than the predetermined amount Tm, it stops the power supply by VSYS_SW26 via control line 404. Due to this control from MainASIC28, VSYS_SW26 regulates the supply of the power supplied from Charger14 to DC-DC16. As a result, the power supply to DC-DC18 and MainASIC28 stops, and DC-DC16, DC-DC18, and MainASIC28 are in an OFF state where no power is supplied. Thus, in this embodiment, VSYS_SW26 functions as a regulating unit capable of regulating the power supply to MainASIC28.

[0043] In the fourth state, since Main ASIC 28 cannot operate in the OFF state, it cannot accept user operations via Power Key 34, and the loaded program also enters a reset state. Also, for Timer 36, power supply from Charger 14 continues, and time measurement is possible. Note that in the fourth state, since Main ASIC 28 cannot operate, it cannot obtain the measured value in Timer 36. Thus, in the fourth state, by stopping the power supply to DC-DC 16, DC-DC 18, and Main ASIC 28 and suppressing the power consumption in the power supply system, the power supplied to Timer 36 is ensured. Thereby, a longer time for supplying power to Timer 36 can be ensured.

[0044] =State 5= When the recording device 10 is powered off, the USB cable is not connected, and the stored power of EDLC 12 reaches "0" (or an amount equivalent to "0") in the fifth state, as shown in Fig. 4(e), the power supply to all components of the power supply system is stopped. As the stored power of EDLC 12 decreases, it falls below the stored power levels at which Charger 14 and Timer 36 can operate, and for these components as well, the power supply stops and they enter the OFF state. When Timer 36 enters the OFF state, it can no longer continue time measurement, the count value of Pulse Counter 204 is reset, and based on this reset, the calculation result in Logic Unit 206 is also initialized (reset). That is, the measured values measured up to that point disappear.

[0045] =Transition of Main ASIC from OFF State to ON State Although illustration is omitted, to return from the fourth state and the fifth state, that is, to shift from the OFF state to the ON state of the Main ASIC 28, it is necessary to connect a USB cable to the USB connector 24 and have the external power supply supply power. After connecting the USB cable to the USB connector 24, the power supplied from the external power supply is supplied to the Charger 14. Thereby, the Charger 14 supplies power to the VSYS_SW 26 and the Timer 36. Also, the power supplied from the external power supply is supplied to the VSYS_SW 26 via the control line 406, whereby the VSYS_SW 26 is activated. The VSYS_SW 26 activated by the power supply from the control line 406 supplies the power supplied from the Charger 14 to the DC-DC 16. That is, the regulation of the supply of the power supplied from the Charger 14 to the DC-DC 16 by the VSYS_SW 26 is released. Then, power is supplied from the DC-DC 16 to the Main ASIC 28 via the DC-DC 18. Thereby, the DC-DC 16, the DC-DC 18, and the Main ASIC 28 are in the ON state, and the Timer 36 is in a state where it can measure time.

[0046] <Change in the stored power of the EDLC> Next, the change in the stored power of the EDLC 12 over time before and after removing the USB cable for connecting to the external power supply (that is, before and after the power supply from the external power supply stops) will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the change in the stored power of the EDLC 12 over time before and after removing the USB cable for connecting to the external power supply.

[0047] In the first state where the recording device 10 is powered on, various operations including maintenance operations can be executed under the control of the Main ASIC 28. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, when a maintenance operation is executed, the measured value at the Timer 36 is initialized, and then the measurement of time is started again. In FIG. 5, the point T1 indicates the timing at which the maintenance operation was executed.

[0048] When the recording device 10 is powered off by operating the Power Key 34 from the first state, the recording device 10 shifts to the second state. In FIG. 5, point T2 indicates the timing when the recording device 10 is powered off. After that, when the USB cable is removed from the USB connector 24, the recording device 10 shifts to the third state. Since charging of the EDLC 12 is performed in the first state and the second state, when the USB cable is removed, a sufficient amount of power of a predetermined amount Tm or more is stored in the EDLC 12. In FIG. 5, point T3 indicates the timing when the USB cable is removed. In the third state, since power is supplied to each component of the power supply system, as time passes, the power of the EDLC 12 is consumed and the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 decreases.

