Drive waveform provision system

Abstract

To provide a drive waveform provision system capable of providing setting value data of a preferable drive waveform of a format suitable for a head controller.SOLUTION: A drive waveform provision system according to an embodiment includes: a communication part that communicates with an external terminal via a cloud; and a response part that creates response information with respect to reception information received from the external terminal by the communication part and provides the external terminal with the response information via the communication part. For reception information of requiring provision of setting value data of a print head, the response part provides the external terminal, via the communication part, with response information of an interface that receives an input of a parameter including a drive condition of the print head, a physical property value of ink discharged by the print head, and a type of a head controller that controls the print head. For reception information of a parameter, the response part provides the external terminal, via the communication part, with response information of setting value data calculated using a drive waveform selection algorithm on the basis of the parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

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. Hereinafter, a suitable drive waveform is referred to as a preferred drive waveform.

[0004] The drive waveform set for the inkjet print head is expressed as setting value data in a text file or the like. A head controller that drives the inkjet print head can be individually developed by a vendor according to the specifications of the inkjet print head. Therefore, the format of the setting value data to be read into the head controller differs for each vendor and is not unified.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a drive waveform providing system capable of providing setting value data of a preferred drive waveform in a format suitable for a head controller.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The embodiment relates to a drive waveform providing system that provides setting value data for an inkjet print head. The drive waveform providing system according to the embodiment includes a communication unit that communicates with an external terminal via the 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 parameters including drive conditions of the inkjet print head, physical property values of the ink ejected by the inkjet print head, and the type of a head controller that controls the inkjet print head, for received information that requests provision of the setting value data of the inkjet print head. Further, the response unit provides, to the external terminal via the communication unit, response information of the setting value data calculated using a drive waveform selection algorithm based on the parameters, for the received information of the parameters.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the embodiment, a drive waveform providing system capable of providing setting value data of a suitable drive waveform in a format suitable for the head controller is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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[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 a client via a cloud, estimates a drive waveform suitable for the inkjet print head from the received drive conditions and physical property values, calculates set value data for generating the estimated suitable drive waveform, and provides the calculated set value data to the client via the cloud. First, prior to the description of the drive waveform providing system, a liquid ejection device that operates using the 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 in 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, a program stored in the memory 13 and 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 a 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 arranged 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 ejection 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, etc. that controls the liquid ejection device 10.

[0020] The conveyance motor 21 operates a conveyance member of a conveyance mechanism (not shown) for conveying the print medium by rotating. The conveyance member is a conveyance belt for conveying the print medium, a plurality of rollers (drive roller and driven roller) around which the conveyance belt is wound, a guide, etc. The conveyance motor 21 rotates the drive roller to move the conveyance belt that holds the print medium. The print medium moves along a conveyance path defined by a guide arranged 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 a conveyance control signal input from the control unit 11. The motor drive circuit 22, the conveyance motor 21, and the conveyance mechanism convey a 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 media 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 an 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 an 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 discharging ink onto a print medium. Although not shown, the inkjet print head 25 includes an actuator such as a plurality of piezoelectric elements that discharge 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 discharging ink onto a print medium conveyed by a conveyance mechanism based on a drive power source and a control signal supplied from the head controller 26. A plurality of inkjet print heads 25 corresponding to each color of ink, for example, each color such as 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 power supply 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 power supply 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] (Head Controller) Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a configuration example of the head controller 26 of the liquid ejection device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the head controller 26 of the liquid ejection device 10.

[0028] 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 drive waveform generation circuit 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 is waveform digital data for determining the drive waveform. 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 drive waveform generation circuit 266 of the drive control unit 265. The drive waveform generation circuit 266 generates a digital drive waveform according to the set value data and outputs the drive waveform 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 the print data 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 for taking the operation timing and the like. The control signal generation unit 264 also generates the power supply voltage to be 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 power supply voltage to the inkjet print head 25.

[0032] (Inkjet Print Head) Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 3, a configuration example of the inkjet print head 25 of the liquid ejection device 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the inkjet print head 25 of the liquid ejection device 10.

[0033] The inkjet print head 25 has a driver IC 251 and an actuator group 254. The actuator group 254 has a plurality of actuators. Each actuator is a driving element for expanding and contracting a pressure chamber that stores ink and ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber. For example, each actuator is a piezoelectric driving element made of PZT (lead zirconate titanate).