[0049] The power storage amount of the EDLC 12 is monitored by the Main ASIC 28. When the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 falls below the predetermined amount Tm, the recording device 10 shifts to the fourth state. In FIG. 5, point T4 indicates the timing when the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 reaches the predetermined amount Tm. In the fourth state, due to the regulation of power supply by the VSYS_SW 26, the DC-DC 16, the DC-DC 18, and the Main ASIC 28 are in an OFF state with power supply stopped. Therefore, in the fourth state, compared with the third state, the power consumption of the EDLC 12 becomes smaller and the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 gradually decreases.

[0050] The predetermined amount Tm, which is the threshold value when shifting from the third state to the fourth state, is set so that the Timer 36 can measure a time of a predetermined time Tp or more, which is the time interval for executing the maintenance operation, from after the end of the most recent maintenance operation. That is, the predetermined amount Tm is set so that the elapsed time from after the end of the most recent maintenance operation reaches the predetermined time Tp in the fourth state where power supply to the Timer 36 is possible. The predetermined amount Tm satisfies, for example, the following formula (1). Each symbol in the following formula (1) is Tm: predetermined amount Tm, Co: power consumption per unit time of the Timer 36, Tp: predetermined time Tp, El: elapsed time (current value) after the maintenance operation.

[0051] Tm ≥ Co × (Tp - El) ··· (1) By setting the specified amount Tm in this way, it becomes possible to measure, with Timer36, a time longer than the predetermined time Tp, which is the time interval for executing the maintenance operation, from after the end of the most recent maintenance operation. In FIG. 5, point T5 indicates the timing when the predetermined time Tp has elapsed from point T1 where the most recent maintenance operation ended. That is, the elapsed time from point T1 to point T5 corresponds to the predetermined time Tp.

[0052] After transitioning to the fourth state, as time passes, the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 decreases. When the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 reaches "0" or an amount equivalent thereto, the recording device 10 transitions to the fifth state. In the fifth state, it becomes an "ALL OFF" state in which power supply to all components of the power supply system stops. In FIG. 5, point T6 indicates the timing when the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 reaches "0" or an amount equivalent thereto. In the fifth state, as described above, the driving of Timer36 stops, and accordingly, the count value of the pulse counter 204 is reset, and the measured value of the logic unit 206 is initialized, that is, set to "0".

[0053] In the fourth and fifth states, power is not supplied to the Main ASIC 28. For this reason, in the fourth and fifth states, even if the Power Key 34 is operated, the recording device 10 cannot be powered on. By connecting a USB cable to connect the external power supply and the recording device 10, the operation of the Power Key 34 can be enabled. Therefore, after point T4, when the recording device 10 and the external power supply are connected, the Main ASIC 28 starts up. As will be described later, the started-up Main ASIC 28 refers to the measurement result by Timer36 and determines whether to continue the time measurement by Timer36 based on the measurement result.

[0054] Here, in the present embodiment, in the fourth state, power consumption in the power supply system is suppressed, and the driving time of Timer36 is ensured to be longer than a predetermined time Tp starting from the most recent maintenance operation. As a result, at the stage of transitioning to the fifth state, the predetermined time Tp has already elapsed since the most recent maintenance operation. Therefore, when power is supplied from an external power source by connecting a USB cable, if the measured value of Timer36 has been reset, it means that the predetermined time Tp has elapsed since the most recent maintenance operation, and there is no need to measure the time.

[0055] <Measurement process> In the above configuration, in the recording apparatus 10, when the maintenance operation ends, a measurement process for measuring the elapsed time after the maintenance operation is executed. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing content of the measurement process. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 are performed by the MainASIC28 expanding and executing the program code stored in the FlashROM32 in the DDR30. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 6 may be executed by hardware such as another ASIC or an electric circuit. In this specification, the symbol S in the description of each process in the flowchart means the step in that flowchart.