[0034] The driver IC 251 is a drive circuit of the inkjet print head 25. Specifically, the driver IC 251 is a drive circuit that drives the actuator group 254. The driver IC 251 has an analog switch circuit 252 and a data processing circuit 253. The analog switch circuit 252 receives a digital drive waveform from a drive waveform generation circuit 266. The data processing circuit 253 receives print data from a print data transfer unit 267 and receives a control signal and a power supply voltage from a control signal transfer unit 268. The data processing circuit 253 supplies the power supply voltage to the analog switch circuit 252. Also, the data processing circuit 253 generates a control signal for the analog switch circuit 252 based on the print data and the control signal, and outputs the control signal to the analog switch circuit 252. The analog switch circuit 252 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 253, and outputs the drive signal to the actuator group 254. Specifically, the analog switch circuit 252 has a plurality of switch elements at different power supply voltage levels, and generates an analog drive signal by selectively turning on and off those plurality of switch elements.

[0035] Each actuator of the actuator group 254 operates according to a drive signal input from the driver IC 251, expands and contracts a pressure chamber that stores ink, and ejects ink droplets from the nozzle.

[0036] (Selection of set value data by the conventional method) Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a procedure for selecting setting value data of the inkjet print head 25 by a conventional method will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for selecting the setting value data of the inkjet print head 25 by the conventional method.

[0037] In ACT11, the inkjet print head 25 is driven by a basic drive waveform to eject ink and perform image formation on the print medium.

[0038] In ACT12, the ejection of the ink is evaluated. The evaluation of the ink ejection is performed based on, for example, the size, speed, shape, etc. of the droplets of the ejected ink, and based on the image formed on the print medium, such as resolution, color reproducibility, sharpness, dot position accuracy, etc.

[0039] 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 threshold values. For example, when the numerical value of each parameter is recognized to be better than each threshold value, the evaluation result is regarded as OK, and otherwise, the evaluation result is regarded as NG.

[0040] 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.

[0041] That is, in ACT13, the operations of ACT14, ACT15, and ACT12 are repeatedly performed until the evaluation result becomes OK.

[0042] 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 the optimal drive waveform, and the set value data for generating the drive waveform is selected as the optimal set value data.

[0043] (Functional Configuration of Drive Waveform Providing System) Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the functional configuration of the drive waveform providing system 50 will be described. FIG. 5 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.

[0044] 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". The abbreviation of "DB" is not limited to FIG. 5.

[0045] 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. 6. The web server 51 has a communication function and a user interface providing function. Also, the web server 51 has a user interface database as a dedicated database in the database 57. In the drawings, the user interface is abbreviated as "UI". Also, in the following description, the user interface may also be abbreviated as "UI". The web server 51 provides a user interface to the external terminal 30, that is, 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.

[0046] 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 through the user interface screen (UI screen) of a web application (for example, a web browser) displayed on the PC 31, for example, by HTTPS communication, and receives a response from the web server 51. The UI screen of the web application is created using, for example, HTML, CSS, JavaScript (registered trademark), etc.

[0047] 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 through an API published as a web API and receives a response from the web server 51.

[0048] The database 57 stores various data. The database server 56 manages the database 57. In response to requests from the authentication server 52, the application server 54, and the web API server 55, the database server 56 stores appropriate data in the database 57, 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.

[0049] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the authentication server 52 is shown in FIG. 7. The authentication server 52 has a login function. Also, 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".

[0050] The authentication server 52 receives the login information of the external terminal 30 from the web server 51, and permits login for the permitted external terminal 30 through the cooperation of the login function and the white list that holds information on the permitted external terminal 30. Also, 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.

[0051] For the administrator, the authentication server 52 permits operations with administrator privileges such as registering users in the user database and accessing each database. 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The application server 54 provides an execution environment for web applications. The web API server 55 provides APIs.

[0054] A block diagram showing the functional configurations of the application server 54 and the web API server 55 is shown in FIG. 8. 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.

[0055] 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 suitable driving waveform 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 based on data analysis. The driving waveform selection algorithm is an algorithm that uses the type of ink, the specific gravity of the ink, the type of inkjet print head, etc. as input variables to derive a suitable driving waveform. The driving waveform providing function provides setting value data for generating the derived suitable 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.