[0056] When the measurement process is started, first, in S602, the MainASIC28 initializes the measured value of Timer36. In S602, the pulse counter 204 of Timar36 is reset, and thereby the measured value of the logic unit 206 is initialized. Next, in S604, the MainASIC28 starts the time measurement of Timar36. After that, in S606, the MainASIC28 determines whether the MainASIC28 is in the standby state.

[0057] In S606, when it is determined that Main ASIC 28 is not in the standby state, that is, it is in the running state, the determination of S606 is performed again. Also, in S606, when it is determined that Main ASIC 28 is in the standby state, the process proceeds to S608, and Main ASIC 28 determines whether it is being powered by an external power source. In S608, it is determined whether the power supply voltage VBUS is being supplied to Charger 14. In this determination, if it is determined that the power supply voltage VBUS is being supplied to Charger 14, it is determined that it is being powered by an external power source, and if it is determined that the power supply voltage VBUS is not being supplied to Charger 14, it is determined that it is not being powered by an external power source.

[0058] In S608, when it is determined that it is being powered by an external power source, the process returns to S606. Also, in S608, when it is determined that it is not being powered by an external power source, the process proceeds to S610, and Main ASIC 28 acquires the stored power amount of EDLC 12 at this timing. As described above, Main ASIC 28 can acquire the remaining amount information of EDLC 12 via Charger 14. Therefore, in S610, the stored power amount of EDLC 12 is acquired based on the acquired remaining amount information.

[0059] Next, in S612, Main ASIC 28 determines whether the stored power amount of EDLC 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount Tm. In S612, when it is determined that the stored power amount of EDLC 12 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process returns to S606. Also, in S612, when it is determined that the stored power amount of EDLC 12 is less than the predetermined amount Tm, the process proceeds to S614, and Main ASIC 28 stops the power supply by VSYS_SW26. As a result, the power supply to Main ASIC 28 is cut off, and Main ASIC 28 becomes inoperable.

[0060] Here, through the process of S614, the recording device 10 enters the fourth state. By means of VSYS_SW26, the power supply to DC-DC16, DC-DC18, and MainASIC28 is stopped, but the power supply to Timer36 continues. When this fourth state continues and the power storage level of EDLC12 decreases to "0" or an equivalent amount, it transitions to the fifth state, the power supply to all components in the power supply system stops, and the measured value of Timar36 is initialized (reset).

[0061] Then, in the fourth and fifth states, when a USB cable is connected to USB connector 24, power is supplied from an external power source to Charger14 and VSYS_SW26. Also, VSYS_SW26 releases the regulation of the power supply to DC-DC16 due to the power supply from the external power source, and thereby, power is supplied to DC-DC16, DC-DC18, and MainASIC28. When power is supplied to MainASIC28 and it becomes the ON state, it will refer to the measurement result of Timer36.

[0062] Therefore, at S614, the power supply is stopped by VSYS_SW26, and then, at the timing when MainASIC28 starts up, it proceeds to S616. MainASIC28 determines whether the measured value of Timar36 has been initialized. At S616, if it is determined that the measured value of Timer36 has not been initialized, it is determined that MainASIC28 has become the ON state in the fourth state where the time measurement by Timer36 continues, and it returns to S606. As a result, after the process of S616, the time measurement by Timer36 continues. On the other hand, at S616, if it is determined that the measured value of Timer36 has been initialized, it is determined that MainASIC28 has become the ON state in the fifth state where Timer36 stops, and it is regarded that a predetermined time Tp or more has elapsed, and this measurement process ends. Note that if a maintenance operation is started during the measurement process, the ongoing measurement process is forcibly terminated.

[0063] <Decision Process> Recording device 10 executes a determination process to determine whether to execute a maintenance operation based on the measurement result of Timer36 at a predetermined timing such as during initialization processing of a predetermined component of the recording mechanism. After that, in recording device 10, based on the result of this determination process, a maintenance operation by maintenance unit 308 will be executed. Here, a determination process for determining whether to execute a maintenance operation based on the measurement result of Timer36 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing content of the determination process. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are performed by MainASIC 28 expanding and executing program code stored in FlashROM 32 in DDR30. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 7 may be executed by other hardware such as another ASIC or an electric circuit.