[0056] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the database server 56 is shown in FIG. 9. 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, a user interface database, a white list, etc. in the database 57. Also, the database server 56 provides a data update function and a user management function to the administrator.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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. When 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] (Hardware Configuration of Driving Waveform Providing System) The driving waveform providing system 50 can be configured by a computer. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, the hardware configuration of the computer 60 that can configure the driving waveform providing system 50 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the driving waveform providing system 50.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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 a bus 68, and can transmit and receive data and information via the bus 68.

[0069] 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.

[0070] The ROM 62 is a non-volatile memory that constitutes part of the main memory device. The ROM 62 non-temporarily stores a 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.

[0071] The RAM 63 is a volatile memory that constitutes part of the main memory device. The RAM 63 temporarily stores a program necessary for the processing of the processor 61 and data necessary for the execution of the program. The processor 61 calculates the data in the RAM 63 by executing the program in the RAM 63, and stores the calculation result in the RAM 63.

[0072] 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 a program executed by the processor 61 and data necessary for the execution of the program. The processor 61 reads the program and data in the auxiliary storage device 64 into the RAM 63, and executes various functions by executing the program.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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 when the recording medium is a disk, for example. Also, the program may be stored in a server on a network, downloaded from the server, and non-temporarily stored in the auxiliary storage device 64.

[0077] At startup, the processor 61 executes the program in the ROM 62 and loads and boots 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 to start 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.

[0078] Note that the external terminal 30 can also be configured as a computer. The hardware configuration of the external terminal 30 is the same as the hardware configuration of the computer 60.

[0079] (Operation Example of Drive Waveform Providing System) Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, an operation example of the drive waveform providing system 50 will be described. FIGS. 11 to 13 are flowcharts showing the processing flow of the operation example of the drive waveform providing system 50. Here, for convenience, it is assumed that the external terminal 30 is a PC 31 for explanation. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 13, the processing of the external terminal 30 (PC 31 and user) is shown on the left side, and the processing of the drive waveform providing system 50 is shown on the right side. In FIGS. 11 to 13, the drive waveform providing system is abbreviated as "system".

[0080] In ACT 21, the PC 31 displays a UI screen for login processing on the screen to prompt the user for login processing.

[0081] When the user performs a login process, in ACT22, the drive waveform providing system 50 queries the user database through the authentication server 52 to perform user authentication processing, and in ACT23, checks the authentication result.

[0082] If the authentication result is NG (No in ACT23), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC31 to display an error message. In ACT24, 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 processing of ACT21, displays the UI screen for the login process on the screen, and prompts the user to perform the login process.

[0083] If the authentication result is OK (Yes in ACT23), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC31 to display the UI screen for the serial number input process of the inkjet print head 25.

[0084] The PC31 that receives the instruction displays the UI screen for the serial number input process on the screen in ACT25 and prompts the user to input the serial number.

[0085] When the user inputs the serial number of the inkjet print head 25, in ACT26, the drive waveform providing system 50 queries the serial number database through the authentication server 52 to perform the serial number verification process, and in ACT27, checks the verification result.

[0086] If the verification result is NG (No in ACT27), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC31 to display an error message. In ACT28, 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 processing of ACT25, displays the UI screen for the serial number input process on the screen, and prompts the user to input the serial number.

[0087] When the verification result is OK (Yes in ACT27), 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.

[0088] Upon receiving the instruction, the PC31 displays a UI screen for parameter input processing that accepts input of parameters for drive waveform providing processing on the screen in ACT29 to prompt the user to input parameters.

[0089] The UI screen for parameter input processing displayed on the screen of the PC31 is shown in FIG. 14. The UI screen for parameter input processing shown in FIG. 14 includes a head selection column, a drive condition selection column, an ink selection column, and a controller type selection column. The head selection column enables selection of the head type by means of a pull-down function. The drive condition selection column includes a drop number selection column and a frequency input column. The drop number selection column enables selection of the drop number by means of a pull-down function. The drop number selection column may also allow direct input of the value of the drop number. The frequency input column allows direct input of the value of the drive frequency. The ink selection column includes an ink type selection column, an ink specific gravity input column, and an ink viscosity input column. The ink type selection column enables selection of the ink type by means of a pull-down function. The ink specific gravity input column and the ink viscosity input column allow direct input of the values of the ink specific gravity and the ink viscosity, respectively. The controller type selection column has a pull-down selection column by means of a pull-down function.