[0064] When the determination process starts, first, in S702, MainASIC 28 acquires the measured value in Timer36. Next, in S704, MainASIC 28 determines whether the acquired measured value has been initialized (is "0"). When the power supply to Timer36 is stopped, the measured value is initialized, and at this time, the elapsed time after the most recent maintenance operation exceeds a predetermined time Tp. Therefore, in S704, if it is determined that the measured value has been initialized, it is determined that a maintenance operation is necessary, and the process proceeds to S706, where MainASIC 28 determines to execute a maintenance operation and ends this determination process.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined in S704 that the measured value has not been initialized, the process proceeds to S708, where MainASIC 28 determines whether the measured value is equal to or greater than a predetermined time Tp. If it is determined in S708 that the measured value is equal to or greater than the predetermined time Tp, the process proceeds to S706. Also, if it is determined in S708 that the measured value is less than the predetermined time Tp, the process proceeds to S710, where MainASIC 28 determines not to execute a maintenance operation and ends this determination process.

[0066] <Operational Effect> As described above, in the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the power is OFF and there is no power supply from an external power source, if the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 becomes less than a predetermined amount Tm, power supply to some components excluding Timer 36 is stopped. As a result, power can be secured to supply power from the EDLC 12 to Timer 36, and it becomes possible to measure time by Timer 36 beyond a predetermined time Tp, which is the time interval for executing the maintenance operation, from the most recent maintenance operation. Therefore, in the recording apparatus 10, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated battery for Timer 36, and power supply to Timer 36 after cable removal can be realized while suppressing high costs and ensuring a function for executing the maintenance operation.

[0067] (Second Embodiment) Next, a recording apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In the following description, for components that are the same as or equivalent to those of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0068] In the first embodiment described above, in order to enable driving of Timer 36 beyond a predetermined time Tp from the most recent maintenance operation, power supply to the Main ASIC 28 is stopped at the timing when the power storage amount of the EDLC 12 becomes less than a predetermined amount. When the recording apparatus 10 enters the fourth state where power supply to the Main ASIC 28 is stopped, if the USB cable is not connected and the Main ASIC 28 is not restarted by power supply from an external power source to enable operation of the Power Key 34, the recording apparatus 10 cannot be started. Such a specification may be inconvenient for users with high usage frequency, for example. Therefore, if the timing of entering the fourth state is delayed and the state where the Power Key 34 can be used can be maintained for a longer time, improvement in convenience for users with high usage frequency can be expected.

[0069] Therefore, in this embodiment, the timing at which power supply to the Main ASIC 28 stops, that is, the timing of transitioning to the fourth state, can be changed according to the usage frequency. Specifically, the user can change the power storage amount of the EDLC 12, which is the threshold value when transitioning from the third state to the fourth state, by setting by the user. FIG. 8 is a table showing the contents of the setting for changing the threshold value. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, three modes of "standard", "small (level 1)", and "small (level 2)" can be set. Note that the modes that can be set are not limited to three, and may be two, or four or more.

[0070] When the setting is "standard", it is the same as the first embodiment described above, and the threshold value is a predetermined amount Tm. Such a setting is executed, for example, via a setting screen displayed on a display unit in an operation unit provided with the Power Key 34. That is, the Main ASIC 28 is configured to display a setting screen on the display unit and apply the setting content selected by the user based on the operation on the operation unit by the user. Thus, in this embodiment, the Main ASIC 28 functions as a setting unit that sets one mode from a plurality of modes. On the setting screen, a notification to the effect that the "standard" setting is a recommended setting may be made.

[0071] When the setting is "small (level 1)", the threshold value is lowered to a level lower than the predetermined amount Tm and is set to the power storage amount Tm1. Since the threshold value is lowered from the predetermined amount Tm to the power storage amount Tm1, the third state can be maintained for a longer time. Therefore, when the setting is "small (level 1)", the time during which the Main ASIC 28 is activated is longer than when the setting is "standard", and the state in which the Power Key 34 can be used can be maintained for a longer time. Also, on the setting screen, a notification to the effect that the "small (level 1)" setting is suitable for high-frequency use may be made, and a notification to the effect that a maintenance operation may be executed at startup when the usage frequency is low may also be made.

[0072] When the setting is "Small (Level 2)", the threshold value is lowered to a level lower than the predetermined amount Tm and the stored power amount Tm1, and becomes the stored power amount Tm2. Since the threshold value is lowered from the predetermined amount Tm to the stored power amount Tm2, the third state can be maintained longer than when the setting is "Standard" and "Small (Level 1)". For this reason, when the setting is "Small (Level 2)", the time during which the Main ASIC 28 is activated becomes longer than when the other two settings are made, and the state in which the Power Key 34 can be used can be maintained longer. Also, on the setting screen, a notification may be given that the "Small (Level 2)" setting is suitable for more frequent use, and a notification may be given that a maintenance operation may be executed at startup when the usage frequency is low.

[0073] Note that when "Small (Level 1)" and "Small (Level 2)" are set, the threshold values used in S612 of the measurement process are the stored power amounts Tm1 and Tm2, and the other processes are the same as when "Standard" is set (that is, the description in the first embodiment above). Also, the determination process is the same as when "Standard" is set.

[0074] Next, the change in the stored power amount of the EDLC 12 over time according to the above-described setting will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the change in the stored power amount of the EDLC 12 over time according to the setting. When the setting is "Standard", since it is the same as the content described in the first embodiment above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] When the setting is "Small (Level 1)", the stored power amount Tm1, which is the threshold value when transitioning from the third state to the fourth state, is smaller than a predetermined amount Tm. Therefore, the timing of transitioning from the third state to the fourth state, that is, the timing when power supply stops and MainASIC28 enters the OFF state, is point P1, which is after point T4 corresponding to the predetermined amount Tm. As a result, when "Small (Level 1)" is set, the timing of transitioning from the third state to the fourth state becomes later than when "Standard" is set, the ON state of MainASIC28 lasts longer, and the usable state of PowerKey34 is maintained for a longer time.

[0076] Also, when the setting is "Small (Level 2)", the stored power amount Tm2, which is the threshold value when transitioning from the third state to the fourth state, is smaller than the predetermined amount Tm and even smaller than the stored power amount Tm1, which is smaller than the predetermined amount Tm. Therefore, the timing of transitioning from the third state to the fourth state is point P2, which is after point T4 corresponding to the predetermined amount Tm and also after point P1 corresponding to the stored power amount Tm1. As a result, the timing of transitioning from the third state to the fourth state becomes even later than when "Standard" and "Small (Level 1)" are set, the ON state of MainASIC28 lasts longer, and the usable state of PowerKey34 is maintained for an even longer time.

[0077] Note that even when the settings are "Small (Level 1)" and "Small (Level 2)", the power consumption per unit time in the fourth state is the same as when the setting is "Standard". Therefore, due to the delay in the timing of transitioning to the fourth state, the timing when the stored power amount of EDLC12 reaches "0" or a value equivalent thereto is point P3 ("Small (Level 1)"), point P4 ("Small (Level 2)"), which are before point 6 when "Standard" is set. That is, compared with when "Standard" is set, when "Small (Level 1)" is set, the operating time of Timer36 in the fourth state becomes shorter, and when "Small (Level 2)" is set, the operating time becomes even shorter.

[0078] Therefore, when "Small (Level 2)" is set, the time is measured by Timer36 for only the period Pr1 from point T1 to point P4. The period Pr1 is shorter than the period PR from point T1 to point T5 where the time becomes the predetermined time Tp. Therefore, when "Small (Level 2)" is set, the timing at which the predetermined time Tp has not been reached is included during the period when Timer36 has finished counting. For this reason, it may happen that the maintenance operation is not executed at an appropriate timing. However, since the user who sets "Small (Level 2)" is assumed to use the recording device 10 frequently, it can be expected that the recording device 10 will be used during the operation of Timer36, thereby suppressing the execution of the maintenance operation at inappropriate timing.