[0090] First, the user selects the head type in ACT29 from the head selection column of the UI screen for parameter input processing shown in FIG. 14. Corresponding to the head type selected in the head selection column, the pull-down list in the controller type selection column is changed.

[0091] After that, the user selects the number of drops via the drop number selection column on the UI screen for parameter input processing shown in FIG. 14 in ACT30, inputs the driving frequency via the frequency input column in ACT31, selects the ink type via the ink type selection column in ACT32, inputs the ink specific gravity via the ink specific gravity input column in ACT33, and inputs the ink viscosity via the ink viscosity input column in ACT34. The operations of ACT30 to ACT34 may be performed in any order.

[0092] In ACT35, the user clicks on the pull-down selection column of the controller type selection column to display the pull-down list of controller types, and checks whether the head controller 26 to be used is among the options in the pull-down list. In the drawings, the head controller is abbreviated as "HC". An example of the pull-down list displayed in the pull-down selection column is shown in FIG. 15. The pull-down list shown in FIG. 15 displays options such as Controller made by Company A, Controller made by Company B, Controller made by Company C, Controller made by Company D, Standard format *.txt, and Standard format *.csv. The options in the pull-down list are changed according to the head type selected in the head selection column.

[0093] The options of Controller made by Company A, Controller made by Company B, Controller made by Company C, and Controller made by Company D are requests for providing setting value data in a dedicated format specific to the head controller of the selected vendor. Standard format *.txt and Standard format *.csv are requests for providing setting value data in a standard format independent of the head controller 26. The setting value data in the dedicated format can be used as it is without the need to perform format conversion work according to the head controller 26. On the other hand, the setting value data in the standard format cannot be used as it is, and it is necessary to perform format conversion work according to the head controller 26 to be used.

[0094] When the head controller 26 to be used is in the pull-down list of the pull-down selection field in the controller type selection field (when Yes in ACT35), preferably, in ACT36, the user selects that option.

[0095] When the head controller 26 to be used is undetermined or not in the pull-down list of the pull-down selection field in the controller type selection field (when No in ACT35), in ACT37, the user will select the standard format *.txt or the standard format *.csv.

[0096] In ACT38, the PC 31 checks that the drive frequency input in the frequency input field of the UI screen for parameter input processing shown in FIG. 14 is less than or equal to the maximum drive frequency. The maximum drive frequency is determined in consideration of the number of drops selected in the number of drops selection field. If the drive frequency exceeds the maximum drive frequency, good printing cannot be performed.

[0097] If the drive frequency exceeds the maximum drive frequency (when NG in ACT38), in ACT39, the PC 31 displays an 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 ACT29, displays the UI screen for parameter input processing on the screen, and prompts the user to perform parameter input processing.

[0098] If the drive frequency is less than or equal to the maximum drive frequency (when OK in ACT38), the PC 31 waits for the user to press the drive waveform creation button. In ACT40, when the user presses the drive waveform creation button, in ACT41, the PC 31 transmits the parameters input in the UI screen for parameter input processing shown in FIG. 14 to the drive waveform providing system 50.

[0099] Upon receiving the parameters, in ACT42, the drive waveform providing system 50 performs parameter check processing by the application server 54.

[0100] When the check result is NG (when it is NG in ACT42), the drive waveform providing system 50 instructs the PC31 to display an error message. In ACT43, 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 ACT29, displays the UI screen for parameter input processing on the screen, and prompts the user to re-enter the parameters.

[0101] When the check result is OK (when it is OK in ACT42), in ACT44, the drive waveform providing system 50 uses the drive waveform selection algorithm and the dedicated database to derive a suitable drive waveform from the parameters input on the UI screen for parameter input processing shown in FIG. 14 by the application server 54.