[0079] <Effect> As described above, in the recording device 10 according to the present embodiment, the user can change the threshold value when shifting from the third state to the fourth state according to the usage frequency of the recording device 10. For this reason, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it becomes possible to ensure a longer power supply time to the MainASIC28, and it becomes possible to ensure a longer available time of the PowerKey34 connected to the MainASIC28. Thereby, the convenience for users with high usage frequency is improved.

[0080] (Other Embodiments) Note that the above-described embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (5).

[0081] (1) In the above second embodiment, in the selectable setting, the threshold value when shifting from the third state to the fourth state is set to be smaller than when "Standard" is set, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the selectable setting, the threshold value may be set to be larger than when "Standard" is set. Thereby, in the fourth state, it becomes possible to cope with a setting in which another function is used in parallel with Timer36.

[0082] (2) Although not particularly described in the above embodiment, in the recording apparatus 10, when the power supply voltage VBUS is not supplied to the Charger 14, it is determined that the USB cable has been removed. Note that a configuration for detecting that the USB cable has been removed from the USB connector may be provided, and based on the detection result of the configuration, it may be determined whether or not the USB cable has been removed.

[0083] (3) In the above embodiment, the recording apparatus 10 is a so-called serial scan type recording apparatus that uses a recording head that ejects ink while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A so-called full line type recording apparatus that uses a long recording head extending over the entire width direction of the recording area on the recording medium may be used.

[0084] (4) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above embodiment to a system or apparatus via a network or a recording medium, and causing one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0085] (5) The above embodiment and the various forms shown in (1) to (4) above may be combined as appropriate.

[0086] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by a recording means, A power storage means capable of storing power supplied from an external power source, A measurement means that can be driven by the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means and can measure time, A control means that can be driven by the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means and controls the driving of the recording apparatus, A regulation means capable of regulating power supply to the control means, and When power supply from the external power source stops, the measuring means and the control means are driven by the power supplied from the power storage means, and the control means controls the regulating means to regulate power supply to the control means according to the power storage amount of the power storage means. A recording apparatus characterized by this. (Configuration 2) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein the control means controls the regulating means to regulate power supply to the control means when the power storage amount of the power storage means becomes less than a predetermined value. (Configuration 3) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the regulating means releases the regulation when it receives power supply from the external power source after regulating the power supply to the control means. (Configuration 4) The recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the measuring means initializes the measured value when power supply to the measuring means stops. (Configuration 5) The recording apparatus further includes maintenance means capable of performing a maintenance operation for maintaining and recovering the ink ejection performance with respect to the recording means that ejects ink onto a recording medium for recording, and the control means determines to perform the maintenance operation based on the measurement result by the measuring means. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized by this. (Configuration 6) Before the power storage amount of the power storage means after power supply from the external power source stops reaches an amount at which the measuring means cannot be driven, the elapsed time from the most recent maintenance operation becomes a predetermined time or more, which is the time interval for performing the maintenance operation. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 5, wherein the predetermined value is set such that this occurs. (Configuration 7) The recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 2, 5, and 6, further including setting means capable of setting one mode from a plurality of modes in which the power storage amounts of the power storage means, which are threshold values for executing the regulation by the regulating means, are different from each other. (Configuration 8) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 7, wherein the plurality of modes include a mode in which the threshold value becomes the predetermined value and a mode in which the threshold value is smaller than the predetermined value. (Configuration 9) When the maintenance operation ends, the control means causes the measurement means to start measuring time after initializing the measured value, the recording apparatus according to Configuration 5 or 6. (Configuration 10) The maintenance means includes a cap portion that caps a surface on which nozzles for discharging ink are formed in the recording means, The recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 5, 6, and 9, wherein the cap portion caps the recording means that is not performing recording. (Configuration 11) The control means determines to execute the maintenance operation when the measured value by the measurement means is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, which is a time interval for executing the maintenance operation, at a predetermined timing, the recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 5, 6, 9, and 10. (Configuration 12) When power supply to the measurement means stops, the measurement means initializes the measured value, The control means executes the maintenance operation when the measured value by the measurement means is initialized at a predetermined timing, the recording apparatus according to claims 5, 6, 9, and 10. (Configuration 13) The predetermined timing includes an initialization process of a constituent member of the recording apparatus or a preparation operation after job input, the recording apparatus according to Configuration 11 or 12. (Configuration 14) The external power supply-connected USB cable is removable, and further includes connection means for connecting the external power supply by inserting the USB cable, When the USB cable is inserted into the connection means, a state where power can be supplied from the external power supply is achieved, The recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that when the USB cable is removed from the connecting means, power supply from the external power source becomes impossible. (Configuration 15) Power storage means capable of storing power supplied from an external power source, A control method for a recording apparatus that has measurement means capable of measuring time using the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means, and operates using the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means, A control method characterized in that when power supply from the external power source stops, power supply to the measurement means is prioritized according to the amount of power stored in the power storage means. (Configuration 16) A program for causing a computer to execute the control method described in Configuration 15.

Explanation of Signs

[0087] 10 Recording apparatus 12 EDLC 26 VSYS_SW 28 MainASIC 36 Timer

Claims

1. A recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by a recording means, comprising: a power storage means capable of storing the power supplied from an external power source; a measurement means that can be driven by the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means and can measure time; a control means that can be driven by the power supplied from the external power source and the power supplied from the power storage means and controls the driving of the recording apparatus; a regulation means capable of regulating the power supply to the control means, and when the power supply from the external power source stops, the measurement means and the control means are driven by the power supplied from the power storage means, wherein the control means controls the regulation means to regulate the power supply to the control means according to the power storage amount of the power storage means. The recording apparatus is characterized by this.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the regulation means to regulate the power supply to the control means when the power storage amount of the power storage means becomes less than a predetermined value.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulation means releases the regulation when receiving the power supply from the external power source after regulating the power supply to the control means.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement means initializes the measurement value when the power supply to the measurement means stops.

5. The recording means further has a maintenance means capable of performing a maintenance operation for maintaining and recovering the ink ejection performance with respect to the recording means that ejects and records ink on the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means determines to execute the maintenance operation based on the measurement result of the measurement means.

6. The predetermined value is set so that the elapsed time from the most recent maintenance operation becomes a predetermined time or more, which is the time interval for performing the maintenance operation, before the power storage amount of the power storage means after the power supply from the external power source stops reaches an amount at which the measurement means cannot be driven. The recording apparatus according to claim 5 is characterized by this.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a setting means capable of setting one mode from a plurality of modes in which the power storage amounts of the power storage means, which are threshold values for executing the regulation by the regulation means, are different from each other.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of modes include a mode in which the threshold value becomes the predetermined value and a mode in which the threshold value is smaller than the predetermined value.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the maintenance operation ends, the control means causes the measurement means to start measuring time after initializing the measured value.

10. The maintenance means includes a cap portion that caps a surface on which nozzles for discharging ink are formed in the recording means, The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cap portion caps the recording means that is not performing recording.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means determines to execute the maintenance operation when the measured value by the measurement means is equal to or greater than a predetermined time that is a time interval for executing the maintenance operation at a predetermined timing.

12. When power supply to the measurement means stops, the measurement means initializes the measured value, The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means executes the maintenance operation when the measured value by the measurement means is initialized at a predetermined timing.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the predetermined timing includes an initialization process of a constituent member of the recording apparatus or a preparation operation after job input.

14. The USB cable to which an external power supply is connected is pluggable, and further includes connection means connectable to the external power supply via the USB cable. When the USB cable is inserted into the connection means, power is supplied from the external power supply. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the USB cable is removed from the connection means, power supply from the external power supply stops.

15. Power storage means capable of storing power supplied from an external power supply, A control method for a recording apparatus that has measurement means capable of measuring time using power supplied from the external power supply and power supplied from the power storage means, and operates using power supplied from the external power supply and power supplied from the power storage means, A control method characterized in that when power supply from the external power supply stops, power supply to the measurement means is prioritized according to the amount of power stored in the power storage means.

16. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 15.

Images