[0102] Subsequently, in ACT45, the drive waveform providing system 50 calculates setting value data for generating a suitable drive waveform by the application server 54. For example, when any one of the controller types of Company A, Company B, Company C, and Company D is selected in the controller type selection column of the UI screen for parameter input processing shown in FIG. 14, the drive waveform providing system 50 generates setting value data in a format suitable for the selected controller type. Also, when the standard format *.txt or the standard format *.csv is selected, the drive waveform providing system 50 generates the setting value data of the selected standard format *.txt or the standard format *.csv. After generating the setting value data, the drive waveform providing system 50 transmits the setting value data to the PC31 by the web server 51.

[0103] An example of set value data of a suitable drive waveform in a format suitable for the controller type of the first head controller 26 is shown in FIG. 16. Another example of set value data of a suitable drive waveform in a format suitable for the controller type of the second head controller 26 is shown in FIG. 17. Still another example of set value data of a suitable drive waveform in a format suitable for the controller type of the third head controller 26 is shown in FIG. 18.

[0104] (Effect) The drive waveform providing system 50 according to the embodiment receives parameters such as drive conditions of the inkjet print head 25 and physical property values of the ink from the external terminal 30 via the cloud, derives a suitable drive waveform for the inkjet print head 25, and provides the derived suitable drive waveform to the external terminal 30 via the cloud. Therefore, the user of the external terminal 30 can receive the provision of the suitable drive waveform without having to perform ejection observation. As a result, there is no need to perform ejection evaluation, and the evaluation cost can be reduced.

[0105] Furthermore, in the drive waveform providing system 50 according to the embodiment, the UI screen for parameter input processing displayed on the screen of the external terminal 30 is provided in the controller type selection column of the head controller 26, and the user of the external terminal 30 can select the controller type of the head controller 26 to be used. When a specific controller type is selected as the controller type, the drive waveform providing system 50 calculates the set value data of the suitable drive waveform, converts it into a format suitable for the selected controller type, and provides the converted set value data of the suitable drive waveform to the external terminal 30 via the cloud. In this case, the user of the external terminal 30 can receive the provision of the set value data of the suitable drive waveform in a format suitable for the head controller 26 to be used without having to perform the format conversion operation according to the controller type of the head controller 26 to be used. Also, when the standard format is selected as the controller type, the drive waveform providing system 50 calculates the set value data of the suitable drive waveform in the standard format and provides the calculated set value data of the suitable drive waveform in the standard format to the external terminal 30 via the cloud. In this case, it is necessary to perform a format conversion operation on the external terminal 30 according to the controller type of the head controller 26 to be used.

[0106] (Others) The program executed by the drive waveform providing system according to the embodiment may be transferred in a state stored in an electronic device, or may be transferred in a state not stored in the electronic device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network or may be transferred in a state stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is a non-temporary 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.

[0107] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, the embodiments are presented by way of example 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 also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0108] 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, 26…Head controller, 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, 251…Driver IC, 252…Analog switch circuit, 253…Data processing circuit, 254…Actuator group, 261…Bus bridge, 262…Set value data buffer, 263…Print data buffer, 264…Control signal generation unit, 265…Drive control unit, 266…Drive waveform generation circuit, 267…Print data transfer unit, 268…Control signal transfer unit.

Claims

1. A drive waveform providing system that provides setting value data for an inkjet print head, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with an external terminal via a cloud; a response unit that creates response information for 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: For the received information requesting provision of the setting value data of the inkjet print head, provides the response information of an interface that receives input of parameters including drive conditions of the inkjet print head, physical property values of ink ejected by the inkjet print head, and types of head controllers that control the inkjet print head, to the external terminal via the communication unit; For the received information of the parameters, provides the response information of the setting value data calculated using a drive waveform selection algorithm based on the parameters, to the external terminal via the communication unit. A drive waveform providing system.

2. The interface has a controller type selection field that displays options for the type of the head controller. The drive waveform providing system according to Claim 1.

3. When the option of the head controller is in a standard format, the response unit provides the response information of the setting value data in a standard format to the external terminal via the communication unit. The drive waveform providing system according to Claim 2.

4. When the option of the head controller is a specific head controller, the response unit provides the response information of the setting value data in a format suitable for the specific head controller to the external terminal via the communication unit. The drive waveform providing system according to Claim 2.

5. The interface has a head type selection field that displays options for the type of the inkjet print head. The response unit changes the option of the head controller according to the type of the inkjet print head. The drive waveform providing system according to Claim 2. ​

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